Adelaide Advertiser
Wednesday 22/12/2010 Page: 17
THERE were more than 100,000 solar power systems installed across Australia last year, which is more than in the previous decade combined. Industry group Clean Energy Australia said yesterday rooftop solar photovoltaic systems were becoming the "Hills Hoist" of the 21st century, driven by generous state and federal government subsidies. However, growth in industrial-scale renewable power was "modest" in the year to the end of October, because of policy uncertainty about how the industry would be subsidised.
The group's 2010 report also predicted more than 55,000 jobs would be created in the industry by 2020, up from about 8085 now. About 7817 jobs were expected to be based in SA by 2020, up from 751 now. The increased employment and projected investment of more than $20 billion is being driven by the Federal Government's target to have 20% of the nation's power supplied by renewal sources by 2020.
"Much of this growth will be in regional Australia, creating employment opportunities and an economic boost for towns and communities", the report says. "In 2009-10 alone, clean energy in Australia generated just under $1.8 billion in investment".
The proportion of Australia's electricity production generated by renewable means rose significantly to 8.67%. However, this increase was largely driven by a 15% rise in hydroelectric generation from good rainfall. Growth in industrial power generation was just 210MWs, down from 993MW the previous year. "Policy and investment uncertainty played a major role in the drop in new projects in 2010 compared with the year before", the report says.
"The success of household renewable energy such as solar power and solar hot water in 2009 led to an oversupply of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). "With a glut of RECs in the market, the price remained low. For large-scale projects this REC price is critical". South Australia accounts for 9% of the nation's installed renewable capacity at 966MW. The state renewable energy target is to have 33% of SA's power generated by renewables by 2020.
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Solar becoming the new Aussie Hills Hoist
Clean Energy Australia 2010 report
21 Dec 2010
There was more solar power installed on rooftops between January and October this year than for the entire previous decade, according to the Clean Energy Australia 2010 report released today.
The increased affordability of solar power in Australia meant the technology was fast becoming "the Hills Hoist of the 21st century", according to Matthew Warren, the chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, Australia's peak body for more than 450 renewable energy companies.
There were more than 100,000 solar power systems installed during 2010, compared with a total of 81,232 from 2000-2009. "Over the past year more than 100,000 households have made a significant personal investment to take individual action on climate change and protect themselves against rising electricity prices," Mr Warren said.
The report also includes new modelling that predicts more than 55,000 jobs are expected to be created in renewable energy by 2020, many in regional areas. The Clean Energy Australia Report provides a snapshot of the renewable energy industry over 2010. Other trends include:
Mr Warren said continued policy uncertainty in the first half of 2010 had slowed development of a number of industrial scale clean energy projects. "The enhanced renewable energy target starts on New Year's Day. With some major projects in the pipeline such as the Macarthur wind farm we are looking forward to continued growth of clean energy in 2011," he said.
Click here to download the report or visit www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au.
21 Dec 2010
There was more solar power installed on rooftops between January and October this year than for the entire previous decade, according to the Clean Energy Australia 2010 report released today.The increased affordability of solar power in Australia meant the technology was fast becoming "the Hills Hoist of the 21st century", according to Matthew Warren, the chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, Australia's peak body for more than 450 renewable energy companies.
There were more than 100,000 solar power systems installed during 2010, compared with a total of 81,232 from 2000-2009. "Over the past year more than 100,000 households have made a significant personal investment to take individual action on climate change and protect themselves against rising electricity prices," Mr Warren said.
The report also includes new modelling that predicts more than 55,000 jobs are expected to be created in renewable energy by 2020, many in regional areas. The Clean Energy Australia Report provides a snapshot of the renewable energy industry over 2010. Other trends include:
- 8.67% of Australia's electricity was generated by renewable sources such as solar and wind in the last year, a total of 21,751GW hours. This was the equivalent of over three million Australian households.
- Good rainfall in key catchments led to a 15% increase in hydro electricity from previous years.
- According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the renewable energy sector experienced just under $1.8 billion in new financial investment during the 2009-2010 financial year.
- There was a total of 209MWs of large scale clean energy projects added to the grid between January and October this year.
Mr Warren said continued policy uncertainty in the first half of 2010 had slowed development of a number of industrial scale clean energy projects. "The enhanced renewable energy target starts on New Year's Day. With some major projects in the pipeline such as the Macarthur wind farm we are looking forward to continued growth of clean energy in 2011," he said.
Click here to download the report or visit www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au.
Energy target gives us vital impetus
Age
Tuesday 21/12/2010 Page: 12
IN PUSHING for the removal of industry development policies such as the 20% renewable energy target, Heather Ridout seems to believe in the silver bullet theory of addressing climate change ("Labor energy policy costly, inefficient: Ridout", The Age, 20/12). If groups like the Australian Industry Group have their way, an emissions trading scheme will not provide a sufficient price signal to change investment in the stationary energy sector for at least 15 years.
With more than 40% of Australian greenhouse gas emissions coming from producing energy, urgent action is required. Policies such as the renewable energy target play a significant role because they divert investment away from dirty forms of energy to clean sources. By supporting the deployment of clean energy technologies, we create new industries in regional Australia, stimulate investment and diversify our energy generation mix.
These benefits do not have a big price tag, as some like to suggest. Over the next 10 years the large-scale portion of the 20% renewable energy target will add less than 0.75% a year to most consumers' energy bills. This is small compared with recent cost increases associated with building and maintaining distribution and transmission networks.
Tuesday 21/12/2010 Page: 12
IN PUSHING for the removal of industry development policies such as the 20% renewable energy target, Heather Ridout seems to believe in the silver bullet theory of addressing climate change ("Labor energy policy costly, inefficient: Ridout", The Age, 20/12). If groups like the Australian Industry Group have their way, an emissions trading scheme will not provide a sufficient price signal to change investment in the stationary energy sector for at least 15 years.
With more than 40% of Australian greenhouse gas emissions coming from producing energy, urgent action is required. Policies such as the renewable energy target play a significant role because they divert investment away from dirty forms of energy to clean sources. By supporting the deployment of clean energy technologies, we create new industries in regional Australia, stimulate investment and diversify our energy generation mix.
These benefits do not have a big price tag, as some like to suggest. Over the next 10 years the large-scale portion of the 20% renewable energy target will add less than 0.75% a year to most consumers' energy bills. This is small compared with recent cost increases associated with building and maintaining distribution and transmission networks.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Energy efficiency zapped
Sun Herald
Sunday 19/12/2010 Page: 18
ELECTRICITY retailers in NSW have been urged not to spend the $17.9 billion they had set aside for new substations, wires and power poles and to concentrate instead on making customers more energy efficient. If the spending goes ahead, household power bills could rise by as much as 35%, the NSW Greens have predicted. In addition, Greens MP John Kaye said new substations and powerlines could affect people's health, as a result of electromagnetic radiation, and could damage environmentally sensitive sites.
The call to curb spending has come in the same week that the state government sold the retail activities of EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Country Energy to private enterprise. The energy infrastructure, or network, remains in public hands. The Australian Energy Regulator rubber-stamped the Keneally government's decision to give $17.9 billion to the three energy companies and transmission company Trans Grid to fix ailing infrastructure in September.
On Thursday, federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson published a report stating that up to $129 billion in investment was needed over the next 20 years to update the national power grid. But Mr Kaye said private power retailers would not be as willing to urge customers to engage in energy management activities such as using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, off-peak power and installing solar panels.
"The ability to manage the demand for electricity more sensibly is one of the alternatives to building all this new infrastructure", Mr Kaye said. "The problem is that when you privatise these corporations, they become less likely to be interested in energy efficiency. They want to sell more, they don't want to sell less. These companies will simply pass the power distribution costs to the householder".
Mr Kaye said EnergyAustralia was already planning a $50 million substation at Empire Bay on the central coast that threatened a sensitive wildlife area. He said Integral Energy wanted to install high-voltage transformers and cables, which emit harmful electromagnetic fields, next to houses, a TAFE college and a childcare centre at Granville. There were also substation plans for residential streets in Bondi and Ryde.
A spokesman for NSW Energy Minister Paul Lynch said the government had no say on when projects were completed or how the grid operated. Households are already coping with electricity price rises after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal set future rises of 20 to 42% in the three years to June 2013 an additional $240 to $600 on the average bill.
Why your electricity bill will go up:
Sunday 19/12/2010 Page: 18
ELECTRICITY retailers in NSW have been urged not to spend the $17.9 billion they had set aside for new substations, wires and power poles and to concentrate instead on making customers more energy efficient. If the spending goes ahead, household power bills could rise by as much as 35%, the NSW Greens have predicted. In addition, Greens MP John Kaye said new substations and powerlines could affect people's health, as a result of electromagnetic radiation, and could damage environmentally sensitive sites.
The call to curb spending has come in the same week that the state government sold the retail activities of EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Country Energy to private enterprise. The energy infrastructure, or network, remains in public hands. The Australian Energy Regulator rubber-stamped the Keneally government's decision to give $17.9 billion to the three energy companies and transmission company Trans Grid to fix ailing infrastructure in September.
On Thursday, federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson published a report stating that up to $129 billion in investment was needed over the next 20 years to update the national power grid. But Mr Kaye said private power retailers would not be as willing to urge customers to engage in energy management activities such as using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, off-peak power and installing solar panels.
"The ability to manage the demand for electricity more sensibly is one of the alternatives to building all this new infrastructure", Mr Kaye said. "The problem is that when you privatise these corporations, they become less likely to be interested in energy efficiency. They want to sell more, they don't want to sell less. These companies will simply pass the power distribution costs to the householder".
Mr Kaye said EnergyAustralia was already planning a $50 million substation at Empire Bay on the central coast that threatened a sensitive wildlife area. He said Integral Energy wanted to install high-voltage transformers and cables, which emit harmful electromagnetic fields, next to houses, a TAFE college and a childcare centre at Granville. There were also substation plans for residential streets in Bondi and Ryde.
A spokesman for NSW Energy Minister Paul Lynch said the government had no say on when projects were completed or how the grid operated. Households are already coping with electricity price rises after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal set future rises of 20 to 42% in the three years to June 2013 an additional $240 to $600 on the average bill.
Why your electricity bill will go up:
- Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said increases were "unavoidable" to guarantee supply after low infrastructure spending by the states.
- Over the next 20 years, $130 billion is needed to update power grid to meet increasing demand and comply with climate change policies.
- NSW electricity retailers are to spend $17.9 billion on infrastructure such as substations and power lines, adding up to 35% to bills
- The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is allowing 20 to 42% price rises over three years, adding $240 to $600 to bills.
- Funding needed for "green energy" initiatives: solar and wind power
- Carbon tax could lift prices 46 to 64% over three years.
US warns of rare earths risk
Australian
Friday 17/12/2010 Page: 23
Supplies of rare earth materials, mined mostly in China and used in a handful of clean-energy products, could be cut off or disrupted in future years, according to the US Energy Department.
Five rare earth materials that are used to build electric vehicles, energy efficient lighting, solar panels and wind turbines "are at risk of supply disruptions", David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the US Energy Department, said yesterday at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Concern over the supply of these materials is surfacing at the same time the US is encouraging the development of clean energy technologies as a way to reduce the use of fossil fuels. China currently produces more than 95% of these rare-earth materials, presenting a scenario in which much of the world's clean technology makers rely on the country for valuable resources. "China has said it intends to be a reliable supplier", Mr Sandalow said.
However, the US should try to diversify global supply chains and develop substitutes "so that we are not reliant on any particular input", Mr Sandalow cautioned. Non-government analysts believe China could reduce exports of rare-earth materials to countries that rely on them.
China's willingness to supply these materials constitutes a "fragile relationship", said Jim Hedrick of Hedrick Consultants. China intends to raise tariffs on some rare-earth exports starting next year, the Associated Press reported the state media as saying yesterday. China's Ministry of Finance did not say which rare earths would be affected, the AP reported.
A material known as dysprosium, used in magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles, is particularly important to the clean technology sector. According to the Energy Department, supplies of dysprosium are also among the most threatened. In addition to being the largest producer of rare earth materials, China was currently the largest consumer, said Clint Cox, founder of Anchor House, a firm that specialises in rare earth elements.
Companies operating in China are the largest consumers of the materials. Colorado-based Molycorp announced earlier this week that it had received environmental permits to begin construction of a new rare earth manufacturing facility in Mountain Pass, California.
Friday 17/12/2010 Page: 23
Supplies of rare earth materials, mined mostly in China and used in a handful of clean-energy products, could be cut off or disrupted in future years, according to the US Energy Department.
Five rare earth materials that are used to build electric vehicles, energy efficient lighting, solar panels and wind turbines "are at risk of supply disruptions", David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the US Energy Department, said yesterday at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Concern over the supply of these materials is surfacing at the same time the US is encouraging the development of clean energy technologies as a way to reduce the use of fossil fuels. China currently produces more than 95% of these rare-earth materials, presenting a scenario in which much of the world's clean technology makers rely on the country for valuable resources. "China has said it intends to be a reliable supplier", Mr Sandalow said.
However, the US should try to diversify global supply chains and develop substitutes "so that we are not reliant on any particular input", Mr Sandalow cautioned. Non-government analysts believe China could reduce exports of rare-earth materials to countries that rely on them.
China's willingness to supply these materials constitutes a "fragile relationship", said Jim Hedrick of Hedrick Consultants. China intends to raise tariffs on some rare-earth exports starting next year, the Associated Press reported the state media as saying yesterday. China's Ministry of Finance did not say which rare earths would be affected, the AP reported.
A material known as dysprosium, used in magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles, is particularly important to the clean technology sector. According to the Energy Department, supplies of dysprosium are also among the most threatened. In addition to being the largest producer of rare earth materials, China was currently the largest consumer, said Clint Cox, founder of Anchor House, a firm that specialises in rare earth elements.
Companies operating in China are the largest consumers of the materials. Colorado-based Molycorp announced earlier this week that it had received environmental permits to begin construction of a new rare earth manufacturing facility in Mountain Pass, California.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
$100,000 for SA solar tracker
Adelaide Advertiser
Thursday 16/12/2010 Page: 52
Solar Shop Australia and Hydragate will use a $100,000 grant to install a locally manufactured solar tracking system by the end of next year. The companies recently won the State Government grant to develop the system. Hydragate will manufacture the system and Solar Shop will provide photovoltaic research and development expertise.
Solar Shop corporate development chief Chris Stewart said the local product would be cheaper than other tracking systems in the market and would have fewer moving parts. "It's all being made here with the tracker itself offering 40% more efficiency than roof solar panels", Mr Stewart said. The technology is targeted at the commercial market.
Competitor ZEN recently installed a $450,000-plus, 30kW solar tracking farm at Monarto Zoo with the help of a State Government grant. Its system is jointly developed and manufactured with European based company Mecasolar. "As a private company that's installed Australia's largest solar tracking system only months ago, launched by Premier Mike Rann, we are disappointed to have not had a chance to tender on this grant", a spokesperson for ZEN said.
The grant was among measures Mr Rann announced at the Cancun climate change conference, including opening up 400,000sq km of crown land for solar and wind farms.
Thursday 16/12/2010 Page: 52
Solar Shop Australia and Hydragate will use a $100,000 grant to install a locally manufactured solar tracking system by the end of next year. The companies recently won the State Government grant to develop the system. Hydragate will manufacture the system and Solar Shop will provide photovoltaic research and development expertise.
Solar Shop corporate development chief Chris Stewart said the local product would be cheaper than other tracking systems in the market and would have fewer moving parts. "It's all being made here with the tracker itself offering 40% more efficiency than roof solar panels", Mr Stewart said. The technology is targeted at the commercial market.
Competitor ZEN recently installed a $450,000-plus, 30kW solar tracking farm at Monarto Zoo with the help of a State Government grant. Its system is jointly developed and manufactured with European based company Mecasolar. "As a private company that's installed Australia's largest solar tracking system only months ago, launched by Premier Mike Rann, we are disappointed to have not had a chance to tender on this grant", a spokesperson for ZEN said.
The grant was among measures Mr Rann announced at the Cancun climate change conference, including opening up 400,000sq km of crown land for solar and wind farms.
Everyone will pay for better grid
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 15/12/2010 Page: 9
UP TO $130 billion of investment in the national power grid is needed to cope with an expected surge in electricity demand, placing further pressure on household electricity bills.
In a network development plan to be made public today by the Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, the Australian Energy Market Operator the independent operator of the national electricity market says demand is likely to rise between 30 and 70% over the next two decades, depending on economic and population growth. The investment is needed to cope with increasing demand, ageing infrastructure and the transition to a low carbon environment.
But the market operator's chief executive, Matt Zema, said only "a very small amount", about $4 billion, of capital investment had been committed nationwide so far, though he added that electricity generators had never previously failed to deliver the required investment to meet demand. "It's the uncertainty associated with a carbon price. The industry is not willing to make any great decisions about investment and generation".
The high investment cost is likely to fuel higher wholesale electricity prices, which typically make up 30 to 40% of what the consumer pays. The introduction of a carbon price is already expected to at least double wholesale prices. If economic growth is strong and the carbon price is high, the market operator said wholesale prices could increase four-fold over the next 20 years.
The operator modelled a number of scenarios, factoring in economic and population growth and the impact of a carbon price. Even in the scenario of lowest economic growth, it said $40 billion of investment was required. The prevailing low-carbon environment means gas and renewables will provide most of the new electricity generation in the next decade.
The market operator said this would increase demand for gas five-fold by 2030, but that there would be sufficient gas reserves to meet both domestic and export demand, even though production in Victoria and South Australia was expected to decline.
Wednesday 15/12/2010 Page: 9
UP TO $130 billion of investment in the national power grid is needed to cope with an expected surge in electricity demand, placing further pressure on household electricity bills.
In a network development plan to be made public today by the Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, the Australian Energy Market Operator the independent operator of the national electricity market says demand is likely to rise between 30 and 70% over the next two decades, depending on economic and population growth. The investment is needed to cope with increasing demand, ageing infrastructure and the transition to a low carbon environment.
But the market operator's chief executive, Matt Zema, said only "a very small amount", about $4 billion, of capital investment had been committed nationwide so far, though he added that electricity generators had never previously failed to deliver the required investment to meet demand. "It's the uncertainty associated with a carbon price. The industry is not willing to make any great decisions about investment and generation".
The high investment cost is likely to fuel higher wholesale electricity prices, which typically make up 30 to 40% of what the consumer pays. The introduction of a carbon price is already expected to at least double wholesale prices. If economic growth is strong and the carbon price is high, the market operator said wholesale prices could increase four-fold over the next 20 years.
The operator modelled a number of scenarios, factoring in economic and population growth and the impact of a carbon price. Even in the scenario of lowest economic growth, it said $40 billion of investment was required. The prevailing low-carbon environment means gas and renewables will provide most of the new electricity generation in the next decade.
The market operator said this would increase demand for gas five-fold by 2030, but that there would be sufficient gas reserves to meet both domestic and export demand, even though production in Victoria and South Australia was expected to decline.
Monday, 27 December 2010
RedFlow debuts on market
Courier Mail
Tuesday 14/12/2010 Page: 27
ENERGY storage company RedFlow, which is ploughing funds into raising its production of zinc-bromine battery systems by more than 10 times, makes its sharemarket debut today. The Brisbane-based company is commercialising electricity storage systems and last month raised $17.5 million through a fully underwritten initial public offering of shares priced at $1.00 each.
Its systems range from small to large scale, enabling customers to supplement their electricity supply, including storing power from renewable energy generators such as wind turbines and solar panels. RedFlow says the global energy storage market for grid-connected applications by electricity utilities and for off-grid applications for use in rural locations is expected to grow rapidly in the next 10 years.
RedFlow chief executive Phil Hutchings said the company also has just shipped a 5-kW zinc-bromine battery system to the UK which will be installed this month.
Tuesday 14/12/2010 Page: 27
ENERGY storage company RedFlow, which is ploughing funds into raising its production of zinc-bromine battery systems by more than 10 times, makes its sharemarket debut today. The Brisbane-based company is commercialising electricity storage systems and last month raised $17.5 million through a fully underwritten initial public offering of shares priced at $1.00 each.
Its systems range from small to large scale, enabling customers to supplement their electricity supply, including storing power from renewable energy generators such as wind turbines and solar panels. RedFlow says the global energy storage market for grid-connected applications by electricity utilities and for off-grid applications for use in rural locations is expected to grow rapidly in the next 10 years.
RedFlow chief executive Phil Hutchings said the company also has just shipped a 5-kW zinc-bromine battery system to the UK which will be installed this month.
Meridian in power play for Australia
Summaries - Australian Financial Review
Monday 13/12/2010 Page: 20
New Zealand renewable electricity company Meridian Energy is looking to expand its portfolio of assets in Australia, where it already has a presence through Meridian Energy EnergyAustralia. The subsidiary has a 50% stake in the Victorian Macarthur wind farm joint venture with AGL Energy, and owns the Mount Millar wind farm, bought from Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund for $191 million. Ben Burge, the new chief executive of Meridian Energy EnergyAustralia who comes from a previous role at IBM, says the business is looking for opportunities to buy and build renewable energy projects, and 'may not be restricted to wind only.'
Monday 13/12/2010 Page: 20
New Zealand renewable electricity company Meridian Energy is looking to expand its portfolio of assets in Australia, where it already has a presence through Meridian Energy EnergyAustralia. The subsidiary has a 50% stake in the Victorian Macarthur wind farm joint venture with AGL Energy, and owns the Mount Millar wind farm, bought from Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund for $191 million. Ben Burge, the new chief executive of Meridian Energy EnergyAustralia who comes from a previous role at IBM, says the business is looking for opportunities to buy and build renewable energy projects, and 'may not be restricted to wind only.'
Focus on renewable energy integration
Adelaide Advertiser
Saturday 11/12/2010 Page: 91
A CREATIVE combination of government regulations and more advanced technology will be needed to integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into electricity grids worldwide on a more significant scale, says a panel of international experts. Hundreds of engineers, researchers and policymakers from abroad are gathering this week in New Mexico to talk about the future of renewable and distributed energy systems.
The mission of those at the conference is to find more affordable and efficient ways to mesh large-scale solar and wind farms and smaller distributed generation systems, which include the sea of solar panels popping up on residential rooftops around the world, into grids dependent on consistent sources of power.
They're also focusing on ways policymakers can develop regulatory roadmaps for encouraging more renewable energy. "It's all got to come together", says Charles Hanley, the manager of Sandia's Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Department. Mr Hanley referred to an idea he heard earlier in the week, that researchers aren't looking for a silver bullet, but rather "silver buckshot".
"We want to address everything that is necessary to make up a solid portfolio - that's on the regulation side, the R&D side and the technology and market acceptance side", he says. "There's got to be a number of pieces that add up to an overall solution to come away with an optimised smart grid that has a high penetration of renewable and distributed sources".
Nearly 30 states have developed renewable energy portfolio standards that require electric utilities to get as much as 25% of their power from renewable sources within the next decade, but experts at the conference say Europe leads the way when it comes to its goal of making renewables a majority source of power.
While the European Union has set targets of 20% by 2020, New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks notes the United States is far from adopting a national renewable portfolio standard. "What's unfortunate is in our country energy policy has been politicised in a very destructive way", he said. "It's mostly been focused on climate change". Mr Marks says large systems for harnessing solar and wind power were only talked about in laboratories a couple of decades ago; now it is being done around the world every day.
Saturday 11/12/2010 Page: 91
A CREATIVE combination of government regulations and more advanced technology will be needed to integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into electricity grids worldwide on a more significant scale, says a panel of international experts. Hundreds of engineers, researchers and policymakers from abroad are gathering this week in New Mexico to talk about the future of renewable and distributed energy systems.
The mission of those at the conference is to find more affordable and efficient ways to mesh large-scale solar and wind farms and smaller distributed generation systems, which include the sea of solar panels popping up on residential rooftops around the world, into grids dependent on consistent sources of power.
They're also focusing on ways policymakers can develop regulatory roadmaps for encouraging more renewable energy. "It's all got to come together", says Charles Hanley, the manager of Sandia's Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Department. Mr Hanley referred to an idea he heard earlier in the week, that researchers aren't looking for a silver bullet, but rather "silver buckshot".
"We want to address everything that is necessary to make up a solid portfolio - that's on the regulation side, the R&D side and the technology and market acceptance side", he says. "There's got to be a number of pieces that add up to an overall solution to come away with an optimised smart grid that has a high penetration of renewable and distributed sources".
Nearly 30 states have developed renewable energy portfolio standards that require electric utilities to get as much as 25% of their power from renewable sources within the next decade, but experts at the conference say Europe leads the way when it comes to its goal of making renewables a majority source of power.
While the European Union has set targets of 20% by 2020, New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks notes the United States is far from adopting a national renewable portfolio standard. "What's unfortunate is in our country energy policy has been politicised in a very destructive way", he said. "It's mostly been focused on climate change". Mr Marks says large systems for harnessing solar and wind power were only talked about in laboratories a couple of decades ago; now it is being done around the world every day.
Cracks in carbon capture schemes
Courier Mail
Friday 10/12/2010 Page: 80
There is growing opposition in Australia and overseas to projects proposing to store carbon underground
FOR years it has been billed as a way for the world to keep generating electricity from fossil fuels without burning up the planet. But in contrast to solar power, which has been fondly embraced even in people's own homes, plans to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to slash greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas-fired power stations have proven controversial. So much so that some projects have now been ditched.
Scientists say developed nations' emissions need to start falling by 2015 and be almost zero in about 30 years to have a strong chance of holding global warming to 2C the target most countries, including Australia, have adopted. Emissions from coal-fired power stations are the major contributor to climate change and gas-fired generators are also large emitters. CCS is intended to catch 65% to 90% of plant emissions, turn the CO₂ into liquid and pump it underground to be stored forever, with no leakage.
Its complexity and cost mean it has been in experimental mode for years and no power station with capture and storage at major scale exists anywhere. CCS needs to get a move on given the deadline looming for emission cuts and because it faces a challenge from emission-free solar and wind power stations that are now arriving in force in the global energy market. A 1000-MW solar power station starts construction this month in the US and an 845-MW wind farm has also been approved there.
By contrast, in Germany, which is home to the world's most advanced carbon-capture pilot plants, utilities RWE and Vattenfall had to shelve plans to store carbon from two leading projects due to community concerns, including fears over water pollution. And protests by residents and the local council last month caused the Dutch Government to cancel a plan by Shell to store carbon underground at Barendrecht. "They're saying what if the CO₂ has heavy metals and gets into groundwater, even in a thousand year's time.
And saying, we know it's going to be stored a kilometre underground, but what if the strata has a crack and the stuff can leak (upward) until its into our groundwater", said Robin Batterham, Australia's former chief scientist who was recently in Germany to advise on CCS. Similar concerns are surfacing here, where developers are now working to pin down sites for CCS plants and storage.
The Queensland Government has released 13 land areas for industry to explore for storage in the Blackall-Tambo area near Emerald, the Roma-Wandoan area and the Chin area, covering the Surat, Bowen, Galilee and Adavale basins. Queensland farmers' organisation AgForce says there are concerns that planned underground carbon storage in Queensland's Surat Basin and other basins may harm the Great Artesian Basin or the Murray-Darling Basin.
"The Surat Basin is over the GAB and is interrelated with the Murray-Darling Basin, and if we start having significant GAB impacts, then will the last one on the Darling Downs please turn the lights off. It's as simple as that", AgForce spokesman Drew Wagner said. "The reality is we do not know what impacts (CCS) may have on underground water. We don't know what impacts it may have on inter-aquifer relationships and we also may find it's going to have impacts in terms of tying up prime agricultural land".
NSW Farmers' Association president Charles Armstrong last week said CCS could leave the public with a dangerous, expensive legacy. Swiss miner Xstrata's unit CTSCo has been shortlisted as a preferred tenderer for carbon storage in Queensland. CTSCo would look to transport and pump into the Surat Basin up to 2.5 million metric tons of liquid CO₂ a year from a Wandoan coal-fired power plant that would be built by Stanwell Corporation and General Electric, with government funding.
CTSCo will start its community engagement process, or detailed talks with local communities, once it receives permit conditions likely next month or in February and has decided on its specific preferred sites. A 2009 study for the Queensland Government said the Surat Basin was a potentially prime target for high volume carbon storage but said more study was needed into links between water bodies and that well field location "is critical to mitigation of detrimental contamination effects".
"The cost of remediation strategies for damage to existing infrastructure resulting from CO₂ contamination could be prohibitive. Environmental impacts could be severe but remain speculative and cannot be quantified with currently available information", the study said. But it said several factors "contribute to a high level of confidence in an adequate safety margin".
CTSCo project director Alan du Mee said the Wandoan project would store CO₂ up to 2km underground in sites that are generally isolated from potable water. "The first stage is drilling holes to test rock properties and water quality. Later comes CO₂ testing, pumping it down and seeing what happens.
In each of those stages you're monitoring if there is any interaction with water supplies", Mr du Mee said. "(It's a) development project so that we all understand what does this take, what does it do, is it going to work, can we do something with CO₂. It's all 'gently, gently'. In the end, it's the communities and public at large that are going to decide whether this thing's going anywhere."
Friday 10/12/2010 Page: 80
There is growing opposition in Australia and overseas to projects proposing to store carbon underground
FOR years it has been billed as a way for the world to keep generating electricity from fossil fuels without burning up the planet. But in contrast to solar power, which has been fondly embraced even in people's own homes, plans to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to slash greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas-fired power stations have proven controversial. So much so that some projects have now been ditched.
Scientists say developed nations' emissions need to start falling by 2015 and be almost zero in about 30 years to have a strong chance of holding global warming to 2C the target most countries, including Australia, have adopted. Emissions from coal-fired power stations are the major contributor to climate change and gas-fired generators are also large emitters. CCS is intended to catch 65% to 90% of plant emissions, turn the CO₂ into liquid and pump it underground to be stored forever, with no leakage.
Its complexity and cost mean it has been in experimental mode for years and no power station with capture and storage at major scale exists anywhere. CCS needs to get a move on given the deadline looming for emission cuts and because it faces a challenge from emission-free solar and wind power stations that are now arriving in force in the global energy market. A 1000-MW solar power station starts construction this month in the US and an 845-MW wind farm has also been approved there.
By contrast, in Germany, which is home to the world's most advanced carbon-capture pilot plants, utilities RWE and Vattenfall had to shelve plans to store carbon from two leading projects due to community concerns, including fears over water pollution. And protests by residents and the local council last month caused the Dutch Government to cancel a plan by Shell to store carbon underground at Barendrecht. "They're saying what if the CO₂ has heavy metals and gets into groundwater, even in a thousand year's time.
And saying, we know it's going to be stored a kilometre underground, but what if the strata has a crack and the stuff can leak (upward) until its into our groundwater", said Robin Batterham, Australia's former chief scientist who was recently in Germany to advise on CCS. Similar concerns are surfacing here, where developers are now working to pin down sites for CCS plants and storage.
The Queensland Government has released 13 land areas for industry to explore for storage in the Blackall-Tambo area near Emerald, the Roma-Wandoan area and the Chin area, covering the Surat, Bowen, Galilee and Adavale basins. Queensland farmers' organisation AgForce says there are concerns that planned underground carbon storage in Queensland's Surat Basin and other basins may harm the Great Artesian Basin or the Murray-Darling Basin.
"The Surat Basin is over the GAB and is interrelated with the Murray-Darling Basin, and if we start having significant GAB impacts, then will the last one on the Darling Downs please turn the lights off. It's as simple as that", AgForce spokesman Drew Wagner said. "The reality is we do not know what impacts (CCS) may have on underground water. We don't know what impacts it may have on inter-aquifer relationships and we also may find it's going to have impacts in terms of tying up prime agricultural land".
NSW Farmers' Association president Charles Armstrong last week said CCS could leave the public with a dangerous, expensive legacy. Swiss miner Xstrata's unit CTSCo has been shortlisted as a preferred tenderer for carbon storage in Queensland. CTSCo would look to transport and pump into the Surat Basin up to 2.5 million metric tons of liquid CO₂ a year from a Wandoan coal-fired power plant that would be built by Stanwell Corporation and General Electric, with government funding.
CTSCo will start its community engagement process, or detailed talks with local communities, once it receives permit conditions likely next month or in February and has decided on its specific preferred sites. A 2009 study for the Queensland Government said the Surat Basin was a potentially prime target for high volume carbon storage but said more study was needed into links between water bodies and that well field location "is critical to mitigation of detrimental contamination effects".
"The cost of remediation strategies for damage to existing infrastructure resulting from CO₂ contamination could be prohibitive. Environmental impacts could be severe but remain speculative and cannot be quantified with currently available information", the study said. But it said several factors "contribute to a high level of confidence in an adequate safety margin".
CTSCo project director Alan du Mee said the Wandoan project would store CO₂ up to 2km underground in sites that are generally isolated from potable water. "The first stage is drilling holes to test rock properties and water quality. Later comes CO₂ testing, pumping it down and seeing what happens.
In each of those stages you're monitoring if there is any interaction with water supplies", Mr du Mee said. "(It's a) development project so that we all understand what does this take, what does it do, is it going to work, can we do something with CO₂. It's all 'gently, gently'. In the end, it's the communities and public at large that are going to decide whether this thing's going anywhere."
Investment jolt for electricity network
Adelaide Advertiser
Wednesday 8/12/2010 Page: 63
UP to $6 billion could be spent on South Australia's electricity transmission network by 2020 as demand for power increases, ElectraNet chief executive Ian Stirling said. Mr Stirling expected at least a $2 billion capital injection over the next 10 years with the potential investment increasing to $6 billion "if all the planets aligned".
"There could potentially be $6 billion of transmission development in South Australia in the next 10 years. That's probably the high side", Mr Stirling said at the SA Infrastructure Summit 2010 in Adelaide yesterday. "This would be driven by the mining sector and the need to be able to deliver new generation".
He said the need for a new electricity interconnector between SA and New South Wales, more demand for green power and a "decent carbon price" would also drive investment higher. Meanwhile, SA had enough electricity generation capacity for the next few years with the new Cherokee gas fired electricity power station to be built near Mannum to help meet the peak demand. The power station is expected to reach maximum capacity of 1000MWs by 2021, capable of meeting up to 25% of the state's peak demand.
Wind farm power generation capacity coming on stream also would meet demands for at least five years. But it would be at least 15 years before renewable energy sources, such as geothermal, became key to the state's electricity baseload with more gas-fired power stations to till the gap until then.
ElectraNet owns 6000 circuit kilometres of wires and 79 substations in the state and has invested $800 million in transmission in SA since 2000. It generated revenue of $3 billion last financial year and represents about 10% of the price of power paid by South Australians.
Meanwhile, Mr Stirling said expected electricity price rises may be partly offset over the next few years as "ramp gas" or gas from coal seam gas producers in New South Wales and Queensland was dumped on to the market. "This may affect the profitability of generators in Queensland", he said.
Wednesday 8/12/2010 Page: 63
UP to $6 billion could be spent on South Australia's electricity transmission network by 2020 as demand for power increases, ElectraNet chief executive Ian Stirling said. Mr Stirling expected at least a $2 billion capital injection over the next 10 years with the potential investment increasing to $6 billion "if all the planets aligned".
"There could potentially be $6 billion of transmission development in South Australia in the next 10 years. That's probably the high side", Mr Stirling said at the SA Infrastructure Summit 2010 in Adelaide yesterday. "This would be driven by the mining sector and the need to be able to deliver new generation".
He said the need for a new electricity interconnector between SA and New South Wales, more demand for green power and a "decent carbon price" would also drive investment higher. Meanwhile, SA had enough electricity generation capacity for the next few years with the new Cherokee gas fired electricity power station to be built near Mannum to help meet the peak demand. The power station is expected to reach maximum capacity of 1000MWs by 2021, capable of meeting up to 25% of the state's peak demand.
Wind farm power generation capacity coming on stream also would meet demands for at least five years. But it would be at least 15 years before renewable energy sources, such as geothermal, became key to the state's electricity baseload with more gas-fired power stations to till the gap until then.
ElectraNet owns 6000 circuit kilometres of wires and 79 substations in the state and has invested $800 million in transmission in SA since 2000. It generated revenue of $3 billion last financial year and represents about 10% of the price of power paid by South Australians.
Meanwhile, Mr Stirling said expected electricity price rises may be partly offset over the next few years as "ramp gas" or gas from coal seam gas producers in New South Wales and Queensland was dumped on to the market. "This may affect the profitability of generators in Queensland", he said.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Green light for wind farm
Adelaide Advertiser
Tuesday 7/12/2010 Page: 31
IN A landmark judgment that could set the precedent for community litigation against wind farm developments, the environmental court in Adelaide has ruled in favour of AGL Energy's Hallett 3 project at Mount Bryan in the Mid North. Handing down its judgment on the state's first case of this kind, the Environment, Resources and Development Court cleared the way for the $180 million wind farm. "The decision of the Council to grant development plan consent will be confirmed, subject to some minor variations to the conditions imposed", the judgment by Judge Susanne Cole, Commissioner Terry Mosel and Commissioner John Agnew said.
Some Mount Bryan residents had appealed against the 33-wind turbine project, citing visual amenity and noise concerns. The court accepted evidence that the wind farm will "comply sufficiently" with relevant noise standards and said it was up to regulatory bodies generating the policies and standards to look at raising them. "Views of the landscape will not be obstructed by the turbines, but they will form a new element in the landscape", the court said. Dairy farmer Richard Paltridge's appeal in the ERD court against Acciona Energy's $175 million Allendale East wind farm has been adjourned to the New Year.
A source close to the Mount Bryan case, who did not want to be named, commented that the judgment changed the dynamics and set a precedent for other cases that were sure to follow. "As a consequence of this decision, opponents to such projects around South Australia can now see that the demand for renewable energy outweighs any community concerns", he said.
An AGL Energy spokesperson said: "The appeal has caused some delay to the progress of the development of the wind farm, but we are pleased that we can now continue to move forward". AGL Energy has Hallett 1 and Hallett 2 wind farms already operational in the region, and is currently also constructing Hallett 4 and Hallett 5. The appellants are considering the merits of taking their appeal to the Supreme Court.
Dr Sarah Laurie, medical director of the Waubra Foundation, which is studying the health effects of wind turbines on rural communities, was disappointed with the decision. "There is growing evidence of rural Australians living near wind farms becoming very ill due to chronic sleep deprivation. "I am concerned that the current process is greatly biased towards the developers, who have significant financial resources."
Tuesday 7/12/2010 Page: 31
IN A landmark judgment that could set the precedent for community litigation against wind farm developments, the environmental court in Adelaide has ruled in favour of AGL Energy's Hallett 3 project at Mount Bryan in the Mid North. Handing down its judgment on the state's first case of this kind, the Environment, Resources and Development Court cleared the way for the $180 million wind farm. "The decision of the Council to grant development plan consent will be confirmed, subject to some minor variations to the conditions imposed", the judgment by Judge Susanne Cole, Commissioner Terry Mosel and Commissioner John Agnew said.Some Mount Bryan residents had appealed against the 33-wind turbine project, citing visual amenity and noise concerns. The court accepted evidence that the wind farm will "comply sufficiently" with relevant noise standards and said it was up to regulatory bodies generating the policies and standards to look at raising them. "Views of the landscape will not be obstructed by the turbines, but they will form a new element in the landscape", the court said. Dairy farmer Richard Paltridge's appeal in the ERD court against Acciona Energy's $175 million Allendale East wind farm has been adjourned to the New Year.
A source close to the Mount Bryan case, who did not want to be named, commented that the judgment changed the dynamics and set a precedent for other cases that were sure to follow. "As a consequence of this decision, opponents to such projects around South Australia can now see that the demand for renewable energy outweighs any community concerns", he said.
An AGL Energy spokesperson said: "The appeal has caused some delay to the progress of the development of the wind farm, but we are pleased that we can now continue to move forward". AGL Energy has Hallett 1 and Hallett 2 wind farms already operational in the region, and is currently also constructing Hallett 4 and Hallett 5. The appellants are considering the merits of taking their appeal to the Supreme Court.
Dr Sarah Laurie, medical director of the Waubra Foundation, which is studying the health effects of wind turbines on rural communities, was disappointed with the decision. "There is growing evidence of rural Australians living near wind farms becoming very ill due to chronic sleep deprivation. "I am concerned that the current process is greatly biased towards the developers, who have significant financial resources."
Ill wind for anti-turbine push: more to come
Sunday Age
Sunday 5/12/2010 Page: 5
THE Baillieu government has conceded its controversial wind farm policy is powerless to control the biggest expansion of wind power in Victoria's history, with 1322 new turbines planned across 28 approved developments.
Before the Brumby government lost office, embattled planning minister Justin Madden approved about $5 billion of wind power projects. If all farms go ahead, Victoria will have eight times its current wind generation capacity, from 427MWs to 3619MWs, equivalent to two Latrobe Valley brown coal power stations.
Under the Coalition's wind farm election policy, welcomed by anti-wind farm campaigners, residents can veto a development if turbines are less than two kilometres from their home. Planning authority was also given back to local councils. When the policy was released in June, the wind industry said it would kill off investment.
But in a concession likely to disappoint local anti-wind farm groups, new Planning Minister Matthew Guy told The Sunday Age that although several of the approved farms were contentious, the Coalition would not retrospectively apply its policies to the 28 wind farms already holding planning approvals. Such a move, he said, would create serious risks for business in Victoria. "We made it very clear to everyone we couldn't touch permits that were already granted".
The new minister encouraged energy companies to be "mindful" of the government's guidelines when building their projects. Coastal Guardians spokesman Tim Le Roy, who welcomed the election of Mr Baillieu, acknowledged the government had a problem applying its policy retrospectively but urged the industry to embrace the guidelines on a voluntary basis.
The Coalition hoped its wind farm policy would play well in the regional marginals of Ballarat East and Ripon, where the developments have been numerous and controversial. In a post election analysis of booths in these areas, the industry claimed wind farms had made no material difference to the way people voted. Labor held on to both Ballarat East and Ripon. According to the Department of Primary Industries web site, Mr Madden left his job with a clear in tray for wind farm approvals. There are now no projects waiting for Mr Guy's signature.
Under Labor government changes, the planning minister is responsible for assessing wind farm proposals of 30MWs or greater. Last week the industry was reeling from the Baillieu government's election, saying it was unlikely any more wind farm proposals would be developed in Victoria for some time. "We are not going to look at any projects in Victoria at this stage", said Andrew Richards, spokesman for wind power company Pacific Hydro. "It's just too difficult. The industry is in a holding pattern, a wait-and-see pattern". AGL Energy, another big wind investor, had similar sentiments.
Industry figures say the economics now are not quite right for Victoria's 3192MWs of approved wind farms. To be profitable, wind farms need a higher wholesale price of electricity. Two things push up this price: pro-renewable energy targets and market schemes, and a carbon price. The industry says a carbon price, which will make wind power more competitive with cheap brown coal electricity, means it is more likely the farms will go ahead. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has set 2011 as the year to set a price on carbon.
Mr Richards said that despite its tough wind farms policy, the Baillieu government could oversee Victoria's biggest expansion in wind-powered energy. "I'd imagine that over the next four or five years a large percentage of those projects will get built", he said.
(It's about time Conservative parties stopped sitting on the fence and kowtowing to climate change denialists and anti-windfarm opponents who are driven more by self-interest than good science - Blair)
Sunday 5/12/2010 Page: 5
THE Baillieu government has conceded its controversial wind farm policy is powerless to control the biggest expansion of wind power in Victoria's history, with 1322 new turbines planned across 28 approved developments.
Before the Brumby government lost office, embattled planning minister Justin Madden approved about $5 billion of wind power projects. If all farms go ahead, Victoria will have eight times its current wind generation capacity, from 427MWs to 3619MWs, equivalent to two Latrobe Valley brown coal power stations.
Under the Coalition's wind farm election policy, welcomed by anti-wind farm campaigners, residents can veto a development if turbines are less than two kilometres from their home. Planning authority was also given back to local councils. When the policy was released in June, the wind industry said it would kill off investment.
But in a concession likely to disappoint local anti-wind farm groups, new Planning Minister Matthew Guy told The Sunday Age that although several of the approved farms were contentious, the Coalition would not retrospectively apply its policies to the 28 wind farms already holding planning approvals. Such a move, he said, would create serious risks for business in Victoria. "We made it very clear to everyone we couldn't touch permits that were already granted".
The new minister encouraged energy companies to be "mindful" of the government's guidelines when building their projects. Coastal Guardians spokesman Tim Le Roy, who welcomed the election of Mr Baillieu, acknowledged the government had a problem applying its policy retrospectively but urged the industry to embrace the guidelines on a voluntary basis.
The Coalition hoped its wind farm policy would play well in the regional marginals of Ballarat East and Ripon, where the developments have been numerous and controversial. In a post election analysis of booths in these areas, the industry claimed wind farms had made no material difference to the way people voted. Labor held on to both Ballarat East and Ripon. According to the Department of Primary Industries web site, Mr Madden left his job with a clear in tray for wind farm approvals. There are now no projects waiting for Mr Guy's signature.
Under Labor government changes, the planning minister is responsible for assessing wind farm proposals of 30MWs or greater. Last week the industry was reeling from the Baillieu government's election, saying it was unlikely any more wind farm proposals would be developed in Victoria for some time. "We are not going to look at any projects in Victoria at this stage", said Andrew Richards, spokesman for wind power company Pacific Hydro. "It's just too difficult. The industry is in a holding pattern, a wait-and-see pattern". AGL Energy, another big wind investor, had similar sentiments.
Industry figures say the economics now are not quite right for Victoria's 3192MWs of approved wind farms. To be profitable, wind farms need a higher wholesale price of electricity. Two things push up this price: pro-renewable energy targets and market schemes, and a carbon price. The industry says a carbon price, which will make wind power more competitive with cheap brown coal electricity, means it is more likely the farms will go ahead. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has set 2011 as the year to set a price on carbon.
Mr Richards said that despite its tough wind farms policy, the Baillieu government could oversee Victoria's biggest expansion in wind-powered energy. "I'd imagine that over the next four or five years a large percentage of those projects will get built", he said.
(It's about time Conservative parties stopped sitting on the fence and kowtowing to climate change denialists and anti-windfarm opponents who are driven more by self-interest than good science - Blair)
Push for legislation Ban on growth of coal power
Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 6/12/2010 Page: 3
SOUTH Australia is planning to introduce tough new carbon emissions standards that will ban construction of new coalfired power stations. Legislation to apply the new limits will go to Parliament next year after talks with the electricity industry and the release of a discussion paper. Premier Mike Rann outlined details of the move at the UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, which is being attended by about 15,000 delegates from more than 190 countries and states.
Mr Rann said SA wanted to set a carbon emissions limit for new electricity production that would be by far the toughest in Australia. SA currently has two coalfired power stations, Flinders and Playford at Port Augusta, which provide nearly 35% of the state's power load. Both use low-quality brown coal from Leigh Creek and the Carbon Monitoring for Action group has estimated that, between them, the two stations use 4.97 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
The new rules will not apply to the Flinders and Playford power stations but government sources said both were facing major operational changes - possibly conversion to natural gas, because the coal supply at Leigh Creek is expected to eventually run out. Mr Rann said the Commonwealth had initiated a consultation process on its policy to require all new power stations to meet best-practice emissions standards. "I support that approach as it offers an effective mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the stationary energy sector on a national basis", he told The Advertiser.
Gas accounts for almost half of SA's electricity generation, while 18% comes from wind power generation. By 2020, 33% of the state's power will come from renewable energy. Mr Rann said the announcement signalled a clear intention to drive the advantage home of having the toughest and most comprehensive regime for the carbon intensity of electricity generation in Australia.
He said the Government had been guided in its deliberations on the carbon intensity ceiling by expert advice received from the engineering services company, WorleyParsons. "The Government recognises that its approach may have implications for specific projects such as off-grid diesel projects as well as syngas and coal-to-liquids projects where power generation can form part of a larger process", Mr Rann said. "As a starting point, the Government intends to provide sufficient flexibility in its legislation to be able to recognise and respond to unintended outcomes. This will also take into account innovative approaches for managing carbon emissions that are being planned by project developers."
Monday 6/12/2010 Page: 3
SOUTH Australia is planning to introduce tough new carbon emissions standards that will ban construction of new coalfired power stations. Legislation to apply the new limits will go to Parliament next year after talks with the electricity industry and the release of a discussion paper. Premier Mike Rann outlined details of the move at the UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, which is being attended by about 15,000 delegates from more than 190 countries and states.
Mr Rann said SA wanted to set a carbon emissions limit for new electricity production that would be by far the toughest in Australia. SA currently has two coalfired power stations, Flinders and Playford at Port Augusta, which provide nearly 35% of the state's power load. Both use low-quality brown coal from Leigh Creek and the Carbon Monitoring for Action group has estimated that, between them, the two stations use 4.97 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
The new rules will not apply to the Flinders and Playford power stations but government sources said both were facing major operational changes - possibly conversion to natural gas, because the coal supply at Leigh Creek is expected to eventually run out. Mr Rann said the Commonwealth had initiated a consultation process on its policy to require all new power stations to meet best-practice emissions standards. "I support that approach as it offers an effective mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the stationary energy sector on a national basis", he told The Advertiser.
Gas accounts for almost half of SA's electricity generation, while 18% comes from wind power generation. By 2020, 33% of the state's power will come from renewable energy. Mr Rann said the announcement signalled a clear intention to drive the advantage home of having the toughest and most comprehensive regime for the carbon intensity of electricity generation in Australia.
He said the Government had been guided in its deliberations on the carbon intensity ceiling by expert advice received from the engineering services company, WorleyParsons. "The Government recognises that its approach may have implications for specific projects such as off-grid diesel projects as well as syngas and coal-to-liquids projects where power generation can form part of a larger process", Mr Rann said. "As a starting point, the Government intends to provide sufficient flexibility in its legislation to be able to recognise and respond to unintended outcomes. This will also take into account innovative approaches for managing carbon emissions that are being planned by project developers."
Climate fund claims win on greenhouse gases
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 4/12/2010 Page: 4
THE Climate Advocacy Fund has claimed victory in its campaign to get Aquila Resources and Paladin Energy to start reporting greenhouse gas emissions to shareholders. However, the founder and managing director of Paladin Energy, John Borshoff, has declared that his company "won't be held captive to eco-terrorists" and has not yet put the proposal to its board. The Climate Advocacy Fund, a joint initiative between The Climate Institute Australia and Australian Ethical Investor, said Aquila Resources had given an undertaking that it would report its emissions and reduction strategies next year as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project. It said Paladin Energy had also agreed to report emissions with the Global Reporting Initiative with two years.
The climate fund announced in September plans to target Paladin Energy and Aquila Resources, along with Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search, for failing to provide adequate information to shareholders about their carbon footprints. Julian Poulter, business director of The Climate Institute Australia, said Paladin Energy and Aquila Resources had taken important steps forward. "This sends a signal to other high emitting companies that disclosure and the management of carbon liabilities is core business and essential to providing shareholders, and the market, with the necessary information about this key material risk to their long term financial health", he said.
But Mr Borshoff said his company had agreed to nothing and attacked the Climate Advocacy Fund, calling on companies to "stand up against this and make their own minds up on (climate related) risks". "This whole movement has taken a track of religious fervour", he told BusinessDay. "We are not going to be held captive to eco-terrorists. It is like the nonsense around the Y2K bug. Who talks about the complete waste of time that that turned out to be?" Mr Borshoff said. "We will take a very pragmatic approach and if we see that this has some relevance then we will do it."
Saturday 4/12/2010 Page: 4
THE Climate Advocacy Fund has claimed victory in its campaign to get Aquila Resources and Paladin Energy to start reporting greenhouse gas emissions to shareholders. However, the founder and managing director of Paladin Energy, John Borshoff, has declared that his company "won't be held captive to eco-terrorists" and has not yet put the proposal to its board. The Climate Advocacy Fund, a joint initiative between The Climate Institute Australia and Australian Ethical Investor, said Aquila Resources had given an undertaking that it would report its emissions and reduction strategies next year as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project. It said Paladin Energy had also agreed to report emissions with the Global Reporting Initiative with two years.
The climate fund announced in September plans to target Paladin Energy and Aquila Resources, along with Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search, for failing to provide adequate information to shareholders about their carbon footprints. Julian Poulter, business director of The Climate Institute Australia, said Paladin Energy and Aquila Resources had taken important steps forward. "This sends a signal to other high emitting companies that disclosure and the management of carbon liabilities is core business and essential to providing shareholders, and the market, with the necessary information about this key material risk to their long term financial health", he said.
But Mr Borshoff said his company had agreed to nothing and attacked the Climate Advocacy Fund, calling on companies to "stand up against this and make their own minds up on (climate related) risks". "This whole movement has taken a track of religious fervour", he told BusinessDay. "We are not going to be held captive to eco-terrorists. It is like the nonsense around the Y2K bug. Who talks about the complete waste of time that that turned out to be?" Mr Borshoff said. "We will take a very pragmatic approach and if we see that this has some relevance then we will do it."
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