By John Quiggin, The University of Queensland Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan for nuclear power in Australia has provoked a great deal of discussion and analysis – most of it critical. Experts point out the Coalition’s long-awaited modelling involves both highly optimistic costings and a massively lower demand for electricity than expected in official projections. In…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) AIM Defence opens new anti-drone laser factory Laser-based anti-drone system maker AIM Defence has expanded into a 4000 sqm facility to support the manufacture and export of AIM’s Fractl Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) laser. The new facility will house a skilled…
By Peter Roberts Both major political parties should hang their heads in shame for allowing Australia’s value-adding manufacturing sector to sink to become such a small share of our economy. No single party is responsible for us being the least complex economy among advanced nations, however a special place is held by the Liberal-National coalition…
By Ian Lowe, Griffith University and Kylie Walker, Australian National University Australia’s clean energy transition is already underway, driven by solar, wind, batteries and new transmission lines. But what about nuclear? Opposition leader Peter Dutton last month committed to building nuclear reactors on the site of retired coal plants – triggering intense debate over whether…
South Australia is set to be 100 percent net renewable power by 2027 – a remarkable world first based only on solar PV and wind. Giles Parkinson explains the milestone’s importance. When the federal and state governments were deciding on a location to announce a funding deal that will underwrite South Australia’s final leap to…
By Bill Grace, The University of Western Australia Before renewables came along, coal-fired power stations pumped out electricity (and carbon emissions) 24 hours a day. But now, this type of “always on” baseload power is no longer necessary or commercially viable. This is one of many reasons why the Coalition’s proposed nuclear strategy is flawed.…
Weld Australia has weighed into the conversation on nuclear energy the week after the federal opposition’s plans were announced, warning that Australia lacks the engineers and tradesmen “to build one nuclear power station, let alone seven”. In a statement on Monday, the welding industry peak body gave its view on opposition leader Peter Dutton’s plan…
By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced seven sites for reactors, unveiling his long-awaited and highly-controversial policy for nuclear power with the claim it could start operating from the 2030s. The locations are the sites of former or current coal plants. They have the technical attributes needed for a nuclear…
By Ian Lowe, Griffith University For decades, Australia has exported uranium – but not used it, other than in the Lucas Heights research reactor. But change is coming. We now face a rapidly deepening commitment to the nuclear industry, through nuclear submarines (bipartisan support) or nuclear reactors (Coalition support). The Albanese government was quick to accept…
The federal government has turned – again – to its Gas Code of Conduct to boost availability and cut the cost of gas to consumers and industry. Energy minister Chris Bowen announced that 260 PJ of gas will be made available between now and 2033 through two new enforceable supply commitments with Esso and Woodside…
