Lighter gas mix backed
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One expert says keeping gas in Australia’s energy mix is sensible for now.
Debate about the role of gas in Australia’s energy future is widespread, with some arguing it should no longer be part of the picture if the nation is serious about tackling climate change.
But according to energy expert Roger Dargaville, director of the Monash Energy Institute, gas might still have a place - albeit a limited one - in Australia’s power grid.
Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM)currently relies on nearly 40 natural gas-fired generators, producing about 4 per cent of the country’s electricity.
Gas provides a unique backup solution that other renewable technologies cannot yet fully replace.
“Gas-fired generation is crucial for meeting demand when solar power drops off at sunset, and during peak evening hours when we’re all firing up our appliances,” Dargaville says.
While renewable energy is making significant strides, Dargaville says there are some major limitations.
For instance, large-scale lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro systems - like the Snowy 2.0 project - offer storage options but are not yet ready to supply electricity for long periods.
The expert says coal and hydro power can play a role in meeting peak demand, but Australia’s ageing coal plants are retiring fast, and hydro development is restricted by environmental considerations.
When it comes to emissions, gas has a clear downside.
Its use releases CO₂, and methane, and it can leak during extraction and transportation.
Dargaville acknowledges these issues, noting the goal should be to use gas sparingly - primarily as a backup on those rare days when wind and solar production lag.
“The most likely, most economic and most environmentally acceptable approach is to use a ‘portfolio’ of technologies: lots of batteries and pumped hydro but also some gas,” he said.
More details are available in Dargaville’s recent article, accessible here.