The FitzPatrick nuclear plant in Oswego, New York will receive state subsidies to continue operating through 2029.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory commission/Flickr
A nuclear engineer makes the case that nuclear power plants are important resources and should receive economic rewards for providing steady supplies of carbon-free electricity.
Windbacks to solar subsidies may encourage larger systems.
Solar panel image from www.shutterstock.com
Alex Fattal, University of Technology Sydney et Nicky Ison, University of Technology Sydney
The electricity market that covers most of Australia is designed to have periods of high prices, to attract new generators. But there may be better ways to encourage electricity investment.
Building enough solar panels will be much easier if energy efficiency policy is ramped up at the same time.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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.
Those who struggle the most with bills can also find it hardest to change their energy choices.
AAP Image/Dan Peled
It’s not just about finding money for things like solar panels – poorer households can also find it harder to gain access to reliable information about the green energy options they do have.
Australia’s power policies still aren’t heading in quite the right direction.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Australia’s energy policy has lost its way over the past couple of decades, which is unfortunate because the challenges – to move to a low-carbon economy without high prices – have never been tougher.
The rays of hope are there, if you look for them.
Marcelo del Pozo/Reuters
Photovoltaics and wind energy now have such a large head start that no other low-emission generation technology has a reasonable prospect of catching them.
Hepburn Wind is one of Australia’s largest community renewable energy schemes.
Hepburn Wind/Flickr
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.
South Africa’s nuclear plans have been put on hold. In light of recent events in the country, pressure is being put on the government to halt the process.
CSIRO has the know-how to develop commercial-scale green energy, with a clear plan and enough money.
CSIRO
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.
High impact usage. Lightning strikes Toronto.
Sam Javanrouh/Flickr