Nicky Ison, University of Technology Sydney dan Chris Dunstan, University of Technology Sydney
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is facing a $1.3 billion budget chop as part of the federal government’s savings measures. But sacrifice the lead agency for green energy development
Critics don’t think Tesla can sell enough home batteries to justify its acquisition of SolarCity, but what they’re underestimating is the potential for innovation the Gigafactory brings.
There’s a wider trend towards linking the energy and climate portfolios, and not before time – the race is on towards a low-carbon economy, and joined-up policy gets faster results.
Peter C. Doherty, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
There are several areas where Australia could be a world leader in innovation. If we can identify them and focus our efforts there, we could generate some genuine benefits here and abroad.
The Coalition has asked CSIRO to develop a “roadmap” towards commercialised clean energy. It’s a good idea as long as the plan is clear, and there’s enough money behind it.
When will residential solar be cheaper than the cost of power from the grid? This point of ‘grid parity’ is a moving target but moving closer in a number of places.
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg told Q&A that Australia has the highest number of solar panels on people’s roofs per capita anywhere in the world. Is that right?
Our civilisation is built on chemistry, and the science has a bright future, with the launch of a new Decadal Plan that will steer the science into the future.
If you’re worried about rising electricity prices, then going off-grid sounds attractive. But why not create an intelligent network of solar-powerd batteries that can reduce prices for all?
Utilities are pushing back against the spread of rooftop solar power and charging bigger fees to solar homes. Who is right in this solar-versus-utilities fight?
The ‘early adopters’ of home battery storage will pay significantly more than those who come later, but it won’t be long until prices drop enough for many more to get on board.
The U.S. could dramatically increase solar and wind power without expensive energy storage. The key is to overlay high-voltage direct current power lines on our system of regional grids.
Tristan R. Brown, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The wind and solar industries scored a huge win by getting extended tax credits, but research shows this isn’t the best policy for lowering emissions through renewable energy.