Climate action under an Abbott government
By Stephen McGrail on 13 May 2013
It promises to repeal the carbon tax, but the Coalition’s Direct Action Plan may miss the opportunity to drive energy innovation.
Category: News & Commentary
Are renewables doomed to failure in Australia?
By Giles Parkinson on 3 May 2013
WA’s new energy minister doubts the fact of climate change, is pro-nuclear, thinks brown coal is clean, hates windmills and says solar is too expensive. He also thinks a ‘negawatt’ is an activist plot. Given that Australia now has a full house of backward-thinking, conservative energy Czars, what chance do renewables have in this country?
IPART delivers another free kick on green energy to utilities
By Giles Parkinson on 2 May 2013
IPART continues to demonise the costs of renewable energy support mechanisms, at the same time as adding to those costs by sanctioning above market cost pass-throughs. And consumers will pay nearly double those costs to feed into a kitty so that their neighbours can be offered “discounts”. Anyone hear the sound of laughter?
‘Big four’ banks biggest backers of fossil fuel expansion: report
By Sophie Vorrath on 2 May 2013
Report names Australia’s ‘big four’ banks as heaviest lenders to coal and gas expansion in Barrier Reef area, sparks calls for customer boycott.
How the anti-coal campaign is protecting Australia’s economy
By Paul Gilding on 9 May 2013
It might seem ironic, but environmentalists and farmers fighting the expansion of coal mining and coal seam gas across Australia are the only thing likely to moderate the rude economic awakening we face when the global carbon bubble bursts and the fossil fuel industries start their inevitable, terminal decline.
99 climate one-liners rebutting denier talking points
By Joe Romm on 8 May 2013
Skeptical Science has developed an excellent collection of one-line responses to deniers of climate change. Here are the top 99 with links to the science.
Origin turns to lolly wrappers to tell tales about energy
By Giles Parkinson on 1 May 2013
It is finally dawning on Australia’s largest energy utilities that not only are their customers unfaithful, they are also ignorant. So Origin Energy has turned to lolly wrappers to try and inform its target market. Sounds like fun, but it belies a deeper problem for the energy industry: the age old oligopoly is under threat from the democratisation of energy.
Largest solar power plant in world now under construction
By Solar Love on 30 April 2013
MidAmerican Solar and SunPower mark the commencement of the 579MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects with a community celebration.
Rooftop solar – natural hedge against dirty energy system
By Giles Parkinson on 30 April 2013
New report suggests rooftop solar should be embraced as a natural hedge against volatile electricity prices, and to hasten transition to low carbon system. But it warns that incumbents are lined up against the technology, but politicians would be ill-advised to side with the owners of legacy assets.
EVs and solar power – go together like a horse and carriage
By Chris Dalitz on 24 April 2013
Electric vehicles and household solar PV systems are the perfect technological and ideological fit. So why aren’t they being promoted in this way?
Coal hits new low as NEM demand continues to fall
By Sophie Vorrath on 7 May 2013
The latest Cedex report finds the total amount of electricity supplied by Australia’s coal-fired generators at its lowest level in the history of the NEM. But while the report links the introduction of the carbon price to falling emissions and rising renewables output, the reduced demand for coal looks more like the new normal.
Is Australia ready for a really tight carbon budget?
By Giles Parkinson on 23 April 2013
The Climate Change Authority launches its review of Australia’s emissions caps and trajectories, and for the first time will consider an appropriate carbon budget for the country. That could come as quite a shock to some industries, and politicians. Meanwhile, Citi warns that super funds will come increased pressure to manage their exposure to fossil fuels.
CEFC may write financing contracts before July
By Giles Parkinson on 26 April 2013
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation may enter financing contracts for renewable and low carbon projects before July, when its funds become available. CEO Oliver Yates also says solar leasing will be an area of interest. Meanwhile, Greg Hunt tweets a dodgy number.
Unnatural capital: Big industries trashing the global economy
By Giles Parkinson on 16 April 2013
New study finds $7.3trn of natural capital costs not being priced by the global economy. If it was, none of the top 20 regional sectors would be profitable, let alone cover their cost of capital. Time to change our economic measurements? One ANU academic says business-as-usual is a ‘utopian fantasy.’
IEA: Rapid change needed in way we supply, use energy
By Giles Parkinson & Sophie Vorrath on 17 April 2013
The IEA says the world is not acting quickly enough on decarbonising its energy system. In its third major report, it notes good progress in solar PV, onshore wind and hydro, but says CSP and offshore wind is dragging the chain, and CCS and nuclear are stalled. It wants governments to act decisively, before it’s too late.
HSBC: World is hurtling towards Peak Planet
By Giles Parkinson on 27 March 2013
HSBC says the world is rapidly depleting its carbon budget, approaching ‘Peak Planet’ and must achieve a peak in emissions by 2020, leaving much of its fossil fuels in the ground. Impossible? HSBC says not, and is encouraged by growing public awareness, favourable economic drivers and falling technology costs for renewables.
Australian coal industry a ticking carbon bomb: report
By Sophie Vorrath on 29 April 2013
Australia’s huge coal industry is resting on a speculative bubble that ignores global carbon budgets and exposure to rapid devaluation
ARENA plans new mechanisms as funding cut, deferred
ARENA has suffered a 5 pct cut in funds, and had a further $370 million in funding deferred. However, the agency says the “reprofiling” may suit its investment plans, as it considers tariff support and contracts for difference to augment one off grants. And it is about to launch a new $400 million off-grid and remote renewables investment program.