Firmus grapples with thorny energy supply challenge
The Energy Co AU Grid ·
Data center developer Firmus is challenging government requirements to fund full network augmentation costs for its proposed 'AI factories'.
Archive
10 September 2026
38 articles collected
Daily Snapshot
3 min read
Data centres are challenging network funding rules as policymakers grapple with weak carbon price signals, revealing critical strains in Australia's energy transition infrastructure.
AU 15 |Global 10 | Storage 10|Policy 3|Solar 3
from top 25 articles
Read snapshot
Today's Signal
How to create stronger signals for decarbonisation investment
The Energy Co AU Policy ·
The Australian Government is reviewing the Safeguard Mechanism to address concerns that current credit prices are insufficient to drive industrial decarbonisation. While the policy mandates declining baselines for 200 facilities emitting over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, most reductions currently stem from production cuts rather than the intended technology investments.
Arena notches up 100 community battery installations, boosts funding for second round of grants
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
ARENA has reached 100 community battery installations and allocated an additional $23.2 million for a second grant round to expand local energy storage across Australia.
Anti-wind group sues planning minister and wind project owners, threatens public servants
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
Victoria group takes wind project to court, says public servants are next if successful.
Build it and they will come: The urgent grid upgrades WA needs to quit coal and power green industry
RenewEconomy AU Grid ·
Western Australia requires immediate transmission infrastructure investment in key industrial zones to facilitate coal retirement and secure green energy projects. Delays in grid expansion threaten the state's employment levels, investment pipeline, and the achievement of established climate targets.
Continue reading
Australia’s NEM BESS fleet earns AU$29 million in August as capture rate climbs to 54%
Energy-Storage.News AU Storage ·
Australia's 58 grid-scale battery storage systems in the NEM generated a combined AU$28.79 million in estimated gross energy and FCAS revenue.
Too old, can’t dance: New numbers show Yallourn is ready to retire
RenewEconomy AU Gas ·
A new report indicates EnergyAustralia's Yallourn coal plant is increasingly inflexible and nearing retirement, warning that substituting its capacity with gas generation instead of renewables would significantly increase electricity prices.
Proposed gas network revenue reforms leave consumers to pay for investors’ bad bets
RenewEconomy AU Gas ·
The Australian Energy Market Commission's draft determination on gas network revenue recovery proposes rule changes that shift the financial risk of stranded assets from investors to consumers. These reforms aim to adjust how gas networks recoup capital as demand declines, potentially increasing household costs to protect utility returns.
Households tipped to spend $85 billion on energy upgrades, but renters and young Australians could miss out
RenewEconomy AU Solar ·
Spending on home energy upgrades such as insulation and solar panels is on the rise but renters and younger households may be left behind.
“Australian first” grid-connected sodium-sulfur battery powers up, just as supplier halts production
RenewEconomy – Storage AU Storage ·
A 1.2MW/6.96MWh sodium-sulfur battery has commenced operations at a Queensland materials processing plant to demonstrate long-duration storage, despite manufacturer NGK Insulators pausing production of the technology. The project marks Australia's first grid-connected deployment of this chemistry, aimed at supporting industrial decarbonisation.
Dealerships, mechanics and repair shops offered rebates for EV chargers and electric vehicle tools
The Driven AU EV ·
New round of rebates announced to help install EV chargers at car dealerships, repairers, and mechanics, and to help with cost of tools and equipment.
Massive and unprecedented injection of power as Super Battery tests its full shock-absorber capacity
RenewEconomy – Storage AU Storage ·
Australia's most powerful battery injects a massive and unprecedented amount of power into the grid as it tests its capacity to act as giant shock absorber.
How retailers are standing in the way of cheaper power | SwitchedOn Australia
RenewEconomy AU Power ·
Tim Ryan argues Australia is trying to build a 21st-century, consumer-led electricity system while preserving retailers as compulsory ‘middlemen.
Ford prices new fully electric van at $50,000 driveaway – and an overwhelming total cost advantage over ICE
The Driven AU EV ·
Ford prices its new electric van at $50,000 driveaway, adding to the increasingly competitive market for vans that are easily beating ICE competitors on total costs.
“Overlooked” challenge: Data centre boom could lift e-waste load 10-fold, increase “forever chemical” risks
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
Environmental authorities will be faced with a wave of new e-waste as data centre industry ramps up, including rising amounts of so-called "forever chemicals."
You’re all caught up
Beyond the OCE
CATL upgraded to AAA, Wärtsilä downgraded to BB in Bankability Report Q2 update
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
The Q2 Bankability Report has elevated CATL to a AAA rating while lowering Wärtsilä to BB, reflecting a volatile global battery storage market defined by fluctuating cell costs and heightened competition among international suppliers.
CATL, EVE Energy lead Chinese manufacturers’ battery storage cell price hikes
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Major Chinese battery manufacturers, including CATL and EVE Energy, have initiated a series of price increases for energy storage cells. This upward pricing trend has expanded across the sector as smaller producers follow the lead of these dominant market players.
Italian solar redrew the day, but gas still sets the price
PV Magazine GLOBAL Power ·
Italian solar expansion mitigated midday power demand in summer 2024, yet a 7.9 TWh supply deficit caused by heatwaves and low hydro output forced a reliance on gas generation. Consequently, gas continues to dictate market pricing, leading to increased evening costs and reduced capture rates for solar assets in southern regions.
Energy Storage Canada recommends Ontario to unlock BTM battery capacity ahead of electricity supply crunch
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Energy Storage Canada has proposed a Distributed Reliability Track to integrate behind-the-meter and distribution-connected battery storage into Ontario's grid. The initiative aims to leverage existing decentralized capacity to mitigate an anticipated electricity supply shortfall in the province.
Black Hills Energy to begin construction on 200MWh Colorado BESS
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Black Hills Energy is commencing construction on a 50MW/200MWh battery energy storage system at the Pueblo Airport Generating Station in Colorado. This four-hour duration project marks a significant utility-scale infrastructure addition to the regional grid.
Sungrow turns to Samsung SDI battery cells to sustain its energy storage business
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Sungrow is negotiating a multi-gigawatt-hour procurement deal for Samsung SDI lithium iron phosphate battery cells to maintain its energy storage supply chain. The proposed three-year agreement aims to secure U.S. market access by utilizing Samsung SDI's American manufacturing capacity to navigate trade restrictions on Chinese components.
Philippines: Ayala Corp’s renewable energy platform lends PHP9 billion to subsidiaries for solar, BESS projects
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
ACEN Corp has issued PHP9 billion (US$144 million) in loans to its subsidiaries to fund the development of solar power and battery energy storage systems. This internal financing move aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable infrastructure within the Ayala Group's energy portfolio.
UK ROUNDUP: BESS planning approvals, acquisitions and optimisation deals with Field, Eelpower & EDF
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Field has secured planning permission for a 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system in Newport, South Wales, while Eelpower and EDF have entered a 10-year trading and optimisation agreement for a 50MW site in Winchester.
Why CCUS is integral to the future of gas power plants
Power Technology GLOBAL Carbon ·
The integration of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in gas-fired power plants can reduce CO₂ emissions and secure supply.
Suniva raises $835 million to drive 4.5 GW in new solar cell capacity
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
The domestic solar cell manufacturer is building a new $600 million facility in Laurens County, South Carolina, with a planned opening in late 2027 and an expected 564 manufacturing jobs at full capacity.
On the Wire
‘At least six months ahead of go live’: OptiGrid on the ideal onboarding runway for battery storage systems
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
OptiGrid advises battery energy storage developers to begin software onboarding at least six months before commissioning to align trading strategies with technical constraints and warranty requirements. Sahand Karimi highlights that early integration is essential for managing complex grid constraints and optimizing market participation while preserving asset longevity.
From more than 50 GW to under 10 GW: Ukraine doesn’t need its old energy system back
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Six air-raid alerts on the first day, backup generators on almost every street corner, and discussions about the rapid reconstruction of severely damaged energy infrastructure: my trip to Kyiv and Lviv showed me why decentralized solar and energy sto…
Switzerland’s largest battery storage facility goes online
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Switzerland’s largest battery storage facility has begun operations in Gurtnellen, combining 50 MW and 8.4 MW systems developed by Axpo and Energie Uri. The Fluence-supplied project will support grid flexibility.
Sodium-ion storage powers fully off-grid solar home in Germany
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
A residential project in Augsburg, Germany, has achieved full energy independence by integrating 49 kWp of solar capacity with a 270 kWh BIWATT sodium-ion battery system. Distributed by SALZSTROM, the installation demonstrates the technical viability of large-scale sodium-ion storage for sustained off-grid domestic power.
Suniva raises $835m to build new solar cell plant in South Carolina, US
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Suniva has completed an $835m capital raise to support the construction of a new solar cell manufacturing facility in South Carolina.
PowerTransitions buys 1.24GW Roseton plant in New York
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
US-based independent power producer PowerTransitions has completed the acquisition of the 1.24GW Roseton Generating Facility in Newburgh, New York, from a subsidiary of Castleton Commodities International (CCI).
Africa’s solar panel manufacturing capacity to reach 3.5 GW this year
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Report from Ember and Africa Tech Futures Lab says solar panel manufacturing output will reach around 3.5 GW in 2026, led by new plants in Egypt and Tanzania that are geared predominantly towards US export.
EU policymakers look to raise IAA Made in Europe threshold to 50%
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
The EU's rapporteurs on the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act are also calling for increased EU content in solar panels and for stricter component requirements against circumvention.
France’s installed PV capacity hits 34 GW
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
France connected 3 GW of new solar capacity in the first half of 2026, slightly above the 2.9 GW deployed in the same period of 2025.
Drones in solar: where can automation deliver the most value?
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
This episode of Energy Technology explores how drones can offer the most value across the solar value chain and where the industry is heading.
EnergyPathways appoints Jacobs for UK’s MESH project
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
EnergyPathways has selected Jacobs to provide consenting, regulatory and DCO services for the MESH Energy Storage project in the UK.
New electrode design increases battery energy density by up to 15%
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Fraunhofer ISE and its partners have developed thicker electrodes that could increase battery cell energy density by 10% to 15% without adding weight.
Team Australia in Paris: Five observations from CIGRE 2026
WattClarity AU Grid ·
A summary of key takeaways from an Australian perspective at the 2026 CIGRE Paris session — where the ongoing challenges of IBR interactions and the impact of data centres appear to be consistent themes across power systems globally.
Daily digest by email
The same briefing, in your inbox each morning. Australian energy news, market signals, and policy. No noise.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Choose exactly what you receive
Daily digest by email
You're subscribed to the daily brief.
Almost there. Check your inbox for the confirmation link.