Systems Analysis and Recommendations: WA Renewable Energy Consumption

This report undertakes a systems analysis of the sustainability issue in Western Australia, specifically addressing the low consumption of renewable energy despite abundant resources. The analysis begins with identifying the problem and choosing the state level as the scale of the issue. Preliminary research examines the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to understand the broader context. The core of the report identifies three major system factors influencing the problem: high capital costs, the use of natural resources for cooking, and challenges related to siting and transmission infrastructure. The second part of the report provides recommendations, suggesting a government-led project to address high capital costs by facilitating the installation of solar panels through EMI payment plans. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the problem and offer practical solutions to enhance renewable energy consumption in Western Australia.

System analysis undertake
and linkage analysis of a
sustainability
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1 – SYSTEMS ANALYSIS.................................................................................................3
Step 1: Selection of Sustainability Problem...........................................................................3
Step 2: Choosing the scale of issue........................................................................................5
Step 3: Preliminary research...................................................................................................5
Step 4: Identify 3 major system factors influencing the selected problem and provide a
rationale for the choice made.................................................................................................7
PART 2 – RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................8
What is the overall goal of your project?...............................................................................9
What will be the main outcomes of your project?..................................................................9
Who needs to be involved in this project?..............................................................................9
What will be the main activities in your project?...................................................................9
What are the potential barriers to successfully implementing your project?.........................9
How will you measure the success of your project?............................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Systems analysis can be referred to as the procedure of gathering as well as interpreting
data, recognising the issues and decomposing a system into a number of components. In other
words, it can be said that systems analysis is carried out for the sole motive of carrying out a
study over a system or its various parts for the determination of associated goals as well as
objectives (Jha and Leslie, 2019). This is a technique of problem solving which tends to improve
the overall system and also guarantee that all of the aspects of the system work together in an
effective manner for the accomplishment of associated purpose.
The present project is based on execution of a systems analysis and provision of
recommendations in relation to a sustainability issue, that is “Western Australia has some of the
best renewable energy resources in the world, yet renewable energy still only comprises a
small percentage of energy consumed in WA.” The project is divided into 2 sections. The first
section seeks to carry out systems analysis by carrying out a systematic procedure consisting of 5
steps. It includes selection of sustainability problem, choosing the scale of this issue, preliminary
researching, identification of three factors that affect the problem along with rationale behind
selection and lastly, the link between the three factors identified earlier. The second section
covers the provision of recommendations for the sustainability issue via the selection of one
particular sector for addressing the issue. A project will be introduced within this part of the
report to comprehensibly find solution to the issue.
PART 1 – SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
Step 1: Selection of Sustainability Problem
The sustainability issue which has been chosen for carrying out the systems analysis is
given below: -
“Western Australia has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, yet
renewable energy still only comprises a small percentage of energy consumed in WA.”
Western Australia is acknowledged to have an abundance of renewable energy resources
such as wind, wave, solar, geothermal, biomass etc. however it is still seen that the consumption
of such resources is not being done on a massive scale as against its availability. This somewhere
implies the lack of initiatives taken on the part of civil, business and governmental sectors to
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promote and support the consumption of such resources. The detailed description of this is given
as follows: -
Wind Energy:
This is a type of energy which is generated via the rotation of turbine blades that moves
the electric generator making the wind produce electricity. In this relation, it has been identified
that there are almost 500,000 square kms in Western Australia that possess an average wind pace
of over 6 metres / second at a height of 60 m. Further, it is acknowledged that only 2,500 square
kms (50 kms x 50 kms) within the confines of this region can lead to generation of energy which
is equal to the peak demand of The South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
Concentrated Solar thermal Energy:
This energy was first produced during the 1970s and is acknowledged to make use of
mirror for the purpose of concentration of thermal energy of sun, oil, heating water, that is put to
use for development of steam for generating power for the electric generator. Solar thermal
technology tends to consist of parabolic trough, linear fresnel reflectors, power tower or heliostat
reflectors etc. In this regard, it has been recognised that the overall electricity demand upon
The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) can be easily met by only 200 square kilometres
(14 kms by 14 kms) of solar thermal collectors which are within the confines of sunny and clear
skies areas (Renewable Energy Scenarios for Western Australia, 2020).
Wave Energy:
CETO technology created via Carnegie Wave Energy within Fremantle makes use of
sub-surface buoys which moves within swell, making pistons below the buoys, anchored to the
seabed, to pump seawater at high pressure to shore. This water can turn a generator to create
electricity, or pass through a desalination membrane to create fresh water, or a combination of
these. In this relation, Carnegie Wave Energy has estimated that there is so much abundance of
wave energy along the coastline of Western Australia to lead to production of over 5 times
The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) peak demand for electricity.
Solar Photovoltaic:
Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells have the capacity of converting the solar energy into
electricity in a direct manner. This is acknowledged to being ideal for relatively smaller
application such as offices, houses, resulting in decrement in transmission loss along with energy
cost. With respect to this, it has been identified that in an instance whereby 1.5 kilo Watt solar
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panel are install upon only 25% of the Western Australian homes which are at present supplied
by Synergy, then it would imply the creation of 230 Mega Watt of electricity which is almost
equivalent to one of the largest Western Australian coal run power generation turbine
(Renewable Energy Scenarios for Western Australia, 2020).
Step 2: Choosing the scale of issue
It has been identified that the sustainability issue identified above related to the non-
consumption of renewable energy sources even in case of their abundance within Western
Australia, falls into the domain of state level government area as Western Australia is a state
which belongs to the country of Australia. Thus, the study upon the selected sustainability issue
would be conducted on a state government level in context of the respected state.
Step 3: Preliminary research
The discussion over the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is done with an
aim of identifying the main factors that underlie the emergence of selected sustainability issues
within the confines of Western Australia. These are the goals that the UN intends to achieve in
the global context by the end of the year 2030.
SDG 1: NO POVERTY
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This is aimed at ending poverty of all the forms across the globe by the end of the year
2030.
SDG 2: ZERO HUNGER
This is aimed at making sure that no individual suffers from hunger. Also, it seeks to
facilitate achieving food security, improving nutrition along with promoting sustainable
agriculture by 2030 (Bhuyan, 2019).
SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING
This seeks to ensure healthy lifestyles of people along with well-being for individuals of all
age groups.
SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION
This sustainable development goal seeks to ensure inclusive as well as equitable quality
education together with the provision of lifelong learning opportunity for all individuals.
SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY
This SDG aims to achieve gender equality as well as ensure empowerment of women as
well as girls.
SDG 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
This goal makes sure the availability as well as sustainable management of sanitation and
water for all individuals.
SDG 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
This SDG ensures the access of individuals to reliable, affordable, modern and sustainable
energy for the public (Simpson, 2017).
SDG 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
This goal seeks to promote the sustainable growth by way of provision of productive
employment as well as decent opportunities for all individuals.
SDG 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
This seeks to develop infrastructural facilities, ensure promotion of inclusive as well as
sustainable progress and fostering innovation.
SDG 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES
This goal seeks to reduce the extent of inequality within the confines of as well as amidst
the nations.
SDG 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
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This goal seeks to ensure safety, resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability of cities as well
as human settlements.
SDG 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
This goal of UN is aimed at ensuring the sustainable production as well as consumption
patterns by the end of the year 2030 (Lawonski, Hodgson and Whale, 2018).
SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION
This goal aims at undertaking immediate course of action for combatting with climatic
change along with its effects.
SDG 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
This goal aims at conservation along with sustainable usage of sea, ocean and marine
resource for the purpose of sustainable development.
SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND
This goal of United Nations aims at protection, restoration and promotion of sustainable
usage of terrestrial ecosystem, sustainable management of forest, combatting with extensive
desertification etc.
SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
The main intent of sustainable development goal is promotion of inclusive as well as
peaceful society for the purpose of sustainable development, provision of access to justice and
development of accountable institution at all scales (Tayal, 2017).
SDG 17: PARTERNSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
This main purpose of this goal is to facilitate strengthening the means of execution along
with revitalization of global partnership for the intention of sustainable development.
Step 4: Identify 3 major system factors influencing the selected problem and provide a rationale
for the choice made
As per the research, it has been identified that there are three main system factors that tend
to influence the selected sustainability issue in context of Western Australia: -
High capital cost:
It is acknowledged that the cost of carrying out the consumption of renewable resources within
the confines of Western Australia require high capital cost. This is the upfront costing of
establishing as well as installing solar or any other panels or wind mills. This tends to restrain the
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individuals, businesses and government from promoting and supporting the consumption of
renewables irrespective of its abundance in the state (Laslett and et. al., 2017).
Civilians using natural resources for cooking purposes:
Yet another factor that influences the sustainability issue is the likelihood and comfort of
households or civilians within the confines of Western Australia in making use of natural
resources for cooking. It is found that the civilians are adamant regarding the use of natural
resources in place of renewables for cooking and other purposes.
Siting and transmission:
Siting is identified as the need of locating things such as wind turbines as well as solar
farm on pieces of land. Besides this, transmission is acknowledged as the power line along with
infrastructure that is required for moving electricity from place of generation to the place of
consumption (Simpson and Clifton, 2016). These two are the prerequisites for the consumption
of renewable resources. This is cumbersome, complex, costly and time consuming which is what
restrains Western Australia from making use of renewable energy regardless of its extensive
availability of best quality within the state.
PART 2 – RECOMMENDATIONS
Looking upon the sustainability issue and its crucialness, it can be said that it is important
to devise certain measures or recommendation with the help of which the issue of Western
Australia can be effectively and timely addressed. For this purpose, government sector of
Western Australia can come up with a project that emphasizes upon the eco tipping point of
systems analysis done for the sustainability issue above. The eco tipping point is acknowledged
to be the high capital cost that is required to be invested for the purposing of using renewable
energy sources on a regular basis (Byrnes and et. al., 2016). Thus, the government of WA is
recommended to come up with a project whereby the government will carry out the
establishment and installation of solar panels within households, business offices or
governmental offices in exchange of the contract for 1-3 years EMI payments. This implies that
the overall capital cost has to be paid by households, businesses etc. to the government in equal
monthly instalments within a time period of 1 to 3 years. The EMI system would be launched
only to lessen the burden fallen over the households or businesses to invest a large capital cost in
one go. In this relation, some of the details related to this project are given beneath: -
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What is the overall goal of your project?
The project of installation of solar panels in return of fixed period EMIs is aimed to
achieve the overall goal of increasing the consumption of renewable sources of energy within the
boundaries of Western Australia as the state is already rich in such energy sources.
In terms of numbers, the aim will be as mentioned below: -
“To increase the renewable consumption in WA by at least 60% by the end of next 1
year”.
What will be the main outcomes of your project?
The identifiable outcome in relation to this project is the significant increment in the
percentage of renewable energy consumption within WA. This outcome relates mainly to UN
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production which focuses on the sustainable
consumption of resources. This SDG would be achieved as a result of this project.
Who needs to be involved in this project?
The stakeholders for this project would be the investors, civilians of WA, suppliers, worked
engaged in actual installation of solar panels and so on (Lu, Blakers and Stocks, 2017).
Government of Western Australia will maintain effective communication with them so as to
update them regarding the progress of the project.
What will be the main activities in your project?
The main activities of this project are described as follows: -
 Promotion by government of this project.
 Creation of contract by the government with the party to pay EMIs in return of
installation of solar panels.
 Actual working upon installation of solar panels.
 Payment of EMIs by the parties entering into contract with the government.
What are the potential barriers to successfully implementing your project?
The credit worthiness or in other words the ability to pay off the amount is a deemed
barrier or risk for carrying out this project. The government may get the solar panels established
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and installed but the party may after some point of time become incapable of paying the EMIs.
This is a substantial barrier to the successful implementation of concerned project.
How will you measure the success of your project?
The share of renewable in Gross Electricity Consumption would serve as one of the most
important indicators to measure the success of this project. If the percentage gets risen as a result
of this project implementation, this implies that the project succeeded in making civil sector,
business sector and government sector within Western Australia employ renewable resources on
an extensive level.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it can be said that systems analysis is a technique which
is widely put to use for the purpose of addressing an issue. Hereby, a study is conducted upon a
system as well as its various parts in order to identify the objectives underlying within it. Besides
this, it has been acknowledged that renewable energy sources need to be used in order to
decrease the negative impacts posed to the environment in the long run. In this relation, it has
been recognised that the places whereby there is extensive availability of such sources should
promote and support the usage of these resources only looking upon two basis premises that
resources are scarce and human needs are unlimited. Thus, it becomes significant to make use of
resources in a judicious manner and replace them with renewable resources if it is possible to do
so.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bhuyan, M., 2019. Identifying the cost optimised electricity system transformation pathway to
100% renewable electricity for Western Australia (Doctoral dissertation, Murdoch
University).
Byrnes, L., Brown, C., Wagner, L. and Foster, J., 2016. Reviewing the viability of renewable
energy in community electrification: The case of remote Western Australian
communities. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 59, pp.470-481.
Jha, A. and Leslie, G., 2019. Dynamic Costs and Market Power: The Rooftop Solar Transition in
Western Australia.
Laslett, D., Carter, C., Creagh, C. and Jennings, P., 2017. A large-scale renewable electricity
supply system by 2030: Solar, wind, energy efficiency, storage and inertia for the South
West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia. Renewable Energy, 113,
pp.713-731.
Lawonski, E., Hodgson, N. and Whale, J., 2018. Context and community renewable energy
development in Western Australia: Towards effective policy and practice. In Transition
Towards 100% Renewable Energy (pp. 245-256). Springer, Cham.
Lu, B., Blakers, A. and Stocks, M., 2017. 90–100% renewable electricity for the south west
interconnected system of Western Australia. Energy, 122, pp.663-674.
Simpson, G. and Clifton, J., 2016. Subsidies for residential solar photovoltaic energy systems in
Western Australia: Distributional, procedural and outcome justice. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 65, pp.262-273.
Simpson, G., 2017. Analysing social acceptance of renewable energy policy in Australia:
Community, industry and government perceptions of residential solar energy.
Tayal, D., 2017. Achieving high renewable energy penetration in Western Australia using data
digitisation and machine learning. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 80,
pp.1537-1543.
Online
Renewable Energy Scenarios for Western Australia. 2020.[Online]. Available Through:
<https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/sen/pages/27/attachments/original/1409022427/
SEN_REscenarios_discussionpaper_web_2010.pdf?1409022427>.
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