Interesting article by Professor Mark Diesendorf, of the University of New South Wales. Amongst other things, he claims that, based on conservative projections to 2030 for the costs of renewable energy by the federal government’s Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE), an optimal mix of renewable electricity sources to supply all of Australia's electricity needs:
● 46% wind
● 22% concentrated solar thermal (electricity generated by the heat of the sun) with thermal storage
● 20% photovoltaic solar (electricity generated directly from sunlight)
● 6% biofuelled gas turbines
● 6% existing hydro
In Australia (as in many other countries), substantial subsidies are paid to the fossil fuel industry. Professor Diesenforf claims that the cost of the scheme described above could be recouped by ending those existing subsidies.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/7/22/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-ready-supply-all-australias-electricity?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=832013&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt
A commmon concern about sustainable energy is summed up by: "solar only when the Sun shines, wind only when it blows". It is encouraging that, after running the simulations & doing the maths, Professor Diesendorf concludes that thermal storage inherent in concentrated solar thermal, plus existing hydro will be sufficient, with no need for chemical batteries. / University of Melbourne Frank Larkins Australia’s targets increase renewable energy electricity more expensive problems consistency storage developments renewable energy integration electricity grids technically feasible scenariosAustralian electricity industry 100 per cent renewable energy Sun shine irregular weather patterns uncertain intermittent power output electricity generators retailers money variability renewable energy sources better understood empirical experience wind power electricity grids hourly computer simulations demand states countries global regions South Australia coal fired coal-fired power stations gas fired gas-fired wind farms non-renewable energy supply Germany Schleswig-Holstein Mecklenburg-Vorpommern transmission links neighbouring states supply problems National Electricity Market (NEM) generation Ben Elliston Iain MacGill UNSW meet demand reliably papers published in peer-reviewed international journals, downloaded website mix /
