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The rules governing Australia's electricity market are more than 20 years old and no longer serve consumers, or climate action. But big energy companies are using COVID-19 to delay reform. Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, Sydney Business School, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

ANU researchers claim major breakthrough in direct "solar-to-hydrogen" process that could dramatically reduce cost of renewable hydrogen.

The post Australian researchers claim new record for direct ‘solar-to-hydrogen’ solar cells appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Fluence says updated "battery stack" delivers lower costs and more flexibility for battery storage, including upgrades for transmission links and hydro generators.

The post Siemens battery venture lines up 2.3GWh of orders, lowers cost with new “battery stack” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A group of divers in Thailand tried to save a whale shark whose tail was tied by rope. Video filmed on Saturday shows the whale shark swimming with a nylon rope tied around its tail. 

But the knife was too small and could not cut through the rope. Injured and with a rope still tied to its tail, the whale shark eventually swam away

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New survey suggests Australian news consumers are far more likely to believe climate change is “not at all” serious compared to news users in other countries.

The post The number of climate deniers in Australia is more than double the global average, new survey finds appeared first on RenewEconomy.

ASX-listed oil company investigating the addition of solar and battery storage at its Corio refinery in Victoria, as part of a post-Covid pivot into lower-carbon energies.

The post Viva Energy weighs solar farm and big battery for Victorian oil refinery appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Battery storage company Fluence unveils its latest technology and argues the case for batteries to act as “virtual transmission” and "virtual dams”.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: Batteries as virtual dams, and virtual transmission appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Spanish firm Iberdrola steps in with $835m "friendly" counter offer for Infigen Energy, that will see the renewables giant dramatically expand its Australian presence.

The post Infigen backs $835m counter offer from Spanish renewables giant appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners launches what it believes will become the world’s largest renewable energy fund.

The post World’s biggest renewables fund targets $23 billion investment, including Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

CEFC backs Jet Charge push into smart home chargers and V2G, but energy minister dismisses calls for EV targets in policy to be handed down at year's end.

The post CEFC backs smart charging and vehicle-to-grid, but Taylor says no to EV targets appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Self-isolation, job loss and fear of Covid-19 are just some factors affecting our mental health.

Barwon Water led Renewable Organics Network project will use reclaimed organic waste to produce electricity, hot water and soil improver in Victoria’s south-west.

The post “Australian first” network to deliver renewable electricity, hot water from organic waste appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A new research paper spells out benefits of a rapid coal phase-out and calls on governments to develop a plan for the transition.

The post “Too late for gradual transition”: Quiggin calls for coal exit by 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Dry conditions following low spring rainfall have contributed to a rise in fires

The National Trust is urging people not to take a barbecue or light a campfire when they visit the coast and countryside following a spate of wildfires that have damaged flora and fauna.

Despite recent rainfall, a record-breaking spring of sunshine has left many landscapes dry and created the perfect conditions for fires to ignite and quickly spread.

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Research shows communities become more resilient to future crises when people have access to basic services such as supermarkets, hospitals and schools. Tom Logan, Lecturer of Civil Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Indigo is preparing to expand its carbon business in Europe and the development of its first carbon offsets projects. To that end, we are looking to hire a Carbon Offset Project Designer to lead the functions related to carbon offset project design. The role can be performed as staff (Carbon Project Design Manager) or as an individual consultant depending on the individual’s preference.

EU carbon prices could double or even triple from current levels within a decade should European lawmakers agree to raise the bloc’s 2030 emissions reduction target, analysts said Tuesday.

California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices remained largely unchanged on the secondary market Tuesday after Democratic majority lawmakers passed a budget that included a provision for regulator ARB to complete a cap-and-trade rulemaking by next year.

I was a federal environment official for 13 years. Streamlining approvals for big infrastructure projects is a big environmental risk, unless it's done properly. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.