A Monash expert is available to discuss the implications this will have on the electricity grid.
Available to comment:
Dr Behrooz Bahrani, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Director at Grid Innovation Hub
Contact: Loretta Wylde - Media and Communications, Monash University +61 432 123 106 or loretta.wylde@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Dr Bahrani:
"I applaud the bold decision by the Victorian government to push Victoria towards a more sustainable, eco-conscious future, but the magnitude of this ecological crisis calls for more than policy changes.
“In the short term, the pressure on the grid will be small, as only a small portion of buildings will be impacted, but in the long term, this change is likely to increase pressure on the grid.
“We need to foster a holistic approach encompassing accelerated financial commitments, technological advancements, and specialised human capital to truly realise a sustainable future.
“This transformative move acknowledges our collective responsibility in the fight against climate change, compelling us to rethink and reshape our energy consumption patterns.
“This directive underlines an urgent need to expedite our journey towards a fully renewable grid.
“Currently almost 36 per cent of renewable energy is available on the grid. It will take over fifteen years for the grid to become fully renewable. All of the existing coal-fired and gas-fired generators will need to be replaced with renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, and a large number of large-scale batteries added to the grid. These changes are underway; however, they will create various challenges.
“As we transition away from fossil fuels, we must enable significant investments into renewable energy technologies and infrastructure to innovate robust solutions for these challenges we will inevitably encounter.
“We must also prioritise the cultivation of an expert workforce equipped with the necessary skills to navigate these emerging complexities.”
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