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Energy overview

2021 has seen a continued move towards clean energy and a quickening of the uptake of renewables both in Australia and elsewhere. As the energy transition begins to unfold, possible pathways to a zero-carbon energy future are becoming clearer, demand for the best possible technological solutions rises, and economic and social opportunities and challenges are coming into sharper focus.

With many countries having adopted net-zero commitments and net-zero trajectories being considered in boardrooms around the world, attention is shifting to the zero-emissions technologies required to achieve them. Over the past 12 months, ANU research has made many important contributions to both the development and refinement of these technologies, their effective and efficient deployment, the institutional and regulatory frameworks to enable energy transition as well as economic and social ramifications.

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Research and news

Director's highlights

Professor Frank Jotzo led and contributed to research including on long-term emissions strategies, options for Australia’s climate policy, hydrogen economics, modelling net-zero trajectories, coal transition, public attitudes to climate change and more.

Professor Jotzo continued his work for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as a lead author on the 6th Assessment report and member of the core writing team of the next IPCC Synthesis Report.

Professor Jotzo spoke at a number of significant public events and conferences, including for example as a keynote speaker at the Australian Financial Review’s Climate Summit. His address can be read here. He also spoke at the ANU Crawford Leadership Forum, the Investor Group on Climate Change Forum, the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate conference, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung trilateral hydrogen forum and the Citibank Annual Investment Conference Asia-Pacific. He was also invited to contribute to various high-level briefing sessions and roundtable discussions.

Professor Jotzo engaged extensively in public outreach through the media over the year, on topics such as emissions targets, domestic and international climate policy, hydrogen subsidies, the decline of coal and COP26. Interviews with and commentary pieces by Professor Jotzo were published among others in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times, the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, the Australian Financial Review, Yomiuri Shimbun, Sky News, ABC television and radio (730 Report, ABC PM, ABC News), Triple J, The Conversation, Cosmos magazine and Nature journal.

He also appeared alongside ICEDS Director, Professor Mark Howden, and UNSW’s Dr Sarah Kirkpatrick at the National Press Club address, Towards COP26: Hopes and Expectations. The video of this address can be viewed here.

Professor Jotzo teaches on climate change policy in Masters courses at ANU Crawford School and contributes to ICEDS executive short courses.

Research publications

ANU researchers in the energy sphere once again published prolifically in the academic literature. ANU research appeared in globally leading academic journals such as Joule, Nature Energy, Energy, Applied Energy, and many others.

Their research covered topics as broad as technology, scientific foundations, policy, economics and social aspects, as well as the pathways towards a just transition to renewable energy in Australia and the region.

Through work in the Grand Challenge Zero Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific, ANU researchers have covered on published on topics including the potential for and cost of hydrogen as clean energy, the potential for zero-emissions heavy industries including green steel in Australia, frameworks for international trade in clean energy, technological readiness for balancing the grid with 100% renewable electricity generation, social license for new energy industries and what it means to have a just transition to a zero carbon future.

Projects and initiatives

Energy Update 2021

What role will the energy sector play in the journey to net zero emissions? This year’s Energy Update addressed this question, in the context of recent developments in energy research and analysis.

With speakers including ANU academics, researchers from other organisations and leading practitioners, the ANU Energy Update 2021 presented an overview of energy sector developments, in-depth research presentations on trajectories to decarbonisation, and a cross-disciplinary discussion on a research and action agenda for Australia’s energy transition. ANU researchers were joined by speakers from other universities, industry associations and NGOs.

The ANU Energy Update is a traditional focal point for the energy community at ANU, among governments, industry and the interested public. The 2021 Update was also a much-anticipated chance for this community to gather in person on campus.

Australian Energy Emissions Monitor

The Australian Energy Emissions Monitor is a comprehensive analysis of the latest data on Australia’s energy related carbon dioxide emissions. Produced by Dr Hugh Saddler, the report was published by the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions for the first time in December. Publication will continue on bi-monthly basis in 2022.

Economic Opportunities from Offshore Wind Power: Supply Chain Development in Europe and Australia

ICEDS hosted a seminar on Economic Opportunities from Offshore Wind Power – Supply Chain Development in Europe and Australia. Seminar participants heard from Iván Pineda, Director for Public Affairs for WindEurope about the European market experience with supply chain development in offshore wind power, and from Andy Evans, CEO of Oceanex and an early leader in Australia’s nascent offshore wind industry, about what Australia can do to take advantage of the opportunities that offshore wind power presents.

The seminar was supported by the Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and co-funded by the European Union. A video of the seminar and presentation slides can be accessed here.

Comparing Australian and United States net zero emission trajectories

At a symposium convened by ANU in December, representatives from ANU, University of Maryland, and the United States and Australian federal governments discussed decarbonisation options and possible trajectories to net-zero emissions for Australia and the United States.

The presentations and conversations covered emissions reductions options, their economic implications, and the potential ways forward for policy in both countries.

Hosted by the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at the Australian National University and supported by the Embassy of the United States of America in Australia, the event laid the groundwork for further model based analysis which will be undertaken in 2022.

NSW Fire and Rescue outreach on the Hydrogen Economy

In June, ICEDS hosted a visit by NSW Fire & Rescue. Led by Dr Igor Skryabin, the event aimed to provide Fire & Rescue with an overview of general trends in hydrogen technologies, current projects, and considerations for adjustments to its operational trategies to prepare for the emerging Hydrogen Economy.

The visit included a tour of the ANU hydrogen labs with Professor Yun Liu and PhD scholar, Asim Riaz. Discussions regarding opportunities to align, including training, support and development, are continuing.

Public policy submissions

In April, ICEDS made a submission in response to the Federal government’s Future Fuels Strategy Discussion Paper, led by Assoc Professor Matt Stocks, Dr Bin Lu, Professor Ken Baldwin and Professor Andrew Blakers.

The Institute also made public policy submission on Renewable Energy Innovation in the ACT. ICEDS members Professor Xuemei Bai, Professor Ken Baldwin, Dr Yuan Peng, Dr James Prest, Dr Igor Skryabin and Assoc Professor Matt Stocks contributed to the to the submission, which addressed the opportunities and challenges facing renewable energy in the ACT, and made a series of recommendations based on

Grand Challenge Zero Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific

In 2021, the Grand Challenge Zero Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific intensified its engagement and outreach based on its expanding portfolio of research.

The Grand Challenge was invited to lead key international energy export fora in conjunction with international partners, including bilateral symposiums and workshops on hydrogen with Germany, France and Italy, and the development of renewable energy trading agenda for the upcoming APEC meeting in New Zealand.

The Grand Challenge expanded engagement with industry, including Yara Pilbara (responsible for 5% of the world ammonia trade), Sun Cable (exporting electricity to Singapore), Woodside (interests in developing green hydrogen), Fortescue Future Industries (with interests in green steel and green hydrogen) and other companies and industry associations.

The initiative continued its secondment program with the federal public service, jointly funding public servants from relevant government departments (including the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) to work at ANU for a six-month period. This year, secondees contributed to several research outputs, including a paper on hydrogen certification.

Member highlights

The following section features submissions made by ICEDS members on their contributions to research, public policy and engagement, and outreach throughout 2021.

Dr Fiona Beck and Dr Thomas Longden.

Research on the cost and emissions of hydrogen made from different processes garnered considerable media attention. Below are some of the highlights of interviews with Dr Fiona Beck and Dr Thomas Longden.

• Beware the difference between ‘clean’ and ‘green’ hydrogen, Cosmos Magazine, 18 November
• Green hydrogen beats blue on emissions and financial cost, Australian study finds, The Guardian, 17 November
• It’s hailed as the clean energy of the future. But hydrogen produces ‘substantial’ emissions, study shows , The Washington Post, 17 November 2021
• Fossil fuel hydrogen plan 'risky': ANU , AAP (syndicated), 18 November 2021,
• Fossil gas hydrogen could lead to “substantial” lift in emissions, and higher prices, Renew Economy, 17 November
• Interview on blue vs green media release by Michael Foley at The Sydney Morning Herald [Print], 17 November
• Is NSW green hydrogen industry is set to take off? - 2GB, 20 November
• Biden’s infrastructure act bets big on 3 types of ‘green’ energy tech , Popular Science, 20 November

Dr Jose Iria

Dr Jose Iria engaged in the following activity in 2021:

Research

• Optimal DER Scheduling for Frequency Stability project (2019-2021) funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. You can read more about the project here.
• Coelho, J. Iria, F. Soares, Network-secure bidding optimization of aggregators of multi-energy systems in electricity, gas, and carbon markets, Applied Energy. 301 (2021) 117460.
• A. Attarha, P. Scott, J. Iria, S. Thiebaux, Network-Secure and Price-Elastic Aggregator Bidding in Energy and Reserve Markets, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. 12 (2021) 2284–2294.
• J. Iria, P. Scott, A. Attarha, Network-constrained bidding optimization strategy for aggregators of prosumers, Energy. 207 (2020) 118266.
• J. Iria, N. Fonseca, F. Cassola, A. Barbosa, F. Soares, A. Coelho, A. Ozdemir, A gamification platform to foster energy efficiency in office buildings, Energy and Buildings. 222 (2020) 110101.

Awards

• Cum Laude distinction. Cum Laude is the highest distinction for a PhD degree at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto.
• Second prize in the APREN Award 2020. The APREN Award recognizes the best PhD dissertations in renewable energy.

Professor Andrew Blakers

Professor Andrew Blakers and his team engaged in the following projects in 2021:

Indonesia’s Vast Solar Energy Potential

• David Firnando Silalahi, Andrew Blakers, Matthew Stocks, Bin Lu, Cheng Cheng, Liam Hayes, "Indonesia’s Vast Solar Energy Potential", Energies (2021)
• Indonesia could harvest solar energy from 10 billion panels. So where do we put them?, The Conversation, 28 September.
• Indonesia bisa panen listrik besar-besaran dari 10 miliar panel surya, berikut tempat ideal untuk memasangnya, The Conversation, 28 September.
• Invited talk at Asian Clean Energy Summit 2021 (Singapore) “Solar ASEAN”, 28 October
• Indonesian seminar “100% Renewable Energy Future: Solar/Wind with Pumped Hydro Storage” (audience: 520 people), 23 June.

Pumped hydro storage

• Andrew Blakers, Matthew Stocks, Bin Lu and Cheng Cheng, "A review of pumped hydro energy storage", Progress in Energy, Volume 3, Number 2, 2021.
• Matthew Stocks, Ryan Stocks, Bin Lu, Cheng Cheng, Andrew Blakers, "Global Atlas of Closed-Loop Pumped Hydro Energy Storage", Joule, Volume 5, ISSUE 1, P270-284, 2021.

Energy modelling

• Bin Lu, Andrew Blakers, Matthew Stocks and Thang Do, "Low-cost, low-emission 100% renewable electricity in Southeast Asia supported by pumped hydro storage", Energy, 2021.
• Bin Lu, Andrew Blakers, Matthew Stocks, Cheng Cheng, Anna Nadolny, “A zero-carbon, reliable and affordable energy future in Australia ”, Energy, Volume 220, 2021

100% renewables

• Australian supergrid: Talk delivered to ATSE online forum on mitigation of global warming: “Rapid, deep and cheap: eliminating 80% of emissions”, 27 October.
• Keynote talk at the Solar World Conference “100% renewables is easier and cheaper than most people think”, 26 October.
• Organiser and speaker at the Energy Storage forum of the Solar World. Conference “Mass storage to support 100% renewables”, 25 October.
• Barnaby Joyce has refused to support doubling Australia’s 2030 emissions targets – but we could get there so cheaply and easily. The Conversation, 17 October.

• Australia can achieve rapid, deep and cheap emission cuts from tech we have now, Renew Economy, 7 September.
• Extensive quotes in an Climate change solution could come from 'electrifying everything', Australian inventor Saul Griffith says, ABC News, 7 September
• Solar and wind are leading fastest energy transition the world has seen, Renew Economy, 20 April.
• Net zero by 2050 only possible if renewables ramp up: expert, ANU Media, 17 March.
• Doubling uptake of wind and solar power could set up Australia for net zero emissions by 2040 , The Guardian, 17 March
• Australia not on track for 2050 zero-net emissions target despite solar power boost The Canberra Times, The Canberra Times, 17 March.
• Mentioned by Malcolm Turnbull in his 2021 ANU Commencement Address (16 minute mark):
• Global 100% Renewable Energy Strategy Group declaration

Public policy and outreach

• Oral evidence to the House Inquiry into the current circumstances, and the future need and potential for dispatchable energy generation and storage capability in Australia. Read Professor Blakers’ presentation here.
• Submission to Energy Security Board “Post 2025 Options Paper”.
• Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry “The current circumstances, and the future need and potential for dispatchable energy generation and storage capability in Australia”
• Submission to the ACT Government’s Inquiry into Renewable Energy Innovation in the ACT.

Dr Thang Do and Professor Paul Burke

Dr Thang Do and Professor Paul Burke were engaged in multiple projects relating to renewable energy in Vietnam. They released a number of papers on the project, which in turned garnered local media attention.

Below is a summary of outputs for this, and other projects undertaken by Dr Do and Professor Burke in 2021:

Research

• Do, Thang Nam and Burke, Paul J. 2021. Carbon pricing in Vietnam: Options for adoption. Energy and Climate Change 2, 100058.
• Do, Thang Nam, Burke, Paul J., Nguyen, Hoang Nam, Overland, Indra, Suryadi, Beni, Swandaru, Akbar, and Yurnaidi, Zulfikar. 2021. Vietnam’s solar and wind power success: Policy implications for the other ASEAN countries. Energy for Sustainable Development 65, 1–11.
• Zhang, Tong and Burke, Paul J. 2021. Fuel prices and road deaths: motorcyclists are different. Accident Analysis and Prevention 162, 106396.
• Best, Rohan, Burke, Paul J., and Nishitateno, Shuhei. 2021. Factors affecting renters’ electricity use: More than split incentives. The Energy Journal 42(5), 1–18.
• Best, Rohan, Burke, Paul J., Nepal, Rabindra, and Reynolds, Zac. 2021. Effects of rooftop solar on housing prices in Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 65(3), 493–511.
• Nishitateno, Shuhei and Burke, Paul J. 2021. Willingness to pay for clean air: Evidence from diesel vehicle registration restrictions in Japan. Regional Science and Urban Economics 88, 103657.
• Burke, Paul J. and Do, Thang N. 2021. Greening Asia’s economic development. Asian Economic Policy Review 16(1), 22–39.

Public policy

• “Vietnam’s Solar Power Boom: Policy Implications for Other ASEAN Member States” policy brief.

Media

• Carbon pricing insights from Vietnam , Policy Forum, 7 October.
• Vietnam sees fastest rise in solar, wind power rate in national electricity structure in 2020: Research, Vietnam+, 30 September.
• Tỷ trọng điện gió, điện Mặt Trời của Việt Nam tăng nhanh nhất khu vực | Kinh doanh, Vietnam+, 30 September.
• Chuyên gia quốc tế: Việt Nam là hình mẫu phát triển năng lượng tái tạo cho các nước ASEAN, VOV, 30 September Dr Do Nam Thang featured in Vietnam +, Thursday, September 30
• Tỷ trọng điện Mặt Trời và điện gió của Việt Nam tăng nhanh nhất khu vực trong năm 2020, Tin Tuc, 30 September.
• Sản lượng điện mặt trời và điện gió của Việt Nam tăng nhanh, Nhan Dan, 1 October.

Professor Peter Drahos

Professor Peter Drahos published a book with Oxford University Press, New York dealing with the implications of the US-China rivalry for climate change. Survival Governance: Energy and Climate in the Chinese Century.

Professor Emerita Lorraine Elliott

Professor Emerita Lorraine Elliott engaged in the following activity in 2021:

Research

• Toward a socially just transition to local carbon development: the case of Indonesia’, Asian Affairs, 51(4) (2020) 875-894, co-authored with Abidah B. Setyowati
• Seah, S., McGowan, P. J. K., Low, M. Y. X., Martinus, M., Ghoshray, A., Lorusso, M., Wong, R., Lee, P. O., Elliott, L., Setyowati, A., Rahman, S. A., and Quirapas-Franco, M. J. (2021) Energy Transition in ASEAN (Singapore: British High Commission and the COP26 Universities Network)

Public policy and outreach

• Member, International Advisory Committee, Intergovernmental Platform on Disaster Displacement
• Expert Reviewer, Government and Expert Review, Working Group III Contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (Second Order Draft including Summary for Policymakers and the Technical Summary), Jan-March 2021
• 'Social justice in energy transitions', invited expert, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute Roundtable, Building Back Better in Post-Pandemic Southeast Asia, Singapore International Energy Week, 29 October 2021
• ‘Climate change impacts on vulnerable communities and migration movements’, Invited expert, Workshop and Roundtable on Climate Security and Good Security Sector Governance in Southeast Asia, Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance, 12-14 October 2021

Dr Reza Fazeli

Dr Reza Fazeli co-authored the following papers in 2021:

• Lee V. White, Reza Fazeli, Wenting Cheng, Emma Aisbett, Fiona J. Beck, Kenneth GH Baldwin, Penelope Howarth, & Lily O'Neill (2020) Towards emissions certification systems for international trade in hydrogen: the policy challenge of defining boundaries for emissions accounting, Energy 215 (Part A), 119139.
• Reza Fazeli, Fiona J Beck, Matthew Stocks, Recognizing the role of uncertainties in the transition to renewable hydrogen (ZCWP03-21).
• Matthew Stocks,  Reza Fazeli,  Llewelyn Hughes,  &  Fiona J. Beck, Global Emissions  implications  from  co-burning  ammonia  in coal  fired  power  stations:  an  analysis  of  the  Japan-Australia  supply  chain  ZCWP04-20.

Dr Mark Hoggard

Dr Mark Hoggard engaged in the following activity in 2021:

Research

• Key project 1: Relationship between structure of the Australian tectonic plate and mineral deposits that are key to the “low-carbon energy transition”. Published last year in Nature Geoscience (Hoggard et al, 2020), this year has already seen >150,000 km² of new exploration tenements acquired using our prospectivity maps and the first drilling campaign is about to begin in NT, see article in Australian Mining Monthly, October 2021
• Key project 2: Impact of 3D Earth structure on sea-level change and paleoclimate. Published studies on Last Interglacial sea level (Austermann et al, 2021), sea-level projections during potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (Pan et al., 2021), and crustal deformation due to 21^st-century ice cap melting (Coulson et al, 2021).

Public policy

• Key project 1 selected by Australian government for evaluation by independent financial firm ACIL Allen and used as one of the justifications behind a $125-million extension to the Exploring for the Future program.

Awards

• Dr Hoggard received an “Outstanding Early Career Scientist” Award from the geodynamics division of the European Geosciences Union.

 

Dr Hieu Nguyen

Dr Hieu Nguyen engaged in the following activity in 2021:

Research

• Established the Optical Spectroscopy & Imaging Laboratory hosting a state-of-the-art optical characterisation cluster at CECS.
• Unlocked effects of twist angles on the performance of ultra-thin 2-dimensional materials (publication link).
• Developed novel imaging techniques to capture optoelectronic properties of the emerging perovskite materials for solar PV (publication1 link, publication2 link).
• Unlocked differences in microstructures and optoelectronic properties among various poly-silicon passivating contacts for the next generation of silicon solar cells (publication link)

Education

• Recipient of two ANU CECS Dean Awards for Remote Teaching (individual and course categories, Photovoltaic Technologies course).

Outreach

• Co-chair of Network for Early Career Teachers, Academics, Researchers (NECTAR) since 08/2020. Delivered two workshop series for ECAs including the Educational Fellowship Scheme and the HDR Supervision Professional Development.
• Appointed as an Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices.

 

Media

• Australian researchers say simple ‘twist’ could be key to world’s thinnest solar cells , Renew Economy, 1 August.
•  Australian researchers go round the twist with latest ultra-thin solar discovery, PV Magazine, 3 August.
• An early career influence, Interact, May.
• Australian researchers to set solar PV pace following $4.5 million funding boost, PV Magazine, 14 January.

Professor David Stern

Professor David Stern was engaged in the following activity in 2021:

Honours

Professor Stern was invited to be the Francqui Chair holder at University of Hasselt in Belgium. He gave a series of five lectures on energy, environment, climate change, and the economy. Videos of the lectures can be viewed here.

Research

Bruns S. B., A. Moneta, and D. I. Stern (2021) Estimating the economy-wide rebound effect using empirically identified structural vector autoregressions, Energy Economics97

Media

In this article, titled Energy Efficiency Improvements Do Not Save Energy (Stochastic Trend, 19 February), Professor Stern argues that the rebound effect from energy efficiency improvements may be near 100% so that in the long run they don’t save energy. This means that decarbonization is all the more important as encouraging energy efficiency innovation as a policy probably won’t help much.

 

Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program (BSGIP)

BSGIP consists of a diverse team designing and implementing the building blocks of a decarbonised and resilient energy system, for the benefit of all energy users. BSGIP’s academic expertise ranges from computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry to economics and the social sciences.

 

The program places a strong focus on transdisciplinary research, development and demonstration (RD&D). Since the program’s inception in 2018, it has grown rapidly and now comprises more than 40 staff and students with diverse academic, industry, gender and cultural backgrounds.

 

Below is a summary of activity for BSGIP in 2021.

Research

• The rubber hits the road for Australia’s largest electric bus fleet project
  A new pilot project set to drive down emissions in public transport and heavy transport has today been announced. The $36 million project will consist of Australia’s largest electric bus fleet (40 buses), charging infrastructure and a retrofitted bus depot in Leichhardt, Sydney. BSGIP is playing a supporting role in this multi-partnered project leveraging the data produced in this next generation electric bus depot trial in a project entitled RouteZero. The project is led by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg and Mr Ben Weise.
• New energy VOICEs (Victorian energy and water Ombudsman Investigation of Consumer Experiences)
  Research conducted in this project aims to assist the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) to consider its future jurisdiction and operational focus and assist policymakers to ensure that the Victorian consumer protection frameworks, designed to safeguard householders, remains fit-for-purpose. Research will also inform potential new areas of energy complaints that will arise as new energy products and services are developed and adopted. Final report.
• Southcoast microgrid project energised with 3.125M in funding
  BSGIP and project partners won substantial funding for a new microgrid project that will bolster the energy resilience of residents recovering from the fire ravaged NSW south coast. The project is led by Ms Heather Logie.
• Neighbourhood batteries
  • 20 August, the Victorian Government announced funding for the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative (NBI) with the goal of demonstrating how this technology can support the energy transition. In partnership with the NBI, BSGIP is developing a framework that evaluates the social, technical and economic impacts of neighbourhood batteries, as well as developing a set of Neighbourhood Battery Guidelines. The project is led by Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper.
  • July Applying responsible algorithm design to neighbourhood-scale batteries in   Australia. Nature Energy paper, July. Written by Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper, Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, Dr Marnie Shaw and Professor Lachlan Blackhall. The topic of this research also inspired an editorial in the same issue on the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for energy
  • research. Accompanying blog post: Algorithms are driving the digitisation of our energy system – we must design them responsibly, by Dr Shaw. 
  • BSGIP announces partnership in Melbourne ‘Solar Sponge’ neighbourhood battery trial.
  • Project Converge: exploring the grid participation of Distributed Energy Resources, led by Mr Andrew Fraser.
• The A to Z of V2G
  A comprehensive international review that explores the benefits and challenges of V2G technology. Written by Ms Laura Jones, Dr Kathryn Lucas Healey, Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, Mr Hugo Temby & Dr Monirul Islam. January 2021. Read the Report, and read the ARENA Insights Spotlight discussion on the project, with Dr Bjorn Sturmberg.

 

Public policy

• Submission to the Australian Energy Regulator: Better Resets Handbook – Towards Consumer Centric Network Proposals, Led by Ms Laura Jones, October.

Outreach

• All Energy Australia conference, 26-27 October:
  • Community energy session featured a presentation by Dr Marnie Shaw
  • Electric vehicle session featured a presentation by Ms Laura Jones
• Clean Energy Council Online Energy Storage Forum, 16 September. Dr Bjorn Sturmberg presented on community batteries.
• BSGIP webinar: Battery Lab launch: advancing research in lithium-ion & sustainable, next-gen batteries, 16 February. A new world-class facility set to research lithium-ion batteries, optimising their enabling materials, providing characterisation, testing and assessing recycling and reuse options. Research in the lab is led by Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov.
• Distributed Energy Resources Lab launch featuring Heather Logie
• International webinar: Making EVs a grid asset – An Australian case study. Supergen Smart Charging webinar by the Alan Turing Institute, Newcastle University, UK. Featuring Ms Laura Jones and Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey, 13 July
• What’s the role of community batteries in the climate emergency response? Yarra City Council webinar featuring Dr Marnie Shaw, 8 April.
• Dr Shaw and Dr Ransan-Cooper frequently presented at and participated in a national Neighbourhood Batteries Working Group (run by the Total Environment Centre).
• Dr Shaw and Dr Ransan-Cooper also wrote a submission to the Australian Energy Regulators (AER) rule change on ring-fencing guidelines. The AER’s final decision on the rule change (determined in early November, 2021) reflected the recommendations that Dr Marnie Shaw and Dr Ransan-Cooper submitted.
• Hugo Temby and Dr Ransan-Cooper published their final report to the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria on emerging issues on consumer protections for distributed energy products and services:

Media

• A vision for our climate and energy future, by Professor Lachlan Blackhall, Daily Telegraph, print edition, 5 November.
• The grid: powering the future. ABC Catalyst program featuring Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, 10 August.
• Energy stored in electric car batteries could power your home or stabilise the grid – and save you money. ABC online, featuring expert commentary by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg and Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey, 10 August.
• Complicated, costly and downright frustrating: Aussies keen to cut emissions with clean energy at home get little support. The Conversation, by Hugo Temby and Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper, 3 August.
• You want to do what with my EV? Turning cars into batteries on wheels, The Fifth Estate, by Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey, 29 July.
• Check your mirrors: 3 things rooftop solar can teach us about Australia’s electric car rollout. The Conversation, by Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey, Ms Laura Jones and Dr Mejbaul Haque, 10 June.
• Powering ahead with community batteries, ANU Press Release, featuring Dr Marnie Shaw and Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper, 1 June.
• Explainer: When can I charge my house from my EV? One Step Off the Grid. Featuring expert commentary by Dr Kathryn Lucas-Healey, 26 May.
• How big batteries are a boon for regional Australia, The Canberra Times, by Bjorn Sturmberg, 25 January.
• Complicated, costly and downright frustrating: Aussies keen to cut emissions with clean energy at home get little support, The Conversation, by Hugo Temby and Hedda Ransan-Cooper, 3 August.
• Powering ahead with community batteries, ANU Media, 1 August..

Videos

• Community battery renewable energy storage. Discussion on community batteries and their role in the energy transition:  Featuring Professor Lachlan Blackhall, Dr Marnie Shaw and Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper
• Realising Electric Vehicles-to-grid Services Featuring Dr Bjorn Sturmberg
• The Distributed Energy Resources Laboratory
• Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program - Battery lab walkthrough

Podcasts

• The power flow tech revolutionising solar, Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering. Featuring Professor Lachlan Blackhall and Dr Elizabeth Ratnam
• Solar eclipse, and can EVs really provide storage on wheels? Energy Insiders Podcast featuring Ms Laura Jones.