The post Powerlink inks NRM partnership for energy transition appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Powerlink will work collaboratively alongside 11 regional NRM organisations, on key aspects including the management of environmental offsets to ensure social and environmental benefits for communities, landscapes and future generations.
Related article: Work begins on Queensland’s CopperString 2032
It recognises the opportunity to develop projects across Queensland that support both sectors to be nature positive, while balancing affordability, security and reliability of the electricity network. The partnership also helps to facilitate the successful transition of an electricity network which is becoming more weather affected.
Powerlink executive general manager of network and business development Stewart Bell said, “Powerlink is playing a vital role in delivering Queensland’s transition to a renewable energy future by building the connections between generators and Queenslanders.
“Partnerships like this will also allow us to make meaningful contributions to enhancing Queensland’s natural resources.
“We see this is as not only a way to offset environmental impacts but also to understand how we can do more to ensure future generations can benefit from the rich environment Queensland has to offer.”
Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland CEO Chris Norman said, “The purpose of this agreement is to drive innovation that supports both the energy and natural resource management sector to be nature positive.
“We are hoping to develop a program of collaborative offsets with an initial focus on environmental restoration offsets.
Related article: Endangered parrots arrive at Tasmanian Gas Pipeline
“Like Powerlink, we have a long-term vision for a healthier environment built on foundations of dedication and trust.
“Together we want to develop leading practice around strategic environmental offsets and limit the impacts any action—such as renewable energy projects—might have on the environment.”
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]]>The post Early bird registrations open for EECON 2024 appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>The theme emphasises the importance of the electric energy industry working cooperatively to develop a sustainable energy future.
Australia is facing the complex and mammoth challenge of making the energy transition successful and this requires connecting people—customers and communities, governments, regulators, and organisations to ensure successful outcomes for all. It’s all about joining forces to address this substantial challenge and ensuring that Australia’s energy needs are met.
During EECON 2024, spanning three days, attendees can expect:
These opportunities will provide attendees with valuable insights, knowledge, and connections to remain at the forefront of the dynamic energy industry landscape.
Energy Source & Distribution is proud to be a media partner of this highly anticipated national conference.
For more information or to complete an early bird registration, click here.
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]]>The post Report highlights distribution grid’s potential in transition appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>The Time is Now report shows that there are opportunities within the distribution grid that can be unlocked and enabled now, to deliver more benefits for customers.
Related article: Champion of change: Dominique van den Berg
Energy Networks Australia CEO Dom van den Berg said we must look beyond the traditional role of distribution networks as just poles and wires.
“Findings show that if we act now to get the distribution grid doing more heavy lifting, customers can save around $160 per year and avoid $7 billion in overall system costs in 2030 alone. The nation will also be better positioned to achieve its 82% renewables target by 2030,” she said.
“We absolutely need to make sure we are pulling all levers. That includes keeping focused on the large-scale renewable projects and the vital transmission infrastructure we need to connect them. While we do that, it also makes good sense to do everything we can at a local level to bring down bills and provide more services to customers.
“We must get smarter with how we use existing infrastructure, how we maximise rooftop solar, how and where we store and manage it locally, and how we get more EV chargers in more places.
“There is a clear opportunity to get the local grid doing more of the heavy lifting in the energy transition and achieve greater savings for customers by 2030, but that window of opportunity is closing.”
The report calls for changes that can be delivered today through the right policy decisions, and fit-for-purpose regulatory settings. The recommendations include:
The Time is Now features extensive modelling by independent experts L.E.K. Consulting. Modelling scenarios show that individual actions deliver customer benefits, but a combination of these actions would deliver even more benefits.
Related article: “Batteries on wheels”: EVs bolster power grid during blackout
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]]>The post New research project to improve First Nations energy security appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Pre-paid metering is mandated in many regional and remote Aboriginal communities and is associated with a high rate of disconnections and energy insecurity. Consumer protections for those customers vary across states and territories.
This project will help uncover the experiences of First Nations communities and people supplied by prepayment meters and find ways to ensure those households in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia receive the same critical consumer protections as people on post-paid arrangements.
Funded through an Energy Consumers Australia collaboration grant, Original Power, in partnership with researchers at Western Sydney University, will work with locally based First Nations researchers to lead, design and conduct community consultations in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to improve energy sector understanding of the lived experience of First Nations households and communities using pre-payment arrangements for electricity.
Related article: First Nations people must be at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy revolution
Tangentyere Council, representing the Alice Springs town camps, will be involved in the project as one of the local First Nations researcher partners.
“It’s important that our mob understand how to manage power and gain information on pre-payment meters. We need to make this information available for everybody using pre-payment so our communities can have fairer access to electricity services,” Tangentyere Council senior Indigenous researcher Vanessa Napaltjari Davis said.
Original Power will then collaborate directly with government and regulatory agencies including retailers to analyse and share data and to identify and implement solutions that will help communities.
Retailers and networks who service First Nations communities and pre-payment customers in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are encouraged to contact Original Power to take part in the project.
“Original Power is proud to work alongside Indigenous research partners across the continent on this major national study, shining a light on the underreported experience of First Nations energy customers who access electricity through pre-payment,” Original Power executive director Lauren Mellor said.
“First Nations pre-paid meter customers experience some of the highest rates of energy insecurity of any population in the world, with frequent and extended disconnections caused by a lack of affordable power and exacerbated by the automated disconnections inherent to pre-paid meters. These experiences significantly impact the lives of First Nations families and communities, undermining social and economic wellbeing.
“As this study kicks off in the Northern Territory and expands to other pre-paid meter regions across Australia, we look forward to working collaboratively with communities, service providers, retailers and regulators to find ways to improve energy security for all First Nations energy customers.”
Chantelle Johns, a Marlinja-based researcher said, “It’s important that a national study captures all of the issues, questions and concerns regarding prepayment meters and to gather real data on how we are impacted to help advocate for change in our communities so that pre-payment customers can achieve real energy security.”
Dr Thomas Longden from the Urban Transformations Research Centre (UTRC) at Western Sydney University said: “The impacts of regular disconnection from electricity in remote communities are often a blind spot for the Australian energy community.”
A previous study in Nature Energy, co-authored by Dr Longden and funded by Energy Consumers Australia, found that 91% of households experienced a disconnection from electricity in a year and 74% were disconnected more than 10 times.
Related article: New First Nations engagement guide for renewables industry
“While we know that energy insecurity is common, we need to better understand how we could improve energy affordability, access and reliability for pre-paid meter customers.
“Disconnections are common and increase during days of extreme heat and cold. All power is lost to the household so even the lights go off, which makes the house dangerous to be in as they get very dark. This also means that there is no heating or cooling. The fridge stops working and this could lead to food going off and essential medicines being spoilt.
“That places people at risk of critical health events, for example, diabetics need insulin, but it spoils when it is not stored in an operable fridge. There’s also an extremely high rate of kidney disease, which makes people very vulnerable to extreme heat.”
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]]>The post Foreign supply chains a threat to our green energy goals appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Australia’s reliance on offshore suppliers has left us at a great disadvantage when it comes to meeting green energy goals. With international suppliers prioritising projects in their own regions, wait times on crucial equipment for projects outside of those areas sits at two to five years and is expected to grow. As a result, project costs are escalating and delivery schedules are being extended.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent Future Made in Australia Act and $1 billion pledge to support domestic advanced manufacturing and clean energy projects goes some way in alleviating the problem, but there is significant catch up to do.
Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables
In contrast to Australia, developers of renewable projects in other countries receive significant sponsorship from their governments, giving them the funds to lock in their suppliers for many years ahead. In some countries, cable suppliers, for example, have been told by their own countries that they need to prioritise local supply. Those countries with manufacturing are at an advantage.
In contrast, Australian developers have not had the same government assistance or local manufacturing. This means a lot of private developers do not have the funds to lock in supply until they start construction and by then, wait times and costs have escalated. Typically, deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Developers might put down a 10% deposit to secure materials, then they wait and if the project changes or does not go ahead, they have lost that money.
In Europe, sanctions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine have accelerated the need for European countries to wean off gas. Respective European governments are funding the transition, locking away up to 10 years’ supply of high-voltage cables produced by local manufacturers—the same manufacturers supplying other countries, including Australia. The rest of the world will pay a huge premium to get in the queue and will still wait years for high-voltage cables, which are used for offshore wind farms and underground electricity transmission.
The Marinus Link, a proposed electricity and telecommunications interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria, is one such project that will require significant materials like high-voltage cables and interconnectors. It is a critical part of Australia’s new energy future, enabling low-cost, clean electricity to flow in both directions between the two states, storing excess energy in Tasmania’s hydro storage for use when demand is high. It is due to start in early 2025. The proposed SunCable AAPowerLink has the potential to support Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy export superpower but it too is dependent on the supply of major power transmission equipment such as high-voltage cables.
Transformers are another area where there are supply issues—particularly high-capacity, high-voltage transformers that are made by few manufacturers. Whether it’s renewable energy zones or interconnectors between Victoria and NSW, these projects depend on transformers for their substations. The delay for transformers is about two years and getting longer. Only a year ago, the wait time was 18 months. A project could go through design and approvals and be ready to go, then you will wait years for critical equipment.
Countries that have manufacturing are at a huge advantage and we need to get Australia in that position too.
Some challenges can be eliminated by bringing the supply chain closer to home, giving Australian developers more control and security over essential equipment. For Australia, there are unique challenges in doing that, but they can be overcome.
Our industry is not big enough to justify the investment in manufacturing everything we need here. However, there is a huge opportunity in a collaboration between Australia and South-East Asian countries. If you can manufacture at a scale that supports projects in, for example, Indonesia, PNG, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, you have a much bigger demand that justifies that investment.
Ramping up manufacturing of critical equipment and components in the South-East Asian region—through a partnership between Australia and countries in the region—will also circumvent the high cost of manufacturing in Australia due, in part, to our higher labour costs.
Australia itself could look to ‘smart’ manufacturing for some equipment and components—with a focus to maximise our natural advantages of raw materials supply chains, access to advanced technologies and a highly educated and qualified population. We must also be selective in what we produce—we can’t manufacture everything.
Related article: A glimpse at Australia’s hydrogen future
At the moment, Australia is dependent on international suppliers for our energy transition. If we understand the risks associated with that, we can develop strategies to mitigate them. Every time, those strategies come back to diversifying and localising supply.
Hatch is actively engaging in critical energy projects such as wind, solar and hydro power generation, high-voltage transmission systems, energy storage including BESS and pumped hydro, and sustainable fuels. All of these projects play a vital role in driving forward the green energy transition.
As experts in planning and executing energy projects, Hatch understands the critical importance of the supply chains that underpin the successful delivery of these projects. De-risking supply chains is a key focus area and we strongly support localisation initiatives to improve the security of supply to our Australian and regional projects.
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]]>The post CSIRO highlights key role of critical minerals R&D in transition appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>The report is the first comprehensive assessment of innovation in critical minerals refining required to build a sovereign mid-stream processing industry in Australia.
Related article: Critical minerals industry gets $400M federal funding
The demand for energy transition minerals has doubled in the past five years to US$320 billion, led by the exponential growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the continued deployment of solar and wind energy.
The report provides data on the current capabilities and RD&D and international co-operation opportunities across lithium, cobalt, silicon, rare earth elements and graphite.
The report takes the guess work out of investment and policy decision-making, by unpacking the processing technology options to make essential materials for:
Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub manager Lucy O’Connor said R&D had a pivotal role to play in realising Australia’s potential in critical mineral processing, commercialising the sector and establishing the ESG standards and practices that set Australian industry apart.
“We need to ensure research is targeted to industry problems and outcomes and can be developed into commercially applicable technologies,” she said.
Related article: A glimpse at Australia’s hydrogen future
“This report provides information industry, international partners and investors, as well as the R&D sector, need to identify comparative opportunities as well as the most challenging technical bottlenecks for the sector when developing integrated supply chains in critical minerals.”
The report was funded by the Critical Minerals Office in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and will also help inform the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub—a $50.5 million initiative that brings together Australia’s leading science agencies ANSTO, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.
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]]>The post Transgrid scholarships to help accelerate energy transition appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Related article: Australia’s engineering skills gap is double global average
The first-year engineering students have each received a $20,000 scholarship, with recipients from NSW regions including the Central West, Central Coast, Orana, and Riverina, as well as Western Sydney and Victoria.
Transgrid executive general manager of major projects Gordon Taylor said, “Transgrid is delivering the transmission infrastructure identified as critical to enabling the Commonwealth and NSW governments’ clean energy vision.
“Over the next decade, we are investing $14 billion on a 2,500km energy superhighway including the EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects and we require hundreds of skilled personnel and world-class engineers.
“Transgrid’s $2 million Engineering Scholarship Fund is supporting 100 students at the university’s Bathurst campus between 2023 and 2029 to expand the skilled workforce across the industry as the clean energy transition accelerates.
“We are delighted to support another 20 engineering students at Charles Sturt University this year who are joining the 17 recipients awarded scholarships in 2023.
Related article: Transgrid names former Origin boss Grant King as chair
“Each recipient receives $5,000 annually for four years to ease the financial burden and support them in their studies.”
Applications for the 2025 scholarship program are now open.
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]]>The post Amazon meets 100% renewables goal seven years early appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>In 2019, Amazon set a goal to match all of the electricity consumed across its global operations—including data centres, corporate buildings, and fulfilment centres—with 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Related article: Amazon world’s largest corporate buyer of renewables
Not only has Amazon reached its goal seven years ahead of schedule, it has also become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world for four years running, according to Bloomberg NEF.
“Reaching our renewable energy goal is an incredible achievement, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to get here, seven years early. We also know that this is just a moment in time, and our work to decarbonise our operations will not always be the same each year—we’ll continue to make progress, while also constantly evolving on our path to 2040,” Amazon chief sustainability officer Kara Hurst said.
In Australia, Amazon has now enabled seven renewable energy projects. This includes four utility scale projects—an operational solar farm in Wandoan, Queensland, operational solar farms in Suntop and Gunnedah in New South Wales, and a wind farm in Hawkesdale, Victoria—as well as three rooftop solar projects on Amazon facilities in Melbourne and Sydney.
Once operational, the projects are estimated to generate more than 1GWh of clean power—enough to power more than 175,000 Australian homes.
Related article: Amazon and Vena Energy announce Queensland solar project
These projects are helping to power Amazon’s Australian operations, including Amazon data centres, and fulfilment centres, while also providing new sources of clean power to local communities and the east coast grid.
The company invested AU$467 million in wind and solar farms in Australia from 2020 to 2022.
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]]>The post CSIRO brings science, not politics, to electricity cost debate appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Some nuclear fans claim the agency has a position on Australia’s energy mix. That is both wrong and a fundamental misinterpretation of the GenCost report.
Two of the most profound challenges we confront are climate change and the interrelated transition of our energy system to reach our legislated net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Tackling these challenges requires both science and trust in it.
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, brings impartial research and carefully considered evidence, models, and data to inform the community and their elected representatives about the challenges ahead. We avoid opinion and rhetoric—we do not advocate for a policy position, nor do we skew analyses to suit any political party, whether in government, opposition or on the crossbench.
The GenCost report is a live example of how CSIRO brings science to the community and informs public debate without bias.
Related article: Solar set to leave nuclear and everything else in the shade
First commissioned in 2018 and produced annually by CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator, GenCost has informed multiple governments and stakeholders across the energy sector. It is technology-neutral, policy-agnostic, and provides a single, fact-based view on the cost of future electricity technologies.
GenCost is one of several techno-economic analysis documents that contribute to the planning of Australia’s energy transition. GenCost’s capital cost projections are, in turn, an input into AEMO’s Integrated System Plan, the road map for the transition of the National Electricity Market.
GenCost is updated annually in a highly consultative process and takes new, verifiable data into account each year, which over the course of the report’s history has led to new and additional analyses.
In fact, industry consultation and public feedback has refined the report and led to the inclusion of an updated methodology for calculating the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE, a metric to compare the cost of electricity generation from different technologies) and, in the latest report, costings for large-scale nuclear for the first time.
Our most recent report found large-scale nuclear is technically feasible but the levelised cost is 1.5 to 2.5 times more than firmed renewables. And it will take around 15 years to build, reflecting the absence of a development pipeline and additional legal, safety, security and community engagement steps required.
Looking at 2030, GenCost found solar photovoltaic and wind with firming had the lowest levelised cost range of any new-build technology at $89 to $128 per megawatt hour. Large-scale nuclear came to $141 to $233 per megawatt hour, while nuclear small modular reactors had the highest cost range of $230 to $382 per megawatt hour.
Some nuclear proponents in the media have taken this to mean that CSIRO has a view on what Australia’s future energy mix ought to be. That is both wrong and a fundamental misinterpretation of our role. Our role is not to have a view, but to use a rigorous, verifiable, transparent scientific process to show what electricity generation costs could potentially be, to help ensure investment or policy decisions are made on a bedrock of data. Nothing more.
GenCost was created because the sector sought a single set of independently derived cost inputs to enable modelling of Australia’s future electricity system. GenCost is based on the best engineering, economics and science, and verified through an industry and energy sector stakeholder consultation process.
GenCost is not a total energy sector analysis (as it has sometimes been portrayed), nor was it ever intended to be. The data used in GenCost is based on the best global information and applied to local conditions, which allows a meaningful comparison of future electricity generation technologies—whether that’s nuclear, renewables, coal or gas—in the Australian context.
Related article: AEMO says renewables “the most efficient path” to net zero
GenCost will inevitably remain part of the debate around the right road for Australia to take to transition our energy system and rigorous conversation should be encouraged as a pillar of our democracy. But distortion, disparagement, and dog-whistling rejection of the scientific process or scientific organisations to justify a particular policy position, rather than discussing the merits of policies themselves, is a race to the bottom and will hurt, not help, this important debate.
As part of the public debate, GenCost will continue to face criticism, and as the chief executive of CSIRO I welcome this because when we attract scrutiny or questions, it often signals we are addressing issues of real significance to Australians.
It means we are striving to integrate science into the critical conversations that really matter for the community, the world, and the future. It means we are advocating for science and building trust in the facts.
And that is more important than ever because if we are going to overcome the profound challenges that confront us, Australians must continue to trust in science.
This op-ed was originally published in the Australian Financial Review on July 9, 2024.
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]]>The post Research shows how to transition energy jobs to net zero appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Emerging research conducted in partnership with Mott MacDonald shows that some professionals and communities are already managing this transformation and, with additional support and better co-ordination, the pathway towards a net zero workforce in the energy sector is achievable.
Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO said these early insights were cause for optimism.
“We know that skilled engineers are already taking their extensive experience and translating it into roles in clean energy fields such as renewables. The legacy of coal, oil and gas sector is that professionals who’ve worked across those sectors are now contributing to net zero industries. This might be by moving into new roles in the clean energy sector or applying their skills to boosting sustainable practices in their current industry,” Madew said.
Related article: Aussie engineers find way to prevent power pole-top fires
“While many are managing the transition, employers are providing fresh insights into what else is needed to ensure no-one is left behind and that thriving communities can continue to be a hub for jobs and families into the future.”
Interestingly, the research reveals that employers prioritise mindset and capabilities over specific disciplinary experience, suggesting that skill transferability to the clean energy sector is feasible. Engineers transitioning from thermal to renewable energy roles can leverage existing skills while needing to expand their capabilities in areas such as stakeholder management, community engagement, and negotiation. Of course, there are some roles in the electricity industry, such as grid engineers, which require many years of experience. Transferability between these roles is low, and shortages are high.
Building the clean energy industry in communities with existing thermal energy workforces can prevent significant dislocation and encourage retention. Engineers are more likely to remain in the profession if they can find employment locally. Remote work and automation present opportunities for flexible job locations.
Recruiting from overseas is becoming less viable due to increasing global demand for engineers. Re-engaging the significant portion of qualified engineers not currently in the workforce, particularly women, older Australians, and migrant engineers already in Australia, is critical. Promoting the environmental benefits of the clean energy industry and addressing salary disparities between the thermal and renewable sectors can attract and retain the engineering team.
Embedding sustainability into all university and vocational engineering courses, rather than offering separate degrees, can prepare engineers for clean energy roles from the outset of their careers. Micro-credentials can facilitate transitions between sectors and demystify industry-specific jargon and standards, boosting confidence and competence.
Related article: Engineers Australia and Energy Networks Australia partner up
Governments can play a pivotal role by better defining occupational profiles and updating the classification of occupations to reflect emerging roles in the renewable sector. Policy support is essential to drive innovation, align initiatives across governmental levels, and implement systemic changes that encourage skill transferability and workforce expansion.
Madew said political and industry leaders had a huge opportunity to develop and promote policies which will help ensure skills are being transferred where investment is already occurring.
“Let’s further improve recruitment, retention and re-engagement. Investing in people and showing them the opportunities to deploy their existing skills is key to keeping existing communities thriving. Better training pathways and micro-credentialing will also go a long way towards supporting these career transitions,” she said.
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]]>The post ARENA helping businesses slash industrial emissions appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>ARENA is providing a total of $1.98 million in grants directly to 10 businesses that are looking to contribute to Australia’s emissions reduction targets by deploying renewable technologies novel ways.
Related article: ARENA opens funding round for industrial decarbonisation
The grants, awarded as part of ARENA’s work to drive industrial decarbonisation, will support businesses to undertake feasibility studies. ARENA will work with industry to share valuable knowledge generated from these studies.
ARENA has announced the following grants:
“Meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets will require businesses in Australia’s most energy intensive industries making actionable plans to incorporate renewables in their operations,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.
Related article: AGL trials flexible demand in commercial/industrial sector
“The grants we’ve announced today are for businesses eager to get on the front foot, looking to deploy renewable energy technologies in new ways.”
ARENA’s industrial decarbonisations programs include the $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS) and the $40 million National Industrial Transformation (NIT) Program.
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]]>The post Coal-free in 14 years as renewables rush in: new blueprint shows how to green the grid—without nuclear appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Coal will no longer be burned for power in Australia within 14 years. To replace it will require faster deployment of solar and wind, storage, new transmission lines and some firming gas capacity.
That’s a very brief summary of a large and influential document—the Integrated System Plan issued by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) every two years.
The latest version of this plan, issued on 26 June 2024, is a roadmap that shows what we need to build and where to be able to wean ourselves off burning fossil fuels for electricity.
It shows the lowest cost way to give us electricity in the future is renewable energy, connected with transmission and distribution, firmed with storage and using gas-powered generation as farmers might use a diesel generator—as a backup plan.
What about nuclear, given Peter Dutton’s pledge to build seven reactors? The plan doesn’t consider it, because nuclear power is currently not legal. But an accompanying AEMO fact sheet notes CSIRO’s GenCost report found nuclear generation to be a lot more expensive than other options:
In fact, it is one of the most expensive ways to generate electricity according to GenCost [and] the time it would take to design and build nuclear generation would be too slow to replace retiring coal fired generation.
Related article: AEMO says renewables “the most efficient path” to net zero
Australia’s main grid connects eastern and southern states, where most of us live. Historically, it was built to connect cheap but polluting coal plants to large cities.
As coal plants retire, we need a different grid so we can draw renewable power from many different locations and use storage as backup.
That’s what this plan is intended to do. To create it, AEMO relies on detailed modelling and consultation across the energy sector. This brings it to what the operator calls an “optimal development path”—energy speak for the cheapest and most effective mix of electricity generation, storage and transmission, which meets our reliability and security needs while supporting emission cutting policies in the long-term interests of consumers.
One of the most important roles for the plan is to show where we need new electrical infrastructure—especially transmission lines.
The key findings of the final plan have not materially changed from the draft. But there are some changes worth noting.
In November last year, emissions reductions were formally embedded as an objective in our national electricity laws.
In March this year, the market commission issued guidelines on how to apply these changes to the objectives in various processes, including the Integrated System Plan.
There are important figures in this guidance, namely the value of emissions reduction, set at $70 per tonne today to $420 per tonne by 2050. This is not a direct carbon price. It lets us assess the value of different grid pathways in terms of cutting emissions.
AEMO calculated an extra $3.3 billion in benefits realised in the optimal development path when including this value. Including this benefit is expected to help get some transmission projects get approval.
New transmission projects have also proved controversial and difficult to develop, while the New England renewable energy zone in NSW has hit substantial delays. AEMO’s draft plan envisaged this important solar and wind rich region would reach full capacity by 2028. This has blown out to 2033.
The good news? In the seven months since the draft came out, a huge amount of new storage has begun to arrive. Some 3.7GW of storage capacity (10.8GWh worth of energy) have progressed to the point it can be included in the plan.
There are signs the renewable roll-out has slowed down, due to grid congestion, approvals and the need for more transmission lines. Things are still ticking along—since the draft plan was put out for consultation in December last year, another 490MW of large-scale generation has entered the grid. This does need to speed up: the plan envisages 6GW of renewable capacity, including rooftop solar, arriving yearly.
Nothing at all. The Integrated System Plan only models technologies legal in Australia, such as black coal with carbon capture and storage. Nuclear power was banned by the Howard Coalition government in the late 1990s.
The AEMO fact sheet makes mention of nuclear to point out that it is a very expensive form of energy and would not arrive in time to replace retiring coal plants. We would need something else in the interim.
The Coalition has indicated it would support new gas-fired to ensure the electricity grid remained reliable until nuclear plants were online.
Related article: Examining the significant issues with LNP’s nuclear plan
To smooth out the peaks and troughs of renewable generation, we will need different firming technologies. These include storage such as batteries and pumped hydro, as well as traditional hydro, gas and other fuelled generation. Firming help manage changes in supply and demand and ensure a reliable system. Demand response—where users are rewarded to use less during peak periods—can also help ensure reliability.
AEMO’s report argues “flexible gas” generation will have to provide back-up supply during periods of what Germans call “dunkelflaute”—long periods of dark and still days during mid-winter, when solar and wind generation go missing. Flexible gas is expected to play a role for extreme peak demand, particularly in winter.
But this capacity is expected to be very rarely used. Think of “flexible gas” as you would a diesel generator—you’ve got it as a backup if needed. In the near future, a generator like this may generate just 5% of its annual potential. The emissions intensity of a grid with so little gas generation will be tiny.
Does this mean we’ll never be able to entirely banish fossil fuels? Not necessarily. Greener alternatives, such as green hydrogen or methanol, might mean we can take the last step away from burning fossil fuels for power.
Disclosure statement: Dylan McConnell’s current position is supported by the ‘Race for 2030’ Cooperative Research Centre.
Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons
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]]>The post Here’s how to create jobs for First Nations Australians in the clean energy transition appeared first on Energy Source & Distribution.
]]>Done well, the renewable energy transition should improve the lives of First Nations Australians. Many are looking for ways to stay on Country, use their knowledge of Country and contribute to industries that align with their values.
Large-scale renewable energy projects and mines for critical minerals are often sited on lands with First Nations legal rights. Access arrangements should provide direct benefits to communities.
The clean energy sector also promises new employment opportunities in regional and remote areas.
We examined the barriers to increasing First Nations employment in clean energy, as well as the opportunities and solutions. Our new report, released today, makes 12 recommendations based on data analysis, modelling, interviews and workshops.
Here’s how industry, government, educators and First Nations communities can create jobs and fulfilling careers in clean energy.
Related article: Alinga’s Ruby Heard on equity through energy
There is a large, persistent gap between employment rates for First Nations Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.
About half of all First Nations Australians are employed. Compare that to almost two in three people in the wider population.
In September 2023, the Commonwealth government’s employment white paper noted the gap has “not closed notably” over the past 30 years. That’s despite waves of regional development including mining booms. Unfortunately, those First Nations people who do enter the workforce also often become stuck in short-term, low-paid casual roles.
Currently, relatively low numbers of First Nations Australians are working in clean energy.
Systemic disadvantage limits the opportunities available to First Nations Australians, particularly those living in regional and remote Australia.
Low literacy, numeracy and computer skills, poor access to relevant training, social and health issues, and a lack of transport to work and training are some of the main barriers.
Clusters of large-scale renewable energy projects are being developed in “renewable energy zones” across Australia.
On average, First Nation Australians make up a higher proportion of the population in renewable energy zones (6.2%) than Australia as a whole (3.8%).
This is especially true in major zones such as New England (9.4%) and Central-West Orana (12.7%) in New South Wales.
We investigated the scope for First Nations employment in renewable energy zones across South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
We found three main groups of First Nations people could potentially find work in the renewable energy zones:
First Nations Australians are working in other sectors in occupations also in demand for renewable energy projects. The number of these workers equates to around 5–10% of the projected workforce in most renewable energy zones.
However, our analysis of census data found existing workers are concentrated in a handful of lower-skill occupations, such as truck drivers and construction labourers. Currently, there are few First Nations workers with the right skills. For example, just 87 electricians identify as First Nations Australians across all the renewable energy zones we examined.
Based on census data, more than half the First Nations people in renewable energy zones are aged under 19. Programs that create awareness and interest in the renewable energy sector and build training pathways for students into renewables should be a priority.
A handful of solar farms have hired First Nations people who were unemployed—usually in entry-level positions such as assembling solar panels, cleaning or traffic control.
Avonlie solar farm in Narrandera, NSW, hired 30 First Nations workers after putting them through pre-employment training. About 90% have gone on to other jobs afterwards. The social impact was transformational for a community with multiple generations of families who have never worked.
These projects are rare now, but this approach could be adopted elsewhere.
Our analysis shows First Nations employment targets of 5-10% in the renewable energy zones are currently challenging, but possible over time—especially if industry and government programs are implemented to create training and employment opportunities.
Related article: First Nations people must be at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy revolution
Training programs without concrete commitments from industry to providing a job at the end of it often become “training for training’s sake”. We found deep cynicism among First Nations people about whether the renewables sector would really deliver jobs for them.
Mandated employment targets can create demand for First Nations workers. But for industry to meet the targets requires having enough people with the right skills.
Our 12-point plan recommends a mix of “supply” measures (such as training) and “demand” measures (industry job commitments), such as:
The long stagnation in First Nations employment rates across the past three decades highlights the challenges involved.
However, a First Nations clean energy jobs plan developed and implemented by industry, government and First Nations communities is essential if we are to ensure renewable energy delivers jobs for First Nations Australians—and breaks with the past.
Disclosure statement: The Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Study received funding from the First Nations Clean Energy Network to produce the report upon which this article is based. The report was produced by ISF, SGS Economics, Alinga Energy Consulting and Indigenous Energy Australia. Ruby Heard is a descendant of the Jaru people of the Kimberley, an electrical engineer and founding director of Alinga Energy Consulting. She receives funding from the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, and Energy Consumers Australia. She is a member of the First Nations Clean Energy Network Steering Committee.
Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons
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]]>Australia’s opposition has announced a proposal to build seven nuclear power plants between 2035-37.
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has analysed the Coalition’s nuclear power plant proposal and found there are significant issues with the plan.
Research by IEEFA calls into question whether nuclear makes financial sense for Australia, for a multitude of reasons including cost, timing, compatibility with renewables, and other financial questions.
Related article: Dutton unveils seven proposed nuclear sites for Australia
Nuclear power is much more expensive than renewables plus storage, as CSIRO and Lazard have found. CSIRO has modelled large-scale conventional nuclear reactors to be 1.5 to two times more expensive than renewables with storage and transmission, and nuclear SMRs to be about four times more expensive.
Nuclear plants are notorious for cost overruns. IEEFA analysts found that SMRs in operation or under construction cost three to seven times more than originally planned. Proposed SMRs in the US have also already seen cost estimates blow out by between two and four times in recent years.
Large-scale reactors often face cost overruns as well. The Flamanville EPR in France is an example of this, with costs having more than quadrupled despite France’s deep expertise on nuclear.
The Coalition is proposing seven government-owned nuclear power stations around Australia. Just one nuclear power station in UK, the Hinkley Point C 3,200MW plant, looks like it will cost AUD$88 billion, according to the BBC, much higher than initial estimates.
Therefore, the Coalition’s nuclear proposal could cost Australia hundreds of billions of dollars.
The Coalition suggested in today’s press conference that coal power plant closure dates may be pushed out, and gas power would be relied upon until nuclear is ready. These measures would also have high cost.
Gas power is one of the highest-cost technologies in our electricity market at present, and relying on gas more would only raise electricity bills and emissions. Further, we know from the recent Eraring coal power plant extension agreement that extending coal power plant exit dates could cost the taxpayer significantly.
During the 2022 energy crisis we saw high coal and gas prices leading to spiking power prices, and countries around the world have been racing to install more renewables to bring down prices and support reliability.
Renewables plus storage are the lowest-cost form of power generation we have available in Australia, so building more renewables is the best way to bring down energy prices.
France has the highest share of nuclear power in the world, with 70% to 80% of its electricity generated by nuclear, and it is one of the countries with the highest wholesale power prices globally according to the IEA.
Nuclear takes a very long time to build. The Coalition stated that nuclear power plants would be online by 2035, but this is not feasible.
First of all, significant time will need to be taken to develop the regulatory regime for nuclear power. Then there would be years of planning, contracting and pre-construction works. Then the build would start—the few existing SMRs in operation around the world took over 12 years to build, despite original construction schedules of three to four years. Large reactors have a history of long delays, with most recent projects in the US and Europe taking 10 years or longer.
So, it doesn’t look like nuclear could come online until the 2040s.
Related article: Nuclear six times more expensive than renewables
The Coalition suggests they will have nuclear power operating alongside rooftop solar. However the financials of nuclear power plants deteriorate when they reduce down their output to accommodate solar, so there are significant questions around that notion.
There are a range of questions related to the nuclear proposal including the cost of decommissioning the reactors, the strategy and cost to dispose of nuclear waste and liability for nuclear accidents—like the 2011 Fukushima disaster which is still being cleaned up, and could end up costing as much as USD$660 billion.
These questions add a lot of uncertainty and risk to the proposal.
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