Renew 176 out now: Community energy installations, Goulburn community solar farm, retailers reshaping the electricity market, First Nations-led renewable energy, AI data centres in Australia, and much more!
Who should own Australia’s clean energy future? That’s one of the big questions at the heart of Renew 176, as we explore the growing movement towards community ownership, local decision-making and more resilient energy systems.
Our lead feature follows the journey of the Goulburn Community Solar Farm. After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and persistence, local volunteers have transformed a kitchen-table idea into one of Australia’s largest community-owned solar and battery projects. We also examine how First Nations communities are leading renewable energy developments on Country, ensuring projects deliver long-term economic, cultural and environmental benefits while reflecting local priorities.
As more Australians install rooftop solar and batteries, the electricity market is evolving too. We investigate the new generation of retailers challenging the traditional utility model through wholesale pricing and innovative energy-sharing services. We also take a closer look at Australia’s rapidly expanding network of AI data centres, asking what their growing electricity demand means for communities, the grid and our path to net zero.
Beyond energy, Jean Renouf explores Australia’s food security challenges and why stronger local food systems are becoming increasingly important in an uncertain climate. We visit Wavertree House in the Northern Territory to discover how climate-responsive design creates homes that work with their environment rather than against it. And we share practical advice for camping more sustainably.
Also in this issue: learn how to build a modular DIY battery system that makes home energy storage more accessible, discover the science behind turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, explore kerbside EV charging solutions, and much more to help you live more sustainably.
further reading
Policy
Data in the city and the invisible impact of the cloud
As AI and cloud computing drive a boom in data centre construction, Australia faces growing questions about how these energy-hungry facilities will affect electricity demand, local communities and the transition to net zero. Mia-Francesca Jones examines the trade-offs—and asks whether Australia can build the cloud more sustainably.
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Products
Product profile: Tiny homes your way
One of the many advantages of a tiny home is their flexibility; being able to configure one online, and see the actual cost in real time, is a great idea that many more tiny home suppliers need to adopt.
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Pears Report
Signals of change
From global risk assessments and climate adaptation to the complexities of ‘free’ electricity offers, Alan Pears looks at some of the forces driving change in Australia’s economy and energy system.
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Efficient homes
Lessons from Wavertree House
Featured in this year’s Sustainable House Day program, Wavertree House is an off-grid home in Darwin River inspired by the tropical architecture of 1930s government architect Beni Burnett. Andrew Spiers discusses the ideas behind the project and what contemporary Australian housing can learn from designing with climate rather than against it.
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gardening
FOGO, humus and the magic in between
Compost is one of nature’s most effective recycling systems. Whether it’s created in a backyard worm farm or a municipal-scale FOGO facility, the process follows the same basic principles. Thom Fox explores how organic waste becomes nutrient-rich compost—and how you can replicate the process at home.
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Electric vehicles
Vehicle labels catch up with reality
Australia is finally replacing its outdated vehicle testing and labelling standard with one that better reflects real-world driving. Bryce Gaton looks at what the change means for consumers and the transition to cleaner vehicles.
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