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Hey Reader, in today's edition:
- Call to prioritise efficiency
- 'Progress' on industrial energy savings
- No plans to transition off gas exports
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Cracking the energy efficiency code
In an interview with The Energy ahead of a keynote at the Energy Efficiency Council summit this week, Secretary General of Efficient Buildings Europe and Director of the Renovate Europe Campaign Adrian Joyce says relying on mass adoption of home batteries and too much roof-top solar is “irrational” at best and wasteful at worst.
“What’s best to do? Have old or renewable energy and don’t worry about the quality of the buildings you’re in and the level of comfort that delivers or be responsible, have a low energy consumption and high comfort and well-being buildings,” he says. “I know where my heart is.”
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'Progress' on industrial energy savings
Energy efficiency, measured by the rate of change in primary energy intensity, will improve by 1.8% this year, up from 1% in 2024, according to the latest estimates issued by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
“Energy efficiency has the power to enhance people’s lives and livelihoods through greater energy security, more affordable bills, improved economic competitiveness and lower emissions.”
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol
But the “progress” detailed in the Energy Efficiency 2025 market report falls short of an agreement two years ago for a 4% annual improvement in global energy efficiency by 2030.
Rising industrial energy consumption, combined with a decline in industrial energy intensity improvements, is a key driver, a new Progress Tracker released with the report shows, with energy efficiency improvements in the United States and the European Union slowing to below 1% from 2.5% and around 3% respectively.
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No plans to transition off gas exports
Australia joined almost 90 countries in signing up to a Belém Declaration on the transition away from fossil fuels, which appears to be at odds with the future gas strategy.
Bill Hare, CEO and senior scientist at Climate Analytics, said the decision was welcome but out of step with Australia's continued approvals of coal and gas projects, most recently the North West Shelf licence extension to 2070.
Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there were no plans to taper down Australia’s gas industry and exports, insisting the move was compatible with a gas strategy that locks in production to 2050 and beyond.
“Well it is needed. It’s a part of the transition which is occurring. What you need to back up renewables is firming capacity, that’s what’s enabling the investment to occur. And all of the energy experts say the cheapest form of transition is renewables backed by gas, backed by hydro, backed by batteries. That’s Australia’s position.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Countries at COP30 pledged more than US$1 trillion by 2030 to expand power grids, energy storage and invest more broadly in the energy transition under the COP30 action plan.
But the disappointment inside the conference centre in Brazil was reportedly as pervasive as the diesel fumes from the generators outside after negotiations failed on key fronts. (Inside Climate News) (BBC) (CBC) (Aljazeera) (Reuters) (Guardian)
“Together, Australia, Türkiye and the Pacific will strive to ensure COP31 is a success. We will maintain a focus on doing all we can to keep 1.5 degrees alive, as this is such an imperative for our planet and our Pacific friends,” Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told the final COP30 plenary session, beginning his role as lead negotiator.
The Opposition says Australia cannot afford to have “a part-time energy minister”.
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Expert view
"Australia’s surprise decision to sign the ‘Belém Declaration on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels’ is a positive sign. It suggests Australia may finally be ready to start grappling with its responsibilities as one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas.
Australia signed the declaration just days after one of its largest markets for thermal coal, South Korea, made an international commitment to phase out coal-fired power. Australia has much to gain by capitalising on green export opportunities. It should modernise its energy ties with key trading partners, including Japan and South Korea, to move collectively away from risky fossil fuels as fast as possible. Australia would go some way to restoring faith with the Pacific if it stops approving new coal and gas projects.”
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Dr Wesley Morgan
Research Associate at the Institute of Climate Risk and Response, UNSW
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Expert view
“The inclusion of ‘information integrity' in the COP30 outcome is a genuine watershed moment, recognising that information integrity is essential for effective climate action. This outcome signals a major step forward in addressing escalating risks in information spaces — from disinformation to the harassment of scientists — and in ensuring that evidence-based information is available to all.”
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Charlotte Scaddan
Senior Adviser on Information Integrity, United Nations
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Policy
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A provision in proposed environment protection laws that would allow coal and gas projects to be approved if they were in the national interest could be scrapped as the government woos the Greens to get the package of bills passed as soon as this week. Meanwhile Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has offered to pass the laws in the year’s final week of parliament if Labor agrees to key changes, including axing climate reporting. (AAP) (AFR)
Australia, Canada and India will boost cooperation on critical technologies with a focus on green energy innovation and more resilient supply chains, particularly in critical minerals. The Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence, leaders said after inking the pact at the G20 talks. (CBC)
Britain released a critical minerals strategy designed to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The 10-year plan for an expansion in domestic extraction and processing has a particular focus on lithium, nickel, tungsten and rare earths. (Reuters)
Regulation
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The core flaw of the Solar Sharer offer is that it mandates a zero-dollar ($0/kWh) retail price for a specific window while leaving the costs to supply that energy intact, the Australian Energy Council warned. Retailers should be granted an exemption from Renewable Energy Target certificate obligations for electricity consumed during the free period and the default market offer/Solar Sharer offer pricing methodology should explicitly allow for the recovery of the portfolio costs, including the hedging premiums required to manage the volatility created by the Solar Sharer, General Manager for Retail Policy Jo De Silva said in a submission.
AEMO has asked rule-maker, the Australian Energy Market Commission, to mandate that coal power plants give authorities five years notice of any plan to shut down. The change would add a further 18 months on top of the current 3½-year notice period. (The Aus)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a recall for Sigenergy for the SigenStor single phase 8/10/12 kW energy controllers with quick connect AC plug. The AC plugs in the home battery system are at risk overheating and may cause a fire.
Technology
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Despite a growing understanding of the benefits of bidirectional charging, V2G has struggled to move beyond pilots into sustained commercial deployment. The core issue is no longer technical feasibility, it’s the inability to translate its value into predictable, durable revenue streams that attract private capital. Understanding why this gap persists is essential to understanding what it will take for V2G to scale, energy economist Steve Letendre writes. (V2GNews)
Climate
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Instead of widespread implementation, negotiators in Belém agreed not to significantly change existing Article 6 decisions on carbon markets and to channel nearly $30 million to the new Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) from the Kyoto-era Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). (Carbon Pulse) (Carbon Herald)
People
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The McKell Institute appointed former WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston as inaugural Chair of its WA Advisory Committee.
Research
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Supply-side net-zero technologies have received far more policy support so far than demand-side energy reduction, which a group of researchers examines in the British context in the latest edition of Nature Energy, finding social and behavioural changes to how people travel, work, heat their homes and consume goods could cut total UK energy demand by between 18% and 45% by 2050 compared to today.
Random
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Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda went full MAGA at NASCAR as the carmaker unveiled a US$912 million investment in US manufacturing. (NYPost)
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What's On
November 25
The NEM Review and Firming up the Transition
NEM Review Chair Tim Nelson, CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth, Transgrid CFO Nadine Lennie, and AEMO Executive GM Violette Mouchaileh will speak at this CEDA event in Sydney.
November 26
National Press Club
Deputy Opposition Leader and former energy spokesman Ted O’Brien will address the National Press Club at this event in Canberra.
November 26
Efficient Electric Homes: Market Acceleration Summit
Architect Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE - Energy Efficient Buildings, and the Director of the Renovate Europe Campaign, Clare McLaughlin, Head of Division, Energy Performance, at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Grace Tam, Head of Consumer Finance at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and Energy Efficiency CEO Luke Menzel will speak at this Sydney event.
December 5
Keeping the lights on - syncons vs batteries
Mark Twidell, Industry Professor of Practice at the UNSW Energy Institute, and Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network Jason Krstanoski will speak at this webinar from The Energy, moderated by UNSW Energy Institute CEO Dani Alexander.
December 9, Sydney and December 11, Melbourne
Energy Tetris
The Energy’s first live event will feature Quinbrook CEO Brian Restall, Energy Security Corporation CEO Paul Peters, Southerly Ten Chief Development Officer Erin Coldham, Hydro Tasmania Chairman Richard Bolt, CS Energy Head of Policy & Regulation Alison Demaria, Atmos Renewables GM of Development Allison Hawke, ASL GM System Planning & Financial Markets, Melanie Koerner, UNSW Senior Research Associate Dylan McConnell and Energy Edge MD Josh Stabler, with more speakers to be confirmed soon.
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