21.13 The Quality of Science Teaching in the Schools.
Purpose: To call for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the teaching of science in schools.
Background. It is clear from a growing number of reports that there is widespread circulation of false and misleading information about climate science in schools.
Steps to introduce common courses across the nation have contributed to this situation.
Misinformation is provided by teachers functioning as green activists and some is taught by teachers who do not know any better.
The critical issue. Public debate on climate and energy issues will only be helpful when everyone has access to reliable and diverse information and there is civil discussion of competing ideas.
This debate cannot be helpful while cohorts of students emerge every year from the
21.12 The Capacity of “Big” Batteries
June 2021
Purpose. To explain that even the biggest “big batteries” cannot provide grid-scale dispatchable power.
Background.
We are informed by AEMO that the energy transition is inevitable. “This system is now experiencing the biggest and fastest transformational change in the world.”
At least 15GW of coal power is expected to close by 2040, to be replaced by some 36GW of wind and solar power.
The intermittent input from wind and solar will have to be “firmed” (backed up) by “dispatchable” power from some combination of gas generation, storage in batteries and storage in pumped hydro reservoirs.
The dual function of big batteries
One of the planned functions of big batteries is to provide almost instantaneous inputs to counter
21.11 The Downside of Electric Vehicles
Purpose.
To signal the downside of electric vehicles before governments waste taxpayers money to promote them.
Governments around the western world are competing to adopt the most EV-friendly policies and the most aggressive legislation to drive conventional cars off the road.
There is a long list of problems with the rapid introduction of electric vehicles, especially if governments provide subsidies and other incentives.
Safety
Spare a thought for the road safety aspect of soundless cars that can accelerate like rockets. Consider the situation of pedestrians who are elderly or hard of hearing, and young children who may be careless crossing the street.
People who have experienced collisions and close calls with cyclists will appreciate
21.10 The Capital Costs of Firming Solar Farms with Gas Turbines
May 2021
Purpose: To challenge the view that solar farms firmed with gas turbines are an economic substitute for coal fired power generators.
Background: The NSW Government’s policy reflected in ‘The NSW Electrical Infrastructure Roadmap’ advises that four of its five coal fired power stations will be decommissioned by 2035. The Roadmap’s strategy is to construct large Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) consisting of wind and solar farms firmed with some combination of gas turbine, batteries and pumped hydro plants.
Critical Issues:
- If solar farms are selected to replace the coal fired power stations, approximately 75, 270 MW solar farms will need to be constructed to replace the energy lost through
21.09 Green hydrogen
May 2021
Purpose. To suggest a realistic view on the prospects for “green hydrogen.”
Background.
There is a worldwide push to achieve large-scale commercial industries based on so-called ‘green’ hydrogen produced by splitting water (electrolysis powered by wind and solar) instead of the usual method (steam reforming using natural gas) that generates CO2 as a by-product.
The Commonwealth government has nominated green hydrogen as one of the five lanes in the “Technological Highway” towards a green energy transition. Some $300Million has been allocated for grants to private enterprises to pursue research and development.
State governments are contributing on a smaller scale.
Critical Issues.
Despite the media hype for green hydrogen around