ANU experts to power path to all-electric ACT
A map to guide the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)’s transition to an all-electric economy will be developed by experts at The Australian National University (ANU).
It will show how cities like Canberra can achieve net zero emissions in a reliable and affordable way.
According to project lead, Dr Bin Lu, the study will provide a template for the rest of the country.
“Canberra is a national leader in the renewable energy transition. Things are happening much faster here than the rest of Australia,” Dr Lu said.
“Our target — net zero by 2045 — is five years ahead of the national target, so there’s a real opportunity for the rest of the states and territories to learn from the ACT’s experience.”
Dr Lu and his team will develop detailed modelling for the electrification of ACT suburbs.
This means looking at everything from electric cars and heating, to electrifying industry.
“We will also need energy storage to support this transition,” Dr Lu said.
“We’ll be working on data that shows how distributed energy storage resources — things like electric car batteries, neighbourhood batteries and hot water storage — can play a big role.
“We’ll also aim to develop geographic information system (GIS)-based maps of these resources. GIS modelling will shed light on the geographic distribution of Canberra’s distributed energy storage resources.”
The research will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to net zero emissions by 2045.
“As outlined in the ACT Government’s Powering Canberra report, the strategic use of distributed energy resources will play a vital role in maintaining grid stability and reducing peak energy demand,” co-investigator on the project, ANU Associate Professor Marnie Shaw, said.
“We will develop an integrated approach to support electrification and renewable energy integration through high-resolution simulations.”
The group has been awarded the 2023 Icon Water and ActewAGL Endowment Fund to support their work.
The Icon Water and ActewAGL Endowment Fund was established in 2009 with an equal donation from Icon Water and ActewAGL.
Top image: Dr Bin Lu. Photo: ANU
Featured experts
Contact the media team
Related tags:
You may also like
ANU centre to tackle world’s biggest biosecurity challenges
A new training centre housed at ANU will equip the next generation of scientists to tackle some of the world’s biggest biosecurity challenges, including the most effective ways to build trust when threats such as the Varroa mite are identified.
ANU students take on rural Australia ahead of the World Solar Challenge
You think building a solar-powered vehicle from scratch sounds complicated? Try driving it across the country with 40 university students to host workshops for schoolkids.
No such thing as a wasted vote: how young Australians can still be heard on climate
The cost of living has been dominating headlines this election campaign, but an ANU expert assures young people they can still vote for climate action.