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Quarterly Essay #81
Getting to Zero: Australia's Energy Transition
The world is overheating, and despite good intentions and significant efforts, emissions increase nearly every year. The challenge is immense, but there are solutions.In this lucid, inspiring essay, Alan Finkel maps Australia’s path forward. He explains the solar and wind revolution, and addresses the challenge of intermittent supply. He introduces hydrogen, the energy hope of the future. He traces the rise and rise of the electric car. He shows how we can build a zero-emissions world.Taking into account economics, science and emotions, Getting to Zero is an essential guide to how Australia can tackle the climate crisis with realism and ingenuity.“Change is in the air. I sense we will live through a technological revolution this decade as exciting as the conquest of space in the 1960s. If Australia handles the challenge well, we can build an economy that takes advantage of the transition. If we cling to the past, we will miss opportunities that the rest of the world will seize.” —Alan Finkel, Getting to Zero
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
25 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Alan Finkel
4 books2 followersAlan Finkel served as Australia’s chief scientist from 2016 to 2020. He is a neuroscientist, engineer and entrepreneur. He led the 2017 National Electricity Market Review and the 2019 development of the National Hydrogen Strategy, and chaired the 2020 panel developing the Low Emissions Technology Roadmap. He is currently special adviser to the Australian government on low-emissions technologies
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 26, 2021
The science is there, the market is there, the infrastructure is (nearly) there - and yet our government's collective lack of spine forces them prostrate before the throne of coal and oil.
Finkel lays out how Australia is well placed (perhaps uniquely so) to take advantage of the renewable energy revolution. Yet Finkel is no revolutionary himself, taking an obstinately pragmatic tone throughout.
And while the focus on hard science and infrastructure concerns led to some dry reading at points, I was struck by how green energy is a fundamentally centrist and reasonable proposition at this point (no longer exclusively the purview of the far left), yet our Gov't seems intent on casting it as a culture war, for political and financial self-interest, and to the detriment of us all.
Finkel lays out how Australia is well placed (perhaps uniquely so) to take advantage of the renewable energy revolution. Yet Finkel is no revolutionary himself, taking an obstinately pragmatic tone throughout.
And while the focus on hard science and infrastructure concerns led to some dry reading at points, I was struck by how green energy is a fundamentally centrist and reasonable proposition at this point (no longer exclusively the purview of the far left), yet our Gov't seems intent on casting it as a culture war, for political and financial self-interest, and to the detriment of us all.
March 27, 2021
Detailed and thorough, but where was the editor when, on p. 19, we have “... the Tasmanian premier, Guy Barnett ...” Really?!
May 10, 2021
A super solid State of Play on Australia's path towards zero (or near-zero) emissions. This essay lays out the new technologies we should be embracing, lays out what the renewables-based future will look like, and charts a course for how to get there. It also shows how this global crisis is Australia's biggest economic opportunity.
There's nothing of the politics of the situation in here. That'll be a plus to some and a minus to others. We definitely have some political "obstacles," but Finkel didn't want to go into who the friends and foes were/are of Australia's zero-emissions future.
If you're already up-to-date on all the details surrounding Australia's role in battling climate change, you might not learn anything new here, as this is very much an essay to catch everyone up. It was all new to me, and there are very few wasted sentences in Finkel's writing. It's an info-packed 100 pages and I felt like highlighting the whole damn thing.
There's nothing of the politics of the situation in here. That'll be a plus to some and a minus to others. We definitely have some political "obstacles," but Finkel didn't want to go into who the friends and foes were/are of Australia's zero-emissions future.
If you're already up-to-date on all the details surrounding Australia's role in battling climate change, you might not learn anything new here, as this is very much an essay to catch everyone up. It was all new to me, and there are very few wasted sentences in Finkel's writing. It's an info-packed 100 pages and I felt like highlighting the whole damn thing.
April 5, 2021
Clear and insightful overview of Australia’s emissions profile and how we can reduce it. Learnt a lot.
I like his ‘technology agnosticism’ when it comes to the how of reducing emissions and whether natural gas should be involved. However, he is overly generous when describing key liberal party figures like Taylor and Frydenberg. He makes them appear supportive of the need to reduce emissions and adopt new technology (such as hydrogen) when the opposite is true. The liberal party have had a cancerous effect on Australia doing anything meaningful about climate change over the last two decades. One would expect someone as evidence based as Finkel to acknowledge this, or at least avoid portraying them positively.
I like his ‘technology agnosticism’ when it comes to the how of reducing emissions and whether natural gas should be involved. However, he is overly generous when describing key liberal party figures like Taylor and Frydenberg. He makes them appear supportive of the need to reduce emissions and adopt new technology (such as hydrogen) when the opposite is true. The liberal party have had a cancerous effect on Australia doing anything meaningful about climate change over the last two decades. One would expect someone as evidence based as Finkel to acknowledge this, or at least avoid portraying them positively.
April 30, 2023
The essay provides a well-explained overview of the technological solutions to tackle the climate crisis in Australia, including the solar and wind revolution, hydrogen, and electric cars.
The solutions presented seem overly optimistic, given the immense challenge of reducing emissions and transitioning to a zero-emissions world.
The technological advancements are impressive and offer hope for the future. The essay does not discuss how these changes can be accessible and affordable to all members of society, particularly those who may be disproportionately affected by the transition.
The solutions presented seem overly optimistic, given the immense challenge of reducing emissions and transitioning to a zero-emissions world.
The technological advancements are impressive and offer hope for the future. The essay does not discuss how these changes can be accessible and affordable to all members of society, particularly those who may be disproportionately affected by the transition.
January 8, 2022
After reading this essay I felt for the first time a sense of hope about our country’s opportunity and role in getting to zero emissions. Supported by facts and science the challenge he’s and potential solutions are expertly presented in plain language. Highly recommend!
April 5, 2021
Super relevant! And makes you less scared to see that the government feasibly can to do something about climate change.
Both specific and big picture view written by Australia's Chief Scientist. Looking at how practically Australia will manage to transition to zero emissions and how it will impact a range of industries. Everything from "how do you keep the electricity grid stable with renewables?" to "how do we cope with losing our coal export industry?" and "what if I don't have off street parking so charging my car will be a pain?"/"how do we fuel long haul planes?" Etc.
Would recommend. 5 stars for content
Both specific and big picture view written by Australia's Chief Scientist. Looking at how practically Australia will manage to transition to zero emissions and how it will impact a range of industries. Everything from "how do you keep the electricity grid stable with renewables?" to "how do we cope with losing our coal export industry?" and "what if I don't have off street parking so charging my car will be a pain?"/"how do we fuel long haul planes?" Etc.
Would recommend. 5 stars for content
April 13, 2021
Decently written but not particularly compelling. Basically he just explains the practicalities of the technology for a zero-emissions economy. Tone is approachable and conversational which is good I suppose.
The correspondence, responding to Laura Tingle's NZ/Aus essay, is not particularly interesting. There's also one terrible letter going on about how special superannuation is and then I checked and the man writing it is, surprise surprise, from Australian Super. Not sure why he got a platform in the QE to shill for the super industry, but there you go.
The correspondence, responding to Laura Tingle's NZ/Aus essay, is not particularly interesting. There's also one terrible letter going on about how special superannuation is and then I checked and the man writing it is, surprise surprise, from Australian Super. Not sure why he got a platform in the QE to shill for the super industry, but there you go.
July 27, 2021
Objectively good and important essay but very technical. Was not really in the mood for it at the time of reading.
March 26, 2021
Inspiring read on the Net Zero potential of Australia from a technology point of view. Really enjoyed how clearly he described what needs to happen in different sectors to make Australia prosper and thrive.
I was disappointed however in the lack of policy recommendations that will help enable and accelerate this path to a Net Zero Australia. Finkel clearly sketches how Australia can be a world leader in clean energy, but with current policies we'll be a late adaptor and miss out on many opportunities as a result of this. If we really are to be leaders it should start with setting some ambitious targets for Australia as a nation instead of some states doing the majority of the heavy lifting.
I was disappointed however in the lack of policy recommendations that will help enable and accelerate this path to a Net Zero Australia. Finkel clearly sketches how Australia can be a world leader in clean energy, but with current policies we'll be a late adaptor and miss out on many opportunities as a result of this. If we really are to be leaders it should start with setting some ambitious targets for Australia as a nation instead of some states doing the majority of the heavy lifting.
February 3, 2024
I thought this was a well organised, engagingly written overview of Australia’s energy transition -both a current stocktake of the situation, and also an exploration of the potential future options that are available to us.
The essay read to be a bit technocratic/ overly optimistic of the ability of technology to ‘rescue’ us from this situation we are in, which, don’t get me wrong, is definitely a much needed piece of the puzzle, but seemed a bit underdeveloped. Proposing that no, or no major concessions will need to be made by people came across as either wilfully ignorant, or naive. I would have loved a bit more of a balanced discussion, situating the role of technology in its rightful place as one of the instruments to tackle this crisis, not the silver bullet solution that we have to just keep trying harder at.
With that said though, I still found it to be a great read, and one I look forward to revisiting it as I deepen my own knowledge of the bits and pieces of Australia’s energy transition.
The essay read to be a bit technocratic/ overly optimistic of the ability of technology to ‘rescue’ us from this situation we are in, which, don’t get me wrong, is definitely a much needed piece of the puzzle, but seemed a bit underdeveloped. Proposing that no, or no major concessions will need to be made by people came across as either wilfully ignorant, or naive. I would have loved a bit more of a balanced discussion, situating the role of technology in its rightful place as one of the instruments to tackle this crisis, not the silver bullet solution that we have to just keep trying harder at.
With that said though, I still found it to be a great read, and one I look forward to revisiting it as I deepen my own knowledge of the bits and pieces of Australia’s energy transition.
May 30, 2021
Great. Easy to read for complex ideas, the future is now people. Alan Finkel clarifies the path ahead for net zero energy in Australia and it is POSSIBLE. I just kept clenching my fists thinking whyyyyyy are we not doing this yet. This helped to ease the climate anxiety and see a way up and out.
November 7, 2022
3.5 stars
One of my favourite Quarterly Essays and well worth the read if you’re looking for some beginner information in this field. I think my knowledge was unfortunately just a bit more than the average reader and so I found it not as interesting, and also I was able to see where certain important information was left out. The shorter format and essay style means it can’t cover everything but some of the things left out (potentially on purpose) is telling.
One example being the high emissions surrounding the making of EVs (and lifetime emissions comparison with combustion engines). It got one sentence saying the lifecycle carbon emission would decrease as mining decarbonises. Missed a good opportunity to clarify that owning and using an EV for about 5 years breaks even with a combustion engine car. Things like that.
One of my favourite Quarterly Essays and well worth the read if you’re looking for some beginner information in this field. I think my knowledge was unfortunately just a bit more than the average reader and so I found it not as interesting, and also I was able to see where certain important information was left out. The shorter format and essay style means it can’t cover everything but some of the things left out (potentially on purpose) is telling.
One example being the high emissions surrounding the making of EVs (and lifetime emissions comparison with combustion engines). It got one sentence saying the lifecycle carbon emission would decrease as mining decarbonises. Missed a good opportunity to clarify that owning and using an EV for about 5 years breaks even with a combustion engine car. Things like that.
April 21, 2021
I read this as a follow on from Bill Gates - how to avoid a climate disaster. Great overview and provided the relevant information to Australia's roadmap to net zero emissions
February 25, 2024
In his Quarterly Essay, "Getting to Zero: Australia’s Eneg Transition," Alan Finkel presents a compelling and optimistic vision for Australia's energy future. Finkel, with his background as Australia's Chief Scientist, brings a technical lens to the discussion, elucidating the complexities of energy and electricity production with clarity and authority.
Finkel's essay is particularly informative when it comes to the potential of hydrogen as an energy source. He describes hydrogen as the "energy hope of the future," delving into its role in a zero-emissions world and its versatility as a clean fuel that can be used across various sector
His explanation is both thorough and accessible, making a strong case for hydrogen's place in Australia's energy mix.Electric cars are another focus of Finkel's essay, and he traces their rise with an infectious enthusiasm. He addresses the technological advancements that have led to longer driving ranges and more affordable models, which are likely to revolutionise the Australian motoring landscape
Finkel's optimism is grounded in tangible progress and the promise of continued innovation in battery technology.Throughout the essay, Finkel maintains that technological revolutions akin to the conquest of space in the 1960s are on the horizon for the energy sector
He argues that Australia is well-positioned to take advantage of the transition to a zero-emissions economy if it embraces change rather than clinging to the past.Finkel's approach is pragmatic, acknowledging the challenges of intermittent supply from renewable sources like solar and wind, yet he remains confident in our ability to overcome these obstacles through adaptive strategies and investment in emerging technologies
His writing is imbued with a sense of urgency but also a belief in human ingenuity and the power of technological solutions to drive the transition to net zero.
Finkel's essay is particularly informative when it comes to the potential of hydrogen as an energy source. He describes hydrogen as the "energy hope of the future," delving into its role in a zero-emissions world and its versatility as a clean fuel that can be used across various sector
His explanation is both thorough and accessible, making a strong case for hydrogen's place in Australia's energy mix.Electric cars are another focus of Finkel's essay, and he traces their rise with an infectious enthusiasm. He addresses the technological advancements that have led to longer driving ranges and more affordable models, which are likely to revolutionise the Australian motoring landscape
Finkel's optimism is grounded in tangible progress and the promise of continued innovation in battery technology.Throughout the essay, Finkel maintains that technological revolutions akin to the conquest of space in the 1960s are on the horizon for the energy sector
He argues that Australia is well-positioned to take advantage of the transition to a zero-emissions economy if it embraces change rather than clinging to the past.Finkel's approach is pragmatic, acknowledging the challenges of intermittent supply from renewable sources like solar and wind, yet he remains confident in our ability to overcome these obstacles through adaptive strategies and investment in emerging technologies
His writing is imbued with a sense of urgency but also a belief in human ingenuity and the power of technological solutions to drive the transition to net zero.
May 12, 2021
Australian Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, lays out the case for tackling climate change and how we can get there. His pragmatic approach embraces a ‘technology agnosticism’, i.e., the aim is to get to zero (low) emissions by whatever means necessary. Abruptly ceasing fossil fuel usage will not help us transition without stuffing the economy. There are loads of facts and figures which are hard to retain, but some of the major points:
1) As we’ve progressively adopted coal, oil, and gas, we’ve kept using the older fuels so that their effect is additive
2) The goal is ‘The Electric Planet’, where most energy usage will be in the form of electricity produced by clean technologies
3) Clean hydrogen is the most promising future fuel and Australia could be a major producer and exporter
4) Developing and transitioning to new clean technologies take time and natural gas is the least worst stepping stone
5) A single vote makes little difference, but many votes cause change. Equally, every person and country has a part to play in the energy transition, it has a cumulative effect.
1) As we’ve progressively adopted coal, oil, and gas, we’ve kept using the older fuels so that their effect is additive
2) The goal is ‘The Electric Planet’, where most energy usage will be in the form of electricity produced by clean technologies
3) Clean hydrogen is the most promising future fuel and Australia could be a major producer and exporter
4) Developing and transitioning to new clean technologies take time and natural gas is the least worst stepping stone
5) A single vote makes little difference, but many votes cause change. Equally, every person and country has a part to play in the energy transition, it has a cumulative effect.
May 16, 2021
It's not the author's fault, but I just despair of the Australian Liberal government. The same people that shrill that electric cars will take your ute, refuse to even state which year we aim for net zero carbon emissions, and wave around lumps of coal in parliament; those people have no intention of promoting the sciences and the policies we need to be competitive in the world market for renewable resources.
And it's Australia, you know? The one thing we almost have too much of is sun, and it's only going to get worse. We have the raw resources to make batteries, we should be making them here, filling them via solar power and shipping them offshore. It seems nuts that Singapore wants to build a giant solar farm in Australia to power their country when we are not doing it ourselves.
Finkel seems more focused on Hydrogen as a fuel source but concedes that things will need to be a compromise for a while to come.
3 stars
And it's Australia, you know? The one thing we almost have too much of is sun, and it's only going to get worse. We have the raw resources to make batteries, we should be making them here, filling them via solar power and shipping them offshore. It seems nuts that Singapore wants to build a giant solar farm in Australia to power their country when we are not doing it ourselves.
Finkel seems more focused on Hydrogen as a fuel source but concedes that things will need to be a compromise for a while to come.
3 stars
February 19, 2024
This was weirdly exactly what I expected and also nothing like it. I was delighted to learn about some interesting new options for sustainable energy. Namely, I had no idea zero emissions fuels could be made out of hydrogen or Ammonia, or that hydrogen could be used to power non electric vehicles!
Very much enjoyed reading Alan Finkles take on how moving towards a zero emissions country could be used to improve our economy. It hadn’t even occurred to me that selling fuels made from our abundant solar and wind could replace coal exports and power a greener world.. wild!
I might be rating this unnecessarily highly out of nostalgia, uni started back today so I’ve sworn off non fiction until I’ve settled in :(
Very much enjoyed reading Alan Finkles take on how moving towards a zero emissions country could be used to improve our economy. It hadn’t even occurred to me that selling fuels made from our abundant solar and wind could replace coal exports and power a greener world.. wild!
I might be rating this unnecessarily highly out of nostalgia, uni started back today so I’ve sworn off non fiction until I’ve settled in :(
September 20, 2021
Written by Australia's former Chief Scientist from 2015-2020, this book dictates the work that Australia needs to do to reduce emissions to zero, or almost zero, by 2050. The book provides great insight into why climate change is real and anthropogenic, as well as the current state of the nation's energy consumption and pollution and the methods in which Australia can move to lower emission pragmatically. More importantly, this short book easily communicates scientific and environmental concepts to the general public.
November 30, 2023
Might be 4 stars, but before then, I must investigate hydrogen scepticism and the points they make.
I also gag at reading a climate change/net zero assessment that does not consider the people that live on this planet, economy -sure, science -I'm glad to hear it, but what about the humans that live out here. What about those suffering on the floor of capalisim? What about the mothers working away in sweatshops? The children in the mines im Africa? My belief is that livelihoods are the third pillar of the path to zero, and one that is too easily ignored in a country like Australia.
I also gag at reading a climate change/net zero assessment that does not consider the people that live on this planet, economy -sure, science -I'm glad to hear it, but what about the humans that live out here. What about those suffering on the floor of capalisim? What about the mothers working away in sweatshops? The children in the mines im Africa? My belief is that livelihoods are the third pillar of the path to zero, and one that is too easily ignored in a country like Australia.
April 13, 2025
While this was published in 2021, it feels out of date in some areas. That isn't the fault of the essay of course, but I will say that Finkel seems a bit more enthusiastic about hydrogen than I thought was warranted, since last I looked up, hydrogen doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast as a fuel source (though even that could be wrong).
Still, decent read overall. Feels too optimistic, but something about glasses and how full they are.
Still, decent read overall. Feels too optimistic, but something about glasses and how full they are.
June 22, 2021
Finkel knows the topic, is invested in it’s success and opens quite well with the suggestion for a perfectly reasonable approach to reach zero. Why then does he spend so much time on pie in the sky nonsense like “clean hydrogen”? In the end a disappointing read, which hopefully will draw some pointed rebuttal in the next edition’s correspondence.
July 17, 2021
A good review of the technology that’s going to get us there. But technology is the easy part - Dr Finkel doesn’t give us any analysis of the much more complicated social and political factors that are holding up progres. Techno-determinism leaves too much room for politics to shape the transition.
September 16, 2021
Quite an interesting read, with a lot of great ideas. The catch however is to convince the politicians of the best way forward. I am sure we can do it, just needs perseverance. There is nothing magical about what needs to be done.
**
The essay is about 60% of the book, the rest is correspondence on the previous essay.
**
**
The essay is about 60% of the book, the rest is correspondence on the previous essay.
**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2021
A critical analysis of the technological solutions to Australian's emission problems. While thorough, without a discussion of the policies that would introduce these measures, it is insufficient for somebody wishing to understand the vast landscape of the Australian energy debate.
April 29, 2021
Brilliant QE by Austrlia's former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel. Gives a concise lay of the land and glaringly shows the senselessness of the lack of strong action by our politicians. "Be ambitious, be patient".
May 23, 2021
Excellent essay on the the various pathways Australia can take to get to zero emissions while at the same time becoming a major exporter of renewable energy. Good technical arguments based on evidence rather than ideology.
June 2, 2021
Tremendously sage advice. Thoughtful and logical in messaging, there is much to admire in Finkel's essay. The prose struggles to adequately live up to import of what should be compulsory reading for all.
November 24, 2024
Very informative and concise. It was an optimistic essay, while still grounded in reality, which brought on a sense of hope for the future. However, I do think there was an overreliance on the technology and trust in government claims of 'transitions to net-zero'.
April 12, 2021
Had no idea hydrogen is going to be such a big part of the renewable energy mix. Huge opportunities as energy, energy storage, and as an export.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews