Council: we don't like the look of this

Colac & Corangamite Extra
Tuesday 29/1/2008 Page: 2

A PROPOSED $50 million windfarm development at Newfield was rejected last week due to landscape, visual issues and the impact the facility would have on neighbours, according to the Corangamite Shire. Council gave notice of its decision not to grant a permit to Acciona at its council meeting last Tuesday. The shire's Coastal Ward councillor Steve Cumming explained the grounds of refusal related to the landscape impact from Two Mile Bay in the Port Campbell National Park.

He also said it would have an impact from the Timboon-Port Campbell Road that provided inland links to the Great Ocean Road. "The cumulative impact of siting a windfarm adjacent to the existing gas plants on Waaree Road, Newfield, in a farming area and impacts of noise, blade glint and shadow flicker were also considered to create too great of an impact on adjoining residents and the 63 houses within three kilometres of the site," Cr Cumming said.

Shire building and statutory planning services manager Michelle Grainger said council received the application from Acciona for the windfarm facility early last year. "The plans were publicly exhibited for five weeks in August and September and we had public meetings with members of the local community," she said. Fifteen submissions from members of the public were received and councillors met with objectors last week to discuss any outstanding matters prior to the council's meeting.

Fifteen, 1.5 megawatt turbines, were proposed to be 110 metres high and situated on 300 hectares of farmland. Ms Granger said the applicant now had 60 days to launch an appeal against council's decision with the Victorian Civil and Appeals Tribunal.

Scientists strive for pinpoint climate change forecasts

Gympie Times
Wednesday 30/1/2008 Page: 8

OSLO (Reuters) - Moving on from the risk of global warming, scientists are now looking for ways to pinpoint the areas set to be affected by climate change, to help countries plan everything from new crops to hydropower dams. Billion-dollar investments, ranging from irrigation and flood defences to the site of wind farms or ski resorts, could hinge on assessments about how much drier, wetter, windier or warmer a particular area will become.

But scientists warn precision may never be possible. Climate is so chaotic and the variables so difficult to compute that even the best model will be far from perfect in estimating what the future holds. "We need to give indications which are at the scale countries can use to make decisions," said Michel Jarraud, head of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) which oversees the US's climate panel. "We need to come to a scale which is smaller than countries like Spain or France or the UK. You really need to come to smaller scales - 100, 200kms. "We are not yet there." The UN climate panel met in Valencia, Spain, late last year to issue a final report summing up more than 3000 pages of findings this year that blamed humans for climate change and outlined solutions.

It also looked at what a next report, perhaps in 2013 if governments agree on spending, might contain. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice President Al Gore. An IPCC report in April last year gave regional projections for a warmer climate such as a melting of the Himalayan glaciers or better growing conditions for Nordic forests, but the scale is often too vague to be of great use.

Farmers from Australia to Africa would like to know which areas are threatened by desertification. Ski operators from the Alps to the Rocky Mountains wonder how high the snow line will be before investing in new hotels or ski lifts. But forecasts may never be precise enough to estimate which of two neighbouring valleys in the Andes, for instance, might get wetter and be better suited to a hydroelectric dam. "To get down to the site-level would be a huge step," said Martin Parry, a British scientist who co-chairs the IPCC section devoted to regional impacts of climate change.

The impact of global warming depends largely on how many people keep burning fossil fuels, a main source of greenhouse gases, or develop cleaner energies such as wind or solar power. "I don't think that an assessment in 2013 would deliver that much more detail needed for planners on water issues," said Johan Kuylenstierna of the Stockholm International Water Institute. "The uncertainties will still be quite high." Planners already know enough to act in many cases. The smallest grids used for climate projections are 50x50 km.

London is looking into ways to confront projected regional risks such as more floods from North Sea surges up the Thames, more heatwaves and a drier climate. Painting houses white to protect against heatwaves makes sense, Parry said. Homeowners in areas at greater risk of floods could raise electrical goods such as fridges or washing machines off the ground floor. Parry said some farmers in eastern England were considering selling and moving north to Scotland because they reckoned they could soon grow the same crops on land that costs less now.

A rise in sea-levels is already factored in as a threat to all coasts. The IPCC projects that sea-levels will rise by 18-23 cross this century. "It would be pretty unwise to build a nuclear energy station at sea-level," Parry said. Kuylenstierna said there may well be stronger evidence by 2013 that climate change is under way, such as melting Arctic ice or a drier Mediterranean region. That would in turn give pointers to future change. "But to break that down to information to a level relevant to a city or a hydroelectric dam base is a different question. I think nature is much more complex," he said. "Even so, we can start making a lot of investments today."

Japan looks to sea winds

Ballarat Courier
Wednesday 30/1/2008 Page: 11

OVERLOOKING a mountain lake a few hours' drive from Tokyo, dozens of tall wind turbines spin in the breeze, creating carbon-free power for the world's fifth-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. A sudden change in breeze spins the turbines in a different direction, an apt symbol of Japan's efforts to shift away from fossil fuels for renewable energy such as wind energy to help cut its greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

Wind farms such as the Nunobiki Plateau Wind Farm on a hill north of Tokyo, which generates enough electricity to power some 35,000 hones a year, have failed to make a dent in Japan's obligations to cut carbon gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

But Japan is now looking towards the sea, following in the footsteps of Europe which is the world's leader in wind energy, by planning a network of offshore wind farms to tap into the gales of the Pacific. "It's worthwhile entering the sector now as offshore technology is at the cutting-edge," said Mitsutoshi Yamashita, a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry official in charge of promoting wind energy. "Once we obtain the technology needed, the kilowatts are limitless," he added.

Japan hopes that wind energy will provide around 0.2 per cent of the country's primary energy supply by March 2011. That figure might rise dramatically if major electric companies follow through with plans to build offshore wind farms near coastal power stations.

The northern Japanese town of Hokkaido, which is the first offshore wind-for-power system outside of Europe, has since 2003 been harnessing the sea breeze with two 600-kilowatt turbines located inside a breakwater less than 1km off the coast. That's enough to power an average of 1000 hones per year. "Maintenance is tough," said Shinya Ono, a town official, explaining the waves were sometimes too high to reach the turbines by boat. He said that offshore wind energy was double in power to that harnessed on land, but the power it generated was unpredictable.

Nevertheless, sea breezes are seen as more reliable than solar power and wind turbines require less space and lower investment than nuclear and solar plants. In Europe it costs about 50 to 100 per cent more to build offshore wind farms to those based on land. In Japan, it could cost even more as the island nation is surrounded by deeper seas. Japan is set to study the feasibility of offshore wind energy this year. One option might be to follow the example of Scotland, which installed offshore turbines in deep water in 2006.

As part of the study, the government is expected to install an offshore wind turbine to determine best engineering practices for the widespread use of the technology. The domestic industry is expected to make a push towards offshore wind turbines by 2012. Japan, the world's third largest consumer of oil, is facing increasing pressure to raise its supply of energy from nonpolluting sources and reduce its dependence on oil, coal and natural gas, almost all of which are imported from abroad.

Its greenhouse gas emissions in the year to March, 2007 were still 13 per cent above the average level it must meet each year over the next five years under Kyoto. Japan's per capital emissions are among the lowest in the developed world, making it all the more difficult to make further cuts. fossil fuels produce two-thirds of Japan's electricity needs with other sources such as nuclear and hydropower making up most of the difference. Renewable energy sources contribution to Japan's electricity needs are almost negligible.

By law, electric power companies must more than double their use of renewable energy sources - wind, solar, small-sized hydro plants, terrestrial heat and biomass - to 1.35 per cent of Japan's total electricity supply by March 2011. The 1.35 per cent target is modest when compared with a 3.3 per cent share for wind energy in Europe already. Some analysts say this target may need to rise if Japan is to meet its Kyoto goals.

Council airs windy plan

Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 29/1/2008 Page: 5

Warrnambool has the potential to become an official windy city by developing renewable energy technologies, according to a proposed environmental sustainability policy. An extensive draft policy statement to be tabled at tonight's city council meeting says there is growing interest in using one of Warrnambool's greatest renewable energy attributes - wind.

The report says: "The project potentially may provide a working example of urban wind technology while providing financial incentives for community uptake." "The project may present greater benefits to other municipalities in the southern part of Australia that do not have the same ability to produce large amounts of energy from the sun." The city council developed the proposed priority policy as part of a commitment to the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord initiated by the State Government.

If the policy is adopted it will open access to a second round of Government funding for environmental projects next month. Other issues covered in the report include the impact of climate change on coastal areas, biodiversity, sustainable transport and planning needs. The report notes the slow community uptake of wind technology.

Other items listed for tonight's council meeting include: Planning for the November elections with postal voting recommended; The naming of a reserve in Merrivale Drive near Landmann Street; A proposed heritage overlay on significant avenues of trees; and A special rate or charge for infrastructure works in development projects.

Fuel crisis looms by 2015

Courier Mail
28/01/2008 Page: 8

IT will take only seven years for world demand for oil and gas to outstrip supply, according to the chief executive of the world's second-biggest oil company. Adding to concerns long held by energy experts, Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer said that by 2015, supplies of easy-to-access oil and gas would not keep up with demand. "We are experiencing a step-change in the growth rate of energy demand due to population growth and energy development," Mr van der Veer said in an email to Shell employees.

Society would have no choice but to use nuclear energy and unconventional fossil fuels such as oil sands, as well as renewable energies, he said. Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas Brisbane spokesman Stuart McCarthy said yesterday it was time for governments to act, now that big businesses were speaking openly about the problem. Mr McCarthy wants the Queensland Government to move on a report by a committee chaired by the state's Minister for Sustainability, Andrew McNamara.

The McNamara report warns the peak oil crisis could hit the tourism industry hard, put pressure on inflation and dramatically increase demand for effective public transport "We need the Government to act, this will impact far sooner than climate change," Mr McCarthy said.

Shell has developed two scenarios for how it sees the energy crisis unfolding. The first, dubbed Scramble, envisages policymakers paying little attention to curbing consumption until supplies run short. When major shocks trigger political reactions, they would be severe and lead to energy price spikes and volatility. The other scenario, Blueprints - which Shell prefers - would see governments introduce regulatory mechanisms such as efficiency standards and taxes to improve environmental performance.

Footing carbon bill hits home

Sunday Mail Adelaide
Sunday 27/1/2008 Page: 19

WOULD you pay $1000 to completely carbon neutralise your home? Mike Rann's doing it with State Cabinet, spending $60,000 to lead the world in green politics. Hundreds of Australian businesses are doing it too. Even the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and the Clipsal 500 are getting in on the act. Me? I'm not so sure.

Leading US environmental campaigner Robert Kennedy Jnr - here soon for the International Solar Cities Congress - says the blitz against household emissions is a furphy, designed to divert attention from big industrial polluters. Households account for just one fifth of Australia's emissions (agriculture and manufacturing, by comparison, make up more than 55 per cent).

In 2005, global emissions from the burning of fossil fuels totalled 7.9 billion tonnes. The average Aussie house generates just 14 tonnes, which makes you wonder if changing our halogen globes is really going to make one iota of difference. So I called in the experts - the "carbon cops" from SA's leading climate change company Carbon Planet - to put me in the picture. And I was pretty shocked by the result.

I've always thought our place was reasonably energy efficient. Our stone house in the hills rarely needs cooling; we've installed a system to heat our water by solar and wood; we have two worm farms and we recycle everything that's not nailed down. How wrong I was. According to the energy audit, in 2007 our two adults- two-toddler household emitted four times the national average in greenhouse gases - or 51 tonnes.

Amazingly, we coughed out the most carbon when we travelled by air: holiday flights to the US, Queensland and Melbourne accounted for 55 per cent of our emissions. Next came electricity (24 per cent) and petrol (14 per cent). Our electricity consumption was more than double the state household average, thanks to reverse cycle heating, old appliances, halogen down-lights and other high wattage lighting. Even more shocking was standby on appliances, which accounted for 7 per cent of all electricity use (even leaving the mobile phone on its charger adds up).

Upshot? It would cost $1173 to totally offset our emissions (by buying one carbon credit for every tonne emitted, or 51 credits at the going rate of $23 a tonne). The cash would then be used to fund things like wind farms, shower and light bulb replacement schemes and old-growth forests. (I secretly wonder where all the trees are going to fit if this thing keeps going - but that's another column.) carbon credits are a great thing for businesses and politicians. Global warming is the biggest corporate social responsibility issue of our time, so they have a huge incentive to demonstrate their green credentials to consumers and voters.

Personally, I'm way more inclined to cut my power use than simply offset it all - because that's where I'll save both cash and emissions. We've started to turn stuff off instead of leaving it all on standby. Our next car will be mega energy efficient. I'm looking into the cheapest option for 100 per cent green energy and, as our house is slowly renovated, we'll buy green appliances and lighting.

But that still leaves those dastardly flights, accounting for around half of our emissions and requiring a $500 offset. But hey, if I can afford to fly to the US, I suppose I can afford to clean the emissions slate too. What I'd like is a button to press on the airline's website, telling me how much it will cost and how to make it happen (I've no doubt that will come in the not-to-distant future). The most important lesson I've learnt from this process, though, is that we small-scale polluters have a double responsibility. Yes, we should all be doing what we can to cut our household emissions.

But Robert Kennedy Jnr is right. Our biggest job is to pressure political leaders to end large-scale industrial and environmental pollution. Mike Rann has shown pretty amazing leadership on climate change - both by offsetting his personal flights and also through government initiatives to massively increase solar power and wind generation. Now he's got to use his influence federally and, most importantly, abroad, to affect change that will really clear the air.

Climate change

Bega District News
Tuesday 22/1/2008 Page: 2

THE Clean Energy for Eternity campaign has been plugging away for 18 months, run by a group of committed volunteers who have devoted large chunks of time to organising meetings, setting targets, selling T-shirts, producing calendars, lobbying politicians, pushing new ideas, and trying to generate change. Why?

Since our campaign started, sea levels are three mm higher, atmospheric CO2 is two parts per million higher, the planet is hotter, arctic sea ice was 40 per cent smaller last summer than it was during the previous summer and NASA has started talking about catastrophic collapse of the Greenland ice shelf (resulting in a 6m sea level rise). No matter how you look at it, the planet is heating up quicker than most worst case scenario predictions.

We face an urgent problem. Why do we refuse to take serious action? Well, many people still believe that a nation cannot become wealthy without burning coal. The fossil fuel industry is well connected politically and has a huge vested interest in casting doubt on the science of climate change. The Lavoisier Group is a perfect example of how effectively the Australian fossil fuel industry can cast doubt on the science of human induced climate change, using dodgy logic while masquerading as a science-based organisation.

Too many politicians (at all levels of government) have been resistant to implementing proven strategies to reduce Although the theory of human induced climate change is supported by the overwhelming majority of scientists, they are having a hard time convincing people that urgent change is required.

Many people have a gut feeling that everything is going to be okay, that someone else is going to sort the problem out for us, or that if we don't think about the issue too much it will go away. Fortunately, CEFE has encountered a very different attitude in SE NSW. If you want to get a taste of that attitude, come to Jindabyne on the weekend of February 9 and 10. On the evening of February 8 there will be a meeting in Jindabyne to discuss a solar farm proposal for the Snowy Mountains.

On the evening of February 9 at 7.15 pm on the shore of Lake Jindabyne, there will be a human sign formed that will read "LifeSaving Energy." On the Sunday morning there will be a "LifeSaving Energy Big Swim" to raise money for renewable energy for the Jindabyne Surf Club. This will be 7 km swim, the length of Lake Jindabyne, that will finish at Jindabyne to coincide with the second annual Snowy River renewable energy and climate change expo.

For more information check out www.cleanenergyforeternity.net.au

Goulburn project comes first

Barrier Daily Truth
Friday 25/1/2008 Page: 3

Epuron's partnership with Origin Energy to build a wind farm near Goulburn won't impact on the Silverton proposal except perhaps in construction lessons learned, said Epuron's executive director, Andrew Durran. "The big impact will be experience gained in the construction project, which will happen before Silverton," Mr Durran told BDT yesterday.

Epuron has gone into partnership with Origin Energy Ltd to develop wind farms in NSW. The first project will be the Cullerin Range 30 megawatt wind farm near Goulburn in NSW. Origin Energy expects to start commissioning the wind farm next year. Mr Durran said planning approval has been obtained and Origin Energy is financing construction. "The sooner we construct it, the sooner we learn tricks of the trade," he said. He said the last wind farm built in NSW was seven years ago at Hampton, near Lithgow. It consists of only two turbines generating 1.32 MW, enough to power 500 houses.

When fully operational, the Cullerin Range wind farm will save about 100,000 tonnes of carbon per year or provide enough renewable electricity to power nearly 15,000 average homes in NSW, Origin Energy said. The Cullerin Range wind farm is one of three permitted sites in NSW, including the Conory's Gap and Snowy Plains sites, where Origin Energy has also acquired the rights to develop 30MW projects.

Epuron's Silverton proposal is to build between 400 and 500 wind turbines on the ranges outside the township. The project cost is estimated at $2.5 billion and Macquarie Bank has signed a joint venture agreement with Epuron to develop and build the farm together. Mr Durran said Epuron was finalising a range of development studies for the project, assessing potential effects of the wind farm. "We're summarising them for the final development approval which will be lodged with the State Government end of March." The wind farm has attracted supporters and opponents, including concern for the environmental, social and aesthetic impact on Silverton that 500 turbines will have.

Mr Durran said a "small" level of local opposition still existed and hadn't changed from when the proposal was first announced. "Our position remains unchanged and we acknowledge some impact relatively close to town. "We can't put them underground...we try to understand their concerns and anything we haven't been told, we need to know about it" He said Epuron was investigating ways it can offer additional benefits to the township as part of the development.

Epuron has also planned to conduct more community consultation, including industry briefings to prepare local businesses for what they can provide during construction of the farm. But the State Government's commitment to renewable energy might be the final arbiter on the project. Mr Durran said the project hinges on the level of government support in terms of renewable energy legislation.

He said Epuron depended on the government passing legislation that required the state's electricity suppliers to buy a certain amount of renewable energy. "Without the legislation, it's not viable," said Mr Durran. He said the legislation has been introduced to parliament but that's as far as it has got. "They're stalling," said Mr Durran. He said Epuron was working on its development application on the basis the legislation will be in place. "The DA will be (lodged) parallel to that," he said. "There won't be construction until the legislation is passed by Parliament."

Planet Ark happy

Courier Mail
Saturday 26/1/2008 Page: 15

BMW's Hydrogen 7 has received a green thumb's up from Planet Ark chairman and founder John Dee. "It's very impressive," Dee said after a short drive around Melbourne city streets this week. "It doesn't feel any different to the normal 7 Series, but all that is coming out of the exhaust is water vapour. "What is interesting is that if they just tuned it for hydrogen it would be even better. It could be a whole lot faster. "The future of motoring will not be a compromise like this." The Hydrogen 7 has a limited top speed of 230km/h, but is a little slow off the line with about 9.5 seconds from 0-100km/h.

However, Lotus has produced a Tesla electric car capable of more than 0-100km/h in four seconds. "Most people think these alternative fuelled cars are a golf buggy on valium, but they can be better performers than petrol cars," Dee said. "The only thing holding them back is the lack of infrastructure and the fact that to create hydrogen uses more energy than it produces. However, there are a lot of ways to create hydrogen with minimal environmental impact." Hydrogen requires a lot of electricity to separate the gas from water.

However, Dee said solar and wind energy could be used in the process so that it was carbon neutral. "For it to come to fruition you need an alliance of car manufacturers, government and corporations to help with cars and the infrastructure. "The future of motoring will be a combination of electric and hydrogen cars."

Planet Ark was founded, with former tennis ace Pat Cash, to campaign governments, industry and the public for greener alternatives.

www.planetark.com

Some myths and facts about climate change

Sun City News
January, 2008 Page: 10

Currently Australia gets 80 percent of its electricity from coal and is the world's largest exporter of coal. So it is a fallacy to say the Australian economy will always depend on coal. Major world economies are setting ambitious renewable energy targets to deal responsibly with climate change. With increasing public demand for clean energy, the need for coal will be reduced in the next few decades, both in Australia and overseas. The Australian economy and livelihoods will be at risk if Australia does not phase out this outdated energy source.

The cost of not doing this will be greater according to the Stern Review, the biggest economic evaluation of the effects of climate change. The global cost is $9 trillion. Tourism and agriculture combined employ nine times more people than the entire coal industry. Yet places like the Great Barrier Reef are predicted to be 95 percent destroyed by climate change. Drought is crippling our agricultural industry and climate change will only make it worse.

Australia must make a transition from a coal-based economy to one based on the use, manufacture and export of safe and clean renewable energy. The so called 'clean coal' is not the solution to climate change. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is currently an experimental plan to capture and bury the toxic carbon pollution created by burning coal to make electricity so it doesn't enter the atmosphere.

CCS technology for coal doesn't capture the carbon pollution anywhere in the world and there is no telling if and when it might be operational. CCS cannot capture all emissions from a power station or be applied to all power stations, so even if it were widely used in Australia, greenhouse emissions would actually continue to increase. CCS is not necessarily safe or secure from leakage. Emissions must be kept for centuries, far longer than any of the companies promoting the technology have ever been in business.

Greenpeace Australia maintains that hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer's dollars should not be spent on developing this technology when a range of renewable energy and energy efficiency options are available.

Nuclear energy is not the solution to climate change. Australia needs to cut its emissions by at least 30 percent within about ten years. A report commissioned by the federal government states it would take about 40 years to build 25 nuclear energy stations which would only lower the emissions by 8 to 18 percent. Its too little, too late to tackle climate change. There is no known safe disposal of nuclear waste. nuclear energy plants use a lot of water, this is unsuitable for the many drought stricken or and areas of Australia.

Australia has several natural resources and the technology to create enough renewable clean energy to fuel the entire nation. wind energy could easily generate 20 percent of Australia's electricity by 2040. solar power has an unlimited potential in Australia. Using photovoltaic technology every home in Australia could generate sufficient power to produce the total electricity requirements of Australia. bioenergy from plants and animal waste could supply 25 percent of Australia's electricity by 2040 depending on how drought affects farming and forestry.

A study approved by all Australian governments states that we could slash our energy use by up to 30 percent just by using available energy efficiency technology. Greenpeace energy campaigner, Catherine Fitzpatrick, said: "We have the technology and we have the natural resources to bring about a clean energy revolution. Now we need to get the political will."

Wind farm green light: Third stage wins state support

Warrnambool Standard
Friday 25/1/2008 Page: 2

THE third stage of Portland's wind farm development has been given the green light. Pacific Hydro can build 22 wind turbines on Cape Nelson after the State Government confirmed its approval yesterday. The site is part of a $330 million four-site project, which is Australia's largest wind farm development. Stage one of the project at Yambuk is operational, with construction well under way at Cape Bridgewater.

Acting Planning Minister Peter Batchelor said Cape Nelson's generators would provide 44 megawatts to the state's electricity grid. He said the overall project would provide enough renewable energy to power a city the size of Geelong. The site brings the number of approved wind farms in Victoria to 13, in addition to the five currently operating.

"The next stage of this project is significant as the Portland Wind Energy Project will provide enough renewable energy to power more than 100,000 Victorian homes or a city the size of Geelong," Mr Batchelor said. "It will avoid production of around 750,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year - equivalent to taking more than 150,000 cars off the road or planting around three million hectares of plantation forest."

Answer blowin' in wind: New line to power

Newcastle Herald
Friday 25/1/2008 Page: 25

A BRIEFING on a proposed Upper Hunter wind farm has heard the Sydney-based developer believes its project is unlikely to have serious environmental effects, including noise and turbine flicker, on neighbouring properties. Pamada has proposed a $230 million renewable energy centre near Scone and director Mark Sydney and project director Mark Dixon briefed Upper Hunter Shire councillors on the site yesterday.

Mr Sydney said the company's environmental studies, which were unfinished, showed endangered species were present on the site, a 1900-hectare property 12 kilometres west of Scone. He said the project was not in a habitat corridor or a migratory site but it would require referral for consideration under federal environment laws. Investigations showed the impact of the project was "minimal and not unacceptable."

The company was considering organising a public information day late next month. Pamada wants to build the Kyoto Energy Park and generate enough electricity to supply 90,000 houses. The park includes 47 turbines, photovoltaic solar panels spread over a square kilometre and a closed-loop hydro power station. The project has been sent to Planning Minister Frank Sartor for approval.

Wind farm go-ahead

Geelong Advertiser
Friday 25/1/2008 Page: 7

THE third stage of Australia's largest wind farm development, at Portland has been given the go-ahead by the State Government. The third stage in Pacific Hydro's $330 million Portland Wind Energy Project will involve construction of 22 generators which will provide 44 megawatts to Victoria's electricity grid when completed. Stage three will provide enough renewable energy to power more than 100,000 Victorian homes or a city the size of Geelong.

Wind studies almost complete: Pamada

Hunter Valley News
16/01/2008 Page: 3

WINDFARM proponents, Pamada confirmed they were well into environmental investigations for the proposed Scone site yesterday afternoon. Pamada spokesperson, Mark Dixon said there had been delays due to the detailed nature of the requirements of the Department of Planning. "Pamada are currently finalising these studies for submission to the Department of Planning early this year," Mr Dixon said.

Once these studies have been submitted, the Department of Planning will seek comments from government departments and the community. Mr Dixon said the timeframe for completion of environmental studies had been extended to allow for further seasonal monitoring in the areas of flora, fauna and noise, along with additional research into some other areas worthy of investigation. He said the company was hopeful the project would still progress.

"Our studies to date show that the project is ideally sited for the type and mix of renewable energy technologies that are proposed, comprising wind, mini-hydro and solar," he said. In relation to concerns about noise, shadow flicker and loss of amenity, Mr Dixon said the company would address these issues in the report that will go to the department.

He refuted the Upper Hunter Landscape Guardian's claim that they had not been engaged. "We have been very active in engaging the community since a very early stage of the project (beginning in late 2006). We have received concerns from residents regarding impacts from the project and used these in the assessment process. "We understand the community is often concerned, especially when there is little information for them to fully appreciate the benefits and impacts of the project. "It doesn't help however when members of the community misrepresent the impacts of the project," he said.

He said Pamada would continue to consult the community, either through direct face-to face meetings, via telephone or email. Mr Dixon also confirmed Pamada had engaged Key Insights to undertake a social impact assessment and a community consultation review for the project. An information day will be held in February which will give residents a further opportunity to discuss the benefits and impacts of the project.

Wind Park members recognised

Hepburn Shire Advocate
23/01/2008 Page: 6

THE board of Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative Ltd has announced it will present 24 of its foundation members with a certificate. The certificates mark their role in the establishment of the body that is overseeing the construction and management of Australia's first community-owned wind farm at Leonard's Hill.

Director and deputy chairperson Koos Hulst said the certificates also recognised the foundation members for their longstanding commitment to the cooperative and the project. "We firmly believe that the foundation members deserve special recognition for putting up their hands so early in the process," Mr Hulst said. "We wanted to recognise the sheer volume of volunteer hours that these people have given, and continue to give, to this worthwhile project," he said.

Certificate recipient and board member Tracey O'Neill said she was delighted after receiving her certificate. "It's great to be recognised for what you're doing but the most important thing is to get what you set out to achieve," Ms O'Neill said. "It's great being part of this community project. We set out to achieve something that hadn't been done in this country and we've done it. Hepburn should be proud that we'll be the first town in Australia to have a community owned wind farm," she said.

Mr Hulst said said Ms O'Neill was a strong supporter of the community. "As president of the Daylesford Kindergarten in 2006, board member of the Mineral Springs Pre-School Association, the Daylesford Pre-school committee and the education board of St Michael's School in 2007, and secretary of the Daylesford and District Business Group, Tracey knows what community work means," Mr Hulst said.

The Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative Ltd is the official owner and manager of the Hepburn Wind Park, which has passed all approval and appeal processes and is about to embark on the capital raising stage of the project.

EU faces costs of emissions reduction

Canberra Times
23/01/2008 Page: 11

European Union plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions could cost at least 60 billion euros ($A100 billion) a year, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said yesterday. "Taking action is not cost-free, although we think we can limit the cost of our proposals to around 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product," he said, according to remarks prepared for delivery in London. Mr Barroso's total estimate, which will apply for the next 12 years, counts on the 27 EU nations undertaking all the commission's recommendations, in a package to be unveiled today, in an extremely cost-efficient manner.

The bill for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels - the baseline goal of EU leaders - was previously estimated to be 1 per cent of European gross domestic product, or $A200 billion a year. EU Leaders agreed in march last year that this target was the best way to contain global warming to less than two degrees above preindustrial levels, as recommended by UN climate experts.

On the positive side, Mr Barroso said,"Our proposals should reduce Europe's reliance on imported gas and oil by around 50 billion euros [$A83.2 billion] by 2020. These are figures with a real impact on our growth and prosperity." The cost of inaction, as calculated by one of his key climate advisers,"could even approach 20 per cent of GDP. The longer we delay, the higher the costs of adaptation and mitigation." The commission's package aims to strengthen the EU's emissions trading system, set targets for renewable energy use and review rules on national aid for environmental purposes.

When the bloc's leaders set their goals last year, they offered to go 10 per cent better than their own target, cutting emissions by 30 per cent over the same period it others were prepared to match it, as an incentive to big polluters. They also set a binding target for renewable energy to provide 20 per cent of Europe's needs by 2020, compared with 8.5 per cent currently, and agreed that this should be achieved by some countries doing more than others. But less than a year later, many EU countries have criticised the package they had asked the commission to draw tip to reach their goals as either being too costly or too damaging to certain sectors.

Mr Barroso said he hoped reaction today would be positive,"as we have worked closely with them in its formulation, and, I stress again, we are following the lines set unanimously by the EU's political leaders." "Europe must set the right policies in place to continue to set the pace on climate change," he said. "Procrastination is no longer an option for anyone."

States continue huge sale of energy assets

Courier Mail
23/01/2008 Page: 70

THE Queensland Government last year started privatising its energy assets by selling its retail assets for almost $3 billion. It has just sold its wind farms to Transfield Services Infrastructure Funds for $460 million and its Enertrade gas supply business to AGL and Arrow Energy for $268 million. There is speculation it will sell its generation assets, which include CS Energy, Stanwell and Tarong Energy.

The NSW Government has held talks with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as it pushes ahead with a $15 billion-plus partial privatisation of the electricity industry. The privatisation will involve the sale of the retail arms of EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Country Energy, and the long-term lease of generators Macquarie Generation, Delta Electricity and Eraring Energy.

The ACCC has previously voiced concern about big conglomerates forming in the energy sector.

Origin adds wind power to supply portfolio

Australian
23/01/2008 Page: 35

AUSTRALIA'S second largest energy retailer, Origin Energy, is to build its first owned and operated wind energy electricity-generating station in response to rising demand for green energy. Origin Energy, which already buys about 180 megawatts of electricity generated by third-party wind energy operators, has decided to balance its supply portfolio by direct investment in wind energy.

In a deal with German renewables and wind generation facility developer Epuron Pty Ltd, Origin Energy will pay for a 30mW wind energy station at Cullerin Range about 30km from the NSW city of Goulburn. This will involve an initial investment of between $75 million and $90 million and will be Origin Energy's first generation investment of any type in NSW. Origin Energy has interests in a total of 870mW of installed capacity in Australia, virtually all of which is gas-fired peaking plant.

Origin Energy has also secured development rights to two more 30mW Epuron Pty Ltd projects in NSW, at Conroy's Gap near Yass and at Snowy Plains near Berridale. It has also entered a strategic relationship with Epuron Pty Ltd, with an option for another 500mW of Epuron Pty Ltd sites. The company's chief operating officer, Karen Moses, said yesterday Origin Energy now had an option over a strategic and economically competitive pipe line of wind projects that Epuron Pty Ltd had identified, mainly in NSW.

The Epuron Pty Ltd deal means Origin Energy will build its own wind facilities for the first time, deepening its integration in this area,'' she said. "It provides Origin Energy with greater flexibility in managing our carbon, retail and generation portfolios.'' In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements for renewable energy the new federal Government has a 2020 target of 20 per cent renewables the announcement supported Origin Energy's 270,000 customers who chose to buy green electricity, Ms Moses said. This is about 9 per cent of Origin Energy's customer base.

Epuron Pty Ltd Australia executive director Andrew Durran said the three sites Origin Energy had rights to were among the best in NSW, with excellent wind resources and access to existing powerlines. When fully operational next year, the Cullerin Range plant, involving 15 wind turbines generating up to 30mW, would save more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon annually and supply up to 15,000 homes, he said.

In January last year, Epuron Pty Ltd and Macquarie Capital signed an agreement to develop finance and construct Australia's biggest wind farm, a 1000mW peak capacity plant at Silverton near Broken Hill in western NSW. The Silverton project is not part of the new relationship between Origin Energy and Epuron Pty Ltd.

Tassie's nous that roared

Sunday Tasmanian
20/01/2008 Page: 8

TASMANIAN organisation Roaring 40s took centre stage in Los Angeles at a renewable energy and climate change conference. Managing director Mark Kelleher was a guest speaker at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-sponsored Road to Renewable Energy and Climate Change Symposium.

Mr Kelleher said the highly successful renewable energy initiatives of the company's hydro power-wind program were used as a case study to show how global pacesetters are using renewable technologies to replace fossil fuels. The state delegation, in the US as part of Australia Week 2008, was also able to network with symposium attendees, further exploring promotional and business opportunities.

Origin Energy To Buy Three Wind Power Projects From Epuron

Dow Jones Newswires
22/01/2008 Business & Finance

MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Origin Energy Ltd. (ORG.AU) said Tuesday it will buy the rights to develop three wind farms in the Australian state of New South Wales from wind generation developer Epuron for an undisclosed sum. Origin Energy said it will acquire the rights for three projects with up to 590 megawatts of generating capacity, including the Cullerin project west of Goulburn, which is expected to start commissioning in 2009.

The pair have also entered into a strategic relationship with an option for another 500 megawatts of Epuron wind generation sites. "Origin Energy now has the option over a strategic and economically competitive pipeline of wind projects, which Epuron has identified, mainly in NSW," Origin Energy Chief Operating Officer Karen Moses said in a statement.

High oil price puts wind back in a ship's sail

Australian
22/01/2008 Page: 22

THE global shipping industry will be watching closely this week as the MV Beluga SkySails becomes the first modern cargo ship to set sail on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The return of wind power to the shipping industry, albeit a hi-tech 21st-century version, was due, largely, to the near-doubling of the oil price to almost $US100 a barrel over the past year, eating into the profits of many shipping companies. But there was also growing pressure on the industry to reduce the pollution it had pumped into the atmosphere.

The first long voyage test of the system, called SkySails, would begin today, when the 10,000-tonne Beluga loaded its cargo of heavy manufacturing equipment in Bremen, Germany, and set out on a 14-day voyage to Venezuela. It was also planning to deploy SkySail on its return trip to Europe. Verena Frank, spokeswoman for German cargo-shipper Beluga Group, said she expected savings of between 10 and 20 per cent in fuel consumption, worth about $US2000 ($2280) per sailing day at current prices. The sail system, which costs about 500,0000 ($832,000), should pay for itself within three to five years, she said.

A SkySail looked very different from the sheets of canvas and tall wooden masts that propelled Christopher Columbus to the Americas across the Atlantic more than 500 years ago. It resembled the canopy of a paraglider and flew high above a ship at the end of a long cable. Where the pilot of a paraglider would sit is a hi-tech control pod connected to a computerised autopilot that could perform sophisticated manoeuvres to maximise the capture of wind power. SkySail's automatic launch system deployed the sail in less than 20 minutes.

While the great merchant clippers of the 19th century would have taken 40 crew members to unfurl and tend sails during a voyage, Stephan Wrage, chief executive of SkySails AG (and designer of the system), said it required no additional personnel and only a few days training for an existing crew. He said that because the SkySail flew between 100 and 300 metres above the surface, where winds were stronger and more stable, it was more effective at capturing wind power than a traditional sail.

A single 800sqm SkySail could achieve the same propulsion as a traditional four-malted ship with 3000sqm of sail. Mr Wrage said these factors should enable the SkySail, which operated in tandem with the ship's engines, to produce about 50 per cent of the thrust a ship needed. Even allowing for less-than-perfect wind conditions, annual fuel and emissions savings of between 10 per cent and 35 per cent should be achievable, he said. It was this combination of economic and environmental benefits that had brought Beluga Shipping into the project, Ms Frank said.

Rising crude-oil prices had driven the price of most marine fuels up fourfold since 2002, a cost some ship owners had struggled to pass on to customers. "High fuel prices aren't making running ships unprofitable, but yes, it's eating into profit margins," said Bill Box, spokesman for the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, or Intertanko. But despite this, SkySails was by no means a surefire winner.

"Ship owners are very conservative and unless something is put down as a rule or regulation they are unlikely to put any effort into being innovative," said Kamar Zaman, director of technical services at London based maritime consultancy Drewry. The SkySail system was not suitable for the biggest container ships or tankers, because they travelled too fast, but Mr Wrage said about 60,000 ships worldwide were suitable. "Our plans are to equip 1500 ships by 2015," he said.

Renewed focus on clean energy

Burnie Advocate
17/01/2008 Page: 22

THE future is looking bright for the renewable energy sector. Climate change has been a dominant topic in national and international government and during the election campaign it was a highly talked about issue. The Labor party promised to promote renewable energy and, now elected, it is following through.

Roaring 40s general counsel Matthew Groom said a series of Federal Government initiatives were a direct response to a growing awareness in the public. Climate change has become an issue for people generally." he said. Mr Groom said the initiatives in place were the expansion of renewable energy schemes, emissions trading and the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. "That collection of initiatives will have an impact on climate change in Australia," he said.

Roaring 40s works nationally and internationally, including the Woolnorth Wind Farm in North-West Tasmania. Mr Groom said these initiatives did not affect Woolnorth specifically but assured the future for other projects. The next Tasmanian project for the company is Musselroe in the North East.

Mr Groom said the government's initiatives made the project more certain. It would have a similar effect on a project it was planning in South Australia. "The potential impact for a company like ours is really quite broad. "We're very confident for the future of renewable energy." Roaring 40s was not looking to expand the Woolnorth farm. Mr Groom said the farm was currently one of the most successful in the world. 'We're very proud of Woolnorth and are happy as is."

Power talks to continue

Eyre Peninsula Tribune
17/01/2008 Page: 3

The District Council of Franklin Harbour is calling for a long-term power solution for the Cowell region. Despite a $2.7 million powerline upgrade to the Cowell community late last year, consumers in Cowell and Lucky Bay were still plagued by power surges and breaks during the peak summer period. The council met last week to discuss the community's ongoing electricity deficiencies and is calling for a solid commitment from ETSA in 2008.

Plans are underway to complete Stage 2 of the Cowell major upgrade in 2009. This upgrade will involve either a new 33kV line form Yabmana to Mount Millar Wind Farm or conversion of the 11kV line form Yabmana to Cleve. An ETSA spokesman told council the Stage 2 project provides for existing and expected future demand as the Cowell township continues to grow. However, District Council of Franklin Harbour CEO Bruce Francis says Cowell is growing even faster than ETSA will admit.

Despite recent upgrades and planning in the lead-up to the 2007 peak summer period, Lucky Bay and Cowell were both left without power at different times over the summer break. Mr Francis said council would continue to lobby for improved infrastructure. However, as the wait continues, local businesses report they now risk losing their 'no claim' bonuses as insurance claims continue to grow. Mr Francis encouraged consumers to log onto the ETSA Utilities website and download claim forms, before going to their own insurance providers.