Victoria’s Monash University has begun work on an innovative solar and battery storage-based renewable energy microgrid.
Monash Uni begins solar + battery storage microgrid, on road to 100% renewables
Software/Gadgets
HydroTasmania takes Rottnest Island to 45% renewables with new solar array
WA's Rottnest Island can now meet up to 90% of its electricity demand from solar and wind energy, after a 600kW solar array was added to the existing hybrid wind and diesel system.
Origin Energy trials solar trading with blockchain start-up Power Ledger
Origin Energy will trial peer-to-peer solar energy trading using the blockchain-based platform of Perth start-up Power Ledger.
Reverse solar hot water innovation making air con more efficient
New research shows fluid-filled roof panels that work like solar water heaters – except to extract heat from fluid, rather than adding it – can help make air conditioning up to 20% more efficient.
EnergyAustralia rolls Redback smart solar platform out to customers
EnergyAustralia and Redback Technologies launch smart solar energy management system that could save customers $1,500 a year on electricity bills.
Energy Queensland taps people power to shore up summer grid
As the federal government continues to court coal, state-owned Energy Queensland has partnered with Melbourne tech start-up GreenSync to tap state's distributed renewable energy customers, including the nearly 30% of homes with rooftop solar, and create a virtual power plant ahead of peak summer demand.
‘Smart home’ gadgets: Not always the easy answer to cutting bills
Research suggests some "smart" devices can wind up increasing household energy usage, rather than cutting it.
What are virtual power plants, and how will they change the energy business?
Virtual power plants and transactive energy: What, exactly, are they? And why does a leading microgrid analyst see them changing the way the power industry does business?
LO3 unveils 'game-changing' solar sharing microgrid in South Australia
US-based company behind block-chain energy sharing technology unveil plans for 6MW SA solar microgrid with Yates Electrical that could be the start of an industry-changing revolution.
Horizon Power extends WA off-grid solar and storage trial
WA network operator to take more remote regional customers off grid, with solar, battery storage and back-up diesel, after success of 2016 pilot.
AusNet trial successfully takes part of Melbourne suburb off-grid
Eight homes successfully separated from main electricity grid and operated as stand-alone solar and battery storage powered mini-grid, in Melbourne trial.
The energy revolution is here – but are consumers invited?
Early adopters of rooftop solar, and now battery storage, have got Australia's energy revolution well underway. But what's in it for those of us still smarting from a 200% increase in power bills? And how can we make the new energy market a fair one?
Wattwatchers to ramp up smart energy device roll-out
Southern Cross VC fund backs NSW-based “internet of things” energy data company Wattwatchers.
New Aussie solar start-up empowering rural farming villages
UK-based company run by Australian solar entrepreneur provides leases for solar in poor rural farming communities.
Off grid vs network-connected: A Queensland community divided
A Daintree Rainforest community's decades long campaign to get network supplied power has caught the attention of the federal energy minister and ARENA. But not all of the community's residents are on board with the idea, and say off-grid living is the way to go.
Selectronic joins forces with LG Chem in booming battery storage market
LG Chem's RESU home battery systems to team with Selectronic's Australian made SP PRO inverters – a tech duo to challenge the Tesla Powerwall 2.
