There is a mammoth gap in renewable energy storage to be plugged, if Australia is to achieve Net-Zero anytime soon. Significant investment is needed to achieve a 14-fold increase in energy storage capacity, if Australia is to meet its net-zero target, according to the CSIRO's Renewable Energy Storage Roadmap. Accordingly, the storage capacity must grow significantly over coming decades to keep pace with rapidly rising electricity demand - driven by the electrification of industries, like transport and construction.“Reaching net-zero is a wicked challenge" said CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall, needing industry, research and Government collaboration.https://www.innovationaus.com/huge-renewable-storage-leap-needed-to-make-net-zero-csiro-says/

Is the global agriculture system on the verge of a new green revolution? If we need to sustainably feed up to 10 billion, despite the ravages of climate, a revolution is required. BloombergNEF has launched a new research stream on this: the transition  for Agriculture to become nature positive, carbon neutral and achieve the required volumes.Addressing the overuse of land, water, fertilizers and pesticides is the first priority, then reducing carbon and scaling up. Bloomberg proposes 5 Pillars including sustainable foods, sustainable intensification, green chemicals, carbon-smart farming and restoration and the protection of natural capital. https://about.bnef.com/blog/sustainable-agriculture-is-the-new-green-revolution/

Not a new idea - to charge households for their excess solar-generated electricity - but controversial. The Sun tax concept is getting closer, but not much clearer, as networks outline their plans.Ausgrid will introduce opt-in export pricing for households in July 2024 including both a charge component and reward component, depending on the time of day.Essential Energy's solar tariff is a combination of its existing Sun Soaker tariff plus an export price and rebate.Endeavour is proposing a similar scheme but stretched out to 2029.The good news - all the schemes will encourage batteries installation.https://reneweconomy.com.au/sun-tax-gets-closer-but-not-much-clearer-as-networks-outline-solar-export-tariff-plans/

The Ukraine war has pressured fossil fuel pricing, created shortages and encouraged more use of coal in the short term. However, it has also accelerated the green transition.Warm weather and greater energy efficiency means Europe has used 6-8% less electricity this winter. And around the world, capital is being mobilised to make economies more frugal. Last year governments, households and firms together spent $560bn on energy efficiency. Much of this was spent on electric vehicles and heat pumps, with almost doubled sales in both 2021 and 2022. Reason for hope?https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/02/13/war-and-subsidies-have-turbocharged-the-green-transition?Also see Energy Transition Web

Natural seawater as an “almost infinite” feedstock for green hydrogen - that's the promise - following just-released research led by scientists at the University of Adelaide. Undertaken with Universities also in China and America, Associate Professor Yao Zheng said “Our work provides a solution to directly utilise seawater without pre-treatment systems and alkali addition, which shows similar performance as that of existing metal-based mature pure water electrolyser.”See article below and also hear Idea Spies Energy Editor Kylie Hargreaves speak about this Tuesday 7th Feb 6pm via Climate & Peace webinar: www.climateandpeace.com.auhttps://www.innovationa

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (from July 2021) puts a price on CO2 emissions, and has been a key driver of decarbonisation in energy and industry. From Dec 2022, the EU has decided to set up a similar scheme for the transport and heating sectors. And this includes the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) that will impact trade from Australia and the world - see details below. For expert opinions on how Australia can benefit catch the 'Transitioning to an Energy Superpower' webinar next Tuesday 6pm via; www.climateandpeace.com.auAlso see:https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/understanding-european-unions-emissions-trading-system