What they’re saying: If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy it’s game over right?
While the war on oil rages in the Middle East the smart money is turning to an expected surge in opportunities for renewable energy and batteries. It took just days after the start of the conflict to spot some EV owners humble bragging (actually not humble, just bragging) that they’re so glad they can stay on the road, and so cheaply. Unlike their compatriots on ICE (internal combustion engine) dependent cars.
Even the climate-denying (dumb) money has fallen for the logic of sustainable energy, especially since it comes now with subsidies. In news on Tuesday Pauline Hanson was outed by The Guardian, as taking up a nice subsidised battery system. Joining her in the flip were other likeminded pollies Matt Canavan and Kevin Hogan.
It was nothing less than “breathtaking hypocrisy” said independent MP Zali Steggall from this cohort that publicly undermines policies aimed at achieving net zero emissions.
Meanwhile, the palaver is like water off a duck’s back in the organisations working hard on a clean energy transition for communities around the nation.
At Rewiring Australia the mood is definitely positive according to Kristen McDonald, director of strategic programs, who spoke at our Local Government event in September last year.
McDonald said it was too early for data to evidence the shift but the mood was “super positive”.
“Batteries are surging. Gas is starting to decline, so it’s generally positive, but we need more policies in place for those who can’t do [the transition] off their own bat.”
Solar Citizens, another organisation with similar ambitions is tackling things direct with an event at Blacktown Workers Club in Western Sydney on Friday that will host Climate Change & Energy Minister Chris Bowen and a panel of renewable energy stars and local dignitaries.
Among the throng will be the ambitious and highly motivated Phil Krok who works for Anker Solix, a battery company whose website promotes “portable power stations, solar generators, panels, and more”, but whose real agenda, you suspect, is rolling out the so-called balcony solar systems increasingly popular in Europe.
These systems are particularly useful for renters who are beholden to landlords for the energy systems and often the inbuilt appliances they must rely on for their everyday needs.
Essentially, Krok told The Fifth Estate on Tuesday, the balcony solar his company makes is a single “box” with solar panel, inverter and battery all in one.
It’s also possible to plug in solar panels direct to the system separately for additional power, or to charge it from the grid, which will be useful when the three free hours of solar that the government has promised come online.
Problem is it’s not approved for use in Australia yet and that’s frustrating because it can knock off a fair proportion of household bills.
Krok is keen as mustard to roll out the units in Australia and disrupt the market, perhaps in the same way that Uber disrupted taxis – kicking off at a time when the ride share lacked correct licences.
The energy one of these systems can produce – about 2.7 kw isn’t enough to keep you warm or cool at night in an apartment that might consume about 10 kw on average, but it can help to significantly mitigate bills.
Krok says that at a cost of somewhere than $800 to $1000 it could save $640 a year.
The next version up will cost somewhere between $1300 to $1400 but produce double the energy.
“I’m a former athlete and extremely competitive,” he says. “I have two kids and a wife and I will never be able to afford a home in Sydney. When you have kids the power bill goes from $300 a quarter to $1000 and you just have to find the money.
“So I’m hell bent on this.”