A recently released study by the Australian Energy Market Operator finds it is likely to be technically feasible for the National Electricity Market (NEM) to be ‘fuelled entirely by renewable resources’ in 2030.
The study notes that our sunburnt country has some of the world’s best wind resources and the highest level of average solar radiation per square metre of any continent.
It looks at two scenarios with varying degrees of transformation and demand. The study finds that retail prices for electricity would rise from current levels by around 6.6 to 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) for Scenario 1, and 8 to 8.5c/kWh for Scenario 2.
Commenting on the study, University of New South Wales research associate Jenny Riesz told Fairfax Media, “We’re exposed to rising carbon prices, we’re exposed to rising gas prices. What this is saying is, that for around the same price you can build 100 per cent renewable energy and completely protect yourselves from all those risks.”
The study suggests that such a system would require 2,400 to 5,000 square kilometres of land, but points out that renewables tend to have a small footprint in the areas they occupy, “leaving much of the surrounding land available for agriculture and other uses”.
In its modelling, it shows up to 23 terawatt-hours being produced by rooftop solar panels in 2030 and up to 35 terrawatt-hours in 2050. How much participation this translates to is unclear – i.e. the percentage of suitable rooftops for solar being utilised for power generation. Full utilisation could perhaps have a significant impact on land usage requirements stated and associated infrastructure required to be built.
The study points out any figures quoted should be considered bearing in mind the unpredictable nature of social, economic and political changes that may occur over the coming decades.
The “100 per cent renewables study: community summary” can be viewed in full here.
