Comments on: Australia Targets 85% Energy Generation From Renewable Sources By 2050

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Sounds like the US…

By: mds

mds — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 06:24:00 +0000

Closer to 15% renewables in USA now, close to 5% for wind and solar alone. See link here:
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/stat-of-the-day-wind-and-solar-at-4.72-percent-of-u.s.-electricity – October 2012
“Stat of the Day: Wind and Solar at 4.72 Percent of US Electricity”

By: Mr T

Mr T — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:32:00 +0000

The problem here is that our govt considers natural gas a renewable resource instead of the fossil fuel that it is. Currently we have around 10% renewables, most of that old hydro, with PV and wind slowly catching up. But the main focus of the govt is to transition to natural gas. While this will reduce our emissions, it is only a stepping stone. Unfortunately, the fossil fuel lobby still has a lot of power here, but slowly the public are realising we have to get off coal and other fossil fuels and are supporting renewables. Unfortunately, a lot of the mainstream media is pretty good at putting a negative spin on anything renewable…

By: mds

mds — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:38:00 +0000

“According to the recently published energy white paper from the Australian government, renewable energy sources could provide 40% of Australia’s energy demand by 2035 and 85% by 2050.”
Residential electricity in Australia costs over $0.25/kwh and they have sun up the wazu. Solar prices are already at half price there and still dropping. That’s the requirement for a disruptive transition. Can they avoid 40% by 2035 and 85% by 2050 if they try? $100 billion? Maybe to buy all that unused natural gas, just get out of the way for the solar.

By: mds

mds — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:31:00 +0000

@Ronald Brak
I don’t think it’s odd. It’s transparent. Large companies are pushing the government to save them from their poor investment.

By: Ronald Brak

Ronald Brak — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:31:00 +0000

It’s a little odd that Australia is predicting massive increases in natural gas use and exports while the nation is in the middle of a natural gas slump, with domestic use well below what was predicted and plans for new natural gas generating capacity scrapped. The below expected demand is largely due to improved efficiency and rooftop solar. Predictions of massive Asian demand for Australian natural gas exports appear to rely on other countries not doing what Australia has done, which doesn’t seem likely. I’m not saying there won’t be any demand for natural gas exports, but it might be much less than what is predicted.