24 March 2026

Jury still out as govt fast-tracks approvals for energy efficient, socially engaged data centres

The federal government’s newly published National Data Centre Expectations (NDCE) – which include fast-tracked approvals for data centre and AI infrastructure operators that underwrite new renewable power supply and “pay their full share of new grid connectivity” – are “disappointing” because they ignore the existing on-premises data centres that house nearly 80 per cent of Australia’s computing capacity, industry group Data Centres Australia (DCA) has observed in arguing for the policies to have broader scope. New, purpose-built facilities are highly optimised and represent “the most energy-e

As Australians queue for fuel, they should ask themselves one question

Australians queuing this week to pay soaring prices for petrol and diesel should ask themselves a simple question: why has China spent the past 15 years building the world’s largest renewable energy system? Why has China poured trillions into manufacturing and exporting electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and smart grids — to the point that as you sit in traffic in Australia, you are increasingly likely to be behind a Chinese-made BYD than a Tesla? Here’s a hint: it’s not just — or even mainly — about climate change. It’s about national security. China’s leadership has lo

Australia’s coal-fired plants notch 108 outages in five months

The Yallourn power station. Image: Stella/stock.adobe.com As temperatures soared across Australia this summer, many of the country’s coal-fired power plants seemingly couldn’t keep up. According to Reliability Watch, a collaboration between Queensland, New South Wales and […]

A new era of environmental approvals for Australian projects

Image: LisaGageler/stock.adobe.com For energy developers, utilities, asset owners and environmental practitioners alike, Australia’s environmental reforms, in particular the draft Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) Standard, signal a step‑change in approvals practice. […]

Trump’s latest bid to snuff out offshore wind: Pay firms not to build it

US administration will pay TotalEnergies $1 billion to end its offshore wind leases and invest in LNG exports. Critics say the move could make energy even more expensive.

Kwinana energy hub eyes first hydrogen production

Pacific Energy's Ashvin Seetulsingh, Sean Blythe, Sylvia Filipowicz and Deepak Mistry, with Eric May (FEnEx CRC) in the middle. Image: Pacific Energy The Kwinana energy transformation hub (KETH) could soon be producing 130kg of gaseous hydrogen per day after securing key equipment for the facility’s Stage 2 development. The Future Energy Exports […]

Solar and wind reach record 17% of US power generation

Combined generation from wind and utility-scale solar reached a record 17% of the US electricity mix in 2025, producing 760,000 GWh, up 88,000 GWh from 2024, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

SwitchedOn podcast: How households are reshaping the role of electricity networks

As households generate, store and manage their own power, electricity networks are being forced to rethink their role in a rapidly changing energy system.

Key progress at new Kwinana hydrogen hub, as nearby bp project remains on pause

Key industrial hub gets back in the hydrogen game, with equipment secured and studies underway for government and industry-backed production and testing facility.

Underground cables, turbine parts: Fresh construction milestones for WA’s largest wind farm

Construction of one of Western Australia’s best performing wind farms continues to hit new milestones on its way to becoming the state’s largest.

PVT-driven tower heat pump for building retrofits

Researchers in China demonstrated that integrating energy tower heat pumps with evaporator-side boilers, air-source heat pumps, or solar-assisted systems can significantly improve winter heating efficiency and economic performance in commercial buildings. Among the four configurations tested, the evaporator-side boiler and solar-assisted systems delivered the highest performance and energy savings, offering a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to conventional heating.

SolaX Power validates system level safety through extreme testing

Under controlled conditions, the SolaX ORI 5 MWh system’s battery cells were intentionally driven into thermal runaway, with the emergency ventilation system kept closed throughout. The system’s pressure relief structure activated as designed to guarantee no additional risks to surrounding personnel or the environment.

When battery imbalance turns 11% of capacity into stranded energy

A 350 MWh battery storage system in Europe is delivering significantly less energy than expected due to cell imbalance, with the battery management system failing to detect the issue, tradable energy volumes chronically overestimated, and weekly balancing cost exposure reaching up to €110,000 ($127,745). This is one of the real-world failure scenarios to be examined at the Battery Business & Development Forum on April 1.

Stricter rules for energy retailers as UK smart meter deployment slows

UK government plans new obligations for energy suppliers as smart meter deployment slows in Great Britain. Annual additions to smart electricity meter total have fallen each year since 2021. Binding annual milestones expected to come into force from 2027.

Solar panels and low-carbon heating mandated for new homes in England

Heat pumps and solar PV effectively mandated under new building regulations for England. UK government says it is stepping up push for clean power in response to Iran war. Major UK retailers expected to have first plug-in solar devices on shelves within months.

Solar and wind reach record 17% of US power generation

Combined generation from wind and utility-scale solar reached a record 17% of the US electricity mix in 2025, producing 760,000 GWh, up 88,000 GWh from 2024, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

PVT-driven tower heat pump for building retrofits

Researchers in China demonstrated that integrating energy tower heat pumps with evaporator-side boilers, air-source heat pumps, or solar-assisted systems can significantly improve winter heating efficiency and economic performance in commercial buildings. Among the four configurations tested, the evaporator-side boiler and solar-assisted systems delivered the highest performance and energy savings, offering a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to conventional heating.

SolaX Power validates system level safety through extreme testing

Under controlled conditions, the SolaX ORI 5 MWh system’s battery cells were intentionally driven into thermal runaway, with the emergency ventilation system kept closed throughout. The system’s pressure relief structure activated as designed to guarantee no additional risks to surrounding personnel or the environment.

When battery imbalance turns 11% of capacity into stranded energy

A 350 MWh battery storage system in Europe is delivering significantly less energy than expected due to cell imbalance, with the battery management system failing to detect the issue, tradable energy volumes chronically overestimated, and weekly balancing cost exposure reaching up to €110,000 ($127,745). This is one of the real-world failure scenarios to be examined at the Battery Business & Development Forum on April 1.

Stricter rules for energy retailers as UK smart meter deployment slows

UK government plans new obligations for energy suppliers as smart meter deployment slows in Great Britain. Annual additions to smart electricity meter total have fallen each year since 2021. Binding annual milestones expected to come into force from 2027.

Ghana plans to procure 200 MW of battery storage

Brazil’s LRCAP battery auction demand estimated at nearly 3 GW

New solar window concept integrates polymer-dispersed liquid crystal to enable switchable transparency

Spain completes testing of Europe’s largest research vanadium BESS

German startup offers team of 22 specialized AI workers for PV plant O&M operations

Silver prices find new floor around $70 an ounce

Solar cyber threats expand, but inverters still stay in the crosshairs

European residential heat pump sales increased in 2025