www.wellingtontimes.com.au
5 Apr 2013
Wellington Council has inked a deal with Infigen Energy the developers of the proposed Bodangora wind farm which in the long-term will hand the community more than $2.1 million dollars. The establishment of a community benefit fund and an annual contribution of $25,000 for road maintenance are just two of the features of a voluntary planning agreement (VPA) signed by Wellington Council and Infigen Energy's Bodangora wind farm Pty Ltd.
The agreement relates to a project currently before the state government that may see more than 30 wind turbines constructed in the Bodangora area. Wellington mayor Rod Buhr said the VPA would see council obtain more than $2,100,000 in contributions from the project's proprietors during a 25 year period. "While council holds an unbiased view toward the project, it is imperative that council is proactive in ensuring there is a process in place which will not only provide some benefit to the community but will also off-set potential impacts of such a development", Mayor Buhr said.
The money obtained through the community benefit fund is set to be put towards helping local community groups and organisations, with council to establish a trust which would provide guidelines on how it would be distributed. Project manager for Infigen Energy Frank Boland said the council had worked collaboratively with them to get the best outcome for the project. The two main aspects to the agreement firstly is to ensure infrastructure, such as roads are up to a certain standard before construction begins, and the second relates to contributions Bodangora wind farm will provide for the expected 25 year life of the project.
"Prior to any work beginning, an independent third party will conduct a traffic study for the project and, if determined necessary, Infigen Energy will fund the upgrade of road infrastructure", Mayor Buhr said. "Once construction commences, council will receive $25,000 annually for road maintenance as well as $60,000 each year for a community benefit fund and other costs related to the project for 25 years". The money obtained through the community benefit fund is set to be put towards helping local community groups and organisations, with council to establish a trust which would provide guidelines on how it would be distributed.
"Once the trust deed is in place, a board with appropriate skills made up of a cross-section of the community will be established. "These members will then work together to ensure the money is used to provide the best possible outcomes consistent with the trust deed objectives". Mr Boland says he backs the Wellington mayor '' It is timely these agreements which will benefit both the Bodangora and greater Wellington are made before the determination of the farm to ensure the community they are a central part of this project'' he said.
Mayor Buhr said it was important to note that council had sought advice from a number of areas in establishing the VPA. "This is not something council has come up with by itself. In completing this agreement staff have liaised with the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, and other professionals who have had experience in formulating such agreements in the past", he said. "While it is important to remember the project is still before the State Government for approval, having the agreement in place is the right step to ensure the interests of residents are covered now and into the future". Mr Boland said if given the go ahead by NSW Planning the company would begin talks with off take power purchasers.
Showing posts with label Infrastructure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Infrastructure. Show all posts
Friday, 24 May 2013
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Cash rebate for solar panels slashed
www.news.com.au
4 Nov 2012
NEW research has smashed the myth that solar panels are middle class welfare for the rich as the Gillard government prepares to reduce cash subsidies. From July 1, 2013, cash rebates for solar panels will be slashed in half, an event solar companies traditionally use as a marketing exercise to boost sales. In a bid to urge politicians not to tamper with the rebates, the Solar Council of Australia has ranked every electorate in Australia.
The surprising statistics ranking the penetration of solar panels and hot water systems in every electorate finds that climate change advocate Malcolm Turnbull's electorate of Wentworth has the lowest take up of solar panels in Australia. But Julia Gillard's working class electorate of Lalor in Melbourne's western suburbs scored the Number 2 spot with 25,000 households installing solar PV or hot water systems Independent Rob Oakeshott's regional electorate of Lyne was the top electorate in NSW.
Mortgage belt and marginal seats where families are sensitive to rising electricity prices have embraced solar panels. But in a case of do as we say, not as we do, federal electorates with more Greens voters have fewer solar panels than anywhere else in the country including Health Minister Tanya Plibersek's inner city electorate of Sydney, Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate of Grayndler. The Greens' only federal lower house seat, Adam Bandt's electorate of Melbourne, has one of the lowest take ups of solar panels in Australia with just 3,000 households going solar.
More apartment blocks and businesses are a big part of the reason why inner city electorates have fewer solar panels. John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council, predicted support for solar power would be a hot issue in the 2013 election with four million Australians now living in houses with solar panels. "The surprising data in here is the more you earn the less likely you are to install solar,'' he said. "What we've seen is really strong take up in the mortgage belt and the regional areas.
Falling prices of Chinese manufactured panels has kept the cost of installing solar reasonable in recent years despite declining federal cash rebates and state feed-in tariffs. But Rod Sims, the chairman of Australian's consumer watchdog the ACCC and a critic of solar panels on public policy grounds warned families should not be frightened into going solar by the industry. "The original subsidies for solar panels were simply obscene,'' he told the Sunday Telegraph. "It's those subsidies people are paying for in their electricity prices.''
"For an individual, they should do the sums. I don't blame an individual for taking advantage of very high subsidies. But I would say don't assume electricity prices are going to be sky high. Don't fall for an argument they are going up 500% in the next five years.'' Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said the government had established a system where people phantom credits are being paid for renewable energy that is not being created. "There's a flood of certificates on the market. Some people are waiting up to 12 months to get their cash back on rebates for solar panels,'' he said.
4 Nov 2012
NEW research has smashed the myth that solar panels are middle class welfare for the rich as the Gillard government prepares to reduce cash subsidies. From July 1, 2013, cash rebates for solar panels will be slashed in half, an event solar companies traditionally use as a marketing exercise to boost sales. In a bid to urge politicians not to tamper with the rebates, the Solar Council of Australia has ranked every electorate in Australia.
The surprising statistics ranking the penetration of solar panels and hot water systems in every electorate finds that climate change advocate Malcolm Turnbull's electorate of Wentworth has the lowest take up of solar panels in Australia. But Julia Gillard's working class electorate of Lalor in Melbourne's western suburbs scored the Number 2 spot with 25,000 households installing solar PV or hot water systems Independent Rob Oakeshott's regional electorate of Lyne was the top electorate in NSW.
Mortgage belt and marginal seats where families are sensitive to rising electricity prices have embraced solar panels. But in a case of do as we say, not as we do, federal electorates with more Greens voters have fewer solar panels than anywhere else in the country including Health Minister Tanya Plibersek's inner city electorate of Sydney, Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate of Grayndler. The Greens' only federal lower house seat, Adam Bandt's electorate of Melbourne, has one of the lowest take ups of solar panels in Australia with just 3,000 households going solar.
More apartment blocks and businesses are a big part of the reason why inner city electorates have fewer solar panels. John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council, predicted support for solar power would be a hot issue in the 2013 election with four million Australians now living in houses with solar panels. "The surprising data in here is the more you earn the less likely you are to install solar,'' he said. "What we've seen is really strong take up in the mortgage belt and the regional areas.
Falling prices of Chinese manufactured panels has kept the cost of installing solar reasonable in recent years despite declining federal cash rebates and state feed-in tariffs. But Rod Sims, the chairman of Australian's consumer watchdog the ACCC and a critic of solar panels on public policy grounds warned families should not be frightened into going solar by the industry. "The original subsidies for solar panels were simply obscene,'' he told the Sunday Telegraph. "It's those subsidies people are paying for in their electricity prices.''
"For an individual, they should do the sums. I don't blame an individual for taking advantage of very high subsidies. But I would say don't assume electricity prices are going to be sky high. Don't fall for an argument they are going up 500% in the next five years.'' Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said the government had established a system where people phantom credits are being paid for renewable energy that is not being created. "There's a flood of certificates on the market. Some people are waiting up to 12 months to get their cash back on rebates for solar panels,'' he said.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Scotland sets up fund to encourage Wave, Tidal Energy technology
www.businessweek.com
23 May 2012
Scotland opened an 18 million-pound fund ($28 million) to bids from developers of wave and tidal power technology to spur business in the nascent industry. The Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund will announce successful bids by the end of the year, the Scottish government said in an e-mailed statement today. The fund is part of a 35 million-pound investment by the government over three years. "This new fund will be critical to tackle the next set of challenges and innovate to drive down costs of both wave and tidal power", Stephen Wyatt from the Carbon Trust, which is working with the government on the fund, said in the statement.
Energy from waves now costs about $445 a MW and tidal power $402 a MW, according to data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Those figures compare with the cost of coal-fired power of about $78 a MW. Scotland plans to effectively source all of its power from renewable sources by 2020. The country has the potential to provide as much as 25% of Europe's tidal power, and a 10th of its wave energy, according to the government. Scotland currently gets about 35% of its power from clean energy. Scotland awarded 500,000 pounds of its 70 million-pound National Renewables Infrastructure Fund to support development of a dock near Glasgow as a hub for making clean energy systems.
23 May 2012
Scotland opened an 18 million-pound fund ($28 million) to bids from developers of wave and tidal power technology to spur business in the nascent industry. The Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund will announce successful bids by the end of the year, the Scottish government said in an e-mailed statement today. The fund is part of a 35 million-pound investment by the government over three years. "This new fund will be critical to tackle the next set of challenges and innovate to drive down costs of both wave and tidal power", Stephen Wyatt from the Carbon Trust, which is working with the government on the fund, said in the statement.
Energy from waves now costs about $445 a MW and tidal power $402 a MW, according to data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Those figures compare with the cost of coal-fired power of about $78 a MW. Scotland plans to effectively source all of its power from renewable sources by 2020. The country has the potential to provide as much as 25% of Europe's tidal power, and a 10th of its wave energy, according to the government. Scotland currently gets about 35% of its power from clean energy. Scotland awarded 500,000 pounds of its 70 million-pound National Renewables Infrastructure Fund to support development of a dock near Glasgow as a hub for making clean energy systems.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Grid upgrade to tap Ireland's renewables
www.upi.com
7 May 2012
CASTLEBAR, Ireland, May 7 (UPI)--Transmission system operator EirGrid has announced a $314 million program to upgrade Western Ireland's network with the aim of exporting "green" energy. EirGrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne introduced the project Friday in Castlebar, County Mayo, in an event attended by Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte and other political leaders, who talked up the potential of exporting wind, wave and tidal energy to Britain. Byrne said the project, known as Grid West, is part of a larger, nationwide effort called Grid25, which seeks the upgrading of Ireland's transmission capabilities to accommodate the country's "access to a secure and competitive energy supply".
"This major initiative will put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland", Byrne said. "It is a major undertaking which will take several years and represents an investment of ($4.2 billion). "The Grid West project is the one of the largest single Grid25 projects and the most significant in the west, initially accounting for ($314 million) of the investment earmarked for the region". Kenny said that under the Grid West plan, a pair of 400 kilovolt transmission lines would be built linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon in a move to tap Western Ireland's "huge" renewable energy potential.
"The West of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation", Kenny said. "Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and EirGrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland". Rabbitte said planning applications under Ireland's Strategic Infrastructure Act are expected in 2015, The Irish Times reported.
The energy minister said he disagreed with critics who say the grid upgrades are ill-timed because the ongoing economic recession is depressing demand for power. "The abundance of renewable resources on our western seaboard holds the promise for us to actually achieve the huge challenge of moving away from fossil fuels in the longer term", he said. "Investment decisions for the necessary trans-European infrastructure up to 2030 must be taken now, as a significant amount of older generation plant will need to be replaced and more interconnected transmission systems need to be developed". Also on the horizon is the promise of Britain as a potential customer of green Irish energy at a time when that nation is facing the ends of the useful lives of some of its fossil fuel and nuclear generating plants.
"We are in discussions with the British government", Rabbitte told the newspaper. "It hasn't happened in this fashion between two member states of the European Union before. A prerequisite is an intergovernmental agreement and we are working on the elements of that". Dublin in addition to the Grid25 program is working on "essential" north-south transmission reinforcements and the completion of an east-west interconnector, which will link its electric system with that of Britain's. Ireland's national goal is to meet 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020, including wind, wave and tidal energy. The government and EirGrid say the existing transmission infrastructure in the region needs "substantial investment" to accommodate West of Ireland's "increasing levels of renewable generation".
7 May 2012
CASTLEBAR, Ireland, May 7 (UPI)--Transmission system operator EirGrid has announced a $314 million program to upgrade Western Ireland's network with the aim of exporting "green" energy. EirGrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne introduced the project Friday in Castlebar, County Mayo, in an event attended by Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte and other political leaders, who talked up the potential of exporting wind, wave and tidal energy to Britain. Byrne said the project, known as Grid West, is part of a larger, nationwide effort called Grid25, which seeks the upgrading of Ireland's transmission capabilities to accommodate the country's "access to a secure and competitive energy supply".
"This major initiative will put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland", Byrne said. "It is a major undertaking which will take several years and represents an investment of ($4.2 billion). "The Grid West project is the one of the largest single Grid25 projects and the most significant in the west, initially accounting for ($314 million) of the investment earmarked for the region". Kenny said that under the Grid West plan, a pair of 400 kilovolt transmission lines would be built linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon in a move to tap Western Ireland's "huge" renewable energy potential.
"The West of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation", Kenny said. "Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and EirGrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland". Rabbitte said planning applications under Ireland's Strategic Infrastructure Act are expected in 2015, The Irish Times reported.
The energy minister said he disagreed with critics who say the grid upgrades are ill-timed because the ongoing economic recession is depressing demand for power. "The abundance of renewable resources on our western seaboard holds the promise for us to actually achieve the huge challenge of moving away from fossil fuels in the longer term", he said. "Investment decisions for the necessary trans-European infrastructure up to 2030 must be taken now, as a significant amount of older generation plant will need to be replaced and more interconnected transmission systems need to be developed". Also on the horizon is the promise of Britain as a potential customer of green Irish energy at a time when that nation is facing the ends of the useful lives of some of its fossil fuel and nuclear generating plants.
"We are in discussions with the British government", Rabbitte told the newspaper. "It hasn't happened in this fashion between two member states of the European Union before. A prerequisite is an intergovernmental agreement and we are working on the elements of that". Dublin in addition to the Grid25 program is working on "essential" north-south transmission reinforcements and the completion of an east-west interconnector, which will link its electric system with that of Britain's. Ireland's national goal is to meet 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020, including wind, wave and tidal energy. The government and EirGrid say the existing transmission infrastructure in the region needs "substantial investment" to accommodate West of Ireland's "increasing levels of renewable generation".
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Thai firm to spend $US600m on Aust energy
www.businessspectator.com.au
30 Apr 2012
Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc is planning to invest US$600 million (A$572 million) in new wind turbine plants in Australia, tripling its local wind-power output to 300 MWs. The expansion by Ratchaburi's subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia's future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said. The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80% by June 2012.
Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80% target from a current stake of 68%. A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company's offshore investment plans. Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill.
The Toora operation has 12 turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 MWs, meeting the power needs of 6600 families. "We have a goal to invest in at least three wind power projects with a total production volume of 200 MWs from an existing 100 MW capacity", Noppol said. He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia's existing plants. Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1,126 MWs. The company says it has firm agreements covering 90% of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.
30 Apr 2012
Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc is planning to invest US$600 million (A$572 million) in new wind turbine plants in Australia, tripling its local wind-power output to 300 MWs. The expansion by Ratchaburi's subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia's future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said. The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80% by June 2012.
Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80% target from a current stake of 68%. A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company's offshore investment plans. Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill.
The Toora operation has 12 turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 MWs, meeting the power needs of 6600 families. "We have a goal to invest in at least three wind power projects with a total production volume of 200 MWs from an existing 100 MW capacity", Noppol said. He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia's existing plants. Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1,126 MWs. The company says it has firm agreements covering 90% of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Government issues tenders for brown coal exports
www.abc.net.au
20 Mar 2012
The Victorian Government will launch a tender process for Australian industry to process brown coal for export. The Government will release new coal allocations and run a campaign promoting the benefits of coal for the State's economy. Energy Minister Michael O'Brien says countries like China and Japan are developing low-emissions technology to burn coal for electricity.
He says the Government's campaign will counter a push by extreme green groups to stop coal mining. "It's an unrealistic agenda that says that we should have an Australia that's powered with no coal", he said. "We don't believe that's practical. We don't believe that's necessary, because with low-emissions technology there's no reason why you wouldn't continue to use coal. "But we also have the potential to use it in a high value way".
He says drying the coal in Australia before export will create jobs. "There are a number of countries [and] a number of companies who have got great confidence that they have technology that can use Victorian brown coal in a low emissions way which has got to be a win win for both the environment and the economy", he said. The Mayor of the Latrobe City, Ed Vermeulen, says the region has 400 years supply of brown coal still in the ground. "We need to pursue that kind of future", he said. "To ignore the resource here locally would be just folly and would be to our economic deteriment as a State and as a nation".
Mark Wakeham from Environment Victoria says the Government's coal strategy is unlikely to create new jobs. He says billions of dollars worth of coal contracts were offered 10 years ago with little response. He says the Government is promoting so-called clean coal technologies that do not exist. "Ted Baillieu seems to be chasing these phantom jobs in polluting industries that are very unlikely to materialise" he said. "We're ignoring some real clean energy jobs in industries like the wind industry and the solar industry and the State Government's actually withdrawing support from those genuinely clean industries".
Blair: Just when you think the Baillieu government couldn't possibly get any more out of touch with reality, they kick another own goal by ignoring reality and promoting a dying industry that is being ditched around the world. If Ted Baillieu really wanted new jobs he would be investing in renewable technologies and infrastructure in this state. Apparently his foresight doesn't extend that far.
20 Mar 2012
The Victorian Government will launch a tender process for Australian industry to process brown coal for export. The Government will release new coal allocations and run a campaign promoting the benefits of coal for the State's economy. Energy Minister Michael O'Brien says countries like China and Japan are developing low-emissions technology to burn coal for electricity.
He says the Government's campaign will counter a push by extreme green groups to stop coal mining. "It's an unrealistic agenda that says that we should have an Australia that's powered with no coal", he said. "We don't believe that's practical. We don't believe that's necessary, because with low-emissions technology there's no reason why you wouldn't continue to use coal. "But we also have the potential to use it in a high value way".
He says drying the coal in Australia before export will create jobs. "There are a number of countries [and] a number of companies who have got great confidence that they have technology that can use Victorian brown coal in a low emissions way which has got to be a win win for both the environment and the economy", he said. The Mayor of the Latrobe City, Ed Vermeulen, says the region has 400 years supply of brown coal still in the ground. "We need to pursue that kind of future", he said. "To ignore the resource here locally would be just folly and would be to our economic deteriment as a State and as a nation".
Mark Wakeham from Environment Victoria says the Government's coal strategy is unlikely to create new jobs. He says billions of dollars worth of coal contracts were offered 10 years ago with little response. He says the Government is promoting so-called clean coal technologies that do not exist. "Ted Baillieu seems to be chasing these phantom jobs in polluting industries that are very unlikely to materialise" he said. "We're ignoring some real clean energy jobs in industries like the wind industry and the solar industry and the State Government's actually withdrawing support from those genuinely clean industries".
Blair: Just when you think the Baillieu government couldn't possibly get any more out of touch with reality, they kick another own goal by ignoring reality and promoting a dying industry that is being ditched around the world. If Ted Baillieu really wanted new jobs he would be investing in renewable technologies and infrastructure in this state. Apparently his foresight doesn't extend that far.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Push for reform of electricity
www.smh.com.au
3 Mar 2012
AUSTRALIA is lagging behind other developed countries in energy efficiency, despite some examples being set by individual businesses, an international conference in Sydney has been told. The $45 billion earmarked for new ''poles and wires'' infrastructure around Australia was the main driver of an expected 90% rise in household electricity prices between 2008 and 2014, rather than the carbon price, delegates heard yesterday.
The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit group that hosted the conference along with the University of Technology's institute for sustainable futures, said the key priority should be reforming electricity industry regulation to focus on minimising peak demand. ''Like all reforms, there will always be entrenched business models to overcome and vested interests at play,'' the energy alliance chairman, Jon Jutsen, said. Some large organisations stood out for strong performances in efficiency and carbon offsets, however.
Among the best was Sydney Water, which was on track to become completely ''carbon neutral'' within eight years. It will cancel out about a million tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year by planting trees and building wind turbines, cutting its energy use by up to 40% and buying renewable energy. Many of the groups at the conference are part of Earth Hour, the annual event that encourages efficient use of resources. It takes place at 8.30pm on March 31 and is supported by Fairfax Media, publisher of the Herald.
3 Mar 2012
AUSTRALIA is lagging behind other developed countries in energy efficiency, despite some examples being set by individual businesses, an international conference in Sydney has been told. The $45 billion earmarked for new ''poles and wires'' infrastructure around Australia was the main driver of an expected 90% rise in household electricity prices between 2008 and 2014, rather than the carbon price, delegates heard yesterday.The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit group that hosted the conference along with the University of Technology's institute for sustainable futures, said the key priority should be reforming electricity industry regulation to focus on minimising peak demand. ''Like all reforms, there will always be entrenched business models to overcome and vested interests at play,'' the energy alliance chairman, Jon Jutsen, said. Some large organisations stood out for strong performances in efficiency and carbon offsets, however.
Among the best was Sydney Water, which was on track to become completely ''carbon neutral'' within eight years. It will cancel out about a million tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year by planting trees and building wind turbines, cutting its energy use by up to 40% and buying renewable energy. Many of the groups at the conference are part of Earth Hour, the annual event that encourages efficient use of resources. It takes place at 8.30pm on March 31 and is supported by Fairfax Media, publisher of the Herald.
Giving waste water the power to clean itself
www.nature.com
1 Mar 2012
A technique that combines two novel forms of renewable energy — one relying on bacteria and the other on salt water — generates more electricity than either one alone and cleans waste water at the same time. The work is published today in Science1.
Waste water contains a great deal of energy in the form of organic matter, says lead author Bruce Logan, director of the Hydrogen Energy Center and the Engineering Energy and Environment Institute at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. Domestic waste water contains nine times more chemical energy than the energy required to treat it — that amount, added to the energy in waste water from livestock and food production, would be nearly enough energy to maintain the entire US water infrastructure, he says.
Read more…
1 Mar 2012
A technique that combines two novel forms of renewable energy — one relying on bacteria and the other on salt water — generates more electricity than either one alone and cleans waste water at the same time. The work is published today in Science1.Waste water contains a great deal of energy in the form of organic matter, says lead author Bruce Logan, director of the Hydrogen Energy Center and the Engineering Energy and Environment Institute at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. Domestic waste water contains nine times more chemical energy than the energy required to treat it — that amount, added to the energy in waste water from livestock and food production, would be nearly enough energy to maintain the entire US water infrastructure, he says.
Read more…
Monday, 5 March 2012
Pacific Hydro in bid to save solar project
www.smh.com.au
27 Feb 2012
FRUSTRATED by the market dominance of the three major energy companies, Australian renewable generator Pacific Hydro is seeking its own retail energy licence as it tries to save a large-scale solar project. The proposed 150- MW photovoltaic Moree Solar Farm-initially backed by Pacific Hydro, BP Solar and Spanish firm Fotowatio Renewable Ventures-suffered a major setback in December when it lost the rights to a $306 million grant from the federal government's troubled Solar Flagships Program.
The northern New South Wales farm had not met its funding agreement obligations, prompting Energy Minister Martin Ferguson to re-open the grant to four shortlisted photovoltaic farm candidates. All four-AGL Energy, TRUEnergy, Infigen Energy Suntech Power and the Moree consortium-are understood to have resubmitted their bids before the deadline on Friday.
Pacific Hydro Australia general manager Lane Crockett said a key reason the Moree bid was unable to achieve financial close on time was its failure to reach a power price agreement with a major retailer. Two of the three big retailers were rivals for the grant. It is understood the third, Origin Energy, rejected a deal with the Moree consortium. Mr Crockett said Pacific Hydro-owned by the $31 billion super giant Industry Funds Management-faced a retail market dominated by a few large companies that were both rivals for government grants and potential customers for projects such as the Moree plant.
''It is not unreasonable to expect that this conflict will continue to occur in the future,.. [it] requires independent power producers like ourselves to continually evolve and adapt,'' he said. He said the Moree consortium would enter a power price agreement with Pacific Hydro, which expects to have a retail energy licence within three months. ''Pacific Hydro has been working on our retail market strategy for some time and we are very confident that it will be a success, with projects like the Moree Solar Farm part of a future diversified renewable energy portfolio that will include wind and possibly into the future geothermal,'' he said.
The revised Moree bid no longer includes BP Solar, with the remaining two partners taking up its stake. They have signed an engineering, construction and procurement agreement with Spanish infrastructure company ACCIONA Energy. Announced in May 2009, the Solar Flagships Program has been criticised by the Greens and Coalition as it became clear two projects awarded $750 million were struggling to prove their viability. The second Solar Flagships Program winner, the $1.2 billion Solar Dawn Project in Queensland using solar thermal technology, has been given a six-month extension until June 30 to secure financing.
27 Feb 2012
FRUSTRATED by the market dominance of the three major energy companies, Australian renewable generator Pacific Hydro is seeking its own retail energy licence as it tries to save a large-scale solar project. The proposed 150- MW photovoltaic Moree Solar Farm-initially backed by Pacific Hydro, BP Solar and Spanish firm Fotowatio Renewable Ventures-suffered a major setback in December when it lost the rights to a $306 million grant from the federal government's troubled Solar Flagships Program.The northern New South Wales farm had not met its funding agreement obligations, prompting Energy Minister Martin Ferguson to re-open the grant to four shortlisted photovoltaic farm candidates. All four-AGL Energy, TRUEnergy, Infigen Energy Suntech Power and the Moree consortium-are understood to have resubmitted their bids before the deadline on Friday.
Pacific Hydro Australia general manager Lane Crockett said a key reason the Moree bid was unable to achieve financial close on time was its failure to reach a power price agreement with a major retailer. Two of the three big retailers were rivals for the grant. It is understood the third, Origin Energy, rejected a deal with the Moree consortium. Mr Crockett said Pacific Hydro-owned by the $31 billion super giant Industry Funds Management-faced a retail market dominated by a few large companies that were both rivals for government grants and potential customers for projects such as the Moree plant.
''It is not unreasonable to expect that this conflict will continue to occur in the future,.. [it] requires independent power producers like ourselves to continually evolve and adapt,'' he said. He said the Moree consortium would enter a power price agreement with Pacific Hydro, which expects to have a retail energy licence within three months. ''Pacific Hydro has been working on our retail market strategy for some time and we are very confident that it will be a success, with projects like the Moree Solar Farm part of a future diversified renewable energy portfolio that will include wind and possibly into the future geothermal,'' he said.
The revised Moree bid no longer includes BP Solar, with the remaining two partners taking up its stake. They have signed an engineering, construction and procurement agreement with Spanish infrastructure company ACCIONA Energy. Announced in May 2009, the Solar Flagships Program has been criticised by the Greens and Coalition as it became clear two projects awarded $750 million were struggling to prove their viability. The second Solar Flagships Program winner, the $1.2 billion Solar Dawn Project in Queensland using solar thermal technology, has been given a six-month extension until June 30 to secure financing.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
U.S. to lease waters off Mid-Atlantic for wind farms
www.physorg.com
7 Feb 2012
(US) Lighting Maryland homes with power from giant turbines off Ocean City moved closer to reality Thursday, as federal officials announced they are ready to lease vast areas along the Mid-Atlantic coast for wind farms. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said at a news conference that his staff found that no significant impact on the environment, shipping or other activities would come from letting developers begin studies on for harnessing ocean winds from New Jersey to Virginia.
Salazar, who pledged more than a year ago to streamline the regulatory process for putting turbines offshore, said the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would start soliciting bids from potential developers for leasing up to 80,000 acres off Maryland. Eight companies or partnerships had expressed interest in 2010. "So this is not going to be something that's going to be waiting around for multiple years", Salazar said. "We'll have those leases issued by the end of 2012".
It's still likely to be at least five years before construction begins, industry officials and supporters said, assuming the projects costing billions of dollars clear all the regulatory, political and economic hurdles still confronting them. But the federal government's favorable environmental review shortened the red tape by as much as two years, they said, since it meant a more detailed study is not needed at this time.
Once developers sign leases with the federal government, they'll be allowed to post buoys and towers offshore to measure winds and take other readings needed to plan and design their projects. Before starting construction, however, they'll have to perform detailed studies of the potential impact of the towering turbines on fish, birds, bats, shipping and other activities. The studies could take up to two years.
The area available off Maryland's coast would begin 10 nautical miles from the Ocean City beach and stretch 27 nautical miles out to sea. Gov. Martin O'Malley, who was on hand for the announcement, called it "a very, very positive step forward". He is counting on offshore wind to help meet Maryland's goal of getting 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2022. "The energy is there", the governor said. "We need the energy.,.. We need the jobs, and we need a more renewable, cleaner greener future for our kids".
For now, O'Malley needs to persuade Maryland state legislators to back his latest proposal for giving financial incentives to develop offshore wind farms. After failing to get a bill through the Legislature last year, he has introduced another with a different approach, which would require Maryland electricity providers to get up to 2.5% of their power from turbines off the coast.
Abigail Hopper, the governor's energy advisor, said O'Malley's legislation would call for getting power from a wind farm of 310 MWs' generating capacity. One or more projects that size should employ about 1,200 people for five years in making and assembling the turbines and related infrastructure, she said, then support about 250 permanent jobs maintaining the facilities.
Lawmakers balked last year over making Maryland residents pay more for their electricity to subsidize offshore wind farms. Offshore wind power could cost up to 20¢ per kW-hour under the governor's bill, roughly double the current cost Baltimore Gas & Electric Co, customers now pay for power produced largely by burning coal. O'Malley's bill would cap the extra cost of offshore wind at no more than $2 a month for households. "This is a big, complicated undertaking", the governor said, "but one we must undertake".
O'Malley said he hopes the federal government might join with the states in pledging to buy power from offshore wind farms, which would help developers secure the financing needed to go forward. Salazar said that O'Malley had telephoned Navy Secretary Ray Mabus this week urging the service, which has bases in Virginia and Maryland, to consider making such a commitment. President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union speech that the Navy would buy enough clean energy to power a quarter-million homes a year, but did not provide details.
Salazar's announcement was attended by environmental activists who support offshore wind and by business representatives interested either in bidding for leases or in making turbine parts and related facilities. Among them was Prasad Karunakaran, CEO and founder of Nadicom, a new iron-casting company based in Fulton in Howard County that aims to build wind turbine components. The company is building its first factory in Iowa to supply the booming land-based wind power industry there, he said, but is interested in setting up operations in Maryland as well. "We know it's five years out", Karunakaran said, "but our eyes are open to the offshore market".
The area off Maryland's coast that would be open for leasing is less than half the size of what had originally been proposed. It was limited to avoid conflicts with ships entering and leaving Delaware Bay. Other areas may be excluded as more studies are done. The draft environmental assessment issued last summer included an option for shrinking the state's offshore wind leasing area even more-by roughly 80%-to steer clear of other areas shippers may be concerned about. The final report passed over that option, without explanation.
But Dana E. Goward, director of maritime transportation systems at the US Coast Guard, said the service is still studying potential shipping issues with wind turbines along the Atlantic coast and may yet recommend other areas be removed from leasing. Bird lovers also reacted cautiously to Thursday's announcement.
Kurt R. Schwarz, conservation chair for the Maryland Ornithological Society, said his group has concerns about the potential for the 400-foot tall turbines to disrupt or harm migrating birds, particularly red knots, which stop off in Delaware Bay every spring on their annual flight from Brazil to Canada. Their numbers have fallen so much in recent years that they're under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Schwarz said the knots' migration flight path takes them through wind turbine leasing areas off the Maryland and Delaware coasts.
Officials pointed out that those and other concerns would need to be addressed by wind developers before any turbines could be built, and that the only structures being put up in the next year or two would be a handful of meteorological towers to monitor winds and weather conditions. Those towers would not pose a significant risk to birds, officials said. But Schwarz said that lighting on the towers would need to be set up to avoid attracting birds, contending there have been documented cases of large kills associated with lights on similar individual structures on land.
7 Feb 2012
(US) Lighting Maryland homes with power from giant turbines off Ocean City moved closer to reality Thursday, as federal officials announced they are ready to lease vast areas along the Mid-Atlantic coast for wind farms. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said at a news conference that his staff found that no significant impact on the environment, shipping or other activities would come from letting developers begin studies on for harnessing ocean winds from New Jersey to Virginia.
Salazar, who pledged more than a year ago to streamline the regulatory process for putting turbines offshore, said the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would start soliciting bids from potential developers for leasing up to 80,000 acres off Maryland. Eight companies or partnerships had expressed interest in 2010. "So this is not going to be something that's going to be waiting around for multiple years", Salazar said. "We'll have those leases issued by the end of 2012".
It's still likely to be at least five years before construction begins, industry officials and supporters said, assuming the projects costing billions of dollars clear all the regulatory, political and economic hurdles still confronting them. But the federal government's favorable environmental review shortened the red tape by as much as two years, they said, since it meant a more detailed study is not needed at this time.
Once developers sign leases with the federal government, they'll be allowed to post buoys and towers offshore to measure winds and take other readings needed to plan and design their projects. Before starting construction, however, they'll have to perform detailed studies of the potential impact of the towering turbines on fish, birds, bats, shipping and other activities. The studies could take up to two years.
The area available off Maryland's coast would begin 10 nautical miles from the Ocean City beach and stretch 27 nautical miles out to sea. Gov. Martin O'Malley, who was on hand for the announcement, called it "a very, very positive step forward". He is counting on offshore wind to help meet Maryland's goal of getting 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2022. "The energy is there", the governor said. "We need the energy.,.. We need the jobs, and we need a more renewable, cleaner greener future for our kids".
For now, O'Malley needs to persuade Maryland state legislators to back his latest proposal for giving financial incentives to develop offshore wind farms. After failing to get a bill through the Legislature last year, he has introduced another with a different approach, which would require Maryland electricity providers to get up to 2.5% of their power from turbines off the coast.
Abigail Hopper, the governor's energy advisor, said O'Malley's legislation would call for getting power from a wind farm of 310 MWs' generating capacity. One or more projects that size should employ about 1,200 people for five years in making and assembling the turbines and related infrastructure, she said, then support about 250 permanent jobs maintaining the facilities.
Lawmakers balked last year over making Maryland residents pay more for their electricity to subsidize offshore wind farms. Offshore wind power could cost up to 20¢ per kW-hour under the governor's bill, roughly double the current cost Baltimore Gas & Electric Co, customers now pay for power produced largely by burning coal. O'Malley's bill would cap the extra cost of offshore wind at no more than $2 a month for households. "This is a big, complicated undertaking", the governor said, "but one we must undertake".
O'Malley said he hopes the federal government might join with the states in pledging to buy power from offshore wind farms, which would help developers secure the financing needed to go forward. Salazar said that O'Malley had telephoned Navy Secretary Ray Mabus this week urging the service, which has bases in Virginia and Maryland, to consider making such a commitment. President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union speech that the Navy would buy enough clean energy to power a quarter-million homes a year, but did not provide details.
Salazar's announcement was attended by environmental activists who support offshore wind and by business representatives interested either in bidding for leases or in making turbine parts and related facilities. Among them was Prasad Karunakaran, CEO and founder of Nadicom, a new iron-casting company based in Fulton in Howard County that aims to build wind turbine components. The company is building its first factory in Iowa to supply the booming land-based wind power industry there, he said, but is interested in setting up operations in Maryland as well. "We know it's five years out", Karunakaran said, "but our eyes are open to the offshore market".
The area off Maryland's coast that would be open for leasing is less than half the size of what had originally been proposed. It was limited to avoid conflicts with ships entering and leaving Delaware Bay. Other areas may be excluded as more studies are done. The draft environmental assessment issued last summer included an option for shrinking the state's offshore wind leasing area even more-by roughly 80%-to steer clear of other areas shippers may be concerned about. The final report passed over that option, without explanation.
But Dana E. Goward, director of maritime transportation systems at the US Coast Guard, said the service is still studying potential shipping issues with wind turbines along the Atlantic coast and may yet recommend other areas be removed from leasing. Bird lovers also reacted cautiously to Thursday's announcement.
Kurt R. Schwarz, conservation chair for the Maryland Ornithological Society, said his group has concerns about the potential for the 400-foot tall turbines to disrupt or harm migrating birds, particularly red knots, which stop off in Delaware Bay every spring on their annual flight from Brazil to Canada. Their numbers have fallen so much in recent years that they're under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Schwarz said the knots' migration flight path takes them through wind turbine leasing areas off the Maryland and Delaware coasts.
Officials pointed out that those and other concerns would need to be addressed by wind developers before any turbines could be built, and that the only structures being put up in the next year or two would be a handful of meteorological towers to monitor winds and weather conditions. Those towers would not pose a significant risk to birds, officials said. But Schwarz said that lighting on the towers would need to be set up to avoid attracting birds, contending there have been documented cases of large kills associated with lights on similar individual structures on land.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
The hidden cost of infinite energy (Part 1)
www.theglobalmail.org
6 Feb 2012
Australian power bills are soaring, and much of the cost is not about the actual electricity, but building the gargantuan infrastructure to deal with our unchecked energy use.
Read more…
An excellent two-part series from Ellen Fanning explaining what is wrong with Australia's electricity generation and distribution system and how we can improve its efficiency and lower costs.
6 Feb 2012
Australian power bills are soaring, and much of the cost is not about the actual electricity, but building the gargantuan infrastructure to deal with our unchecked energy use.Read more…
An excellent two-part series from Ellen Fanning explaining what is wrong with Australia's electricity generation and distribution system and how we can improve its efficiency and lower costs.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Ministers 'misled MPs over need for nuclear power stations'
www.guardian.co.uk
31 Jan 2012
(UK) Cross-party report says government misrepresented findings on future electricity demand, and ignored case against nuclear
Ministers misled parliament over the need to build a new fleet of nuclear power stations, distorting evidence and presenting to MPs a false summary of the analysis they had commissioned, a group of MPs and experts alleged in a report published on Tuesday. If MPs had been presented with an accurate picture of the evidence for and against new reactors, the government's plans might have been challenged, according to the report. Both the previous Labour government and the current coalition overstated the evidence that new nuclear power was needed, it also alleged.
Building new nuclear power stations is highly controversial, as polls consistently show a substantial minority opposing them. But many people, including some environmental campaigners, have been persuaded towards supporting nuclear by the argument that they would help the UK generate power without CO₂ emissions.
The previous government cited its own research in order to make that case, but according to today's report, some of the findings were misrepresented when relayed to MPs by ministers. For instance, the report found that rather than assess the requirement for new nuclear power stations and then work out how many would be needed, the government commissioned research that took as its central assumption that 10 new reactors would be built and then presented its research as evidence of the need for 10 reactors.
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DECC) said: "We are confident that the Energy National Policy Statements [which set out the government's arguments that new nuclear power was needed] are robust documents which took account of all relevant factors".
The report suggested that the current government's repeated assertion that electricity demand was likely to double was based on taking some of the highest estimates from its research rather than the average. The author, Ron Bailey, who has written against nuclear power, also accused ministers of ignoring key findings of the research they had commissioned that showed ways in which the UK could do without new nuclear power.
A spokesman for the DECC said: "We need a range of new energy infrastructure to keep the lights on and reduce our carbon emissions in a secure and affordable way. The UK has everything to gain from becoming a leading destination to invest in new nuclear power. This will come alongside investment in other technologies such as renewables, clean coal and gas, and improved energy efficiency".
The report, called A Corruption of Governance?, was written by pressure group Unlock Democracy and the Association for the Conservation of Energy, and was endorsed by a cross-party group of MPs. The organisations called for the debate on new nuclear power to be reopened in parliament.
Caroline Lucas, the UK's only Green Party MP, said: "Despite claiming that it wants an open debate on the UK's energy future, the government has already made it clear in the proposals for electricity market reform and in its dismissive response to the Fukushima disaster that it is betting its money on nuclear. Given what we know about the strength of nuclear industry lobbying, there needs to be far greater transparency around the decisions that will determine where our electricity comes from in ten or 20 years time".
She added: "With other countries turning away from nuclear power, MPs and the public must be told the truth about how we can achieve energy security and a genuinely green economy".
However, despite the report's findings, many experts support nuclear power on the grounds that other low-carbon alternatives cannot supply enough power, particularly when electric cars replace petrol-driven models and more electricity is used for heating to replace gas and oil, driving up electricity demand. For instance, Prof David Mackay, now chief scientific advisor to DECC, has made the case that not enough on and offshore wind farms, biomass power plants and other low-carbon forms of electricity can be built in the UK to satisfy demand, so investments in nuclear power will be needed.
Peter Facey, the director of Unlock Democracy, said his organisation did not have a position on nuclear power, but wanted to "ensure that the information on which ministers based their decisions is as impartial and robust as possible". In the case of the arguments used for nuclear power, he said: "The data appears to have been politicised. It is crucial that meetings between government officials and the nuclear lobby are opened up to greater scrutiny so we can have greater confidence that policy makers are not being misled".
The MPs endorsing the report included Alan Whitehead (Lab), Tessa Munt (LibDem), Mike Weatherley (Con), Martin Horwood (LibDem), Joan Walley (Lab) and Caroline Lucas (Green).
31 Jan 2012
(UK) Cross-party report says government misrepresented findings on future electricity demand, and ignored case against nuclear
Ministers misled parliament over the need to build a new fleet of nuclear power stations, distorting evidence and presenting to MPs a false summary of the analysis they had commissioned, a group of MPs and experts alleged in a report published on Tuesday. If MPs had been presented with an accurate picture of the evidence for and against new reactors, the government's plans might have been challenged, according to the report. Both the previous Labour government and the current coalition overstated the evidence that new nuclear power was needed, it also alleged.
Building new nuclear power stations is highly controversial, as polls consistently show a substantial minority opposing them. But many people, including some environmental campaigners, have been persuaded towards supporting nuclear by the argument that they would help the UK generate power without CO₂ emissions.
The previous government cited its own research in order to make that case, but according to today's report, some of the findings were misrepresented when relayed to MPs by ministers. For instance, the report found that rather than assess the requirement for new nuclear power stations and then work out how many would be needed, the government commissioned research that took as its central assumption that 10 new reactors would be built and then presented its research as evidence of the need for 10 reactors.
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DECC) said: "We are confident that the Energy National Policy Statements [which set out the government's arguments that new nuclear power was needed] are robust documents which took account of all relevant factors".
The report suggested that the current government's repeated assertion that electricity demand was likely to double was based on taking some of the highest estimates from its research rather than the average. The author, Ron Bailey, who has written against nuclear power, also accused ministers of ignoring key findings of the research they had commissioned that showed ways in which the UK could do without new nuclear power.
A spokesman for the DECC said: "We need a range of new energy infrastructure to keep the lights on and reduce our carbon emissions in a secure and affordable way. The UK has everything to gain from becoming a leading destination to invest in new nuclear power. This will come alongside investment in other technologies such as renewables, clean coal and gas, and improved energy efficiency".
The report, called A Corruption of Governance?, was written by pressure group Unlock Democracy and the Association for the Conservation of Energy, and was endorsed by a cross-party group of MPs. The organisations called for the debate on new nuclear power to be reopened in parliament.
Caroline Lucas, the UK's only Green Party MP, said: "Despite claiming that it wants an open debate on the UK's energy future, the government has already made it clear in the proposals for electricity market reform and in its dismissive response to the Fukushima disaster that it is betting its money on nuclear. Given what we know about the strength of nuclear industry lobbying, there needs to be far greater transparency around the decisions that will determine where our electricity comes from in ten or 20 years time".
She added: "With other countries turning away from nuclear power, MPs and the public must be told the truth about how we can achieve energy security and a genuinely green economy".
However, despite the report's findings, many experts support nuclear power on the grounds that other low-carbon alternatives cannot supply enough power, particularly when electric cars replace petrol-driven models and more electricity is used for heating to replace gas and oil, driving up electricity demand. For instance, Prof David Mackay, now chief scientific advisor to DECC, has made the case that not enough on and offshore wind farms, biomass power plants and other low-carbon forms of electricity can be built in the UK to satisfy demand, so investments in nuclear power will be needed.
Peter Facey, the director of Unlock Democracy, said his organisation did not have a position on nuclear power, but wanted to "ensure that the information on which ministers based their decisions is as impartial and robust as possible". In the case of the arguments used for nuclear power, he said: "The data appears to have been politicised. It is crucial that meetings between government officials and the nuclear lobby are opened up to greater scrutiny so we can have greater confidence that policy makers are not being misled".
The MPs endorsing the report included Alan Whitehead (Lab), Tessa Munt (LibDem), Mike Weatherley (Con), Martin Horwood (LibDem), Joan Walley (Lab) and Caroline Lucas (Green).
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Wind power photo contest fights NIMBYism
www.earthtechling.com
25 Jan 2012
Shutterbugs--do you revel in the sight of the Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm's many wind turbines spinning in the mountains of Southern California? Or perhaps the sun setting behind the offshore turbines of the United Kingdom's Thanet Wind Farm? If so, you could have a shot at €1,000 in goods from Amazon and a shot at having your work shared around the world in celebration of Global Wind Day on June 15. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has announced a global wind power photography competition, open to one and all, entitled (appropriately enough), "Wind in Mind". Photographers are invited to take that and run with it, giving free rein to their imaginations in showing wind power technology in a new way.
An expert jury will judge the entries, with winners announced shortly after Global Wind Day. The top winner will receive a voucher good for €1,000 at Amazon, while five runners-up will receive a €250 voucher. The overall winning photo will also become part of an online professional photography collection, and be published in renewable energy newspaper 'Recharge' and in the European wind power industry magazine Wind Directions. Additionally, all of the winning pictures will be displayed outdoors in the EU area of Brussels.
Need some inspiration? "I can't think of a better subject for a contemporary photo competition than wind power", said Julian Scola, communication director of the EWEA, organizers of the Global Wind Day alongside the Global Wind Energy Council, in a statement. "wind turbines are an icon: symbols of the fight against climate change, of sustainability, of our modern age. While some people noisily oppose wind turbines, there are many others who love them and find them a graceful addition to our landscape".
The EWEA is a fine organisation to spearhead such a competition, as the European continent, including the UK, plans to pull as much as 15.7% of its total power from wind by 202o. The U.K, is already well on its way towards hitting that mark, as it currently receives 9% of its electricity from renewable sources, much of that from wind, both on land and offshore. But in the US, those who don't consider wind turbines such a graceful addition to the landscape have had a serious impact on the adoption of this renewable energy technology.
Lee Patrick Sullivan of energyNow reports that Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) opposition to new energy infrastructure currently spells the demise of about 45% of renewable energy proposals across the country, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. When it comes to offshore wind turbines in the Great Lakes, for example, opponents have claimed that turbines are "unsightly".
Perhaps your photo could help to change the mindset that puts wind turbines in the same category as, say, smoke stacks--and celebrate them, as Scola put it, as icons of a sustainable future. But hurry--the competition is only open until May 6.
25 Jan 2012
Shutterbugs--do you revel in the sight of the Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm's many wind turbines spinning in the mountains of Southern California? Or perhaps the sun setting behind the offshore turbines of the United Kingdom's Thanet Wind Farm? If so, you could have a shot at €1,000 in goods from Amazon and a shot at having your work shared around the world in celebration of Global Wind Day on June 15. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has announced a global wind power photography competition, open to one and all, entitled (appropriately enough), "Wind in Mind". Photographers are invited to take that and run with it, giving free rein to their imaginations in showing wind power technology in a new way.An expert jury will judge the entries, with winners announced shortly after Global Wind Day. The top winner will receive a voucher good for €1,000 at Amazon, while five runners-up will receive a €250 voucher. The overall winning photo will also become part of an online professional photography collection, and be published in renewable energy newspaper 'Recharge' and in the European wind power industry magazine Wind Directions. Additionally, all of the winning pictures will be displayed outdoors in the EU area of Brussels.
Need some inspiration? "I can't think of a better subject for a contemporary photo competition than wind power", said Julian Scola, communication director of the EWEA, organizers of the Global Wind Day alongside the Global Wind Energy Council, in a statement. "wind turbines are an icon: symbols of the fight against climate change, of sustainability, of our modern age. While some people noisily oppose wind turbines, there are many others who love them and find them a graceful addition to our landscape".
The EWEA is a fine organisation to spearhead such a competition, as the European continent, including the UK, plans to pull as much as 15.7% of its total power from wind by 202o. The U.K, is already well on its way towards hitting that mark, as it currently receives 9% of its electricity from renewable sources, much of that from wind, both on land and offshore. But in the US, those who don't consider wind turbines such a graceful addition to the landscape have had a serious impact on the adoption of this renewable energy technology.
Lee Patrick Sullivan of energyNow reports that Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) opposition to new energy infrastructure currently spells the demise of about 45% of renewable energy proposals across the country, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. When it comes to offshore wind turbines in the Great Lakes, for example, opponents have claimed that turbines are "unsightly".
Perhaps your photo could help to change the mindset that puts wind turbines in the same category as, say, smoke stacks--and celebrate them, as Scola put it, as icons of a sustainable future. But hurry--the competition is only open until May 6.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Wind farms turn neighbours green ... with envy
theland.farmonline.com.au
24 Jan 2012
OPPOSITION to wind farms is based on "mass hysteria" and there is not a shred of evidence globally that wind turbines have adverse health impacts, according to Sydney University Professor of Public Health Simon Chapman.
Professor Chapman undertook a major review of international literature and said there was absolutely no evidence to support the concept of "wind turbine syndrome" that opponents say causes sleeplessness, headaches and high blood pressure. But he said people could worry themselves into being ill. "You can worry yourself sick, of course, that is a well-known phenomenon, you get worried and agitated and have palpitations but the idea the actual turbines cause it, there is no support in the literature at all".
He said research studies showed complaints tended to be from people who did not have turbines on their land and therefore did not derive any income from them. "The literature explicitly identifies the variable of envy. If your neighbour has wind turbines they are getting a minimum of $10,000 per turbine and you start to think it is unfair, you think about relative land values, maybe you don't like the look of them".
He said opposition to wind farms was "hysteria" and people in Europe, where wind farms had been well established for two decades, were perplexed and bemused by the idea wind turbines could have negative health impacts. "A lot of the reviews talk about infrasound which is sub-audible sound you can't hear, making you ill. We get a lot of every day infrasound-the sound of our heartbeat in our chest. It's everywhere. "You've got to take some of these claims with a grain of salt", he said.
Professor Chapman dismissed claims by NSW Landscape Guardians president Humphrey Price-Jones that reports existed that proved adverse impacts from turbines. "That is absolute nonsense", he said. The NSW Government has insisted it will take a "precautionary approach" to wind farm development despite NSW Health Department there is no evidence of adverse health impacts.
NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, whose office has released draft guidelines on wind farms for public comment, said "the jury is still out on the health impacts from wind farms". "When it comes to people's health-I'll take a precautionary approach every time", Mr Hazzard said. "But in any case my view is consistent with NSW Health's comments to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure that strong wind farm planning guidelines can minimise impacts on human health.
"It also is consistent with the June 2011 Senate inquiry into the social and economic impacts of wind farms, which found there was a need for further studies into wind farm health impacts and that State noise standards should cover low frequency noise. "In addition, the National Health and Medical Research Council is also currently looking at this issue and proposing to issue a public statement later this year", Mr Hazzard said in a statement to The Land.
24 Jan 2012
OPPOSITION to wind farms is based on "mass hysteria" and there is not a shred of evidence globally that wind turbines have adverse health impacts, according to Sydney University Professor of Public Health Simon Chapman.
Professor Chapman undertook a major review of international literature and said there was absolutely no evidence to support the concept of "wind turbine syndrome" that opponents say causes sleeplessness, headaches and high blood pressure. But he said people could worry themselves into being ill. "You can worry yourself sick, of course, that is a well-known phenomenon, you get worried and agitated and have palpitations but the idea the actual turbines cause it, there is no support in the literature at all".
He said research studies showed complaints tended to be from people who did not have turbines on their land and therefore did not derive any income from them. "The literature explicitly identifies the variable of envy. If your neighbour has wind turbines they are getting a minimum of $10,000 per turbine and you start to think it is unfair, you think about relative land values, maybe you don't like the look of them".
He said opposition to wind farms was "hysteria" and people in Europe, where wind farms had been well established for two decades, were perplexed and bemused by the idea wind turbines could have negative health impacts. "A lot of the reviews talk about infrasound which is sub-audible sound you can't hear, making you ill. We get a lot of every day infrasound-the sound of our heartbeat in our chest. It's everywhere. "You've got to take some of these claims with a grain of salt", he said.
Professor Chapman dismissed claims by NSW Landscape Guardians president Humphrey Price-Jones that reports existed that proved adverse impacts from turbines. "That is absolute nonsense", he said. The NSW Government has insisted it will take a "precautionary approach" to wind farm development despite NSW Health Department there is no evidence of adverse health impacts.
NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, whose office has released draft guidelines on wind farms for public comment, said "the jury is still out on the health impacts from wind farms". "When it comes to people's health-I'll take a precautionary approach every time", Mr Hazzard said. "But in any case my view is consistent with NSW Health's comments to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure that strong wind farm planning guidelines can minimise impacts on human health.
"It also is consistent with the June 2011 Senate inquiry into the social and economic impacts of wind farms, which found there was a need for further studies into wind farm health impacts and that State noise standards should cover low frequency noise. "In addition, the National Health and Medical Research Council is also currently looking at this issue and proposing to issue a public statement later this year", Mr Hazzard said in a statement to The Land.
The shocking truth about wind power
www.climatespectator.com.au
25 Jan 2012
The summer holidays provide an opportunity for many of us in our largely urbanised population to revisit rural landscapes as we travel to visit relatives, go camping or engage in that Aussie summer favourite, a trip to the beach. The encroachment of urban developments and industrial structures on previously bucolic vistas comes as a shock as we pass remembered landscapes suddenly altered by the telltale signs of human existence. A new housing estate, factory, freeway, rail line, mine or power station; all change our natural environment in fundamental and inescapably distinct ways.
We may wistfully recall a sleepier, untouched time and place; but the change is quickly forgotten as we pass, and its impact fades until the next visit. For those who inhabit changing landscapes however, the changes can disrupt one's sense of place and sense of identity, and can lead to feelings sometimes associated with grief and loss. As our steadily growing human population leaves its mark across the globe, with seven billion of us now sprawling out across seven continents, there are few places on Earth now left untouched.
This is having dramatic impacts on the natural environment, but the changes are largely accepted because of the benefits they bring to society (including the trappings of Western lifestyles many of us have come to expect): high speed Internet, road transport infrastructure commensurate with our predilection for cars, and reliable electricity and water supplies. Much of this infrastructure development occurs infrequently, being big ticket items that are so costly that governments shy away from them, and substantial investments therefore only take place every decade or so.
In Australia, this has left us with much ageing and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. We are likely to see significant changes in terms of infrastructure development to address this in coming decades. As the planning and development of this new infrastructure takes place, it will be important to keep in perspective its purpose and to choose technologies that pose the least environmental risk and are the safest in terms of their impact on human and ecological health.
Part of the impetus in the energy sector is the declining quality of existing infrastructure-our 40-50 year-old coal fired power stations have passed their use-by date, and it is only the cost of their replacement (and the histrionics of their politically powerful owners) that appear to compel governments to award ongoing licences to operate.
There are even more compelling pressures to upgrade our energy infrastructure however; the mining, transportation, and burning of coal for electricity generation poses serious threats to human health and is responsible for hundreds, possibly thousands of avoidable deaths each year from the toxins and pollution it produces. Coal kills; and whether we burn it here or ship it offshore for others to burn, it will lead to loss of life and the development of serious illnesses and human suffering.
Not only does coal pose a health threat, it is the principal villain in driving dangerous climate change worldwide, making its replacement, therefore, one of the big potential wins in cutting national emissions and reducing Australia's very high level of emissions per person.
Gas, too, poses serious risks: given the shift to shallow coal seam gas mining as traditional natural gas reserves diminish, fertile farmland is being lost to industrial wastelands, and underground water tables threatened by the use of mining chemicals untested for human safety. Coupled with the emerging evidence that coal seam gas poses as big a threat to atmospheric pollution as coal (it may have an even higher lifecycle emissions profile than coal), this leaves renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind in the box seat in terms of safety for human health and as climate friendly technologies.
There are powerful vested interests however in preventing the widespread roll out of these technologies and recent activities suggest these interests are promoting anxiety and concern in the community regarding the safety of some renewable energy technology, such as wind power. Often these concerns can be heightened by a sense of disruption with regard to place identity and are understandable human responses to changes in the known environment.
It is important, however, not to confuse these responses with genuine concern for public health and wellbeing, and the community must be careful not to allow those with vested interests to exploit the public's sense of vulnerability around change and lack of access to credible information by promoting fears about the safety of wind power. Recent reviews of the scientific literature demonstrate that there is no credible, peer reviewed scientific evidence that demonstrates a link between wind turbines and adverse health impacts in people living in proximity to them.
A new paper has been developed by a coalition of Australian health groups should assuage community concerns on this topic. The Health and Wind Turbines position paper, released by the Climate and Health Alliance yesterday, finds that while large-scale commercial wind farms have been in operation internationally for many decades, often in close proximity to thousands of people, there is no evidence of any associated increases in ill-health.
Change in our known environment can be challenging. Investing in safe community infrastructure is important for all of us. In making decisions about our future energy supply, we must consider the costs of current forms of electricity generation on climate change and health for all members of the community, including those living in proximity to infrastructure. Fortunately for the community and the climate, wind power offers a safe, reliable, climate-friendly alternative to harmful and high emissions from coal, and is available now at prices we can afford.
25 Jan 2012
The summer holidays provide an opportunity for many of us in our largely urbanised population to revisit rural landscapes as we travel to visit relatives, go camping or engage in that Aussie summer favourite, a trip to the beach. The encroachment of urban developments and industrial structures on previously bucolic vistas comes as a shock as we pass remembered landscapes suddenly altered by the telltale signs of human existence. A new housing estate, factory, freeway, rail line, mine or power station; all change our natural environment in fundamental and inescapably distinct ways.
We may wistfully recall a sleepier, untouched time and place; but the change is quickly forgotten as we pass, and its impact fades until the next visit. For those who inhabit changing landscapes however, the changes can disrupt one's sense of place and sense of identity, and can lead to feelings sometimes associated with grief and loss. As our steadily growing human population leaves its mark across the globe, with seven billion of us now sprawling out across seven continents, there are few places on Earth now left untouched.
This is having dramatic impacts on the natural environment, but the changes are largely accepted because of the benefits they bring to society (including the trappings of Western lifestyles many of us have come to expect): high speed Internet, road transport infrastructure commensurate with our predilection for cars, and reliable electricity and water supplies. Much of this infrastructure development occurs infrequently, being big ticket items that are so costly that governments shy away from them, and substantial investments therefore only take place every decade or so.
In Australia, this has left us with much ageing and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. We are likely to see significant changes in terms of infrastructure development to address this in coming decades. As the planning and development of this new infrastructure takes place, it will be important to keep in perspective its purpose and to choose technologies that pose the least environmental risk and are the safest in terms of their impact on human and ecological health.
Part of the impetus in the energy sector is the declining quality of existing infrastructure-our 40-50 year-old coal fired power stations have passed their use-by date, and it is only the cost of their replacement (and the histrionics of their politically powerful owners) that appear to compel governments to award ongoing licences to operate.
There are even more compelling pressures to upgrade our energy infrastructure however; the mining, transportation, and burning of coal for electricity generation poses serious threats to human health and is responsible for hundreds, possibly thousands of avoidable deaths each year from the toxins and pollution it produces. Coal kills; and whether we burn it here or ship it offshore for others to burn, it will lead to loss of life and the development of serious illnesses and human suffering.
Not only does coal pose a health threat, it is the principal villain in driving dangerous climate change worldwide, making its replacement, therefore, one of the big potential wins in cutting national emissions and reducing Australia's very high level of emissions per person.
Gas, too, poses serious risks: given the shift to shallow coal seam gas mining as traditional natural gas reserves diminish, fertile farmland is being lost to industrial wastelands, and underground water tables threatened by the use of mining chemicals untested for human safety. Coupled with the emerging evidence that coal seam gas poses as big a threat to atmospheric pollution as coal (it may have an even higher lifecycle emissions profile than coal), this leaves renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind in the box seat in terms of safety for human health and as climate friendly technologies.
There are powerful vested interests however in preventing the widespread roll out of these technologies and recent activities suggest these interests are promoting anxiety and concern in the community regarding the safety of some renewable energy technology, such as wind power. Often these concerns can be heightened by a sense of disruption with regard to place identity and are understandable human responses to changes in the known environment.
It is important, however, not to confuse these responses with genuine concern for public health and wellbeing, and the community must be careful not to allow those with vested interests to exploit the public's sense of vulnerability around change and lack of access to credible information by promoting fears about the safety of wind power. Recent reviews of the scientific literature demonstrate that there is no credible, peer reviewed scientific evidence that demonstrates a link between wind turbines and adverse health impacts in people living in proximity to them.
A new paper has been developed by a coalition of Australian health groups should assuage community concerns on this topic. The Health and Wind Turbines position paper, released by the Climate and Health Alliance yesterday, finds that while large-scale commercial wind farms have been in operation internationally for many decades, often in close proximity to thousands of people, there is no evidence of any associated increases in ill-health.
Change in our known environment can be challenging. Investing in safe community infrastructure is important for all of us. In making decisions about our future energy supply, we must consider the costs of current forms of electricity generation on climate change and health for all members of the community, including those living in proximity to infrastructure. Fortunately for the community and the climate, wind power offers a safe, reliable, climate-friendly alternative to harmful and high emissions from coal, and is available now at prices we can afford.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Strong support for wind farms obscured, says CSIRO report
www.smh.com.au
18 Jan 2012
THERE is much stronger public support for wind farms than media coverage of the issue would suggest, because a ''vocal minority'' who oppose wind farms secure the majority of media and political attention, according to new CSIRO research.
A peer-reviewed study by Brisbane researchers investigated attitudes to nine wind farms in various stages of development in NSW, Victoria and South Australia, concluding there was a strong level of support ''from rural residents who do not seek media attention or political engagement to express their views''. By contrast, more than half of all wind farm proposals had been opposed by members of the Landscape Guardian group, the report noted. The CSIRO's deputy director, energy technology, Jim Smitham, one of the reviewers of the report, said it showed a disconnect between negative and conflict-oriented media coverage about wind farms and the attitude of a majority in the communities where wind farms were proposed or already operating.
''You find more media stories supporting the case against wind farms than those for it,'' he said. ''Whereas, going into the field and doing interviews at community level, they have different reasons but many of them support the wind farm; it just isn't as apparent as the people who are able to find a short sharp reason to reject it.'' Dr Smitham said wind farm developers that proactively consulted with communities and responded to their concerns had achieved far higher local acceptance of their projects.
The report, Acceptance of rural wind farms in Australia: A snapshot, by CSIRO's social research team, comes as the draft guidelines on wind farm development in this state are open for public comment. The researchers conducted interviews with wind farm developers, councils, turbine hosts, community opponents and supporters of the projects in each of the nine locations. wind farm opponents cited negatives including poor consultation, visual amenity and noise, while supporters cited benefits including improved infrastructure such as roads and firebreaks, clean energy and better local job prospects, the report found.
The debate over noise and health impacts has been a key issue raised by opponents. A series of peer-reviewed studies have found no evidence that low-level sound from wind farms has made people sick, but some international studies included self-selected surveys in which people living near wind farms reported annoyance and interrupted sleep as a result of vibrations from the turbine blades. The CSIRO report noted wind farms can create stress which affects wellbeing. The Landscape Guardians could not be reached for comment yesterday.
18 Jan 2012
THERE is much stronger public support for wind farms than media coverage of the issue would suggest, because a ''vocal minority'' who oppose wind farms secure the majority of media and political attention, according to new CSIRO research.
A peer-reviewed study by Brisbane researchers investigated attitudes to nine wind farms in various stages of development in NSW, Victoria and South Australia, concluding there was a strong level of support ''from rural residents who do not seek media attention or political engagement to express their views''. By contrast, more than half of all wind farm proposals had been opposed by members of the Landscape Guardian group, the report noted. The CSIRO's deputy director, energy technology, Jim Smitham, one of the reviewers of the report, said it showed a disconnect between negative and conflict-oriented media coverage about wind farms and the attitude of a majority in the communities where wind farms were proposed or already operating.
''You find more media stories supporting the case against wind farms than those for it,'' he said. ''Whereas, going into the field and doing interviews at community level, they have different reasons but many of them support the wind farm; it just isn't as apparent as the people who are able to find a short sharp reason to reject it.'' Dr Smitham said wind farm developers that proactively consulted with communities and responded to their concerns had achieved far higher local acceptance of their projects.
The report, Acceptance of rural wind farms in Australia: A snapshot, by CSIRO's social research team, comes as the draft guidelines on wind farm development in this state are open for public comment. The researchers conducted interviews with wind farm developers, councils, turbine hosts, community opponents and supporters of the projects in each of the nine locations. wind farm opponents cited negatives including poor consultation, visual amenity and noise, while supporters cited benefits including improved infrastructure such as roads and firebreaks, clean energy and better local job prospects, the report found.
The debate over noise and health impacts has been a key issue raised by opponents. A series of peer-reviewed studies have found no evidence that low-level sound from wind farms has made people sick, but some international studies included self-selected surveys in which people living near wind farms reported annoyance and interrupted sleep as a result of vibrations from the turbine blades. The CSIRO report noted wind farms can create stress which affects wellbeing. The Landscape Guardians could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Wind Power closes NY Hydrogen fuel loop
www.earthtechling.com
11 Jan 2012
Hempstead, N.Y., launched the first hydrogen fueling station on Long Island more than two years ago, but it turns out that was just an initial step toward sustainably powering fuel-cell vehicles in its fleet. Now Hempstead has added a 100 kW ( kW) capacity wind turbine to the mix, giving it the ability to create hydrogen fuel without sucking power from the grid.
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE)-which funded the $615,000, 121-foot-tall turbine through a Recovery Act grant-Hempstead had been using about 200,000 kW-hours of grid electricity, most of which comes from fossil fuel sources, to run an electrolyzer to generate hydrogen for the fuel station. In its assessment of the project, the DOE said the turbine should be able to generate enough electricity to replace that grid-purchased power. And that possibility had the town's political leadership waxing poetic.
"The answer to clean and renewable energy is 'blowin' in the wind,'" town Supervisor Kate Murray said in a statement. "This wind turbine is creating renewable energy, saving money, conserving natural resources and building an environmentally responsible legacy for our children and our children's children".
Hempstead calls itself a town, but it's no small burg; it has a population around 750,000. And it has green ambitions that are every bit as large. The wind-to-hydrogen system is just one part of a larger Clean Energy Project at Point Lookout, 35 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. There's also a shellfish nursery powered by a 2.4 kW wind turbine and two 5- kW solar arrays; a 10- kW solar array on the roof of the Administration Building; and a zero-energy solar home built by the New York Institute of Technology.
The fuel station itself has several elements, as well, providing pure hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG) or a blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). Toyota has provided two fuel-cell hybrid vehicles valued at around $100,000 for use by the town. The blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas fuels a new shuttle bus that's used for a senior program, and a Ford E450 shuttle bus, supplied by CNG company Clean Vehicle Solutions, has been "upfitted to run on natural gas and calibrated to run on the HCNG fuel", according to the town.
All that, and Hempstead isn't done: The town received a total of $4.6 million in grants from the DOE, and has further renewable energy plans unfolding, with the money financing the construction of a "60K (we assume they mean kW) solar field, two solar trackers, a solar-powered carport and a geothermal energy project that will address heating and cooling needs at the town's Conservation and Waterways facility".
And while Hempstead seems to be doing just fine on the clean energy front already, it could be in for more support from the state. According to the state's League of Conservation Voters, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent State of the State speech put new emphasis on clean energy and the environment.
"For too long, New York has sat idly by as its sustainability challenges mounted", Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement. "Governor Cuomo made a serious commitment to caring for our natural resources, rebuilding vital infrastructure and transitioning to a clean-energy future".
The league said it was particularly heartened by the governor's vow to facilitate the growth of wind power through a new "Energy Highway" that will connect wind farms with population centers, and his commitment to double the amount of solar power capacity in New York by the end of the year and quadrupling it by 2013 through the NY-Sun Program.
11 Jan 2012
Hempstead, N.Y., launched the first hydrogen fueling station on Long Island more than two years ago, but it turns out that was just an initial step toward sustainably powering fuel-cell vehicles in its fleet. Now Hempstead has added a 100 kW ( kW) capacity wind turbine to the mix, giving it the ability to create hydrogen fuel without sucking power from the grid.
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE)-which funded the $615,000, 121-foot-tall turbine through a Recovery Act grant-Hempstead had been using about 200,000 kW-hours of grid electricity, most of which comes from fossil fuel sources, to run an electrolyzer to generate hydrogen for the fuel station. In its assessment of the project, the DOE said the turbine should be able to generate enough electricity to replace that grid-purchased power. And that possibility had the town's political leadership waxing poetic.
"The answer to clean and renewable energy is 'blowin' in the wind,'" town Supervisor Kate Murray said in a statement. "This wind turbine is creating renewable energy, saving money, conserving natural resources and building an environmentally responsible legacy for our children and our children's children".
Hempstead calls itself a town, but it's no small burg; it has a population around 750,000. And it has green ambitions that are every bit as large. The wind-to-hydrogen system is just one part of a larger Clean Energy Project at Point Lookout, 35 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. There's also a shellfish nursery powered by a 2.4 kW wind turbine and two 5- kW solar arrays; a 10- kW solar array on the roof of the Administration Building; and a zero-energy solar home built by the New York Institute of Technology.
The fuel station itself has several elements, as well, providing pure hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG) or a blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). Toyota has provided two fuel-cell hybrid vehicles valued at around $100,000 for use by the town. The blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas fuels a new shuttle bus that's used for a senior program, and a Ford E450 shuttle bus, supplied by CNG company Clean Vehicle Solutions, has been "upfitted to run on natural gas and calibrated to run on the HCNG fuel", according to the town.
All that, and Hempstead isn't done: The town received a total of $4.6 million in grants from the DOE, and has further renewable energy plans unfolding, with the money financing the construction of a "60K (we assume they mean kW) solar field, two solar trackers, a solar-powered carport and a geothermal energy project that will address heating and cooling needs at the town's Conservation and Waterways facility".
And while Hempstead seems to be doing just fine on the clean energy front already, it could be in for more support from the state. According to the state's League of Conservation Voters, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent State of the State speech put new emphasis on clean energy and the environment.
"For too long, New York has sat idly by as its sustainability challenges mounted", Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement. "Governor Cuomo made a serious commitment to caring for our natural resources, rebuilding vital infrastructure and transitioning to a clean-energy future".
The league said it was particularly heartened by the governor's vow to facilitate the growth of wind power through a new "Energy Highway" that will connect wind farms with population centers, and his commitment to double the amount of solar power capacity in New York by the end of the year and quadrupling it by 2013 through the NY-Sun Program.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Thornton: Winds of change for farmers
www.adelaidenow.com.au
11 Jan 2012
Wind turbines can help save struggling farms, argues Kane Thornton.
LIFE on the land has only become tougher. The cruel effects of drought, fires and floods, along with the strong Aussie dollar and challenging global markets, have pushed farming families to the limit. In many cases, diversification has been the key to their survival. Responding to changing market dynamics, consumer demands and weather conditions by moving into different crops, livestock and land uses, is helping save the family farm.
It would be a brave outsider who demanded the removal of the farmer's right to make those choices for themselves. Yet that is what the activists opposed to wind farms are doing. They are saying that individual farmers should not have the right to choose wind farming to help them drought-proof their properties, make better use of marginal farming land, or insure against market downturns. But for those farmers fortunate enough to live in some of the windiest places in the world, farming wind can be the best option.
And those farmers are not the only ones who benefit. wind farms are also providing jobs for local communities and contractors and an economic boost for struggling regional areas. At the Capital wind farm near Canberra, about $10 million went straight into the pockets of local people during construction. It went into the corner store, the local restaurant, motels and more.
Of course, appropriate regulations and community consultation should apply to any wind farm, as they do to any new farm infrastructure, be it an extra shed, a tourist development, a road, a dam or a mine. wind farms in Australia face the toughest guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels.
The wind power industry is working hard to improve its process of consultation with local communities and the quality of information that it shares with them. A lack of information-or the wrong information-can understandably create anxiety for people who are not familiar with our new ways of producing electricity.
However, opponents of renewable energy seem determined to use wind farms as political footballs, fuelling community divisions they claim they want to avoid. They make inflammatory claims about noise-when a wealth of scientific research shows that noise from wind farms does not have a harmful effect on people. These disingenuous claims increase anxiety within the community. And, like any form of anxiety, this can have an impact on a person's health. Those opponents also ignore the impact that wind farms have on reducing our carbon emissions, and say wind power is expensive.
Consider this. Over the first six months of last year, Australia's 1188 wind turbines generated enough electricity to power more than 725,000 homes. If we are to move away from coal (which itself can create health issues) then wind power is one of the cheapest alternative sources we can introduce on a large scale. Farmers should have the right to farm the wind and the right to secure the future of their livelihoods and their families.
* Kane Thornton is Clean Energy Council's acting CEO
11 Jan 2012
Wind turbines can help save struggling farms, argues Kane Thornton.
LIFE on the land has only become tougher. The cruel effects of drought, fires and floods, along with the strong Aussie dollar and challenging global markets, have pushed farming families to the limit. In many cases, diversification has been the key to their survival. Responding to changing market dynamics, consumer demands and weather conditions by moving into different crops, livestock and land uses, is helping save the family farm.
It would be a brave outsider who demanded the removal of the farmer's right to make those choices for themselves. Yet that is what the activists opposed to wind farms are doing. They are saying that individual farmers should not have the right to choose wind farming to help them drought-proof their properties, make better use of marginal farming land, or insure against market downturns. But for those farmers fortunate enough to live in some of the windiest places in the world, farming wind can be the best option.
And those farmers are not the only ones who benefit. wind farms are also providing jobs for local communities and contractors and an economic boost for struggling regional areas. At the Capital wind farm near Canberra, about $10 million went straight into the pockets of local people during construction. It went into the corner store, the local restaurant, motels and more.
Of course, appropriate regulations and community consultation should apply to any wind farm, as they do to any new farm infrastructure, be it an extra shed, a tourist development, a road, a dam or a mine. wind farms in Australia face the toughest guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels.
The wind power industry is working hard to improve its process of consultation with local communities and the quality of information that it shares with them. A lack of information-or the wrong information-can understandably create anxiety for people who are not familiar with our new ways of producing electricity.
However, opponents of renewable energy seem determined to use wind farms as political footballs, fuelling community divisions they claim they want to avoid. They make inflammatory claims about noise-when a wealth of scientific research shows that noise from wind farms does not have a harmful effect on people. These disingenuous claims increase anxiety within the community. And, like any form of anxiety, this can have an impact on a person's health. Those opponents also ignore the impact that wind farms have on reducing our carbon emissions, and say wind power is expensive.
Consider this. Over the first six months of last year, Australia's 1188 wind turbines generated enough electricity to power more than 725,000 homes. If we are to move away from coal (which itself can create health issues) then wind power is one of the cheapest alternative sources we can introduce on a large scale. Farmers should have the right to farm the wind and the right to secure the future of their livelihoods and their families.
* Kane Thornton is Clean Energy Council's acting CEO
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
SA Opposition wind policy threatens $3 billion investment
Clean Energy Council
6 Jan 2012
The South Australian Opposition's policy on wind farms would threaten more than $3 billion of investment and push up power prices for South Australian householders if implemented in its current form, the renewable energy industry's peak body said today.
It would also place in doubt the creation of nearly 1,000 direct jobs, Clean Energy Council Acting CEO, Kane Thornton, said. "It is unfortunate the wind industry was not consulted on this policy", Mr Thornton said. "But we now look forward to working with the South Australian Liberal Party to ensure they understand the value of the wind industry to the state, and to provide them with a more complete understanding of wind farms and associated issues".
Mr Thornton said South Australia was currently leading the nation in using wind power to generate electricity. "South Australia now gets over 20% of its electricity from wind power; one of the reasons the state's carbon emissions fell by 18% over the past five years". Mr Thornton said Australian wind farms were already subject to the toughest planning guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels. Wind energy also currently enjoyed strong support from over 80% of Australians.
"While the Australian wind industry is keen to work with the community to address any legitimate concerns that may arise with regard to specific projects, the proposed blanket two-km no-go zones for wind farms are likely to drive future wind investment to other states", Mr Thornton said. "Guidelines currently in place ensure the proper balance between wind farm developments and community is reached throughout South Australia".
South Australian wind farms currently generate enough energy to power 482,836 homes annually. Capital investment of $2.792 billion has so far been made in South Australian wind farms, creating 806 direct jobs and 2417 indirect jobs. "Projects worth a further $3.078 billion are currently proposed for South Australia that would power more than 567,000 homes and create 948 direct jobs", Mr Thornton said. "But measures like two-km setbacks would place all this under threat.
"The proposed two-km setbacks have no precedent in other infrastructure developments-be it roads, power lines or factories-and are likely to create insurmountable challenges for wind projects. "As we've seen in Victoria, such measures would effectively make South Australia a 'no-go' zone for wind farms, driving billions of dollars of investment from the state. "In addition, South Australians would see higher electricity prices as future renewable energy will need to come from higher cost sources.
"Unnecessary restrictions on where renewable energy projects can be built will only serve to drive up the cost of electricity to South Australian consumers. "South Australia has created an investment-friendly environment through an efficient and transparent planning regime, and we're really keen to work with future governments to see that retained".
6 Jan 2012
The South Australian Opposition's policy on wind farms would threaten more than $3 billion of investment and push up power prices for South Australian householders if implemented in its current form, the renewable energy industry's peak body said today.It would also place in doubt the creation of nearly 1,000 direct jobs, Clean Energy Council Acting CEO, Kane Thornton, said. "It is unfortunate the wind industry was not consulted on this policy", Mr Thornton said. "But we now look forward to working with the South Australian Liberal Party to ensure they understand the value of the wind industry to the state, and to provide them with a more complete understanding of wind farms and associated issues".
Mr Thornton said South Australia was currently leading the nation in using wind power to generate electricity. "South Australia now gets over 20% of its electricity from wind power; one of the reasons the state's carbon emissions fell by 18% over the past five years". Mr Thornton said Australian wind farms were already subject to the toughest planning guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels. Wind energy also currently enjoyed strong support from over 80% of Australians.
"While the Australian wind industry is keen to work with the community to address any legitimate concerns that may arise with regard to specific projects, the proposed blanket two-km no-go zones for wind farms are likely to drive future wind investment to other states", Mr Thornton said. "Guidelines currently in place ensure the proper balance between wind farm developments and community is reached throughout South Australia".
South Australian wind farms currently generate enough energy to power 482,836 homes annually. Capital investment of $2.792 billion has so far been made in South Australian wind farms, creating 806 direct jobs and 2417 indirect jobs. "Projects worth a further $3.078 billion are currently proposed for South Australia that would power more than 567,000 homes and create 948 direct jobs", Mr Thornton said. "But measures like two-km setbacks would place all this under threat.
"The proposed two-km setbacks have no precedent in other infrastructure developments-be it roads, power lines or factories-and are likely to create insurmountable challenges for wind projects. "As we've seen in Victoria, such measures would effectively make South Australia a 'no-go' zone for wind farms, driving billions of dollars of investment from the state. "In addition, South Australians would see higher electricity prices as future renewable energy will need to come from higher cost sources.
"Unnecessary restrictions on where renewable energy projects can be built will only serve to drive up the cost of electricity to South Australian consumers. "South Australia has created an investment-friendly environment through an efficient and transparent planning regime, and we're really keen to work with future governments to see that retained".
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Anger at guidelines for wind power
www.dailyexaminer.com.au
5 Jan 2012
NORTHERN NSW residents could have more power to oppose wind farm developments than coal seam gas wells and coal mines under new draft planning guidelines. Under the draft wind farm guidelines announced before Christmas, residents who live within 2km of a proposed wind farm will have the right to veto the project. Anti-coal seam gas campaigners have said the guidelines create double standards because coal seam gas developments are allowed within 200m of occupied houses.
Northern Rivers Guardian spokesperson and Lock the Gate Alliance management committee member Michael McNamara said wind farms were more sustainable than coal seam gas wells. "It is outrageous that the 2km veto does not apply to coal seam gas exploration activities", he said. "Restrictions on different activities should relate to the relative risks posed by those activities. On any reckoning the risks associated with coal seam gas exploration and extraction are far more serious and long lasting than even the worst reports of risks associated with wind farms".
Mr McNamara said local MPs should work to ensure coal seam gas wells weren't drilled near houses. "I call on local state MPs Geoff Provest and Thomas George to pressure the Premier to extend this right of veto to proposed coal seam gas activities within a 2km radius of any residence". Ballina MP Don Page said people should not compare guidelines on coal seam gas wells to the tough new restrictions on wind farm developments.
"They are different things. wind farms are created on the surface of a property owned by farmers or landowners. That's not the case with coal seam gas which is a resource that is underground and owned by everyone, so they are different sorts of issues really", he said. Lismore MP Thomas George was not available for comment. People wishing to write submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure about the wind farm guidelines have until March 14.
More proof that the Liberal party has turned its back on science and is being influenced by the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.
5 Jan 2012
NORTHERN NSW residents could have more power to oppose wind farm developments than coal seam gas wells and coal mines under new draft planning guidelines. Under the draft wind farm guidelines announced before Christmas, residents who live within 2km of a proposed wind farm will have the right to veto the project. Anti-coal seam gas campaigners have said the guidelines create double standards because coal seam gas developments are allowed within 200m of occupied houses.
Northern Rivers Guardian spokesperson and Lock the Gate Alliance management committee member Michael McNamara said wind farms were more sustainable than coal seam gas wells. "It is outrageous that the 2km veto does not apply to coal seam gas exploration activities", he said. "Restrictions on different activities should relate to the relative risks posed by those activities. On any reckoning the risks associated with coal seam gas exploration and extraction are far more serious and long lasting than even the worst reports of risks associated with wind farms".
Mr McNamara said local MPs should work to ensure coal seam gas wells weren't drilled near houses. "I call on local state MPs Geoff Provest and Thomas George to pressure the Premier to extend this right of veto to proposed coal seam gas activities within a 2km radius of any residence". Ballina MP Don Page said people should not compare guidelines on coal seam gas wells to the tough new restrictions on wind farm developments.
"They are different things. wind farms are created on the surface of a property owned by farmers or landowners. That's not the case with coal seam gas which is a resource that is underground and owned by everyone, so they are different sorts of issues really", he said. Lismore MP Thomas George was not available for comment. People wishing to write submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure about the wind farm guidelines have until March 14.
More proof that the Liberal party has turned its back on science and is being influenced by the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)