News
7 November 2024
4 November 2024
ANU establishes new Centre for Energy Systems
BSGIP and RE100 Group join forces to accelerate economy-wide decarbonisation.
25 September 2024
25 September 2024
13 August 2024
Can neighbourhood batteries really deliver benefits to all consumers?
Renew Economy article
12 August 2024
Dr Bjorn Sturmberg named ACT Scientist of the Year
ACT Government Press Release: Clean energy technology scientist Dr Bjorn Sturmberg has been awarded the 2024 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award. His important work explores how electric vehicles and batteries can integrate with the power grid.
5 August 2024
Are we overestimating green hydrogen production?
ANU Policy Brief: ‘Green’ hydrogen – produced from renewable energy sources – is currently much more expensive than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels but it is receiving major research interest and investment. New ANU research reveals that the models commonly used to estimate green hydrogen production are neglecting an important variable, potentially leading to a significant overestimation in hydrogen production and, thereby, financial viability.
17 July 2024
Evaluating the impact of neighbourhood batteries: new reports
Neighbourhood batteries (NBs) have the potential to offer many benefits such as allowing more rooftop solar, supporting electrification and sharing the benefits of energy storage with consumers. Two new reports by the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program provide guidance as to what conditions are necessary in order to unlock the benefits of NBs.
11 July 2024
Watt equity? Australians deserve a Basic Energy Right
Thought leadership article by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg. This article argues that the energy transition is not on track to improve equity and makes the case for energy should be a right for all Australians with all households receiving a modest amount of energy free of charge to meet their essential needs.
9 July 2024
The Conversation article related to the below press release.
9 July 2024
Electric vehicles fed power into Australian grid during blackout
During a major storm event that eventually cut power to tens of thousands of homes, a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) were able to feed power back into Australia’s electricity grid, according to a new report.
14 June 2024
Recentering the energy transition on people
Profile piece on the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program’s newest social scientist, Dr Rex Martin, and his research interests.
4 June 2024
Electric vehicle charger re-opens
The electric vehicle charger located in the Geology Close carpark, in front of the Ian Ross Building, is open for use once again. The charger, the first to be installed on the ANU campus, was installed in 2021 for research purposes as part of the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program’s Distributed Energy Resources Laboratory (DERlab).
31 May 2024
Exploring microgrids in the Australian context
This article focuses on two recently published SURF reports; a technical report that lays out a number of scenarios using real-world data applied to selected sites, and a social science report examining governance, social and regulatory issues under the current system.
3 May 2024
Flexible demand software to give power back to customers
BSGIP is working with Birdwood Energy to build a software tool which will help commercial and industrial businesses realise their flexible demand potential.
4 December 2023
ANU experts to power path to all-electric ACT
A map to guide the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)’s transition to an all-electric economy will be developed by experts at The Australian National University (ANU).
4 December 2023
Energy experts meet to forge pathway for neighbourhood batteries
Leaders in the field of renewable energy travelled from across Australia to the Australian National University (ANU) to share the latest developments in neighbourhood battery research and progress updates on government-funded trials at the second ANU Future of Neighbourhood Batteries Conference.
2 November 2023
Research exchange enhances battery technology development in Samoa
BSGIP hosted two research scientists from Samoa recently to help build capacity and strengthen the island nation’s ability to meet climate and energy challenges. The researchers spent valuable time in BSGIP’s state-of-the-art Battery Materials and Energy Storage Laboratory (Battery Lab) with Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov.
2 November 2023
Maximising insights from neighbourhood battery projects
A team of researchers from the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program has been working to develop a framework for neighbourhood batteries which will help government organisations in the evaluation of government-funded neighbourhood battery projects and programs.
21 September 2023
Net zero by 2050? Too late. Australia must aim for 2035
This year’s heightened drumbeat of extreme weather shows us how little time we actually have to slash emissions writes Mark Howden, Frank Jotzo, Ken Baldwin, Kylie Catchpole, Kylie Walker and Lachlan Blackhall.
18 September 2023
BSGIP provides submission to ACT Government’s Integrated Energy Plan
BSGIP is part of the ACT Government’s efforts identifying and tackling the energy transition, deploying our socio-techno-economic analysis and modelling capabilities in support of planning and efforts towards reaching net zero emissions through economy-wide decarbonisation.
12 September 2023
Distrust of the energy industry could slow the rollout of all-electric households
Switched On podcast & accompanying news article featuring Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper, one of Australia’s leading energy social scientists, discusses what she has learnt from her countless interviews with Australians discussing the energy transition and new energy technologies.
12 September 2023
5 Rs of reducing carbon emissions from university air travel
Linked In blog post, 8 September, 2023
When it comes to reducing carbon emissions from university air travel, the 5 Rs can help us – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle, writes Associate Professor Kim Blackmore.
28 August 2023
Well this is awkward: confronting carbon emissions in academic air travel
Blog post by Associate Professor Kim Blackmore. Kim is working on the Australian National University’s Below Zero initiative, which aims to transition the University from being a source of greenhouse gas emissions to a carbon sink.
22 August 2023
Are all-renewable microgrids the future for regional Australia facing climate disasters?
As Australia prepares for more extreme weather events, what role might microgrids play in building resilience in our energy system? Featuring expert commentary by Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper.
4 August 2023
Solar hours heating redefining regional battery storage requirements
A recent collaboration involving BSGIP and a regional Victorian town has had surprising and positive results in proving that moving electric hot water heating from nighttime to during solar hours has the potential to massively reduce required battery storage.
6 July 2023
Buying time for the Great Barrier Reef
Imagine shading the waters of the Great Barrier Reef by enhancing the cloud cover about it? Sounds like science fiction right? BSGIP student Dan Virah-Sawmy is part of a world first implementation project aiming to demonstrate just that.
28 June 2023
BSGIP marks 5th anniversary with Impact Report
The Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program celebrated a milestone anniversary in 2023 with the Program officially operational for five years. To mark the occasion, BSGIP has released a 5 Year Impact Report detailing the Program’s significant achievements.
17 May 2023
Community batteries are popular – but we have to make sure they actually help share power
In this opinion piece a team of experts from the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program bring the discussion back to the fundamental ‘why’. Why use this form of mid-scale storage?
15 May 2023
‘From brains to batteries’ – Associate Professor Marnie Shaw
Profile piece on BSGIP Research Leader, Marnie Shaw.
14 March 2023
World-first flexible export limits are coming to rooftop solar. Here’s how they work
Featuring expert commentary on flexible export limits, also known as dynamic operating envelopes by BSGIP’s Andrew Fraser.
24 February 2023
Australian renewable energy struggles to hit grid with one solar farm wasting half its yearly output
Report on curtailment in the grid. Featuring expert commentary by BSGIP’s Jack Sorensen.
20 February 2023
Explainer: What is congestion and curtailment in the National Electricity Market (NEM)?
This explainer seeks to answer some common questions around congestion and curtailment.
20 February 2023
Curtailment due to congestion: what’s the state of play?
Report on the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program’s submission to the Energy Security Board’s Transmission Access Reform Directions paper.
14 February 2023
Electric buses put to the test under Australian conditions
Researchers from the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program have developed a new tool, using data collected from Australia’s largest electric bus pilot project. This new tool can assist other bus fleets looking to make the switch to electric.
13 February 2023
The future of neighbourhood batteries is now
Report on the Future of Neighbourhood Batteries in Australia conference held at ANU in November 2022.
10 February 2023
Report on a visit by a team of Indonesian engineers to Australian battery laboratories, including BSGIP’s Battery Materials and Energy Storage Laboratory.
19 January 2023
Why community batteries could be the next step in the solar power revolution
This year the federal government will begin rolling out 400 community, or neighbourhood, batteries. With expert commentary by Prof Lachlan Blackhall.
18 January 2023
Curtailment due to congestion: what’s the state of play?
The Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program submitted an analysis looking at congestion in the National Electricity Market (NEM) to the Energy Security Board as a response to their Transmission Access Reform Directions paper.
16 January 2023
New research supports rapid decarbonisation of Australia’s energy system
Research by the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program shines a light on the complex world of the National Electricity Market (NEM) and shows how dynamic carbon costs could play a critical role in improving the trade-off between emissions and costs.
9 December 2022
Report on vanadium flow batteries, a 40 year-old Australian invention that is receiving renewed focus as our energy grids transition, with expert commentary by A/Prof Alexey Glushenkov.
7 November 2022
Children’s book helps power clean energy transition
Renewable energy researcher at The Australian National University (ANU) and 2022 Tall Poppy recipient Dr Bjorn Sturmberg can now add published author to his resume with the launch of his new book, Amy’s Balancing Act, a children’s fable about the transition to clean energy.
13 October 2022
BSGIP researcher recognised for leadership in clean energy
Dr Marnie Shaw, Research Fellow with the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program (BSGIP), has been recognised for her leadership in clean energy, receiving a Chloe Munro Scholarship for Transformational Leadership from the Clean Energy Council.
13 October 2022
Accolades for BSGIP at national engineering awards ceremony
The Program was recognised at the prestigious Engineers Australia national awards ceremony in Sydney last week receiving two honours, an individual award and a project finalist award.
10 October 2022
Young ANU scientist receives Tall Poppy honour
Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, Research Leader with the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, has been honoured for excellence in research, and for the communication of that research beyond academia.
29 September 2022
‘DEIP Dive’ 2022 explores a distributed energy future
ARENA, Energy Networks Australia and the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program welcomed to the Australian National University close to 150 guests from industry, academia & government last month to discuss the integration of electric vehicles and other distributed energy resources. Summary Report.
13 September 2022
Battery group student honoured with Global Undergraduate Award
Oliver Hervir was recognised by the Global Undergraduate Awards, an international student competition in Dublin, Ireland, for his research into dual-carbon batteries.
2 September 2022
Writing for The Conversation Bjorn Sturmberg explains why there is cause for optimism when it comes to the energy transition.
31 August 2022
One skill shortage more than any is holding back Australia in the race to net zero
And that skill is flexibility, writes Bjorn Sturmberg for Renew Economy.
19 August 2022
Evolve takes out Engineers Australia Canberra Excellence Project Award
The Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program along with partner Zepben won this year’s Engineers Australia Canberra Excellence Project Award.
2 August 2022
Who will drive vehicle-to-grid?
Opinion piece published in Utility magazine, written by Bjorn Sturmberg, Kathryn Lucas-Healey and Laura Jones.
15 July 2022
Australians are installing rooftop solar like never before. Who is burdened with taking care of it?
Our new research has found rooftop solar maintenance, as with other forms of housework, has the potential to become an equity issue. And the burden of this unrecognised work is set to worsen as the energy transition accelerates.
11 July 2022
Energy crisis – report snapshot shows the state of renewables in Australia
Lachlan Blackhall was one of five energy experts to provide a briefing on the state-of-play of renewables recently. The briefing launched a new short report from the Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering: Here and now – the state of low emissions technology in Australia.
8 July 2022
Electric vehicles pass the remote road test
Electric vehicles can handle the distances required to travel to essential services in remote and regional Australia, a new study from The Australian National University has shown.
27 June 2022
Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov and colleagues from the Research School of Earth Sciences received $180,000 from the ANU College of Science Research Strategic Programs funding for 2022 for a project looking at critical minerals at high pressures – novel compounds for storage batteries.
24 June 2022
The clean energy revolution is more than just a techno-fix
The Black Summer bushfires devastated parts of the Eurobodalla region in New South Wales. Then earlier this year, the area was hit by floods. As climate change threatens to bring more severe and frequent extreme weather events, how can we help future-proof such communities? The Conversation article.
23 June 2022
Program extends research into agricultural industry with funding win
Lachlan Blackhall recently led a team that was awarded funding in the latest round of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technology Strategic Investment Program for a project titled ‘Multi Energy System Modelling for the Agricultural Sector’.
16 June 2022
NSW South Coast communities selected for microgrid studies
A federally funded project examining the use of microgrids to bolster local energy resilience has selected eight sites across the Eurobodalla for further studies.
15 June 2022
Australia – Germany collaboration evaluates dual-ion batteries with phosphorus negative electrodes
BSGIP’s battery materials team from the ANU Research School of Chemistry joined forces with the Munster Electrochemical Energy Technology (MEET) Centre to assess a new variety of dual-ion battery that utilises negative electrode materials containing black phosphorus.
6 June 2022
The launch of Melbourne’s first inner-urban community battery on Sunday 5 June is welcome news, and not just for the local Fitzroy North residents.
25 May 2022
Opinion piece, originally published in Renew Economy.
11 May 2022
The Conversation article on the launch of the Australian Clean Transport Strategy (FACTS).
11 May 2022
Australia needs to get motoring on clean transport strategy
ANU media release on the launch of the Framework for an Australian Clean Transport Strategy (FACTS).
9 May 2022
Optimism, climate change and start-ups
Talking Tech Policy podcast interview with Professor Lachlan Blackhall.
28 April 2022
Stockpiling solar power in suburban batteries
ARENA Rewired podcast interview with Dr Marnie Shaw.
20 April 2022
Powerline fires wreak havoc but a renewable microgrid alternative is rolling out
ABC online new article featuring commentary by Dr Elizabeth Ratnam.
5 April 2022
A community battery ‘like a corner store’: Is this the future of home energy storage
ABC online article featuring expert commentary by Drs Marnie Shaw and Hedda Ransan-Cooper.
22 March 2022
First electric vehicle chargers now on campus
The Acton campus is now home to the University’s first electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
8 February 2022
‘Cutting through the greenwash’: Australian energy retailers ranked on climate action
Guardian article featuring commentary by Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper
24 January 2022
Excuse me, can I use your car to stabilise and power the grid?
Clean Technica article on the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-grid Services Interim Social Report.
24 January 2022
The unknown unknowns of vehicle-to-grid tech
Clean Technica article on the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-grid Services Interim Social Report.
15 January 2022
The uptake of EVs in the years ahead will add up to staggering battery capacity, mostly sitting idle on driveways. Featuring commentary by Laura Jones, Senior Analyst at BSGIP.
14 December 2021
Why it’s vital to put people at the heart of the energy transition
Thought leadership piece written by Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper, social science research lead at BSGIP, for Renew Economy.
November 2021
Neighbourhood batteries in Australia
Written for an international audience, this article delves into the state-of-play of neighbourhood batteries in Australia.
19 November 2021
Australia’s R&D spend too low to fund future climate change technology breakthroughs: experts
Expert commentary on the lack of R&D funding in Australia by Prof Lachlan Blackhall and others.
5 November 2021
Opinion article by Lachlan Blackhall, originally featured in the Daily Telegraph
21 October 2021
The rubber hits the road for Australia’s largest electric bus fleet project
A new pilot project set to drive down emissions in public transport and heavy transport has today been announced.
15 October 2021
Local network pricing and community storage a powerful combo
Ecogeneration article featuring Dr Bjorn Sturmberg.
30 September 2021
Many rooftop solar investors are feeling ripped off. Could battery subsidies solve the problem?
ABC online article featuring expert commentary by Professor Lachlan Blackhall.
30 August 2021
The power flow tech revolutionising solar
The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) TechNow podcast (20 mins) featuring Prof Lachlan Blackhall and Dr Elizabeth Ratnam.
10 August 2021
ABC TV Catalyst program featuring Dr Bjorn Sturmberg.
10 August 2021
ABC online news story featuring Bjorn Sturmberg and Kat Lucas-Healey.
4 August 2021
Southcoast microgrid project energised with 3.125M in funding
BSGIP news story
3 August 2021
FIRE! … the tiny triggers that can send lithium-ion batteries up in flames
Ecogeneration article with expert commentary by Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov.
3 August 2021
The Conversation article by Hugo Temby and Hedda Ransan-Cooper
29 July 2021
You want to do what with my EV? Turning cars into batteries on wheels
The Fifth Estate article by Dr Kat Lucas-Healey
23 July 2021
13 July 2021
Lab launch gives new energy to our renewables future
ANU Press Release
10 June 2021
Check your mirrors: 3 things rooftop solar can teach us about Australia’s electric car rollout
The Conversation article by Bjorn Sturmberg, Kat Lucas-Healey, Laura Jones and Mejbaul Haque.
1 June 2021
Powering ahead with community batteries
ANU press release into BSGIP community battery research led by Dr Marnie Shaw & Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper.
28 May 2021
BSGIP announces partnership in Melbourne ‘Solar Sponge’ community battery trial
BSGIP research into community-scale batteries is set to be applied in the Melbourne CBD.
26 May 2021
Explainer: When can I charge my house from my EV? | One Step Off The Grid
Dr Kat Lucas Healey explains the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-grid Services (REVS) project.
29 April 2021
Nissan vehicle-to-grid technology
Video featuring the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-grid Services (REVS) project.
8 April 2021
What’s the role of community batteries in the climate emergency?
Yarra City Council webinar recording featuring Dr Marnie Shaw
5 April 2021
Community batteries: what are they, and how could they help Australian energy consumers?
Prof Lachlan Blackhall speaks with The Guardian.
30 March 2021
Should solar owners pay to supply the grid, or are there other options?
Dr Marnie Shaw provides expert commentary to the ABC.
19 March 2021
Solar eclipse, and can EVs really provide storage on wheels
Energy Insiders podcast featuring Laura Jones, (starts at approx 11.30 mins into the podcast).
13 March 2021
Making EVs a grid asset – an Australian case study
Webinar featuring REVS researchers Laura Jones and Kathryn Lucas-Healey.
February 2021
International review of vehicle-to-grid technology
Interview with Dr Bjorn Sturmberg on new report: ‘The A to Z of V2G’.
24 February 2021
Empowering DER through dynamic operating envelopes
Professor Lachlan Blackhall writes for Utility Magazine
18 February 2021
Take a virtual tour of the Battery Lab
Video of the Battery Materials and Energy Storage Laboratory
25 January 2021
How big batteries are a boon for regional Australia
Canberra Times article written by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg
18 January 2021
The trouble with big targets…it’s exports versus the NEM
Ecogeneration article featuring Dr Bjorn Sturmberg
13 January 2021
Largest battery in Australia to be built at ageing NSW coal-fired powerplant
ABC online news article featuring expert commentary by Dr Marnie Shaw
22 December 2020
21 December 2020
14 December 2020
“Everyone’s a winner”: PICA Group secures Australian-first strata solar electricity deal
The Fifth Estate article featuring expert commentary by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg
26 November 2020
ARC grant announcement
24 November 2020
Batteries in the burbs: exploring the potential
By Lachlan Blackhall
20 November 2020
Householders making Australia a DER superpower
By Sarah Wilson
9 November 2020
2 October 2020
ACT’s big battery pledge is a step forward
By Dr Bjorn Sturmberg
28 September 2020
Position vacant: Research Fellow/Fellow
ANU Job Description
15 September 2020
The power of battery storage recharged with cash splash
ANU Press Release
3 August 2020
Making solar + batteries work for all
PV Magazine interview with Dr Lachlan Blackhall
22 July 2020
Potential for new-era data services from consumer electricity devices
By Wattwatchers Team
8 July 2020
Owners of electric vehicles to be paid to plug into the grid to help avoid blackouts
By Dr Björn Sturmberg, The Conversation
8 July 2020
Electric vehicle fleets set to be on-call to backup the grid
ANU Press Release
5 June 2020
Shared community battery may be trialled in solar-powered Canberra suburb to stabilise energy supply
ABC News article featuring expert commentary by Dr Marnie Shaw
19 May 2020
COVID-19, climate change and the value of experts
By Dr Lachlan Blackhall
15 May 2020
Citizens required to power community batteries
By Marion Rae, Australian Energy Daily
11 May 2020
Storage comes to calm the market
Ecogeneration article featuring expert commentary by Dr Björn Sturmberg
11 February 2020
Microgrids: how to keep the power on when disaster hits
By Dr Björn Sturmberg, The Conversation
3 February 2020
Our future: a new electricity grid for a new climate era
By Dr Björn Sturmberg, The Canberra Times
15 January 2020
Australia must declare World War Zero on carbon emissions
By Dr Björn Sturmberg, The Canberra Times