Environment
Energy rollercoaster: Australian bills to fall and rise
16 July
Solar panels, wind farms and cheaper batteries will help to cut Australian electricity bills in the coming years, even as the artificial intelligence boom pushes up the price of gas technology. But energy prices will rise after 2030, a study has...[Read More]
Location set for Australia’s first gas-free steel mill
8 July
Australia’s first new steel mill in three decades will be unlike any before it. Run entirely on electricity, the Greensteel Australia factory to be built in the NSW Hunter region will make steel that’s low emissions and unencumbered by fossil...[Read More]
Australian green hydrogen project gets the green light
1 July
One of the largest renewable hydrogen projects in Australia will be built in regional NSW after it secured a $432 million government investment. Mining company Orica announced its Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub had reached a final investment decision on...[Read More]
AI’s thirst trap: tech giant taps into recycled water
24 June
More Australian data centres could cool down using recycled water after a US tech giant revealed plans to build its first local artificial intelligence hub using the resource. Amazon announced a partnership with Greater Western Water on Thursday to...[Read More]
Outback powerhouse: regions could solve Aussie AI issue
24 June
Building data centres near existing solar and wind projects in regional Australia would not only support local jobs and industry, but could reduce the amount of energy going to waste. The Electrical Trades Union released the findings on Wednesday...[Read More]
Businesses MIA on rooftop solar and battery revolution
11 June
Australian households are generating nearly four times as much solar energy as retailers, manufacturers and other non-residential buildings, with most commercial rooftops panel-free. Harvesting the vast, untapped generating and storage potential in...[Read More]
Preparing for lift-off: green fuel projects get a boost
10 June
Seven green fuel projects designed to accelerate Australia’s move to low-emission transport will themselves be given a boost in a $1.7 million pilot program. Advisory firm Cyan Ventures announced Australia’s Green Fuels Accelerator on Wednesday,...[Read More]
Climate agencies to ask AI to predict future disasters
20 May
Australia’s leading climate authorities plan to deploy artificial intelligence to help forecast natural disasters, including what might happen if a tropical cyclone hit a major city. But they warn early attempts to expand predictions using AI will...[Read More]
Aussie tech to tell heavy electric trucks where to go
20 May
Swapping heavy duty diesel trucks for electric prime movers can be a complicated journey but a local start-up is offering to navigate the twists and turns for the freight industry. Australian based Eco Route Advisory appeared at TruckShowX in the...[Read More]
Budget lacks energy for big renewable project reforms
13 May
Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a new regulator in a multimillion-dollar budget commitment welcomed by investment and climate groups. The change will come in addition to support for...[Read More]
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
13 May
Climate wins on bike lanes and batteries have been overshadowed by a failure to capture fossil fuel revenue and rein in off-road diesel credits, environment groups say. The lead up to Tuesday’s federal budget was dominated by a campaign to hike...[Read More]
Rural leaders see budget shortfalls for health, roads
13 May
Australia’s regions will benefit from funding to bolster fuel supplies and public hospitals, but investment in rural health reform, better connectivity and safer country roads continues to fall short, according to industry groups. The federal...[Read More]
Batteries undercutting gas, keeping lid on power bills
7 May
Australian power grids have proven far more resilient to the latest global energy crisis compared with the Russia-Ukraine war, bolstered by battery boom and subdued local gas prices. A ballooning battery fleet soaking up cheap, abundant solar to...[Read More]
AI key to recovering ultra-valuable solar material
6 May
The race is on to extract more value from retired solar equipment to improve recycling economics and prevent tens of thousands of tonnes of material going to landfill. Materials like glass, silver and copper can be prised from end-of-life systems...[Read More]
Amazon Australia adds to green energy portfolio
29 April
Amazon Australia is expanding its green energy credentials as it begins a huge investment in energy-hungry data centres in Sydney and Melbourne. The e-commerce giant on Thursday announced it had signed nine more renewable energy purchase agreements,...[Read More]