Governing energy transitions in Australia: Low carbon innovation and the role for intermediary actors

Abstract

High solar Photovoltaic (PV) penetration and expensive electricity rates have positioned Australia to become the number one market for battery storage in the world. To date however, there has been little research that explores the governance of such energy transitions in the Australian context. This paper explores the role of intermediary actors through a case study of battery storage in Canberra, one of the first such projects in Australia which is rolling out energy storage to more than 5000 homes and businesses. Drawing on empirical research, the paper focuses on industry proponents and draws out a tripartite framing of industry-industry, industry-government, and industry-consumer relationships to explore the process of intermediation and consider how this extends the capacity of these actors beyond their traditional roles. The findings highlight both visible and invisible roles for intermediary actors, which have important implications for governance in terms of responsibility and transparency. Overall, the paper provides new insights into how intermediation is shaping the dynamics of energy transitions and facilitating technological innovation in Australia.