Solar Australia: Australia at the crossroads: a report on a project for the Foundation for Australian Resources evaluating Australia's solar energy policy alternatives

Mula, J. M. and Ward, R. A. and Thornton, B. S. and Malanos, C. (1977) Solar Australia: Australia at the crossroads: a report on a project for the Foundation for Australian Resources evaluating Australia's solar energy policy alternatives. Project Report. Foundation for Australian Resources , Sydney, Australia. [Report]

Text (Published Version) Solar_Australia.pdf Download (3MB)

Abstract

In the early 1950s, energy supplies, particularly oil, seemed inexhaustible. In fact, the consumers entered a period where energy sellers were cutting prices to sell their products and this price war led to the industrialised
nations becoming dependent on oil and natural gas. In 1973 members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
surprised the world by cutting off supplies and subsequently increasing prices. The oil crisis of 1973 rapidly focused the world-wide attention of politicians and scientists on to the need for obtaining energy from alternative sources so that dependence on non-renewable fuel supplies could eventually be overcome.
In Australia, apart from the increase in the cost of goods imported from Japan, America and Western Europe, we were reasonably insulated from the oil crisis. At that time Australia produced about 65% of its oil needs. However, if Australia's self-sufficiency in oil were to fall significantly by 1985 as some estimates indicate, then the nation could face an oil import bill of between $2-3.2 million' per day (even at 1976 prices) based on figures
given by Mr. K. Richards, Exploration Manager of ESSO Australia to the ANZAAS Conference in May 1976. Other estimates are even higher, often double or treble, if 1976 dollars and prices are not used.
Against the background of world events and increasing concern for the energy future for almost every country, it must be asked whether Australia has a national energy policy. An energy policy is not as simple a matter as it
might at first seem.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	Report (Project Report)
Refereed:	No
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Print copy held in USQ Library at call no. 621.470994 Sol.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Business - Department of Accounting (Up to 31 Mar 2007)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Business - Department of Accounting (Up to 31 Mar 2007)
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2008 07:24
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2013 01:09
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Australia; solar energy policy
Fields of Research (2008):	14 Economics > 1402 Applied Economics > 140205 Environment and Resource Economics 09 Engineering > 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering > 090605 Photodetectors, Optical Sensors and Solar Cells 14 Economics > 1403 Econometrics > 140303 Economic Models and Forecasting
Fields of Research (2020):	38 ECONOMICS > 3801 Applied economics > 380105 Environment and resource economics 40 ENGINEERING > 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware > 400999 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware not elsewhere classified 38 ECONOMICS > 3802 Econometrics > 380203 Economic models and forecasting
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	B Economic Development > 85 Energy > 8505 Renewable Energy > 850504 Solar-Photovoltaic Energy
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/4273

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