Muriel Watt
Muriel teaches in renewable energy policy and life cycle analysis of energy systems in the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering at UNSW where she has worked since 1992. She studied Science at the University of New England and undertook a PhD at Murdoch University on Energy Analysis. Muriel is interested in implementation strategies for renewable energy technologies, including consumer requirements, government policy, research, industry development, support programs and regulatory frameworks. She is also interested in analysis of renewable energy systems, including life cycle energy, emissions, materials and water usage; performance assessments against end-use energy requirements; employment and other economic indicators.

Publications
Title & place of publication | Author | Research area | Type | Links | Year |
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'The future of Community Renewable Energy for electricity access in rural Central America', Energy Research & Social Science 25:118-131 | Rolando Madriz-Vargas, Anna Bruce , Muriel Watt | Sustainability & general | Journal Papers | link | 2018 |
'Who pays, who benefits? The financial impacts of solar photovoltaic systems and air-conditioners on Australian households’, Energy Research and Social Science, 39, p198-215 | Passey, R., Watt, M., Bruce, A. , MacGill, I. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Journal Papers | link | 2018 |
'A Cross-case Analysis of Needs, Barriers and Opportunities from Community Renewable Energy Projects in Central America', APSRC 2017, Melbourne, Australia | Rolando Madriz-Vargas, Anna Bruce , Muriel Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Conference Papers | pdf, link | 2017 |
'Energy Transition: A UNSW Climate Change Blueprint' | Watt, M., Ngo, A., MacGill, I., Elliston, B. | Sustainability & general | Reports and Working Papers | 2017 | |
’Community renewable energy in Panama: a sustainability assessment of the “Boca de Lura” PV-Wind-Battery hybrid power system’, Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2(18) | Madriz-Vargas, R., Bruce, A., Watt, M., Alvarez, H. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Sustainability & general | Journal Papers | link | 2017 |
’The future of Community Renewable Energy for electricity access in rural Central America’, Energy Research & Social Science (in press) | Madriz-Vargas, R., Bruce, A., Watt, M. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Sustainability & general | Journal Papers | link | 2017 |
'Energy with Development: 50 years’ Experience of Community-driven Rural Electrification and Future Challenges for COOPEGUANACASTE in Costa Rica’, APSRC 2016, Canberra, Australia | Madrid-Vargas, R., Bruce, A. , Watt, M., Rojas, Y.A. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Sustainability & general | Conference Papers | 2016 | |
'Economics of Solar PV Systems with Storage in Main Grid and Mini-grid Settings', in Solar Energy Storage | MacGill, I., Watt, M. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Book Chapters | 2015 | |
'Policy Approaches and Tariff Structures to Maximise Renewable Energy Uptake in Pacific Island Grids’, Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference 2015, Brisbane, Australia | Watt, M., Passey, R. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Conference Papers | 2015 | |
'The financial impacts of PV systems and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on customers who do not have them’, APSRC 2014 | Passey, R., Watt, M., MacGill, I., Mills, G. | Electric vehicles, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2014 | |
'Evaluating the benefits of implementing existing storage technologies with residential PV rooftop systems' | Goel, S., Watt, M. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Conference Papers | 2013 | |
‘Magnetic Island and Townsville Solar City: A Case Study of Increasing PV Penetration in Electricity Networks’ | Bruce, A. , Simon Heslop , MacGill, I., Watt, M. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2013 | |
‘The Regulatory Arrangements Required for a Distributed Energy Market’, first published in the Proceedings of the eceee 2013 Summer Study, 3-8 June 2013, Belambra Presqu'île de Giens, France. | Passey, R., Watt, M. | Electricity Markets & Restructuring, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Sustainability & general | Conference Papers | 2013 | |
'The Potential Impacts of Grid-connected Distributed Generation and How to Address Them: A Review of Technical and Non-technical Factors', Energy Policy, 39(10), p6280-6290. | Passey, R., Spooner, T., MacGill, I., Watt, M., Syngellakis, K. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Journal Papers | 2011 | |
'Study of Grid-connect Photovoltaic Systems: Benefits, Opportunities and Strategies', Progress in Photovoltaics, 17, p419-431. | Passey, R., Watt, M., Snow, M., Outhred, H.[nid:330], Spooner, T. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Journal Papers | 2009 | |
Energy without an end, OpEd in the Age newspaper, 2nd Feb 2009, | Muriel Watt, Iain MacGill | Technology Assessments | Articles | link, pdf | 2009 |
A Review of Market-based Schemes to Drive Energy Efficiency. The Executive Summary is available | Rob Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Emissions trading, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Reports and Working Papers | 2008 | |
CEEM Submission to the Consultation Paper: South Australian Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme, February 2008 | Robert Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Submissions | 2008 | |
Designing a coherent PV strategy for Australia, 3rd International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Asia-Pacific Conference & 46th ANZSES Conference, Sydney, 25th to 28th Nov 2008 | Muriel Watt, Rob Passey, Greg Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Conference Papers | 2008 | |
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts: Inquiry into the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Feed-in-Tariff) Bill 2008, August | Muriel Watt, Robert Passey | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Submissions | 2008 | |
Scenario Analysis of Possible Sustainable Energy Futures for Alice Springs, presented at the ANZSES 45th Annual Conference, Solar07, Alice Springs, Australia, 2nd-6th October 2007 | Jessica Picton, Muriel Watt, Iain MacGill | Sustainability & general | Conference Papers | 2007 | |
Study of Grid-connect Photovoltaic Systems - Benefits, Opportunities, Barriers and Strategies for the Western Australian Office of Energy. | Rob Passey, Muriel Watt, Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Ted Spooner, Mark Snow | Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | pdf, appendices | 2007 |
The Contribution of Photovoltaics to Commercial Loading, presented at the ANZSES 45th Annual Conference, Solar07, Alice Springs, Australia, 2nd-6th October 2007 | Muriel Watt, Rob Passey, Mark Snow | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2007 | |
'Photovoltaics research and development in Australia, International Journal of Environmental Studies', Vol. 63, No. 6, December 2006, pp 777-790. | Muriel Watt, Rob Passey, Iain MacGill | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Journal Papers | 2006 | |
Assessing Nuclear Power using a Risk-based Framework accepted for the ANZSES Solar 2006 Conference, Canberra, 13th-15th September 2006 | Robert Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2006 | |
Experiences with Residential Grid-Connected PV Systems in Australia accepted for the ANZSES Solar 2006 Conference, Canberra, 13th-15th September 2006 | Muriel Watt, Rhys Morgan, Robert Passey | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2006 | |
National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Australia, for the International Energy Agency Co-operative programme on Photovoltaic Power Systems Task 1, Exchange and dissemination of information on PV Power systems . |
Muriel Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2006 | |
Newington Village: An analysis of photovoltaic output, residential load and PV's ability to reduce peak demand, a report for the NSW Department of Planning | Watt. M., Passey, R., Barker, F., Rivier, J. | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2006 | |
National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Australia - 2004, prepared for the Australian PVPS Consortium, May 2005. |
Muriel Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2005 | |
Photovoltaics and Peak Electricity Loads, Summer 2003-04, Report prepared for the BCSE, May 2005. |
Muriel Watt, Monica Oliphant, Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Iain MacGill, Ted Spooner, Scott Partlin | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2005 | |
Some options for State-based Renewable Obligations in Australia, paper submitted for review for the 2005 ANZSES Conference, Dunedin | Robert Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Large-scale Renewable Energy | Conference Papers | 2005 | |
Submission to the Green Power Options Paper June 2005 | Robert Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Large-scale Renewable Energy | Submissions | 2005 | |
Tariff Implications for the Value of PV to Residential Customers, paper submitted for review for the 2005 ANZSES Conference, Dunedin . |
Marc Pop, Muriel Watt, Juan Rivier, Andrew Birch | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2005 | |
A Review of Some Recent Australian Government Energy Management Programs, ACRE Energy Policy Group Report, April 2004 | Robert Passey, Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Reports and Working Papers | 2004 | |
Analyses of Photovoltaic System Output, Temperature, Electricity Loads and National Electricity Market Prices - Summer 2003-04, ANZSES'04, Perth, November . |
Muriel Watt, Scott Partlin, Monica Oliphant, Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Iain MacGill, Ted Spooner | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Conference Papers | pdf, associated presentation | 2004 |
Development of a Standard Connection Agreement for Small Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems - Discussion Paper, for the Australian Greenhouse Office, January 2004 | Robert Passey, David Roche, Muriel Watt, Ted Spooner | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2004 | |
Proposed Guidelines and Agreements for Small Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems - Final Report , for the Australian Greenhouse Office, December 2004 | Robert Passey, David Roche, Muriel Watt, Ted Spooner | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Reports and Working Papers | 2004 | |
SERGO Submission (Executive Summary) to the NFEE Discussion Paper "Towards a National Framework for Energy Efficiency - Issues and Challenges", March 2004 | Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt, Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Robert Passey | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Submissions | 2004 | |
The Value of PV in Summer Peaks Paper for EUPVSEC'04 European PV Solar Conference, Paris, June 2004 . |
Muriel Watt, Scott Partlin, Monica Oliphant, Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Iain MacGill, Ted Spooner | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Conference Papers | 2004 | |
PV Research & Development in Australia - where to from here? UNSW Energy Systems Seminar presentation, May 2003 | Muriel Watt | Sustainability & general | Archived | 2003 | |
Using PV to meet Peak Summer Electricity Loads in Proc. ANZSES'2003, Melbourne, November, 2003 |
Muriel Watt, M. Oliphant, H. Outhred[nid:330], R. Collins | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Technology Assessments | Archived | 2003 | |
Jobs and Investment Potential of Renewable Energy for Australia Australian New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics Conference, ANZSEE'2002, Sydney, Australia, December, 2002. | Iain MacGill, Muriel Watt | Large-scale Renewable Energy, Sustainability & general | Archived | 2002 | |
Submission on the IPART Discussion Paper on Distributed Generation April 2002. |
Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Muriel Watt, Iain MacGill, Karel Nolles | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Archived | 2002 | |
Submission to the CoAG Energy Market Review Draft Report by for the Australian Energy Policy Group, November 2002 |
Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Muriel Watt, Iain MacGill | Electricity Markets & Restructuring | Archived | 2002 | |
Submission to the COAG Energy Market Review Issues Paper, April 2002. |
Hugh Outhred[nid:330], Muriel Watt, Iain MacGill, Karel Nolles, Karl Mallon | Electricity Markets & Restructuring | Archived | 2002 |
Events
Event | Presenter |
Type![]() |
Research area | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Highs & Lows of the PV Market in Australia | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Sustainability & general, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Appropriate Technology Retailers Association of Australia (ATRAA) in Melbourne | Friday, August 1, 2008 |
What is Australia doing about Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Large-scale Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | CEEM, UNSW | Tuesday, May 22, 2007 |
Experience with Residentail Grid-Connected PV Systems in Australia | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Technology Assessments, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | ANZSES Solar 2006 Conference, Canberra | Friday, September 15, 2006 |
Photovoltaics in Australia | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Technology Assessments, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Southern Highlands and Tablelands Regional Group of Engineers Australia - Sydney Division | Thursday, August 17, 2006 |
PV in Australia 2005: Markets & Performance | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Technology Assessments, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | BCSE Conference 2006, Brisbane | Thursday, May 4, 2006 |
Tariff Implications for the Value of PV to Residential Customers | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | ANZSES Annual Conference, Dunedin New Zealand | Monday, November 28, 2005 |
Some Considerations when Designing Retail Electricity Markets that work for Energy Efficiency & Distributed Resources | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Electricity Markets & Restructuring | BCSE Business of Energy Efficiency Conference, Melbourne | Wednesday, November 23, 2005 |
Status of Australia's PV Market | Muriel Watt | Seminar | Technology Assessments, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Sustainable Energy 2005, BCSE Annual Conference, Melbourne | Friday, April 29, 2005 |
The Regulatory Arrangements Required for a Distributed Energy Market | Rob Passey , Muriel Watt | Seminar | Electricity Markets & Restructuring, Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation, Sustainability & general | eceee 2013 Summer Study, 3-8 June 2011, Belambra Presqu'île de Giens, France | Saturday, June 8, 2013 |
The Need for and Design of a Distributed Energy Market | Rob Passey , Peta Ashworth, Muriel Watt , Yasmin Vankasteren, Shelley Rodriguez, Lygia Romanach | Poster | Energy Efficiency & Distributed Generation | Australian ‘Frontiers of Science; Science for a Green Economy’, Sydney | Monday, December 3, 2012 |