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South Australia leading the way with energy-smart homes - Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) #southaustralia #energyefficiency #electrifyeverything arena.gov.au/news/south-aus…

@janrosenow @scotenergyforum @GeolSoc Thanks Jan, these are all great points. In Australia, we have all the natural resources to be a renewables led economy but this question is commonly posed as a ‘gotcha’ due to our low % share of emissions. For all these reasons & firming up our huge export industry is why 👍

“Why should small countries in Europe that emit less than 1% of global emissions pursue a net zero agenda when there are much larger emitters like China?” I was asked this earlier this week when I presented to the @scotenergyforum at @GeolSoc in London. It’s a common challenge put to people like me who are supportive of the decarbonisation agenda. @_HannahRitchie @OurWorldInData has written what I think is an excellent response to this commonly asked question. She provides 5 compelling reasons for why small and wealthy countries in Europe and elsewhere should reduce their emissions: 1. Rich countries have a moral responsibility Rich countries are historically the largest emitters. For instance, the UK, though responsible for only 0.9% of current emissions, accounts for 4.5% of historical global emissions. Germany contributes over 5%. These nations should reach net-zero emissions quickly, not only to reduce climate impacts but also to allow poorer nations space in the global carbon budget to develop. 2. Every country must act, even those with ‘negligible’ emissions While six countries contribute more than 2% of global emissions (China, the US, India, Russia, Japan, and Iran), many smaller countries collectively account for 36%—more than China alone. If these nations did nothing, a significant portion of global emissions would remain unchecked. Tackling climate change requires action from all countries, but low-income nations with minimal contributions and urgent development needs should be allowed to temporarily increase emissions while wealthier nations cut theirs. 3. Rich countries outsource their emissions Many wealthy countries outsource emissions by importing goods produced elsewhere, but even when adjusting for this, their overall responsibility remains high. Even after accounting for “consumption-based” emissions, most rich nations continue to be significant contributors, and they must take action. 4. Innovating low-carbon technologies drives global progress Small countries can make a significant impact by innovating and deploying low-carbon technologies, which helps lower costs for the rest of the world. For example, the cost of solar power has dropped by 99.8% since the 1970s, largely due to scaling up by wealthier countries. These innovations make it easier for developing nations to adopt cleaner energy without hindering growth. 5. Small countries can lead by example Countries like Norway, responsible for just 0.1% of global emissions, can still set an example by adopting clean technologies. Norway’s electric vehicle revolution, where over 80% of new cars are electric, shows how small nations can demonstrate what’s possible, inspiring others to follow suit. Full article here: sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/small-emitte…

Batteries just keep on getting cheaper and cheaper. The average price of lithium-ion battery cells dropped from $290 per kilowatt-hour in 2014 to $103 in 2023.

Electrification is efficiency. When we electrify our energy systems coupled with clean electricity, something remarkable occurs: significant inefficiencies disappear. As a result, in a decarbonized world, our overall energy final demand will be much lower than it is today. Thanks @_HannahRitchie for turning Nick Eyre’s “@ecioxford excellent paper into an accessible graph and article. sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/electrificat…

as @PeterDutton_MP speaks, south australia’s power is 113% renewable. if you forced a 300 MW #nuclear reactor into that grid you’d have to turn off solar or wind… or build a lot of extra batteries… or build a fourth interconnector to the eastern states. cost upon cost.

People have the wrong impression about virtual power plants (VPPs). VPPs don't just aggregate small resources to virtually recreate a power plant or make something that's "virtually" as good as a power plant. VPPs are way cooler than that. Centralized power plants rely on transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure to deliver the power they generate to where it's actually needed. Distributed resources can generate electricity or lower demand right where that demand is. 100 MW of distributed generation is a lot more valuable than 100 MW of centralized generation. T&D makes up ~40% of the cost of electricity. Distribution makes up ~2/3 of the cost of T&D. To achieve really cheap electricity, lowering the cost of generation is not enough. We have to lower T&D costs. Generation is actually getting a lot cheaper, but T&D costs are rising (especially distribution costs). Virtual power plants are one of the most powerful tools we have to lower transmission and distribution costs. Even if we had unlimited free fusion power tomorrow, we would still need VPPs. Large centralized generation is extremely important, and it's not going away. Virtual power plants are not a 2nd rate replacement, they're an augmentation. T&D is the weak link in our grid. Transmission and distribution failures cause the vast majority of outages. T&D costs are increasingly driving electricity costs. VPPs enable a level of abundance, affordability, and resilience that cannot be matched with centralized infrastructure alone.

South Australia’s renewable triumph is stunning proof that Dutton’s nuclear plans are a folly reneweconomy.com.au/south-australi…

This is what leadership in the energy transition looks like 👏 it’s one thing to focus on generation but if we don’t adapt our housing stock to work dynamically with the new energy market, we’ve only solved half the problem. Well done 👍 #auspol #energytransition

All-electric homes are more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run. That’s why we’re helping more Victorians - including first home owners and vulnerable households - go all electric through our Residential Electrification Grants.

@RDNS_TAI @GrogsGamut I think there is confusion generally over the role that future gas plays and ability to switch off than transition off. I don’t support the construction of new gas or coal, a firm domestic reservation policy would ensure we have enough gas than it all being exported.

@RDNS_TAI @GrogsGamut Renewables needs policy certainty for greater investment, the latest political antics don’t help. We also need to replace not current usage with renewables but future load eg. Electrification and EVs. It will take some time to build this infrastructure, so gas has a role for now

Editorial: Once again investment is being slowed. Once again the obvious is being treated as uncertain. This is played out as if it were a game, but it is not: the world is being pushed closer to catastrophe. satpa.pe/U4sNoUK

Merrily Hunter on the transition narrative for tradies and inclusion we have to have thefifthestate.com.au/energy-lead/me…

#Nuclear costs for large or small reactors would need to be reduced by two thirds for nuclear power to compete with firmed renewables. There is no reasonable expectation that this could or would ever occur reneweconomy.com.au/dutton-races-t…

"we need to have a conversation about #nuclear!" we have. many times. 2006 switkowski review 2015 SA nuclear fuel cycle royal commission 2019 federal parl. inquiry 2020 NSW nuclear (prohibitions) repeal bill inquiry 2020 VIC inquiry into nuclear prohibition 2023 senate inquiry

Switching out gas appliances for efficient, electric ones will slash your energy bills. It’s why a year ago our Victorian Energy Upgrades program went all electric for households to help with discounts to install efficient electric appliances – putting money back in your pocket

Electrification saves households $1000s every year. I’ll keep pushing Govt to have policy & programs that permanently reduce the cost of energy & don't leave low income households & renters behind. This is a huge opportunity in a cost of living crisis. au.news.yahoo.com/households-dar…

The National Battery Strategy includes $523.2 million for the Battery Breakthrough Initiative. This is to be administered by ARENA to promote the development of battery manufacturing capabilities targeted at the highest value opportunities in the supply chain. Read the strategy👇

The budget is a pitch to make investments in green projects the centrepiece of the next federal election – but observers say the plan lacks coherence and that it will take a year to sell that vision, reports @KJBar. #auspol satpa.pe/tYYity3