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With growing concern about Australia’s energy security and resilience, the idea of Australia emerging as the next energy superpower may seem far-fetched, yet with an abundance of natural resources, highly skilled workforce and if supported by a consistent policy framework driving innovation, Australia can position itself as one of the 21st century’s leading energy producing powerhouses.
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Growing concern about Australia’s lack of strategic resource reserves – mainly liquid energy supplies – is emerging as a major issue to be faced by the new government and Australia’s strategic policy leaders as the world becomes increasingly unpredictable.
Further exacerbating these rapidly evolving national security and economic issues is growing public and government concern about climate change and humanity's impact on the environment.
In recent weeks we have witnessed the stirrings of a global movement committed to shifting the developed world's energy consumption and power production towards a sustainable, green solution without jeopardising economic growth and sustainability.
This focus on 'zero-carbon' energy production and the corresponding concerns about Australia's energy security has figured strongly within the ongoing planning for the Australian Defence Force, with Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, placing increased importance on climate change and energy security and its corresponding impact on the capability of the ADF.
In response, Professor Emma Aisbett and Professor Mark Howden of the Australian National University (ANU) as part of the ANU's Grand Challenge for Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific spoke at the DEFAUS '19 Forum at the Australian Defence Force Academy about the nation's potential to emerge as an energy superpower in the 21st century with flow-on benefits for the national economy and broader national security.
A clean energy future and reinvigorated, green Australian heavy industries
Professor Aisbett echoed the growing focus of the economic, political and strategic policy communities with the Asia-Pacific recognised as playing a pivotal role in Australia's transition towards a clean energy economy and position as an energy superpower, as well as the global community's response to climate change.
With the Indo/Asia-Pacific expected to be responsible for 65 per cent of projected energy growth in the coming decades, Australia is in a unique opportunity to capitalise on its proximity to the emerging markets of the region, build on the vast investment in human capital which establishes the nation as a high-wage, educated labour force, and the ease of investment.
"Australia is very well positioned to become a renewable energy superpower, or power house, if you wish to be less controversial," Professor Aisbett explained to an audience of existing and future ADF leaders at ADFA.
She articulated that the nation's transition towards renewable energy also provides opportunities for the nation's traditional 'brown' industries, like steel manufacturing, with the abundance of both wind and solar energy in northwestern Australia, combined with the proximity to vast deposits of iron ore and iron concentrates in the area providing a chance for the nation to re-establish it's comparative advantage in the market.
"It just so happens that in the north-west of Australia, where that fantastic solar resource is, there is also some of Australia's best wind resources and the world's largest iron ore deposits, so the co-location could have real benefits here and provide Australia with the opportunity to regain its comparative advantage and produce green steel," Professor Aisbett explained.
As part of the ANU's Grand Challenge, five interlocking projects have been identified to support the nation's transition towards a renewable energy future, supporting a reinvigorated national industrial base with a range of flow on effects for Australia's traditional strengths and emerging sectors. These include:
- Renewable-energy systems;
- Hydrogen fuels;
- Renewable refining of metal ores;
- Indigenous community engagement; and
- Energy policy and governance.
Professor Aisbett added, "For example, if we can turn Australia's iron ore into 'green steel' in Australia, there are huge economic benefits for the nation, as well as huge environmental benefits as a result of avoided emissions overseas."
Energy security as a critical part of a national security
While Australia enjoys a virtually unrivalled wealth of natural resources, the ability to refine and produce vast quantities of steel, coking coal and now domestic agricultural produce and critical, specialised medical supplies also serves as a glaring gap in the broader national security debate.
The nation's unrivalled solar, wind and nuclear energy reserves, combined with advances in hydrogen technology and battery technologies position the nation well within the next great energy race – accordingly, any national energy policy requires a holistic approach to incorporate these into the development of any policy response.
Contemporary Australia has been far removed from the harsh realities of conflict, with many generations never enduring the reality of rationing for food, energy, medical supplies or luxury goods, and even fewer within modern Australia understanding the socio-political and economic impact such rationing would have on the now world-leading Australian standard of living.
Accordingly, it is now up to Australia's political and strategic leaders to form an integrated policy agenda as part of a broader National Security Strategy – similar to that advocated for by senator Jim Molan – to include the development of critical national strategic reserves to support the national economy and defence capability during an increasingly troubled period in global history.
Senator Molan stressed the importance of these developments, telling Defence Connect, "We have managed to get away with not having a national security strategy only because we have lived in a tranquil region since 1945. But our strategic environment is changing quickly, and we need to prepare for a turbulent future. Developing a national security strategy would be a vital first step towards building the capacity we need to face the potential challenges that are coming."
Your thoughts
As an island nation, Australia is defined by its relationship with the ocean. Maritime power projection and sea control play a pivotal role in securing Australia’s economic and strategic security as a result of the intrinsic connection between the nation and Indo-Pacific Asia’s strategic sea-lines-of-communication in the 21st century.
Further compounding Australia's precarious position is an acceptance that 'Pax Americana', or the post-Second World War 'American Peace', is over and Australia will require a uniquely Australian approach and recognition that the nation is now solely responsible for the security of its national interests with key alliances serving a secondary, complementary role to the broader debate.
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