Hey Reader, in today's edition: The National Energy Analysis Centre opens Petroleum Resources Rent Tax is "taking the p*ss" EPBC reform more important than tax reform: Henry A real-time lab for a future economy Director of the new National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) Dr Stephen Craig knows the transformation of the energy system and the broader quest for net zero will be ongoing for decades, touching every part of Australian society. Designed to provide the insights that energy market...
2 days ago • 10 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore what's behind plans for Australia to import LNG. You want to do what? On its face, it seems bonkers that Australia - as one of the three largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters in the world - would make plans to import the stuff for its own use. Yet as the east coast’s traditional mainstay - the Bass Strait joint venture - steadily runs out, that’s where we are. It's a situation bolstered by Queensland LNG...
3 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: AI’s smelter-sized energy challenge Albo tours China with industry chums Machine learning on the grid edge ‘AI factory’ up for the challenge While grid planners try to second guess the load from future data centres that will power generative AI, project developers are working on improving efficiency and finding new ways to support the electricity grid. Homegrown tech infrastructure company Firmus Technologies’ first AI factory is under construction in Tasmania...
4 days ago • 8 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: How to make COP31 work for Australia Thinking confidently about flex Indigenous Australians leading on energy Australia needs a smart COP playbook If Australia wins its bid to co-host the UN climate talks next year with Pacific Island nations, it will put the country in the climate spotlight as never before. Industry expert Dan Cass writes that the nation’s policy and political opportunity is to champion consumer energy solutions above all else, with those on...
5 days ago • 9 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Rule maker gets behind WDRM Thinking confidently about flex Indigenous Australians leading on energy Wholesale demand response mechanism lives on The Australian Energy Market Commission recommended continuing the wholesale demand response mechanism (WDRM), which pays electricity users like factories for reducing consumption during peak demand period. The energy market rule maker also recommended an assessment of whether sites with multiple connection points...
8 days ago • 10 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: New funding for ultra low-cost solar RayGen chalks up another milestone Good on you says John Grimes Chasing down the solar cost curve The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), a longstanding champion of solar power, launched a $60 million funding round for R&D into ultra low-cost solar. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology continues to evolve rapidly and remains the backbone of the clean energy transition. Universities, research groups and startups could...
9 days ago • 10 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore real-time data from the meter and the case for reform. The costs and benefits of real-time meter data Energy consumers don’t need or want real-time energy data. So goes the argument from almost all of Australia’s energy networks and retailers. Regardless, Australia’s energy regulation machine rolls on and at some point they’ll be forced to enable it. The question is, what will happen in the interim? Next month...
10 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy. In today's edition: Community battery challenges Pumped for another acronym NAIDOC Week means business Seven-year mission unplugged Community group Village Power was an early winner of a grant for a genuine neighbourhood battery. But seven years and 1500 volunteer hours on from the inception of the project, after encountering commercial, insurance and other barriers, the battery is yet to be purchased. Village Power’s goal is “100% local renewable energy...
11 days ago • 9 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy. In today's edition: WDRM up for review Green hydrogen back on Underwriting offshore wind Demand response is having a moment Later this week, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) will report on the effectiveness of the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism (WDRM). Launched in October 2021 to allow third party demand response aggregators to compete with big energy companies in the NEM, its early results were underwhelming. The big gentailers have been...
12 days ago • 8 min read