Australian
Tuesday 15/4/2008 Page: 9
JAPAN is celebrating a groundbreaking science experiment in the Arctic permafrost that could eventually reshape the country's fragile economy and Tokyo's relationships with the outside world. For an unprecedented six straight days, a state-backed drilling company has managed to extract industrial quantities of natural gas from underground sources of methane hydrate a form of gas-rich ice once thought to exist only on the moons of Saturn.
In fact, the seabeds around the Japanese coast turn out to conceal massive deposits of the elusive sorbet-like compound in their depths, and a country that has long assumed it had virtually no fossil fuels could be sitting on energy reserves containing 100 years of fuel. Critically for Japan, which imports 99.7 per cent of the oil, gas and coal needed to run its vast economy, the lumps of energy filled ice offer the tantalising promise of a little energy independence.
Environmentalists, though, are horrified by the idea of releasing huge quantities of methane from under the seabeds. Although methane is a cleaner burning fossil fuel than coal or oil, the as yet untapped methane hydrates represent "captured" greenhouse gases that some believe should remain locked under the sea. The mining of methane ice could also wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Japan is growing ever-more desperate to secure its energy, as once-reliable suppliers such as Indonesia and Australia have begun either to cut back exports of natural gas and coal or charge crippling prices.
Its direct interests in vital global energy projects, such as oil drilling in Sakhalin and Iran, have also been whittled away by pofitics and diplomatic rivalries. The potential of methane hydrates as a source of natural gas has been known scientifically for some time, though how much is lurking off the Japanese coast has been confirmed only in the past couple of years. Methane hydrates are believed to collect along geological fault lines, and Japan sits atop a nexus of three of the world's largest.
Last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry declared that there were more than 1.1 trillion cubic metres of <methane hydrates off the eastern coast equivalent to 14 years of natural gas use by Japan at current rates. Academic studies suggest total Japanese deposits of 7.4 trillion cubic metres. Realising how valuable the technology of unlocking the methane hydrates could be, Japan has invested frenziedly in the science of exploiting them. The Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) has been experimenting for more than a year with the methane hydrate reserves under the tundra of northwestern Canada.
Its six-day continuous extraction of methane from a deposit more than a kilometre below the earth's surface has been hailed as the breakthrough Japan had been waiting for. Undersea experiments in Japanese waters are to begin early next year. Commercial production would begin within the decade, a Jogmec spokesman said.
The Japanese Government is so excited at the prospect of even modest relief from its energy problems that it has drawn up a basic policy for ocean-related extractions. It may also licence the technology to allow China, South Korea and other nations thought to have large methane ice deposits off their coasts to unleash the potential of the flammable sorbet.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Experts look to the future
Ballarat Courier
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 1
Ballarat needs to work hard to combat a changing climate which will bring lower rainfall and higher temperatures to the region. New water sources trust be found, forests maintained and all residents need to do their bit. That's the view of a panel of experts who addressed more than 500 participants at Saturday's Ballarat Regional Forum on Climate Change. The forum, hosted by Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions, addressed strategies to combat the effects of climate change on land, water and the atmosphere.
BREAZE president Nick Lanyon said the forum aimed to improve knowledge, provide a platform for questions and establish and promote positive ideas for change. Mr Lanyon said the future depended on the choices made by individuals, families, businesses and government. Ballarat MHR Catherine King opened the forum, commenting on the severe water shortages and the opportunity for Ballarat to be at the forefront of developing new strategies and products to help reduce emissions.
The impact of climate change will have the economic disturbance of the two world wars and the depression combined," she said. We have to combat climate change here, so we can be a voice for this global challenge." Four nationally renowned speakers discussed the different facets of climate change and provided positive strategies for moving forward. Mr Lanyon said BREAZE was exuberant over the response from the community and the questions asked after each speech and in the panel discussion at the end.
"There is such a critical growing interest and awareness about broader sustainability issues," he said. We were thrilled with the level of intelligence. "There were no negative questions, all were positively framed and forward looking." My Lanyon also said he was aware that there would be a carbon cost to holding the forum.
When we had this idea we knew there were going to be hundreds of people arrive, not necessarily on bicycles, and we would be creating emissions as a result of trying to reduce them," he said. We calculated the overall footprint of the event was 1.7 tonnes of CO2 just from people arriving. To offset this we raffled a solar hot water system and the emissions savings from the system will well and truly offset the emissions created by people travelling to the event."
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 1
Ballarat needs to work hard to combat a changing climate which will bring lower rainfall and higher temperatures to the region. New water sources trust be found, forests maintained and all residents need to do their bit. That's the view of a panel of experts who addressed more than 500 participants at Saturday's Ballarat Regional Forum on Climate Change. The forum, hosted by Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions, addressed strategies to combat the effects of climate change on land, water and the atmosphere.BREAZE president Nick Lanyon said the forum aimed to improve knowledge, provide a platform for questions and establish and promote positive ideas for change. Mr Lanyon said the future depended on the choices made by individuals, families, businesses and government. Ballarat MHR Catherine King opened the forum, commenting on the severe water shortages and the opportunity for Ballarat to be at the forefront of developing new strategies and products to help reduce emissions.
The impact of climate change will have the economic disturbance of the two world wars and the depression combined," she said. We have to combat climate change here, so we can be a voice for this global challenge." Four nationally renowned speakers discussed the different facets of climate change and provided positive strategies for moving forward. Mr Lanyon said BREAZE was exuberant over the response from the community and the questions asked after each speech and in the panel discussion at the end.
"There is such a critical growing interest and awareness about broader sustainability issues," he said. We were thrilled with the level of intelligence. "There were no negative questions, all were positively framed and forward looking." My Lanyon also said he was aware that there would be a carbon cost to holding the forum.
When we had this idea we knew there were going to be hundreds of people arrive, not necessarily on bicycles, and we would be creating emissions as a result of trying to reduce them," he said. We calculated the overall footprint of the event was 1.7 tonnes of CO2 just from people arriving. To offset this we raffled a solar hot water system and the emissions savings from the system will well and truly offset the emissions created by people travelling to the event."
Steep rise in power station 40 40 gas emissions
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 3
THE state's greenhouse gas emissions from power stations have leapt sharply in the past three months, putting the lemma Government under further pressure to improve its environmental performance. The rising emission figures come as a report found the majority of Australians want to cut greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy, cutting their use of electricity through energy efficiency and spending more on public transport. NSW power stations and vehicles pumped out more than 24 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in the first quarter of this year, 8 per cent higher than during the same period last year, says a report produced by the Climate Group.
Coal-fired power stations, which the Government is moving to privatise, are the biggest greenhouse polluters in the energy sector, accounting for 61 per cent of emissions from energy generation.. "It's pretty clear that we can't have any more coal-fired power stations, and in fact we need to be closing down the ones we have," said Rupert Posner, the Australian director of the Climate Group. "The message from these figures is that emissions are still going up, when they really need to be going down." The emissions rise was partly due to a warm summer in the Snowy Mountains leading to less melting snow and less hydro power, Mr Posner said. NSW also generated more power locally because less was available from Victoria.
Vehicle emissions stayed roughly the same as in the first quarter of last year, at about 9.5 million tonnes, despite increases in petrol prices. The Climate Institute Australia will today release a poll showing 74 per cent believe that any new electricity generation should come from clean energy and want Australia to become a world leader in renewable energy. Eighty-nine per cent want the Government to subsidise solar panels for 1 million homes to help generate solar power, the Climate of the Nation report says.
The figures will provide a boost to the Clean Energy Conference, which opens today in Sydney, but it flags problems for the coal industry. The report found more than 60 per cent want to cut subsidies that encourage fossil fuel industries such as coal, gas and oil, while 45 per cent want to reduce the size of the coal industry. The figures, based on research from Auspoll, will be viewed with some alarm by some in the coal industry, which is ramping up its lobbying campaign to win government investment in clean coal technology.
While the report finds 50 per cent support investing in clean coal, it is unclear whether they will support government putting up the money. Overall, concern about climate change remains high, with nine out of 10 saying they are "concerned" about the issue and almost half saying they are "very" concerned or "extremely" concerned. "In the aftermath of the world's first `climate change' election, public concern and hunger for action remains high," said the head of the Climate Institute Australia, John Connor. Despite the ratification of Kyoto by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, eight out of 10 say more needs to be done.
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 3
THE state's greenhouse gas emissions from power stations have leapt sharply in the past three months, putting the lemma Government under further pressure to improve its environmental performance. The rising emission figures come as a report found the majority of Australians want to cut greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy, cutting their use of electricity through energy efficiency and spending more on public transport. NSW power stations and vehicles pumped out more than 24 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in the first quarter of this year, 8 per cent higher than during the same period last year, says a report produced by the Climate Group.
Coal-fired power stations, which the Government is moving to privatise, are the biggest greenhouse polluters in the energy sector, accounting for 61 per cent of emissions from energy generation.. "It's pretty clear that we can't have any more coal-fired power stations, and in fact we need to be closing down the ones we have," said Rupert Posner, the Australian director of the Climate Group. "The message from these figures is that emissions are still going up, when they really need to be going down." The emissions rise was partly due to a warm summer in the Snowy Mountains leading to less melting snow and less hydro power, Mr Posner said. NSW also generated more power locally because less was available from Victoria.
Vehicle emissions stayed roughly the same as in the first quarter of last year, at about 9.5 million tonnes, despite increases in petrol prices. The Climate Institute Australia will today release a poll showing 74 per cent believe that any new electricity generation should come from clean energy and want Australia to become a world leader in renewable energy. Eighty-nine per cent want the Government to subsidise solar panels for 1 million homes to help generate solar power, the Climate of the Nation report says.
The figures will provide a boost to the Clean Energy Conference, which opens today in Sydney, but it flags problems for the coal industry. The report found more than 60 per cent want to cut subsidies that encourage fossil fuel industries such as coal, gas and oil, while 45 per cent want to reduce the size of the coal industry. The figures, based on research from Auspoll, will be viewed with some alarm by some in the coal industry, which is ramping up its lobbying campaign to win government investment in clean coal technology.
While the report finds 50 per cent support investing in clean coal, it is unclear whether they will support government putting up the money. Overall, concern about climate change remains high, with nine out of 10 saying they are "concerned" about the issue and almost half saying they are "very" concerned or "extremely" concerned. "In the aftermath of the world's first `climate change' election, public concern and hunger for action remains high," said the head of the Climate Institute Australia, John Connor. Despite the ratification of Kyoto by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, eight out of 10 say more needs to be done.
Co-generation helps clear up the camphors
Daily News
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 6
A TRIAL to harvest and chip 500 tonnes of the notorious weed camphor laurel for use as fuel at Condong and Broadwater (south of Ballina) sugar mill co-generation electricity plants has been a success. NSW Sugar CEO Greg Messiter praised the experiment for the renewable energy (electricity) it produces, while helping rid the area of the weed at the same time. "Camphor laurel is all over the Tweed valley, we can use it as a fuel because it has been accredited by the Australian Greenhouse Office as a renewable fuel," Mr Messiter said.
The NSW North Coast has been described as having the largest and worst invasion of camphor laurel in Australia. "The results were very pleasing because of the speed and ease in the way the material was chipped," Mr Messiter said. The chipped material has been stored adjacent the Condong mill at a fuel stockpile on the western side of Tweed Valley Way at Condong. More than 80 landholders and 20 contractors have expressed interest in providing camphor laurel to the Condong plant, which will generate 30 megawatts of renewable energy.
A demand for 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of camphor laurel has been identified to supplement fuel from sugarcane fibre, a sugar-production by-product, during the first year of operation at the co-generation plant. State Forests estimates that within 50 kilometres of both the Condong and Broadwater mills, there is several million tonnes of camphor laurel. "We probably won't be able to use it all up, it's spreading too rapidly, but it's a way of cleaning it up a bit and getting renewable energy at the same time," Mr Messiter said.
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 6
A TRIAL to harvest and chip 500 tonnes of the notorious weed camphor laurel for use as fuel at Condong and Broadwater (south of Ballina) sugar mill co-generation electricity plants has been a success. NSW Sugar CEO Greg Messiter praised the experiment for the renewable energy (electricity) it produces, while helping rid the area of the weed at the same time. "Camphor laurel is all over the Tweed valley, we can use it as a fuel because it has been accredited by the Australian Greenhouse Office as a renewable fuel," Mr Messiter said.
The NSW North Coast has been described as having the largest and worst invasion of camphor laurel in Australia. "The results were very pleasing because of the speed and ease in the way the material was chipped," Mr Messiter said. The chipped material has been stored adjacent the Condong mill at a fuel stockpile on the western side of Tweed Valley Way at Condong. More than 80 landholders and 20 contractors have expressed interest in providing camphor laurel to the Condong plant, which will generate 30 megawatts of renewable energy.
A demand for 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of camphor laurel has been identified to supplement fuel from sugarcane fibre, a sugar-production by-product, during the first year of operation at the co-generation plant. State Forests estimates that within 50 kilometres of both the Condong and Broadwater mills, there is several million tonnes of camphor laurel. "We probably won't be able to use it all up, it's spreading too rapidly, but it's a way of cleaning it up a bit and getting renewable energy at the same time," Mr Messiter said.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Solar bonus plan payments face cut
Sunday Mail Brisbane
Sunday 13/4/2008 Page: 17
THE State Government has been accused of undermining one of its own major initiatives to combat climate change. Environmentalists warn that a scheme designed to encourage Queenslanders to install solar panels to boost the amount of renewable energy flowing into the electricity grid is set to flop. Changes to the scheme mean it will be difficult, if not impossible, for most families to generate enough surplus power to qualify for the payments promised. In fact, people who install solar power will effectively be penalised financially, says Queensland Conservation coordinator Toby Hutcheon.
The Queensland Consumers Association, Property Council of Queensland and the country's biggest producer of solar panels, BP Solar, have also expressed concerns. When the Solar Bonus Scheme was announced last month, Premier Anna Bligh said households and businesses would be paid 44¢ for every kilowatt hour generated by solar panels and fed into the state grid. Electricity used would be charged at the normal 15¢ per kilowatt hour.
In the first week, more than 5000 people rushed to sign up for the scheme, which is due to start on July 1. But it has since been revealed that, unlike the current "gross tariff" scheme where people are paid for all the energy provided by their solar panels to the grid, the new "net tariff' model will deduct household usage first, so that people will only be paid the 44¢ rate for any extra power generated above their own consumption. "So in effect, they will be charged 44¢ for the electricity they consume, instead of the 15¢ everyone else pays," Mr Hutcheon said.
Modelling done for Queensland Conservation by sustainable energy experts at the Queensland University of Technology shows that using the 1kW solar systems that the Government is bulk-buying as part of the scheme, few households across the state will be able to generate more power from their solar panels than they consume. "What the graph shows is that even 400 of the most energy-efficient customers would use more than a 1kW system will generate, so it's very unlikely anyone will get the 44¢ tariff," Mr Hutcheon said.
Ian Jarrett from the Queensland Consumers Association said he had written to Energy Minister Geoff Wilson seeking further explanation about the scheme. "If some of the main features are not in the best interests of consumers, then the Government should be prepared to change it," he said.
Steve Greenwood, executive director of the Property Council, said the commercial sector was disappointed with the scheme's new direction. Sustainability and Climate Change Minister Andrew McNamara admitted some people would use more power than their solar panels generated but said: "It depends a lot on what other things they do. "I hope people do more than just put a solar panel on their roof and not do anything to save energy." Mr McNamara said he had reduced his own electricity power bill to $80 a quarter.
Sunday 13/4/2008 Page: 17
THE State Government has been accused of undermining one of its own major initiatives to combat climate change. Environmentalists warn that a scheme designed to encourage Queenslanders to install solar panels to boost the amount of renewable energy flowing into the electricity grid is set to flop. Changes to the scheme mean it will be difficult, if not impossible, for most families to generate enough surplus power to qualify for the payments promised. In fact, people who install solar power will effectively be penalised financially, says Queensland Conservation coordinator Toby Hutcheon.The Queensland Consumers Association, Property Council of Queensland and the country's biggest producer of solar panels, BP Solar, have also expressed concerns. When the Solar Bonus Scheme was announced last month, Premier Anna Bligh said households and businesses would be paid 44¢ for every kilowatt hour generated by solar panels and fed into the state grid. Electricity used would be charged at the normal 15¢ per kilowatt hour.
In the first week, more than 5000 people rushed to sign up for the scheme, which is due to start on July 1. But it has since been revealed that, unlike the current "gross tariff" scheme where people are paid for all the energy provided by their solar panels to the grid, the new "net tariff' model will deduct household usage first, so that people will only be paid the 44¢ rate for any extra power generated above their own consumption. "So in effect, they will be charged 44¢ for the electricity they consume, instead of the 15¢ everyone else pays," Mr Hutcheon said.
Modelling done for Queensland Conservation by sustainable energy experts at the Queensland University of Technology shows that using the 1kW solar systems that the Government is bulk-buying as part of the scheme, few households across the state will be able to generate more power from their solar panels than they consume. "What the graph shows is that even 400 of the most energy-efficient customers would use more than a 1kW system will generate, so it's very unlikely anyone will get the 44¢ tariff," Mr Hutcheon said.
Ian Jarrett from the Queensland Consumers Association said he had written to Energy Minister Geoff Wilson seeking further explanation about the scheme. "If some of the main features are not in the best interests of consumers, then the Government should be prepared to change it," he said.
Steve Greenwood, executive director of the Property Council, said the commercial sector was disappointed with the scheme's new direction. Sustainability and Climate Change Minister Andrew McNamara admitted some people would use more power than their solar panels generated but said: "It depends a lot on what other things they do. "I hope people do more than just put a solar panel on their roof and not do anything to save energy." Mr McNamara said he had reduced his own electricity power bill to $80 a quarter.
Solar Schools
Age
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 3
THE USE of solar power is set to have a major impact in maximising energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact within Australian schools during the next few years. Thanks to the Australian government's $489 million National Solar Schools Program, every school in Australia is now eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for the installation of two-kilowatt solar panels, expected to provide an average annual greenhouse gas saving of up to 2.8 tonnes.
The initiative also allows for schools to apply for funding to install a range of other complementary energy efficient measures such as solar power systems, lighting upgrades, skylights, shade awnings, solar hotwater systems and rainwater tanks. The new program (expected to be in place by July i this year) represents an additional Australian Government investment of $153 million, which will allow schools to choose the most effective way to meet their energy and water efficiency targets.
With only 0.05% of Australia's energy needs currently being met via the use of solar energy, the program is aimed at transforming all of Australia's 9612 private and public schools into "Solar Schools" within eight years. Crucially, the package will also build on solar school initiatives already under way in states including NSW (where 121 schools have already installed solar technology), Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
Meantime, the Green Vouchers for Schools initiative will remain open for claims until the Solar Schools program commences. Schools can choose to claim for eligible Green Voucher items, either purchased or contracted before July I, 2008, with amounts claimed under the system to be deducted from a schools entitlement under the new solar program.
Monday 14/4/2008 Page: 3
THE USE of solar power is set to have a major impact in maximising energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact within Australian schools during the next few years. Thanks to the Australian government's $489 million National Solar Schools Program, every school in Australia is now eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for the installation of two-kilowatt solar panels, expected to provide an average annual greenhouse gas saving of up to 2.8 tonnes.
The initiative also allows for schools to apply for funding to install a range of other complementary energy efficient measures such as solar power systems, lighting upgrades, skylights, shade awnings, solar hotwater systems and rainwater tanks. The new program (expected to be in place by July i this year) represents an additional Australian Government investment of $153 million, which will allow schools to choose the most effective way to meet their energy and water efficiency targets.
With only 0.05% of Australia's energy needs currently being met via the use of solar energy, the program is aimed at transforming all of Australia's 9612 private and public schools into "Solar Schools" within eight years. Crucially, the package will also build on solar school initiatives already under way in states including NSW (where 121 schools have already installed solar technology), Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
Meantime, the Green Vouchers for Schools initiative will remain open for claims until the Solar Schools program commences. Schools can choose to claim for eligible Green Voucher items, either purchased or contracted before July I, 2008, with amounts claimed under the system to be deducted from a schools entitlement under the new solar program.
New Wind Farm information day
Burra Broadcaster
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 1
Last Wednesday representatives of AGL and Wind Prospects held a public exhibition at the Hallett Town Hall. The information day formed part of an on going consultation process with local Hallett residence and land holders within the Mount Bryan area. AGL's Major Projects Manager, Nigel Bean said the information day formed part of an extensive consultation process with local residents of Hallett and residents within a three kilometre radius of the proposed site.
In South Australia, AGL manages the Wattle Point Wind Farm and is currently constructing wind farms at Brown Hill near Jamestown and Hallett Hill adjacent to the Mount Bryan township. These wind farms together with Mount Bryan will all contribute to the Federal Government's target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020. At this stage, between 30 and 40 turbines are proposed for the Mount Bryan project.
The wind farm development would consist of the wind generators themselves along with an underground electrical cable network within the wind farm area itself and down the hills. A Community Trust Fund will also be established using earnings from the wind farm, for access by local community groups to support local projects. Other benefits to the regional community include a potential injection of work for regional businesses during the construction and operation of the wind farm. Construction manager Mr Timothy Knill whose company Wind Prospect Pty. Ltd. is acting as planning consultants for the project said he expected that submissions covering all aspects of the project should be with the Regional Council of Goyder by June this year.
There are still a number of site assessments to be conducted for all areas proposed which will contain electrical infrastructure including stobbie poles to carry the power to transformer and substations. They will include an ecological study, particularly in relation to native vegetation and communities that may be living along the proposed line route. Some land owners have expressed concern that the proposed route to the substation via powerlines will change the look of the landscape forever and would prefer them under ground.
They have also expressed concern that the powerlines may have on current farming practices including movement of stock damage to the current road infrastructure and crop dusting. Others residents expressed concerns about the effect on television and radio reception. One concerned landowner who did not wish to be named at this stage said,"I am only a little person up against a very big corporation. My family has planted hundreds of trees along parts of the proposed powerline route over many years and we now fear not only for them but for the beauty of the natural landscape for future generations." Timothy Knill said all residents and landowners concerns will be part of the consultative process before final submission to Council in June.
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 1
Last Wednesday representatives of AGL and Wind Prospects held a public exhibition at the Hallett Town Hall. The information day formed part of an on going consultation process with local Hallett residence and land holders within the Mount Bryan area. AGL's Major Projects Manager, Nigel Bean said the information day formed part of an extensive consultation process with local residents of Hallett and residents within a three kilometre radius of the proposed site.
In South Australia, AGL manages the Wattle Point Wind Farm and is currently constructing wind farms at Brown Hill near Jamestown and Hallett Hill adjacent to the Mount Bryan township. These wind farms together with Mount Bryan will all contribute to the Federal Government's target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020. At this stage, between 30 and 40 turbines are proposed for the Mount Bryan project.
The wind farm development would consist of the wind generators themselves along with an underground electrical cable network within the wind farm area itself and down the hills. A Community Trust Fund will also be established using earnings from the wind farm, for access by local community groups to support local projects. Other benefits to the regional community include a potential injection of work for regional businesses during the construction and operation of the wind farm. Construction manager Mr Timothy Knill whose company Wind Prospect Pty. Ltd. is acting as planning consultants for the project said he expected that submissions covering all aspects of the project should be with the Regional Council of Goyder by June this year.
There are still a number of site assessments to be conducted for all areas proposed which will contain electrical infrastructure including stobbie poles to carry the power to transformer and substations. They will include an ecological study, particularly in relation to native vegetation and communities that may be living along the proposed line route. Some land owners have expressed concern that the proposed route to the substation via powerlines will change the look of the landscape forever and would prefer them under ground.
They have also expressed concern that the powerlines may have on current farming practices including movement of stock damage to the current road infrastructure and crop dusting. Others residents expressed concerns about the effect on television and radio reception. One concerned landowner who did not wish to be named at this stage said,"I am only a little person up against a very big corporation. My family has planted hundreds of trees along parts of the proposed powerline route over many years and we now fear not only for them but for the beauty of the natural landscape for future generations." Timothy Knill said all residents and landowners concerns will be part of the consultative process before final submission to Council in June.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Renewable energy now more affordable
The Rural
Friday 11/4/2008 Page: 13
PEOPLE living away from the power grid will be able to get reliable solar power for half price thanks to a recent federal government initiative. Farms and households unable to connect to mains power are now eligible for a 50 per cent rebate on the setup cost of renewable energy systems up to $200,000. The move comes under a federal government scheme aimed at increasing the use of renewable generation in remote parts of Australia that presently rely on fossil fuel for electricity supply. Alex Manley from Solarco in Wagga said the rebate would help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
"With oil prices now at a record high of over $80 for a barrel more and more off grid power users which rely on diesel generators will consider going solar - due to this generous rebate," Mr Manley said. The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) gives remote communities and industries access to clean, alternative energy sources like solar, wind and biomass. Applicants must prove that either the cost of connecting to the mains electricity grid exceeds $30.000, and/or that they reside more than one kilometre from the grid. Equipment used in installations must be brand new and must satisfy a minimum 450W peak output to obtain the rebate.
The RRPGP rebate is available for both new renewable generation systems and additions of new equipment to existing systems. Landowners already connected to mains grid power can apply for rebates on renewable energy systems under the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP) which provides up to $8000 on a new system and $5000 for additions to existing systems. Mr Manley said: "With such generous rebates the affordability and long-term financial benefits of our wide range of stand alone solar power systems is obvious. Our systems use specially designed coenergy components with some warranties lasting as long as 25 years."
Friday 11/4/2008 Page: 13
PEOPLE living away from the power grid will be able to get reliable solar power for half price thanks to a recent federal government initiative. Farms and households unable to connect to mains power are now eligible for a 50 per cent rebate on the setup cost of renewable energy systems up to $200,000. The move comes under a federal government scheme aimed at increasing the use of renewable generation in remote parts of Australia that presently rely on fossil fuel for electricity supply. Alex Manley from Solarco in Wagga said the rebate would help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels."With oil prices now at a record high of over $80 for a barrel more and more off grid power users which rely on diesel generators will consider going solar - due to this generous rebate," Mr Manley said. The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) gives remote communities and industries access to clean, alternative energy sources like solar, wind and biomass. Applicants must prove that either the cost of connecting to the mains electricity grid exceeds $30.000, and/or that they reside more than one kilometre from the grid. Equipment used in installations must be brand new and must satisfy a minimum 450W peak output to obtain the rebate.
The RRPGP rebate is available for both new renewable generation systems and additions of new equipment to existing systems. Landowners already connected to mains grid power can apply for rebates on renewable energy systems under the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP) which provides up to $8000 on a new system and $5000 for additions to existing systems. Mr Manley said: "With such generous rebates the affordability and long-term financial benefits of our wide range of stand alone solar power systems is obvious. Our systems use specially designed coenergy components with some warranties lasting as long as 25 years."
They're both hot sun and rocks
Monitor Roxby Downs
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 5
The potential to combine geothermal energy with that of the sun to create "hybrid" energy solutions is being examined by one of Australia's foremost geothermal developers, Petratherm Limited. 'the ASX-listed Petratherm says combining geothermal and solar energy into a hybrid is a natural evolvement for Australia's renewable energy hungry economy and is ideally suited to the public expectations for climate-driven greener energy.
Petratherm owns the advanced Paralana geothermal project in South Australia's northern Flinders Ranges which is expected to provide Australia's first commercial hot rocks electricity supply when it enters production early in 2010. "We are examining how geothermal and solar energy technologies can be united to form a hybrid solution;' Petratherm's Managing Director, Mr Perry Kallis, said. Mr Kallis said few other countries were blessed with Australia's solar footprint nor the natural abundance of its hot radiogenic granites.
Mr Kallis who is also the Deputy Chairman of the new Australian geothermal Energy Association said the company is examining the potential of combining solar with geothermal to 'top up' the heat from the underground reservoir. "'this could reduce the capital costs of drilling and improve the overall efficiency of energy production. "It is still early days but there could be significant infrastructure savings in particular by providing large-scale, base load power for remote or offgrid applications - notably in the booming mining sector, he said.
Mr Kallis said independent energy analysts, including the Electricity Supply Industry Association of Australia (ESAA), were tipping geothermal energy to supply 8% of Australia's total energy consumption as early as 2030 - equivalent to around 4,000 megawatts per annum. He said the geothermal sector was, however, stepping rapidly up to the challenge, with more than 33 hot rock explorers now active in Australia and around 277 geothermal exploration licences granted - most of them in South Australia.
The critical project issues facing all players, however, were a sufficient revenue stream that would be influenced in future by the price of carbon and competition amongst various power technologies in the national electricity market. Others include the significant capital cost of drilling, plant and grid connections and identifying and developing a thermal resource which offered sustained performance in temperature differential, volumes and achieved commercial rates of flow.
Petratherm is progressing its flagship JV Paralana Project and is planning to drill its first deep well in the second half of 2008. the project is being developed in conjunction with leading Australian energy group, the listed Beach Petroleum Limited. Petratherm and Beach have already completed the major seismic study to determine where best to locate the 4 kilometre deep heat exchanger well. Initial commercialisation of Paralana will involve the deployment of a 7.5 MW power station and expanding to 30 MW over time, to supply the nearby Beverley Uranium Mine.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 5
The potential to combine geothermal energy with that of the sun to create "hybrid" energy solutions is being examined by one of Australia's foremost geothermal developers, Petratherm Limited. 'the ASX-listed Petratherm says combining geothermal and solar energy into a hybrid is a natural evolvement for Australia's renewable energy hungry economy and is ideally suited to the public expectations for climate-driven greener energy.
Petratherm owns the advanced Paralana geothermal project in South Australia's northern Flinders Ranges which is expected to provide Australia's first commercial hot rocks electricity supply when it enters production early in 2010. "We are examining how geothermal and solar energy technologies can be united to form a hybrid solution;' Petratherm's Managing Director, Mr Perry Kallis, said. Mr Kallis said few other countries were blessed with Australia's solar footprint nor the natural abundance of its hot radiogenic granites.
Mr Kallis who is also the Deputy Chairman of the new Australian geothermal Energy Association said the company is examining the potential of combining solar with geothermal to 'top up' the heat from the underground reservoir. "'this could reduce the capital costs of drilling and improve the overall efficiency of energy production. "It is still early days but there could be significant infrastructure savings in particular by providing large-scale, base load power for remote or offgrid applications - notably in the booming mining sector, he said.
Mr Kallis said independent energy analysts, including the Electricity Supply Industry Association of Australia (ESAA), were tipping geothermal energy to supply 8% of Australia's total energy consumption as early as 2030 - equivalent to around 4,000 megawatts per annum. He said the geothermal sector was, however, stepping rapidly up to the challenge, with more than 33 hot rock explorers now active in Australia and around 277 geothermal exploration licences granted - most of them in South Australia.
The critical project issues facing all players, however, were a sufficient revenue stream that would be influenced in future by the price of carbon and competition amongst various power technologies in the national electricity market. Others include the significant capital cost of drilling, plant and grid connections and identifying and developing a thermal resource which offered sustained performance in temperature differential, volumes and achieved commercial rates of flow.
Petratherm is progressing its flagship JV Paralana Project and is planning to drill its first deep well in the second half of 2008. the project is being developed in conjunction with leading Australian energy group, the listed Beach Petroleum Limited. Petratherm and Beach have already completed the major seismic study to determine where best to locate the 4 kilometre deep heat exchanger well. Initial commercialisation of Paralana will involve the deployment of a 7.5 MW power station and expanding to 30 MW over time, to supply the nearby Beverley Uranium Mine.
Wave energy
West Australian
Saturday 12/4/2008 Page: 78
WA wave energy technology developer Carnegie Corporation has finalised its licence agreement with AIM-listed Renewable Energy Holdings for the use of the London-based company's CETO technology. Carnegie said it had secured ownership of all CETO wave farms in the southern hemisphere in return for funding the technology to a maximum of $10.3 million and the payment of a licence fee and royalty.
Saturday 12/4/2008 Page: 78
WA wave energy technology developer Carnegie Corporation has finalised its licence agreement with AIM-listed Renewable Energy Holdings for the use of the London-based company's CETO technology. Carnegie said it had secured ownership of all CETO wave farms in the southern hemisphere in return for funding the technology to a maximum of $10.3 million and the payment of a licence fee and royalty.
Winds of change
Adelaide Advertiser
Saturday 12/4/2008 Page: 18
THE amount of wind power generated in South Australia is expected to more than double by the end of next year. More than $1.1 billion worth of investment has been committed to projects either under construction or slated to start this year. Four projects are expected to be completed, or ramp up to full electricity production, during this year. Once all projects were complete, South Australia's wind power generation capacity would increase from 387 megawatts to more than 850mW.
This follows a year in which Australia lagged the world in the installation of new wind generation capacity, with just 7mW of new generating capacity installed in 2007, the Global Wind Energy Council said in its annual report, released this month. This increase, of less than 1 per cent, lagged the 27 per cent increase in installed capacity worldwide. It follows six years of growth from just 32mW of wind power in Australia in 2000, to 824mW in 2007. The largest of the new South Australian projects, the 159mW Lake Bonney Stage Two project, owned by Babcock and Brown Wind Partners, is already generating power.
It was expected to be finished in the middle of the year. That project involves 53, 80m high turbines generating a maximum of 3mW each. The first turbine at TrustPower's 88mW wind farm at Snowtown was installed in December and all 47 turbines are expected to be up and running by September. Transfield Services's Mount Millar Wind Farm, which has been operating since February, 2006, will also reach its full capacity in the second half of this year.
Pacific Hydro has started building its 27 turbine Clement's Gap project close to Port Pirie, which is also expected to be operational next year. AGL is planning to build a 34 turbine, 71mW project at Hallett Hill, 170km north of Adelaide, which will be operational late next year. Hallett Hill 1, also known as Brown Hill, is nearing completion, and will contribute 95mW. The slowdown in investment last year was due to the Federal Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme reaching capacity.
Under the scheme, electricity generators were committed to buying 9500 gigawatt hours of power (about 2 per cent of national demand in 2001) from renewable sources per year by 2010. As the scheme filled up, the viability of some new projects, such as a 39 turbine project 30km southeast of Clare, was called into question. Tasmanian company Roaring 40s put that $180 million project, the Waterloo Wind Farm, on hold in 2006. Clean Energy Council general manager, policy, Rob Jackson, said the policies of the previous Federal Government caused the slowdown in investment.
"As early as 2004, MRET was considered to be basically full and not a lot of new generation was needed," Mr Jackson said. "Schemes to spur investment in Victoria and New South Wales had been announced, but only Victoria had a legislated target, which had led to a lot of localised new investment and activity in 2007. "And while South Australia had a 20 per cent renewable energy target, there was no specific policy in place to deliver that. "Last year on the back of that, with the uncertainty leading up to the federal election investment slowed down quite quickly.
Mr Jackson said the Federal Labor Government's policies were expected to reinvigorate the sector "driven by the Federal Government's intention to increase MRET to 45,000 gigawatt hours (by 2020) and on top of that to bring in the Emissions Trading Scheme." "There's potential for billions of dollars in new investment that will create thousands of jobs in regional Australia, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Along with the environment, many regional communities will benefit from these policies." The GWEC report indicates the tide has already started to turn.
"While there were only three new project commitments during 2007 - amounting to $740 million of investment - the 2008 outlook is rosier. Significant wind capacity is moving through the project planning stage with over 400mW of projects receiving planning approval during 2007. State Energy Minister Patrick Conlon said the success of the wind energy sector was evidenced by the recent heatwave in March, when at times more than 10 per cent of the state's power was supplied by wind turbines.
Saturday 12/4/2008 Page: 18
THE amount of wind power generated in South Australia is expected to more than double by the end of next year. More than $1.1 billion worth of investment has been committed to projects either under construction or slated to start this year. Four projects are expected to be completed, or ramp up to full electricity production, during this year. Once all projects were complete, South Australia's wind power generation capacity would increase from 387 megawatts to more than 850mW.
This follows a year in which Australia lagged the world in the installation of new wind generation capacity, with just 7mW of new generating capacity installed in 2007, the Global Wind Energy Council said in its annual report, released this month. This increase, of less than 1 per cent, lagged the 27 per cent increase in installed capacity worldwide. It follows six years of growth from just 32mW of wind power in Australia in 2000, to 824mW in 2007. The largest of the new South Australian projects, the 159mW Lake Bonney Stage Two project, owned by Babcock and Brown Wind Partners, is already generating power.
It was expected to be finished in the middle of the year. That project involves 53, 80m high turbines generating a maximum of 3mW each. The first turbine at TrustPower's 88mW wind farm at Snowtown was installed in December and all 47 turbines are expected to be up and running by September. Transfield Services's Mount Millar Wind Farm, which has been operating since February, 2006, will also reach its full capacity in the second half of this year.
Pacific Hydro has started building its 27 turbine Clement's Gap project close to Port Pirie, which is also expected to be operational next year. AGL is planning to build a 34 turbine, 71mW project at Hallett Hill, 170km north of Adelaide, which will be operational late next year. Hallett Hill 1, also known as Brown Hill, is nearing completion, and will contribute 95mW. The slowdown in investment last year was due to the Federal Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme reaching capacity.
Under the scheme, electricity generators were committed to buying 9500 gigawatt hours of power (about 2 per cent of national demand in 2001) from renewable sources per year by 2010. As the scheme filled up, the viability of some new projects, such as a 39 turbine project 30km southeast of Clare, was called into question. Tasmanian company Roaring 40s put that $180 million project, the Waterloo Wind Farm, on hold in 2006. Clean Energy Council general manager, policy, Rob Jackson, said the policies of the previous Federal Government caused the slowdown in investment.
"As early as 2004, MRET was considered to be basically full and not a lot of new generation was needed," Mr Jackson said. "Schemes to spur investment in Victoria and New South Wales had been announced, but only Victoria had a legislated target, which had led to a lot of localised new investment and activity in 2007. "And while South Australia had a 20 per cent renewable energy target, there was no specific policy in place to deliver that. "Last year on the back of that, with the uncertainty leading up to the federal election investment slowed down quite quickly.
Mr Jackson said the Federal Labor Government's policies were expected to reinvigorate the sector "driven by the Federal Government's intention to increase MRET to 45,000 gigawatt hours (by 2020) and on top of that to bring in the Emissions Trading Scheme." "There's potential for billions of dollars in new investment that will create thousands of jobs in regional Australia, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Along with the environment, many regional communities will benefit from these policies." The GWEC report indicates the tide has already started to turn.
"While there were only three new project commitments during 2007 - amounting to $740 million of investment - the 2008 outlook is rosier. Significant wind capacity is moving through the project planning stage with over 400mW of projects receiving planning approval during 2007. State Energy Minister Patrick Conlon said the success of the wind energy sector was evidenced by the recent heatwave in March, when at times more than 10 per cent of the state's power was supplied by wind turbines.
New solar business launch
Forbes Advocate
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 4
In Forbes this morning Forbes Mayor, Rhonda Keane, will officially welcome a major new employer to Forbes this morning when Albury Consolidated Industries launches its solar technology company, Powered by Nature. Mayor Keane will launch the company at the Council Chambers at 10am. Powered by Nature has come about through the relocation of the solar energy division of Albury Consolidated Industries, prompted by the results of the Economic Development Strategy for Forbes Shire Council undertaken by Aurora Research.
The strategy identified opportunities for new businesses to operate in the Forbes district. Councillor Keane has welcomed the new business to town. She said it was an exciting development for Forbes as the potential for Powered by Nature is staggering. "Through the Economic Development Strategy produced by Aurora Research, Forbes has been trying to attract new businesses to town to boost its own economy and help create employment opportunities," Mayor Keane said.
Powered by Nature is at the forefront in solar technology with products developed for solar hot water and solar power. Operations manager, Tristan Black, said a building has been purchased in Forbes and is being converted for use in solar manufacturing and development. "Powered by Nature will be looking to expand its operations in Forbes over the next few years as new solar power products are developed," Mr Black said. "The recruitment of local staff will be a priority in seeing the project reach its hill potential," he said.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 4
In Forbes this morning Forbes Mayor, Rhonda Keane, will officially welcome a major new employer to Forbes this morning when Albury Consolidated Industries launches its solar technology company, Powered by Nature. Mayor Keane will launch the company at the Council Chambers at 10am. Powered by Nature has come about through the relocation of the solar energy division of Albury Consolidated Industries, prompted by the results of the Economic Development Strategy for Forbes Shire Council undertaken by Aurora Research.
The strategy identified opportunities for new businesses to operate in the Forbes district. Councillor Keane has welcomed the new business to town. She said it was an exciting development for Forbes as the potential for Powered by Nature is staggering. "Through the Economic Development Strategy produced by Aurora Research, Forbes has been trying to attract new businesses to town to boost its own economy and help create employment opportunities," Mayor Keane said.
Powered by Nature is at the forefront in solar technology with products developed for solar hot water and solar power. Operations manager, Tristan Black, said a building has been purchased in Forbes and is being converted for use in solar manufacturing and development. "Powered by Nature will be looking to expand its operations in Forbes over the next few years as new solar power products are developed," Mr Black said. "The recruitment of local staff will be a priority in seeing the project reach its hill potential," he said.
Carbon capture gas plant opened
Countryman
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 10
The opening of Australia's first Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration plant in Victoria has been hailed as a major step towards making `clean coal' viable. The Otway Basin Project in southwest Victoria will see up to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide captured from natural gas injected 2km underground in a depleted gas reservoir. During the two-year trial, CO2 will be compressed and transported to the basin near Nirranda, about 30km east of Warrnambool.
The project is part of research to learn if emissions can be successfully trapped in geological formations, as a way of curbing the greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuels. "The success of this program will confirm the CCS technology as a viable option to reduce the carbon footprint of coal," Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said at the plant opening. "The Australian Government recognises there is no single solution to reducing our carbon footprint, which is why we are supporting research and development of a range of options," Mr Ferguson said.
"I hope this project will encourage community acceptance of CCS and its potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "The opening was attended by energy officials from major emitting nations including the US, Japan and India." The Otway Basin Project is being conducted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies - known as CO2CRC - using $40 million in funding from Federal and State governments, research organisations and industry.
"Using an innovative geotechnical monitoring program, the CO2CRC Otway project plays an important role in demonstrating the safety of geosequestration technology to communities, industry and governments worldwide," CO2CRC chief executive Peter Cook said. "It has a very important role to play in demonstrating the technical and environmental feasibility of geosequestration to Australia and the world, and preparing the way for its widespread application," Mr Cook said.
The Australian Greens said the project was tiny in comparison to similar efforts overseas and would do little to improve understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage. Greens energy spokeswoman Christine Milne said it would not prove if carbon can be effectively and affordably captured at coal-fired power stations. "The Otway Basin Project is government- funded PR for the coal sector and would be a perfect place to start for a government looking to find budget cuts," Senator Milne said.
The mining industry described the opening as significant in developing clean coal. "There simply cannot be a global solution to managing climate change without a clean-coal strategy as part of a suite of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in an international response to managing climate change," Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Mitch Hooke said.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 10
The opening of Australia's first Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration plant in Victoria has been hailed as a major step towards making `clean coal' viable. The Otway Basin Project in southwest Victoria will see up to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide captured from natural gas injected 2km underground in a depleted gas reservoir. During the two-year trial, CO2 will be compressed and transported to the basin near Nirranda, about 30km east of Warrnambool.
The project is part of research to learn if emissions can be successfully trapped in geological formations, as a way of curbing the greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuels. "The success of this program will confirm the CCS technology as a viable option to reduce the carbon footprint of coal," Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said at the plant opening. "The Australian Government recognises there is no single solution to reducing our carbon footprint, which is why we are supporting research and development of a range of options," Mr Ferguson said.
"I hope this project will encourage community acceptance of CCS and its potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "The opening was attended by energy officials from major emitting nations including the US, Japan and India." The Otway Basin Project is being conducted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies - known as CO2CRC - using $40 million in funding from Federal and State governments, research organisations and industry.
"Using an innovative geotechnical monitoring program, the CO2CRC Otway project plays an important role in demonstrating the safety of geosequestration technology to communities, industry and governments worldwide," CO2CRC chief executive Peter Cook said. "It has a very important role to play in demonstrating the technical and environmental feasibility of geosequestration to Australia and the world, and preparing the way for its widespread application," Mr Cook said.
The Australian Greens said the project was tiny in comparison to similar efforts overseas and would do little to improve understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage. Greens energy spokeswoman Christine Milne said it would not prove if carbon can be effectively and affordably captured at coal-fired power stations. "The Otway Basin Project is government- funded PR for the coal sector and would be a perfect place to start for a government looking to find budget cuts," Senator Milne said.
The mining industry described the opening as significant in developing clean coal. "There simply cannot be a global solution to managing climate change without a clean-coal strategy as part of a suite of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in an international response to managing climate change," Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Mitch Hooke said.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Govt payment for solar power hailed as bright idea
Canberra Times
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 5
Canberra has been hailed as the new solar capital of the nation in the wake of proposed laws that would pay residents for producing solar power. But retired graphic designer Bill Gresham is already at the forefront of the movement. Mr Gresham has installed photovoltaic panels on his roof which allow him to generate his own solar electricity amounting to about 1.1 kW.
In the winter he only produces a quarter of the electricity he needs but in summer he breaks even. Mr Gresham said the new legislation would go a long way to promoting the take tip of solar electricity in Canberra. Because the tariff will pay for the gross amount of solar power he produced, Mr Gresham could turn a profit in summer, selling electricity back to the grid.
In winter, when his consumption outweighed his production, he said he would probably slash his power bills. "I probably would not make a profit in the winter but the main thing is it would reduce my payback time from well over 20 years to about 10 years," he said. "It would mean that I would get my money back before I die." The ACT will have the most generous solar feed-in tariff in the country under proposed legislation from Labor MLA Mick Gentleman.
Households which produce solar power will be paid a premium of 3.88 times the market rate for all the electricity they generate. They will be guaranteed payments for 20 years after signing tip to the scheme. In combination with the Federal Government's $8000 rebate on solar panel installation, Mr Gentleman says the scheme should allow Canberrans to recoup their solar power costs within 10 years. The proposed laws are twice as generous as a similar feed-in tariff which will be introduced in South Australia in June.
ACT Conservation Council climate campaigner Genevieve Wauchope said the scheme was the best on offer in Australia because the tariff applied to the gross amount of electricity produced by households - not just the net amount fed into the grid. The solar feed-in bill is likely to pass in the Assembly after Mr Gentleman won support for it in caucus. Mr Gentleman said the Federal Government could learn from the legislation.
"I trust that [Federal Climate Change Minister] Senator Penny Wong will look closely at the model contained in my bill when advocating for a nationalised approach to feed-in tariffs," he said. But for people like Bill Greshain, the bill is relevant for a more personal reason. "My reasoning is that it's a gift for my grandchildren's generation."
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 5
Canberra has been hailed as the new solar capital of the nation in the wake of proposed laws that would pay residents for producing solar power. But retired graphic designer Bill Gresham is already at the forefront of the movement. Mr Gresham has installed photovoltaic panels on his roof which allow him to generate his own solar electricity amounting to about 1.1 kW.In the winter he only produces a quarter of the electricity he needs but in summer he breaks even. Mr Gresham said the new legislation would go a long way to promoting the take tip of solar electricity in Canberra. Because the tariff will pay for the gross amount of solar power he produced, Mr Gresham could turn a profit in summer, selling electricity back to the grid.
In winter, when his consumption outweighed his production, he said he would probably slash his power bills. "I probably would not make a profit in the winter but the main thing is it would reduce my payback time from well over 20 years to about 10 years," he said. "It would mean that I would get my money back before I die." The ACT will have the most generous solar feed-in tariff in the country under proposed legislation from Labor MLA Mick Gentleman.
Households which produce solar power will be paid a premium of 3.88 times the market rate for all the electricity they generate. They will be guaranteed payments for 20 years after signing tip to the scheme. In combination with the Federal Government's $8000 rebate on solar panel installation, Mr Gentleman says the scheme should allow Canberrans to recoup their solar power costs within 10 years. The proposed laws are twice as generous as a similar feed-in tariff which will be introduced in South Australia in June.
ACT Conservation Council climate campaigner Genevieve Wauchope said the scheme was the best on offer in Australia because the tariff applied to the gross amount of electricity produced by households - not just the net amount fed into the grid. The solar feed-in bill is likely to pass in the Assembly after Mr Gentleman won support for it in caucus. Mr Gentleman said the Federal Government could learn from the legislation.
"I trust that [Federal Climate Change Minister] Senator Penny Wong will look closely at the model contained in my bill when advocating for a nationalised approach to feed-in tariffs," he said. But for people like Bill Greshain, the bill is relevant for a more personal reason. "My reasoning is that it's a gift for my grandchildren's generation."
Shell warns Europe on emissions permits
Australian
Friday 11/4/2008 Page: 20
ROYAL Dutch Shell, the world's second-largest oil company, has threatened to stop investing in Europe if it is forced to pay for emissions permits that have previously been free. Christian Balme, a Shell France director, told the European Parliament that if the EU moved towards a system in which emission quotas were auctioned, it would destroy Shell's profitability in Europe. In January, the European Commission announced proposals aimed at slashing EU emissions of CO7 by 20 per cent of the 1990 levels by the year 2020.
One of the cornerstones of this plan is a proposed reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which allocates a fixed quota of emissions permits to heavy industry for free. The EC has proposed that from 2013, oil refineries and airlines, and possibly some other industrial sectors, will have to pay for 20 per cent of their emissions permits, rising to 100 per cent by 2020. Mr Balme argued that if the proposals became law they would have a devastating economic impact on Shell's European operations. These operations include some of the region's biggest oil refineries including Pernis near Rotterdam and its Heide, Godorf and Wesseling plants in Germany.
"It's impossible. "So! There will be no more investments by Shell in Europe," Mr Balme said. "I am talking about $US250 million ($272 million) of profits at the moment. "If we extrapolate the price of CO, by the tonne, we arrive at the same level, which is unacceptable," Mr Balme said. As an alternative, Shell says that it favours "cap and trade" trading systems for big polluters, including power generators and most industrial facilities. A spokeswoman for Shell said on Wednesday that allowances should be free.
"Shell does not favour auctioning allowances in the first phase of a system because the impacts on the industries and firms covered by the system are highly uncertain," she said. The EU's announcement in January was accompanied by warnings that it would be "economic suicide" to punish industry so heavily and risked simply pushing investment and emissions into regions where trading schemes did not exist. A decision on whether other industries should also have to pay for permits has been delayed.
Several big energy companies and utilities are trenchantly opposed to the auction plans and have threatened to withdraw investment from the EU. Member states are trying to reach agreement by the end of this year. A range of other proposals are included in the EU's package of reforms. Among these suggestions are that individual countries set their own national targets for power generation from renewable energy.
Friday 11/4/2008 Page: 20
ROYAL Dutch Shell, the world's second-largest oil company, has threatened to stop investing in Europe if it is forced to pay for emissions permits that have previously been free. Christian Balme, a Shell France director, told the European Parliament that if the EU moved towards a system in which emission quotas were auctioned, it would destroy Shell's profitability in Europe. In January, the European Commission announced proposals aimed at slashing EU emissions of CO7 by 20 per cent of the 1990 levels by the year 2020.
One of the cornerstones of this plan is a proposed reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which allocates a fixed quota of emissions permits to heavy industry for free. The EC has proposed that from 2013, oil refineries and airlines, and possibly some other industrial sectors, will have to pay for 20 per cent of their emissions permits, rising to 100 per cent by 2020. Mr Balme argued that if the proposals became law they would have a devastating economic impact on Shell's European operations. These operations include some of the region's biggest oil refineries including Pernis near Rotterdam and its Heide, Godorf and Wesseling plants in Germany.
"It's impossible. "So! There will be no more investments by Shell in Europe," Mr Balme said. "I am talking about $US250 million ($272 million) of profits at the moment. "If we extrapolate the price of CO, by the tonne, we arrive at the same level, which is unacceptable," Mr Balme said. As an alternative, Shell says that it favours "cap and trade" trading systems for big polluters, including power generators and most industrial facilities. A spokeswoman for Shell said on Wednesday that allowances should be free.
"Shell does not favour auctioning allowances in the first phase of a system because the impacts on the industries and firms covered by the system are highly uncertain," she said. The EU's announcement in January was accompanied by warnings that it would be "economic suicide" to punish industry so heavily and risked simply pushing investment and emissions into regions where trading schemes did not exist. A decision on whether other industries should also have to pay for permits has been delayed.
Several big energy companies and utilities are trenchantly opposed to the auction plans and have threatened to withdraw investment from the EU. Member states are trying to reach agreement by the end of this year. A range of other proposals are included in the EU's package of reforms. Among these suggestions are that individual countries set their own national targets for power generation from renewable energy.
Sunshine powers up to flick Ergon's switches
Cairns Post
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 11
HERE comes the sun: straight into solar panels on top of Ergon Energy's Lake St headquarters and back onto the grid. The power company says the two kilowatt grid-connected solar power system, installed yesterday, is the first of its kind for a regional electricity distributor. "What happens is if we are producing more than we use, then we export the excess into the grid," Ergon's Gaylene Whenmouth said.
"Otherwise we're consuming the power ourselves." The solar panels generate up to 10 kilowatt hours of electricity a day and Ergon hopes to see more sprout on CBD roof tops. "We want to show people how easy it is to do it," Ms Whenmouth said. "Every kilowatt hour of electricity produced by solar is a kilowatt hour we don't have to produce through coal fired generation and one tonne of carbon dioxide less going into the atmosphere."
You can see carbon saving data from the panels online at www.sunnyportal.com.
Click the link to Publicly Available Plants and search for the Lake St site by country and postcode.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 11
HERE comes the sun: straight into solar panels on top of Ergon Energy's Lake St headquarters and back onto the grid. The power company says the two kilowatt grid-connected solar power system, installed yesterday, is the first of its kind for a regional electricity distributor. "What happens is if we are producing more than we use, then we export the excess into the grid," Ergon's Gaylene Whenmouth said."Otherwise we're consuming the power ourselves." The solar panels generate up to 10 kilowatt hours of electricity a day and Ergon hopes to see more sprout on CBD roof tops. "We want to show people how easy it is to do it," Ms Whenmouth said. "Every kilowatt hour of electricity produced by solar is a kilowatt hour we don't have to produce through coal fired generation and one tonne of carbon dioxide less going into the atmosphere."
You can see carbon saving data from the panels online at www.sunnyportal.com.
Click the link to Publicly Available Plants and search for the Lake St site by country and postcode.
Water heaters switch
Mount Barker Courier
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 18
Electric water heaters will be phased out in SA under new State Government greenhouse gas emission standards. New greenhouse gas and flow-rate performance standards for residential water heaters will take effect from July 1, to boost the gas, solar and heat-pump markets. The move is in line with the Federal Government's commitment to phase out electric water heaters from 2010.
Residential water heating accounts for about one third of household energy related greenhouse gas emissions in SA and electric water heaters have a higher greenhouse impact than other alternatives such as solar or gas systems. Making the switch could save about 2t of greenhouse gas emissions per household per year. The new standards will apply to new or renovated homes at the time of development approval and for established homes at the time of water heater replacement.
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 18
Electric water heaters will be phased out in SA under new State Government greenhouse gas emission standards. New greenhouse gas and flow-rate performance standards for residential water heaters will take effect from July 1, to boost the gas, solar and heat-pump markets. The move is in line with the Federal Government's commitment to phase out electric water heaters from 2010.
Residential water heating accounts for about one third of household energy related greenhouse gas emissions in SA and electric water heaters have a higher greenhouse impact than other alternatives such as solar or gas systems. Making the switch could save about 2t of greenhouse gas emissions per household per year. The new standards will apply to new or renovated homes at the time of development approval and for established homes at the time of water heater replacement.
Windows will make their own electricity
Courier Mail
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 19
WINDOWS could soon be energy generators while scientists are also trying to turn smokestack emissions into plastics. Queensland University of Technology is working with a Canberra-based company to develop transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators in houses or commercial buildings. John Bell said the solar cell glass would make a significant difference to home and building owners energy costs and could, in fact, generate excess energy that could be stored or sold.
Professor Bell said the glass was one of a variety of practical technologies that would help combat global warming, which was a focus of research at the university's Institute for Sustainable Resources. "The transparent solar cells have a faint reddish hue but are completely see-through," Professor Bell said. "The solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye that increases light absorption. "The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house but can also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling." Professor Bell said it would be possible to build houses made entirely of the transparent solar cells.
The glass would be on the market in a few years and QUT was trying to make the product more efficient, he said. Meanwhile, US research has found that the carbon dioxide from smokestack emissions can be used as a raw material for making plastics. The process creates polycarbonates, which can be used to make items like CDs and bottles. The research suggests the process could be up and running within a few years and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 19
WINDOWS could soon be energy generators while scientists are also trying to turn smokestack emissions into plastics. Queensland University of Technology is working with a Canberra-based company to develop transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators in houses or commercial buildings. John Bell said the solar cell glass would make a significant difference to home and building owners energy costs and could, in fact, generate excess energy that could be stored or sold.
Professor Bell said the glass was one of a variety of practical technologies that would help combat global warming, which was a focus of research at the university's Institute for Sustainable Resources. "The transparent solar cells have a faint reddish hue but are completely see-through," Professor Bell said. "The solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye that increases light absorption. "The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house but can also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling." Professor Bell said it would be possible to build houses made entirely of the transparent solar cells.
The glass would be on the market in a few years and QUT was trying to make the product more efficient, he said. Meanwhile, US research has found that the carbon dioxide from smokestack emissions can be used as a raw material for making plastics. The process creates polycarbonates, which can be used to make items like CDs and bottles. The research suggests the process could be up and running within a few years and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Glass houses may be stone's throw away
Burnie Advocate
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 18
BRISBANE - Australians could soon be living in solar powered glass houses as part of the battle against climate change, a researcher predicts Professor John Bell, from the University of Queensland of Technology's Institute for Sustainable Resources, yesterday said houses made almost entirely of glass solar cells could become a reality within three to five years as home owners looked for new ways to cut carbon emissions.
"They wouldn't quite (use the glass) around the bathroom... but I think people are beginning to look for ways to offset some of the issues of climate change," Professor Bell said. "We'll end up with some really interesting houses as a result." Prof Bell, the institute's program leader for energy,has been working with Canberra-based company Dyesol to develop transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators.
Thursday 10/4/2008 Page: 18
BRISBANE - Australians could soon be living in solar powered glass houses as part of the battle against climate change, a researcher predicts Professor John Bell, from the University of Queensland of Technology's Institute for Sustainable Resources, yesterday said houses made almost entirely of glass solar cells could become a reality within three to five years as home owners looked for new ways to cut carbon emissions."They wouldn't quite (use the glass) around the bathroom... but I think people are beginning to look for ways to offset some of the issues of climate change," Professor Bell said. "We'll end up with some really interesting houses as a result." Prof Bell, the institute's program leader for energy,has been working with Canberra-based company Dyesol to develop transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators.
New group supports clean energy in Scone
Scone Advocate
Thursday 3/4/2008 Page: 3
SCAP, or Scone Citizens Against Polluted Energy, are a new group formed with the aim of supporting clean energy in Scone. The group is relatively new and was initiated by former librarian aid researcher Gloria Muir. "We are not against the other groups, nor are we pro Pamada, but there has been a lot of misinformation given about the negative impact of wind turbines and we would like to be a community group that is primarily concerned with conservation and green energy," Mrs Muir said.
Local residents formed the group after concerns were raised in regard to what they called propaganda style distribution of anti wind farm messages. "I have rung every real estate and local council that has a windfarm in its area. I did not call any wind farm companies or government agencies that would have offered a biased opinion. After doing the research I discovered that information being passed around is entirely incorrect," Mrs Muir said.
Mrs Muir said research revealed other groups have been distributing pamphlets which confused, key aspects of wind technology, such as real estate valuation, noise pollution and impacts to both flora and fauna. "I called a real estate agent in Crookwell, NSW and they have no trouble selling properties around the windfarm there," she said.
Real estate agent for The Professionals in Goulburn told The Advocate, he had recently sold a number of properties for what he described as a good price, despite their proximity to the wind farm constructed in 1998. "We recently sold a 320 acre property for over $1.1 million which was within 800 metres of the turbines. There are some people who turn away when they find out a property is near the wind mills, but it doesn't worry most people," he said.
While Crookwell does not have the same number of turbines proposed for the Scone site, research shows the windfarm produces enough energy to power 3,500 homes and has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 8,000 tonnes per year over coal based power. A similar construction does however exist in Ararat Victoria. The $76 million Pacific Hydro Challicum Hills Wind Farm, built 15 kilometres from the township of Ararat, was completed in August 2003, and is comprised of 35 turbines which stand 68 metres high with a rotor diameter of 64 metres.
Real estate manager for Elders Ararat Garry Todd, said there had been no reduction in property value since the construction. "I sold a property in January this year that was right alongside the windfarm and the price was unaffected. Since they've been here prices have not been affected at all, in fact they have actually grown in value. Aesthetically they look alright and make hardly any noise. A lot of what you hear is just crap," he said.
The newly formed Scone group has also voiced their opinion in regard to threats presented by wind turbines to local flora and fauna. "The impact to flora and fauna is far greater from B doubles that come through here, than from a wind farm," said SCAP member Joanne Van Hees. The group believes large vehicles which frequent the Bunnan Road are responsible for more bird deaths than any form of wind technology. "Research has shown that bird deaths are extremely low from wind turbines," Mrs Muir said.
Literature used by Mr Muir and published by the Australia Institute reports; `available evidence indicates that provided wind farms are located in appropriate areas the risks to biodiversity are likely to be small.' However, Hunter Landscape Guardians President Carmelle Lymbery, said the fact the turbines will be so close to a national park is definitely a threat to both flora and fauna.
"The national park is supposed to be there to preserve, not destroy, and one turbine will be on the very edge of the national park. When these towers go up, the two things they said at that meeting was yes the birds will be impacted upon, and yes we'll be impacted upon by the noise," she said. "Also there are the White Box woodlands out the back which are almost extinct within Australia, and a bulldozer has already been through to create a fence between Crown land, the Henderson's property, our place and the Towarri National Park," she said. Mrs Lymbery said although their group was called the Upper Hunter Landscape Guardians, they were a separate entity from the base group in Victoria.
"We had the Landscape Guardians from Victoria, who had been through it all, come to Scone to tell the people what was going on. They came to answer questions we couldn't answer ourselves, but as a group we are only concerned with issues in our own backyard. If you can't protect your own what can you protect? It's like looking after your children," she said. Mrs Lymbery also said any information provided in the Upper Hunter Landscape Guardians' literature came from sources such as National wind watch, ABC news on line, and newspapers. "All I'm out to do is save what we've got for our children and grandchildren. All we want to do is protect the environment, nothing more." she said.
Thursday 3/4/2008 Page: 3
SCAP, or Scone Citizens Against Polluted Energy, are a new group formed with the aim of supporting clean energy in Scone. The group is relatively new and was initiated by former librarian aid researcher Gloria Muir. "We are not against the other groups, nor are we pro Pamada, but there has been a lot of misinformation given about the negative impact of wind turbines and we would like to be a community group that is primarily concerned with conservation and green energy," Mrs Muir said.
Local residents formed the group after concerns were raised in regard to what they called propaganda style distribution of anti wind farm messages. "I have rung every real estate and local council that has a windfarm in its area. I did not call any wind farm companies or government agencies that would have offered a biased opinion. After doing the research I discovered that information being passed around is entirely incorrect," Mrs Muir said.
Mrs Muir said research revealed other groups have been distributing pamphlets which confused, key aspects of wind technology, such as real estate valuation, noise pollution and impacts to both flora and fauna. "I called a real estate agent in Crookwell, NSW and they have no trouble selling properties around the windfarm there," she said.
Real estate agent for The Professionals in Goulburn told The Advocate, he had recently sold a number of properties for what he described as a good price, despite their proximity to the wind farm constructed in 1998. "We recently sold a 320 acre property for over $1.1 million which was within 800 metres of the turbines. There are some people who turn away when they find out a property is near the wind mills, but it doesn't worry most people," he said.
While Crookwell does not have the same number of turbines proposed for the Scone site, research shows the windfarm produces enough energy to power 3,500 homes and has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 8,000 tonnes per year over coal based power. A similar construction does however exist in Ararat Victoria. The $76 million Pacific Hydro Challicum Hills Wind Farm, built 15 kilometres from the township of Ararat, was completed in August 2003, and is comprised of 35 turbines which stand 68 metres high with a rotor diameter of 64 metres.
Real estate manager for Elders Ararat Garry Todd, said there had been no reduction in property value since the construction. "I sold a property in January this year that was right alongside the windfarm and the price was unaffected. Since they've been here prices have not been affected at all, in fact they have actually grown in value. Aesthetically they look alright and make hardly any noise. A lot of what you hear is just crap," he said.
The newly formed Scone group has also voiced their opinion in regard to threats presented by wind turbines to local flora and fauna. "The impact to flora and fauna is far greater from B doubles that come through here, than from a wind farm," said SCAP member Joanne Van Hees. The group believes large vehicles which frequent the Bunnan Road are responsible for more bird deaths than any form of wind technology. "Research has shown that bird deaths are extremely low from wind turbines," Mrs Muir said.
Literature used by Mr Muir and published by the Australia Institute reports; `available evidence indicates that provided wind farms are located in appropriate areas the risks to biodiversity are likely to be small.' However, Hunter Landscape Guardians President Carmelle Lymbery, said the fact the turbines will be so close to a national park is definitely a threat to both flora and fauna.
"The national park is supposed to be there to preserve, not destroy, and one turbine will be on the very edge of the national park. When these towers go up, the two things they said at that meeting was yes the birds will be impacted upon, and yes we'll be impacted upon by the noise," she said. "Also there are the White Box woodlands out the back which are almost extinct within Australia, and a bulldozer has already been through to create a fence between Crown land, the Henderson's property, our place and the Towarri National Park," she said. Mrs Lymbery said although their group was called the Upper Hunter Landscape Guardians, they were a separate entity from the base group in Victoria.
"We had the Landscape Guardians from Victoria, who had been through it all, come to Scone to tell the people what was going on. They came to answer questions we couldn't answer ourselves, but as a group we are only concerned with issues in our own backyard. If you can't protect your own what can you protect? It's like looking after your children," she said. Mrs Lymbery also said any information provided in the Upper Hunter Landscape Guardians' literature came from sources such as National wind watch, ABC news on line, and newspapers. "All I'm out to do is save what we've got for our children and grandchildren. All we want to do is protect the environment, nothing more." she said.
University at the war front
Hills News
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 28
THE University of Western Sydney is practicing what it preaches when it comes to bringing about change to combat global warming. Not only are UWS scientists busy carrying out groundbreaking research into the effects of climate change on the Australian environment, but the university itself is also treading lightly to reduce its Ecological Footprint. UWS is taking a wide-ranging approach to the climate change issue and is introducing many different strategies to minimise the amount of power and water that is used across its campuses.
These strategies include planting more trees to soak up greenhouse gases, recycling ink cartridges and mobile phones, and recycling about 13 tonnes of paper every month. Every tonne of paper that's recycled saves about 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kilowatts of energy, 4 cubic metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water.
Add that up over the year and paper recycling at the university makes a huge difference to the environment, saving approximately 2000 trees a year and making significant carbon savings. UWS is also offsetting its water usage by installing water tanks to collect storm water run-off and recycle 500 mega-litres of water every year. This builds upon water recycling initiatives such as that on the Hawkesbury campus, where approximately 700 mega-litres of recycled water and storm water are used each year.
The university is testing the use of green power - electricity generated from environmentally friendly sources such as solar and wind power - as well as offering staff hybrid fleet cars for travel between UWS campuses. hybrid cars use a mix of electricity and petrol and emit only half the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air that normal cars do. The hybrid vehicle averages only five litres of petrol per 100km and has the best air pollution rating of any vehicle on Australian roads.
Every litre of fuel produces only 2.3 kilograms of CO2, so there's no doubt that the low fuel consumption of this car certainly contributes to a cleaner planet. Thermal insulation is being installed in some buildings, which means that heat is retained in winter and coolness in summer. Energy-efficient air-conditioning is also being investigated. All new buildings are being built to make most of the sun and shade throughout the day to cut heating and cooling costs.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 28
THE University of Western Sydney is practicing what it preaches when it comes to bringing about change to combat global warming. Not only are UWS scientists busy carrying out groundbreaking research into the effects of climate change on the Australian environment, but the university itself is also treading lightly to reduce its Ecological Footprint. UWS is taking a wide-ranging approach to the climate change issue and is introducing many different strategies to minimise the amount of power and water that is used across its campuses.
These strategies include planting more trees to soak up greenhouse gases, recycling ink cartridges and mobile phones, and recycling about 13 tonnes of paper every month. Every tonne of paper that's recycled saves about 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kilowatts of energy, 4 cubic metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water.
Add that up over the year and paper recycling at the university makes a huge difference to the environment, saving approximately 2000 trees a year and making significant carbon savings. UWS is also offsetting its water usage by installing water tanks to collect storm water run-off and recycle 500 mega-litres of water every year. This builds upon water recycling initiatives such as that on the Hawkesbury campus, where approximately 700 mega-litres of recycled water and storm water are used each year.
The university is testing the use of green power - electricity generated from environmentally friendly sources such as solar and wind power - as well as offering staff hybrid fleet cars for travel between UWS campuses. hybrid cars use a mix of electricity and petrol and emit only half the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air that normal cars do. The hybrid vehicle averages only five litres of petrol per 100km and has the best air pollution rating of any vehicle on Australian roads.
Every litre of fuel produces only 2.3 kilograms of CO2, so there's no doubt that the low fuel consumption of this car certainly contributes to a cleaner planet. Thermal insulation is being installed in some buildings, which means that heat is retained in winter and coolness in summer. Energy-efficient air-conditioning is also being investigated. All new buildings are being built to make most of the sun and shade throughout the day to cut heating and cooling costs.
Solar ascendancy could be eclipsed
Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 68
About 160 institutions in Germany are doing research on solar technology and generous state subsidies for roof-mounted photo-voltaic systems mean this not particularly sunny nation has one of the highest rates of solar electricity generation in the world. Q-Cells, near Leipzig, became the world's largest maker of photovoltaic cells last year, surpassing Sharp of Japan. Sales are up 60 percent and profits are up 70 percent. Demand for high-grade silicon to make the cells has pushed prices from US$25 a kilogram to US$400 a kilogram over the last 5 years.
Electricity generated from renewable sources in Germany is now over 14 percent, surpassing the European Union's target of 12.5 percent. Some believe that renewable energy equipment could become as important to Germany's economy as machine tools and automobiles. The World Future Council says that Germany's EEG renewable energy law is the best in the world. Dieter Helm of the University of Oxford says that wind generation is more efficient than solar but Kurt Rohrig of solar research institute ISET at the University of Kassel believes wind power will reach saturation within the next three decades whereas solar is potentially limitless. New thin film technology is expected to overtake photovoltaic in the near future.
Wednesday 9/4/2008 Page: 68
About 160 institutions in Germany are doing research on solar technology and generous state subsidies for roof-mounted photo-voltaic systems mean this not particularly sunny nation has one of the highest rates of solar electricity generation in the world. Q-Cells, near Leipzig, became the world's largest maker of photovoltaic cells last year, surpassing Sharp of Japan. Sales are up 60 percent and profits are up 70 percent. Demand for high-grade silicon to make the cells has pushed prices from US$25 a kilogram to US$400 a kilogram over the last 5 years.
Electricity generated from renewable sources in Germany is now over 14 percent, surpassing the European Union's target of 12.5 percent. Some believe that renewable energy equipment could become as important to Germany's economy as machine tools and automobiles. The World Future Council says that Germany's EEG renewable energy law is the best in the world. Dieter Helm of the University of Oxford says that wind generation is more efficient than solar but Kurt Rohrig of solar research institute ISET at the University of Kassel believes wind power will reach saturation within the next three decades whereas solar is potentially limitless. New thin film technology is expected to overtake photovoltaic in the near future.
Monday, 14 April 2008
New climate protocol needs long-term plan to reduce emissions
Canberra Times
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 11
Four months ago in Bali, Australia was enthusiastically welcomed as the newest member of the Kyoto club. Having finally ratified the Kyoto Protocol, Australia, along with the rest of the international community, is now focusing its attention on what will happen when the Kyoto Protocol ceases to exist in 2012. The international community is now negotiating the next international climate change protocol and is currently meeting in Bangkok to continuing the work that was begun in Bali last year.
The importance of this new protocol cannot be understated. It is increasingly clear that the primary success of the Kyoto Protocol was in raising public awareness of climate change more so than actually reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Another "success" of this magnitude will have catastrophic consequences for Australia and the rest of the world.
As Professor Ross Garnaut, Sir Nicholas Stern and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made clear in recent months, dramatic and radical reductions in greenhouse emissions are necessary immediately to minimise (not avoid - it is too late for that) the effects of climate change. But the post-Kyoto "road map" accepted at the Bali negotiations last December will not deliver such reductions. The international community must base the next climate change protocol on the following seven principles.
Firstly, the new binding targets must be based on science rather than political expediency. How many Australians are aware that Australia's Kyoto target actually allowed its to increase our emissions by 8 per cent over 1990 levels? To keep global warming to just 1-2 degrees in the coming decades, global emissions must be reduced in 2050 to just fifteen per cent of 2000 levels. Australia cannot be allowed to negotiate an emissions increase.
Secondly, both poor and wealthy countries must be bound by these new targets. Certain developing countries, such as China and India, are amongst the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. The global targets can only be achieved if all countries reduce their emissions. It does not matter how much Australia cuts its emissions if China and India do not cut theirs.
Thirdly, requiring developing countries to reduce their emissions will have consequences for the poor of those countries. After all, economic growth is necessary to improve the lives of the poor, and so investing in technology that delivers economic growth without increasing greenhouse emissions is necessary. Wealthy countries must support emission reductions in poorer countries by technology transfer.
Fourthly, it is important to recognise that different countries have specific circumstances that largely determine their emissions in the short term. Therefore, the next international climate change protocol must be sufficiently longterm in its outlook - probably to 2050 - that new investments can be trade over the life-cycle of existing infrastructure. Having said that, global emissions trust peak no later than 2015.
Fifthly, some countries have the advantage of certain natural resources that also can reduce global emission levels. The majority of these carbon sinks exist in developing countries and these countries trust be encouraged and supported in both protecting and expanding these sinks. If a country can increase its carbon sink, this must supplement its overall emission rights.
Sixthly, the current focus on emissions from production must be replaced by a focus on emission consumption. Even though global production and consumption levels are necessarily equal, the focus on consumption of emissions is an important issue when allocating the rights to emit.
Finally, the market is a powerful tool in allocating scarce resources. Emission rights in the future will become increasingly scarce and so market-based or market-conforming instruments must be used to support the ultimate goal of global emission reductions. These seven principles are a radical departure from the Kyoto framework. If followed, they will support the reduction of emissions that is now necessary.
The international community must also determine how to best allocate the rights to emit greenhouse gases. Under the Kyoto Protocol, future emission targets were based on past emissions. This approach is incompatible with the six principles outlined above. The only ethical manner in which future emissions can be allocated is on a per capita basis. Certainly, I have no greater right than someone living in Thailand, Nigeria or Peru to emit greenhouse gases simply because I emitted more in the past.
Of course, the consequence for high per capita emission countries, such as Australia, will be more stringent reductions in emissions. However, there is no other ethical way in which to allocate such scarce resources. Indeed, such a per capita allocation may facilitate technology transfer as countries such as Australia trade emission rights with poor countries not "consuming" their fall allowance of emissions.
A change in the current post-Kyoto road map to an emissions per capita allocation based on the seven principles outlined above is urgently needed. Such a change will be dramatic, but not as dramatic as the climate change we will experience if this does not occur.
Dr Matthew Clarke teaches at Deakin University and has a book on the next climate change protocol out later this year.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 11
Four months ago in Bali, Australia was enthusiastically welcomed as the newest member of the Kyoto club. Having finally ratified the Kyoto Protocol, Australia, along with the rest of the international community, is now focusing its attention on what will happen when the Kyoto Protocol ceases to exist in 2012. The international community is now negotiating the next international climate change protocol and is currently meeting in Bangkok to continuing the work that was begun in Bali last year.
The importance of this new protocol cannot be understated. It is increasingly clear that the primary success of the Kyoto Protocol was in raising public awareness of climate change more so than actually reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Another "success" of this magnitude will have catastrophic consequences for Australia and the rest of the world.
As Professor Ross Garnaut, Sir Nicholas Stern and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made clear in recent months, dramatic and radical reductions in greenhouse emissions are necessary immediately to minimise (not avoid - it is too late for that) the effects of climate change. But the post-Kyoto "road map" accepted at the Bali negotiations last December will not deliver such reductions. The international community must base the next climate change protocol on the following seven principles.
Firstly, the new binding targets must be based on science rather than political expediency. How many Australians are aware that Australia's Kyoto target actually allowed its to increase our emissions by 8 per cent over 1990 levels? To keep global warming to just 1-2 degrees in the coming decades, global emissions must be reduced in 2050 to just fifteen per cent of 2000 levels. Australia cannot be allowed to negotiate an emissions increase.
Secondly, both poor and wealthy countries must be bound by these new targets. Certain developing countries, such as China and India, are amongst the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. The global targets can only be achieved if all countries reduce their emissions. It does not matter how much Australia cuts its emissions if China and India do not cut theirs.
Thirdly, requiring developing countries to reduce their emissions will have consequences for the poor of those countries. After all, economic growth is necessary to improve the lives of the poor, and so investing in technology that delivers economic growth without increasing greenhouse emissions is necessary. Wealthy countries must support emission reductions in poorer countries by technology transfer.
Fourthly, it is important to recognise that different countries have specific circumstances that largely determine their emissions in the short term. Therefore, the next international climate change protocol must be sufficiently longterm in its outlook - probably to 2050 - that new investments can be trade over the life-cycle of existing infrastructure. Having said that, global emissions trust peak no later than 2015.
Fifthly, some countries have the advantage of certain natural resources that also can reduce global emission levels. The majority of these carbon sinks exist in developing countries and these countries trust be encouraged and supported in both protecting and expanding these sinks. If a country can increase its carbon sink, this must supplement its overall emission rights.
Sixthly, the current focus on emissions from production must be replaced by a focus on emission consumption. Even though global production and consumption levels are necessarily equal, the focus on consumption of emissions is an important issue when allocating the rights to emit.
Finally, the market is a powerful tool in allocating scarce resources. Emission rights in the future will become increasingly scarce and so market-based or market-conforming instruments must be used to support the ultimate goal of global emission reductions. These seven principles are a radical departure from the Kyoto framework. If followed, they will support the reduction of emissions that is now necessary.
The international community must also determine how to best allocate the rights to emit greenhouse gases. Under the Kyoto Protocol, future emission targets were based on past emissions. This approach is incompatible with the six principles outlined above. The only ethical manner in which future emissions can be allocated is on a per capita basis. Certainly, I have no greater right than someone living in Thailand, Nigeria or Peru to emit greenhouse gases simply because I emitted more in the past.
Of course, the consequence for high per capita emission countries, such as Australia, will be more stringent reductions in emissions. However, there is no other ethical way in which to allocate such scarce resources. Indeed, such a per capita allocation may facilitate technology transfer as countries such as Australia trade emission rights with poor countries not "consuming" their fall allowance of emissions.
A change in the current post-Kyoto road map to an emissions per capita allocation based on the seven principles outlined above is urgently needed. Such a change will be dramatic, but not as dramatic as the climate change we will experience if this does not occur.
Dr Matthew Clarke teaches at Deakin University and has a book on the next climate change protocol out later this year.
Scientist "turns up the heat with new alert on warming
Age
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 10
A LEADING climate scientist says the European Union and international partners must urgently rethink targets for cutting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of fears they have grossly, underestimated the scale of the problem. Dr James Hansen, head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, calls for a sharp reduction in carbon dioxide limits.
Dr Hansen said the EU target of 550 parts per million of carbon dioxide the most stringent in the world - should be slashed to 350 ppm. He said the cut was, if "humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilisation developed." A final version of the paper Dr Hansen co-wrote with eight other climate scientists has been posted on the Archive website.
Instead of using theoretical models to estimate the sensitivity of the climate, the team used evidence from Earth's history, which they contend gives a much more accurate picture. They studied cores taken from the bottom of the ocean, which indicate carbon dioxide levels millions of years ago. They show that when the world began to glaciate at the start of the ice age around 35 million years ago, the concentration of carbon dioxide was about 450 ppm.
"If you leave us at 450 ppm for long enough, it will probably melt all the ice - that's a sea rise of 75 metres," Dr Hansen said. "What we have found "is that the target we have all been aiming for is a disaster a guaranteed disaster." At levels as high as 550 ppm the world would warm by 6 degrees, the scientists' paper said. Previous estimates had suggested warming would be just 3 degrees at that point.
Dr Hansen has long been a controversial figure in climate change science. He was one of the first to bring the crisis to the world attention in testimony to the US Congress in the 1980s. His relationship with the Bush Administration has been frosty. In 2005, he accused the White House and NASA administrators of trying to censor him.
He has steadily revised his analysis of the scale of the global warming problem and was one of the architects of a 450 ppm target. But he said: "I realise that was too high." The revised target is likely to prompt criticism that he is setting the bar unrealistically high. Dr Hansen said he now regarded as implausible the view of many climate scientists that the shrinking of the ice sheets will take thousands of years.
If we follow business as usual, I can't see how west Antarctica could survive a century," he said. "We are talking about a sea-level rise of at least a couple of metres this century." Dr Hansen said his findings were not a recipe for despair. The good news, he said, was that reserves of fossil fuels. had been greatly exaggerated, so an alternative source of energy would have to be put in place rapidly in any case.
He proposed a range of measures. A moratorium on coal power stations would bring carbon dioxide levels to below 400 ppm. Reforestation coupled with innovative agricultural methods such as the use of Biochar, a form of biomass charcoal that can store carbon in the soil, could then get closer to his new 350 ppm target.
Dr Hansen's new position will pile more pressure on the British Government over plans to build a new generation of coal power stations. Last year he wrote to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to block the first such power station. The London-based Royal Society made similar protestations to Britain's Business Secretary, John Hutton, last week.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 10
A LEADING climate scientist says the European Union and international partners must urgently rethink targets for cutting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of fears they have grossly, underestimated the scale of the problem. Dr James Hansen, head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, calls for a sharp reduction in carbon dioxide limits.
Dr Hansen said the EU target of 550 parts per million of carbon dioxide the most stringent in the world - should be slashed to 350 ppm. He said the cut was, if "humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilisation developed." A final version of the paper Dr Hansen co-wrote with eight other climate scientists has been posted on the Archive website.
Instead of using theoretical models to estimate the sensitivity of the climate, the team used evidence from Earth's history, which they contend gives a much more accurate picture. They studied cores taken from the bottom of the ocean, which indicate carbon dioxide levels millions of years ago. They show that when the world began to glaciate at the start of the ice age around 35 million years ago, the concentration of carbon dioxide was about 450 ppm.
"If you leave us at 450 ppm for long enough, it will probably melt all the ice - that's a sea rise of 75 metres," Dr Hansen said. "What we have found "is that the target we have all been aiming for is a disaster a guaranteed disaster." At levels as high as 550 ppm the world would warm by 6 degrees, the scientists' paper said. Previous estimates had suggested warming would be just 3 degrees at that point.
Dr Hansen has long been a controversial figure in climate change science. He was one of the first to bring the crisis to the world attention in testimony to the US Congress in the 1980s. His relationship with the Bush Administration has been frosty. In 2005, he accused the White House and NASA administrators of trying to censor him.
He has steadily revised his analysis of the scale of the global warming problem and was one of the architects of a 450 ppm target. But he said: "I realise that was too high." The revised target is likely to prompt criticism that he is setting the bar unrealistically high. Dr Hansen said he now regarded as implausible the view of many climate scientists that the shrinking of the ice sheets will take thousands of years.
If we follow business as usual, I can't see how west Antarctica could survive a century," he said. "We are talking about a sea-level rise of at least a couple of metres this century." Dr Hansen said his findings were not a recipe for despair. The good news, he said, was that reserves of fossil fuels. had been greatly exaggerated, so an alternative source of energy would have to be put in place rapidly in any case.
He proposed a range of measures. A moratorium on coal power stations would bring carbon dioxide levels to below 400 ppm. Reforestation coupled with innovative agricultural methods such as the use of Biochar, a form of biomass charcoal that can store carbon in the soil, could then get closer to his new 350 ppm target.
Dr Hansen's new position will pile more pressure on the British Government over plans to build a new generation of coal power stations. Last year he wrote to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to block the first such power station. The London-based Royal Society made similar protestations to Britain's Business Secretary, John Hutton, last week.
Wind foes in spin
Macedon Ranges Leader
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 3
SIDONIA Hills is one step closer to wind energy after the State Government planning department rejected an Environmental Effects Statement on a 34-turbine wind farm. Tasmanian group Roaring 40s lodged an EES referral to the planning department in January this year for a 3700ha farm that could supply the Kyneton area with clean electricity for 25 years. Roaring 40s spokesman Josh Bradshaw said the group was notified last week, and would now lodge an Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act referral.
"This is to confirm the project does not present any federal issue and then Roaring 40s will engage the detailed technical and environment studies," he said. "This will form part of the planning application to be lodged mid this year to the Victorian Minister for Planning." Landscape Guardians president Bruce McGregor said he was "not surprised." "We're not happy. We will fight against wind farms tooth and nail," he said. The guardians planned to meet opposition planning spokesmen Matthew Guy to raise concerns.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association secretary Christine Pruneau said the area's significance had been ignored. "The chances of an EES being required here were slim anyway, but given the sensitivity of the area, you would think it would be more important," she said.
But south ward councillor John Letchford said he supported wind power. "Wind and solar energy are the best renewable forms we have, but solar panels are still expensive to make," he said. "Until we come up with a hydrogen-powered solution in a non-intrusive area, this is the best way to go." A newsletter was sent to neighbouring residents last month outlining the group's plans. Copies are available at the Macedon Ranges Shire Council offices.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 3
SIDONIA Hills is one step closer to wind energy after the State Government planning department rejected an Environmental Effects Statement on a 34-turbine wind farm. Tasmanian group Roaring 40s lodged an EES referral to the planning department in January this year for a 3700ha farm that could supply the Kyneton area with clean electricity for 25 years. Roaring 40s spokesman Josh Bradshaw said the group was notified last week, and would now lodge an Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act referral.
"This is to confirm the project does not present any federal issue and then Roaring 40s will engage the detailed technical and environment studies," he said. "This will form part of the planning application to be lodged mid this year to the Victorian Minister for Planning." Landscape Guardians president Bruce McGregor said he was "not surprised." "We're not happy. We will fight against wind farms tooth and nail," he said. The guardians planned to meet opposition planning spokesmen Matthew Guy to raise concerns.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association secretary Christine Pruneau said the area's significance had been ignored. "The chances of an EES being required here were slim anyway, but given the sensitivity of the area, you would think it would be more important," she said.
But south ward councillor John Letchford said he supported wind power. "Wind and solar energy are the best renewable forms we have, but solar panels are still expensive to make," he said. "Until we come up with a hydrogen-powered solution in a non-intrusive area, this is the best way to go." A newsletter was sent to neighbouring residents last month outlining the group's plans. Copies are available at the Macedon Ranges Shire Council offices.
Turbines code call
Moorabool Leader
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 3
Moorabool Council will write to the Federal Government supporting a national wind-farm code. The decision came after WestWind Energy submitted a planning application for 40 wind turbines at Yendon and 24 at Elaine. The letter, to Environment Minister Peter Garrett, will aim to prevent wind farms being "constructed against the wishes of the community." The council could have little influence over approval for the Yendon/Elaine wind farm.
The application has gone directly to Planning Minister Justin Madden because its capacity would exceed 30 megawatts. Mr Madden will now decide whether to refer the decision to an independent panel, which would determine the fate of the application. A second planning application - for off site roadworks - is likely to be "called-in" by the minister to an independent panel. Mayor Di McAuliffe said the council would seek the community's views in its final submission.
"The major difficultly with applications such as this is that when the community, and particularly the community of interest, is distinctly divided, we need to ensure the studies and reports are up to date and have all of the information required," she said. WestWind community liaison manager Angela Sutcliffe said the company had originally planned 79 turbines but compromised on 64.
"The reduction in number and/or the relocation of turbines can be attributed to a number of key factors including the concerns of host landholders and neighboring landholders, as well as the results of specialist studies, for example, in relation to Aboriginal heritage and flora and fauna," she said.
Ballarat East state Labor MP Geoff Howard, who lives less than 3km from a wind farm near Waubra, backed an independent panel to provide the best outcome.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 3
Moorabool Council will write to the Federal Government supporting a national wind-farm code. The decision came after WestWind Energy submitted a planning application for 40 wind turbines at Yendon and 24 at Elaine. The letter, to Environment Minister Peter Garrett, will aim to prevent wind farms being "constructed against the wishes of the community." The council could have little influence over approval for the Yendon/Elaine wind farm.
The application has gone directly to Planning Minister Justin Madden because its capacity would exceed 30 megawatts. Mr Madden will now decide whether to refer the decision to an independent panel, which would determine the fate of the application. A second planning application - for off site roadworks - is likely to be "called-in" by the minister to an independent panel. Mayor Di McAuliffe said the council would seek the community's views in its final submission.
"The major difficultly with applications such as this is that when the community, and particularly the community of interest, is distinctly divided, we need to ensure the studies and reports are up to date and have all of the information required," she said. WestWind community liaison manager Angela Sutcliffe said the company had originally planned 79 turbines but compromised on 64.
"The reduction in number and/or the relocation of turbines can be attributed to a number of key factors including the concerns of host landholders and neighboring landholders, as well as the results of specialist studies, for example, in relation to Aboriginal heritage and flora and fauna," she said.
Ballarat East state Labor MP Geoff Howard, who lives less than 3km from a wind farm near Waubra, backed an independent panel to provide the best outcome.
Push for hot rock funding
Adelaide Advertiser
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 37
Geothermal energy should get a 10 per cent share of the Federal Government's $500 million renewable energy fund to help drive its development, an industry body says. In its submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review, the Australian geothermal Energy Group said a $50 million share of the renewable energy fund would help the industry through its "proof-of-concept" stage. The AGEG is forecasting a 171 per cent increase in geothermal industry field spending this year to $89 million.
But the submission argued that government assistance was needed while the industry proves its viability. "Policies that underpin the learn-while-doing phases of hot rock resource delineation, demonstration, development and deployment have been, and will remain, particularly influential in attracting multiples of private funds into the pre-competitive phase of developing Australia's geothermal resources," the submission said.
Hot rock geothermal energy is produced, in theory, by drilling wells up to 5km into the earth's crust, pumping water down and harnessing steam which returns to the surface. As at the start of this month, 33 companies were exploring for geothermal energy resources on licence areas covering 219,000 sq km across Australia, the AGEG said. Geodynamics is the most advanced of these companies and is currently testing the flow rates between its wells in the Cooper Basin.
The AGEG argued its industry could provide up to 10 per cent of baseload power by 2050, but would need government help go achieve this. The AGEG would also like an Australian geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence set up, with $20 million of federal funding over 10 years. The Garnaut Review's final report on the impact of climate change on the Australian economy is due on September 30, with a draft by June 30.
Tuesday 8/4/2008 Page: 37
Geothermal energy should get a 10 per cent share of the Federal Government's $500 million renewable energy fund to help drive its development, an industry body says. In its submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review, the Australian geothermal Energy Group said a $50 million share of the renewable energy fund would help the industry through its "proof-of-concept" stage. The AGEG is forecasting a 171 per cent increase in geothermal industry field spending this year to $89 million.
But the submission argued that government assistance was needed while the industry proves its viability. "Policies that underpin the learn-while-doing phases of hot rock resource delineation, demonstration, development and deployment have been, and will remain, particularly influential in attracting multiples of private funds into the pre-competitive phase of developing Australia's geothermal resources," the submission said.
Hot rock geothermal energy is produced, in theory, by drilling wells up to 5km into the earth's crust, pumping water down and harnessing steam which returns to the surface. As at the start of this month, 33 companies were exploring for geothermal energy resources on licence areas covering 219,000 sq km across Australia, the AGEG said. Geodynamics is the most advanced of these companies and is currently testing the flow rates between its wells in the Cooper Basin.
The AGEG argued its industry could provide up to 10 per cent of baseload power by 2050, but would need government help go achieve this. The AGEG would also like an Australian geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence set up, with $20 million of federal funding over 10 years. The Garnaut Review's final report on the impact of climate change on the Australian economy is due on September 30, with a draft by June 30.
Climate funds boost
Geelong Advertiser
Saturday 5/4/2008 Page: 18
THE Victorian Government will boost funding to sustainable energy projects and sign a memorandum of understanding with the US based Clinton Climate Initiative, under measures announced by Premier John Brumby yesterday. Speaking at a climate change summit in Melbourne, Mr Brumby said a new $72 million fund would "breathe new life" into large-scale renewable energy projects across the state, such as solar energy, wave power, geothermal and biomass conversion.
The money forms the next stage of the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) grants. The Clinton Climate Initiative was run by former US president Bill Clinton's William J. Clinton Foundation, Mr Brumby said. Victoria will use the foundation's purchasing consortium to deliver items such as hybrid buses, use new financing models to accelerate the transition to low energy street lighting and procure alternative waste treatment technologies.
Victoria is heavily reliant on brown coal but Mr Brumby denied the state was addicted to it. "Our challenge now is to make it a fuel of the future. Some people say you can never do that with coal, I don't believe that," he said. Mr Brumby said turning coal into gas and synthetic diesel, while capturing the carbon underground in natural gas wells would provide a carbon-neutral solution.
In a keynote address to the summit, the Federal Government's top climate change adviser Professor Ross Garnaut said commercial success of Carbon Capture and Storage would be the key to the future of the coal sector. "The very low cost of mining Victorian coal will give Victoria advantages, if we can get commercial Carbon Capture and Storage working well," he said. Mr Brumby also promised Parliament House would spend an extra $90,000 a year to pay for green power to supply the building. Victoria has set a target to reduce greenhouse emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
Saturday 5/4/2008 Page: 18
THE Victorian Government will boost funding to sustainable energy projects and sign a memorandum of understanding with the US based Clinton Climate Initiative, under measures announced by Premier John Brumby yesterday. Speaking at a climate change summit in Melbourne, Mr Brumby said a new $72 million fund would "breathe new life" into large-scale renewable energy projects across the state, such as solar energy, wave power, geothermal and biomass conversion.
The money forms the next stage of the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) grants. The Clinton Climate Initiative was run by former US president Bill Clinton's William J. Clinton Foundation, Mr Brumby said. Victoria will use the foundation's purchasing consortium to deliver items such as hybrid buses, use new financing models to accelerate the transition to low energy street lighting and procure alternative waste treatment technologies.
Victoria is heavily reliant on brown coal but Mr Brumby denied the state was addicted to it. "Our challenge now is to make it a fuel of the future. Some people say you can never do that with coal, I don't believe that," he said. Mr Brumby said turning coal into gas and synthetic diesel, while capturing the carbon underground in natural gas wells would provide a carbon-neutral solution.
In a keynote address to the summit, the Federal Government's top climate change adviser Professor Ross Garnaut said commercial success of Carbon Capture and Storage would be the key to the future of the coal sector. "The very low cost of mining Victorian coal will give Victoria advantages, if we can get commercial Carbon Capture and Storage working well," he said. Mr Brumby also promised Parliament House would spend an extra $90,000 a year to pay for green power to supply the building. Victoria has set a target to reduce greenhouse emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
Renewables get a second wind from Labor
Australian
Monday 7/4/2008 Page: 31
THE Rudd Government's embrace of renewable energy is expected to usher in a second wave of investment in wind power, despite a two-year waiting list for turbines. Paul Curnow, a partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie, said the outlook was "very good", with investors who had been lying in wait since 2004 now ready to "bring all that potential to market." The Government's national scheme will include a legislated target of 45,000 gigawatt hours of renewables-based electricity in
2020. This will ensure 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply will be obtained from renewables by 2020.
The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 currently requires the generation of 9500 gigawatt hours of extra renewable electricity per year by 2010 enough power to meet the residential electricity needs of 4 million people. There are about 40 wind farms in Australia, and at a clean energy conference in Sydney later this month, delegates will be told by AGL Energy Ltd carbon and government affairs national manager Tim Nelson that this could turn into 250 over the next decade. Mr Curnow expects the number to jump when the commonwealth and the states flesh out details relating to the target later this year.
He noted that when the Howard government introduced its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target in 2001, there was a burst of investment which dried up when it was clear the government was not going to extend the scheme. "All the wind farms you see in Australia came out of that," Mr Curnow said. He said the industry stalled after 2004 at a time when investors were still buying land and gaining approval for farms. Those who could ride out this period, such as infrastructure powerhouse Babcock and Brown, extended their portfolios and are now set to reap the dividends.
Many of the sites have been optioned or acquired and the relevant permission obtained but work has yet to start, because the developers want to make sure the economics of the farms stack up once the emissions trading regime is set up. They will quickly bring all that potential to market," said Mr Curnow. "I would expect some significant sales in the next five years as well as actual construction." However, the availability of turbines looms as a potential brake on growth. "The thing about wind is that it's ready to go and it's proven," Mr Curnow said. "You don't need a higher price to make it viable, so I think the wind sector will be able to get in there quickly and snap up most of the target.
The only restraint on wind, which is a big problem, is that you have a two-year waiting list to get a turbine at the moment. That's how tight the market is." He said German and Danish manufacturers had been interested in coming to Australia before 2004 but changed their minds because of concern about the problems of achieving the economies of scale in manufacturing that had been possible in Europe, where offshore farms of more than 100 turbines were becoming common.
"They haven't come back and probably won't, so we are going to have to rely on getting turbines from overseas." Mr Curnow said he expected the preferred model for bigger investors would be to establish the potential of the business before selling and perhaps retaining an equity share. He said geothermal energy was about "five years away before it gets to commercial grade" and that it was more likely to be useful in meeting future targets.
Monday 7/4/2008 Page: 31
THE Rudd Government's embrace of renewable energy is expected to usher in a second wave of investment in wind power, despite a two-year waiting list for turbines. Paul Curnow, a partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie, said the outlook was "very good", with investors who had been lying in wait since 2004 now ready to "bring all that potential to market." The Government's national scheme will include a legislated target of 45,000 gigawatt hours of renewables-based electricity in
2020. This will ensure 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply will be obtained from renewables by 2020.
The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 currently requires the generation of 9500 gigawatt hours of extra renewable electricity per year by 2010 enough power to meet the residential electricity needs of 4 million people. There are about 40 wind farms in Australia, and at a clean energy conference in Sydney later this month, delegates will be told by AGL Energy Ltd carbon and government affairs national manager Tim Nelson that this could turn into 250 over the next decade. Mr Curnow expects the number to jump when the commonwealth and the states flesh out details relating to the target later this year.
He noted that when the Howard government introduced its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target in 2001, there was a burst of investment which dried up when it was clear the government was not going to extend the scheme. "All the wind farms you see in Australia came out of that," Mr Curnow said. He said the industry stalled after 2004 at a time when investors were still buying land and gaining approval for farms. Those who could ride out this period, such as infrastructure powerhouse Babcock and Brown, extended their portfolios and are now set to reap the dividends.
Many of the sites have been optioned or acquired and the relevant permission obtained but work has yet to start, because the developers want to make sure the economics of the farms stack up once the emissions trading regime is set up. They will quickly bring all that potential to market," said Mr Curnow. "I would expect some significant sales in the next five years as well as actual construction." However, the availability of turbines looms as a potential brake on growth. "The thing about wind is that it's ready to go and it's proven," Mr Curnow said. "You don't need a higher price to make it viable, so I think the wind sector will be able to get in there quickly and snap up most of the target.
The only restraint on wind, which is a big problem, is that you have a two-year waiting list to get a turbine at the moment. That's how tight the market is." He said German and Danish manufacturers had been interested in coming to Australia before 2004 but changed their minds because of concern about the problems of achieving the economies of scale in manufacturing that had been possible in Europe, where offshore farms of more than 100 turbines were becoming common.
"They haven't come back and probably won't, so we are going to have to rely on getting turbines from overseas." Mr Curnow said he expected the preferred model for bigger investors would be to establish the potential of the business before selling and perhaps retaining an equity share. He said geothermal energy was about "five years away before it gets to commercial grade" and that it was more likely to be useful in meeting future targets.
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