Analysis

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Vic RE report card: Could do better

A state parliamentary inquiry into renewable energy in Victoria has recommended the state aims for 100 per cent renewables by 2030, but it has also heard that firming technologies such as pumped hydro and particularly utility scale batteries do not cover energy shortfalls for long periods of time.

BY Hamish Fitzsimmons Jun 02 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

New Minister, new policies to steer energy market transition

The Hon Chris Bowen MP was this week appointed as Climate Change and Energy Minister in the new Labor Government. in the lead up to the Federal election he highlighted two policies in particular as priorities - reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism and Rewiring the Nation, which aims to accelerate transmission investment

BY Carl Kitchen Jun 02 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Same same but different: US grid challenges

The challenge of accommodating increasing amounts of renewable generation in Australian grids has been much discussed and the recent impact of high wholesale prices is likely to help sharpen the debate about the energy transition.

BY Australian Energy Council May 26 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Report provides insights into energy transition

The transition of the energy grid continues apace and its impacts on how the system operates continue to evolve. The latest GenInsights21 report provides valuable insights into some of the key trends that are emerging, this is based on analysis of extensive generation data. We take a look at its assessment of the expansion of rooftop solar and the implications for the grid.

BY Australian Energy Council May 05 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Zero Emissions Dispatchability Discussion Paper

The latest discussion paper in the Australian Energy Council’s series on Australia’s Energy Future focuses on the need for zero emissions dispatchable plant to complement the growth of renewable energy and the retirement of existing coal and gas generation. It also considers the types of zero emissions dispatchable power currently available.

BY Australian Energy Council Apr 28 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Outlook highlights challenges and change

The latest US Energy Information Administration (EIA) annual energy outlook provides a useful insight into the shifts in both the drivers of electricity consumption and the anticipated transition in the generation sources. In particular it highlights the ongoing important role that gas generation will play in the energy mix as renewables continue to grow.

BY Australian Energy Council Apr 21 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Coal exits: What’s in store for batteries?

Increasing periods of negative pricing and low operational demand driven by renewables complicates the economics of coal plant. As coal plants exit the grid, they will be replaced by renewables supported by batteries, pumped hydro, and gas generation. Storage - battery and pumped hydro - will play an increasingly important role.

BY Australian Energy Council Feb 24 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

A 50 Hertz incentive: Double-sided Causer Pays

The Australian Energy Council has released a comprehensive study that explores a market mechanism to support Primary Frequency Response from generators and batteries. The four detailed reports – by Intelligent Energy Systems – was jointly supported by the AEC and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

BY Ben Skinner & Peter Brook Feb 17 2022

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Year in review: Some hits, some misses

It was another year of significant developments in the energy sector ranging from carbon emission commitments from both the Federal Government and Opposition, to the start of 5 minute settlements and Victoria's new tougher requirements for retailers.

BY Carl Kitchen Dec 09 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Renewables go from strength to strength

The Clean Energy Regulator's latest assessment of the carbon market has underscored the fact that renewables are going from strength to strength.

BY Australian Energy Council Dec 09 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Green steel deal

With the world’s eyes on COP26, Australia may be looking in the wrong direction for the next major step on decarbonisation. Bilateral trade pacts centred around a US-EU alliance could be the way forward and may give Australia pause for thought on its own approach; but the picture may be more complicated.

BY Kieran Donoghue, Boardroom Energy Nov 18 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Are EVs an election battleground?

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently announced the Federal Government’s ‘Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy’, which commits to spending $250 million on electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of the push to net zero by 2050.

BY Hamish Fitzsimmons Nov 11 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Electricity does heavy lifting on emissions reductions

The Federal Government has unveiled its net zero emissions by 2050 target and projections for economy-wide emissions. The projections show the heavy lifting that's occurred from the electricity sector and flags the continued leading role the sector will play in reducing the country’s greenhouse gas output. But it also shows more needs to be done by other sectors to reach its 2050 target.

BY Carl Kitchen Oct 28 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Critical minerals and renewables: The supply challenges

The IEA's World Energy Outlook 2021 report is a crystal ball look at emerging trends and their potential impact on how energy systems evolve. While most of the focus is on the total share of energy markets by generation and fuel type, the report also carries insights into emerging energy security risks as the world moves to lower emissions grids - which it notes could be on a “bumpy” road.

BY Australian Energy Council Oct 28 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Is it time for a full review of WA’s Reserve Capacity Mechanism?

Reform has been a constant in WA's Wholesale Electricity Market in recent years. The Energy Transformation Strategy was established in 2019 to ensure power system reliability and security. Fast forward, and the same issues that led to that work have amplified, and we now have Stage 2. We look at what it means for the Reserve Capacity Mechanism and generators in the SWIS.

BY Graham Pearson Oct 21 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Electrification plan: “Ambitious but realistic”?

There’s been plenty of media attention around claims the average Australian household could save $5000 annually on their energy and vehicle costs by 2030 and up to $6000 by 2035 through greater electrification. But what is the basis for this claim? And what would have to happen for this to occur?

BY Carl Kitchen Oct 07 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Offshore framework to bring new swell?

The Federal Government’s new legislation to clarify offshore energy developments, was greeted with suggestions it would prompt a rush of offshore wind farms around our coastline. Offshore wind farms typically take 6-10 years to develop and build. Currently many of these projects are in pre-feasibility stage.

BY Carl Kitchen Sep 16 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Is Orca a new carbon predator?

The Federal Government has broadened the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s remit to support technologies to address carbon emissions, including carbon capture and storage. Last week the agency’s new investment plan was released, and at the same time a new facility began operating using novel carbon capture technology.

BY Australian Energy Council Sep 16 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

Hot topic: Victoria’s big battery

It has been a remarkable year for the number of significant incidents in NEM supply. Recently a fire at Victoria’s “big battery” began just after 10am on Friday 30 July, and investigations are being undertaken. The results will be closely watched not just locally, but internationally.

BY Carl Kitchen Aug 19 2021

ANALYSIS Continue Reading

100% renewable grid: A journey through uncharted territory

AEMO received headlines with its goal of delivering capability for the grid to manage 100 per cent renewables at any moment by 2025. The announcement was generally well-received but, unfortunately, misreported as targeting the running of the NEM entirely on renewables. Industry participants may ask why AEMO would be indicating a 100 per cent renewables capability by 2025, which is not to say that progress towards a lower emissions market isn’t welcome.

BY Hamish Fitzsimmons Jul 22 2021

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8