Future energy technology is here

Australia ran an expensive experiment to encourage investment in electricity generation and distribution capacity to ensure supply on a few days of the year when demand is at a maximum.

Electricity demand on the hottest days in summer is about double the average electricity demand on other days. To encourage investment in capacity that is idle on all but these few extremely hot days each summer, a very profitable incentive was created.

State-owned electricity generators and distribution network operators that were able to borrow $billions at discounted interest rates were guaranteed a high rate of return on every dollar they could spend. The inevitable result was excessive and extravagent spending. It is commonly known now as "gold-plating".

As an aside, it is sometimes misunderstood that switching from coal-fired power generation to low-emission electricity generation increases prices. Note that the US maintained low electricity prices while making rapid progress on replacing coal-fired power stations.

Technology is available to solve the problem that Australia created with these incentives to spend up big on electricity generating and distribution capacity that is planned to be idle on all but a few of the hottest days each summer.

This technology also solves the problem of what to do with the surplus electricity supply when the sun is shining on solar panels and the wind is spinning wind turbines, but all available battery storage is filled and demand is being fully met...

Distributed power-to-gas plants can convert the surplus electricity into renewable natural gas. This can be fed into the existing natural gas distribution lines to flow upwards to liquified natural gas plants for export. On the few occasions each year when electricity demand is exceptionally high, as many distributed power-to-gas plants as required can be reversed within a few minutes to generate electricity from natural gas stored in the natural gas distribution lines.

Renewable natural gas produced from farm and urban waste can be fed into the natural gas distribution lines and, where carbon dioxide has been separated from biogas, it can be piped to power-to-gas plants that combine carbon dioxide with hydrogen to produce renewable natural gas.

Australia is in the fortuitous position of being able to use renewable energy for 100 percent of its electricity supply, 100 percent of its transport energy and 100 percent of its energy exports.

Sunfire GmbH Earns Top Prize In the 2016 Innovation Climate Protection Awards for "Reversible Elec | FuelCellsWorks https://t.co/pYfHWKVicf

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) September 4, 2017

Sunfire GmbH Earns Top Prize In the 2016 Innovation Climate Protection Awards for "Reversible Elec | FuelCellsWorks (from @waybackmachine archive of article) https://t.co/9al5XfWCX1

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) June 25, 2020

The fabulous Professor Amal @UNSW @UNSWEngineering @WomenSciAUST Australian power for the future https://t.co/0b3nCHW2aY

— Laura Poole-Warren (@la_warren) August 20, 2017

Renewable energy 24/7: waste water + sunshine + CO2 converted to renewable #natgas with help from algae and bacteria https://t.co/S7ZUuzorWx

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) September 5, 2017

The Odd Type of Water That Can Start Fires - at just 373°C | NASA Space Science HD https://t.co/pkLPS5pCjd

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) September 5, 2017

---

The next step: Australia's Energy Productivity Roadmap

The next step: Australia's Energy Productivity Roadmap  Forum presentations now online Have your say The next step: Australia's Energy Productivity Roadmap The next step in our campaign to double energy productivity is to gather additional support for the Joint Statement on Lifting Energy Productivity and to engage government and businesses in developing an Australian Energy Productivity Roadmap. We will keep you informed of progress through these newsletters. If your organisation would like to support the Roadmap, please contact A2SE Presentations now online Presentations from the 2XEP Forum can now be viewed online. Click here to view the video catalogue. We will feature some presentation highlights in the weeks ahead. Have your say   Thank you to the dozens of people who have already provided feedback on the 2XEP Forum. We have also circulated an online feedback form to all delegates.  For those who have not yet had an opportunity to do so,  please send us your feedback so we can continue to improve our future events. Supporters A2SE gratefully acknowledges the support of its partners and sponsors                                              If you would like more information on the Forum, the 2XEP initiative, or A2SE membership please contact Event Manager, Georgie Roberts at events@a2se.org.au or (02) 9514-3675

The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, Level 11, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Ph: 02 9514 3675

Doubling Energy Efficiency Forum videos

2XEP Forum - a great start Thank you! Smarter energy policy saves billions  - Minister Anthony Roberts "You can win the argument on energy efficiency" - John Hewson 2XEP Forum - a great start What an inspiring two days! Last week, 240 leaders from industry, government and research from the U.S, Australia and beyond gathered at the 2XEP Forum to focus on doubling Australia's energy productivity by 2030. Kateri Callahan, President of the U.S. Alliance to Save Energy, Heather Zichal, President Obama's Former Lead Advisor on Energy and Climate Change, and Hon Anthony Roberts MP, NSW Minister for Energy opened the Forum and set the tone for the forum discussions. Dozens of eminent speakers shared their experiences and insights on how their particular industries could lift energy productivity. Over the next few weeks, we will share with you links to some of the many very stimulating and informative presentations at the Forum. The 2XEP Forum was, of course, just the beginning of an energy productivity transformation for Australia. The next step in A2SE's campaign to double energy productivity is to gather additional support for the Joint Statement on Lifting Energy Productivity and to engage government and businesses in developing an Australian Energy Productivity Roadmap. If your organisation would like to support the Roadmap, please contact A2SE at  info@a2se.org.au  or call (02) 9514 3675. Thank you! A big thank you to everyone who contributed, supported and attended the 2XEP Forum on Doubling Energy Productivity. To our attendees, we hope you found the event inspiring, informative and valuable. To our panel leaders and speakers, thank you for your contributions to our sessions and for sharing your insight and knowledge. To our sponsors and supporters, we could not have done it without you. Smarter energy policy saves billions  - Minister Anthony Roberts Speaking at the 2XEP Forum, NSW Energy Minister Anthony Roberts MP commented on energy security being more than just securing supply; asserting the significance of innovative approaches to using energy more efficiently and the critical role the government must play in delivering this result. Minister Roberts also reaffirmed his Governments support for its pioneering Energy Savings Scheme and  noted that the surge in electricity prices in NSW driven by network investment was at an end and that network capital expenditure budgets had been cut by $4.3 billion. View Energy Minister's speech  here "You can win the argument on energy efficiency" - Dr. John Hewson A2SE was delighted to welcome Dr. John Hewson AM as our Forum Dinner speaker. The theme of his address was 'Productivity, Policy and Politics - creating a competitive 21st century in Australia'. In a wide-ranging, amusing and inspiring speech, Dr Hewson reflected on the challenges he faced throughout his distinguished career when trying to drive change in various projects and endeavours. Dr Hewson noted that the concept of lifting energy efficiency should be broadly appealing and achievable. Despite the inevitable hurdles in promoting energy efficiency, he encouraged his audience to be optimistic about winning the argument on energy productivity. View Dr. Hewson's speech  here                 * Videos of other 2XEP Forum speakers will be available soon. 2XEP Forum Supporters A2SE gratefully acknowledges the support of its partners and sponsors                                                                                                                                                                                                                 If you would like more information on the Forum, the 2XEP initiative, or A2SE membership please contact Event Manager, Carmina Jimenez at 2XEP@a2se.org.au or (02) 9514-3675

The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, Level 11, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Ph: 02 9514 3675

Forum on doubling energy productivity

Australia is being left behind in the energy productivity race. (A2SE CEO, Chris Dunstan published in The Conversation today) Photo courtesy of The Conversation When Australia hosts the G20 Leaders' Summit in November, a top agenda item for its “Brisbane Action Plan” will be “practical actions to improve productivity and competitiveness” . Here's a good place to start: tapping the billions of dollars of savings available to Australian businesses and consumers, with a goal to double our energy productivity. Other G20 members – notably China, Europe and the United States – are recognising that improved energy productivity is vital to their competitiveness. Will Australia be left behind? … See the full article here . Bonus Offer: 3-for-2 Register three people from the same organisation at full price and only pay for two. Contact Us Now or phone Sarah Dixon at: 9419 4889 Click to view the Program Registration price $880  + GST (includes 2 full days with a networking dinner on day one) Energy productivity:   The neglected competitiveness issue … and the easiest for policy makers to address Both State and Commonwealth governments see boosting productivity and competitiveness as core to their reform agendas.  For the first time, energy is being seen as an integral element in that agenda as Governments try to address specific competitiveness issues caused by recent electricity price escalation and the current major gas price increases to limit loss of manufacturing jobs.  The 2XEP Forum brings together leaders in each sector of the economy to discuss how we can double our energy productivity to directly address all these challenges, as well as oil supply security and meeting our carbon reduction targets. The 2XEP Forum provides a unique opportunity for policy makers, advisors and industry, environment, transport and energy departmental officers to hear and interact with many key leaders in a concentrated two days.  Gain a better understanding of the issues and expand your network at the Forum on Energy Productivity.  Engage with key U.S. leaders including:         Heather Zichal President Obama's Lead Advisor on Energy and Climate Change (2009-2013) Dr. Dan Arvizu Chief Executive U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Kateri Callahan President U.S. Alliance to Save Energy Omar Siddiqui Senior Technical Executive U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Other Global Leaders include: Connie Hedegaard (video address) European Commissioner for Climate Action Adam Welsh Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, Opower Barry Lynham Group Director, Strategy and Communications, Knauf Insulation Skip Laitner Visiting Fellow, American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy Protecting Australian Competitiveness Governments around the world are implementing policy to cut carbon emissions and energy costs at the same time.   Europe   and China have aggressive plans to do more with less energy. Meanwhile, President Obama has committed to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030 (view video). It is estimated that doubling energy productivity in the U.S. could deliver $327 billion in savings and 1.2 million jobs (view video): the benefits would be no less significant to the Australian economy. Engage with key Australian Leaders: Minister Greg Hunt MP Minister for Environment Minister Anthony R oberts MP NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Robert Hill Adjunct Professor United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney View the program here. Then register for the Forum immediately.  Do not miss your chance to engage with these leaders. Supporting the Forum A2SE gratefully acknowledges the support of its partners and sponsors:                                                                                                                                                                                     If you would like more information on the Forum, the 2XEP initiative, or A2SE membership please contact Event Manager, Carmina Jimenez at 2XEP@a2se.org.au or (02) 9514-3675

The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, Level 11, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Ph: 02 9514 3675