Participants at a recent executive roundtable, conducted by the Australian Financial Review, acknowledged the importance of electrification, but warned against ignoring other proven avenues towards decarbonisation, including the role of renewable gas. Not only during the energy transition, but for energy users who will long be reliant on gas, for decades to come.
The following articles and videos delve into the various topics of discussions at the Roundtable event concerning the role of Renewable Gas in the energy transition.
Energy transition will likely need $400b renewables ‘Marshall Plan’
When the head of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Daniel Westerman spoke at Australian Energy Week late last month, he outlined how our energy future will be built on four pillars ranging from low-cost renewable energy to new transmission and distribution networks as well as the need for flexible gas generation to provide firming capacity.
Turning people’s business into power
Australia’s first biomethane demonstration project at Sydney Water’s Malabar treatment plant is using wastewater to produce the renewable gas, and is expected to initially produce around 95TJs of biomethane per year - equivalent to the average amount of gas used by approximately 6300 homes each year.
Australia must join Europe’s biogas embrace
In the days surrounding November’s introduction to parliament of the federal government’s latest climate action plan, something impressive happened in France - a biomethane facility was commissioned. In itself, this is nothing out of the ordinary on a continent renowned for its innovative energy solutions. It is what went before it that proved its significance. It was the 149th biomethane facility to open its doors in France in 2022.
Gas networks ready for renewables
As Australia continues its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the role played by gas, and gas networks, is capturing increasing attention. Used extensively by both businesses and consumers, gas is currently a key source of power for everything from industrial processes and manufacturing to heating, cooking and hot water everywhere from hospitals to hospitality venues, as well as homes and offices.
Policy handbrake on green change
For local sustainable and renewable energy player EDL Energy, the continuing lack of policy certainty around much of Australia’s energy transition remains a handbrake on investment in this country, especially when it comes to biogas.
The disconnect that could put consumers under pressure
While ongoing changes to Australia’s energy mix are putting pressure on producers and distributors, they also have significant ramifications for consumers. With governments focused on the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, electrification appears to be the only option being presented for gas consumers despite the costs involved in such a conversion for many households, and the emergence of renewable gas as a potential future option.