Australian
16 May 2011, Page: 29
THE sun is obviously the world's greatest source of heat but, paradoxically, it is also being harnessed for cooling buildings, important on the hottest days when air conditioners can overwhelm the electricity supply, and institutions such as hospitals are taking advantage of the evolving technology.
Sustainability Victoria, which is working with the CSIRO and the Energy Resources Institute in India to develop small scale solar coolers, says solar cooling systems are either closed cycle systems or open cycle systems. Closed cycle systems produce chilled water that can supply any type of air conditioning equipment.
Open cycle systems, or desiccant systems, are a combination of sorptive dehumidification and evaporative cooling, providing cool, dry air to a building. Heat for thermally driven cooling is gathered by solar collectors typically used in home solar hot water systems. Using sorption, it is then converted into cold, which is delivered in the shape of chilled water or dry, cool air.
The Victorian body is also a partner in the installation of solar coolers at Echuca hospital, where it has part funded the replacement of two electric air conditioning units. The cooler has a solar field of 102 evacuated tube collectors over 422m² that feeds hot water to an absorption chiller, cutting the hospital's natural gas consumption.
"When the chiller is not in use, the hot water from the collector field is used for the domestic hot water demand or stored in hot water tanks for later use", Sustainability Victoria's Sonja Ott says. The solar cooling system was installed in March and is now under commissioning. "It is expected that the solar cooling system will save 1400 tonnes CO₂ equivalent and $60,000 in energy bills a year", Ott says.
CSIRO research team leader Stephen White says supply and demand problems with solar cooling are the subject of further research. "In a conventional air conditioning system, you use the electricity grid, which you hope will supply you with energy as and when it is needed to keep your building cold. "But once you have a solar air conditioning process, not only is the call for air conditioning variable over the day but also the supply of driving heat is variable".
The hard part is "trying to match that variable supply of power with a variable demand for cold". "In the last five to 10 years researchers around the world have been getting that integration working well to bring down the cost and improve the solar fraction", White says. Many conventional sorption units are powered by gas fired heat or by waste heat from an engine. "That's become a lot more popular in the past few years and now were looking at adding in a solar component that doesn't require the fossil fuels", he says.
White says the technology could be used in two ways: large systems with economies of scale for buildings such as hospitals or schools, or smaller plug and play systems for houses. "Absorption chillers are most cost effective at a large scale, in the MW range. To get economies of scale, go larger; but to go smaller, companies need to come up with a mass produced plug and play device". White says a solar cooling system is more efficient than a conventional electric system.
The focus for the next five to 10 years is for manufacturers to develop their products and get them on the market. "There's a bright future but a lot of work to do in terms of product development and also getting legislation so solar cooling is treated the same way as other renewables", White says. "It is not explicitly mentioned in renewable energy targets, [yet] solar cooling has the potential to address peak demand. The 200 member Solar Cooling Interest Group, of which White is chairman, is working with Standards Australia "to recognise the performance and benefits of solar cooling" as a precursor to lobbying government to have the technology recognised as a renewable energy device.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Clean power's share drops
Age
16 May 2011, Page: 6
THE proportion of Australia's electricity that comes from clean sources has fallen sharply over the past 50 years despite a decade of federal and state climate change programs. Research by consultants Green Energy Markets shows that renewable energy provided 19% of Australia's power in 1960, following the development of the early stages of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. By 2008 it had plummeted to just 7% a reflection of the heavy investment in coal power in the second half of the previous century.
The decline in clean energy was steady across four decades before stabilising after 2000 due to growth in wind power and a modest increase in bioenergy. Environment Victoria, which commissioned the research, said it demonstrated how poorly Australia had invested in renewable power despite widespread agreement that exceptional resources were available. "For all of the hand wringing about climate change over the past decade, we've seen massive growth in emissions from coal generation while renewable energy has flatlined", campaigns director Mark Wakeham said. "What this research clearly shows is that without a price on carbon the Australian economy will continue with pollution as usual".
The research comes as the federal government continues to consult with lobby groups from industry, the environmental movement and the welfare sector over the structure of the carbon price scheme being developed by a committee of Labor, Greens and independent MPs. It has promised to release the proposed design by mid year. Options being considered include using some carbon price revenue to pay to close one of the most greenhouse intensive Victorian brown coal power plants. The Baillieu government last week abandoned talks with the owners of the Hazelwood power plant, often described as Australia's "dirtiest", to close a quarter of its capacity by 2014.
The research found the amount of electricity derived from coal increased by nearly 10% between 2001 and 2009. Carbon dioxide emissions from coal power increased by about 14 million tonnes over that period. Three new black coal fired power plants were built in Queensland; only one was decommissioned. Gas a form of fossil fuel power with lower emissions than coal has increased from nothing in 1960 to providing about 9% of the electricity supply, largely due to a Queensland gas generation target and the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme. Generation from renewable sources fluctuated across the decade, with the amount coming from hydropower falling due to the drought but gradually being replaced by new plants, mostly wind farms.
16 May 2011, Page: 6
THE proportion of Australia's electricity that comes from clean sources has fallen sharply over the past 50 years despite a decade of federal and state climate change programs. Research by consultants Green Energy Markets shows that renewable energy provided 19% of Australia's power in 1960, following the development of the early stages of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. By 2008 it had plummeted to just 7% a reflection of the heavy investment in coal power in the second half of the previous century.
The decline in clean energy was steady across four decades before stabilising after 2000 due to growth in wind power and a modest increase in bioenergy. Environment Victoria, which commissioned the research, said it demonstrated how poorly Australia had invested in renewable power despite widespread agreement that exceptional resources were available. "For all of the hand wringing about climate change over the past decade, we've seen massive growth in emissions from coal generation while renewable energy has flatlined", campaigns director Mark Wakeham said. "What this research clearly shows is that without a price on carbon the Australian economy will continue with pollution as usual".
The research comes as the federal government continues to consult with lobby groups from industry, the environmental movement and the welfare sector over the structure of the carbon price scheme being developed by a committee of Labor, Greens and independent MPs. It has promised to release the proposed design by mid year. Options being considered include using some carbon price revenue to pay to close one of the most greenhouse intensive Victorian brown coal power plants. The Baillieu government last week abandoned talks with the owners of the Hazelwood power plant, often described as Australia's "dirtiest", to close a quarter of its capacity by 2014.
The research found the amount of electricity derived from coal increased by nearly 10% between 2001 and 2009. Carbon dioxide emissions from coal power increased by about 14 million tonnes over that period. Three new black coal fired power plants were built in Queensland; only one was decommissioned. Gas a form of fossil fuel power with lower emissions than coal has increased from nothing in 1960 to providing about 9% of the electricity supply, largely due to a Queensland gas generation target and the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme. Generation from renewable sources fluctuated across the decade, with the amount coming from hydropower falling due to the drought but gradually being replaced by new plants, mostly wind farms.
First company for Orkney's marine renewables base
European Marine Energy Centre
www.emec.org.uk/
15 May 2011
The first company to establish a permanent shore-based facility at Orkney's new marine renewables base has secured its first client - the European Marine Energy Centre. International maritime company Fendercare Marine is providing secure storage for multi-kilometre stock of seabed power cable for EMEC, which operates the world's first offshore test facilities for wave and tidal energy technologies.
Orkney Islands Council (OIC) is carrying out a comprehensive refurbishment of the former naval base at Lyness on the island of Hoy – giving it a new lease of life as a multi-purpose centre for the rapidly evolving marine renewables industry. Fendercare is establishing a long-term presence at Lyness and will provide support services for a range of marine energy operations, including the deployment and mooring of wave and tidal devices.
Stan Groundwater, the company's general manager in Orkney, said: "With the islands in the global vanguard of this new industry, we're making a multi-million pound investment over the course of the project. "Our aim is to ensure developers and installers of marine devices can easily access expert services and save a good deal of time and money through having specialised stock and equipment held locally."
Lyness' location, in the sheltered deep-water anchorage of Scapa Flow, makes it ideally located for marine energy developers testing technologies at EMEC. Neil Kermode, EMEC's managing director, said: "Orkney's local authority has taken a visionary approach in creating a vital support base at Lyness. "It's great to see the private sector responding in such as positive way - we're delighted to be the first of many clients Fendercare can expect after making such a strong commitment to using the new facilities at Lyness."
The £3 million first phase of the Lyness redevelopment is expected to be completed this summer. Five marine energy developers will be using the facilities this year and four more companies are in discussions with the Council over establishing a presence onshore. Michael Morrison, business development manager for OIC Marine Services, said: "The marine renewables sector was in its infancy when the Council took the decision to invest in Lyness.
"We had confidence that this is the right location for a support base - we welcome the arrival of Fendercare and look forward to this and other companies creating a real hub of renewables activity on the shores of Scapa Flow." The Dutch-registered cargo vessel Deo Volente delivered EMEC's large cable reel from Norway to Fendercare's new facility at Lyness. A special trailer and tractor unit was used to move it from the quayside to the secure storage area.
www.emec.org.uk/
15 May 2011
The first company to establish a permanent shore-based facility at Orkney's new marine renewables base has secured its first client - the European Marine Energy Centre. International maritime company Fendercare Marine is providing secure storage for multi-kilometre stock of seabed power cable for EMEC, which operates the world's first offshore test facilities for wave and tidal energy technologies.
Orkney Islands Council (OIC) is carrying out a comprehensive refurbishment of the former naval base at Lyness on the island of Hoy – giving it a new lease of life as a multi-purpose centre for the rapidly evolving marine renewables industry. Fendercare is establishing a long-term presence at Lyness and will provide support services for a range of marine energy operations, including the deployment and mooring of wave and tidal devices.
Stan Groundwater, the company's general manager in Orkney, said: "With the islands in the global vanguard of this new industry, we're making a multi-million pound investment over the course of the project. "Our aim is to ensure developers and installers of marine devices can easily access expert services and save a good deal of time and money through having specialised stock and equipment held locally."
Lyness' location, in the sheltered deep-water anchorage of Scapa Flow, makes it ideally located for marine energy developers testing technologies at EMEC. Neil Kermode, EMEC's managing director, said: "Orkney's local authority has taken a visionary approach in creating a vital support base at Lyness. "It's great to see the private sector responding in such as positive way - we're delighted to be the first of many clients Fendercare can expect after making such a strong commitment to using the new facilities at Lyness."
The £3 million first phase of the Lyness redevelopment is expected to be completed this summer. Five marine energy developers will be using the facilities this year and four more companies are in discussions with the Council over establishing a presence onshore. Michael Morrison, business development manager for OIC Marine Services, said: "The marine renewables sector was in its infancy when the Council took the decision to invest in Lyness.
"We had confidence that this is the right location for a support base - we welcome the arrival of Fendercare and look forward to this and other companies creating a real hub of renewables activity on the shores of Scapa Flow." The Dutch-registered cargo vessel Deo Volente delivered EMEC's large cable reel from Norway to Fendercare's new facility at Lyness. A special trailer and tractor unit was used to move it from the quayside to the secure storage area.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Solar industry hits roof over plans to slash power rebate
Sydney Morning Herald
14 May 2011, Page: 11
UP TO 110,000 participants in the state government's solar bonus scheme will have the rate they are paid for generating electricity slashed from 600 a kW to 400 from July, a move that will save the NSW budget an estimated $470 million. But the state's solar industry says it will be destroyed by the change, saying it will now be impossible to sell up to $200 million worth of panels already purchased by solar installers. About 40,000 electricity customers who had applied to join the scheme before it was suspended to new entrants for two months on April 28 will be allowed to do so at a 200 rate.
The Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, announced the decision yesterday and said the scheme would not be reopened to new customers. The government would introduce legislation to retrospectively enforce the new rates. "It's still going to cost the taxpayer, it's still going to cost the people of NSW, but we have now a finalisation that is in the interests of everybody", he said. Under the scheme, electricity customers with solar panels are paid by power companies for energy generated back into the grid. The companies pass on the cost to their electricity customers through their electricity prices.
The scheme proved so popular that the former premier Kristina Keneally was forced to cut the rate for new entrants from 600 to 200 a kW last year and divert money from the climate change fund to cover a looming cost blowout. After the election it was discovered the scheme was still underfunded by $749 million. The Coalition government made the decision to absorb the extra cost into the budget instead of charging power companies to avoid putting pressure on electricity prices.
The Australian Solar Energy Society said the change would "send a chill down the spine of every NSW solar company and every resident concerned about climate change". The industry will rally at Circular Quay next Wednesday to protest against the retrospective change to the tariff rate. The Solar Energy Industries Association said it had already been contacted by people who were cancelling purchases. "This decision will destroy the industry in NSW if it goes ahead", the association's chairman, Ged McCarthy, said. "I have already consulted with lawyers and we will launch a class action against this retrospective legislation if it goes ahead. We have no choice but to fight it on behalf of our businesses and their customers".
A small, 1.5 kW solar panel system can earn about $1000 a year under the tariff in Sydney, but that would be cut by a third, meaning it could take years longer to pay off. The opposition environment spokesman, Luke Foley, criticised the decision to introduce retrospective legislation, which, he said, "penalises tens of thousands of people doing their bit for the clean energy future". The Greens MP John Kaye said the Coalition had supported the introduction of the 600 tariff when the scheme was introduced: "Never again will households or the clean energy industry trust even a legislated promise. The future of rooftop renewable energy has been dealt a savage blow".
14 May 2011, Page: 11
UP TO 110,000 participants in the state government's solar bonus scheme will have the rate they are paid for generating electricity slashed from 600 a kW to 400 from July, a move that will save the NSW budget an estimated $470 million. But the state's solar industry says it will be destroyed by the change, saying it will now be impossible to sell up to $200 million worth of panels already purchased by solar installers. About 40,000 electricity customers who had applied to join the scheme before it was suspended to new entrants for two months on April 28 will be allowed to do so at a 200 rate.
The Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, announced the decision yesterday and said the scheme would not be reopened to new customers. The government would introduce legislation to retrospectively enforce the new rates. "It's still going to cost the taxpayer, it's still going to cost the people of NSW, but we have now a finalisation that is in the interests of everybody", he said. Under the scheme, electricity customers with solar panels are paid by power companies for energy generated back into the grid. The companies pass on the cost to their electricity customers through their electricity prices.
The scheme proved so popular that the former premier Kristina Keneally was forced to cut the rate for new entrants from 600 to 200 a kW last year and divert money from the climate change fund to cover a looming cost blowout. After the election it was discovered the scheme was still underfunded by $749 million. The Coalition government made the decision to absorb the extra cost into the budget instead of charging power companies to avoid putting pressure on electricity prices.
The Australian Solar Energy Society said the change would "send a chill down the spine of every NSW solar company and every resident concerned about climate change". The industry will rally at Circular Quay next Wednesday to protest against the retrospective change to the tariff rate. The Solar Energy Industries Association said it had already been contacted by people who were cancelling purchases. "This decision will destroy the industry in NSW if it goes ahead", the association's chairman, Ged McCarthy, said. "I have already consulted with lawyers and we will launch a class action against this retrospective legislation if it goes ahead. We have no choice but to fight it on behalf of our businesses and their customers".
A small, 1.5 kW solar panel system can earn about $1000 a year under the tariff in Sydney, but that would be cut by a third, meaning it could take years longer to pay off. The opposition environment spokesman, Luke Foley, criticised the decision to introduce retrospective legislation, which, he said, "penalises tens of thousands of people doing their bit for the clean energy future". The Greens MP John Kaye said the Coalition had supported the introduction of the 600 tariff when the scheme was introduced: "Never again will households or the clean energy industry trust even a legislated promise. The future of rooftop renewable energy has been dealt a savage blow".
Settling for failure
Age
13 May 2011, Page: 10
IT'S becoming apparent the government "aspires" to a weak emissions reduction target, but will settle for complete failure ("Baillieu: carbon goal aspirational", theage.com, au, 12/5). The government tried to frame its cop out over the partial closure of Hazelwood (one of the most emissions intensive power stations in the world) in the rhetoric of economic responsibility.
The truth is that we are perilously close to points of no return in our climate system, and real economic responsibility can only now be achieved in conjunction with urgent action to combat climate change. Leading climate scientists are telling us that the world is resolutely on the path to 4° of warming in the latter half of this century enough to trigger a mass extinction and reduce Earth's carrying capacity to less than 1 billion people.
So what is our government doing to confront this crisis? Committing $50 million to HRL's proposed coal power station, trying to dismantle our nascent wind power industry, and now abandoning its commitment to reduce reliance on our dirtiest source of electricity. They are not fit to govern.
Shaun Murray, Yarraville
13 May 2011, Page: 10
IT'S becoming apparent the government "aspires" to a weak emissions reduction target, but will settle for complete failure ("Baillieu: carbon goal aspirational", theage.com, au, 12/5). The government tried to frame its cop out over the partial closure of Hazelwood (one of the most emissions intensive power stations in the world) in the rhetoric of economic responsibility.
The truth is that we are perilously close to points of no return in our climate system, and real economic responsibility can only now be achieved in conjunction with urgent action to combat climate change. Leading climate scientists are telling us that the world is resolutely on the path to 4° of warming in the latter half of this century enough to trigger a mass extinction and reduce Earth's carrying capacity to less than 1 billion people.
So what is our government doing to confront this crisis? Committing $50 million to HRL's proposed coal power station, trying to dismantle our nascent wind power industry, and now abandoning its commitment to reduce reliance on our dirtiest source of electricity. They are not fit to govern.
Shaun Murray, Yarraville
Nuclear plants on hold in Japan
Age
13 May 2011, Page: 7
JAPAN is to abandon plans to expand its nuclear power industry and make renewables a key part of its energy policy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said two months after the tsunami disaster. As efforts continued to stabilise the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, Mr Kan said he would "start from scratch" the policy, which envisaged nuclear power providing more than 50% of Japan's energy by 2030
Japan, who's 54 nuclear reactors provide 30% of its electricity, had planned to build at least 14 new reactors over the next 20 years, but policymakers accept that this will be impossible in light of the Fukushima crisis. Mr Kan said that renewables, which make up 20% of overall supply, would have a bigger role in meeting energy needs. "I think it is necessary to move in the direction of promoting natural energy and renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass", he said.
The stronger commitment to renewables marks Mr Kan's second sudden shift on nuclear power in a week following his order to close the Hamaoka atomic plant, which sits on an active fault line, while a new tsunami wall is built. Facing low approval ratings and criticism of his handling of the nuclear crisis from his party, the prime minister's public commitment to nuclear power has weakened in recent days.
His announcement came as the first of tens of thousands of nuclear evacuees were allowed to return home for two hours to collect clothes and personal items. About 80,000 people within 20 kilometres of the Fukushima No. 1 plant were forced out of their homes by the accident and have yet to be told when they will be able to return. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power, has promised to stabilise radiation levels and achieve safe "cold shutdown" of the nuclear plant's damaged reactors within nine months.
13 May 2011, Page: 7
JAPAN is to abandon plans to expand its nuclear power industry and make renewables a key part of its energy policy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said two months after the tsunami disaster. As efforts continued to stabilise the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, Mr Kan said he would "start from scratch" the policy, which envisaged nuclear power providing more than 50% of Japan's energy by 2030
Japan, who's 54 nuclear reactors provide 30% of its electricity, had planned to build at least 14 new reactors over the next 20 years, but policymakers accept that this will be impossible in light of the Fukushima crisis. Mr Kan said that renewables, which make up 20% of overall supply, would have a bigger role in meeting energy needs. "I think it is necessary to move in the direction of promoting natural energy and renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass", he said.
The stronger commitment to renewables marks Mr Kan's second sudden shift on nuclear power in a week following his order to close the Hamaoka atomic plant, which sits on an active fault line, while a new tsunami wall is built. Facing low approval ratings and criticism of his handling of the nuclear crisis from his party, the prime minister's public commitment to nuclear power has weakened in recent days.
His announcement came as the first of tens of thousands of nuclear evacuees were allowed to return home for two hours to collect clothes and personal items. About 80,000 people within 20 kilometres of the Fukushima No. 1 plant were forced out of their homes by the accident and have yet to be told when they will be able to return. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power, has promised to stabilise radiation levels and achieve safe "cold shutdown" of the nuclear plant's damaged reactors within nine months.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
China enters global solar system via US
Australian
12 May 2011, Page: 26
US solar panel maker FirstSolar and China Power International New Energy (CPINE) said they will collaborate on solar power projects in China, the US and elsewhere. The arrangement helps FirstSolar gain access to China's solar sector amid shaky conditions in Europe, the leading solar market. CPINE "has a tremendous advantage and strength in operating in China, and we have a tremendous advantage and strength in technology but also in building utility systems", Kevin Berkemeyer, FirstSolar's China representative, said at a news conference yesterday.
The companies will explore opportunities within China. FirstSolar also will assist CPINE, a unit of China Power International New Energy Development, to find investment in the US and elsewhere. CPINE has planned 2 GWs of projects for the domestic market. FirstSolar has 2.4 GW planned in North America. "We are very pleased to build an extensive and in depth relationship with FirstSolar, a global leader in solar photovoltaic technology", said Li Xiaolin, CPINE's chairwoman.
FirstSolar says that potential cuts in subsidies from budget strapped European governments could reduce demand and prices for solar products. The company reported that first quarter earnings fell 33% from a year earlier, citing higher costs, the Europe slowdown and a 14% decline in prices for its panels.
Uncertainty over the future of European governments' feed in tariff programs special electricity rates that give renewable energy companies higher returns than what they would get in the free market are among the challenges facing solar companies in Europe. The continent accounted for more than 80% of all solar panel demand last year.
"We're interested in diversification", T.K. Kallenbach, president of FirstSolar's Components Business Group, said yesterday. "But we're also interested in working with countries to help them develop more sustainable long term policies". He cited a series of "boom and bust" cycles in Europe in recent years in which unsustainable feed in tariffs hampered solar industry growth.
Solar power companies increasingly are looking to China for growth. The government has reiterated plans to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels to reduce pollution and because Beijing views the imports as a threat to national security. The government in March said it would set 15% as a target for use of renewable energy by 2020.
Non fossil fuels currently account for 8% of the country's energy use. FirstSolar in January signed a memorandum of understanding with China Guangdong Nuclear Solar Energy Development to build a solar plant in northern China's Inner Mongolia region. FirstSolar executives said yesterday that negotiations continue but declined to say when construction would begin.
12 May 2011, Page: 26
US solar panel maker FirstSolar and China Power International New Energy (CPINE) said they will collaborate on solar power projects in China, the US and elsewhere. The arrangement helps FirstSolar gain access to China's solar sector amid shaky conditions in Europe, the leading solar market. CPINE "has a tremendous advantage and strength in operating in China, and we have a tremendous advantage and strength in technology but also in building utility systems", Kevin Berkemeyer, FirstSolar's China representative, said at a news conference yesterday.
The companies will explore opportunities within China. FirstSolar also will assist CPINE, a unit of China Power International New Energy Development, to find investment in the US and elsewhere. CPINE has planned 2 GWs of projects for the domestic market. FirstSolar has 2.4 GW planned in North America. "We are very pleased to build an extensive and in depth relationship with FirstSolar, a global leader in solar photovoltaic technology", said Li Xiaolin, CPINE's chairwoman.
FirstSolar says that potential cuts in subsidies from budget strapped European governments could reduce demand and prices for solar products. The company reported that first quarter earnings fell 33% from a year earlier, citing higher costs, the Europe slowdown and a 14% decline in prices for its panels.
Uncertainty over the future of European governments' feed in tariff programs special electricity rates that give renewable energy companies higher returns than what they would get in the free market are among the challenges facing solar companies in Europe. The continent accounted for more than 80% of all solar panel demand last year.
"We're interested in diversification", T.K. Kallenbach, president of FirstSolar's Components Business Group, said yesterday. "But we're also interested in working with countries to help them develop more sustainable long term policies". He cited a series of "boom and bust" cycles in Europe in recent years in which unsustainable feed in tariffs hampered solar industry growth.
Solar power companies increasingly are looking to China for growth. The government has reiterated plans to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels to reduce pollution and because Beijing views the imports as a threat to national security. The government in March said it would set 15% as a target for use of renewable energy by 2020.
Non fossil fuels currently account for 8% of the country's energy use. FirstSolar in January signed a memorandum of understanding with China Guangdong Nuclear Solar Energy Development to build a solar plant in northern China's Inner Mongolia region. FirstSolar executives said yesterday that negotiations continue but declined to say when construction would begin.
Two firms join forces in geothermal push
Adelaide Advertiser
12 May 2011, Page: 48
Geothermal explorer Green Rock Energy and Pacific Hydro are in talks to jointly advance potential power projects in SA and Western Australia. Both the companies own a number of geothermal licences in the South Australian part of the Great Artesian Basin and North Perth Basin in WA, and are looking for a drilling investor.
Green Rock Energy, which also owns geothermal licences within the Olympic Dam expansion area, will drive exploration and identify drilling targets for a potential investor to establish a resource potential. Pacific Hydro will then apply its technical and commercial expertise in building and assessing the economic feasibility of power plants.
Initial power projects of at least 25 MW are contemplated in both the North Perth Basin and the Great Artesian Basin. Pacific Hydro owns more than $1 billion worth of solar PV, geothermal, hydropower and wind power projects in Australia Green Rock Energy managing director Richard Beresford said the possible partnership would underline the potential of the geothermal resource in the two basins.
"Both parties have already done a lot of work in the licences that they own", Mr Beresford said. "We now look forward to applying relevant expertise to jointly progress the potential of these projects". Green Rock Energy is leading the marketing of the projects on an equal footing to potential upstream drilling investors.
12 May 2011, Page: 48
Geothermal explorer Green Rock Energy and Pacific Hydro are in talks to jointly advance potential power projects in SA and Western Australia. Both the companies own a number of geothermal licences in the South Australian part of the Great Artesian Basin and North Perth Basin in WA, and are looking for a drilling investor.
Green Rock Energy, which also owns geothermal licences within the Olympic Dam expansion area, will drive exploration and identify drilling targets for a potential investor to establish a resource potential. Pacific Hydro will then apply its technical and commercial expertise in building and assessing the economic feasibility of power plants.
Initial power projects of at least 25 MW are contemplated in both the North Perth Basin and the Great Artesian Basin. Pacific Hydro owns more than $1 billion worth of solar PV, geothermal, hydropower and wind power projects in Australia Green Rock Energy managing director Richard Beresford said the possible partnership would underline the potential of the geothermal resource in the two basins.
"Both parties have already done a lot of work in the licences that they own", Mr Beresford said. "We now look forward to applying relevant expertise to jointly progress the potential of these projects". Green Rock Energy is leading the marketing of the projects on an equal footing to potential upstream drilling investors.
Renewable energy the future: UN
Sydney Morning Herald
11 May 2011, Page: 2
GLOBAL energy generated by renewables could increase up to 10 times on current levels by midcentury, a landmark study by a United Nations climate change body has found. In a report released last night in Abu Dhabi, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says detailed analysis it has carried out finds renewables will most likely contribute more than 17% of the planet's primary energy supply by 2030, and more than 27% by 2050.
Under the most positive outcomes of the analysis, 43% of energy could be supplied by renewables in 2030, growing to 77% in 2050, but these findings assume strict global carbon emissions targets and a number of other favourable conditions. The most optimistic findings would represent a cut of about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008 renewable energy contributed 09% to the world's primary energy supply.
By 2050, renewables' contribution to primary energy will be three to 10 fold greater, once biomass is excluded. One of the lead authors of the report, Wes Stein from CSIRO, told the Herald yesterday that "to put this in perspective the sorts of growth projected in renewable energy,.. is 20 to 40 times the total primary energy Australia uses at the moment". The report includes the contribution of solar, geothermal, bioenergy hydropower, ocean energy and wind.
11 May 2011, Page: 2
GLOBAL energy generated by renewables could increase up to 10 times on current levels by midcentury, a landmark study by a United Nations climate change body has found. In a report released last night in Abu Dhabi, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says detailed analysis it has carried out finds renewables will most likely contribute more than 17% of the planet's primary energy supply by 2030, and more than 27% by 2050.
Under the most positive outcomes of the analysis, 43% of energy could be supplied by renewables in 2030, growing to 77% in 2050, but these findings assume strict global carbon emissions targets and a number of other favourable conditions. The most optimistic findings would represent a cut of about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008 renewable energy contributed 09% to the world's primary energy supply.
By 2050, renewables' contribution to primary energy will be three to 10 fold greater, once biomass is excluded. One of the lead authors of the report, Wes Stein from CSIRO, told the Herald yesterday that "to put this in perspective the sorts of growth projected in renewable energy,.. is 20 to 40 times the total primary energy Australia uses at the moment". The report includes the contribution of solar, geothermal, bioenergy hydropower, ocean energy and wind.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Unhealthy claims blowing in the wind
www.climatespectator.com.au
13 May 2011
Recently, health concerns have been raised in some rural Australian communities that are situated near wind farms. These claims of adverse health effects as well as economic and social from wind turbine installations generated a level of speculative discussion that eventually led to a Senate Inquiry, a move initiated by Family First Senator Steve Fielding, to investigate the issue.
This seems anachronistic, considering the enormous burden of ill health and premature deaths borne by those communities who live near coal mines and power stations, which has been serially ignored by successive governments.
The impact of air pollution from burning fossil fuels on climate change, and the ensuing health effects, are both long term and cumulative. A recent study from Harvard Medical School has found that the costs to US residents of burning coal amounts to between $US300 $US500 billion dollars annually, or around $US1000 for every citizen. Previous studies, such as ExterneE (2005) in Europe, have arrived at similar conclusions. The figures in Australia are likely to be broadly similar.
There are many contributing factors, but the single largest is that of illness and mortality arising from air pollution. Health effects, mediated primarily by airborne small particulates (PM2.5), SO², NOx, volatile organic compounds and Ozone, include asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, heart attacks, arrhythmias and disproportionally affect children and those with pre existing illness. The US study's "best estimate" for damages due to air quality adds 9.3¢kW.
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13 May 2011
Recently, health concerns have been raised in some rural Australian communities that are situated near wind farms. These claims of adverse health effects as well as economic and social from wind turbine installations generated a level of speculative discussion that eventually led to a Senate Inquiry, a move initiated by Family First Senator Steve Fielding, to investigate the issue.
This seems anachronistic, considering the enormous burden of ill health and premature deaths borne by those communities who live near coal mines and power stations, which has been serially ignored by successive governments.
The impact of air pollution from burning fossil fuels on climate change, and the ensuing health effects, are both long term and cumulative. A recent study from Harvard Medical School has found that the costs to US residents of burning coal amounts to between $US300 $US500 billion dollars annually, or around $US1000 for every citizen. Previous studies, such as ExterneE (2005) in Europe, have arrived at similar conclusions. The figures in Australia are likely to be broadly similar.
There are many contributing factors, but the single largest is that of illness and mortality arising from air pollution. Health effects, mediated primarily by airborne small particulates (PM2.5), SO², NOx, volatile organic compounds and Ozone, include asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, heart attacks, arrhythmias and disproportionally affect children and those with pre existing illness. The US study's "best estimate" for damages due to air quality adds 9.3¢kW.
Read more…
Investors want action on carbon pricing
Summaries - Australian Financial Review
9 May 2011, Page: 9
Mitsui Co, is one of Japan's major investment and trading firms and believes that any uncertainty on carbon pricing would make it difficult to commit to renewable power investments in Australia. Mitsui has urged the Federal government not to delay its decision on carbon pricing. Junichi Yamada, a general manager at Mitsui Co (Australia) said that a delay would make it "very hard for Mitsui".
Mitsui project development manager Andres Maasing explained: "We have to put forward a compelling case to our minders in order to get projects approved". A delay in making a decision would affect that process. Prime Minister Julia Gillard vowed in February to introduce a carbon price in 2012. But the government and the Australian Greens have not been able to agree on emissions targets.
Despite the uncertainty over carbon pricing, Mitsui considers Australia to be an attractive market. In Victoria, Mitsui is developing the Bald Hills wind farm and has a 30% share of the Loy Yang power station in Latrobe Valley. In Western Australia, Mitsui has stake in the Kwinana Cogeneration Plant near Perth, which provides electricity to utility Verve Energy and electrical and steam power to the BP Australia Kwinana oil refinery.
9 May 2011, Page: 9
Mitsui Co, is one of Japan's major investment and trading firms and believes that any uncertainty on carbon pricing would make it difficult to commit to renewable power investments in Australia. Mitsui has urged the Federal government not to delay its decision on carbon pricing. Junichi Yamada, a general manager at Mitsui Co (Australia) said that a delay would make it "very hard for Mitsui".
Mitsui project development manager Andres Maasing explained: "We have to put forward a compelling case to our minders in order to get projects approved". A delay in making a decision would affect that process. Prime Minister Julia Gillard vowed in February to introduce a carbon price in 2012. But the government and the Australian Greens have not been able to agree on emissions targets.
Despite the uncertainty over carbon pricing, Mitsui considers Australia to be an attractive market. In Victoria, Mitsui is developing the Bald Hills wind farm and has a 30% share of the Loy Yang power station in Latrobe Valley. In Western Australia, Mitsui has stake in the Kwinana Cogeneration Plant near Perth, which provides electricity to utility Verve Energy and electrical and steam power to the BP Australia Kwinana oil refinery.
Outer suburbs turn on to solar power
Age
9 May 2011, Page: 3
ELEVEN years ago, Anthony Borg and Judith Warren were urban fringe trailblazers among the first to buy and build at Caroline Springs, a then new housing development in Melbourne's outer west. Last month they upgraded the home they hope will see them through their retirement years with a 1.65 kW rooftop solar system. In their neighbourhood they are not alone. New data shows Victorians in outlying and traditionally working class suburbs are embracing solar power more enthusiastically than those in wealthier areas.
Epping, in the outer north, is Victoria's top solar suburb with panels installed on one in 16 houses. Other suburbs in the top 10 include Caroline Springs, Altona, Rowville and Sunshine. The postcode breakdown, compiled by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, challenges a frequent criticism that solar subsidies help the rich and leave the poor to bear increased electricity bills.
Mr Borg and Ms Warren spent about $6000 on solar to limit surging power costs and lessen their carbon footprint. "I reckon we should save a couple of hundred dollars [a quarter], but it depends on how the electricity company works it out for us", Mr Borg said. The proportion of households in wealthier suburbs that have taken up solar is below the state average.
"Tariffs and rebates are not all middle class welfare as they have been portrayed by some", said Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren. "In Victoria they have done a good job of leading many households to the conclusion that switching to solar makes economical sense as well as environmental sense".
The data comes as solar schemes face criticism. Energy market expert Rod Sims, an adviser to the federal government, believes they are an expensive and inefficient way to cut greenhouse gas emissions and should be phased out. Defenders of subsidies say they are necessary to develop a clean energy industry. The Baillieu government appears set to let the solar subsidy introduced by the Brumby government in 2009 lapse.
The scheme, a feed in tariff that pays households for power generated beyond what is used at home, has nearly reached its cap of 100 MWs of power generated. State Energy Minister Michael O'Brien has said there was no commitment to continue the scheme. Federally, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet last week said national solar subsidies would be reduced earlier than planned in response to skyrocketing power bills and an overheating renewable energy market.
9 May 2011, Page: 3
ELEVEN years ago, Anthony Borg and Judith Warren were urban fringe trailblazers among the first to buy and build at Caroline Springs, a then new housing development in Melbourne's outer west. Last month they upgraded the home they hope will see them through their retirement years with a 1.65 kW rooftop solar system. In their neighbourhood they are not alone. New data shows Victorians in outlying and traditionally working class suburbs are embracing solar power more enthusiastically than those in wealthier areas.
Epping, in the outer north, is Victoria's top solar suburb with panels installed on one in 16 houses. Other suburbs in the top 10 include Caroline Springs, Altona, Rowville and Sunshine. The postcode breakdown, compiled by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, challenges a frequent criticism that solar subsidies help the rich and leave the poor to bear increased electricity bills.
Mr Borg and Ms Warren spent about $6000 on solar to limit surging power costs and lessen their carbon footprint. "I reckon we should save a couple of hundred dollars [a quarter], but it depends on how the electricity company works it out for us", Mr Borg said. The proportion of households in wealthier suburbs that have taken up solar is below the state average.
"Tariffs and rebates are not all middle class welfare as they have been portrayed by some", said Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren. "In Victoria they have done a good job of leading many households to the conclusion that switching to solar makes economical sense as well as environmental sense".
The data comes as solar schemes face criticism. Energy market expert Rod Sims, an adviser to the federal government, believes they are an expensive and inefficient way to cut greenhouse gas emissions and should be phased out. Defenders of subsidies say they are necessary to develop a clean energy industry. The Baillieu government appears set to let the solar subsidy introduced by the Brumby government in 2009 lapse.
The scheme, a feed in tariff that pays households for power generated beyond what is used at home, has nearly reached its cap of 100 MWs of power generated. State Energy Minister Michael O'Brien has said there was no commitment to continue the scheme. Federally, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet last week said national solar subsidies would be reduced earlier than planned in response to skyrocketing power bills and an overheating renewable energy market.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Right answer, wrong reason: Solar industry
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
05 May 2011
Household solar power must not be used as the scapegoat for electricity price rises, despite adjustments to Solar Credits arrangements announced by Government today being a necessary and sensible decision. Matthew Warren, the Chief Executive of the Clean Energy Council, the peak body for the clean energy sector, questioned the justification for the announcement.
"For some time now the Clean Energy Council has been concerned about the stability of the solar market. We have been consulting with industry, analysing the market and talking to Government. We acknowledge a reduction in the solar credits multiplier for next year will help create longer term certainty for the industry", he said. "This decision has nothing to do with rising electricity prices, and everything to do with supporting an industry of the future. That's why any job losses in this industry are the worst kind of job losses. "So it's a necessary change, but it will hurt", he said.
Mr Warren said the positive aspects of strong demand for solar technology by Australian families should not be lost amid policy uncertainty. The truth is Australia loves solar. It is a technology that gives families a way of protecting themselves against rising electricity prices", he said. "Electricity price rises are mainly driven by the need for critical investment in network capacity. Painting solar as the problem child is misguided and out of step with what Australians are telling us through their purchasing decisions.
"Yesterday we released data for solar installations across Australia as a percentage of eligible households. It shows the idea that solar is the province of inner urban elites is a myth. People in regional communities, working class suburbs and coastal villages are all signing up. Australians from all walks of life are embracing this technology".
Mr Warren said there is the real risk that this industry could be a victim of its own success. "The SRES Scheme is designed to be an uncapped incentive for households to install solar. Australian households have responded exactly as the policy intended. "What has been done today is an effort to correct a flaw in the market design, not to control electricity prices that are barely affected by this program".
Mr Warren said the solar industry had weathered years of stop start policy from state and federal governments. "It is appropriate that support is adjusted as the cost of solar power systems continue to fall. But the minimal time available for business planning will mean that small businesses in particular will struggle to ride the wave of rising and falling demand as a result of this decision.
"This will lead to pain for some solar installers. These are business people who have taken a significant financial risk, they have real skin in the game". "Current market pressures are the result of a number of local and international factors occurring simultaneously. They might not equate to a permanent shift in conditions", he said.
05 May 2011
Household solar power must not be used as the scapegoat for electricity price rises, despite adjustments to Solar Credits arrangements announced by Government today being a necessary and sensible decision. Matthew Warren, the Chief Executive of the Clean Energy Council, the peak body for the clean energy sector, questioned the justification for the announcement.
"For some time now the Clean Energy Council has been concerned about the stability of the solar market. We have been consulting with industry, analysing the market and talking to Government. We acknowledge a reduction in the solar credits multiplier for next year will help create longer term certainty for the industry", he said. "This decision has nothing to do with rising electricity prices, and everything to do with supporting an industry of the future. That's why any job losses in this industry are the worst kind of job losses. "So it's a necessary change, but it will hurt", he said.
Mr Warren said the positive aspects of strong demand for solar technology by Australian families should not be lost amid policy uncertainty. The truth is Australia loves solar. It is a technology that gives families a way of protecting themselves against rising electricity prices", he said. "Electricity price rises are mainly driven by the need for critical investment in network capacity. Painting solar as the problem child is misguided and out of step with what Australians are telling us through their purchasing decisions.
"Yesterday we released data for solar installations across Australia as a percentage of eligible households. It shows the idea that solar is the province of inner urban elites is a myth. People in regional communities, working class suburbs and coastal villages are all signing up. Australians from all walks of life are embracing this technology".
Mr Warren said there is the real risk that this industry could be a victim of its own success. "The SRES Scheme is designed to be an uncapped incentive for households to install solar. Australian households have responded exactly as the policy intended. "What has been done today is an effort to correct a flaw in the market design, not to control electricity prices that are barely affected by this program".
Mr Warren said the solar industry had weathered years of stop start policy from state and federal governments. "It is appropriate that support is adjusted as the cost of solar power systems continue to fall. But the minimal time available for business planning will mean that small businesses in particular will struggle to ride the wave of rising and falling demand as a result of this decision.
"This will lead to pain for some solar installers. These are business people who have taken a significant financial risk, they have real skin in the game". "Current market pressures are the result of a number of local and international factors occurring simultaneously. They might not equate to a permanent shift in conditions", he said.
Solar struggle feeds into power cost blame game
Canberra Times
6 May 2011, Page: 4
ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell has accused the Federal Government of using the clean energy industry as scapegoats for soaring power costs. Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said feed in tariff schemes offered in the ACT and NSW had hiked up electricity prices and cuts to solar panel subsidies would reduce household power bills by $35 a year. Under changes announced yesterday by Mr Combet, federal subsidies for household solar panels will drop from a peak of around $6200 offered on June 30 to $1200 for a basic 1.5kw system after July 1, 2013.
But Mr Corbell said ageing infrastructure was driving up electricity prices, not an increase in households signed up to the ACT's feed in tariff scheme. "I'm getting sick of the feed in tariff being used as a scapegoat for rising electricity costs because it's an easy sell", he said. "Demand for electricity is going up in summer and winter and the transmission network needs to be augmented to deal with that. This is what is contributing to rising electricity prices, the impact of the feed in tariff scheme is only costing 50¢ a week on households".
Enviro Friendly Products founding director David Payne said the subsidy cuts would cause a 50% drop in solar panel sales at his Phillip store. "Companies across the country will suffer. There will be a significant drop in sales. But we need to get to a point where we don't need subsidies and [solar panels] stand on their own as an economic model". Mr Payne said the Federal Government was using the renewable energy industry as a "political football" and strong demand for solar panels had only a minor impact on rising power costs. "The price of power is increasing because of dilapidated infrastructure. Saying it's because of solar panel subsidies is simply not true".
He said clean energy businesses in the ACT were more sheltered from the subsidy cuts than other states because of existing solar panel feed in tariffs, which offer households 45.7¢ for every kW they put into the grid. ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems director Andrew Blakers said Australia was in the middle of a "solar revolution" and urged the Government to create a clear and transparent support scheme. He said clean energy businesses needed to work harder to reduce the cost of installing solar panels now that Federal Government subsidies had been cut.
Meanwhile, the ACT Government announced yesterday new renewable energy targets that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020. Mr Corbel' said 15% of energy used in Canberra would be sourced from renewable sources by next year, increasing to 25% by 2020. But the Greens said Mr Corbell's targets were meaningless, because no new policies had been created. Greens climate change spokesman Shane Rattenbury said the targets announced by Mr Corbell simply reflected what ACT residents were already doing.
6 May 2011, Page: 4
ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell has accused the Federal Government of using the clean energy industry as scapegoats for soaring power costs. Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said feed in tariff schemes offered in the ACT and NSW had hiked up electricity prices and cuts to solar panel subsidies would reduce household power bills by $35 a year. Under changes announced yesterday by Mr Combet, federal subsidies for household solar panels will drop from a peak of around $6200 offered on June 30 to $1200 for a basic 1.5kw system after July 1, 2013.
But Mr Corbell said ageing infrastructure was driving up electricity prices, not an increase in households signed up to the ACT's feed in tariff scheme. "I'm getting sick of the feed in tariff being used as a scapegoat for rising electricity costs because it's an easy sell", he said. "Demand for electricity is going up in summer and winter and the transmission network needs to be augmented to deal with that. This is what is contributing to rising electricity prices, the impact of the feed in tariff scheme is only costing 50¢ a week on households".
Enviro Friendly Products founding director David Payne said the subsidy cuts would cause a 50% drop in solar panel sales at his Phillip store. "Companies across the country will suffer. There will be a significant drop in sales. But we need to get to a point where we don't need subsidies and [solar panels] stand on their own as an economic model". Mr Payne said the Federal Government was using the renewable energy industry as a "political football" and strong demand for solar panels had only a minor impact on rising power costs. "The price of power is increasing because of dilapidated infrastructure. Saying it's because of solar panel subsidies is simply not true".
He said clean energy businesses in the ACT were more sheltered from the subsidy cuts than other states because of existing solar panel feed in tariffs, which offer households 45.7¢ for every kW they put into the grid. ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems director Andrew Blakers said Australia was in the middle of a "solar revolution" and urged the Government to create a clear and transparent support scheme. He said clean energy businesses needed to work harder to reduce the cost of installing solar panels now that Federal Government subsidies had been cut.
Meanwhile, the ACT Government announced yesterday new renewable energy targets that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020. Mr Corbel' said 15% of energy used in Canberra would be sourced from renewable sources by next year, increasing to 25% by 2020. But the Greens said Mr Corbell's targets were meaningless, because no new policies had been created. Greens climate change spokesman Shane Rattenbury said the targets announced by Mr Corbell simply reflected what ACT residents were already doing.
US government sued on climate - Teenagers argue agencies failed to protect planet
Age
6 May 2011, Page: 14
ADVOCATES of stringent curbs on greenhouse gas emissions have sued the US government, arguing that key agencies had failed in their duty to protect the atmosphere as a public trust to be guarded for future generations. Similar lawsuits are to be filed against states around the country, according to the plaintiffs, a coalition of groups concerned about climate change called Our Children's Trust.
Most of the individual plaintiffs in the suit, filed in US District Court in San Francisco, are teenagers, a decision apparently made to underscore the intergenerational nature of the public trust that the atmosphere represents. More novel, however, is the suit's reliance on the public trust doctrine, which dates to Roman times. In some ways the suit parallels a current case, brought by several states against the five largest energy companies in the country, that frames greenhouse gas emissions as a public nuisance, legal experts noted.
Last month, the Supreme Court heard arguments on issues in that case, including the standing of the states to bring such lawsuits. Several justices expressed scepticism: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, for example, questioned whether the courts were being asked to intervene in an arena in which the executive branch specifically the Environmental Protection Agency has the expertise to act.
The EPA has determined that greenhouse gases pose a danger to the public health and welfare and are therefore subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. It has argued that this regulatory process, which is already under way, should not be preempted by the courts. Legal experts on Wednesday said they were unsure whether the new lawsuit could gain legal traction, given that it presents issues that overlap in some ways with the public nuisance case. The Supreme Court is expected to issue an opinion on that case in the next few months.
Courts that hear these cases will be heavily influenced by the Supreme Court's opinion, said Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia University's Centre for Climate Change Law. Mr Gerrard said that by filing such lawsuits, environmentalists were "trying to use all available options in view of the failure of Congress" to act on greenhouse gas emissions. The House approved a sweeping bill to limit such emissions in 2009, but a more cautious effort died in the Senate last year. And the recently elected Republican majority in the House is threatening to strip the EPA of regulatory powers related to global warming.
6 May 2011, Page: 14
ADVOCATES of stringent curbs on greenhouse gas emissions have sued the US government, arguing that key agencies had failed in their duty to protect the atmosphere as a public trust to be guarded for future generations. Similar lawsuits are to be filed against states around the country, according to the plaintiffs, a coalition of groups concerned about climate change called Our Children's Trust.
Most of the individual plaintiffs in the suit, filed in US District Court in San Francisco, are teenagers, a decision apparently made to underscore the intergenerational nature of the public trust that the atmosphere represents. More novel, however, is the suit's reliance on the public trust doctrine, which dates to Roman times. In some ways the suit parallels a current case, brought by several states against the five largest energy companies in the country, that frames greenhouse gas emissions as a public nuisance, legal experts noted.
Last month, the Supreme Court heard arguments on issues in that case, including the standing of the states to bring such lawsuits. Several justices expressed scepticism: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, for example, questioned whether the courts were being asked to intervene in an arena in which the executive branch specifically the Environmental Protection Agency has the expertise to act.
The EPA has determined that greenhouse gases pose a danger to the public health and welfare and are therefore subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. It has argued that this regulatory process, which is already under way, should not be preempted by the courts. Legal experts on Wednesday said they were unsure whether the new lawsuit could gain legal traction, given that it presents issues that overlap in some ways with the public nuisance case. The Supreme Court is expected to issue an opinion on that case in the next few months.
Courts that hear these cases will be heavily influenced by the Supreme Court's opinion, said Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia University's Centre for Climate Change Law. Mr Gerrard said that by filing such lawsuits, environmentalists were "trying to use all available options in view of the failure of Congress" to act on greenhouse gas emissions. The House approved a sweeping bill to limit such emissions in 2009, but a more cautious effort died in the Senate last year. And the recently elected Republican majority in the House is threatening to strip the EPA of regulatory powers related to global warming.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Skepticism is bastardry, says head of ACF
Australian
29 April 2011, Page: 6
THE president of the Australian Conservation Foundation has attacked the "scientific bastardry" of climate change skeptics amid weakening public consensus that humans are to blame. Ian Lowe, who is also professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University, lamented the narrowing of the carbon tax debate. He said it was "naive" to believe putting a price on carbon was the solution to the problem, arguing the carbon price would have to rise to "politically unrealistic" levels if it was to drive the transition away from coal fired power. He said other complementary measures would be needed to encourage renewable energy.
Addressing a conference in Melbourne organised by the academics' union, the National Tertiary Education Union, Professor Lowe called on scientists to become more active in promoting the scientific evidence of human induced climate change. "As a profession who are paid from the public purse, it is a fundamental part of our responsibility to the community to be engaged in the public debate about these issues", he said. He said the evidence for human induced climate change was backed by virtually all scientists. He described the views of climate change skeptics as "illegitimate arguments that you could call scientific bastardly".
29 April 2011, Page: 6
THE president of the Australian Conservation Foundation has attacked the "scientific bastardry" of climate change skeptics amid weakening public consensus that humans are to blame. Ian Lowe, who is also professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University, lamented the narrowing of the carbon tax debate. He said it was "naive" to believe putting a price on carbon was the solution to the problem, arguing the carbon price would have to rise to "politically unrealistic" levels if it was to drive the transition away from coal fired power. He said other complementary measures would be needed to encourage renewable energy.
Addressing a conference in Melbourne organised by the academics' union, the National Tertiary Education Union, Professor Lowe called on scientists to become more active in promoting the scientific evidence of human induced climate change. "As a profession who are paid from the public purse, it is a fundamental part of our responsibility to the community to be engaged in the public debate about these issues", he said. He said the evidence for human induced climate change was backed by virtually all scientists. He described the views of climate change skeptics as "illegitimate arguments that you could call scientific bastardly".
yes2renewables.org
yes2renewables.org
29 April 2011
An excellent article that provides some perspective and credible information on wind farms and those who are determined to oppose them.
29 April 2011
An excellent article that provides some perspective and credible information on wind farms and those who are determined to oppose them.
Solar scheme use surges ahead
Canberra Times
5 May 2011, Page: 2
Businesses and households are signing up in droves to the ACT's feed in tariff scheme with 868 new solar panel connections made to the electricity grid during the first quarter of this year. This compares with 485 connections made during the December 2010 quarter. The scheme pays ACT households a premium price for electricity they generate on their rooftop solar panels and divert into the distribution grid and has awarded more than $4.4 million since its inception in March 2009.
The latest Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission report says that interest in renewable generators has ballooned in the ACT since the Federal Government decided to reduce payments made under the Renewable Energy Certificate scheme. During the March quarter ActewAGL Energy received 1552 new applications from households and businesses wanting to connect their solar panels to the electricity grid up from 895 requests the previous quarter.
Environment Minister Simon Corbell said the results highlighted Canberra's strong interest in renewable energy. "We have seen a big surge this quarter and we are looking to see whether this continues", he said. Mr Corbell said the premium rate for micro generation would remain unchanged at 45.7¢ per kW this financial year to ensure stability for consumers and the renewable energy industry.
The average revenue reaped by an ACT resident signed up to the scheme was $407 during the March 2010 quarter which is dramatically higher than the average of $190 received during the June 2009 quarter. There are currently 4404 renewable generators connected to the distribution network. The Clean Energy Council recently issued the top 20 solar postcodes in Australia but no ACT suburbs made the cut. Caloundra City in Queensland took out the top spot. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said tariffs and rebates had encouraged Australian households to switch to solar.
5 May 2011, Page: 2
Businesses and households are signing up in droves to the ACT's feed in tariff scheme with 868 new solar panel connections made to the electricity grid during the first quarter of this year. This compares with 485 connections made during the December 2010 quarter. The scheme pays ACT households a premium price for electricity they generate on their rooftop solar panels and divert into the distribution grid and has awarded more than $4.4 million since its inception in March 2009.
The latest Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission report says that interest in renewable generators has ballooned in the ACT since the Federal Government decided to reduce payments made under the Renewable Energy Certificate scheme. During the March quarter ActewAGL Energy received 1552 new applications from households and businesses wanting to connect their solar panels to the electricity grid up from 895 requests the previous quarter.
Environment Minister Simon Corbell said the results highlighted Canberra's strong interest in renewable energy. "We have seen a big surge this quarter and we are looking to see whether this continues", he said. Mr Corbell said the premium rate for micro generation would remain unchanged at 45.7¢ per kW this financial year to ensure stability for consumers and the renewable energy industry.
The average revenue reaped by an ACT resident signed up to the scheme was $407 during the March 2010 quarter which is dramatically higher than the average of $190 received during the June 2009 quarter. There are currently 4404 renewable generators connected to the distribution network. The Clean Energy Council recently issued the top 20 solar postcodes in Australia but no ACT suburbs made the cut. Caloundra City in Queensland took out the top spot. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said tariffs and rebates had encouraged Australian households to switch to solar.
Cuts to solar subsidies to be sped up
Age
5 May 2011, Page: 2
THE government is set to accelerate cuts to subsidies for household solar panels from July under changes to be announced today. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is expected to announce the changes in response to soaring electricity prices and an overheating renewable energy market. The cuts to solar subsidies are expected to save households up to $35 a year on their power bills.
The changes mean federal subsidies for rooftop solar panels will end in mid 2013, a year earlier than previously promised. Households and businesses who install solar systems will also get fewer extra credits than expected from July this year, with the extra credits phasing out over the next two years. These credits are sold on the renewable energy market. It is the second time in six months Mr Combet has reduced extra credits on offer for solar panels.
"Strong demand for solar panels has continued, fuelled by declining system costs, the strong Australian dollar and economy, as well as incentives such as solar credits and the state and Territory feed in tariff schemes", Mr Combet will say. Some energy market experts, including government climate change adviser Rod Sims, have blamed rising power bills on the massive increase in rooftop solar panel installations. The sale of solar panels in effect floods the power market with extra renewable energy credits, which has an inflationary effect on electricity bills.
Under the current federal subsidy households are getting five times more renewable energy credits than they otherwise would have been entitled to for the power generated by their solar systems, with the number of extra credits reducing over a number of years. Under the today's changes, from July 1 extra credits will reduce to three times what would have been offered, rather than a reduction to four times more as previously promised. In July next year the extra credits will be reduced to two times what they would have otherwise. The extra credits will then end in July 2013.
5 May 2011, Page: 2
THE government is set to accelerate cuts to subsidies for household solar panels from July under changes to be announced today. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is expected to announce the changes in response to soaring electricity prices and an overheating renewable energy market. The cuts to solar subsidies are expected to save households up to $35 a year on their power bills.The changes mean federal subsidies for rooftop solar panels will end in mid 2013, a year earlier than previously promised. Households and businesses who install solar systems will also get fewer extra credits than expected from July this year, with the extra credits phasing out over the next two years. These credits are sold on the renewable energy market. It is the second time in six months Mr Combet has reduced extra credits on offer for solar panels.
"Strong demand for solar panels has continued, fuelled by declining system costs, the strong Australian dollar and economy, as well as incentives such as solar credits and the state and Territory feed in tariff schemes", Mr Combet will say. Some energy market experts, including government climate change adviser Rod Sims, have blamed rising power bills on the massive increase in rooftop solar panel installations. The sale of solar panels in effect floods the power market with extra renewable energy credits, which has an inflationary effect on electricity bills.
Under the current federal subsidy households are getting five times more renewable energy credits than they otherwise would have been entitled to for the power generated by their solar systems, with the number of extra credits reducing over a number of years. Under the today's changes, from July 1 extra credits will reduce to three times what would have been offered, rather than a reduction to four times more as previously promised. In July next year the extra credits will be reduced to two times what they would have otherwise. The extra credits will then end in July 2013.
Industry’s 50-50 bet on carbon price
Summaries - Australian Financial Review
3 May 2011, Page: 3
Analysis from the Clean Energy Council has found that the energy market is anticipating that there is only a 50% chance of a carbon price being established by the middle of 2012 ANZ global head of energy trading Gary Wyatt said wholesale power market players believe that there is a 25% chance that prices would exceed $15 a tonne for carbon emissions. The analysis coincided with figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance which showed that the Renewable Energy Target would deliver at least $36 billion from investment during the next decade. Elsewhere Pacific Hydro chief executive Rob Grant believes the clean energy sector has become a major contributor to the way the economy will be shaped. Meanwhile a Newspoll survey has found that there has been a 5% decline in the number of people prepared to pay more to tackle climate change.
3 May 2011, Page: 3
Analysis from the Clean Energy Council has found that the energy market is anticipating that there is only a 50% chance of a carbon price being established by the middle of 2012 ANZ global head of energy trading Gary Wyatt said wholesale power market players believe that there is a 25% chance that prices would exceed $15 a tonne for carbon emissions. The analysis coincided with figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance which showed that the Renewable Energy Target would deliver at least $36 billion from investment during the next decade. Elsewhere Pacific Hydro chief executive Rob Grant believes the clean energy sector has become a major contributor to the way the economy will be shaped. Meanwhile a Newspoll survey has found that there has been a 5% decline in the number of people prepared to pay more to tackle climate change.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Rein on solar panel credits sours business
Australian
2 May 2011, Page: 8
WHEN Tony Pecora and his electrician mate started a solar power company four years ago, they ploughed their savings into the venture with the expectation that federal moves towards reducing fossil fuel use would spark a clamour for solar panels. Instead, stock is sitting idle on the shop floor after changes in the federal government's management of solar credits flooded the market. "It's complete incompetence,' Mr Pecora said. "If you want business to actually have faith in what's going on and have confidence to invest money, there must be stability".
The number of solar installations supported by the renewable energy target scheme has blown out from fewer than 15,000 systems in 2008 to more than 120,000 last year. Until July, the solar credits scheme will provide eligible householders with an upfront payment worth five times the value of certificates their solar panels would produce. The multiple of five will then be reduced to four, and lowered each year after that to rein in the support mechanism.
The move came after the huge take up caused by the original generous subsidies flooded the system with Renewable Energy Certificates, causing their value to plummet and sparking an investment freeze among big energy investors in major projects such as wind farms.
The government moved early last year to rescue the system, splitting Renewable Energy Certificates into large scale and small scale markets, and in January the government opened an online clearing house for small scale technology certificates (STCs), where sellers offer them at the fixed price of $40 each. Then it wound back the subsidies to solar panel installations in a bid to stop the flood of new Renewable Energy Certificates.
There is still a surplus of 796,100 certificates, with figures from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator showing only 78,016 have been bought so far this year. Mr Pecora's company in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs employs 15 electricians and three sales staff, and is finding it difficult to manage monthly overheads of $100,000. Each container of stock ordered from overseas is an additional $250,000.
Mr Pecora said he was negotiating with customers who had ordered solar panels, but feared jobs would be cancelled if the quoted prices rose. "People aren't going to fork out another $1500", he said. "The only way it's going to work is if they do a carbon tax and tax people for what they pump into the air".
2 May 2011, Page: 8
WHEN Tony Pecora and his electrician mate started a solar power company four years ago, they ploughed their savings into the venture with the expectation that federal moves towards reducing fossil fuel use would spark a clamour for solar panels. Instead, stock is sitting idle on the shop floor after changes in the federal government's management of solar credits flooded the market. "It's complete incompetence,' Mr Pecora said. "If you want business to actually have faith in what's going on and have confidence to invest money, there must be stability".The number of solar installations supported by the renewable energy target scheme has blown out from fewer than 15,000 systems in 2008 to more than 120,000 last year. Until July, the solar credits scheme will provide eligible householders with an upfront payment worth five times the value of certificates their solar panels would produce. The multiple of five will then be reduced to four, and lowered each year after that to rein in the support mechanism.
The move came after the huge take up caused by the original generous subsidies flooded the system with Renewable Energy Certificates, causing their value to plummet and sparking an investment freeze among big energy investors in major projects such as wind farms.
The government moved early last year to rescue the system, splitting Renewable Energy Certificates into large scale and small scale markets, and in January the government opened an online clearing house for small scale technology certificates (STCs), where sellers offer them at the fixed price of $40 each. Then it wound back the subsidies to solar panel installations in a bid to stop the flood of new Renewable Energy Certificates.
There is still a surplus of 796,100 certificates, with figures from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator showing only 78,016 have been bought so far this year. Mr Pecora's company in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs employs 15 electricians and three sales staff, and is finding it difficult to manage monthly overheads of $100,000. Each container of stock ordered from overseas is an additional $250,000.
Mr Pecora said he was negotiating with customers who had ordered solar panels, but feared jobs would be cancelled if the quoted prices rose. "People aren't going to fork out another $1500", he said. "The only way it's going to work is if they do a carbon tax and tax people for what they pump into the air".
The magnificent power of three
www.smh.com.au
April 29, 2011
Sydney is a step closer to reducing its reliance on coal powered energy, with the launch of Australia's first commercial trigeneration network. The project, which links the energy use of two buildings across the harbour, uses natural gas to produce electricity on site, capturing any waste heat to provide heating and air conditioning. Electricity generated at Coca Cola Place, a high rise office building in North Sydney, is also provided to Deutsche Bank Place in the CBD Energy. Trigeneration can be up to three times more efficient than coal fired power stations, where the waste heat escapes into the atmosphere.
The lord mayor, Clover Moore, said: ''This is Australia's first open commercial trigeneration precinct, delivering a more efficient way to generate power, heat and cooling.'' As part of its Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, Sydney City Council aims to produce 70% of the city's energy needs locally from trigeneration systems within the next 20 years. Although the complex is not in the City of Sydney, Cr Moore said it showed the viability of larger scale trigeneration.
''We must look at trigeneration and we must start to show just how effective it is in terms of saving costs, saving carbon. Eighty% of emissions are in our cities predominantly from our commercial buildings.'' The NSW Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, said medium scale projects like trigeneration plants were more efficient than rooftop solar panels. ''We are not going to allow programs like the present Solar Bonus Scheme,.. to continue,'' Mr Hartcher said. ''But we are going to encourage a sensible attitude towards,.. energy efficiency in the community. That's why we look very much to business to set the example.'' The operators expect the plant to prevent the release of about 1000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
April 29, 2011
Sydney is a step closer to reducing its reliance on coal powered energy, with the launch of Australia's first commercial trigeneration network. The project, which links the energy use of two buildings across the harbour, uses natural gas to produce electricity on site, capturing any waste heat to provide heating and air conditioning. Electricity generated at Coca Cola Place, a high rise office building in North Sydney, is also provided to Deutsche Bank Place in the CBD Energy. Trigeneration can be up to three times more efficient than coal fired power stations, where the waste heat escapes into the atmosphere.The lord mayor, Clover Moore, said: ''This is Australia's first open commercial trigeneration precinct, delivering a more efficient way to generate power, heat and cooling.'' As part of its Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, Sydney City Council aims to produce 70% of the city's energy needs locally from trigeneration systems within the next 20 years. Although the complex is not in the City of Sydney, Cr Moore said it showed the viability of larger scale trigeneration.
''We must look at trigeneration and we must start to show just how effective it is in terms of saving costs, saving carbon. Eighty% of emissions are in our cities predominantly from our commercial buildings.'' The NSW Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, said medium scale projects like trigeneration plants were more efficient than rooftop solar panels. ''We are not going to allow programs like the present Solar Bonus Scheme,.. to continue,'' Mr Hartcher said. ''But we are going to encourage a sensible attitude towards,.. energy efficiency in the community. That's why we look very much to business to set the example.'' The operators expect the plant to prevent the release of about 1000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Falklanders to reap wind energy - with their car batteries
www.thisismoney.co.uk
24 April 2011
The Falkland Islands could become the world's first territory to be mainly powered by a revolutionary combination of wind power and electric car batteries. Seven wind turbines already provide the islands with more than half of their electricity needs. The rest is generated by costly diesel imported to power generators. But because the South Atlantic winds often gust well above the average of 10mph, the manager of the wind farm, Glenn Ross, has adapted the pitch of the blades so that they provide a constant flow of electricity rather than providing occasional excess energy.
Levelling the output means less diesel is needed to balance the wind power output, but the islands still want to store surplus wind power. And in a groundbreaking move, the government in the capital Port Stanley has given the go-ahead to investigate using electric cars to store excess energy in their batteries, effectively creating one of the world's first independent smart grids.
Ross said: 'We are looking at distributed storage in electric cars. At times of high wind we could dial a number and get people to switch on their chargers.' At times of low wind the 3,000 or so islanders could plug their car batteries into the grid to power general usage. Combining the fixed wind power output with electric storage is a model that could be exported to other islands similarly dependent on imported diesel, said Ross. 'This could work on a Scottish island - we share similar weather,' he added.
24 April 2011
The Falkland Islands could become the world's first territory to be mainly powered by a revolutionary combination of wind power and electric car batteries. Seven wind turbines already provide the islands with more than half of their electricity needs. The rest is generated by costly diesel imported to power generators. But because the South Atlantic winds often gust well above the average of 10mph, the manager of the wind farm, Glenn Ross, has adapted the pitch of the blades so that they provide a constant flow of electricity rather than providing occasional excess energy.
Levelling the output means less diesel is needed to balance the wind power output, but the islands still want to store surplus wind power. And in a groundbreaking move, the government in the capital Port Stanley has given the go-ahead to investigate using electric cars to store excess energy in their batteries, effectively creating one of the world's first independent smart grids.
Ross said: 'We are looking at distributed storage in electric cars. At times of high wind we could dial a number and get people to switch on their chargers.' At times of low wind the 3,000 or so islanders could plug their car batteries into the grid to power general usage. Combining the fixed wind power output with electric storage is a model that could be exported to other islands similarly dependent on imported diesel, said Ross. 'This could work on a Scottish island - we share similar weather,' he added.
Council outlines roles for new body
Australian
2 May 2011, Page: 8
THE peak clean energy group has taken up calls for an independent body similar to the Reserve Bank to be launched with next year's carbon tax. In a discussion paper released today, the Clean Energy Council outlines possible roles for the proposed agency including administering an emissions trading scheme and setting targets, allocating revenue from the carbon tax and issuing loans to fund green investments.
The body, which would operate at arm's length from the federal government, would constantly review projects and cut off funds to those that fail to prove themselves. Speaking ahead of this week's green energy conference in Melbourne, CEC chief executive Matthew Warren said borrowing from future carbon revenue to support green developments would enable quicker transition to low emissions technology.
"It seems insane that you would simply spend the money as it comes in the door, if the hardest part of the transformation is in the first five to 10 years", he said. "If you borrow against the future income stream and spend it now, then you will presumably make it much easier for businesses and households to cope with the scheme so you don't have to keep paying compensation".
The Clean Energy Council is an industry association representing renewable energy companies. Government adviser Ross Garnaut has previously recommended creating a carbon bank to administer carbon reduction measures, while outgoing RBA board member and economist Warwick McKibbin has suggested it set and adjust emissions targets.
Mr Warren said it would be challenging for an independent body to set the carbon price. Britain plans to establish a green investment bank next year to spur investment in low emissions technology. Coordinated funding would make it easier to monitor different projects and pull their funding if necessary. "You've got to keep delivering in order to keep getting funded. There's competition between the sectors but equally there's accountability so we don't get the feeling we're just doing stuff because the money was allocated".
Mr Warren said projects deemed too risky by traditional lenders needed an influx of capital now, pointing to geothermal and ocean wave energy as areas where public funding should step in. "The funds at the cutting edge of the most risky private investments, their basic view is we need to get our money back plus something in five years or we're not going to do it", he said. "The geothermal industry or the ocean industry aren't going to give you a payback in five years. It doesn't mean it's bad technology, it's just going to need some help".
2 May 2011, Page: 8
THE peak clean energy group has taken up calls for an independent body similar to the Reserve Bank to be launched with next year's carbon tax. In a discussion paper released today, the Clean Energy Council outlines possible roles for the proposed agency including administering an emissions trading scheme and setting targets, allocating revenue from the carbon tax and issuing loans to fund green investments.The body, which would operate at arm's length from the federal government, would constantly review projects and cut off funds to those that fail to prove themselves. Speaking ahead of this week's green energy conference in Melbourne, CEC chief executive Matthew Warren said borrowing from future carbon revenue to support green developments would enable quicker transition to low emissions technology.
"It seems insane that you would simply spend the money as it comes in the door, if the hardest part of the transformation is in the first five to 10 years", he said. "If you borrow against the future income stream and spend it now, then you will presumably make it much easier for businesses and households to cope with the scheme so you don't have to keep paying compensation".
The Clean Energy Council is an industry association representing renewable energy companies. Government adviser Ross Garnaut has previously recommended creating a carbon bank to administer carbon reduction measures, while outgoing RBA board member and economist Warwick McKibbin has suggested it set and adjust emissions targets.
Mr Warren said it would be challenging for an independent body to set the carbon price. Britain plans to establish a green investment bank next year to spur investment in low emissions technology. Coordinated funding would make it easier to monitor different projects and pull their funding if necessary. "You've got to keep delivering in order to keep getting funded. There's competition between the sectors but equally there's accountability so we don't get the feeling we're just doing stuff because the money was allocated".
Mr Warren said projects deemed too risky by traditional lenders needed an influx of capital now, pointing to geothermal and ocean wave energy as areas where public funding should step in. "The funds at the cutting edge of the most risky private investments, their basic view is we need to get our money back plus something in five years or we're not going to do it", he said. "The geothermal industry or the ocean industry aren't going to give you a payback in five years. It doesn't mean it's bad technology, it's just going to need some help".
Coles ordered to use green power
Courier Mail
29 April 2011, Page: 17
A MULTIMILLION dollar Coles development on the Sunshine Coast will have to source at least half its power from climate safe, renewable sources under council stipulated conditions. It is believed to be the first such demand for a large scale development by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, which has foreshadowed similar conditions for future projects. It means the Nambour supermarket will be largely powered by renewable energy, including solar or wind farms.
Coles spokesman Jim Cooper said he was not aware of any other local authority raising the issue of climate safe energy sources for a Coles facility, or if any facility now used a significant amount of green power. "We'll go through the (approval) documents when we receive them and consider those in due course", Mr Cooper said.
The council said the energy condition, which Coles could meet via buying green energy or building on site generation, was a chance for Coles to show it was a "good corporate citizen". Cr Vivien Griffin said: "I added the condition because this council has adopted some fairly serious approaches to the issue of climate change and we are a region very subject to the impacts of climate change. "CO₂, emissions from electricity consumption are an off site impact just as filling in a floodplain is,.. so this is about coming back to basic planning principles that any new development should not have those off site impacts".
In the US, a federal program to encourage use of green energy has led big companies to slash their greenhouse gas emissions. Intel, the world's largest chip maker, now derives 88% of its power from solar and wind farms. Australia's reliance on coal for 80% of its power makes it the developed world's worst per capita CO₂, emitter. Renewable energy companies say the Federal Government's weak emission reduction targets and the lack of a national feed in tariff for renewable energy mean Australia is still lagging other major economies including China, India and the US in adopting clean energy.
29 April 2011, Page: 17
A MULTIMILLION dollar Coles development on the Sunshine Coast will have to source at least half its power from climate safe, renewable sources under council stipulated conditions. It is believed to be the first such demand for a large scale development by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, which has foreshadowed similar conditions for future projects. It means the Nambour supermarket will be largely powered by renewable energy, including solar or wind farms.
Coles spokesman Jim Cooper said he was not aware of any other local authority raising the issue of climate safe energy sources for a Coles facility, or if any facility now used a significant amount of green power. "We'll go through the (approval) documents when we receive them and consider those in due course", Mr Cooper said.
The council said the energy condition, which Coles could meet via buying green energy or building on site generation, was a chance for Coles to show it was a "good corporate citizen". Cr Vivien Griffin said: "I added the condition because this council has adopted some fairly serious approaches to the issue of climate change and we are a region very subject to the impacts of climate change. "CO₂, emissions from electricity consumption are an off site impact just as filling in a floodplain is,.. so this is about coming back to basic planning principles that any new development should not have those off site impacts".
In the US, a federal program to encourage use of green energy has led big companies to slash their greenhouse gas emissions. Intel, the world's largest chip maker, now derives 88% of its power from solar and wind farms. Australia's reliance on coal for 80% of its power makes it the developed world's worst per capita CO₂, emitter. Renewable energy companies say the Federal Government's weak emission reduction targets and the lack of a national feed in tariff for renewable energy mean Australia is still lagging other major economies including China, India and the US in adopting clean energy.
Solar coup for ANU
Canberra Times
29 April 2011, Page: 2
A new project aimed at driving down the cost of renewable energy is expected to attract millions of dollars in licensing fees for the Australian National University. The world's largest manufacturer of solar cells, Trina Solar, and researchers at the ANU will work to increase the efficiency of solar cells during the ANU Solar project. The $10.7 million project, launched at the ANU yesterday, aims to keep Australia at the forefront of solar research. A Federal Government grant of $3.3 million from the Australian Solar Institute will go towards the project. The ANU will also work with the University of New South Wales during the project.
29 April 2011, Page: 2
A new project aimed at driving down the cost of renewable energy is expected to attract millions of dollars in licensing fees for the Australian National University. The world's largest manufacturer of solar cells, Trina Solar, and researchers at the ANU will work to increase the efficiency of solar cells during the ANU Solar project. The $10.7 million project, launched at the ANU yesterday, aims to keep Australia at the forefront of solar research. A Federal Government grant of $3.3 million from the Australian Solar Institute will go towards the project. The ANU will also work with the University of New South Wales during the project.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
First fuel-cell scooter to hit road for tests
www.theleader.com.au
24 Apr, 2011
Suzuki has become the world's first motorcycle maker to earn Whole Vehicle Type Approval 1 compliance for a fuel-cell-powered vehicle in the European Union with a squadron of its Burgman scooters set to hit the road for testing.
Initially only one fuel-cell scooter was given permission to test in Britain with approval from the British government's Technology Strategy Board 2 with single vehicle approval for each scooter used in the trials. The new Europe-wide approval means the single vehicle approval is no longer necessary.
Suzuki's Burgman fuel-cell scooter made its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and since February last year Suzuki and British company Intelligent Energy, developer of the bike's fuel-cell system, have been involved with on-road trials. The scooter employs an air-cooled fuel-cell and hydrogen tank inside its frame to produce electricity which in turn powers a drive motor and the only exhaust emission is water. Suzuki says it wants to have fuel-cell scooters ready to go when hydrogen filling stations come on line across Europe.
24 Apr, 2011
Suzuki has become the world's first motorcycle maker to earn Whole Vehicle Type Approval 1 compliance for a fuel-cell-powered vehicle in the European Union with a squadron of its Burgman scooters set to hit the road for testing.
Initially only one fuel-cell scooter was given permission to test in Britain with approval from the British government's Technology Strategy Board 2 with single vehicle approval for each scooter used in the trials. The new Europe-wide approval means the single vehicle approval is no longer necessary.
Suzuki's Burgman fuel-cell scooter made its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and since February last year Suzuki and British company Intelligent Energy, developer of the bike's fuel-cell system, have been involved with on-road trials. The scooter employs an air-cooled fuel-cell and hydrogen tank inside its frame to produce electricity which in turn powers a drive motor and the only exhaust emission is water. Suzuki says it wants to have fuel-cell scooters ready to go when hydrogen filling stations come on line across Europe.
Power costs can be curbed
Summaries - Australian Financial Review
27 April 2011, Page: 54
The New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recently announced that electricity costs in the state will rise 18% this year, adding further pressure to households already struggling with power price rises. The regulator expects a carbon price to add 20% more to those bills. The Reserve Bank of Australia points out that Australian electricity prices are still moderate compared with most other countries, and household income is rising at twice the rate of inflation.
Although rebates for energy saving initiatives are worthy, the poorly planned renewable energy rebates have added to electricity bills and will be most felt by the less well off. Ross Garnaut has advised that demand controls be implemented. John Howard's national energy market has been ignored by Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet should overhaul the renewable energy strategies that have added to power bills. Giving rebates for solar panels discriminates against the poor and more funding should be offered to wind farm projects.
27 April 2011, Page: 54
The New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recently announced that electricity costs in the state will rise 18% this year, adding further pressure to households already struggling with power price rises. The regulator expects a carbon price to add 20% more to those bills. The Reserve Bank of Australia points out that Australian electricity prices are still moderate compared with most other countries, and household income is rising at twice the rate of inflation.
Although rebates for energy saving initiatives are worthy, the poorly planned renewable energy rebates have added to electricity bills and will be most felt by the less well off. Ross Garnaut has advised that demand controls be implemented. John Howard's national energy market has been ignored by Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet should overhaul the renewable energy strategies that have added to power bills. Giving rebates for solar panels discriminates against the poor and more funding should be offered to wind farm projects.
Oil giants play loose with facts on gas
Sydney Morning Herald
23 April 2011, Page: 17
SENIOR executives in the fossil fuel industry have launched an all out assault on renewable energy, lobbying governments and business groups to reject wind and solar power in favour of gas, in a move that could choke the green energy industry.
Multinational companies including Shell, GDF Suez and Statoil are promoting gas as an alternative green fuel. These firms are among dozens worldwide investing in new technologies to exploit shale gas, a controversial form of the fuel that has rejuvenated the gas industry because it is in plentiful supply and newly accessible because of technical advances in gas extraction that are known as fracking.
Burning gas in power stations releases about half the carbon emissions of coal, allowing gas companies to claim it is a green source of fuel. For the past two months company lobbyists have been besieging governments in Europe, the US and elsewhere. Central to the lobbying effort is a report saying that the European Union could meet its 2050 carbon targets more cheaply, avoiding costs of 990 billion ($1.3 trillion), by using gas rather than investing in renewables.
However, The Guardian has established that the analysis is based on a previous report that came to the opposite conclusion: that renewables should play a much larger role. The report being pushed by the fossil fuel industry has been disowned by its original authors, who referred to it as biased in favour of gas. The new report relies on questionable assumptions about the future price of technology to capture and store carbon.
The team at the European Climate Foundation that produced the original report described the new version, commissioned by the European Gas Advocacy Forum, as "biased to one preferential outcome in support of gas advocacy". It warns that adopting its conclusions would expose the European economy to volatile gas prices.
Further doubt has been thrown on the industry's claims by an academic study from Cornell University which found that generating electricity from shale gas produced at least as much CO₂ as coalfired power, and perhaps more, because of the difficulty in extracting the gas. James Smith, outgoing British chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, one of the leaders in the lobbying effort, said switching to gas would offer the world a "breathing space" in the battle against climate change.
This view was challenged by David Mackay, chief scientific adviser to Britain's Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. He said: "You can't reach the [climate] targets like this. There is no way that switching to gas would solve the problem. I don't think it's really credible that gas is the only future". Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said gas was "complementary to renewables, as it could be turned on and off quickly, could be baseload power and [avoid use of] coal".
23 April 2011, Page: 17
SENIOR executives in the fossil fuel industry have launched an all out assault on renewable energy, lobbying governments and business groups to reject wind and solar power in favour of gas, in a move that could choke the green energy industry.
Multinational companies including Shell, GDF Suez and Statoil are promoting gas as an alternative green fuel. These firms are among dozens worldwide investing in new technologies to exploit shale gas, a controversial form of the fuel that has rejuvenated the gas industry because it is in plentiful supply and newly accessible because of technical advances in gas extraction that are known as fracking.
Burning gas in power stations releases about half the carbon emissions of coal, allowing gas companies to claim it is a green source of fuel. For the past two months company lobbyists have been besieging governments in Europe, the US and elsewhere. Central to the lobbying effort is a report saying that the European Union could meet its 2050 carbon targets more cheaply, avoiding costs of 990 billion ($1.3 trillion), by using gas rather than investing in renewables.
However, The Guardian has established that the analysis is based on a previous report that came to the opposite conclusion: that renewables should play a much larger role. The report being pushed by the fossil fuel industry has been disowned by its original authors, who referred to it as biased in favour of gas. The new report relies on questionable assumptions about the future price of technology to capture and store carbon.
The team at the European Climate Foundation that produced the original report described the new version, commissioned by the European Gas Advocacy Forum, as "biased to one preferential outcome in support of gas advocacy". It warns that adopting its conclusions would expose the European economy to volatile gas prices.
Further doubt has been thrown on the industry's claims by an academic study from Cornell University which found that generating electricity from shale gas produced at least as much CO₂ as coalfired power, and perhaps more, because of the difficulty in extracting the gas. James Smith, outgoing British chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, one of the leaders in the lobbying effort, said switching to gas would offer the world a "breathing space" in the battle against climate change.
This view was challenged by David Mackay, chief scientific adviser to Britain's Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. He said: "You can't reach the [climate] targets like this. There is no way that switching to gas would solve the problem. I don't think it's really credible that gas is the only future". Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said gas was "complementary to renewables, as it could be turned on and off quickly, could be baseload power and [avoid use of] coal".
Solar panel industry pleads for help
Sydney Morning Herald
23 April 2011, Page: 1
COMPANIES that install rooftop solar panels have warned the federal government the industry is on the verge of collapse because of a slump in the value of Renewable Energy Certificates. The industry is calling for certainty so it can offer the panels at a set cost, not one that depends on the wilting price of the small scale technology certificates. As the price of certificates falls, so do the rebates that keep down the consumer's cost. In January it was $37; now it is $31.
One installer, West Coast Solar, said a flood of cheap certificates for small scale renewable energy projects was forcing it to turn away customers who had already paid deposits. "This makes the whole industry look bad and brings the type of debacle the home insulation program resulted in", a spokesman, Jay Funnell, said in a statement. "If the industry cannot effectively promote and sell their products at a reasonable price, the industry will be decimated".
The government said it would work to avoid a boom bust cycle, including limiting the issue of new certificates which this month were being produced at the rate of more than a million a week. It is also considering limiting rebates to households that buy larger and more efficient solar panels generating 2 or 3 kilowatts, rather than the present standard of 1.5 kilowatts.
From January 1 the scheme was modified so that certificates were issued for household scale projects, and separate ones for large scale projects. Four extra certificates "phantom credits" were issued for every MW of renewable energy generated, despite warnings that this would deflate the certificate price.
The federal opposition said the government needed to move urgently to steady the certificate price. "There is looming evidence of a potential solar crisis but the federal government has ignored this evidence, just as it did with the problems in the home insulation program", said the opposition spokesman on climate action, Greg Hunt. "The government's generous 'phantom credits' scheme for solar has cooked the market, and the solar quota is likely to be filled within months, causing the industry to go from bubble to bust".
The Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, said the Coalition and the Greens had supported the changes in January. The boom was also fuelled by the high Australian dollar by state solar panel tariffs. "The government has been monitoring the growth of the industry closely and will continue to consider how best to support [it]", he said.
23 April 2011, Page: 1
COMPANIES that install rooftop solar panels have warned the federal government the industry is on the verge of collapse because of a slump in the value of Renewable Energy Certificates. The industry is calling for certainty so it can offer the panels at a set cost, not one that depends on the wilting price of the small scale technology certificates. As the price of certificates falls, so do the rebates that keep down the consumer's cost. In January it was $37; now it is $31.
One installer, West Coast Solar, said a flood of cheap certificates for small scale renewable energy projects was forcing it to turn away customers who had already paid deposits. "This makes the whole industry look bad and brings the type of debacle the home insulation program resulted in", a spokesman, Jay Funnell, said in a statement. "If the industry cannot effectively promote and sell their products at a reasonable price, the industry will be decimated".
The government said it would work to avoid a boom bust cycle, including limiting the issue of new certificates which this month were being produced at the rate of more than a million a week. It is also considering limiting rebates to households that buy larger and more efficient solar panels generating 2 or 3 kilowatts, rather than the present standard of 1.5 kilowatts.
From January 1 the scheme was modified so that certificates were issued for household scale projects, and separate ones for large scale projects. Four extra certificates "phantom credits" were issued for every MW of renewable energy generated, despite warnings that this would deflate the certificate price.
The federal opposition said the government needed to move urgently to steady the certificate price. "There is looming evidence of a potential solar crisis but the federal government has ignored this evidence, just as it did with the problems in the home insulation program", said the opposition spokesman on climate action, Greg Hunt. "The government's generous 'phantom credits' scheme for solar has cooked the market, and the solar quota is likely to be filled within months, causing the industry to go from bubble to bust".
The Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, said the Coalition and the Greens had supported the changes in January. The boom was also fuelled by the high Australian dollar by state solar panel tariffs. "The government has been monitoring the growth of the industry closely and will continue to consider how best to support [it]", he said.
Panax is doing well in Java
Courier Mail
23 April 2011, Page: 82
BENEFITING from an Indonesian Government push to roll out climate safe energy sources, Brisbane based geothermal developer Panax Geothermal is to jointly build a large geothermal power plant in East Java. Panax Geothermal said it had signed a binding deal with power company PT Bakrie Power, which holds the tender to build the 165 MW Ngebel project. Panax Geothermal will earn a 35% working interest in the project through funding exploration works before commercial development begins, at which point the companies will share development costs.
Panax Geothermal will be project operator during exploration and feasibility stages. Commercial development is due to start late next year. The Indonesian Government's carbon reduction plans include expanding the amount of zero emissions electricity from geothermal sources to more than 4000 MW within four years. "Panax Geothermal is committed to building a strong geothermal business in Indonesia", Panax Geothermal managing director Kerry Parker said. "This represents our fourth project in Indonesia". Indonesia offers a guaranteed feed in tariff of $US97 per MW/hour, plus carbon credits, to geothermal energy generators so as to provide certainty for renewable energy investors.
Australia, the biggest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases in the developed world, lacks a national feed in tariff for renewable energy. The Gillard Government is losing the battle to cut Australia's emissions of planet warming gases, with official data this week showing Australia's greenhouse gas output last year rose by 0.5% The data showed energy sector emissions including from power stations, transport and fugitive emissions form 75% of Australia's emissions, and the sector's emissions have soared by 44% in just 10 years.
23 April 2011, Page: 82
BENEFITING from an Indonesian Government push to roll out climate safe energy sources, Brisbane based geothermal developer Panax Geothermal is to jointly build a large geothermal power plant in East Java. Panax Geothermal said it had signed a binding deal with power company PT Bakrie Power, which holds the tender to build the 165 MW Ngebel project. Panax Geothermal will earn a 35% working interest in the project through funding exploration works before commercial development begins, at which point the companies will share development costs.
Panax Geothermal will be project operator during exploration and feasibility stages. Commercial development is due to start late next year. The Indonesian Government's carbon reduction plans include expanding the amount of zero emissions electricity from geothermal sources to more than 4000 MW within four years. "Panax Geothermal is committed to building a strong geothermal business in Indonesia", Panax Geothermal managing director Kerry Parker said. "This represents our fourth project in Indonesia". Indonesia offers a guaranteed feed in tariff of $US97 per MW/hour, plus carbon credits, to geothermal energy generators so as to provide certainty for renewable energy investors.
Australia, the biggest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases in the developed world, lacks a national feed in tariff for renewable energy. The Gillard Government is losing the battle to cut Australia's emissions of planet warming gases, with official data this week showing Australia's greenhouse gas output last year rose by 0.5% The data showed energy sector emissions including from power stations, transport and fugitive emissions form 75% of Australia's emissions, and the sector's emissions have soared by 44% in just 10 years.
Carbon tax critics should heed lessons of history
Sydney Morning Herald
26 April 2011, Page: 10
If Australian business is going to be disadvantaged by "going it alone" with a carbon tax, as the Business Council of Australia claims, would it be true to say that we are unfairly advantaged being among the world's top carbon emitters per capita? The arguments put forward by the council, Gerry Harvey and many other groups lobbying for compensation would have us exploit and pollute the environment ad infinitum because, as they see it, we don't make a difference ("Harvey slams illogical tax", April 25).
But the point is the world cannot keep doing business the way it has since industrialisation, and if we don't make fundamental change we will be left stranded continuing to use increasingly inefficient forms of energy because no one is willing to invest.
This will in the end have a very negative effect on our economy and our international competitiveness, and we will soon find ourselves overrun and our economy relying totally on foreign investment from large industrialised countries, such as China, who have not waited for world consensus to get on with the business of change.
We cannot wait any longer, and while no doubt much of the noise made about the consequences of the tax is just lobby groups jostling for handsome compensation, entitled as they are, the accumulated noise is in danger of destroying the whole process.
James Manche, Bondi
Concerning the carbon tax debate and retaining the economic status quo, Tony Abbott and Gerry Harvey should open their history books. Between the mid 16th century and the mid 19th century, across the Atlantic slavery was a major economic institution. Smaller Portugal did not abandon its slave economy until after larger Britain became abolitionist.
Clearly today, most reasonable people would feel Portugal was wrong in endorsing economic priorities before taking proactive action against slavery ahead of Britain. Likewise, if Australia quarantines carbon polluters from new values and changed circumstances pending responses from the China and the United States, future Australian generations will judge us harshly.
Peter Sinclair, Ashfield
How can Paul Sheehan make statements such as solar and wind power are prohibitively expensive and cannot meet baseload power needs" ("The great carbon chasm that could swallow Gillard whole", April 25). Five minutes of research would have uncovered solar thermal power stations delivering baseload in the US, and the 370 MW Ivanpah facility being built in California's Movaje Desert being the world's largest.
In Spain, there are at least five either operating or being developed, with a further 25 to 30 being planned by the EU for southern Europe. As well there are World Bank funded projects being developed in Egypt, Mexico and Morocco. If one of Mr Sheehan's points is in error, how can we possibly believe the rest of his argument?
John Newton, Glebe
Paul Sheehan missed one important argument against a carbon tax. We are already [laying much more for electricity and petrol, but has this changed our consumption patterns? Have we moved to renewable forms of energy? The answer, quite simply, is no. The carbon tax is one big con and I hope people are beginning to see through it.
Ronda Wakeley, Dural
26 April 2011, Page: 10
If Australian business is going to be disadvantaged by "going it alone" with a carbon tax, as the Business Council of Australia claims, would it be true to say that we are unfairly advantaged being among the world's top carbon emitters per capita? The arguments put forward by the council, Gerry Harvey and many other groups lobbying for compensation would have us exploit and pollute the environment ad infinitum because, as they see it, we don't make a difference ("Harvey slams illogical tax", April 25).
But the point is the world cannot keep doing business the way it has since industrialisation, and if we don't make fundamental change we will be left stranded continuing to use increasingly inefficient forms of energy because no one is willing to invest.
This will in the end have a very negative effect on our economy and our international competitiveness, and we will soon find ourselves overrun and our economy relying totally on foreign investment from large industrialised countries, such as China, who have not waited for world consensus to get on with the business of change.
We cannot wait any longer, and while no doubt much of the noise made about the consequences of the tax is just lobby groups jostling for handsome compensation, entitled as they are, the accumulated noise is in danger of destroying the whole process.
James Manche, Bondi
Concerning the carbon tax debate and retaining the economic status quo, Tony Abbott and Gerry Harvey should open their history books. Between the mid 16th century and the mid 19th century, across the Atlantic slavery was a major economic institution. Smaller Portugal did not abandon its slave economy until after larger Britain became abolitionist.
Clearly today, most reasonable people would feel Portugal was wrong in endorsing economic priorities before taking proactive action against slavery ahead of Britain. Likewise, if Australia quarantines carbon polluters from new values and changed circumstances pending responses from the China and the United States, future Australian generations will judge us harshly.
Peter Sinclair, Ashfield
How can Paul Sheehan make statements such as solar and wind power are prohibitively expensive and cannot meet baseload power needs" ("The great carbon chasm that could swallow Gillard whole", April 25). Five minutes of research would have uncovered solar thermal power stations delivering baseload in the US, and the 370 MW Ivanpah facility being built in California's Movaje Desert being the world's largest.
In Spain, there are at least five either operating or being developed, with a further 25 to 30 being planned by the EU for southern Europe. As well there are World Bank funded projects being developed in Egypt, Mexico and Morocco. If one of Mr Sheehan's points is in error, how can we possibly believe the rest of his argument?
John Newton, Glebe
Paul Sheehan missed one important argument against a carbon tax. We are already [laying much more for electricity and petrol, but has this changed our consumption patterns? Have we moved to renewable forms of energy? The answer, quite simply, is no. The carbon tax is one big con and I hope people are beginning to see through it.
Ronda Wakeley, Dural
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