Research Proposal on Australian Electricity Cost and Reliability

This research proposal examines the critical issues of expensive electricity production and grid instability in Australia. The study investigates the high costs associated with renewable energy sources and the unreliability of the national grid. It reviews existing literature and aims to identify cost-effective methods for electricity supply, considering the limitations of current infrastructure and the need for sustainable solutions. The research employs a positivism philosophy, inductive research approach, and descriptive research design, utilizing secondary data collection from various journal articles and research papers. The proposal outlines the research questions, methodology, limitations, and significance of the study, including a detailed cost budget and time schedule. The objective is to propose strategies for enhancing the efficiency, affordability, and reliability of Australia's electricity supply, addressing the challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources and managing the existing grid infrastructure. The research aims to contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future for Australia by exploring ways to lower electricity prices and improve the national grid's stability.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Concerns for Australian electricity cost and its reliability
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Abstract
The paper discusses the concern of expensive electricity production through renewable sources
as well as instability and reliability of electricity production through grid. The main aim of the
paper is to conduct research in order to determine ways though which cost effective electricity
will be supplied in Australia. In this paper, a number of research papers are reviewed for
identifying issue as well as for setting proper ways. The paper discusses the methodology that is
used for conducting the research. Moreover, limitations related with the research are also
discussed.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Literature review..........................................................................................................................3
3. Problem statement.......................................................................................................................5
3.1 Purpose of the study...................................................................................................................6
3.2 Research Questions....................................................................................................................6
4. Methodology................................................................................................................................7
5. Limitations and delimitations......................................................................................................8
5.1 Limitations.............................................................................................................................8
5.2 Delimitations..........................................................................................................................9
6. Significance of the study.............................................................................................................9
7. Cost budget and time schedule....................................................................................................9
7.1 Cost........................................................................................................................................9
7.2 Schedule...............................................................................................................................10
7.3 Gantt chart...........................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13

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1. Introduction
The main focus of the paper is to review the concerns regarding the cost of Australia’s
electricity production and about its instability as well as reliability. It is identified that traditional
way of electricity production must be replaced with the help of renewable resources as they are
more sustainable (Wolfram, Wiedmann and Diesendorf 2016). However, production of
electricity from sources of renewable energy are found to be quite expensive and therefore using
cost effective method for production of electricity is a major concern in Australia.
In this paper, a number of journal articles as well as research papers are reviewed in order
to determine ways through which cost effective way of electricity production can be easily
identified. In addition to this, the paper elaborates research methodology that is used for
conducting the research and helps in limiting the limitations and delimitations of the research.
Moreover, time and cost that is mainly needed for undertaking the research is also reflected in
this paper.
2. Literature review
According to Wolfram and Wiedmann (2017), found that as Australia is quite rich in
renewable sources and therefore production of electricity with this method would be a great
solution during the time of crisis. It is found that the renewable energy sources including coal,
water, wind as well as sun are present in nature which can be used by the Australian government
for producing electricity however the cost that is required for setting up the infrastructure for
successful production and supply of electricity is quite expensive (Ram et al. 2017). It is found
that due to modernization, the demand for electricity in Australia is rising day by day and along
with it the cost of electricity production is also enhancing. It is

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It is stated by Cummins et al. (2016) that reliable sources for production of electricity is
mainly needed with proper government regulation for various industries in order to provide a
proper market solution for reducing the cost of electricity. It is found that the demand of
electricity from renewable energy like sun have enhanced by 20% but it is found that such
sources are quite expensive. It is opined by Perkins (2018) that the renewable sources for
production of electricity are quite expensive due to initial set up. It is also revelated by
Australian Energy Market Commission that national grid of the country is becoming unstable
due to a number of changes within power generation mix as a result it generally leaves the grid
that the mercy of the weather. In addition to this, the government can be able to attain very much
proper degree of reliability as well as security in the coming future but managing the current
situation is very much needed
According to Nunes et al. (2018) government must take proper action for keeping the
price of electricity as low as possible as well as successful redesigning of production as well as
entire supply system for properly maintaining accuracy and for supplying electricity at cheaper
prices. The government wants to undertake this particular work by effectively shifting publicly
owned national grid to state network so that the production as well as supply of electricity can be
done in a very much cost-effective way. Moreover, it is stated by Bell et al. (2017) that it is very
much difficult to collect concerns about the use of coal as they emit huge amount of carbon
dioxide that not only causes pollution but also cause global warming which is considered to be
harmful for both flora and fauna. Therefore, it is found that the concerns that are associated with
the expensive electricity production through different sources of renewable energy needs
investment that is further dependent on the nature. As renewable sources of energy are
unaffordable and it is quite expensive. Moreover, nuclear power as well as atomic reactors are

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
generally prioritized like thorium reactors and therefore their biproduct can be used for a number
of treatments within the hospital.
It is opined by Ralph and Hancock (2019) that the Australian government is mainly
breaking apart due to national economy and therefore they must properly regulate different types
of provisions for effective electricity distribution and for providing proper policy of stable
energy. It is found that each of the proposed project by the Australian government must run
properly such that the issue of power crisis, unreliable supply as well as high cost can be
effectively managed. In addition to this, the public of Australia must become aware about the
various types of electricity utilization for minimizing the consumption. The Australians must be
aware about switching off electrical appliances when not in use and such small action by them
could be helpful in saving huge amount of electricity.
It is stated by Nelson (2018) that it’s time for Australian energy policy makers to create a
proper transition plan that not only helps in reducing the emission of harmful gases but also helps
in exploiting new technologies with which proper source of electricity can be delivered at a very
much lower cost. The transition plan that is mainly developed must include all the different types
of options for properly transforming electricity generation. In addition to this, it must use proper
combination of technologies. Furthermore, within proper structured policy environment in
meeting the demand of electricity would be a concern and therefore a secure energy future is
found to be reliant for various policy approach that are deployed successfully (Boretti 2019).
3. Problem statement
It is found that Australian government wants to replace the traditional method of
electricity production by renewable energy resources as renewable energy plays a significant role

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
in minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases. In addition to this, they are quite sustainable
and therefore will be helpful in satisfying the rising demand of electricity in Australia. However,
the main problem is that production of electricity through renewable sources are quite expensive
as government needs to spent huge amount of money in setting up the entire infrastructure of
electricity production. Furthermore, it is found that the national electricity grid has become very
much unstable due to changes within generation of power, leaving the grid at the mercy of
weather.
3.1 Purpose of the study
The main purpose of undertaking the research to properly insight about the issue of
expensive electricity production through renewable sources of energy as well as the problem of
not utilizing grid for production as they have become much more unstable as well as unreliable.
The paper also helps in reviewing ways that are helpful in keeping the price of electricity low as
well as proper redesigning of the supply system in Australia so that the cost of production can
get minimized.
3.2 Research Questions
The research questions are:
 To review the issues that are associated electricity production in Australia with the help
of renewable sources of energy
 To determine ways that are helpful in producing electricity in a very much cost-effective
way.
 To redesign the entire supply system from initial level in order to maintain accuracy and
for supplying electricity at low cost.

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 To determine ways with which public owned national grid can be handed to the state
network for producing electricity at cheaper rates.
4. Methodology
Research philosophy
It is considered as one of the beliefs about a particular way in which the data about a
specific phenomenon can be effectively gathered, analyzed as well as properly utilized. In order
to reflect on the concerns that are related with high electricity cost production in Australia, it is
found that positivism research philosophy is mainly used out of other philosophies. This
particular philosophy is mainly used while undertaking the research as in such philosophy, the
researcher undertakes limited data collection and interprets it a quite objective way in order to
gain knowledge though observation (Bresler and Stake 2017).
Research approach
Research approach is considered as one of the plans that is mainly used for addressing
the nature of the problem that is mainly elaborated in the research. Inductive research approach is
used in order to work on the problem statement so that proper ways can be identified with the
help of which cost effective method of electricity production within Australia can be identified
easily (Fletcher 2017). With the help of inductive approach, proper reasoning is carried out
within the research paper by reviewing different theories from journal articles as well as by
analyzing the results from the research paper.

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research design
Research design is one of the frameworks of research methods as well as techniques that
are selected by a researcher and it generally helps in explaining the type of research that is
conducted. It is found that in order to review the concerns related with cost of electricity
production as well as for analyzing the unreliability and instability of the grid, descriptive
research design is used. Descriptive design is utilized for describing the characteristics as well as
for elaborating the research properly so that proper idea can be achieved (Ørngreen and Levinsen
2017).
Data collection procedure
Data collection is one of the procedures of gathering as well as measuring information on
various variables that are mainly established in proper fashion for enabling an individual to
properly answer the research questions (Cuervo‐Cazurra et al. 2017). Out of the data collection
process, secondary data collection procedure is used for collecting different types of data and
information. Furthermore, a number of research papers as well as articles are reviewed for proper
collection of information related with the research.
5. Limitations and delimitations
5.1 Limitations
 Lack of time can create challenges as the researchers will be unable to undertake in-depth
analysis on the various issues that insights on the cost of electricity production
 If the researchers are not capable of working as per scope then they can face issues in
delivering proper results.

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
5.2 Delimitations
 The study will be beneficial in determining ways that will be helpful in producing
electricity in a very much cost-effective way
 With the help of this particular study, the entire infrastructure of electricity supply are
redesigned for supplying electricity at cheaper rates.
6. Significance of the study
This particular study was mainly undertaken for focussing on various issues that the
Australian government is facing in producing electricity through renewable sources of energy.
With the help of this researcher, the researcher can be able to determine the issues and can
identify proper ways with which the research problem can be solved. In addition to this, by
reviewing a number of journal papers, the researchers can determine new options which the help
of which electricity production can be made cost effective. Further, it is analyzed that proper set
up of project for using renewable sources of energy can be one of the best options for producing
cost effective electricity production.
7. Cost budget and time schedule
7.1 Cost
Cost Activity Estimated Cost ($Au)
Printing Costs – Articles, questionnaires and drafts $1000
– Final draft & binding 250 $1250
Access to and acquisition of data $300

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Software – Endnote or other referencing packages $250
– $250
Proofreading Costs $1000
Contingency $200
Total Costs $3,000
7.2 Schedule
The schedule reflects that the concerns of Australian electricity and its reliability can be
properly reviewed within 34 days.
WBS Task Name Duration Start Finish
0
Identifying Concerns for
Australian electricity cost and
its reliability
34 days Mon 23-03-20 Thu 07-05-20
1 Initiation phase 5 days Mon 23-03-20 Fri 27-03-20
1.1 Problem identification 2 days Mon 23-03-20 Tue 24-03-20
1.2 Solution analysis 2 days Wed 25-03-20 Thu 26-03-20
1.3 Best solution identification 1 day Fri 27-03-20 Fri 27-03-20
2 Planning phase 5 days Mon 30-03-20 Fri 03-04-20
2.1
Undertaking research on
electricity production in
Australia
3 days Mon 30-03-20 Wed 01-04-20
2.2 Setting project objectives 1 day Thu 02-04-20 Thu 02-04-20

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
2.3
Setting proper research
questions
1 day Fri 03-04-20 Fri 03-04-20
3 Undertaking research 21 days Mon 06-04-20 Mon 04-05-20
3.1
Reviewing journals and
articles
10 days Mon 06-04-20 Fri 17-04-20
3.2 Collecting data 4 days Mon 20-04-20 Thu 23-04-20
3.3
Selection of positivism
research design
2 days Fri 24-04-20 Mon 27-04-20
3.4
Selection of inductive
approach
1 day Tue 28-04-20 Tue 28-04-20
3.5
Selection of descriptive
research philosophy
1 day Wed 29-04-20 Wed 29-04-20
3.6 Data collection procedure 2 days Thu 30-04-20 Fri 01-05-20
3.7 Determining limitations 1 day Mon 04-05-20 Mon 04-05-20
4 Closure phase 4 days Mon 04-05-20 Thu 07-05-20
4.1 Post project review 2 days Mon 04-05-20 Tue 05-05-20
4.2 Stakeholder sign off 1 day Wed 06-05-20 Wed 06-05-20
4.3 Documentation 1 day Thu 07-05-20 Thu 07-05-20

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7.3 Gantt chart
Figure 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by Author)

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
References
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merit order effect to reduce wholesale and retail electricity prices in Australia. Energy
Economics, 67, pp.224-241.
Boretti, A., 2019. A realistic expectation of electricity production from current design
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Cuervo‐Cazurra, A., Mudambi, R., Pedersen, T. and Piscitello, L., 2017. Research methodology
in global strategy research. Global Strategy Journal, 7(3), pp.233-240.
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logs to produce liquid fuels and electricity. Australian Forestry, 79(3), pp.189-195.
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management. John Wiley & Sons.
Nelson, T., 2018. The future of electricity generation in Australia: a case study of New South
Wales. The Electricity Journal, 31(1), pp.42-50.

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Nunes, J.B., Mahmoudi, N., Saha, T.K. and Chattopadhyay, D., 2018. A stochastic integrated
planning of electricity and natural gas networks for Queensland, Australia considering high
renewable penetration. Energy, 153, pp.539-553.
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electricity in Australia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 124, pp.236-245.
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