Write a scientific response in the form of a position paper addressing one of the following questions/issues

Write a scientific response in the form of a position paper addressing one of the following questions/issues. A 2500 absolute maximum word limit applies for Undergraduates, and 3500 absolute maximum for Postgraduates. Bibliography, appendices, figures and tables in the text can be in addition to the word limits, and are very much encouraged (and will be read) but the emphasis is on a concise, clear and well-structured paper such as might be given as a briefing to a minister in a government. You should adequately reference all material and your response could include tables, figures, sub-headings, point summaries etc. Papers will be assessed with respect to the following three categories:
• strength and coherence of argument addressing the question;
• content, research and references;
• clarity of expression and quality of writing style.
Papers with excessive use of unsubstantiated content (eg. non peer-reviewed material, corporate material and low-quality Internet sources) will not be marked favourably. You must include detailed references – the referencing format chosen is not important (you could use footnotes, endnotes, numbers
[1], or Author (year)). Strong and well-structured arguments will be viewed as more important than a mere collection of available material on a topic, or such things as statements of the importance of climate change and just general background material.
The submitted file should have 25 mm margins all round, should have pages numbered, and a font size of no less than 12 (footnotes excluded). Title page is to have a word count indicated.
ENVI3114/5707 Written Task 2021 2 Copyright © (2021), The University of Sydney
For all questions, please email Arne Geschke (arne.geschke@sydney.edu.au) and indicate your unit code in the subject of the email (ENVI3114 or ENVI5707).
Topics:
If you choose Australian examples, ensure that you cite relevant energy policies and guidelines within Australia.
1. For the national industry minister, evaluate the potential of demand management (DM) measures in reducing the need for new electricity generation infrastructure in a country of your choice. Further, discuss the viability of this practice in economic, environmental and social terms.
What contribution could DM make to both emissions reduction, better peak capacity management and electricity price reductions?
2. For the NSW, Victorian or Queensland state governments, discuss the socio-economic, political and environmental implications of their inexpensive supply of electricity generated from coal.
Should current coal fired power stations be closed before they reach the end of their useful life? And if so, under what conditions?
3. Critically examine the requirements for the Australian electricity grid if Australia wants to meet its Paris Agreement pledges. Include, among other aspects, how much electricity must be produced from renewable technologies in 2035 and whether this is an ambitious goal. Would achieving this goal pose a problem for the Australian grid? Or is maybe the opposite the case
and the not achieving this target would present a problem?
4. Critically discuss how a renewable energy technology of your choice can make a significant contribution to the energy mix in a country of your choice within the next 20 years. Include references to social, environmental and economic aspects of the technology. Specifically address the ability of the technology to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way.
5. Distributed or embedded generation has been promoted as being more efficient than traditional, large centralised electricity generation. As a submission to a review of energy policy in a country of your choice, discuss this “efficiency” argument in economic, social, strategic, and environmental terms. Does distributed generation make good sense?
6. Compare energy use from buildings in Australia to a country of your choice. Are Australian houses energy efficient (hint: no)? To what extend can energy and hence emissions be reduced if different building standards were adopted. What are the cost implications of such adoptions, and what is the potential for energy savings for the duration of a building (assume a lifetime of 70 years for a building).
7. Describe and critically review the issues surrounding the exploitation of either an unconventional natural gas source or an unconventional oil resource in a country of your choice.
Address social, economic and environmental aspects. Include references to national energy policy and a global energy context.