User:DiamondIIIXX/Renewable energy in Australia

Renewable energy is defined as energy which is derived from sources which are replenished naturally on a human timescale. This is in direct contrast to energy derived from fossil fuels which take millions of years to form. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels releases large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a contributor to climate change. Because of these factors, there has been an increasing need to source energy from renewable generation, in order to avoid both the consequences of climate change and the inevitable outcome of running out of fossil fuels.

Australia has world-class renewable resources. High quality solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, hydro and bio-energy resources are spread throughout the country. Renewable energy had remained largely untapped in Australia until the start of the 21st century. It is a growing field in Australia, and is increasingly being used in the generation of electricity, as fuel in transport and in thermal energy.

History
The Snowy Mountains Scheme, the largest engineering project to date in Australia, began construction in 1949 and opened in 1972.

Australia's first solar power station at White Cliffs started construction in 1980 and was completed in 1982, and was decommissioned in 2004.

Research has been undertaken at University of New South Wales on solar cells since 1974.

Large-scale generation from renewable power plants has been steadily increasing since the year 2000.

Overview and targets
Australia has had a Renewable Energy Target (RET) in place since 2001. It aimed to source 33,000 GWh of electricity from renewable sources by 2020; this target was achieved. It consisted of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), to increase the use of renewable energy of high energy users through large-scale generation certificates (LGCs), and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) which provided financial incentives, through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for individuals and small businesses to install renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar or heat pumps. In 2015, the Federal Liberal Government decided to reduce the target from 41,000 GWh to 33,000 GWh and remained unchanged.

Resources
Australia has world-class renewable resources. Renewable energy resources are dependent on the natural processes of the Earth. Because of this, their power extraction capability can vary significantly across continents and even states or regions.

Solar
High solar radiation levels are spread across the mainland, but are greatest in the north-west of the country. Most parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia all receive high amounts of irradiation. The northern parts of Victoria receive slightly less, and the southern parts of Victoria and all of Tasmania receive the least of Australia.

Wind
High average wind speeds are present in most states, usually offshore or in highland areas. As with most countries, extremely high wind speeds are found along the coast, roughly from Shark Bay in Western Australia, to Cape Howe, the meeting point of New South Wales and Victoria at sea, as well as through Bass Strait and surrounding Tasmania. The same quality of wind speed is also found in Queensland near Cairns as well as Gladstone.

Geothermal
Geothermal reserves are spread across the country but currently lack quantification. The relevant map shows that the reserves are located mainly in central Australia and the Northern Territory.

Wave
Wave energy is concentrated mainly from Perth to Hobart and through the Great Australian Bight.

Energy Sector Transformation


Originally designed to transport electricity from large centralised coal-burning power plants to load centres in the capital cities, Australia's electricity supply has been rapidly transforming since the advent of rooftop solar, and in turn becoming more decentralised.