Indonesia to subsidise one million electric motorbikes, two Australian states break renewables records and US scientists make a battery breakthrough — all this and more in this month’s good news in climate solutions.  

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US scientists make battery breakthrough

The US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has developed a lithium-air battery that could significantly increase the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs), Energy Monitor’s Oliver Gordon reports. The battery could also, in future, power aircraft and long-haul trucks. The research is published in a recent issue of Science. 

Final beta of nature disclosure framework released

The Taskforce on Nature-related FInancial Disclosures (TNFD) has released the fourth and final beta of its framework for nature-related risk management and disclosure for organisations. The TNFD is developing the framework with the ultimate aim of helping to stem the loss of nature worldwide. The beta framework is open to public consultation until June 1.

Huge solar farms for Queensland, New South Wales

Australian developer Skylab has unveiled plans to build an almost 1 GW solar farm and battery energy storage facility in regional Queensland, writes PV Magazine’s David Carroll. Earlier in the month, ACEN Australia officially opened the first stage of its New England Solar Farm, the largest yet developed in New South Wales.

Indonesia to subsidise electric motorbikes

Reuters reports that Indonesia will allocate 7 trillion rupiah (A$687 million) in state funds to subsidise electric motorcycle sales through 2024 as it pushes mass adoption of EVs. The subsidies will cover sales of 800,000 new electric motorcycles and the conversion of 200,000 combustion engine motorcycles, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

Melbourne scientists find ‘natural battery’ 

Scientists have isolated an enzyme from soil bacteria that can convert air into electricity, writes ABC News reporter Andi Yu. The Monash University research, published in Nature, found the enzyme can turn atmospheric hydrogen into an electrical current, which the researchers say could eventually power very small devices such as environmental monitors or biometric sensors.

December breaks renewables records in South Australia, Victoria 

South Australia has continued its record-breaking run of renewable generation, with wind and solar contributing more than 85 per cent of the state’s electricity demand, writes Renew Economy’s Sophie Vorrath. Meanwhile, Renew’s Giles Parkinson reports, in the same month Victoria became the first state to experience negative wholesale electricity prices for a whole week, as high wind and solar output and mild demand pushed prices below zero.