Final results for the Net Zero Australia Project have now been released.
The study models pathways to decarbonize the energy, industrial, and transport sectors in Australia while enhancing the natural land sink, and assess the contribution that Australian exports can make to global decarbonization.
The analysis methods followed those developed by Evolved Energy Research and Princeton University for the Net Zero America project. The EnergyPATHWAYS and RIO models were used for systems analysis and the energy system results were then downscaled and examined by researchers at the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne to create detailed infrastructure plans. The figure below from the final results deck gives an example of this infrastructure build-out for a rapid electrification scenario (E+).
Coming from a U.S. context, studying studying low-carbon pathways in Australia was a very interesting exercise for the Evolved Energy Research team. Australia is a major exporter both of energy (seventy five percent of Australia's primary energy is exported in the form of LNG & coal) and minerals (Australia is the worlds largest iron ore exporter). This presents unique challenges, as well as opportunities, and made for a special focus in the modeling on low-carbon fuel production and energy exports.
Net Zero Australia final report as well as detailed model input & outputs can be found on the NZAu website: https://www.netzeroaustralia.net.au/
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