China singling out Australian coal is a sign of their influence on global energy markets | Alex Turnbull

When China has shortages or surpluses of gas, coal or electricity they spread rapidly across the world

Energy markets are a hot topic now with gas prices going vertical in Europe and coal prices breaking all-time highs. There have been numerous hypotheses lodged online blaming some very plausible causes including reduced gas storage and nuclear and some where the causal link appears to be missing, like renewables. Renewables are variable, but without them Europe would undoubtedly need more gas and be in more strife.

Over the last year I've been working on a project with Australian National University on China's coal markets and logistics and how domestic drivers lead to massive changes in imports. This focus has perhaps given me a different lens to look through recent energy market developments.