Change is happening across the energy network as Australia moves towards its ambition of net zero. But moving towards an energy grid run predominantly on renewables is a massive challenge. It requires big investment in renewables – like wind and solar. And it requires big investment in firming or back-up – like battery storage and pumped hydro, as well as transmission infrastructure. Gas will also continue to play a vital role for a while in maintaining a reliable energy system for Australians.   

And this is what we’re exploring in So Watt? a podcast about energy hosted by Dom Fay and Zach Mander from Collective Noun. We’re looking at the transition to a cleaner energy system, powered predominantly by renewables. So, can we get to 100% renewables? Tune into episode six below or read on to find out.

First up, let’s talk about a major energy source – gas. It currently provides around 11 Gigawatts of power into the National Electricity Market (NEM). And that’s a lot. 

And as we transition to renewables, gas remains important for the stability of the grid. In fact, the Australian Energy Market Operator says that in 2050, we’ll still need 10 Gigawatts of gas for firming up renewables. 

That’s why gas power stations like Origin’s Quarantine Power Station in South Australia are so important. Quarantine is a peaking power plant and can generate almost 240 Megawatts of power.  

What is ‘firming’ and ‘peaking’?

Peaking power plants turn on and off as the energy grid needs. They’re designed to deal with high demand (or peaks) in the grid and can help to fill gaps in the market from other variable sources, like when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining. So, as we transition to renewables, they’ll help to firm up (or stabilise) energy supply to keep the lights on.  

And that’s why we need gas turbines that start quickly, like an aeroplane turbine. But they don’t need to take off like a plane… we certainly don’t need flying power plants. They start and shut down very fast to respond to fluctuations in the energy grid to maintain supply for customers. And this is key to how the grid of the future will work. That’s why over at Quarantine Power Station, Origin recently upgraded two turbines, which take 5 minutes to turn on and off, compared to older turbines which take around 25 minutes – a much faster response time. 

So, how will the grid transition to renewables, if there’s variability in the energy output they provide? We need more battery storage and pumped hydro to store renewable energy to use later when it’s needed, and for a while longer, we’ll also need gas. These all play vital roles in providing stability in the grid when renewables can’t meet our energy needs.  

What does it look like?

There’s actually a first-hand example right here in Australia of what a renewable-dominated grid could look like…  

South Australia has invested heavily in solar, wind and batteries, with plans to hit 100% renewables by 2030. And in 2021, the state set a national record by running its grid on 100% renewable energy for almost a week. The question is, when can we do that for longer periods of time?  

Moving to a renewable grid across the whole country won’t be easy. It’s all about maintaining energy system reliability. Essentially, an electricity grid works on the basis that supply and demand must always be kept in balance.  

The other barrier to getting to 100% renewables is infrastructure. We need a lot more transmission to make sure we can get power from where it’s generated, to where it needs to be used – bringing solar and wind electricity from regional locations into cities and connecting Australian states.  

So, given these challenges, can we actually run the energy grid predominantly on renewables? Yes, it’s possible! As a nation, one of the biggest things we need to do to get there is increase investment in all kinds of renewables and firming, like battery storage, and back that up with the transmission infrastructure and smart technology like AI to make it all work more efficiently and maintain energy reliability for Australians. And while we’re on that journey, gas-fired peaking plants will continue to provide back-up when needed, particularly over longer durations like days or even weeks – which is beyond the limits of battery storage technology and pumped hydro today, which usually discharge in a few hours.  

We can all play a role in the transition to renewable energy. Australian homes, small and big businesses and government can all work together to reduce carbon emissions, support the right mix of energy sources for the future, and reach net zero by 2050. 

Hosts, Zach and Dom from Collective Noun admit they know nothing about energy – but not for long! Origin’s So Watt? podcast questions everything you thought you knew about energy, and explores the solutions that exist today. In season two of So Watt?, go on a journey with Zach and Dom to find out more about the transition to renewables, what changes are already happening and what’s coming up.  

The post Is a fully renewable energy grid possible? appeared first on The Origin Blog.

While the energy sector is tackling the transition to net zero by adopting cleaner forms of energy generation, there’s also a role for individuals and for businesses to play. Including one of the biggest businesses in Australia, and one of our favourite pastimes, sport.  

And this is what we’re exploring in the latest episode of So Watt? A podcast about energy hosted by Dom Fay and Zach Mander from Collective Noun. We’re looking at the transition to a cleaner energy system, powered predominantly by renewables. So, can the sports industry make the transition to net zero? Tune into episode five below or read on to find out.  

Will motorsports evolve?

First up, let’s talk about a sport which is likely to see more change than most through the energy transition: motor racing. Vroom, vroom. 

It’s a carbon-intensive sport, and it’s at a crossroads – electric vehicles are here. Most car manufacturers are now working on some kind of electric vehicle, and it’s forcing major racing championships to reconsider how they operate. 

In fact, The World Rally Championship is starting to transition to hybrid vehicles. There’s also Formula E, which is basically an electric version of Formula One, as well as an off-road rally championship called Extreme E – held in places around the world that are most likely to be affected by climate change.  

And yes, EVs are quieter than a regular car, especially the roaring engines at motorsports events. So, what does that mean for fans? While it’s a change, it remains an action-packed event that fans love according to Molly Taylor, winner of the 2016 Australian Rally Championship and current Extreme E driver. 

“There’s no track, often, like there’s no roads, we’re just they literally setting up a course in like a dry riverbed, it’ll be in the middle of the sand dunes or wherever it may be, with flags in the ground, drive between these flags, and then drive as fast as you can to the next flags type of scenario. And you know, we’re out in this beautiful, beautiful landscape. And it’s nice and quiet.” 

“It’s different noises that you’re hearing. Now you do hear the electric motor, but you also have a lot more, you can hear stones and gravel and that stuff hitting the camera. So, you have different kinds of cues you take. So it’s more a case of just adapting to that, which happens pretty quickly.”  

And Extreme E is just one example of a sport that’s making positive changes for the planet. Players across AFL, soccer and cricket are also influencing action on how teams and clubs operate – at both a national and grassroots level.  

Sport and the environment

Whether it’s running lights at night for training, or trying to keep the clubhouse cool, there are different things that clubs should consider when looking to reduce the impact of the energy they use at sports stadiums and events.  

Over at Melbourne City Football Club, their new training facility is being built, and work is underway with Origin to increase its solar capacity, add battery storage and EV charging stations. There’s also LED lighting, and energy efficient windows and insulation to reduce reliance on heating and cooling. It’s all about smarter, cleaner energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions.  

And this new training facility is beside fields where community sporting clubs and local schools play, helping inspire a new generation across social issues including climate change and sustainability.  

Tips for local clubs

It’s not just professional clubs that can make changes to reduce their carbon emissions.  

All clubs need to start somewhere, and the first step is to start to think about the different ways your club may be making an impact with carbon emissions.  For example, think about how you’re travelling to and from a game or from training, how you’re using sports equipment, and how you’re using the facilities, including lighting, air conditioning, heating, and appliances. Once you have an idea of these things, then you can start with small changes.  

Consider more energy efficient lighting or appliances and whether things can be done differently – like design, set-up or timing of events, as well as looking at what type of energy plan the club is on (is adding GreenPower an option?). For some clubs or facilities, there may be an opportunity to invest in solar.

Everyone can play a role in the transition to net zero – at home, at work, and on the field, court, racetrack… wherever you enjoy sports. Athletes, fans, clubs and businesses can work together to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. 

Hosts, Zach and Dom from Collective Noun admit they know nothing about energy – but not for long! Origin’s So Watt? podcast questions everything you thought you knew about energy, and explores the solutions that exist today. In season two of So Watt?, go on a journey with Zach and Dom to find out more about the transition to renewables, what changes are already happening and what’s coming up.  

The post Can the sports industry make the transition? appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Does the mention of artificial intelligence (AI) bring to mind visions of killer robots intent on world domination? You’re probably not alone, but you may have watched The Terminator a few too many times… 

What we’re actually talking about is technology that can do what a human usually does. Lots of industries generate and use data – like gaming, shopping, cars, and even energy. AI is disrupting the way we do things, and it’s completely changing the way our whole energy system operates. 

And this is what we’re exploring in the latest episode of So Watt? – a podcast about energy hosted by Dom Fay and Zach Mander from Collective Noun. So, what role does data and artificial intelligence play in the energy transition? Tune into episode three below or read on to find out. 

Let’s delve into how these new technologies will help to manage and control energy supply, demand and storage – including the coordination of large-scale generation right through to devices in our homes. 

Screen time

Let’s start by going behind-the-scenes of Origin’s Monitoring and Support Centre, where the output from all of Origin’s power plants are controlled. It’s basically a room with a lot of screens, and each screen has data on each power plant, and the National Electricity Market (NEM), including how much wind and solar generation is out there, and what other power stations are doing. 

When the NEM needs more energy, the team at Origin’s Monitoring and Support Centre turn on more gas turbines, or ramp up the output from pumped hydro, to make sure there’s enough. And when there’s a lot of solar or wind during the day, they scale back other forms of generation.  

Essentially, energy in the grid needs to balance supply and demand at all times. So, the team processes a huge amount of data each day to do that. In fact, there are over 3 trillion data points – and that’s growing every day! 

Predicting the future

Machine learning and AI play a key role in taking all this data to predict and manage changes across the grid – and it has the potential to unlock huge possibilities. 

One of the key things AI allows us to do is forecast. You’ve heard of weather forecasting, economic forecasting and predictions on fashion trends… Well, renewable energy production and energy consumption also need to be forecast to get the balance right – which means managing fluctuations in renewable energy generation when it’s cloudy or the wind stops blowing. 

And it’s data science (we swear this isn’t just a fancy way of describing someone who’s really good at Excel) that allows us to make these predictions. 

As we transition away from an energy system built around large centralised power stations, to a more renewable one with millions of points of generation (think rooftop solar) and changing electricity demand, there will be more data and more variability to manage. Making the role of data science and forecasting critical.  

The home of the future

AI could be vital to unlocking the grid of the future. It could help to use all of that data to manage the energy grid, determine where energy is needed and where that power needs to come from. It could also help Aussie households become smarter. 

For example, AI can orchestrate a home’s energy requirements on behalf of the occupants.  

If you have rooftop solar, a home battery, heating and cooling, an EV or other smart and flexible devices – then smart tech could turn them on and off at the best times to minimise your energy costs and maximise comfort… All while helping to manage demand on the grid. You wouldn’t even need to flick a switch. Pretty smart, huh?  

It’s all about managing flexibility in supply and demand – because renewables are variable, demand must be more flexible too. And one way to achieve this demand flexibility is with the assistance of AI. 

Hosts, Zach and Dom from Collective Noun admit they know nothing about energy – but not for long! Origin’s So Watt? podcast questions everything you thought you knew about energy, and explores the solutions that exist today. In season two of So Watt?, go on a journey with Zach and Dom to find out more about the transition to renewables, what changes are already happening and what’s coming up.  

The post An intelligent grid appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Ever googled ‘can I be sunburnt by the moon?’… well, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions that Dom Fay and Zach Mander from Collective Noun are looking to answer in season two of our podcast So Watt?. We’re looking at the transition to a cleaner energy system, powered predominantly by renewables, including solar power (sadly there’s no lunar power…yet).  

Plug in your headphones, settle in and listen to the episode below or read on for a recap.

Episode two aims to answer questions like: what’s the cost of switching to renewables for Aussie households? And is solar worthwhile, even though feed-in tariffs are going down? Can you make your home more energy efficient? Let’s take a look.  

DIY

As you know, Aussies love all things DIY. The Saturday afternoon trip to Bunnings is a cultural institution. And there are plenty of DIY energy efficiency projects that homeowners can try.  

There are simple, passive solutions to reduce energy use – like installing blinds, and planting trees to provide shade. Double glazing for windows, and seasonal window shutters can also help to reduce or maximise solar exposure.   

If you’re building or renovating, there’s bigger projects you can take on to improve energy efficiency – like upgrading insulation, fitting insulated doors, creating zoned living spaces that can be sealed off to keep warmth or cool air in, and installing oversized eaves.  

Join the Loop

Across Australia, more than 3 million homes already have rooftop solar systems – with an increasing amount of people adding battery storage to help store their unused solar energy to use later. 

Origin’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP), Loop, rewards people for making their home battery available to discharge to help manage demand on the network. You can use the stored energy around your home, and if the network needs energy, we can take some from the VPP rather than from other sources. You’ll also get a credit on your bill, helping reduce the payback period on your home battery.  

In fact, there are now more than 121,000 devices connected to Loop, contributing 258 Megawatts to the energy network – which is a lot. Origin plans to have 2 Gigawatts of capacity in Loop, and by 2050, AEMO predicts there will be 31 gigawatts of dispatchable power coming from VPPs around the country, along with other ideas like Vehicle 2 Grid – where your electric vehicle acts as a battery to power your home.  

These are some of the ways Aussies can increase their energy self-sufficiency, bring their energy bills down, and help reduce carbon emissions.  

Go big

To achieve net zero by 2050, the energy system will need more large-scale renewable wind and solar projects like Darling Downs solar farm which has almost half a million solar panels generating over 100 Megawatts of power.  

We’ll also need more battery storage to shift some of our renewable generation outside the peak load and start seeing a smoother generation of renewables into the electricity market. And with this, comes the need for more infrastructure to connect these large-scale renewable projects to where the energy is needed. 

Get smart

More Australians are now active participants in the energy system by having solar on their roofs and being generators and exporters of energy. Those with batteries, and those who are part of Loop, are also able to choose how they share and use the energy they generate – and are even being rewarded for it.  

Other ways to reduce energy use and be part of the energy transition is by signing up to Spike – our energy-saving rewards program. During ‘Spike Hour’, customers get rewarded with points for reducing their energy use. It’s actions like turning off the lights and not using the clothes dryer. And those points can be redeemed for cash.   

Australia is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the renewable transition – we’ve got a lot of sun, and many of our detached or semi-detached homes are suitable for rooftop solar. We’re also early adopters of all sorts of technology. So, while change is happening across our energy network, there are ways to get involved now and make an impact at home and for the planet.  

Hosts, Zach and Dom from Collective Noun admit they know nothing about energy – but not for long! Origin’s So Watt? podcast questions everything you thought you knew about energy, and explores the solutions that exist today. In season two of So Watt?, go on a journey with Zach and Dom to find out more about the transition to renewables, what changes are already happening and what’s coming up.  

The post Will renewables cost more? appeared first on The Origin Blog.

In the Pokémon Gameboy game, players must pick a starting Pokémon based on elements of water, fire, and grass. Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur all have different strengths and weaknesses, and what we learn on the journey is that we need a well-rounded team of Pokémon who support each other.

So, what does that have to do with energy, and the transition to a cleaner energy system? It’s a stretch, but it’s an analogy about how the electricity grid needs different power sources working together in order to keep the lights on for everyone.

And that’s what we’re exploring in season two of So Watt? – a podcast about energy hosted by Dom Fay and Zach Mander from Collective Noun. It’s all about how we transition to a cleaner energy system, powered predominantly by renewables.

Have a listen below, or read on for a recap of episode one.

What role does coal power play today?

Coal-fired power plants are called baseload generators, which means they were designed to run 24/7 and maintain constant power. Today, coal plants still generate around 60% of total power needs in the national electricity market – so how do we move away from it without sending everyone into darkness? 

Australia’s biggest coal-fired power plant, Eraring in NSW, is owned and operated by Origin. It can generate 2,922 Megawatts of power at peak output – that’s about 25% of NSW’s power output at the moment. To put things in perspective, the average home solar installation is 9.54 Kilowatts, so we’d need more than 300,000 homes generating that much solar power, day and night, to match Eraring’s energy output.  

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) estimates that by 2030, up to 60% of Australia’s coal-fired power could be retired, and 83% of our total power needs will come from renewables. So, here’s the challenge: we need to build significantly more renewables to replace coal plants exiting the grid, and we need a lot more transmission to carry that power from the renewable plants to demand centres, like our large cities. We also need to solve the problem of back-up (or firming) power, because renewable energy is variable and can’t meet our power needs 24/7.  

The big shutdown

Shutting down a huge facility like Eraring is a big undertaking and requires years of planning to ensure it’s managed smoothly. Earlier this year, Origin announced plans to shut down Eraring as early as August 2025. That leaves three years to ensure there is enough supply in the market to compensate for the potential exit of Eraring, and plan how to repurpose the site. The terrain isn’t suitable for solar or wind farms – so we’re looking to build a large-scale battery. In fact, at 700 Megawatts, when built it will be one of the biggest batteries in the world.

So, with Eraring retiring, how does the market continue to balance supply and demand 24/7 in real-time? How does the system completely replace coal-fired power?

We’re going to need more large-scale solar and wind farms. However, these renewables can’t completely replace traditional forms of energy as their output is variable – they can’t generate power when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. So, we need other ‘firm’ energy sources that can provide capacity and ensure reliable supply. And that means we’re going to need a lot more battery storage in Australia to store excess renewable power for use at a later time. This means lots of lithium-ion batteries – like the one we’re looking to install at Eraring, and more pumped storage hydro, which also acts like a giant battery. Gas-fired peaking plants will also continue to play an important role, and while they may not run very often, they’ll be crucial to reliable supply when back-up is needed over longer periods of time.

It’s all about getting the right mix of energy sources in place so we can maintain reliable power supply in the grid for Aussie homes and businesses. 

The shutdown of Eraring is one of the key steps Origin is taking as we make progress towards our ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050. We’re also committed to helping our customers to reduce their carbon footprint by providing the right products and services, because we can all play a role in the transition to cleaner energy.

Hosts, Zach and Dom from Collective Noun admit they know nothing about energy – but not for long! Origin’s So Watt? podcast questions everything you thought you knew about energy, and explores the solutions that exist today. In season two of So Watt? go on a journey with Zach and Dom to find out more about the transition to renewables, what changes are already happening and what’s coming up.

The post How do we shut down Australia’s largest power plant? appeared first on The Origin Blog.

To lift the veil on the complex world of energy, Origin’s new podcast So Watt? gives you the inside scoop on all things energy. From what’s coming, why you should care, and most importantly, what’s in it for you – So Watt? has the answers.

So, Watt’s it about?

Hosted by comedian and passionate home renovator Andy Saunders – who you may recognise from the 2019 season of The Block as one half of fan favourites “Andy and Deb” – So Watt? delves into Australia’s evolving energy sector and the driving forces that are propelling it towards a smarter, more sustainable future.

A self-professed energy newbie, each episode will see Andy tackle a new piece of the energy puzzle in an effort to better understand why the sector is changing and how he (and you) can play a part. “I’ve always had an interest in sustainable design for homes, but up until now I haven’t really spent much time looking into the different smart and clean energy solutions available today,” Andy said. “I’m excited to be hosting my first podcast and sharing what I’ve learnt about energy including how I can reduce my carbon footprint, and how I can save some coin in the process.”

From EVs, to online gaming, the Jetsons, solar and home batteries, the six-part series tackles some big (and small) energy related questions, all the while providing handy energy hacks.

Featuring interviews with everyday Aussies as well as industry experts, including banking disruptor Up Banking’s Dom Pym and the father of photovoltaics, AKA solar, Martin Green, So Watt? gives you access to some of Australia’s brightest innovators in an upbeat, no-nonsense easy to digest format. 

So Watt? brings together experts, innovators and change-makers to help ordinary Aussies understand the tremendous transformation underway in how energy is produced and consumed and how ordinary households and businesses will all play a role.

So, Watt next?

Get a taste for So Watt? The first episode is set to drop on Wednesday the 10th of November. New episodes will be released weekly on a Wednesday.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts today! Want to know more?

The post So Watt? you ask… appeared first on The Origin Blog.