Unitywater has flicked the switch on a 95kW solar system, featuring 350 solar panels placed on the roof of its Northern Service Centre at Maroochydore (QLD). It is believed to be one of the biggest roof-mounted solar systems on the Sunshine Coast, and is the largest commercial installation ever carried out by Nambour solar business Air-Rite. The project is part […]
Electricity
The latest project news, developments and opinion pieces from industry experts from Australia’s electricity industry.
The Reliability Panel has recently published the final report for the template for generator compliance programs review. The report provides recommendations to improve the template’s clarity and to reflect changes in generation technology, new monitoring techniques and changes in plant operational modes. The template is designed to assist registered participants who own or operate plants to which performance standards apply, […]
TransGrid requires new 33kV indoor switchgear with a combined control/protection system to be installed in a switchgear building at TransGrid’s Taree substation, NSW. Transgrid is seeking tenders for all works necessary for the design, provision of interfacing information, manufacturing, provision of “as manufactured” drawings for the switchgear and switchgear accessories, transport and delivery to the nominated site and subsequent erection […]
Register open for solar water heaters
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Renewable Energy, Solar, Sustainability, Water 0The Clean Energy Regulator have developed a register for all solar water heaters that are eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. All systems must be installed exactly as they are listed on the register, and their components accredited to be eligible for certificates. If one or more components are missing or changed during the installation […]
The winner of the inaugural Clean Energy Award at the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards 2015 has been announced in Melbourne. ARENA has taken home the award which recognises the efforts of those working towards a more sustainable future through the development and deployment of renewable energy programmes or processes. “ARENA is honoured to be the […]
Nyngan plant ramped to full power
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Solar, Sustainability 0AGL’s Nyngan solar photovoltaic (PV) plant (NSW) has been ramped up to full generation, and is now feeding 102 MW of renewable energy into the National Electricity Market. As the biggest solar PV plant in Australia, this is enough to power 33,000 homes annually. The plant is part of the $440 million AGL solar project, which is supported by $166.7 […]
The WA State Government has announced a 4.5 per cent increase in residential electricity tariffs. The increase in tariffs will take effect on 1 July 2015. The State Budget released shows, on average, the Government subsidises the electricity costs of each household within the State by more than $303 a year, but the subsidy is higher for households in regional […]
Green light for Palm Island power station
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Electricity, News, Renewable Energy 0The Queensland Government has been given the green light to build an $18 million power plant on Palm Island, off Townsville. Queensland State Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the project will boost the island’s economy. “The new diesel station will be designed and built as `renewable energy ready’ to accommodate possible future innovations or investments, such as potentially constructing a solar […]
ElectraNet has cancelled a proposed upgrade investment at its Baroota substation in Mid North SA. The cancellation was highlighted within a Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) stating that the upgrade would not deliver a positive net benefit to customers. The initial upgrade at Baroota was planned to ensure compliance with an increase to the reliability standards set by the Essential […]
The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission has announced a 4.6 per cent decrease to the regulated electricity prices from 1 July 2015. For an average Canberra family that uses 8,000 kWh of electricity per year, this will equate to a saving of $1.53 a week. This price reduction is a result of a decrease in network charges and lower wholesale […]
The NSW Legislative Council have released a report which recommends the Government’s proposal to lease the infrastructure of 100 per cent of Transgrid and 50.4 per cent of each of Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy. The committee believes that the Government’s proposal is in the best interest of the state, taking into account the state’s fiscal position, the need to maintain a […]
ARENA has announced a $1.4 million support for the University of Adelaide to develop an online Australian energy storage knowledge bank and build a mobile energy storage test facility. ARENA CEO, Ivor Frischknecht said the collaborative project led by the University of Adelaide was an important next step for energy storage development and would build on other efforts already underway. […]
Ergon closer to reaching safety targets
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Powerlines, Safety and Training 0More detailed reports of electrical incidents is allowing Ergon Energy to work towards removing the danger of accidental contact with power lines. New information reported through Ergon’s latest Community Electrical Safety Awareness Plan (CESAP) shows an increase in the number of reported electrical incidents on the electricity network – but is also proving where the “Look up and Live” message and […]
Utility Services Group acquired by Spotless
Utility Journalist Company news, Electricity, Gas, News, Water 0Spotless has signed a conditional acquisition agreement for the purchase of Utility Services Group (USG). Operating under the Skilltech, Fieldforce and Utility Asset Management brands, Utility Services Group (USG) is an Australian provider of retail meter reading and installation services in the electricity, gas and water sectors. Spotless Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Bruce Dixon said: “The acquisition of […]
The Grattan Institute has responded to critics following Origin Director of Energy programs, Tony Wood and Energy Fellow, David Blower’s recent article on solar use in Australia’s future. The initial statement suggested that government needed to avoid the mistakes of the past and ‘finally get solar power right’ in Australia. According to Mr Wood, in the first phase of large-scale growth […]
Ergon Energy and HabiDapt have developed a new home energy management technology for QLD to help their customers better control their energy usage and bills. The company is piloting the innovative technology that will give customers more control to manage their energy use either at home or remotely from a tablet, laptop or computer. The pilot is being rolled out […]
Panasonic Australia has announced pilot projects with ActewAGL, Snowy Hydro’s Red Energy and Ergon Energy to install Panasonic battery technology systems in solar-installed homes for the first time. The new systems will generate efficient, environmentally responsible electricity and deliver more efficient utilisation of the electricity network. The system will be tested at an Ergon research laboratory in Cairns, Far North Queensland […]
Water supply upgrades continuing in Broome
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, News, Projects, Solar, Water 0Construction of a $2.7million new water main project at Cable Beach (WA) is currently underway. WA Water Minister, Mia Davies, says the project forms part of a suite of water supply upgrades for Broome with more than $20 million invested over the past three years. The West Australian State Government upgrades to Broome’s water supply continue with, “The Water Corporation […]
Digital revolution and battery storage
Utility Journalist Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Telecommunications 0Ergon’s Group Manager for Network Development, Andrew Deme, has stated that a parallel is present between the digital revolution experienced by the telecommunications industry, and the emergence of battery storage on the modern power grid. Deme has been reflecting on the similarities between telecommunications and power distribution, especially in regard to the huge benefits to efficiency that result from buffering […]
United Energy awards $180m contract
Utility Journalist Company news, Contracts awarded, Electricity, News 0United Energy has awarded an $180 million contract for 24/7 network operations, maintenance and augmentation services. Downer EDI Limited (Downer) was awarded the three-year contract which will see 300,000 consumers benefiting from their services. Downer has been United Energy’s electricity network service provider for their southern electricity region since 1 January, 2012. “The renewal of this contract is testament to […]
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released a draft determination that encourages electricity distribution networks to find lower cost solutions to managing their systems. The draft sits in line with proposals from the Total Environment Centre and COAG Energy Council. The determination modifies the existing demand management incentive scheme which is part of the regulatory framework governing how networks […]
ARENA funded CSIRO solar PV testing facilities are now accessible to PV researchers and industry. The 32 month project supported by $1.3 million ARENA funding, in which unique indoor and outdoor testing capabilities were established, is set to increase confidence in large scale solar by more accurately predicting how different solar PV systems will perform on Australian shores. ARENA CEO […]
SA Power Networks has lodged its 2015-2016 tariff submission, proposing a Network Social Tariff aimed at assisting up to 12,000 vulnerable customers on hardship programs with their retailer. If approved by the AER, eligible hardship customers would receive an average reduction in 2015-16 of about $386 on the network component of their 2014-15 bill, compared with a reduction of about […]
Ipsos releases solar project guidelines
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Renewable Energy, Solar 0Ipsos, an independent market research company has produced best practice community consultation guidelines for proposed large scale solar projects. Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) CEO, Ivor Frischknecht, has said the reports would be an invaluable resource for establishing and maintaining community support to operate solar projects in Australia. “The results show Australians strongly support renewable energy and demonstrate the importance […]
Choppers to thread Surat transmission lines
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Electricity, Gas, News 0Powerlink Queensland specialist helicopter crews will be threading over 55km of high voltage transmission line in the Surat Basin, north east of Roma (QLD). This extension of Queensland’s high voltage transmission network will support the state’s multi-billion-dollar gas export industry. Powerlink’s Chief Executive, Merryn York, said using helicopters to string the lines reduced community, landholder and environmental impacts as well […]
Residential Electrical Contractor Engagement Sessions (RECESS) will be rolled out across Queensland by Ergon Energy in June, giving electrical contractors a chance to receive the latest company updates. “We have been holding RECESS twice a year for a number of years now, and each event is a valuable opportunity for a two-way flow of important information relating to safety and […]
Solar pumping guides for NSW farmers
Utility Journalist Irrigation, News, Renewable Energy, Solar, Sustainability, Water 0NSW Farmers and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) have developed new solar pumping guides to help irrigators and livestock owners reduce costs and boost production. OEH and NSW Farmers will launch a detailed guidebook about solar pumping system selection and design, as well as a farmer’s guide to renewable energy in agriculture at the first of a series […]
Battery storage units arriving soon
Utility Journalist Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Solar 0Ergon Energy’s first production units of an innovative electricity network battery storage device will arrive in Australia next month. The first four of the much-anticipated Grid Utility Support System (GUSS) units are due into Brisbane Port by mid-June and are expected to be deployed onto sections of Ergon’s rural network by August. GUSS works on rural and remote sections of […]
The Western Australian State Government has announced a 4.5 per cent increase in residential electricity tariffs. The increase in tariffs will take effect on 1 July 2015. The State Budget has shown that the Government subsidises the electricity costs of each household within the State by more than $303 a year, but the subsidy is higher for households in regional […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
Read the latest issue online
Sponsored Content
-
Cable spool management system challenging industry standard March 27, 2024
Nexans Mobiway™ Boost, a revolutionary cable spool management system that chal...
-
Recycled water: the state of play in 2024 March 22, 2024
As climate change and population growth continue to put drinking water supplies ...
-
New flow meter detecting dangerous methane leaks March 4, 2024
Engineers monitoring natural gas compressors for dry seal leaks of toxic, combus...
-
Urban Utilities selects facilities management partner February 27, 2024
Queensland’s Urban Utilities has inked a new deal with the partner that will p...
-
Leading international supply chain risk management service launches in Australia February 22, 2024
Veriforce CHAS, the renowned UK-based provider of supply chain risk prevention, ...
Upcoming Events
- There are no upcoming events.