Australia has one of the highest rates of residential photovoltaics penetration in the world. The willingness of households to privately invest in energy infrastructure, and the maturing of battery technology, provides significant scope for more efficient energy networks. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the scope for promoting distributed generation and storage from within existing network spending. In this paper, a techno-economic analysis is conducted to evaluate the economic impacts on networks of private investment in energy infrastructure. A highly granular probabilistic model of households within a test area was developed and an economic evaluation of both household and network sectors performed. Results of this paper show that PV only installations carry the greatest private return and, at current battery prices, the economics of combined PV and battery systems is marginal. However, when network benefits arising from reducing residential evening peaks, improved reliability, and losses avoided are considered, this can more than compensate for private economic losses. The main conclusion of this paper is that there is significant scope for network benefits in retrofitting existing housing stock through the incentivization of a policy of a more rapid adoption of distributed generation and residential battery storage.

This paper aims to evaluate the role of residential battery storage in addressing network barriers to the further adoption of household photovoltaics, by presenting a unique perspective combining a housing and network techno-economic evaluation. Stochasticity in demand and weather inputs are modelled using Monte Carlo and a power flow model is constructed of a test area of the low-voltage (LV) network. Findings include: that batteries address voltage drop issues on LV networks at photovoltaic penetration rates of 50% and over and can mitigate voltage rise issues at PV penetration rates up to 75%. Economically, under Queensland conditions, household gains are marginal with optimal results provided by charging batteries from photovoltaic generation only and a minimum array size of 5 kW.

Introduction: Although there have been assumptions about the link between eco-emotions and suicidality, there is currently no systematic evidence. Therefore, the aim of this review is to systematically examine empirical literature analysing the link between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours, both fatal and non-fatal. Methods: The review protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO [CRD42022352379] and the PRISMA checklist was followed. Searches were conducted in six electronic databases (Scopus (Elsevier), Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL and Embase) for peer-reviewed English language literature published from 1 January 2000 until 16 September 2023. Screening of titles, abstracts and full texts was conducted independently by two reviewers and any discrepancies were resolved in consultation with a senior researcher. The Johanna Briggs Institute’s quality appraisal tools were used for quality assessment. Results: Search results revealed 559 records. After removal of duplicates, 424 articles were screened. After title and abstract screening, 28 articles were included for full text screening. Only one paper satisfied the inclusion criteria. A cross-sectional online knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) survey among practicing mental health professionals across the State of Minnesota analysed the impact of climate change on their work and clients. Although the study did not specifically focus on suicidality, it reported that 22% of practicing mental health professionals had seen evidence of suicidal ideation or attempts in their clients as an outcome of climate change. Conclusion: There is a lack of research on the association between eco-emotions and suicidality. Considering advancing climate change research, our review emphasizes an urgent need to conduct high level research to analyse the association between eco-emotions and suicidality and consider its potential implications. What is already known on this topic?: There’s a recognized and growing concern about the impact of climate change on mental health, particularly the emergence of eco-emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and solastalgia. While studies have linked higher temperatures and natural disasters to suicidality, research specifically examining the association between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours is lacking. What this study adds?: This systematic literature review revealed a stark scarcity of research connecting eco-emotions with suicidal ideation and behaviours. Only one paper met the inclusion criteria of the review. This scarcity underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive studies exploring the potential connection between eco-emotions and suicidality at an individual level. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy?: The limited findings from this review highlight the pressing need for more in-depth research to determine and understand the association between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours. It emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary research for a multi-faceted approach addressing mental health impacts of climate change and its underlying causes, calling for informed engagement, mental health support, and policy actions to mitigate eco-grief and anxiety related to climate change impacts.