| Work Detail |
Australia is tracking towards 75% electricity from solar and wind in 2030, which makes it a global energy transition pathfinder. Pathfinders are important because they learn to solve new problems and disprove misinformation and disinformation. The state of South Australia already has 75% solar and wind electricity averaged over a year. It has no coal, hydro or nuclear, and is joined to the eastern states with skinny interconnections. South Australia is tracking towards 100% in 2027 as more solar, wind, transmission and batteries are deployed. The contribution from wind and solar in South Australia was recently above 100% almost continuously for 3 days. The grid remained stable. The chart shows wind (green), solar (yellow), gas (orange), batteries (blue) and imports (purple). Areas below the dotted zero line near the bottom are exports to eastern states. The future of energy generation was a key issue in the recent Australian Federal election. One vision was to continue with fossil fuels until a fleet of nuclear reactors could be constructed, while the other was to move to renewable energy. Renewables won decisively. Australia generates more solar energy per capita than any other country and is in fourth place for combined per capita solar and wind generation. All other leading countries are in Europe and can share electricity, which helps to balance the grid. Australia is an advanced economy that is physically isolated and must go it alone. It has no nuclear electricity; only a small amount of hydro generation; and it is located in low-mid latitudes where 80% of the global population resides. Australia is showing that managing the solar and wind energy transition is straightforward. Australian electricity The amount of solar and wind generation in Australia is doubling every five years. This reflects rapidly falling costs and the acquisition of vast experience in managing high levels of solar and wind. Other countries can take full advantage of this experience. |
