Sustainable Energy Now

Sustainable Energy Now (SEN) told the Parliamentary Inquiry into Nuclear Power Generation, sitting in Perth yesterday, that nuclear power is a “non-starter” in Western Australia for technical and economic reasons. SEN chair Fraser Maywood walked MPs through our independent energy modelling and analysis showing that nuclear power lacks the technical and commercial flexibility to work as part of a renewables-dominated grid and would not be cost-effective in providing large scale backup.   Maywood explained that the belated introduction of nuclear power to WA’s energy mix would introduce significant investor uncertainty to the existing energy market, and would either raise energy costs for users or require additional taxpayer money to keep prices stable. “The energy security and climate resilience of WA households, as well as that of its small and medium-sized businesses, can be cost effectively achieved by electrification, rooftop solar and behind the meter battery storage,” Maywood said. “The LNP proposal of seven nuclear plants (presumably built sequentially to capture the learnings and to manage supply chains) would take years to plan, build and commission by which time other more cost effective and readily deployable technology will have well and truly solved the SWIS grid problem.” 📑 READ: SEN’s submission to the Inquiry here: https://lnkd.in/gFCgdRKu [1 of 3]

Today SEN will testify at the Parliamentary Inquiry into Nuclear Power Generation, and will tell the Select Committee that nuclear is NOT the answer to WA's clean energy transition. Not only has the renewables ship sailed in this state, but nuclear is not a technically feasible solution for our grid in the future. You can follow the Inquiry's proceedings live on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gkvJbYga SEN chair Fraser Maywood will be testifying from 10:30-11:15 am AWST. Our submission can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gFCgdRKu

Good to see the decarbonisation of industrial heat getting more attention - John O'Donnell very articulately explains the opportunity. Easy to hide behind the BAU excuse "hard to decarbonise" - all those industrial gas users need to accelerate their decarbonisation plans and electrification with heat storage is an excellent option to consider, and more attractive than the economics associated with burning green hydrogen ...

Confused about CSIRO and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) GenCost 2024-25 report, what's accounted for, methodology, who's doing the detailed costing work (Aurecon) then we strongly recommend listening to CSIRO’s Paul Graham on the findings of the latest GenCost report. Classic Aussie laconic clarity in response to Giles Parkinson informed questions. "Slaps down" is probably click bait provocative and is definitely not Paul's approach to the challenges leveled at prior reports. If you're "sad at CSIRO" then this should cheer you up that a rigorous scientific approach to the truth remains a core principle upheld at CSIRO. Don't shoot the messenger. Worth a listen. https://lnkd.in/gjgrDrSE

Sustainable Energy Now Chair Fraser Maywood met with MLA Lisa O'Malley on Tuesday 10th December 2024 to discuss the clean energy transition. The meeting focussed on SEN's recommendations to the State Government coming into the State election on 8th March 2025 and Labor back bench advocacy to accelerate the energy transition through home electrification, significant government investment in common user infrastructure and support for the decarbonisation of established industries and businesses. https://lnkd.in/gdnxZNMA

Correction Our energy modelling team continues to monitor the WA SWIS energy mix and the impact of the BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) are having on the solar duck curve and wider energy market. WA rooftop solar continues to set records - hitting a peak of 85.3% contribution on 17th November and an average of 85.2% for the period 11:00 to 12:30. KBESS1, KBESS2 and more particularly the Neoen Collie BESS Stage 1 which was completed in September 2024 has already had a significant impact - for two four hour periods 10:00 to 13:00 on November 28 and 29 they imported an average of 240 MW (per hour), with the Neoen Collie BESS Stage 1 averaging 158 MW and KBESS2 averaging 66 MW. The image below is Neoen Collie BESS for November showing import and export highlighting how well it's performing. Synergy (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) is also building a BESS in Collie: currently under construction and scheduled for completion end of 2025. Hats off to all involved - flattening the belly of the duck one BESS at a time.

Nuclear energy continues to be fiercely 'debated' around the country as this ABC article by Jane Norman highlights. Whilst much of the discussion is around cost, risks and schedule, Sustainable Energy Now's submission to the nuclear inquiry and the upcoming witness testimony in Perth on Dec 17th will focus on the electricity system requirements in a SWIS context informed by our independent energy modelling. Based on a cursory review of the 447 written submissions to the inquiry we feel our approach to be somewhat unique: perhaps because the likes of Energy Policy WA and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) have not made a submission. https://lnkd.in/gyx7fpKn

Great to see Peter Milne Boiling Cold newsletter back up and running, a podcast coming soon we hear ... LOL. Here's the link to the first new newsletter - a real treat. Please subscribe and do your bit to support Pete, an energy insider who knows what's what. https://lnkd.in/gVtDAAYV

Interesting RenewEconomy article on the coalition's NPP plans and the hidden dangers of energy model assumptions - as and when those models are made public that is. Tristan Edis and co-researcher Johanna Bowyer make some pithy and uncomfortable observations. Nuclear for Climate Australia's website notes "Dr Robert Barr’s brilliant model of Australia’s electricity generation looks at different scenarios using renewables, nuclear and a mix of both to find the optimal solution." The model may be "brilliant" in that is produces the 'correct' result, however energy modelling needs to comply with guidelines such as those produced by EIA, NREL ... Professor Jesse Jenkins is a recognised energy modelling expert and we encourage people to get informed to better develop their positions and supporting argument ... this is a good podcast to hear Jesse talk on the subject. https://lnkd.in/gf7Nab7z https://lnkd.in/gWrHeBXB

The Federal government has commissioned a much needed review of the Eastern States National Electricity Market (NEM) to make it fit for purpose. Hopefully WA's Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) will get a similar 'root and branch' review as the current small incremental WEM rule changes tend to entrench the status quo and not put the customer front and centre in the democratisation of energy. Professor Tim Nelson, with Paula Conboy, NACD.DC GAICD, Ava Hancock and Philip Hirschhorn, will undertake widespread consultation and make its final recommendations on the NEM to Energy and Climate Ministers in late 2025. The terms of reference are located at https://lnkd.in/ggEXrt7r https://lnkd.in/gTEVm34A