Abstract
This thesis collates and analyses the current energy use and the future energy options for the Northern Territory. Primary energy resources, household and industry level data as well as energy market data (electricity, liquid fuels and gas supply, demand and prices) are also collated and anlaysed.Business as usual future energy demand is forecast in the context of the current Northern Territory, Australian and world economic outlook. Scenario modelling is introduced and exploratory scenarios of business as usual, a safe climate scenario and a third scenario which takes into consideration the characteristics of the Northern Territory are proposed. While scenario modelling was deemed beyond the scope, this thesis is significant in its collation of a unique data set which is capable of supporting scenario and economic modelling.
This thesis revealed that the Northern Territory has world class energy resources. The end use energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels with less than one percent from renewable energy sources. The thesis demonstrates the NT is lagging behind national benchmarks and policy targets around energy productivity and renewable energy. The NT is however, well placed with lower than national average of carbon emissions intensity of electricity purchased from the grid.
The primary outcomes of this thesis is the demonstration that policy makers and energy planners have a number of future energy investment options, with the most technically and economically feasible being energy efficiency, natural gas, Solar PV and Solar Thermal.
Additional outcomes are recommendations for further research in order to support future energy and infrastructure planning and actions to address the gaps in the data set.
| Date of Award | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Rabindra Nepal (Supervisor) |