renewable energy

Green hydrogen—hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy—emerges as a cornerstone of a decarbonized future. It serves as both an energy carrier and a raw material, enabling industries to transition away from fossil fuels. By relying on electricity generated from solar or wind farms, green hydrogen production can be nearly climate-neutral. However, large-scale deployment faces a persistent challenge: the need for efficient, low-cost catalysts to drive the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at both electrodes of an electrolyzer. Until recently, precious metals such as iridium and platinum were the benchmarks for catalytic activity. Their scarcity and exorbitant cost impede the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. Consequently, research efforts have pivoted toward catalysts comprised of earth-abundant elements.

Australia’s transition towards renewable energy gained significant momentum in the first quarter of 2025, with investment in large-scale battery storage systems reaching $2.4 billion. According to data released by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), six major battery projects—totaling 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of dispatchable capacity—achieved financial close between January and March. This marks the second-strongest quarter on record for energy storage, trailing only the final quarter of 2023, when $2.8 billion was committed to similar projects.

The installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Yeppoon on Queensland's Capricorn Coast has been thrown into uncertainty after the company contracted to deliver the project abruptly withdrew, citing reputational risk and rising energy costs.

Australia’s renewable energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a marked surge in household battery storage installations. According to recent data, approximately 75,000 battery storage systems were installed last year—a 47% increase from 2023—bringing the total number of systems across the country to over 320,000. This impressive growth reflects a broader trend: as solar feed-in tariffs continue to plunge, more households are choosing to store their own solar energy rather than sell it back to the grid.

A recent study conducted by marine biologists at Stanford University has raised alarming concerns about the combined impact of rising ocean temperatures and increasing acidification on marine ecosystems. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, warns that the rapid changes in ocean chemistry could lead to significant disruptions in the food chain, affecting marine life from the smallest plankton to the largest predators.

BlueFloat Energy, a Spanish company planning a major offshore wind farm off Wollongong, has paused its project due to concerns that a Peter Dutton-led government would shut it down entirely. The company has requested a delay in the permit assessment process until after the federal election in May. This decision has significant implications for the project, which could create hundreds of jobs but has faced strong opposition from locals worried about its environmental impact and visual disruption.

Construction has officially commenced on the first large-scale battery energy storage system in the New England region of New South Wales. The project is being developed alongside the 720MW New England Solar Farm, which remains the largest solar project in Australia.

Explore the recent funding expansion for home electrification in Australia, aimed at promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Learn about the benefits for homeowners transitioning to electric appliances, the positive community response, and how this initiative aligns with the government's long-term climate goals. Discover the broader implications for energy policy as Australia moves towards a cleaner, more affordable energy future.