Tom Longden
@tomecon.bsky.social
🇦🇺🇨🇿Researcher - 1st generation Uni - working on environmental, energy & health economics @ Western Sydney University Urban Transformations Research Centre
We’re excited to announce Alison Reeve as a speaker for our Climate Integrity Summit 2026! Alison is the Energy and Climate Change Program Director at Grattan Institute. Get your tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-climate-integrity-summit-2026
For more details and figures (and details what this means for 2026 and 2027 global temperatures), check out the full article over at The Climate Brink:
The Strongest El Niño Ever
With all the July runs in, dynamical models give a ~90% chance of a record-setting event
theclimatebrink.com
With all the July model runs now in, it is very likely that 2026 will see the largest El Niño event since records began in the late 1800s – and potentially by a truly mind-blowing margin. The median estimate is now 3.6C, roughly 0.8C hotter than the prior record (2.75C). www.theclimatebrink....
Remote Indigenous artists from around Australia are in Sydney for the annual National Indigenous Art Fair.
'Deadly' Indigenous remote artists travel to Sydney
Remote Indigenous artists from around Australia are in Sydney for the annual National Indigenous Art Fair.
abc.net.au
🔋🏠 In a co-authored @aunz.theconversation.com article by @tomecon.bsky.social, researchers find that Australia’s home battery subsidies have disproportionately benefited wealthier households, raising concerns about equity in the clean energy transition. tinyurl.com/yhv9du82
Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach
Like solar, the first households to embrace home batteries have been wealthy. We need to move away from first-come, first-secured schemes.
tinyurl.com
Yesterday's @australia.theguardian.com #Sunday #read focused on the recent #battery #rush 🔋⚡ I spoke to #Adam_Morton about how the program re-set could have been better targeted, addressed #equity & supported a #fast & #fair transition. Link to article: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A whole lot of people all over the world are going to need air conditioning to stay safe during increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in the coming decades. In regions with space heating demand, each new AC should be an air-to-air heat pump that does both cooling and efficient electric heating.
Chris Baraniuk@chrisbaraniuk.com · 3mo agoHere's me and Zoe Wood from @theguardian.com with an explainer on using air conditioning at home in the UK... And how you can do so in as green a way as possible! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Australia's biggest property developer is just saying it out loud. Go read my latest report, Energy Vampires, published with Greenpeace Australia Pacific, on how Australia's data centre boom is set to boost the greedy gas industry --> www.greenpeace.org.au/greenpeace-r...
Energy Vampires: the AI data centres draining Australia - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
The frenzied rollout of AI data centres in Australia is rushing through massive new projects, which will derail Australia’s energy transition unless the government urgently intervenes.
greenpeace.org.au
"Goodman, along with other major data centre operators and users around the world, is looking at other solutions, including gas, he said. “We are looking at it – not here, currently. We are doing workarounds in Europe at the moment with gas supply. It’s off-the-meter stuff""
HEY EVERYONE - I've got a new report out today! It's with @greenpeaceap.bsky.social and it just an absolutely huge and lovely exploration of - False claims of renewable energy use - Growing links bw tech and gas - Our call for a moratorium (!!) Read it here! www.greenpeace.org.au/greenpeace-r...
For those wanting to see the original overview, access it here via @aunz.theconversation.com theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach
Like solar, the first households to embrace home batteries have been wealthy. We need to move away from first-come, first-secured schemes.
theconversation.com
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoMore data has been released - so we updated the numbers... Those living in more prosperous major city postcodes had 1,363 more battery installs and 57MWh of additional capacity in each postcode. Previous estimate was 912 more battery installs & 36MWh of capacity. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Fast *and* fair - this is the only way that we do deep emissions cuts over the next few decades, no matter how interest ebbs and flows from institutions like media and government. This is v v important work from Tom and Debasish on how Australian household battery deployment should be fairer:
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoMore data has been released - so we updated the numbers... Those living in more prosperous major city postcodes had 1,363 more battery installs and 57MWh of additional capacity in each postcode. Previous estimate was 912 more battery installs & 36MWh of capacity. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
📅 New data released!! 🚨 so we 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 & 𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 our paper 📰 with 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 📈 The Australian Cheaper Home Batteries ⚡ program led to a 'battery rush' 🔋🏃♀️🏃♂️ 1,363 more battery installs and 57MWh of additional capacity in each prosperous major city postcodes. 🧪🔌 www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Changing the game: fast mover advantage in household solar and battery programs
PDF | Household solar and battery programs often include more lucrative financial subsidies in early stages to support earlier adoption of technologies.... | Find, read and cite all the research you n...
researchgate.net
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoToday's @aunz.theconversation.com features our research on the #battery #rush 📈 triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries 🔋 program that disproportionately benefited those in major city postcodes with high socio-economic status & history of high solar installs 🪫 theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
Why intermittent metrical? When setting up this website and newsletter, I always had the word 'metrical' in mind. Specifically this Collins Dictionary definition. I did wonder how many would know what the word means. Metrical: of or relating to measurement of or in poetic metre - where metre is…
Why intermittent metrical?
When setting up this website and newsletter, I always had the word 'metrical' in mind. Specifically this Collins Dictionary definition. I did wonder how many would know what the word means. Metrical: of or relating to measurement of or in poetic metre - where metre is the regular and rhythmic arrangement of syllables according to particular patterns For me, my work has always been driven by the desire to conduct empirical estimations that gets the measurement right.
thomaslongden.phd
The housing affordability crisis isn't caused by a lack of houses, but a surplus of investors. thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Factcheck: Are population growth and a lack of supply driving the housing crisis? (no)
The Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount tabled its report on Tuesday. In short, it found that Australia’s current tax system favours investors and fuels intergen...
thepoint.com.au
Driving electric vehicle uptake by supporting charging in apartment buildings By Dr Thomas Longden and Dr Gina Gatarin Originally published by The Policymaker in December 2024. Most electric vehicle (EV) owners prefer the convenience of charging their vehicle at home – whether that is a single…
Driving electric vehicle uptake by supporting charging in apartment buildings
By Dr Thomas Longden and Dr Gina Gatarin Originally published by The Policymaker in December 2024. Most electric vehicle (EV) owners prefer the convenience of charging their vehicle at home – whether that is a single dwelling or an apartment building. This means getting chargers into apartment buildings is an important step in supporting a wider and equitable uptake of EVs.
thomaslongden.phd
Just about to write my first proper newsletter - Why intermittent metrical? To sign up for updates go to my website launched this week - thomaslongden.phd Definition of 'metrical' 1. of or relating to measurement 2. of or in poetic metre www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/e...
METRICAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
2 meanings: 1. of or relating to measurement 2. of or in poetic metre.... Click for more definitions.
collinsdictionary.com
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoLaunch Last night I hit launch 🚀 on my first website - & free to subscribe Intermittent Metrical newsletter - for those who want to follow my posts and research. It won't be a weekly newsletter and it may be random in that it covers a range of research themes. By subscribing you'll be the first to…
Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach Thomas Longden, Western Sydney University and Debasish Das, UNSW Sydney Australia is in the grip of a record-breaking battery rush. Last week Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that more than…
Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach
Thomas Longden, Western Sydney University and Debasish Das, UNSW Sydney Australia is in the grip of a record-breaking battery rush. Last week Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that more than 380,000 home batteries have been installed since July last year. That’s over 100,000 more than the total installed between 2020 and mid-2025. The reason for the rush: government subsidies, which cut the upfront cost by about 30%.
thomaslongden.phd
Launch Last night I hit launch 🚀 on my first website - & free to subscribe Intermittent Metrical newsletter - for those who want to follow my posts and research. It won't be a weekly newsletter and it may be random in that it covers a range of research themes. By subscribing you'll be the first to…
Launch
Last night I hit launch 🚀 on my first website - & free to subscribe Intermittent Metrical newsletter - for those who want to follow my posts and research. It won't be a weekly newsletter and it may be random in that it covers a range of research themes. By subscribing you'll be the first to know when new posts are made and new research is released.
thomaslongden.phd
Launch Last night I hit launch 🚀 on my first website - & free to subscribe Intermittent Metrical newsletter - for those who want to follow my posts and research. It won't be a weekly newsletter and it may be random in that it covers a range of research themes. By subscribing you'll be the first to…
Launch
Last night I hit launch 🚀 on my first website - & free to subscribe Intermittent Metrical newsletter - for those who want to follow my posts and research. It won't be a weekly newsletter and it may be random in that it covers a range of research themes. By subscribing you'll be the first to know when new posts are made and new research is released.
thomaslongden.phd
“To prevent self-rationing, people need to know that payment support has arrived.” The cold weather payment is important but needs to be made in advance of freezing temperatures. Read more from @ecioxford.bsky.social's Dr Brenda Boardman and Dr Tina Fawcett ⬇️
How the UK’s cold weather payments need to change to help prevent people freezing in winter
The cold weather payment is important but needs to be made in advance of freezing temperatures.
theconversation.com
British Gas to pay a £20m into Ofgem’s Voluntary Redress Fund to settle force-fitting of prepayment meters probe. Will write off up to £70m of vulnerable customers' energy debt. Will BG pass the cost to customers in higher bills? Execs got bonuses for boosting profits, but not fined.
British Gas pays £20m to settle probe into force-fitting of prepayment meters
Debt agents working for British Gas had broken into the homes of vulnerable customers to fit pre-payment energy meters.
bbc.co.uk
A few months back, I wrote a nice thing about an Australian architect who, back in the 70s, started thinking about how to build without obliterating the environment around his structures. It's now live over at The Guardian.
‘Floats above the landscape’: the architect whose designs touch the earth lightly
Glenn Murcutt pioneered architecture that was sensitive to its environment, and accomodating to changing temperatures and wildlife
theguardian.com
Also in #pv-magazine-australia 🔋🪫🔌⚡🧪 www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2026/05/14/h...
Home battery subsidies favour wealthy, call for fairness
Australia is in the grip of a record-breaking battery rush. Last week Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that more than 380,000 home batteries have been installed since July last year. That's over ...
pv-magazine-australia.com
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoToday's @aunz.theconversation.com features our research on the #battery #rush 📈 triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries 🔋 program that disproportionately benefited those in major city postcodes with high socio-economic status & history of high solar installs 🪫 theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
For all those interested in more detail - link to working paper 🧪 here: www.researchgate.net/publication/... With more details on differences between regions and percent of houses with a battery - plus the solar rebound.
The Conversation AUNZ@aunz.theconversation.com · 3mo agoLike solar, the first households to embrace home batteries have been wealthy. We need to move away from first-come, first-secured schemes.
Really important work:
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoToday's @aunz.theconversation.com features our research on the #battery #rush 📈 triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries 🔋 program that disproportionately benefited those in major city postcodes with high socio-economic status & history of high solar installs 🪫 theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
For all those interested - link to working paper here: www.researchgate.net/publication/... With more details on differences between regions and percent of houses with a battery - plus the solar rebound.
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoToday's @aunz.theconversation.com features our research on the #battery #rush 📈 triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries 🔋 program that disproportionately benefited those in major city postcodes with high socio-economic status & history of high solar installs 🪫 theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
Link to working paper here: www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Changing the game: fast mover advantage in household solar and battery programs
PDF | Household solar and battery programs often include more lucrative financial subsidies in early stages to support earlier adoption of technologies.... | Find, read and cite all the research you n...
researchgate.net
Tom Longden @tomecon.bsky.social · 3mo agoToday's @aunz.theconversation.com features our research on the #battery #rush 📈 triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries 🔋 program that disproportionately benefited those in major city postcodes with high socio-economic status & history of high solar installs 🪫 theconversation.com/like-solar-m...
