THE ENERGY LABYRINTH: DECARBONISING WITHOUT DISRUPTION By David Gillespie T he global task of shifting entire econ- omies to net zero is certainly a daunt- ing one. Almost every industry, supply The industry’s role is to make it easier for them to decarbonise, while still having ac- cess to the reliable and affordable energy they rely on every day.
open to both existing and emerging technol- ogies. The transition must acknowledge the interdependencies between electricity, gas, and liquid fuel systems. The energy sector must also take a customer-led approach. Energising a bright future for energy customers Much of the nation’s electricity network is ex- pected to experience significant changes over the next decade. Consumer Energy Resources (CER) such as home batteries, community bat- teries, electric vehicles (EVs), and rooftop solar are set to redefine electricity consumption pat- terns. By 2035, the number of energy customers with rooftop solar is expected to grow substan- tially, equating to hundreds of thousands of customers with solar installations. The number of EVs plugged into the electricity grid is also
predicted to surge by a factor of 100+. Similarly it is predicted electricity consumption will in- crease by up to 5, and peak demand is project- ed to rise up to 3-fold. Another critical piece of the energy puzzle is the rise of data centres. Data storage is quickly becoming the new frontier in energy infrastruc- ture. Victoria is uniquely positioned to support this growth, thanks to its relatively affordable land, stable geography, and more temperate climate compared to our northern neighbours. These facilities are expected to double in ca- pacity by 2026 and in the future, there is the pos- sibility that some Data Centre loads will become more flexible and will enable them to participate in demand response schemes, thus contribut- ing to ameliorating system issues around not only minimum demand events, but also peak demand ones by reducing consumption. These innovations of the electricity grid pres- ent a significant opportunity - not just for en- ergy companies, but for the communities they serve. Partnering closely with energy custom- ers and stakeholders to better understand their goals and what they expect from their ener- gy provider is paramount. Energy companies ought to be laying out a clear, customer-driv- en path forward - one that helps them prepare for the future while staying responsive to the needs of their customers and delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy. Keeping gas in the system while decarbonising Of course, ensuring adequate supply re- mains a major challenge for both electricity and gas markets. With forecasted gas shortages in southern Australia, import terminals may be positioned
chain, and government are now navigating their way through a complex labyrinth to the single central point of reaching net zero. While the end goal of reaching net zero by 2050 in Australia is clear, the pathway is filled with obstacles. Legislation, regulations, so- cial license, cost, supply, and the simple question of “how-do-we-build-that?” are all barriers that must be overcome. The journey to achieving net-zero emis- sions is a monumental task that requires collaboration, innovation, and significant investment. Ensuring a successful ener- gy transition means striking the right bal- ance between reliability, affordability, and sustainability while keeping an open mind about the most optimal technologies. The big and smaller electricity and gas companies in Australia, working to deliver energy to millions of homes and businesses around the country, are in a unique position to see how these sectors are changing—and how they need to work together. This per- spective will help these corporations stay focused on what really matters: supporting customers through the energy transition.
The pathway to net-zero requires a flexible approach that embraces a mix of technolo- gies. At present, we do not possess all the necessary solutions to complete this transi- tion. That’s why it’s critical to keep the door
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