www.environmental-finance.com/
London, 23 August: Danish wind turbine giant Vestas Wind Systems has reported a 19% surge in revenues in the second quarter, to just over €1 billion ($1.4 billion), as demand for renewable energy continues to hot up. Gross profit jumped to €188 million for the quarter, compared to €86 million the year before.
Vestas shipped 629 turbines during the quarter, with a total output of 1,090MW – 8% up on the same period last year. At the end of June, the company had a backlog of 4,535MW of orders. Just over half of this backlog is destined for projects in Europe, with another 33% going to the Americas and 14% to the Asia/Pacific region.
The company warned that the log-jam is likely to continue some years into the future. "Vestas expects that it will take several years before supply will match demand given the present price and delivery conditions, because lifting quality and substantially expanding production output requires massive investments in facilities and training throughout the supply chain," it said. Other risk factors for the company include warranties being exercised because of sub-standard quality, increasing raw material and transport costs and fluctuations in the exchange rate between dollars and euros.
Vestas also told investors to expect "substantial" quarter-on-quarter fluctuations, because of the increasing number of contracts for simply supplying, rather than installing turbines, disruption to installations and a change in timing of customer payments. But the firm predicts revenues will rise to €4.5 billion over the year, with an increase in the margin of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) from 5.2% in 2006 to 7-9% in 2007. In 2008, Vestas expects its margins to rise to between 10% and 12% and to increase market share to 35% from 28% in 2006.
The company said: "The improved EBIT margin will primarily be the result of a better flow in production and enhanced manufacturing quality." But despite its rapid expansion, Vestas also announced it will close a factory making turbine blades in Portland, Australia. It said: "The factory is not of a sufficient size to ensure satisfactory profitability, and the market outlook for Australia makes it impossible to expand the facility."
Updated 24 August 2007
Friday, 24 August 2007
Thursday, 23 August 2007
LEGO Wind Turbine Day
www.ewb.org.au/
Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is building LEGO wind turbines in capital cities across the nation for Engineering Week! The public's imagination will be captured by participating in the construction of over 3,500 LEGO bricks to form a fully functioning three-metre tall wind turbine!
For a gold coin donation, members of the public will add LEGO bricks to the construction. The remaining 3 metre high fully functioning lego wind turbines will be constructed simultaneously in popular public spaces across the nation this Friday 24th August 2007.
Through this event, EWB aims to...
Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is building LEGO wind turbines in capital cities across the nation for Engineering Week! The public's imagination will be captured by participating in the construction of over 3,500 LEGO bricks to form a fully functioning three-metre tall wind turbine!For a gold coin donation, members of the public will add LEGO bricks to the construction. The remaining 3 metre high fully functioning lego wind turbines will be constructed simultaneously in popular public spaces across the nation this Friday 24th August 2007.
Through this event, EWB aims to...
- Raise public awareness of how climate change is affecting developing communities, what EWB is doing about it, and what you can do to help
- Raise funds to support EWB
- Have a whole lot of fun with LEGO!
Wind farm factory runs out of puff: Danish owner says Australia too `unprofitable'
Canberra Times
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 13
A large world supplier of wind farm technology is turning its back on Australia, saying the nation's green energy market is not viable. Vestas Australia Wind Technology will close its unprofitable Portland turbine blade factory at the end of the year. About 130 jobs will be lost, casting doubts over the viability of Australia's renewable energy industry. The Danish company says it could no longer justify keeping the plant open because the investment was not worthwhile in the Australian market. Vestas Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Jorn Hammer said,"It's definitely a fact that the current environment for the wind industry is not big enough to encourage these kinds of investments.
"We have the view that if the Government steps up to the plate and puts the necessary security for a long-term market in place we'll have another look at the market, but I guess we'll be a little more careful next time. [Not] just believing in what they've been telling us, we need to see some hard evidence to justify investment."
A spokeswoman for federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane said Vestas made its decision to invest in Portland after the Government told the company it would not extend its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. She said Vestas' decision to close was linked to new technology. "The blades they are manufacturing have been superseded and they have decided not to invest in the area," she said. "The Australian Government has invested heavily in both the manufacturing and renewable energy sectors with [the mandatory target] stimulating investment of over $3.5 billion and increasing wind capacity by 8000 per cent. "It is two years ahead of schedule so it shows just how successful the scheme has been."
Mr Hammer said Vestas had hoped to invest in new technology to develop blades for the Australian market but could not justify the outlay. Labor spokesman for the environment and climate change Peter Garrett said the closure was a kick in the guts for the renewable energy industry. He blamed the Federal Government's refusal to increase mandatory targets for the closure.
Victorian Minister for Climate Change Gavin Jennings also laid the blame for the closure on the Howard Government's failure to respond to the challenges of climate change. "This regrettable decision is a direct result of a lack of Federal Government support for the renewable energy industry." Last year, Vestas closed a similar $15 million factory in Tasmania, laying off 65 staff.
The Portland operation opened two years ago and produces export turbine blades. The company will continue to employ about 200 people around Australia in technical and support roles but its manufacturing operations here will cease. Mr Hammer said the company would fulfil its employee obligations and was working with the union to help workers find new jobs.
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 13
A large world supplier of wind farm technology is turning its back on Australia, saying the nation's green energy market is not viable. Vestas Australia Wind Technology will close its unprofitable Portland turbine blade factory at the end of the year. About 130 jobs will be lost, casting doubts over the viability of Australia's renewable energy industry. The Danish company says it could no longer justify keeping the plant open because the investment was not worthwhile in the Australian market. Vestas Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Jorn Hammer said,"It's definitely a fact that the current environment for the wind industry is not big enough to encourage these kinds of investments.
"We have the view that if the Government steps up to the plate and puts the necessary security for a long-term market in place we'll have another look at the market, but I guess we'll be a little more careful next time. [Not] just believing in what they've been telling us, we need to see some hard evidence to justify investment."
A spokeswoman for federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane said Vestas made its decision to invest in Portland after the Government told the company it would not extend its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. She said Vestas' decision to close was linked to new technology. "The blades they are manufacturing have been superseded and they have decided not to invest in the area," she said. "The Australian Government has invested heavily in both the manufacturing and renewable energy sectors with [the mandatory target] stimulating investment of over $3.5 billion and increasing wind capacity by 8000 per cent. "It is two years ahead of schedule so it shows just how successful the scheme has been."
Mr Hammer said Vestas had hoped to invest in new technology to develop blades for the Australian market but could not justify the outlay. Labor spokesman for the environment and climate change Peter Garrett said the closure was a kick in the guts for the renewable energy industry. He blamed the Federal Government's refusal to increase mandatory targets for the closure.
Victorian Minister for Climate Change Gavin Jennings also laid the blame for the closure on the Howard Government's failure to respond to the challenges of climate change. "This regrettable decision is a direct result of a lack of Federal Government support for the renewable energy industry." Last year, Vestas closed a similar $15 million factory in Tasmania, laying off 65 staff.
The Portland operation opened two years ago and produces export turbine blades. The company will continue to employ about 200 people around Australia in technical and support roles but its manufacturing operations here will cease. Mr Hammer said the company would fulfil its employee obligations and was working with the union to help workers find new jobs.
Clean and green park a treat for all
Mount Barker Courier
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 10
Much more than simply a coastal strip of land, the Canunda National Park is a veritable treasure chest of pristine wilderness, stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Situated on South Australia's South East coastline, the 9358 hectare park stretches for 40km between Southend and Carpenters Rocks, with entry points from both these towns, as well as Millicent to the east.
Dominated by rugged sand dunes, brimming with local fauna and flora, and bounded by a magnificent and varied coastline to the west and Lake Bonney to the east, the park is welt known locally as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers kilometres of marked four wheel drive tracks criss-crossing the length and breadth of the park. Each year thousands of four wheel drive adventurers frequent the region, along with those on trait bikes and dune buggies. Those without a four wheel drive vehicle need not despair however, as many parts of the park are also accessible by two wheel drive.
Once on foot, visitors can take advantage of the scenic walking traits which direct them to a myriad of attractions hidden deep within the park, including unique sandstone formations, aboriginal and historical relics and spectacular lookouts. With kilometres of coastline featuring beaches, rocky headlands and reef platforms, the fishing opportunities within Canunda are endless. From these waters recreation fishers yield good catches of mulloway, salmon, sharks and rays off the beach, while sweep, abalone and crayfish are regularly caught off the rocks. Because one day is simply not long enough to spend in this treasured place, the park also boasts several camping areas, so visitors can take their time exploring all the park has to offer.
The Canunda National Park also has a reputation as a terrific vantage point for viewing the internationally acclaimed Canunda and Lake Bonney Wind Farms. Combined, these two projects are the largest windfarm in the Southern Hemisphere, consisting of 98 wind turbine towers, with a further 24 still to be erected.
The windfarm is not only a world leader in the production of renewable energy, it has also been designed to be in synergy with its local environment. The second stage of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm recently won a state award for excellence in project management, construction and environmental management. The windfarms already produce plenty of clean, green energy, and once complete in February next year, will regularly produce enough energy to light up thousands of Australian homes.
With so much to see and do, the reputation of the Canunda National Park is growing every year. But despite the increased volume of traffic the park sees each year it has remained a pristine wilderness, thanks to a committed community of National Parks Rangers, Friends of the Park, four wheel drive clubs, service organisations, schools and conscientious tourists.
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 10
Much more than simply a coastal strip of land, the Canunda National Park is a veritable treasure chest of pristine wilderness, stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Situated on South Australia's South East coastline, the 9358 hectare park stretches for 40km between Southend and Carpenters Rocks, with entry points from both these towns, as well as Millicent to the east.
Dominated by rugged sand dunes, brimming with local fauna and flora, and bounded by a magnificent and varied coastline to the west and Lake Bonney to the east, the park is welt known locally as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers kilometres of marked four wheel drive tracks criss-crossing the length and breadth of the park. Each year thousands of four wheel drive adventurers frequent the region, along with those on trait bikes and dune buggies. Those without a four wheel drive vehicle need not despair however, as many parts of the park are also accessible by two wheel drive.
Once on foot, visitors can take advantage of the scenic walking traits which direct them to a myriad of attractions hidden deep within the park, including unique sandstone formations, aboriginal and historical relics and spectacular lookouts. With kilometres of coastline featuring beaches, rocky headlands and reef platforms, the fishing opportunities within Canunda are endless. From these waters recreation fishers yield good catches of mulloway, salmon, sharks and rays off the beach, while sweep, abalone and crayfish are regularly caught off the rocks. Because one day is simply not long enough to spend in this treasured place, the park also boasts several camping areas, so visitors can take their time exploring all the park has to offer.
The Canunda National Park also has a reputation as a terrific vantage point for viewing the internationally acclaimed Canunda and Lake Bonney Wind Farms. Combined, these two projects are the largest windfarm in the Southern Hemisphere, consisting of 98 wind turbine towers, with a further 24 still to be erected.
The windfarm is not only a world leader in the production of renewable energy, it has also been designed to be in synergy with its local environment. The second stage of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm recently won a state award for excellence in project management, construction and environmental management. The windfarms already produce plenty of clean, green energy, and once complete in February next year, will regularly produce enough energy to light up thousands of Australian homes.
With so much to see and do, the reputation of the Canunda National Park is growing every year. But despite the increased volume of traffic the park sees each year it has remained a pristine wilderness, thanks to a committed community of National Parks Rangers, Friends of the Park, four wheel drive clubs, service organisations, schools and conscientious tourists.
130 out as turbine plant closes
Herald Sun
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 20
A MAJOR international wind turbine manufacturer will close its Victorian plant at the end of the year, saying Australia's renewable energy sector was not a viable investment. About 130 jobs will go when Vestas Blades Australia closes its Portland factory in December, 21/ years after it opened.
Vestas Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Jorn Hammer said the Portland venture was no longer profitable. "It's not viable for us to make further investments in the Australian market. .. we don't see the market as big enough in Australia to justify the expense," he said. "When we committed to build the factory we believed there was support for the wind industry in Australia, and that has not come through to the extent we anticipated." The Danish company is one of the world's biggest makers of wind-power technology.
Environment groups said the Federal Government's 2 per cent Mandatory Renewable Energy Target was driving investment overseas. The target aims to generate 2 per cent of Australia's energy using green power. Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said the Government needed to legislate for 25 per cent renewable energy by 2020. "If we don't show we are serious about climate change and investing in clean energy, renewables companies will go where investors are serious about it," he said.
Environment Victoria climate change campaigner Louise Morris said: "It really does show that Australia is not giving the renewables industry the support they need to take off." Federal Opposition climate change spokesman Peter Garrett said the closure was "another kick in the guts for our renewable energy industry". He blamed the Federal Government's failure to increase the MRET for the closure.
But a spokeswoman for federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane said Vestas knew the Government would not be increasing the MRET when it decided to build in Portland. The MRET scheme had generated more than $3.5 billion in investment and increased wind energy capacity by 8000 per cent, she said. The factory makes wind turbine blades for export.
Mr Hammer said Vestas had hoped to upgrade technology to make blades for local wind farms, but that was not viable. The decision comes a year after the company shut down a similar $15 million factory in Tasmania, laying off 65 staff. Vestas would honour employees' annual leave entitlements and redundancy payouts. Mr Hammer said.
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 20
A MAJOR international wind turbine manufacturer will close its Victorian plant at the end of the year, saying Australia's renewable energy sector was not a viable investment. About 130 jobs will go when Vestas Blades Australia closes its Portland factory in December, 21/ years after it opened.
Vestas Asia-Pacific senior vice-president Jorn Hammer said the Portland venture was no longer profitable. "It's not viable for us to make further investments in the Australian market. .. we don't see the market as big enough in Australia to justify the expense," he said. "When we committed to build the factory we believed there was support for the wind industry in Australia, and that has not come through to the extent we anticipated." The Danish company is one of the world's biggest makers of wind-power technology.
Environment groups said the Federal Government's 2 per cent Mandatory Renewable Energy Target was driving investment overseas. The target aims to generate 2 per cent of Australia's energy using green power. Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said the Government needed to legislate for 25 per cent renewable energy by 2020. "If we don't show we are serious about climate change and investing in clean energy, renewables companies will go where investors are serious about it," he said.
Environment Victoria climate change campaigner Louise Morris said: "It really does show that Australia is not giving the renewables industry the support they need to take off." Federal Opposition climate change spokesman Peter Garrett said the closure was "another kick in the guts for our renewable energy industry". He blamed the Federal Government's failure to increase the MRET for the closure.
But a spokeswoman for federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane said Vestas knew the Government would not be increasing the MRET when it decided to build in Portland. The MRET scheme had generated more than $3.5 billion in investment and increased wind energy capacity by 8000 per cent, she said. The factory makes wind turbine blades for export.
Mr Hammer said Vestas had hoped to upgrade technology to make blades for local wind farms, but that was not viable. The decision comes a year after the company shut down a similar $15 million factory in Tasmania, laying off 65 staff. Vestas would honour employees' annual leave entitlements and redundancy payouts. Mr Hammer said.
Prince in luck
Warrnambool Standard
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 5
DEMAND for bigger blades and wind turbines was a threat to Vestas' small-scale Portland operation, according to Keppel Prince's general manager. The Danish firm's focus on relatively small blades which were built to fit its own smaller turbines had slashed its market share, while Keppel Prince, which supplies a number of parts to fit various turbines, was surging ahead, its general manager Stephen Garner said.
"Their (Vestas) blades are made specifically for a Vestas turbine which has been somewhat superseded and Vestas are not wanting to put any more cash into that facility for another mould," said Mr Garner, who now employs 460 staff and plans to expand. He criticised the Federal Government but said the Brumby Government was doing a "great job" on renewable energy. "Our (federal) government needs to get off its arse and revise its MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target)... that's the thing that drives this industry."
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 5
DEMAND for bigger blades and wind turbines was a threat to Vestas' small-scale Portland operation, according to Keppel Prince's general manager. The Danish firm's focus on relatively small blades which were built to fit its own smaller turbines had slashed its market share, while Keppel Prince, which supplies a number of parts to fit various turbines, was surging ahead, its general manager Stephen Garner said.
"Their (Vestas) blades are made specifically for a Vestas turbine which has been somewhat superseded and Vestas are not wanting to put any more cash into that facility for another mould," said Mr Garner, who now employs 460 staff and plans to expand. He criticised the Federal Government but said the Brumby Government was doing a "great job" on renewable energy. "Our (federal) government needs to get off its arse and revise its MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target)... that's the thing that drives this industry."
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
On renewable energy trail in a day's work
Southern Gazette
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 2
MANNING resident Daniel Thompson wants to make renewable energy more affordable and accessible to remote towns and communities. The Verve Energy project development manager has received a 2007 Churchill Fellowship for study into hybrid power systems, particularly wind energy.
"There are thousands of remote communities in the world that rely on diesel power generation," Mr Thompson said. "Diesel power is expensive and as a fossil fuel consumer it creates greenhouse gas emissions. "Putting wind turbines on those diesel stations has the ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions and bring the cost of distribution down." Mr Thompson will use the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust funding to spend two months studying in Alaska, the United States, France, Norway and the UK.
He said there were about 10,000 diesel power stations throughout the world releasing greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuel. "There's a lot of good reasons to put wind turbines on the systems and Verve Energy saw that back in 1997, and as a result now have about eight wind diesel systems," he said. "My project is about finding out what other people are doing throughout the world in wind diesel so that we can gauge whether what is happening in Australia is comparable. "It is also to bring back new ideas about where the future lies for that part of the industry." Mr Thompson (29) has been studying wind energy for almost 10 years.
He said he was confident renewable energy would continue to develop and integrate with contemporary fossil fuel-burning stations. He will leave for Alaska in October.
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 2
MANNING resident Daniel Thompson wants to make renewable energy more affordable and accessible to remote towns and communities. The Verve Energy project development manager has received a 2007 Churchill Fellowship for study into hybrid power systems, particularly wind energy."There are thousands of remote communities in the world that rely on diesel power generation," Mr Thompson said. "Diesel power is expensive and as a fossil fuel consumer it creates greenhouse gas emissions. "Putting wind turbines on those diesel stations has the ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions and bring the cost of distribution down." Mr Thompson will use the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust funding to spend two months studying in Alaska, the United States, France, Norway and the UK.
He said there were about 10,000 diesel power stations throughout the world releasing greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuel. "There's a lot of good reasons to put wind turbines on the systems and Verve Energy saw that back in 1997, and as a result now have about eight wind diesel systems," he said. "My project is about finding out what other people are doing throughout the world in wind diesel so that we can gauge whether what is happening in Australia is comparable. "It is also to bring back new ideas about where the future lies for that part of the industry." Mr Thompson (29) has been studying wind energy for almost 10 years.
He said he was confident renewable energy would continue to develop and integrate with contemporary fossil fuel-burning stations. He will leave for Alaska in October.
Portland bears brunt of wind turbine decision: 130 Jobs Go
Warrnambool Standard
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 1
A PORTLAND factory which manufactures blades for wind turbines has blamed the Federal Government's lack of support for renewable energy for its decision to shut down by the end of the year with the loss of 130 jobs.
Danish company Vestas closed its Wynyard turbine assembly plant in northern Tasmania last year. Senior vice-president for Vestas Asia Pacific, Jorn Hammer, said market conditions in Australia did not support the wind energy industry. He said not enough wind farms were being built to make the factory viable. "It's a big disappointment to Vestas," Mr Hammer said. He said the wind industry was flourishing overseas but struggling in Australia despite the obvious potential.
Liberal member for Wannon and Speaker of the House of Representatives David Hawker last night said news of the company's plans came to him as a surprise. Mr Hawker said he would discuss the case with senior government ministers and would not continent further until he had learned all the facts. "I'm surprised the company hasn't contacted me and I'm very concerned about the employees that will lose their jobs," Mr Hawker said last night.
The decision came less than a week after AGL Energy confirmed it had dumped plans to build a $140 million wind farm in south-east Victoria because it no longer considered the project to be financially viable. "Our view is that the different market mechanisms in other parts of the world support investment in sustainable energy," Mr Hammer said.
The Victorian Government implemented its own Renewable Energy Target scheme after the Federal Government refused to extend the national scheme, which requires energy retailers to buy about two per cent of their energy from renewable sources. Under the Victorian target, power companies will be required to buy 10 per cent of their energy from renewable sources by 2016. Without this effective government subsidy, wind energy, which costs double the amount of coal-generated power, is not competitive.
Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous said the closure was the direct result of a lack of federal government support for the renewable energy industry. "The Victorian Government has done everything in its power to support this company's operations in Portland," he said.
Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett said the Howard Government's consistent hostility to renewable energy showed its failure to take climate change seriously. "Whilst this sector booms across the world and plays an increasing role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the possibility of yet another company departing the Australian market points to the abysmal short-sightedness of the policy approach of the Howard Government," he said. Mr Garrett said Labor would significantly increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 1
A PORTLAND factory which manufactures blades for wind turbines has blamed the Federal Government's lack of support for renewable energy for its decision to shut down by the end of the year with the loss of 130 jobs.
Danish company Vestas closed its Wynyard turbine assembly plant in northern Tasmania last year. Senior vice-president for Vestas Asia Pacific, Jorn Hammer, said market conditions in Australia did not support the wind energy industry. He said not enough wind farms were being built to make the factory viable. "It's a big disappointment to Vestas," Mr Hammer said. He said the wind industry was flourishing overseas but struggling in Australia despite the obvious potential.
Liberal member for Wannon and Speaker of the House of Representatives David Hawker last night said news of the company's plans came to him as a surprise. Mr Hawker said he would discuss the case with senior government ministers and would not continent further until he had learned all the facts. "I'm surprised the company hasn't contacted me and I'm very concerned about the employees that will lose their jobs," Mr Hawker said last night.
The decision came less than a week after AGL Energy confirmed it had dumped plans to build a $140 million wind farm in south-east Victoria because it no longer considered the project to be financially viable. "Our view is that the different market mechanisms in other parts of the world support investment in sustainable energy," Mr Hammer said.
The Victorian Government implemented its own Renewable Energy Target scheme after the Federal Government refused to extend the national scheme, which requires energy retailers to buy about two per cent of their energy from renewable sources. Under the Victorian target, power companies will be required to buy 10 per cent of their energy from renewable sources by 2016. Without this effective government subsidy, wind energy, which costs double the amount of coal-generated power, is not competitive.
Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous said the closure was the direct result of a lack of federal government support for the renewable energy industry. "The Victorian Government has done everything in its power to support this company's operations in Portland," he said.
Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett said the Howard Government's consistent hostility to renewable energy showed its failure to take climate change seriously. "Whilst this sector booms across the world and plays an increasing role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the possibility of yet another company departing the Australian market points to the abysmal short-sightedness of the policy approach of the Howard Government," he said. Mr Garrett said Labor would significantly increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.
Coral Bay powers up
Northern Guardian
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 3
CORAL BAY'S new $14million wind-over-diesel power project was switched on last Friday. The new Vergnet wind turbines can be lowered to the ground during extreme weather conditions. It is the first time they have been built anywhere in Western Australia.
Horizon Power have now assumed responsibility for power supplies in Coral Bay. Previously three privately owned and operated electricity generators serviced the area using a limited distribution network. The three wind turbines are part of Coral Bay's wind farm and power station, which was officially opened by Energy Minister Francis Logan last Sunday. The opening signalled the normalisation of power supplies in the area.
Horizon Power general manager generation and technical services Mike Laughton-Smith said the system was new and innovative. "There is nothing `normal' about this power station - it is absolutely unique," Mr Laughton-Smith said. Excess wind energy is stored in a massive spinning three-tonne steel flywheel at the power plant, which rotates in a vacuum on a magnetic bearing. The flywheel has enough inertia to keep it spinning for 12 hours unpowered.
The new power plant is continuously switchable between seven 320kW low-load diesel generators, three 275kW wind turbines, and the flywheel "battery". Mr Logan said Horizon Power teamed up with Verve Energy to build the wind farm and low-load diesel power station on the fringe of the town.
He said the wind turbines could generate up to 45 per cent of Coral Bay's electricity requirements. "The fact that the turbines can be lowered and raised as required in extreme weather conditions provides Verve Energy with a tremendous opportunity to use similar turbines in cyclone-prone areas." Mr Logan said Horizon Power had also constructed a new 22,000-volt underground power network for the distribution of the electricity in Coral Bay, using nine kilometres of cable.
Local member Vincent Catania said that the power station would provide reliable energy to residents and businesses in Coral Bay at the same tariff rates as people in metropolitan Perth. "We are now seeing regional WA lead Australia in revolutionary technology," Mr Catania said. "More importantly, this infrastructure is part of a move toward a sustainable future, one in which we are less reliant on fossil fuels." The wind turbines are expected to save 440,000 litres of diesel each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,160 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Mr Logan said the use of the wind to generate power in the area was a significant contribution to renewable energy in WA. "This section of the WA coast is earning an international reputation for its pristine environment," Mr Logan said. "The use of renewable generating equipment and the construction of an unobtrusive underground power network provides 21st Century amenity without impacting on what people flock here to experience.
"The result is low environmental and visual impact infrastructure that will help sustain Coral Bay as the natural wonder we have come to love." The Coral Bay power project was supported by with $2m from the Australian Government through its Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.
Wednesday 22/8/2007 Page: 3
CORAL BAY'S new $14million wind-over-diesel power project was switched on last Friday. The new Vergnet wind turbines can be lowered to the ground during extreme weather conditions. It is the first time they have been built anywhere in Western Australia.Horizon Power have now assumed responsibility for power supplies in Coral Bay. Previously three privately owned and operated electricity generators serviced the area using a limited distribution network. The three wind turbines are part of Coral Bay's wind farm and power station, which was officially opened by Energy Minister Francis Logan last Sunday. The opening signalled the normalisation of power supplies in the area.
Horizon Power general manager generation and technical services Mike Laughton-Smith said the system was new and innovative. "There is nothing `normal' about this power station - it is absolutely unique," Mr Laughton-Smith said. Excess wind energy is stored in a massive spinning three-tonne steel flywheel at the power plant, which rotates in a vacuum on a magnetic bearing. The flywheel has enough inertia to keep it spinning for 12 hours unpowered.
The new power plant is continuously switchable between seven 320kW low-load diesel generators, three 275kW wind turbines, and the flywheel "battery". Mr Logan said Horizon Power teamed up with Verve Energy to build the wind farm and low-load diesel power station on the fringe of the town.
He said the wind turbines could generate up to 45 per cent of Coral Bay's electricity requirements. "The fact that the turbines can be lowered and raised as required in extreme weather conditions provides Verve Energy with a tremendous opportunity to use similar turbines in cyclone-prone areas." Mr Logan said Horizon Power had also constructed a new 22,000-volt underground power network for the distribution of the electricity in Coral Bay, using nine kilometres of cable.
Local member Vincent Catania said that the power station would provide reliable energy to residents and businesses in Coral Bay at the same tariff rates as people in metropolitan Perth. "We are now seeing regional WA lead Australia in revolutionary technology," Mr Catania said. "More importantly, this infrastructure is part of a move toward a sustainable future, one in which we are less reliant on fossil fuels." The wind turbines are expected to save 440,000 litres of diesel each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,160 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Mr Logan said the use of the wind to generate power in the area was a significant contribution to renewable energy in WA. "This section of the WA coast is earning an international reputation for its pristine environment," Mr Logan said. "The use of renewable generating equipment and the construction of an unobtrusive underground power network provides 21st Century amenity without impacting on what people flock here to experience.
"The result is low environmental and visual impact infrastructure that will help sustain Coral Bay as the natural wonder we have come to love." The Coral Bay power project was supported by with $2m from the Australian Government through its Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Wind farms planned: Company proposes turbines for Geelong area
Geelong Advertiser
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 8
A MELBOURNE energy company is scouring the region for wind farm sites, promising to pump profits back into the community. Future Energy Pty Ltd managing director David Shapero said yesterday the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula would be ideal locations for community generated wind farms. His comments come after the state's planning tribunal backed a Future Energy plan to construct Australia's first community-owned wind farm in Hepburn last month.
Mr Shapero said small community-based wind farms would be suited to the region which could not accommodate large operations because of the growing population and lack of wide open spaces. "We have been down looking at that area a bit," he said. "We have been trying to find locations that are most appropriate but have minimal impact." Mr Shapero said community-based wind farms were operated like a business but funded by community investors or shareholders.
He said shareholders not only helped to save the environment but received a profit from the wind farm while funds were also directed back into the local economy through community projects. "I always thought it would be best if the money was used for energy savings programs. Overseas programs have included giving out low energy light globes which is fairly simple to putting retro fitters on local buses for low energy fuels," Mr Shapero said.
Wind farms are better suited to open farm land with high wind spots that are close to the energy grid, but Mr Shapero said, the Great Ocean Road would not be a target as the Government did not support wind farms in that area. He said he expected the region to host many wind farms in the future as the dire consequences of climate change became more pressing.
Individual wind turbines, Mr Shapero said had the capacity to supply 1000 homes while the energy used to construct them was made back within 12 months of being set-up. "Wind turbines have a lifespan of about 25 years and if they need to come down there's plenty of opportunity for the materials to be recycled," he said. Mr Shapero said Future Energy was also acting on behalf of International Power, one of the world's largest renewable energy companies, which had submitted early plans for a 14- turbine wind farm in Winchelsea. He said more than 40 Winchelsea residents had attended a meeting on the proposal.
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 8
A MELBOURNE energy company is scouring the region for wind farm sites, promising to pump profits back into the community. Future Energy Pty Ltd managing director David Shapero said yesterday the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula would be ideal locations for community generated wind farms. His comments come after the state's planning tribunal backed a Future Energy plan to construct Australia's first community-owned wind farm in Hepburn last month.
Mr Shapero said small community-based wind farms would be suited to the region which could not accommodate large operations because of the growing population and lack of wide open spaces. "We have been down looking at that area a bit," he said. "We have been trying to find locations that are most appropriate but have minimal impact." Mr Shapero said community-based wind farms were operated like a business but funded by community investors or shareholders.
He said shareholders not only helped to save the environment but received a profit from the wind farm while funds were also directed back into the local economy through community projects. "I always thought it would be best if the money was used for energy savings programs. Overseas programs have included giving out low energy light globes which is fairly simple to putting retro fitters on local buses for low energy fuels," Mr Shapero said.
Wind farms are better suited to open farm land with high wind spots that are close to the energy grid, but Mr Shapero said, the Great Ocean Road would not be a target as the Government did not support wind farms in that area. He said he expected the region to host many wind farms in the future as the dire consequences of climate change became more pressing.
Individual wind turbines, Mr Shapero said had the capacity to supply 1000 homes while the energy used to construct them was made back within 12 months of being set-up. "Wind turbines have a lifespan of about 25 years and if they need to come down there's plenty of opportunity for the materials to be recycled," he said. Mr Shapero said Future Energy was also acting on behalf of International Power, one of the world's largest renewable energy companies, which had submitted early plans for a 14- turbine wind farm in Winchelsea. He said more than 40 Winchelsea residents had attended a meeting on the proposal.
Shhh, it's the silent majority
Geelong Advertiser
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 15
IRRESPECTIVE of what is said in this paper, responses by and large come from the disaffected, disenchanted and dissatisfied minority only. With a rare degree of magnanimity and self-sacrifice I have decided to dedicate this column to the great unwashed and their hitherto unheard- of thoughts on what they really want. So here are the thoughts of John and Mary Smith or Tan, Wong, Cvijic or anyone else with a name ending in `Os' or a vowel. We are fed up with everyone pussyfooting around with politics and allegedly speaking on our behalf.
Let's start with a local issue, fluoridation. Quite simply, the minority, very vocal Nazi-like zealots who bombard the Addy with their selective quotes from dodgy sources are wrong. Even trades hall is questioning its position since it banned fluoridation some 20 years ago and is unlikely to ban it now. Our children deserve to have universally affordable dental care and old fuddy-duddies who scoop their dentures out of a glass each morning should butt out. `Whoopee Do' Michael Crutchfield has correctly assessed the feelings of the majority and the available reliable, authenticated research. Take no prisoners, Michael, and strike a blow for the rest of us.
To the people of the Wonthaggi region, get over it. We need to invest in alternative resources and you've scored a great start in being gifted a desalination plant. Would you rather one of the Federal Government's proposed nuclear plants? This argument also applies to all those who whinge and whine against wind farms, solar towers and everything else that will secure our future on this planet. We have a Tasmanian company called the Roaring 40s which has huge contracts in China, including building the largest wind farm in the world, yet can't get any work in their own country. Do you think China bothered to ask the peasants if they had any objections to a wind farm on their doorstep? We need to commit to renewable alternatives and the self-interested, touchy-feely sentiments of a few objectors should be taken for what they are; the inability of some to embrace change and people's innate propensity to say `no' if given the opportunity. We want to see desalination plants, recycled water from Werribee, wind farms up and down the coast and a solar tower at the back of Bannockburn. Anything other than dirty coal, a lack of water or nuclear power plants.
Councillors getting a pay rise? Not while our collective derrieres point to the ground. When they can fix potholes, get traffic across the city, stop increasing the rates by almost double the CPI, discuss things in open chamber and not their secret little meetings, develop a planning policy that doesn't require camping at VCAT on a weekly basis, then come back and ask again. However, it's a big ask, as part-time councillors are simply just not up to the job.
We need fewer of them and all should be full time and treat it as a career. They should also be required to demonstrate some sort of experience or expertise which might suggest they are vaguely capable of meeting the demands of the job.
We're on a roll here. Bring back nativity plays to school, return the troops as no-one gives a stuff about Iraq and let them kill each other, teach kids maths and English grammar by rote. Bring back the death penalty and implement the Pauline Hanson Muslim immigration policy i.e. none. Howard, don't say sorry on our behalf as we're not. Thank-you John, Mary, Mario, Petros, Agneta, Dragana, Wei and Yuen for your insightful comments. Trouble is, will anyone listen to the majority?
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 15
IRRESPECTIVE of what is said in this paper, responses by and large come from the disaffected, disenchanted and dissatisfied minority only. With a rare degree of magnanimity and self-sacrifice I have decided to dedicate this column to the great unwashed and their hitherto unheard- of thoughts on what they really want. So here are the thoughts of John and Mary Smith or Tan, Wong, Cvijic or anyone else with a name ending in `Os' or a vowel. We are fed up with everyone pussyfooting around with politics and allegedly speaking on our behalf.
Let's start with a local issue, fluoridation. Quite simply, the minority, very vocal Nazi-like zealots who bombard the Addy with their selective quotes from dodgy sources are wrong. Even trades hall is questioning its position since it banned fluoridation some 20 years ago and is unlikely to ban it now. Our children deserve to have universally affordable dental care and old fuddy-duddies who scoop their dentures out of a glass each morning should butt out. `Whoopee Do' Michael Crutchfield has correctly assessed the feelings of the majority and the available reliable, authenticated research. Take no prisoners, Michael, and strike a blow for the rest of us.
To the people of the Wonthaggi region, get over it. We need to invest in alternative resources and you've scored a great start in being gifted a desalination plant. Would you rather one of the Federal Government's proposed nuclear plants? This argument also applies to all those who whinge and whine against wind farms, solar towers and everything else that will secure our future on this planet. We have a Tasmanian company called the Roaring 40s which has huge contracts in China, including building the largest wind farm in the world, yet can't get any work in their own country. Do you think China bothered to ask the peasants if they had any objections to a wind farm on their doorstep? We need to commit to renewable alternatives and the self-interested, touchy-feely sentiments of a few objectors should be taken for what they are; the inability of some to embrace change and people's innate propensity to say `no' if given the opportunity. We want to see desalination plants, recycled water from Werribee, wind farms up and down the coast and a solar tower at the back of Bannockburn. Anything other than dirty coal, a lack of water or nuclear power plants.
Councillors getting a pay rise? Not while our collective derrieres point to the ground. When they can fix potholes, get traffic across the city, stop increasing the rates by almost double the CPI, discuss things in open chamber and not their secret little meetings, develop a planning policy that doesn't require camping at VCAT on a weekly basis, then come back and ask again. However, it's a big ask, as part-time councillors are simply just not up to the job.
We need fewer of them and all should be full time and treat it as a career. They should also be required to demonstrate some sort of experience or expertise which might suggest they are vaguely capable of meeting the demands of the job.
We're on a roll here. Bring back nativity plays to school, return the troops as no-one gives a stuff about Iraq and let them kill each other, teach kids maths and English grammar by rote. Bring back the death penalty and implement the Pauline Hanson Muslim immigration policy i.e. none. Howard, don't say sorry on our behalf as we're not. Thank-you John, Mary, Mario, Petros, Agneta, Dragana, Wei and Yuen for your insightful comments. Trouble is, will anyone listen to the majority?
We'll end electric hot water, Labor tells green voters
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 7
LABOR says that if it wins power it will phase out the energy intensive electric hot water systems that use almost one-third of households' energy consumption. By 2010 electric hot water systems would no longer be installed in new homes, and by 2012 they would be replaced by solar, gas or heat-pump systems in existing dwellings, Labor's environment spokesman, Peter Garrett, said yesterday.
By 2012 the measures would be equivalent to taking 1.7 million cars off the road, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5 million tonnes, he said. "We know Australians want to embrace climate-friendly solutions, and we think this policy will be well supported." If elected to government, Labor would keep the $1000 rebate that the Federal Government announced earlier this year, which helps householders cover the cost of switching from electric to solar and heat-pump hot water systems. But Labor would take the policy further, introducing energy efficiency standards for all water heaters and eventually replacing the use of electricity to run water systems with solar or high efficiency gas or heat pumps.
The Government announced the $1000 rebate earlier this year, which followed a policy by Labor that would offer low-interest loans to households of up to $10,000 to be spent on a variety of measures to make homes more energy and water efficient. Green groups yesterday welcomed Labor's announcement. A Greenpeace energy campaigner, Mark Wakeham, described it as "a positive and simple measure that will make a significant impact on household greenhouse pollution".
"Using electricity to heat water is like using a chainsaw to cut butter. It's completely over the top and excessive." Mr Wakeham said it was good to see both parties paying attention to climate change, but that relatively small measures such as the one announced yesterday needed to be matched by a plan on reducing emissions. `Australia needs to reduce its greenhouse pollution by 30 per cent by 2020 if we are to do our bit towards tackling climate change. Measures like phasing out electric hot water will make a contribution, but we also need legislated targets for reducing emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy, and a clear pathway to reduce our use of coal-fired power."
Tuesday 21/8/2007 Page: 7
LABOR says that if it wins power it will phase out the energy intensive electric hot water systems that use almost one-third of households' energy consumption. By 2010 electric hot water systems would no longer be installed in new homes, and by 2012 they would be replaced by solar, gas or heat-pump systems in existing dwellings, Labor's environment spokesman, Peter Garrett, said yesterday.
By 2012 the measures would be equivalent to taking 1.7 million cars off the road, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5 million tonnes, he said. "We know Australians want to embrace climate-friendly solutions, and we think this policy will be well supported." If elected to government, Labor would keep the $1000 rebate that the Federal Government announced earlier this year, which helps householders cover the cost of switching from electric to solar and heat-pump hot water systems. But Labor would take the policy further, introducing energy efficiency standards for all water heaters and eventually replacing the use of electricity to run water systems with solar or high efficiency gas or heat pumps.
The Government announced the $1000 rebate earlier this year, which followed a policy by Labor that would offer low-interest loans to households of up to $10,000 to be spent on a variety of measures to make homes more energy and water efficient. Green groups yesterday welcomed Labor's announcement. A Greenpeace energy campaigner, Mark Wakeham, described it as "a positive and simple measure that will make a significant impact on household greenhouse pollution".
"Using electricity to heat water is like using a chainsaw to cut butter. It's completely over the top and excessive." Mr Wakeham said it was good to see both parties paying attention to climate change, but that relatively small measures such as the one announced yesterday needed to be matched by a plan on reducing emissions. `Australia needs to reduce its greenhouse pollution by 30 per cent by 2020 if we are to do our bit towards tackling climate change. Measures like phasing out electric hot water will make a contribution, but we also need legislated targets for reducing emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy, and a clear pathway to reduce our use of coal-fired power."
Monday, 20 August 2007
Perth faces future of desalination plants and wastewater recycling.
West Australian
Monday 20/8/2007 Page: 24
It has already saved WA from stage six water restrictions and by 2020 desalination and wastewater recycling is expected to be the State's only new source of water. Forget dams, bores and rivers - up to six major desalination plants will be built along the coast, from Esperance to Cape Preston, to quench WA's increasing thirst. Countless smaller capacity plants will also be established in remote inland and coastal communities, including Coral Bay, Yalgoo and Hopetoun and up to 50 per cent of "wastewater" will be recycled and drunk.
Water Corporation desalination principal engineer Gary Crisp doesn't need a crystal ball to predict the important role desalination will play in the State's water future. "Only additional water, provided from seawater desalination and wastewater recycling using reverse-osmosis, can sustain WA's growth and save the State from the worst drought this country has ever seen," he said. "It will be our saving grace, without it we would be on full water restrictions only using water to drink, bathe and wash." In fact, Mr Crisp believes desalination technology could not only solve the nation's water crisis, but alleviate pressure in those global regions where water was scarce and populations were growing. "Seawater desalination is a water source of the future, new engineering," he said.
"I believe only cities with a high rainfall and a small population like Darwin and Hobart and countries with an abundance of water like Canada will resist the move. Even London is considering desalination of Thames estuary water. "If it is powered by renewable energy, seawater desalination will become the only renewable, sustainable water source and it will supplement our traditional reserves in coastal cities in and and semi-arid regions." Earlier this year, Premier Alan Carpenter announced a second $1 billion water desalination plant would be built in Binningup by 2011. The first major sea water desalination plant to be built in the southern hemisphere was commissioned at Kwinana, south of Perth, in November.
The $387 million plant will produce 45 billion litres of water annually, or almost 20 per cent of Perth's water needs. In Queensland, the Government recently started building a $1.2 billion desalination plant on the Gold Coast and work on another $2 billion plant in Sydney will start soon. And many Mediterranean countries, including Spain - which built one of the world's first reverse-osmosis plants almost four decades ago - are rapidly turning to the technology. Mr Crisp said WA's pristine coastline boasted "some of the best conditions in the world" for constructing successful desalination plants.
"Our sea water is very clean and is of a high quality - it is totally free of pollutants and its clarity is high," he said. "Perth isn't usually affected by cyclones, which stir up the water and the seawater temperature range is also good for optimal seawater reverse-osmosis plants. "We also have lots of wind to drive a wind farm which provides a renewable energy source to power the desalination plant. "These very favourable conditions have helped us build the world's most advanced desalination plant in Perth." Mr Crisp said water engineers had been coming to terms with the technology since the mid 1990s with the State's first desalination plants on Rottnest Island and in Shark Bay. "Like desalination, the provision of `environmentally-friendly' water and water services is a business of the future and water engineers will always be in demand," he said.
Monday 20/8/2007 Page: 24
It has already saved WA from stage six water restrictions and by 2020 desalination and wastewater recycling is expected to be the State's only new source of water. Forget dams, bores and rivers - up to six major desalination plants will be built along the coast, from Esperance to Cape Preston, to quench WA's increasing thirst. Countless smaller capacity plants will also be established in remote inland and coastal communities, including Coral Bay, Yalgoo and Hopetoun and up to 50 per cent of "wastewater" will be recycled and drunk.
Water Corporation desalination principal engineer Gary Crisp doesn't need a crystal ball to predict the important role desalination will play in the State's water future. "Only additional water, provided from seawater desalination and wastewater recycling using reverse-osmosis, can sustain WA's growth and save the State from the worst drought this country has ever seen," he said. "It will be our saving grace, without it we would be on full water restrictions only using water to drink, bathe and wash." In fact, Mr Crisp believes desalination technology could not only solve the nation's water crisis, but alleviate pressure in those global regions where water was scarce and populations were growing. "Seawater desalination is a water source of the future, new engineering," he said.
"I believe only cities with a high rainfall and a small population like Darwin and Hobart and countries with an abundance of water like Canada will resist the move. Even London is considering desalination of Thames estuary water. "If it is powered by renewable energy, seawater desalination will become the only renewable, sustainable water source and it will supplement our traditional reserves in coastal cities in and and semi-arid regions." Earlier this year, Premier Alan Carpenter announced a second $1 billion water desalination plant would be built in Binningup by 2011. The first major sea water desalination plant to be built in the southern hemisphere was commissioned at Kwinana, south of Perth, in November.
The $387 million plant will produce 45 billion litres of water annually, or almost 20 per cent of Perth's water needs. In Queensland, the Government recently started building a $1.2 billion desalination plant on the Gold Coast and work on another $2 billion plant in Sydney will start soon. And many Mediterranean countries, including Spain - which built one of the world's first reverse-osmosis plants almost four decades ago - are rapidly turning to the technology. Mr Crisp said WA's pristine coastline boasted "some of the best conditions in the world" for constructing successful desalination plants.
"Our sea water is very clean and is of a high quality - it is totally free of pollutants and its clarity is high," he said. "Perth isn't usually affected by cyclones, which stir up the water and the seawater temperature range is also good for optimal seawater reverse-osmosis plants. "We also have lots of wind to drive a wind farm which provides a renewable energy source to power the desalination plant. "These very favourable conditions have helped us build the world's most advanced desalination plant in Perth." Mr Crisp said water engineers had been coming to terms with the technology since the mid 1990s with the State's first desalination plants on Rottnest Island and in Shark Bay. "Like desalination, the provision of `environmentally-friendly' water and water services is a business of the future and water engineers will always be in demand," he said.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Wind energy support turns up at Scotts Head
Coffs Coast Advocate
Friday 17/8/2007 Page: 19
THERE'S a renewable energy that is proving to be more than just a lot, of hot, air. And, if you ask Michael Jones, the answer is blowing in the wind. "I believe that's it, not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he said. "This area has good potenial for using wind energy." The Grassy Head resident, is so keen to see wind energy propel into popularity, he is organising a local wind energy group. The group held their first meeting yesterday in Scotts Head. "A wind turbine can generate the same amount of energy as solar power, for around hail the price," Michael said. "In Australia, we have better potential for wind energy than Spain, who is generating 27 per cent of all their electricity from wind. It makes a lot of sense to utilise wind to produce energy."
Michael and his family live on a 30-acre property, and are planning on installing a wind energy system to power the house. "An average household uses approximately 12 kilowatts a day. A two kilowatt turbine working at maximum velocity would rim household lights, computers, a fridge, stove and other appilances," he said.
When working as an ecologist, Michael became aware of the effects of climate change. "I was mapping mangroves in the Northern Territory, and saw them expanding landward. I look this as a sign of sea eve rise," he said. "Then when I read The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, I found it very worrying." These events spurred Michael to give presentations on climate change to local community groups, and become interested in alternative forms of energy. He said he would like to see wind turbines become common features on small holdings. "Just like you see television aerials on every house, I would like to see wind turbines become commonplace," he said.
To generate wind energy, you need an area with relatively high average wind speeds, and little or no turbulence. Like solar panels, wind turbines produce power from a renewable energy source. They basically consist of a set of blades connected to a generator or alternator; whether directly or via a gearbox, which produces power as it is turned by the rotating blades. The power from the turbine is used to charge batteries for later use, and a regulator is required for use with wind turbines. Grid interactive wind energy systems are less common, but are available.
Mobile Recycling Facts:
Friday 17/8/2007 Page: 19
THERE'S a renewable energy that is proving to be more than just a lot, of hot, air. And, if you ask Michael Jones, the answer is blowing in the wind. "I believe that's it, not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he said. "This area has good potenial for using wind energy." The Grassy Head resident, is so keen to see wind energy propel into popularity, he is organising a local wind energy group. The group held their first meeting yesterday in Scotts Head. "A wind turbine can generate the same amount of energy as solar power, for around hail the price," Michael said. "In Australia, we have better potential for wind energy than Spain, who is generating 27 per cent of all their electricity from wind. It makes a lot of sense to utilise wind to produce energy."Michael and his family live on a 30-acre property, and are planning on installing a wind energy system to power the house. "An average household uses approximately 12 kilowatts a day. A two kilowatt turbine working at maximum velocity would rim household lights, computers, a fridge, stove and other appilances," he said.
When working as an ecologist, Michael became aware of the effects of climate change. "I was mapping mangroves in the Northern Territory, and saw them expanding landward. I look this as a sign of sea eve rise," he said. "Then when I read The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, I found it very worrying." These events spurred Michael to give presentations on climate change to local community groups, and become interested in alternative forms of energy. He said he would like to see wind turbines become common features on small holdings. "Just like you see television aerials on every house, I would like to see wind turbines become commonplace," he said.
To generate wind energy, you need an area with relatively high average wind speeds, and little or no turbulence. Like solar panels, wind turbines produce power from a renewable energy source. They basically consist of a set of blades connected to a generator or alternator; whether directly or via a gearbox, which produces power as it is turned by the rotating blades. The power from the turbine is used to charge batteries for later use, and a regulator is required for use with wind turbines. Grid interactive wind energy systems are less common, but are available.
Mobile Recycling Facts:
- Australians uprade or exchange their mobile phones every 18 to 24 months, resulting in nearly 16 million old mobile phones cluttering people's homes and offices across Australia, of which four million no longer work.
- Mobile phones are not biodegradable and contain small amounts of potentially hazardous substances such as cadmium in NiCad batteries which if not managed properly can be harmful to the environment.
- By recycling mobile phones, more than 90 per cent of the mobile phone product materials can be extracted and reused such as plastics, gold, silver, copper and nickel.
Switch to Greenpower and make a difference
Milton Ulladulla Times
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 12
CURRENTLY eight per cent of the national electricity grid is generated by accredited renewable sources. The Federal Government has set a mandatory target of about 10 per cent. Accredited renewable sources (Greenpower) include wind, solar, hydro and biomass.
The Shoalhaven Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) group believes this target doesn't go far enough. What do you think? Clean Energy for Eternity is committed to 50 per cent renewable energy by the year 2020. We do not want future generations to be left wondering why the tough decisions were not made now. The time to act is today. Shoalhaven residents can make all the difference. To look at it economically, supply will influence demand. Demand will eventually reduce the price. Increased demand has created 182 new Greenpower generators since 1997. Greenpower generators in the Shoalhaven (as of June 2007) include:
The Shoalhaven CEFE will lobby our local government to gain their commitment to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2020. We want them to encourage renewable energy generation in our local area. If you think the Shoalhaven Council should take the challenge contact them and let them know. Bega Valley and Eurobodalla councils have already made the 50/50 by 2020 commitment. If they can do it, we can do it!
If you wish to contact us please email on littleearth@shoal.net.au
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 12
CURRENTLY eight per cent of the national electricity grid is generated by accredited renewable sources. The Federal Government has set a mandatory target of about 10 per cent. Accredited renewable sources (Greenpower) include wind, solar, hydro and biomass.
The Shoalhaven Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) group believes this target doesn't go far enough. What do you think? Clean Energy for Eternity is committed to 50 per cent renewable energy by the year 2020. We do not want future generations to be left wondering why the tough decisions were not made now. The time to act is today. Shoalhaven residents can make all the difference. To look at it economically, supply will influence demand. Demand will eventually reduce the price. Increased demand has created 182 new Greenpower generators since 1997. Greenpower generators in the Shoalhaven (as of June 2007) include:
- Callala Bay Public School (solar);
- Shoalhaven High School (solar);
- Kangaroo Valley Power Station (hydro);
- Bendeela Power Station (hydro);
- West Nowra landfill gas (LFG - bioenergy).
The Shoalhaven CEFE will lobby our local government to gain their commitment to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2020. We want them to encourage renewable energy generation in our local area. If you think the Shoalhaven Council should take the challenge contact them and let them know. Bega Valley and Eurobodalla councils have already made the 50/50 by 2020 commitment. If they can do it, we can do it!
If you wish to contact us please email on littleearth@shoal.net.au
Climate Change meeting in Narooma
Narooma News
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 4
LAST week a few 'good souls' - gathered to listen to climate change expert Erwin Jackson from the Climate Institute Australia, along with community educator and mother Philippa Rowland from Clean Energy for Eternity and Independent Candidate for Eden - Monaro Acacia Rose speak about climate change and implications for the region.
Last Tuesday's meeting was the result of the CWA NSW Annual meeting in Jindabyne when local CWA member and Agriculture and Environment representative Shirley Dellamarta met Acacia. 'This was an excellent opportunity for people to hear about the importance of immediate action on climate change,' Ms Rose said. 'Erwin Jackson and Philippa Rowland have a good grasp of the science of global warming and CO2 emissions' 'Erwin Jackson identified the trend towards global warming and said that scientists are concerned about the Greenland ice sheet melting.' 'The sudden collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica took scientists by surprise and indications are that if Antarctica melts it will cause a six metre sea level rise and if the Greenland ice sheet melts it will cause an additional six metre sea level rise.'
Ms Rose said 'The United Nations has already identified that over 150 million people live below the, one metre mark and 250 million are living below the five metre ASL mark.' 'The CSIRO report and study at Bateman's Bay is timely and we need to develop contingencies now to deal with potential sea level rise and increased storm events that will affect the coastal infrastructure and homes.' Erwin Jackson said that the Climate Institute Australia had assessed the policies of both major parties and they are clearly inadequate to deal with global warming.
Acacia Rose spoke about her first hand experiences of warming with the drying out of alpine vegetation and the potential for an alpine 'ecosystem crash' that would mean loss of vegetation and soil possibly far worse than intense grazing above the tree line. 'I am putting out the "Nott Target" of 50:50 by 20:20 as an achievable economic target for Australia.' 'We can begin by reducing emissions by 15 per cent over the next three years and then 10 per cent every three years until 2020 and at the same time increase our Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.'
'My vision for Australia is that every school becomes completely sustainable with solar, water tanks, permaculture garden and composting waste system or similar,' Erwin Jackson said Shirley Dellamarta thanked the speakers and encouraged people to talk about climate change and do something about it themselves at the individual level and as a community. CEFE meanwhile had 200 people attend a meeting in Cooma last week meant to encourage that shire to join the three other South Coast shires committed to the 50:50 target.
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 4
LAST week a few 'good souls' - gathered to listen to climate change expert Erwin Jackson from the Climate Institute Australia, along with community educator and mother Philippa Rowland from Clean Energy for Eternity and Independent Candidate for Eden - Monaro Acacia Rose speak about climate change and implications for the region.
Last Tuesday's meeting was the result of the CWA NSW Annual meeting in Jindabyne when local CWA member and Agriculture and Environment representative Shirley Dellamarta met Acacia. 'This was an excellent opportunity for people to hear about the importance of immediate action on climate change,' Ms Rose said. 'Erwin Jackson and Philippa Rowland have a good grasp of the science of global warming and CO2 emissions' 'Erwin Jackson identified the trend towards global warming and said that scientists are concerned about the Greenland ice sheet melting.' 'The sudden collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica took scientists by surprise and indications are that if Antarctica melts it will cause a six metre sea level rise and if the Greenland ice sheet melts it will cause an additional six metre sea level rise.'
Ms Rose said 'The United Nations has already identified that over 150 million people live below the, one metre mark and 250 million are living below the five metre ASL mark.' 'The CSIRO report and study at Bateman's Bay is timely and we need to develop contingencies now to deal with potential sea level rise and increased storm events that will affect the coastal infrastructure and homes.' Erwin Jackson said that the Climate Institute Australia had assessed the policies of both major parties and they are clearly inadequate to deal with global warming.
Acacia Rose spoke about her first hand experiences of warming with the drying out of alpine vegetation and the potential for an alpine 'ecosystem crash' that would mean loss of vegetation and soil possibly far worse than intense grazing above the tree line. 'I am putting out the "Nott Target" of 50:50 by 20:20 as an achievable economic target for Australia.' 'We can begin by reducing emissions by 15 per cent over the next three years and then 10 per cent every three years until 2020 and at the same time increase our Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.'
'My vision for Australia is that every school becomes completely sustainable with solar, water tanks, permaculture garden and composting waste system or similar,' Erwin Jackson said Shirley Dellamarta thanked the speakers and encouraged people to talk about climate change and do something about it themselves at the individual level and as a community. CEFE meanwhile had 200 people attend a meeting in Cooma last week meant to encourage that shire to join the three other South Coast shires committed to the 50:50 target.
Trade in GHG permits and credits up 45%
www.environmental-finance.com/
London, 16 August: Volumes in the world's carbon markets were up 45% year-on-year to 1.2 billion tonnes in the first six months of 2007, according to research from Point Carbon. Carbon allowances and permits worth €15.8 billion ($21.2 billion) were traded in the first six months of 2007 compared with €22.5 billion in all of 2006, an increase of 41% in annualised terms, according to the Oslo-based analyst company.
The European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) saw two-thirds of the traded volume, with the equivalent of 775 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2) changing hands at a financial value of €11.5 billion. The EU ETS, the world's first international emissions trading scheme, which was launched in January 2005 to help the EU meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol, requires companies to emit less CO2 than their target or buy carbon permits to make up any shortfall.
The EU ETS covers more than 10,000 power stations and other stationary sources of greenhouse gas emission in the EU's 27 member states. Most of the growth in trading was in forward contracts for the second phase of the scheme, which runs from 2008 to 2012. In the UN-administered Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), involving projects in developing countries that limit or reduce GHG emissions, 372Mt CO2 was traded, to the value of €4.1 billion. The secondary market in issued CDM credits doubled from 40Mt and €571 million in all of 2006 to 80Mt and €1.3 billion in the first half of 2007.
"We're seeing a spectacular growth in the carbon market. This is good news because CO2 trading is an essential tool in the fight against human-induced climate change," said Endre Tvinnereim, senior analyst at Point Carbon. "The EU ETS and CDM have almost the same market share as last year, but the strong growth in the secondary CDM market and in the EU ETS Phase II have made the market much more dynamic."
London, 16 August: Volumes in the world's carbon markets were up 45% year-on-year to 1.2 billion tonnes in the first six months of 2007, according to research from Point Carbon. Carbon allowances and permits worth €15.8 billion ($21.2 billion) were traded in the first six months of 2007 compared with €22.5 billion in all of 2006, an increase of 41% in annualised terms, according to the Oslo-based analyst company.
The European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) saw two-thirds of the traded volume, with the equivalent of 775 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2) changing hands at a financial value of €11.5 billion. The EU ETS, the world's first international emissions trading scheme, which was launched in January 2005 to help the EU meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol, requires companies to emit less CO2 than their target or buy carbon permits to make up any shortfall.
The EU ETS covers more than 10,000 power stations and other stationary sources of greenhouse gas emission in the EU's 27 member states. Most of the growth in trading was in forward contracts for the second phase of the scheme, which runs from 2008 to 2012. In the UN-administered Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), involving projects in developing countries that limit or reduce GHG emissions, 372Mt CO2 was traded, to the value of €4.1 billion. The secondary market in issued CDM credits doubled from 40Mt and €571 million in all of 2006 to 80Mt and €1.3 billion in the first half of 2007.
"We're seeing a spectacular growth in the carbon market. This is good news because CO2 trading is an essential tool in the fight against human-induced climate change," said Endre Tvinnereim, senior analyst at Point Carbon. "The EU ETS and CDM have almost the same market share as last year, but the strong growth in the secondary CDM market and in the EU ETS Phase II have made the market much more dynamic."
Majority support wind farms
Moyne Gazette
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 3
There have been only three public submissions relating to the Ryan Corner wind farm.
MOST people were in favour of wind farms but those against them were sometimes very vocal in their opposition, a hearing on a wind farm proposed for Ryan Corner near Port Fairy has been told. TME Australia consultant Alan Wyatt made the statement in response to a query from a member of the independent panel hearing TME Australia's application to install 68 wind turbines at Ryan Corner.
The panel member had asked why there were vastly different reactions from the public to various wind farm proposals. The Ryan Corner proposal has so far provoked little public opposition with only three public submissions to the panel received so far. None of those who made written submissions asked to speak at the panel hearings in Port Fairy last week on the proposal. The panel member said the public's reaction to the proposed Ryan Corner wind farm was different to that of the Bald Hills wind farm in south Gippsland. That proposal attracted about 1500 objections.
TME has told the panel that studies involving at least 300 people had looked at their perception of wind farms and found most were in favour. Mr Wyatt said those who did not like wind farms were sometimes very antagonistic and their strong opposition was not a true measure of the community's feelings about a wind farm proposal. "Studies of at least 300 people are far more reliable than four of five or 10 people that might be antagonistic," Mr Wyatt said.
TME had told the panel hearing its perception studies found people believed wind farms were in "man modified landscapes that can absorb change". TME also told the panel the Ryan Corner wind farm would have a low visual impact on the Princes Highway. It said windbreaks, plantations, roadside vegetation and stony rises would filter the views of the wind turbines so the wind farm would have limited visual impact on surrounding towns such as Port Fairy, Yambuk and Orford. The major visual impact would be on houses adjacent to the wind farm. The panel will make a recommendation to the State Government that will decide whether to approve the wind farm.
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 3
There have been only three public submissions relating to the Ryan Corner wind farm.
MOST people were in favour of wind farms but those against them were sometimes very vocal in their opposition, a hearing on a wind farm proposed for Ryan Corner near Port Fairy has been told. TME Australia consultant Alan Wyatt made the statement in response to a query from a member of the independent panel hearing TME Australia's application to install 68 wind turbines at Ryan Corner.
The panel member had asked why there were vastly different reactions from the public to various wind farm proposals. The Ryan Corner proposal has so far provoked little public opposition with only three public submissions to the panel received so far. None of those who made written submissions asked to speak at the panel hearings in Port Fairy last week on the proposal. The panel member said the public's reaction to the proposed Ryan Corner wind farm was different to that of the Bald Hills wind farm in south Gippsland. That proposal attracted about 1500 objections.
TME has told the panel that studies involving at least 300 people had looked at their perception of wind farms and found most were in favour. Mr Wyatt said those who did not like wind farms were sometimes very antagonistic and their strong opposition was not a true measure of the community's feelings about a wind farm proposal. "Studies of at least 300 people are far more reliable than four of five or 10 people that might be antagonistic," Mr Wyatt said.
TME had told the panel hearing its perception studies found people believed wind farms were in "man modified landscapes that can absorb change". TME also told the panel the Ryan Corner wind farm would have a low visual impact on the Princes Highway. It said windbreaks, plantations, roadside vegetation and stony rises would filter the views of the wind turbines so the wind farm would have limited visual impact on surrounding towns such as Port Fairy, Yambuk and Orford. The major visual impact would be on houses adjacent to the wind farm. The panel will make a recommendation to the State Government that will decide whether to approve the wind farm.
Push for 150 turbines
Ballarat Courier
Friday 17/8/2007 Page: 4
MORE than 150 wind turbines are being slated for construction between Skipton and Beaufort. Wind Power, who is backing the push to construct the wind farm, is behind a similar push to construct 19 turbines near Smeaton. Company director Andrew Newbold said the company was looking at constructing between 150 to 200 turbines, and if successful the $700 million Stockyard Hill project would be one of Australia's largest wind farm developments producing enough power for 250,000 homes. Mr Newbold said the company had begun its planning reports and environmental impact studies.
The first community meeting will be held this Saturday. However not everybody is happy. The Western Plains Landscape Guardians Association formed in February after hearing of the proposal and group spokesman Warwick Read said invitations to the information session were received late. You can't help but feel it was deliberately done," he said. "People are signing up in droves because they want the money. It's just sad and these developers don't care. 't'hey are chasing the dollars. The size of the project is growing every weekend and I don't think there is one neighbour who has been consulted about it."
About 45 landholders between Beaufort and Skipton had signed up to have turbines, and the project had grown because of community support, Mr Newbold said. "There is a hell of a lot of local support for it. We have got to go through all the planning reports and all the environmental studies which we have commenced," he said. "We would be anticipating at lodging a planning application next year. We will be gauging what the people want from it at the community information day." The information day will be held this Saturday at the Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally Hall, Carngham Lake Goldsmith Rd, Lake Goldsmith front 10am to 3pm.
Friday 17/8/2007 Page: 4
MORE than 150 wind turbines are being slated for construction between Skipton and Beaufort. Wind Power, who is backing the push to construct the wind farm, is behind a similar push to construct 19 turbines near Smeaton. Company director Andrew Newbold said the company was looking at constructing between 150 to 200 turbines, and if successful the $700 million Stockyard Hill project would be one of Australia's largest wind farm developments producing enough power for 250,000 homes. Mr Newbold said the company had begun its planning reports and environmental impact studies.
The first community meeting will be held this Saturday. However not everybody is happy. The Western Plains Landscape Guardians Association formed in February after hearing of the proposal and group spokesman Warwick Read said invitations to the information session were received late. You can't help but feel it was deliberately done," he said. "People are signing up in droves because they want the money. It's just sad and these developers don't care. 't'hey are chasing the dollars. The size of the project is growing every weekend and I don't think there is one neighbour who has been consulted about it."
About 45 landholders between Beaufort and Skipton had signed up to have turbines, and the project had grown because of community support, Mr Newbold said. "There is a hell of a lot of local support for it. We have got to go through all the planning reports and all the environmental studies which we have commenced," he said. "We would be anticipating at lodging a planning application next year. We will be gauging what the people want from it at the community information day." The information day will be held this Saturday at the Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally Hall, Carngham Lake Goldsmith Rd, Lake Goldsmith front 10am to 3pm.
Thursday, 16 August 2007
$110m wind farm on track: Portland final stage starts next year
Warrnambool Standard
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 7
WORKS on the $110 million final stage of Portland's wind energy project will start early next year. Pacific Hydro yesterday announced it had finalised a significant purchase agreement for the Cape Sir William Grant and Cape Nelson wind farms. While works for the Cape Bridgewater stage continue, the commitment means the total $330 million project will be finalised by 2009. The future of the third and final stage was in doubt before last year's state election.
The Liberal Party opposed a renewable energy target promoting cleaner sources of power. Pacific Hydro's Andrew Richards yesterday said Labor's strategy to deliver 10 per cent of the state's energy from renewable sources by 2016, had been crucial. "Without the Victorian target, we would not be able to commit this level of investment," he said. "This demonstrates the important economic and environmental benefits that renewable energy targets deliver." Works for the contentious Cape Bridgewater project are on schedule, with the first of its 29 wind towers to go in later this year.
The majority of access roads and wind tower foundations have been completed. Work at the substation beside Portland Aluminium is continuing. Mr Richards said the 195-megawatt project, which included Yambuk, would produce enough electricity for about 125,000 homes. It would also avoid about 920,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year. When approved in 2002, the Portland wind energy project was the biggest in the southern hemisphere. The Cape Bridgewater site caused much controversy because of fears its natural beauty would be destroyed by the turbines.
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 7
WORKS on the $110 million final stage of Portland's wind energy project will start early next year. Pacific Hydro yesterday announced it had finalised a significant purchase agreement for the Cape Sir William Grant and Cape Nelson wind farms. While works for the Cape Bridgewater stage continue, the commitment means the total $330 million project will be finalised by 2009. The future of the third and final stage was in doubt before last year's state election.
The Liberal Party opposed a renewable energy target promoting cleaner sources of power. Pacific Hydro's Andrew Richards yesterday said Labor's strategy to deliver 10 per cent of the state's energy from renewable sources by 2016, had been crucial. "Without the Victorian target, we would not be able to commit this level of investment," he said. "This demonstrates the important economic and environmental benefits that renewable energy targets deliver." Works for the contentious Cape Bridgewater project are on schedule, with the first of its 29 wind towers to go in later this year.
The majority of access roads and wind tower foundations have been completed. Work at the substation beside Portland Aluminium is continuing. Mr Richards said the 195-megawatt project, which included Yambuk, would produce enough electricity for about 125,000 homes. It would also avoid about 920,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year. When approved in 2002, the Portland wind energy project was the biggest in the southern hemisphere. The Cape Bridgewater site caused much controversy because of fears its natural beauty would be destroyed by the turbines.
AGL pulls out of wind farm plan
Ballarat Courier
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 5
THE Victorian Government says its renewable energy targets are still on track despite plans to dump a financially enviable $140 million wind turbine farm. AGL Energy Limited yesterday officially abandoned plans to build the 48 turbine Dollar Wind Farm in Victoria's southeast, 10 months after placing its application on indefinite hold. AGL cited financial concerns with the project.
"Even considering the current and any future emissions trading environment, the economics of the project are less compelling as compared with other projects under investment consideration by AGL," the company said in a statement yesterday. "Renewable energy is AGL's core business and we will continue to explore and develop a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants."
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 5
THE Victorian Government says its renewable energy targets are still on track despite plans to dump a financially enviable $140 million wind turbine farm. AGL Energy Limited yesterday officially abandoned plans to build the 48 turbine Dollar Wind Farm in Victoria's southeast, 10 months after placing its application on indefinite hold. AGL cited financial concerns with the project.
"Even considering the current and any future emissions trading environment, the economics of the project are less compelling as compared with other projects under investment consideration by AGL," the company said in a statement yesterday. "Renewable energy is AGL's core business and we will continue to explore and develop a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants."
Wind farm plan dumped
Age
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 5
ENERGY giant AGL has dumped a controversial $140 million wind farm planned for South Gippsland. The company put the 48-turbine Dollar wind farm on hold last October and yesterday confirmed it was pulling out altogether. AGL said the project was less financially attractive than others under consideration. The project, near Foster, had been strongly opposed by Gippsland residents.
AGL has planning approval for another wind farm, between Macarthur and Hawkesdale in western Victoria, which will be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. The project would have contributed 79 megawatts to the State Government's target of 10 per cent renewable energy by 2016. Energy Minister Peter Batchelor's spokesman, Bill Kyriakopoulos, said the Government remained committed to the target.
Thursday 16/8/2007 Page: 5
ENERGY giant AGL has dumped a controversial $140 million wind farm planned for South Gippsland. The company put the 48-turbine Dollar wind farm on hold last October and yesterday confirmed it was pulling out altogether. AGL said the project was less financially attractive than others under consideration. The project, near Foster, had been strongly opposed by Gippsland residents.
AGL has planning approval for another wind farm, between Macarthur and Hawkesdale in western Victoria, which will be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. The project would have contributed 79 megawatts to the State Government's target of 10 per cent renewable energy by 2016. Energy Minister Peter Batchelor's spokesman, Bill Kyriakopoulos, said the Government remained committed to the target.
Go Solar, Wind Or Geothermal If You Want Renewable Energy With Life-cycle Efficiency
www.sciencedaily.com/
August 13, 2007
Science Daily — Do the overall efficiencies of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal add up in terms of their complete life cycle from materials sourcing, manufacture, running, and decommissioning" Researchers in Greece have carried out a life cycle assessment to find the answer.
Increasing energy consumption and a growing world population implies shrinking reserves of fossil fuels. While the use of fossil fuels brings with it the problem of carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. Our continued dependence on fossil fuels coupled with the pressing global issue of climate change has pushed the concept of renewable energy sources to the top of the agenda.
In looking for alternative energy supplies, there is more to simply adding up the outputs, according to Christopher Koroneos and Yanni Koroneos of the Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. They argue that a whole life cycle assessment of any environmentally friendly energy supply must be carried out to ensure its green credentials are valid. Writing in Inderscience's International Journal of Global Energy Issues, the researchers point out that land use and materials employed are just two aspects of renewable energy development that can have an adverse impact on the otherwise positive environmental picture.
There are three viable renewable energy resources, say the researchers - solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. They have applied the techniques of life cycle assessment (LCA) to each in order to determine the total environmental impact and to compare this with the effects of equivalent energy release from fossil fuels. The LCA approach allows an assessment to be made of the flow of material and energy used in the construction, operation and ultimate decommissioning of a renewable energy supply. It also takes into account the manufacturing of components, the possible extraction and supply of fuels as well as waste generated in these processes.
The researchers demonstrate that some renewable energy systems based on wind energy and geothermal energy do have valid green credentials in electricity production. The efficiency of these systems is comparable over the complete life cycle than the equivalent fossil fuel system. However, the conversion of solar energy to electricity using photovoltaic solar cells is less efficient in terms of materials production, running, and recycling than non-renewable energy. However, economies of scale come into play with solar power and a large enough area of solar cells would outstrip the fossil fuel system.
The team also points out that the life cycle pollution of solar systems is much, much lower than any conventional system although thermodynamic efficiency is lower. "A significant advantage of the use of renewable energy systems," say the researchers,"is that they are environmentally friendly because overall they result in lower dangerous pollutant emissions, this and one other major factor, they are essentially inexhaustible."
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Inderscience Publishers.
August 13, 2007
Science Daily — Do the overall efficiencies of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal add up in terms of their complete life cycle from materials sourcing, manufacture, running, and decommissioning" Researchers in Greece have carried out a life cycle assessment to find the answer.
Increasing energy consumption and a growing world population implies shrinking reserves of fossil fuels. While the use of fossil fuels brings with it the problem of carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. Our continued dependence on fossil fuels coupled with the pressing global issue of climate change has pushed the concept of renewable energy sources to the top of the agenda.
In looking for alternative energy supplies, there is more to simply adding up the outputs, according to Christopher Koroneos and Yanni Koroneos of the Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. They argue that a whole life cycle assessment of any environmentally friendly energy supply must be carried out to ensure its green credentials are valid. Writing in Inderscience's International Journal of Global Energy Issues, the researchers point out that land use and materials employed are just two aspects of renewable energy development that can have an adverse impact on the otherwise positive environmental picture.
There are three viable renewable energy resources, say the researchers - solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. They have applied the techniques of life cycle assessment (LCA) to each in order to determine the total environmental impact and to compare this with the effects of equivalent energy release from fossil fuels. The LCA approach allows an assessment to be made of the flow of material and energy used in the construction, operation and ultimate decommissioning of a renewable energy supply. It also takes into account the manufacturing of components, the possible extraction and supply of fuels as well as waste generated in these processes.
The researchers demonstrate that some renewable energy systems based on wind energy and geothermal energy do have valid green credentials in electricity production. The efficiency of these systems is comparable over the complete life cycle than the equivalent fossil fuel system. However, the conversion of solar energy to electricity using photovoltaic solar cells is less efficient in terms of materials production, running, and recycling than non-renewable energy. However, economies of scale come into play with solar power and a large enough area of solar cells would outstrip the fossil fuel system.
The team also points out that the life cycle pollution of solar systems is much, much lower than any conventional system although thermodynamic efficiency is lower. "A significant advantage of the use of renewable energy systems," say the researchers,"is that they are environmentally friendly because overall they result in lower dangerous pollutant emissions, this and one other major factor, they are essentially inexhaustible."
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Inderscience Publishers.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Turbines in Purnim Shire OK on plans
Warrnambool Standard
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 11
A $63 MILLION wind farm will be developed in Purnim after Moyne Shire yesterday approved the project - the closest to Warrnambool. The Drysdale Wind Farm will span 800 hectares of grazing property about 17 kilometres north-east of Warrnambool. A condition of the development's approval included the installation of two water tanks on either side of the farm for firefighting, after councillors raised concerns about fire protection on the site at a hearing last month.
Wind Farm Developments said the 29.9 megawatt project would power about 17,000 homes, contribute three per cent of Victoria's Renewable Energy Target and offset more than 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year - the equivalent of taking 21,000 cars off the road. Purnim resident John Howard objected to the plans, telling councillors yesterday the wind farm would significantly affect his farming operation. It would have implications for the location of two radio towers near his home (now before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) and affect any future relocation of his home.
Moyne planning approvals manager Russell Guest said there was leeway to move the radio towers toward the turbines because they currently did not stand at the minimum agreed distance. Cr Bruce Couch said he wanted greater turbine buffer zones and he had concerns about the possible impact on yellow-tailed black cockatoos. However, the farm received support after councillors were reassured that water tanks for firefighting purposes would be installed on the site.
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 11
A $63 MILLION wind farm will be developed in Purnim after Moyne Shire yesterday approved the project - the closest to Warrnambool. The Drysdale Wind Farm will span 800 hectares of grazing property about 17 kilometres north-east of Warrnambool. A condition of the development's approval included the installation of two water tanks on either side of the farm for firefighting, after councillors raised concerns about fire protection on the site at a hearing last month.
Wind Farm Developments said the 29.9 megawatt project would power about 17,000 homes, contribute three per cent of Victoria's Renewable Energy Target and offset more than 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year - the equivalent of taking 21,000 cars off the road. Purnim resident John Howard objected to the plans, telling councillors yesterday the wind farm would significantly affect his farming operation. It would have implications for the location of two radio towers near his home (now before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) and affect any future relocation of his home.
Moyne planning approvals manager Russell Guest said there was leeway to move the radio towers toward the turbines because they currently did not stand at the minimum agreed distance. Cr Bruce Couch said he wanted greater turbine buffer zones and he had concerns about the possible impact on yellow-tailed black cockatoos. However, the farm received support after councillors were reassured that water tanks for firefighting purposes would be installed on the site.
Huge China wind deal
Hobart Mercury
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 9
TASMANIAN energy company Roaring 40s is to help build one of the biggest wind farms in the world after striking a deal with one of China's largest energy generators. The Tasmanian company will be involved in the construction of a 1000MW wind farm in the Jilin Province, China. Roaring 40s recently signed a Joint Development Agreement with the China Datang Corporation. Tasmania's Energy Minister David Llewellyn said the project would develop more wind energy than Australia's entire installed wind energy capacity and that it confirmed Roaring 40s as the leading foreign wind energy developer in China.
"This will be the seventh wind energy development that Roaring 40s is involved with in China and. with that country serious about its adoption of large scale renewable energy technology, it's expected there will be more opportunities in the future." Mr Llewellyn said. The first stage of the development will commence early next year. This one stage will supply enough energy for almost one million hones and offset more than a million tonnes of CO2 every year. Roaring 40s is expected to start work on the $250 million Musselroe Bay wind farm in Tasmania also early next year.
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 9
TASMANIAN energy company Roaring 40s is to help build one of the biggest wind farms in the world after striking a deal with one of China's largest energy generators. The Tasmanian company will be involved in the construction of a 1000MW wind farm in the Jilin Province, China. Roaring 40s recently signed a Joint Development Agreement with the China Datang Corporation. Tasmania's Energy Minister David Llewellyn said the project would develop more wind energy than Australia's entire installed wind energy capacity and that it confirmed Roaring 40s as the leading foreign wind energy developer in China.
"This will be the seventh wind energy development that Roaring 40s is involved with in China and. with that country serious about its adoption of large scale renewable energy technology, it's expected there will be more opportunities in the future." Mr Llewellyn said. The first stage of the development will commence early next year. This one stage will supply enough energy for almost one million hones and offset more than a million tonnes of CO2 every year. Roaring 40s is expected to start work on the $250 million Musselroe Bay wind farm in Tasmania also early next year.
Govt report on warming a failure, scientist says
Canberra Times
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 7
The Federal Government should boost investment in renewable energy and ban building new coalfired power stations in Australia if it intends to take climate change seriously, a leading energy scientist has said. Dr Mark Diesendorf, director of the University of New South Wales's sustainability centre, described a new report by the House of Representatives science and innovation committee on carbon capture and storage technologies as "a failure of nerve" in tackling Australia's contribution to global warming.
The committee "clearly lacked the courage to make the obvious recommendation" from the majority of evidence presented to them, he said. "There is a huge gap in this report - a missing recommendation. There should be no more coal-fired power stations built in Australia - that's the logical recommendation they should have made." Research showed Australia could cut CO2, emissions from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power stations, by 50 per cent by using existing renewable energy technologies with small improvements".
The parliamentary report, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, says carbon capture and storage has the potential to reduce the negative impact of man-made greenhouse gas emissions and recommends building large-scale demonstration projects to test technologies. It said most of the technology was already known and available, but there was a lack of experience in developing them to the commercial scale required. It recommended Australia build a pilot plant to demonstrate all aspects of the process from coal conversion, carbon capture, treatment, transport and burial underground.
Dr Diesendorf said a large-scale carbon-capture demonstration plant would cost billions compared to the comparatively small investments needed to roll out renewable energies. "Such a large-scale plant is the province of super-powers. It is a delusion of grandeur and a waste of money. We have renewable technologies like wind, solar and hot rocks geothermal that are proven and available now." Boosting government investment in renewable energy would also create thousands of new jobs in regional towns across Australia.
The chairman of the House of Representatives science and innovation committee, Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou, said a carbon-constrained world would have a huge impact on Australia's ability to benefit from coal exports and relatively cheap electricity. "As the production of energy from coal creates significant greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that Australia pursues CCS [carbon capture and storage technology] as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensuring Australia's prosperity in the future."
The committee's report has been attacked by four Coalition politicians, all members of the science committee, who issued a dissenting statement claiming it contained misleading information about the causes of climate change. The four MPs - Dennis Jensen, Jackie Kelly, Danna Vale and David Tollner - embarrassed Prince Minister John Howard by declaring they were climate-change sceptics. They claimed man-made climate change was a myth because "global warming [was] observed on other planets" such as Pluto, Neptune and Jupiter. Mr Howard has distanced himself, telling Parliament he did not agree with the group's statements.
Wednesday 15/8/2007 Page: 7
The Federal Government should boost investment in renewable energy and ban building new coalfired power stations in Australia if it intends to take climate change seriously, a leading energy scientist has said. Dr Mark Diesendorf, director of the University of New South Wales's sustainability centre, described a new report by the House of Representatives science and innovation committee on carbon capture and storage technologies as "a failure of nerve" in tackling Australia's contribution to global warming.
The committee "clearly lacked the courage to make the obvious recommendation" from the majority of evidence presented to them, he said. "There is a huge gap in this report - a missing recommendation. There should be no more coal-fired power stations built in Australia - that's the logical recommendation they should have made." Research showed Australia could cut CO2, emissions from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power stations, by 50 per cent by using existing renewable energy technologies with small improvements".
The parliamentary report, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, says carbon capture and storage has the potential to reduce the negative impact of man-made greenhouse gas emissions and recommends building large-scale demonstration projects to test technologies. It said most of the technology was already known and available, but there was a lack of experience in developing them to the commercial scale required. It recommended Australia build a pilot plant to demonstrate all aspects of the process from coal conversion, carbon capture, treatment, transport and burial underground.
Dr Diesendorf said a large-scale carbon-capture demonstration plant would cost billions compared to the comparatively small investments needed to roll out renewable energies. "Such a large-scale plant is the province of super-powers. It is a delusion of grandeur and a waste of money. We have renewable technologies like wind, solar and hot rocks geothermal that are proven and available now." Boosting government investment in renewable energy would also create thousands of new jobs in regional towns across Australia.
The chairman of the House of Representatives science and innovation committee, Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou, said a carbon-constrained world would have a huge impact on Australia's ability to benefit from coal exports and relatively cheap electricity. "As the production of energy from coal creates significant greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that Australia pursues CCS [carbon capture and storage technology] as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensuring Australia's prosperity in the future."
The committee's report has been attacked by four Coalition politicians, all members of the science committee, who issued a dissenting statement claiming it contained misleading information about the causes of climate change. The four MPs - Dennis Jensen, Jackie Kelly, Danna Vale and David Tollner - embarrassed Prince Minister John Howard by declaring they were climate-change sceptics. They claimed man-made climate change was a myth because "global warming [was] observed on other planets" such as Pluto, Neptune and Jupiter. Mr Howard has distanced himself, telling Parliament he did not agree with the group's statements.
A town with grand ambitions
Condobolin Argus
Wednesday 8/8/2007 Page: 3
Condobolin is actively working towards combating global warming, greenhouse emissions and climate change. As part of a leading edge initiative, people in and around the town should in future also be able to assist our city-neighbours with their carbon trading requirements and provide them with an energy source not based on fossil fuels. In a recent presentation to Penrith City Council, Chairman of the Lachlan Renewable Energy Alliance (LREA), David Hall, explained how Lachlan Shire's land resources could be used to benefit our town as well as the global environment.
Based on 20 years of research by Peter Milthorpe, former Senior Research Agronomist with the DPI, the LREA is investigating growing mallee and harvesting it regularly as an energy and oil resource. The initiative presents significant possibilities for Lachlan Shire which covers over 15,000 square kilometers. "Around ninety percent of the land is cleared for cropping and grazing" said David. "If 5% of the cleared landscape were planted to mallee, there would be over 280 million trees. These trees would be harvested every 12 to 18 months to produce 1.8 million tonnes of biomass. As an energy resource, this would be sufficient to power up tens of thousands of homes with electricity each year."
"One of the things we talked to the Penrith Councilors about was that the farmers here have the land which is needed for the solution to providing carbon offsets", outlined David. "Carbon credits could prove to be a small bonus to farmers. In addition to revenues from oil and biomass, there should be extra margins available for farmers from sales into the carbon market - making mallee growing even more attractive as a potential new source of a more sustainable income." "We've a potential product here that produces energy that can be burned to produce electricity," says David. "The plants are harvested providing a regular income, but the beauty is that re-planting is unnecessary".
It is only the young regrowth which is regularly harvested and the root system remains intact storing away small amounts of carbon each year as it continues to grow and develop." The biomass created can be pelletised into a burnable "Biofuel" and the eucalypt oil is sold off. Both of these processes occur with very low emissions. The LREA is now well into stage one of their project, which is the creation of an initial business plan. The draft plan is expected to be completed by early September.
Wednesday 8/8/2007 Page: 3
Condobolin is actively working towards combating global warming, greenhouse emissions and climate change. As part of a leading edge initiative, people in and around the town should in future also be able to assist our city-neighbours with their carbon trading requirements and provide them with an energy source not based on fossil fuels. In a recent presentation to Penrith City Council, Chairman of the Lachlan Renewable Energy Alliance (LREA), David Hall, explained how Lachlan Shire's land resources could be used to benefit our town as well as the global environment.
Based on 20 years of research by Peter Milthorpe, former Senior Research Agronomist with the DPI, the LREA is investigating growing mallee and harvesting it regularly as an energy and oil resource. The initiative presents significant possibilities for Lachlan Shire which covers over 15,000 square kilometers. "Around ninety percent of the land is cleared for cropping and grazing" said David. "If 5% of the cleared landscape were planted to mallee, there would be over 280 million trees. These trees would be harvested every 12 to 18 months to produce 1.8 million tonnes of biomass. As an energy resource, this would be sufficient to power up tens of thousands of homes with electricity each year."
"One of the things we talked to the Penrith Councilors about was that the farmers here have the land which is needed for the solution to providing carbon offsets", outlined David. "Carbon credits could prove to be a small bonus to farmers. In addition to revenues from oil and biomass, there should be extra margins available for farmers from sales into the carbon market - making mallee growing even more attractive as a potential new source of a more sustainable income." "We've a potential product here that produces energy that can be burned to produce electricity," says David. "The plants are harvested providing a regular income, but the beauty is that re-planting is unnecessary".
It is only the young regrowth which is regularly harvested and the root system remains intact storing away small amounts of carbon each year as it continues to grow and develop." The biomass created can be pelletised into a burnable "Biofuel" and the eucalypt oil is sold off. Both of these processes occur with very low emissions. The LREA is now well into stage one of their project, which is the creation of an initial business plan. The draft plan is expected to be completed by early September.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Wind farm urged
Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 14/8/2007 Page: 3
PLANS for a 13-turbine wind farm near Purnim have the backing of Moyne Shire officers. At a meeting in Port Fairy today, councillors will vote on the recommendation that they approve the $63 million project. The development would inject about $70,000 a year in rate revenue for the shire.
A report on the agenda makes no mention of councillors' concerns, aired last month, which included the amount of firefighting equipment based on the 800ha property. The proposed 29.9-megawatt wind farm falls under the shire's planning authority and not the Victorian Government's. Also on today's agenda are recommendations to refuse several permits to build residential homes or subdivide farming land.
Tuesday 14/8/2007 Page: 3
PLANS for a 13-turbine wind farm near Purnim have the backing of Moyne Shire officers. At a meeting in Port Fairy today, councillors will vote on the recommendation that they approve the $63 million project. The development would inject about $70,000 a year in rate revenue for the shire.
A report on the agenda makes no mention of councillors' concerns, aired last month, which included the amount of firefighting equipment based on the 800ha property. The proposed 29.9-megawatt wind farm falls under the shire's planning authority and not the Victorian Government's. Also on today's agenda are recommendations to refuse several permits to build residential homes or subdivide farming land.
WMO highlights world of weird weather
www.environmental-finance.com
London, 9 August:
Record extremes of climate and weather events have been recorded around the world since the beginning of 2007, according to the World Meteorological Organization. In a press notice, the WMO links these weather extremes to climate change, noting that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that such events have become more frequent in the last half-century, and the trend looks set to worsen in the next half-century. "Climate change projections indicate it to be very likely that hot extremes, heat waves and heavy precipitation events will continue to become more frequent," the WMO said.
In January and April this year, average land temperatures rose to what are likely the highest level since records began, the WMO said. Temperatures were 1.89°C warmer than average in January, and 1.37°C warmer than average in April. Other examples of extreme weather include the Indian monsoon season. During the first half of the season (June-July), weather stations reported twice the usual number of monsoon depressions, causing heavy rainfall and flooding in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the first ever documented cyclone in the Arabian Sea made landfall in Oman on 6 June, where it killed 50 people and affected 20,000 more. In China, floods and landsides caused 120 deaths and affected 13.5 million. Meanwhile, England and Wales saw the wettest May-July since records began in 1789, with floods causing nine deaths and at least $6 billion of damages.
Severe flooding also hit Mozambique in February, killing 30 and forcing the evacuation of 120,000 people. Heavy rainfall in Sudan since the end of June caused the Nile to breach its banks and damaged more than 16,000 houses. Uruguay was hit by the worst flooding since 1959 in May, which damaged crops and buildings and affected over 110,000 people. South-eastern Europe, meanwhile, was hit by two extreme heat waves in June and July. Temperatures soared above 40°C, breaking previous records and killing dozens of people. On 23 July, Bulgaria saw temperatures rise to a sweltering 45°C.
London, 9 August:
Record extremes of climate and weather events have been recorded around the world since the beginning of 2007, according to the World Meteorological Organization. In a press notice, the WMO links these weather extremes to climate change, noting that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that such events have become more frequent in the last half-century, and the trend looks set to worsen in the next half-century. "Climate change projections indicate it to be very likely that hot extremes, heat waves and heavy precipitation events will continue to become more frequent," the WMO said.
In January and April this year, average land temperatures rose to what are likely the highest level since records began, the WMO said. Temperatures were 1.89°C warmer than average in January, and 1.37°C warmer than average in April. Other examples of extreme weather include the Indian monsoon season. During the first half of the season (June-July), weather stations reported twice the usual number of monsoon depressions, causing heavy rainfall and flooding in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the first ever documented cyclone in the Arabian Sea made landfall in Oman on 6 June, where it killed 50 people and affected 20,000 more. In China, floods and landsides caused 120 deaths and affected 13.5 million. Meanwhile, England and Wales saw the wettest May-July since records began in 1789, with floods causing nine deaths and at least $6 billion of damages.
Severe flooding also hit Mozambique in February, killing 30 and forcing the evacuation of 120,000 people. Heavy rainfall in Sudan since the end of June caused the Nile to breach its banks and damaged more than 16,000 houses. Uruguay was hit by the worst flooding since 1959 in May, which damaged crops and buildings and affected over 110,000 people. South-eastern Europe, meanwhile, was hit by two extreme heat waves in June and July. Temperatures soared above 40°C, breaking previous records and killing dozens of people. On 23 July, Bulgaria saw temperatures rise to a sweltering 45°C.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Gas, wind farms to be sold
Courier Mail
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 69
THE State Government has put Enertrade's gas business and five wind farms on the market to help fund its proposed $300 million Queensland Climate Change Fund.
State-owned power generators Stanwell and Tarong own the wind farms, with Stanwell holding the Windy Hill farm near Ravenshoe in north Queensland, another operation at Toora in Victoria and 50 percent of Emu Downs, 200km north of Perth in Western Australia. Tarong owns the Starfish Hill on the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Mount Millar wind farm on the Eyre Peninsula, both in South Australia.
Enertrade's gas business includes the North Queensland Gas Pipeline that transports coal seam gas from Moranbah to Townsville and a right to build another line, from Moranbah to Gladstone. Enertrade's gas business also includes the Moranbah gas processing plant and a portfolio of gas purchase, transport and supply contracts.
The wind farms are likely to be attractive to the likes of Babcock and Brown Wind Partners and other alternative energy suppliers while APA Group will no doubt look at the existing pipeline and the Gladstone right of way. Expressions of interest in Enertrade are due in early September and final bids will be required by late October.
The Government said yesterday the opportunity to build the Central Queensland Gas Pipeline could be sold with Enertrade's merchant gas business or with its other pipeline.
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 69
THE State Government has put Enertrade's gas business and five wind farms on the market to help fund its proposed $300 million Queensland Climate Change Fund.State-owned power generators Stanwell and Tarong own the wind farms, with Stanwell holding the Windy Hill farm near Ravenshoe in north Queensland, another operation at Toora in Victoria and 50 percent of Emu Downs, 200km north of Perth in Western Australia. Tarong owns the Starfish Hill on the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Mount Millar wind farm on the Eyre Peninsula, both in South Australia.
Enertrade's gas business includes the North Queensland Gas Pipeline that transports coal seam gas from Moranbah to Townsville and a right to build another line, from Moranbah to Gladstone. Enertrade's gas business also includes the Moranbah gas processing plant and a portfolio of gas purchase, transport and supply contracts.
The wind farms are likely to be attractive to the likes of Babcock and Brown Wind Partners and other alternative energy suppliers while APA Group will no doubt look at the existing pipeline and the Gladstone right of way. Expressions of interest in Enertrade are due in early September and final bids will be required by late October.
The Government said yesterday the opportunity to build the Central Queensland Gas Pipeline could be sold with Enertrade's merchant gas business or with its other pipeline.
Carbon dated: expert
Newcastle Herald
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 24
PUSHING on with coal-fired power would be a grave mistake for the Hunter, an expert warned yesterday. Professor Peter Droege, a conjoint professor at the University of Newcastle and chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy Asia Pacific, said there was no economic justification for coal.
Its continued use was merely the product of an alliance between coal interests and political leaders. The Sydney-based professor, who was in Newcastle to speak to business leaders and professionals in City Hall, said converting to renewable energy would lead to economic, social and environmental gains. Most of all, it would benefit employment.
"It's been shown in the US and also in Europe that for each job lost in the coal sector, you gain three jobs in the renewable sector," Professor Droege said outside City Hall. It doesn't take many people to run a coal-fired power station plant or a coalmine. "It's mostly mechanised... the employment potential is very low." Renewable energy offered more and higher-skilled jobs.
Australia's dependence on fossil fuel would lead inevitably to the country lagging in technological innovation. More money would have to be invested to make the commercial, residential and industrial energy sectors efficient, which could halve energy requirements. Professor Droege said the Hunter had ample opportunity to supply itself with power produced in the region from renewable sources such as wind, biofuel and solar power, which could happen in the next 20 years.
Nature offsets globe warming
NATURAL weather variations have offset the effects of global warming for the past couple of years and will continue to keep temperatures flat through 2008, a new study shows. But global warming will begin in earnest in 2009, and a couple of the years between 2009 and 2014 will eclipse 1998, the warmest year on record, in the heat stakes, British meteorologists said. The study used data on the ocean and the atmosphere to generate forecasts of climate change. AFP
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 24
PUSHING on with coal-fired power would be a grave mistake for the Hunter, an expert warned yesterday. Professor Peter Droege, a conjoint professor at the University of Newcastle and chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy Asia Pacific, said there was no economic justification for coal.
Its continued use was merely the product of an alliance between coal interests and political leaders. The Sydney-based professor, who was in Newcastle to speak to business leaders and professionals in City Hall, said converting to renewable energy would lead to economic, social and environmental gains. Most of all, it would benefit employment.
"It's been shown in the US and also in Europe that for each job lost in the coal sector, you gain three jobs in the renewable sector," Professor Droege said outside City Hall. It doesn't take many people to run a coal-fired power station plant or a coalmine. "It's mostly mechanised... the employment potential is very low." Renewable energy offered more and higher-skilled jobs.
Australia's dependence on fossil fuel would lead inevitably to the country lagging in technological innovation. More money would have to be invested to make the commercial, residential and industrial energy sectors efficient, which could halve energy requirements. Professor Droege said the Hunter had ample opportunity to supply itself with power produced in the region from renewable sources such as wind, biofuel and solar power, which could happen in the next 20 years.
Nature offsets globe warming
NATURAL weather variations have offset the effects of global warming for the past couple of years and will continue to keep temperatures flat through 2008, a new study shows. But global warming will begin in earnest in 2009, and a couple of the years between 2009 and 2014 will eclipse 1998, the warmest year on record, in the heat stakes, British meteorologists said. The study used data on the ocean and the atmosphere to generate forecasts of climate change. AFP
Tsars of alternative energy
Australian Financial Review
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 22
While the Republic Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has made the US state a magnet for clean energy entrepreneurs and sees the industry as a great economic opportunity, the Australian government still believes any efforts to tackle global warming will cripple economic growth. But even though some sustainable power experts, such as former Sydney University scientist David Mills, have moved to the US, there are still people and businesses in Australia with a vision similar to the California governor's. Success is far from guaranteed in the pursuit of alternative energy, however. But there have been some interesting developments of new technologies, including one by Sylvia Tulloch's company Dyesol, which uses light focused on a titania pigment and a ruthenium dye to produce electricity.
Several companies are on the hunt for a commercially viable way of producing electricity from hot dry rocks beneath the earth's surface, a source that Geoscience Australia estimates could supply 25,000 times the electricity Australia uses now. The biggest of these companies, Geodynamics, is aiming to complete a large-scale demonstration plant within five years. Carnegie Corp is working away at commercial realisation of its goal of generating electricity from wave energy. While the idea is not new, the company is using an innovative approach discovered by West Australian inventor Alan Burns in 1975.
Michael Ottaviano, Carnegie's managing director, is aiming to establish the commercial deployment of the technology, called CETO. Ottaviano says there are sites available for such a project around Australia's coast. He is also seeking to use the wave-generated electricity to help run a desalination plant, such as the planned WA and Victorian plants, or BHP Billiton's possible desalination plant for supplying its huge Roxby Downs mine in South Australia. The potential of the technology is good enough for the federal government, which has provided a minor research and development grant, to lay an indirect claim on it in the title of a report unveiled by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane.
Another group working on a technology with good potential is the solar energy team at the Australian National University. In 2000, Andrew Blakers and Klaus Weber thought of finding ways to slice the silicon used in photovoltaic cells in such a way as to expose a bigger surface area to sunlight. Origin Energy is now working with them to help develop the idea, now called solar sliver technology.
At Victor Smorgon Group's Energetix, humble algae are hoping to provide a new alternative to energy production. Peter Edwards, managing director of the group, reveals algae can produce considerably more biodiesel than canola, and far more than palm oil. He should know - Energetix already makes biodiesel at a plant in Victoria. Edwards says Energetix is spending significant amounts of money on a profitable commercial development of algae-based biodiesel.
Saturday 11/8/2007 Page: 22
While the Republic Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has made the US state a magnet for clean energy entrepreneurs and sees the industry as a great economic opportunity, the Australian government still believes any efforts to tackle global warming will cripple economic growth. But even though some sustainable power experts, such as former Sydney University scientist David Mills, have moved to the US, there are still people and businesses in Australia with a vision similar to the California governor's. Success is far from guaranteed in the pursuit of alternative energy, however. But there have been some interesting developments of new technologies, including one by Sylvia Tulloch's company Dyesol, which uses light focused on a titania pigment and a ruthenium dye to produce electricity.
Several companies are on the hunt for a commercially viable way of producing electricity from hot dry rocks beneath the earth's surface, a source that Geoscience Australia estimates could supply 25,000 times the electricity Australia uses now. The biggest of these companies, Geodynamics, is aiming to complete a large-scale demonstration plant within five years. Carnegie Corp is working away at commercial realisation of its goal of generating electricity from wave energy. While the idea is not new, the company is using an innovative approach discovered by West Australian inventor Alan Burns in 1975.
Michael Ottaviano, Carnegie's managing director, is aiming to establish the commercial deployment of the technology, called CETO. Ottaviano says there are sites available for such a project around Australia's coast. He is also seeking to use the wave-generated electricity to help run a desalination plant, such as the planned WA and Victorian plants, or BHP Billiton's possible desalination plant for supplying its huge Roxby Downs mine in South Australia. The potential of the technology is good enough for the federal government, which has provided a minor research and development grant, to lay an indirect claim on it in the title of a report unveiled by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane.
Another group working on a technology with good potential is the solar energy team at the Australian National University. In 2000, Andrew Blakers and Klaus Weber thought of finding ways to slice the silicon used in photovoltaic cells in such a way as to expose a bigger surface area to sunlight. Origin Energy is now working with them to help develop the idea, now called solar sliver technology.
At Victor Smorgon Group's Energetix, humble algae are hoping to provide a new alternative to energy production. Peter Edwards, managing director of the group, reveals algae can produce considerably more biodiesel than canola, and far more than palm oil. He should know - Energetix already makes biodiesel at a plant in Victoria. Edwards says Energetix is spending significant amounts of money on a profitable commercial development of algae-based biodiesel.
Renewable power gets more nods
Courier Mail
Monday 13/8/2007 Page: 11
QUARTERLY sales figures for green power show ordinary Australians are voting with their wallets to pay for clean electricity. In the past year, green power sales had grown 47 per cent, said Australian Conservation Foundation climate change campaigner Tony Mohr. In Queensland, the number of green power customers had gone up 40 per cent in 12 months. "At the same time both major parties have failed to expand Australia's paltry 2 per cent renewable energy target," Mr Mohr said.
When people choose accredited green power, their energy retailer is obliged to source the equivalent amount of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar. The figures show 565,977 ordinary Australians are buying green power - collectively preventing almost 4.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere annually.
Monday 13/8/2007 Page: 11
QUARTERLY sales figures for green power show ordinary Australians are voting with their wallets to pay for clean electricity. In the past year, green power sales had grown 47 per cent, said Australian Conservation Foundation climate change campaigner Tony Mohr. In Queensland, the number of green power customers had gone up 40 per cent in 12 months. "At the same time both major parties have failed to expand Australia's paltry 2 per cent renewable energy target," Mr Mohr said.
When people choose accredited green power, their energy retailer is obliged to source the equivalent amount of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar. The figures show 565,977 ordinary Australians are buying green power - collectively preventing almost 4.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere annually.
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