Doubling uptake of wind and solar power could set up Australia for net zero emissions by 2040

Australian National University report author says green energy transformation will surprise on the upside, not the downside'

• Bladeless turbines could bring wind power to your home

Australia could wipe out 80% of its greenhouse gas emissions - all of those from fossil fuel energy - in two decades by doubling the pace at which solar and wind power is being rolled out, academic analysis suggests.

The paper by Australian National University engineering researchers found that at the current rate Australia would not reach net zero emissions until well after 2050, the date by which Scott Morrison says he would preferably" like to get there.