Energy Economics Course

This module examines the ongoing shift in energy production and consumption patterns towards more sustainable and renewable sources. It explores the drivers, challenges, and opportunities associated with transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy alternatives such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Topics covered include technological advancements, market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and societal implications of the energy transition. Focus areas also include the energy trilemma and system costs.

Dr Huyen Nguyen will present a techno-economic analysis of green hydrogen and ammonia production in Queensland. With the right approach, world-scale, renewable ammonia plants could operate on the Queensland coast, supporting the deep decarbonisation of the electricity grid and a potential answer to Australia’s winter energy problem.

Dr Darryl Biggar will go through how network regulation works in Australia. He will also explain the theoretical underpinnings of network regulation and the future challenges network firms and energy regulators are likely to face.

Dr Richard Meade discusses how emergent technologies and business models in energy and transport sectors are likely to transform electricity sectors, and how electricity sector players and regulators need to evolve to enable and encourage desirable transformations.