Better energy management could reduce peak demand by the equivalent of two Hazelwood power stations. It’s time to get serious about demand response solutions to our energy crisis.
The energy security crisis has politicians leaping to unveil various schemes. But we don’t need piecemeal action – the Finkel review, due in June, aims to create a coherent new energy blueprint.
Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney and Ben Madden, University of Technology Sydney
A recycling company has received tens of millions from the federal government to develop solid waste fuel. This fuel reduces landfill, shrinks our carbon footprint and protects the environment.
Earlier this year Australia’s energy market operator warned of a gas shortage, sparking fears of an energy crisis. But new research shows the projected shortfall is so small, it may already be closed.
Energy security requires both short and long planning. Recent gas and hydro announcements are a promising start towards some proper joined-up thinking.
Despite its name, the National Electricity Market doesn’t reach WA. But those charged with guiding the eastern states’ energy transition should look west once in a while.
The current flurry of energy policy aims to make power cheaper and more reliable. But it will take more than that to meet vital longer-term goals like cutting carbon while keeping future prices low.
Trump has pledged to invest big in infrastructure. An analysis shows the electric grid will need hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade just to keep things as they are.
Jeffrey Sommerfeld, Queensland University of Technology
South Australia is investing $550 million in a plan to improve the reliability of its electricity. But the side-effect is that the National Electricity Market will now be even harder to run.
Electricity retailers need to make their prices and offers more transparent and easier for customers to understand, or risk having to submit to price regulation to drive down bills.