Light-bulb Moment on Clean Energy Yet to Come for Many
A recent poll reveals a significant knowledge gap about clean energy among Australians
Adelaide, Australia, Clean Energy, Rooftop Solar, Renewable Energy, Climate Council
Adelaide: So, it turns out that rooftop solar is way more popular than backyard pools, but a new poll shows that many folks just don’t get how clean energy works. This could really mess up our shift to greener energy.
With a federal election on the horizon, the Climate Council dropped some eye-opening polling results. They’re worried that people are missing out on crucial info about energy, and that misinformation is filling the gaps.
Professor Andrew Stock from Adelaide pointed out that while people love the idea of rooftop solar, they’re not as clued in about larger renewable projects and how they can actually lower power bills.
Interestingly, clean energy jobs are outpacing those in coal and gas. In fact, renewable sources are already powering about 40% of the main electricity grid, and that number is set to soar to over 80% by 2030.
But there’s a catch. If the market rules change too much in favor of nuclear energy, it could scare off companies looking to invest in renewables.
Many people didn’t even realize that Australia is using big batteries to store excess renewable energy. These batteries help manage peak demand and prevent blackouts, which is pretty cool.
Plus, over 100,000 households have installed home batteries, which are actually storing more energy than Victoria’s Big Battery, one of the largest in the world.
These batteries help reduce the load on the grid by soaking up solar power when it’s available, which also cuts down on energy costs for families.
Nikki Hutley, another climate expert, mentioned that the economy still leans heavily on fossil fuels for income, even though clean energy jobs are on the rise.
Household power bills are still a sore spot for many, even with more renewable energy in the mix. There’s a lot of confusion out there, especially with myths about wind and solar energy not being reliable.
According to the poll, a whopping 81% of people want to know more about how the energy system is changing. Many are confused about when coal-fired power stations will close, and some even think gas and coal are renewable.
More than half of those surveyed didn’t realize how long clean energy has been around, with solar and wind farms dating back to the 1980s. While many can identify rooftop solar and large-scale solar, there’s still a lack of awareness about pumped hydro and green hydrogen.