Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 30/10/2010 Page: 14
Clearing forests may enrich those who are doing it, but over the long run it impoverishes the planet as a whole". That's not tree-hugging blather, but a leader in The Economist a few weeks ago. The magazine wants governments to "move fast" to save the world's forests, describing them as "purveyors of water, consumers of carbon, treasure-houses of species... ecological miracles". "Without a serious effort to solve this problem", the leader concluded, "the risk from climate change will be vastly increased and the planet will lose one of its most valuable, and most beautiful, assets. That would be a tragedy".
A map of the world, inside the magazine's special report, coloured Australia bright red - one of a handful of countries, including Brazil and Indonesia, losing more than 500,000 hectares of forest a year since 2005. As climate change accelerates, it makes no sense to be chopping down native forest - the cheapest, largest scale carbon sequestration available. Land-use change (mostly deforestation) accounts for about 15 to 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than all the world's ships, cars, trains and planes.
Afforestation, reforestation and reduced agricultural emissions could, the magazine reported, sequester 40 parts per million of greenhouse gas from the atmosphere by 2050. (We are at 450 ppm and rising; we need to get back to 350 ppm.) Old growth forest maybe especially significant in its ability to suck up carbon. Which is one reason there has been an ecstatic reaction to the peace deal negotiated this month to phase out native forest logging in Tasmania.
A lot of detail needs to be fleshed out, and there is plenty of scope for backsliding, but the immediate focus has switched to the mainland. Can a similar coup be achieved here? Talks are beginning, but it looks hard. At Eden, on the NSW south coast, the Japanese-owned South East Fibre Export woodchip mill is locked in a 40-year fight for survival against conservationists.
Its chief executive, Peter Mitchell, says that SEFE, unlike Gunns, does not have the option of switching to plantation. Too much nearby forest is protected, or is state forest which cannot be converted to plantation. Woodchip prices are down. A value-adding pulp mill is not an option-the region does not have enough water and, at roughly a million tonnes a year, throughput is too small to justify the investment needed. The mill is a major employer in the Eden area, whose economy the federal Labor MP Mike Kelly - also the parliamentary secretary for forestry - describes as tenuous. Parliamentary library research he's done confirms SEFE can't move to a wholly plantation base.
A bright spot for SEFE was a proposal, now before the NSW government, to build a 5MWs biomass plant to burn so-called fines - residues from their own mill, and from nearby sawmills - to generate renewable electricity. At the moment the residues either help power the Bega Cheese factory or are sold as mulch and carted away. Some is wasted. The plant would power the mill and, if excess power was sold on and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated, it could be a nice little earner.
SEFE estimates that on top of turnover of about $70 million a year, if the biomass plant generated its forecast 31,000MWh a year, sold on at $80/MWh (based on a REC price of $35 and a wholesale electricity price of 5.50/kW) it would pull in about $2.5 million.
Which is not make-or-break. SEFE will survive if the plant does not getup. A key question is whether the local retailer Country Energy, the only logical buyer, will buy power from a controversial project. Mitchell says Country offered SEFE an indicative price a year ago. "They'll buy it", he says, "but they wouldn't sell it as Green Power". Country dodged the question this week, saying it has all the renewable energy it needs for now.
Conservationists fear the Eden biomass proposal is a test case, the thin end of the wedge, which would provide avast new market to prop up native forest logging, just as the economic case for traditional woodchip operations is unravelling. It may seem crazy to log native forest for renewable energy now, but if a carbon price is brought in, and it rises as expected, dragging REC prices up with it, what now seems uneconomic could soon become a major industry. It is a deal breaker for the environment movement if native forest can be burnt to generate "renewable" energy.
"It's the number-one conspiracy theory we get thrown at us", says Mitchell, adding that the REC regime incorporates a "high value test" that prevents logging for the primary purpose of generating energy. NSW environment protection laws prevent use of forest residues for power generation. Mill residues are OK.
Kelly, whose seat of Eden-Monaro takes in both the Snowy Hydro scheme and Infigen Energy's Capital Wind Farm at Bungendore, wants the region to be Australia's renewable energy flagship and is working with the Clean Energy for Eternity movement, which promotes a "50/50 by 2020" emissions reduction target. Kelly is a cautious supporter of the SEFE project as long as it does not use native forest waste, although he supports native forest logging in the region.
The forestry division national secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Michael O'Connor, is equally guarded. The union's position will depend on the outcome of collective agreement negotiations at SEFE. "We're not going to support any employer... if they don't have good, safe union jobs. It's a bit like someone you live next door to. If they're rude to you, you're less likely to help them out".
paddy.manning@fairfaxmedia.corm.au
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Knee-jerk reaction
Age
Saturday 30/10/2010 Page: 10
THE other states and territories would be wrong to follow New South Wales's lead and slash their renewable energy policies.
While it may be true that the NSW feed-in tariff was set too high, the claim that feed-in-tariff policies are driving energy price rises is absurd. Victoria's feed-in tariff adds less than $1 per year to average electricity bills. The vast majority of price rises are due to investment in infrastructure required to deliver mostly coal-fired power to the grid, which will require $42 billion of investment over the next five years.
CSIRO research shows that solar panels on roofs can cut the cost of electricity by reducing the burden on transmission infrastructure and deferring expensive upgrades. The NSW decision is a knee-jerk overreaction to a flood of misleading media reports on the cost of feed-in tariffs, and will jeopardise hundreds of jobs in the renewable energy industry. Globally, Australia is already at the bottom of the pile when it comes to climate change policy. Let's not dig ourselves in deeper.
Paul Murfitt, Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, Brunswick
Saturday 30/10/2010 Page: 10
THE other states and territories would be wrong to follow New South Wales's lead and slash their renewable energy policies.
While it may be true that the NSW feed-in tariff was set too high, the claim that feed-in-tariff policies are driving energy price rises is absurd. Victoria's feed-in tariff adds less than $1 per year to average electricity bills. The vast majority of price rises are due to investment in infrastructure required to deliver mostly coal-fired power to the grid, which will require $42 billion of investment over the next five years.
CSIRO research shows that solar panels on roofs can cut the cost of electricity by reducing the burden on transmission infrastructure and deferring expensive upgrades. The NSW decision is a knee-jerk overreaction to a flood of misleading media reports on the cost of feed-in tariffs, and will jeopardise hundreds of jobs in the renewable energy industry. Globally, Australia is already at the bottom of the pile when it comes to climate change policy. Let's not dig ourselves in deeper.
Paul Murfitt, Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, Brunswick
Wind farm project cut back
Age
Saturday 30/10/2010 Page: 5
VICTORIA'S largest wind farm proposal has been scaled back after the state government accepted evidence it would damage the view from a heritage-listed property. Planning Minister Justin Madden approved a bid by energy company Origin Energy to build a $1 billion wind farm at Stockyard Hill, between Beaufort and Skipton, about 35 kilometres west of Ballarat. But the 157-turbine farm will be more than a third smaller than the 242-turbine one initially proposed. Origin Energy struck out 30 turbines during public hearings and the government refused another 55 based on the advice of a planning panel.
Fourteen turbines were refused on the grounds they would have diminished the view from Mawallok, a historic homestead with gardens crafted by 19th-century landscaper William Guilfoyle. It is the first time wind turbines have been rejected because of their impact on the outlook from a heritage property. Another 41 turbines were rejected due to their impact on a local Brolga population.
Cassie Franzose, a member of the Mitchell family that owns Mawallok and spokeswoman for anti-wind farm group the Landscape Guardians, was unhappy any turbines had been approved but "pleasantly surprised" the government had accepted the panel's recommendations. "Given there are so few gardens of that era it would have been a significant loss. The turbines would have been at the front of the vista", she said.
She said Mawallok's owners had won about three-quarters of what they were fighting for. Despite this, she has left the property due to concern about the health effects of living near turbines. The government says there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence that wind farms cause health problems. The wind farm still needs federal government approval.
Saturday 30/10/2010 Page: 5
VICTORIA'S largest wind farm proposal has been scaled back after the state government accepted evidence it would damage the view from a heritage-listed property. Planning Minister Justin Madden approved a bid by energy company Origin Energy to build a $1 billion wind farm at Stockyard Hill, between Beaufort and Skipton, about 35 kilometres west of Ballarat. But the 157-turbine farm will be more than a third smaller than the 242-turbine one initially proposed. Origin Energy struck out 30 turbines during public hearings and the government refused another 55 based on the advice of a planning panel.
Fourteen turbines were refused on the grounds they would have diminished the view from Mawallok, a historic homestead with gardens crafted by 19th-century landscaper William Guilfoyle. It is the first time wind turbines have been rejected because of their impact on the outlook from a heritage property. Another 41 turbines were rejected due to their impact on a local Brolga population.
Cassie Franzose, a member of the Mitchell family that owns Mawallok and spokeswoman for anti-wind farm group the Landscape Guardians, was unhappy any turbines had been approved but "pleasantly surprised" the government had accepted the panel's recommendations. "Given there are so few gardens of that era it would have been a significant loss. The turbines would have been at the front of the vista", she said.
She said Mawallok's owners had won about three-quarters of what they were fighting for. Despite this, she has left the property due to concern about the health effects of living near turbines. The government says there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence that wind farms cause health problems. The wind farm still needs federal government approval.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
WA energy policy 'bad for wave power'
West Australian
Monday 1/11/2010 Page: 10
The head of a leading local renewable energy company says WA could lose one of the world's foremost wave energy initiatives because Australia is behind Europe in financial returns on green energy. Carnegie Corporation Wave Energy chief executive Michael Ottaviano unveiled the latest development of his company's proposed Garden Island wave farm last week a 20 tonne buoyant actuator, or buoy.
But he said WA could lose the potential wealth of energy from wave energy to Ireland, Portugal and other European nations because of its uncompetitive policy "That shouldn't surprise anyone, that commercially driven companies will go where they are going to get the best return on their capital", he said. Carnegie Corporation is about to attach its first CETO unit to the seabed near Garden Island and its wave farm will eventually have up to 20 units and produce 5MW.
A CETO unit has a 20 tonne buoy connected to a pump on the sea floor. As the buoy moves in the swells, it drives a piston and pumps water into a turbine. Dr Ottaviano said Australia was not doing enough to entice renewable energy players. "It would cost us the same to build a power station (in Europe) but we'd get three to four times more revenue in Ireland, the UK, Portugal and Spain. If you go to Scotland it's even higher", he said. Dr Ottaviano said WA's renewable energy target should be broken down into specific types because it was aimed towards wind power.
Monday 1/11/2010 Page: 10
The head of a leading local renewable energy company says WA could lose one of the world's foremost wave energy initiatives because Australia is behind Europe in financial returns on green energy. Carnegie Corporation Wave Energy chief executive Michael Ottaviano unveiled the latest development of his company's proposed Garden Island wave farm last week a 20 tonne buoyant actuator, or buoy.But he said WA could lose the potential wealth of energy from wave energy to Ireland, Portugal and other European nations because of its uncompetitive policy "That shouldn't surprise anyone, that commercially driven companies will go where they are going to get the best return on their capital", he said. Carnegie Corporation is about to attach its first CETO unit to the seabed near Garden Island and its wave farm will eventually have up to 20 units and produce 5MW.
A CETO unit has a 20 tonne buoy connected to a pump on the sea floor. As the buoy moves in the swells, it drives a piston and pumps water into a turbine. Dr Ottaviano said Australia was not doing enough to entice renewable energy players. "It would cost us the same to build a power station (in Europe) but we'd get three to four times more revenue in Ireland, the UK, Portugal and Spain. If you go to Scotland it's even higher", he said. Dr Ottaviano said WA's renewable energy target should be broken down into specific types because it was aimed towards wind power.
Answers are blowing in the wind
Courier Mail
Monday 1/11/2010 Page: 29
RESEARCH issued this week by HSBC shows Australians are increasingly pessimistic about whether climate change can be arrested and are less confident that their leaders are tackling the problem. But there are communities and groups developing plans to bring within reach a switch from planet-warming coal-fired and gas-fired power stations to clean energy from the sun, wind, waves and underground heat.
Beyond Zero Emissions last week held the Queensland launch of its plan to switch Australia entirely to zero emission electricity sources by 2020, while earlier this month, Embark, a group chaired by Simon Holmes a Court, was launched to help communities obtain project financing and specialist advice to build community-owned renewable energy projects such as wind farms.
Holmes a Court is the founding chairman of Hepburn Wind, which raised more than $11.6 million to start building a wind farm at Leonard's Hill in Victoria this month. Scientists say carbon emissions need to peak by about 2015, then fall sharply, to give a 50-50 chance of holding the average temperature rise to 2C. So it's quite urgent that new coalfired energy generation is avoided and existing coal plants used less. But many of Australia's political leaders and power companies remain in the thrall of coal and gas.
As Victorian Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings visited the Leonard's Hill site to mark the start of construction of what is Australia's first community-owned clean-energy project, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was in Clermont praising Rio Tinto's newest thermal coal mine, which will feed coal-fired power stations in Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand for years.
Queensland Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson recently told a public meeting any new investment in renewable energy came down to whether voters would tolerate higher power bills. This view, however, was contradicted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who said recent power bill rises were caused by state governments not investing enough in power networks. Meanwhile Origin Energy, which spends $170 million a year on gas and oil exploration, has spent just $100 million on solar research over 10 years.
The US could light the way for Australian politicians and power firms. California's BrightSource Energy makes solar thermal power stations able to supply power day and night using energy storage technology. It will soon start building the world's largest solar power plant, the Ivanpah project. US policy settings bolstered BrightSource Energy, while Australia's only significant existing clean-energy policy helps wind farm developers but leaves geothermal and solar in the wilderness.
Beyond Zero Emissions says switching to zero-carbon power by 2020 will require a $370 billion capital investment, which would add $8 a week to household power bills. But also to be counted are the huge economic opportunities for Australia from building its own clean technology industries, given analysts estimate the global marketplace will be worth $2.2 trillion a year by 2020.
Monday 1/11/2010 Page: 29
RESEARCH issued this week by HSBC shows Australians are increasingly pessimistic about whether climate change can be arrested and are less confident that their leaders are tackling the problem. But there are communities and groups developing plans to bring within reach a switch from planet-warming coal-fired and gas-fired power stations to clean energy from the sun, wind, waves and underground heat.
Beyond Zero Emissions last week held the Queensland launch of its plan to switch Australia entirely to zero emission electricity sources by 2020, while earlier this month, Embark, a group chaired by Simon Holmes a Court, was launched to help communities obtain project financing and specialist advice to build community-owned renewable energy projects such as wind farms.
Holmes a Court is the founding chairman of Hepburn Wind, which raised more than $11.6 million to start building a wind farm at Leonard's Hill in Victoria this month. Scientists say carbon emissions need to peak by about 2015, then fall sharply, to give a 50-50 chance of holding the average temperature rise to 2C. So it's quite urgent that new coalfired energy generation is avoided and existing coal plants used less. But many of Australia's political leaders and power companies remain in the thrall of coal and gas.
As Victorian Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings visited the Leonard's Hill site to mark the start of construction of what is Australia's first community-owned clean-energy project, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was in Clermont praising Rio Tinto's newest thermal coal mine, which will feed coal-fired power stations in Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand for years.
Queensland Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson recently told a public meeting any new investment in renewable energy came down to whether voters would tolerate higher power bills. This view, however, was contradicted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who said recent power bill rises were caused by state governments not investing enough in power networks. Meanwhile Origin Energy, which spends $170 million a year on gas and oil exploration, has spent just $100 million on solar research over 10 years.
The US could light the way for Australian politicians and power firms. California's BrightSource Energy makes solar thermal power stations able to supply power day and night using energy storage technology. It will soon start building the world's largest solar power plant, the Ivanpah project. US policy settings bolstered BrightSource Energy, while Australia's only significant existing clean-energy policy helps wind farm developers but leaves geothermal and solar in the wilderness.
Beyond Zero Emissions says switching to zero-carbon power by 2020 will require a $370 billion capital investment, which would add $8 a week to household power bills. But also to be counted are the huge economic opportunities for Australia from building its own clean technology industries, given analysts estimate the global marketplace will be worth $2.2 trillion a year by 2020.
Turbine upgrade plan - It's full steam ahead for wind
Hobart Mercury
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 3
NEW improved wind turbines will be installed on the Marine Board building next year.
The architect behind the installation of the turbines said they would be superior to the turbines that controversially failed in August Keith Drew, architect for Marine Board building owner Robert Rockefeller, said improvements to safety and productivity of the turbines would mean they would not be operational until the second week in January.
The new timeline would mean plans for installing turbines on Mr Rockefeller's ANZ building in Hobart's CBD Energy would be set back a few months after the Marine Board ones. Mr Drew said Mr Rockefeller was working with I Want Energy, the company that installed and supplied the turbines, to ensure the new ones are safe. In August, a braking mechanism on two turbines failed causing them to collapse and cause $100,000 damage.
After the incident Workplace Standards Tasmania ordered all the turbines to be switched off until it was satisfied they were safe. "Robert [Rockefeller] is just saying do whatever you have to do to make sure this type of thing can never happen again", Mr Drew said. I Want Energy has sought improvements on the turbines before having them manufactured and shipped to Tasmania. Mr Drew said. "When the turbines are reinstalled on the building they will be a new version of the turbine, they will look exactly the same but there will be some manufacturing improvements that will be implemented as well, as part of the review process", he said.
He said the new model was being tested in a wind tunnel this week. Once the tests are passed the turbines will be built and shipped to Tasmania, arriving in December. Mr Drew started working in 2009 to explore ways in which Mr Rockefeller's many Tasmanian properties could establish more sustainable energy options. "We explored the solar panel option and the wind power option and the wind power option won hands down in terms of feasible technology and financial payback", he said.
Mr Drew said despite some public concerns about safety after the incident in August the overwhelming response from the public about wind turbines in Hobart had been positive. The issue had not stopped Mr Rockefeller from exploring a wide range of energy efficiency options for his other Tasmanian buildings, Mr Drew said.
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 3
NEW improved wind turbines will be installed on the Marine Board building next year.The architect behind the installation of the turbines said they would be superior to the turbines that controversially failed in August Keith Drew, architect for Marine Board building owner Robert Rockefeller, said improvements to safety and productivity of the turbines would mean they would not be operational until the second week in January.
The new timeline would mean plans for installing turbines on Mr Rockefeller's ANZ building in Hobart's CBD Energy would be set back a few months after the Marine Board ones. Mr Drew said Mr Rockefeller was working with I Want Energy, the company that installed and supplied the turbines, to ensure the new ones are safe. In August, a braking mechanism on two turbines failed causing them to collapse and cause $100,000 damage.
After the incident Workplace Standards Tasmania ordered all the turbines to be switched off until it was satisfied they were safe. "Robert [Rockefeller] is just saying do whatever you have to do to make sure this type of thing can never happen again", Mr Drew said. I Want Energy has sought improvements on the turbines before having them manufactured and shipped to Tasmania. Mr Drew said. "When the turbines are reinstalled on the building they will be a new version of the turbine, they will look exactly the same but there will be some manufacturing improvements that will be implemented as well, as part of the review process", he said.
He said the new model was being tested in a wind tunnel this week. Once the tests are passed the turbines will be built and shipped to Tasmania, arriving in December. Mr Drew started working in 2009 to explore ways in which Mr Rockefeller's many Tasmanian properties could establish more sustainable energy options. "We explored the solar panel option and the wind power option and the wind power option won hands down in terms of feasible technology and financial payback", he said.
Mr Drew said despite some public concerns about safety after the incident in August the overwhelming response from the public about wind turbines in Hobart had been positive. The issue had not stopped Mr Rockefeller from exploring a wide range of energy efficiency options for his other Tasmanian buildings, Mr Drew said.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Slashing solar won't stop electricity price rises
Clean Energy Council
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
HOUSEHOLDS in NSW still face big electricity price increases while the state's solar power industry will be devastated by the NSW Government's decision to slash its Solar Bonus Scheme. The changes proposed today by the NSW Government - cutting the solar bonus scheme by two-thirds from midnight tonight - will seriously damage the state's solar panel industry.
"This is a repeat of the boom-bust cycle the solar industry has been trying to avoid", said Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren. "A year ago we welcomed the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, but warned the government it was too generous. More recently we advised the best way to fix this was to ease the scheme down and provide more long term certainty. "Instead they have compounded their first problem with an even bigger problem.
Damaging the solar industry in NSW won't stop big electricity price increases but it will cost jobs and damage confidence in this important clean industry. "Today's announcement is just a knee jerk reaction. Reducing the gross tariff to 20¢/kWh makes NSW one of the lowest rates in Australia".
The clean energy industry has recommended a lower gross feed in tariff of 45¢/kWh and extended over a longer time period to provide certainty to consumers and to installers. The proposed 2012 review and an end date of December 2016 did not provide the industry with adequate certainty or support, Mr Warren said.
"The cost of improving the electricity network in NSW will cost more than $14 billion over the next five years. By comparison, based on 100MW installed capacity, the cost of the solar bonus scheme is less than 8% of this. "The NSW Solar Bonus scheme has effectively built a clean energy power station across the rooftops of NSW households. This new generation capacity has been co-funded by all electricity users and the households themselves. "We just needed to get that funding balance right, not effectively shut the scheme down",Mr Warren said.
The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for renewable energy in Australia, representing approximately 450 companies.
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
HOUSEHOLDS in NSW still face big electricity price increases while the state's solar power industry will be devastated by the NSW Government's decision to slash its Solar Bonus Scheme. The changes proposed today by the NSW Government - cutting the solar bonus scheme by two-thirds from midnight tonight - will seriously damage the state's solar panel industry."This is a repeat of the boom-bust cycle the solar industry has been trying to avoid", said Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren. "A year ago we welcomed the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, but warned the government it was too generous. More recently we advised the best way to fix this was to ease the scheme down and provide more long term certainty. "Instead they have compounded their first problem with an even bigger problem.
Damaging the solar industry in NSW won't stop big electricity price increases but it will cost jobs and damage confidence in this important clean industry. "Today's announcement is just a knee jerk reaction. Reducing the gross tariff to 20¢/kWh makes NSW one of the lowest rates in Australia".
The clean energy industry has recommended a lower gross feed in tariff of 45¢/kWh and extended over a longer time period to provide certainty to consumers and to installers. The proposed 2012 review and an end date of December 2016 did not provide the industry with adequate certainty or support, Mr Warren said.
"The cost of improving the electricity network in NSW will cost more than $14 billion over the next five years. By comparison, based on 100MW installed capacity, the cost of the solar bonus scheme is less than 8% of this. "The NSW Solar Bonus scheme has effectively built a clean energy power station across the rooftops of NSW households. This new generation capacity has been co-funded by all electricity users and the households themselves. "We just needed to get that funding balance right, not effectively shut the scheme down",Mr Warren said.
The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for renewable energy in Australia, representing approximately 450 companies.
Company rides the wind to take out capital's top award
Canberra Times
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 19
Spectacular global growth over the past four years has enabled an ACT company to ride out uncertainty around a carbon price and win Canberra's top business accolade. Technology developed in Canberra has made Windlab Systems a world expert in measuring wind and one of Australia's fastest growing businesses. The company locates economically, socially and environmentally acceptable sites for wind farms in Australia and overseas. Last night Windlab Systems received the Canberra Business Council's business achievement award for 2010.
Chief operating officer Luke Osborne said company turnover was growing by 100% annually, but it hadn't escaped the impact of political uncertainty in environmental policies. "We're subject to the slight vagaries of the political pendulum around carbon pricing and so forth. "We have been lucky to grow into a lot of markets so we can smooth those booms and busts out that unfortunately has characterised the industry on the back of government He said legislation for large scale renewable energy targets supported Windlab Systems's operation. "Even without a carbon price, we're investing in Australia, it's a good place and a carbon price will help. It will make our dirty competitors less competitive".
Windlab Systems is expanding from information technology into preparing wind farms for construction. From only three staff in 2004 its Canberra headquarters now has 14 staff. It has other offices throughout the world. Windlab Systems prospects for and develops wind power sites in Canada, the United States and South Africa, as well as Australia. A computer cluster in Windlab Systems's Barton office continuously performs atmospheric calculations which help locate viable wind sites around the world.
Mr Osborne said the wind farm industry was risky because only one in 10 sites investigated was ever constructed. The biggest risk was the wind resource and Windlab Systems was the best at understanding the resource. Windlab Systems's development portfolio has more than 5000MWs of projects at various stages of development around the world. Mr Osborne did not expect the company's spectacular growth to continue as it developed a wider base, but it would develop into a substantial business.
The business achievement awards, sponsored by The Canberra Times and ActewAGL Energy, recognise ACT and regional businesses that demonstrate business excellence and make a positive contribution to the ACT and regional economies. Business council chief executive Chris Faulks said Windlab Systems had a strong presence in Canberra, with technical services and research and development divisions.
"Together with the other finalists, Windlab Systems demonstrates that Canberra is uniquely positioned as Australia's smartest city with an extremely innovative, export-oriented business environment", Ms Faulks said.
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 19
Spectacular global growth over the past four years has enabled an ACT company to ride out uncertainty around a carbon price and win Canberra's top business accolade. Technology developed in Canberra has made Windlab Systems a world expert in measuring wind and one of Australia's fastest growing businesses. The company locates economically, socially and environmentally acceptable sites for wind farms in Australia and overseas. Last night Windlab Systems received the Canberra Business Council's business achievement award for 2010.
Chief operating officer Luke Osborne said company turnover was growing by 100% annually, but it hadn't escaped the impact of political uncertainty in environmental policies. "We're subject to the slight vagaries of the political pendulum around carbon pricing and so forth. "We have been lucky to grow into a lot of markets so we can smooth those booms and busts out that unfortunately has characterised the industry on the back of government He said legislation for large scale renewable energy targets supported Windlab Systems's operation. "Even without a carbon price, we're investing in Australia, it's a good place and a carbon price will help. It will make our dirty competitors less competitive".
Windlab Systems is expanding from information technology into preparing wind farms for construction. From only three staff in 2004 its Canberra headquarters now has 14 staff. It has other offices throughout the world. Windlab Systems prospects for and develops wind power sites in Canada, the United States and South Africa, as well as Australia. A computer cluster in Windlab Systems's Barton office continuously performs atmospheric calculations which help locate viable wind sites around the world.
Mr Osborne said the wind farm industry was risky because only one in 10 sites investigated was ever constructed. The biggest risk was the wind resource and Windlab Systems was the best at understanding the resource. Windlab Systems's development portfolio has more than 5000MWs of projects at various stages of development around the world. Mr Osborne did not expect the company's spectacular growth to continue as it developed a wider base, but it would develop into a substantial business.
The business achievement awards, sponsored by The Canberra Times and ActewAGL Energy, recognise ACT and regional businesses that demonstrate business excellence and make a positive contribution to the ACT and regional economies. Business council chief executive Chris Faulks said Windlab Systems had a strong presence in Canberra, with technical services and research and development divisions.
"Together with the other finalists, Windlab Systems demonstrates that Canberra is uniquely positioned as Australia's smartest city with an extremely innovative, export-oriented business environment", Ms Faulks said.
Blowout sparks fears over solar schemes
Australian
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 6
THE states are resisting pressure to radically overhaul their solar panel schemes after the NSW government slashed its program. Master Electricians Australia yesterday called for uniform solar feed-in tariffs, arguing that inconsistency between the states and sudden changes discouraged electrical businesses from installing solar power systems.
"Many businesses have spent a significant amount of time and taxpayers' money training their staff to install solar panels, and all that investment could be wasted if demand dries up as a result of sudden government decisions", said chief executive Malcolm Richards.
The call came as the solar industry reeled from the NSW government's announcement on Wednesday that it would slash its solar bonus scheme in response to a massive blowout. Distributors and installers said once the backlog of orders ran out staff cuts would be inevitable. The NSW scheme had paid 60¢/kWh for all power generated but will now pay 20¢/kWh, prompting warnings the solar industry was in jeopardy.
Energy Retailers Association of Australia executive director Cameron O'Reilly said if the states were going to continue to have the schemes, they should make them more consistent: "Stop the contest between the states and territories, get them to rethink this whole approach". NSW and the ACT have "gross" schemes that pay households for all electricity they produce, while the other states have "net" schemes that pay for surplus power exported to the grid. Victoria's scheme pays 60¢/kWh for electricity returned to the grid, Queensland's 44¢/kWh and Western Australia's 40¢/kWh.
The Council of Australian Governments agreed in November 2008 to a set of principles for feed-in tariffs in a bid to encourage national consistency. But Mr O'Reilly said there were questions as to whether such federal-state deals had much weight and that National Competition Policy style payments should be used to encourage the states to adhere to them.
"If we want to see any federal/state reform, we have to see financial incentives to realise them, particularly when they are politically contentious", he said.
Both Victoria and Queensland said yesterday there were no plans to review the tariff, with the Queensland government saying its scheme "gets the balance right" as a net scheme that only pays households for the surplus energy they feed back into the grid.
Friday 29/10/2010 Page: 6
THE states are resisting pressure to radically overhaul their solar panel schemes after the NSW government slashed its program. Master Electricians Australia yesterday called for uniform solar feed-in tariffs, arguing that inconsistency between the states and sudden changes discouraged electrical businesses from installing solar power systems.
"Many businesses have spent a significant amount of time and taxpayers' money training their staff to install solar panels, and all that investment could be wasted if demand dries up as a result of sudden government decisions", said chief executive Malcolm Richards.
The call came as the solar industry reeled from the NSW government's announcement on Wednesday that it would slash its solar bonus scheme in response to a massive blowout. Distributors and installers said once the backlog of orders ran out staff cuts would be inevitable. The NSW scheme had paid 60¢/kWh for all power generated but will now pay 20¢/kWh, prompting warnings the solar industry was in jeopardy.
Energy Retailers Association of Australia executive director Cameron O'Reilly said if the states were going to continue to have the schemes, they should make them more consistent: "Stop the contest between the states and territories, get them to rethink this whole approach". NSW and the ACT have "gross" schemes that pay households for all electricity they produce, while the other states have "net" schemes that pay for surplus power exported to the grid. Victoria's scheme pays 60¢/kWh for electricity returned to the grid, Queensland's 44¢/kWh and Western Australia's 40¢/kWh.
The Council of Australian Governments agreed in November 2008 to a set of principles for feed-in tariffs in a bid to encourage national consistency. But Mr O'Reilly said there were questions as to whether such federal-state deals had much weight and that National Competition Policy style payments should be used to encourage the states to adhere to them.
"If we want to see any federal/state reform, we have to see financial incentives to realise them, particularly when they are politically contentious", he said.
Both Victoria and Queensland said yesterday there were no plans to review the tariff, with the Queensland government saying its scheme "gets the balance right" as a net scheme that only pays households for the surplus energy they feed back into the grid.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Outback power answer a whole lot of hot air
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 27/10/2010 Page: 2
AN EXPERIMENTAL solar power plant at Newcastle will be the biggest of its type in the world, with a field of hundreds of mirrors "creating electricity out of sunshine and air". Most solar thermal power plants concentrate heat to boil water and spin turbines, but the CSIRO's miniature power station is designed for waterless regions of outback Australia.
The mirrors focus the sun's heat onto a tower that holds compressed air. The air, heated to 900°, drives a turbine motor on top of the tower which produces electricity. The trial plant at Mayfield West, where the first mirrors were installed yesterday, covers about 4000 m² about the size of a shopping centre roof. Even running at low capacity, it willpower about 200 households.
"The best solar regions in the world like north-westAustralia are also the regions with the lowest rainfall", said James McGregor, the CSIRO's project director for solar technology. "A lot of the mining towns in that part of the world rely on diesel for generating electricity, so our initial target market over the next five years will be the mining industry".
The agency has calculated that the energy and carbon emissions embodied in the steel, aluminium and silicon needed to build the plant would be offset within two years, after which it would generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or requiring water. Unlike the mostly steam driven solar plants overseas, the design uses smaller, cheaper components that can be mass produced. The curved mirrors for the plant are being made on the central coast by Performance Engineering Group, and the little motors used to guide them to face the sun are sold commercially for $19.95.
The project, which is expected to be built by Christmas at a total cost of $5 million and to generate power by the middle of next year is one of the first fruits of the Australian Solar Institute, a $100 million federal government program to support solar power research. At present, just under 4% ofAustralia's energy comes from renewable sources. The national renewable energy target is to raise that to 20% over the next 10 years.
Wednesday 27/10/2010 Page: 2
AN EXPERIMENTAL solar power plant at Newcastle will be the biggest of its type in the world, with a field of hundreds of mirrors "creating electricity out of sunshine and air". Most solar thermal power plants concentrate heat to boil water and spin turbines, but the CSIRO's miniature power station is designed for waterless regions of outback Australia.The mirrors focus the sun's heat onto a tower that holds compressed air. The air, heated to 900°, drives a turbine motor on top of the tower which produces electricity. The trial plant at Mayfield West, where the first mirrors were installed yesterday, covers about 4000 m² about the size of a shopping centre roof. Even running at low capacity, it willpower about 200 households.
"The best solar regions in the world like north-westAustralia are also the regions with the lowest rainfall", said James McGregor, the CSIRO's project director for solar technology. "A lot of the mining towns in that part of the world rely on diesel for generating electricity, so our initial target market over the next five years will be the mining industry".
The agency has calculated that the energy and carbon emissions embodied in the steel, aluminium and silicon needed to build the plant would be offset within two years, after which it would generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or requiring water. Unlike the mostly steam driven solar plants overseas, the design uses smaller, cheaper components that can be mass produced. The curved mirrors for the plant are being made on the central coast by Performance Engineering Group, and the little motors used to guide them to face the sun are sold commercially for $19.95.
The project, which is expected to be built by Christmas at a total cost of $5 million and to generate power by the middle of next year is one of the first fruits of the Australian Solar Institute, a $100 million federal government program to support solar power research. At present, just under 4% ofAustralia's energy comes from renewable sources. The national renewable energy target is to raise that to 20% over the next 10 years.
Bank slashes value of share in Hazelwood
Age
Wednesday 27/10/2010 Page: 7
DOUBTS have been cast over the value of one of Australia's "dirtiest" power stations after the Commonwealth Bank announced it had all but written off its share in the plant. Responding to a question at the bank's annual meeting in Sydney, Commonwealth Bank chairman David Turner said it had written down its 2% holding in the Hazelwood coalfired power plant in the Latrobe Valley to just $1 million. It is a fraction of what the bank paid for its stake in the plant understood to be about $25 million when the state government privatised the electricity industry in 1996.
The dramatic write-down comes as the Brumby government negotiates with the plant's majority owner, International Power, on a compensation package to close a quarter of its generation by 2014. A Commonwealth Bank spokesman told The Age that it had written down its investment based on a recent assessment of its market value, as per standard accounting requirements. The value of coal-fired plants has been written down around the world as steps are taken to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment groups said the shift would increase pressure on International Power to also write down its 92% share in the plant. While it declines to comment publicly on the plant's value, the company is believed to put its book value at about $2 billion. Greenpeace climate campaigner John Hepburn said the Commonwealth Bank valuation suggested it believed the whole plant could be worth as little as $50 million.
Environment Victoria campaigns director Mark Wakeham said the write-down paved the way for the state and federal governments to close the entire Hazelwood plant sooner than planned. "The Commonwealth Bank can see the writing on the wall", Mr Wakeham Investment managers warned against a simple extrapolation of Hazelwood's value based on the Commonwealth Bank write-down.
Colonial First State, which indirectly holds a roughly 6% share of Hazelwood on behalf of a number of super funds, said there had been no change to the value of its holding in the plant. Mr Turner said the Hazelwood holding had not been one of the group's "best" investments and was not part of its core stakes. A state government spokeswoman said talks with International Power were under way, but would not comment on the plant's value.
"The Brumby Labor government is the only party committed to begin the phased closure of Hazelwood, and we'll do that by negotiating a fair price with International Power", spokeswoman Fiona Macrae said. International Power corporate affairs manager Jim Kouts said the Commonwealth Bank decision would have no effect on the overall value of Hazelwood. "In effect, we're talking about an internal accounting treatment of the bank's investment and in our view there is currently no trigger for this impairment decision", he said. He said the company bought Hazelwood for $2.35 billion and, with state and federal blessing, had invested significantly more to improve its efficiency.
Wednesday 27/10/2010 Page: 7
DOUBTS have been cast over the value of one of Australia's "dirtiest" power stations after the Commonwealth Bank announced it had all but written off its share in the plant. Responding to a question at the bank's annual meeting in Sydney, Commonwealth Bank chairman David Turner said it had written down its 2% holding in the Hazelwood coalfired power plant in the Latrobe Valley to just $1 million. It is a fraction of what the bank paid for its stake in the plant understood to be about $25 million when the state government privatised the electricity industry in 1996.
The dramatic write-down comes as the Brumby government negotiates with the plant's majority owner, International Power, on a compensation package to close a quarter of its generation by 2014. A Commonwealth Bank spokesman told The Age that it had written down its investment based on a recent assessment of its market value, as per standard accounting requirements. The value of coal-fired plants has been written down around the world as steps are taken to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment groups said the shift would increase pressure on International Power to also write down its 92% share in the plant. While it declines to comment publicly on the plant's value, the company is believed to put its book value at about $2 billion. Greenpeace climate campaigner John Hepburn said the Commonwealth Bank valuation suggested it believed the whole plant could be worth as little as $50 million.
Environment Victoria campaigns director Mark Wakeham said the write-down paved the way for the state and federal governments to close the entire Hazelwood plant sooner than planned. "The Commonwealth Bank can see the writing on the wall", Mr Wakeham Investment managers warned against a simple extrapolation of Hazelwood's value based on the Commonwealth Bank write-down.
Colonial First State, which indirectly holds a roughly 6% share of Hazelwood on behalf of a number of super funds, said there had been no change to the value of its holding in the plant. Mr Turner said the Hazelwood holding had not been one of the group's "best" investments and was not part of its core stakes. A state government spokeswoman said talks with International Power were under way, but would not comment on the plant's value.
"The Brumby Labor government is the only party committed to begin the phased closure of Hazelwood, and we'll do that by negotiating a fair price with International Power", spokeswoman Fiona Macrae said. International Power corporate affairs manager Jim Kouts said the Commonwealth Bank decision would have no effect on the overall value of Hazelwood. "In effect, we're talking about an internal accounting treatment of the bank's investment and in our view there is currently no trigger for this impairment decision", he said. He said the company bought Hazelwood for $2.35 billion and, with state and federal blessing, had invested significantly more to improve its efficiency.
Hot technology for Chile rivers
Age
Thursday 28/10/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIAN company Pacific Hydro has started generating power from its $US800 million ($A810 million) "run-of-river" projects in Chile, with the country's President, Sebastian Pinera, pledging to support more investment in the renewable technology. Mr Pinera officially opened Pacific Hydro's La Higuera and La Confluencia projects, 200 kilometres south of Santiago, which will provide almost 1 million Chilean homes with renewable energy, the equivalent to taking more than 250,000 cars off the road.
The President evoked the spirit of the recent rescue effort to save Chile's 33 trapped miners, calling on the world to "do it Chilean style" and encourage the deployment of renewable energy. "Our work in this area is not just for the 17 million Chileans but for our children and our grandchildren whose smiles we have not seen yet", he told more than 450 assembled guests.
"The heroic approach of our miners has shown what it means to do things the Chilean way. Doing things Chilean style used to mean doing things so-so but now we have to leave that behind. "We need to be on the cutting edge of technology... and this is an outstanding example of what can be done", Mr Pinera said. The 155-MW La Higuera and the 158-MW La Confluencia hydro projects are a joint venture between Pacific Hydro and Norway's SN Power.
The two projects, in Chile's Tinguiririca Valley, use "run-of-river" technology, which generates electricity through the volume and drop of water without darns. Pacific Hydro, which is owned by 5 million Australian superannuation investors through Industry Funds Management's 100% stake, will also generate income by selling the associated carbon credits in the European emissions trading scheme.
Rob Grant, chief executive of Pacific Hydro and chairman of the Tinguiririca Energia joint venture, said the absence of a carbon price in Australia meant the company was spending more than three times more money in Latin America than in Australia. "The fact is that the current policy uncertainty in Australia around the market for wind farms and renewable energy makes it easier to be investing here in Chile than Australia at this point in time", he told BusinessDay. IFM chief executive Brett Himbury said the funds manager, which traditionally had been attracted to more static investments, was "keen to get more exposure to assets and companies like Pacific Hydro".
Thursday 28/10/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIAN company Pacific Hydro has started generating power from its $US800 million ($A810 million) "run-of-river" projects in Chile, with the country's President, Sebastian Pinera, pledging to support more investment in the renewable technology. Mr Pinera officially opened Pacific Hydro's La Higuera and La Confluencia projects, 200 kilometres south of Santiago, which will provide almost 1 million Chilean homes with renewable energy, the equivalent to taking more than 250,000 cars off the road.
The President evoked the spirit of the recent rescue effort to save Chile's 33 trapped miners, calling on the world to "do it Chilean style" and encourage the deployment of renewable energy. "Our work in this area is not just for the 17 million Chileans but for our children and our grandchildren whose smiles we have not seen yet", he told more than 450 assembled guests.
"The heroic approach of our miners has shown what it means to do things the Chilean way. Doing things Chilean style used to mean doing things so-so but now we have to leave that behind. "We need to be on the cutting edge of technology... and this is an outstanding example of what can be done", Mr Pinera said. The 155-MW La Higuera and the 158-MW La Confluencia hydro projects are a joint venture between Pacific Hydro and Norway's SN Power.
The two projects, in Chile's Tinguiririca Valley, use "run-of-river" technology, which generates electricity through the volume and drop of water without darns. Pacific Hydro, which is owned by 5 million Australian superannuation investors through Industry Funds Management's 100% stake, will also generate income by selling the associated carbon credits in the European emissions trading scheme.
Rob Grant, chief executive of Pacific Hydro and chairman of the Tinguiririca Energia joint venture, said the absence of a carbon price in Australia meant the company was spending more than three times more money in Latin America than in Australia. "The fact is that the current policy uncertainty in Australia around the market for wind farms and renewable energy makes it easier to be investing here in Chile than Australia at this point in time", he told BusinessDay. IFM chief executive Brett Himbury said the funds manager, which traditionally had been attracted to more static investments, was "keen to get more exposure to assets and companies like Pacific Hydro".
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Power to the canny farmer
Hobart Mercury
Tuesday 26/10/2010 Page: 4
A TASMANIAN farmer aims to use fresh air and "fart gas" to combat skyrocketing electricity prices. A $28.000 Nuffield Scholarship will allow chicken and turkey farmer Rob Nichols to investigate the conversion of manure and chicken guts into gas. Mr Nichols also will investigate wind power. He has already installed a 30m-diameter, 225-kW wind turbine on his North-West farm and is passionate about alternative energy.
Mr Nichols said the turbine, which supplies about half the farm's electricity needs, acted as a security shield against rising electricity prices. He said he hoped the farm, which produces the famous Nichols free-range chickens, could further reduce its dependence on the power grid by producing biogas. The process involves throwing manure, chicken waste and green plant material into a digester, which acts like a giant cow's stomach. It gives off "fart gas", mostly methane, which can be burned to produce heat and electricity. The solid by-product is nutrient-rich, doesn't smell and can be used as fertiliser.
Mr Nichols said the scholarship would enable him to study the process in Germany, where entire farms have been dedicated to energy production, and Denmark, which pioneered wind and bioenergy decades ago. He said he was convinced that there were opportunities for energy production on Tasmanian farms, depending on how Federal Government incentives panned out Mr Nichols said he also saw potential for energy crops, such as grass to be grown for the digesters. "I see the home production of renewable energy as an industry that holds significant openings for the Australian farming industry", he said. The scholarship will allow Mr Nichols to study animal welfare advances on European poultry farms.
Tuesday 26/10/2010 Page: 4
A TASMANIAN farmer aims to use fresh air and "fart gas" to combat skyrocketing electricity prices. A $28.000 Nuffield Scholarship will allow chicken and turkey farmer Rob Nichols to investigate the conversion of manure and chicken guts into gas. Mr Nichols also will investigate wind power. He has already installed a 30m-diameter, 225-kW wind turbine on his North-West farm and is passionate about alternative energy.Mr Nichols said the turbine, which supplies about half the farm's electricity needs, acted as a security shield against rising electricity prices. He said he hoped the farm, which produces the famous Nichols free-range chickens, could further reduce its dependence on the power grid by producing biogas. The process involves throwing manure, chicken waste and green plant material into a digester, which acts like a giant cow's stomach. It gives off "fart gas", mostly methane, which can be burned to produce heat and electricity. The solid by-product is nutrient-rich, doesn't smell and can be used as fertiliser.
Mr Nichols said the scholarship would enable him to study the process in Germany, where entire farms have been dedicated to energy production, and Denmark, which pioneered wind and bioenergy decades ago. He said he was convinced that there were opportunities for energy production on Tasmanian farms, depending on how Federal Government incentives panned out Mr Nichols said he also saw potential for energy crops, such as grass to be grown for the digesters. "I see the home production of renewable energy as an industry that holds significant openings for the Australian farming industry", he said. The scholarship will allow Mr Nichols to study animal welfare advances on European poultry farms.
Renewable energies need price on carbon
Courier Mail
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 85
CLEAN energy developer GeoDynamics says it is critical the "policy inaction of the past year is reversed" in order to aid investment in new technologies to help control climate change. GeoDynamics chairman Martin Albrecht, in the Brisbane-based company's annual report issued yesterday, said its board would continue with policy measures that encourage the rollout of emerging renewable energy technologies. GeoDynamics is focused on commercialising energy from its tenements in South Australia's Cooper Basin.
It has secured key shareholders including India's Tata Power, and has a federal grant to help fund a commercial-scale power plant. But many other geothermal companies are struggling for funding and the sector will need a carbon price to compete with planet-warming coal and gasfired power. The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, which has members with $250 billion in assets under management, this week said analysis of climate science data implied 25% of coal, oil and gas reserves could be used if governments stuck to pledges to hold global warming to a maximum 2C.
ACSI president Michael O'Sullivan said the study showed Australia needed a carbon price to spur investment in clean industries. He said it indicated the world was likely to see a "very rapid conversion to renewable energy", given the short space of time now left to hold global warming to 2C. GeoDynamics shares hit a six-month high of 63.5 this week and yesterday closed down 0.5( at 63 as more than 131,000 shares changed hands.
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 85
CLEAN energy developer GeoDynamics says it is critical the "policy inaction of the past year is reversed" in order to aid investment in new technologies to help control climate change. GeoDynamics chairman Martin Albrecht, in the Brisbane-based company's annual report issued yesterday, said its board would continue with policy measures that encourage the rollout of emerging renewable energy technologies. GeoDynamics is focused on commercialising energy from its tenements in South Australia's Cooper Basin.
It has secured key shareholders including India's Tata Power, and has a federal grant to help fund a commercial-scale power plant. But many other geothermal companies are struggling for funding and the sector will need a carbon price to compete with planet-warming coal and gasfired power. The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, which has members with $250 billion in assets under management, this week said analysis of climate science data implied 25% of coal, oil and gas reserves could be used if governments stuck to pledges to hold global warming to a maximum 2C.
ACSI president Michael O'Sullivan said the study showed Australia needed a carbon price to spur investment in clean industries. He said it indicated the world was likely to see a "very rapid conversion to renewable energy", given the short space of time now left to hold global warming to 2C. GeoDynamics shares hit a six-month high of 63.5 this week and yesterday closed down 0.5( at 63 as more than 131,000 shares changed hands.
$16b Qld gas project gets minister's green light
Canberra Times
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 4
The Federal Government has approved Australia's first multibillion-dollar coal seam gas projects, in a move which has angered farmers and environmentalists but is set to provide a significant jobs boost to Queensland.
Environment Minister Tony Burke said in Canberra yesterday his department had given conditional environmental approvals for Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas a joint venture between Santos, Malaysia's Petronas and France's Total and BG Group's Queensland Curtis LNG. "I have decided that these projects can go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters protected under national environmental law", Mr Burke said, revealing he had placed 300 conditions on each of the projects. "We must protect the Great Artesian Basin" target="_blank">Great Artesian Basin, our threatened species, our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef".
The approvals were delayed earlier this year by Mr Burke's predecessor, Peter Garrett, who was concerned about the projects' potential impact on groundwater and the Great Barrier Reef. The $16 billion Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas project involves 2650 coal seam gas wells being drilled over 25 years in Queensland's Surat and Bowen Basins, a 435km steel pipeline from the Fairview gas fields to Gladstone, and an liquefied natural gas plant and export facility on Curtis Island.
The project is expected to create about 5000 construction jobs and 1000 permanent operational jobs from the start of shipments of liquefied natural gas in 2014. QGC, a BG Group business, received Queensland Government approval for the Queensland Curtis LNG project in June. The project involves coal seam gas operations in the Surat Basin, a 540km underground pipeline network and liquefied natural gas plant on Curtis Island. An estimated 5000 jobs will be created during construction with more than 700 during operation. Green groups and farmers have raised concerns about coal seam gas development.
This week four toxic chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were discovered in eight exploration wells owned by Australia Pacific LNG in the Surat Basin. The Queensland Government has dismissed calls for a moratorium on the industry, which environmentalists say poses a threat to marine life on the Great Barrier Reef and underground water, and could seriously degrade land. Mr Burke said one of the more critical conditions surrounded how to deal with the issue of water within coal seam gas.
Queensland Farmers Federation chief executive Dan Galligan said his members feared the rapid expansion of the gas industry was outpacing the science and planning, especially in terms of its impact on water. "The country needs these water resources for the long term to produce food, fibre and wealth long after the minerals and gas are extracted", he said. Australian Greens senator-elect Larissa Waters said the number of conditions showed the measure of the risks involved. Coal seam gas was no cleaner than coal. "By the time it gets extracted, transported and liquefied it's 98% as greenhouse gas intensive as coal", she said.
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 4
The Federal Government has approved Australia's first multibillion-dollar coal seam gas projects, in a move which has angered farmers and environmentalists but is set to provide a significant jobs boost to Queensland.
Environment Minister Tony Burke said in Canberra yesterday his department had given conditional environmental approvals for Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas a joint venture between Santos, Malaysia's Petronas and France's Total and BG Group's Queensland Curtis LNG. "I have decided that these projects can go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters protected under national environmental law", Mr Burke said, revealing he had placed 300 conditions on each of the projects. "We must protect the Great Artesian Basin" target="_blank">Great Artesian Basin, our threatened species, our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef".
The approvals were delayed earlier this year by Mr Burke's predecessor, Peter Garrett, who was concerned about the projects' potential impact on groundwater and the Great Barrier Reef. The $16 billion Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas project involves 2650 coal seam gas wells being drilled over 25 years in Queensland's Surat and Bowen Basins, a 435km steel pipeline from the Fairview gas fields to Gladstone, and an liquefied natural gas plant and export facility on Curtis Island.
The project is expected to create about 5000 construction jobs and 1000 permanent operational jobs from the start of shipments of liquefied natural gas in 2014. QGC, a BG Group business, received Queensland Government approval for the Queensland Curtis LNG project in June. The project involves coal seam gas operations in the Surat Basin, a 540km underground pipeline network and liquefied natural gas plant on Curtis Island. An estimated 5000 jobs will be created during construction with more than 700 during operation. Green groups and farmers have raised concerns about coal seam gas development.
This week four toxic chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were discovered in eight exploration wells owned by Australia Pacific LNG in the Surat Basin. The Queensland Government has dismissed calls for a moratorium on the industry, which environmentalists say poses a threat to marine life on the Great Barrier Reef and underground water, and could seriously degrade land. Mr Burke said one of the more critical conditions surrounded how to deal with the issue of water within coal seam gas.
Queensland Farmers Federation chief executive Dan Galligan said his members feared the rapid expansion of the gas industry was outpacing the science and planning, especially in terms of its impact on water. "The country needs these water resources for the long term to produce food, fibre and wealth long after the minerals and gas are extracted", he said. Australian Greens senator-elect Larissa Waters said the number of conditions showed the measure of the risks involved. Coal seam gas was no cleaner than coal. "By the time it gets extracted, transported and liquefied it's 98% as greenhouse gas intensive as coal", she said.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Green rating for sold, leased homes
Age
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 14
EVERY home in Victoria will soon require an energy efficiency rating certificate when sold or leased as part of a plan to improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of Melbourne's older homes. The certificates are likely to cost a couple of hundred dollars each and a high-level state government committee is considering how the scheme will be introduced. Under an agreement between the federal government, states and territories, the certificates are due to be mandatory by May next year for every house sold or leased.
Energy efficiency certificates that consider such things as whether a house or unit has carpet, insulation, the number of windows and whether they have curtains and blinds and the orientation of the house already exist in Canberra and cost vendors or landlords about $235 each. Houses are rated out of six stars in Canberra and one industry expert said it was a big and often expensive job to increase the rating of older homes. While new homes in Victoria must have a five-star rating (six-star from next May) hundreds of thousands of existing homes built up to a century ago have a substantially lower rating.
Consumer Affairs Victoria executive director Claire Noone is heading the state government committee considering the mandatory reporting scheme. The committee includes representatives from the premier's department, planning, treasury and the department of sustainability and environment. Despite the state government promising an "extensive public consultation process" on the scheme this year, Dr No one declined to discuss it.
The office of the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, yesterday also refused to answer a list of questions on the scheme. Environment Victoria chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy welcomed the mandatory disclosure of housing energy efficiency as an important step in improving the energy efficiency of existing homes. But building groups have warned the scheme had to be meaningful and carefully implemented or it could turn into another insulation batts debacle.
Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch questioned who was going to do the work. "Will they be a registered practitioner? How much will it cost?". He said the scheme would need to be policed to ensure the certificates were genuine and meant something. He said there were also questions about how long a certificate would last and whether holiday homes would require one.
The Building Designers Association of Victoria was recently appointed an official body to accredit assessors who rated the energy efficiency of new homes in Victoria. The Association's Brian Morison said any new mandatory efficiency rating scheme for existing homes would need to be robust with properly qualified assessors. The Property Council of Australia's Victorian head, Jennifer Cunich, said while it did not support extra regulation, it would be supportive of a scheme that improved sustainability if it was a "genuine and efficient program".
Saturday 23/10/2010 Page: 14
EVERY home in Victoria will soon require an energy efficiency rating certificate when sold or leased as part of a plan to improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of Melbourne's older homes. The certificates are likely to cost a couple of hundred dollars each and a high-level state government committee is considering how the scheme will be introduced. Under an agreement between the federal government, states and territories, the certificates are due to be mandatory by May next year for every house sold or leased.
Energy efficiency certificates that consider such things as whether a house or unit has carpet, insulation, the number of windows and whether they have curtains and blinds and the orientation of the house already exist in Canberra and cost vendors or landlords about $235 each. Houses are rated out of six stars in Canberra and one industry expert said it was a big and often expensive job to increase the rating of older homes. While new homes in Victoria must have a five-star rating (six-star from next May) hundreds of thousands of existing homes built up to a century ago have a substantially lower rating.
Consumer Affairs Victoria executive director Claire Noone is heading the state government committee considering the mandatory reporting scheme. The committee includes representatives from the premier's department, planning, treasury and the department of sustainability and environment. Despite the state government promising an "extensive public consultation process" on the scheme this year, Dr No one declined to discuss it.
The office of the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, yesterday also refused to answer a list of questions on the scheme. Environment Victoria chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy welcomed the mandatory disclosure of housing energy efficiency as an important step in improving the energy efficiency of existing homes. But building groups have warned the scheme had to be meaningful and carefully implemented or it could turn into another insulation batts debacle.
Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch questioned who was going to do the work. "Will they be a registered practitioner? How much will it cost?". He said the scheme would need to be policed to ensure the certificates were genuine and meant something. He said there were also questions about how long a certificate would last and whether holiday homes would require one.
The Building Designers Association of Victoria was recently appointed an official body to accredit assessors who rated the energy efficiency of new homes in Victoria. The Association's Brian Morison said any new mandatory efficiency rating scheme for existing homes would need to be robust with properly qualified assessors. The Property Council of Australia's Victorian head, Jennifer Cunich, said while it did not support extra regulation, it would be supportive of a scheme that improved sustainability if it was a "genuine and efficient program".
The power of wind
Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 25/10/2010 Page: 19
WIND farms in the mid-north region (Hallett, Waterloo, Snowtown and Clement's Gap) are now generating more than half of all South Australia's wind power. In 2009, 17% of South Australia s electricity was from wind power, with that figure growing each year. At present SA has more than half of Australia's wind power. Thanks to wind power, SA's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 13% between 2007 and 2009 and while SA used to be a net importer of power from the eastern states, it is now a net exporter of power. wind farms can and do reduce the greenhouse gas production that causes climate change, and we in mid-north SA can be proud that our state and our region are leading Australia in this renewable energy form.
David Clarke. Clare.
Monday 25/10/2010 Page: 19
WIND farms in the mid-north region (Hallett, Waterloo, Snowtown and Clement's Gap) are now generating more than half of all South Australia's wind power. In 2009, 17% of South Australia s electricity was from wind power, with that figure growing each year. At present SA has more than half of Australia's wind power. Thanks to wind power, SA's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 13% between 2007 and 2009 and while SA used to be a net importer of power from the eastern states, it is now a net exporter of power. wind farms can and do reduce the greenhouse gas production that causes climate change, and we in mid-north SA can be proud that our state and our region are leading Australia in this renewable energy form.
David Clarke. Clare.
Power to the people
Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 25/10/2010 Page: 1
Energy-saving scheme will save families $300 a year
THE Federal Government will seek state support for a mandatory energy-saving scheme which its own modelling reveals could reduce the annual family power bill by up to $300 a year. A key recommendation of a Prime Ministerial taskforce on energy efficiency, the scheme would shift the responsibility of reducing electricity use from families to the energy retail companies.
The report was handed to the Federal Government in July, but not released until two weeks ago. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has yet to provide a formal response to the recommendations. But Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet confirmed yesterday that he would now push the case for a national energy savings scheme with the state governments.
"Improving energy efficiency is one of the Government's priority areas for tackling climate change", he said. "There is a lot of work to be done but I will be working co-operatively with all state governments.., to progress national reform in this area. "By improving energy efficiency, families will be able to save money on their bills and achieve an outcome that is good for the environment".
The taskforce advisory group set up by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009 included mining giant Rio Tinto, energy company Origin Energy as well as the Climate Institute Australia, the ACTU and the National Council of Social Services. Its modelling report, produced by McLennan Magasanik Associates, recommends that on top of a carbon price, power companies meet increased energy efficiency targets of up to 30% - or face financial penalties.
One of the members of the Prime Minister's taskforce, the Climate Institute Australia, said the main way the targets would be met was through energy retailers directly reducing household energy consumption by either fully funding or helping to replace such things as inefficient appliances in the home.
The report found that even with a carbon price or emissions trading scheme, an Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme could save the average household $90-$300 on annual electricity bills by 2020. Climate Institute Australia deputy chief executive Erwin Jackson said the Federal Government must act on energy efficiency. "The government's own modelling shows along with a carbon price that it could save average families $300 a year", Mr Jackson said.
Monday 25/10/2010 Page: 1
Energy-saving scheme will save families $300 a year
THE Federal Government will seek state support for a mandatory energy-saving scheme which its own modelling reveals could reduce the annual family power bill by up to $300 a year. A key recommendation of a Prime Ministerial taskforce on energy efficiency, the scheme would shift the responsibility of reducing electricity use from families to the energy retail companies.
The report was handed to the Federal Government in July, but not released until two weeks ago. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has yet to provide a formal response to the recommendations. But Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet confirmed yesterday that he would now push the case for a national energy savings scheme with the state governments.
"Improving energy efficiency is one of the Government's priority areas for tackling climate change", he said. "There is a lot of work to be done but I will be working co-operatively with all state governments.., to progress national reform in this area. "By improving energy efficiency, families will be able to save money on their bills and achieve an outcome that is good for the environment".
The taskforce advisory group set up by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009 included mining giant Rio Tinto, energy company Origin Energy as well as the Climate Institute Australia, the ACTU and the National Council of Social Services. Its modelling report, produced by McLennan Magasanik Associates, recommends that on top of a carbon price, power companies meet increased energy efficiency targets of up to 30% - or face financial penalties.
One of the members of the Prime Minister's taskforce, the Climate Institute Australia, said the main way the targets would be met was through energy retailers directly reducing household energy consumption by either fully funding or helping to replace such things as inefficient appliances in the home.
The report found that even with a carbon price or emissions trading scheme, an Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme could save the average household $90-$300 on annual electricity bills by 2020. Climate Institute Australia deputy chief executive Erwin Jackson said the Federal Government must act on energy efficiency. "The government's own modelling shows along with a carbon price that it could save average families $300 a year", Mr Jackson said.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Stimulus 'failing' energy projects
Australian
Thursday 21/10/2010 Page: 4
THE NSW sugar industry is demanding that the federal government's revamped renewable energy scheme be further amended to salvage jobs on a $220 million renewable energy project.
The New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative has set up two cogeneration plants at Condong and Broadwater, in the state's north, that are fuelled by a biomass material left over from crushed sugarcane stalks. But the project is struggling financially because of the low price of Renewable Energy Certificates designed to stimulate green projects, according to the co-operative's chief executive, Chris Connors.
The certificates were trading yesterday at $36.13 on the spot market, far below the $60-$70 price Mr Connors said was needed for his projects to stay viable. In February, the government announced its renewable energy target scheme would be split into two to stop household-level renewable technologies crowding out commercial-scale projects such as co-generation plants. But this split does not take effect until January 1.
Until then, RECs created from technologies such as household solar panels can be "banked" to be traded in the commercial-scale scheme next year. Mr Connors maintains the government's fix has not worked yet as there is still a surplus of RECs related to household solar panels pushing prices down. He wants changes such as bringing forward increases to the fixed yearly target for big-scale renewables production. Jobs are at stake, he said.
The manager of the Broadwater sugar mill, Bill Walker, said having viable co-generation projects was important to the organisation. But Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the plan to split the scheme would deliver $16 billion in investment in large-scale projects by 2020. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren cautioned against making further changes to the government's scheme, arguing this could spook investors and saying short-term assistance was needed instead for projects that could prove viable at a later point.
Thursday 21/10/2010 Page: 4
THE NSW sugar industry is demanding that the federal government's revamped renewable energy scheme be further amended to salvage jobs on a $220 million renewable energy project.The New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative has set up two cogeneration plants at Condong and Broadwater, in the state's north, that are fuelled by a biomass material left over from crushed sugarcane stalks. But the project is struggling financially because of the low price of Renewable Energy Certificates designed to stimulate green projects, according to the co-operative's chief executive, Chris Connors.
The certificates were trading yesterday at $36.13 on the spot market, far below the $60-$70 price Mr Connors said was needed for his projects to stay viable. In February, the government announced its renewable energy target scheme would be split into two to stop household-level renewable technologies crowding out commercial-scale projects such as co-generation plants. But this split does not take effect until January 1.
Until then, RECs created from technologies such as household solar panels can be "banked" to be traded in the commercial-scale scheme next year. Mr Connors maintains the government's fix has not worked yet as there is still a surplus of RECs related to household solar panels pushing prices down. He wants changes such as bringing forward increases to the fixed yearly target for big-scale renewables production. Jobs are at stake, he said.
The manager of the Broadwater sugar mill, Bill Walker, said having viable co-generation projects was important to the organisation. But Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the plan to split the scheme would deliver $16 billion in investment in large-scale projects by 2020. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren cautioned against making further changes to the government's scheme, arguing this could spook investors and saying short-term assistance was needed instead for projects that could prove viable at a later point.
Cancer scare rocks Qld gas projects
Summaries - Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 20/10/2010 Page: 1
The detection of cancer causing chemical BTEX in water at Origin Energy's project near Miles in Queensland has caused concern in the coal seam gas sector. The site affected is owned by Australia Pacific LNG, a joint venture involving Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips.
The discovery of the chemical, which the Queensland government has taken steps to ban, coincides with a pending decision from Environment Minister Tony Burke over coal seam gas-fed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects proposed by Santos and BG Group. Santos are also currently involved in negotiating the sale of a stake in its Gladstone LNG project to Korea Gas Corporation which was previously curtailed because of the planned resources super profits tax.
Major companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Petronas and ConocoPhillips have been attracted to coal seam gas schemes investing approximately $20 billion in Queensland-based projects. Earlier this year Cougar Energy's Kingaroy underground coal gasification project was closed immediately by the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management after BTEX was discovered.
Kate Jones, Queensland Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said Origin Energy had briefed her on circumstances at the site. The Western Downs Regional Council Alliance has previously stated their concerns over the long-term effect of the coal seam gas industry on water quality and has maintained a campaign criticising the sector.
Wednesday 20/10/2010 Page: 1
The detection of cancer causing chemical BTEX in water at Origin Energy's project near Miles in Queensland has caused concern in the coal seam gas sector. The site affected is owned by Australia Pacific LNG, a joint venture involving Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips.
The discovery of the chemical, which the Queensland government has taken steps to ban, coincides with a pending decision from Environment Minister Tony Burke over coal seam gas-fed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects proposed by Santos and BG Group. Santos are also currently involved in negotiating the sale of a stake in its Gladstone LNG project to Korea Gas Corporation which was previously curtailed because of the planned resources super profits tax.
Major companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Petronas and ConocoPhillips have been attracted to coal seam gas schemes investing approximately $20 billion in Queensland-based projects. Earlier this year Cougar Energy's Kingaroy underground coal gasification project was closed immediately by the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management after BTEX was discovered.
Kate Jones, Queensland Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said Origin Energy had briefed her on circumstances at the site. The Western Downs Regional Council Alliance has previously stated their concerns over the long-term effect of the coal seam gas industry on water quality and has maintained a campaign criticising the sector.
Projects, Gas
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIA'S largest companies may rank third worldwide in terms of board and executive engagement with climate change, but they lag their global peers when it comes to setting emissions reduction targets, a report has found. A "great deal of activity, but little progress" was the verdict of the Carbon Disclosure Project's 2010 report yesterday. 94% of Australia's 100 largest companies had board or executive level responsibility for climate change, but only 47% had established emissions reduction targets.
This compared with 81% of Europe's 300 largest companies and 70% of the world's 500 largest companies all having established reduction targets. The Investor Group on Climate Change said the smaller percentage in Australia reflected the lack of policy certainty. "We believe this is directly influenced by uncertainty around climate change policy settings in Australia", the group's chief executive, Nathan Fabian, said.
In its 10th year, the Carbon Disclosure Project conducts a global climate change survey on behalf of 534 institutional investors with more than $64 trillion in assets under management. The project's new chief executive, Paul Simpson, called for Australia to take the lead on climate change.
"Clearly Australia needs to enact some kind of emissions reduction legislation and set a carbon price", he said. "It's often quoted that Australia has the highest emissions per capita. The world is looking for leadership; there is an absence of that and Australia has an opportunity to step up and do that".
Mr Simpson said there was a gulf between businesses leading on climate change and those taking a "wait and see approach". He said 19% of the world's 500 largest companies did not respond to the project. A senior analyst at AMP Capital Investors, Ian Woods, was critical of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act, saying investors were more interested in companies' equity exposure to greenhouse gas emissions than what their operational controls were like.
The manager of climate change and sustainability at Santos, Susie Smith, said large companies were increasingly burdened by a myriad of carbon disclosure requirements, both regulatory and voluntary. "Survey fatigue is real", she said.
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIA'S largest companies may rank third worldwide in terms of board and executive engagement with climate change, but they lag their global peers when it comes to setting emissions reduction targets, a report has found. A "great deal of activity, but little progress" was the verdict of the Carbon Disclosure Project's 2010 report yesterday. 94% of Australia's 100 largest companies had board or executive level responsibility for climate change, but only 47% had established emissions reduction targets.
This compared with 81% of Europe's 300 largest companies and 70% of the world's 500 largest companies all having established reduction targets. The Investor Group on Climate Change said the smaller percentage in Australia reflected the lack of policy certainty. "We believe this is directly influenced by uncertainty around climate change policy settings in Australia", the group's chief executive, Nathan Fabian, said.
In its 10th year, the Carbon Disclosure Project conducts a global climate change survey on behalf of 534 institutional investors with more than $64 trillion in assets under management. The project's new chief executive, Paul Simpson, called for Australia to take the lead on climate change.
"Clearly Australia needs to enact some kind of emissions reduction legislation and set a carbon price", he said. "It's often quoted that Australia has the highest emissions per capita. The world is looking for leadership; there is an absence of that and Australia has an opportunity to step up and do that".
Mr Simpson said there was a gulf between businesses leading on climate change and those taking a "wait and see approach". He said 19% of the world's 500 largest companies did not respond to the project. A senior analyst at AMP Capital Investors, Ian Woods, was critical of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act, saying investors were more interested in companies' equity exposure to greenhouse gas emissions than what their operational controls were like.
The manager of climate change and sustainability at Santos, Susie Smith, said large companies were increasingly burdened by a myriad of carbon disclosure requirements, both regulatory and voluntary. "Survey fatigue is real", she said.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Australia 'lags far behind' on climate policies
Age
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 5
AUSTRALIA lags far behind China and Europe in forcing industry to pay for its greenhouse gas emissions, according to research that will bolster the case for a carbon price.
A comparison of international climate policies found Australia is doing less than most of its major trading parties including the US and Japan to encourage a shift to a cleaner energy supply. Commissioned by the Climate Institute Australia, the study challenges claims from the federal opposition and some business groups that Australia will damage the economy if it introduces a carbon price via a tax or emissions trading scheme.
Australia's climate policies, such as the national renewable energy target, were found to be equivalent to forcing the power industry to pay $US1.70 ($A1.71) per tonne of CO2. By contrast, China has an underlying carbon price on its power sector of $US14.20 eight times higher. China's policies include the forced shutdown of its worst-performing coal-fired power stations, and the world's largest renewable energy program $US35 billion invested last year, compared with $US18 billion in the US. It is considering a carbon trading scheme.
Britain ($US29.30 a tonne), the US ($US5.10) and Japan (SU53.10) were each found to be ahead of Australia in encouraging a shift to cleaner power. Climate Institute Australia deputy chief executive Erwin Jackson said the world-first research showed companies in Asia and Europe were making a strategic decision to move ahead to reap the benefits of creating new jobs and industries in clean energy.
The report by British consultant Vivid Economics backs studies that have found a direct carbon price through a trading scheme or tax is the cheapest way to reduce emissions, and warns that Australia risks losing competitiveness if it is late in embracing clean technology. Economist and government adviser Ross Garnaut recently said convincing Australians how much other countries particularly China were doing to tackle climate change was one of the most important challenges facing the government.
"I am frankly shocked at how persistent the ignorance in Australia is of that", Professor Garnaut said. "It is as if a lead veil had been inserted around the brains of most Australians and made them impervious to information that is not secret, about what is going on in other countries". The Vivid analysis found Britain's high implied carbon price was due to the European emissions trading scheme, the British tax on fossil fuel power generation and its renewable energy target. In the US, the implied carbon price has been driven mainly by tax credits to encourage investment in renewable energy. The US Senate has rejected emissions trading.
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 5
AUSTRALIA lags far behind China and Europe in forcing industry to pay for its greenhouse gas emissions, according to research that will bolster the case for a carbon price.
A comparison of international climate policies found Australia is doing less than most of its major trading parties including the US and Japan to encourage a shift to a cleaner energy supply. Commissioned by the Climate Institute Australia, the study challenges claims from the federal opposition and some business groups that Australia will damage the economy if it introduces a carbon price via a tax or emissions trading scheme.
Australia's climate policies, such as the national renewable energy target, were found to be equivalent to forcing the power industry to pay $US1.70 ($A1.71) per tonne of CO2. By contrast, China has an underlying carbon price on its power sector of $US14.20 eight times higher. China's policies include the forced shutdown of its worst-performing coal-fired power stations, and the world's largest renewable energy program $US35 billion invested last year, compared with $US18 billion in the US. It is considering a carbon trading scheme.
Britain ($US29.30 a tonne), the US ($US5.10) and Japan (SU53.10) were each found to be ahead of Australia in encouraging a shift to cleaner power. Climate Institute Australia deputy chief executive Erwin Jackson said the world-first research showed companies in Asia and Europe were making a strategic decision to move ahead to reap the benefits of creating new jobs and industries in clean energy.
The report by British consultant Vivid Economics backs studies that have found a direct carbon price through a trading scheme or tax is the cheapest way to reduce emissions, and warns that Australia risks losing competitiveness if it is late in embracing clean technology. Economist and government adviser Ross Garnaut recently said convincing Australians how much other countries particularly China were doing to tackle climate change was one of the most important challenges facing the government.
"I am frankly shocked at how persistent the ignorance in Australia is of that", Professor Garnaut said. "It is as if a lead veil had been inserted around the brains of most Australians and made them impervious to information that is not secret, about what is going on in other countries". The Vivid analysis found Britain's high implied carbon price was due to the European emissions trading scheme, the British tax on fossil fuel power generation and its renewable energy target. In the US, the implied carbon price has been driven mainly by tax credits to encourage investment in renewable energy. The US Senate has rejected emissions trading.
Transfield chases $300m in contracts
Adelaide Advertiser
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 31
Transfield Services is bidding for about $300 million worth of contracts in South Australia, and is determined to raise its public profile. The diversified services provider employs about 1700 people in SA. However, it has generally flown under the radar. In a bid to rectify this, and to tap into the state's burgeoning economy, Transfield Services has set up its first state manager position in the nation here, which has been filled by general manager Adam Machon. The company is also consolidating its office workforce to a new site on South Tce, which managing director Peter Goode believes will help it attract staff.
Dr Goode himself is an SA expat, with a long career in oil and gas with companies such as Santos and Schlumberger. He is keen to see the brain drain from SA reversed, and says the company already has a number of staff who have returned because of the opportunities now available in SA. Transfield Services, which has operations globally in countries including Chile, Dubai, Qatar and the US, operates eight major contracts in SA already.
It has contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars with the Australian Rail Track Corporation, does work for rail company Genesee and Wyoming Australia, maintenance and capital works for Santos in the Cooper Basin, and coating work on the Collins class submarines for ASC. It also owns wind farm assets such as the Starfish Hill wind farm near Cape Jervois through the Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund, and has three other sites it might develop in the future.
Dr Goode says it is no mistake that SA was chosen as the site for the company to start raising its profile. He said he was shocked that the company was not better known here. 'We feel there's a lot of opportunity in this state, particularly around mining, but also around renewable energy", Dr Goode said. "We would like to be on a path across our business where we have recurring double-digit growth. "Once we get through the current economic environment we can get back to... sustained double digit growth and we'd like to see that in South Australia as well. "We do see South Australia as a particularly good destination for investment bias at the moment because of the opportunities that the state presents".
Dr Goode could not go into details about the contracts the company was bidding for, but said the company would be hiring "substantial" numbers of new employees depending on how successful these bids were. The company would be looking for people across the professions and trades and also had an indigenous employment program, Dr Goode said. It was reported this month that Transfield Services had already locked in $1.1 billion worth of contracts in the first quarter of the financial year, and it had contracted more than 80% of its forecast revenues.
Tuesday 19/10/2010 Page: 31
Transfield Services is bidding for about $300 million worth of contracts in South Australia, and is determined to raise its public profile. The diversified services provider employs about 1700 people in SA. However, it has generally flown under the radar. In a bid to rectify this, and to tap into the state's burgeoning economy, Transfield Services has set up its first state manager position in the nation here, which has been filled by general manager Adam Machon. The company is also consolidating its office workforce to a new site on South Tce, which managing director Peter Goode believes will help it attract staff.
Dr Goode himself is an SA expat, with a long career in oil and gas with companies such as Santos and Schlumberger. He is keen to see the brain drain from SA reversed, and says the company already has a number of staff who have returned because of the opportunities now available in SA. Transfield Services, which has operations globally in countries including Chile, Dubai, Qatar and the US, operates eight major contracts in SA already.
It has contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars with the Australian Rail Track Corporation, does work for rail company Genesee and Wyoming Australia, maintenance and capital works for Santos in the Cooper Basin, and coating work on the Collins class submarines for ASC. It also owns wind farm assets such as the Starfish Hill wind farm near Cape Jervois through the Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund, and has three other sites it might develop in the future.
Dr Goode says it is no mistake that SA was chosen as the site for the company to start raising its profile. He said he was shocked that the company was not better known here. 'We feel there's a lot of opportunity in this state, particularly around mining, but also around renewable energy", Dr Goode said. "We would like to be on a path across our business where we have recurring double-digit growth. "Once we get through the current economic environment we can get back to... sustained double digit growth and we'd like to see that in South Australia as well. "We do see South Australia as a particularly good destination for investment bias at the moment because of the opportunities that the state presents".
Dr Goode could not go into details about the contracts the company was bidding for, but said the company would be hiring "substantial" numbers of new employees depending on how successful these bids were. The company would be looking for people across the professions and trades and also had an indigenous employment program, Dr Goode said. It was reported this month that Transfield Services had already locked in $1.1 billion worth of contracts in the first quarter of the financial year, and it had contracted more than 80% of its forecast revenues.
Community ownership could herald a gust of green power.
Sunday Age
Sunday 17/10/2010 Page: 6
Australia's first community-owned wind farm. The Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative held its official ground-breaking ceremony last week at Leonard's Hill, 10 kilometres south of Daylesford. Vicki Horrigan, a director of Hepburn Wind, says the turbines should be ready and rotating by mid-2011. "It's over five years since the local community here had the idea. And now we're building a project worth just under $13 million".
The wind farm comprises two turbines with a combined capacity of
4.1MWs. They will be built by German company REpower Systems AG and connected to the grid. "The turbines are estimated to produce about 12,200MW hours each year", Ms Horrigan says. "That's enough to power 2300 homes, which is more than the number of households here in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs". Hepburn Wind was set up as a cooperative.
Membership is open to all Victorians, but there's a lower minimum investment threshold for locals. All members get one vote, regardless of the size of their shareholding. Once they're whirling, the turbines will generate a return for members and contribute funding for local projects. "The structure has been a real bonus for engaging the local community because they can see the idea came from here and they can participate in it easily" Ms Horrigan says. "It's a good financial model, but it's also a good philosophical model it's socially responsible investment.
People often feel powerless about climate change on a global scale. This project shows that local communities can set up systems that really go towards making ourselves sustainable". Precinct-scale power generation can also be much more efficient than a house-by-house approach. The Hepburn wind turbines will cost far less per household in the area than a comparable rollout of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. The group's success has turned heads. "We get a couple of requests every week from other communities wanting to find out about what we're doing and how they could start something similar", Ms Horrigan says.
There's a lot of advice to pass on. Among the thorniest impediments have been raising the capital, estimating costs and gaining planning approval. For this reason, a spin-off organisation, called Embark, has been founded to support other communities through the process. Embark's executive director, Mary Dougherty says the organisation is already in contact with about 10 groups, including some working on proposals for mini-hydro and solar schemes, as well as wind turbines. "We're trying to break down the steps involved and provide practical advice and templates, like business plans, financial models and landholder lease agreements. It's much easier than starting with a blank slate".
There are scores of articles on the Embark website, covering everything from the ins-and-outs of the energy market, to how to run effective public meetings, together with case studies from both here and abroad. In Denmark, co-operatives own more than a quarter of the country's wind farms. "In the European countries where these community projects started out, they have a far greater uptake of renewable energy overall. These small projects lead to large ones", Ms Dougherty says. "In 10 years, we'd love to have started 100 projects. Through all the investors, that translates to about a million people who are exposed to the benefits of renewable energy first hand. That's really powerful".
Sunday 17/10/2010 Page: 6
Australia's first community-owned wind farm. The Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative held its official ground-breaking ceremony last week at Leonard's Hill, 10 kilometres south of Daylesford. Vicki Horrigan, a director of Hepburn Wind, says the turbines should be ready and rotating by mid-2011. "It's over five years since the local community here had the idea. And now we're building a project worth just under $13 million".
The wind farm comprises two turbines with a combined capacity of
4.1MWs. They will be built by German company REpower Systems AG and connected to the grid. "The turbines are estimated to produce about 12,200MW hours each year", Ms Horrigan says. "That's enough to power 2300 homes, which is more than the number of households here in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs". Hepburn Wind was set up as a cooperative.
Membership is open to all Victorians, but there's a lower minimum investment threshold for locals. All members get one vote, regardless of the size of their shareholding. Once they're whirling, the turbines will generate a return for members and contribute funding for local projects. "The structure has been a real bonus for engaging the local community because they can see the idea came from here and they can participate in it easily" Ms Horrigan says. "It's a good financial model, but it's also a good philosophical model it's socially responsible investment.
People often feel powerless about climate change on a global scale. This project shows that local communities can set up systems that really go towards making ourselves sustainable". Precinct-scale power generation can also be much more efficient than a house-by-house approach. The Hepburn wind turbines will cost far less per household in the area than a comparable rollout of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. The group's success has turned heads. "We get a couple of requests every week from other communities wanting to find out about what we're doing and how they could start something similar", Ms Horrigan says.
There's a lot of advice to pass on. Among the thorniest impediments have been raising the capital, estimating costs and gaining planning approval. For this reason, a spin-off organisation, called Embark, has been founded to support other communities through the process. Embark's executive director, Mary Dougherty says the organisation is already in contact with about 10 groups, including some working on proposals for mini-hydro and solar schemes, as well as wind turbines. "We're trying to break down the steps involved and provide practical advice and templates, like business plans, financial models and landholder lease agreements. It's much easier than starting with a blank slate".
There are scores of articles on the Embark website, covering everything from the ins-and-outs of the energy market, to how to run effective public meetings, together with case studies from both here and abroad. In Denmark, co-operatives own more than a quarter of the country's wind farms. "In the European countries where these community projects started out, they have a far greater uptake of renewable energy overall. These small projects lead to large ones", Ms Dougherty says. "In 10 years, we'd love to have started 100 projects. Through all the investors, that translates to about a million people who are exposed to the benefits of renewable energy first hand. That's really powerful".
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
'Return power GST to the poor'
Australian
Friday 15/10/2010 Page: 1
AUSTRALIA'S biggest energy retailer is demanding governments siphon part of an estimated $550 million yearly GST windfall from skyrocketing electricity prices into rebates for low-income households. In landmark modelling obtained exclusively by The Australian, AGL Energy finds that soaring power prices could lead to a GST windfall of between $400m and $550m a year from NSW and Queensland 'Return power GST to the poor' alone within five years.
The price increases threaten to tip 343,902 households in those states into "fuel poverty", where they are spending about 10% of their disposable income on electricity, according to the new research. AGL Energy chief economist Paul Simshauser urged Australia's governments to earmark a "significant" share of the extra GST raised from higher electricity prices into assistance measures such as rebates paid directly on to customer bills.
"If you accept that we have a large group of vulnerable households who will be exposed to fuel poverty, then you need to act on it and that is an important function and role of government in any society", Professor Simshauser said. "We have identified a significant windfall in GST revenue as energy prices rise in the next few years and it seems that's a logical starting point when considering how best to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable".
The company also wants federally commissioned modelling on the likely impact of electricity prices on low-income households, the creation of a national energy hardship committee to advise governments, and an "essential service credit" to help households upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. The push was backed by welfare groups, who warned that cost-of-living pressures would continue to mount.
Queensland Council of Social Service president Karyn Walsh backed tapping the GST pool to help vulnerable consumers. "It's important to look at all options", Ms Walsh said. "But we think it's essential that governments at every level really understand the higher cost of living". She pointed to rising costs for housing, food and transport. "We are talking about what will be the tipping point for people. It's not something that's going to be solved by telling people to budget better".
St Vincent de Paul policy and research manager Gavin Dufty described the GST on essential services as the "gorilla in the room that nobody is talking about". "The states have to make a statement about what they are going to do with that additional revenue", Mr Dufty said. The GST pool is carved up between the states and the federal government's insistence on seizing some of it back in return for health reform earlier this year was initially resisted by key states, particularly Western Australia.
The AGL Energy research found that power bills for a typical household in Sydney and Brisbane would rise from averages of $1076 a year in 2008 to about $2289 in 2015. Over that time, the GST paid by NSW and Queensland customers on their power bills would increase from about $410m in 2008 to between $880m and $1.04 billion, according to the research, which Professor Simshauser stressed did assume the price rises triggered no fundamental changes in other household expenditure.
Significantly, the work concludes that climate change and renewable energy policies would have a relatively minor impact on bills compared to other cost pressures. The big drivers of the price increases were multi-billion dollar upgrades to the energy network, which was built decades ago and needs work to meet the growing peak demand caused by energy-guzzling air conditioners.
As well, the coal and gas that fuel electricity generators are also getting more expensive as commodities producers pursue lucrative exports to Asia, while there has been a switch from cheap coal to gas electricity generation technology. Constructing new power plants also is becoming more expensive. These findings are likely to add to business pressure on Julia Gillard to put a price on carbon.
Treasury's "red book" brief to the government warned that further delays to a carbon price would be "more costly and disruptive" and would increase uncertainty over investment in new power stations. BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers last month insisted the government should impose a carbon tax before an international agreement, while last week Wesfarmers and Boral chairman Bob Every said a carbon price was inevitable.
Earlier this week, the Energy Users Association of Australia, whose members include Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, warned that almost all supermarket goods would become more expensive. AGL Energy's findings also undermine Tony Abbott's insistence that a carbon price would be a "big bad tax".
Professor Simshauser, who is also a finance professor at Griffith University's business school and led the modelling, said that energy companies wanted to see a price put on carbon to give them certainty to invest. "When you're sick, the faster you take the medicine, the better", Professor Simshauser said. Without a carbon price, "nobody is going to let the lights go out", he said. Instead, to maintain a reliable electricity supply, companies would construct so-called "peaking plants", which are cheap to build but very expensive to run.
"When you stack end-to-end all of the cost pressures in the industry, the one thing that the numbers bear out very clearly is that prices are going to double without carbon", Professor Simshauser said. "When you put carbon onto that, the impact of it is not that significant at all". AGL Energy also wants other sector specific reforms, including a shift to much greater time-of-use pricing where utilities charge more during peak periods than during off-peak or shoulder times. Scrapping price controls which exist in all states except Victoria would encourage energy efficiency, he said.
Friday 15/10/2010 Page: 1
AUSTRALIA'S biggest energy retailer is demanding governments siphon part of an estimated $550 million yearly GST windfall from skyrocketing electricity prices into rebates for low-income households. In landmark modelling obtained exclusively by The Australian, AGL Energy finds that soaring power prices could lead to a GST windfall of between $400m and $550m a year from NSW and Queensland 'Return power GST to the poor' alone within five years.
The price increases threaten to tip 343,902 households in those states into "fuel poverty", where they are spending about 10% of their disposable income on electricity, according to the new research. AGL Energy chief economist Paul Simshauser urged Australia's governments to earmark a "significant" share of the extra GST raised from higher electricity prices into assistance measures such as rebates paid directly on to customer bills.
"If you accept that we have a large group of vulnerable households who will be exposed to fuel poverty, then you need to act on it and that is an important function and role of government in any society", Professor Simshauser said. "We have identified a significant windfall in GST revenue as energy prices rise in the next few years and it seems that's a logical starting point when considering how best to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable".
The company also wants federally commissioned modelling on the likely impact of electricity prices on low-income households, the creation of a national energy hardship committee to advise governments, and an "essential service credit" to help households upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. The push was backed by welfare groups, who warned that cost-of-living pressures would continue to mount.
Queensland Council of Social Service president Karyn Walsh backed tapping the GST pool to help vulnerable consumers. "It's important to look at all options", Ms Walsh said. "But we think it's essential that governments at every level really understand the higher cost of living". She pointed to rising costs for housing, food and transport. "We are talking about what will be the tipping point for people. It's not something that's going to be solved by telling people to budget better".
St Vincent de Paul policy and research manager Gavin Dufty described the GST on essential services as the "gorilla in the room that nobody is talking about". "The states have to make a statement about what they are going to do with that additional revenue", Mr Dufty said. The GST pool is carved up between the states and the federal government's insistence on seizing some of it back in return for health reform earlier this year was initially resisted by key states, particularly Western Australia.
The AGL Energy research found that power bills for a typical household in Sydney and Brisbane would rise from averages of $1076 a year in 2008 to about $2289 in 2015. Over that time, the GST paid by NSW and Queensland customers on their power bills would increase from about $410m in 2008 to between $880m and $1.04 billion, according to the research, which Professor Simshauser stressed did assume the price rises triggered no fundamental changes in other household expenditure.
Significantly, the work concludes that climate change and renewable energy policies would have a relatively minor impact on bills compared to other cost pressures. The big drivers of the price increases were multi-billion dollar upgrades to the energy network, which was built decades ago and needs work to meet the growing peak demand caused by energy-guzzling air conditioners.
As well, the coal and gas that fuel electricity generators are also getting more expensive as commodities producers pursue lucrative exports to Asia, while there has been a switch from cheap coal to gas electricity generation technology. Constructing new power plants also is becoming more expensive. These findings are likely to add to business pressure on Julia Gillard to put a price on carbon.
Treasury's "red book" brief to the government warned that further delays to a carbon price would be "more costly and disruptive" and would increase uncertainty over investment in new power stations. BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers last month insisted the government should impose a carbon tax before an international agreement, while last week Wesfarmers and Boral chairman Bob Every said a carbon price was inevitable.
Earlier this week, the Energy Users Association of Australia, whose members include Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, warned that almost all supermarket goods would become more expensive. AGL Energy's findings also undermine Tony Abbott's insistence that a carbon price would be a "big bad tax".
Professor Simshauser, who is also a finance professor at Griffith University's business school and led the modelling, said that energy companies wanted to see a price put on carbon to give them certainty to invest. "When you're sick, the faster you take the medicine, the better", Professor Simshauser said. Without a carbon price, "nobody is going to let the lights go out", he said. Instead, to maintain a reliable electricity supply, companies would construct so-called "peaking plants", which are cheap to build but very expensive to run.
"When you stack end-to-end all of the cost pressures in the industry, the one thing that the numbers bear out very clearly is that prices are going to double without carbon", Professor Simshauser said. "When you put carbon onto that, the impact of it is not that significant at all". AGL Energy also wants other sector specific reforms, including a shift to much greater time-of-use pricing where utilities charge more during peak periods than during off-peak or shoulder times. Scrapping price controls which exist in all states except Victoria would encourage energy efficiency, he said.
Rapanui win highly commended award at the RSPCA Good Business Awards
www.rapanuiclothing.com
Mon, 18 Oct 2010
Rapanui has won a highly commended prize at the annual RSPCA good business awards for their contribution to sustainability, animal welfare policy and for fulfilling their ethos of 'doing business the right way'.
The brand, founded by brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight in early 2008 aims to make eco fashion cool and to inspire people to make changes to their wider lifestyle by being open and honest about their supply chain. In response to the current state of the clothing industry they say that "It's not that people don't care, it's just that they don't know" and have designed an innovative Traceability tool and Eco-labelling initiative, aiming to inform and inspire people to go green by making it easy to find out where their clothing comes from and how it is made, "helping people shop quickly, with a conscience".
The RSPCA chooses expert judges for their awards ceremony, including Wayne Hemmingway, co-founder of Red or Dead. "...there is a real commitment within the industry to improve animal welfare, and it's reassuring to see big brands at the forefront of this change". Mr. Hemmingway said.
The brothers have already won the 2010 Sustainable Business Awards, a finals place at Enterprise UK's Enterprising Young Brits and a nomination for next year's ISPO Brand New Award. They hope their recognition at the RSPCA Good Business Awards will inspire other young people to consider entrepreneurship. Now 25 and 23 respectively, Rob and Martin Drake-Knight founded their company with £200 of savings and are now listed on the Future 100 list of top young entrepreneurs.
"We hope our business can inspire other young people, even if they have no job and no money, that they can be a success too - whether you wear a suit or flip flops"
Find out more about traceability and Rapanui
Mon, 18 Oct 2010
The brand, founded by brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight in early 2008 aims to make eco fashion cool and to inspire people to make changes to their wider lifestyle by being open and honest about their supply chain. In response to the current state of the clothing industry they say that "It's not that people don't care, it's just that they don't know" and have designed an innovative Traceability tool and Eco-labelling initiative, aiming to inform and inspire people to go green by making it easy to find out where their clothing comes from and how it is made, "helping people shop quickly, with a conscience".
The RSPCA chooses expert judges for their awards ceremony, including Wayne Hemmingway, co-founder of Red or Dead. "...there is a real commitment within the industry to improve animal welfare, and it's reassuring to see big brands at the forefront of this change". Mr. Hemmingway said.
The brothers have already won the 2010 Sustainable Business Awards, a finals place at Enterprise UK's Enterprising Young Brits and a nomination for next year's ISPO Brand New Award. They hope their recognition at the RSPCA Good Business Awards will inspire other young people to consider entrepreneurship. Now 25 and 23 respectively, Rob and Martin Drake-Knight founded their company with £200 of savings and are now listed on the Future 100 list of top young entrepreneurs.
"We hope our business can inspire other young people, even if they have no job and no money, that they can be a success too - whether you wear a suit or flip flops"
Find out more about traceability and Rapanui
Hydrogen Highway, fuel cell buses coming
www.hartfordbusiness.com
Thu, 14 Oct 2010
Connecticut's stake in the hydrogen fuel-cell industry will be showcased Friday as two separate events will feature the state's commitment to the renewable energy. At 10 a.m, in Wallingford, Proton Energy Systems and sister company SunHydro will break ground on the first fueling station in its Hydrogen Highway, a stretch of locales from Maine to Miami where fuel-cell cars can refuel with hydrogen. At 10 a.m, in Hartford, CT Transit will unveil four new fuel-cell powered buses from South Windsor-based UTC Power. The addition of four 40-foot transit buses gives Hartford the biggest hydrogen bus fleet outside of San Francisco. The CT Transit event is open to the public; the Hydrogen Highway groundbreaking is by invitation only.
Thu, 14 Oct 2010
Connecticut's stake in the hydrogen fuel-cell industry will be showcased Friday as two separate events will feature the state's commitment to the renewable energy. At 10 a.m, in Wallingford, Proton Energy Systems and sister company SunHydro will break ground on the first fueling station in its Hydrogen Highway, a stretch of locales from Maine to Miami where fuel-cell cars can refuel with hydrogen. At 10 a.m, in Hartford, CT Transit will unveil four new fuel-cell powered buses from South Windsor-based UTC Power. The addition of four 40-foot transit buses gives Hartford the biggest hydrogen bus fleet outside of San Francisco. The CT Transit event is open to the public; the Hydrogen Highway groundbreaking is by invitation only.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Biogas project to provide green energy
vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
October, 13 2010
HA NOI -- A pilot project to install over 500 biogas generators for households, businesses, farms and small enterprises nationwide is being carried out through next year as part of Toyota Motor Viet Nam's Go Green Programme. The project aims to protect the environment and reduce pollution by using biogas to generate electricity for daily and business use, Toyota representatives told a seminar yesterday in the central city of Da Nang. Farmer Mai Tan Trien of Da Nang's Hoa Vang District, among a number of farmers to participate in the project, said his farm was saving millions of dong from using waste from his chickens to produce biogas to generate electricity.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga, who is heading up the biogas scheme, said a kilowatt-hour of power produced from biogas would save 400ml of fuel and cut CO2 emissions by onekg. Toyota Viet Nam general director Akito Tachibana said the pilot project would be expanded to thousands of household businesses and farms in remote and disadvantaged areas by 2012.
October, 13 2010
HA NOI -- A pilot project to install over 500 biogas generators for households, businesses, farms and small enterprises nationwide is being carried out through next year as part of Toyota Motor Viet Nam's Go Green Programme. The project aims to protect the environment and reduce pollution by using biogas to generate electricity for daily and business use, Toyota representatives told a seminar yesterday in the central city of Da Nang. Farmer Mai Tan Trien of Da Nang's Hoa Vang District, among a number of farmers to participate in the project, said his farm was saving millions of dong from using waste from his chickens to produce biogas to generate electricity.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga, who is heading up the biogas scheme, said a kilowatt-hour of power produced from biogas would save 400ml of fuel and cut CO2 emissions by onekg. Toyota Viet Nam general director Akito Tachibana said the pilot project would be expanded to thousands of household businesses and farms in remote and disadvantaged areas by 2012.
Google power
Age
Thursday 14/10/2010 Page: 7
INTERNET search engine Google has announced that it is investing in a mammoth project to build an underwater "superhighway for clean energy" that would funnel power from offshore wind farms to 1.9 million homes without overtaxing the already congested mid-Atlantic power grid. The Atlantic Wind Connection calls for spending as much as $US5 billion ($A5.1 billion) to create a 563-kilometre network of underwater cables from New Jersey to Virginia. The grid will have the capacity to transmit 6000MWs of offshore wind power to shore.
Thursday 14/10/2010 Page: 7
INTERNET search engine Google has announced that it is investing in a mammoth project to build an underwater "superhighway for clean energy" that would funnel power from offshore wind farms to 1.9 million homes without overtaxing the already congested mid-Atlantic power grid. The Atlantic Wind Connection calls for spending as much as $US5 billion ($A5.1 billion) to create a 563-kilometre network of underwater cables from New Jersey to Virginia. The grid will have the capacity to transmit 6000MWs of offshore wind power to shore.
Fund gets wind up over carbon
Age
Thursday 14/10/2010 Page: 2
Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund says it will consider all "sensible offers" for its stake in the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station to focus on developing its renewable energy assets. Speaking at the fund's annual meeting yesterday, chief executive Steve MacDonald said the looming introduction of a carbon price was weighing on the fund's share price. TSI owns significant power and renewable-energy infrastructure, including a stake in Collinsville Power Station in Queensland.
The fund yesterday announced a $8.6 million net increase to its 2011 earnings guidance to $104 million after the successful concession extension and refinancing of its Macarthur water-filtration plant. "If there is carbon legislation hanging over these, it will be very difficult to say 'here are the future earnings of these plants'", Mr MacDonald said. TSI's shares closed up 0.050 at 66.5¢ yesterday about a third of its listing price in 2007.
Like most in the energy industry, TSI was keen for a decision on a carbon price, Mr MacDonald said. But he believed that TSI was "substantially protected" from any negative financial impacts of a tax because of the long-term contracts its wholly owned assets held. TSI chairman Peter Young said Loy Yang A, in Traralgon, in which TSI has a 14% stake, was one of the fund's "non-core assets".
Mr Young defended TSI's $28 million loss on the $191 million sale of its Mount Millar wind farm in South Australia in May, saying it was "an accounting treatment". Mr MacDonald said TSI is still intent on expanding its wind farm portfolio, a key element of the fund's long-term growth strategy. TSI reaffirmed its distribution guidance of 8.20 per security at least for the "medium term".
Thursday 14/10/2010 Page: 2
Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund says it will consider all "sensible offers" for its stake in the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station to focus on developing its renewable energy assets. Speaking at the fund's annual meeting yesterday, chief executive Steve MacDonald said the looming introduction of a carbon price was weighing on the fund's share price. TSI owns significant power and renewable-energy infrastructure, including a stake in Collinsville Power Station in Queensland.
The fund yesterday announced a $8.6 million net increase to its 2011 earnings guidance to $104 million after the successful concession extension and refinancing of its Macarthur water-filtration plant. "If there is carbon legislation hanging over these, it will be very difficult to say 'here are the future earnings of these plants'", Mr MacDonald said. TSI's shares closed up 0.050 at 66.5¢ yesterday about a third of its listing price in 2007.
Like most in the energy industry, TSI was keen for a decision on a carbon price, Mr MacDonald said. But he believed that TSI was "substantially protected" from any negative financial impacts of a tax because of the long-term contracts its wholly owned assets held. TSI chairman Peter Young said Loy Yang A, in Traralgon, in which TSI has a 14% stake, was one of the fund's "non-core assets".
Mr Young defended TSI's $28 million loss on the $191 million sale of its Mount Millar wind farm in South Australia in May, saying it was "an accounting treatment". Mr MacDonald said TSI is still intent on expanding its wind farm portfolio, a key element of the fund's long-term growth strategy. TSI reaffirmed its distribution guidance of 8.20 per security at least for the "medium term".
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