Hydrogen supporting renewables

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro power, are becoming increasingly important in the clean energy transition, particularly for the electricity sector. Whilst hydro power has been well-established in Australia, the amount of wind and solar power generation has increased significantly over the past decade.

This has helped reduce the cost of electricity from wind and solar energy. Combined with hydro power, these renewable energy sources now account for nearly one third of Australia’s total electricity generation.

Data Dashboard

The breakdown of different fuels used in the National Electricity Market (NEM), from March 2022 to March 2023, are shown below in the Data Dashboard graphic. The NEM only represents electricity operation in states and territories on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

_{Data Dashboard is copyright Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)}

More information can be found by accessing the Data Dashboard on the AEMO website. Select a fuel mix and then choose a duration of interest, from Current up to 12 months).

It can be seen that coal (black and brown) and gas account for 71% of the fuel mix. Of the renewable energy sources, wind power provides the largest contribution to the national fuel mix (14%), followed by hydro and then solar power.

Your task

Given the integration of hydrogen with renewables, where do you see hydrogen making the biggest impact? Why do think this is the case?

References

_{AEMO, (n.d.) Data Dashboard NEM, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)}