![EDITORIAL: Renewable energy progress EDITORIAL: Renewable energy progress](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-3ZMaZUzN3dKuM6vrzTJmtN/a21d9908-b0d5-4ec3-9182-2ff0d8805cdb.jpg/r0_2_1200_677_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
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THE announcement by CSIRO that its researchers in Newcastle have used solar heat to produce ‘‘supercritical steam’’ for the first time should be a source of pride for the federal government.
It’s another world-first in a branch of research that could help revolutionise society and the economy.
If solar thermal technology can be refined sufficiently to rival power generation by fossil fuel, the energy equation will be changed forever.
Knowing what’s potentially at stake is what drives many determined scientists to work in this field of research.
When one surveys the energy research portfolio of Australia’s CSIRO, it’s hard not to become a convert to the idea that a ‘‘big switch’’ to renewable energy sources is really possible. All the traditional objections to solar energy are being tackled from a variety of angles. Ways of smoothing out the ‘‘lumpy’’ input of power are being found, as are methods of storing energy generated during the day for steady release at night.
This is what happens when funds are intelligently targeted at carefully selected problems.
One need only consider the lessons of history in this regard. Even challenges that seemed at first ludicrously insurmountable – such as landing on the moon and splitting the atom – were overcome when enough resources of brainpower, vision and cash were applied.
Seeing that fossil fuels are finite, seeing that many are worried about the impact of constantly increasing the atmospheric concentration of combustion products and seeing the massive potential benefits of mastering the challenge of renewable energy, some community leaders in the Hunter pitched the region as an obvious centre of expertise for a national research push.
Already a major global energy capital, Newcastle made its case to spearhead efforts to push for the big switch. The government listened, and now the city is repaying that confidence as researchers chalk up breakthrough after breakthrough.
It is to be hoped that the present government can recognise the value in these important advances.
Sadly, some people have done their best to politicise science – and especially science in relation to renewable energy – in Australia. Some even appear to regard scientific advances in renewable energy as threats and it does seem as though some influential forces in Canberra are anxious to have as much funding as possible withdrawn from the field.
Announcements like the news of CSIRO’s latest breakthrough should give those politicians who have made obvious their hostility to science some cause to reflect.
This is real progress, and it promises much greater progress to come.