East coast electricity could become more affordable

Eastern Australia’s wholesale electricity prices fell sharply in the September quarter, if this trend keeps up, it could deliver power bill relief for households and businesses alike. An early spring contributed to lower demand, but also an increase in renewable energy with windy and sunny conditions.

New research suggests Australians could pocket $10 billion in savings by 2050 if governments begin installing a niche form of solar power storage in the country’s major electricity networks - Concentrated Solar Thermal power. Additionally, Australia could draw about 10 per cent of its total electricity needs from CST by 2050 while Western Australia would have as much as 20 per cent of its domestic energy use covered by it. 

Whales enjoy playing with seaweed, according to a study from the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Researchers documented instances of what they call “kelping”, in which baleen whales like humpbacks find floating seaweed, then roll in it and rub up against it. 

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Wholesale electricity prices improve on the east coast
Eastern Australia’s wholesale electricity prices fell sharply in the September quarter, if this trend keeps up, it could deliver power bill relief for households and businesses alike. An early spring contributed to lower demand, but also an increase in renewable energy with windy and sunny conditions.

Concentrated Solar Thermal power would save Australia billions of dollars
New research suggests Australians could pocket $10 billion in savings by 2050 if governments begin installing a niche form of solar power storage in the country’s major electricity networks - Concentrated Solar Thermal power. Additionally, Australia could draw about 10 per cent of its total electricity needs from CST by 2050 while WA would have as much as 20 per cent of its domestic energy use covered by it. CST power works by positioning mirrors so that sunlight reflects onto a receiver that collects and stores energy for later use.

Marine researchers discover a new game played by whales
Whales enjoy playing with seaweed, according to a study from the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Researchers documented instances of what they call “kelping”, in which baleen whales like humpbacks find floating seaweed, then roll in it and rub up against it. Using aerial observations and social media posts, the researchers documented 163 whales’ interaction with seaweed.

Calls for logging site reforms in Tallaganda State Forest, in order to protect greater gliders
Activists have called for urgent reforms after 89 endangered greater gliders and 20 habitat trees were found in areas of a forest that had been earmarked for logging. A stop work order was extended in parts of the Tallaganda State Forest by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) this month after initially being brought in following the discovery of a dead endangered glider.

Newcastle climate change forum attracts big crowd
Hundreds of people gathered in Newcastle on Monday for a forum focusing on the expansion of the coal industry amid the climate crisis. Speakers and panellists included Independent senator David Pocock, former Newcastle Young Citizen of the Year Alexa Stuart, Climate Council director Professor Lesley Hughes and former Kiribati president Anote Tong.

High electricity prices impacting Boral’s production and employees
Boral boss Vik Bansal says spiking electricity prices and Australia’s patchy energy transition are prompting the country’s biggest cement, concrete and asphalt producer to temporarily halt manufacturing each day, as electricity prices add millions of dollars to their manufacturing costs

Nullarbor's Cultural Heritage, Caves, Wildlife Demand Protection
The Nullarbor is one of Australia's most iconic natural places. It's renowned as a vast and mostly treeless plain. But hidden beneath this ancient landscape is an immense network of caves that need protection.