Public Policy Papers

Public Policy Paper #3/2014: Community Engagement in Energy Policy in Australia (May 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Peta Ashworth, Technology in Society, CSIRO Energy Flagship

Key Points

• A large proportion of the Australian public has a low level of energy literacy and appears increasingly to be confused and concerned about energy and climate change policies
• Resources, including time and money, are required to ensure adequate opportunity for a wider cross section of the community to engage with policy issues
• Engagement processes provide the opportunity for policymakers to hear from a broader cross section of the community to generate energy policy outcomes that transcend individual political stances
• Independent information drawing from beyond the vested interests of individual groups and organisations is critical for these processes and to build trust and legitimacy in the outcomes

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Public Policy Paper #2/2014: The Economic Impact of High Energy Prices in Australia (February 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Jim Snow, Director, Oakley Greenwood

In this new era of relatively higher energy prices in Australia, we are witnessing the rapid restructuring of the more energy-intensive or energy cost-exposed businesses, driving many to move production abroad. Many cannot manage multiple changes in costs and have lost the edge that low-cost energy gave them to remain competitive. It is also driving the restructuring of investments in key parts of the energy supply sector in a way that is not largely reflective of an open, competitive market sector.

Key polnts:

• The Australian energy supply industry has found itself in free-fall as demand has declined. 
• Higher energy prices are forcing the restructuring of many energy-intensive or energy cost-exposed businesses, driving production abroad. 
• Many businesses cannot manage multiple changes in costs and have lost the edge that low-cost energy gave them to remain competitive. 
• Many Australians on low or fixed incomes are being propelled into energy poverty – which may lead to a restructuring of welfare benefits and the way people accommodate themselves.

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Public Policy Paper #1/2014: The Current and Future Importance of Coal in the World Energy Economy (January 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Ian Cronshaw, Consultant, Office of the Chief Economist, International Energy Agency

Key points:

• Coal is the most important source of power generation globally, accounting for some 41% of global power generation in 2011.
• In non-OECD countries, it accounts for almost half of power output.
• The role of coal in the future will be largely determined by energy policy developments in non-OECD countries.
• Despite all endeavours to diversify energy soources, coal will remain the dominant power sector fuel for at least the next quarter century, as coal fired power generation is projected to increase by more than 70%.
• Increasing the efficiency of coal-fired power plants and the development and gradual utilisation of CCS technology will be essential to reconcile the ongoing importance of coal fired power with the global environmental objectives.

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Public Policy Paper #4/2013: Energy Innovation Policy and the Need for a Portfolio Approach (November 2013)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Professor Chris Greig, Professor Energy Strategy, University of Queensland; and Director, UQ Energy Initiative.
 

Key Points:  

• innovation is critical to a low-carbon energy future but it is not adequately valued or incentivised in Australia;
• there is a need to pursue a portfolio approach to energy innovation;
• collaboration, including international collaboration, is also essential; and
• public and stakeholder engagement is necessary to build confidence.

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Public Policy Paper #3/2013: Getting gas into a market - any market (June 2013)

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Parent Category: Publications

Authors: Robert Pritchard, Executive Director, Energy Policy Institute of Australia and Managing Director, ResourcesLaw International; and Keith Orchison, Principal, Coolibah Pty Ltd, editor of OnPower website, publisher of the "This is Power" blog and a commentator for Business Spectator.

Key Points:

• Eastern Australia, mainly New South Wales, faces a potential gas supply crisis.
• There is plenty of gas in the ground in eastern and central Australia but it is too often blocked from getting into any market by a combination of regulatory, environmental and social constraints that have created a investment imbroglio.
• Some elements of the gas industry contributed to the problem in the early days by not fully appreciating and not adequately responding to community concerns.
• The root cause is nonetheless policy failure in New South Wales, the remedy for which is to immediately establish a well-resourced task force with all affected stakeholders to proactively eliminate the blockages.

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Public Policy Paper #2/2013: No such thing as the cost of renewables? The significance of system and resource costs (June 2013)

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Parent Category: Publications

The second in the Institute's 2013 series of public policy papers is now available for download. 

Author:  Malcolm Keay, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, UK 

Key Points:

• Governments across the world are supporting renewable energy but the programmes are often controversial.
• In particular, the costs are contentious, with advocates arguing that renewables are competitive; opponents arguing that support for renewables is increasingly expensive.
• One reason for the differing views is that the cost structure of most renewable electricity sources is very different from that of conventional generation.
• The cost depends on the amount and type of renewable energy in a system as well as on the technology used.
• The level and form of government support for renewables should be based on a robust understanding of these costs and the implications for the wider electricity system.
• Where the costs are uncertain, the emphasis should be on limiting total costs, providing incentives for innovation and cost reduction, and removing market barriers.

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