Frontier Economics (Asia-Pacific)

The team at CBD News visited our Melbourne headquarters recently, to talk about us marking our 25th anniversary and discuss the role economics plays across our society.   Our MD, Danny Price, shared his experience working on projects big and small, from the economics behind the world’s first big battery in South Australia, through to urban development projects looking at tree cover in parks to reduce energy, and improve lives.    Sharing how economics impacts the communities we live in, and shapes our future, helps people see the value in undertaking sound economic analysis. As Danny mentions, we have a commitment to high quality, independent work, “always taking a principled stand on things even when it’s not popular”.   “The choices we make can be a really powerful tool in making strong arguments for change to improve environmental and societal outcomes… I think people should embrace economics more, not resist it.”    The CBD News team also took a look around our library - which is one of Australia’s largest private collections - and forms the basis for data informing our work.    #economics #news #publicpolicy

We are proud to have supported the development of the Water Conservation Cost-Benefit Analysis Guidelines, which were released this week by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.   It’s a great initiative that continues DCCEEW's work ensuring water utilities have the necessary capabilities and processes to evaluate the broad range of economic, social and environmental impacts of water conservation measures.   Water conservation is a key element in balancing water system supply and demand to meet community water security needs across NSW, and beyond.   However, the value of water conservation varies over time and location. It is dependent on hydrological conditions, current and future infrastructure systems, and other economic, social, and environmental factors.   Identifying where and when it provides value to the community, the impactors and beneficiaries of these measures, and potential sources of funding, requires sound evidence and an adaptive analytical framework.   Our team developed the cost-benefit analysis framework, and input assumptions, used in the Guidelines. Please reach out our Economists Alexandra Humphrey Cifuentes, Alexus van der Weyden and Macy Diett if you would like further information.   #costbenefitanalaysis #waterconservation #economics #valueofwater  

Today, we released the first of two independent reports, to help inform the debate about the economics of including nuclear power in the National Electricity Market (NEM).   Australia’s nuclear debate is fraught with ill-informed and misleading cost comparisons. In our 25+ years of energy economics advisory, we have sought to provide independent economic analysis to better inform Australia’s biggest energy sector decisions.   Both reports were funded and directed solely by Frontier Economics. We consulted with various parties, including the Federal Coalition, over the course of the work, to help clarify the inclusion of nuclear power into the model.   The first report is to establish a base case against which we compare, in the second report, the relative costs of including nuclear power in the NEM.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gsun9TNr    #energyeconomics #energytransition #energy #nuclearenergy #netzero

Changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law in Australia are expected to have positive impacts for society by enabling larger, newer trucks to operate more easily in the road network.   Having previously advised the National Transport Commission on these and other reforms, in our latest article, our economist Anna Wilson unpacks some of the outcomes from the most recent changes proposed, and outlines how we might expect larger, trucks to drive efficiency in the freight sector. #roads #transport #economics #heavyvehicles

Our team had a great time meeting the region’s energy community at this year’s Asia Clean Energy Summit.    A part of Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), our Director Andrew Harpham delivered a keynote address on Optimising Renewable Energy Integration, discussing topics such as: - the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) becoming an increasingly poor indicator of the economics of generation,  - how Whole Electricity System Cost (WESC) can be a better guide,  - how timing and response to price signals are crucial, and  - option for improving integration which can include load shifting, storage and dispatchable generation. Andrew also provided some examples using our energy42 model – which simultaneously optimises investment and dispatch in production, storage and transmission across electricity, natural gas and hydrogen sectors.   You can view a summary, or download the presentation here: https://lnkd.in/gxBCPTad   #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #energyeconomics #economics #energytransition Ehson Shirazi, Liyana Fad'l

Our Economist Warwick Davis will be heading to Bangkok next week for the International Institute of Communications (IIC)’s Annual conference. One of the topics he’ll be exploring on his panel discussion is competition in digital and telecommunications markets.    In our latest Case Study, we share our work in recent regulatory reviews in Australian and New Zealand telecoms markets. Through work with nbn® Australia and Chorus NZ Limited, we have examined whether the regulation of wholesale fixed broadband suppliers fits the competitive landscape, both now and into the near future.   #telecommunications #digital #media #economics #competition #competitioneconomics Dinesh Kumareswaran, Scott Stacey

If you’re joining us at this year’s Asia Clean Energy Summit in Singapore next week, please stop in to hear the keynote address from our Director & Economist Andrew Harpham or visit the team in the Singapore Pavilion.   Part of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), Andrew will be speaking in the Solar and Storage track session “Optimising Renewable Integration through Diversified Technologies and Market Strategies”.    He will be focusing on the challenges of integrating high levels of intermittent renewable electricity into the electricity grid, underscored by the economic and technical benefits of incorporating a diverse mix of energy technologies and geographical locations to enhance grid stability.    By examining the limitations of relying solely on battery storage and highlighting emerging solutions, the keynote will illustrate how these innovations unlock more efficient and sustainable outcomes. In particular, dispatchable generation such as natural gas or hydrogen generation can both unlock additional renewable generation and offer an alternative to electricity storage.    Andrew will share lessons from integrated modelling of electricity, natural gas and hydrogen markets – using Frontier Economics (Asia-Pacific)’ energy42, a co-optimised model.    He will also analyse the economic implications for stakeholders during the transition to enhanced solar and storage solutions, offering strategic insights for optimising renewable integration in line with market dynamics and climate objectives.   Themed “Clean Energy for a Clean World”, we look forward to meeting energy leaders and senior regional decision makers at ACES 2024.   📆 Date: 22 – 24 October | Andrew’s presentation October 23rd, 10:45am 🔍 Venue: Level 4, Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore 🤝 Frontier Economics Booth: D2 More information here: https://lnkd.in/fvKGYbH   Also, look out for Ehson Shirazi and Liyana Fad'l, Economists from our Singapore office, who will be attending Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) with Andrew.   Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #solarenergy #batterystorage #energystorage #hydrogen #singapore #asia #aces2024

Economics can be used to help explore a multitude of issues. One example we may not think about is how to help improve culture in the construction industry.    Our Economist Anna Wilson has been working with the Culture in Construction Taskforce over the past year. Using economic evaluation techniques to measure, and value, the impact of changes to the culture standards at a group of pilot work sites across New South Wales and Victoria.    We measured the outcomes of changing work hours and shifts at these sites, and valued these changes for workers, the industry, and society overall.    It’s been a project which has the potential to have a big impact on people in, and affected by, the construction sector, and we’re proud to have Anna bring her unique economic lens to the issue.    #construction #culture #economics

In our latest article, economists Matt Harris and Graham Phelan explore the growing role of the recalculated land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions in meeting Australia’s 2030 emissions targets, how it impacts targets in other sectors, and what it might mean for our forthcoming 2035 targets.   It’s essential reading for anyone interested in climate change and sustainability – in both the public or private sector - as we deep dive into the numbers, and using economic analysis and modelling, look at the historical data to determine the impact of LULUCF for our future net-zero goals.    #netzero #climatechange #sustainabilty #economics

Join our economist Alexandra Humphrey Cifuentes at the upcoming Australian Water Association’s NSW Industry Breakfast.    The panellists, also from NSW Treasury, Sydney Water, and Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), will be discussing “Water – How much are we willing to pay?”   Register via the AWA website for this October 16th event: https://lnkd.in/gY5VGd3X #economics #watereconomics #watersecurity #urbandevelopment