The Effect of Climate Change on Power Generation in Australia

Being one of the world's wealthiest countries, Australia is highly sensitive to the impact of global climate change. The rate of climatic devastation such as bushfire, flood, heat wave and cyclone has been increased significantly in last few decades, which is apparently believed to be due to the global climate change. Australian economy is energy intensive especially its electricity generation which is pivotal to its overall industrial and economic growth. Most power generation installations, transmission and distribution are located along the coastal belt of Australia due to the high concentration of population. The concentration is significantly higher in the Eastern and Southern coastal belts. Some of these areas will face the mayhem of global climate change especially on current and future power generation capabilities. However, little information on climate effects on power generation, transmission and distribution is currently available. Therefore, the primary objective of this work is to undertake a parametric study (effect of temperature) on efficiency of power generation and its potential impact on economy. A comprehensive mapping of Australia wide temperature rise and its effect on existing power plants is undertaken. The potentially affected power plants have been identified. The temperature rise and power generation efficiency is also correlated.