Knowledge

ITP Renewables specialises in producing detailed market and technology reports for policy makers, associations and businesses. Our reports are informed by some of Australia’s leading experts and are highly regarded for their thorough technical analysis, accuracy and independent outlook.


Publications

Eyre Peninsula Microgrid Feasibility and Screening Study

This Microgrid Feasibility and Screening Study was awarded $1.1 million from the Federal Government Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund in December 2021 to examine the potential for the electricity distribution network on the Eyre Peninsula to transition to renewable energy microgrids.

openCEM Insights Report - Coal, Gas, and Employment

Currently, Australia and the world are experiencing unprecedented high coal and gas prices, causing very high wholesale electricity prices in the electricity market, and the suspension of the conventional wholesale electricity market by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). To illustrate the effect of increased prices into the future, we collected predicted trajectories for coal and gas prices from World Bank forecasts and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Gas Inquiry and input scenarios with these increased prices and a range of net-zero targets into our openCEM model, keeping all other factors the same.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 12

Supported by a $1.29m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency under its Advancing Renewables Program, the Lithium Ion Battery Trial involved performance testing of conventional and emerging battery technologies. The aim of the testing is to independently verify battery performance (capacity fade and roundtrip efficiency) against manufacturers’ claims. This is the 12th and final public report for this project under ARENA and describes testing results, general observations or issues encountered and the key lessons learnt with the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 batteries.

openCEM Insights Report – Converting Gas Turbines to Hydrogen

The first part of this report describes how the NEM may transition to an increasingly renewable energy future using scenarios based on the published climate and energy policies of the federal government and opposition parties.

In the second part of the report we examine the potential for hydrogen-fuelled open cycle gas turbines to support solar and wind capacity and reduce total electricity system costs.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 11

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The latest report was released in October 2021 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of the batteries and describes testing results and general observations or issues encountered thus far with the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 batteries.

Yarrabah Microgrid Feasibility Study

The Yarrabah Microgrid Feasibility Study seeks to showcase the potential for Yarrabah, a coastal Indigenous Australian community located south-west of Cairns in Queensland, to be a self-reliant, sustainable microgrid that can be rolled out to other communities.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 10

Supported by a $1.29m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency under its Advancing Renewables Program, the Lithium Ion Battery Trial involves performance testing of conventional and emerging battery technologies. The aim of the testing is to independently verify battery performance (capacity fade and roundtrip efficiency) against manufacturers’ claims. This is the 10th public report for this project and describes testing results and general observations or issues encountered thus far with the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 batteries.

Green Gas Trading: a Tool for a Zero-emissions ACT

To continue the transition towards the ACT’s target of 100% net zero emissions by 2045, natural gas can be replaced by Green Gas, a zero emissions gaseous combustible fuel alternative.

This report was commissioned by the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate to develop an understanding of the potential market mechanisms for the trading of Green Gas and applicability to the ACT.

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Storage on the Distribution Network – Business Models

This report for the Energy Security Board (ESB) focusses on the economics and regulation of distribution level energy storage business models and the barriers to implementation. The primary focus of the study was battery energy storage (i.e. aggregated batteries, non-aggregated batteries, DNSP owned/operated, and third party owned/operated and other co-owned generation and batteries).

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 9

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. This report was released in October 2020 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency the batteries and describes testing results and general observations or issues encountered thus far with the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 batteries.

Renewable Energy Options for Industrial Process Heat

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has released a new report, ‘Renewable Energy Options for Industrial Process Heat’, produced by ITP Thermal in conjunction with Pitt&Sherry, the Institute for Sustainable Futures and Beyond Zero Emissions. The report outlines opportunities for industrial users to switch to renewable energy alternatives to provide process heat.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 8

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 8th report was released in May 2020 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 and 2 batteries in the trial, as well as an introduction to the recently installed Phase 3 batteries.

Renewable Energy in Nunavut Scoping Analysis

Canada’s Arctic territory of Nunavut depends on fossil fuels for the entirety of its electricity and heat generation.
World Wildlife Fund Canada engaged ITP in 2018 to model and assess the business case for solar, wind and battery integration into 25 communities in the arctic territory of Nunavut.

Comparison of Dispatchable Renewable Electricity Options for Australia

Dispatchable electricity generation is the new frontier for renewables. There is general agreement that electricity systems need a significant share of dispatchable generation to complement and balance the increasing share of variable renewable generation. To better understand the renewable options, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) commissioned a team led by ITP Thermal.

Highlighting South Australia’s Hydrogen Research and Development Capabilities

ITP Thermal was commissioned by the South Australian Government in 2018 to identify existing hydrogen research and development (R&D) capabilities within South Australia and the opportunities to extend these capabilities given local, national and international expertise, current and future hydrogen projects and industry developments. We found South Australia’s local R&D capabilities are world class, applicable to a broad range of hydrogen-related research, development and commercialisation challenges, and are attracting strong interest and engagement from industry.

Renewable Energy Costs in the Pacific

ITP was commissioned by the Asian Development Bank to undertake a collation of renewable energy infrastructure project cost data in the Pacific in 2018. The technical input from ITP resulted in a publication by the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) in 2019. PRIF is a multi-development partner coordination, research and technical assistance facility that supports infrastructure development in the Pacific. ITP recommends that it be made a mandatory component of procurement tenders for renewable generation projects to improve the consistency of cost data collection.

In the spotlight: Australian solar energy R&D outcomes and achievements in a global context

In 2018, ITP Renewables undertook a review of the outcomes from investment by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in solar research, development and pilot-scale demonstration projects, as well as associated PhD and Post-Doc Fellowships.

The review led to the publication of a Report which is also available on the knowledge section of the ARENA website.

Nauru Energy Road Map Review

For this UNDP assignment, ITP Renewables undertook three consultation missions in Nauru to:

Nauru is one of the world’s smallest countries and it faces economic, environmental and social challenges.

Report on renewable energy options for Australian industrial gas users

In 2015, we led a group commissioned by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to investigate Renewable energy options for Australian industrial gas users.

This work led to the publication of a Summary Report, detailed Technical Report and Financial Analysis Tool on the ARENA website.

Tokelau Renewable Energy Project – Case Study

ITP Renewables was commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs to undertake a case study of the three Tokelau PV/diesel mini-grids. The study provides a technical overview of the systems’ design and how they were built, along with challenges that the construction team faced and how they were overcome. The report also gives a cost breakdown for the project, which will help future project planners in estimating the cost of a similar project in a remote island environment.

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Concentrating Solar Power Technology

“Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology is poised to take its place as one of the major contributors to the future clean energy mix.” Concentrating solar power technology provides a comprehensive review of this exciting technology, from the fundamental science to systems design, development and applications.

Our Head of ITP Solar Thermal, Dr Keith Lovegrove, edited this important reference book in CSP technology. You can download a copy of it from Woodhead Publishing.

Realising the Potential of Concentrating Solar Power in Australia

In 2012 the Australian Solar Institute (ASI) commissioned ITP Renewables to undertake a review of the potential for concentrating solar power in Australia. After extensive stakeholder consultation, including a series of workshops with participants from industry, research and government, the resulting report and summary for stakeholders are now available.

Concentrating Solar Power in India

In 2011 ITP Renewables produced a report for the Australian Department of the Environment (formerly the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) and the Government of India. The report analysed the context, barriers and policy options for the growth of the Concentrating Solar Power in India. The document was written for use by policy makers and government staff in Australia and India, but is also of interest to the general public, CSP developers and investors.

Addressing Grid-interconnection Issues with Variable Renewable Energy Sources

In 2010 ITP Renewables produced a report for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group that characterises the main issues with grid integration of stochastic and partially predictable renewable energy technologies. The report reviews the approaches currently being used, identifies best practices, and outlines future research and development activities that may be required to fully integrate distributed generation into 21st century electricity networks.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 7

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 7th report was released in September 2019 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 and 2 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 6

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 6th report was released in June 2019 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 and 2 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 5

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 5th report was released in September 2018 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 4

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 4th report was released in March 2018 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 3

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 3rd report was released in November 2017 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 2

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 2nd report was released in March 2017 and includes detailed analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 batteries in the trial.

Lithium Ion Battery Testing Report – 1

As part of the ARENA-funded Lithium Ion Battery Trial project, ITP Renewables releases public reports every six months with analysis of testing results. The 1st report was released in September 2016 and includes detail of implementation of the test centre, and analysis of capacity retention and efficiency of Phase 1 batteries in the trial.