#Renewables

Testing the ‘leakiness’ of Australian homes

With the cold snap shocking us into our winter woollens, we’re looking at how draughty Australian houses are, and the science behind how we test for ‘leakiness’ in our homes.

Climate mitigation: Science-backed solutions to reduce emissions

Science tells us that anthropogenic climate change is in effect. In order to limit the changes to our environments, economies and lifestyles, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a number of sources. This is a huge task, so where should we concentrate efforts and what tools are at our disposal?

Hydrogen’s role in decarbonisation: ensuring a responsible transition

To decarbonise our energy systems, CSIRO is looking at the responsible innovation and social acceptance of hydrogen technologies. There are always challenges to the adoption of new technologies. Some of these challenges are technical or economic, but, for successful adoption, there also needs to be social awareness and acceptance.

‘Intelligent control’ the key to grid-friendly solar

The economics of distributed energy has put Australia at the forefront of redesigning the electricity sector before most of the rest of the world. Just ask the residents of Yarrabilba.

Building a one-stop-shop for all our energy data needs

Australians go through more than 6,000 petajoules of energy every year to keep everything from their phones to their factories running. It’s a nice number for pub trivia, but if you’re a policy maker, researcher, or investor in our nation’s future energy demands, you’ll need something better than a back-of-the-envelope calculation. CSIRO’s Energy Use Data Model could soon come in handy.

‘Baseload’ power and what it means for the future of renewables

In the new world order of mixed-source energy, trusty baseload power is often misunderstood. It's not just a question of what baseload can do for renewables, but what renewables can do for baseload power.

Under the hood: the lowdown on EVs and low-emission vehicles

You’ll have heard the usual arguments against electric cars – limited range, too few recharging stations around to make them worthwhile, and the problem of battery disposal. On the other hand, say proponents, electric vehicles offer the prospect of ‘zero emissions’ driving.

Refining the accounts on canola emissions savings

Accounting for emissions savings in producing biofuels compared to fossil fuels is about to get harder. Australia's got an interest in proving the worth of canola.

Solar smarts offer households control without complexity

Solar-powered homes with battery storage can save money with a new system that decides when to store or draw energy from the solar panels, the battery and the grid.