Kristian Livolsi

Calling all energy innovators!   Today marks the launch of the WA GreenTech Hub’s first Innovation Challenge, inviting the #world’s #brightest #minds in #energy #storage to help shape the future of clean energy in Western Australia.   ‘The Long Game’ seeks to find breakthrough long duration energy storage solutions that will play a critical role in the global transition to resilient, low-carbon power systems.   Western Australia’s vast and remote energy networks present #unique #challenges and #opportunities for innovators to deliver scalable solutions that benefit not only industry, but also regional and remote communities.   This is a great opportunity to access curated support and bring your ideas to life in one of the world’s most diverse energy landscapes.   🔗 For more information and to submit head here: https://lnkd.in/gsJNFAyX   #LongGameChallenge #Energystorageinnovation #WAcleantech #GreenTechWA #LDES #EnergyInnovation #CleanEnergy #WesternAustralia #GlobalChallenge #Sustainability

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Innovators in regional NSW are playing a critical role in driving the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Through the Clean Technology Innovation program, $26.2 million is being invested in 13 groundbreaking low-emissions projects, helping to turn promising research into real-world solutions. This funding is part of the broader $275 million Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, which is designed to accelerate innovation and decarbonisation across the state. Regional companies are leading the way, including PlasmaLeap Technologies, Sicona Battery Technologies, FPR Energy, Lab 360 Solar, H Nu Energy, Renewable Metals and Kardinia Energy. These businesses are demonstrating that regional NSW is helping to turbocharge the clean economy. Projects supported by these grants include: ✔️Underwater robotic hull cleaners that reduce ship emissions and prevent the spread of invasive species (Hullbot) ✔️Shark-skin inspired adhesive films that reduce aircraft drag and emissions A cleaner, more efficient method for lithium extraction (MicroTau) ✔️On-farm technology that turns agricultural waste into green hydrogen and ammonia (HydGene Renewables) The world’s first commercial facility for Printed Solar, recently showcased during Coldplay’s world tour. These innovations show how homegrown talent and cutting-edge ideas are shaping a more sustainable and economically vibrant future for NSW.   Reach out to our Invest Regional NSW team about clean economy opportunities available: https://lnkd.in/gjumwS58

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This week in the WA Parliament, I tabled SEN’s latest report, “Western Australia Battery Backed Rooftop Solar Optimisation Study” It is a fascinating report that my office commissioned, and its findings include: Only 13% of available WA SWIS connected rooftop space on domestic, commercial and industrial rooftops is utilised;  If we were to fully utilize suitable rooftops, we would add over 16GW of rooftop capacity and substantially reduce the amount of large scale solar required; 53% of high voltage transmission envisaged under the SWIS Demand Assessment would not be required with an estimated saving of $14.5Bn Full report in link: https://lnkd.in/gsGVuCQs

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“Price is Wrong:” PC advice has good intentions, but risky outcomes for renewables Australia’s Productivity Commission recently recommended phasing out direct renewable energy subsidies by 2030, arguing for market-driven incentives instead. While this approach sounds practical at first, Brett Christophers’ analysis in his book The Price Is Wrong shows why caution is warranted. Renew Economy article: https://lnkd.in/gfdaACrc Renewable energy, although cheaper to operate, faces revenue volatility. Christophers highlights California’s solar experience: rapid solar expansion led to surplus electricity during sunny periods, causing wholesale prices to collapse, sometimes turning negative. This phenomenon, called price cannibalisation, severely undermined profitability, discouraging new investment. In contrast, the UK’s successful Contracts for Difference (CfDs) program provided offshore wind projects with fixed revenues regardless of market fluctuations, dramatically boosting investor confidence and accelerating deployment. Christophers argues electricity fundamentally differs from typical market commodities due to its inability to be stored easily and the need for instantaneous grid balancing. Even significant storage capacity cannot fully resolve renewable projects' profit uncertainty. The Productivity Commission’s proposal overlooks this essential economic reality. Removing subsidies without establishing revenue guarantees will not motivate private investment at the scale needed for Australia's climate goals. Christophers emphasizes that either strong carbon pricing or guaranteed Power Purchase Agreements are necessary for renewables to thrive. The Commission does recommend useful regulatory improvements, including faster permitting processes and broadening the Safeguard Mechanism to cover smaller industrial emitters. These steps can support renewable investment, but they are insufficient without clear, predictable revenue streams. Australia's policymakers must recognize that relying solely on market forces, without government-backed revenue stabilization, will slow the renewable energy transition rather than accelerate it.

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Why is our solar industry still accepting +/- power tolerance for solar panels? Recently, we’ve seen an influx of panels in Australia being marketed at 475W. At first glance, this looks great, but there’s a catch. Many of these claims are being used to maximise government subsidies via STCs, while in reality they could be short changing both homeowners and the government. Here’s why: ● With battery uptake sky rocketing, new installs are trending toward larger solar systems. A homeowner might believe they’ve purchased a 15kW nameplate system, but with a +/-3% power tolerance, their actual system size could be as low as 14.55kW. ● On the other hand, a positive tolerance panel guarantees the nameplate value (or better). That same 15kW system would always be at least 15kW, delivering the performance the customer was promised. ● Transparency matters. If our industry is serious about integrity, customer trust, and long-term growth, we must ask: Why are +/- tolerance panels still being accepted? Shouldn’t positive power tolerance be the standard for every panel sold in Australia? At Solar Juice Pty Ltd, we’ve always believed in supplying only positive tolerance panels, because customers deserve to get every watt they’re paying for.

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Today’s quotes in The Australian Financial Review reflect a reality that most in industry have been aware of; that planning and building transmission in Australia is getting harder and more costly. There is no doubt that costs have risen, but two factors are worth considering. First, the benchmark costs have always been too low and not reflected true build costs; outturn capex was always going to be higher. Equipment is in high demand and skills even more difficult to buy. We are only just at the start of this problem, and without serious attention to skilling our people up now, the next 10 years will see price rises hard to avoid. Secondly, and more seriously, we are now seeing the limit of the squeeze that these builds have placed on sub-contractors margins, and the end of fixed price contracting in both renewables and transmission. As we all know, split contracting is harder, requires incredible project management skills and experience that we don’t have a lot of in this country relative to what needs to be built. The old adage of having only two of price, quality and time is worth remembering. If renewable energy is to form an integral part of the future system, and it must given the timelines for coal fired generation retirements, then we have to focus on the factors driving build costs. Elected officials are not merely a proxy for customers, they represent them and they often do so fiercely. When the tide turns on affordability as the transition hits full swing in the next two years, the changes in policy we in the energy sector will face will be non-linear. https://lnkd.in/gdvuvQKE

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Wow, did you hear the big solar news in Victoria? Yesterday, the Smart Energy Council was proud to co host a webinar announcing new support for commercial solar in Victoria. Supporting the stimulation of this sector is a focus area for us and this is a huge bonus for a sector that’s been struggling. Here are some key facts: New deemed activity for C&I solar systems 30-200kW in Victorian Energy Upgrades program Provides upfront discounts up to $35,000 for 200kW systems Available for all non-residential premises including local government, aged care, NGOs Stackable with federal STCs (up to 100kW) and LGCs (100-200kW) Combined rebates cover 30-35% of system cost Installations must commence after 29 September 2024 One system per NMI limit Ground mounted and rooftop systems eligible System Requirements PV array size 30-200kW (not inverter size) Must comply with negotiated connection contract with DNSP Solar panels: Clean Energy Council approved, 10-year warranty minimum Systems <100kW: panels must be on Solar Panel Validation Initiative Inverters: Clean Energy Council approved, 5-year warranty minimum Must include monitoring portal access for performance tracking New builds eligible Incentive Structure $2,800 for 30kW system scaling to $34,300 for 200kW Based on VEU certificate price of $70 (current spot ~$90, so likely higher) Federal Solar Battery Rebate available for systems up to 100kWh storage Complements VEU solar incentives for 50-100kW systems Implementation Timeline Regulations already made, specifications published ESC consultation paper released 2 October on administrative settings Feedback closes 16 October Final guidance by 31 October Existing eligible accredited providers can apply tomorrow (streamlined pathway) Must have demonstrated C&I solar capacity under project-based activities Strong compliance record required New accredited provider applications open late October VEU Registry system updates deployed November Certificate creation available from November Inclusions & Exclusions Included: All non-residential premises, warehouses, factories, offices, universities, sports facilities, community halls Excluded: Residential premises, apartments (covered by Solar for Apartments program) Systems >200kW continue under project-based M&V process Existing project-based assessments remain available (sometimes higher incentives for complex packages) Accreditation Requirements (Proposed) Solar installers: Licensed electricians with SAA accreditation Working at heights competency and white cards required Solar designers: SAA accreditation required Training/competency requirements aligned with Solar Homes and CEC standards NETCC not required

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Decarbonising industrial heat is essential. But it needs the right solutions, tailored to each business, and backed by long-term investment. With support from the National Wealth Fund, we’re scaling our industrial heat decarbonisation work across the UK. That means more fully funded energy centres designed to help businesses cut carbon, reduce costs, and stay competitive. Whether it’s biomass, electric boilers or a hybrid approach, we build what’s needed - and we stay on site to operate and maintain it for the long haul. 📢 Read more about the investment and what it unlocks: https://lnkd.in/e5zekhGR #IndustrialDecarbonisation #CleanHeat #LowCarbonEnergy #AffordableDecarbonisation #EnergyInfrastructure #AMPCleanEnergy

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