Zero Emissions Within Reach as Half of Australia will be Powered by Households

A new study highlights a fast growing electricity generator for Australia – and it’s the public, as reported in an article on smh.com.au

Residential rooftop solar panels and batteries will produce between 1/3 and 1/2 of Australia’s electricity by mid-century if the right policies are introduced and followed. This is according to the CSIRO and power and gas transmission body Energy Networks Australia (ENA).

The analysis also found another way consumers can save and renewable energy can ramp up. An emissions intensity scheme for the electricity sector was found, which details a form of carbon trading that was to be considered by a government climate policy review until the plan was abandoned on Tuesday afternoon. It would have been the cheapest way to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

It suggests saving customers about $200 every year by the year 2030, while helping create a reliable and efficient electricity grid with zero emissions by the year 2050. John Bradley, energy Networks Chief, stated that an affordable shift to zero emissions would depend on a national climate and energy plan with bipartisan support. He also added that carbon policy could change at every election or differ in every state, making it a mix of a high-cost and less secure electricity service.

The Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap from ENA and CSIRO predicts that up to 10 million households and small businesses could have solar panels, electric vehicles, battery storage and smart homes if pricing and incentives were changed to better show the demand. It would transform the grid into a platform more like the internet where customers can trade and share energy for the best results.

In terms of what the government thinks of this, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said that Labor would examine whatever is proposed, but predicted that the Prime Minister would fold to MPs who oppose action against climate change.

Click here to read the full story on smh.com.au

Featured Image Credit: Department of Energy and Climate Change