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2018 public policy energy highlights
ANU Energy researchers engage in the development of public policy through its extensive relationships with government departments and agencies.
International
Report: Coal transitions in Australia: Preparing for the looming domestic coal phase-out and falling export demand. Co-authored by Professor Frank Jotzo and Mr Salim Mazouz with collaborators at the University of Melbourne. This report explores pathways, implications and policy options for Australia to move beyond domestic coal use during the next two decades, as its old coal plant fleet continues to age and renewable energy becomes more competitive. It also highlights the need to prepare for growing downside risks to its coal export sector as market fundamentals shift in the Asia-Pacific region.
The report and a related paper led by Dr Paul Burke Closures of coal-fired power stations in Australia: local unemployment effects, are part of 'Coal Transitions', an international research project consisting of national experts in China, India, South Africa, Poland, Australia and Germany. The research project explores options for their countries to implement economically feasible and socially acceptable coal transition strategies that are consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Industry investment in renewable energy averages more than 5 GW a year for 2018/19 (368KB PDF) This document is the same as the below link
Federal and State Government
Professor Ken Baldwin, Professor Andrew Blakers and Dr Matthew Stocks analysed data from the Clean Energy Regulator that showed the Australian renewable energy industry will install more than 10 gigawatts of new solar and wind power during 2018 and 2019. If that rate is maintained, Australia would reach 50% renewables in 2025
Australia’s renewable energy industry is delivering rapid and deep emissions cuts (368KB PDF) This document is the same as the above link
At its current rate, Australia is on track for 50% renewable electricity in 2025
The RE100 group (Renewable Energy – 100 percent) and Dr James Prest from the ANU College of Law both provided submissions to the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles. Dr Matthew Stocks and Dr James Prest were invited to present their submissions to the Committee on 17 August 2018
Professor Frank Jotzo, Mr Salim Mazouz, Honorary Associate Professor Hugh Saddler and Dylan McConnell (University of Melbourne) provided a submission to the Energy Security Board’s National Energy Guarantee Draft Design Consultation Paper
Pumped hydro
Professor Andrew Blakers and his team continued to influence public policy with their work on pumped hydro cited in a number of national and state-based reports including:
Numerous references in Fully Charged Climate Council report
Fully Charged: Renewables and Storage Powering Australia
Identified potential pumped hydro sites, Figure 11
Integrated System Plan Consultation For the National Electricity Market (3.2MB PDF)
NSW Chief Scientist’s Energy Security Taskforce’s Report; references to, 100% Renewable Energy paper and the Pumped Hydro Atlas An atlas of pumped hydro energy storage (7.3MB PDF)
Individual contributions
ECI researchers contribute to public policy development through their individual research expertise as part of their everyday activities – particularly in the disciplines of economics, law, sociology and policy. Amongst many individual achievements throughout the year, ECI researchers contributed to the following areas of public policy:
Professor Andrew Blakers – Submission to ACT Government’s Climate Change Strategy
Dr Paul Burke – Submission to the Inquiry into Progress Under the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020
Professor Andrew Blakers – Submission to NSW Legislative Council inquiry into electricity prices