Manufacturers, mining companies and the transport industry will be among the key beneficiaries of a new regulation that allows ARENA to provide grants for electrification and energy efficiency.
The federal government will tip an extra $1.8 billion into climate action over 10 years, with a stronger emphasis on hard-to-abate sectors, hydrogen, transport, energy productivity, soil carbon and CCS.
Large businesses will find it easier to earn money by reducing their electricity use at peak times, under new proposals from the energy market rule-maker.
The federal government has awarded one of its largest-ever cooperative research centre grants to an energy productivity alliance that has multiple programs for business on its agenda.
The federal-NSW energy and emissions deal includes $450 million to help heavy industry adopt low-emissions technology, money from the Climate Solutions Fund for NSW abatement projects, and a reverse auction for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Energy ministers have agreed that new electric appliances including air-conditioners must be capable of external power down, after modelling showed the net benefits could be as high as $2.8 billion out to 2036.
A federal committee is investigating why businesses are largely ignoring five ERF energy efficiency methods, and whether two others designed to prevent clearing are sufficiently robust.