Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals
Woodside Petroleum’s planned floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project in the Timor Sea is under threat from a dispute with partners and the East Timorese Government.
Woodside has partnered with Royal Dutch Shell to co-develop the revolutionary floating gas station that promises to make previously unviable gas sites economically sound using new technology.
However, Shell announced it will be entering into another agreement with Inpex’s Abadi FLNG project in the Arafura Sea, casting doubts over the strength of the Woodside-Shell partnership.
Santos to acquire Eastern Star Gas
Santos has purchased 100 per cent of Eastern Star Gas (ESG) shares, and has subsequently sold a 20 per cent working level interest in ESG's permits in the Gunnedah Basin, northern New South Wales, to TRUenergy.
Mining and energy companies buy up labour
Mining and energy companies are hiring labour well before needed in an attempt to stave off effects of expected future skills shortages later in the year.
Research explores graphene for energy storage systems
Researchers at Monash University are investigating the use of a material called graphene, which could form the basis of the next generation of ultrafast energy storage systems.
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources launched
The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) has been officially opened at the University of Newcastle.
EnerNOC acquires EnergyResponse
Electricity demand response company Energy Response has been acquired by US-based Enernoc for $28 million.
Solar roundtable focuses on large-scale projects
A roundtable day has been held in Canberra by the Federal Department of Energy, Resources and Tourism to discuss the future deployment of large-scale solar projects in Australia.
Queensland launches largest solar array
The Queensland State Government has announced the opening of Australia’s largest flat panel photovoltaic (PV) solar array.
SA geothermal project takes next step
Petratherm and its joint venture partners Beach Energy and TRUenergy Geothermal have begun fracture stimulation of the deep well at the Paralana 2 geothermal energy project in South Australia, a key step in proving that a geothermal reservoir can be created at deep levels.
Hays releases energy employment report
Demand remains high within transmission and distribution and in particular the primary and secondary substation design areas as large capital works programs create substation builds and upgrade projects, according to the latest Hays Quarterly Report, for the July-September quarter.
Energy Efficiency and Training Program to be developed for accountants
A new project between Macquarie University and CPA Australia will help accountants better measure and report on the energy efficiency of businesses.
The partner organisations were awarded a $241,139 competitive grant by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), for the development of an Energy Efficiency Training Program for accounting and business management projects.
The program will consist of three courses that focus on training for practicing accountants with Small to Medium Enterprises and personal clients; training for accountants in improving greenhouse gas measurement and reporting in large energy users, and; developing dedicated sections on accounting and reporting for energy efficiency within undergraduate and postgraduate units at Macquarie.
Project manager Associate Professor Lorne Cummings of Macquarie’s Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, said the initiative has enormous potential for enhancing energy efficiency within organisations across NSW.
“To be able to partner with CPA Australia, which has a membership in excess of 130,000 covering private, government and not-for-profit organisations across Australia and internationally, is just phenomenal,” he said.
“The OEH and NSW Government should be congratulated for their foresight and for tackling the issue in such a comprehensive way – looking at creating awareness and training accountants to measure and report on energy efficiency across the entire value chain process.”
Native forest biomass no longer renewable energy under carbon pricing
The Federal Government and the Greens have announced that the carbon price package prevents native forest woodchips being counted as a renewable energy fuel.
World record for solar technology
Researchers from UNSW’s Photovoltaics Technology Transfer Team, working with solar technology firm Centrotherm, have achieved a new world benchmark of 19.4 percent efficiency for a mass-produced, crystalline silicon solar cel, breaking the previous record of 18.9 per cent.
Clean Energy Council welcomes carbon tax
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) says the Federal Government’s carbon tax is a "once in a generation" opportunity for Australia to boost the renewable energy sector and transition to a low-carbon economy.
"The uncertainty surrounding this issue to date has stifled new investment and we look forward to the cleaner energy investment that this package will deliver," a statement from the industry body read.
Change of guard in energy and resources associations
Four peak energy and resources industry associations are currently recruiting chief executives.
$1.3 billion support package for coal industry
A $1.3 billion package has been announced as part of the Federal Government's carbon price plan to support companies with high levels of fugutive emissions in the mining process.
New energy efficiency measures announced under carbon price policy
A suite of new energy efficiency measures has been announced as part of the Federal Government’s plan for a clean energy future.
Energy Security Fund to support transition from high-pollution electricity generation
An Energy Security Fund is to be established that will fund the transition in the energy sector to less polluting energy sources.
ATCO to aquire Western Australian Gas Networks
ATCO has announced that it has signed a conditional agreement to acquire Western Australia Gas Networks (WAGN) from WestNet Infrastructure Group, the natural gas distribution utility company that serves the City of Perth and surrounding areas.
The terms of the arrangement will see ATCO acquire a 74.1 per cent interest in WAGN from WestNet Infrastructure Group through AET&D Holdings No 1 Ltd. ATCO will acquire the remaining 25.9 per cent interest in WAGN from DUET Group, giving ATCO 100 per cent ownership in the company. The asset will become a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company.
ATCO Australia Managing Director Steven Landry said the acquisition is an excellent fit for ATCO's growth strategy to own and operate energy infrastructure in the rapidly expanding Australian market.
"The purchase of Western Australia Gas Networks builds upon our deep expertise in the safe, reliable and efficient transportation and distribution of natural gas to consumers," Mr. Landry said.
Energy innovation initiatives announced in carbon price policy
Three major energy innovation initiatives have been announced as part of the Federal Government’s carbon price package.