Name: Renewables could power most of Australia by 2040, Australian Energy Market Operator plan shows - ABC News
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Renewables could power most of Australia by 2040, Australian Energy Market Operator plan shows - ABC News

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Renewables could power most of Australia by 2040, Australian Energy Market Operator plan showsShareThere could be periods where the nation's homes and businesses are powered almost entirely by renewables, under a plan put forward by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).AEMO has released its two-decade outlook for the way Australia can generate the cheapest and most reliable electricity.By 2040, AEMO is projecting that two thirds of coal-fired power generation is likely to be retired. That opens the way for a 200 per cent increase in household solar and batteries and increased reliance on grid-scale solar and wind, along with pumped hydro.It says that by 2035 there may be periods where nearly 90 per cent of demand is met by renewable generation.On top of that, the report forecasts a possible saving of $11 billion in net market benefits over the next 20 years.Gas could play a larger role, according to the report, but only if the prices remained low at between $4 and $6 per gigajoule.Currently the rolling 30-day average price of gas per GJ is just under $4.The report, known as the Integrated Systems Plan (ISP), focuses on ways to make strategic investments in transmission infrastructure and renewable energy zones, combined with low-cost firming resources like batteries and generators that prolong the energy from intermittent sources like wind and solar."The ISP modelling confirms that the least-cost and least-regret transition … is from a system dominated by centralised coal-fired generation to a highly diverse portfolio," it said.Industry body Energy Networks Australia described the changes to the way the nation will use and generate electricity as "seismic" and stressed they will need to be carefully managed.Green groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) have seized on the document as proof the coal industry is withering and new gas projects are not required, because the cost will be too high."This forecast supports the case, being made by ACF and many others, for a clean economic recovery rather than backing the jobs-poor and polluting energy sources of the past," said Gavan McFadzean, the ACF climate and energy manager.Greenpeace Australia also said the report should trigger a rethink of the Federal Government's support for gas investment."Gas is a polluting fossil fuel responsible for driving climate change," Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Elizabeth Sullivan said."Further investment in gas only serves to lock in greenhouse gas emissions, increasing extreme weather events like this past bushfire season." A statement on behalf of Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the Government was backing new generation, transmission, and storage projects.But the Minister cautioned that any investments in the grid must "make economic sense" to avoid gold plating the network and increasing power bills.According to the statement, ."The Government also strongly believes gas will play an important role in balancing the [national energy market] and complement the record levels of renewable energy generation entering the market," it said.30 Jul 202030 Jul 2020Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 3:34amMore on:

Renewables could power most of Australia by 2040, Australian Energy Market Operator plan showsShareThere could be periods where the nation's homes and businesses are powered almost entirely by renewables, under a plan put forward by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).AEMO has released its two-decade outlook for the way Australia can generate the cheapest and most reliable electricity.By 2040, AEMO is projecting that two thirds of coal-fired power generation is likely to be retired. That opens the way for a 200 per cent increase in household solar and batteries and increased...

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Renewables could power most of Australia by 2040, Australian Energy Market Operator plan shows - ABC News

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