Australia is on the road to building a sustainable energy economy, thanks to a spectacular array of emerging energy-saving and greenhouse-friendly technologies, the nation's leading atmospheric scientist told Federal Parliamentarians today.

"Existing technologies are not sufficient to stabilise the atmosphere - innovation through science and technology must be part of the solution," the chief of CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Dr Graeme Pearman told a National Science Briefing in Canberra.

From energy-smart buildings, new ways to store power, clean coal and fuel cells to novel batteries, smart motors, city modelling and the hyper car, CSIRO scientists are already hard at work building the energy-efficient future.

"These ideas are not pipedreams," says Dr Pearman. "Many of them are being developed in conjunction with the private sector. Many are now at the demonstration stage or in the process of commercialisation."

Solar electricity - or photovoltaics - has been used commercially for more than 40 years, but it is now poised to reach the rooftop of the residential home, the managing director of Pacific Solar Pty Ltd, Mr David Hogg says.

"Our vision is to have developed solar cells seen across the rooftops of the world. Our goal is to manufacture them at a cost of $1 a watt and with an energy efficiency of 15 per cent - this will allow rooftop photovoltaics to compete with conventional electricity prices."

Mr Hogg said that by 2000 Pacific Solar would have a plant capable of producing 134,000 square metres of solar cells a year - enough to power 7000 homes. When the sun shines, homes with solar panels will pump power into the grid. At night, they will draw power out again.

One of Australia's major contributions to the international effort to solve the Greenhouse problem will come from natural gas, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Gas Association, Dr Allen Beasley says.

"Natural gas is the bridge fuel to a sustainable energy future next century. As liquefied natural gas it typically produces only about 500 kilos of carbon dioxide for each megawatt of electricity, compared with almost 900 for coal and 700 for oil."

The Prime Minister's recent statement represents a useful starting point, but there needs to be greater effort by all levels of government, by industry and by the community to translate the principles into real action, Dr Beasley says.

"The Government has recognised the greenhouse and other environmental benefits of natural gas vehicles by providing seed funding for the establishment of refuelling facilities in Sydney and Melbourne.

"In developing new market applications for natural gas, it is important that more attention be directed towards the removal of impediments to gas use, for example in relation to co-generation of energy.

"The greenhouse benefits to the international community from Australian-based processing of liquefied natural gas for export is another area which is beginning to attract attention," he adds.

More information:
Dr Graeme Pearman, CSIRO Atmospheric Research 03 9239 4650
Mr David Hogg, Pacific Solar 02 9316 6811
Dr Allen Beasley, Australian Gas Assn. 02 6247 3955