Thread by @nickymison

You're taking a job running a #renewable exports campaign? Renewable exports - what's that? Why is it important?

THREAD

Last year I came up with a #Renewable Exports typology.

I reckon there are six main types of exports.

1. Direct electricity transfer via undersea cables, like the SunCable proposal to export power to Singapore afr.com/companies/ener…

2. Clean hydrogen-based fuel, using #renewable electricity to electrolyze water. Renewable hydrogen can then be turned into other chemicals like ammonia, which can be transported more easily and safely at scale.

3. Solar power products, increasing Australian manufacturing and minerals refinement, powered by #renewables.

This is probably the leading example of such a project. Though the Mt Isa copper string aims to do this too.
reneweconomy.com.au/naif-may-fund-…

4. Australia’s expertise in clean, #renewable energy.

South Australia is at the leading edge of integrating high levels of variable renewables into the grid. That knowledge is valuable around the world. Our universities could develop new courses.

5. Components for clean energy projects e.g. wind turbine blades, inverters, batteries, electrolizers etc.

6. Software and services for clean energy e.g. the software and smarts needed for demand management, microgrids, and grid integration of renewables.

Already, Australian company @GreenSync is taking its smart tech and DER business model to the UK.

pv-magazine-australia.com/2019/06/25/gre…

@GreenSync And this typology doesn't even include the great Australian social enterprises that are working on the issue of energy poverty and renewables around the world.

Organisations like @PollinateEnergy pollinategroup.org

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy Ok, so these are the options of what #RenewableExports can mean. A year ago, I wrote a discussion paper - 200% Renewables a HUGE opportunity for Australia. Here's seven reasons why...

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy 1. The fact is places like Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and other parts of South East Asia will have trouble decarbonising and in some cases lifting themselves out of energy poverty without our help. We have some of the best solar and wind resources in the world (see the map)...

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy Australia has a large flat land area, a low population & low electricity demand. While some of our neighbours have high populations, not a lot of land or sunshine and are covered in forests that need to be protected.

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy #Climatechange is a global problem, the solutions have to be global. We punch above our weight as being a part of the problem, but we can also punch above our weight as being part of the solution too.

theguardian.com/environment/20…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy 2. 200% or 700% renewables makes the domestic transition to 100% renewables easier technically and more cost effective (if we get the cost of renewable hydrogen down). What this means is we overbuild wind and solar and have to rely less on storage. theguardian.com/environment/20…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy 3. Renewables at export scale will mean a LOT of renewables on Aboriginal land. We have the opportunity to ensure that this is done in a way that contributes to self-determination for Aboriginal communities. E.g.
@pilbarasolar are trying to do this.
pilbarasolar.com.au

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar 4. If we are serious about ending Australia's coal and gas exports, we have to unhook our government coffers from fossil fuel export royalties. Renewable exports represent one of the biggest opportunities to do this.

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar 5. #RenewableExports helps change the national conversation. We can tell a story of how if we act on climate we can prosper economically and if we don't we will suffer. Indeed we are already feeling the impacts of the #climatecrisis.

climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/upl…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar 6. Currently, one part of the renewable exports equation - hydrogen is being seen as a lifeline by the gas and to a lesser extent the coal industry. We need to push back on this and ensure we are moving to truly Renewable Exports.

abc.net.au/news/2019-02-1…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar 7. Renewable hydrogen has the potential to decarbonise comodities for which in the past we haven't had an answer. The best example of this is steel. But really anything we can't easily electrify like shipping.

cleantechnica.com/2018/05/14/hyd…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar I think its also important to acknowledge the organisations already leading on this...

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar Firstly, @beyondzeronews and their excellent #RenewableSuperpower Report

bze.org.au/research/renew…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar @beyondzeronews Secondly, @ARENA_aus, who has made #renewableexports one of their investment priorities. Though they are running out of funding and we need to save them.

arena.gov.au/blog/could-ren…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar @beyondzeronews @ARENA_aus Thirdly, research institutions like @ANUEnergyChange @Monash and @unimelb who are doing some great research in this space.

energy.anu.edu.au/zero-carbon-en…

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar @beyondzeronews @ARENA_aus @ANUEnergyChange @monash @unimelb Fourth entrepreneurs like @_Oliver_Yates, @mcannonbrookes @eytanlenko Sangeev Gupter, who are putting their money where their mouth is to make this happen.

@GreenSync @PollinateEnergy @PilbaraSolar @beyondzeronews @ARENA_aus @ANUEnergyChange @monash @unimelb @_Oliver_Yates @mcannonbrookes @eytanlenko Finally, some state and territory governments who are getting on with the job. Particularly, #SouthAustralia.

reneweconomy.com.au/south-australi…