The Albanese government’s attempt in its first term to ape the status quo by simply replacing fossil fuel…

The Albanese government’s attempt in its first term to ape the status quo by simply replacing fossil fuel generation in the electricity grid with renewables was a lost opportunity. They should have ‘gone households’ right from the start. 1/6 https://t.co/NRNiPYFsQP https://t.co/2dUi9SS7z2

@RewiringAus had advised that, but were mostly sidelined. Much of the anti-renewables obstruction would have disappeared from the transition. If you’re electrifying households, costs to consumers drop immediately, often to zero or even allow them to make money. 2/6

A modern electricity grid is a direct example of how our old local v global ideas are past their use-by. These ‘local’ electrifications have ‘global’ impact, immediately. It was a mistake to portray electricity supply as centralised generation transmitted to locations. 3/6

Everyone can be both a generator and consumer, in a modern grid. It’s a very different framing or model. If done well it creates an even more stable grid, with vast distributed generation capacity. 4/6

The idea the vast advantages of renewable energy could only reach households after massive infrastructure projects in generation and transmission have been rolled out was a strategic error. They were always available straight away. 5/6

Politically, if you electrify millions of householders, the momentum to a renewables shift becomes unstoppable. Starting with mega-projects was like a honeypot for fossil fuel-funded obstruction. A massive ‘kick me’ sign sticky-taped to the new grid. /end