Alan Pears, Author at Renew Economy - Page 2 of 10

Alan Pears

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Commentary

Electrification is not just about getting off gas – efficiency matters, too
Electrification can increase or decrease carbon emissions. It depends how and when you do it.
Alan Pears

Jul 27, 2025

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Commentary

What really matters – energy costs, electrification, efficiency or climate change?
Energy efficiency is seen as the “first fuel” and is the main priority in the EU’s energy policies. But in Australia it remains the “forgotten fuel”, even as we electrify.
Alan Pears

Jun 29, 2025

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Commentary

Australia’s gas supply problem has a demand-side solution that would be a win for industry and consumers
Every year, high winter gas demand leads to industry concerns about limited supply and consumer concerns over thousand-dollar energy bills. But there’s an obvious policy fix.
Alan Pears

Jun 11, 2025

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Commentary

How electricity meters distort the role of rooftop solar generation
On-site consumption of PV output is invisible to the meter, and shows up as a reduction in electricity consumption. Does this matter? Yes, it does.
Alan Pears

May 22, 2025

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Commentary

Why the latest draft feed-in solar tariffs are wrong, and not fair
Allowing energy retailers to sell PV output for 26 to 35 cents/kWh to a buyer a few streets away from a generator that has been paid virtually nothing is yet another serious energy market design failure.
Alan Pears

Jan 28, 2025

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Commentary

Solar bonus tariff triggers big debate about madness of energy markets. But it’s energy efficiency that counts
It’s not surprising that consumers would like to install PV, batteries, efficient appliances and smart management, as well as upgrading their homes’ thermal efficiency, to defend against the madness of energy markets.
Alan Pears

Oct 17, 2024

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Commentary

Bonus solar: Utilities need to change their tune on time of use and flexible tariffs
A “bonus solar” tariff could leave PV owners less annoyed at very low feed-in prices and encourage people to shift demand.
Alan Pears

Oct 7, 2024

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Commentary

There are many smarter and cheaper alternatives to gas to fill gaps in supply from wind and solar
A lot of gas technologies are far less efficient than many believe, and deliver heat at temperatures higher than processes actually require.
Alan Pears

Aug 8, 2024

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Policy & Planning

How can nuclear fit into a renewable grid where base load can’t compete?
Coalition’s push for nuclear is fundamentally flawed, not just for nuclear, but for any high capital cost base load generator.
Alan Pears

Mar 5, 2024

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We need creative ideas, and mobile storage, in case “big transmission” is delayed
Creative ideas are needed if big transmission is delayed or not built. That includes demand management, efficiency, and mobile batteries, including those mounted on trucks and trains.
Alan Pears

Jan 22, 2024

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Does southern Australia really need more gas?
Energy demand is not an insatiable beast. There are a number of actions we can take to drive down our fossil gas consumption quickly.
Alan Pears

Mar 17, 2023

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Renewables

South Australia may lead world in wind and solar, but leaky buildings will cause problems
Wind, solar and storage cannot address the energy transition cost-effectively without fixing thermally poor buildings and replacing inefficient electric appliances and gas.
Alan Pears

Jan 16, 2023

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