Is the oil price slump an economic warning?

Motorists may be cheering the slump in the price for crude oil, which has fallen by nearly 20% over the past few weeks. However, an economist warns this may be a cautionary sign that the world’s economy is about to slow down drastically as a result of trade tensions.

Energy set for “Uber” transformation

Australia’s troubled energy sector has been warned that it will soon be “Uberised” with “prosumers” generating and managing their own energy resources through new digital technology.

Time for ‘Airbnb’ for energy?

Could the future of energy lie in the sharing economy? New research shows energy sharing platforms may be the key to supporting our transition to new tech and cleaner power, while delivering reliable energy for consumers.

Hatching the LNG egg in our energy basket

We should invest in our strategically placed northern gas supply infrastructure, but with the long-term aim of using it to diversify our energy supply to include other sources, such as methanol, ammonia, solar and hydrogen.

New energy report tilts the cost balance towards renewables

The national science agency, CSIRO and energy market operator, AEMO have announced a new report on the costs of electricity generation, revealing that renewable energy powers the cheapest new power plants.  

The climate change tax plan that pays back revenue

The new Member for Wentworth, Kerryn Phelps, will help present a new climate policy proposed by UNSW which would tax carbon dioxide emissions but compensate Australian households.

The National Energy Guarantee can work – if the emissions target is increased

While the NEG policy design had potential, the low level of ambition on the emissions reduction target meant the policy would be essentially useless unless this is addressed.

Why Tony Abbott is wrong about the Paris climate accord

We have to stand up and commit ourselves to the realities of climate change, and accept the daunting but achievable task of climate mitigation. We have the skills, knowledge, technology and capability. We just need better leadership.

Town battery stabilises remote power grid

A cutting edge energy storage system to support a town with wildly fluctuating electricity needs has been switched on in South Australia.

Turning plastic waste into bio-gas

Plastic waste is choking our oceans but a new Australian innovation could help turn trash into useful fuel if enough investment can be raised to fund a demonstration facility.

Solar PV and wind could replace coal, oil and gas in 20 years

Deep cuts must be made in the use of fossil fuels to ease the threat of climate change, and renewable energy is on track to make a significant contribution in the future.

Is massive transmission investment required to support a renewable grid?

Victorian engineer Peter Farley argues that distributed renewable power production and local storage will reduce the need for expensive long distance transmission infrastructure to meet Australia’s long term energy needs.