Fuel security, or ‘Energy Security’ is a topic on it’s own.
In respect of Australian Manufacturing and Industry, it is often stated Australia supports free trade. There are always exceptions for any product considered strategic. Most nations defend higher local costs or protective legislation (EG import/export restrictions) on strategic need.
Is energy security is important strategically to Australia? Easily arguable given our relative isolation from key like minded democracies, and nearer neighbours who are working hard to succeed in their own space. Their ability to take sides is not assured, despite many common interests.
Agree the way forward is to leverage the resources we do have that will meet Australia’s future needs. It seems self evident self reliance in energy requires replacement of petroleum based products. The USA which is self sufficient in petroleum based products and an exporter market price dependent. The USA has chosen to continue to subsidise the sale and manufacture of plug in EVs. FOMO or a clear understanding that the industrial future and manufacturing of the USA cannot sidestep being part of the transition.
And the same principles apply. The only way to avoid such risks is for Australia to secure its own crude oil supplies within its own territorial boundaries.
But if the argument was to turn around from cheapest to more security and self reliance, then Australia has very little crude oil left, but huge reserves of gas, condensate, coal, coal seam gas, shale oil, etc. Just build the plants to process it into petrol, diesel, avgas, jet fuel, chemical feedstocks as required.
Meanwhile, move on and remove much of the actual need, which is mainly petrol for cars, and mineral diesel for bulk transport and farming.
Australia is gaining a manufacturing facility for lithium storage batteries. It will rely on importing all the materials required to manufacture/assemble the batteries. The initial work force will number around 100. The products are being promoted to compete against high end batteries imported from OS manufacturers. It will be informative to find out at what price point the products will be promoted when finally available.
The original news releases date from Oct 2020
Newcastle - Near Newcastle, well in the Hunter Region!
Tomago more exactly which is on the other side of the river and part of Port
Stephens.
A clever solution.
The 5B Maverick & BFM Solar Array System are modular racking systems for solar panels. They can use ‘solar’ PV panels manufactured in China by Jinko, Hanna Q-Cells etc.
According to Solar Quotes,
“5B is the manufacturer of Maverick; a modular, pre-fabricated solar panel and racking solution including ballast shipped in “blocks” weighing 2.6 and 5.6 tonnes (15.2kWp and 34.2kWp).”
The modular racking system reduces the on-site labour requirements used in construction of a Solar Farm substantially. The high cost of remote area construction is reduced through the larger component of off site lower cost factory based pre-assembly. The selected site in Darwin is accessible for the importation of the materials, components and panels required.
Solidteknics are the only pans manufactured in Australia.
As to whether they use imported tooling is something I can’t answer.
" Our AUS-ION™ is wrought into shape from a single sheet of clean, Australian iron" ( from the website).
Although the headline said,
“Boeing plans to build military drones in regional Queensland”?
And the ABC report said,
“ The site at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct would be the final assembly point for the Loyal Wingman planes, with the project subject to defence orders.”
Reading the usual list of yet to be decided factors the glass may be half full of something other than pure optimism.