Sustainable Development Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy - Alistair Sproul

Summary

Professor Alistair Spray from UNSW highlights the importance of renewable energy, like solar and wind, in addressing the global energy crisis. With nearly a billion people lacking access to electricity and millions relying on dangerous fuels for cooking, renewable energy offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution. He emphasizes advancements in solar and wind technologies, their decreasing costs, and their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Professor Spray also advocates for energy-efficient appliances and the transition to renewable energy systems globally, offering a pathway to affordable and clean energy for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 About a billion people lack access to electricity, and three billion rely on wood or animal dung for cooking and heating, exposing many women and children to dangerous indoor air pollution.
• 🌞 Renewable energy sources like wind and solar can provide sustainable solutions for ensuring affordable and reliable energy for all.
• 💨 Wind and solar energy are complementary, often balancing each other, where when the sun shines, the wind blows, and vice versa.
• 🔋 Energy storage is becoming cost-effective, with options like batteries for small-scale systems and pumped hydroelectric storage for larger systems.
• 🌏 Modern electricity networks have vast interconnections, allowing energy sharing across great distances, such as Australia's 40,000 kilometers of transmission lines and cables.
• 💡 In 2007, hydroelectricity was the only renewable energy source in Australia, but by 2019, renewables accounted for 23% of the country's electricity generation.
• 📉 The costs of photovoltaics and wind energy have been dramatically reducing, with photovoltaics seeing a 10% reduction in costs every year for the past decade.
• 🏡 Rooftop photovoltaics on Australian homes and businesses provide about 5% of the country's electricity and cost about one-third of conventional energy sources.
• 🔄 Energy efficiency improvements in buildings, equipment, and appliances have led to a 20% reduction in electricity consumption in Australia over the past decade, despite population growth.
• 🌱 University of New South Wales now sources 100% of its electricity from a solar farm in western New South Wales, demonstrating the viability and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy in large-scale applications.
• 🌍 The transition to renewable energy and energy efficiency is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change, particularly for the world's poorest populations.

Q & A

Why do nearly a billion people lack access to electricity?

Nearly a billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity due to various factors, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and geographic challenges, particularly in rural and remote areas.

What are the dangers of using wood or animal dung for cooking and heating?

Using wood or animal dung for cooking and heating exposes many women and children to dangerous levels of indoor air pollution, which can lead to respiratory issues, eye problems, and other health risks.

How do solar and wind energy complement each other?

Solar and wind energy complement each other because when one is not available (e.g., when it's cloudy or calm), the other may still be generating power, providing a more consistent and reliable energy source overall.

What are some solutions to the intermittency of renewable energy?

Solutions to renewable energy intermittency include energy storage systems like batteries for small-scale systems and pumped hydroelectric storage for large-scale systems. Additionally, energy interconnections between regions allow for sharing power from different sources.

How has renewable energy in Australia evolved over the years?

Renewable energy in Australia has grown significantly, with hydroelectricity accounting for 6% of electricity in 2007, and by 2019, renewables contributed 23%, mainly due to dramatic increases in solar photovoltaics and wind energy.

Why has the cost of photovoltaics and wind energy decreased dramatically?

The costs of photovoltaics and wind energy have decreased significantly due to advances in technology, economies of scale, and ongoing innovations, making these energy sources the lowest-cost options for generating electricity in many parts of the world.

What is the role of rooftop solar photovoltaics in Australia?

Rooftop solar photovoltaics on Australian homes and businesses produce about 5% of the country's electricity and deliver power at roughly one-third of the cost of conventional electricity sources.

What impact has energy efficiency had on Australia's electricity consumption?

Energy efficiency improvements, including better appliances and buildings, have helped reduce Australia's electricity consumption by 20% compared to what it would have been without these advancements, despite population growth and increased device use.

What is the significance of the solar farm at the University of New South Wales?

The solar farm at the University of New South Wales is significant because it represents the transition from laboratory research to practical, large-scale solar energy production, helping the university source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.

How can individuals contribute to the transition to renewable energy?

Individuals can contribute by purchasing energy-efficient appliances with good energy ratings, switching to electricity plans with a higher proportion of renewable energy, and encouraging wider adoption of sustainable practices.