ZEBRE submits 180MW BESS to Australia’s EPBC Act as ZEN Energy administration fails to slow pipeline

energy-storage.news Aug 7, 2026

ZEBRE submits 180MW BESS to Australia’s EPBC Act as ZEN Energy administration fails to slow pipeline

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

ZEBRE, a joint venture between Taiwan’s HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) and Australia’s ZEN Energy, has lodged a referral for its 180 MW/360 MWh Noblevale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Queensland under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The grid‑scale battery will sit on a repurposed mining site near Swanbank, 45 km southwest of Brisbane, and connect to the National Electricity Market via an underground cable to the Blackstone substation, minimizing habitat disruption. Spread across three yards on a 6.33‑hectare footprint, the facility includes a substation, control building, stormwater basin and koala‑proof fencing. Construction is slated to start 1 September 2027 with commissioning by 1 June 2029, despite ZEN Energy’s administration earlier in 2026. The project forms part of the emerging Swanbank Clean Energy Hub, complementing CleanCo’s nearby 250 MW/500 MWh BESS.

💡 Why It Matters

· By reusing a former mining site for a high‑capacity battery, the project demonstrates a rapid, low‑impact pathway to expand Queensland’s renewable grid flexibility while sidestepping new land clearance.

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DC Circuit Court of Appeals upholds FERC plan to speed up permitting…

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order No. 2023, which aims to accelerate permitting for connecting renewable energy projects to the U.S. grid. The order replaces the first‑come, first‑served queue with a cluster‑based assessment, requiring operators to evaluate projects by readiness and to provide greater transparency. It also increases financial commitments generators must make to enter and remain in the queue. The decision follows challenges from grid operators and utilities who argued the order overstepped FERC’s authority.

💡 By streamlining interconnection, the ruling is expected to reduce the backlog of solar, wind, and storage projects, enabling faster deployment of cleaner energy and supporting the nation’s growing power demand.

energy-storage.news · Aug 6

EU’s Chinese inverter ban could be sign of things to come for…

The EU’s recent ban on Chinese inverters for EU‑funded projects signals a potential shift toward locally designed battery energy storage systems (BESS). Former Northvolt BESS head Jerome Bersano warns that the same restrictions could extend to BESS, prompting European firms to develop domestic solutions. Bersano’s new company, Enexya, offers mid‑scale C&I and grid‑scale BESS units built mainly in China with European customization, aiming to fill a market gap between small cabinets and large containers. The company secured a 7.5 MWh project in French Polynesia, beating Huawei.

💡 The move could accelerate European BESS manufacturing, reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains and preserving jobs. It also signals a broader trend of tightening import controls that may reshape the global energy storage market.

independent.co.uk · Aug 6

Jeep Compass Electric review – I drove the family SUV that’s ready…

The new Jeep Compass Electric enters the competitive mid-sized SUV market as the brand’s second all-electric vehicle, following the Avenger. This third-generation model retains Jeep’s signature rugged, upright design with a seven-slot grille and chunky cladding, distinguishing it from rounded competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq. Built on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, it shares underpinnings with the Peugeot E-3008 but emphasizes a durable, off-road-inspired interior. The tested First Edition features a 74kWh battery, 210bhp, and front-wheel drive, priced at £39,800, while the entry-level Altitude starts at £36,999. Jeep plans three electric variants, including four-wheel-drive options, alongside upcoming petrol mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The vehicle prioritizes outdoor attitude and brand identity over maximum efficiency or polish, appealing to buyers seeking a distinct character in the crowded electric family SUV sector.

💡 Jeep leverages its heritage to carve a niche in a saturated market dominated by generic designs. By prioritizing rugged aesthetics over pure efficiency, the Compass Electric targets buyers who value brand identity and outdoor capability over standardized tech specs.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 6

Eugene Clean Energy Fund Officially Qualifies for the November 2026 Ballot

The Eugene Clean Energy Fund, supported by environmental groups and labor unions, has qualified for the November 2026 ballot after the city recorder certified sufficient valid signatures. A grassroots campaign collected signatures in under 100 days, mobilizing volunteers, community organizers, and justice groups. A successful vote would impose a 2% Large Retailer License Fee on billion‑dollar corporations earning over $1 billion in U.S. profits and $500,000 in Eugene, generating at least $15 million annually for local clean‑energy projects, training, and infrastructure. The initiative mirrors Portland’s 2018 fund, aiming to benefit low‑income and historically marginalized communities.

💡 The measure gives Eugene a mechanism to hold major retailers accountable for climate costs, turning corporate profits into tangible local investments in renewable energy, job training, and green infrastructure. It represents a concrete step toward a community‑driven clean‑energy economy that prioritizes equity and resilience.

energy-storage.news · Aug 6

Zelestra and Centrica Energy agree toll for 99MW/297MWh Germany BESS

Zelestra has secured a long‑term tolling agreement with Centrica Energy for its 99 MW/297 MWh Hilgermissen battery energy‑storage system (BESS) in Lower Saxony, Germany. The deal allows Zelestra to build, own and operate the standalone BESS while Centrica trades and optimises the capacity for a fixed fee, effectively renting the asset. Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with full operations expected in the second half of 2028. The agreement follows a series of similar BESS offtake deals across Europe.

💡 The partnership demonstrates how European developers are monetising storage assets through long‑term tolling, a model that can accelerate grid‑scale deployment and support Germany’s renewable targets. It also signals Centrica’s strategic shift toward owning optimisation rights rather than owning physical infrastructure.

energy-storage.news · Aug 6

Ørsted puts 500MWh Old 300 Texas BESS into operation

Ørsted has commissioned its 250 MW/500 MWh Old 300 battery energy storage system in Needville, Texas, linking it to the ERCOT grid. The BESS sits beside the 430 MW Old 300 solar farm, which began operating in 2024, but functions independently to deliver rapid power during peak demand and grid disturbances. The storage units are Tesla Megapacks built at the company’s Lathrop, California megafactory, marking a major deployment of the manufacturer’s 13.5 GWh quarterly output. Ørsted expects the combined solar‑storage complex to generate roughly $110 million in local property tax revenue, supporting schools, infrastructure and emergency services. The project follows Ørsted’s shift from oil and gas to renewables and its recent acquisition of a 150 MW BESS in Michigan. The facility enhances Texas’s renewable capacity and grid resilience.

💡 By pairing large‑scale solar with fast‑response storage, Ørsted demonstrates a viable model for stabilizing Texas’s intermittently‑sourced grid, offering a template for other markets seeking reliable clean‑energy integration.