The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is seeking public feedback on a rule change request to the National Electricity Rules (NER) from State and Federal Energy Ministers. The rule change request was submitted by Federal Minister for Climate Change, Chris Bowen, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, and Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan. The AEMC […]
News
Project developments, news, announcements and personnel movements from the Australian utility industry, updated daily.
SE Water smart meter rollout reaches 100,000
Steph Barker Digital Utilities, News, Smart meters, Spotlight, Water 0South East Water has rolled out almost 100,000 smart meters across Victoria, which the utility said has saved customers more than $5.2 million. Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, visited Cranbourne to see one of the digital meters South East Water has installed that allows customers to detect costly leaks and track their water use in real-time. Since the rollout […]
50MW Bouldercombe big battery completed
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0Genex Power has announced that its 50MW/100MWh Bouldercombe Battery Project has been completed, with the final two mega battery packs installed on the site in late 2023. Genex Power has also announced that the two replacement megapacks were transported and installed at the project site during the week commencing 27 November 2023, and that a small outage was required to […]
NT to receive $53.1M of water supply projects
Kody Cook News, Pipelines, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0In an effort to shore up water security for remote communities in the Northern Territory, the Federal and Territory Governments are investing $53.1 million in the development of a number of water supply projects. In Maningrida, the two governments are investing $21 million for three infrastructure upgrades to increase the reliability of the local water supply network. This work will […]
$4M sewer odour control unit for Whyalla
Kody Cook News, Projects, Spotlight, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0In an effort to reduce sewer odour issues in certain parts of Whyalla, SA Water has begun works for a $4 million odour control unit. The unit – which is an intricate system of filters, pipes and valves – will connect to the sewer network through an existing pipe on Billing Street, where it can extract and treat odorous gases […]
Ausgrid reports increase in copper theft putting lives at risk
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Safety and Training, Spotlight 0Ausgrid has revealed that 74 incidents of copper theft have been recorded across its network since August 2023, resulting in almost half a million dollars in damage, disruptions to thousands of customers, and severe safety risks. The latest analysis by Ausgrid has shown criminals are increasingly moving away from breaking into depots, to now cutting down power poles with chainsaws […]
Origin has entered into an agreement with Superloop to provide broadband wholesale services, as part of Origin’s drive to expand its customer base. The new service agreement comes as Origin targets the next phase of growth for its broadband business, which has seen customer numbers increase five-fold since 2021 New broadband customers contributed to Origin reporting customer growth at the […]
Powerline resilience package planned for south-east Melbourne
Kody Cook Disaster Management, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0United Energy is planning and testing a new package of resilience works that will see powerlines in areas of south-east Melbourne that are prone to high fire risk be moved underground. The activities being considered by United Energy for Melbourne’s south-east and the Mornington Peninsula are aimed at making its network stronger and more resilient in the face of more […]
RMIT develops early fault detection system for energy networks
Steph Barker Asset management, Electricity, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, News, Spotlight 0Researchers at RMIT University have designed an early fault detection (EFD) system for energy networks that is being used to help prevent bushfires and blackouts in North America, Europe and Australia. IND Technology, the company that commercialised the innovation, is seeking funding from the Federal Government to assist with rolling out the EFD system across all single-wire earth return (SWER) […]
VIC Gov announces first round of community battery grants
Steph Barker Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The Victorian Government has announced the first round of grants awarded as part of its 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program. Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced six projects that will share in more than $6 million in funding to deliver 25 neighbourhood batteries across 20 towns, totaling more than 4.2MWh hours of new storage capacity. Ms D’Ambrosio said […]
The Northern Territory Government has announced that construction of Power and Water’s new Darwin River Dam pump station has nearly reached the halfway mark. Delivered by McMahon Services, the $29 million project is designed to improve the reliability of water supply to the Darwin region. The main pump hall construction basement, complete with above ground walls and steel structure, is […]
Arup appoints new Water Business Leader
Steph Barker Company news, News, People and appointments, Spotlight, Water 0Arup has appointed a new leader of their Victorian Water Business. Jackie Moss has had a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the water industry, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. Ms Moss joins Arup from Melbourne Water, where she held key positions including serving as the Head of Service Enablement One Water. Arup said […]
Melbourne Water program to protect endangered possum
Kody Cook Company news, News, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Melbourne Water is undertaking a program to establish new habitat for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, with funding support from the Federal Government. With only a small number of lowland sub-species of the Leadbeater’s Possum remaining in the wild, the Securing a future for lowland Leadbeater’s Possum initiative aims to re-establish habitat in the Yarra Valley, at the Yarra Valley […]
Horizon Power invites feedback on proposed transmission line
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0Horizon Power has called feedback on its proposal to expand the North-West Interconnected Systems (NWIS) with a 7km long 132kV overhead transmission line between the Dampier Substation and the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area (SIA). The Burrup SIA is not currently connected via transmission infrastructure to the NWIS. The project is located on Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) in Western Australia, approximately 1.5km […]
Pole top fires cause power outages for 47,000 Perth customers
Kody Cook Company news, Electricity, Maintenance, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Parts of the Western Power energy network have suffered serious damage after approximately 70 pole top fires broke out in the Perth metropolitan area, affecting the power supply to around 13,000 homes and businesses. Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Operations, Zane Christmas, said that crews were set to work as quickly and safely as possible to address a significant […]
Vital upgrades completed for major WA water pipelines
Kody Cook News, Pipelines, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0Approximately 3km of new distribution pipeline has been laid as Water Corporation completes vital upgrades to 100-year old water mains in parts of East Fremantle, Palmyra and Bicton, shoring up water supply reliability for the area. A focal point for the project was the intersection of Canning Highway and Petra Street, where Water Corporation worked closely with residents, local businesses […]
Lumea signs deal for BESS in New England REZ
Steph Barker Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Renewable Energy 0Transgrid Group’s contestable business, Lumea, has signed an agreement with ACEN Australia to connect a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as part of the New England Solar Farm project. Stage one of ACEN Australia’s $768 million project is currently under construction near Uralla in the proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The 50MW BESS, which will be scaled […]
Gladstone gas supply cut off by pipeline fire
Steph Barker Disaster Management, Gas, News, Pipelines, Spotlight 0A fire has broken out at Jemena’s Queensland Gas Pipeline (QGP) near Bauhinia Downs, Queensland. 6 March update Jemena crews have successfully completed make-safe activities on a portion of the QGP. As a next step, Jemena said that it is now developing its restoration plan and working with stakeholders involved in supplying gas to the QGP. This work involves mobilising […]
The Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, has formally introduced the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid) Bill 2024. The government said the bill is the next step in establishing VicGrid and ensuring it has the powers to modernise the way new energy infrastructure is planned and developed in Victoria, while giving communities a voice in the process. VicGrid […]
Milestone for Darwin-Katherine BESS construction
Steph Barker Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The Northern Territory Government has reached a milestone in the construction of its $45 million Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System (DK BESS). All 192 batteries, each weighing 3.5t, have been installed for the 35MVA BESS, with construction and pre-commissioning complete. Territory Generation is continuing to work collaboratively with key stakeholders to begin rigorous testing before the DK BESS comes online […]
NBN Co reveals plans for higher speed internet
Steph Barker Digital Utilities, News, Spotlight, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has unveiled a proposal to increase download speeds on several of its most popular products. The proposal would provide five times faster download speeds on its nbn Home Fast product, which would see wholesale download speeds accelerate from 100/20Mbps to 500/50Mbps at no extra wholesale cost to retailers. NBN Co is proposing to provide the accelerated speeds to […]
Mareeba Dimbulah irrigation project exceeds target
Steph Barker Irrigation, News, Pipelines, Spotlight, Water 0The Queensland Government has said that Sunwater’s $32.5 million Mareeba Dimbulah water irrigation efficiency project is yielding more water than expected. Completed in 2021 under joint funding from the Queensland State and Federal Governments, the project has produced approximately 38 per cent more water than originally projected. Delivered by Sunwater, the water-saving project replaced 14km of pipeline, installed 125 automated […]
NSW Gov approves renewable energy projects
Steph Barker News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The New South Wales Government has approved multiple wind and solar projects and is on track to deliver enough renewable energy to power more than 1.5 million homes. Throughout 2023, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure finalised 18 renewable energy state significant development assessments including three wind farms, six solar farms and nine large-scale batteries. Of these, 13 were […]
AGL announces joint venture to develop REZ energy park
Steph Barker Batteries & Storage, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Solar, Spotlight, Wind 0AGL has announced a joint venture with Someva Renewables to develop the Pottinger Energy Park, to be located within the New South Wales gazetted South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The Pottinger Energy Park is expected to consist of a 1.2GW wind farm, 300MW solar farm and 500MW/2000MWh battery energy storage system. The proposed park location is 60km south of […]
Squadron Energy appoints new CEO and Chairman
Kody Cook Company news, News, People and appointments, Spotlight 0Squadron Energy has announced the appointment of a new CEO and the transition of the current CEO to Chairman, alongside commitments to improve its collaboration with regional communities. Former APA Group CEO and Managing Director Rob Wheals has been appointed CEO, while current CEO Jason Willoughby is set to become Chairman of Squadron. Mr Wheals has more than 25 years’ […]
WA passes bill to modernise electricity rules
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The Western Australian Parliament has passed the Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill 2023, which includes a new State Electricity Objective and streamlined electricity regulations. The Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill 2023, which amends the Electricity Industry Act 2004, is the first major update of sector-wide electricity legislation in 20 years. The bill introduces a new State […]
Notice to Proceed issued for 300MW battery in west VIC
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Origin Energy has issued a Notice to Proceed on a 300MW/650MWh battery to bolster the grid of the Mortlake region in Victoria’s west, to be delivered by EPC contractor, Fluence. Initially announced in late 2022 on behalf of the Federal Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide up to $24 million in funding to the project, as part […]
$711M upgrade for VIC water treatment plant
Kody Cook News, Projects, Spotlight, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0The Victorian Government has announced that it will be investing $711 million in the modernisation of Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant, to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the city’s growing population for generations. Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, announced the start of works on a new Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex – the first major milestone […]
The Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA) has announced the Victorian winner of the 2024 Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition. Yarra Valley Water took out the top prize over finalists Barwon Water, North East Water and Central Highlands Water at WIOA’s 85th Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition. Competition judges included De.mem-Stevco Director, Steve Russell, Albury City […]
Origin has paid $295,872 in penalties for eight contraventions of Victorian energy laws. Origin allegedly referred six customers affected by family violence to a debt recovery agency without considering the potential impact of debt recovery on those customers. Origin self-reported the issues affecting Victorian customers as required under the commission’s reporting requirements. Before taking action to recover arrears from an […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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