The Role of Renewable Energy in Addressing Climate Change Australian Government Support for Renewable Energy Denis Smedley Director Renewable Energy Technologies.

The Role of Renewable Energy in Addressing Climate Change

Australian Government Support for Renewable Energy

The Role of Renewable Energy in Addressing Climate Change

Australian Government Support for Renewable Energy

Denis Smedley

Director Renewable Energy Technologies

Renewable Energy – Renewable Energy – Part of the Solution Part of the Solution

• Zero emission energy supply

• Australia has world class resources

• Capital cost high – fuel can be free

• Costs coming down

• Government funding support for technology development

Ongoing AGO ProgrammesOngoing AGO Programmes

• Photovoltaic Rebate Programme

• Renewable Energy Industry Development

• Renewable Energy Equity Fund

• Renewable Energy Showcase

• Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme

• Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme

Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP)

Photo courtesy Citipower

Payment from Government to home owners to reduce the cost of putting PV on the roof.

Renewable Energy ShowcaseRenewable Energy Showcase

• $10m Showcase provided 5 grants of up to $3m each for demonstration projects

Renewable Energy Commercialisation Renewable Energy Commercialisation ProgramProgram

Photo courtesy Solar Systems

• $50m RECP run through 6 competitive rounds between 1998 and 2001

• Grants of up to $1m, almost every RE technology

Renewable Remote Power Generation Program • Up to 50% of the cost of RE generation equipment that

reduces reliance on diesel fuel in remote, off-grid areas of Australia.

• Majority of projects wind-diesel and solar

Photos courtesy PSMC

June 2004 Energy White PaperJune 2004 Energy White Paper

• Outlines the Government's broader policy for prosperity, security and sustainability of energy supply

• Includes new initiatives supporting renewable energy and low emissions technologieswww.pmc.gov.au/energy_future

• Building capacity, not subsidising penetration• $500m to leverage $1b from private sector

– demonstrate commercial viability of new technologies

– includes renewables

– needs to have significant long-term potential

• Australia continues to be world-leader in energy and energy technologies

Low Emission Technology Low Emission Technology Demonstration FundDemonstration Fund

Renewable Energy TechnologiesRenewable Energy Technologies

Policy focuses on addressing barriers• $100 million for R&D and commercialisation

(Renewable Energy Development Initiative)• $75 million for Solar Cities• $14 million for wind forecasting• $20 million for energy storage

Renewable Energy Development Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI)Initiative (REDI)

• $100 million over 7 years• Targets R&D, proof of concept and early-stage

commercialisation• First round closed 25 August 2005• Decisions finalised, announced in December 2005• Next funding round closing around March 2006

Solar Cities TrialsSolar Cities Trials

• $75m for trials in at least four cities • To determine the impact a combination of cost

reflective pricing, clustered solar, energy efficiency and smart metering technologies and planning has on electricity supply and demand profiles

• To identify options for addressing barriers to distributed solar generation and demand side participation for grid connected urban areas

Wind Energy Forecasting CapabilityWind Energy Forecasting Capability• $14 million 5-year

initiative• Addresses impediments to

higher uptake of wind power on Australian networks

• More predictable wind power:– Assists secure, cost-effective

management of networks, and

– Enhances market value of wind energy

Advanced Electricity Storage Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies Programme (AEST)Technologies Programme (AEST)• $20.4 million 5-year initiative• Aims to maximise the value of renewable energy from

intermittent electricity generation through the development and application of advanced electricity storage technologies

• Priority Applications– On grid MW scale for large wind farms– On grid kW scale residential solar– Remote Area Power Supply

Climate Action PartnershipsClimate Action Partnerships• Australian bilateral partnerships with US, NZ and

China• Scope for renewable energy projects

– greater information exchange with US and NZ

• Agreements were signed in 2004– for stronger cooperation between US NREL and

Australian industry

– for specific renewable energy studies and projects under US CAP

Asia-Pacific PartnershipAsia-Pacific Partnership

• United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Australia formed Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate– key developing and developed countries

– around half of global greenhouse emissions

• Australia to host inaugural ministerial meeting in early 2006

The Australian Greenhouse Office

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au