Roger Dargaville and Jane Mullett write in The Conversation (17.5.16) about the implications of the increasing effects of climate change for the viability of the renewable energy industry.
‘Fighting climate change will involve massive changes to the way we produce and distribute energy. Those changes are already happening. Several studies have looked at how our energy systems will change as clean energy increases and fossil fuels are replaced.
‘But climate change must be planned into this transition. For instance, temperature is a key driver of demand for electricity, and future increases in heatwaves will probably drive higher electricity demand for air conditioners.
‘So how could future climate changes affect the ability of the system to generate enough electricity?’