Sydney-headquartered Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) and University of New South Wales (UNSW) have quantified the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) ultra-low-cost (ULC) solar target to demonstrate national energy systems could deliver 1,000 TWh per year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh per year for export.
The ARENA 30-30-30 vision for ULC solar represents 30% solar module efficiency and an installed cost of $0.30 (USD 21 cents) per watt by 2030.
Using innovative system-level energy modelling, the researchers show that ULC solar could potentially support national energy systems by delivering 1,000 TWh/year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh/year for export, creating a 2,000 GW-scale solar market in Australia.
An ACAP statement describes the scale as a requirement to power a fully decarbonised economy while enabling large-scale production of green metals for global markets.
‘Mapping the market opportunities for ultra low-cost solar’ modelling project contributor ANU School of Engineering Research Fellow Dr Bin Lu said used smartly, 2,000 GW of solar could power a fully decarbonised domestic economy.
“[It would also] support large-scale production of green metals for export – positioning Australia as a global supplier of green products while dramatically reducing national emissions,” Lu said.
Modelling
The modelling shows that ULC solar can change the economics of Australia’s energy transition, where electricity markets can deliver reliable 100% renewable power at costs well below current wholesale prices, and cost reductions flow directly into heavy industry.
Using an integrated, system-level approach, the study captures interactions between industrial decarbonisation, electricity market transformation and green commodity production, rather than treating them separately.
Image: Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics
Consequently, the 30-30-30 target model found green aluminium, ammonia and steel production can reach cost parity with conventional production, and aviation electro-fuels move significantly closer to commercial viability.
“Australia has abundant solar resources, and some of the world’s richest mineral reserves, such as iron ore and bauxite. Used smartly, cheaper renewable technologies could power Australia’s transition to a global supplier of green products,” Lu said.
The techno-economic modelling evolves from an electricity-sector optimisation framework into an integrated, economy-wide energy system model that enables coordinated modelling of sectoral energy transitions.
The collaborative project is led by ANU School of Engineering professors Kylie Catchpole and Andrew Blakers with contributions from Dr Lu, and UNSW School of Engineering Dr Nathan Chang and Dr Simao Lin.
ACAP reports that follow-on analyses is now examining electricity network transitions and export-oriented clean energy pathways.
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