A zero-carbon, reliable and affordable energy future in Australia

TL;DR

This study models Australia's fully decarbonized electricity system, demonstrating that high reliability and affordability are achievable through renewable energy, storage, grid interconnection, and demand response, leading to an 80% emissions reduction.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive model of a fully decarbonized Australian energy system integrating renewable sources, storage, and demand strategies for reliable, affordable zero-carbon energy.

Findings

Achieves 80% reduction in greenhouse gases.

Demonstrates effective use of energy storage and grid interconnection.

Shows high reliability and affordability are feasible with renewable integration.

Abstract

Australia has one of the highest per capita consumption of energy and emissions of greenhouse gases in the world. It is also the global leader in rapid per capita annual deployment of new solar and wind energy, which is causing the country's emissions to decline. Australia is located at low-moderate latitudes along with three quarters of the global population. These factors make the Australian experience globally significant. In this study, we model a fully decarbonised electricity system together with complete electrification of heating, transport and industry in Australia leading to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. An energy supply-demand balance is simulated based on long-term (10 years), high-resolution (half-hourly) meteorological and energy demand data. A significant feature of this model is that short-term off-river energy storage and distributed energy storage are utilised to support the large-scale integration of variable solar and wind energy. The results show that high levels of energy reliability and affordability can be effectively achieved through a synergy of flexible energy sources; interconnection of electricity grids over large areas; response from demand-side participation; and mass energy storage. This strategy represents a rapid and generic pathway towards zero-carbon energy futures within the Sunbelt.