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Simulating low-carbon electricity supply for Australia

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  • Lenzen, Manfred
  • McBain, Bonnie
  • Trainer, Ted
  • Jütte, Silke
  • Rey-Lescure, Olivier
  • Huang, Jing

Abstract

We offer a simulation of low-carbon electricity supply for Australia, based on currently and economically operating technologies and proven resources, contributing new knowledge by: featuring a GIS-based spatial optimisation process for identifying suitable generator locations; including expanded transmission networks; covering the entire continent; and investigating the significance of biofuel availability and carbon price. We find that nation-wide low-carbon electricity supply is possible at about 160GW installed capacity, at indicative cost of around 20¢/kWh, involving wind, concentrating solar, and PV utilities, and less than 20TWh of biofuelled generation. Dispatchable hydro and biofuel plants are required to plug gaps caused by occasional low-resource periods. Technology and cost breakthroughs for storage, geothermal, and ocean technologies, as well as offshore wind deployment would substantially alter our assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lenzen, Manfred & McBain, Bonnie & Trainer, Ted & Jütte, Silke & Rey-Lescure, Olivier & Huang, Jing, 2016. "Simulating low-carbon electricity supply for Australia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 553-564.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:179:y:2016:i:c:p:553-564
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.151
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