Airport’s major solar panel expansion

Adelaide Airport is installing more than 3700 new solar panels, nearly tripling its existing solar system.

The new system will bring the airport’s solar capacity up to 3.5MWp, which is enough to power 1000 homes.

The system will be installed on the airport’s domestic and international terminal roof in partnership with Iberdrola Australia.

Brenton Cox, the airport’s managing director, said the project would result in the airport “exceeding our target to self-generate 15 per cent of our airport precinct electricity needs from onsite renewable energy”.

“Cost effective, renewable energy is important for the long-term sustainability of our organisation and our partners,” he said.

– Isabella Kelly

Magnetite Mines collaborate with ZEN Energy

Magnetite Mines and renewable energy company ZEN Energy have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, providing a framework for the parties to collaborate on the development of the Razorback Iron Ore Project.

“Our companies share a common vision for the development of a Green Iron industry in South Australia, underpinned by Raxorback’s magnetite concentrates and ZEN’s renewable energy,” Magnetite Mines CEO Tim Dobson said.

ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut said the collaboration “represents a new load bigger than Olympic Dam to connect to the grid before the end of the decade”.

“The collaboration between ZEN and Magnetite Mines in enabling new value chains to realise Green Iron production in South Australia demonstrates that the Superpower vision for Australia can become a reality, and at a market competitive cost,” Garnaut said.

The Memorandum of Understanding will expire in July 2025 if the parties do not enter a binding transaction.

– Isabella Kelly

Image: Pacific Green

Pacific Green gets planning consent for Limestone Coast battery parks

Pacific Green has received planning consent from the state government for its two Limestone Coast battery energy parks.

The parks will be constructed over the next 36 months, with construction to begin near the end of this year and the first phase expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.

“An increase in storage will provide greater capacity at peak times, extending the availability of electricity generated by cheap renewables,” Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

Chairman and group CEO of Pacific Green Scott Poulter said Australia was “witnessing one of the world’s fastest growth renewable energy markets”.

“So it is critical that battery energy storage grows at the same pace to support the grid network’s expansion of renewable generation,” he said.

– Isabella Kelly

Turner Real Estate launches venture

Turner Real Estate has launched Prestige Sales, a dedicated service tailored for clients seeking high-end properties.

According to Turner, the venture offers a “curated selection of luxury homes”, building on the company’s 33 years of experience in the real estate industry.

“We understand the unique demands of the luxury real estate market, and Turner Prestige Sales is our commitment to offering a specialised service that goes above and beyond expectations,” managing director Lachlan Turner said.

“This brand ensures genuine substance for discerning clients, combining our wealth of experience with a tailored approach to meet the distinctive needs of the high-end market.”

– Isabella Kelly 

SA Power Networks partners with Schneider Electric

SA Power Networks and Schneider Electric have partnered to support grid resilience and efficient energy management by SA Power Networks.

Schneider Electric’s advanced EcoStruxture grid solutions are being utilised across the network, with its EcoStruxture Advanced Distribution Management System providing real-time visibility and control over the distribution grid.

SA Power Networks will be able to use the system to identify and mitigate potential issues proactively while optimising performance and ensuring seamless electricity delivery.

“By combining our expertise in energy management solutions with SA Power Networks’ commitment to innovation, we can unlock new opportunities and create an uninterrupted future for communities across the state,” Schneider Electric vice president of power systems and services James Hunt said.

– Isabella Kelly 

International Collaborations in Space & Health, an event with AHK Australien and the German Business Chamber of South Australia, as part of The Andy Thomas Foundation’s second Australian Space Week, at the Australian Space Discovery Centre on July 23.

SA State of the State: focus on critical service delivery, a CEDA event exploring critical services, the economy, government regulation, health and ageing with Ministers Nick Champion, Chris Picton and Nat Cook at the Adelaide Convention Centre on July 24.

17th Australian Space Forum, hosted by The Andy Thomas Space Foundation, a forum event to stimulate ideas and share information about emerging technologies, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on July 24 and July 25.

Doing Business in the US Supply Chain, a Connect@DTC event for South Australian businesses looking to pursue opportunities to enter the US submarine supply chain, at The Gallery on July 29.

SA Food Waste Reduction, An AACCI and FACCI event designed to highlight the export and overseas investment prospects for South Australia, with Susan Close and End Food Waste Australia CEO Steve Lapidge, at Oui Chef on July 31.

2024 CEDA Economic Outlook, an event presenting the latest on the global, national and state economies with CEDA’s senior economist Melissa Wilson at KPMG on August 15.

Tech Harvest – Ingenuity in Agri-Business, an AmCham event on technology’s role in improving agricultural productivity with Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.

EuroMix, a French Australian Chamber of Commerce event celebrating food and wine and the partnerships between countries such as Austria, France, Germany, and Greece, with Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.

Australia’s Space Future Conference, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event with REDARC Defence & Space and Neumann Space, at REDARC Electronics on September 5.

South Australian Business Index, an InDaily event presenting an independent ranking of South Australia’s top 100 companies, with Premier Peter Malinauskas, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on September 20.

Pink Yellow Blue Disco, a Flinders Foundation event raising funds for cancer research and care, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on October 12.

iTech raises $1.8 million

iTech Minerals has received commitments for $1.8 million through the placement of 25.4 million new shares.

The funds will be used for upcoming exploration programs, including diamond drilling at the Reynolds Range.

“This placement and subsequent SPP fully funds iTech’s exploration and resource development plans for both the newly acquired Reynolds Range Copper-Gold-Silver Project in the Northern Territory and the Company’s advanced Eyre Peninsula Graphite Project in South Australia,” managing director Mike Schwarz said.

– Isabella Kelly

Over 6000 small business owners supported

The state government’s Small Business Strategy 2023-2030 has so far supported more than 6000 local small business owners to grow their businesses and develop skills.

The strategy includes investments of over $14 million by the state government, with 19 of the 20 initiatives in the strategy now underway.

The Women in Business program has supported over 2200 women in South Australia to begin and run their businesses.

As part of the strategy, mental health and wellbeing services have been provided to more than 800 small business owners and employees.

– Isabella Kelly 

Restaurant and retail areas in the redeveloped Central Market Arcade “Market Square”. Render: ICD Property

Tenancies open in Central Market expansion

The Adelaide Central Market Authority is calling for expressions of interest from prospective tenants as part of the market expansion.

Food, beverage, and complementary food retail businesses are invited to lodge their interest ahead of the market’s opening in 2026.

There will be up to 53 new tenancies constructed, with Adelaide Central Market Authority general manager Fabienne Reilly saying the market was looking for “passionate food and beverage businesses that share our commitment to quality, innovation, customer service and community spirit”.

“Applicants will be assessed on criteria aimed at ensuring the Market continues to serve the community, embraces emerging food trends and offer more of what our shoppers know and love.”

Expressions of interest close August 31.

– Isabella Kelly

Flinders partners with SACA for new Diploma

Flinders University and the South Australian Cricket Association will deliver a new Diploma in Sports Management for students interested in the sports industry.

The one-year Diploma will see students study at the new Flinders city campus and at Adelaide Oval.

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of sports management, from running fan events to marketing sporting organisations, said Flinders University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Romy Lawson.

“The Flinders curriculum will enable students to learn how a sporting association operates across codes, gaining marketing and event management skills behind the scenes, and building professional networks at the same time,” Lawson said.

For more information, visit the Diploma webpage.

– David Simmons

Silentium Defence delivers sensors for AIR6500

Silentium Defence has supplied the first selection of sensor systems for Australia’s Joint Air Battle Management System AIR6500.

The MAVERICK Fortress-3D radar has a 3D capability enabling instantaneous wide-view surveillance, tracking targets with greater accuracy.

“The rate and complexity with which threats are evolving in today’s battlespace is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Silentium Defence CEO James Palmer.

“Asymmetric advantage requires access to innovative technologies delivered at pace, and accurate, real-time data for more informed decision making. Silentium Defence has delivered both technology faster and an edge for Defence.”

– Isabella Kelly

The Yoghurt Shop chief operating officer Brandon Reynolds. Photo: Provided.

Government trade program extended

The state and federal government’s TradeStart program has been extended until 2028, and six new advisers have been employed to help businesses develop export growth plans, access grants and get regulatory advice.

More than 500 SA businesses have been supported over the past year to grow their exports through TradeStart.

Adelaide’s The Yoghurt Shop was one TradeStart-supported business that saw export growth after engaging with the program.

COO Brandon Reynolds – one of Adelaide’s 40 Under 40 for 2024 – said he found “working with TradeStart advisers to be nothing short of excellent”.

“Having access to advice on international markets has given us an edge over producers internationally, and even over those of our interstate colleagues, because the TradeStart advisers are consistently across market changes, opportunities and developments,” Reynolds said.

– David Simmons

Ruby Award nominations open

Nominations have opened for the 2024 Ruby Awards, which recognise work in the South Australian arts, culture and creative industries, named after Dame Ruby Litchfield.

There are six categories to be recognised, including Outstanding Community Event or Project, Outstanding Regional Event or Project, Outstanding Work or Event Within a Festival, and Outstanding Collaboration.

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said the awards celebrate “the outstanding contributions and achievements of our state’s talented artists and arts organisations”.

“The Awards are an opportunity to recognise South Australia’s brilliant arts, culture and creative industries,” Michaels said.

Nominations close on August 19, with winners announced in November.

– Isabella Kelly