Opportunity
The energy transformation is an integrated systems problem.
The energy transformation is the single largest economic opportunity facing any advanced economy.
To realise Australia’s net zero emissions future, we must significantly transform our energy system. The system is being transformed in the midst of a changing climate, shifting markets, and competition for critical skills and resources.
By switching to alternative fuels and electrification, and implementing industry-wide emission reduction technologies, our energy infrastructure is becoming more decentralised, interconnected and dynamic.
New standards, businesses and ways of life are inevitable in this journey and present numerous opportunities for people, organisations and nations who become early adaptors.
What is needed in this increasingly complex energy landscape is significant investments in integrated systems analysis, system digitalisation, and social science to ensure affordability, reliability, sustainability, fairness, and economic opportunity. The transformation needs to be supported by access to key data, a multi-layered modelling framework integrating different domains, and modern socio-technical strategies.
Australia is at the forefront of global energy system transformation challenges and opportunities due to the characteristics of our networks, the central role of the energy sector in our economy, and the ongoing rapid adoption of renewables.