This week is showing the huge developments in the renewable energy industry. Not only are Australians installing solar power at a phenomenal rate, but technologies and research into solar power and renewable energies is at an all time high.

A report by the Climate Commission has said that Australians are driving solar revolution. With over a million households having solar panels installed on their roofs, 10% of all Australian’s are using clean forms of energy. It has also found that because cost cutting is the single highest reason for installing solar power, the majority of solar systems are installed by average, mortgage paying citizens. The author Tim Flannery also suggests that solar thermal energy will be the next big thing to keep an eye on. Although we have some great stats coming out of our nation, there is still more we can be doing. We have a great untapped resource at our figure tips and we could be the country leading the world to a cleaner, greener place. Click here to read the full article. 

Energy storage systems are also on the way up. While at the moment they may still be slight too expensive to be financially viable for all, the technology is developing at an impressive rate and it will soon be the words on everyone’s lips. Monash Uni researchers have developed a new graphene based supercapacitor. Basically, they have developed a new battery that can store power efficiently, be recharged quickly and that will also be long lasting. It can be produced in a similar way to paper and can therefore be moved to commercial development very quickly and cost effectively. Click here to read the full article. 

The National Science Foundation has given out a huge grant for a new wind and wave simulator to be made. It will be the first of its kind and has been name W². It will not only assist the better capture of wind energy but will also help other research (such as oil spill management companies) better understand the oceans effects on the environment and infrastructures. The idea is to simulate conditions in the Gulf of Maine and construct better wind turbines and floating wind structures. Click here to read the full article.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a report showing actual land use requirements for solar power plants. One myth constantly used is that solar power takes up too much valuable land to be able to produce the world’s power in the future. The report uses actual figures from real solar power plants in the US (72% of solar power plants) either in existence or under construction. They found that a plant big enough to produce power for 1000 homes will need 32 acres of land – or 0.6% of land in the US if it produced 100% of its power! Click here to read the full article.

After a mostly gorgeous week, we hope the weather continues into the weekend! Enjoy all!