Hopetoun Courier & Mallee Pioneer
Thursday 20/3/2008 Page: 1
A NEW group is being formed in Hopetoun to explore the area's renewable energy generation options and will meet at 7:30pm Monday March 31, at Gateway BEET. The group intends to discuss the renewable energy generation options outlined by the Hopetoun Community Sustainable Energy Initiative and will learn more about a Ballarat community group that has been successful in achieving community action on local renewable energy and climate change issues.
The Hopetoun Community Sustainable Energy Initiative, a research project undertaken by the University of Ballarat's National Centre for Sustainability (NCS: UB), reported that Hopetoun had some very good opportunities to generate renewable energy and recommended a community group be established to identify the community's interests and priorities, and to build on these opportunities.
This research, recently completed by NCS: UB researcher Lisa Kendal, found that Hopetoun had opportunities to access renewable energy at a number of levels. There are opportunities for individuals to use solar energy to heat their water in their homes, and to feed electricity back into the grid using photo-voltaic gridconnection systems. Community buildings have the opportunity to use geothermal energy (heat from under ground) for heating and there is also significant potential for the Hopetoun area to generate electricity from biomass (or organic) sources, such as cropping residues.
The results of this research were presented to the community at the Hopetoun Future Energy Day, and there was considerable interest from the participants in forming a local group to act on some of the options detailed in the report. To access an electronic copy of the Hopetoun Community Sustainable Energy Initiative report, please visit the NCS: UB website www.ballarat.edu.au/ncs
If you are interested in being part of the Hopetoun Future Energy Group please come along!
Monday, 31 March 2008
Hopetoun Future Energy Group set to meet
Winds of change offshore: Plugging in to 'free' power
Gold Coast Bulletin
Thursday 20/3/2008 Page: 17
THE Queensland Conservation Council believes offshore wind farms could hold the key to powering the Tugun desalination plant and it is asking for state government money to prove it. On Sunday, Premier Anna Bligh invited the private sector to begin investigating ways to completely neutralise carbon emission from the $1 billion desalination plant, which is expected to use as much power as all the homes in Mount Isa, when it comes online later this year.
This week, the QCC announced plans to apply for up to $4 million from the Government's Queensland Renewable Energy Fund to investigate the feasibility of installing clusters of $4 million, giant wind turbines somewhere off the coast of Queensland. QCC executive director Toby Hutcheon said the government money could help to harness the untapped potential of wind-generated electricity.
"All we are wanting to do is to look at the feasibility and to see what the resources are, and to have a look at the area that you could potentially use for the facility," he said. "There is significant wind at Brisbane airport and global data suggests offshore wind resources are normally 30 to 50 per cent higher than costal wind resources." Mr Hutcheon said a precise site for the offshore wind farm had yet to be decided. "It's probably a little bit early to say," he said. "We're probably talking in that sort of area from 3km to 10km offshore.
"One of the key aesthetic issues is going to be, do you want to have wind farms off the beach? "It's possible that the notion would be, you would have them sufficiently out to sea so that you couldn't see them, but you can't necessarily guarantee that." Mr Hutcheon said the QCC would initially took at a 12-turbine offshore wind farm to fuel the Tugun site, which is expected to use about 200,000 megawatts of power each year.
AGL sells Chile gas outlet
Australian
Wednesday 26/3/2008 Page: 18
AGL Energy has sold its Chilean gas distribution business, GasValpo, for $US90 million ($98.4 million), which represents a small book loss. This is the third announcement as part of a plan by new chief executive Michael Fraser to restructure the company to concentrate on Australian assets. Mr Fraser has been keen to demonstrate that AGL Energy is pursuing a stable and coherent growth path following the removal of his predecessor, Paul Anthony, by the AGL Energy board last October.
GasValpo was always outside AGL Energy's core business, once AGL Energy decided to concentrate on its Australian retail energy operations. Since February, AGL Energy has announced it has acquired the rights for a third wind farm for its Hallet development in South Australia and confirmed it is considering options for disposing its PNG oil and gas assets once the front-end engineering and design decision for the ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project is confirmed.
AGL Energy yesterday said it had sold GasValpo and associated assets and entities to a consortium of Australian superannuation funds. Under the sale terms, the buyers will refinance GasValpo's net bank debt of $US26 million. The remaining sale proceeds of $US64 million, together with about $US10 million in cash, will be applied to reduce AGL Energy's bank debt. Mr Fraser said the sale clearly demonstrated the company's "absolute focus" on capital management.
"It is the first in what should be a series of non-core asset divestments that will return our current credit rating of BBB to stable outlook and ultimately provide balance-sheet flexibility to participate in the significant new opportunities, both organic and greenfield, which are emerging in Australian energy markets," he said. AGL Energy is reportedly interested in acquiring NSW government-owned electricity assets, if they become available later this year.
Mr Fraser said yesterday Gas- Valpo was always going to be "the most challenging non-core asset to divest", so it was pleasing the divestment process had begun with its sale. GasValpo was in AGL Energy's books at $108 million, but the company expects that on a pre-tax basis it will record a loss of about $10 million on the deal, although the benefit of a "tax capital loss will result in a small post-tax gain." The transaction is not expected to affect AGL Energy's revised 2008 earnings guidance of $330-$360 million.
Zero building and the search for the Holy Grail of greenness
Age
Wednesday 26/3/2008 Page: 11
UNTIL now, even the very best "sustainable" office buildings have managed only to reduce carbon emissions, not eliminate them. But a team of Melbourne architects say their design for a 19-storey building atop Richmond station will achieve the Holy Grail of greenness: zero emissions. Architectural director Paul Thatcher, of professional services company GHD, said the Zero project was hypothetical, but its environmental claims were real, and vetted by green ratings experts.
Mr Thatcher said the aim was to show that it was possible for a building to be emissions neutral, not because it was offsetting its emissions, but because it produced all its own energy on site. "It's not just about planting enough trees to offset carbon, it's about trying to stop polluting altogether," he said. The Zero building would create energy through massive solar panels and wind turbines on its roof. The narrow design and an atrium would give workers good natural light and ventilation, and water captured on the roof would be recycled.
The catch was the cost: about $165 million by GHD's estimates or about 20% more than a conventional office building of its size. It could take more than 25 years to get a return through rental on an investment of that size. Executive director of the Green Building Council David Craven said such an investment could be repaid more quickly once a carbon tax system was in place. This is really the next big challenge, to make building 'good' rather than just 'less bad'." Mr Craven said.
Wind and waves are the future of clean energy in Wales,
Weekend Australian
Saturday 22/3/2008 Page: 24
ENERGY security is essentially a matter of luck. The Arab tribes who made their home in the Middle East centuries ago had no idea of the wealth lying under the ground. And when James Cook sailed back to England in 1770 after landing at Botany Bay, and naming his discovery New South Wales, he was oblivious to the hidden irony of his chosen moniker. Both old south Wales and NSW sat atop billions of tonnes of black coal that would turn both places into global energy powerhouses.
The threat of climate change may require a radical and painful interruption to the exploitation of Australia's vast and still relatively untapped coal reserves. In Wales, coal seams are all but exhausted, put out of their misery by former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1960s. And, as the North Sea gas fields also decline, in Britain the spectre of energy security has returned, forcing the Government to think hard and fast about life after coal.
The availability of new sources of more expensive but cleaner energy are proving to be just as serendipitous as fossil fuels. Australia looks as if it will again be a winner, blessed as it is with abundant sunshine, persistent winds and hot underground rocks. And so does Wales. The windswept principality plans to be energy self-sufficient by 2030, powered by an array of energy sources: nuclear, biomass, wind, waves and tides.
"There were a lot of ideas that were considered crazy in the 1970s that are becoming centre stage now," Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson says. Her government released a renewable energy route map in January and has combined known wind mapping with local planning conditions to prescribe seven regions in Wales suitable for large-scale wind farms. No onshore wind farms will be allowed near the coastline, as national parks and local planning issues are considered too contentious. Last year, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown set a target of developing 30,000MW of offshore wind energy by 2020, the same output as from 15 coal-fired power stations.
Davidson tells Inquirer: "If we are going to be safe and secure in energy, we need to have big, industrial-sized wind farms. But we are only going to have those in places that are not in national parks, that are not in areas of outstanding natural beauty and where the wind blows." Offshore wind is attractive because it has minimal effect on human settlements and can maximise the wind. But it also requires relatively shallow water to keep down installation costs. Even then, those costs are at least 30 per cent higher than conventional onshore wind electricity. This approach has not been without community opposition. There are more than 160 local groups across Britain trying to stop offshore wind farms from going ahead, even though most of them will operate kilometres off the coast.
Along the north coast of Wales is the Welsh Riviera": a line of picturesque seaside resort towns that have struggled to compete against the considerably sunnier holiday options offered in Spain and farther afield. It's also pretty windy and suitably shallow for offshore wind farms. In 2003, German energy company Npower built a small $200 million 30-turbine pilot wind farm, North Hoyle, about 10km off the north Wales coast.
Now the company plans to build a 200-turbine farm. The GWynt y Mor (Welsh for windy sea) farm will generate as much electricity as a coal-fired power station. It will be 13km from shore but still visible from the holiday resort of Llandudno, where residents are fighting to stop the proposal. Npower offshore development manager Mark Legerton admits the proposed farm will occupy more of the horizon than North Hoyle, whose distant turbines look like masts from the shore.
"There is an element within Llandudno who don't welcome the prospect of a wind farm on their part of the coastline," Legerton says. "It's human nature to resist change and it's an instinct that has served us well for thousands of years, but if we're not careful it will let us down at the vital moment when we are dealing with climate change." Local opposition group Save Our Scenery has been lobbying the local Conwy council, as well as parliament, to try to stop the wind farm. SOS secretary Janet Howorth says the turbines will be an eyesore even 13km away and claims wind energy is heavily subsidised.
"GWynt y Mor will make a massive impact on a very buoyant holiday resort," she says. "These turbines are going up everywhere and we are a small island and an overcrowded island and so our sensitive tourist areas shouldn't be exploited in this way." Boats are free to sail and fish around the North Hoyle site, and so far there have been no incidents, but the bigger site farther offshore will require full-time monitoring, according to Npower engineer Gareth Williams.
"You won't be able to get out there and back in a day, so it will need to have a service rig like an oil platform," he says. "You can see them (turbines), for sure. Whether they are prominent is in the eye of the beholder." Last month British Energy Secretary John Hutton announced the construction of the world's biggest power station, to be fuelled by wood chips. The $1 billion, 350MW power station in south Wales will source wood chips from forestry plantations in the US, Russia and Ukraine.
Britain also is progressing with a feasibility study into construction of the Severn barrage in southwest England. The $40 billion project has been the stuff of engineering dreams for more than 100 years. It would protect the Severn estuary from flooding, aid shipping and, importantly for energy, deliver up to 15,000MW of electricity by trapping tidal water and releasing it through turbines.
The barrage would meet 5 per cent of the British electricity demand. Opponents say it will harm marine ecosystems. On a more modest scale, Lunar Energy is developing technology to harness energy from tidal movement by building underwater tidal farms. The first 8MW plant will comprise four sturdy yellow turbines, 25m long and 15m high, rotating at about the same speed as a revolving door. The tidal farm will be constructed on the seabed off west Wales's Pembrokeshire coast by 2010.
Lunar Energy's Niels Nielsen says the technology is made economically viable by geography: the shape of the seabed forces tides to flow swift and constant. "If you have a very strong current, you tend to get rips and eddies, so that is more of a reason not to go there. You are looking for linear flows," he says. "The whole ocean energy thing has been a figment of scientists' and inventors' imaginations for many decades." The company expects the electricity generated will cost about the same as wind energy, providing it can resolve issues such as the safety of large sea mammals, that could be at risk of harm if they swim into the slowly rotating blades. "The first (turbines) going in will be very heavily monitored so somehow we will have to keep (animals) out of there," Nielsen says.
Taxpayers 'deserve carbon revenue'
Weekend Australian
Saturday 22/3/2008 Page: 7
EMISSIONS trading will trigger a new round of tax reform as the Rudd Government finds ways of refunding billions of carbon-tax dollars to the economy. The Government's adviser on climate change policy, Ross Garnaut, has signalled major restructuring of the tax system to return up to $20 billion a year in new income from the auctioning of emission permits from 2010. In his latest discussion paper on the reform, Professor Garnaut has flagged six candidates for direct compensation from the permit revenue.
Topping the list are low income households, followed by communities in hard-hit regions such as the Latrobe and Hunter valleys, where coal-fired power provides the economic lifeblood. Significantly, the Garnaut review says compensation cannot be justified, on environmental or economic grounds, for the companies behind Australia's $40 billion coal-tired power industry.
Professor Garnaut wants subsidies for the development of new energy technologies and for energy-intense and trade exposed industries such as aluminum and steel. However, the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network warned yesterday of rocketing electricity prices and blackouts if the review's recommendations are adopted, saying the recommendations reflect a lack of understanding of the domestic energy market and the international regimes.
Professor Garnaut said that, beyond specific sectors, the Government should determine the best way of equitably refunding carbon permit revenue to taxpayers, rather than spend it on new government programs. "There is no good reason why the size of government should become bigger as a result of this reform," Professor Garnaut said.
"I think the attitudes of ordinary Australians are going to be affected by how the revenue from the permits is spent. If a substantial part of the revenue is used in ways to ease the adjustment of the new scheme, then that will affect the acceptability of it." The review has recommended in-principle integration with other trading schemes, full banking and borrowing of permits, the inclusion of offset schemes from forestry, and the creation of four levels of increasingly aggressive cuts to greenhouse gases from 2012, with government shifting to tougher methods as international negotiations develop.
Professor Garnaut told The Weekend Australian he would recommend a comprehensive review at the end of 2011 to iron out any teething problems ahead of embarking on much deeper cuts to emissions after 2012. He warned that the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target would push up the price of electricity and might need to be phased out quickly.
Climate Institute Australia Policy director Erwin Jackson said the potential to reform the tax system from emissions trading created a double dividend for the economy. "The revenues can be used not only to help communities through better public transport and energy efficiency but also through a review of the tax system, ensuring we blunt the cost of emissions trading on ordinary households," he said.
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Talks with GWU on shipyards
www.timesofmalta.com/
Wind farm project to be launched soon
Malta fully agrees with the renewable energy targets set for it by the European Commission and will be launching a multi-million euro initiative for the development of an offshore wind farm soon. Speaking at the end of a two-day EU summit in Brussels yesterday, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the government had contacted foreign companies on the possibility of developing an offshore wind farm and will soon set out to better explain its electoral pledges regarding alternative energy.
"We promised that the environment is going to take centre stage in our agenda over the next five years and we are adamant to deliver even in the clean energy sector. We are evaluating the way forward for producing more energy from alternative resources and we should soon be in a position to announce an initiative in the wind energy sector." A few weeks ago, the European Commission proposed a set of energy targets to be met by Malta by 2020, intended to spur the island to produce more energy from renewables and reduce its dependency on oil. Malta will have to produce 10 per cent of all its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.
This target falls within the EU's ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases by 20 per cent on 1990 levels by 2020 and produce 20 per cent of its members' energy needs from renewables. The EU leaders at the summit have committed themselves to finalising negotiations on the plan by the end of this year. Together with Cyprus, Malta is the most conventional-fuel dependent country in the EU. In 2006, Malta produced only 0.36 per cent of all its energy needs from renewables, the lowest level in the EU.
During the electoral campaign, Dr Gonzi pledged that, if elected, the government would invest in a wind farm 32 kilometres out at sea capable of producing between 75 and 100 MW of clean energy. This will amount to 20 per cent of Malta's energy needs.
Asked whether this initiative would be a government-sponsored project or a private initiative, Dr Gonzi said that at this stage the government was leaving all options open. "We are still studying the details of this initiative. It can be a private-public partnership or a private initiative on its own. However, we still have to decide the fine details." EU leaders also discussed the second phase of the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, an EU-wide set of benchmarks aimed at putting the EU economy on the global cutting edge.
State aid is one of the areas on which the Commission is pressing Malta. Due to aid given to Malta Shipyards, the island is still considered to have a heavy load of subsidies when compared to the EU average. In 2002, Malta and the EU agreed on a seven-year restructuring programme aimed at making the shipyards viable. However, despite more than €800 million of subsidies, the shipyards are still in the red. At the end of the year, the subsidies will become illegal.
Asked by The Times what will happen to the shipyards if the company is still losing money by that time, as appears likely, Dr Gonzi said the government will be doing all it can to make sure the company survives. However, he warned that this must entail the full collaboration of all the workers and their union.
"Our intention is to make the restructuring programme work but this requires a massive effort from everyone, including the GWU. We intend to launch discussions with the union to take stock of the situation and work on a possible solution to the problems that are hampering the shipyards from progressing." In a recent interview to The Times, Minister Austin Gatt, who is responsible for Malta Shipyards, identified low productivity as the main problem afflicting the company.
Dr Gonzi's delegation at the two-day summit included Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech. Explaining the role of the new Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Public Dialogue Chris Said, Dr Gonzi said he will act as an interface between his office and civil society at large. In this context, Dr Gonzi announced the intention of reviving the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (Meusac), a tripartite forum which had a key role in pre-accession negotiations. The Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, set up to replace Meusac and the Malta-EU Information Centre, will be re-integrated within the role of Meusac. Dr Gonzi returned to Malta last night.
Harness the power of eco-boffins
business.timesonline.co.uk/
March 16, 2008
Green business: Technological skill and entrepreneurial instinct must work together to be a success
The green energy sector is booming. Concern over climate change, sustainability and energy prices has created the conditions for entrepreneurs to profit as investors jostle to fund green power generation and technologies that cut waste and boost efficiency. Entrepreneurs able to form an effective management team and put a solid business together have never had a better chance to create a successful green business, according to financier and entrepreneur Philip Holbeche.
"I am not a scientist and it is often the case that technology people don't know how to – and don't necessarily want to – build a business. The entrepreneur is the one that builds a good management team and who is the interlocutor between the technologists and the City."
Holbeche, former chairman of fuel-cell maker Ceres Power, which he took from university start-up stage to a listing on the Alternative Investment Market, sees plenty of scope for entrepreneurs to get into the sector. "solar energy generation, fuel-cells, biofuels such as algae, as well as things such as land remediation, are all promising areas for new processes and technologies."
The good news for entrepreneurs, according to Sam Richardson of e-synergy, which invests in clean and green technology businesses through its £30m Sustainable Technology Fund, is that building the right teams is getting easier as good managers and senior executives flock to the sector. "Environmental businesses are hot right now and senior people from big companies are interested in working in the sector," he says.
However, the challenges can be daunting, says Richardson. "The opportunities are high, but so are the hurdles. Bringing a new piece of technology to market can be a time-consuming and capital-intensive job." Choosing the right technology to back is fraught with risk, as is securing initial backing from investors, says Holbeche. "Finding the first-round funding for a new technology is the hardest part. If you succeed with that, things tend to get much easier."
Setting up a technology-led business is not the only way to profit from the sector, says Holbeche. "There's huge pressure on businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and to change the way they do business to be more sustainable, so there's great scope for consultancies that help them do this."
Such service-led opportunities are multiplying. There is a growing demand for specialists who can help businesses with carbon trading, auditing and offsetting, and help them to manage their energy consumption, waste and recycling activities, says Richardson. "In time, consultants in these areas will become as ubiquitous as IT consultants are today." Existing businesses can transform themselves to catch the wave of environmental sustainability as well, he says. Property management companies, for example, might position themselves as energy auditors and energy-efficiency consultants as well as maintaining and running business premises.
Speed is likely to be of the essence, however. Bigger, established players have woken up to the possibilities, too, says Richardson. "The likes of Shell and Dupont are looking at biofuels and renewable energy, and they have big budgets. On the service side, consultancies and service businesses such as McKinsey, Jones Lang LaSalle and Ernst & Young all have environmental arms already.
"The better opportunities will be for those able to identify niches, to specialise and to be fleet of foot. Opportunities on the service side will probably exist only for the next five years, while there's still no core of expertise in these areas."
Good Energy Group
THE Good Energy Group, based in Wiltshire, offers proof that helping consumers and firms to reduce their energy consumption and generate renewable energy offers significant growth opportunities. The firm provides electricity generated by renewable means to homes and businesses, helps customers to install their own renewable power generation facilities and fits energy-saving equipment. Last year, sales reached £13m, serving 1,600 businesses and 24,000 domestic customers.
"Technology that gives feedback on energy usage such as metering displays is one example of a growing market," says group chief executive Juliet Davenport, 40. "Solar is looking more promising, along with geothermal heat pumps, micro wind power and small biomass heaters for the home.
"We think there are also opportunities on the finance side. An early example is the green mortgage from Ulster Bank, but there's much further to go, such as being offered finance to install solar panels." "We want to become a new kind of utility that provides services other than electricity or gas. Our aim is to provide a complete solution for those seeking to move towards a low-carbon lifestyle."
Fossil fuel investment bias hurts renewable energy ambitions: ACF
Courier Mail
Thursday 20/3/2008 Page: 26
QUEENSLAND has nearly $1.6 billion invested in the nuclear and fossil fuel industries but just $33 million in renewables. The Federal Government is just as bad, with the booming coal industry receiving a taxpayer-funded $300 million annual discount on diesel fuel. A report by economist Alan Lazarus released yesterday shows that although the State Government campaigns on cutting greenhouse gases and adopting renewable energy sources, it mostly invests in fossil fuel and uranium mining through the Queensland Investment Corporation.
Queensland and other states and territories invested nearly 50 times as much in fossil fuel and uranium as they did in renewable energy. The report for the Australian Conservation Foundation shows many large government-run funds make investment decisions that directly conflict with stated ambitions to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. The QIC, which operates under the Treasury Department, manages about $70 billion for a range of organisations.
ACF executive director Don Henry said most people would be shocked to find the State Government invested $47 in fossil fuels and uranium for every dollar in renewable energy. "Rather than invest this public money in companies building new coal-fired power stations and mining uranium, it should be invested in companies developing renewable energy and finding innovative ways to use energy efficiently," Mr Henry said.
"Through their investment decision these big pools of government capital have significant impacts on the health of our environment and society." A spokesman for Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said the QIC made investments based on the best commercial return. The Government's ClimateSmart 2050 report included $300 million in state funds and $60() million from coal companies for research into clean coal technology and another $100 million was invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency research.
First council emissions trading scheme
Public Works and Engineering
01/03/2008 Page: 16
Eight councils have committed to participate in the trial of an Australian-first greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme for local government which is on track to begin in March this year. The New South Wales metropolitan councils of Randwick, Lane Cove, Auburn, Ashfield and Leichhardt have so far confirmed they will participate in the trial, along with the regional councils of Cootamundra, Cowra and Kiama.
The 'Local Government Emissions Trading Scheme', which is scheduled to commence operating on March 1, will be a five-year trial that aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of participating councils by 4% each year. Kiama Shire Council's Mayor, Sandra McCarthy, says the scheme will encourage new and innovative ways for regional and urban councils to work together to help reduce greenhouse gases.
It is also hoped the trial will promote the exchange of information about greenhouse gas-saving initiatives between councils from different regions. The administrator and manager of the trading scheme, Randwick City Council's Manager of Sustainability, Peter Maganov, has previously stated that under the trading scheme, the cost of carbon credit units could be around $10-15 per unit.
Councils will be able to earn carbon credits by investing in energy efficiency, solar and wind power, hybrid and LNG cars or tree planting. New South Wales councils are still able to join the trial and have until 1 March 2008 to register their participation in the scheme with Randwick City Council.
For mope information or to join the emissions trading trial, contact Randwick City Councils Manager of Sustainability, Peter Maganov, on (02) 9399 0554 or by email at Peter maganov@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Randwick looks to wind power
Public Works and Engineering
01/03/2008 Page: 23
Randwick City Council will trial renewable wind turbine technology as part of a multifaceted approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During the 12 month trial, the metropolitan Sydney council will test one or two small-scale wind-powered turbines at sites across the city to test how much energy the turbines produce and how much they reduce the council's greenhouse gas emissions.
Randwick City Council Mayor, Bruce Notley-Smith, says the council will share the findings of the wind-power trial with other local governments across Australia.
The council is presently determining the best locations within the municipality to use for the wind-power trials and has not vet set a date for the trial to begin. Once the trial is complete, the council hopes to he better informed about how wind-powered energy can be used at a local level.
The trial will be part of Randwick City Council's `Sustaining Our City' initiative, which includes a program where the council provides subsidies of up to 40% to local residents to install energy-saving items such as solar hot water systems, thermal insulation and more efficient lighting systems in their homes.
Randwick City Council is also leading the development of a ground-breaking emissions trading scheme for councils in New South Wales. Randwick, Leichhardt, Kiama, Cootamundra, Lane Cove and Auburn councils have so far confirmed their participation in the trial of the smallscale trading scheme, which is scheduled to begin operating in March next year.
To contact Randwick City Council, phone (02) 9399 0999.
$100M for green energy solutions
Gold Coast Business News
March, 2008 Page: 8
Queensland companies are being encouraged to jump on board a State Government initiative that will result in cleaner, greener business practice. The State Government is urging Queenslanders to make the most of a $100 million green energy initiative. Available in two packages, business owners and researchers are encouraged to take a look at the $50 million Smart Energy Savings Fund and the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund.
Energy Minister Geoff Wilson says the Smart Energy Savings Fund will be available to businesses with applications to be sought twice a year - while the Renewable Energy Fund will offer financial incentives to help drive Queensland's commitment to climate change into the 21st Century "We'll provide loans for up to 100 per cent of the project's value or a grant that will cover up to half the project's capital value," says Wilson.
"Some projects may be big, some small. We'll not discriminate because together, they'll have the potential to save tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse emissions." Wilson says the renewable energy fund will assist innovative companies that want to turn ideas into sustainable solutions. "We want clever companies to come forward with their ideas so that we can help turn their vision into reality," he says.
"There are exciting possibilities for renewable energy and we've so much untapped potential." The Premier Anna Bligh says Queensland businesses need to use less energy, while finding more sources of energy. "These funds will encourage both," she says. "We're putting our money on the table, addressing the real threat to our environment.
Queensland's leading the way and we want businesses and researchers to climb on board. We've set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 60 per cent below our 2000 levels by 2050. Our efforts must focus on two fronts - cutting energy use and searching for new energy sources.
"It's a simple. We want businesses to boost their investment in energy saving projects and technologies, and we're putting up $50 million to help them." Wilson adds that the Renewable Energy Fund investment will help the state secure a share of the national 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020. "The Renewable Energy Fund will help industry come up with innovative energy conservation solutions in areas like geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, bagasse and other renewable energy sources," he says.
"We're looking at technologies that can generate at least 100 kilowatts, industrial power projects with a carbon-neutral emissions profile and innovations that can produce a reliable electricity supply and meet local energy supply needs. Ideally, we'd like to see projects with the potential for widescale commercial application. Funding can be in the form of a loan for up to 100 per cent project's value or as a grant for up to half of the project's capital cost."
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Green groups seek reversal of fuel subsidies
AAP Newswire
18/03/2008 National
CANBERRA, March 18 AAP - Environment groups have urged governments to spend more taxpayers' money on renewable energy than the fossil fuel industry. Greenpeace today released an opinion poll which found a majority of Australians think renewables should receive more subsidies than fossil fuels like coal. The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) issued a report showing federal and state governments are investing nearly 50 times as much on fossil fuels and uranium mining as they do on technologies like solar and wind power.
Both groups say the vast difference in funding contradicts governments' ambitions to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Newspoll commissioned by Greenpeace found 60 per cent of respondents thought renewables should get the most funding. Another 30 per cent thought the subsidies should be equal for both sectors. Fifty-six per cent said more money should be ploughed into renewables immediately, and 28 per cent said over the next 12 months. The poll also showed that only 29 per cent knew fossil fuels received higher funding.
"The legacy of the Howard government is an abuse of taxpayers' money and out of step with public opinion," Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Julien (Julien) Vincent said. "Rather than adding to their profits, we should be penalising the use of fossil fuels and putting public money into renewable energy solutions." Greenpeace is seeking signatures for a petition asking federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to phase out subsidies for fossil fuel companies.
The ACF report, Responsible Public Investment in Australia, says government-controlled funds are putting $47 into fossil fuels and uranium for every dollar they invest in renewable energy. "With so much emphasis on climate change from federal, state and territory governments, many people would be shocked," ACF executive director Don Henry said.
"Government-controlled funds that do not manage environmental risks in their portfolios put at risk their financial returns and the world we will leave for our kids." Separately, a group of eminent climate scientists have called on the federal government to stabilise national emissions in two years' time. The report by the Australian Climate Group released today warns the extent of climate change is likely to be at the extreme end of predictions by the international scientific community.
The group was first convened by WWF-Australia and insurer IAG in 2004. "Any delay in achieving significant emission reductions could lead to a major disruptive shock to both our economy and our whole way of life," IAG chief risk officer Tony Coleman said. "If the extent of climate change continues to emerge faster than anticipated, Australia will quickly run out of options unless we have already made good progress down the path of reducing emissions," Mr Coleman said.
Surf clubs look to move into wind and solar age
Central Coast Express-Advocate
19/03/2008 Page: 46
WYONG shire surf clubs could soon be moving into the wind and solar age. Wyong Council is investigating the installation of solar cells on club roofs and wind turbines. Successful trial schemes have been completed in other NSW coastal areas including Tathra. A report to last week's council meeting said savings of about $450 could be made on annual energy bills while there would be less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.
The cost of installing the system at each surf club would be about $35,000 which could be offset by a Federal Government grant and sponsorship. "While such a project is not financially viable, it does present the environmental benefits of a reduction of over three tonnes of green house gases a year," the report said. "It also provides an excellent example to the community of using alternative power sources." Wyong councillor Brenton Pavier supports the scheme and has asked if solar energy expert Matthew Nott could be invited to address the council in June.
Rebate plan for solar panel use
Townsville Sun
19/03/2008 Page: 4
The State Government has announced a new scheme to pay Queensland households for solar electricity they generate and contribute to the electricity grid. Premier Anna Bligh said from July 1 the Solar Bonus Scheme would pay households and businesses 44 cents for every kilowatt-hour generated from solar power systems at work and at home and fed into the grid. We want Queenslanders to cash in on our reputation as the Sunshine State," Ms Bligh said.
By providing this financial incentive we hope to encourage greater use of solar energy systems and boost our renewable energy market," she said. solar panel systems on a home often produce more power than a household requires. "Under our scheme consumers will receive credits on their electricity bills for any additional power they generate through their solar systems and are able to contribute to the grid," Ms Bligh said.
The Premier said it is estimated the Solar Credit Scheme or feed-in tariff could save consumers more than 25 per cent on their annual electricity bill depending on the energy efficiency of their home. "It will put money back in family pockets," Ms Bligh said. "It will also provide an opportunity for households to play a direct role in tackling climate change. We already know Queenslanders are keen to play their part." Ms Bligh said a staggering 5230 expressions of interest had been received in the government's new Solar Homes trial.
We had to close registrations due to the unprecedented demand," she said. "However anyone with a solar power system will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme," she added. The Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, said the scheme would commence on July 1 and be guaranteed for 20 years. "Currently different retailers pay different amounts for energy fed into the grid ranging from 14 cents per kilowatt-hour to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour," Mr Wilson said.
"We have set the tariff at a higher amount of 44 cents to stimulate the solar energy market and encourage greater uptake by residents and businesses." Mr Wilson, said participating homes would have either an upgraded or second meter installed to measure energy being produced. Ms Bligh said the Solar Homes and Solar Bonus Schemes would make solar energy systems more accessible and affordable.
Hundreds of turbines on way
Weekly Times
19/03/2008 Page: 24
SEVERAL large wind farms of more than 100 turbines each could be built in Western Victoria in the next few years. Information from the Department of Primary Industries shows that the largest wind farm. 183 turbines at Macarthur, has already been approved, along with a 128-turbine farm at Waubra and 116 turbines at Mount Gellibrand.
Large wind farms still awaiting approval include a 150-turbine farm at Darlington, 100 turbines at Mortlake and 100 at Berrybank. These wind farms have been referred to the Victorian Government for consideration for Environment Effects Statements. In the east of the state, only two more wind farms are proposed - one at Yarram and one near Welshpool. In Victoria, five wind farms are operational. 14 have been approved but are not yet operational and another 121 are awaiting state or council approval.
A change in plans
Weekly Times
19/03/2008 Page: 24
IT WILL soon be easier for rural property buyers to find out if a wind farm is planned for next door. The Victorian Government this week agreed to let buyers know where they can get information on current wind farm proposals. Until now, prospective buyers were in the dark over how to get the information.
A spokeswoman for Planning Minister Justin Madden said new guidelines would "state where information can be obtained regarding current wind-farm proposals, including planning permit applications Victoria's growing wind farms and decisions on the need for and Environment Effects Statement."
The move followed calls by Nationals MP Peter Hall for more transparency on windfarm proposals. Mr Hall said property buyers had little hope of of finding information about new wind farms, dozens of which are proposed for Victoria. "They (the buyers) should be able to find out if a planning permit or a wind farm is being proposed for an adjoining property," Mr Hall said. He said he was contacted by a couple from Rye, who put a deposit on a Western District property. only to discover just days later plans for a nearby wind farm.
The buyer, Allan Schafer, said a 100-turbine wind farm was awaiting approval for land near his Berrybank property and he had written to Mr Madden about the issue. The turbines could be installed only 300 metres from his house and would cast a shadow as the sun set. Mr Schafer said. He said the real estate agent council and vendors told him they were unaware of the proposal.
Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Neil Laws said if an agent was aware of an approved neighbouring wind farm and was asked, they would have the responsibility to tell. "However, in response to a question about a formal mechanism, the REIV would be interested in the view of the Minister as it is not aware of one." Mr Laws said. Information from the Clean Energy Council showed that local councils were often contacted early in the planning process to discuss policies and nearby landowners were often notified by developers once a site was selected.
Labor renewable energy plan `will cost economy $1.5bn'
Australian
19/03/2008 Page: 8
LABOR'S plan to dramatically increase the mandatory levels of renewable energy will cost the economy $1.5 billion and drive up power bills by 6 per cent. According to new economic analysis from the gas industry, Labor's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target of 20 per cent by 2020 is unnecessary and will crowd out cheaper ways to cut greenhouse emissions, making electricity more expensive.
The analysis conducted by consultants CRA International for the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association claims an emissions trading scheme due to start in 2010 could on its own deliver the same greenhouse gas cuts, but at a lower cost. This contradicts an economic analysis released last year by the renewable energy industry that claimed the MRET will stimulate growth and jobs and make electricity cheaper by creating an oversupply in the national energy market.
The Mandatory Renewable Energy Target promised by Labor during last year's federal election campaign has been criticised as populist and inefficient by the gas industry and major emitters, who argue it will quickly become redundant as emissions trading becomes fully operational. In the interim report released last month by the Government's key climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, he warned that the MRET would drive most abatement cuts in the early years of an emissions trading scheme. He is still to report on the interaction between the two systems.
Professor Garnaut will release a discussion paper on key design principles for a trading scheme tomorrow, ahead of the Government's green paper in July and the release of draft legislation in December. Treasury modelling on the full economic cost of different levels of abatement is also expected to be released in July. Climate Minister Penny Wong is already working to fold existing state renewable energy schemes into the national target, and a working group will report to the Council of Australian Governments meeting next week.
Department of Climate Change officials have been meeting power industry representatives in a push to map out a strategy to prevent price volatility and supply instability from the big shift to renewables. APPEA chief executive Belinda Robinson agreed there was a need for a range of strategies to complement a national carbon trading scheme, including accelerated development of clean energy technologies.
She said the mandatory targets threatened to undermine the Government's commitment to ensuring the lowest-cost greenhouse abatement for the economy. Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt said the report endorsed the Coalition's call for a clean energy target that included gas and other technologies. We need all the low emissions measures to be on the table." he said.
Penola hot rocks power hope
Penola Pennant
19/03/2008 Page: 2
Penola could host the nation's biggest geothermal power plant within five years. Potential for the project is "building momentum", according to Osiris Energy. The company has released recent studies after drilling to depths of 3500 metres in the area. Resulting analysis has shown the area's "hot rocks" resource could be commercially harnessed.
Osiris is now seeking up to $115m in investment to secure the renewable energy project and with extensive research complete and suitable modular power plants available "off the shelf', it hopes to secure one of the first commercial geothermal power plants in the country. Steps are also underway to list the company on the stock exchange, building its financial capabilities. Directors are also hoping the Penola Pulp Mill will proceed to support the power plant.
Mill developer Protavia could be a customer for the potential 20MW power plant's waste hot water, which could be used to dry pulp and boost income for the costly investment. Osiris executive director Ian Reid said water was extracted from underground at 143C and was still 70C after being used to generate power and could have a secondary use before being returning beneath the earth's surface.
"The costings we have done suggest we can produce geothermal energy cheaper than wind power and when you combine that with selling the co-generated heat to make an extra income stream, it does become economic," Mr Reid said.
"Without the pulp mill we would have more trouble getting a second income stream from the co-generated heat - so having a potential purchaser on our doorstep is attractive for the whole project." He said other options could be investigated if the pulp mill did not proceed, such as using the waste heat for agriculture or aquaculture.
Osiris has reported conclusions from its reservoir modelling, which found energy could be commercially produced for $55 to $65 per megawatt, making it competitive with wind energy. Mr Reid said he was awaiting finalisation of carbon trading schemes and emission targets by the Federal Government to show where the project could "fit in" to national plans.
He said the Penola development would begin with a pilot plant, including drilling of two wells, which would take around a year, and a 20MW power plant could be built once the effectiveness of the concept was proven. "Upwards from that, the sky is the limit," he said. However, two and a half years of geological studies are required before work begins on the pilot plant.
Eight wells, each costing $4m, and at least half as many injection points to return hot water underground, would then be needed for the commercial power plant, requiring around a year of drilling work. It would then take another year to build the $64m power plant, according to Mr Reid, but drilling of the wells was likely to be the biggest employment generator, requiring around 30 people to operate a contracted rig.
"There is a lot of work involved in building wells, but once they are drilled and the plant is installed it would be a venture with low operating costs and could run for 50 years, providing cheap energy once it was installed, only needing low level staffing," Mr Reid said. "Getting the initial investment is the hardest thing with renewable energy in Australia, but once it is installed it generates income for a long time."
Council opposes sale of state electricity
News Weekly
Wednesday 12/3/2008 Page: 14
Bega Valley Shire Council has declared its opposition to State Government plans to sell off the State's electricity system. Councillors voted on Tuesday to call on the Government to better manage the State's future energy needs and to take urgent action in response to climate change by investing in energy efficiency and increasing its renewable energy targets. The motion to oppose privatisation of the State's electricity was put forward by Cr Keith Hughes.
He said privatising electricity would lead to higher power bills, poorer service and increased greenhouse gas emissions. "Privatising essential public utilities like electricity and water inevitably leads to increased prices and reduced services as the new private owners try to maximise their returns. "Private owners will try to increase power consumption to maximise profits, the exact opposite of what we should be trying to achieve.
"Increased consumption of electricity will lead to potential blackouts and will increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to dangerous climate change. "This decision makes good sense if the Bega Valley is serious about meeting its 50:50 by 2020 target for clean energy," Cr Hughes said. The mayor, Cr Tony Allen, said that selling off public assets for short term gain not good business.
He said privatisation would:
- Weaken the ability of the people of NSW to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and urgently respond to climate change;
- Increase financial hardship for consumers, particularly for low income households and pensioners;
- Reduce State revenues by at least $1 billion per annum, as profits are shifted from the public purse to private corporations and;
- Destroy public control over essential energy assets.
Emissions trading plan to be outlined
Launceston Examiner
Tuesday 18/3/2008 Page: 16
CANBERRA - The Federal Government will offer a much awaited glimpse of its emissions trading plans when a green paper is released in July. A timetable released yesterday said the Government would by the end of the year give a "firm indication" of the scheme's trajectory, which would determine the initial price of carbon. Climate Change Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed the scheme - the centerpiece of efforts to curb greenhouse gases - would begin in 2010.
The timetable includes releasing draft laws by December on creating the system and introducing them to Parliament next March. The Government aims to enact the scheme by the third quarter of 2009 and establish a regulator, allowing the scheme to begin operating the following year. "The introduction of emissions trading will constitute the most significant economic and structural reform undertaken in Australia since the trade liberalisation of the 1980s," Senator Wong said.
She said consultations with stakeholders that began this month would drive the green paper coming out in July. "The green paper will canvass options and preferred approaches on a range of critical issues such as which sectors will be covered and how emissions caps will be set," she told Parliament. "It will also include ways to reduce the impacts of emissions trading on Australian households." Senator Wong said feedback from the green paper would influence the draft legislation to be released in December.
The design of the scheme would also be informed by Federal Treasury modelling and the climate change review being prepared for the Government by economist Ross Garnaut. Professor Garnaut is scheduled to release a discussion paper on emissions trading on Thursday. Senator Wong said while the Government would set a cap on emissions and have permits up to that level, the market would set the price of carbon. Federal Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said stakeholders were expecting a soft start to the trading scheme, with the Government's renewable energy target trying to pick up the slack.
State puts money where mouth isn't
Herald Sun
Tuesday 18/3/2008 Page: 28
THE Victorian Government is investing more than $1.2 billion in fossil fuels and the nuclear industry while pushing a policy of long-term emissions reductions and renewable energy targets. A report by the Australian Conservation Foundation into the investing habits of Australian governments shows just $26 million from five of Victoria's public investment funds is put into renewable energy companies.
The Victorian Government has legislated against uranium mining and exploration in the state, and has committed to reduce emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. And just $12 million of the $72 billion in five federal government investment funds is put into renewables. The Responsible Public Investment in Australia report, to be released today, looked at 36 federal, state and territory investment funds and whether environmental, social and governance issues affected investment decision making.
ACF executive director Don Henry said the report showed investment decisions were in direct conflict with commitments to tackle climate change. "Rather than invest this public money in companies building new coal-fired power stations and mining uranium, it should be invested in companies developing renewable energy and finding innovative ways to use energy efficiently," he said.
The report comes as a Newspoll survey commissioned by Greenpeace found 84 per cent of Australians believed the Federal Government should increase subsidies for renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, within the next year. The poll also found 90 per cent of Australians wanted renewable energy to be given the same or greater subsidies than fossil fuels receive. "Rather than adding to their profits, we should be penalising the use of fossil fuels and putting public money into renewable energy solutions, such as solar and wind," Greenpeace campaigner Julien Vincent said.