CSIRO has found a ‘lack of economic advantage’ in investing in nuclear power over renewables, according to its GenCost 2024-25 draft report released for consultation. The report took into consideration suggestions raised since its last report that nuclear had a longer operational life, a higher capacity factor and shorter time to delivery than previously estimated.…
The Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Co-operative Research Centre (HILT CRC) has launched a flagship three-year project on energy infrastructure to help guide heavy industry decarbonisation. The project will provide clear, data-driven estimates of energy costs to inform government policy and enable heavy industry to plan its decarbonisation pathway. ‘Unlocking investment in energy infrastructure for net-zero…
By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra This year will set a record for the addition of renewables to the grid, according to figures to be released on Thursday by the Clean Energy Regulator. It projects the average annual renewable share of the electricity market will be 45% in 2025. The Albanese government’s target is 82%…
By Jay Rutovitz, University of Technology Sydney; Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney, and Elianor Gerrard, University of Technology Sydney The electricity workforce will need to double in five years to achieve Australia’s 2030 renewable energy target, our new report finds. More than 80% of these jobs will be in renewables. Jobs in energy storage…
By Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney As Australia’s electricity supply shifts to clean energy, a big challenge is looming. How do we “keep the lights on” as big coal plants close, and a far-flung network of wind and solar generators replaces them? This balancing act was outlined in the latest annual stocktake by the…
By Peter Newman, Curtin University The extent to which renewables should dominate Australia’s energy grids is a major issue in science and politics. Solar and wind are clearly now the cheapest form of electricity. But limits to these technologies can undermine the case for a renewables-only electricity mix. The challenges posed by solar and wind…
The federal government is moving to harmonise multiple digital standards and platforms that are holding consumers back from making the most of rooftop solar PV systems, home batteries and grid-connected electric vehicles. Building a common digital platform for solar, batteries and other consumer energy resources to work together could unlock up to $6 billion in…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) New battery strategy to drive battery manufacturing The federal government has released Australia’s first National Battery Strategy, supporting a Future Made in Australia as global demand for batteries is set to quadruple by 2030. According to a joint…
An independent report by consulting and engineering firm Egis and commissioned by the Clean Energy Council has confirmed that nuclear is the most expensive form of new energy in Australia. The review analysed the CSIRO and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)’s GenCost report against the Lazard Review and the Mineral Council of Australia (MCA)’s research…
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the government’s approach to focus on renewables, batteries and gas for Australia’s energy transition has been vindicated by the latest draft system plan from the Australian Energy Market Operator. Australia’s last coal fired power station will close five years earlier than expected by 2038, but the energy…
