ANU Solar Oration 2024

There has been a significant change in solar energy globally in the last 18 months. This is accelerated by technology convergence thanks to electric vehicles in transport, driven by an additional step change in battery technologies and cost deflation.

Much of this step change is led by China, which applies world-leading research and development (much of this in conjunction with Australian Unis) and manufacturing supply chains. Massively domestic Chinese deployments (18GW of solar per month) and ever-cheaper solar exports support this. China is pursuing a world-leading “electrification of everything” strategy, which masks the rate of solar disruption. China is also now using its global cleantech leadership to build bridges in the Global South with ever-larger solar and battery projects.

While the US, EU, and India are trying in vain to develop a domestic solar module manufacturing industry in competition with China, most countries (including Australia) are simply taking China’s gift of cheap solar. We are seeing record-high rates of solar deployment in an ever-widening range of countries.

Australia is undergoing a step change in solar and wind generation. South Australia is leading the way, with 88% solar and wind generation in September 2024 and very low wholesale electricity prices. The convergence of solar and batteries, electric vehicles, smart grids, and time-of-day tariffs to drive behavioural shifts is accelerating energy system disruption.

Australia must shift from reliance on coal and gas exports. Cheap solar and wind energy can drive the refining of most metals pre-export rather than fossil-fuelled refining in the purchasing country. Australian solar manufacturing, in partnership with Chinese and Indian solar leaders, has a role.

In the 2024 ANU Solar Oration, hear from Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance, exploring the global solar energy shift, including Australia's innovative solar and wind generation strides. Discover how technology and international cooperation are reshaping the future of energy.

An opening statement on the ACT's progress towards net zero emissions will be delivered by the Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury MLA.

The event will be moderated by Professor Andrew Blakers, from the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics.

Please note that this is a hybrid event. Participants can attend in person at the Australian National University Acton campus or online via Zoom. Light refreshments will be available for in-person participants between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and the event will commence at 6 p.m.

Recent orators comprise:

2017: Audrey Zibelman, CEO of Australian Energy Market Operator
2018: Ivor Frischknecht, former CEO of ARENA
2019: Fleur Yaxley, Head of Development, Australia – UPC Renewables
2020: Mark Jacobson, Stanford University
2021: Matt Stocks, ANU and Marta Victoria Aarhus University, Denmark
2022: Drew Clarke AO, Chair of the Australian Energy Market Operator
2023: Professor Renate Egan, Executive Director for the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics

About the speaker:
Tim Buckley is the Director of Climate Energy Finance and has 35 years of experience in financial markets, including providing public interest-related financial analysis on the energy transition since 2013, studying China, India, and Australia.

Tim founded Climate Energy Finance Australasia in 2022, co-founding and working with the global energy finance thinktank IEEFA over 2013-2021. For 17 years Tim was a Managing Director at Citigroup, Head of Australasian Equity Research. Tim has published over 100 reports on the global energy transition.

More information:

• This is a hybrid event with the option to attend in person at The Australian National University and online. Light refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. 
• The event will be recorded and made available online. 
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