28 July REneweconomy news
- EnergyAustralia: “The truth about coal is that it is not cheap”
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EnergyAustralia says coal is not cheap and idea that new coal plants could reduce electricity costs is a “myth”. This comes as the ACCC vows to focus on bidding practices in wholesale markets, an issue completely ignored by AEMC, the market rule maker.
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ACT launches second phase of battery test centre, early results inEarly results suggest that lithium-ion out-performs both the advanced and traditional lead-acid battery packs in terms of round-trip efficiency.
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Electricity sector “gold plating” behind sky-high prices – not renewablesTAI report says electricity sector gold-plating costing households $400-$500 a year. Cost of carbon price: “barely noticeable.”
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AGL expands smart technology portfolio with $13m in US start-upAGL invests $13 million in smart lock and smart home controls start-up in US, expanding its push into new technologies.
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Queensland launches “world’s largest” EV fast-charging networkQueensland govt launches Electric Super Highway, names first 18 locations for “green-powered” EV fast charging stations.
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Digging for carbon cuts: How the mining industry can win with renewablesAn unprecedented drop in renewable energy prices, the high energy intensity of mining, and the volatility of fossil fuel pricing have combined to create a groundbreaking opportunity for decarbonizing the mining industry.
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1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 
The Editor
The Advertiser
According to the Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), of the six major factors that have forced up energy prices five are directly related to privatisation (The Advertiser 27/7/17).
These are
• inadequate regulation of electricity distribution monopolies
• over-expenditure on electricity distribution infrastructure
• inadequate competition (“concentration”) in electricity generation
• inadequate competition (“concentration”) in electricity retailing, and
• very high gas prices
to which I would add a sixth
• inadequate competition through integration of electricity generation and retailing.
Given that a main function of the ACCC is to make privatisation work, it is not surprising that no mention was made of the political decision to privatise essential energy services.
In order to control skyrocketing energy prices, addressing the overriding factor, privatisation, may have to be the first priority. But don’t expect the ACCC to lead the way.
Dennis Matthews
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