Introduction: This is the eighth episode of the "Unlocking the Energy Trilemma" podcast. The podcast's focus was "How Cheap is Renewable Energy Really?". Our Managing Director, Mr. Ravi Krishnan, and our partner, Mr. Jose A. Martinez, moderated this podcast, which featured our guest, Mr. Scott Hargreaves, Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs. The podcast was completed on August 7, 2024. We discussed about renewable energy misconceptions, costs, policy challenges, and the future of energy security and global net-zero goals during the podcast. To listen to the whole podcast, click on the link provided above.
Can you give us a fact or figure that is relevant to the energy trilemma?
What are some of the common misconceptions the public has about renewable energy and its costs from an Australian perspective?
How do you respond to proponents of renewable energy who argue that advancements in technology, like energy storage, will eventually mitigate issues related to energy security and increased costs from reliance on intermittent renewable energy?
On July 17th, there was a new record of operational demand in Queensland with nearly nine gigawatts of consumption. Despite all the renewables installed that day, only about 3 percent of the investment was helping to cover the demand. What do we do in such situations? Is having 100 percent backup the future?
Are subsidies and market regulations distorting the true cost of renewables? What can be done to address this?
Are we moving from an energy transition perspective to an energy addition perspective, given that global energy demand continues to grow? How could renewables be helpful in this scenario?
Do you believe that Australia’s net-zero targets are achievable in the context of what we discussed?
Is interconnection a real possibility for a theoretically energy-rich but geographically isolated country like Australia, considering the complexities and distances involved compared to places like Central Europe?
How can Australia's policy of reducing domestic coal consumption while continuing to export coal to India and other Asian countries be explained? What is Australia's energy policy, taking into account the safeguard mechanism and fossil fuel exports?
If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it to unlock the energy trilemma?