ENERGY BRIEFS: Experts are concerned that delays to the National Construction Code will slow the uptake of EVs, as yet another negative consequence flows from the backdown on regular NCC updates, especially on energy. The latest blow means the next iteration of the code, where EV charging points will be stipulated, won’t be until mid-2029.
The NCC was expected to also introduce electrical requirements that can support faster electric car charging at home. EV Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said 85 per cent of Australians charge their EVs at home, so ensuring newly built residences are EV ready would make going electric more effective.
ARENA funds new tech
ARENA has provided $25 million in funding to Melbourne-based battery technology company Relectrify to deliver what is believed to be the world’s first battery energy storage system that doesn’t require an inverter.
The battery, AC1, uses a unique battery management system that controls each battery cell to directly produce AC power, which it says can reduce battery degradation and deliver 20 per cent more energy over its lifetime and lower energy storage costs. The funding will help the company deploy up to 100 megawatts-hour of its battery system to commercial, industrial and small front of meter markets.
The company initially set out to recycle end of life batteries but unintentionally designed a product which “neutralises weaknesses found in today’s battery systems”.
Queensland needs policies to protect grids during extreme weather
Voltage management company EA Technology Australia said that, as the supercell storms are threatening Queensland with destructive winds, flash flooding and giant hailstones, policy is needed to protect people and the grid during extreme weather events.
The company said the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) need to focus on appropriate investments to increase network resilience to extreme weather events. It added that rooftop solar, home batteries and electric vehicles can’t be part of the solutions without proper management of reverse power flows and demand.
Distributed network service providers (DNSPs) need visibility to see what’s happening in real time to isolate faults faster, reconfigure the network and keep electricity flowing safely, it said.
V2G charger rolls out despite not having CEC approval
Energy storage manufacturer RedEarth is making its vehicle (V2G), “plug and play”, bidirectional charger commercially available. The company said it will take preorders starting November 2025, with the retail price of $9990 excluding GST, with deliveries expected to commence in February 2026.
The manufacturers told The Fifth Estate that the chargers have not been approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and that “it is likely that approval will not be completed by the time we commence market installations”. However, several DNSPs (grid providers) have granted the manufacturers exemptions due to the product already having AS/NZS 4777.2 certification for approved inverters from the CEC.
There are currently a long line of V2G manufacturers waiting for approvals from the CEC, which they said they have started back in November 2024.
Could aviation fuel be sustainable?
Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has signed a joint investment agreement with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to invest US$70 million (A$107 million) in developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in Asia and globally. The two will work together to identify, evaluate and invest in the projects that can scale up SAF production towards their 2030 targets and beyond. Projects would be evaluated based on commercial viability, technological maturity and potential long term offtake and target those offering near to medium term availability.
Cathay chief operations and service delivery officer Alex McGowan said SAF was the most important factor to drive the industry to decarbonisation. The two companies said they intend to use their influence to drive global policy in this field.