The 21st Century Energy Revolution

[nomadpete]

I think it's time to separate the climate debate from the energy issue.

Not to diminish the climate crisis in any way, although the vested interests have been opposing both.

 

Our national food security relies massively on diesel. Since we have little reserve we are vulnerable to foreign sources for our food.

 

Our industry and economy relies massively on the cost of energy.

 

For the first time, thanks to the development of affordable energy alternatives, we are now availing ourselves of energy and transport that is not reliant on international supply. 

 

All this cannot happen overnight, & is still unfolding, but I reckon our future looks great.

[nomadpete]

Globally, the old energy oligarcs are flooding the zone with misinformation and graft to protect their wealth. 

Quote from The Guardian:-

 

"Australian governments subsidising fossil fuel use by more than $30,000 a minute, analysis finds

Australia Institute data finds state and federal subsidies for coal, gas and oil products increased 10% in past year, growing at a faster pace."

 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/11/australian-governments-subsidising-fossil-fuel-use-by-more-than-30000-a-minute-analysis-finds

 

Yes, there are also subsidies at present for non fossil energy. But in the face of the fossil fuel subsidies, it is the only way to compete.

[Jerry_Atrick]

I recall this old saying:

 

"Wake up, Australia"

 

If you head to punters politics on YT, he will inform you of the massive subsidies and tax benefits the fossil fuels and resources industries get

Edited March 17 by Jerry_Atrick

[octave]

Interesting.

 

 

[facthunter]

The Powers that Be don't want you to have cheap Power. Why would they? It's the beginning of the end of their stranglehold over you.. Nev

[Grumpy Old Nasho]

But how can they keep charging $600-$1,000 per quarter when it's only solar electricity? It's just sunlight hitting fancy glass panels. There's no enormous coal fired power station involved in solar electricity.

[facthunter]

The Have to get it to you, old chap by wires. PS  it will come by itself and they can't stop it or charge for it . Local communities could fund their own Solar/ battery systems.  This is only the Beginning of something great. Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

Sadly, it looks like yet another commerical opportunity missed by Australia, but at least we are starting to realise the benefits, even in the face of stiff propaganda provided courtesy of the fossil fuel industry through both social and mainstream media, soaked up by a largely but decreasingly gullible public

Edited 12 hours ago by Jerry_Atrick

[facthunter]

I Don't think we could beat China's efficiency at Making these things. Their scale of production and Large Home Market go together. Internal Brand competition forces Profit Margins lower. They are Less than 1/4 of the Initial Prices and More efficient as  well.  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

Me neither. but the first movers in  highe tech industries often get an advantage and retain it. Nethlerlands still leads windill manufacture even though China is in on the act. Tesla still retains a decent share of the market in the wake of massive Chinese investment and number of entrants to the market. Despite Europe and Japan this time being the laggard, they too are able to have an EV market that, thanks to Chump, s growing. 

 

Australia seems to sell its IP off and not willing to invest for the long term gains. China produces things cheaper - US and European manufacturers set up there and own the IP and the profits, at least. 

 

Even the vid says the good profressor was about dissemination of information - i.e. give away the IP? One of the reasons was there was little reception outside of advanced scientific (e.g satellite) use. We just don't embrace the future that well. 

 

A lot of people fall into the "Ok, renewables" or whatever the technology is expensive to deploy. When has capital intensive industries been cheap to deploy?: But these developments often displace the industry that was cheap to run... we never seem to learn the lesson. Returns are based on innovation investment, not operational costs. 

 

That is what I meant by another lost opportunity - we develop the future, but we don't embrace it and capitalise on it - systemically (yes, there are a few examples where we buck the trend).

 

I see it being the same in the UK.. 

 

And now, oddly, which Chump making America grate again, his desire to roll back the ages is putting the US farther back, quicker than it has been going. 

[octave]

I did just discovered an Australian solar panel manufacturer called Tindo. I don't know anything about their prices, though.

 

 

 

Apparently excellent quality but more expensive. According to AI, 20% to 30% more expensive 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by octave

[Jerry_Atrick]

As I said in my post, you will find some examples that buck the trend - or the exceptions. But even in that vid, the current PV solar panels are an Aussie invention, which to paraphrase the fella in the vid, was given away to the rest of the world. 

 

We are inventive, but need to get entrepreneurial.

 

The company in the above vid are, at the end of the day a niche provider - that could engage similar markets such as the Middle Eash, and African climates as the longevity is their uniue selling point. But form the vid, their focus seems solely Australia.