Matthew Wright
A major new report into Australia's energy challenges shows significant oversight in its lack of recognition of solar power's potential.
On the cloudiest winter's day in Melbourne, a 15kW rooftop PV system can still produce more power than a household's daily demand. And with the race on to improve efficiency, things can only get better.
At the same time as state governments are making it almost impossible for farmers to install clean power-generating wind turbines, they are opening up farmland to miners. What's wrong with this picture?
With the advantage of soaring manufacturing capacity, the world’s solar PV factories could hammer out the annual electricity of 10x 1000MW nuclear power plants. So why is Australia dragging its heels?
In China, wind power is soaring ahead of nuclear, and will eventually replace it altogether. So what can Australia learn – and gain – from the dramatic shift in China’s energy mix?
Zero Carbon Australia argues that its 100 per cent renewables plan would wind up cheaper than the UNSW plan – without biogas, but with energy efficiency, grid restructuring and a vision for green jobs.
If Australia followed Spain's wind power example, we could get twice the amount added to our power mix for 75 per cent less cost – and supply up to half our electricity from renewable energy.
A phase-out of Australia's outdated gas network provides a big long-term productivity opportunity. And we can start right away by not connecting any new or post-renovation buildings.
Energy conscious householders with gas-boosted solar hot water systems may be surprised to learn they use huge amounts of fossil fuel. Another surprise: there's a much greener alternative on the market.
Six air cons for the young environmentalist of the year might seem contradictory, but not if you know the secret to how renewable energy can keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, guilt free.
Feed-in tariffs have achieved more in global renewable energy deployment than any other incentive scheme in existence. So why are Australia's Big Three energy utilities lobbying so hard against them?
Large-scale solar is ready to play a major role in Australia's electricity sector. But the policy needed to build the right technology is the missing piece of the government's climate-energy puzzle.
Contrary to popular belief, gas is no solution to climate change. It's time to consider heat pump technology as a better – and potentially zero emissions – option for heating in Australia.
China's comprehensive approach to carbon reduction is setting it apart from the West – and is expected to yield enough renewable energy capacity to meet Australia’s power needs three times over by 2020.
Australia is on track to spend $66 billion a year on oil imports from 2015. But by boosting the EV market and overhauling public transport, we could avoid hitting this economic brick wall.
Australia can achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020. All we need is some political leadership.
With Germans paying around half as much on their electricity bills as Australians, it is clear that we have a lot to learn on energy policy, particularly when it comes to renewables.