Community Climate Conversations

Dear Bronwyn,

Thanks for your question.  We were not able to locate specific data on costs per person or jobs lost for South Australia.  There will be both costs and opportunities involved with the transition to renewable energy.   

A recent CEDA report indicates that when researchers have modelled emissions reduction relative to a business-as-usual base case, most forecasts predict only a small effect on total employment from the energy transition across Australia.  You can read more at: CEDA - Clean Energy Transition: how will it affect employment?

The Clean Energy Council(CEC) notes in their “Skilling the Energy Transition” report 2022, that the energy sector currently employs around 30,000 people across large-scale renewable energy construction, operation and maintenance and small-scale rooftop solar PV design and installation. In the same report the CEC notes that if all the associated renewable energy generation projects proceed in Australia, an additional 50,000 jobs will be created.  To ensure that a suitably skilled workforce is developed, the Powering Australia program has proposed investment of $96 million to support 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships, and $9.6 million in a New Energy Skills Program.  The “Skilling the energy transition” report can be found here: CEC_Skilling-the-Energy-Transition-2022.pdf (cleanenergycouncil.org.au)

Further details of the Powering Australia program can be found here: Powering Australia | energy.gov.au

In February of 2023 the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative released a report that explores address the challenges associated with decarbonising the emissions-intensive industry sector. The report found that while the transition is complex there is also an opportunity to ensure Australia is able to navigate the challenges and ensure the nation is well-positioned for global competitiveness in a decarbonising global economy. You can read this report here: PowerPoint Presentation (arena.gov.au)

Recently, the SA government released “South Australia’s Paper on the Energy Transition” to encourage conversation and generate ideas relating to the challenges impacting South Australia’s use of energy, both current and emerging, and the opportunities successfully navigating these challenges represent to the state, as we transition to a net-zero emissions energy future. Public consultation on the green paper closed in August and a comprehensive White Paper is being prepared that will set out where we are now, where we need to be and how we will get there as we transition to a net-zero emissions future in being developed. You can read more here: South Australia's Green Paper on the energy transition | Energy & Mining (energymining.sa.gov.au)

Kind regards

YourSAy Team

Dear Sarge,

South Australia’s power system is part of a national grid referred to as the National Electricity Market (NEM) which is managed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). 

There are times when South Australia is not connected i.e. becomes ‘islanded’ from the NEM and the power system in South Australia needs to be managed with care, and to allow for risks which could normally be mitigated by our connection to the NEM. 

As an example, the storm of 12 November 2022 destroyed an electricity transmission tower which formed part of our connection to the NEM - the Heywood Interconnector - which resulted in South Australia becoming ‘islanded’.

Following this event, AEMO advised that there was a risk that if a large generator were to suddenly disconnect in the possible event of another system fault this could also result in the uncontrolled disconnection of many rooftop solar systems in proximity to that generator. This further fault could potentially lead to further and cascading failures within the power system. This is a risk that AEMO has previously examined in detail in several public reports.

Following the events of November 2022, and acting on AEMO’s instruction, SA Power Networks (SAPN), the electricity distributor in South Australia, used three agreed methods in the following order to disconnect rooftop solar systems to manage this risk.

First, very large solar generators connected to the SAPN distribution network were turned off. All State Government departments were also instructed to turn off solar systems on public buildings.

Some large solar farms located in regional South Australia continued to operate, as their distance from large generators of concern meant that their continued operation did not cause the same risk to power system security as generation within metropolitan areas.

It is important to note that solar farms are subject to market forces so at times when solar curtailment is used in South Australia, wholesale market prices are typically negative which disincentivises solar farm operators from operating. Where they are required to be turned off for reasons of system security, this is done by AEMO through its direction powers.

Second, rooftop solar systems installed after September 2020, which can be remotely controlled under new technical requirements were disconnected. Any owner of a solar system which can export power to the grid installed after September 2020, is required to nominate a relevant agent who can if directed, disconnect that system. SAPN issued instructions to all relevant agents operating in South Australia to disconnect solar under their control.

Finally and as a last resort, SAPN also activated Enhanced Voltage Management (EVM). SAPN normally regulates voltage levels of their network to maximise the amount of energy that rooftop solar systems can generate. When using EVM, SA Power Networks increases or decreases the voltage levels at key distribution zone substations (within safe limits). This results in solar inverters activating their own disconnection devices while the grid voltage remains higher than normal. Solar Inverters are required to be able to do this safely under Australian Standards, and to safely return to normal operation once the grid voltage is restored to the standard range.

Kind regards

YourSAy Team

Hi Sarge - there was not particular reason why. It was just how things worked out. DIfficult to factor everything in at the same time. Regards Emma 

Thats absolutely fine Nicole. We look forward to having the group's feedback - we can add it in to our analysis as soon as you can get it to us. Best of luck with your conversation. Let us know if we can provide any assistance. 

Thanks for your feedback and input