The total energy used by Australia accounts to 5.2% only, but the production is comparatively lower. Energy in Australia involves export of non renewable sources. The consumption has considerably grown in the last five years. The hydro power contributes 63.4%, wind energy is 22.9% and bio energy is 11.5% whereas 2.1% is photovoltaic energy. The renewable forms like tidal, geothermal and solar thermal contribute to 0.042% energy.
Hydro power is produced from the 16 major dams as well as multiple power stations located in the snowy mountains. There is considerable increase in the resources and scheme involving hydro electricity. There is contribution by the wind industry as wind power can light up 7 million homes. There are many operational wind farms that contribute to the energy in Australia. South Australia has market for fast developing wind power industry. The territory is well suited to generate energy from turbines and wind mills. The southern hemisphere’s largest Waubra wind farm has high capacity to generate energy.
Now there are many projects supporting the photovoltaic technology. Australian industry of research and development involves solar cities that are created to provide sustainable energy. Consumers get to make use of the solar energy at cheaper costs.
Waves have been a good source of energy in Australia. Projects are under development stage to harvest the potentials of ocean. Methods to capture the waves and create energy through high pressure water of the seas are being carried out. For maximum energy in Australia, government is investing in renewable sources of energy instead of the perishable energy sources.
Bio-fuels are being explored as source of energy generation. Wood and bagasse account for a large part of energy production in Australia. The government is trying to offer support for less use of fossil fuels. The use of energy in Australia is changing the industrial scenario to some extent.
