The Land
27/09/2007 Page: 9
AUSTRALIA is being left behind in the world's race to create new industries in response to perceptions about climate change, fears wind farmer in waiting, Charlie Prell. Mr Prell cites "lack of empowerment through not ratifying Kyoto, Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRETs) set too low, and delays in setting the price of carbon". "It's superfluous that Australia has already achieved its MRET target, first set for 2010 of only two per cent of the 2001 energy market," Mr Prell said.
"Despite an independent review, tabled in Federal Parliament in January 2004, which recommended increasing the national renewable energy target to approximately four per cent of the energy market by 2020 with possible further extensions before then, this has not occurred," he said. China's target is to generate 20pc of its power through renewable energy by 2020. The NSW target, still to be legislated, is for 10pc of purchasable electricity to come from renewable sources by 2010, then 15pc by 2020.
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Energy target too modest
Border Watch
27/09/2007 Page: 5
THE MANAGER of the region's largest renewable energy producer has described the Federal Government's new clean energy target as too modest. The Clean Energy Target (CET), announced by the government on Sunday, introduced a nationwide target of 15pc production of renewable and low-emission energy by 2020, equating to 30,000 gigawatt hours of clean power. The clean energy technologies included in the target will include wind, solar, geothermal and carbon capture and storage.
Babcock and Brown Wind Partners chief executive officer Miles George, who runs the Lake Bonney Wind Farm, welcomed the target, but said it did not go far enough. "We think it's a good thing, it's a move in the right direction, but it's a very modest move in the right direction," he said. He said the policy may improve the current system of differing state policies. "It would aggregate what had been a series of state based schemes," he said. "But having said that, the only reason the states went that way was because the Federal Government wasn't doing anything." Mr George was critical of the 15pc target, which includes energy levels currently being produced by the states. "We think it should be at least 20 per cent," he said. "The 15pc announced by the government is not 15pc of new renewable energy." When stage two of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm is completed in the first half of next year, the combined output of the development is expected to be 239 megawatts per annum, 80Mw from stage one and 159Mw from stage two.
Mr George said a smaller third stage could be possible, as could further sites along the South East coastline, which would "become viable if there is a good Federal scheme in place". The Government policy has drawn criticism from environmental groups, such as The Greens, for the inclusion in the target of low-emission technologies such as carbon capture and storage, commonly known as clean coal. However, Mr George did not object to this and said although clean coal was a "good" technology, he did not see it being sustainable on a large scale in the long term.
The policy has also drawn criticism from within the government, with Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey claiming windfarms were unsuitable for Australia and were more appropriate in the northern hemisphere. Mr George refuted these claims. "Australia has got one of the best wind resources in the world," he said. "Our windfarms are up to twice as efficient as windfarms in Europe." He also dismissed Minister Bailey's claim of windfarms having high noise levels, which he said was "not the case".
27/09/2007 Page: 5
THE MANAGER of the region's largest renewable energy producer has described the Federal Government's new clean energy target as too modest. The Clean Energy Target (CET), announced by the government on Sunday, introduced a nationwide target of 15pc production of renewable and low-emission energy by 2020, equating to 30,000 gigawatt hours of clean power. The clean energy technologies included in the target will include wind, solar, geothermal and carbon capture and storage.
Babcock and Brown Wind Partners chief executive officer Miles George, who runs the Lake Bonney Wind Farm, welcomed the target, but said it did not go far enough. "We think it's a good thing, it's a move in the right direction, but it's a very modest move in the right direction," he said. He said the policy may improve the current system of differing state policies. "It would aggregate what had been a series of state based schemes," he said. "But having said that, the only reason the states went that way was because the Federal Government wasn't doing anything." Mr George was critical of the 15pc target, which includes energy levels currently being produced by the states. "We think it should be at least 20 per cent," he said. "The 15pc announced by the government is not 15pc of new renewable energy." When stage two of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm is completed in the first half of next year, the combined output of the development is expected to be 239 megawatts per annum, 80Mw from stage one and 159Mw from stage two.
Mr George said a smaller third stage could be possible, as could further sites along the South East coastline, which would "become viable if there is a good Federal scheme in place". The Government policy has drawn criticism from environmental groups, such as The Greens, for the inclusion in the target of low-emission technologies such as carbon capture and storage, commonly known as clean coal. However, Mr George did not object to this and said although clean coal was a "good" technology, he did not see it being sustainable on a large scale in the long term.
The policy has also drawn criticism from within the government, with Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey claiming windfarms were unsuitable for Australia and were more appropriate in the northern hemisphere. Mr George refuted these claims. "Australia has got one of the best wind resources in the world," he said. "Our windfarms are up to twice as efficient as windfarms in Europe." He also dismissed Minister Bailey's claim of windfarms having high noise levels, which he said was "not the case".
Developer says wind power is viable
Ballarat Courier
27/09/2007 Page: 4
CLAIMS that wind energy is largely unsuitable for Australia have been dismissed by the company behind a district development. Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said this week there was no evidence wind energy was a feasible, alternative energy source. But Wind Power, the company proposing the Tuki wind farm near Smeaton, which Ms Bailey is campaigning against, believes she has "misunderstood" the wind industry. Director Andrew Newbold said he would be happy to meet Ms Bailey to discuss the economics and dynamics of the wind industry.
Mr Newbold said around the world, there was a great take-up of wind energy. The US is installing wind farms at 4000 megawatts per annum," he said. The other thing is, wind farms won't get built unless they contribute to energy generation and, as a project, you only get paid for the power you generate." Ms Bailey also said government policy should focus on developing solar power. Mr Newbold said wind energy was ready to go" and should be pursued vigorously.
27/09/2007 Page: 4
CLAIMS that wind energy is largely unsuitable for Australia have been dismissed by the company behind a district development. Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said this week there was no evidence wind energy was a feasible, alternative energy source. But Wind Power, the company proposing the Tuki wind farm near Smeaton, which Ms Bailey is campaigning against, believes she has "misunderstood" the wind industry. Director Andrew Newbold said he would be happy to meet Ms Bailey to discuss the economics and dynamics of the wind industry.
Mr Newbold said around the world, there was a great take-up of wind energy. The US is installing wind farms at 4000 megawatts per annum," he said. The other thing is, wind farms won't get built unless they contribute to energy generation and, as a project, you only get paid for the power you generate." Ms Bailey also said government policy should focus on developing solar power. Mr Newbold said wind energy was ready to go" and should be pursued vigorously.
Land value loss rebutted
Ballarat Courier
27/09/2007 Page: 4
PROPERTIES near wind turbines are unlikely to lose value, according to two independent valuers. Leader Property Practice director Alan Hives said in his experience, properties surrounding wind projects at Waubra and Challicum Hills hadn't shown any decrease in land prices. Mr Hives said the market was indicating turbines weren't scaring people away from buying property. We are just looking at what the market is doing at present and Waubra is a good case," he said.
The sales to date don't demonstrate any drop in value. There are a couple of sales there showing stronger prices than we have seen." Mr Hives, a property assessor for 25 years in Ballarat, said turbines did have the potential to scare buyers from purchasing property for a rural lifestyle or view, but because of demand it was likely any impact on value would rebound.
It will put some people off and that's fair enough. It will suit some and not others. In the end there will be people who won't like them and won't want to live near them, but people will want to take their place and I don't think the overall market will be impacted that much." The Spa Country Landscape Guardians Group, which opposes a proposed wind farm north of Smeaton, has used property values as an argument against the development.
A letter one landholder received from prospective buyers listed the proposed wind farm as the reason they decided not to buy. Ararat registered valuer Wigg & Partners director Peter Wigg also said he hadn't seen any evidence wind turbines had affected values around Challicum Hills. "I haven't seen any evidence to suggest properties within close proximity to wind farms have a substantial change to their value," he said.
27/09/2007 Page: 4
PROPERTIES near wind turbines are unlikely to lose value, according to two independent valuers. Leader Property Practice director Alan Hives said in his experience, properties surrounding wind projects at Waubra and Challicum Hills hadn't shown any decrease in land prices. Mr Hives said the market was indicating turbines weren't scaring people away from buying property. We are just looking at what the market is doing at present and Waubra is a good case," he said.
The sales to date don't demonstrate any drop in value. There are a couple of sales there showing stronger prices than we have seen." Mr Hives, a property assessor for 25 years in Ballarat, said turbines did have the potential to scare buyers from purchasing property for a rural lifestyle or view, but because of demand it was likely any impact on value would rebound.
It will put some people off and that's fair enough. It will suit some and not others. In the end there will be people who won't like them and won't want to live near them, but people will want to take their place and I don't think the overall market will be impacted that much." The Spa Country Landscape Guardians Group, which opposes a proposed wind farm north of Smeaton, has used property values as an argument against the development.
A letter one landholder received from prospective buyers listed the proposed wind farm as the reason they decided not to buy. Ararat registered valuer Wigg & Partners director Peter Wigg also said he hadn't seen any evidence wind turbines had affected values around Challicum Hills. "I haven't seen any evidence to suggest properties within close proximity to wind farms have a substantial change to their value," he said.
Turbines could fit: Wind Power says farms could fit into landscape overlay
Hepburn Shire Advocate
26/09/2007 Page: 1
A SIGNIFICANT Landscape Overlay covering areas surrounding Smeaton won't prevent turbines from being constructed, a wind company has said. Wind Power is leading the push to build about 19 turbines as part of its Tuki proposal. Company director Andrew Newbold said consultants had delivered a draft report that was commissioned to find out what impact the overlay would have on its proposal to build turbines in the area.
"The draft advice indicates that there is a way of designing a wind farm around the significant landscape overlay," Mr Newbold said. "The advice is we need to be sensitive to the area and that there shouldn't be a blanket prohibition on putting turbines within the overlay. "The important thing to know is that it's draft advice." Mr Newbold said the report was commissioned to answer community questions about the number and design of the proposed wind farm."
Spa Country Landscape Guardians spokesman and opponent Will Elsworth said if the company was successful in putting turbines within the SLO it would be a first in Victoria. "If you go through all the planning panel reports on wind farms one of their biggest considerations is whether there is an SLO in the area," Mr Elsworth said. "There has never been a wind turbine put in a SLO. I don't think they checked the planning scheme before they came here because at the first community meeting in March they didn't even know what a SLO was." Hepburn Shire Council acting mayor Tim Hayes said Wind Power would need to provide good reasons to put wind turbines in the SLO covered area. "My view is Wind Power would need to provide an overwhelming reason to justify placing turbines within the area," Cr Hayes said.
26/09/2007 Page: 1
A SIGNIFICANT Landscape Overlay covering areas surrounding Smeaton won't prevent turbines from being constructed, a wind company has said. Wind Power is leading the push to build about 19 turbines as part of its Tuki proposal. Company director Andrew Newbold said consultants had delivered a draft report that was commissioned to find out what impact the overlay would have on its proposal to build turbines in the area.
"The draft advice indicates that there is a way of designing a wind farm around the significant landscape overlay," Mr Newbold said. "The advice is we need to be sensitive to the area and that there shouldn't be a blanket prohibition on putting turbines within the overlay. "The important thing to know is that it's draft advice." Mr Newbold said the report was commissioned to answer community questions about the number and design of the proposed wind farm."
Spa Country Landscape Guardians spokesman and opponent Will Elsworth said if the company was successful in putting turbines within the SLO it would be a first in Victoria. "If you go through all the planning panel reports on wind farms one of their biggest considerations is whether there is an SLO in the area," Mr Elsworth said. "There has never been a wind turbine put in a SLO. I don't think they checked the planning scheme before they came here because at the first community meeting in March they didn't even know what a SLO was." Hepburn Shire Council acting mayor Tim Hayes said Wind Power would need to provide good reasons to put wind turbines in the SLO covered area. "My view is Wind Power would need to provide an overwhelming reason to justify placing turbines within the area," Cr Hayes said.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Big players wake up to which way the wind blows
Australian Financial Review
26/09/2007 Page: 14
According to Australian Ethical Investments, Australia's wind energy sector is set to grow significantly, especially if more government incentives are forthcoming. The group has already invested in Australian wind energy projects about $4 million of the total $43 million it has placed in the sector globally. AMP Capital Investors' Sustainable Fund has also earmarked 2 per cent of its $2.2 billion for renewables - mostly for wind energy. AMP had originally made a small commitment to Pacific Hydro's wind farms in Victoria in 2000.
With companies like Babcock and Brown Wind and AGL set to aggressively expand their wind projects, such investments are expected to grow. NSW government-owned utility Country Energy, which has inked long-term sourcing deals with four big wind farms, is also helping boost take-up of wind energy. Meanwhile, experts at institutions like Murdoch University's Research Institute for Sustainable Energy and the University of Queensland agree that wind energy is a growth sector with a promising future.
26/09/2007 Page: 14
According to Australian Ethical Investments, Australia's wind energy sector is set to grow significantly, especially if more government incentives are forthcoming. The group has already invested in Australian wind energy projects about $4 million of the total $43 million it has placed in the sector globally. AMP Capital Investors' Sustainable Fund has also earmarked 2 per cent of its $2.2 billion for renewables - mostly for wind energy. AMP had originally made a small commitment to Pacific Hydro's wind farms in Victoria in 2000.
With companies like Babcock and Brown Wind and AGL set to aggressively expand their wind projects, such investments are expected to grow. NSW government-owned utility Country Energy, which has inked long-term sourcing deals with four big wind farms, is also helping boost take-up of wind energy. Meanwhile, experts at institutions like Murdoch University's Research Institute for Sustainable Energy and the University of Queensland agree that wind energy is a growth sector with a promising future.
Rann says Australia has missed renewable energy chance
AAP Newswire
25/09/2007 National
ADELAIDE - The federal government has missed an historic opportunity to make Australia an international leader in renewable energy, South Australian Premier Mike Rann says. Mr Rann said the states had led the way on renewable energy initiatives and Australia now needed a real national renewable energy target. The premier was commenting on federal government plans to replace state and territory clean energy targets with a single national target, which it said would reduce costs and red tape and drive investment in low-emission technology.
Under the government's national Clean Energy Target, 30,000 gigawatt hours a year would come from low-emission sources by 2020 - about 15 per cent of Australia's energy consumption. Prime Minister John Howard said a national scheme would reduce red tape and ensure low-emission technologies were developed in the lowest cost locations, without being restricted by state and territory boundaries.
But Mr Rann said the plan would water down individual states' renewable energy schemes. "We need a real national renewable energy target, not the weak, watered-down shandy the Howard government is proposing which also includes low-emission technology," the premier said. "Instead of a new plan to tackle climate change, the commonwealth has given us a substantially weakened re-packaging of state schemes and tried to sell it in the name of streamlining." Mr Rann said he had no problem with streamlining if there was a real and tangible outcome. "But what John Howard is proposing shows no leadership and does nothing to make Australia a leader in renewable energy," he said.
25/09/2007 National
ADELAIDE - The federal government has missed an historic opportunity to make Australia an international leader in renewable energy, South Australian Premier Mike Rann says. Mr Rann said the states had led the way on renewable energy initiatives and Australia now needed a real national renewable energy target. The premier was commenting on federal government plans to replace state and territory clean energy targets with a single national target, which it said would reduce costs and red tape and drive investment in low-emission technology.
Under the government's national Clean Energy Target, 30,000 gigawatt hours a year would come from low-emission sources by 2020 - about 15 per cent of Australia's energy consumption. Prime Minister John Howard said a national scheme would reduce red tape and ensure low-emission technologies were developed in the lowest cost locations, without being restricted by state and territory boundaries.
But Mr Rann said the plan would water down individual states' renewable energy schemes. "We need a real national renewable energy target, not the weak, watered-down shandy the Howard government is proposing which also includes low-emission technology," the premier said. "Instead of a new plan to tackle climate change, the commonwealth has given us a substantially weakened re-packaging of state schemes and tried to sell it in the name of streamlining." Mr Rann said he had no problem with streamlining if there was a real and tangible outcome. "But what John Howard is proposing shows no leadership and does nothing to make Australia a leader in renewable energy," he said.
PM pitches `mini' carbon trade trial at businesses
West Australian
25/09/2007 Page: 5
Australian businesses could be trading carbon as early as next year in a mini trial scheme designed to help them find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of a national program due to start in 2011. John Howard yesterday invited stakeholders to participate in discussion over the next few months to determine the best way to trial emissions trading to ensure the Government gets it right when it implements the full scheme in four years' time.
"Our decision to establish a national emissions trading scheme entails detailed design on a highly complex issue," the Prime Minister said. "It is a significant economic reform and one which we have to get right through rigorous modelling and analysis. " In releasing the discussion paper, Mr Howard said the trading scheme's key details would be finalised next year. The early abatement plan would see permits issued for trading actions, which began after June this year, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative will encourage companies to start cutting emissions now rather than when the scheme begins. Mr Howard showed concern that his July announcement for a 2011 emissions trading program had given companies an excuse to do nothing until the scheme begins. His comments came a day after the Government announced a clean energy target to generate 15 per cent of the nation's energy from renewable sources and clean coal by 2020. But Mr Howard was criticised yesterday for fudging the numbers - critics said his plan didn't add up.
Greens Senator Christine Milne said the Government's new target of 30,000 gigawatt-hours a year of electricity coming from low-emissions sources amounted to only nine per cent of the nation's expected use. The Australian Bureau for Agriculture and Resource Economics projection for energy demand in 2019-20 is 342,000 GWh. "Where's is the extra six per cent?" Senator Milne said. "Either the Government is including significant, and as yet unannounced, energy efficiency measures into their calculations or they are deliberately using rubbery figures and hoping nobody examines them closely." The current Mandatory Renewable Energy Target is 9500 GWh, which amounts to little more than one per cent of total electricity generation.
That is on top of the pre-MRET regulations where 16,000 GWh is already produced from the country's major hydro schemes. Even adding that original MRET baseline to the new target, and factoring in Australia's increasing demand for electricity, it still leaves it way short of 15 per cent of total electricity use. The Government acknowledged yesterday that the increase to the MRET would add about 1.5 per cent to household energy bills.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said Mr Howard had failed to act on climate change and renewable energy for his entire 11 years in Government and this announcement was a desperate election-eve stunt. Mr Rudd said that the Government had let the renewable energy industry run down in Australia.
25/09/2007 Page: 5
Australian businesses could be trading carbon as early as next year in a mini trial scheme designed to help them find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of a national program due to start in 2011. John Howard yesterday invited stakeholders to participate in discussion over the next few months to determine the best way to trial emissions trading to ensure the Government gets it right when it implements the full scheme in four years' time.
"Our decision to establish a national emissions trading scheme entails detailed design on a highly complex issue," the Prime Minister said. "It is a significant economic reform and one which we have to get right through rigorous modelling and analysis. " In releasing the discussion paper, Mr Howard said the trading scheme's key details would be finalised next year. The early abatement plan would see permits issued for trading actions, which began after June this year, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative will encourage companies to start cutting emissions now rather than when the scheme begins. Mr Howard showed concern that his July announcement for a 2011 emissions trading program had given companies an excuse to do nothing until the scheme begins. His comments came a day after the Government announced a clean energy target to generate 15 per cent of the nation's energy from renewable sources and clean coal by 2020. But Mr Howard was criticised yesterday for fudging the numbers - critics said his plan didn't add up.
Greens Senator Christine Milne said the Government's new target of 30,000 gigawatt-hours a year of electricity coming from low-emissions sources amounted to only nine per cent of the nation's expected use. The Australian Bureau for Agriculture and Resource Economics projection for energy demand in 2019-20 is 342,000 GWh. "Where's is the extra six per cent?" Senator Milne said. "Either the Government is including significant, and as yet unannounced, energy efficiency measures into their calculations or they are deliberately using rubbery figures and hoping nobody examines them closely." The current Mandatory Renewable Energy Target is 9500 GWh, which amounts to little more than one per cent of total electricity generation.
That is on top of the pre-MRET regulations where 16,000 GWh is already produced from the country's major hydro schemes. Even adding that original MRET baseline to the new target, and factoring in Australia's increasing demand for electricity, it still leaves it way short of 15 per cent of total electricity use. The Government acknowledged yesterday that the increase to the MRET would add about 1.5 per cent to household energy bills.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said Mr Howard had failed to act on climate change and renewable energy for his entire 11 years in Government and this announcement was a desperate election-eve stunt. Mr Rudd said that the Government had let the renewable energy industry run down in Australia.
Industry jockeys to cash in on renewables targets
Australian
25/09/2007 Page: 23
THE Queensland Treasury looks to be the immediate winner from rising government enthusiasm for wind and solar energy, set free by Prime Minister John Howard's declaration on renewable energy targets. Industry sources speculate that a portfolio of wind assets owned by the Queensland Government will have risen in value by around $50 million to $400 million in the wake of Mr Howard's target to have 15 per cent of all energy demand supplied from renewable sources by 2020.
Energy retailers Origin Energy and AGL are expected to head a list of bidders to be finalised this week, and to make the best offers, given their ability to make use of renewable energy certificates that will come with ownership of the wind assets. The certificates will be complemented by the proposed carbon trading scheme, and broadly encourage the use of renewable energy technologies now under development.
"Generators of renewable energy will gain certificates for each unit of energy they produce, which retailers of energy will be required to buy to comply with the scheme legislation," an AGL spokesman said. "Based on latest independent market operator load forecasts in the national energy market, and the South West Interconnected System, the federal Government's aims would amount to about 17 per cent of national energy output by 2020 " Shares in energy companies were in mixed demand yesterday, with AGL down to $16, Origin Energy down 13c to $10.15 and Babcock and Brown Wind Partners up 7c to $1.78.
Other wind energy producers have reacted cautiously to the Government's plans, calling it a step in the right direction but suggesting a 20 per cent share instead of 15 per cent. Pacific Hydro, operator of wind farms on the southern Victorian coast and owned by fund manager IFM, welcomed the proposal to unity targets and legal frameworks nationally. "Australia has incredible renewable energy resources, including wind, solar and geothermal energies that are available right across the country, so having one set of rules makes sense for business and ensures that all of our sites can be considered in the same context," said Andrew Richards, executive manager, government and corporate affairs, at Pacific Hydro.
Under the Government's proposal, all existing and committed state and federal schemes would contribute to Australia sourcing 15 per cent, or 30,000 gigawatt hours, of its energy a year from renewable sources by 2020, up from about 10 per cent today. Big energy retailer Origin Energy has access to wind-generated power but does not own its own farms, while AGL Energy has wind farms under development in South Australia and Victoria. It has the $236 million Hallett farm under development in South Australia and has announced plans for a $600 million wind farm complex at Macarthur in Victoria.
Potential bidders for the Queensland portfolio of assets are thought to include Epuron Pty Ltd, Transfield Services, Viridis, Babcock and Brown Wind Partners, one of the Allco vehicles, and International Power. The Queensland assets are a mixture of coal-fired thermal, wind and hydro power generation assets. There are wind farms at Windy Hill near Ravenshoe in the state's north, the Emu Downs farm in Western Australia and Toora in the south Gippsland region of Victoria. Other wind farms are the Starfish Hill wind farm near Cape Jervis and the Mount Millar wind farm on the Eyre Peninsula, both in South Australia. The biggest of the assets up for sale is Emu Downs, which generates 80 megawatts of electricity from 48 turbines.
In total, installed wind energy capacity is a little over 800 megawatts, while a further 5500 megawatts is proposed, according to figures from industry lobby group Auswind. Pacific Hydro's Richards said his company had been calling for a national target of 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030. "While all of this is very achievable, the national clean energy target of 15 per cent by 2020 will maintain the current momentum with the advantage of drawing these schemes up into a national regulatory framework," he said. "As with most of these initiatives, the devil will be in the detail, so we look forward to working with the federal and state governments on building a single national approach to renewable energy and ultimately on the transition to a national emissions trading scheme."
25/09/2007 Page: 23
THE Queensland Treasury looks to be the immediate winner from rising government enthusiasm for wind and solar energy, set free by Prime Minister John Howard's declaration on renewable energy targets. Industry sources speculate that a portfolio of wind assets owned by the Queensland Government will have risen in value by around $50 million to $400 million in the wake of Mr Howard's target to have 15 per cent of all energy demand supplied from renewable sources by 2020.
Energy retailers Origin Energy and AGL are expected to head a list of bidders to be finalised this week, and to make the best offers, given their ability to make use of renewable energy certificates that will come with ownership of the wind assets. The certificates will be complemented by the proposed carbon trading scheme, and broadly encourage the use of renewable energy technologies now under development.
"Generators of renewable energy will gain certificates for each unit of energy they produce, which retailers of energy will be required to buy to comply with the scheme legislation," an AGL spokesman said. "Based on latest independent market operator load forecasts in the national energy market, and the South West Interconnected System, the federal Government's aims would amount to about 17 per cent of national energy output by 2020 " Shares in energy companies were in mixed demand yesterday, with AGL down to $16, Origin Energy down 13c to $10.15 and Babcock and Brown Wind Partners up 7c to $1.78.
Other wind energy producers have reacted cautiously to the Government's plans, calling it a step in the right direction but suggesting a 20 per cent share instead of 15 per cent. Pacific Hydro, operator of wind farms on the southern Victorian coast and owned by fund manager IFM, welcomed the proposal to unity targets and legal frameworks nationally. "Australia has incredible renewable energy resources, including wind, solar and geothermal energies that are available right across the country, so having one set of rules makes sense for business and ensures that all of our sites can be considered in the same context," said Andrew Richards, executive manager, government and corporate affairs, at Pacific Hydro.
Under the Government's proposal, all existing and committed state and federal schemes would contribute to Australia sourcing 15 per cent, or 30,000 gigawatt hours, of its energy a year from renewable sources by 2020, up from about 10 per cent today. Big energy retailer Origin Energy has access to wind-generated power but does not own its own farms, while AGL Energy has wind farms under development in South Australia and Victoria. It has the $236 million Hallett farm under development in South Australia and has announced plans for a $600 million wind farm complex at Macarthur in Victoria.
Potential bidders for the Queensland portfolio of assets are thought to include Epuron Pty Ltd, Transfield Services, Viridis, Babcock and Brown Wind Partners, one of the Allco vehicles, and International Power. The Queensland assets are a mixture of coal-fired thermal, wind and hydro power generation assets. There are wind farms at Windy Hill near Ravenshoe in the state's north, the Emu Downs farm in Western Australia and Toora in the south Gippsland region of Victoria. Other wind farms are the Starfish Hill wind farm near Cape Jervis and the Mount Millar wind farm on the Eyre Peninsula, both in South Australia. The biggest of the assets up for sale is Emu Downs, which generates 80 megawatts of electricity from 48 turbines.
In total, installed wind energy capacity is a little over 800 megawatts, while a further 5500 megawatts is proposed, according to figures from industry lobby group Auswind. Pacific Hydro's Richards said his company had been calling for a national target of 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030. "While all of this is very achievable, the national clean energy target of 15 per cent by 2020 will maintain the current momentum with the advantage of drawing these schemes up into a national regulatory framework," he said. "As with most of these initiatives, the devil will be in the detail, so we look forward to working with the federal and state governments on building a single national approach to renewable energy and ultimately on the transition to a national emissions trading scheme."
Warming to a smart idea
Geelong Advertiser
22/09/2007 Page: 20
Point Lonsdale homeowner Donald Payne will be among the first Victorians to boast a home with a renewable heat source using the earth's stored energy. Drilling for the installation of bore holes began this week and Mr Payne, who aims to make the Queenscliff-Portarlington Rd property entirely sustainable, said the "flagship project" was most likely the first of its kind on the Bellarine Peninsula. "It's going to have solar panels, solar hot water, a wind turbine... we've got a vision for it," he said.
Not only does the geothermal technology reduce heating and cooling costs, it can also produce energy savings of up to 75 per cent due to reduced electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The EarthLinked system works by transferring heat in copper earth loops that are bored into the earth, with heat transferred from the ground through a flow control device to a compressor. The refrigerant pressure and temperature are then raised, a hot vapour routed to a heat exchanger and heat transferred to water, which is delivered to the hot water storage tank.
The system can heat water to up to 125F and supplier Energy Core claims it can deliver up to 400 per cent electrical efficiency. Mr Payne said the project on the 40-hectare property, which he owned with his father, would tie in with his recently completed PhD in Physics at the University of Melbourne. "There's talk about doing quite a lot of projects over the next few years and looking to organise a rebate scheme (for the system)," he said.
22/09/2007 Page: 20
Point Lonsdale homeowner Donald Payne will be among the first Victorians to boast a home with a renewable heat source using the earth's stored energy. Drilling for the installation of bore holes began this week and Mr Payne, who aims to make the Queenscliff-Portarlington Rd property entirely sustainable, said the "flagship project" was most likely the first of its kind on the Bellarine Peninsula. "It's going to have solar panels, solar hot water, a wind turbine... we've got a vision for it," he said.Not only does the geothermal technology reduce heating and cooling costs, it can also produce energy savings of up to 75 per cent due to reduced electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The EarthLinked system works by transferring heat in copper earth loops that are bored into the earth, with heat transferred from the ground through a flow control device to a compressor. The refrigerant pressure and temperature are then raised, a hot vapour routed to a heat exchanger and heat transferred to water, which is delivered to the hot water storage tank.
The system can heat water to up to 125F and supplier Energy Core claims it can deliver up to 400 per cent electrical efficiency. Mr Payne said the project on the 40-hectare property, which he owned with his father, would tie in with his recently completed PhD in Physics at the University of Melbourne. "There's talk about doing quite a lot of projects over the next few years and looking to organise a rebate scheme (for the system)," he said.
Not too late to save the planet, scientist says
Canberra Times
22/09/2007 Page: 13
Action on climate change should have been taken decades ago but it's not too late to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prominent Australian author and scientist Tim Flannery said yesterday. Professor Flannery, the 2007 Australian of the Year, said climate change was now at a tipping point and the world could face dangerous climate change patterns this decade if current pollution levels persisted. "If we continue polluting the atmosphere as we are, we'll be at that point within a decade, so we don't have a lot of time to act," Professor Flannery said.
He told the One Planet - Leaving a Legacy forum in Melbourne that to reduce the negative impact on the world's ecosystems, industrial emissions would have to be reduced. Polluters should agree on a price to pay for the pollution they sent into the atmosphere. "We need to agree locally on a price for that pollution in excess of $50 per tonne of carbon," he said. "If we set the price somewhere above that, the cleanest technologies will become cost effective and will meet rapid uptake in the market." But emission reductions would not be enough. "We've left things too late. We should have acted 10 to 20 years ago on this issue." It was not too late to set carbon prices, but global agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol were also important because they encouraged international dialogue around climate change.
Federal Labor's environment spokesman Peter Garrett told the forum the ALP supported a range of renewable energy sources, and reiterated the party's opposition to nuclear power. "Apart from nuclear, which we have a serious objection to, we're basically saying that there are a suite of potential and existing renewable energy sources which need to drive clean energy revolution in this country, to enable us to reduce our emissions," Mr Garrett said.
Program manager for energy and climate change at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Adam Kirkman said,"If governments are going to seriously look at zero-carbon energy sources then the conversation around nuclear has to be had.". Mr Kirkman, the co-author of a policy for a new international climate change framework produced for the council, said that while the Kyoto Protocol had brought together the greater part of the world to address climate change, it had not been universally embraced. A new framework should have more flexible emissions targets to attract rapidly developing countries such as India and China.
22/09/2007 Page: 13
Action on climate change should have been taken decades ago but it's not too late to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prominent Australian author and scientist Tim Flannery said yesterday. Professor Flannery, the 2007 Australian of the Year, said climate change was now at a tipping point and the world could face dangerous climate change patterns this decade if current pollution levels persisted. "If we continue polluting the atmosphere as we are, we'll be at that point within a decade, so we don't have a lot of time to act," Professor Flannery said.
He told the One Planet - Leaving a Legacy forum in Melbourne that to reduce the negative impact on the world's ecosystems, industrial emissions would have to be reduced. Polluters should agree on a price to pay for the pollution they sent into the atmosphere. "We need to agree locally on a price for that pollution in excess of $50 per tonne of carbon," he said. "If we set the price somewhere above that, the cleanest technologies will become cost effective and will meet rapid uptake in the market." But emission reductions would not be enough. "We've left things too late. We should have acted 10 to 20 years ago on this issue." It was not too late to set carbon prices, but global agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol were also important because they encouraged international dialogue around climate change.
Federal Labor's environment spokesman Peter Garrett told the forum the ALP supported a range of renewable energy sources, and reiterated the party's opposition to nuclear power. "Apart from nuclear, which we have a serious objection to, we're basically saying that there are a suite of potential and existing renewable energy sources which need to drive clean energy revolution in this country, to enable us to reduce our emissions," Mr Garrett said.
Program manager for energy and climate change at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Adam Kirkman said,"If governments are going to seriously look at zero-carbon energy sources then the conversation around nuclear has to be had.". Mr Kirkman, the co-author of a policy for a new international climate change framework produced for the council, said that while the Kyoto Protocol had brought together the greater part of the world to address climate change, it had not been universally embraced. A new framework should have more flexible emissions targets to attract rapidly developing countries such as India and China.
Wind farm planning application
Ararat Advertiser
21/09/2007 Page: 1
Crowlands - Pacific Hydro today announced that strong community and local government support had encouraged the submission of a planning application for the Crowlands Wind Farm. Following State Government notification, the planning- application will now be on statutory display for six weeks.
Pacific Hydro executive manager, Andrew Richards, today affirmed the role of the community as an essential element in Pacific Hydro's process. "Input from the local and surrounding community has been important right from the beginning." he said. "Not only did the community name the project, their input has been combined with results from specialist studies undertaken to inform the design of the wind farm. "We would also like to thank the Pyrenees Shire for their support and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with them into the future."
The site for the Crowlands Wind Farm is located in the Pyrenees Shire, approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Ararat, along the ridge-top between Crowlands and Glenlofty. The area consists of cleared grazing land with a low density population. Despite being located on ridgetops, the topography of the site means that there are very few locations in and around Crowlands where it is possible to get a full view of the wind farm. "While parts of the wind farm will be visible from Crowlands and the nearby town of Landsborough, experts tell us it won't be visible from Elmhurst at all." Mr Richards said.
The planning application seeks approval for a maximum of 75, 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind generators. At this maximum size, the wind farm would produce 430 gigawatt hours (GWh) of zero emission electricity each year. This is equivalent to the annual power needs of 80.000 Victorian households, or the combined needs of Ballarat and Bendigo. The planning application will be on statutory display for six weeks (commencing today) in a number of locations around the site. During this time the community is encouraged to read the application or the summary document and make a submission. "The planning process allows for the community to have their say about the project." Mr Richards said. "Community can make a submission about the proposal by writing to Planning Panels Victoria. This ensures the opportunity to address the panel and put forward your views about the proposed project."
21/09/2007 Page: 1
Crowlands - Pacific Hydro today announced that strong community and local government support had encouraged the submission of a planning application for the Crowlands Wind Farm. Following State Government notification, the planning- application will now be on statutory display for six weeks.
Pacific Hydro executive manager, Andrew Richards, today affirmed the role of the community as an essential element in Pacific Hydro's process. "Input from the local and surrounding community has been important right from the beginning." he said. "Not only did the community name the project, their input has been combined with results from specialist studies undertaken to inform the design of the wind farm. "We would also like to thank the Pyrenees Shire for their support and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with them into the future."
The site for the Crowlands Wind Farm is located in the Pyrenees Shire, approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Ararat, along the ridge-top between Crowlands and Glenlofty. The area consists of cleared grazing land with a low density population. Despite being located on ridgetops, the topography of the site means that there are very few locations in and around Crowlands where it is possible to get a full view of the wind farm. "While parts of the wind farm will be visible from Crowlands and the nearby town of Landsborough, experts tell us it won't be visible from Elmhurst at all." Mr Richards said.
The planning application seeks approval for a maximum of 75, 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind generators. At this maximum size, the wind farm would produce 430 gigawatt hours (GWh) of zero emission electricity each year. This is equivalent to the annual power needs of 80.000 Victorian households, or the combined needs of Ballarat and Bendigo. The planning application will be on statutory display for six weeks (commencing today) in a number of locations around the site. During this time the community is encouraged to read the application or the summary document and make a submission. "The planning process allows for the community to have their say about the project." Mr Richards said. "Community can make a submission about the proposal by writing to Planning Panels Victoria. This ensures the opportunity to address the panel and put forward your views about the proposed project."
Project gains support
Ballarat Courier
21/09/2007 Page: 5
A PROPOSED Pyrenees Shire wind farm would produce enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of 80,000 households. Australian renewable energy company Pacific Hydro yesterday announced that strong community and local government support had encouraged the submission of a planning application for the Crowlands Wind Farm. The proposed wind farm site is approximately 25km north-east of Ararat along the ridge-top between Crowlands and Glenlofty.
The planning application seeks approval for a maximum of 75 2.3 megawatt wind generators. At this maximum size, the wind farm would produce 430 gigawatt hours of zero emission electricity each year, enough to meet the combined annual power needs of Ballarat and Bendigo. The proposed site consists of cleared grazing land with a low density population. Despite being located on ridge-tops, the topography of the site means there are very few locations in and around Crowlands where it is possible to get a full view of the wind farm.
"While parts of the wind farm will be visible from Crowlands and the nearby town of Landsborough, experts tell us it won't be visible from Elmhurst at all." Pacific Hydro executive manager Andrew Richards said. Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Gabriel Horvat said the council was in "full support of the proposal". No community member has shown a negative view on this project and the company (Pacific Hydro) has been very good in expressing its proposal and in actually consulting with the local community and council," Cr Horvat said.
The planning application is on display for the next six weeks at a number of locations, including the Pyrenees Shire offices in Beaufort and Avoca. During this time, the community is encouraged to read the application or the summary document and make a submission. "The planning process allows for the community to have their say about the project," Mr Richards said. "This ensures the opportunity to address the panel and put forward your views about the proposed project."
21/09/2007 Page: 5
A PROPOSED Pyrenees Shire wind farm would produce enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of 80,000 households. Australian renewable energy company Pacific Hydro yesterday announced that strong community and local government support had encouraged the submission of a planning application for the Crowlands Wind Farm. The proposed wind farm site is approximately 25km north-east of Ararat along the ridge-top between Crowlands and Glenlofty.
The planning application seeks approval for a maximum of 75 2.3 megawatt wind generators. At this maximum size, the wind farm would produce 430 gigawatt hours of zero emission electricity each year, enough to meet the combined annual power needs of Ballarat and Bendigo. The proposed site consists of cleared grazing land with a low density population. Despite being located on ridge-tops, the topography of the site means there are very few locations in and around Crowlands where it is possible to get a full view of the wind farm.
"While parts of the wind farm will be visible from Crowlands and the nearby town of Landsborough, experts tell us it won't be visible from Elmhurst at all." Pacific Hydro executive manager Andrew Richards said. Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Gabriel Horvat said the council was in "full support of the proposal". No community member has shown a negative view on this project and the company (Pacific Hydro) has been very good in expressing its proposal and in actually consulting with the local community and council," Cr Horvat said.
The planning application is on display for the next six weeks at a number of locations, including the Pyrenees Shire offices in Beaufort and Avoca. During this time, the community is encouraged to read the application or the summary document and make a submission. "The planning process allows for the community to have their say about the project," Mr Richards said. "This ensures the opportunity to address the panel and put forward your views about the proposed project."
Friday, 28 September 2007
Probus September meeting: wind farm talk
Cooma Monaro Express
20/09/2007 Page: 12
THE Probus Club of Cooma was recently treated to an interesting and challenging talk on wind energy by Beverley Allen, representing Friends of Renewable Energy (of Berridale) with input from John, her husband. Beverley and her group organised a three-day tour of the Ararat wind farm installation in May this year in order to determine what effect the installation was having on the region.
The wind farm is already providing almost 2 per cent of Victoria's power requirements, so any assessment of its impact on the region would provide reliable input into the local debate on the desirability of the proposed wind farm in the Snowy Plains area of Snowy River Shire. Mention was also made of the Crookwell Wind Farm, which is more of a tourist attraction than an eyesore. Opposition to wind farms is based on various claims of environmental damage, including unsightliness, noise, the killing of birds, the effects on land values (the "Not in my backyard" argument), television reception, and so on.
Beverley and John between them refuted all these adverse claims. They pointed out that while some people may think the towers and rotating blade an eyesore, many of those they spoke to said they found them soothing. No one who has stood beneath a wind tower in full flight should be able to complain about noise ("It sounds just like my washing machine" was one comment). Figures on bird damage show that far more birds are killed by power lines, glass windows, cars and cats than by wind farms. Indeed, swans in Canada were observed threading their way between the towers along one riverside installation.
Beverley gave details of land value movements in the Ararat area: "Four years ago land was worth $400-$600 per acre; today values are as high as $1,800 an acre." Some of this increase was possibly due to the movement of Melbourne commuters into the country life style, but obviously the wind farm had done nothing to depress values. The effect on radio and television reception is still being assessed, but with the move to digital the effects will diminish even further.
Wind monitors have been set up all along the high country of New South Wales to assess the potential of various districts to sustain wind farms. Wind forces were compared, and although Victoria, with its proximity to "the roaring forties" gets more wind than the Monaro, wind figures here are not too far behind. Some time was then spent on urging Probeans to get enthusiastic about addressing climate change, including the obvious changing over to energy efficient lights and appliances, purchasing "Greenpower", reducing consumption, and so on. All in all it was a very interesting talk, and well received by club members.
20/09/2007 Page: 12
THE Probus Club of Cooma was recently treated to an interesting and challenging talk on wind energy by Beverley Allen, representing Friends of Renewable Energy (of Berridale) with input from John, her husband. Beverley and her group organised a three-day tour of the Ararat wind farm installation in May this year in order to determine what effect the installation was having on the region.The wind farm is already providing almost 2 per cent of Victoria's power requirements, so any assessment of its impact on the region would provide reliable input into the local debate on the desirability of the proposed wind farm in the Snowy Plains area of Snowy River Shire. Mention was also made of the Crookwell Wind Farm, which is more of a tourist attraction than an eyesore. Opposition to wind farms is based on various claims of environmental damage, including unsightliness, noise, the killing of birds, the effects on land values (the "Not in my backyard" argument), television reception, and so on.
Beverley and John between them refuted all these adverse claims. They pointed out that while some people may think the towers and rotating blade an eyesore, many of those they spoke to said they found them soothing. No one who has stood beneath a wind tower in full flight should be able to complain about noise ("It sounds just like my washing machine" was one comment). Figures on bird damage show that far more birds are killed by power lines, glass windows, cars and cats than by wind farms. Indeed, swans in Canada were observed threading their way between the towers along one riverside installation.
Beverley gave details of land value movements in the Ararat area: "Four years ago land was worth $400-$600 per acre; today values are as high as $1,800 an acre." Some of this increase was possibly due to the movement of Melbourne commuters into the country life style, but obviously the wind farm had done nothing to depress values. The effect on radio and television reception is still being assessed, but with the move to digital the effects will diminish even further.
Wind monitors have been set up all along the high country of New South Wales to assess the potential of various districts to sustain wind farms. Wind forces were compared, and although Victoria, with its proximity to "the roaring forties" gets more wind than the Monaro, wind figures here are not too far behind. Some time was then spent on urging Probeans to get enthusiastic about addressing climate change, including the obvious changing over to energy efficient lights and appliances, purchasing "Greenpower", reducing consumption, and so on. All in all it was a very interesting talk, and well received by club members.
Talbingo's energy park attracts $70,000 in grants
Tumut & Adelong Times
18/09/2007 Page: 3
A $5,000 Visy Community Grant presented to Talbingo Public School will be used to establish solar panels at the school's green energy park by June of next year. This grant comes on the back of a $67,716 grant for the Talbingo Public School Energy Park Project from the Australian School innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Program earlier this year. The program is part of the NSW Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) and the Australian Government's Community Water Grants.
Although only $6,000 of the grant can be used for green energy hardware Talbingo School has received industry and community support which has allowed the acquisition of two solar energy ovens worth over $900, a number of small $30 solar cars and a $160 hydrogen car. The park will eventually be an educational attraction for school and university students and feature a host of green energy alternatives including solar, hydro and wind.
Coordinator of the Project Sharon Rankmore said a wind turbine will be erected during the October school holidays and around $32,000 worth of solar panels should be laid down before Christmas. These solar panels will feed excess energy back into the local electricity grid during school holiday periods and Ms Rankmore hopes the project will enable the school to be energy self-sufficiency. The school has also sourced an old timber water wheel and will soon add it to the diverse range of green energy alternatives to be on display at the school. Ms Rankmore said the park aims to encourage a love of science and science teaching in school and university students.
The lion's share of the grant has been set aside for excursions and camps to alternative energy facilities as well as teaching workshops and programs designed to enhance understanding of the science and mathematics behind renewable energy. Students have already visited the Crookwell Wind Farm and will soon embark on a major camp involving around 100-students to Newcastle, Jindabyne and Cooma to view renewable energy development ranging from wind to geo-thermal. On completion in 2008 the park will be an educational tourist attraction planned, designed, constructed and run by students, teachers and partners of the project.
An innovative feature of the project is the collaboration between large energy companies, educational institutions, various levels of government and community organisations to create a resource that encourages science teaching and attitudes towards efficient energy use. Sharon Rankmore said after visiting the energy park patrons and students will be able to learn more about what they have seen through online teaching units. She said through the ASISTM program teachers have been preparing online units in energy for future park visitors so they can continue their educational experience when they get home or back to school or university. The energy park project aims to encourage school and university students to take up a science career as well as providing professional development for teachers and an example to other communities, Ms Rankmore said.
18/09/2007 Page: 3
A $5,000 Visy Community Grant presented to Talbingo Public School will be used to establish solar panels at the school's green energy park by June of next year. This grant comes on the back of a $67,716 grant for the Talbingo Public School Energy Park Project from the Australian School innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Program earlier this year. The program is part of the NSW Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) and the Australian Government's Community Water Grants.
Although only $6,000 of the grant can be used for green energy hardware Talbingo School has received industry and community support which has allowed the acquisition of two solar energy ovens worth over $900, a number of small $30 solar cars and a $160 hydrogen car. The park will eventually be an educational attraction for school and university students and feature a host of green energy alternatives including solar, hydro and wind.
Coordinator of the Project Sharon Rankmore said a wind turbine will be erected during the October school holidays and around $32,000 worth of solar panels should be laid down before Christmas. These solar panels will feed excess energy back into the local electricity grid during school holiday periods and Ms Rankmore hopes the project will enable the school to be energy self-sufficiency. The school has also sourced an old timber water wheel and will soon add it to the diverse range of green energy alternatives to be on display at the school. Ms Rankmore said the park aims to encourage a love of science and science teaching in school and university students.
The lion's share of the grant has been set aside for excursions and camps to alternative energy facilities as well as teaching workshops and programs designed to enhance understanding of the science and mathematics behind renewable energy. Students have already visited the Crookwell Wind Farm and will soon embark on a major camp involving around 100-students to Newcastle, Jindabyne and Cooma to view renewable energy development ranging from wind to geo-thermal. On completion in 2008 the park will be an educational tourist attraction planned, designed, constructed and run by students, teachers and partners of the project.
An innovative feature of the project is the collaboration between large energy companies, educational institutions, various levels of government and community organisations to create a resource that encourages science teaching and attitudes towards efficient energy use. Sharon Rankmore said after visiting the energy park patrons and students will be able to learn more about what they have seen through online teaching units. She said through the ASISTM program teachers have been preparing online units in energy for future park visitors so they can continue their educational experience when they get home or back to school or university. The energy park project aims to encourage school and university students to take up a science career as well as providing professional development for teachers and an example to other communities, Ms Rankmore said.
Cleaner, greener Cooma council
Cooma Monaro Express
18/09/2007 Page: 5
Cooma Monaro Shire Council has begun taking steps to create a cleaner greener future in the region. The council has showed interest in undertaking an energy audit and decided to investigate the pros and cons of doing this at council's monthly meeting last week. Mayor Roger Norton has indicated it could been done within the next six months. "The councillors seem to be enthusiastic that we can achieve a worthwhile reduction in our energy use," said Cr Norton. "We need to look at the costs and benefits first but it certainly could be done within a six month period, while the Cooma Monaro Climate Change Working Group (CMCCWG) is investigating solutions," he said.
Council has also elected two staff members, Cr Norton and town planner Mark Adams to join CMCCWG, which was established to address climate change at a local level. "This indicates that council is supporting the working party and the councillors look forward to the report in about six months to see how to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions," he said. Cr Les Sutcliffe is also attending a conference this week (Monday and Tuesday) in Bendigo aiming to identify climate change in regional Australia and look at solutions to the issue. "This conference has a great list of speakers, a lot of seminars and covers everything from biomass to alternate diesel fuels, and solar, wind and wave generation technologies," said Cr Sutcliffe. "This will give me a better knowledge of what alternative technologies are out there and I'll be able to advise council of the alternatives and which ones are feasible and economically viable," he said.
18/09/2007 Page: 5
Cooma Monaro Shire Council has begun taking steps to create a cleaner greener future in the region. The council has showed interest in undertaking an energy audit and decided to investigate the pros and cons of doing this at council's monthly meeting last week. Mayor Roger Norton has indicated it could been done within the next six months. "The councillors seem to be enthusiastic that we can achieve a worthwhile reduction in our energy use," said Cr Norton. "We need to look at the costs and benefits first but it certainly could be done within a six month period, while the Cooma Monaro Climate Change Working Group (CMCCWG) is investigating solutions," he said.
Council has also elected two staff members, Cr Norton and town planner Mark Adams to join CMCCWG, which was established to address climate change at a local level. "This indicates that council is supporting the working party and the councillors look forward to the report in about six months to see how to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions," he said. Cr Les Sutcliffe is also attending a conference this week (Monday and Tuesday) in Bendigo aiming to identify climate change in regional Australia and look at solutions to the issue. "This conference has a great list of speakers, a lot of seminars and covers everything from biomass to alternate diesel fuels, and solar, wind and wave generation technologies," said Cr Sutcliffe. "This will give me a better knowledge of what alternative technologies are out there and I'll be able to advise council of the alternatives and which ones are feasible and economically viable," he said.
Global unity needed for climate change: UN
Age
September 26, 2007
NATIONAL action will not be enough to halt climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned, calling on all nations to join the UN process to find a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. "The time for doubt has passed," Mr Ban told the meeting in New York, the biggest-ever gathering of world leaders on climate change.
More than half of the 150 countries attending the one-day summit were represented by their head of state or government leader, with Australia represented by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. "What we do about it will define us, our era, and ultimately the global legacy we leave for future generations," Mr Ban said.
He said a breakthrough was needed at a key conference taking place in Indonesia in December to set a strategy for action against climate change after the first phase of the UN's Kyoto Protocol runs out at the end of 2012. "Given the nature and magnitude of the challenge, national action alone is insufficient," Mr Ban said. "That is why we need to confront climate change within a global framework, one that guarantees the highest level of international co-operation."
His comments seemed to be pointed at the US and other countries, including Australia, which are attending a separate US-convened climate-change meeting in Washington later this week. President George Bush said his meeting of 15 "major emitter" countries including China, Australia, the European Union and the UN, was designed to feed into the UN processes later this year, but environmental groups remain sceptical of his motives. The EU is calling for the Indonesia talks to agree to reduce global emissions to at least 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
September 26, 2007
NATIONAL action will not be enough to halt climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned, calling on all nations to join the UN process to find a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. "The time for doubt has passed," Mr Ban told the meeting in New York, the biggest-ever gathering of world leaders on climate change.
More than half of the 150 countries attending the one-day summit were represented by their head of state or government leader, with Australia represented by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. "What we do about it will define us, our era, and ultimately the global legacy we leave for future generations," Mr Ban said.
He said a breakthrough was needed at a key conference taking place in Indonesia in December to set a strategy for action against climate change after the first phase of the UN's Kyoto Protocol runs out at the end of 2012. "Given the nature and magnitude of the challenge, national action alone is insufficient," Mr Ban said. "That is why we need to confront climate change within a global framework, one that guarantees the highest level of international co-operation."
His comments seemed to be pointed at the US and other countries, including Australia, which are attending a separate US-convened climate-change meeting in Washington later this week. President George Bush said his meeting of 15 "major emitter" countries including China, Australia, the European Union and the UN, was designed to feed into the UN processes later this year, but environmental groups remain sceptical of his motives. The EU is calling for the Indonesia talks to agree to reduce global emissions to at least 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Green power could be a money spinner
South Coast Register
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 7
A Bomaderry engineering firm is developing domestic-use wind turbines to generate sustainable energy. And the firm claims if products like its own take off, it would lessen the need to build expensive and dirty power stations. Private Parts Pty Ltd has been working closely with Shoalhaven City Council to develop commercially viable home-use wind energy generators.
Their tests have shown that on an average day the turbines can generate more than half the energy the standard household consumes each day. While the product is still in development, and trials throughout the Shoalhaven pending on council approval, Private Parts director Roly Dixon said one thing was certain. "It these domestic wind turbines were taken up by a good percentage of the population, it would make a massive difference to the need to build power stations," he said.
Mr Dixon said the turbines produce a renewable resource, are twice as efficient as solar power and could each reduce carbon emissions by 3.5 tonnes a year. "We're obviously doing it for commercial reasons, but I believe in it," he said. We know it will never totally replace the other methods of electricity generation, but it could form an important part of the Mr Dixon said the turbines have been designed to operate silently at all wind speeds, and he hoped to see the product used everywhere.
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 7
A Bomaderry engineering firm is developing domestic-use wind turbines to generate sustainable energy. And the firm claims if products like its own take off, it would lessen the need to build expensive and dirty power stations. Private Parts Pty Ltd has been working closely with Shoalhaven City Council to develop commercially viable home-use wind energy generators.
Their tests have shown that on an average day the turbines can generate more than half the energy the standard household consumes each day. While the product is still in development, and trials throughout the Shoalhaven pending on council approval, Private Parts director Roly Dixon said one thing was certain. "It these domestic wind turbines were taken up by a good percentage of the population, it would make a massive difference to the need to build power stations," he said.
Mr Dixon said the turbines produce a renewable resource, are twice as efficient as solar power and could each reduce carbon emissions by 3.5 tonnes a year. "We're obviously doing it for commercial reasons, but I believe in it," he said. We know it will never totally replace the other methods of electricity generation, but it could form an important part of the Mr Dixon said the turbines have been designed to operate silently at all wind speeds, and he hoped to see the product used everywhere.
Turbine powers water system
Colac Herald
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 9
A Colac district resident has won approval to install a single wind turbine to generate power for her property's irrigation system. Marianne Fountaine received Colac Otway Shire approval for her application to build a 5.5 kilowatt wind turbine for personal use on her rural property on the Great Ocean Road at Sugarloaf Creek, north east of Skene's Creek. Ms Fountaine addressed the shire's planning meeting on Wednesday and said the wind turbine would generate power for an irrigation system on her property. Excess power from the wind turbine will go into the national power grid.
The tower has a maximum height of 24 metres and is made from grey galvanised steel with supporting stainless steel guy wires. The proposed turbine and shed will be set back 200 metres from the Great Ocean Road. Ms Fountaine said the visual impact of the wind turbine was a major consideration when determining a site for the tower. "It will only be partially visible for three seconds when driving along the Great Ocean Road and its visibility is as minimal as I can possibly make it," Ms Fountaine told the planning meeting.
Ms Fountaine won praise from Colac Otway Shire councillors for her environmentally responsible approach to finding an energy solution for her rural property. Cr Peter Mercer said he applauded the applicant "on being environmentally responsible". Councillors passed the proposal unanimously and Cr Chris Smith said it was great when people thought outside the box. "It's great for the people involved to put forward this sort of proposal," Cr Smith said. Cr Jo Di Cecco said he congratulated Ms Fountaine on using sustainable energy.
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 9
A Colac district resident has won approval to install a single wind turbine to generate power for her property's irrigation system. Marianne Fountaine received Colac Otway Shire approval for her application to build a 5.5 kilowatt wind turbine for personal use on her rural property on the Great Ocean Road at Sugarloaf Creek, north east of Skene's Creek. Ms Fountaine addressed the shire's planning meeting on Wednesday and said the wind turbine would generate power for an irrigation system on her property. Excess power from the wind turbine will go into the national power grid.
The tower has a maximum height of 24 metres and is made from grey galvanised steel with supporting stainless steel guy wires. The proposed turbine and shed will be set back 200 metres from the Great Ocean Road. Ms Fountaine said the visual impact of the wind turbine was a major consideration when determining a site for the tower. "It will only be partially visible for three seconds when driving along the Great Ocean Road and its visibility is as minimal as I can possibly make it," Ms Fountaine told the planning meeting.
Ms Fountaine won praise from Colac Otway Shire councillors for her environmentally responsible approach to finding an energy solution for her rural property. Cr Peter Mercer said he applauded the applicant "on being environmentally responsible". Councillors passed the proposal unanimously and Cr Chris Smith said it was great when people thought outside the box. "It's great for the people involved to put forward this sort of proposal," Cr Smith said. Cr Jo Di Cecco said he congratulated Ms Fountaine on using sustainable energy.
Plans on ice
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 17
The Princess Elisabeth, a zero emissions building that will become Belgium's winter base in Antarctica, is on display in Brussels this month, reports Agence France-Presse. The 10 x 21-metre building can house up to 20 people and will be erected on a rocky cliff in "total isolation" in case of a leak. It will be powered by solar panels and wind turbines, recycles its water. Solid waste will be carted off the continent every second year. The building's engineers say if they can build a carbon neutral building in Antarctica, it's possible anywhere. American scientists living on the Greenland ice sheet, who do not have carbon-neutral digs, are pondering what to do about the pollution they emit as they study global warming, reports The Oregonian.
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 17
The Princess Elisabeth, a zero emissions building that will become Belgium's winter base in Antarctica, is on display in Brussels this month, reports Agence France-Presse. The 10 x 21-metre building can house up to 20 people and will be erected on a rocky cliff in "total isolation" in case of a leak. It will be powered by solar panels and wind turbines, recycles its water. Solid waste will be carted off the continent every second year. The building's engineers say if they can build a carbon neutral building in Antarctica, it's possible anywhere. American scientists living on the Greenland ice sheet, who do not have carbon-neutral digs, are pondering what to do about the pollution they emit as they study global warming, reports The Oregonian.
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Clubs see sun, light
Manly Daily
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 9
Manly's surf clubs are set to become solar power showcases under a new council plan. South Steyne, North Steyne and Queenscliff will be some of the first surf clubs in the state to be partially run on green power. The initiative will cost around $25,000 per surf club to install less any grants the clubs can secure. The solar power will cover the clubs' hot water needs. But according to Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald, who proposed the plan, it is money well spent. "It is a combination of showcasing environmental technology in positions between Queenscliff and South Steyne and it results in significant uptake by surrounding residents," Cr Macdonald said.
A similar project was recently piloted by south coast surf club Tathra and in addition to significant power savings 800 residents subsequently installed solar energy, Cr Macdonald said. Simon Fry, president of North Steyne Surf Club which turns 100 in November, was ecstatic with the prospect of going solar. "It is terrific. Really, it is going to help everyone out," he said. "The bills are going to be smaller, which helps any volunteer organisation out." Mr Fry said the club had tried to get solar panelling installed 10 years ago but the proposal was rejected due to heritage concerns. "It is good to see that this council is forward thinking enough to see these sorts of things come first." he said. Heritage concerns will be taken into account but will combine both the new technology and the historic buildings. The use of wind turbines will also be investigated in order to make the clubs run completely on green power.
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 9
Manly's surf clubs are set to become solar power showcases under a new council plan. South Steyne, North Steyne and Queenscliff will be some of the first surf clubs in the state to be partially run on green power. The initiative will cost around $25,000 per surf club to install less any grants the clubs can secure. The solar power will cover the clubs' hot water needs. But according to Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald, who proposed the plan, it is money well spent. "It is a combination of showcasing environmental technology in positions between Queenscliff and South Steyne and it results in significant uptake by surrounding residents," Cr Macdonald said.A similar project was recently piloted by south coast surf club Tathra and in addition to significant power savings 800 residents subsequently installed solar energy, Cr Macdonald said. Simon Fry, president of North Steyne Surf Club which turns 100 in November, was ecstatic with the prospect of going solar. "It is terrific. Really, it is going to help everyone out," he said. "The bills are going to be smaller, which helps any volunteer organisation out." Mr Fry said the club had tried to get solar panelling installed 10 years ago but the proposal was rejected due to heritage concerns. "It is good to see that this council is forward thinking enough to see these sorts of things come first." he said. Heritage concerns will be taken into account but will combine both the new technology and the historic buildings. The use of wind turbines will also be investigated in order to make the clubs run completely on green power.
Development in the wind
Emerald Hill Weekly
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 9
Port Phillip Council has approved plans for a controversial Elwood development with a four-metre high rooftop wind turbine despite residents' concerns. At last week's meeting, councillors voted unanimously in favour of a four-story development of 25 units at 35 Ormond Road. Councillors praised the development's novel wind turbine, which will power building facilities such as the lift service and lighting in the foyer.
It will be the first residential building in Victoria to have its own wind turbine. "This a six-star building, and we want to encourage innovative ways of developing sustainable housing," councillor Janet Cribbes said. The building will also be designed to conserve water, including a system for treating grey water, stormwater filtration and a rainwater tank. However, some residents objected to the plans, saving the development would be unsightly and too tall for the neighbourhood.
Cr Cribbes said the development complied with council height restrictions for the area and met Victoria's residential development guidelines for buildings of its type. She said that the project would serve as a pilot for environmentally sustainable living, and if it proved to be successful, other developers might be encouraged to build similar developments. Developers Contour Consultants said local bird life would not be affected by the turbine and measures would be adopted to muffle traffic noise that could impact the building's residents. The proposal is now awaiting formal approval from Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 9
Port Phillip Council has approved plans for a controversial Elwood development with a four-metre high rooftop wind turbine despite residents' concerns. At last week's meeting, councillors voted unanimously in favour of a four-story development of 25 units at 35 Ormond Road. Councillors praised the development's novel wind turbine, which will power building facilities such as the lift service and lighting in the foyer.
It will be the first residential building in Victoria to have its own wind turbine. "This a six-star building, and we want to encourage innovative ways of developing sustainable housing," councillor Janet Cribbes said. The building will also be designed to conserve water, including a system for treating grey water, stormwater filtration and a rainwater tank. However, some residents objected to the plans, saving the development would be unsightly and too tall for the neighbourhood.
Cr Cribbes said the development complied with council height restrictions for the area and met Victoria's residential development guidelines for buildings of its type. She said that the project would serve as a pilot for environmentally sustainable living, and if it proved to be successful, other developers might be encouraged to build similar developments. Developers Contour Consultants said local bird life would not be affected by the turbine and measures would be adopted to muffle traffic noise that could impact the building's residents. The proposal is now awaiting formal approval from Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Region now a leader on environment
Bendigo Advertiser
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 10
Bendigo and the wider central Victorian region is fast emerging as a national leader in the debate and discussion about environmental issues. In July, Treasurer Peter Costello announced $15 million of federal funding for a solar energy project that will have its headquarters in Bendigo. The $35 million renewable energy model will see the creation of two 300 kilowatt solar power parks - one in Bendigo and another in Ballarat - to service 13 municipalities in the region.
Meanwhile, La Trobe University is still awaiting news of its bid to establish the Australian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation in Bendigo. Its proposal, developed with a number of other universities, is one of three in the running for Federal Government funds. The centre will examine the effects of climate change on Australian communities and how society should adapt to new weather patterns.
While a decision on this proposal is expected by the end of the month, the two-day Renewable Energy and Regional Australia conference, which closed in Bendigo yesterday, has helped keep the city's environmental credentials in the national spotlight. Like many cities and regions, Bendigo and central Victoria has been personally touched by climate change in recent years, and its residents are beginning to accept the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead. To their credit, these residents are emerging as leaders in the discussion about how to cope in this new environment.
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 10
Bendigo and the wider central Victorian region is fast emerging as a national leader in the debate and discussion about environmental issues. In July, Treasurer Peter Costello announced $15 million of federal funding for a solar energy project that will have its headquarters in Bendigo. The $35 million renewable energy model will see the creation of two 300 kilowatt solar power parks - one in Bendigo and another in Ballarat - to service 13 municipalities in the region.
Meanwhile, La Trobe University is still awaiting news of its bid to establish the Australian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation in Bendigo. Its proposal, developed with a number of other universities, is one of three in the running for Federal Government funds. The centre will examine the effects of climate change on Australian communities and how society should adapt to new weather patterns.
While a decision on this proposal is expected by the end of the month, the two-day Renewable Energy and Regional Australia conference, which closed in Bendigo yesterday, has helped keep the city's environmental credentials in the national spotlight. Like many cities and regions, Bendigo and central Victoria has been personally touched by climate change in recent years, and its residents are beginning to accept the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead. To their credit, these residents are emerging as leaders in the discussion about how to cope in this new environment.
The energy answer is blowin' in the wind
Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 12
According to the Belgium-based Global Wind Energy Council, worldwide wind energy generation increased 25 percent last year but in Australia it only rose 15 percent. However, new incentives from federal and state governments look set to increase wind energy by 19 percent per year from now until 2010. The Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) says the sector has exciting growth opportunities, with South Australia leading the way.
Babcock and Brown Wind Partners is investing in Stage Two of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm which will make it the biggest facility of its kind in Australia. Towers will be up to 80 metres high, nearly as tall as the Adelaide Hyatt Regency Hotel. About half of SA's councils are using renewable energy for 20 percent of total usage. Even Marion Council has made the 20 percent commitment even though its area includes a Mitsubishi car plant and the largest Westfield shopping centre in SA. One of the great benefits of wind energy for a dry continent like Australia is that it is one of the few forms of electricity generation which requires no water.
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 12
According to the Belgium-based Global Wind Energy Council, worldwide wind energy generation increased 25 percent last year but in Australia it only rose 15 percent. However, new incentives from federal and state governments look set to increase wind energy by 19 percent per year from now until 2010. The Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) says the sector has exciting growth opportunities, with South Australia leading the way.
Babcock and Brown Wind Partners is investing in Stage Two of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm which will make it the biggest facility of its kind in Australia. Towers will be up to 80 metres high, nearly as tall as the Adelaide Hyatt Regency Hotel. About half of SA's councils are using renewable energy for 20 percent of total usage. Even Marion Council has made the 20 percent commitment even though its area includes a Mitsubishi car plant and the largest Westfield shopping centre in SA. One of the great benefits of wind energy for a dry continent like Australia is that it is one of the few forms of electricity generation which requires no water.
Enviro-Social Research Compromised By Warmongering
Ethical Investor
September, 2007 Page: 11
A group of United Kingdom scientists has released figures showing what it believes is an imbalance of global research funding towards defence technology at the expense of the environment and social development. Flawed government thinking is driving a rapid expansion in the military influence over science and technology, says a new briefing from Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).
It states that US government spending on military research and development (R&D) is soaring (up 57% since 2001). SGR's briefing argues that government policies, which emphasise the application of military technology in dealing with complex international crises, are driving the continued expansion of military R&D in the USA, UK and elsewhere, despite major shortcomings in current conflicts such as the Iraq war. Government funding for military R&D 'dwarfs' that spent on social and environmental programmes across the industrialised world, it says.
Quoting 2004 figures, it calculates that industrialised countries spent a total of $85 billion on military R&D, but only $50 billion on R&D for health and environmental protection, and less than $1 billion on R&D for renewable energy technologies essential for tackling climate change. SGR is a UK based organisation of approximately 900 scientists across the natural and social sciences, engineering, IT, architecture and design. Its main aim is to promote ethical science, design and technology - based on the principles of openness, accountability, peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
September, 2007 Page: 11
A group of United Kingdom scientists has released figures showing what it believes is an imbalance of global research funding towards defence technology at the expense of the environment and social development. Flawed government thinking is driving a rapid expansion in the military influence over science and technology, says a new briefing from Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).
It states that US government spending on military research and development (R&D) is soaring (up 57% since 2001). SGR's briefing argues that government policies, which emphasise the application of military technology in dealing with complex international crises, are driving the continued expansion of military R&D in the USA, UK and elsewhere, despite major shortcomings in current conflicts such as the Iraq war. Government funding for military R&D 'dwarfs' that spent on social and environmental programmes across the industrialised world, it says.
Quoting 2004 figures, it calculates that industrialised countries spent a total of $85 billion on military R&D, but only $50 billion on R&D for health and environmental protection, and less than $1 billion on R&D for renewable energy technologies essential for tackling climate change. SGR is a UK based organisation of approximately 900 scientists across the natural and social sciences, engineering, IT, architecture and design. Its main aim is to promote ethical science, design and technology - based on the principles of openness, accountability, peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
David Clark appointed to wind farm advisory group
Pyrenees Advocate
Friday 14/9/2007 Page: 11
FORMER Pyrenees Mayor David Clark has been appointed to a new Federal Government body charged with developing a national code for wind farms. Mr Clark is a strong supporter of wind energy, and says the guidelines will establish a framework for community consultation, informing residents how and when to have their say.
The Minister for the Environment, Malcolm Turnbull, said that the national code will provide a consistent and transparent framework for community consultation about the siting and development of wind farms in Australia. "Wind power certainly has a role in securing Australia's energy future and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Turnbull said. "It is therefore important that attention be given to finding sites that address both the wind availability requirements of wind developers and the concerns of local communities.
With the development of a wind code, we are seeking a sensible balance of the relevant economic, environmental and social factors." Mr Turnbull said. Mr Clark said he was looking forward to making a positive contribution. I'm strongly in favour of renewable energy and I believe with my local government and landcare background I can make a positive contribution," Mr Clark said.
"In Waubra, because there are a significant number of people benefiting from the wind farm development, the community is generally supportive. But at the end of the day, if this body is going to be effective, it has to be about planning. To me, the planning process is about people getting a fair say and feeling they have been treated fairly," Mr Clark said.
Establishment of the working group follows a discussion paper and roundtable with key stakeholders on developing the Australian Government's proposed national code for the location of wind farms. "While primary responsibility in these matters rests with state and territory governments, there should be a more consistent approach than currently exists across Australia," Mr Turnbull said. Members of the working group represent a balance of community, rural, local government and wind energy industry interests. The body will be chaired by Denis Smedley, a senior executive of the Department of the Environment and Water Resources.
Friday 14/9/2007 Page: 11
FORMER Pyrenees Mayor David Clark has been appointed to a new Federal Government body charged with developing a national code for wind farms. Mr Clark is a strong supporter of wind energy, and says the guidelines will establish a framework for community consultation, informing residents how and when to have their say.
The Minister for the Environment, Malcolm Turnbull, said that the national code will provide a consistent and transparent framework for community consultation about the siting and development of wind farms in Australia. "Wind power certainly has a role in securing Australia's energy future and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Turnbull said. "It is therefore important that attention be given to finding sites that address both the wind availability requirements of wind developers and the concerns of local communities.
With the development of a wind code, we are seeking a sensible balance of the relevant economic, environmental and social factors." Mr Turnbull said. Mr Clark said he was looking forward to making a positive contribution. I'm strongly in favour of renewable energy and I believe with my local government and landcare background I can make a positive contribution," Mr Clark said.
"In Waubra, because there are a significant number of people benefiting from the wind farm development, the community is generally supportive. But at the end of the day, if this body is going to be effective, it has to be about planning. To me, the planning process is about people getting a fair say and feeling they have been treated fairly," Mr Clark said.
Establishment of the working group follows a discussion paper and roundtable with key stakeholders on developing the Australian Government's proposed national code for the location of wind farms. "While primary responsibility in these matters rests with state and territory governments, there should be a more consistent approach than currently exists across Australia," Mr Turnbull said. Members of the working group represent a balance of community, rural, local government and wind energy industry interests. The body will be chaired by Denis Smedley, a senior executive of the Department of the Environment and Water Resources.
Shire to have wind farm phone survey
Goulburn Post
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 2
Upper Lachlan Shire councillors have rejected a move to conduct a public meeting on the massive Epuron wind farm planned for north west of Goulburn. Cr John Coombs urged colleagues at last Thursday's council meeting in Collector to call a public meeting so that the feeling of "majority" of residents could be ascertained as a guide to council's policy on wind farms. However, this was rejected in favour of a "professional telephone survey".
Cr Coombs said the shire should adopt a firm stance one way or another on wind farms particularly as no action has yet occurred on other approved sites, leaving many residents of the area in limbo. If the developer is successful in its bid, the wind farm will stretch over 25km from south of Pomeroy to a point 6km south west of Crookwell. More than 80 turbines are planned for sites in the Pomeroy, Gurrundah and Kialla districts.
The proposed turbine towers are so high - at more than 85m - the Defence Department at Canberra is concerned that they could interfere with radar lines. Turbine height has also drawn the interest of the Civil Aviation authorities. Because the projected cost of the wind farm will be well beyond $30 million, approval will be in the hands of State Planning, not Upper Lachlan Shire or Goulburn-Mulwaree councils. And because of the demands for approval from a variety of authorities, from environmental to defence, Epuron Pty Ltd cannot see construction beginning until late 2009 or 2010.
The Planning Department has sought the Upper Lachlan's input for consideration with the application. Last month, Epuron Pty Ltd began the long and winding path to approval with a meeting of interested parties and site inspection. At Thursday's council meeting, the shire's environment and planning director Robert Mowle said State Planning had been advised that the council would require compliance with its Development Control Plan on wind farms, which included a stipulation that turbines be located at least 2km from any non-involved residence.
Other concerns included impact on the Crookwell air strip, noise levels, impact on land values, and routes for transport of plant and materials to the site. Access to the Pomeroy sites will be via Goulburn, and to the Gurrundah - Kialla areas through Crookwell. A brief report on Epuron Pty Ltd's plan will be furnished to Goulburn-Mulwaree councillors at their meeting tomorrow night.
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 2
Upper Lachlan Shire councillors have rejected a move to conduct a public meeting on the massive Epuron wind farm planned for north west of Goulburn. Cr John Coombs urged colleagues at last Thursday's council meeting in Collector to call a public meeting so that the feeling of "majority" of residents could be ascertained as a guide to council's policy on wind farms. However, this was rejected in favour of a "professional telephone survey".
Cr Coombs said the shire should adopt a firm stance one way or another on wind farms particularly as no action has yet occurred on other approved sites, leaving many residents of the area in limbo. If the developer is successful in its bid, the wind farm will stretch over 25km from south of Pomeroy to a point 6km south west of Crookwell. More than 80 turbines are planned for sites in the Pomeroy, Gurrundah and Kialla districts.
The proposed turbine towers are so high - at more than 85m - the Defence Department at Canberra is concerned that they could interfere with radar lines. Turbine height has also drawn the interest of the Civil Aviation authorities. Because the projected cost of the wind farm will be well beyond $30 million, approval will be in the hands of State Planning, not Upper Lachlan Shire or Goulburn-Mulwaree councils. And because of the demands for approval from a variety of authorities, from environmental to defence, Epuron Pty Ltd cannot see construction beginning until late 2009 or 2010.
The Planning Department has sought the Upper Lachlan's input for consideration with the application. Last month, Epuron Pty Ltd began the long and winding path to approval with a meeting of interested parties and site inspection. At Thursday's council meeting, the shire's environment and planning director Robert Mowle said State Planning had been advised that the council would require compliance with its Development Control Plan on wind farms, which included a stipulation that turbines be located at least 2km from any non-involved residence.
Other concerns included impact on the Crookwell air strip, noise levels, impact on land values, and routes for transport of plant and materials to the site. Access to the Pomeroy sites will be via Goulburn, and to the Gurrundah - Kialla areas through Crookwell. A brief report on Epuron Pty Ltd's plan will be furnished to Goulburn-Mulwaree councillors at their meeting tomorrow night.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Energy potential explained
Bendigo Advertiser
Tuesday 18/9/2007 Page: 6
THE potential for Australia to become a clean energy superpower is a challenge for governments and business to embrace, chief executive officer of the Clean Energy Council, Dominique La Fontaine told delegates yesterday. Wind energy was overwhelmingly endorsed as a reliable source of renewable energy in Australia by Ms Fontaine, who said adopting targets for renewables to provide at least 20 per cent of electricity generation by 2020 was possible. "We don't need to wait for technology to occur," she said. "We need to start deploying energies we know." She described the forthcoming federal election as a watershed for the renewable energy industry.
The CEC has a local government forum which encourages representatives to consult on clean energy initiatives. Dean Bridgfoot from the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, who also addressed a session on marketing green power, said it was important to encourage communities to change their behaviour now, instead of waiting for advocacy and high-tech innovations to develop.
Mr Bridgfoot said the group was working to encourage energy retailers to support community groups such as schools or sporting clubs via a loyalty program, with incentives for clubs signing up to green power, such as being provided with solar panels. "With a strong political voice, in a dramatic and direct way, people can do it," he said.
The group, which has 480 members within a small geographic area, initially wanted to start up its own green power company but the infrastructure proved too onerous. Instead, the group is now encouraging its local community to sign up to green power and eventually oversubscribe. "The economics would be transformed," Mr Bridgfoot said.
Tuesday 18/9/2007 Page: 6
THE potential for Australia to become a clean energy superpower is a challenge for governments and business to embrace, chief executive officer of the Clean Energy Council, Dominique La Fontaine told delegates yesterday. Wind energy was overwhelmingly endorsed as a reliable source of renewable energy in Australia by Ms Fontaine, who said adopting targets for renewables to provide at least 20 per cent of electricity generation by 2020 was possible. "We don't need to wait for technology to occur," she said. "We need to start deploying energies we know." She described the forthcoming federal election as a watershed for the renewable energy industry.The CEC has a local government forum which encourages representatives to consult on clean energy initiatives. Dean Bridgfoot from the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, who also addressed a session on marketing green power, said it was important to encourage communities to change their behaviour now, instead of waiting for advocacy and high-tech innovations to develop.
Mr Bridgfoot said the group was working to encourage energy retailers to support community groups such as schools or sporting clubs via a loyalty program, with incentives for clubs signing up to green power, such as being provided with solar panels. "With a strong political voice, in a dramatic and direct way, people can do it," he said.
The group, which has 480 members within a small geographic area, initially wanted to start up its own green power company but the infrastructure proved too onerous. Instead, the group is now encouraging its local community to sign up to green power and eventually oversubscribe. "The economics would be transformed," Mr Bridgfoot said.
Babcock & Brown wind farms switch
Age
Tuesday 18/9/2007 Page: 2
A RESHUFFLING of assets in the Babcock and Brown group will see its stand-alone listed wind farm operation acquire control of more than 750 turbines across the US and Portugal from its parent company for just under $600 million. The deal substantially increases the size and power generation capability of Babcock and Brown Wind Partners (BBW) and prompted the ASX-quoted operator to upgrade the planned payouts over the next two years to its security holders. Investors - which include its parent with a 12 per cent stake - will see an increase of 16 per cent to 14.5 per security in 2008 and a 15.50 distribution in 2009, based on the revenue to be earnt from its existing portfolio of wind farms and three to be acquired in Texas and Colorado, and the 30 across Portugal. BBW's shares rose 2.25 0 to $1.68 yesterday.
Tuesday 18/9/2007 Page: 2
A RESHUFFLING of assets in the Babcock and Brown group will see its stand-alone listed wind farm operation acquire control of more than 750 turbines across the US and Portugal from its parent company for just under $600 million. The deal substantially increases the size and power generation capability of Babcock and Brown Wind Partners (BBW) and prompted the ASX-quoted operator to upgrade the planned payouts over the next two years to its security holders. Investors - which include its parent with a 12 per cent stake - will see an increase of 16 per cent to 14.5 per security in 2008 and a 15.50 distribution in 2009, based on the revenue to be earnt from its existing portfolio of wind farms and three to be acquired in Texas and Colorado, and the 30 across Portugal. BBW's shares rose 2.25 0 to $1.68 yesterday.
Global demand for wind energy leads to turbine shortage
Mining Chronicle
September, 2007 Page: 25
The massive surge of interest in renewable and sustainable energy has created a worldwide shortage of wind turbines. Suppliers are being pushed to keep up with the demand for turbines as wind energy has become the world's fastest growing clean power technology - due to businesses and governments trying to meet emission targets.
The situation in Australia is no different according to Auswind, the national wind energy industry association. Auswind communications manager Irena Bukhstaber said wind energy was rapidly gaining significance in the Australian market. "For a while it was a boutique industry, worth about 1 per cent - now, in terms of large scale alternative energy production, it's the only game in town," Ms Bukhstaber said.
"In Australia, the drought, strange weather, Al Gore and even Arnold Schwarzenegger have all contributed to enormous amounts of growth in the industry. The demand for wind energy has exploded." Currently there are more than 40 operational wind farms in Australia - over 560 turbines - producing around 2,500 gigawatt hours of power annually.
Production of wind turbines has been slowed down as the worldwide demand has made the sourcing of key components problematic. "In Australia we make most of the components but there is one which has to be made overseas. It's this component which is creating the backlog internationally," Ms Bukhstaber said. "But we anticipate things will sort themselves out soon." In a newspaper interview British Wind Energy Association director of economics Dr Gordon Edge said the US market was buying a large proportion of available wind turbines. "The US industry is going hell for leather at the moment and relying on imports of wind turbines from Europe," Dr Edge said. "People are ordering turbines now for delivery in 2009 and smaller players are losing out.
Globally, it's going to take two or three years for us to catch up on demand." A US report from Emerging Energy Research said the country's wind energy industry has quickly responded to the growing demand for renewable energy. EER estimates wind projects capable of producing more than 125GW of power, are in various stages of development.
With more than US$65bn forecasted to be invested in additional wind capacity between 2007 and 2015, the US is projected to rank first in the world in cumulative installed wind capacity with approximately 19 per cent of global wind market share by the end of 2015; according to EER's most recent study.
September, 2007 Page: 25
The massive surge of interest in renewable and sustainable energy has created a worldwide shortage of wind turbines. Suppliers are being pushed to keep up with the demand for turbines as wind energy has become the world's fastest growing clean power technology - due to businesses and governments trying to meet emission targets.
The situation in Australia is no different according to Auswind, the national wind energy industry association. Auswind communications manager Irena Bukhstaber said wind energy was rapidly gaining significance in the Australian market. "For a while it was a boutique industry, worth about 1 per cent - now, in terms of large scale alternative energy production, it's the only game in town," Ms Bukhstaber said.
"In Australia, the drought, strange weather, Al Gore and even Arnold Schwarzenegger have all contributed to enormous amounts of growth in the industry. The demand for wind energy has exploded." Currently there are more than 40 operational wind farms in Australia - over 560 turbines - producing around 2,500 gigawatt hours of power annually.
Production of wind turbines has been slowed down as the worldwide demand has made the sourcing of key components problematic. "In Australia we make most of the components but there is one which has to be made overseas. It's this component which is creating the backlog internationally," Ms Bukhstaber said. "But we anticipate things will sort themselves out soon." In a newspaper interview British Wind Energy Association director of economics Dr Gordon Edge said the US market was buying a large proportion of available wind turbines. "The US industry is going hell for leather at the moment and relying on imports of wind turbines from Europe," Dr Edge said. "People are ordering turbines now for delivery in 2009 and smaller players are losing out.
Globally, it's going to take two or three years for us to catch up on demand." A US report from Emerging Energy Research said the country's wind energy industry has quickly responded to the growing demand for renewable energy. EER estimates wind projects capable of producing more than 125GW of power, are in various stages of development.
With more than US$65bn forecasted to be invested in additional wind capacity between 2007 and 2015, the US is projected to rank first in the world in cumulative installed wind capacity with approximately 19 per cent of global wind market share by the end of 2015; according to EER's most recent study.
Monday, 24 September 2007
Desal drink at 0.03c a glass
Sunday Mail Adelaide
Sunday 16/9/2007 Page: 4
A GLASS of water from an Adelaide desalination plant would cost just 0.03c to produce, says one of Australia's top desalination experts. Former West Australian Water Corporation principal engineer desalination Gary Crisp said, if done right, desalination was cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Mr Crisp worked on Perth's 144ML desalination plant and is now working on a 125ML plant in Queensland. He said the cost of producing 1kl of desalinated water was about $1.20, so a 250m1 glass of water would cost 0.03c. SA Water charges 50c/k1 up to 125k1, so a 250m1 glass of water costs 0.0125c. However, it then charges $1.16 for every kilolitre above 124k1.
Since Perth's desalination plant opened in November, water bills there have risen by $43 a year. A desalination plant in Adelaide is tipped to push water bills up by about $300. However, Mr Crisp said it was "absolutely" worth building a desalination plant here, which could be up and running in four years. "If you're using wind energy or renewable energy to produce seawater desalination, it's got the smallest environmental footprint of any water source," he said.
Desalination has been criticised for its high energy requirements, which Mr Crisp said were at least three times that of "conventional" water sources such as dams and ground water. He said a 100ML plant would run on 160,000 kilowatt hours a day - enough to power about 25 households for a year. Desalination plants draw water from the ocean, from between 200m and 400m offshore, at a depth of at least 10m.
Screens prevent animals and seaweed from being pulled into the plant and a filter removes smaller particles such as sand and plankton. A high-pressure pump pushes this water through a reverse-osmosis membrane where desalination occurs. "(The pump) is actually what uses all the energy," Mr Crisp said. "That's what puts all the pressure into the water so we get it through the membranes." During reverse-osmosis, about 40 per cent of the water passes through the membrane as fresh water while the remaining 60 per cent salt water flows over the top.
"The fresh water is literally pushed out of the salty water," Mr Crisp said. "The salt can't go through the membrane, the molecules are to big." Once the salt and fresh water are separated, minerals and chemicals including calcium, carbon dioxide, chlorine and fluoride are added to the fresh water, which can then be piped into the city's water supply ready to drink. The salty water is diverted through an energy recovery device to generate power which is put back into the plant.
The brine is returned to the ocean through a pipe, which extends at least 500m-600m from shore, and is dispersed by tides. It is this part of the process which scientists and the fishing industry have concerns with. Mr Crisp said brine was about 5.8 per cent salt while seawater was about 3.5 per cent salt.
Sunday 16/9/2007 Page: 4
A GLASS of water from an Adelaide desalination plant would cost just 0.03c to produce, says one of Australia's top desalination experts. Former West Australian Water Corporation principal engineer desalination Gary Crisp said, if done right, desalination was cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Mr Crisp worked on Perth's 144ML desalination plant and is now working on a 125ML plant in Queensland. He said the cost of producing 1kl of desalinated water was about $1.20, so a 250m1 glass of water would cost 0.03c. SA Water charges 50c/k1 up to 125k1, so a 250m1 glass of water costs 0.0125c. However, it then charges $1.16 for every kilolitre above 124k1.
Since Perth's desalination plant opened in November, water bills there have risen by $43 a year. A desalination plant in Adelaide is tipped to push water bills up by about $300. However, Mr Crisp said it was "absolutely" worth building a desalination plant here, which could be up and running in four years. "If you're using wind energy or renewable energy to produce seawater desalination, it's got the smallest environmental footprint of any water source," he said.
Desalination has been criticised for its high energy requirements, which Mr Crisp said were at least three times that of "conventional" water sources such as dams and ground water. He said a 100ML plant would run on 160,000 kilowatt hours a day - enough to power about 25 households for a year. Desalination plants draw water from the ocean, from between 200m and 400m offshore, at a depth of at least 10m.
Screens prevent animals and seaweed from being pulled into the plant and a filter removes smaller particles such as sand and plankton. A high-pressure pump pushes this water through a reverse-osmosis membrane where desalination occurs. "(The pump) is actually what uses all the energy," Mr Crisp said. "That's what puts all the pressure into the water so we get it through the membranes." During reverse-osmosis, about 40 per cent of the water passes through the membrane as fresh water while the remaining 60 per cent salt water flows over the top.
"The fresh water is literally pushed out of the salty water," Mr Crisp said. "The salt can't go through the membrane, the molecules are to big." Once the salt and fresh water are separated, minerals and chemicals including calcium, carbon dioxide, chlorine and fluoride are added to the fresh water, which can then be piped into the city's water supply ready to drink. The salty water is diverted through an energy recovery device to generate power which is put back into the plant.
The brine is returned to the ocean through a pipe, which extends at least 500m-600m from shore, and is dispersed by tides. It is this part of the process which scientists and the fishing industry have concerns with. Mr Crisp said brine was about 5.8 per cent salt while seawater was about 3.5 per cent salt.
More forests get the chop
MX (Melbourne)
Friday 14/9/2007 Page: 8
More wood was removed from forests in 2005 than ever before, the Worldwatch Institute's annual check of the planet's health reveals. Other analysts said while that was true on a global scale, parts of Europe and North America had experienced reforestation in recent decades.
The US think-tank's Vital Signs 2007-2008 report tracked 44 global trends linked to climate change, of which 28 were "pronouncedly bad" and six positive, wind energy among the few. Rapid expansion of soybean plantations in South America could displace 22 million hectares of tropical forest and savanna in the next 20 years.
Friday 14/9/2007 Page: 8
More wood was removed from forests in 2005 than ever before, the Worldwatch Institute's annual check of the planet's health reveals. Other analysts said while that was true on a global scale, parts of Europe and North America had experienced reforestation in recent decades.
The US think-tank's Vital Signs 2007-2008 report tracked 44 global trends linked to climate change, of which 28 were "pronouncedly bad" and six positive, wind energy among the few. Rapid expansion of soybean plantations in South America could displace 22 million hectares of tropical forest and savanna in the next 20 years.
Energy companies show interest in region
Milton Ulladulla Times
Wednesday 12/9/2007 Page: 13
THE Shoalhaven branch of Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) is committed to reducing energy consumption by 50 per cent and increasing use of renewable energy by 50 per cent by 2020. The Shoalhaven branch has adopted this 50/50 by 2020 target from the founding CEFE group in the BegaValley Shire. Clean Energy for Eternity is a voluntarily run, grass roots community organisation. These targets are a bold commitment. But it has started to pay off.
Clean Energy for Eternity has recently had discussions with three renewable energy companies that want to bring their business to the south-east region. They want to come because of the targets. CEFE is putting its hand up to say we want to be proactive in dealing with climate change'.
Exciting prospects include a solar farm funded by community investment. Thirty acres of solar photovoltaic cells could provide two megawatts of power and would be a tourist attraction. A French bioenergy company wants to set up in alia and is looking to start with a pilot project in the local region. They feel that the CEFE targets can be easily achieved. A wind company wants to start some wind monitoring to determine whether or not a community-owned wind farm would be feasible.
Business is coming to us, but making the much-needed change through community investment alone is going to be hard yards. What we would love is some government assistance in reaching our targets and we will be talking to all candidates before the election about what they can offer us. If you want to contact the Shoalhaven CEFE then call Kim on 4454 3696 or Julie on 4455 7194.
Did You Know?
You can now use the 'Greenpages' as well as the 'Yellowpages'. Green Pages Australia is a new national directory of environmentally sustainable products and services. Check it out at www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au
Wednesday 12/9/2007 Page: 13
THE Shoalhaven branch of Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) is committed to reducing energy consumption by 50 per cent and increasing use of renewable energy by 50 per cent by 2020. The Shoalhaven branch has adopted this 50/50 by 2020 target from the founding CEFE group in the BegaValley Shire. Clean Energy for Eternity is a voluntarily run, grass roots community organisation. These targets are a bold commitment. But it has started to pay off.
Clean Energy for Eternity has recently had discussions with three renewable energy companies that want to bring their business to the south-east region. They want to come because of the targets. CEFE is putting its hand up to say we want to be proactive in dealing with climate change'.
Exciting prospects include a solar farm funded by community investment. Thirty acres of solar photovoltaic cells could provide two megawatts of power and would be a tourist attraction. A French bioenergy company wants to set up in alia and is looking to start with a pilot project in the local region. They feel that the CEFE targets can be easily achieved. A wind company wants to start some wind monitoring to determine whether or not a community-owned wind farm would be feasible.
Business is coming to us, but making the much-needed change through community investment alone is going to be hard yards. What we would love is some government assistance in reaching our targets and we will be talking to all candidates before the election about what they can offer us. If you want to contact the Shoalhaven CEFE then call Kim on 4454 3696 or Julie on 4455 7194.
Did You Know?
You can now use the 'Greenpages' as well as the 'Yellowpages'. Green Pages Australia is a new national directory of environmentally sustainable products and services. Check it out at www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au
Sunday, 23 September 2007
State's power struggle: The forecast for Tasmania's electricity generating water storages is not optimistic.
Launceston Examiner
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 6
THIS year Tasmania has seen record demand for electricity and record lows in its hydro power generating water storages. It is a situation that must be cause for concern for the State Government, Hydro Tasmania and consumers. Climate change has seen Hydro Tasmania's water storages drop by more than half over the past decade and there's not a lot of optimism that the situation will improve.
From a high of 79 per cent of capacity in 1997, Tasmania's 50 hydro storage lakes and dams dropped to a 40-year low of just 17 per cent in May this year. Despite record rainfall in some catchment areas last month, they are still only 27 per cent of their 17,100-gigalitre capacity. On Monday, June 18, Tasmanians used a record amount of electricity. The new generation peak during a chilling winter night saw 2420MW of electricity used. Hydro's total generating capacity is 2568MW.
In the past 12 months the company has spent more than $100 million on importing power from the mainland via Basslink and running the gas-powered Bell Bay power station, now owned by Alinta. The cost of electricity for domestic and commercial consumers is set to rise by around 15 per cent with Tasmanian energy regulator Andrew Reeves announcing his final determination next month.
Rainfall holds the key to Hydro Tasmania's fortunes and spokeswoman Helen Brain says predictions are for little change up to 2040. "Hydro Tasmania has been working with the CSIRO in modelling likely trends in Tasmania's climate due to global warming. The long-term prediction for rainfall is that it is likely to be less than in the past," she says. Hydro Tasmania's longterm intention is to operate Great Lake between 30 and 60 per cent of capacity. "The highest we have seen it (Great Lake) was in 1997 when it was 78 per cent full." In May this year it was at 12 per cent of capacity and it currently stands at around 20 per cent.
Work to improve inflow to storages, cloud seeding and alternative sources of electricity are all on the agenda for Hydro Tasmania. A $2 million upgrade of the Liawenee canal, which carries water from Lake Augusta to Great Lake, was completed earlier this year. It allows for higher flood flows and more water entering the struggling Great Lake.
"The value of stored water varies enormously depending on the season and on the catchment and how widespread the rainfall is," Ms Brain said. "As an indication, 10mm extra (rainfall) over the entire West Coast or Great Lake catchments is worth about $3 million. Over Lake Gordon it would be worth about half that amount. "The rainfall is worth more in winter over the big catchments as everything is already wet and that water runs off into the storages.
"It's worth almost nothing in summer if the catchment is dry, as it would be soaked into the soil with no runoff resulting in the catchment." The Hydro's annual cloud seeding programme has been expanded this year to help non-hydro storage regions as well. Already more than 20 flights have been made. "Cloud seeding is used to enhance inflows to a number of Hydro Tasmania's catchments," Ms Brain said. "The choice of catchment depends on the presence of favourable seeding conditions and generation demand. "Results from joint HEC-CSIRO trials conducted in the 1980s indicate that there is about a 4-5 per cent increase in annual rainfall. "Incremental run-off from seeded events varies considerably, depending on antecedent catchment conditions," she says.
But cloud seeding is not all silver lining, with the West Coast Council regularly complaining of its effect on tourism and other activities. A study is being conducted to ascertain any adverse effects. The use of the $1.2 billion Basslink cable to import power, the gas-fired Bell Bay power station and wind energy are all regularly contributing to the Tasmanian electricity grid.
In its first year of operation, Basslink was used to buy 1470MW of power from the mainland at a cost of $56 million although it was used to export less electricity to a similar value. In that period Hydro Tasmania also spent an extra $20 million on gas for Bell Bay to reduce the pressure on hydro storages. Wind power from associated company Roaring 40s contributed a handy 48MW during the cold snap in June.
August was a bright spot for hydro generation with rain boosting storages by 7.5 per cent to 27.1 per cent, but this was 4.5 per cent lower than at the same time last year. The rise was mostly a result of the heavy rains between August 8 and 11 that caused widespread flooding. The Pieman, Forth and Derwent rivers all experienced peak flows during the period that exceeded previously recorded maximum flows. It is a phenomenon that we may see repeated in the future.
An HEC-CSIRO-UTAS climate change report says that over the next 30 years expectations are that the North-East area of the State will trend towards lower rainfall (by 8 per cent) with higher maximum and minimum temperatures and higher evaporation. The remainder of the State will trend to higher rainfall (7 to 11 per cent) with higher minimum temperatures and, on the West Coast and highlands, a decrease in evaporation. The bottom line is that Tasmanians will have to get used to buying electricity from the mainland and gasfired power station operators like Alinta.
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 6
THIS year Tasmania has seen record demand for electricity and record lows in its hydro power generating water storages. It is a situation that must be cause for concern for the State Government, Hydro Tasmania and consumers. Climate change has seen Hydro Tasmania's water storages drop by more than half over the past decade and there's not a lot of optimism that the situation will improve.From a high of 79 per cent of capacity in 1997, Tasmania's 50 hydro storage lakes and dams dropped to a 40-year low of just 17 per cent in May this year. Despite record rainfall in some catchment areas last month, they are still only 27 per cent of their 17,100-gigalitre capacity. On Monday, June 18, Tasmanians used a record amount of electricity. The new generation peak during a chilling winter night saw 2420MW of electricity used. Hydro's total generating capacity is 2568MW.
In the past 12 months the company has spent more than $100 million on importing power from the mainland via Basslink and running the gas-powered Bell Bay power station, now owned by Alinta. The cost of electricity for domestic and commercial consumers is set to rise by around 15 per cent with Tasmanian energy regulator Andrew Reeves announcing his final determination next month.
Rainfall holds the key to Hydro Tasmania's fortunes and spokeswoman Helen Brain says predictions are for little change up to 2040. "Hydro Tasmania has been working with the CSIRO in modelling likely trends in Tasmania's climate due to global warming. The long-term prediction for rainfall is that it is likely to be less than in the past," she says. Hydro Tasmania's longterm intention is to operate Great Lake between 30 and 60 per cent of capacity. "The highest we have seen it (Great Lake) was in 1997 when it was 78 per cent full." In May this year it was at 12 per cent of capacity and it currently stands at around 20 per cent.
Work to improve inflow to storages, cloud seeding and alternative sources of electricity are all on the agenda for Hydro Tasmania. A $2 million upgrade of the Liawenee canal, which carries water from Lake Augusta to Great Lake, was completed earlier this year. It allows for higher flood flows and more water entering the struggling Great Lake.
"The value of stored water varies enormously depending on the season and on the catchment and how widespread the rainfall is," Ms Brain said. "As an indication, 10mm extra (rainfall) over the entire West Coast or Great Lake catchments is worth about $3 million. Over Lake Gordon it would be worth about half that amount. "The rainfall is worth more in winter over the big catchments as everything is already wet and that water runs off into the storages.
"It's worth almost nothing in summer if the catchment is dry, as it would be soaked into the soil with no runoff resulting in the catchment." The Hydro's annual cloud seeding programme has been expanded this year to help non-hydro storage regions as well. Already more than 20 flights have been made. "Cloud seeding is used to enhance inflows to a number of Hydro Tasmania's catchments," Ms Brain said. "The choice of catchment depends on the presence of favourable seeding conditions and generation demand. "Results from joint HEC-CSIRO trials conducted in the 1980s indicate that there is about a 4-5 per cent increase in annual rainfall. "Incremental run-off from seeded events varies considerably, depending on antecedent catchment conditions," she says.
But cloud seeding is not all silver lining, with the West Coast Council regularly complaining of its effect on tourism and other activities. A study is being conducted to ascertain any adverse effects. The use of the $1.2 billion Basslink cable to import power, the gas-fired Bell Bay power station and wind energy are all regularly contributing to the Tasmanian electricity grid.
In its first year of operation, Basslink was used to buy 1470MW of power from the mainland at a cost of $56 million although it was used to export less electricity to a similar value. In that period Hydro Tasmania also spent an extra $20 million on gas for Bell Bay to reduce the pressure on hydro storages. Wind power from associated company Roaring 40s contributed a handy 48MW during the cold snap in June.
August was a bright spot for hydro generation with rain boosting storages by 7.5 per cent to 27.1 per cent, but this was 4.5 per cent lower than at the same time last year. The rise was mostly a result of the heavy rains between August 8 and 11 that caused widespread flooding. The Pieman, Forth and Derwent rivers all experienced peak flows during the period that exceeded previously recorded maximum flows. It is a phenomenon that we may see repeated in the future.
An HEC-CSIRO-UTAS climate change report says that over the next 30 years expectations are that the North-East area of the State will trend towards lower rainfall (by 8 per cent) with higher maximum and minimum temperatures and higher evaporation. The remainder of the State will trend to higher rainfall (7 to 11 per cent) with higher minimum temperatures and, on the West Coast and highlands, a decrease in evaporation. The bottom line is that Tasmanians will have to get used to buying electricity from the mainland and gasfired power station operators like Alinta.
Smart buildings save cool $38bn
Australian Financial
Monday 17/9/2007
The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Property Council of Australia have welcomed a landmark study that reveals that the country's built environment has the potential to make a substantial difference to greenhouse gas emissions. The report, 'Capitalising on the building sector's potential to lessen the costs of a broad based GHG emissions cut', was commissioned by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, prepared by the Centre for International Economics, and endorsed by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, among others. The study reveals that energy efficiencies in key parts of the built environment can its reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent to 35 per cent. The report says this could bring down the cost of recommended reductions in emissions by about $38 billion.
Monday 17/9/2007
The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Property Council of Australia have welcomed a landmark study that reveals that the country's built environment has the potential to make a substantial difference to greenhouse gas emissions. The report, 'Capitalising on the building sector's potential to lessen the costs of a broad based GHG emissions cut', was commissioned by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, prepared by the Centre for International Economics, and endorsed by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, among others. The study reveals that energy efficiencies in key parts of the built environment can its reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent to 35 per cent. The report says this could bring down the cost of recommended reductions in emissions by about $38 billion.
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