Analysis of using renewable energy in Australia

This research essay evaluates the role of federal government policy in encouraging or hindering the use of renewable energy in Australia, with a focus on solar power. It discusses the Renewable Energy Target policy and other initiatives, as well as the benefits and challenges of adopting renewable energy.

Essay

Contents
PART A ..........................................................................................................................................1
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................1
PART B............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................2
Topic: Analysis of using renewable energy ................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

PART A
ABSTRACT
This project report is based on an analysis whereby it is evaluated that how renewable
energy is encouraged with the aid of federal government policy of Australia in an effective
manner. This is a research essay which is principally based on the theoretical information as
well as secondary research. This entails information about the renewable energy as well as how it
can be encouraged through implementation of policies by federal government. It also delves
knowledge about the formulation of policies such as Renewable Energy Target and many more
by Australian government for adopting sustainable practices as well as enhance use of renewable
energy especially solar power. With the aid of framed policies, Australian government is willing
to provide rebates as well as discounts on purchasing and installation of solar panels to
households along with business organisations. This also demonstrates knowledge about how this
policy can be improved or enhanced in respect to encourage Australian citizens for installing
solar panels. It has been analysed throughout the essay that adoption of renewable energy
especially solar energy can be implemented in a strategic manner as Australia is considered as
driest continent where solar energy can be generated in a significant manner due to their large
deserts. It has been revealed through this that renewable energy helps in meeting the goals of
circular economy which is considered as strong force in regards with social as well as economic
development. It has been found that adoption of renewable energy is supported by Australian
government in a positive manner by investing their huge resources. This policy has encouraged
citizens for installing solar panel system in their household as well as business operations.
However, this policy can be enhanced and improvised for maintaining sustainability practices in
future which will also aid them in enhancing their economic growth.
PART B
INTRODUCTION
Renewable energy can be understood as energy which is derived with the aid of natural
resources and gets replenished in a significant manner (Sen and Ganguly, 2017). It is considered
as important as it provide trustworthy power supplies as well as fuel diversification which can
enhance energy security and lower down the requirement of imported fuels. It is important for
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individuals to use renewable energy as it does not produce greenhouse gas emission through
fossil fuel and reduce air pollution in a strategic manner. An example of renewable energy is
taken as solar energy for this project report. This can be used for safeguarding future generations
and also led to adopt sustainable practices as it is fastest growing as well as cheapest in nature.
This project embedded a research essay which provides a critical review of how renewable
energy gets encouraged or hindered by federal government policy.
MAIN BODY
Topic: Analysis of using renewable energy
Research Question: What is the role of federal government policy of Australia in encouraging
or hindering the use of renewable energy?
Renewable energy is termed as energy which is gathered from renewable sources and
gets replenished in a specified human time scale in an effective manner (Uyar and Beşikci,
2017). Example of renewable energy which is chosen for this research essay is use of solar
energy which is extracted from sun.
Solar energy can be described as radiation which is extracted from sun which is capable
for causing chemical reaction, generate electricity and producing heat (Gong, Li and
Wasielewski, 2019). Solar power is generated whereby energy is extracted form sun and gets
converted into electricity in a significant manner. Solar thermal as well as photovoltaic are the
two type of technologies which are used for generating electricity with the aid of solar panels.
Solar photovoltaic started converting sunlight into electricity on a direct basis with the aid of
specified cells.
It is used largely in business houses as well as houses by setting up of solar panels in a
strategic manner. Australian government has formulated a policy which is known as Renewable
Energy Target (RET) (Renewable Energy Target. 2022) It is designed for reducing the high
emission in context to greenhouse gases in field of electricity as well as encourage people to
adopt sustainable practices. Under this policy, RET allows power stations as well as small-scale
system for creating power generation certificates. Through this practice, a market is prepared by
providing financial incentives to large-scale power stations as well as small-scale renewable
energy system in an effective manner.
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Booming electricity prices as well as falling cost in regards with solar panels have
reflected numerous households to turn towards rooftop solar units. For adopting sustainable
practices in an effective manner, commercial buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and many
more have turned towards solar power. Australia is considered as a driest continent whereby
18% of their mainland are covered with desert (Why aren’t we using the deserts for solar power?
2021). It has been revealed through a study that 6 hours of solar energy extraction is considered
as enough in context to human consumption for a year.
Deserts plays a significant role in protecting global environment as it have a very
complex ecosystem whereby solar energy can be used for empowering the nation. In Australia,
electricity market is undergoing towards a significant transition which enhanced technologies
plays a crucial role in dynamic market. It is imperative for Australian government to bring
innovative practices which significantly contributes towards continued economic prosperity.
Australian government has made a significant investment of $ 1.4 billion in regards with reliable
generation as well as storage (Clean energy and the electricity market. 2022). Through this
investment, they are planning to enhance their high-tech expansion of Snowy Hydro Scheme for
converting Tasmania's battery of their nation vision into a reality.
Australian government always provide support to the use of renewable energy by
providing numerous rebates as well as incentives to those who install solar panels which help
them in offsetting the cost of installation in an effective manner. Federal government of Australia
provides a rebate of up to $ 2000 for per kilowatt in regards with installed capacity (Senolos.
2022). Thier policy RET (Renewable Energy Target) has been designed to generate electricity
from renewable sources in an effective manner. It is also supporting growth as well as
employment in renewable energy sector through providing financial incentives in regards with
new proposed projects.
Solar panels have become easy ans less expensive for household to install it in a
significant manner. Due to decreased cost of solar panels and offered rebate from government
officials, people gets encouraged to adopting this option in a strategic manner. Through installing
solar panels, Australian citizens can contribute significantly in reducing carbon footprint and
emission of harmful gases in an effective manner. This can also help them to pay less electricity
bills. However, installation cost of solar panels is very high but this is a one time investment for
a long term as savings from this practices can easily outweigh the initial incurred costs.
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With the aid of this policy, Australian government have announced that over 3 million
solar panel systems have been installed by households as well as business houses by 31 January
2022 (Renewable Energy Target. 2022). Australian government has also formulated Clean
Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) which principally supports energy efficiency, low emission
energy projects with the aid of loans as well as equity investments. They also have Australian
Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) which grants funding for research and development for
early-stage commercialisation in an effective manner. They are also expanding their focus
towards enhancement of policies like ARENA and CEFC for backing advanced technologies
which help in cutting emission in the sectors of agriculture, manufacturing as well as transport.
It is a known fact which focuses that Australia is one of the driest country which gets very high
amount of heat. This will help their citizens in converting this energy into electricity for
household use as well as business use. However, installation cost of solar panels is very high and
it also require upgrading and maintenance in a significant manner as it gets wear and tear over
specified time. This is also considered as difficult due to their exposure with UV rays on a direct
basis as well as adverse weather conditions.
Formulated policies plays a significant role in encouraging Australian population to
install solar panels at their houses, business organisations, hospitals, colleges and many more
places in a significant manner by offering them rebates as well as discounts.
All the energy has some pros and cons in regards with their development, renewable energy has
also its trade-offs. Advantages of using renewable energy is far more effective than the
devastating impact of development of fossil fuels. As combustion of fossil fuels results in a
significant amount of emission of greenhouse gases.
However, this policy can be enhanced by government officials through adding varied acts
as well as laws for enhancing sustainable practices in an effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Sen, S. and Ganguly, S., 2017. Opportunities, barriers and issues with renewable energy
development–A discussion. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 69.pp.1170-
1181.
Uyar, T. S. and Beşikci, D., 2017. Integration of hydrogen energy systems into renewable energy
systems for better design of 100% renewable energy communities. International Journal
of Hydrogen Energy. 42(4). pp.2453-2456.
Gong, J., Li, C. and Wasielewski, M. R., 2019. Advances in solar energy conversion. Chemical
Society Reviews. 48(7). pp.1862-1864.
Online:
Why aren’t we using the deserts for solar power? 2021. [Online]. Available through:
<https://regenpower.com/news/why-arent-we-using-the-deserts-for-solar-power/>
Renewable Energy Target. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET>
Clean energy and the electricity market. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-supply/clean-energy-and-the-
electricity-market>
Senolos. E., 2022. 5 Reasons Why Solar Panels Are a Good Idea in Australia. [Online] Available
through: <http://www.greenroofs.com/2022/06/23/5-reasons-why-solar-panels-are-a-
good-idea-in-australia/#:~:text=The%20Australian%20government%20offers%20a,each
%20kilowatt%20of%20capacity%20installed.>
Renewable Energy Target. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-supply/clean-energy-and-the-
electricity-market>
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