The Bulletin, Page: 60
Tuesday, 13 June 2006
GLOBAL warming is the classic boiling frog issue. It's done very slowly. Too quickly, and the frog jumps out. The global-warming frog has been a long time aboiling.
A continuing debate among experts as to whether the temperature is even rising has kept the issue docile. (I have always accepted Mark Twain's version of "an expert" as being just somebody from out of town.) But it's now settled that boiling is actually occurring. Even the US Climate Change Science Program, the George W. Bush administration's co-ordinating agency for global-warming research, conceded last month that it had found "clear evidence of human influences on the climate system".
That falls rather short of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's recent description of climate change as "a challenge so far-reaching in its impact and irreversible in its destructive power that it alters radically human existence". Our own prime minister, John Howard, has eschewed the apocalyptic approach. With his trademark pragmatism and political guile, he has declared that it's time Australia had a full scale national debate on nuclear power.
The knee-jerk reaction of the Canberra commentariat has been to define the Howard initiative as an exercise in wedge politics aimed at exploiting Labor Party differences over this policy space. There might be more than a grain of truth in this. But the global-warming issue has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. Of course, some people have been saying that for years.
But in the democracies of the developed world, such warnings have had little currency among elected officials. The long-term nature of the threat meant that consideration, let alone actual action, could be postponed because its solution involved unpopular measures. This complacency has now been displaced by an emerging sense of urgency. A major contributing factor to this mood shift has been the fast-gathering economic implications of China's rapid industrialisation.
It's not just that Howard has suddenly focused on our absence of a nuclear policy in an Australia that has significant uranium reserves. We will have to deal with China, a country that proposes to build 30 nuclear reactors during the next two decades to supplement its present nine reactors. That's part of it. Doubtless Washington would be much more comfortable with such a trading prospect if uranium was enriched in Australia, not China but that could require considerable marketing on the domestic political front.
However, China's voracious appetite for energy represents a larger, more vexed and pressing issue than potential Australian uranium sales. Its industrialisation drive has been a major global disinflationary force in recent years. As Morgan Stanley's Andy Xie points out, manufacturing production has relocated to China on a massive scale in the past five years, due to the country's cheap labour and lax enforcement of environmental standards. Xie believes that the lack of enforcement of environmental rules may have been more important than labour costs in attracting production relocation.
Whether that's been the case or not, the reality has been that the world has dumped a large quantum of its industrial pollution in China in the past five years. According to China's Environmental Protection Agency, pollution is 12 times the world average per unit of GDP. The emission of sulphur dioxide is 22.5 million tonnes compared with a maximum carrying capacity of 12 million tonnes for the country.
The World Health Organisation estimates that (500 million people are exposed to SO2 levels above their emission standards. When mixed with nitrogen oxides and chemically transformed, SO2 causes acid rain -which devastates crops and forests. WHO estimates that 30% of China is seriously affected by acid rain. Two-fifths of the country's major river bases are polluted.
Ninety per cent of the rivers running through cities are severely polluted. Some 300 million rural residents have no access to purified water. Two-thirds of the population suffers from poor air quality. China is estimated to emit 13% of global carbon emission from fossil fuels -second only to the US, This share is projected to rise to 18% by 2025. The health costs, mostly paid in terms of life quality and age expectancy, implicit in these environmental statistics are huge and growing.
Not surprisingly, there are disturbing implications in terms of social and political stability, especially from peasants dispossessed of land to make way for factories. The Beijing government is conscious of this and has moved pollution control up its political agenda. But just as China's large and growing contribution to greenhouse warming is a global, not simply a Chinese problem, so too are the economic consequences. China's policy of export-led growth through rapid industrialisation on the back of low-cost labour and minimal pollution costs has been a major factor in delivering low inflation to developed economies, especially the US.
China now acknowledges the need to normalise pollution costs. As Xie puts it: "Part of the unsustainable disinflation from 2002 through 2005 has to be regurgitated." That could be very difficult for a US economy that is struggling with high oil costs and a heavily indebted household sector to handle. Recent volatility in financial markets partly reflects concerns about how the Federal Reserve will react should inflation pick up.
With the strong correlation we see across global financial markets, any shock on Wall Street will cascade through the global system. Under such circumstances, especially given the unknown dimensions of the global market in leveraged derivatives, we could see the financial market tail wagging the non-financial economy dog. The uneasy relationship between global warming and global financial-economic health is not going to be a phase. The linkage will be ongoing.
The imminent dilemma involves China and the US, but the populous developing economies of India, Brazil and Russia are also engaged in industrial catch-up. That has obvious implications in terms of energy production and greenhouse emissions. The China situation further underlines the flawed nature of the Kyoto treaty. Kyoto's failure is usually ascribed to the refusal of the US and Australia to ratify the agreement.
Even had they done so, Kyoto would not have solved the pollution problem driven by the breakneck industrialisation of China. Importantly, Kyoto has not been a waste of time. It has launched a carbon-trading market that, despite early teething problems, holds out the real prospect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the developed countries where it is operating. Kyoto also demonstrated the practical futility of imposing a top-down command model on environmental policy.
There is no way the US Senate will ever accept a UN direction on domestic economic policy. Even Australia, with no history of intransigence, would not go along with Kyoto. The major flaw in the Kyoto approach, however, is that it had no answer to the developing economies' demands that they had a moral right to catch up with the developed world. One way to address this issue is to point to China's experience in discounting the social and political costs of pollution.
Warwick McKibbin from the Australian National University believes that individual countries could address their economic aspirations with locally based carbon-trading markets. It's a model he has been developing and refining for nearly a decade. The concept has been successfully pioneered in the US where acid-rain pollution has been dramatically reduced. While there is no costless way to stop and then reduce global warming, the impact of a long-term, gradual approach is far from draconian.
But the delays involved in conceding that global warming was actually a problem have increased the costs. The devil has not been so much in the detail as in the politics. And, to be honest, that's still the case.
Saturday, 10 June 2006
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
Consider all energy options
Hervey Bay Observer, Page: 18
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
World Environment Day is a reminder of the need for Australia to consider all its energy options, the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) said yesterday. The Australian Government's own figures show that even accounting for all existing measures to curb climate change, Australia's greenhouse emissions from stationary energy will be 63% higher than 2000 levels by 2025. Clearly something more than 'business as usual needs' to be done, and the clean energy industry welcomes the Prime Minister's debate on future energy generation. But the debate must consider all the options that can reduce emissions immediately - including gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Describing the need to act now as an imperative, the Executive Director of the BCSE, Mr Ric Brazzale, said it would be many years before the outcomes of the debate on energy made an impact. "Should nuclear power prove viable in Australia it would take at least 15 years before it made even the slightest impact on our emissions," said Mr Brazzale. "Likewise with cleaner fossil fuels and geosequestration. These technologies are far from proven and have a long way to go before they could be considered economic."
Yet Australia cannot wait - while it will take 10, 15 or 20 years for 'new beaut' technologies to come on stream, our emissions will continue to grow and the task of adjusting to a global carbon-constrained economy becomes more costly. "If we are to avoid future shocks to our prosperity and economic growth it is essential we continue to deploy known, existing cleaner energy generation. This includes gas, geothermal, wind, solar, bioenergy, and hydro - while maximizing opportunities for the easiest, cheapest greenhouse reduction of all: energy efficiency," Mr Brazzale said.
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
World Environment Day is a reminder of the need for Australia to consider all its energy options, the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) said yesterday. The Australian Government's own figures show that even accounting for all existing measures to curb climate change, Australia's greenhouse emissions from stationary energy will be 63% higher than 2000 levels by 2025. Clearly something more than 'business as usual needs' to be done, and the clean energy industry welcomes the Prime Minister's debate on future energy generation. But the debate must consider all the options that can reduce emissions immediately - including gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Describing the need to act now as an imperative, the Executive Director of the BCSE, Mr Ric Brazzale, said it would be many years before the outcomes of the debate on energy made an impact. "Should nuclear power prove viable in Australia it would take at least 15 years before it made even the slightest impact on our emissions," said Mr Brazzale. "Likewise with cleaner fossil fuels and geosequestration. These technologies are far from proven and have a long way to go before they could be considered economic."
Yet Australia cannot wait - while it will take 10, 15 or 20 years for 'new beaut' technologies to come on stream, our emissions will continue to grow and the task of adjusting to a global carbon-constrained economy becomes more costly. "If we are to avoid future shocks to our prosperity and economic growth it is essential we continue to deploy known, existing cleaner energy generation. This includes gas, geothermal, wind, solar, bioenergy, and hydro - while maximizing opportunities for the easiest, cheapest greenhouse reduction of all: energy efficiency," Mr Brazzale said.
Powerful solution
The Australian, Page: 24
Monday, 5 June 2006
MORE than 90 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from fossil fuel fired power stations. This energy use accounts for about 68 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, making it by far the largest contributor. More than a quarter of a million households and businesses are choosing to purchase some or all of their electricity from government accredited Green Power sources. Green Power is renewable energy produced from clean renewable sources such as solar, wind, water and biomass.
The National Green Power Accreditation Program sets stringent environmental and reporting standards for renewable energy products offered by electricity suppliers to households and businesses. When customers choose a Green Power accredited product, energy suppliers agree to buy a requested amount of electricity from approved new renewable energy sources. Green Power electricity provider sales and purchases are then independently audited on an annual basis. The Green Power tick is the guarantee that contributions are helping bring about the installation of new sustainable energy projects.
Since its inception in 1997, sales of green Power through the National Green Power Accreditation Program have reduced greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by about 2.75 million tonnes a year. This is reckoned to be the equivalent of taking more than 600,000 cars off the road for a year.
Monday, 5 June 2006
MORE than 90 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from fossil fuel fired power stations. This energy use accounts for about 68 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, making it by far the largest contributor. More than a quarter of a million households and businesses are choosing to purchase some or all of their electricity from government accredited Green Power sources. Green Power is renewable energy produced from clean renewable sources such as solar, wind, water and biomass.The National Green Power Accreditation Program sets stringent environmental and reporting standards for renewable energy products offered by electricity suppliers to households and businesses. When customers choose a Green Power accredited product, energy suppliers agree to buy a requested amount of electricity from approved new renewable energy sources. Green Power electricity provider sales and purchases are then independently audited on an annual basis. The Green Power tick is the guarantee that contributions are helping bring about the installation of new sustainable energy projects.
Since its inception in 1997, sales of green Power through the National Green Power Accreditation Program have reduced greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by about 2.75 million tonnes a year. This is reckoned to be the equivalent of taking more than 600,000 cars off the road for a year.
Local plan to cut greenhouse gases
Mordialloc Chelsea Leader, page: 8
monday, 5 june 2006
Kingston Council will invest $250,000 in the next five years to cut greenhouse gases and save water. the council has adopted a greenhouse action plan to reduce its own greenhouse emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 from 2000 levels. street lighting accounts for about half of emissions and council community buildings contribute 42 per cent of CO2 emissions. the plan was discussed when kingston held its first climatechange forum on april 5, attended by more than 50 residents who were encouraged to do their bit.
mayor topsy petchey said protecting the environment was the responsibility of all levels of government and the community. "global warming is expected to threaten our water supplies, the weather, crop production and health in the lifetimes of our children, " cr petchey said. the council will: fit key council buildings with energy-efficient lighting; upgrade airconditioning; progressively buy 15 per cent of its electricity from wind farms or hydroelectricity schemes; continue to buy energy-efficient office equipment; enforce the state government's five-star energy rating for new houses; encourage car-pooling among its staff; buy smaller, more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles; and, upgrade toilets to dual-flush at northcliffe lodge in edithvale, install water tanks at waves leisure centre and install waterless urinals at kingston arts centre.
monday, 5 june 2006
Kingston Council will invest $250,000 in the next five years to cut greenhouse gases and save water. the council has adopted a greenhouse action plan to reduce its own greenhouse emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 from 2000 levels. street lighting accounts for about half of emissions and council community buildings contribute 42 per cent of CO2 emissions. the plan was discussed when kingston held its first climatechange forum on april 5, attended by more than 50 residents who were encouraged to do their bit.
mayor topsy petchey said protecting the environment was the responsibility of all levels of government and the community. "global warming is expected to threaten our water supplies, the weather, crop production and health in the lifetimes of our children, " cr petchey said. the council will: fit key council buildings with energy-efficient lighting; upgrade airconditioning; progressively buy 15 per cent of its electricity from wind farms or hydroelectricity schemes; continue to buy energy-efficient office equipment; enforce the state government's five-star energy rating for new houses; encourage car-pooling among its staff; buy smaller, more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles; and, upgrade toilets to dual-flush at northcliffe lodge in edithvale, install water tanks at waves leisure centre and install waterless urinals at kingston arts centre.
Monday, 5 June 2006
Wind part of solution to Australia's energy needs
The Ballarat Courier, Page: 21
Friday, 2 June 2006
THE energy debate in Australia will continue to take centre stage as Australia's energy requirements skyrocket at a level higher, per capita, than any other developed nation. Pacific Hydro, one of Australia's leading renewable energy developers, says the debate should not be centring on which source of energy we should be switching to but what combination of energy we will need to provide our energy needs into the future. It believes Australia is in a unique position to take advantage of its incredible wind resources and wind energy has the ability to provide up to 20 per cent of Australia's energy resources. Currently, wind energy provides about 1 per cent of our energy needs.
While there is no suggestion that wind energy should be our only source of energy, it can certainly form part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the country's growing energy needs. Love it or hate it, wind energy does not produce greenhouse gases and can help us to protect our environment. The myths about noise and impact on birdlife continue to be disproved - you have only to visit a wind farm to see for yourself. Pacific Hydro is one of Australia's leading renewable energy developers.
Not only working across western Victoria, Pacific Hydro has operations in the Philippines, Chile, Fiji and North America as well as other parts of Australia. While the company's origins are in run-of-river hydro, in recent years it has expanded into wind resources as well. As drought becomes a fact of life for many rural communities, wind farms have the added benefit of assisting to drought-proof properties. Challicum Hills wind farm near Ararat has been operating for about three years and enjoys overwhelming support from the local community.
The company's values are represented in its operations, which aim to have a minimal impact on the environment and it has also demonstrated its commitment to the communities in which it works, through a newly established community grants scheme known as the Sustainable Communities Fund. Recently the company provided over $40,000 in grants to community groups in and around Ararat in the first round of payments. Pacific Hydro executive manager corporate affairs and marketing, Andrew Richards said: "Our wind farms already provide significant environmental benefits via the production of clean energy so our aim for the Sustainable Communities Fund is to promote positive, longterm social and community-based outcomes."
Friday, 2 June 2006
THE energy debate in Australia will continue to take centre stage as Australia's energy requirements skyrocket at a level higher, per capita, than any other developed nation. Pacific Hydro, one of Australia's leading renewable energy developers, says the debate should not be centring on which source of energy we should be switching to but what combination of energy we will need to provide our energy needs into the future. It believes Australia is in a unique position to take advantage of its incredible wind resources and wind energy has the ability to provide up to 20 per cent of Australia's energy resources. Currently, wind energy provides about 1 per cent of our energy needs.
While there is no suggestion that wind energy should be our only source of energy, it can certainly form part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the country's growing energy needs. Love it or hate it, wind energy does not produce greenhouse gases and can help us to protect our environment. The myths about noise and impact on birdlife continue to be disproved - you have only to visit a wind farm to see for yourself. Pacific Hydro is one of Australia's leading renewable energy developers.
Not only working across western Victoria, Pacific Hydro has operations in the Philippines, Chile, Fiji and North America as well as other parts of Australia. While the company's origins are in run-of-river hydro, in recent years it has expanded into wind resources as well. As drought becomes a fact of life for many rural communities, wind farms have the added benefit of assisting to drought-proof properties. Challicum Hills wind farm near Ararat has been operating for about three years and enjoys overwhelming support from the local community.
The company's values are represented in its operations, which aim to have a minimal impact on the environment and it has also demonstrated its commitment to the communities in which it works, through a newly established community grants scheme known as the Sustainable Communities Fund. Recently the company provided over $40,000 in grants to community groups in and around Ararat in the first round of payments. Pacific Hydro executive manager corporate affairs and marketing, Andrew Richards said: "Our wind farms already provide significant environmental benefits via the production of clean energy so our aim for the Sustainable Communities Fund is to promote positive, longterm social and community-based outcomes."
July start for wind farm
The Mid North Broadcaster, Page: 1
Thursday, 1 June 2006
Preliminary site investigation works at AGL's much-anticipated wind farm near Hallett will begin by the end of July, according to Suzlon Energy Australia which has the contract to design and build the wind farm. AGL's project manager Steven Oswald said the Brown Hill wind farm, with 45 turbines with a capacity of around 2.1MW each, would be capable of generating enough energy for the annual requirements of approximately 54,000 homes. "It's estimated that around 330 GWh of electricity will be generated each year," he said.
Mr Oswald said the wind farm will be positioned so that any potential impacts to the local community are minimised. Suzlon Energy Australia project manager Peter Reed said the preliminary site investigations will probably last around six weeks. "After that we will be putting in four test anchors and commencing work on access roads. By the end of July mobilisation of the civil crew will be complete with construction of the wind farm to start in earnest at the beginning of September.
Up to 30 people will be employed in civil works onsite until around June 2007, and another 10 will be employed for electrical wprk commencing in August this year. A further 25 people will be employed for haulage, crane work and erection of the towers which will also run until June 2007. Mr Reed said while full construction should be complete by the beginning of 2008, Suzlon Energy will continue to employ eight full-time maintenance and service workers at the wind farm. Accommodation operators Maureen and Barry Wright said they anticipate a boost to occupancy in Burra Heritage Cottages Tiver's Row, judging by past influx.
During the 18 month period of the Hallett Power Station construction in 2001/02, Mrs Wright said they had an approximate increase of 20%. She said it was good to hear construction of the wind farm was not far off. "It's very good news. We hope it will boost our summer occupancy," she said.
Thursday, 1 June 2006
Preliminary site investigation works at AGL's much-anticipated wind farm near Hallett will begin by the end of July, according to Suzlon Energy Australia which has the contract to design and build the wind farm. AGL's project manager Steven Oswald said the Brown Hill wind farm, with 45 turbines with a capacity of around 2.1MW each, would be capable of generating enough energy for the annual requirements of approximately 54,000 homes. "It's estimated that around 330 GWh of electricity will be generated each year," he said.
Mr Oswald said the wind farm will be positioned so that any potential impacts to the local community are minimised. Suzlon Energy Australia project manager Peter Reed said the preliminary site investigations will probably last around six weeks. "After that we will be putting in four test anchors and commencing work on access roads. By the end of July mobilisation of the civil crew will be complete with construction of the wind farm to start in earnest at the beginning of September.
Up to 30 people will be employed in civil works onsite until around June 2007, and another 10 will be employed for electrical wprk commencing in August this year. A further 25 people will be employed for haulage, crane work and erection of the towers which will also run until June 2007. Mr Reed said while full construction should be complete by the beginning of 2008, Suzlon Energy will continue to employ eight full-time maintenance and service workers at the wind farm. Accommodation operators Maureen and Barry Wright said they anticipate a boost to occupancy in Burra Heritage Cottages Tiver's Row, judging by past influx.
During the 18 month period of the Hallett Power Station construction in 2001/02, Mrs Wright said they had an approximate increase of 20%. She said it was good to hear construction of the wind farm was not far off. "It's very good news. We hope it will boost our summer occupancy," she said.
$400m Giant Wind Farm
The Adelaide Advertiser, Page: 1
Friday, 2 June 2006
SOUTH Australia will be home to the nation's largest wind farm after last night's announcement of a $400 million expansion of the Lake Bonney wind farm in the South-East. Babcock and Brown Wind Partners said it would spend another $400 million installing 53 more wind turbines, which will generate 159 megawatts of power. This will add to the 46 towers now at the site, near Millicent. In total, the completed wind farm will provide enough energy to power more than 130, 000 homes.
The new turbines, on 80m high towers - just 7m shorter than the Hyatt Regency Hotel building in Adelaide - are expected to be finished by mid-2008. The current 67m high towers caused problems for firefighters in January, when a fire sparked by an electrical fault proved hard to put out because the tops of the towers were out of reach. The fire also triggered an automatic shutdown of the facility during a heatwave, contributing to blackouts which left 63,000 homes without energy. South Australia leads the nation in wind power, with sites also at Starfish Hill, Canunda, Wattle Point and Cathedral Rocks, with another planned for Hallett in the Mid North.
Continued Page 4From Page 1 A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister Pat Conlon said it was another example of South Australia leading the way in wind farm development. "While other states have problems getting wind farms off the ground, this is another example of SA leading the way, " he said. "This state already has 51 per cent of the nation's wind energy and this will further add to our capacity. "Wind Partners chief executive Peter O'Connell said the Lake Bonney wind farm was something to be proud of. "The Lake Bonney wind farms are located on a world class wind site and are being built on a world class scale, " he said. "Australia can be proud of this very significant contribution to the world's renewable energy generating capacity. "
Company chairman Peter Hofbauer said: "The construction of the second stage of the Lake Bonney asset, which enjoys strong community support, will create the largest wind farm in Australia and one of the largest wind farms in the world. "(This development) highlights the huge potential for investment in wind energy in Australia in a global market that is forecast to attract over $173 billion of investment in the five years to 2010. " Construction of the new turbines will start immediately and take about 18 months.
The Lake Bonney development trumps AGL's $263 million, 45 turbine Hallett wind farm, which is expected to be finished by December 2007.
Friday, 2 June 2006
SOUTH Australia will be home to the nation's largest wind farm after last night's announcement of a $400 million expansion of the Lake Bonney wind farm in the South-East. Babcock and Brown Wind Partners said it would spend another $400 million installing 53 more wind turbines, which will generate 159 megawatts of power. This will add to the 46 towers now at the site, near Millicent. In total, the completed wind farm will provide enough energy to power more than 130, 000 homes.
The new turbines, on 80m high towers - just 7m shorter than the Hyatt Regency Hotel building in Adelaide - are expected to be finished by mid-2008. The current 67m high towers caused problems for firefighters in January, when a fire sparked by an electrical fault proved hard to put out because the tops of the towers were out of reach. The fire also triggered an automatic shutdown of the facility during a heatwave, contributing to blackouts which left 63,000 homes without energy. South Australia leads the nation in wind power, with sites also at Starfish Hill, Canunda, Wattle Point and Cathedral Rocks, with another planned for Hallett in the Mid North.
Continued Page 4From Page 1 A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister Pat Conlon said it was another example of South Australia leading the way in wind farm development. "While other states have problems getting wind farms off the ground, this is another example of SA leading the way, " he said. "This state already has 51 per cent of the nation's wind energy and this will further add to our capacity. "Wind Partners chief executive Peter O'Connell said the Lake Bonney wind farm was something to be proud of. "The Lake Bonney wind farms are located on a world class wind site and are being built on a world class scale, " he said. "Australia can be proud of this very significant contribution to the world's renewable energy generating capacity. "
Company chairman Peter Hofbauer said: "The construction of the second stage of the Lake Bonney asset, which enjoys strong community support, will create the largest wind farm in Australia and one of the largest wind farms in the world. "(This development) highlights the huge potential for investment in wind energy in Australia in a global market that is forecast to attract over $173 billion of investment in the five years to 2010. " Construction of the new turbines will start immediately and take about 18 months.
The Lake Bonney development trumps AGL's $263 million, 45 turbine Hallett wind farm, which is expected to be finished by December 2007.
Roaring 40s seals big deal
The Mercury, Page: 13
Friday, 2 June 2006
CALLS for a major lift in Australia's renewable energy target were renewed yesterday, as a Tasmanian company signed a major wind-farm deal in China. Yesterday, Roaring 40s sealed a $300 million deal with major Chinese energy company Guohua Energy. And the Australian Greens backed the call by Roaring 40s for the Federal Government to lift its renewable energy target to prevent more investment being driven offshore. The Greens will challenge the Australian Government to match China's renewable energy target by proposing amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill, which will be debated in Parliament later this month.
Greens energy spokesperson Christine Milne said it was alarming that China was benefiting from the jobs and investment that could be rolling out in Australian communities. ''The leadership being shown by China in setting a 15 per cent target for renewable energy is not only great for the global environment but it will boost the Chinese economy by creating competitive advantage in renewable energy technology, '' Senator Milne said. Earlier last month, Roaring 40s axed plans for its multimillion dollar Heemskirk wind farm on Tasmania's West Coast, blaming Canberra's abandonment of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets. The loss of the project cast a doubt over Roaring 40s' other big Tasmanian project at Musselroe Bay in the North-East.
''This refusal to support the industry, and environment minister Ian Campbell's recent interventions on questionable grounds to prevent wind projects, means Australia is failing to capitalise on the investment required to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and avert the worst consequences of climate change, '' Senator Milne said. Roaring 40s' Chinese project will begin construction later this year and provide 48.75MW of power. The first-stage $80 million project is being built near Rongcheng city, in Shandong Province on China's east coast.
Friday, 2 June 2006
CALLS for a major lift in Australia's renewable energy target were renewed yesterday, as a Tasmanian company signed a major wind-farm deal in China. Yesterday, Roaring 40s sealed a $300 million deal with major Chinese energy company Guohua Energy. And the Australian Greens backed the call by Roaring 40s for the Federal Government to lift its renewable energy target to prevent more investment being driven offshore. The Greens will challenge the Australian Government to match China's renewable energy target by proposing amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill, which will be debated in Parliament later this month.
Greens energy spokesperson Christine Milne said it was alarming that China was benefiting from the jobs and investment that could be rolling out in Australian communities. ''The leadership being shown by China in setting a 15 per cent target for renewable energy is not only great for the global environment but it will boost the Chinese economy by creating competitive advantage in renewable energy technology, '' Senator Milne said. Earlier last month, Roaring 40s axed plans for its multimillion dollar Heemskirk wind farm on Tasmania's West Coast, blaming Canberra's abandonment of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets. The loss of the project cast a doubt over Roaring 40s' other big Tasmanian project at Musselroe Bay in the North-East.
''This refusal to support the industry, and environment minister Ian Campbell's recent interventions on questionable grounds to prevent wind projects, means Australia is failing to capitalise on the investment required to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and avert the worst consequences of climate change, '' Senator Milne said. Roaring 40s' Chinese project will begin construction later this year and provide 48.75MW of power. The first-stage $80 million project is being built near Rongcheng city, in Shandong Province on China's east coast.
Tasmanians will build wind farms in China
The Examiner, Page: 5
Friday, 2 June 2006
Renewable Energy company Roaring 40s has secured contracts to build up to three new wind farms on the east coast of China. The first 49MW wind farm will be a $80 million project near Rongcheng City in Shandong Province on China's East Coast. Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher said the Chinese wind farm marked a breakthrough into East China and the first of what he hoped would be a fruitful relationship with a major Chinese energy company."China is embracing renewable energy as a means of meeting increasing energy demand and improving the environment," he said.
Mr Kelleher said this was the company's second major client in China and was thanks, in part, to the tariff arrangement the Chinese Government had in place for renewable energy. Roaring 40s recently put all wind development in Australia on hold because of the Federal Government's reluctance to increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. This has included the $300 million wind farm project Heemskirk that was earmarked for the West Coast. But in a positive sign for the company, Mr Kelleher said recent talks with the Federal Government revealed that it may be prepared to look at renewable incentives.
Mr Kelleher said construction would start on the wind farm later this year and full commissioning of the project would be by mid-2007. Roaring 40s is a joint venture between a Hong Kong-based power company CLP Group and Hydro Tasmania.
Friday, 2 June 2006
Renewable Energy company Roaring 40s has secured contracts to build up to three new wind farms on the east coast of China. The first 49MW wind farm will be a $80 million project near Rongcheng City in Shandong Province on China's East Coast. Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher said the Chinese wind farm marked a breakthrough into East China and the first of what he hoped would be a fruitful relationship with a major Chinese energy company."China is embracing renewable energy as a means of meeting increasing energy demand and improving the environment," he said.
Mr Kelleher said this was the company's second major client in China and was thanks, in part, to the tariff arrangement the Chinese Government had in place for renewable energy. Roaring 40s recently put all wind development in Australia on hold because of the Federal Government's reluctance to increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. This has included the $300 million wind farm project Heemskirk that was earmarked for the West Coast. But in a positive sign for the company, Mr Kelleher said recent talks with the Federal Government revealed that it may be prepared to look at renewable incentives.
Mr Kelleher said construction would start on the wind farm later this year and full commissioning of the project would be by mid-2007. Roaring 40s is a joint venture between a Hong Kong-based power company CLP Group and Hydro Tasmania.
Pacific Hydro hands out $40,000
The Moyne Gazette, Page: 17
Thursday, 1 June 2006
EIGHT district community groups and projects will share in $40,000 made available by Pacific Hydro. The Yambuk Tennis Club, Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, Port Fairy Cycling Club, Moyne Shire Council, the Port Fairy heated swimming pool project and Brophy Family and Youth Services recieved allocations at a reception at the Victoria Hotel yesterday. Part of its Sustainable Communities Fund, the funding is part of a long-term commitment to support projects in areas where the company is operating. Pacific Hydro chief executive officer Rob Grant promised the good news would continue.
''This will be the first of many annual payments Pacific Hydro will make over the operational life of our Codrington and Yambuk wind farms and we look forward to being a constructive member of the local community for many years to come, '' Mr Grant said. ''We are delighted to make money available to local organisations that are pursuing very worthwhile projects in their community. '' More than 50 organisations in the Port Fairy region applied for first-round funding, the requests totalling more than $600,000. Mr Grant said the company was overwhelmed by the response to the fund.
''All the applications put forward were worthy of funding and choosing these initial recipients was a difficult task. In this regard, we would like to thank Moyne Shire Council and members from the local community for their guidance, advice and support in allocating funding, '' he said. The Sustainable Communities Fund will open for second-round applications in the coming months.
Thursday, 1 June 2006
EIGHT district community groups and projects will share in $40,000 made available by Pacific Hydro. The Yambuk Tennis Club, Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, Port Fairy Cycling Club, Moyne Shire Council, the Port Fairy heated swimming pool project and Brophy Family and Youth Services recieved allocations at a reception at the Victoria Hotel yesterday. Part of its Sustainable Communities Fund, the funding is part of a long-term commitment to support projects in areas where the company is operating. Pacific Hydro chief executive officer Rob Grant promised the good news would continue.
''This will be the first of many annual payments Pacific Hydro will make over the operational life of our Codrington and Yambuk wind farms and we look forward to being a constructive member of the local community for many years to come, '' Mr Grant said. ''We are delighted to make money available to local organisations that are pursuing very worthwhile projects in their community. '' More than 50 organisations in the Port Fairy region applied for first-round funding, the requests totalling more than $600,000. Mr Grant said the company was overwhelmed by the response to the fund.
''All the applications put forward were worthy of funding and choosing these initial recipients was a difficult task. In this regard, we would like to thank Moyne Shire Council and members from the local community for their guidance, advice and support in allocating funding, '' he said. The Sustainable Communities Fund will open for second-round applications in the coming months.
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
Renewable energy for Kalbarri
The Geraldton Guardian, Page: 3
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
HALF of Kalbarri's energy requirements will be supplied through the construction of a $3.8m two-turbine wind farm this year. The project was announced by Energy Minister Francis Logan on Monday as part of an $18m expansion of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP), which will see rebates offered to small and medium sized renewable energy systems in rural areas on the fringe of the main electricity grid. Mr Logan said having the turbines would provide a more reliable power source for Kalbarri, which was known tor Us questionable supply.
"They are two Enercon wind turbines. 800 kilowatts each; webelieve they will certainly go a long way to providing stability for power supply in Kalbarri. " he said. "There is no guarantee the wind will blow all the time and they will get consistent power, but nevertheless it will certainly add to the reliability.
"They are going to be located, webelieve, south of Kalbairi, the actual site of location is still under negation with the shire there. "Mr Logan said when the power generaied by the new turbines was not being absorbed by Kalbarri, it would be fed back into the main grid so communities on the line to Kalbarri would also benefit from a more stable electricity supply. "I'd imagine construction will start before the end of the year, in terms of when the power will be connected. " he added.
Mr Logan saidhedidnot expect opposition from Kalbarrire sidents to the project. "The Walkaway wind site has been very successful and the embracing of renewable energy by the Mid West is fantastic. " he said. "Even if there is some concern about the location, and we haven't had feedback that there is, I think people in town will always come down to having consistent and reliable energy."
The RRPGP is a joint State and Federal Government initiative funded through the diesel fuel excise scheme. Kalbarri is the first major project under an expansion and extension program.
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
HALF of Kalbarri's energy requirements will be supplied through the construction of a $3.8m two-turbine wind farm this year. The project was announced by Energy Minister Francis Logan on Monday as part of an $18m expansion of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP), which will see rebates offered to small and medium sized renewable energy systems in rural areas on the fringe of the main electricity grid. Mr Logan said having the turbines would provide a more reliable power source for Kalbarri, which was known tor Us questionable supply.
"They are two Enercon wind turbines. 800 kilowatts each; webelieve they will certainly go a long way to providing stability for power supply in Kalbarri. " he said. "There is no guarantee the wind will blow all the time and they will get consistent power, but nevertheless it will certainly add to the reliability.
"They are going to be located, webelieve, south of Kalbairi, the actual site of location is still under negation with the shire there. "Mr Logan said when the power generaied by the new turbines was not being absorbed by Kalbarri, it would be fed back into the main grid so communities on the line to Kalbarri would also benefit from a more stable electricity supply. "I'd imagine construction will start before the end of the year, in terms of when the power will be connected. " he added.
Mr Logan saidhedidnot expect opposition from Kalbarrire sidents to the project. "The Walkaway wind site has been very successful and the embracing of renewable energy by the Mid West is fantastic. " he said. "Even if there is some concern about the location, and we haven't had feedback that there is, I think people in town will always come down to having consistent and reliable energy."
The RRPGP is a joint State and Federal Government initiative funded through the diesel fuel excise scheme. Kalbarri is the first major project under an expansion and extension program.
Investors turn green with energy
The Australian Financial Review, Page: 27
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
Melting ice caps, the rising incidence of natural disasters and soaring oil prices are pointing some savvy investors in the direction of green energy. Uranium stocks have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the drive to find alternative sources of energy, buoyed by Prime Minister John Howard signing a deal to sell the mineral to China, and a potential agreement with India. But not everyone is buying in to that story. Some fund managers won't touch the industry with a barge pole on the grounds that it is highly speculative.
Luckily, uranium is not the only alternative to coal, gas and oil. Governments around the world are promoting renewable energy from sources such as wind and water as a means of reducing greenhouse emissions. Furthermore, they are setting targets for renewable energy. China has set a 15 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020. In Australia, Victoria is expected to pass laws setting a 10 per cent target for renewable energy.
South Australia has a 15 per cent target, while nearly half the US states, including California, have imposed mandatory targets. All of a sudden, water, wind arid sun are looking like attractive investments. In Victoria the government's plans have encouraged energy companies such as Lakes Oil to tender for 31 exploration permits to find Victoria's geothermal hot spots. According to the Total Environment Centre, 12 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal power.
Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) president Andrew Richards, thinks wind power is leading the way. "Most low-emission solutions being contemplated require technological breakthroughs and are still many years away from commercial deployment," he says. "In contrast, wind energy does not need to be invented, nor is there any need to wait for a magical technological breakthrough. It is already being deployed on a global scale.
"There is certainly room for growth in the sector. According to Auswind, total installed wind energy capacity in Australia was 572 megawatts at the end of last year, compared with 6750MW in the US, 3000MW in India, 991MW in Japan, 769MW in China and 71MW in South Korea. Australia's biggest fund manager, Colonial First State, has invested in the $850 million Babcock & Brown Wind Partners Group, which has stakes in 16 wind farms in North America, Europe and Australia. The listed group's market value increased $180 million between October and December, prompting a hefty $33 million payment in performance fees to its parent company, Babcock & Brown.
Trading at 38 times forecast earnings for 2007, BBWG's share price closed at $1.585 on Monday. Investment banks JP Morgan and UBS have both set a target price of $1.90.Their recommendations are "overweight" and "neutral" respectively.
CFS's head of Australian equities, Simon Shields, says, "We're not Ethical Investors. We look for businesses that are sustainable and on these merits we invest." Despite the potential for green energy, not all companies in the sector are having a good time. Tasmanian company Roaring 40s recently halted development of its $180 million Waterloo Wind Farm, 30 kilometres south-east of Clare.
The company, a joint venture between Asian power developer CLP Group and government business enterprise Hydro Tasmania, blamed the federal government's mandatory renewable energy target scheme. The scheme offers financial incentives for establishing clean and green energy but the targets - which require suppliers to source 2 per cent of their power from renewable sources - have almost been met. The executive director of the Australian Business Council for Continued Sustainable Energy, Ric Brazzale, last week called on the government to reset the targets." The missing link in getting private sector investment into developing and deploying clean energy technologies has been an incentive for companies to do so.
Clearly, something more than 'business as usual' needs to be done if Australia is to play its part in tackling climate change," he said. Until the sector gets more subsidies, investors should take Shields's advice and pick a potentially sustainable business. For investors who prefer wind power, two listed companies to note are Jackgreen and Viridis Clean Energy Group. Sydney-based Jackgreen sells electricity in NSW, Victoria and South Australia entirely sourced from wind farms and hydro generators.
Despite a slow start after a backdoor listing in December 2004, it finally received its financial services licence in March last year. While it has had to draw on the support of its institutional investor, Babcock & Brown, and raise a further S2.09 million, Jackgreen has a unique selling point: its renewable energy costs the consumer no more than its coal-based cousins. Since March last year, Jackgreen has signed up 10,000 households for three years and hopes to provide electricity for 100,000 homes by June next year.
The shares, which listed at 20c before falling to 7c last year, closed on Monday at 40c. A fund manager who did not wish to be named says: "Jackgreen's equal [pricing] strategy has been expensive but it gives people what they want." In 2004, Jackgreen surveyed 3000 households and more than 90 per cent said they would sign up to green energy if it cost them no more than other energy. The analyst says: "The issue is that Origin and others have to generate green energy anyway to meet the government's 2 per cent target and they then charge the customer more for it.
"Jackgreen forecasts a net profit after tax in the vicinity of $5 million for 2006-07. One analyst says it's difficult to project the company's price-earnings ratio. The wind is blowing in the right direction for Viridis, which floated in September at $1 per share after raising $126 million. The group, which is 8 percent owned by Investors Mutual, has a strong following because of the high yields it generates from its wind farms, landfill gas and other renewable energy projects in the US and Europe.
Undeterred by its $ 1.2 million first half net loss, Viridis plans to accumulate $100 million in clean energy investments over the next 12 months. Its shareholders are also buoyed by the company's maiden distribution of 2.5$ a share on March 31 and promises of a 7.1$ dividend in 2005-06 and 9.5$ in 2006-07. Trading on a high forecast multiple of 78 times, Viridis closed at 90c on Monday.
ABN Amro analyst Nicholas Burgess recommends buying the shares at $1.17. There are also opportunities elsewhere. The official sales process for the $2.5 billion float of Snowy Hydro is under way.
The company, which recently appointed Sydney Futures Exchange chair Rick Holliday-Smithas its chairman, hopes to raise more than $2.5 billion. The Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme generates clean and renewable energy through 31 hydro and six gas-fired units and has a licence to store and divert water from the Snowy River catchmentuntil 2079. One analyst says: "We expect there will be strong demand for the shares."
NSW Finance Minister John Delia Bosca has said the float has been timed to coincide with Snowy Hydro's plans for capital expansion into the national electricity market. The NSW government, which owns 58 per cent of Snowy Hydro, stands to pocket at least $1.5 billion from the sale. The Victorian government owns a 29 per cent stake and the federal government 13 per cent.
Meanwhile, New Zealand electricity generator and retailer Trust-Power has enjoyed a 34 per cent increase in its share price over the last year. It recently posted fullyear net profits of SNZ81.4 million ($68.2 million) to end-March against SNZ73.2 million a year ago.
TrustPower has 18 hydro schemes and two wind farms located on the North and South islands. Total annual output is about 2000 gigawatt-hours, compared to a retail load of 4700 GWh. About 55 per cent of this load is fixed-tariff customers, with the rest on variable rates, where TrustPower manages the load for mainly industrial customers. UBS analyst Wade Gardiner says the "strong fourth quarter was due to high wholesale price exposure".
Gardiner says in a research note: "In our view, the company's key risk is fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices at times when it is inadequately hedged." TrustPower, which is trading at 22 times forecast earnings, closed at SNZ6.90 on Monday. Infratil and Alliant have effective control, with a combined share of 59 per cent.
Gardiner recommends investors "reduce" their shareholdings and his target price is SNZ6.50. Other listed renewable energy companies that have been on the radar of investors include Geodynamics, which develops renewable geothermal energy from hot dry rocks, and Environmental Solutions International, which treats water and waste water. Biodiesel fuel companies Australian Biodiesel Group, Australian Renewable Fuels and Mission Biofuels have also caught the attention of investors.
Mission Biofuels listed in May and has a 100,000 tonne per annum biodiesel refinery in Kuantan Port, Malaysia. It recently received permission to establish a 200,000 tonne per annum facility adjacent to its present site. "We expect there will be strong demand for the Snowy Hydro shares."
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
Melting ice caps, the rising incidence of natural disasters and soaring oil prices are pointing some savvy investors in the direction of green energy. Uranium stocks have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the drive to find alternative sources of energy, buoyed by Prime Minister John Howard signing a deal to sell the mineral to China, and a potential agreement with India. But not everyone is buying in to that story. Some fund managers won't touch the industry with a barge pole on the grounds that it is highly speculative.
Luckily, uranium is not the only alternative to coal, gas and oil. Governments around the world are promoting renewable energy from sources such as wind and water as a means of reducing greenhouse emissions. Furthermore, they are setting targets for renewable energy. China has set a 15 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020. In Australia, Victoria is expected to pass laws setting a 10 per cent target for renewable energy.
South Australia has a 15 per cent target, while nearly half the US states, including California, have imposed mandatory targets. All of a sudden, water, wind arid sun are looking like attractive investments. In Victoria the government's plans have encouraged energy companies such as Lakes Oil to tender for 31 exploration permits to find Victoria's geothermal hot spots. According to the Total Environment Centre, 12 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal power.
Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) president Andrew Richards, thinks wind power is leading the way. "Most low-emission solutions being contemplated require technological breakthroughs and are still many years away from commercial deployment," he says. "In contrast, wind energy does not need to be invented, nor is there any need to wait for a magical technological breakthrough. It is already being deployed on a global scale.
"There is certainly room for growth in the sector. According to Auswind, total installed wind energy capacity in Australia was 572 megawatts at the end of last year, compared with 6750MW in the US, 3000MW in India, 991MW in Japan, 769MW in China and 71MW in South Korea. Australia's biggest fund manager, Colonial First State, has invested in the $850 million Babcock & Brown Wind Partners Group, which has stakes in 16 wind farms in North America, Europe and Australia. The listed group's market value increased $180 million between October and December, prompting a hefty $33 million payment in performance fees to its parent company, Babcock & Brown.
Trading at 38 times forecast earnings for 2007, BBWG's share price closed at $1.585 on Monday. Investment banks JP Morgan and UBS have both set a target price of $1.90.Their recommendations are "overweight" and "neutral" respectively.
CFS's head of Australian equities, Simon Shields, says, "We're not Ethical Investors. We look for businesses that are sustainable and on these merits we invest." Despite the potential for green energy, not all companies in the sector are having a good time. Tasmanian company Roaring 40s recently halted development of its $180 million Waterloo Wind Farm, 30 kilometres south-east of Clare.
The company, a joint venture between Asian power developer CLP Group and government business enterprise Hydro Tasmania, blamed the federal government's mandatory renewable energy target scheme. The scheme offers financial incentives for establishing clean and green energy but the targets - which require suppliers to source 2 per cent of their power from renewable sources - have almost been met. The executive director of the Australian Business Council for Continued Sustainable Energy, Ric Brazzale, last week called on the government to reset the targets." The missing link in getting private sector investment into developing and deploying clean energy technologies has been an incentive for companies to do so.
Clearly, something more than 'business as usual' needs to be done if Australia is to play its part in tackling climate change," he said. Until the sector gets more subsidies, investors should take Shields's advice and pick a potentially sustainable business. For investors who prefer wind power, two listed companies to note are Jackgreen and Viridis Clean Energy Group. Sydney-based Jackgreen sells electricity in NSW, Victoria and South Australia entirely sourced from wind farms and hydro generators.
Despite a slow start after a backdoor listing in December 2004, it finally received its financial services licence in March last year. While it has had to draw on the support of its institutional investor, Babcock & Brown, and raise a further S2.09 million, Jackgreen has a unique selling point: its renewable energy costs the consumer no more than its coal-based cousins. Since March last year, Jackgreen has signed up 10,000 households for three years and hopes to provide electricity for 100,000 homes by June next year.
The shares, which listed at 20c before falling to 7c last year, closed on Monday at 40c. A fund manager who did not wish to be named says: "Jackgreen's equal [pricing] strategy has been expensive but it gives people what they want." In 2004, Jackgreen surveyed 3000 households and more than 90 per cent said they would sign up to green energy if it cost them no more than other energy. The analyst says: "The issue is that Origin and others have to generate green energy anyway to meet the government's 2 per cent target and they then charge the customer more for it.
"Jackgreen forecasts a net profit after tax in the vicinity of $5 million for 2006-07. One analyst says it's difficult to project the company's price-earnings ratio. The wind is blowing in the right direction for Viridis, which floated in September at $1 per share after raising $126 million. The group, which is 8 percent owned by Investors Mutual, has a strong following because of the high yields it generates from its wind farms, landfill gas and other renewable energy projects in the US and Europe.
Undeterred by its $ 1.2 million first half net loss, Viridis plans to accumulate $100 million in clean energy investments over the next 12 months. Its shareholders are also buoyed by the company's maiden distribution of 2.5$ a share on March 31 and promises of a 7.1$ dividend in 2005-06 and 9.5$ in 2006-07. Trading on a high forecast multiple of 78 times, Viridis closed at 90c on Monday.
ABN Amro analyst Nicholas Burgess recommends buying the shares at $1.17. There are also opportunities elsewhere. The official sales process for the $2.5 billion float of Snowy Hydro is under way.
The company, which recently appointed Sydney Futures Exchange chair Rick Holliday-Smithas its chairman, hopes to raise more than $2.5 billion. The Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme generates clean and renewable energy through 31 hydro and six gas-fired units and has a licence to store and divert water from the Snowy River catchmentuntil 2079. One analyst says: "We expect there will be strong demand for the shares."
NSW Finance Minister John Delia Bosca has said the float has been timed to coincide with Snowy Hydro's plans for capital expansion into the national electricity market. The NSW government, which owns 58 per cent of Snowy Hydro, stands to pocket at least $1.5 billion from the sale. The Victorian government owns a 29 per cent stake and the federal government 13 per cent.
Meanwhile, New Zealand electricity generator and retailer Trust-Power has enjoyed a 34 per cent increase in its share price over the last year. It recently posted fullyear net profits of SNZ81.4 million ($68.2 million) to end-March against SNZ73.2 million a year ago.
TrustPower has 18 hydro schemes and two wind farms located on the North and South islands. Total annual output is about 2000 gigawatt-hours, compared to a retail load of 4700 GWh. About 55 per cent of this load is fixed-tariff customers, with the rest on variable rates, where TrustPower manages the load for mainly industrial customers. UBS analyst Wade Gardiner says the "strong fourth quarter was due to high wholesale price exposure".
Gardiner says in a research note: "In our view, the company's key risk is fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices at times when it is inadequately hedged." TrustPower, which is trading at 22 times forecast earnings, closed at SNZ6.90 on Monday. Infratil and Alliant have effective control, with a combined share of 59 per cent.
Gardiner recommends investors "reduce" their shareholdings and his target price is SNZ6.50. Other listed renewable energy companies that have been on the radar of investors include Geodynamics, which develops renewable geothermal energy from hot dry rocks, and Environmental Solutions International, which treats water and waste water. Biodiesel fuel companies Australian Biodiesel Group, Australian Renewable Fuels and Mission Biofuels have also caught the attention of investors.
Mission Biofuels listed in May and has a 100,000 tonne per annum biodiesel refinery in Kuantan Port, Malaysia. It recently received permission to establish a 200,000 tonne per annum facility adjacent to its present site. "We expect there will be strong demand for the Snowy Hydro shares."
Don’t be complacent warns Hatton
South Coast Register, Page: 2
Monday, 29 May 2006
By JUNE WEBSTER
IT WAS deja vu for former State Member for South Coast John Hatton when he heard of the latest push for a nuclear power plant in Jervis Bay "People should not be complacent about this issue," Mr Hatton said. "The last time we dealt with the Atomic Energy Commission they lied and prevaricated that was my experience. "I'm surprised that the Government is expecting people to trust them on this issue."
"The last time a nuclear power plant was proposed in 1970 and I was shire president at the time the only way council found out about it was through leaked information," he said. "This current situation is almost a replay of 1970." Back then we had a Prime Minister who was determined that it was going to happen and there was no debate," he said. "This time however the Prime Minister has control of the Senate whereas in 1970 he didn't," "I don't care what Jo Gash says, if the Feds want to put the nuclear power plant in Jervis Bay then they will put it there," Mr Hatton said.
Mr Hatton said it takes 10 years to build a nuclear plant so it's not a short-term option "It is more expensive than solar or wind power or coal-fired power stations," he said. "Australia has the leading technology in the world on solar power so a mix between solar and wind power and use of crop residues would all be far more economical than atomic power."
Mr Hatton said he was genuinely puzzled why the Federal Government with its huge surplus did not put more money into developing alternative power sources. "One thing people forget about is that when nuclear plants reach their use-by date no one knows what to do with them," he said. "If you include the cost of clean-up at the end of the life of a power station it's way over the top." he said.
Monday, 29 May 2006
By JUNE WEBSTER
IT WAS deja vu for former State Member for South Coast John Hatton when he heard of the latest push for a nuclear power plant in Jervis Bay "People should not be complacent about this issue," Mr Hatton said. "The last time we dealt with the Atomic Energy Commission they lied and prevaricated that was my experience. "I'm surprised that the Government is expecting people to trust them on this issue."
"The last time a nuclear power plant was proposed in 1970 and I was shire president at the time the only way council found out about it was through leaked information," he said. "This current situation is almost a replay of 1970." Back then we had a Prime Minister who was determined that it was going to happen and there was no debate," he said. "This time however the Prime Minister has control of the Senate whereas in 1970 he didn't," "I don't care what Jo Gash says, if the Feds want to put the nuclear power plant in Jervis Bay then they will put it there," Mr Hatton said.
Mr Hatton said it takes 10 years to build a nuclear plant so it's not a short-term option "It is more expensive than solar or wind power or coal-fired power stations," he said. "Australia has the leading technology in the world on solar power so a mix between solar and wind power and use of crop residues would all be far more economical than atomic power."
Mr Hatton said he was genuinely puzzled why the Federal Government with its huge surplus did not put more money into developing alternative power sources. "One thing people forget about is that when nuclear plants reach their use-by date no one knows what to do with them," he said. "If you include the cost of clean-up at the end of the life of a power station it's way over the top." he said.
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
'Climate of fear' in solar research
The Canberra Times, Page: 3
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
Australia's renewable energy researchers are operating in a "climate of fear", causing loss of expertise and tipping a former worldleading industry into decline, a leading scientist says. Murdoch University Professor of Energy Studies Dr Phillip Jennings said scientists were fearful of losing research grants if they were perceived as criticising Federal Government policies on renewable energy or climate change "They're afraid of being victimised because they have seen it happen to colleagues who have spoken up about government funding cuts to renewables research, " he said. Former federal energy policy adviser and whistleblower Guy Pearce has also called for "independent and credible economic research" to inform the Government's policy on energy options and climate change. "It's important to understand that some of the same interests who have persuaded our government to avoid emission cuts domestically also have an interest in domestic nuclear power.
Our two biggest uranium producers are also in the coal and aluminium business, " Professor Pearce told a coastal environment forum in Queensland last week. Professor Jennings said Australia had been a pioneer and world leader in solar technology since the 1940s, but was rapidly losing its leadership status as research programs were closed and scientists moved overseas to take up lucrative research opportunities in Europe, China and Japan. "Australia has already lost solar thermal technology to China because there were no funds for its commercialisation. It would have created an industry worth at least $1 billion, but that's gone now.
"Because of the work that was being done at CSIRO, we led the world in solar water heater technology. Their design was the base for subsequent heaters, but because of the Government's short-sighted views on renewable energy, we've lost that lead now to Israel and Greece. "Professor Jennings said the Federal Government had progressively stripped solar energy of research funding, closing the Energy Research and Development Corporation and the Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy. There were now only two solar energy research centres - at the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales - despite Australia's strong international track record of innovative solar technology.
Federal Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell was travelling in Western Australia yesterday and unavailable for comment. Science Minister Julie Bishop was also unavailable. Greens energy spokeswoman Senator Christine Milne said solar energy researchers had been progressively shut out of national debate on climate change by the Government because "there are thought to be not enough dollars for the big end of town in solar energy". She said Australia was already losing ground to China, which had set a 15 per cent target for achieving uptake of renewable energy.
China's first billionaire, Dr Zhengrong Shi, a graduate of the University of NSW's renewable energy centre, had recently donated funds to help support renewable energy research at the university "because he felt it was not getting an appropriate level of government support", Senator Milne said. The Chinese billionaire and founder of Suntech Power returned to China in 2001 to set up a company to make photovoltaic cells for use in solar panels. In 2005, he listed his $296 million company on the New York stock exchange, and its market cap has since soared to $7.2 billion.
A recent report to the World Bank by six leading scientists has recommended active and continued support for solar thermal technology claiming it could play "a more significant role" than wind farms in achieving deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. The World Bank report supports claims made in a confidential report by the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development that solar thermal technology is capable of producing Australia's entire electricity demand.
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
Australia's renewable energy researchers are operating in a "climate of fear", causing loss of expertise and tipping a former worldleading industry into decline, a leading scientist says. Murdoch University Professor of Energy Studies Dr Phillip Jennings said scientists were fearful of losing research grants if they were perceived as criticising Federal Government policies on renewable energy or climate change "They're afraid of being victimised because they have seen it happen to colleagues who have spoken up about government funding cuts to renewables research, " he said. Former federal energy policy adviser and whistleblower Guy Pearce has also called for "independent and credible economic research" to inform the Government's policy on energy options and climate change. "It's important to understand that some of the same interests who have persuaded our government to avoid emission cuts domestically also have an interest in domestic nuclear power.
Our two biggest uranium producers are also in the coal and aluminium business, " Professor Pearce told a coastal environment forum in Queensland last week. Professor Jennings said Australia had been a pioneer and world leader in solar technology since the 1940s, but was rapidly losing its leadership status as research programs were closed and scientists moved overseas to take up lucrative research opportunities in Europe, China and Japan. "Australia has already lost solar thermal technology to China because there were no funds for its commercialisation. It would have created an industry worth at least $1 billion, but that's gone now.
"Because of the work that was being done at CSIRO, we led the world in solar water heater technology. Their design was the base for subsequent heaters, but because of the Government's short-sighted views on renewable energy, we've lost that lead now to Israel and Greece. "Professor Jennings said the Federal Government had progressively stripped solar energy of research funding, closing the Energy Research and Development Corporation and the Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy. There were now only two solar energy research centres - at the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales - despite Australia's strong international track record of innovative solar technology.
Federal Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell was travelling in Western Australia yesterday and unavailable for comment. Science Minister Julie Bishop was also unavailable. Greens energy spokeswoman Senator Christine Milne said solar energy researchers had been progressively shut out of national debate on climate change by the Government because "there are thought to be not enough dollars for the big end of town in solar energy". She said Australia was already losing ground to China, which had set a 15 per cent target for achieving uptake of renewable energy.
China's first billionaire, Dr Zhengrong Shi, a graduate of the University of NSW's renewable energy centre, had recently donated funds to help support renewable energy research at the university "because he felt it was not getting an appropriate level of government support", Senator Milne said. The Chinese billionaire and founder of Suntech Power returned to China in 2001 to set up a company to make photovoltaic cells for use in solar panels. In 2005, he listed his $296 million company on the New York stock exchange, and its market cap has since soared to $7.2 billion.
A recent report to the World Bank by six leading scientists has recommended active and continued support for solar thermal technology claiming it could play "a more significant role" than wind farms in achieving deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. The World Bank report supports claims made in a confidential report by the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development that solar thermal technology is capable of producing Australia's entire electricity demand.
Editorial - Australasian Science
Australasian Science, Page: 1
Saturday, 27 May 2006
Over the past decade Australia has enjoyed an unprecedented economic boom. Government coffers are awash with revenue, leading Treasurer Peter Costello to announce $37 billion in income tax cuts last month. Even with this year's largesse, a significant surplus has been forecast for the coming financial year. Past surplus forecasts have proved to be conservative, leading analysts to predict that the government's swelling kitty will be used in next year's Budget to bribe the electorate in the lead-up to the 2007 federal election.
While last month's Budget included $590 million in new funding for medical research over 4 years - a winner with the public - other areas of science were not invited to the party (see p. 13). While medical research makes voters feel good about the taxes they pay, such research needs to be underpinned by basic research in the enabling sciences. However, these have been left to wither.
Australia's expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP has been stagnant over the decade-long term of the Howard government, and has slipped to 16th in the OECD as other nations set ambitious targets. When the government's Backing Australia's Ability 2 program expires in 2011, countries like Canada will be spending twice as much as Australia according to this measure. If Australia can't invest for the future during these times of sustained prosperity, how will it do so when there is a downturn in the economy? Last month's Budget lacked the vision required to set Australia up for the decades ahead. The present commodities boom may have paid for today's tax cuts, but where will the revenue streams come from when the bust comes? Where is the vision to foster the industries of the future? A case in point is the government's trenchant support for the coal industry.
While research into "clean coal" technologies has received massive support, the lights have been turned out on several renewable energy research programs. For example, renewable energy company Roaring 40s last month halted work on wind energy projects worth $550 million because the government's 2% Mandatory Renewable Energy Target has not been increased. The target has almost been reached, and an increase is necessary to drive the young industry further. Roaring 40s recently announced a $300 million wind farm deal with China, which has a renewable energy target of 15%.
The company says the wind power industry will collapse without an extension of the MRET scheme.
Saturday, 27 May 2006
Over the past decade Australia has enjoyed an unprecedented economic boom. Government coffers are awash with revenue, leading Treasurer Peter Costello to announce $37 billion in income tax cuts last month. Even with this year's largesse, a significant surplus has been forecast for the coming financial year. Past surplus forecasts have proved to be conservative, leading analysts to predict that the government's swelling kitty will be used in next year's Budget to bribe the electorate in the lead-up to the 2007 federal election.
While last month's Budget included $590 million in new funding for medical research over 4 years - a winner with the public - other areas of science were not invited to the party (see p. 13). While medical research makes voters feel good about the taxes they pay, such research needs to be underpinned by basic research in the enabling sciences. However, these have been left to wither.
Australia's expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP has been stagnant over the decade-long term of the Howard government, and has slipped to 16th in the OECD as other nations set ambitious targets. When the government's Backing Australia's Ability 2 program expires in 2011, countries like Canada will be spending twice as much as Australia according to this measure. If Australia can't invest for the future during these times of sustained prosperity, how will it do so when there is a downturn in the economy? Last month's Budget lacked the vision required to set Australia up for the decades ahead. The present commodities boom may have paid for today's tax cuts, but where will the revenue streams come from when the bust comes? Where is the vision to foster the industries of the future? A case in point is the government's trenchant support for the coal industry.
While research into "clean coal" technologies has received massive support, the lights have been turned out on several renewable energy research programs. For example, renewable energy company Roaring 40s last month halted work on wind energy projects worth $550 million because the government's 2% Mandatory Renewable Energy Target has not been increased. The target has almost been reached, and an increase is necessary to drive the young industry further. Roaring 40s recently announced a $300 million wind farm deal with China, which has a renewable energy target of 15%.
The company says the wind power industry will collapse without an extension of the MRET scheme.
Aussie companies get wind of perfect energy solution
The Canberra Times, Page: 24
Friday, 26 May 2006
IN the past 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has dramatically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. There is now strong scientific evidence that this increase in greenhouse gas levels is causing an acceleration of the greenhouse effect, causing irreversible climate change. Scientists predict that the average global temperature will increase by up to two degrees celsius by 2030, and by as much as six degrees by 2070. Given that a rise of less than half of one degree produces dramatic ecosystem changes, the potential impacts of global warming could be devastating.
Extreme weather fluctuations such as droughts, storms, floods, heat waves and hail are already more frequent and more severe. There is a pressing need for Australia to pursue less harmful ways of producing the energy we need. Several renewable energy companies are now choosing to generate electricity from non-polluting wind and water. These are business decisions, guided by economic, social and environmental considerations that have delivered sustained profit growth, the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as significant benefits to local communities.
Wind energy consumes nothing and produces no pollution. It does not cause irreversible and unknown damage to the climate or to the environment. Likewise, it is immune from long term price volatility and will never be a terrorist target. The USA, Canada, India, China and many European nations are leading the way in wind power, with the US planning to install 3,000MW of new wind generation this year alone - that's more than four times the total capacity of all Australian wind farms.
Wind energy has zero fuel price risk, zero fuel costs and extremely low running costs. Its fuel is free and endless. As electricity prices rise, wind energy is an obvious choice for the economic security of Australia's energy supply. The cost of wind energy for the consumer is currently up to twice the cost of fossil fuel generated electricity, but with economies of scale and fossil fuel costs rising, wind energy will be cost-competitive within 10-15 years.
If the cost of environmental and health pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions were factored in, wind energy would be cost-competitive with fossil-fuels today. So how does a windmill make electricity? Wind generator blades rotate due to a pressure differential caused by air moving over the surface of the blade. The blades cause a rotor to turn, which drives an electrical generator; just as steam drives a generator in a coal-fired or nuclear power station. The turbines used in Australian wind farms are 'smart machines' which require minimal maintenance.
Interestingly, most of Australia's wind farms are subject to hot northerly winds on summer days when the power system faces the biggest demand, largely due to the use of large numbers of air conditioners. On those days, wind farms contribute energy when it is needed the most. Opponents of windfarms say that the generators pose a threat to native birdlife, however, studies from Canada, Denmark and the US show that the total impact on wildlife from wind farms is negligible compared to the impact from road traffic. Wind energy's supporters also point to the thousands of species that will face extinction due to climate change in coming years if pollution-free energy systems are not adopted.
Australian wind farms are required to undertake detailed flora and fauna studies during their planning process to ensure minimal environmental impact during planning, construction and operation. The Australian Wind Energy Association, Auswind, has internationally-recognised Best Practice guidelines which its members follow in all stages of wind farm development. Wind farming is also popular with farmers, because well over 90% of their land can continue to be used for growing crops or grazing livestock. Wind energy is one of the most responsible energy sources, and Australia is well placed to take advantage of this finite resource.
It will not be the answer to all our future energy needs, but the Australian Greenhouse Office has found that the national electricity market can comfortably support 8, 000 MW of wind power, which is more than 10 times our current level. And all this without producing any pollution. It is no doubt time for Australians to realise that wind energy is more than a load of hot air. Our future depends on it.
Friday, 26 May 2006
IN the past 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has dramatically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. There is now strong scientific evidence that this increase in greenhouse gas levels is causing an acceleration of the greenhouse effect, causing irreversible climate change. Scientists predict that the average global temperature will increase by up to two degrees celsius by 2030, and by as much as six degrees by 2070. Given that a rise of less than half of one degree produces dramatic ecosystem changes, the potential impacts of global warming could be devastating.
Extreme weather fluctuations such as droughts, storms, floods, heat waves and hail are already more frequent and more severe. There is a pressing need for Australia to pursue less harmful ways of producing the energy we need. Several renewable energy companies are now choosing to generate electricity from non-polluting wind and water. These are business decisions, guided by economic, social and environmental considerations that have delivered sustained profit growth, the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as significant benefits to local communities.
Wind energy consumes nothing and produces no pollution. It does not cause irreversible and unknown damage to the climate or to the environment. Likewise, it is immune from long term price volatility and will never be a terrorist target. The USA, Canada, India, China and many European nations are leading the way in wind power, with the US planning to install 3,000MW of new wind generation this year alone - that's more than four times the total capacity of all Australian wind farms.
Wind energy has zero fuel price risk, zero fuel costs and extremely low running costs. Its fuel is free and endless. As electricity prices rise, wind energy is an obvious choice for the economic security of Australia's energy supply. The cost of wind energy for the consumer is currently up to twice the cost of fossil fuel generated electricity, but with economies of scale and fossil fuel costs rising, wind energy will be cost-competitive within 10-15 years.
If the cost of environmental and health pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions were factored in, wind energy would be cost-competitive with fossil-fuels today. So how does a windmill make electricity? Wind generator blades rotate due to a pressure differential caused by air moving over the surface of the blade. The blades cause a rotor to turn, which drives an electrical generator; just as steam drives a generator in a coal-fired or nuclear power station. The turbines used in Australian wind farms are 'smart machines' which require minimal maintenance.
Interestingly, most of Australia's wind farms are subject to hot northerly winds on summer days when the power system faces the biggest demand, largely due to the use of large numbers of air conditioners. On those days, wind farms contribute energy when it is needed the most. Opponents of windfarms say that the generators pose a threat to native birdlife, however, studies from Canada, Denmark and the US show that the total impact on wildlife from wind farms is negligible compared to the impact from road traffic. Wind energy's supporters also point to the thousands of species that will face extinction due to climate change in coming years if pollution-free energy systems are not adopted.
Australian wind farms are required to undertake detailed flora and fauna studies during their planning process to ensure minimal environmental impact during planning, construction and operation. The Australian Wind Energy Association, Auswind, has internationally-recognised Best Practice guidelines which its members follow in all stages of wind farm development. Wind farming is also popular with farmers, because well over 90% of their land can continue to be used for growing crops or grazing livestock. Wind energy is one of the most responsible energy sources, and Australia is well placed to take advantage of this finite resource.
It will not be the answer to all our future energy needs, but the Australian Greenhouse Office has found that the national electricity market can comfortably support 8, 000 MW of wind power, which is more than 10 times our current level. And all this without producing any pollution. It is no doubt time for Australians to realise that wind energy is more than a load of hot air. Our future depends on it.
Thursday, 25 May 2006
Venture Capital Wakes Up To Envirobusiness
Ethical Investor, Page: 17
Wednesday, 24 May 2006
Cleantech is the new buzzword flying around the venture capital world and is broadly defined as manufacturing processes or product technologies that reduce pollution or waste, energy use, or materialuse in comparison to the technologies that they replace. Examples include such innovative and expanding technologies as solar photovoltaics, wind power, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cells, biobased materials and advance water filtration. Increasingly, financial investors are taking more of an interest in the emerging ideas and efficiencies of cleantech. No longer is it just a matter of complying with the latest regulation - businesses are now seeing the financial benefits of such investments, which is clearly reflected in the growth of clean energy markets.
There has, without doubt, been an elevation in the importance and urgency of clean technology, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. US research has identified 4 key cleantech growth areas. Biofuels (global manufacturing and wholesale pricing of ethanol and biodiesel) will grow from US$15. 7 billion in 2005 to US$52. 5 billion by 2015. ASX listed companies leading the way include Australian Ethanol (ASX: AAE), Australian Renewable Fuels (ASX: ARW) and Australian Biodiesel Group (ASX: ABJ).
Wind power (new installation capital costs) will expand from US$11. 8 billion in 2005 to US$48. 5 billion in 2015, including Babcock & Brown Wind Partners (ASX:BBW) which has successfully grown from a single asset private investment vehicle to a listed fund with a portfolio of wind energy assets diversified across Europe, North America and Australia. Solar photovoltaics (including modules, system components and installation) will grow from a US$11. 2 billion industry in 2005 to US$51. 1 billion by 2015. Australian company Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd builds the world's lowest cost large scale solar concentrators.
The fuel cell and distributed hydrogen market will growfrom US$1. 2 billion last year to US$15. 1 billion by 2015. Ceramic Fuels Cells Ltd (ASX:CFU), for example, has a unique fuel cell design based on work done within the CSIRO, from which the Company spun off in 1992 with the support of many contributing partners before listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2004. In that time, they have improved the design, systems and product configuration of their solid oxide fuel cells, whilst winning an international reputation in their field.
It is estimated that these 4 clean-energy technologies will grow fourfold within the next decade. We have seen increased interest by major corporations in adopting cleantech to drive productivity and reduce waste and the emergence of experienced management teams, who introduce innovative business techniques, assist in building investor confidence in the emerging cleantech sector. Global resource constraints and increased concern for climate change have played a major role in positioning clean technologies for sustained growth. The energy demands of the 2 new economic powerhouses, China and India, are stretching existing power sources to their limits.
Water shortages are prompting investment in water treatment and recycling technologies. The soaring prices of oil and gas have led to producers and users searching for new technologies. The advancement of new technologies has helped drive down wind energy production costs by 80% over the last 20 years and solar power has dropped to one-tenth the cost it was during the 1970s, while new technologies and innovations are proliferating. At the same time new, credible scientific evidence of climate change and its impacts has greatly increased community, government and corporate pressure to reduce co2 emissions.
Venture Capital (VC) and private equity activity in cleantech, the form of both dedicated cleantech funds and mainstream venture capital firms, has been a key contributor to this growth. US VC investing in clean energy has increased over 80% as a portion of total VC investment over the past 5 years to over US$900m in 2005. The Australian VC and private equity industry is showing signs of following suit. In Australia there are 2 dedicated cleantech venture capital funds, of which CVC Sustainable Investments Limited is open to retail investors.
To complete the story, other Australian mainstream venture capital firms are now allocating dedicated resources to the cleantech sector.
Wednesday, 24 May 2006
Cleantech is the new buzzword flying around the venture capital world and is broadly defined as manufacturing processes or product technologies that reduce pollution or waste, energy use, or materialuse in comparison to the technologies that they replace. Examples include such innovative and expanding technologies as solar photovoltaics, wind power, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cells, biobased materials and advance water filtration. Increasingly, financial investors are taking more of an interest in the emerging ideas and efficiencies of cleantech. No longer is it just a matter of complying with the latest regulation - businesses are now seeing the financial benefits of such investments, which is clearly reflected in the growth of clean energy markets.
There has, without doubt, been an elevation in the importance and urgency of clean technology, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. US research has identified 4 key cleantech growth areas. Biofuels (global manufacturing and wholesale pricing of ethanol and biodiesel) will grow from US$15. 7 billion in 2005 to US$52. 5 billion by 2015. ASX listed companies leading the way include Australian Ethanol (ASX: AAE), Australian Renewable Fuels (ASX: ARW) and Australian Biodiesel Group (ASX: ABJ).
Wind power (new installation capital costs) will expand from US$11. 8 billion in 2005 to US$48. 5 billion in 2015, including Babcock & Brown Wind Partners (ASX:BBW) which has successfully grown from a single asset private investment vehicle to a listed fund with a portfolio of wind energy assets diversified across Europe, North America and Australia. Solar photovoltaics (including modules, system components and installation) will grow from a US$11. 2 billion industry in 2005 to US$51. 1 billion by 2015. Australian company Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd builds the world's lowest cost large scale solar concentrators.
The fuel cell and distributed hydrogen market will growfrom US$1. 2 billion last year to US$15. 1 billion by 2015. Ceramic Fuels Cells Ltd (ASX:CFU), for example, has a unique fuel cell design based on work done within the CSIRO, from which the Company spun off in 1992 with the support of many contributing partners before listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2004. In that time, they have improved the design, systems and product configuration of their solid oxide fuel cells, whilst winning an international reputation in their field.
It is estimated that these 4 clean-energy technologies will grow fourfold within the next decade. We have seen increased interest by major corporations in adopting cleantech to drive productivity and reduce waste and the emergence of experienced management teams, who introduce innovative business techniques, assist in building investor confidence in the emerging cleantech sector. Global resource constraints and increased concern for climate change have played a major role in positioning clean technologies for sustained growth. The energy demands of the 2 new economic powerhouses, China and India, are stretching existing power sources to their limits.
Water shortages are prompting investment in water treatment and recycling technologies. The soaring prices of oil and gas have led to producers and users searching for new technologies. The advancement of new technologies has helped drive down wind energy production costs by 80% over the last 20 years and solar power has dropped to one-tenth the cost it was during the 1970s, while new technologies and innovations are proliferating. At the same time new, credible scientific evidence of climate change and its impacts has greatly increased community, government and corporate pressure to reduce co2 emissions.
Venture Capital (VC) and private equity activity in cleantech, the form of both dedicated cleantech funds and mainstream venture capital firms, has been a key contributor to this growth. US VC investing in clean energy has increased over 80% as a portion of total VC investment over the past 5 years to over US$900m in 2005. The Australian VC and private equity industry is showing signs of following suit. In Australia there are 2 dedicated cleantech venture capital funds, of which CVC Sustainable Investments Limited is open to retail investors.
To complete the story, other Australian mainstream venture capital firms are now allocating dedicated resources to the cleantech sector.
Wednesday, 24 May 2006
World to get 6C hotter: report
The West Australian, Page: 1
Wednesday, 24 May 2006
Global temperatures will rise by three times as much as many scientists have estimated, resulting in irrevocable changes for life on Earth, according to advice to the Federal Government, arming it with new ammunition to support nuclear power in Australia. Senior Government ministers lined up yesterday to spruik the benefits of nuclear power as a solution to global warming, despite repeated denials from green groups and energy experts that it was a saviour. The Government released a report it commissioned from the Australian National University, showing global warming would push temperatures up by as much as 5.8C within 90 years.
It was previously thought the rise would be at the lower end of a range between 1.4C and 5.8C. As a result, the world could expect more extreme weather, having greater effects on human health, the destruction of species and rising sea levels.
The findings were backed by research in the US, which also predicted a vicious cycle of greenhouse gases leading to high temperatures and warmer weather and causing the natural release of more greenhouse gases. The Australia Institute, a leftwing think tank, said Port Stephens, in NSW, and Westernport Bay, in Victoria, were ideal locations for nuclear power plants. Australia Institute executive director Clive Hamilton said any site for a nuclear plant had to be on the coast to provide cooling water and close to power lines, transport and major urban centres. He rejected suggestions he was being foolhardy in naming sites, saying:"The Prime Minister said he wants a national debate and you can't have a debate about it in the abstract. You can't have a nuclear industry unless you have plants somewhere."
John Howard will face pressure to outline plans for an inquiry into nuclear power, which he is expected to announce after he returns to Australia tomorrow. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said it could be argued that Australia's uranium exports effectively neutralised its greenhouse emissions. But University of New South Wales institute of environmental studies senior lecturer Mark Diesendorf said nuclear power was no more efficient in producing energy than coal and both were less efficient than wind.
He said nuclear power added to demand for coal-fired power because it required the vast amounts of existing energy such as coal to build nuclear plants and to mine uranium.
Wednesday, 24 May 2006
Global temperatures will rise by three times as much as many scientists have estimated, resulting in irrevocable changes for life on Earth, according to advice to the Federal Government, arming it with new ammunition to support nuclear power in Australia. Senior Government ministers lined up yesterday to spruik the benefits of nuclear power as a solution to global warming, despite repeated denials from green groups and energy experts that it was a saviour. The Government released a report it commissioned from the Australian National University, showing global warming would push temperatures up by as much as 5.8C within 90 years.
It was previously thought the rise would be at the lower end of a range between 1.4C and 5.8C. As a result, the world could expect more extreme weather, having greater effects on human health, the destruction of species and rising sea levels.
The findings were backed by research in the US, which also predicted a vicious cycle of greenhouse gases leading to high temperatures and warmer weather and causing the natural release of more greenhouse gases. The Australia Institute, a leftwing think tank, said Port Stephens, in NSW, and Westernport Bay, in Victoria, were ideal locations for nuclear power plants. Australia Institute executive director Clive Hamilton said any site for a nuclear plant had to be on the coast to provide cooling water and close to power lines, transport and major urban centres. He rejected suggestions he was being foolhardy in naming sites, saying:"The Prime Minister said he wants a national debate and you can't have a debate about it in the abstract. You can't have a nuclear industry unless you have plants somewhere."
John Howard will face pressure to outline plans for an inquiry into nuclear power, which he is expected to announce after he returns to Australia tomorrow. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said it could be argued that Australia's uranium exports effectively neutralised its greenhouse emissions. But University of New South Wales institute of environmental studies senior lecturer Mark Diesendorf said nuclear power was no more efficient in producing energy than coal and both were less efficient than wind.
He said nuclear power added to demand for coal-fired power because it required the vast amounts of existing energy such as coal to build nuclear plants and to mine uranium.
Challenge to cut energy use
Bunbury Herald, Page: 5
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
A UNIQUE energy challenge which will see four South West schools endeavour to cut back their energy consumption by 20 per cent within five years was launched last week. Wind turbines and solar panels will be installed at Dalyellup Primary School, Amaroo Primary School and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School with solar panels being installed at Bunbury Primary School in an effort to cut back on the use of fossil fuels. The schools will also focus on energy-saving practises as part of the Worsley Alumina Energy Challenge. Curtin University will undertake research into the technical performance of the energy installations while Edith Cowan University will research theeducational and social aspects of the energy challenge.
ECU education lecturer and research supervisor Sandra Wooltorton said the research would look at the long-term sustainability of the project and how projects such as this could be maintained to ensure they remained viable over the long-term. Worsley Alumina health, safety and environment manager Gerry Riyner said the challenge had been in the works for 12 months and was the first step towards addressing energy consumption issues and finding more efficient ways to use energy. The wind turbines and solar panels will be funded by Worsley Alumina and are expected to be installed later in the year.
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
A UNIQUE energy challenge which will see four South West schools endeavour to cut back their energy consumption by 20 per cent within five years was launched last week. Wind turbines and solar panels will be installed at Dalyellup Primary School, Amaroo Primary School and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School with solar panels being installed at Bunbury Primary School in an effort to cut back on the use of fossil fuels. The schools will also focus on energy-saving practises as part of the Worsley Alumina Energy Challenge. Curtin University will undertake research into the technical performance of the energy installations while Edith Cowan University will research theeducational and social aspects of the energy challenge.
ECU education lecturer and research supervisor Sandra Wooltorton said the research would look at the long-term sustainability of the project and how projects such as this could be maintained to ensure they remained viable over the long-term. Worsley Alumina health, safety and environment manager Gerry Riyner said the challenge had been in the works for 12 months and was the first step towards addressing energy consumption issues and finding more efficient ways to use energy. The wind turbines and solar panels will be funded by Worsley Alumina and are expected to be installed later in the year.
Too dear, too slow: report
The Australian Financial Review, Page: 8
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
Nuclear power is twice the price of coal, more costly than renewable technologies and not the answer to climate change, say environmental groups and a leading energy modeller. As the government debates the uranium industry's economic viability a report to be released next week, with modelling from McLennan Magasanik Associates, has found nuclear power is not competitive without significant subsidies. The report commissioned by Renewable Energy Generators Australia (REGA) said nuclear power would cost $70 per megawatt hour, double the price of coal. This price falls to $60 by 2050, which is still 10 per cent more expensive than clean coal technology, known as carbon capture and storage.
REG A chief executive Susan Jeanes said these costs included the storage of nuclear waste at world best practice standards. "We want Australia to debate nuclear power because we know it doesn't stack up," she said. Erwin Jackson, from the strongly anti-nuclear Australian Conservation Foundation, said studies that supported nuclear power failed to recognise the hidden costs of the uranium industry. "Who's going to pay for the increased security, the decommissioning of reactors, building up government departments and training people in an industry that has no history here?" he asked.
Mr Jackson said nuclear power could not be commissioned soon enough to tackle climate change and would divert money away from renewables that had the potential to power every home in the country. "Renewables are cheaper and don't produce harmful waste, " he said. This is supported by the REGA report, which forecasts wind power to cost $40 per megawatt hour by 2050, while geothermal would be as cheap as coal in 40 years.
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
Nuclear power is twice the price of coal, more costly than renewable technologies and not the answer to climate change, say environmental groups and a leading energy modeller. As the government debates the uranium industry's economic viability a report to be released next week, with modelling from McLennan Magasanik Associates, has found nuclear power is not competitive without significant subsidies. The report commissioned by Renewable Energy Generators Australia (REGA) said nuclear power would cost $70 per megawatt hour, double the price of coal. This price falls to $60 by 2050, which is still 10 per cent more expensive than clean coal technology, known as carbon capture and storage.
REG A chief executive Susan Jeanes said these costs included the storage of nuclear waste at world best practice standards. "We want Australia to debate nuclear power because we know it doesn't stack up," she said. Erwin Jackson, from the strongly anti-nuclear Australian Conservation Foundation, said studies that supported nuclear power failed to recognise the hidden costs of the uranium industry. "Who's going to pay for the increased security, the decommissioning of reactors, building up government departments and training people in an industry that has no history here?" he asked.
Mr Jackson said nuclear power could not be commissioned soon enough to tackle climate change and would divert money away from renewables that had the potential to power every home in the country. "Renewables are cheaper and don't produce harmful waste, " he said. This is supported by the REGA report, which forecasts wind power to cost $40 per megawatt hour by 2050, while geothermal would be as cheap as coal in 40 years.
Whoops nuclear icon felled
The West Australian, Page: 28
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
The cooling tower from a former nuclear power plant in the US has been blown to smithereens at a time when nuclear power is being touted as a saviour from global warming. The controlled destruction of the Trojan plant tower symbolised the end of a shambolic episode in Oregon history. For most of the past three decades, the tower loomed as a symbol of all that was sneaky, leaky and insanely expensive about nuclear power. The softening of political opposition to the nuclear industry that seems to be occurring elsewhere has not occurred in the States of Oregon or Washington.
For that, the Trojan plant, which began making electricity in 1976 and was closed in 1993, has much to answer. Besides chronic technical, safety and reliability problems, it cost local ratepayers more than $US400 million to build and is costing them $US410 million ($550 million) to decommission. In a spectacularly ill-conceived scheme, work began on five other nuclear power plants as part of a consortium of utilities called the Washington Public Power Supply System, which quickly became infamous as Whoops. Whoops, indeed.
Construction of five plants - only one of which ever produced electricity, none of which were then needed - led to what, at the time, was the country's biggest municipal bond default. Ratepayers across the North-West are still paying for Whoops in their electricity bills - a catastrophe that in one five-year stretch pushed up electricity rates about 600 per cent. The demolition was a major step in Portland General Electric's long, costly and embarrassing effort to extricate itself from the plant. Problems ranged from chronic steam leaks to an exceedingly unfortunate location - on a major earthquake fault, sitting on the southern bank of the West's biggest river and just upwind from Portland, the second biggest city in the North-West.
Highly radioactive fuel rods remain in storage at the site because the Federal Government has still to decide where they can be safely buried. PGE spokesman Scott Simms was eager to talk about how his company had shifted focus to wind power and high-efficiency, gas-driven turbines. Asked about the irony of knocking down a nuclear plant as other utilities were planning to build them, Mr Simms said that Trojan was"outmoded compared with anything that might be built today".
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
The cooling tower from a former nuclear power plant in the US has been blown to smithereens at a time when nuclear power is being touted as a saviour from global warming. The controlled destruction of the Trojan plant tower symbolised the end of a shambolic episode in Oregon history. For most of the past three decades, the tower loomed as a symbol of all that was sneaky, leaky and insanely expensive about nuclear power. The softening of political opposition to the nuclear industry that seems to be occurring elsewhere has not occurred in the States of Oregon or Washington.For that, the Trojan plant, which began making electricity in 1976 and was closed in 1993, has much to answer. Besides chronic technical, safety and reliability problems, it cost local ratepayers more than $US400 million to build and is costing them $US410 million ($550 million) to decommission. In a spectacularly ill-conceived scheme, work began on five other nuclear power plants as part of a consortium of utilities called the Washington Public Power Supply System, which quickly became infamous as Whoops. Whoops, indeed.
Construction of five plants - only one of which ever produced electricity, none of which were then needed - led to what, at the time, was the country's biggest municipal bond default. Ratepayers across the North-West are still paying for Whoops in their electricity bills - a catastrophe that in one five-year stretch pushed up electricity rates about 600 per cent. The demolition was a major step in Portland General Electric's long, costly and embarrassing effort to extricate itself from the plant. Problems ranged from chronic steam leaks to an exceedingly unfortunate location - on a major earthquake fault, sitting on the southern bank of the West's biggest river and just upwind from Portland, the second biggest city in the North-West.
Highly radioactive fuel rods remain in storage at the site because the Federal Government has still to decide where they can be safely buried. PGE spokesman Scott Simms was eager to talk about how his company had shifted focus to wind power and high-efficiency, gas-driven turbines. Asked about the irony of knocking down a nuclear plant as other utilities were planning to build them, Mr Simms said that Trojan was"outmoded compared with anything that might be built today".
Panel reports
The Spectator (Hamilton), Page: 17
Saturday, 20 May 2006
THE three-man panel hearing submissions on the proposed Macarthur wind farm (183-turbine) has handed in its report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. The report will be assessed by DSE officers before being sent to Planning Minister, Rob Hulls, for a decision. The three man panel - Doug Munro, Robin Sanders (chair), and Alan Thatcher - sat for four weeks at DPI Hamilton in February and March. They were given eight weeks to consider the dozens of submissions made to the hearing.
It's likely to be at least a month before Mr Hulls makes a decision, but given the track record of the Victorian Government, it's expected Australia's largest wind farm will give the green light.
Saturday, 20 May 2006
THE three-man panel hearing submissions on the proposed Macarthur wind farm (183-turbine) has handed in its report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. The report will be assessed by DSE officers before being sent to Planning Minister, Rob Hulls, for a decision. The three man panel - Doug Munro, Robin Sanders (chair), and Alan Thatcher - sat for four weeks at DPI Hamilton in February and March. They were given eight weeks to consider the dozens of submissions made to the hearing.
It's likely to be at least a month before Mr Hulls makes a decision, but given the track record of the Victorian Government, it's expected Australia's largest wind farm will give the green light.
Scientist casts doubt on nuclear benefits
ABC News Online
Monday, May 22, 2006. 4:00pm (AEST)
A NSW scientist says building a nuclear plant will not have a short-term effect on harmful gases. Scientist casts doubt on nuclear benefits. Scientists say it could take at least 10 years to build a nuclear plant to meet Australia's growing electricity needs. And that may be too late to address the issue of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. If the Federal Government finally gives the green light to a nuclear plant, Frank Muller from the University of New South Wales says the framework to manage nuclear power needs to be put in place.
He says it could take a decade before it is built and providing electricity. "So it actually takes even longer to provide a greenhouse benefit than it does to build a power plant," he said. Professor Muller says nuclear power stations are expensive to build, and safety is a major issue. However, some scientists say nuclear energy is the most greenhouse friendly and despite the lengthy time it would take to build a plant, it is still an electricity source that needs to be explored.
Meanwhile, a federal Opposition frontbencher says the move towards nuclear power generation could increase the risk of a terrorist attack. The Prime Minister has called for a full debate on the issue of nuclear power, as well as uranium mining and enrichment. Labor MP Kelvin Thomson disagrees, saying the Government should be focussing its interest on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. "The problem with nuclear power is that more of it that is around, the easier it is for terrorists to get access to it," he said.
"I'm not satisfied that in this day and age you can be absolutely certain that terrorists can't access it."
Monday, May 22, 2006. 4:00pm (AEST)
A NSW scientist says building a nuclear plant will not have a short-term effect on harmful gases. Scientist casts doubt on nuclear benefits. Scientists say it could take at least 10 years to build a nuclear plant to meet Australia's growing electricity needs. And that may be too late to address the issue of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. If the Federal Government finally gives the green light to a nuclear plant, Frank Muller from the University of New South Wales says the framework to manage nuclear power needs to be put in place.
He says it could take a decade before it is built and providing electricity. "So it actually takes even longer to provide a greenhouse benefit than it does to build a power plant," he said. Professor Muller says nuclear power stations are expensive to build, and safety is a major issue. However, some scientists say nuclear energy is the most greenhouse friendly and despite the lengthy time it would take to build a plant, it is still an electricity source that needs to be explored.
Meanwhile, a federal Opposition frontbencher says the move towards nuclear power generation could increase the risk of a terrorist attack. The Prime Minister has called for a full debate on the issue of nuclear power, as well as uranium mining and enrichment. Labor MP Kelvin Thomson disagrees, saying the Government should be focussing its interest on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. "The problem with nuclear power is that more of it that is around, the easier it is for terrorists to get access to it," he said.
"I'm not satisfied that in this day and age you can be absolutely certain that terrorists can't access it."
Monday, 22 May 2006
Barry Cohen: Power policy running on wind and sun
The Australian,
May 22, 2006
Labor party zealots such as Anthony Albanese and the Left have never had any real energy options
THERE was a time when one's energy needs were satisfied by cutting down a tree and rubbing two boy scouts together. Then came the industrial revolution and coal and oil took over, thus ensuring tens of thousands died annually in mine disasters or from coughing up their lungs. Oil created tensions between those who had it and those who didn't. Both fouled the air and were big contributors to greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change.
As federal shadow minister for the environment (1977-80) and environment minister in the Hawke government (1983-87), I had to advise my colleagues about alternatives to this carbon scourge. Coincidentally, at the very moment Australia was getting excited about selling lots of uranium, the Soviet Union was having difficulty keeping up with the West both militarily and economically.
On cue, the Left decided there was no greater evil than the nuclear threat. It initiated an anti-uranium campaign with a fervour unmatched since its opposition to the Vietnam War.
With mining unions on one side and the Left on the other, the Labor Party found itself in a bind. After a prolonged debate it came up with a policy that would have tested Solomon. Three mines, it decided, was kosher, four mines a definite no-no. I had some difficulty explaining the logic of this to anyone with an IQ above room temperature. The present shadow minister for the environment, Anthony Albanese, is keeping the dream alive.
With coal, oil and nuclear energy off the agenda, Australia did not appear to have a lot of energy options available. Fortunately, there was one that was clean, green and available. Snowy Hydro and the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission had shown that hydro-electricity was the perfect answer to our energy needs. There was one small problem. The most recent successful example of hydro-electricity generation had resulted in the drowning of one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world - Tasmania's Lake Pedder.
Nor were nature lovers impressed with the Tasmanian HEC's assertion that Lake Pedder was now much bigger and therefore much better suited to water sports and fishing.
They were even less impressed when the HEC announced shortly afterwards its plan to dam the wild Franklin River for more hydro-electricity that no one seemed to want. The battle to stop the damming of the Franklin River became the environmental cause celebre for almost a decade, climaxing with Labor's 1983 election victory. Labor lost all five Tasmanian seats while picking up green votes on the mainland.
I introduced the first legislation of the Hawke government, the World Heritage Act, to stop the dam proceeding. Its passage ensured a High Court challenge, which the government won four to three. Henceforth the words hydro-electricity and dam were not mentioned in polite society. From then on my discussions with leaders of the conservation movement were interesting.
"We seem to be running out of energy options?" I asked them rhetorically. Invariably I would be met with that patronising smile they reserve for the lesser of the species who fail to see the error of their ways. "Minister!" they replied in their most condescending manner, "there is wind and solar. " I resisted the temptation to point out to them that they appeared to have journeyed to Canberra without the benefit of either.
Eventually I ceased to be environment minister but my successors were subjected to the same arguments with increasing passion as global warming and climate change became the environmental issue. In recent years wind power enthusiasts became excited as more and more wind farm projects came on stream. Their excitement abated when they saw one or until birds and bats started bumping into them.
When the Coalition's environment minister, senator Ian Campbell, announced that he was giving the thumbs down to a $220 million wind farm project in Gippsland because one rare orange-bellied parrot might be killed each year, the burgeoning anti-wind farm movement was ecstatic.
Cynics suggested his decision had more to do with a promise made to the electorate of McMillan in the 2004 federal election that wind farms would not be tolerated. "Windies", on the other hand, were quick to point out that cars killed hundreds of thousands of birds annually and no one was suggesting we cease using cars. To his credit, Campbell has been consistent. He has asked the Regional Services Minister, Warren Truss, to stop funding a wind farm in Denmark, Western Australia, which just happens to be in the electorate of Wilson Tuckey. We have all learned it is unwise to cross Tuckey.
Allow me at this point to declare an interest. In the middle of all this brouhaha I had not long taken up residence in Bungendore, near Canberra, when I received a notice from the NSW Department of Planning that a 63-turbine wind farm was proposed a few kilometres north of our idyllic rural abode.
Before you could say NIMBY, No Wind Farms signs started appearing throughout the village of Bungendore. Now there's a surprise. What to do?
There are not a lot of options. I could support the wind farm and take the alternate route to Sydney, thus avoiding seeing it. Alternately, I could propose a nuclear reactor or pray that solar, which provides less than 1 per cent of the world's energy needs, becomes economically viable. As a last resort I could sell the car, stop flying, freeze in winter and fry in summer. On balance, I think I'll go with the wind farm.
Barry Cohen, a federal Labor MP from 1969 to 1990, was environment minister in the Hawke government.
May 22, 2006
Labor party zealots such as Anthony Albanese and the Left have never had any real energy options
THERE was a time when one's energy needs were satisfied by cutting down a tree and rubbing two boy scouts together. Then came the industrial revolution and coal and oil took over, thus ensuring tens of thousands died annually in mine disasters or from coughing up their lungs. Oil created tensions between those who had it and those who didn't. Both fouled the air and were big contributors to greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change.
As federal shadow minister for the environment (1977-80) and environment minister in the Hawke government (1983-87), I had to advise my colleagues about alternatives to this carbon scourge. Coincidentally, at the very moment Australia was getting excited about selling lots of uranium, the Soviet Union was having difficulty keeping up with the West both militarily and economically.
On cue, the Left decided there was no greater evil than the nuclear threat. It initiated an anti-uranium campaign with a fervour unmatched since its opposition to the Vietnam War.
With mining unions on one side and the Left on the other, the Labor Party found itself in a bind. After a prolonged debate it came up with a policy that would have tested Solomon. Three mines, it decided, was kosher, four mines a definite no-no. I had some difficulty explaining the logic of this to anyone with an IQ above room temperature. The present shadow minister for the environment, Anthony Albanese, is keeping the dream alive.
With coal, oil and nuclear energy off the agenda, Australia did not appear to have a lot of energy options available. Fortunately, there was one that was clean, green and available. Snowy Hydro and the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission had shown that hydro-electricity was the perfect answer to our energy needs. There was one small problem. The most recent successful example of hydro-electricity generation had resulted in the drowning of one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world - Tasmania's Lake Pedder.
Nor were nature lovers impressed with the Tasmanian HEC's assertion that Lake Pedder was now much bigger and therefore much better suited to water sports and fishing.
They were even less impressed when the HEC announced shortly afterwards its plan to dam the wild Franklin River for more hydro-electricity that no one seemed to want. The battle to stop the damming of the Franklin River became the environmental cause celebre for almost a decade, climaxing with Labor's 1983 election victory. Labor lost all five Tasmanian seats while picking up green votes on the mainland.
I introduced the first legislation of the Hawke government, the World Heritage Act, to stop the dam proceeding. Its passage ensured a High Court challenge, which the government won four to three. Henceforth the words hydro-electricity and dam were not mentioned in polite society. From then on my discussions with leaders of the conservation movement were interesting.
"We seem to be running out of energy options?" I asked them rhetorically. Invariably I would be met with that patronising smile they reserve for the lesser of the species who fail to see the error of their ways. "Minister!" they replied in their most condescending manner, "there is wind and solar. " I resisted the temptation to point out to them that they appeared to have journeyed to Canberra without the benefit of either.
Eventually I ceased to be environment minister but my successors were subjected to the same arguments with increasing passion as global warming and climate change became the environmental issue. In recent years wind power enthusiasts became excited as more and more wind farm projects came on stream. Their excitement abated when they saw one or until birds and bats started bumping into them.
When the Coalition's environment minister, senator Ian Campbell, announced that he was giving the thumbs down to a $220 million wind farm project in Gippsland because one rare orange-bellied parrot might be killed each year, the burgeoning anti-wind farm movement was ecstatic.
Cynics suggested his decision had more to do with a promise made to the electorate of McMillan in the 2004 federal election that wind farms would not be tolerated. "Windies", on the other hand, were quick to point out that cars killed hundreds of thousands of birds annually and no one was suggesting we cease using cars. To his credit, Campbell has been consistent. He has asked the Regional Services Minister, Warren Truss, to stop funding a wind farm in Denmark, Western Australia, which just happens to be in the electorate of Wilson Tuckey. We have all learned it is unwise to cross Tuckey.
Allow me at this point to declare an interest. In the middle of all this brouhaha I had not long taken up residence in Bungendore, near Canberra, when I received a notice from the NSW Department of Planning that a 63-turbine wind farm was proposed a few kilometres north of our idyllic rural abode.
Before you could say NIMBY, No Wind Farms signs started appearing throughout the village of Bungendore. Now there's a surprise. What to do?
There are not a lot of options. I could support the wind farm and take the alternate route to Sydney, thus avoiding seeing it. Alternately, I could propose a nuclear reactor or pray that solar, which provides less than 1 per cent of the world's energy needs, becomes economically viable. As a last resort I could sell the car, stop flying, freeze in winter and fry in summer. On balance, I think I'll go with the wind farm.
Barry Cohen, a federal Labor MP from 1969 to 1990, was environment minister in the Hawke government.
Victoria turns to green power
The Australian Financial Review, Page: 5
Monday, 22 May 2006
Plans by the Victorian government to source 10 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources within four years will have little effect on the state's energy-intensive industries or on retail prices, a new report says. The study by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, whose members include AGL and BP, said power prices would rise 1.3 per cent, an increase of $1 a month for the average household. Victoria generates 95 per cent of its electricity from coal and is the highest polluting state in the developed world, on a per megawatt basis, environmental critics say.
The business council's executive officer, Ric Brazzale, said the price rise was barely a "blip" at a time when energy-intensive industries were highly profitable. "If ever there was a time to move away from coal it's now," he said. The Victorian scheme aims to drive more than $ 1 billion of investment into the renewable industry and is a direct response to the federal government's refusal to extend its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The federal government introduced a 2 per cent renewable energy target in 2001 but it was watered down after lobbying by industrial users fearful that higher electricity prices would make them uncompetitive.
"Our study shows that this is not the case," said Mr Brazzale. "Victoria can move away from coal with little cost to the economy. "This is supported by an earlier report from the Allen Consulting Group and CSIRO, which found that Australia could move to a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 without significant reductions in economic growth. Legislation setting the 10 per cent target is expected before the Victorian parliament within months and comes after South Australia set a 15 per cent renewable energy target. This follows China setting a 15 per cent target by 2020 and nearly half the US states, including California, imposing mandatory targets.
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics estimates Victoria's greenhouse emissions will rise 30 per cent by 2030 unless the state moves away from coal-fired power generation. The Victorian plan would provide sufficient energy to power 400,000 households. The green power is likely to attract a subsidy of between $35 and $40 per megawatt hour, making it competitive with coal.
Monday, 22 May 2006
Plans by the Victorian government to source 10 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources within four years will have little effect on the state's energy-intensive industries or on retail prices, a new report says. The study by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, whose members include AGL and BP, said power prices would rise 1.3 per cent, an increase of $1 a month for the average household. Victoria generates 95 per cent of its electricity from coal and is the highest polluting state in the developed world, on a per megawatt basis, environmental critics say.
The business council's executive officer, Ric Brazzale, said the price rise was barely a "blip" at a time when energy-intensive industries were highly profitable. "If ever there was a time to move away from coal it's now," he said. The Victorian scheme aims to drive more than $ 1 billion of investment into the renewable industry and is a direct response to the federal government's refusal to extend its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The federal government introduced a 2 per cent renewable energy target in 2001 but it was watered down after lobbying by industrial users fearful that higher electricity prices would make them uncompetitive.
"Our study shows that this is not the case," said Mr Brazzale. "Victoria can move away from coal with little cost to the economy. "This is supported by an earlier report from the Allen Consulting Group and CSIRO, which found that Australia could move to a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 without significant reductions in economic growth. Legislation setting the 10 per cent target is expected before the Victorian parliament within months and comes after South Australia set a 15 per cent renewable energy target. This follows China setting a 15 per cent target by 2020 and nearly half the US states, including California, imposing mandatory targets.
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics estimates Victoria's greenhouse emissions will rise 30 per cent by 2030 unless the state moves away from coal-fired power generation. The Victorian plan would provide sufficient energy to power 400,000 households. The green power is likely to attract a subsidy of between $35 and $40 per megawatt hour, making it competitive with coal.
Spelling it out for us: what needs to be done for eternity
The Canberra Times, Page: 2
Monday, 22 May 2006
It was while reading Tim Flannery's book The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change on a 42 degree day on Tathra beach that Dr Matthew Nott decided it was his time to think globally and act locally. The potent combination of warnings about global warming and a record hot New Year's Day on the South Coast beach spurned the local orthopaedic surgeon into action. Dr Nott was back on the beach yesterday with 3000 other people to make a statement he hopes will hold true: Clean Energy for Eternity. The 3000 supporters, about double the population of Tathra, formed the statement in the sand, with their efforts recorded by photographers in aircraft above.
Dr Nott said the gathering was "not a bunch of stirrers" but a good cross-section of the community, from police officers to lawn bowlers, school children to volunteer firefighters. "I think we've really tapped into something with this, " he said. Dr Nott said Clean Energy for Eternity meant "keeping the coal in the ground-no fossil fuel". "We've got to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions, that's what I would describe as dirty energy.
"The alternative was using a range of energy sources including geothermal, solar, wind and nuclear while trying to reduce overall consumption. "We do need a debate about each of these things. "And he would "absolutely" welcome a controversial wind farm in his community. Dr Nott said an earlier questionnaire he'd conducted found 96 per cent people in his local area believed they could make a difference to global warming.
"People are positive and want to help, they just need to know how. "
Monday, 22 May 2006
It was while reading Tim Flannery's book The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change on a 42 degree day on Tathra beach that Dr Matthew Nott decided it was his time to think globally and act locally. The potent combination of warnings about global warming and a record hot New Year's Day on the South Coast beach spurned the local orthopaedic surgeon into action. Dr Nott was back on the beach yesterday with 3000 other people to make a statement he hopes will hold true: Clean Energy for Eternity. The 3000 supporters, about double the population of Tathra, formed the statement in the sand, with their efforts recorded by photographers in aircraft above.
Dr Nott said the gathering was "not a bunch of stirrers" but a good cross-section of the community, from police officers to lawn bowlers, school children to volunteer firefighters. "I think we've really tapped into something with this, " he said. Dr Nott said Clean Energy for Eternity meant "keeping the coal in the ground-no fossil fuel". "We've got to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions, that's what I would describe as dirty energy.
"The alternative was using a range of energy sources including geothermal, solar, wind and nuclear while trying to reduce overall consumption. "We do need a debate about each of these things. "And he would "absolutely" welcome a controversial wind farm in his community. Dr Nott said an earlier questionnaire he'd conducted found 96 per cent people in his local area believed they could make a difference to global warming.
"People are positive and want to help, they just need to know how. "
Winds of fortune blow Timor's way
Sunday Examiner, Page: 3
Sunday, 21 May 2006
TWO months ago, seven East Timorese workers disembarked from their first ever aeroplane flight, touched the ground at Burnie with relief arid then blessed themselves. Today the men are part of Tasmania's biggest building project - the construction of the third and final stage of the Roaring 40s Woolnorth wind farm. The buffeted plains of Tasmania's far North-West tip are about as non-tropical as you can get and the East Timorese are feeling the cold. But they said the reception they have received in Circular Head has been warm.
"This is the first time we have left our home, the first time we have seen wind towers and the biggest project we have worked on," Josa da Carvalho Ancieto said on site this week. Mr Ancieto is working on the construction of the control building at Studland Bay where another 25 wind turbines are being erected in a joint venture construction job between Hazell Bros and Areva. His colleagues are working on the transmission line wliich will carry power from Woolnorth to the Tasmanian electricity grid, operating excavators and rollers, laying cable and fixing steel on the turbine footings. By year's end, Tasmania's only wind farm will boast 62 turbines and generate enough energy to power all the houses in a city the size of Launceston.
Nine of the 25 concrete pads have been poured and under ground cabling work will begin next week. The East Timorese workers are employed in Dili by Caltech which is headed by French-Canadian Jean Vezinaother. Their boss was a little nervous about how the East Timorese would fit in on a Tasmanian construction site. But he need not have worried the workers are soaking up Australian culture reacquainting themselves with Hazell Bros personnel they have worked with in East Timor and making friends "We like a beer after work Josa da Carvalho Ancieto said with a grin.
"But just one or two. Beer is good for sleeping not working." Mr Vezina said the East Timorese workers had put a lot of effort in before embarking on their six-month stint at Woolnorth. Five nights a week over two months the men studied English after work. Other cultural changes took a
little longer to grasp. "It was the first time the men had left. The inland, their first time on a plane and we were a little worried about how they would cope with the travel timetable," Mr Vezina said. The men themselves were so intent on making it to the airport on time, they devised a sleeping rotation system at the hotel to ensure someone was awake at all times.
The average full-time construction worker in East Timor earns about $3000 a year. The apprentice wage they are being paid at Woolnorth is about 10 times higher than what they earn at home. But it was not the lure of extra money which attracted them to the job. "We did not tell them how much they would be paid until they arrived," Mr Vezina said.
However the Tasmanian stint represents a huge opportunity to workers from a country where 42 per cent of the population live below the poverty line. Hazell Bros human resources manager Jon Schwaiger said the East Timorese workers would gain skills in Tasmania which they could then take home and pass on to others. But Mr Vezina said the aim of the overseas work programme was not just technical training. "It is good for them to see construction projects of this scale but it is also about the social interface," Mr Vezina said.
"What they probably gain most is pride. Their time in Tasmania will be talked about for generations."
Sunday, 21 May 2006
TWO months ago, seven East Timorese workers disembarked from their first ever aeroplane flight, touched the ground at Burnie with relief arid then blessed themselves. Today the men are part of Tasmania's biggest building project - the construction of the third and final stage of the Roaring 40s Woolnorth wind farm. The buffeted plains of Tasmania's far North-West tip are about as non-tropical as you can get and the East Timorese are feeling the cold. But they said the reception they have received in Circular Head has been warm.
"This is the first time we have left our home, the first time we have seen wind towers and the biggest project we have worked on," Josa da Carvalho Ancieto said on site this week. Mr Ancieto is working on the construction of the control building at Studland Bay where another 25 wind turbines are being erected in a joint venture construction job between Hazell Bros and Areva. His colleagues are working on the transmission line wliich will carry power from Woolnorth to the Tasmanian electricity grid, operating excavators and rollers, laying cable and fixing steel on the turbine footings. By year's end, Tasmania's only wind farm will boast 62 turbines and generate enough energy to power all the houses in a city the size of Launceston.
Nine of the 25 concrete pads have been poured and under ground cabling work will begin next week. The East Timorese workers are employed in Dili by Caltech which is headed by French-Canadian Jean Vezinaother. Their boss was a little nervous about how the East Timorese would fit in on a Tasmanian construction site. But he need not have worried the workers are soaking up Australian culture reacquainting themselves with Hazell Bros personnel they have worked with in East Timor and making friends "We like a beer after work Josa da Carvalho Ancieto said with a grin.
"But just one or two. Beer is good for sleeping not working." Mr Vezina said the East Timorese workers had put a lot of effort in before embarking on their six-month stint at Woolnorth. Five nights a week over two months the men studied English after work. Other cultural changes took a
little longer to grasp. "It was the first time the men had left. The inland, their first time on a plane and we were a little worried about how they would cope with the travel timetable," Mr Vezina said. The men themselves were so intent on making it to the airport on time, they devised a sleeping rotation system at the hotel to ensure someone was awake at all times.
The average full-time construction worker in East Timor earns about $3000 a year. The apprentice wage they are being paid at Woolnorth is about 10 times higher than what they earn at home. But it was not the lure of extra money which attracted them to the job. "We did not tell them how much they would be paid until they arrived," Mr Vezina said.
However the Tasmanian stint represents a huge opportunity to workers from a country where 42 per cent of the population live below the poverty line. Hazell Bros human resources manager Jon Schwaiger said the East Timorese workers would gain skills in Tasmania which they could then take home and pass on to others. But Mr Vezina said the aim of the overseas work programme was not just technical training. "It is good for them to see construction projects of this scale but it is also about the social interface," Mr Vezina said.
"What they probably gain most is pride. Their time in Tasmania will be talked about for generations."
Meeting In The Wind
The Examiner, Page: 9
Saturday, 20 May 2006
State Energy Minister David Llewellyn met federal Industry Minister lan Macfarlane in Darwin yesterday to discuss the future of wind energy in Tasmania. Mr Llewellyn said Mr Macfarlane had agreed to consider further submissions on the issue and that they would met again in the coming weeks. The meeting comes after two multi-million-dollar wind farm developments in Tasmania have been put in doubt after the Renewable Energy company Roaring 40s said it was not financially viable to proceed. The company blames the Federal Government's decision not to extend the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target from 2 per cent for the shelving of all its future developments across Australia.
Mr Llewellyn said yesterday that he had briefly met Mr Macfarlane at the energy ministers' conference.
Saturday, 20 May 2006
State Energy Minister David Llewellyn met federal Industry Minister lan Macfarlane in Darwin yesterday to discuss the future of wind energy in Tasmania. Mr Llewellyn said Mr Macfarlane had agreed to consider further submissions on the issue and that they would met again in the coming weeks. The meeting comes after two multi-million-dollar wind farm developments in Tasmania have been put in doubt after the Renewable Energy company Roaring 40s said it was not financially viable to proceed. The company blames the Federal Government's decision not to extend the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target from 2 per cent for the shelving of all its future developments across Australia.
Mr Llewellyn said yesterday that he had briefly met Mr Macfarlane at the energy ministers' conference.
Adelaide aims to be solar city of the future
The Adelaide Advertiser, Page: 15
Saturday, 20 May 2006
We're lucky to live and work in our "City in the Park" that's unique in the world. But our environment is at risk from global warming, the greatest threat facing our planet. South Australia has already taken significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wehave set a target of sourcing 15 per cent of electricity from renewable energy.
We're on track to reach that target by the end of this year, so we have increased our goal to 20 per cent within a decade. We're going further, too, becoming the first state that will enshrine in law a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. SA is already leading the nation in wind generation, generating more wind power than all other States and Territories combined. We also have more than 45 per cent of the nation's grid-connected solar power.
In other areas, the Million Trees program is seeing three million trees planted throughout our city in a series of urban forests, helping to improve the carbon-absorbing capacity of our green fringe. We've installed solar panels on government buildings on North Terrace, including Parliament House, the Art Gallery, the SA Museum and the State Library, and on Gilles Street Primary School - one of more than 250 schools to be getting solar power. We're going to continue that solar roll-out, funding the installation of panels on the new Adelaide Airport, and Adelaide has been named one of the nation's "Solar Cities of the Future". And solar installations are part of the Adelaide landscape with solar lights installed in Victoria Square generating electricity during the day, and lighting up Adelaide's first sustainable square at night.
And similar lights are popping up around the city on Halifax St and the East Parklands. Adelaide is also going to play host to the International Solar Cities Congress in 2008. We're doing more to harness the wind, too, installing mini wind turbines on government buildings to take advantage of the wind-tunnel effect. We have a much cleaner city because of our nation-leading container deposit scheme and our moves to scrap non re-useable plastic bags.
And we're reducing pressure on our precious water resources. As part of the Water proofing Adelaide program, from July, all new homes must have plumbed rainwater tanks, and we're providing rebates of up to $400 to plumb rainwater tanks into existing homes. Everyone who lives and works in the city can do their part. Instead of driving to work, you can catch one of our fleet of trains and diesel buses, which we have converted to biodiesel - making it one of the cleanest fleets in Australia.
You can ride your bike to work on our network of green cycle paths, which we're expanding along the Glenelg tramline. And in the State Government we're doing our bit, converting half our car fleet to more environmentally friendly fuels by 2010 - stopping more than 2000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere. Westill have a long way to go, but next time you're going through our Parklands let them be a reminder of what you can do locally about the threat of climate change.
Saturday, 20 May 2006
We're lucky to live and work in our "City in the Park" that's unique in the world. But our environment is at risk from global warming, the greatest threat facing our planet. South Australia has already taken significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wehave set a target of sourcing 15 per cent of electricity from renewable energy.
We're on track to reach that target by the end of this year, so we have increased our goal to 20 per cent within a decade. We're going further, too, becoming the first state that will enshrine in law a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. SA is already leading the nation in wind generation, generating more wind power than all other States and Territories combined. We also have more than 45 per cent of the nation's grid-connected solar power.
In other areas, the Million Trees program is seeing three million trees planted throughout our city in a series of urban forests, helping to improve the carbon-absorbing capacity of our green fringe. We've installed solar panels on government buildings on North Terrace, including Parliament House, the Art Gallery, the SA Museum and the State Library, and on Gilles Street Primary School - one of more than 250 schools to be getting solar power. We're going to continue that solar roll-out, funding the installation of panels on the new Adelaide Airport, and Adelaide has been named one of the nation's "Solar Cities of the Future". And solar installations are part of the Adelaide landscape with solar lights installed in Victoria Square generating electricity during the day, and lighting up Adelaide's first sustainable square at night.
And similar lights are popping up around the city on Halifax St and the East Parklands. Adelaide is also going to play host to the International Solar Cities Congress in 2008. We're doing more to harness the wind, too, installing mini wind turbines on government buildings to take advantage of the wind-tunnel effect. We have a much cleaner city because of our nation-leading container deposit scheme and our moves to scrap non re-useable plastic bags.
And we're reducing pressure on our precious water resources. As part of the Water proofing Adelaide program, from July, all new homes must have plumbed rainwater tanks, and we're providing rebates of up to $400 to plumb rainwater tanks into existing homes. Everyone who lives and works in the city can do their part. Instead of driving to work, you can catch one of our fleet of trains and diesel buses, which we have converted to biodiesel - making it one of the cleanest fleets in Australia.
You can ride your bike to work on our network of green cycle paths, which we're expanding along the Glenelg tramline. And in the State Government we're doing our bit, converting half our car fleet to more environmentally friendly fuels by 2010 - stopping more than 2000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere. Westill have a long way to go, but next time you're going through our Parklands let them be a reminder of what you can do locally about the threat of climate change.
Shire adopts green power
The Herbert River Express, Page: 1
Saturday, 20 May 2006
Hinchinbrook Shire Council offices and facilities will run on 10 per cent renewable power after councillors voted to spend $38,700 on a 'clean energy' program. Under the three-year Ergon Energy silver environmental package, the council will pay an extra $1075 a month on their power bill, and will receive a business energy review worth $5000. The move is expected to lower the council's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1290 tonnes. Deputy Mayor Arthur Bosworth said the program would allow the council to assess the effectiveness of its energy consumption.
"At this stage we don't know how much we waste or how much we use, " he said. "We live in an environmentally-sensitive part of the world and the local authority recognises that fact and this is a way for us to show our environmental credentials. "We are the environmental conscience for the rest of australia, so we need to be seen to be green and aware of what's going on in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. "The program uses power derived from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass, largely in the form of sugarcane bagasse.
The 'clean' electricity is fed into the grid along with conventional electricity, and is passed on through normal poles and wires. Ergon Energy spokesman John Fowler said the council's adoption of the program showed their commitment to the environment. "I think the Hinchinbrook Shire Council is going to be at the forefront of councils in regional queensland who are taking this initiative," he said. "The council should be congratulated.
"Mr Fowler said much of the renewable energy used in Hinchinbrook would be sourced from a wind farm at Ravenshoe. Speaking at the council meeting, Cr Sherry Kaurila said the program would work out at a cost of 9 cents extra per person each month for every man, woman and child in the shire for the three years.
Saturday, 20 May 2006
Hinchinbrook Shire Council offices and facilities will run on 10 per cent renewable power after councillors voted to spend $38,700 on a 'clean energy' program. Under the three-year Ergon Energy silver environmental package, the council will pay an extra $1075 a month on their power bill, and will receive a business energy review worth $5000. The move is expected to lower the council's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1290 tonnes. Deputy Mayor Arthur Bosworth said the program would allow the council to assess the effectiveness of its energy consumption.
"At this stage we don't know how much we waste or how much we use, " he said. "We live in an environmentally-sensitive part of the world and the local authority recognises that fact and this is a way for us to show our environmental credentials. "We are the environmental conscience for the rest of australia, so we need to be seen to be green and aware of what's going on in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. "The program uses power derived from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass, largely in the form of sugarcane bagasse.
The 'clean' electricity is fed into the grid along with conventional electricity, and is passed on through normal poles and wires. Ergon Energy spokesman John Fowler said the council's adoption of the program showed their commitment to the environment. "I think the Hinchinbrook Shire Council is going to be at the forefront of councils in regional queensland who are taking this initiative," he said. "The council should be congratulated.
"Mr Fowler said much of the renewable energy used in Hinchinbrook would be sourced from a wind farm at Ravenshoe. Speaking at the council meeting, Cr Sherry Kaurila said the program would work out at a cost of 9 cents extra per person each month for every man, woman and child in the shire for the three years.
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