• Energy Research

Abstract The Australian Government’s installation of the now defunct carbon price in July 2012, triggered a review of the Renewable Energy (RE) Feed-In Tariff (FiT) policies in the state of Victoria. In this article, concept analysis techniques and mapping software have been used to examine RE FiT design elements and priorities proposed by eighty-six RE investors and FiT stakeholders during the course of the review. The results show that concept analysis and mapping can be used to analyse FiT designs enabling identification of combinations of discrete elements including fixed and variable payment rates, differing levels of market regulation and competition, varying tariff operating periods, and eligibility rules for RE system sizes, development sites and low emissions technologies. In addition, while the economic elements of FiT designs were afforded the highest priority by stakeholders, broader contemporary analysis shows that policy makers and regulators should continue to combine economic, technology, system and administration elements into tariffs that can deliver new RE supplies. Also, the results show that governments may elect to change the combinations of these design elements, introduce other ancillary policy instruments and regulatory mechanisms, and reshape the FiT schemes in order to accommodate significant shifts in public policies.

AbstractClimate change regulations pose significant challenges to firms that produce large volumes of carbon emissions. Accordingly, firms in the trade‐exposed emission intensive industries are critical regulatory stakeholders. Following the Australian Government's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in 2007, the proposed installation of an emission trading scheme is one of several business concerns as the government seeks to implement climate change policies and regulations. In this study, we inve stigate some of the major concerns that confront emission intensive businesses, and ask what the critical issues are for firms as a consequence of climate change policy implementation and what this means for their strategies. The study uses a concept mapping and analysis technique to reveal that future emission trading systems and business performance impacts resulting from emission reduction initiatives represent serious strategic concerns to stakeholder firms. Adaptable business strategies offer a potential solution to these perceived concerns and problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Abstract The Australian Government has set an ambitious target that at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity needs will be met by Renewable Energy (RE) sources by 2020. Given the limited use of RE sources for electricity generation, this national Renewable Energy Target (RET) leaves state, territory and municipal governments in a challenging policy position. In this article, we examine the Australian state of Queensland where RE provides approximately 4 per cent of the region’s electricity supplies. The research utilizes stakeholder theory to examine the developmental barriers, targets, policies and actions identified by firms and stakeholder organizations in the RE industry sector. The results from our analysis show that RE developments face a range of socio-technical barriers that require timely actions in the areas of financial incentives, infrastructure enhancement, regulation reform, community-centred developments, technology and workforce investments, and information and education programs. Also, in the context of RE planning, while the national RET is the preferred setting, the differences between Queensland’s RE installed generation capacity and electricity supply targets require clarification and agreement.

Abstract Growing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) electricity systems in geographically diverse regions presents a complex policy problem for governments. During 2013-16, the Queensland government in Australia, examined establishing a fair and reasonable retail Feed-in Tariff (FiT) policy, noting it regulates state retail electricity consumption prices. A combined cost avoidance and stakeholder analysis was applied to show that determination of a fair and reasonable FiT for all stakeholders, while aspirational, is difficult to achieve. Typically, agreement on a fair tariff rate will depend on stakeholders’ relative position in energy supply chains (service providers, retailers, suppliers, customers, advocates), and interpretations of fairness that can be shaped by competition in the supply area. Also, increases in financial benefits to PV customers might be considered unreasonable by non-PV customers and retailers that experience increases in electricity prices and operating costs. Importantly, the application of a retail FiT in regional and isolated areas requires careful energy policy design, taking account of network losses, remote and isolated customer metering, cost effective network control technologies, and diesel generator operating limits. The study also observed that shifting funding of FiT schemes from electricity distributors to competitive retailers will likely have negative consequences for retail FiT offerings and PV customer servicing.

The city of Christchurch, New Zealand, incurred significant damage due to a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The city had, by the late 2010s, regained economic and social normalcy after a sustained period of rebuilding and economic recovery. Through the concerted rebuilding effort, a modern central business district (CBD) with redesigned infrastructure and amenities was developed. The Christchurch rebuild was underpinned by a commitment of urban planners to an open and connected city, including the use of innovative technologies to gather, use and share data. As was the case elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant disruptions to social and economic life in Christchurch. Border closures, lockdowns, trading limitations and other restrictions on movement led to changes in traditional consumer behaviors and affected the retail sector’s resilience. In this study, we used CBD pedestrian traffic data gathered from various locations to predict changes in retail spending and identify recovery implications through the lens of retail resilience. We found that the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdowns have driven a substantive change in the behavioral patterns of city users. The implications for resilient retail, sustainable policy and further research are explored.

Abstract Renewable Energy (RE) is part of Australia's and the world's energy supply matrix with over A$100 billion spent annually on RE projects since 2007. Businesses seeking to invest in RE projects, particularly in the wind and solar energy sectors, may face an onerous collection of planning approvals and permitting processes that impede investment and implementation. In this study, we draw on international and domestic stakeholder inputs to a governmental inquiry in Australia to show how RE projects might be approved in shortened timeframes with reduced associated costs. The process mapping and stakeholder analysis demonstrates that RE supply projects can benefit from standardized approval processes and documentation, a 360° deep engagement with stakeholders, and expanded electricity grid access in resource areas, augmented through supportive public policy and planning frameworks. In addition, stakeholder objections to project approval and implementation streamlining were used to contrast the efficacy of the proposed changes in policy.

Abstract Australia had reserves of over 258,888 petajoules or 6.65 trillion cubic metres of unconventional Coal Seam Gas (CSG) at the end of 2014. The exploration for this rich source of energy requires proponent firms to negotiate access and compensation with landholders under the relevant state policies and regulations. In this study, a summative payment and benefits model is proposed and built using inputs to a dual pass governmental review into compensation for landholders hosting CSG energy projects in New South Wales, Australia. This theoretical model exposed that landholder compensation and production payments policies and regulations are inadequate and require expedited improvements and revisions. Specifically, the potential long term impacts of CSG extraction; landholder injurious affections in relation to personal health, loss of amenity, and diminution of current and future land use; and further consideration of neighbour compensation and compulsory land acquisition options are policy prescriptions that require deeper governmental consideration and analysis. In addition, the replacement of monetary compensation with long term production benefits may offer landholders increased sources of ongoing compensatory income, and thus requires more policy and regulatory exactitude.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) electricity systems are part of Australia's energy supply matrix. In the case of New South Wales (NSW), the state government has had to deal with a complex policy problem. In order to play its role in the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the NSW government initiated the 7 year Solar Bonus Scheme in 2010. However, in attempting to maximise community investment in small-scale solar PV systems, it relied on faulty financial modelling that applied a generous Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and underestimated the level of investor participation and installed capacity. Consequently, the scheme has resulted in very high public costs that will require policy changes that bring investors and energy retailers into conflict, and unpopular electricity retail price adjustments. This paper uses a structured case and stakeholder analysis to critically analyse the FiT policy, while also highlighting important lessons for policymakers engaging in FiT design.