Adelaide Advertiser
Saturday 16/2/2008 Page: 24
DIGNITARIES from around the globe will converge on Adelaide in the next five days to plan for a greener future as part of the third International Solar Cities Congress. More than 90 experts on sustainable urban development, solar technology and the built environment will talk about options for the future. Aspiring solar cities, such as Adelaide, have made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable energy sources.
International Solar Energy Society president and Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia Monica Oliphant said sustainability was the right path but not an easy one. She said the congress was about sharing experiences of 700 delegates and finding ways to improve the transition to a green future.
"The mayors are getting together, talking about how they've done it, learning from each other and taking these initiatives back home," she said. "What we're aiming for is to get the per capita emissions down. "In order to do that we must have a big transition to renewable energy so at the congress there will be a bit on the new technologies that are available, including solar thermal and geothermal plus PV (photovoltaics or solar panels).
"We will hear from cities that have long had programs in reducing emissions, like Copenhagen and even South Korean cities. "It's easier if you start from scratch but older cities have to retrofit and learn from others that are doing it right." Premier Mike Rann says SA is one of the leaders. "With less than 1 per cent of Australia's population, SA has an estimated 48 per cent of the nation's wind power capacity and about 45 per cent of the nation's grid-connected solar energy," he said.
Adelaide is one of the Australian solar cities. Among the others are Townsville, Blacktown and Alice Springs. The program involves all levels of government, the private sector and local communities. Sessions include a workshop on carbon reporting.
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