A clean energy package will have a zero pollution outcome compared with 40m tonnes under Coalition’s plan to extend the NSW plant, UTS modelling revealsReplacing the Liddell coal power station with clean energy technologies would slash pollution and be at least $1.3bn cheaper than the Turnbull government’s plan to extend the life of the New South Wales plant by five years, a new analysis has found. A second report released on Monday also found Australia has the potential to lead the world in developing large and home-scale energy storage systems if public uncertainty can be overcome. “Australia desperately needs a comprehensive climate change policy that will facilitate the rapid transition to a clean energy future,” O’Shanassy said. The report found while the public has some awareness of energy storage, such as batteries and pumped hydro, it has very limited knowledge of other emerging technologies such as renewable hydrogen. “Energy storage is an opportunity to capitalise on our research strengths, culture of innovation and abundant natural resources,” Finkel said.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2017 22:52 UTC