The Energy Reform Implementation Group (ERIG) was a group established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to review certain elements of the operation of Australia’s energy sector and to suggest further reforms, where there is a case for them, supporting more efficient energy markets.

ERIG commissioned these nine specialist studies to advise on the matters under consideration. 

This Guidance Note sets out the current policy with respect to Essential Users in a national liquid fuel emergency and the rationale that informs that policy.

The objective of this report was to assess the economic impacts of a more severe disruption to world oil supplies.

The owners of the Chocolate Lily Sustainable Stays B&B in Sedgwick wanted to incorporate as many energy efficiency practices as possible into their property. They significantly reduced their heating, cooling and energy costs by: installing low energy CFLs; installing R3.5 insulation; fitting double glazing windows; using a heat pump to provide hot water; installing a 3.32kW solar PV system; using solar to heat the outdoor pool; and using 100% Green Power for top-ups.

When 2 Victorian fruit packing houses (Geoff Thompson’s and Montague’s) conducted energy audits, each found there was high potential for energy savings through the optimisation of voltage power. While the initial investment was between $125,000-285,000, the savings were significant ($54,000-$58,000 a year), and the payback period short – just 2.2 to 5.2 years. 

At the Footscray Community Arts Centre in Footscray, the site includes a heritage listed building and warehouse, and an outdoor amphitheatre and lawn. The site’s annual electricity spend it $27,000 (from an annual usage of 130,000 kWh) plus around $3000 in natural gas cost (from an annual usage of 200,000 MJ). An energy assessment identified this could be reduced by $11,000 per year (39% of annual spend) by implementing the suggested opportunities. 

The prevailing policy is that all fuel consumers will be subject to Retail Rationing in the event of a liquid fuel emergency with the exception of designated Essential Users (please see Guidance Note on Essential Users).

Factsheet to help businesses involved with biofuels to understand what mandatory reporting of petroleum statistics means for them.