Can Australia Run on Renewable Energy: Unsettled Issues and Implications

Although the possibility of renewable energy supply meeting 100% of demand is widely assumed the issue remains unsettled. This paper discusses some of the central questions that need clarification or possible resolution before we can decide whether the goal is achievable. These include the need for simulations, storage options, the EROI values for whole renewable supply systems, and the probable dollar costs of whole systems capable of meeting all energy demand whilst providing for intermittency. Examination of several Australian simulations indicates that significant difficulties and uncertainties remain to be resolved, and the discussion of these supports the case that 100% supply systems will be at the least very costly and might be unaffordable.