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.
South Australia has the most wind energy in the country.
Wind turbine image from www.shutterstock.com
South Australia has unveiled its keenly awaited energy plan, featuring battery storage, a state-owned gas power station, and a thumb of the nose to the federal electricity rules.
SA energy minister Tom Koutsantonis (left) and Premier Jay Weatherill have outlined their vision for the state’s electricity.
AAP Image/David Mariuz
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.
Australia’s electricity grid is no longer fit for purpose.
Tatters ❀/Flickr
Rising gas prices and energy security issues have led to calls for more gas to be pumped into our energy system. But we need to balance that with the equally pressing need to limit greenhouse emissions.
The rules were written at a time when coal and gas were the only major options.
AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
Here’s the real problem behind Australia’s electricity woes: the rules that govern decisions about what infrastructure to build, and when, are inflexible and outdated.
It’s time to take the political heat out of electricity grids.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Privatisation and competition were supposed to make electricity cheaper. Instead, Australia’s quasi-federal energy system has made it easier to pass the buck when things go wrong.
Turnbull highlighted problems with the intermittency of renewable energy.
David Clarke/Flickr
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has set out a strong vision for Australia’s energy policy, but there are many challenges ahead.
Renewable energy targets were a controversial topic at a recent COAG meeting between the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
The potential shutdown of Victoria’s Hazelwood power station could leave a large gap in coal-fired baseload generation. But other coal power stations have plenty of spare capacity to fill the gap.
Wind farms are pushing down the price of electricity in the electricity market.
Chris J Stewart, Starfish Wind Farm, Cape Jervis, South Australia.