Renewable energy in Australia
Encyclopedia
Renewable energy
in Australia
represents 5.2% of total energy consumption, but only 1.7% of total production, the difference being the result of significant non-renewable energy exports. In the five years to 2009 renewable energy consumption grew by 3.5%, faster than other energy sources. Of all renewable energy sources, hydro
represents 63.4%, wind
22.9%, bioenergy
11.5%. photovoltaic
2.1%, and other sources (such as wave
and tidal
, solar thermal
, and geothermal) 0.042%. Note that these figures exclude a significant amount of energy saved through use of solar water heating units as they do not actually produce electricity; this is calculated separately to be 7.4% of clean energy production. Biogas had the fastest rate of growth in 2008-09 with around 33%, followed by solar and wind with 6.5%.
In the year to October 2010 Australian electricity production was 251 TWh, with an estimated 21,751 GWh or 8.67% generated from renewables, and 91.33% from fossil fuels (note: this excludes a further approximately 1.6 GWh produced through solar water heating). This compares to 2006 figures, where approximately 9,500 GWh of electricity came from renewable sources, representing less than 4% of electricity consumption for that year.
Australia has the potential for vast renewable energy capabilities. However this is not yet fully realised and the country's abundant resources are currently under utilised. The significant deployment of these technologies would substantially mitigate Australia's greenhouse gas
emissions, as electricity generation accounts for the majority of the country's carbon emissions. Solar and wind energy
sources are being harnessed on a comparatively small scale, and are at the stage of commercialisation
. Other sources are being investigated and considered, such as geothermal
and wave power
.
In 2010, The Australian Government introduced the Large-Scale Generation Target of 41,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable generation from power stations, along side the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, an uncapped scheme to support rooftop solar power and solar hot water, to ensure that renewable energy share of 20% of electricity supply by 2020. Several State governments also provide feed-in tariff
s to encourage photovoltaics
. Survey results suggest that there is considerable public support for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
in Australia.
constructed between 1949–74 consists of sixteen major dams and seven major power stations, and has a total generating capacity of 3,800 MW. The scheme generates in average 4,500 GWh electricity per year.
Hydro Tasmania
operates thirty power stations and fifty dams, and has a total generating capacity of 2,600 MW. Each year an average of 9,000 GWh of hydro-electricity is generated by the company.
In 2007–08 hydro-electricity represented 15% of renewable energy production in Australia.
As of October 2010, around 22.9% of Australia's renewable electricity, and 2% of Australia's total electricity, was sourced from wind power, enough electricity to power more than 700,000 homes. This came from 52 operating wind farms containing a total of 1,052 turbines producing approximately 5,000 GWh of electricity per year. This figure represented approximately a 30% increase in wind power generation each year over the previous decade, or a total increase of more than 1,000% over that time. The total installed capacity as of October 2010 was 1,880 MW (including only projects over 100 kW), with a further 1,043 MW under construction.
Wind power in South Australia
is a fast growing industry, and the state of South Australia is well suited for wind farms. More wind power is generated in South Australia than any other Australian state or territory; as of October 2010 South Australia had an installed capacity of 907 MW from 435 turbines accounting for close to 20% of that state's electricity needs, considerably ahead of Victoria with 428 MW from 267 turbines, and Western Australia with 202 MW from 142 turbines.
The Waubra Wind Farm near Ballarat, Victoria
, completed in 2009, was the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, consisting of 128 turbines spread over 173 km2 and rated at 192 MW, however in terms of generating capacity Lake Bonney Wind Farm
near Millicent, South Australia
was the largest with 239.5 MW, despite only having 99 turbines. These figures were set to be surpassed by the Macarthur Wind Farm
at Macarthur, Victoria
, scheduled to open in 2013 with a capacity of 420 MW.
The issue for the Australian photovoltaics industry today is that there is enormous market potential, built up through a natural competitiveness in Australian research and development, industry investment and government policy support. However, despite this, the industry is not yet self-sustaining and advantages gained to date could be lost. A 2004 market report suggested that a partnership between government and industry is necessary:
Two recent projects which illustrate co-operation between industry and government are the solar power station planned for north-western Victoria, and the development of new solar cells.
Many projects have demonstrated the feasibility of solar power in Australia
and a large new solar power station in Victoria
is planned.
Solar Systems
is to build the world’s most advanced photovoltaic (PV) heliostat
solar concentrator power station in north-western Victoria
. The 154 MW, A$420 million project, will generate 270,000 MWh per year, enough for more than 45,000 homes. It will aid in reducing salinity and create jobs during manufacture, construction and operation. It will also reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by approximately 400,000 tonnes per year. Full commissioning is expected in 2013, with the first stage to be completed in 2010.
The essential components of the power plant, developed by Solar Systems over the past 16 years, are:
The commercialisation of this technology has already seen four smaller solar power stations established in central Australia, with support from the Australian Greenhouse Office
.
SLIVER Cell (TM) photovoltaic technology uses just one tenth of the costly and limited supply of silicon used in conventional solar panels while matching power, performance, and efficiency. Professor Andrew Blakers
, Director of the Australian National University
Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, invented the technology with colleague Dr Klaus Weber and developed it with funding from energy supplier Origin Energy
and the Australian Research Council
. Blakers and Weber won the Australian Institute of Physics' Walsh Medal for their work.
Origin Energy is presently developing SLIVER modules for commercialisation at its A$20M pilot plant in Regency Park, South Australia.
During the 1950s, Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO) carried out world leading research into flat plate solar water heaters. A solar water heater manufacturing industry was subsequently established in Australia and a large proportion of the manufactured product was exported. Four of the original companies are still in business and the manufacturing base has now expanded to 24 companies. Despite an excellent solar resource, the penetration of solar water heaters in the Australian domestic market is only about 5%, with new dwellings accounting for most sales.
It is estimated that by installing a solar hot water system, it could reduce a family's CO2 emissions up to 3 tonnes per year while saving up to 80% of the energy costs for water heating.
While solar water heating saves a significant amount of energy, they are generally omitted from measures of renewable energy production as they do not actually produce electricity. Based on the installed base in Australia as of October 2010, it was calculated that solar hot water units would account for about 7.4% of clean energy production if they were included in the overall figures.
There are no large large scale solar thermal power stations in Australia, although the country has significant research, development and commercialisation efforts.
CSIRO's National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW houses a 500 kW (thermal) and a 1.5 MW (thermal) solar central receiver system, which are used as research and development facilities.
The Australian National University
(ANU) has worked on dish concentrator systems since the early 1970s and early work lead to the construction of the White Cliffs solar thermal station
. In 1994, the first 'Big Dish' 400 m2 solar concentrator was completed on the ANU campus. In 2005, Wizard Power Pty Ltd was established by Canberra investor Tony Robey in order to take the Big Dish technology to commercial deployment. Wizard Power will construct a pilot power station at Whyalla to demonstrate a next-generation Big Dish design together with a chemical energy storage system using ammonia.
Research activities at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales have spun off into Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd (now Ausra
), which is currently building a major project at Liddell Power station
in the Hunter Valley. The CSIRO Division of Energy Technology has opened a major solar energy centre in Newcastle that has a tower system purchased from Solar Heat and Power and a prototype trough concentrator array developed in collaboration with the ANU.
Cloncurry, a north-west Queensland
town, has been chosen as the site for an innovative $31 million (including a $7 million government grant) solar thermal power station
. The 10 MW solar thermal power station would deliver about 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power the whole town. Ergon Energy
will develop the project which should be running by early 2010.
In August 2008 Worley Parsons, an Australian engineering firm, announced plans to build world’s biggest solar plant in Australia within three years. Backed by nine Australian companies, including miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, they have launched a study into finding possible sites to host the $1 billion plant.
is a $75 million (US$56.5 million) program which is designed to demonstrate how solar power
, smart meter
s, energy conservation
and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future in urban locations throughout Australia. It is a partnership approach that involves all levels of Government, the private sector and the local community. Adelaide
, Townsville, Blacktown and Alice Springs are the first four solar cities announced in Australia. Consumers will be able to purchase solar photovoltaic panels using discounted loans. The project also plans to help low-income and rental households in the community share in the benefits of the project through other cost-saving initiatives.
South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this emissions free and renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's base load power needs by 2030. According to an estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.
There are currently 19 companies Australia-wide spending $A654 million in exploration programmes in 141 areas. In South Australia, which is expected to dominate the sector's growth, 12 companies have already applied for 116 areas and can be expected to invest $A524 million (US$
435 M) in their projects by the next six years. Ten projects are expected to achieve successful exploration and heat flows, by 2010, with at least three power generation demonstration projects coming on stream by 2012.
A geothermal power plant is generating 80 kW of electricity at Birdsville, in southwest Queensland.
. Ethanol fuel in Australia can be produced from sugarcane
or grains and there are currently three commercial producers of fuel ethanol in Australia, all on the east coast.
Legislation imposes a 10% cap on the concentration of fuel ethanol blends. Blends of 90% unleaded petrol and 10% fuel ethanol are commonly referred to as E10, which is mainly available through service stations operating under the BP, Caltex, Shell, and United brands.
In partnership with the Queensland Government, the Canegrowers organisation launched a regional billboard campaign in March 2007 to promote the renewable fuels industry. Over 100 million litres of the new BP Unleaded with renewable ethanol has now been sold to Queensland motorists.
Biodiesel produced from oilseed crops or recycled cooking oil may be a better prospect than ethanol, given the nation’s heavy reliance on road transport, and the growing popularity of fuel-efficient diesel cars.
can be used directly for electricity generation, for example by burning sugar cane waste (bagasse
) as a fuel for thermal power generation in sugar mills. It can also be used to produce steam for industrial uses, cooking and heating. It can also be converted into a liquid or gaseous biofuel.
In 2007-08 Bagasse accounted for 39% of Australia's renewable energy production, while wood for another 33%.
Biomass for energy production was the subject of a federal government report in 2004.
has been involved in solar power since 1973 and its subsidiary, BP Solar
, is now one of the world's largest solar power companies with production facilities in the United States
, Spain
, India
and Australia
. BP Solar is involved in the commercialisation of a long life deep cycle lead acid battery, jointly developed by the CSIRO and Battery Energy, which is ideally suited to the storage of electricity for renewable remote area power systems (RAPS
).
is active in the renewable energy arena, and has spent a number of years developing several wind farms in South Australia
,
a solar cell
business using technology invented by a team led by Professor Andrew Blakers
at the Australian National University
, and
geothermal power
via a minority shareholding stake in Geodynamics.
is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and wind power. Power stations owned by Pacific Hydro include wind farms: Codrington Wind Farm, Challicum Hills Wind Farm, Portland Wind Project
and Hydro power: Eildon Pondage Power Station, Ord River Hydro Power Station and The Drop Hydro.
, previously known as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, manages the Snowy Mountains Scheme
which generates on average around 4500 gigawatt hours of renewable energy
each year, which is around 74% of all renewable energy in the National Electricity Market in 2005. The scheme also diverts water for irrigation
from the Snowy River
Catchment west to the Murray
and Murrumbidgee River
systems.
manufactured its first solar water heater in 1953, and products currently manufactured by Solahart include thermosiphon
and split system solar and heat pump water heaters. These are marketed in 90 countries around the world and overseas sales represent 40% of total business. Solahart has a market share of 50% in Australia.
is a leader in high concentration solar photovoltaic applications, and the company is preparing to build the world's largest photovoltaic Mildura Solar concentrator power station, Australia. This project will use innovative concentrator dish technology to power 45,000 homes, providing 270,000 MWh/year for A$420 million.
Solar Systems has already completed construction of three concentrator dish power stations in the Northern Territory
, which together generate 1,555 MWh/year (260 homes, going by the energy/home ratio above). This represents a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel fuel and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The total cost of the solar power station was "AUD $7M, offset by a grant from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments under their Renewable Remote Power Generation Program". For comparison; 420,000 litres of diesel, at September 2009 prices of A$1.24/litre, would cost $520,800.
developed the 46 MW Canunda Wind Farm in South Australia, which was commissioned in March 2005. A second South Australian wind farm, Mount Millar Wind Farm, was commissioned in January 2006 and this provides a further 70 MW of generation. More recently, a third wind farm has reached financial close for Wind Prospect in South Australia. This is the 95 MW Hallett Wind Farm which is expected to be fully commissioned late in 2008.
, the burning of which contributes significantly to anthropogenic climate change
. Australia is also one of the countries most at risk from climate change
according to the Stern report and Australia's own Garnaut Climate Change Review
. Renewable energy technologies provide opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gases.
Australia ratified the Kyoto Protocol
in December 2007 under newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and will meet its targets. Australia had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol
until then, due to concerns over a loss of competitiveness with the US, which also rejects the treaty. Some business groups have lobbied the Australian government to prevent Australia from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including representatives of the coal, oil, cement, aluminium, mining, and electricity industries.
has responsibility for delivering several renewable energy programmes. It has policy responsibility for some financial incentives for the production and use of renewable energy, and for the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) which requires an additional 9,500 GWh of electricity to be produced from renewable sources by the year 2010:
Other Australian Government support for business, including renewable energy businesses, is delivered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
Despite the Tambling review, the Howard government decided not to extend the Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets Scheme. However, various state Labor
governments have recently announced their own renewable energy target schemes.
Leaked minutes from a 2004 meeting between leaders of energy intensive industries and the Australian government describe how both groups were worried that mandatory renewable energy targets were working too well and were "market skewed" towards wind power.
Dr Mark Diesendorf
has suggested that the Howard Government tried to stop the development of wind power, the lowest-cost, new, renewable electricity source, until such time as coal-fired power stations with CO2 capture and sequestration and possibly nuclear power stations are available.
The Australian results from the 1st Annual World Environment Review, based on a survey of 1,007 people in 2007, found that:
There is a considerable movement known as The Transition Decade
to transition Australia's entire energy system to renewable by 2020.
Voluntary uptake of GreenPower
, a Government program initiated in 1997 whereby people can pay extra for electricity that is generated from renewable sources, increased from 132,300 customers in 2005 to 904,716 customers in 2009.
Greenpeace
released a report in 2008 called "Energy [r]evolution: A Sustainable Energy Australia Outlook", detailing how Australia could produce 40% of its energy through renewable energy by 2020 and completely phase out coal-fired power by 2030 without any job losses.
David Spratt and Phillip Sutton argue in their book Climate Code Red that Australia (as part of a concerted global effort) needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions down to zero as quickly as possible so that carbon dioxide can be drawn down from the atmosphere and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced to less than 325 ppm CO2-e, which they argue is the upper "safe climate" level at which we can continue developing infinitely. They outline a plan of action which would accomplish this.
Australia could switch completely to renewable energy within the 2010 decade by building a dozen vast, new solar power stations and about 6500 wind turbine
s, according to a major new study. The "Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan"—a collaboration between Melbourne University's Energy Research Institute, the environment group Beyond Zero Emissions
, and engineers Sinclair Knight Merz
—puts the cost at $37 billion in private funding and public investment every year for the next decade.
Articles
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
represents 5.2% of total energy consumption, but only 1.7% of total production, the difference being the result of significant non-renewable energy exports. In the five years to 2009 renewable energy consumption grew by 3.5%, faster than other energy sources. Of all renewable energy sources, hydro
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
represents 63.4%, wind
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
22.9%, bioenergy
Bioenergy
Bioenergy is renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources. Biomass is any organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. As a fuel it may include wood, wood waste, straw, manure, sugarcane, and many other byproducts from a variety of...
11.5%. photovoltaic
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material...
2.1%, and other sources (such as wave
Wave power
Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work — for example, electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water...
and tidal
Tidal power
Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - mainly electricity....
, solar thermal
Solar thermal energy
Solar thermal energy is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy . Solar thermal collectors are classified by the United States Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat...
, and geothermal) 0.042%. Note that these figures exclude a significant amount of energy saved through use of solar water heating units as they do not actually produce electricity; this is calculated separately to be 7.4% of clean energy production. Biogas had the fastest rate of growth in 2008-09 with around 33%, followed by solar and wind with 6.5%.
In the year to October 2010 Australian electricity production was 251 TWh, with an estimated 21,751 GWh or 8.67% generated from renewables, and 91.33% from fossil fuels (note: this excludes a further approximately 1.6 GWh produced through solar water heating). This compares to 2006 figures, where approximately 9,500 GWh of electricity came from renewable sources, representing less than 4% of electricity consumption for that year.
Australia has the potential for vast renewable energy capabilities. However this is not yet fully realised and the country's abundant resources are currently under utilised. The significant deployment of these technologies would substantially mitigate Australia's greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions, as electricity generation accounts for the majority of the country's carbon emissions. Solar and wind energy
Wind energy
Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air in motion; see also wind power.Total wind energy flowing through an imaginary area A during the time t is:E = ½ m v2 = ½ v 2...
sources are being harnessed on a comparatively small scale, and are at the stage of commercialisation
Renewable energy commercialization
Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat...
. Other sources are being investigated and considered, such as geothermal
Geothermal
Geothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
and wave power
Wave power
Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work — for example, electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water...
.
In 2010, The Australian Government introduced the Large-Scale Generation Target of 41,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable generation from power stations, along side the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, an uncapped scheme to support rooftop solar power and solar hot water, to ensure that renewable energy share of 20% of electricity supply by 2020. Several State governments also provide feed-in tariff
Feed-in Tariff
A feed-in tariff is a policy mechanism designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies. It achieves this by offering long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, typically based on the cost of generation of each technology...
s to encourage photovoltaics
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material...
. Survey results suggest that there is considerable public support for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
in Australia.
Hydro power
The Snowy Mountains SchemeSnowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. It consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; a pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts and was constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Chief engineer was Sir...
constructed between 1949–74 consists of sixteen major dams and seven major power stations, and has a total generating capacity of 3,800 MW. The scheme generates in average 4,500 GWh electricity per year.
Hydro Tasmania
Hydro Tasmania
Hydro Tasmania, known for most of its history as The HEC, is the government owned enterprise which is the predominant electricity generator in the state of Tasmania, Australia...
operates thirty power stations and fifty dams, and has a total generating capacity of 2,600 MW. Each year an average of 9,000 GWh of hydro-electricity is generated by the company.
In 2007–08 hydro-electricity represented 15% of renewable energy production in Australia.
Wind power
Wind power in South Australia
Wind power in South Australia
Wind power in South Australia is a significant energy source for the state and South Australia is well suited to wind farms due to its proximity to the Roaring forties....
is a fast growing industry, and the state of South Australia is well suited for wind farms. More wind power is generated in South Australia than any other Australian state or territory; as of October 2010 South Australia had an installed capacity of 907 MW from 435 turbines accounting for close to 20% of that state's electricity needs, considerably ahead of Victoria with 428 MW from 267 turbines, and Western Australia with 202 MW from 142 turbines.
The Waubra Wind Farm near Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
, completed in 2009, was the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, consisting of 128 turbines spread over 173 km2 and rated at 192 MW, however in terms of generating capacity Lake Bonney Wind Farm
Lake Bonney Wind Farm
Lake Bonney Wind Farm, in South Australia, was built in two stages. Stage 1 consisted of 46 turbines each having a rated capacity of 1.75 MW and was finished in March 2005. Construction of Stage 2 began in November 2006 and was finished around April 2008. Stage 2 consisted of 53 turbines of 3 MW...
near Millicent, South Australia
Millicent, South Australia
Millicent is a town in South Australia, south-east of Adelaide, and north of Mount Gambier. At the 2006 Census, the population was 4,771.The town is home to the Millicent National Trust Museum, and is nearby to the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park and the Canunda National Park.The Millicent...
was the largest with 239.5 MW, despite only having 99 turbines. These figures were set to be surpassed by the Macarthur Wind Farm
Macarthur Wind Farm
The Macarthur Wind Farm is a wind farm under construction in Victoria, Australia, being built by a joint venture formed by AGL Energy and Meridian Energy. The project is located in Macarthur, Victoria on a 5,500 ha site and it has been permitted to generate up to 420 MW. The wind farm will...
at Macarthur, Victoria
Macarthur, Victoria
Macarthur is a town in the Western District of Victoria, Australia on the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road. It is in the Shire of Moyne local government area and the federal Division of Wannon...
, scheduled to open in 2013 with a capacity of 420 MW.
Solar photovoltaics
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology generates electricity from sunlight, and it can be used in grid-connected and off-grid applications.The issue for the Australian photovoltaics industry today is that there is enormous market potential, built up through a natural competitiveness in Australian research and development, industry investment and government policy support. However, despite this, the industry is not yet self-sustaining and advantages gained to date could be lost. A 2004 market report suggested that a partnership between government and industry is necessary:
"The PV industry cannot continue to actively invest in strategic industry development unless the Australian government is also committed to the journey. The industry ... requires policy and program support to assist it in bridging the gap to mainstream commercial competitiveness."
Two recent projects which illustrate co-operation between industry and government are the solar power station planned for north-western Victoria, and the development of new solar cells.
Mildura Solar concentrator power station
Many projects have demonstrated the feasibility of solar power in Australia
Solar power in Australia
Australia has an estimated 300 MW of installed photovoltaic power , contributing an estimated 0.1 to 0.2% of total electricity production despite the hot and sunny climate that would make it ideal for utilisation...
and a large new solar power station in Victoria
Solar power station in Victoria
The Mildura Solar Concentrator Power Station is a proposed photovoltaic heliostat solar concentrator power station is to be built at Carwarp, near Mildura, Victoria, Australia.The provisional timeline for the project is:...
is planned.
Solar Systems
Solar Systems (company)
Solar Systems has constructed three concentrator dish power stations in the Northern Territory, which together generate 720 kW and 1,555,000 kWh per year. This represents a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel fuel and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.In 2003 Solar Systems completed...
is to build the world’s most advanced photovoltaic (PV) heliostat
Heliostat
A heliostat is a device that includes a mirror, usually a plane mirror, which turns so as to keep reflecting sunlight toward a predetermined target, compensating for the sun's apparent motions in the sky. The target may be a physical object, distant from the heliostat, or a direction in space...
solar concentrator power station in north-western Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. The 154 MW, A$420 million project, will generate 270,000 MWh per year, enough for more than 45,000 homes. It will aid in reducing salinity and create jobs during manufacture, construction and operation. It will also reduce greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions by approximately 400,000 tonnes per year. Full commissioning is expected in 2013, with the first stage to be completed in 2010.
The essential components of the power plant, developed by Solar Systems over the past 16 years, are:
- "An ultra powerful solar module for use in concentrated sunlight".
- "A cooling system to keep solar cells operating at 60 °C to optimise the operation of the PV modules in a concentrated solar beam that can melt steel".
- "Low cost, high performance mirror concentrator systems".
- "A control system to manage the power station to deliver maximum reliability and output".
The commercialisation of this technology has already seen four smaller solar power stations established in central Australia, with support from the Australian Greenhouse Office
Australian Greenhouse Office
The Australian Greenhouse Office within the Government of Australia was the world's first government agency dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In 1998, following pressure from the Australian Democrats, it was established as a stand alone agency within the environment portfolio to...
.
Technology development
SLIVER Cell (TM) photovoltaic technology uses just one tenth of the costly and limited supply of silicon used in conventional solar panels while matching power, performance, and efficiency. Professor Andrew Blakers
Andrew Blakers
Professor Andrew Blakers, Director of the Australian National University Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, is involved with the development of Sliver Cell photovoltaic technology which uses just one tenth of the costly silicon used in conventional solar panels while matching power,...
, Director of the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, invented the technology with colleague Dr Klaus Weber and developed it with funding from energy supplier Origin Energy
Origin Energy
-History:Origin Energy was formed in February 2000, as a result of a demerger from the Australian conglomerate Boral Limited, in which the energy business was removed from the building and construction materials business to form the new company....
and the Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
. Blakers and Weber won the Australian Institute of Physics' Walsh Medal for their work.
Origin Energy is presently developing SLIVER modules for commercialisation at its A$20M pilot plant in Regency Park, South Australia.
Solar thermal energy
Australia has developed world leading solar thermal technologies, but with only very low levels of actual use. Domestic solar water heating is the most common solar thermal technology.Solar water heating
During the 1950s, Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the national government body for scientific research in Australia...
(CSIRO) carried out world leading research into flat plate solar water heaters. A solar water heater manufacturing industry was subsequently established in Australia and a large proportion of the manufactured product was exported. Four of the original companies are still in business and the manufacturing base has now expanded to 24 companies. Despite an excellent solar resource, the penetration of solar water heaters in the Australian domestic market is only about 5%, with new dwellings accounting for most sales.
It is estimated that by installing a solar hot water system, it could reduce a family's CO2 emissions up to 3 tonnes per year while saving up to 80% of the energy costs for water heating.
While solar water heating saves a significant amount of energy, they are generally omitted from measures of renewable energy production as they do not actually produce electricity. Based on the installed base in Australia as of October 2010, it was calculated that solar hot water units would account for about 7.4% of clean energy production if they were included in the overall figures.
Solar thermal power
There are no large large scale solar thermal power stations in Australia, although the country has significant research, development and commercialisation efforts.
CSIRO's National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW houses a 500 kW (thermal) and a 1.5 MW (thermal) solar central receiver system, which are used as research and development facilities.
The Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
(ANU) has worked on dish concentrator systems since the early 1970s and early work lead to the construction of the White Cliffs solar thermal station
White Cliffs Solar Power Station, New South Wales
White Cliffs Solar Power Station was Australia's first solar power station. It is located at White Cliffs, New South Wales, which was chosen as it has the highest insolation in New South Wales, and in 1981 when the station was constructed had no grid connection.Constructed by a team from Australian...
. In 1994, the first 'Big Dish' 400 m2 solar concentrator was completed on the ANU campus. In 2005, Wizard Power Pty Ltd was established by Canberra investor Tony Robey in order to take the Big Dish technology to commercial deployment. Wizard Power will construct a pilot power station at Whyalla to demonstrate a next-generation Big Dish design together with a chemical energy storage system using ammonia.
Research activities at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales have spun off into Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd (now Ausra
Ausra (company)
Ausra Inc. is a company that provides solar thermal power, steam and energy systems for industrial processes and utility-scale electricity generation...
), which is currently building a major project at Liddell Power station
Liddell Power Station, New South Wales
Liddell Power Station is located at Lake Liddell near Muswellbrook, in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. It is coal powered, with four 500 MW GEC steam driven turbo alternators for a combined capacity of 2,000 MW....
in the Hunter Valley. The CSIRO Division of Energy Technology has opened a major solar energy centre in Newcastle that has a tower system purchased from Solar Heat and Power and a prototype trough concentrator array developed in collaboration with the ANU.
Cloncurry, a north-west Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
town, has been chosen as the site for an innovative $31 million (including a $7 million government grant) solar thermal power station
Cloncurry solar power station
A solar thermal power station was to be built in Cloncurry, in north-west Queensland. The solar thermal power station was planned have a capacity of 10-megawatt and deliver about 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power the whole town....
. The 10 MW solar thermal power station would deliver about 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power the whole town. Ergon Energy
Ergon (Australia)
Ergon is a corporation owned by the Government of Queensland, Australia. It supplies electricity to Queenslanders outside the metropolitan southeast through a distribution network and retail activities....
will develop the project which should be running by early 2010.
In August 2008 Worley Parsons, an Australian engineering firm, announced plans to build world’s biggest solar plant in Australia within three years. Backed by nine Australian companies, including miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, they have launched a study into finding possible sites to host the $1 billion plant.
Solar Cities
Solar Cities in AustraliaSolar Cities in Australia
Solar Cities is an innovative demonstration programme designed to promote solar power, smart meters, energy conservation and new approaches to electricity pricing to provide a sustainable energy future in urban locations throughout Australia...
is a $75 million (US$56.5 million) program which is designed to demonstrate how solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
, smart meter
Smart meter
A smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the...
s, energy conservation
Energy conservation
Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources...
and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future in urban locations throughout Australia. It is a partnership approach that involves all levels of Government, the private sector and the local community. Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, Townsville, Blacktown and Alice Springs are the first four solar cities announced in Australia. Consumers will be able to purchase solar photovoltaic panels using discounted loans. The project also plans to help low-income and rental households in the community share in the benefits of the project through other cost-saving initiatives.
Geothermal energy
In Australia, geothermal energy is a natural resource which is not utilised as a form of energy. However there are known and potential locations near the centre of the country in which geothermal activity is detectable. Exploratory geothermal wells have been drilled to test for the presence of high temperature geothermal activity and such high levels were detected. As a result, projects will eventuate in the coming years and more exploration is expected at potential locations.South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this emissions free and renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's base load power needs by 2030. According to an estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.
There are currently 19 companies Australia-wide spending $A654 million in exploration programmes in 141 areas. In South Australia, which is expected to dominate the sector's growth, 12 companies have already applied for 116 areas and can be expected to invest $A524 million (US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
435 M) in their projects by the next six years. Ten projects are expected to achieve successful exploration and heat flows, by 2010, with at least three power generation demonstration projects coming on stream by 2012.
A geothermal power plant is generating 80 kW of electricity at Birdsville, in southwest Queensland.
Wave power
Several projects for harvesting the power of the ocean are under development:- OceanlinxOceanlinxOceanlinx is a leading international company which has created Wave Energy Converter technology. The company has developed proprietary technology for extracting energy from ocean waves and converting it into either electricity or desalinated sea water. Known as Energetech until 2007, Oceanlinx has...
is trialling a wave energy system at Port Kembla.
- Carnegie Corp of Western Australia is refining a method of using energy captured from passing waves to generate high-pressure sea water. This is piped onshore to drive a turbine and to create desalinated water. A series of large buoys is tethered to piston pumps anchored in waters 15 to 50 metres deep (49 to 131 feet). The rise and fall of passing waves drives the pumps, generating water pressures of up to 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The company is looking to have a 50 MW demonstration project finished within the next four years.
- BioPower Systems is developing its bioWAVE system anchored to the seabed that would generate electricity through the movement of buoyant blades as waves pass, in a swaying motion similar to the way sea plants, such as kelp, move. It expects to complete pilot wave and tidal projects off northern TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
this year.
Biofuels
Biofuels produced from food crops have become controversial as food prices increased significantly in mid 2008, leading to increased concerns about food vs fuelFood vs fuel
Food vs. fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production in detriment of the food supply on a global scale. The "food vs. fuel" or "food or fuel" debate is international in scope, with good and valid arguments on all sides of this issue...
. Ethanol fuel in Australia can be produced from sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
or grains and there are currently three commercial producers of fuel ethanol in Australia, all on the east coast.
Legislation imposes a 10% cap on the concentration of fuel ethanol blends. Blends of 90% unleaded petrol and 10% fuel ethanol are commonly referred to as E10, which is mainly available through service stations operating under the BP, Caltex, Shell, and United brands.
In partnership with the Queensland Government, the Canegrowers organisation launched a regional billboard campaign in March 2007 to promote the renewable fuels industry. Over 100 million litres of the new BP Unleaded with renewable ethanol has now been sold to Queensland motorists.
Biodiesel produced from oilseed crops or recycled cooking oil may be a better prospect than ethanol, given the nation’s heavy reliance on road transport, and the growing popularity of fuel-efficient diesel cars.
Biomass
BiomassBiomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
can be used directly for electricity generation, for example by burning sugar cane waste (bagasse
Bagasse
Bagasse is the fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to extract their juice. It is currently used as a biofuel and as a renewable resource in the manufacture of pulp and paper products and building materials....
) as a fuel for thermal power generation in sugar mills. It can also be used to produce steam for industrial uses, cooking and heating. It can also be converted into a liquid or gaseous biofuel.
In 2007-08 Bagasse accounted for 39% of Australia's renewable energy production, while wood for another 33%.
Biomass for energy production was the subject of a federal government report in 2004.
BP Solar
BPBP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
has been involved in solar power since 1973 and its subsidiary, BP Solar
BP Solar
BP has been involved in solar power since 1973 and its subsidiary, BP Solar, is a solar power company with production facilities in India and the People's Republic of China, employing a workforce of over 2,000 people worldwide. BP Solar is worldwide manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar...
, is now one of the world's largest solar power companies with production facilities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, India
Solar power in India
India is densely populated and has high solar insolation, an ideal combination for using solar power in India. India is already a leader in wind power generation...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. BP Solar is involved in the commercialisation of a long life deep cycle lead acid battery, jointly developed by the CSIRO and Battery Energy, which is ideally suited to the storage of electricity for renewable remote area power systems (RAPS
RAPS
RAPS or Raps may refer to:* Rapping, spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics* Ram Air Progression System, a parachuting training method* Remote-area power supply, an off-the-grid electricity system* "Raps", a nickname for the Toronto Raptors...
).
Edwards
Edwards first began manufacturing water heaters in Australia in 1963. Edwards is now an international organisation which is a leader in producing hot water systems for both domestic and commercial purposes using solar technology. Edwards exports to Asia, the Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.Origin Energy
Origin EnergyOrigin Energy
-History:Origin Energy was formed in February 2000, as a result of a demerger from the Australian conglomerate Boral Limited, in which the energy business was removed from the building and construction materials business to form the new company....
is active in the renewable energy arena, and has spent a number of years developing several wind farms in South Australia
Wind power in South Australia
Wind power in South Australia is a significant energy source for the state and South Australia is well suited to wind farms due to its proximity to the Roaring forties....
,
a solar cell
Solar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
business using technology invented by a team led by Professor Andrew Blakers
Andrew Blakers
Professor Andrew Blakers, Director of the Australian National University Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, is involved with the development of Sliver Cell photovoltaic technology which uses just one tenth of the costly silicon used in conventional solar panels while matching power,...
at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
, and
geothermal power
Geothermal power
Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. Earth's geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of minerals...
via a minority shareholding stake in Geodynamics.
Pacific Hydro
Pacific HydroPacific Hydro
Pacific Hydro is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and windpower. It was a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange until July 2005. It was subject to a successful takeover offer by a subsidiary of...
is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and wind power. Power stations owned by Pacific Hydro include wind farms: Codrington Wind Farm, Challicum Hills Wind Farm, Portland Wind Project
Portland Wind Project
The Portland wind farm is one of Australia's largest wind farms. Located on the coast of south-western Victoria near the city of Portland, it consists of four separate sites, of which three have been completed...
and Hydro power: Eildon Pondage Power Station, Ord River Hydro Power Station and The Drop Hydro.
Snowy Hydro Limited
Snowy Hydro LimitedSnowy Hydro Limited
Snowy Hydro Limited, previously known as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority, is a corporation in Australia jointly owned by the Commonwealth , New South Wales and Victorian Governments....
, previously known as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, manages the Snowy Mountains Scheme
Snowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. It consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; a pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts and was constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Chief engineer was Sir...
which generates on average around 4500 gigawatt hours of renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
each year, which is around 74% of all renewable energy in the National Electricity Market in 2005. The scheme also diverts water for irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
from the Snowy River
Snowy River
The Snowy River is a major river in south-eastern Australia. It originates on the slopes of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mainland peak, draining the eastern slopes of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, before flowing through the Snowy River National Park in Victoria and emptying into...
Catchment west to the Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
and Murrumbidgee River
Murrumbidgee River
The Murrumbidgee River is a major river in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory . A major tributary of the Murray River, the Murrumbidgee flows in a west-northwesterly direction from the foot of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains,...
systems.
Solahart
SolahartRheem
Rheem is a privately held manufacturing company that started in 1927 as a supplier of packagings to the petroleum industry.-Divisions:*Rheem Water Heating*Ruud Water Heating*Rheem Air conditioning*Ruud Air Conditioning Division*Solahart*Raypak...
manufactured its first solar water heater in 1953, and products currently manufactured by Solahart include thermosiphon
Thermosiphon
Thermosiphon refers to a method of passive heat exchange based on natural convection which circulates liquid without the necessity of a mechanical pump...
and split system solar and heat pump water heaters. These are marketed in 90 countries around the world and overseas sales represent 40% of total business. Solahart has a market share of 50% in Australia.
Solar Systems
Solar SystemsSolar Systems (company)
Solar Systems has constructed three concentrator dish power stations in the Northern Territory, which together generate 720 kW and 1,555,000 kWh per year. This represents a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel fuel and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.In 2003 Solar Systems completed...
is a leader in high concentration solar photovoltaic applications, and the company is preparing to build the world's largest photovoltaic Mildura Solar concentrator power station, Australia. This project will use innovative concentrator dish technology to power 45,000 homes, providing 270,000 MWh/year for A$420 million.
Solar Systems has already completed construction of three concentrator dish power stations in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, which together generate 1,555 MWh/year (260 homes, going by the energy/home ratio above). This represents a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel fuel and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The total cost of the solar power station was "AUD $7M, offset by a grant from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments under their Renewable Remote Power Generation Program". For comparison; 420,000 litres of diesel, at September 2009 prices of A$1.24/litre, would cost $520,800.
Wind Prospect
Wind ProspectWind Prospect
Wind Prospect group undertakes all aspects of wind energy development, including design, construction, operation and commercial services ....
developed the 46 MW Canunda Wind Farm in South Australia, which was commissioned in March 2005. A second South Australian wind farm, Mount Millar Wind Farm, was commissioned in January 2006 and this provides a further 70 MW of generation. More recently, a third wind farm has reached financial close for Wind Prospect in South Australia. This is the 95 MW Hallett Wind Farm which is expected to be fully commissioned late in 2008.
Subsidies for fossil fuels
Governments in Australia provide substantial financial support for the production and use of fossil fuels, through direct payments, favourable tax treatment, and other actions. These subsidies keep the cost of fossil fuel energy artificially low, and make it harder for renewable energy to compete. They distort energy markets, encourage greater use of fossil fuels, create higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the profitability of energy companies that produce or use fossil fuels. Calculated figures in 2011 put the total fossil fuel subsidies by the Australian government at AU$12.2 billion annually. This compared to just just AU$1.1 billion spent on climate policy such as support for renewables in 2010–11; furthermore, the funding gap between government climate change initiatives and fossil fuel subsidies had increased by AU$1 billion in the preceding three years.Politics of global warming
Australia is one of the major exporters of coalCoal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
, the burning of which contributes significantly to anthropogenic climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
. Australia is also one of the countries most at risk from climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
according to the Stern report and Australia's own Garnaut Climate Change Review
Garnaut Climate Change Review
The Garnaut Climate Change Review was a study by Professor Ross Garnaut, commissioned by then Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd and by the Australian State and Territory Governments on 30 April 2007...
. Renewable energy technologies provide opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gases.
Australia ratified the Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
in December 2007 under newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and will meet its targets. Australia had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
until then, due to concerns over a loss of competitiveness with the US, which also rejects the treaty. Some business groups have lobbied the Australian government to prevent Australia from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including representatives of the coal, oil, cement, aluminium, mining, and electricity industries.
Renewable energy programmes
Legislation to amend the federal Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, to create an Expanded Renewable Energy Target (ERET) was passed on 20 August 2009, with the broad aim of ensuring that renewable energy obtains a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. To ensure this the government has committed that the MRET will increase from 9,500 gigawatt-hours to 45,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020.The scheme lasts until 2030.History of MRET schemes
The Australian Greenhouse OfficeAustralian Greenhouse Office
The Australian Greenhouse Office within the Government of Australia was the world's first government agency dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In 1998, following pressure from the Australian Democrats, it was established as a stand alone agency within the environment portfolio to...
has responsibility for delivering several renewable energy programmes. It has policy responsibility for some financial incentives for the production and use of renewable energy, and for the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) which requires an additional 9,500 GWh of electricity to be produced from renewable sources by the year 2010:
- "The legislation behind MRET, the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, came into effect on 1 April 2001 and requires electricity retailers and major electricity users to purchase a specified percentage of their electricity from renewable energy generators. These parties must acquire Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which demonstrate that they have sourced power from renewable energy generators. Each REC represents one megawatt hour of electricity. If an electricity retailer or major user hasn’t acquired enough RECs to meet their annual target under the legislation, they must pay a $40/MWh penalty."
Other Australian Government support for business, including renewable energy businesses, is delivered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
Despite the Tambling review, the Howard government decided not to extend the Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets Scheme. However, various state Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
governments have recently announced their own renewable energy target schemes.
Politics of wind power
From 2001 to early 2006, the main driving force for the establishment of wind farms in Australia was the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target or MRET. However, by mid-2006, sufficient renewable energy had been installed or was under construction to meet the small MRET target for 2010. Also, in 2006, several Federal Government Ministers spoke out against several wind farm proposals.Leaked minutes from a 2004 meeting between leaders of energy intensive industries and the Australian government describe how both groups were worried that mandatory renewable energy targets were working too well and were "market skewed" towards wind power.
Dr Mark Diesendorf
Mark Diesendorf
Mark Diesendorf teaches Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He was formerly Professor of Environmental Science at...
has suggested that the Howard Government tried to stop the development of wind power, the lowest-cost, new, renewable electricity source, until such time as coal-fired power stations with CO2 capture and sequestration and possibly nuclear power stations are available.
Public opinion and action
Survey results suggest that there is considerable public support for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Australia. In one recent survey, 74% of respondents favoured a "greenhouse strategy based mainly on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and 19% favoured an "approach that focuses mainly on nuclear power and clean coal technologies."The Australian results from the 1st Annual World Environment Review, based on a survey of 1,007 people in 2007, found that:
- 88% of Australians think that the Government should do more to increase the use of solar power. 78% say the government should do more to boost wind power, 58% hydro power, 50% tidal power, and 38% geothermal power, while only 25% think that the Government should do more to increase use of nuclear power.
- 84% of Australians think that the Government should make it easier for people to buy renewable electricity.
- 89% think that all electricity should contain a minimum 25% of power generated from renewable energy sources. Only 3% disagree.
- 82% think that the Government should make it easier for people to buy solar panels.
- 80% think that the Government should make it easier for people to buy energy efficient products, such as energy-saving light globes, water-saving shower heads and insulation etc.
- 85% think that the Government should raise national fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks.
- 87% think that the Government should do more to increase the number of cars that don’t use petrol.
There is a considerable movement known as The Transition Decade
The Transition Decade
The Transition Decade is a non-partisan shared campaign which is coordinated by an alliance of Australian community, social, and environmental groups, non-profits and NGO's...
to transition Australia's entire energy system to renewable by 2020.
Voluntary uptake of GreenPower
Green electricity in Australia
Green electricity in Australia is available from a number of green energy suppliers that supply electricity from what are thought to be environmentally friendly energy sources. Typically, this refers to renewable and non-polluting energy sources...
, a Government program initiated in 1997 whereby people can pay extra for electricity that is generated from renewable sources, increased from 132,300 customers in 2005 to 904,716 customers in 2009.
Future prospects
Several recent reports have discussed the possibility of Australia setting a renewable energy target of 25 per cent by 2020. Combined with some basic energy efficiency measures, such a target could deliver 15,000 MW new renewable power capacity, $33 billion in new investment, 16,600 new jobs, and 69 million tonnes reduction in electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions.Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
released a report in 2008 called "Energy [r]evolution: A Sustainable Energy Australia Outlook", detailing how Australia could produce 40% of its energy through renewable energy by 2020 and completely phase out coal-fired power by 2030 without any job losses.
David Spratt and Phillip Sutton argue in their book Climate Code Red that Australia (as part of a concerted global effort) needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions down to zero as quickly as possible so that carbon dioxide can be drawn down from the atmosphere and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced to less than 325 ppm CO2-e, which they argue is the upper "safe climate" level at which we can continue developing infinitely. They outline a plan of action which would accomplish this.
Australia could switch completely to renewable energy within the 2010 decade by building a dozen vast, new solar power stations and about 6500 wind turbine
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
s, according to a major new study. The "Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan"—a collaboration between Melbourne University's Energy Research Institute, the environment group Beyond Zero Emissions
Beyond Zero Emissions
Beyond Zero Emissions is an Australian-based, not-for-profit climate change solutions think-tank founded by Matthew Wright and Adrian Whitehead. The group coordinates research and education into the need to reduce human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 'zero and below' by implementing structural...
, and engineers Sinclair Knight Merz
Sinclair Knight Merz
Sinclair Knight Merz is an engineering, sciences and project delivery firm. It is based in Australia with offices in Asia, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and New Zealand.-Overview:...
—puts the cost at $37 billion in private funding and public investment every year for the next decade.
See also
- Centre for Energy and Environmental MarketsCentre for Energy and Environmental MarketsThe Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets at the University of New South Wales conducts interdisciplinary research into energy and environmental markets and associated policies. CEEM brings together researchers from the areas of Business, Engineering and Social Sciences...
- Clean Energy Future GroupClean Energy Future GroupThe Clean Energy Future Group is an Australian collaboration of environmental groups aiming to promote renewable energy use in Australia.-Environmental Organisations:*Australasian Energy Performance Contracting Association ,...
- Effects of global warming on AustraliaEffects of global warming on AustraliaPredictions measuring the effects of global warming on Australia assert that climate change will negatively impact the continent's environment, economy, and communities...
- Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz
- Garnaut Climate Change ReviewGarnaut Climate Change ReviewThe Garnaut Climate Change Review was a study by Professor Ross Garnaut, commissioned by then Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd and by the Australian State and Territory Governments on 30 April 2007...
- Green electricity in AustraliaGreen electricity in AustraliaGreen electricity in Australia is available from a number of green energy suppliers that supply electricity from what are thought to be environmentally friendly energy sources. Typically, this refers to renewable and non-polluting energy sources...
- Greenhouse MafiaGreenhouse MafiaGreenhouse Mafia is allegedly the "in house" name used by Australia’s carbon lobby for itself. It was also the title of a program aired by the ABC on the 13 February 2006 episode of its weekly current affairs program Four Corners....
- Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable EnergyGreenhouse Solutions with Sustainable EnergyGreenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy is a 2007 book by Australian academic Mark Diesendorf. The book puts forward a setof policies and strategies for implementing the most promising clean energy technologies by all spheres of government, business and community organisations...
- List of Australian renewable energy topics
- List of countries by electricity production from renewable sources
- Mitigation of global warming in AustraliaMitigation of global warming in AustraliaMitigation of global warming involves taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to enhance sinks aimed at reducing the extent of global warming. This is in distinction to adaptation to global warming, which involves taking action to minimise the effects of global warming...
- Photovoltaic and renewable energy engineering in Australia
- Natural Edge ProjectThe Natural Edge ProjectThe Natural Edge Project is an independent think-tank for sustainability based in Australia. TNEP contributes to leading research, case studies, tools, policies and strategies for achieving sustainable development across government and business. The non-profit TNEP receives mentoring and support...
- Renewable Energy Certificates
- Renewable energy commercializationRenewable energy commercializationRenewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat...
- Renewable energy in South AustraliaRenewable energy in South AustraliaSouth Australia's renewable energy infrastructure and capacity has grown due the completion of many wind projects and a gross feed in tariff: "Electricity Amendment Bill 2008" , which lasts until June 2028....
- Energy in South AustraliaEnergy in South AustraliaIt is estimated that Eastern Australia will require 5000 MW of electricity generation capacity over the next decade. This is approximately one and a half times the current capacity of South Australia....
Further reading
- Australian Conservation Foundation (2007). A Bright Future: 25% Renewable Energy for Australia by 2020 27 pages.
- Australian Government (2007). Australian Government Renewable Energy Policies and Programs 2 pages.
- CSIRO (2007). Climate Change in Australia: Technical Report 148 pages.
- CSIRO (2007). Rural Australia Providing Climate Solutions 54 pages.
- Diesendorf, Mark (2007). Paths to a Low Carbon Future 33 pages.
- ICLEI Oceania (2007). Biodiesel in Australia: Benefits, Issues and Opportunities for Local Government Uptake 95 pages.
- New South Wales Government (2006). NSW Renewable Energy Target: Explanatory Paper 17 pages.
- Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (2006). Mandatory Renewable Energy Target Overview 5 pages.
- Renewable Energy Generators Australia (2006). Renewable Energy – A Contribution to Australia’s Environmental and Economic Sustainability 116 pages.
- The Natural Edge Project, Griffith University, ANU, CSIRO and NFEE (2008). Transformed: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation 600+ pages.
- Greenpeace Australia PacificGreenpeace Australia PacificGreenpeace Australia Pacific is the regional office of the global environmental organization Greenpeace. Greenpeace Australia Pacific one of Australia's largest environmental organisations.-Origins and Formation:...
Energy [R]evolution Scenario: Australia, 2008 http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/resources/reports/climate-change/energy-revolution-scenario-full) 47 pages. - Beyond Zero EmissionsBeyond Zero EmissionsBeyond Zero Emissions is an Australian-based, not-for-profit climate change solutions think-tank founded by Matthew Wright and Adrian Whitehead. The group coordinates research and education into the need to reduce human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 'zero and below' by implementing structural...
Zero Carbon Australia 2020, 2010 http://beyondzeroemissions.org/zero-carbon-australia-2020)
External links
- Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
- The Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE)
- Renewable energy government programs
- Map of operating renewable energy generators in Australia
- Renewable energy farms and Energy Georeference World map
Articles
- Australia no shining star of renewable energy
- MRET policy 'stills wind farm plans'
- Green energy market unviable: Vestas
- Cool wind blows for investors
- Riches in energy harvesting, farmers told
- Greens unveil farm renewable energy plan
- Renewable energy revolution for NSW cane growers
- Coalition calls for 'solar continent'
- Australian breakthrough snapped up - by eager Americans
- Sun's rays alone 'can power Australia by 2030'