Climate & Energy Program

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New analysis shows Liddell pattern of peak demand breakdowns

New analysis by The Australia Institute shows the Liddell Power Station broke down four times this year. These breakdowns were on high-demand Summer days when reliability is most important for electricity supply.

This follows Liddell’s failure in the 2017 heatwave, which saw half (1000 MW) of the power station’s capacity out of service on the peak day of February 10. Liddell’s failure was the single largest contributor to the load shedding at Tomago Aluminum plant, near Newcastle.

The analysis reinforces that AGL’s decision announced this morning to close Liddell as planned will mean more reliable and lower cost electricity for NSW electricity consumers.

Posted on:

21 May 2018

Implementing wholesale demand response: AEMC submisson

Australian Energy Market Commission is conducting a Reliability Frameworks Review, which is looking at how to improve reliability in the National Electricity Market.

In our submission The Australia Institute argues that the best market reform under consideration by the Commission is wholesale demand response. Demand response allows energy consumers to reduce or delay their consumption of electricity and sell that conservation into the market.

Wholesale demand response could improve reliability and reduce costs by lowering the price of demand peaks. It may also reduce emissions by displacing fossil fuel generation during peaks of demand.

Posted on:

18 May 2018

Consumers left exposed to fake ‘discounts’ from energy retailers

A new report from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that a Federal Government proposal to protect households from high power prices is being undermined by the official electricity rule-setting body.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has proposed to change market rules to prevent energy retailers offering ‘discount’ deals that are actually more expensive than basic deals.

The report finds that Minister Frydenberg’s proposal has been watered down by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).

Posted on:

15 May 2018

Consumers left exposed to fake ‘discounts’ from energy retailers

A new report from The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program shows that a Federal Government policy to prevent energy consumers being tricked onto expensive ‘discount’ contracts is unlikely to work.

In his budget speech last week, Treasurer Scott Morrison said, ‘We will keep the pressure on the big energy companies to give you a better deal.’

Posted on:

14 May 2018

Time to join the budding revolution in local power schemes

Everyone is saying Tasmania is a becoming a clean energy powerhouse, so how do we make sure ordinary Tasmanians get a piece of the action?

[This article was first published in the Hobart Mercury on 9 Feb 2018 - here]

One of the best solutions would be for communities to become investors and take power back from corporations and governments.

Posted on:

14 May 2018

New Acland exports coal myths

A report released today by The Australia Institute reveals New Hope Coal’s spending on advertising and astroturfing for its controversial New Acland mine expansion.

The mine in Queensland’s Darling Downs agricultural region has been fought by local farmers for a decade due to concerns over water and social impacts. The local community won an epic court battle against New Hope in 2017, but last week Queensland’s Supreme Court kept the mine’s chances of approval alive.

Posted on:

9 May 2018

Exporting coal myths: How a coal mine that destroyed a town now claims it will save one

The decade-long fight over the controversial Stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal (NAC) mine looks set to continue with the Queensland Supreme Court disagreeing withan earlier Land Court decision that the mine should not be granted approval, a decision followed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES).

Prior to the latest legal decision, the mine’s owners, New Hope Group, have waged aprolonged campaign to influence decisions, policy and public opinion relating to the project. NAC’s campaign promotes messages that overstate their economic significance to the region.

Posted on:

9 May 2018

Report: Watt on a hot tin roof

How rooftop solar increases reliability and reduces electricity prices

Rooftop solar generates best on hot sunny days, exactly the conditions that see gas and coal generation at risk of breakdown. This summer rooftop solar reduced demand peaks in the National Electricity Market by over 2000 MW, while a breakdown at a major coal generator contributed to wholesale electricity prices hitting $12,000 MWh.

Hot days present the greatest challenge for the National Electricity Market (NEM) to supply our electricity needs.

Posted on:

1 May 2018

Support for stronger emission reductions targets and coal phase out [POLL]

A large national poll of 1,557 Australians, conducted by The Australia Institute, has shown strong support for an increase in Australia’s emissions reduction target to at least 45% by 2030.

When asked about the proposal to increase Australia’s emission reduction target from 26-28% up to 45% by 2030:

In total, more than half (56%) thought the 45% emission reduction proposal was “about right” or “too low”. Less than a quarter (22%) of respondents said the 45% proposal was “too high”.
More voters for every party thought it was either “about right” or “too low” than thought it was “too high”.

Posted on:

11 April 2018

Top scientists call for NT to keep gas in the ground

Twenty of Australia’s top scientists are calling to permanently ban fracking in the Northern Territory because of its impact on climate change.

The joint statement, written in response to the Final Report of the NT Fracking Inquiry, commends the Inquiry’s findings that the increase of greenhouse gases that would result from fracking is “unacceptable” and again urged the Government to ban fracking.

The scientists also firmly rejected the suggestion that if these emissions were “offset” it could result in an “acceptable outcome”.

Posted on:

10 April 2018

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