Workers tunnelling through mountains and redirecting rivers, powering and irrigating the nation. We think of the Snowy scheme as a successful nationbuilding project – but it wasn’t always that way
Storing energy in large pumped hydro schemes sounds simple. But engineering and terrain challenges have put Snowy 2.0 well off track – while grid-scale batteries get better and better
If Australia is to meet its net zero targets it must move fast and build massive industrial infrastructure. But those projects are provoking fierce hostility. Is there a way through the green dilemma?
Government-owned firms are often branded as uncompetitive, stuck in the past and unable to truly innovate. But they’re sometimes better suited than private firms to drive new, clean technologies.
Under a rapidly changing climate, it’s not just about keeping the lights on. We not only want energy, but we want to breathe clean air, have enough food and live in a sustainable community.
Snowy 2.0 has been a lightning rod for controversy. From cost-blowouts to climate impacts and threats to native fish, experts say there are many reasons why it should be put on hold.
For the next couple of decades, Snowy 2.0 will in fact store coal-fired electricity, not renewable electricity.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison in front of the Tumut 3 power station at the Snowy Hydro Scheme. New analysis suggests the benefits of Snowy 2.0 have been overstated.
AAP
New analysis revealed less than half the extra pumped hydro capacity promised by Snowy 2.0 can be delivered. There is now overwhelming evidence the project should be put on hold.
The pumped hydro expansion in the Snowy Mountains is expected to be the largest renewable energy project in Australia.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Electricity storage is vital to the stability of a renewable energy grid. The world’s favourite form of storage is pumped hydro – and researchers have located thousands of candidate sites.
Hydro electricity will be part of Australia’s energy future.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Energy security requires both short and long planning. Recent gas and hydro announcements are a promising start towards some proper joined-up thinking.