The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) carbon footprint was dissected, revealing a 2018 total of 34.7 t CO2-eq/cap, with 83% stemming from Scope 3 emissions. Despite this, the ACT proudly achieved 100% renewable electricity in 2020, a testament to ambitious emission reduction targets.
Discover the roadmap to achieving net zero carbon built environments in Australia. The research paper lays the critical principles, targets, and pathways needed for a sustainable future. Balancing operational and embodied carbon considerations, the proposed approach aims for all new buildings and major renovations to achieve net zero operational carbon by 2030, with a phased reduction in embodied carbon quotas leading to net zero by 2040. The comprehensive strategy includes comparing and combining operational and embodied data, ensuring a holistic understanding of carbon emissions.
In the pursuit of a more sustainable future, this study offers valuable insights into the realm of affordable housing and embodied energy reduction. By delving into the drivers, barriers, and techniques shaping the industry’s efforts, the research sheds light on the intricate balance between environmental consciousness and practicality.
As cities worldwide pursue greener and more sustainable public transportation solutions, the choice of the most economically viable bus technology becomes a pivotal decision for urban planners and policymakers. A recent study conducted in Perth has shed light on the true Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for various bus technologies, including Hybrid, Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFCB), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and conventional Diesel buses.
Recent research analyzed the emissions intensity of the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) to understand how energy storage can accelerate decarbonisation. The study calculated the Marginal Emissions Factor (MEF) for each time period, representing the emissions intensity of the highest bid price generator.
The average MEF for different NEM regions was found to vary, with some intervals having zero MEF. Intra-day variability showed higher MEF values overnight and during low demand, while low MEF values occurred during peak demand. Interestingly, a strong anti-correlation was observed between MEF and spot price, indicating the need for energy storage optimization to balance costs and emissions.
Financing has been a significant hurdle in realizing the renewable energy (RE) transition, but targeted incentives and strategies have proven constructive in encouraging the implementation of RE projects. The lack of public awareness about the benefits of RE and misconceptions about its associated costs have contributed to the reluctance of investors and energy consumers to make this shift. With COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns leading to a drop in fossil fuel consumption and prices, it is crucial that necessary actions are taken to ensure the shift to RE is not reversed
The challenges facing the Australian electricity and gas markets, include the need to transition to lower emissions generation while ensuring reliability and affordability; the impact of higher gas prices on manufacturing businesses and residential consumers, as well as the potential for supply gaps in southern states from 2024. There’s a need for continued investment in new infrastructure and technologies to address these challenges and secure Australia’s energy future.