Elsevier

Energy Economics

Volume 7, Issue 1, January 1985, Pages 37-48
Energy Economics

Electricity and gas supply in south-eastern Australia, 1980–2020

https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-9883(85)90037-4Get rights and content

Abstract

A linear programming computer model, MENSA, was used to examine the energy systems of the south-eastern states of Australia. A regime of stable extraction costs for primary fuels was assumed and capital and operating costs for energy technologies were assumed to remain constant in real terms over the 40 year period 1980–2020. Particular attention was focused on the final demand sectors which consume electricity and natural gas. The costs and benefits attributeble to various proposed linkages of the gas supply networks and the electricity grids were examined, using minimum overall system cost as the criterion for deciding optimal configurations. The only gas pipeline which proved viable within the assumptions and data presented to the model was a low-capacity link between the existing systems of New South Wales and Victoria. A number of options for supplying South Australian electricity needs after the year 2000 were studied. Nuclear power was found to give the greatest system savings but at considerable capital cost. An alternative scheme involving a high-capacity link with the Victorian grid was also investigated. Within the model, this link proved viable if nuclear power continued to be proscribed.

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