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Barnaby Joyce’s renewables target: 100% ignorance
Barnaby Joyce ranted against the “insane, lemming like” rush to renewables. Scary enough, but ignorance about wind and solar seems to be Coalition policy. Finally, though, the Senate is getting to here some good insight into the technologies of the future.17 -
Renewables now cheaper than coal and gas in Australia
New analysis from Bloomberg New Energy Finance concludes that renewables are already cheaper than new build coal and gas in Australia, and gas may not even be needed. Wind is cheaper now, solar PV will be competitive soon enough, and will then be joined by biomass and solar thermal. (Updated with graph) -
Rooftop solar reshapes energy market in South Australia
Rooftop solar is completely reshaping the energy market profile in South Australia, eliminating the midday and afternoon peaks, and causing prices to fall. If this continues, the middle of the day may become the new “off peak” period for electricity prices. -
Qld generator may replace Collinsville coal with solar PV
The ageing Collinsville coal-fired plant in Queensland could be replaced by solar PV – a first for Australia. The plant’s owners, Ratch Australia, are considering a range of options, but say that solar PV costs have come down so far they are now competitive with wind energy. -
Chu says big solar soon to be cheaper than coal and gas
US energy secretary Stephen Chu says big solar will be cheaper than coal and gas before most people realise. He says the combination of solar and battery technologies, pushed forward by electric vehicles, will turn the energy industry upside down – unless, of course, if politicians fail to seize the moment.
