FUTURE ENERGY
AND THEY’RE OFF: THE STATE RACE TO NETWORK REGIONS OF RENEWABLES by Chris Allan, Journalist, Energy magazine In 2020, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its 20-year vision for the National Electricity Market (NEM). A winning move in their strategy for renewables is the state-led networking of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) – regional hotspots rich with renewable potential. Here we take a look at how these special districts of renewables could completely transform both state energy infrastructure and the NEM.
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September 2021 ISSUE 15
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uilding an Australian energy market that is more secure, reliable and affordable will require nothing if not wellinformed decision-making. Over the next 20 years, Australia’s states will transform existing network transmission to meet challenges like emission reduction targets, the growth of load centres, as well as the fair integration of new and decentralised means of energy generation. But despite mounting pressures to future-proof the NEM, it’s worth remembering that the smartest network upgrades can begin with simply ‘working backwards’: by closely assessing existing infrastructure and natural resource potential, policymakers and authorities can fine-tune the best strategies for state upgrades.
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