Australia’s energy future

The future of energy generation still lies with renewables, rather than legacy coal-fired stations or future nuclear options.

Reforming energy policy

A new report analysing government energy policy calls for a modernisation in approach and warns against the undue influence wielded by well-funded lobbyists on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.

Flow state

Flow batteries are a cross between a conventional battery and a fuel cell and can store energy generated by wind or solar power back to the grid for up to 12 hours – two or three times longer than their lithium-ion peers.

Turning hydrogen hype into action

The Australian government envisions Australia as a renewable energy superpower, and the “Future Made in Australia” policy commits billions to building a domestic hydrogen industry, but when will it actually happen?

Long, hot winter

While clean energy transition may not be a panacea, it represents a critical tool in Australia’s battle against climate change, and its efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, enhance air quality, foster economic opportunities, and fortify a more resilient future for its people.

The myth of nuclear reliability

International experience suggests that Peter Dutton’s ambition to build nuclear reactors in Australia to guarantee electricity supplies may not be the best course for the future.

Dutton’s nuclear gamble

Peter Dutton needed a big idea to challenge Labor at the next election, and his proposal to meet Australia’s future energy needs with up to 7 nuclear plants is a gamble which will either make or break his political career.

What the experts say…on nuclear power

Peter Dutton has announced he will go to the next election promising to build seven nuclear power stations, located across the country. The sites will be located at retiring or retired coal sites, and the opposition leader says the new stations will be operational by between 2035 and 2037. What do the nation’s experts say?

Could Australia go nuclear?

Nuclear power is a credible source of abundant zero-emissions electricity, but it would take 20 years to commence operations from a standing start in Australia.

Maximising micro-grids

Renewable energy is the way of the future, but issues such as variability and surplus generation have so far created headaches in the move to fully utilising these energy solutions. New research led by Murdoch University has found that using interconnected scattered microgrids may be the answer.

Not in my back yard

While public opinion polls show broad support for more action to reduce climate emissions in theory, local opposition to renewable energy schemes continues to grow.

Growing Australia’s fuel

Australia has limited reserves of offshore oil and difficult-to-exploit onshore oil, so farming our own fuel makes sense. It would encourage agricultural development and diversification, reduce our dependence on imported oil and allow us to fill the extra storage tanks we’re building.