6.1 The Results of the Study Case Australia
89
Using only the curtailed renewable electricity production according to scenario
(2), the decarbonisation potential would range between 6–7% depending on the
steel manufacturing process chosen. The CO 2 offset could be up to 0,95 Mt.
Following the scenario (3), a profitable use of a power-to-gas system would
enable a decarbonisation potential of around 30%, corresponding to a CO2 offset
ranging between 2,94–4,58 Mt.
6.1.3 The Decarbonisation Potential of Australia Using its
Technical Potential of Renewable Energy
The appendix 19 shows the huge renewable energy potential of Australia and its
renewable hydrogen exportation capacity. In all scenarios, Australia can cover its
needs, which represents a fraction of its massive potential for renewable hydrogen,
the rest being available for exportation.
6.1.4 The concluding remarks regarding the impact
of renewable energy policies on Australia industry
decarbonisation
Taking the assumption that the level of renewable energy capacity currently under
operation in Australia is the result of its renewable energy policies, the potential
for decarbonisation of the industry sectors falling under the research scope is
low, ranging from 1–5% with the scenarios (2) and (3). The scenario (1) is not
realistic as the renewable electricity production cannot be entirely devoted to the
production of renewable hydrogen.
The review of the renewable energy policies at the horizon 2030 shows
that Australia is committed to support the development of up to 33 gigawatts
hour of renewable electricity. With this renewable electricity generation capacity, the decarbonisation potential for Australia own industry sectors using fossil
fuel-based hydrogen would range between 6–32% for the scenarios (2) and (3).
However, this amount of renewable energy capacity would not be enough
for Australia to be a global leader in the exportation of hydrogen. To reach the
goal defined in the Australia National Hydrogen Strategy, more renewable energy
capacity is required. This additional renewable energy generation will have to
be developed outside the current renewable energy support scheme if the latter
remains unchanged.
89
Using only the curtailed renewable electricity production according to scenario
(2), the decarbonisation potential would range between 6–7% depending on the
steel manufacturing process chosen. The CO 2 offset could be up to 0,95 Mt.
Following the scenario (3), a profitable use of a power-to-gas system would
enable a decarbonisation potential of around 30%, corresponding to a CO2 offset
ranging between 2,94–4,58 Mt.
6.1.3 The Decarbonisation Potential of Australia Using its
Technical Potential of Renewable Energy
The appendix 19 shows the huge renewable energy potential of Australia and its
renewable hydrogen exportation capacity. In all scenarios, Australia can cover its
needs, which represents a fraction of its massive potential for renewable hydrogen,
the rest being available for exportation.
6.1.4 The concluding remarks regarding the impact
of renewable energy policies on Australia industry
decarbonisation
Taking the assumption that the level of renewable energy capacity currently under
operation in Australia is the result of its renewable energy policies, the potential
for decarbonisation of the industry sectors falling under the research scope is
low, ranging from 1–5% with the scenarios (2) and (3). The scenario (1) is not
realistic as the renewable electricity production cannot be entirely devoted to the
production of renewable hydrogen.
The review of the renewable energy policies at the horizon 2030 shows
that Australia is committed to support the development of up to 33 gigawatts
hour of renewable electricity. With this renewable electricity generation capacity, the decarbonisation potential for Australia own industry sectors using fossil
fuel-based hydrogen would range between 6–32% for the scenarios (2) and (3).
However, this amount of renewable energy capacity would not be enough
for Australia to be a global leader in the exportation of hydrogen. To reach the
goal defined in the Australia National Hydrogen Strategy, more renewable energy
capacity is required. This additional renewable energy generation will have to
be developed outside the current renewable energy support scheme if the latter
remains unchanged.