Renewables infrastructure predictions  

First, Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) is set to undergo a major transformation, with new data from Cornwall Insight projecting an increase in solar, wind and storage capacity by over 150 GW by 2043 to 208 GW. This growth will be driven primarily by solar power, including rooftop PV, which is expected to contribute an additional 78 GW over the next two decades. Wind and storage are forecast to add 39 GW and 40 GW, respectively. The significant rise in renewable capacity will be underpinned by a series of federal and state government policies.  

Despite the optimistic projection, Cornwall Insight's forecasts differ from those of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). While AEMO anticipates strong growth in offshore wind, Cornwall Insight remains cautious, pointing out that Australia's offshore wind sector is still in its infancy, with delivery assumptions largely untested. Moreover, concerns about workforce shortages and other logistical challenges have led Cornwall Insight to predict a longer operational life for coal plants compared to AEMO's forecasts, as renewable infrastructure may not be developed swiftly enough to replace the outgoing coal capacity.

Thomas Fitzsimons, Cornwall Insight, Senior Modeller, says: ‘The projected increase in solar, wind and storage capacity across the NEM will see larger states follow South Australia’s lead (as highlighted last month in the International Energy Agency’s report, Integrating Solar and Wind) as pioneering, high-renewable penetration systems.’

The analysis was published in Cornwall Insight’s NEM Benchmark Power Curve.

Western Australia battery storage balances intermittent renewables

One example of the infrastructure in development is Neoen’s 219 MW/877 MWh Collie Battery Stage 1 project in Western Australia. Delivered in collaboration with Tesla, UGL and network service provider Western Power, the facility began delivering grid reliability services on 1 October under a two-year contract with AEMO. It provides 197 MW of storage capacity for four hours, supporting the transition to renewable energy as state-owned coal-fired power plants are phased out, and as rooftop solar cells are attached to the grid. Neoen’s Collie Battery Stage 2 development (341 MW/1,363 MWh), currently under construction, is expected to be operational by 4Q2025.  

The battery storage facility is located near the town of Collie, on the land of the Wilman people of the Bibbulmun nation in the south-west region of Western Australia, and is the largest battery in the State to date. It is the first Neoen asset to connect into the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS). Once both systems are operational, they will have the ability to charge and discharge 20% of average demand in the SWIS.

The Hon Reece Whitby MLA, Western Australia’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, says: ‘The Western Australian government is clear that our State’s energy future will be powered by a mix of rooftop solar, onshore wind and large-scale battery storage, backed by gas.’

Li-ion anode R&D wins government funding

Meanwhile, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has allocated nearly $4mn to AnteoTech to commercialise new lithium-ion battery anode technology. The $11.1mn 'Silicon Anode Technology for Lithium-Ion Batteries' project aims to commercialise AnteoTech’s proprietary silicon anode technology, which promises to reduce battery storage costs and extend the driving range for electric vehicles (EVs).  

The majority of lithium-ion batteries produced today use graphite anodes. While silicon anodes have a much higher energy density, challenges with cell degradation have limited commercialisation of the technology. AnteoTech’s proprietary binder technology, named ‘Anteo X’, is able to reduce degradation rates associated with silicon anodes by maintaining the structural stability within the anode during cycling.

Wool from sheep grazing under solar panels found to be high-quality

Finally, Lightsource BP has seen promising results from the second round of wool testing at its Wellington solar farm in New South Wales, Australia. The study, conducted by EMM Consulting, with support from Elders Rural Services, examined the potential benefits of co-locating sheep grazing and solar energy generation.

Through comparisons of two groups of Merino sheep – one group grazed in a regular paddock and the other at the Wellington solar farm – the findings suggest that the co-location of solar farming with sheep grazing is not negatively impacting wool production, even in the case of pre-existing high-quality standards. Some parameters even indicate an improvement in wool quality, although conclusive benefits require further long-term measurement.

Emilien Simonot, Head of Agrivoltaics EMEA, at Lightsource BP, comments: ‘These results are very encouraging and highlight the potential for solar farms to complement agricultural practices. By integrating sheep farming with solar energy production, we can achieve dual benefits of sustainable energy together with agricultural output.’