Renewable energy is defined as energy which is derived from sources which are replenished naturally on a human timescale.[1] This is in direct contrast to energy derived from fossil fuels which take millions of years to form.[2] Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels releases large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a contributor to climate change. Because of these factors, there has been an increasing need to source energy from renewable generation, in order to avoid both the consequences of climate change and the inevitable outcome of running out of fossil fuels.
Australia has world-class renewable resources.[3] High quality solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, hydro and bio-energy resources are spread throughout the country.[3] Renewable energy had remained largely untapped in Australia until the start of the 21st century.[4] It is a growing field in Australia, and is increasingly being used in the generation of electricity, as fuel in transport and in thermal energy.[5]
History
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The Snowy Mountains Scheme, the largest engineering project to date in Australia, began construction in 1949 and opened in 1972.
Australia's first solar power station at White Cliffs started construction in 1980 and was completed in 1982, and was decommissioned in 2004.
Research has been undertaken at University of New South Wales on solar cells since 1974.[6][7]
Large-scale generation from renewable power plants has been steadily increasing since the year 2000.[8]
Overview and targets
editAustralia has had a Renewable Energy Target (RET) in place since 2001.[9] It aimed to source 33,000 GWh of electricity from renewable sources by 2020; this target was achieved.[10] It consisted of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), to increase the use of renewable energy of high energy users through large-scale generation certificates (LGCs), and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) which provided financial incentives, through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for individuals and small businesses to install renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar or heat pumps.[9][11] In 2015, the Federal Liberal Government decided to reduce the target from 41,000 GWh to 33,000 GWh and remained unchanged.[9]
Resources
editAustralia has world-class renewable resources.[3] Renewable energy resources are dependent on the natural processes of the Earth. Because of this, their power extraction capability can vary significantly across continents and even states or regions.
Solar
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High solar radiation levels are spread across the mainland, but are greatest in the north-west of the country.[3] Most parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia all receive high amounts of irradiation. The northern parts of Victoria receive slightly less, and the southern parts of Victoria and all of Tasmania receive the least of Australia.
Wind
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High average wind speeds are present in most states, usually offshore or in highland areas.[3] As with most countries, extremely high wind speeds are found along the coast, roughly from Shark Bay in Western Australia, to Cape Howe, the meeting point of New South Wales and Victoria at sea, as well as through Bass Strait and surrounding Tasmania. The same quality of wind speed is also found in Queensland near Cairns as well as Gladstone.
Geothermal
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Geothermal reserves are spread across the country but currently lack quantification.[3] The relevant map shows that the reserves are located mainly in central Australia and the Northern Territory.
Wave
editWave energy is concentrated mainly from Perth to Hobart and through the Great Australian Bight.
Energy Sector Transformation
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Originally designed to transport electricity from large centralised coal-burning power plants to load centres in the capital cities,[12] Australia's electricity supply has been rapidly transforming since the advent of rooftop solar, and in turn becoming more decentralised.
References
edit- ^ "Renewable Energy | EESI". www.eesi.org. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ "Fossil fuel formation - Energy Education". energyeducation.ca. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ a b c d e f Australia, Australian Government (2014-05-15). "Basics". www.ga.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ "Australian Energy Statistics, Table O" (PDF). Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Australian Energy Update 2018" (PDF). August 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ UNSWSPREE, UNSW SPREE 201503-06 Martin Green - 40 years of PV research at UNSW, retrieved 2019-02-03
- ^ "Research highlights". School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
- ^ "Australian Energy Statistics, Table O Australian electricity generation, by fuel type, physical units" (PDF). Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ a b c "Renewable Energy Target Australia | Clean Energy Council". www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
- ^ "About the Clean Energy Regulator NewsItem". www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
- ^ "Department of the Environment and Energy". Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
- ^ "Virtual power plants: Critical to Australia's future energy network". Energy Magazine. 2019-11-25. Retrieved 2021-03-05.