Renewable energy use and potential in remote central Australia

This chapter discusses a range of opportunities and challenges, and suggests development pathways, for renewable energy (RE) in remote Australia. It focuses on a review of literature on the current state of the energy supply mix, and the potential opportunities and structural challenges for the provision of solar energy in remote Australia. The chapter draws on two case study communities in inland Australia to further explore the opportunities and challenges for increasing the use of renewable energy (RE). It provides detail on case studies of household energy conditions, needs and challenges in central Australian remote communities. Community level barriers such as adequate and effective community engagement, appropriate RE technology and system design, reliable operation and maintenance still have to be considered in every new initiative for RE energy supply in remote communities. Governments through a variety of regulatory incentive and policy instruments and partnerships need to support transition to RE supply.