Plains Producer
Wednesday 18/4/2007 Page: 9
Construction has begun on a $200 million wind farm west of Snowtown. The wind farm, which has been described as a "beachhead project" in Australia by New Zealand-based renewable power generator, and retailer TrustPower, comprises 42 wind turbines on the Hummocks and Barunga Ranges. The wind farm will have a capacity of 88MW, enough to power 60,000 average South Australian homes, and could expand to be three times the size.
The first stage of the wind farm will employ up to 170 people during peak construction times, and will require four full-time employees when completed. It is expected to return more than $1 million a year to the Snowtown community on an ongoing basis. "Stage one will use only about one third of the available wind farm site, leaving the opportunity for further stages in the future," said TrustPower chief executive, Keith Tempest.
A total of 130 turbines has been approved for the site, which will be developed progressively according to market demand. "Snowtown is ideally located on the transmission grid and has a superior wind resource," Mr Tempest said. He expects the wind farm to operate at about 45 per cent capacity, compared with the industry average of 30 per cent. Mr Tempest said long term energy and renewable credit agreements were in place which would secure the wind farm's revenue stream for at least the next 10 years. The company is now looking at further opportunities to invest in wind farms in SA and other parts of Australia.
Under an engineer/procure/construct turnkey agreement with Suzlon Energy Australia, 42 Suzlon S88 2.1 MW wind turbines will be located at the Snowtown site. Suzlon will also provide operations and maintenance services to TrustPower once the wind farm is fully commissioned, which will take place progressively from April to November next year. South Australian electricity transmission company ElectraNet will construct a high voltage substation and a short transmission line to connect the new wind farm with the existing ElectraNet state power grid. Final output is expected to be 350 GWh of electricity each year, saving more than 345,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Geothermal to bring power to people: Hot future for rocks
Sunday Examiner
Sunday 22/4/2007 Page: 11
Tasmania looks to alternatives for its future energy needs.
DIRE warnings of the effects of global warming are focusing attention on renewable forms of energy. In Tasmania hydro-electricity water storages are at historic lows and gas supplies from Victoria have been restricted due to plant maintenance. Hydro Tasmania spent an additional $70 million in the past 12 months on imported power via Basslink and the gas pipeline.
Roaring 40s' Woolnorth wind farm is now complete and capable of producing 140MW, however full production is not expected until transmission line upgrades are completed at the end of the year. However, the State is poised to tap into another form of renewable energy - geothermal or hot rock energy.
In 2005 Hobart-based KUTh Exploration received the State's first special exploration licence to search for suitable sites in the North-East. Its first project is well under way. Unlike hydro-electricity generation, HRE does not create environmental problems with large-scale flooding and disruption to natural river flow systems. Nor does it compete with other users for water or create noise nuisance or visual pollution sometimes claimed of wind generation. It produces zero-emissions and provides base load electricity that does not depend on wind, sun or rain.
HRE research worldwide is being pushed by the ongoing fossil fuel supply squeeze, concern with global warming and political and social change towards sustainable energy practice. Some estimates indicate there is enough geothermal energy present in Australia to provide all of the country's electricity requirements for several thousand years.
Two companies have been at the forefront of Australian research: Queensland-based Geodynamics Ltd and South Australian company Petratherm. Geodynamics is confidant of putting its first power into the grid by 2010.
Sunday 22/4/2007 Page: 11
Tasmania looks to alternatives for its future energy needs.DIRE warnings of the effects of global warming are focusing attention on renewable forms of energy. In Tasmania hydro-electricity water storages are at historic lows and gas supplies from Victoria have been restricted due to plant maintenance. Hydro Tasmania spent an additional $70 million in the past 12 months on imported power via Basslink and the gas pipeline.
Roaring 40s' Woolnorth wind farm is now complete and capable of producing 140MW, however full production is not expected until transmission line upgrades are completed at the end of the year. However, the State is poised to tap into another form of renewable energy - geothermal or hot rock energy.
In 2005 Hobart-based KUTh Exploration received the State's first special exploration licence to search for suitable sites in the North-East. Its first project is well under way. Unlike hydro-electricity generation, HRE does not create environmental problems with large-scale flooding and disruption to natural river flow systems. Nor does it compete with other users for water or create noise nuisance or visual pollution sometimes claimed of wind generation. It produces zero-emissions and provides base load electricity that does not depend on wind, sun or rain.
HRE research worldwide is being pushed by the ongoing fossil fuel supply squeeze, concern with global warming and political and social change towards sustainable energy practice. Some estimates indicate there is enough geothermal energy present in Australia to provide all of the country's electricity requirements for several thousand years.
Two companies have been at the forefront of Australian research: Queensland-based Geodynamics Ltd and South Australian company Petratherm. Geodynamics is confidant of putting its first power into the grid by 2010.
Climate change fires up Ballarat
Ballarat Courier
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 3
A COMMUNITY action group met at the weekend to think of ways ordinary people can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change. The Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions group met at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on Saturday to brainstorm the best ways ordinary people can make a difference.
Organisers said about 140 people attended the event, and BREAZE committee member Steve Burns said the group was not about playing politics, but adopting a policy of local solutions to climate change. "I have never seen an issue like this (climate change) fire-up the way it has in Ballarat," he said.
"Climate change goes across party lines and I think the feeling in the Ballarat community is a dry Lake Wendouree has been the catalyst for people to become involved in ways to try and reduce the impact we are having on the environment." Mr Burns said the key to the success of the group was providing practical and easy solutions that people could easily adopt to do their part for the environment.
"People want to do practical things and want to know how to snake their house more environmentally friendly, or lead a more sustainable lifestyle," he said. Mr Burns said smaller groups would now be formed after the brainstorm to think of ways the ideas can be implemented in Ballarat.
For more details visit: http://breig.baltree.info/portal/index.php?page=home.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 3
A COMMUNITY action group met at the weekend to think of ways ordinary people can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change. The Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions group met at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on Saturday to brainstorm the best ways ordinary people can make a difference.
Organisers said about 140 people attended the event, and BREAZE committee member Steve Burns said the group was not about playing politics, but adopting a policy of local solutions to climate change. "I have never seen an issue like this (climate change) fire-up the way it has in Ballarat," he said.
"Climate change goes across party lines and I think the feeling in the Ballarat community is a dry Lake Wendouree has been the catalyst for people to become involved in ways to try and reduce the impact we are having on the environment." Mr Burns said the key to the success of the group was providing practical and easy solutions that people could easily adopt to do their part for the environment.
"People want to do practical things and want to know how to snake their house more environmentally friendly, or lead a more sustainable lifestyle," he said. Mr Burns said smaller groups would now be formed after the brainstorm to think of ways the ideas can be implemented in Ballarat.
For more details visit: http://breig.baltree.info/portal/index.php?page=home.
Lake Bolac energy push Group calls for green power
Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 5
DROUGHT-STRICKEN Lake Bolac residents have joined forces to urge the Federal Government - and even Arnold Schwarzenegger -to embrace renewable energy in the fight against global warming. The Lake Bolac Eel Festival Committee yesterday sent a communique to the Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to consider the long-term benefits of green power. An environmental forum, held as part of the recent festival, heard from a leading New South Wales green energy activist, Howard Morrison, who emphasised the potential for consistent renewable sources such as wave energy.
The communique was also sent to environmentalist and Australian of the Year Tim Flannery, Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett as well as international sustainability leaders including, California Governor Mr Schwarzenegger and Canadian environmental scientist David Suzuki. "The drought is severely affecting our community. The lake is drying up and the eels are dead," the communique said.
"This drought, on balance, appears to be related to global warming." David Allen, chairman of the eel festival committee, who runs cattle and sheep on his Woorndoo property, said he has seen the effects of climate change first-hand. "Being a farmer and waiting for rain it's particularly relevant for me and it's hard to believe it's not related to global warming," Mr Allen said. "The main aim of the communique is to get the Government to open its eyes. .. coal is yesterday's energy form - it's ancient.
"We should be smart enough to use cleaner sources of energy." "One of the things (Howard Morrison) is saying is that wave energy is a lot more constant." A wave-powered generator currently operating in Port Campbell created enough energy to power 500 homes, Mr Allen said. Inland areas such as Lake Bolac could one day install local renewable sources to feed directly into its power grid, he said. Only 15 per cent of the power produced at Gippsland's Yallourn coal-fired plant reached consumers in the south-west, with much of it lost on its long journey, Mr Allen said.
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 5
DROUGHT-STRICKEN Lake Bolac residents have joined forces to urge the Federal Government - and even Arnold Schwarzenegger -to embrace renewable energy in the fight against global warming. The Lake Bolac Eel Festival Committee yesterday sent a communique to the Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to consider the long-term benefits of green power. An environmental forum, held as part of the recent festival, heard from a leading New South Wales green energy activist, Howard Morrison, who emphasised the potential for consistent renewable sources such as wave energy.
The communique was also sent to environmentalist and Australian of the Year Tim Flannery, Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett as well as international sustainability leaders including, California Governor Mr Schwarzenegger and Canadian environmental scientist David Suzuki. "The drought is severely affecting our community. The lake is drying up and the eels are dead," the communique said.
"This drought, on balance, appears to be related to global warming." David Allen, chairman of the eel festival committee, who runs cattle and sheep on his Woorndoo property, said he has seen the effects of climate change first-hand. "Being a farmer and waiting for rain it's particularly relevant for me and it's hard to believe it's not related to global warming," Mr Allen said. "The main aim of the communique is to get the Government to open its eyes. .. coal is yesterday's energy form - it's ancient.
"We should be smart enough to use cleaner sources of energy." "One of the things (Howard Morrison) is saying is that wave energy is a lot more constant." A wave-powered generator currently operating in Port Campbell created enough energy to power 500 homes, Mr Allen said. Inland areas such as Lake Bolac could one day install local renewable sources to feed directly into its power grid, he said. Only 15 per cent of the power produced at Gippsland's Yallourn coal-fired plant reached consumers in the south-west, with much of it lost on its long journey, Mr Allen said.
ANZ $225m blow
Australian
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 21
ANZ's Energy Infrastructure Trust has snapped up one of Australia's largest wind farms, the Wattle Point Wind Farm, in South Australia for $225 million from takeover target Alinta. Under a proposed scheme of arrangement with Babcock and Brown and Singapore Power, which plan to acquire Alinta for $7.4 billion, B&B Wind Partners will receive $211 million of the sale proceeds.
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 21
ANZ's Energy Infrastructure Trust has snapped up one of Australia's largest wind farms, the Wattle Point Wind Farm, in South Australia for $225 million from takeover target Alinta. Under a proposed scheme of arrangement with Babcock and Brown and Singapore Power, which plan to acquire Alinta for $7.4 billion, B&B Wind Partners will receive $211 million of the sale proceeds.
Clean coal as tricky as nuclear waste, says BHP board member
Mining Chronicle
April, 2007 Page: 38
A key BHP Billiton board member's doubts on the future of clean coal technology was a significant warning to the major parties about the coal industry's future, say the Greens. Both the government and Labor have either committed or promised to commit hundreds of millions of dollars on technologies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, one of the chief culprits in causing global warming.
But Paul Anderson, a board member with Australia's biggest company BHP Billiton, and a former head of BHP, told the Sydney Morning Herald that long-term storage of carbon waste - one of the key clean coal technologies - may be as difficult as dealing with nuclear waste. Mr Anderson, mindful of widespread community dislike of nuclear energy due to the problem of storing its waste, asked how people could warm to the idea of storing V02 underground, as has been proposed. "I think it's as big as the issue of nuclear waste. What are you going to do with millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide that is not nearly as compact as nuclear waste?" he told the paper.
Greens senator Christine Milne said Mr Anderson was the first person from the resource sector prepared to admit that clean coal was decades away, if ever attainable. "He also highlights the problems associated with trying to bury carbon dioxide for thousands of years into the future," she said. "What he's saying is that nuclear waste is a problem but so too is carbon dioxide.
"What it demonstrates is that we would be far better to put the money that is going into clean coal research right now into rolling out renewables, which can address greenhouse gases now that the government's enthusiasm for clean is a make work program for the coal industry." Senator Milne said clean coal technology was at least 15-20 years away and if the coal industry wanted to do research on clean coal it was the coal industry's prerogative, but public funding should go to the research on renewable energies. "It's the first shot across the bows of the prime minister and the opposition leader Kevin Rudd on clean coal," Senator Milne said.
April, 2007 Page: 38
A key BHP Billiton board member's doubts on the future of clean coal technology was a significant warning to the major parties about the coal industry's future, say the Greens. Both the government and Labor have either committed or promised to commit hundreds of millions of dollars on technologies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, one of the chief culprits in causing global warming.
But Paul Anderson, a board member with Australia's biggest company BHP Billiton, and a former head of BHP, told the Sydney Morning Herald that long-term storage of carbon waste - one of the key clean coal technologies - may be as difficult as dealing with nuclear waste. Mr Anderson, mindful of widespread community dislike of nuclear energy due to the problem of storing its waste, asked how people could warm to the idea of storing V02 underground, as has been proposed. "I think it's as big as the issue of nuclear waste. What are you going to do with millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide that is not nearly as compact as nuclear waste?" he told the paper.
Greens senator Christine Milne said Mr Anderson was the first person from the resource sector prepared to admit that clean coal was decades away, if ever attainable. "He also highlights the problems associated with trying to bury carbon dioxide for thousands of years into the future," she said. "What he's saying is that nuclear waste is a problem but so too is carbon dioxide.
"What it demonstrates is that we would be far better to put the money that is going into clean coal research right now into rolling out renewables, which can address greenhouse gases now that the government's enthusiasm for clean is a make work program for the coal industry." Senator Milne said clean coal technology was at least 15-20 years away and if the coal industry wanted to do research on clean coal it was the coal industry's prerogative, but public funding should go to the research on renewable energies. "It's the first shot across the bows of the prime minister and the opposition leader Kevin Rudd on clean coal," Senator Milne said.
Monday, 23 April 2007
Wind and gas offshore energy project given green light
Oil & Gas Australia
March, 2007 Page: 58
A UNIQUE dual energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast was given the go-ahead recently by the UK Energy Minister, Lord Truscott. The Ormonde project from Eclipse Energy will be sited 10 km from Walney Island near Barrow in Furness. This innovative hybrid development has the potential to generate up to 200 MW of electricity with almost half coming from the wind farm comprising up to 30 turbines. This is enough clean energy for around 70,000 homes.
When the wind isn't sufficient, power will still come via conventional gas sources pumped from two fields in nearby Morecambe Bay for which UK DTI approval has also been sought. "The Ormonde scheme is unusual in that it will combine wind and gas power to produce continuous electricity for the region. It is an exciting and innovative technological first that will make a contribution to our renewable energy aims," said Lord Truscott.
March, 2007 Page: 58
A UNIQUE dual energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast was given the go-ahead recently by the UK Energy Minister, Lord Truscott. The Ormonde project from Eclipse Energy will be sited 10 km from Walney Island near Barrow in Furness. This innovative hybrid development has the potential to generate up to 200 MW of electricity with almost half coming from the wind farm comprising up to 30 turbines. This is enough clean energy for around 70,000 homes.
When the wind isn't sufficient, power will still come via conventional gas sources pumped from two fields in nearby Morecambe Bay for which UK DTI approval has also been sought. "The Ormonde scheme is unusual in that it will combine wind and gas power to produce continuous electricity for the region. It is an exciting and innovative technological first that will make a contribution to our renewable energy aims," said Lord Truscott.
Two sides to the wind farm debate
Oberon Review
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 3
While there has been plenty of opposition to the proposed wind turbines slated to be erected around the village of Black Springs, those who are in favour of the alternative energy source have jumped to the defence of the idea. The main source of concern for those against the development has been decreasing land values, noise, aesthetic drawbacks, as well as the likelihood of the power created being diverted to the Melbourne electricity grid.
Jonathan Slottje however sees the proposal as a positive for the area and disagrees with the anti-wind farm standpoint. "I think it (the wind farm) is a good thing because renewable energy is something that we desperately need," said Mr Slottje, a Black Springs-based businessman. "It is also a good passive income for farmers to be earning during what has been a terrible drought," he said.
"Renewable energy is a massive industry in the United States, especially in California, sadly we have people moving over there and taking renewable energy technology with them because they are not able to use it a lot of the time in Australia," he added in reference to solar power, which is struggling in Australia due to lack of sponsorship and funding.
Mr Slottje and his family have been in Black Springs for several years operating a manufacturing business, and despite all the talk during that time regarding the drawbacks of the wind turbines, he says he has not seen any evidence of land devaluation in that time despite the pending establishment of the structures.
"As far as property values go, I know one farmer who is selling his property - not because of the wind farm - and he has managed to have his property listed for a substantial amount with no effects at all from the turbines," he said. "I don't think aesthetically they look ugly. I'm also in favour of something that may create a number of jobs in Black Springs," he said.
Mr Slottje added that although Blayney has been cited by several people as one community that has been adversely affected by the turbines, during a recent visit to the town he observed that they had used their wind farm as a positive aspect and incorporated it into their town identity and tourism campaigns. - "In terms of noise also, we have trail bikes in the village all the time and they make a ridiculous amount of noise. The turbines will be out of the village so I can't see how it would be any worse than the bikes," he said.
Mark and Michelle Culley, who also live in the village, have both come out in favour of the wind farm due to the alternatives it offers to the usual sources of power. "I'm definitely in favour of renewable energy. We just can't keep tearing coal out of the ground, it's as simple as that," Mark Culley said. "I don't personally think they are the best looking things, but alternative sources of energy are very important," he said.
Michelle Culley was similarly positive about the proposal. "One of the positives will be that even though it is just our little eight or nine turbines here, if people stop arguing and other places got involved with renewable energy, it would ease the burden on water and coal usage," she said. "I'd rather not see a nuclear power plant in the area, and I would be interested to see what the opponents of the wind farm would say if they were told a nuclear plant was to be built," she said.
"As far as noise goes, trucks rumble past at 4 in the morning, and our bedroom rattles, and that happens a hundred times a day, so I can't see how the turbines would be worse." Mrs Culley added that she is concerned about the possible repercussions for some of the landholders who will be having the structures built on their property if the proposal is to be approved.
"People also have to remember that it is still just a proposal - nothing has been decided yet, and it is still being looked at to see if it is viable," Michelle said. "The bottom line for me is, I really have no problem with the idea. There will probably be a little bit of noise, but we have to make these sacrifices for the things we want, and I don't think a little bit of noise should matter." The debate about the development looks set to continue for some time to come.
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 3
While there has been plenty of opposition to the proposed wind turbines slated to be erected around the village of Black Springs, those who are in favour of the alternative energy source have jumped to the defence of the idea. The main source of concern for those against the development has been decreasing land values, noise, aesthetic drawbacks, as well as the likelihood of the power created being diverted to the Melbourne electricity grid.
Jonathan Slottje however sees the proposal as a positive for the area and disagrees with the anti-wind farm standpoint. "I think it (the wind farm) is a good thing because renewable energy is something that we desperately need," said Mr Slottje, a Black Springs-based businessman. "It is also a good passive income for farmers to be earning during what has been a terrible drought," he said.
"Renewable energy is a massive industry in the United States, especially in California, sadly we have people moving over there and taking renewable energy technology with them because they are not able to use it a lot of the time in Australia," he added in reference to solar power, which is struggling in Australia due to lack of sponsorship and funding.
Mr Slottje and his family have been in Black Springs for several years operating a manufacturing business, and despite all the talk during that time regarding the drawbacks of the wind turbines, he says he has not seen any evidence of land devaluation in that time despite the pending establishment of the structures.
"As far as property values go, I know one farmer who is selling his property - not because of the wind farm - and he has managed to have his property listed for a substantial amount with no effects at all from the turbines," he said. "I don't think aesthetically they look ugly. I'm also in favour of something that may create a number of jobs in Black Springs," he said.
Mr Slottje added that although Blayney has been cited by several people as one community that has been adversely affected by the turbines, during a recent visit to the town he observed that they had used their wind farm as a positive aspect and incorporated it into their town identity and tourism campaigns. - "In terms of noise also, we have trail bikes in the village all the time and they make a ridiculous amount of noise. The turbines will be out of the village so I can't see how it would be any worse than the bikes," he said.
Mark and Michelle Culley, who also live in the village, have both come out in favour of the wind farm due to the alternatives it offers to the usual sources of power. "I'm definitely in favour of renewable energy. We just can't keep tearing coal out of the ground, it's as simple as that," Mark Culley said. "I don't personally think they are the best looking things, but alternative sources of energy are very important," he said.
Michelle Culley was similarly positive about the proposal. "One of the positives will be that even though it is just our little eight or nine turbines here, if people stop arguing and other places got involved with renewable energy, it would ease the burden on water and coal usage," she said. "I'd rather not see a nuclear power plant in the area, and I would be interested to see what the opponents of the wind farm would say if they were told a nuclear plant was to be built," she said.
"As far as noise goes, trucks rumble past at 4 in the morning, and our bedroom rattles, and that happens a hundred times a day, so I can't see how the turbines would be worse." Mrs Culley added that she is concerned about the possible repercussions for some of the landholders who will be having the structures built on their property if the proposal is to be approved.
"People also have to remember that it is still just a proposal - nothing has been decided yet, and it is still being looked at to see if it is viable," Michelle said. "The bottom line for me is, I really have no problem with the idea. There will probably be a little bit of noise, but we have to make these sacrifices for the things we want, and I don't think a little bit of noise should matter." The debate about the development looks set to continue for some time to come.
Warming a big concern in marginals
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 21/4/2007 Page: 6
A MAJORITY of voters in key marginal seats believe that Australia should greatly boost its efforts to combat global warming even if it affects business profits and puts up the price of their own electricity bills, the chief coal mining union has found. The majority of those polled by the union on attitudes to climate change also believed the Federal Government "has done nothing about climate change".
And about 62 per cent said they agreed or strongly agreed that "the Liberal Government is too close to big business and won't take any serious steps to stop businesses polluting". The poll of 800 voters in marginal seats around the country was conducted last month for the national mining and energy branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, headed by its president, Tony Maher.
The research will help the leftwing union and the Labor Party steer a rocky course between supporting coal miners' jobs and policies to combat climate change in the election campaign due later this year. The polling shows climate change may already be a vote changing issue in the marginal seats, hurting the Government. Ninety-five per cent of the marginal voters polled wanted more government investment in renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy.
Saturday 21/4/2007 Page: 6
A MAJORITY of voters in key marginal seats believe that Australia should greatly boost its efforts to combat global warming even if it affects business profits and puts up the price of their own electricity bills, the chief coal mining union has found. The majority of those polled by the union on attitudes to climate change also believed the Federal Government "has done nothing about climate change".
And about 62 per cent said they agreed or strongly agreed that "the Liberal Government is too close to big business and won't take any serious steps to stop businesses polluting". The poll of 800 voters in marginal seats around the country was conducted last month for the national mining and energy branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, headed by its president, Tony Maher.
The research will help the leftwing union and the Labor Party steer a rocky course between supporting coal miners' jobs and policies to combat climate change in the election campaign due later this year. The polling shows climate change may already be a vote changing issue in the marginal seats, hurting the Government. Ninety-five per cent of the marginal voters polled wanted more government investment in renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy.
Renewable energy will create jobs and keep power bills low: report
West Australian
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 4
Introducing a 25 per cent renewable energy target by 2020 would create 16,000 jobs and generate $33 billion in new investment, a report from three conservation groups has found. The report, to be released today, found that household electricity bills would rise just $1.25 a week and annual greenhouse emissions would be reduced by 69 million tonnes a year if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources.
The study, A Bright Future: 25 per cent Renewable Energy for Australia by 2020, also advocated a carbon pricing system and said fossil fuelled power stations needed to be made more efficient. It warned that Australia was missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy and lagging behind European nations which had boosted their targets.
"Generating a quarter of our electricity from renewable energy and reversing electricity growth from 2010 onwards by ambitious energy efficiency measures would reduce overall electricity emissions to 160 million tonnes," it said. "The reduction of about 100 million tonnes, compared with business as usual, would be equivalent to removing all the road transport in Australia." About 8 per cent of Australia's energy comes from renewables such as wind, solar and hydro.
The report, from Greenpeace, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Action Network, said a 25 per cent target would increase the number of energy jobs to 33,000 and add $64 a year to an average household's electricity bill. "In contrast, current projections for businesses usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year," the report said.
Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said Australia should be a world leader in renewable sources. "With our current policies, Australia's amount of renewable energy will only total 10 per cent by 2020.
Meanwhile, other countries and regions are leaving us behind with their smart targets, for example the EU is boosting its renewable energy to 21 per cent by 2010 and California has a target of 33 per cent by 2020." WA has a non-legislated 6 per cent renewable energy by 2010 target for the South-West grid.
The report comes amid growing pressure for targets to be introduced. In February, a report by the Government's Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce said WA should aim to derive 20 per cent of all electricity used in Perth and the South-West from renewable sources by 2020.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 4
Introducing a 25 per cent renewable energy target by 2020 would create 16,000 jobs and generate $33 billion in new investment, a report from three conservation groups has found. The report, to be released today, found that household electricity bills would rise just $1.25 a week and annual greenhouse emissions would be reduced by 69 million tonnes a year if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources.
The study, A Bright Future: 25 per cent Renewable Energy for Australia by 2020, also advocated a carbon pricing system and said fossil fuelled power stations needed to be made more efficient. It warned that Australia was missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy and lagging behind European nations which had boosted their targets.
"Generating a quarter of our electricity from renewable energy and reversing electricity growth from 2010 onwards by ambitious energy efficiency measures would reduce overall electricity emissions to 160 million tonnes," it said. "The reduction of about 100 million tonnes, compared with business as usual, would be equivalent to removing all the road transport in Australia." About 8 per cent of Australia's energy comes from renewables such as wind, solar and hydro.
The report, from Greenpeace, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Action Network, said a 25 per cent target would increase the number of energy jobs to 33,000 and add $64 a year to an average household's electricity bill. "In contrast, current projections for businesses usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year," the report said.
Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said Australia should be a world leader in renewable sources. "With our current policies, Australia's amount of renewable energy will only total 10 per cent by 2020.
Meanwhile, other countries and regions are leaving us behind with their smart targets, for example the EU is boosting its renewable energy to 21 per cent by 2010 and California has a target of 33 per cent by 2020." WA has a non-legislated 6 per cent renewable energy by 2010 target for the South-West grid.
The report comes amid growing pressure for targets to be introduced. In February, a report by the Government's Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce said WA should aim to derive 20 per cent of all electricity used in Perth and the South-West from renewable sources by 2020.
Wind farm hopes reborn
Launceston Examiner
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 10
DORSET Mayor Peter Partridge has welcomed news of a potential revival of the stalled $230 million Musselroe Bay wind farm on the North-East coast. Renewable energy company Roaring 40s made the optimistic prediction earlier this month after a move by the Victorian Government to introduce its own Victorian Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets scheme. The NSW Government has also indicated it could introduce such a scheme. The MRET proposal allows viable electricity retailers in NSW to offset their renewable energy liability against projects outside NSW.
Cr Partridge said he was excited to see the project gaining momentum after Roaring 40s shelved it last year when the Federal Government refused to increase its MRETs. "We've done a fair bit of work on the Musselroe project and we think it's a very worthwhile project," Cr Partridge said. "It's a renewable energy. The wind is wonderful - you use it and it goes past and you can use it again if you want to. "To see it come to fruition, that would be wonderful.
"It would create employment and it's a non-polluting industry; that's the sort of industry that we'd like to see (in the Dorset municipality)." He said his council had been doing all it could behind the scenes to breathe life back into the project, such as lobbying federal politicians. He said he didn't have figures on how many people would be employed at the wind farm once it was operating, but said there would be employment opportunities during the initial construction phase.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 10
DORSET Mayor Peter Partridge has welcomed news of a potential revival of the stalled $230 million Musselroe Bay wind farm on the North-East coast. Renewable energy company Roaring 40s made the optimistic prediction earlier this month after a move by the Victorian Government to introduce its own Victorian Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets scheme. The NSW Government has also indicated it could introduce such a scheme. The MRET proposal allows viable electricity retailers in NSW to offset their renewable energy liability against projects outside NSW.
Cr Partridge said he was excited to see the project gaining momentum after Roaring 40s shelved it last year when the Federal Government refused to increase its MRETs. "We've done a fair bit of work on the Musselroe project and we think it's a very worthwhile project," Cr Partridge said. "It's a renewable energy. The wind is wonderful - you use it and it goes past and you can use it again if you want to. "To see it come to fruition, that would be wonderful.
"It would create employment and it's a non-polluting industry; that's the sort of industry that we'd like to see (in the Dorset municipality)." He said his council had been doing all it could behind the scenes to breathe life back into the project, such as lobbying federal politicians. He said he didn't have figures on how many people would be employed at the wind farm once it was operating, but said there would be employment opportunities during the initial construction phase.
Wind farm threat to rare orchid
Geraldton Guardian
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 9
A RARE orchid found only in the Mid West is holding up the development of the Kalbarri wind farm. The Northern Dwarfed Spider Orchid is scattered around the Mid West from Northampton to north of Murchison and is so rare it's listed as a threatened species. The orchid is also located on the site where Verve Energy is planning to place its `mini' wind farm, to alleviate some of Kalbarri's power problems.
Verve is planning to install two 1.6 megawatt wind turbines to provide Kalbarri with additional power capabilities. Peter Winner from Verve Energy said the orchid grows 200 metres from the site where the turbines are planned to be built. "There are reported sightings 200 metres from the turbines, but they haven't been seen there for 30 years," he said.
Kelly Gillian from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) said the orchids were scattered around the region and hard to locate. "They (the orchids) are hard to locate and are only found in a few places, most of them have been cleared out," Mr Gillian said. "We need to protect their habitat." Mr Winner said Verve Energy was working with DEC to ensure the development could go ahead as well as protecting the native species.
Mr Gillian said that Verve would now have to seek approval from the Minister's office to go ahead with the development. "Due to the flower's status as a threatened species the company will have to get approval from the Minister, which they are seeking now," he said.
"They have to get permission to clear the land where the orchids grow and permission will be granted if it is deemed that clearing that land will not have a detrimental effect on the species' chance of survival." The wind farm was originally scheduled to be completed by March of this year, however Mr Winner said due to setbacks the building was yet to start. Mr Winner said the latest setback had not lost the project any money, just time, and he expected the farm to be completed in `a couple of months'.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 9
A RARE orchid found only in the Mid West is holding up the development of the Kalbarri wind farm. The Northern Dwarfed Spider Orchid is scattered around the Mid West from Northampton to north of Murchison and is so rare it's listed as a threatened species. The orchid is also located on the site where Verve Energy is planning to place its `mini' wind farm, to alleviate some of Kalbarri's power problems.
Verve is planning to install two 1.6 megawatt wind turbines to provide Kalbarri with additional power capabilities. Peter Winner from Verve Energy said the orchid grows 200 metres from the site where the turbines are planned to be built. "There are reported sightings 200 metres from the turbines, but they haven't been seen there for 30 years," he said.
Kelly Gillian from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) said the orchids were scattered around the region and hard to locate. "They (the orchids) are hard to locate and are only found in a few places, most of them have been cleared out," Mr Gillian said. "We need to protect their habitat." Mr Winner said Verve Energy was working with DEC to ensure the development could go ahead as well as protecting the native species.
Mr Gillian said that Verve would now have to seek approval from the Minister's office to go ahead with the development. "Due to the flower's status as a threatened species the company will have to get approval from the Minister, which they are seeking now," he said.
"They have to get permission to clear the land where the orchids grow and permission will be granted if it is deemed that clearing that land will not have a detrimental effect on the species' chance of survival." The wind farm was originally scheduled to be completed by March of this year, however Mr Winner said due to setbacks the building was yet to start. Mr Winner said the latest setback had not lost the project any money, just time, and he expected the farm to be completed in `a couple of months'.
Going green for as little as $1.23 a week
Burnie Advocate
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 12
CANBERRA - Household electricity bills would rise by just $1.23 a week if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources, a report has found. The report by three green groups says setting a renewable energy target of 25 per cent by the year 2020 would deliver more than 16,000 new jobs, slash greenhouse gas emissions by 69 million tonnes and generate $33 billion in investment.
Although the average power bill would rise by $64 a year, continuing to rely on current power sources would cause prices to jump by $234 a year. The study, A Bright Future, was released yesterday by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network. It warns Australia is missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy that are flowing to California and European nations which have boosted their renewable energy targets.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 12
CANBERRA - Household electricity bills would rise by just $1.23 a week if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources, a report has found. The report by three green groups says setting a renewable energy target of 25 per cent by the year 2020 would deliver more than 16,000 new jobs, slash greenhouse gas emissions by 69 million tonnes and generate $33 billion in investment.
Although the average power bill would rise by $64 a year, continuing to rely on current power sources would cause prices to jump by $234 a year. The study, A Bright Future, was released yesterday by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network. It warns Australia is missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy that are flowing to California and European nations which have boosted their renewable energy targets.
China cool on nuclear power
Australian Financial Review
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 13
China's top planning agency says a shortage of uranium will ensure nuclear plants remain a 'supplementary' source of power, and that coal and oil will continue to be relied upon for energy. China National Nuclear, the nation's biggest nuclear company, plans to spend 400 billion yuan ($62 billion) to build reactors by 2020. China must add two reactors a year to meet a target of generating 4 per cent of its power from nuclear plants by that time, from about 2.3 per cent now. Meanwhile, China National Offshore Oil, the nation's third-biggest oil company, said it would develop renewable energy resources, including wind energy, to ensure energy security.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 13
China's top planning agency says a shortage of uranium will ensure nuclear plants remain a 'supplementary' source of power, and that coal and oil will continue to be relied upon for energy. China National Nuclear, the nation's biggest nuclear company, plans to spend 400 billion yuan ($62 billion) to build reactors by 2020. China must add two reactors a year to meet a target of generating 4 per cent of its power from nuclear plants by that time, from about 2.3 per cent now. Meanwhile, China National Offshore Oil, the nation's third-biggest oil company, said it would develop renewable energy resources, including wind energy, to ensure energy security.
Renewable power likely to cut bills
Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 6
A NEW report has called for the introduction of a 25 per cent renewable energy target for Australia by the year 2020. It says that will create almost 17,000 jobs and keep energy bills lower. The report, to be released today by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network, says the 2020 target will help Australia to fight climate change.
The report says more than 17,000 Australians already are employed in the renewable energy or energy efficiency sectors. "A 25 per cent target would increase the number of clean energy jobs to over 33,000," the report says. The 2020 target also will see Australia's energy prices remain among the cheapest in the world, the report says. "A 25 per cent target, coupled with medium energy efficiency measures, would add about $64 to the average household annual electricity bill," it says.
"In contrast, current projections for business-as-usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year." Foundation executive director Don Henry said it would "cost Australia dearly" to allow electricity use to continue to climb.
"If we don't take action, the average household electricity bill could increase by hundreds of dollars," he said. Labor frontbencher and leading Left figure Anthony Albanese has said he will be seeking an amendment to the party's no new mines policy at the ALP national conference this weekend in Sydney. The party will vote to decide if it will scrap the policy.
Mr Albanese told the Nine Network yesterday he would be calling for two conditions to be met before any changes were made. "Until such time as we do have a nuclear nonproliferation regime which is effective and a resolution to the issue of nuclear waste, I don't believe that we should be expanding new uranium mines," Mr Albanese said.
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 6
A NEW report has called for the introduction of a 25 per cent renewable energy target for Australia by the year 2020. It says that will create almost 17,000 jobs and keep energy bills lower. The report, to be released today by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network, says the 2020 target will help Australia to fight climate change.
The report says more than 17,000 Australians already are employed in the renewable energy or energy efficiency sectors. "A 25 per cent target would increase the number of clean energy jobs to over 33,000," the report says. The 2020 target also will see Australia's energy prices remain among the cheapest in the world, the report says. "A 25 per cent target, coupled with medium energy efficiency measures, would add about $64 to the average household annual electricity bill," it says.
"In contrast, current projections for business-as-usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year." Foundation executive director Don Henry said it would "cost Australia dearly" to allow electricity use to continue to climb.
"If we don't take action, the average household electricity bill could increase by hundreds of dollars," he said. Labor frontbencher and leading Left figure Anthony Albanese has said he will be seeking an amendment to the party's no new mines policy at the ALP national conference this weekend in Sydney. The party will vote to decide if it will scrap the policy.
Mr Albanese told the Nine Network yesterday he would be calling for two conditions to be met before any changes were made. "Until such time as we do have a nuclear nonproliferation regime which is effective and a resolution to the issue of nuclear waste, I don't believe that we should be expanding new uranium mines," Mr Albanese said.
The sun rises on alternative energy
Mining Chronicle
April, 2007 Page: 82
Australian industry is under pressure to embrace cleaner, more efficient methods of energy use. For businesses relying on wasteful, archaic technology to supply power, this may cause difficulties when the time for change approaches.
According to Jeremy Rich, the managing director of Energy Matters, the sun is beginning to shine on a new breed of energy alternatives. "By replacing coal or diesel powered machinery with renewable energy powered sources, companies can improve their image whilst saving money," he said.
"In Western Australia alone, over half the state's energy usage comes from pumping water. Right now, the majority of that water is pumped using traditional diesel or electric systems." Renewable energy pumps - such as solar pumps - can offer a user-friendly and cost-effective alternative to diesel powered pumps.
When once solar power was an extreme fringe technology, considered impractical for common use, it has now advanced to the point where it provides a realistic alternative to fuel powered systems that require constant maintenance and refueling - which put a drain on resources.
Solar systems are totally reliable. If designed and installed correctly, they require a minimum of upkeep and can utilise existing generators as backup. In WA, eligible companies making an investment in renewable power can obtain a 40 per cent tax credit rebate for off-grid systems.
The Federal Government will review its $11.4m subsidy scheme during the next budget cycle, but with the nation focused on the dangers of climate change, and with expectations of a new carbon trading and tax program when the Government releases its discussion paper in May, establishing a clean energy policy makes good business sense for companies seeking to enhance their image and save money.
To learn more about how clean energy can improve your business, contact Energy Matters, Australia's premier dealer of renewable energy products. Or visit www.energymatters.com.au
April, 2007 Page: 82
Australian industry is under pressure to embrace cleaner, more efficient methods of energy use. For businesses relying on wasteful, archaic technology to supply power, this may cause difficulties when the time for change approaches.
According to Jeremy Rich, the managing director of Energy Matters, the sun is beginning to shine on a new breed of energy alternatives. "By replacing coal or diesel powered machinery with renewable energy powered sources, companies can improve their image whilst saving money," he said.
"In Western Australia alone, over half the state's energy usage comes from pumping water. Right now, the majority of that water is pumped using traditional diesel or electric systems." Renewable energy pumps - such as solar pumps - can offer a user-friendly and cost-effective alternative to diesel powered pumps.
When once solar power was an extreme fringe technology, considered impractical for common use, it has now advanced to the point where it provides a realistic alternative to fuel powered systems that require constant maintenance and refueling - which put a drain on resources.
Solar systems are totally reliable. If designed and installed correctly, they require a minimum of upkeep and can utilise existing generators as backup. In WA, eligible companies making an investment in renewable power can obtain a 40 per cent tax credit rebate for off-grid systems.
The Federal Government will review its $11.4m subsidy scheme during the next budget cycle, but with the nation focused on the dangers of climate change, and with expectations of a new carbon trading and tax program when the Government releases its discussion paper in May, establishing a clean energy policy makes good business sense for companies seeking to enhance their image and save money.
To learn more about how clean energy can improve your business, contact Energy Matters, Australia's premier dealer of renewable energy products. Or visit www.energymatters.com.au
Friday, 20 April 2007
Kyoto Energy Park named to be provocative
Hunter Valley News
Wednesday 11/4/2007 Page: 5
A NEW meeting format for Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry saw 50 people attend a business dinner last Wednesday. night to listen to guest speaker, project director of Kyoto Energy Park, Mark Sydney.
Members and friends of Scone's Chamber put their support behind the first in a series of business dinners at a packed Airlie House dining room. Chamber president, Michael Johnsen said the role of the chamber was to lobby and to facilitate. "Tonight is an example of the chamber's facilitation role," he said. The evening was promoted as an opportunity for members to hear first hand about a very new concept for the Scone district.
The proposed Energy Park, would have up to 37 wind turbines operating at Middlebrook and Mountain stations, located approximately 10km from Scone's Central Business District (CBD) In addition to turbines, there is potential in the future, for a closed loop hydro and solar thermal array, visitors centre and managers' residence.
NSW has no such Energy Park but plenty of wind farms at present. Provided it gains approval from the NSW Department of Planning by the end of the year the turbines could be ordered and erected at Scone in three years time.
Mr Sydney estimated that one wind turbine would cost between six and $10 million but that money would be paid off in three months through profits from the energy it created. Mr Sydney's company would rent the land the turbines are placed on. Referring to a wider vision, Mr Sydney said it was- a paradigm to see agriculture and farming continue alongside the Energy Park. "What we're trying to do is to keep agriculture and add a new element to that land," he said.
He highlighted the benefits of aligning the region with renewable energy and adding diversity to the Hunter Valley's other energy industries, as well as the possibility of the Energy Park becoming a tourist attraction. Mr Sydney said he liked to think his development company Pamada, which also manufactures products for the renewable energy industry, was transparent in their dealings with the community and invited them to ask questions at any time.
While the audience waited to ask their questions at the end of the evening instead of interrupting the speaker, they did not hold back. Community members wanted to know how much noise turbines would create, who the investors behind Pamada were, was the concept open for public ownership, what colour the turbines would be and how their views would be affected. After his straightforward speech that addressed what the project was and when it could occur, Mr Sydney, tackled the more pressing issues on the minds of Scone residents.
On noise, Mr Sydney said the recommended distance from a wind turbine should be located from a residence was one kilometre. He went on to say the closest residence was one and a half kilometres from the proposed Energy Park and the second closest two kilometres. While, Mr Sydney would not answer who was investing in Pamada, he revealed he was a major investor and explained it was Australian owned.
He explained that the working title, 'The Kyoto Energy Park' was named three years ago and highlighted the possibility of a name competition if the park is approved. "`Kyoto' was used in the title with the deliberate intention to be provocative," he said.
On the topic of public ownership, he outlined it was not an option in the case of the Kyoto Energy Park. Mr Sydney said in his opinion white coloured wind turbines on an agricultural backdrop were 'majestic' constructions and encouraged others to view them the same.
Mr Sydney said CSIRO wind monitoring data from the past eight and a half years showed Scone to be a very good site for wind. "Its not great- Tasmania is great. But in the Hunter Valley you've got really big demand and Tassie doesn't." The application for the Energy Park was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning last November.
Pamada plan to facilitate meetings of community leaders straight away should Kyoto Energy Park gain approval, in order to finalise a copy of the park's Foundation Charter, which is currently in draft format.
Wednesday 11/4/2007 Page: 5
A NEW meeting format for Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry saw 50 people attend a business dinner last Wednesday. night to listen to guest speaker, project director of Kyoto Energy Park, Mark Sydney.
Members and friends of Scone's Chamber put their support behind the first in a series of business dinners at a packed Airlie House dining room. Chamber president, Michael Johnsen said the role of the chamber was to lobby and to facilitate. "Tonight is an example of the chamber's facilitation role," he said. The evening was promoted as an opportunity for members to hear first hand about a very new concept for the Scone district.
The proposed Energy Park, would have up to 37 wind turbines operating at Middlebrook and Mountain stations, located approximately 10km from Scone's Central Business District (CBD) In addition to turbines, there is potential in the future, for a closed loop hydro and solar thermal array, visitors centre and managers' residence.
NSW has no such Energy Park but plenty of wind farms at present. Provided it gains approval from the NSW Department of Planning by the end of the year the turbines could be ordered and erected at Scone in three years time.
Mr Sydney estimated that one wind turbine would cost between six and $10 million but that money would be paid off in three months through profits from the energy it created. Mr Sydney's company would rent the land the turbines are placed on. Referring to a wider vision, Mr Sydney said it was- a paradigm to see agriculture and farming continue alongside the Energy Park. "What we're trying to do is to keep agriculture and add a new element to that land," he said.
He highlighted the benefits of aligning the region with renewable energy and adding diversity to the Hunter Valley's other energy industries, as well as the possibility of the Energy Park becoming a tourist attraction. Mr Sydney said he liked to think his development company Pamada, which also manufactures products for the renewable energy industry, was transparent in their dealings with the community and invited them to ask questions at any time.
While the audience waited to ask their questions at the end of the evening instead of interrupting the speaker, they did not hold back. Community members wanted to know how much noise turbines would create, who the investors behind Pamada were, was the concept open for public ownership, what colour the turbines would be and how their views would be affected. After his straightforward speech that addressed what the project was and when it could occur, Mr Sydney, tackled the more pressing issues on the minds of Scone residents.
On noise, Mr Sydney said the recommended distance from a wind turbine should be located from a residence was one kilometre. He went on to say the closest residence was one and a half kilometres from the proposed Energy Park and the second closest two kilometres. While, Mr Sydney would not answer who was investing in Pamada, he revealed he was a major investor and explained it was Australian owned.
He explained that the working title, 'The Kyoto Energy Park' was named three years ago and highlighted the possibility of a name competition if the park is approved. "`Kyoto' was used in the title with the deliberate intention to be provocative," he said.
On the topic of public ownership, he outlined it was not an option in the case of the Kyoto Energy Park. Mr Sydney said in his opinion white coloured wind turbines on an agricultural backdrop were 'majestic' constructions and encouraged others to view them the same.
Mr Sydney said CSIRO wind monitoring data from the past eight and a half years showed Scone to be a very good site for wind. "Its not great- Tasmania is great. But in the Hunter Valley you've got really big demand and Tassie doesn't." The application for the Energy Park was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning last November.
Pamada plan to facilitate meetings of community leaders straight away should Kyoto Energy Park gain approval, in order to finalise a copy of the park's Foundation Charter, which is currently in draft format.
First sod turned for $200 million Barunga Wind Farm
Yorke Peninsula Country Times - Kadina
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 3
Four years after the process began, the first sod has turned for TrustPower's $200 million, 42 turbine wind farm on the Barunga Ranges - perhaps the last such construction in Australia for some time.
Located west of Snowtown, the development is Stage One of what eventually could be a 130 turbine wind farm for the New Zealand based company that now owns (original proponent) Wind Prospect's interest. The two companies had combined forces to go through the planning and approval process. Since planning started, however, wind farm investment has been stymied by the Federal Government's failure to raise the MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) and complicated by new technical requirements for ESCOSA ' (Essential Services Commission of SA).
Chief Executive of TrustPower, Keith Tempest, says "it has been frustrating at times" during those four years. "I suspect this could be the last wind farm constructed under the MRET in Australia," he said. "There are some state-based schemes coming on board, but there is nothing as at today to make us build again - it is just not financially viable. If the Federal Government came up with a new renewable scheme it would inject confidence to invest in the industry. "However, we have a long term view and commitment. It has always been about community and environment.
We estimate the project could bring $1 million into the community and create 170 jobs during peak construction times, with four full-time employees at completion." The turbines, to be built by Suzlon Energy Australia - a new entity in Australia - at Hallett (just north of Burra), will be able to generate 2.1 MW each, providing a capacity of 88 megawatts or enough to power 60,000 homes. Stage One should be fully commissioned by around this time next year.
If the entire project goes ahead, landowner, Sally Michael, will have 12 turbines on her property at the southernmost point of the wind farm. "We are thrilled. It's income that doesn't rely on rain and there's always plenty of wind. It might allow our son to be a farmer if he wants - it takes the pressure off," she said.
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 3
Four years after the process began, the first sod has turned for TrustPower's $200 million, 42 turbine wind farm on the Barunga Ranges - perhaps the last such construction in Australia for some time.Located west of Snowtown, the development is Stage One of what eventually could be a 130 turbine wind farm for the New Zealand based company that now owns (original proponent) Wind Prospect's interest. The two companies had combined forces to go through the planning and approval process. Since planning started, however, wind farm investment has been stymied by the Federal Government's failure to raise the MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) and complicated by new technical requirements for ESCOSA ' (Essential Services Commission of SA).
Chief Executive of TrustPower, Keith Tempest, says "it has been frustrating at times" during those four years. "I suspect this could be the last wind farm constructed under the MRET in Australia," he said. "There are some state-based schemes coming on board, but there is nothing as at today to make us build again - it is just not financially viable. If the Federal Government came up with a new renewable scheme it would inject confidence to invest in the industry. "However, we have a long term view and commitment. It has always been about community and environment.
We estimate the project could bring $1 million into the community and create 170 jobs during peak construction times, with four full-time employees at completion." The turbines, to be built by Suzlon Energy Australia - a new entity in Australia - at Hallett (just north of Burra), will be able to generate 2.1 MW each, providing a capacity of 88 megawatts or enough to power 60,000 homes. Stage One should be fully commissioned by around this time next year.
If the entire project goes ahead, landowner, Sally Michael, will have 12 turbines on her property at the southernmost point of the wind farm. "We are thrilled. It's income that doesn't rely on rain and there's always plenty of wind. It might allow our son to be a farmer if he wants - it takes the pressure off," she said.
Energy reform report not credible
Australian Financial Review
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 59
The Energy Reform Implementation Group's recommendation that state governments privatise energy assets lacks credibility if it ignores encouragement of green energy use, including wind and tidal turbines, hot fractured rock and solar power, as well as nuclear. If governments are sending mixed signals under existing technology, ERIG is premature in deciding either way on the issue of public or private ownership.
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 59
The Energy Reform Implementation Group's recommendation that state governments privatise energy assets lacks credibility if it ignores encouragement of green energy use, including wind and tidal turbines, hot fractured rock and solar power, as well as nuclear. If governments are sending mixed signals under existing technology, ERIG is premature in deciding either way on the issue of public or private ownership.
Salting it away for non-rainy day
Australian
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 2
AUSTRALIA'S driest capital yesterday officially opened the nation's first desalination plant, as the West Australian Government committed hundreds of millions of dollars to building at least one more in the near future. Premier Alan Carpenter said the "rainfall-independent" water supply would provide 17 per cent of Perth's needs, 144 million litres of drinking water each day.
Although the other states were bickering over options to address their growing water crises, Mr Carpenter said he was certain Western Australia would build more desalination plants in the near future. "There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will have another desalination plant, at least of this scale, on the coast north or south of Perth in the not too distant future, and in the longer term we will have several," Mr Carpenter said at the opening of the $387 million Kwinana plant, 40km south of Perth.
The Government was also in the process of assessing the environmental impact of tapping the South-West Yarragadee aquifer. Water Corporation chief executive Jim Gill has warned the Government needed to make a decision on Yarragadee by the end of next month to ensure severe shortages were not experienced in 2009.
Questioned on the cost of water from the desalination plant, Mr Carpenter said West Australians had to get used to the fact the days of cheap water were over. "The days when we were getting water for virtually nothing from dams overflowing from rainfall and run-off would appear to be over," he said. "Every other option is considerably more expensive. Water prices are going to continue to rise." He said water from dams cost about 16c per kilolitre compared with about $1.15 per kilolitre for desalinated water.
The Kwinana desalination plant is the third biggest in the world behind two massive plants in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest desalination plant in the world to be powered by renewable energy the plant buys its power from the Emu Downs Wind Farm 245km north of Perth.
Federal Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull was also spruiking water plans in Perth yesterday. Mr Turnbull announced $6.19 million in funding for a water-sensitive urbandevelopment project slated to save two billion litres of water a year. The development will include 15,000 new housing lots southeast of Perth and will use stormwater capture and groundwater for non-drinking purposes such as gardens, toilets and washing machines.
Comparing the project to Perth's new desalination plant, Mr Turnbull said it was low energy, low-cost and sustainable.
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 2
AUSTRALIA'S driest capital yesterday officially opened the nation's first desalination plant, as the West Australian Government committed hundreds of millions of dollars to building at least one more in the near future. Premier Alan Carpenter said the "rainfall-independent" water supply would provide 17 per cent of Perth's needs, 144 million litres of drinking water each day.Although the other states were bickering over options to address their growing water crises, Mr Carpenter said he was certain Western Australia would build more desalination plants in the near future. "There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will have another desalination plant, at least of this scale, on the coast north or south of Perth in the not too distant future, and in the longer term we will have several," Mr Carpenter said at the opening of the $387 million Kwinana plant, 40km south of Perth.
The Government was also in the process of assessing the environmental impact of tapping the South-West Yarragadee aquifer. Water Corporation chief executive Jim Gill has warned the Government needed to make a decision on Yarragadee by the end of next month to ensure severe shortages were not experienced in 2009.
Questioned on the cost of water from the desalination plant, Mr Carpenter said West Australians had to get used to the fact the days of cheap water were over. "The days when we were getting water for virtually nothing from dams overflowing from rainfall and run-off would appear to be over," he said. "Every other option is considerably more expensive. Water prices are going to continue to rise." He said water from dams cost about 16c per kilolitre compared with about $1.15 per kilolitre for desalinated water.
The Kwinana desalination plant is the third biggest in the world behind two massive plants in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest desalination plant in the world to be powered by renewable energy the plant buys its power from the Emu Downs Wind Farm 245km north of Perth.
Federal Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull was also spruiking water plans in Perth yesterday. Mr Turnbull announced $6.19 million in funding for a water-sensitive urbandevelopment project slated to save two billion litres of water a year. The development will include 15,000 new housing lots southeast of Perth and will use stormwater capture and groundwater for non-drinking purposes such as gardens, toilets and washing machines.
Comparing the project to Perth's new desalination plant, Mr Turnbull said it was low energy, low-cost and sustainable.
Climate change may worsen instability
MSNBC.com
April 17, 2007
Climate change threatens to prolong the war on terrorism and foster political instability that some governments will be unable to cope with, an influential panel of 11 retired US generals has warned.
"On the simplest level, it has the potential to create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters on a scale far beyond those we see today," said the panel, which includes retired General Anthony Zinni, former commander of US forces in the Middle East, in a new study. "The US must commit to a stronger national and international role to help stabilise climate change at levels that will avoid significant disruption to global security and stability."
Their urgent warning comes on the eve of a special UN Security Council meeting on the security implications of climate change, convened by the UK in an attempt to bring home the wider ramifications of global warming. But many Security Council members have expressed scepticism at the link, and only a handful of foreign ministers will attend Tuesday's meeting despite appeals by Margaret Beckett, the UK foreign secretary. The US will be represented only by its UN ambassador.
The new US military report, however, which was commissioned by the government-financed Center for Naval Analyses, lays out strong support for the link. It describes climate change as "a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world", which will "seriously exacerbate already marginal living standards in many Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations, causing widespread political instability and the likelihood of failed states".
Making matters worse, the military experts warn that climate change offers a challenge much more complex than conventional security threats because of its potential to create "multiple chronic conditions, occurring globally within the same time frame". As governments fail, they say, the US may be drawn more frequently into unstable situations abroad, and at home could experience "mounting pressure to accept large numbers of immigrant and refugee populations".
Admiral T. Joseph Lopez, the former commander-in-chief of US Naval Forces Europe and of Allied Forces, Southern Europe, said: "Climate change can provide the conditions that will extend the war on terror. In the long term we want to address the underlying conditions that terrorists seek to exploit, but climate change will prolong those conditions. It makes them worse."
Jonathan Pershing, a director at the World Resources Institute, an environmental think-tank in Washington, said the report marked a "major shift in thinking. It will garner attention to climate change in policy arenas that have not looked at these issues in the past, which is very important".
Douglas Johnson, research professor of national security affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute, said: "A few years ago, no one gave a flip ... Now, [climate change] is becoming a serious possibility, so we ought to have a plan for it." "We will pay for this one way or another," said Gen Zinni. "We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, and we'll have to take an economic hit of some kind. Or, we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives. There will be a human toll."
© The Financial Times Ltd.
April 17, 2007
Climate change threatens to prolong the war on terrorism and foster political instability that some governments will be unable to cope with, an influential panel of 11 retired US generals has warned.
"On the simplest level, it has the potential to create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters on a scale far beyond those we see today," said the panel, which includes retired General Anthony Zinni, former commander of US forces in the Middle East, in a new study. "The US must commit to a stronger national and international role to help stabilise climate change at levels that will avoid significant disruption to global security and stability."
Their urgent warning comes on the eve of a special UN Security Council meeting on the security implications of climate change, convened by the UK in an attempt to bring home the wider ramifications of global warming. But many Security Council members have expressed scepticism at the link, and only a handful of foreign ministers will attend Tuesday's meeting despite appeals by Margaret Beckett, the UK foreign secretary. The US will be represented only by its UN ambassador.
The new US military report, however, which was commissioned by the government-financed Center for Naval Analyses, lays out strong support for the link. It describes climate change as "a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world", which will "seriously exacerbate already marginal living standards in many Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations, causing widespread political instability and the likelihood of failed states".
Making matters worse, the military experts warn that climate change offers a challenge much more complex than conventional security threats because of its potential to create "multiple chronic conditions, occurring globally within the same time frame". As governments fail, they say, the US may be drawn more frequently into unstable situations abroad, and at home could experience "mounting pressure to accept large numbers of immigrant and refugee populations".
Admiral T. Joseph Lopez, the former commander-in-chief of US Naval Forces Europe and of Allied Forces, Southern Europe, said: "Climate change can provide the conditions that will extend the war on terror. In the long term we want to address the underlying conditions that terrorists seek to exploit, but climate change will prolong those conditions. It makes them worse."
Jonathan Pershing, a director at the World Resources Institute, an environmental think-tank in Washington, said the report marked a "major shift in thinking. It will garner attention to climate change in policy arenas that have not looked at these issues in the past, which is very important".
Douglas Johnson, research professor of national security affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute, said: "A few years ago, no one gave a flip ... Now, [climate change] is becoming a serious possibility, so we ought to have a plan for it." "We will pay for this one way or another," said Gen Zinni. "We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, and we'll have to take an economic hit of some kind. Or, we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives. There will be a human toll."
© The Financial Times Ltd.
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
All power to super dump's stench
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 1
THEY call it the void. A giant open-cut mine on the outskirts of Goulburn is slowly filling with Sydney's waste, but this super tip is also a new source of green power. When the switch is flicked at a small power plant nearby in about six months. methane from the decomposing waste will be burned to generate electricity.
The food scraps and paper a growing number of Sydneysiders throw out will be used to generate the electricity to power their homes. Methane is a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. About 20 per cent of human-induced global warming since pre-industrial times has been attributed to methane emanating from landfills, coalmines, oil and gas operations, and agriculture.
Capturing the gas and using it to generate electricity prevents it from entering the atmosphere and displaces electricity that would otherwise have been generated by coal-fired power stations. What is good for the environment is also good for companies such as Veolia, the international waste and water group that owns the Woodlawn tip at Goulburn. Once viewed as nothing more than a problem that had to be buried, literally, waste is increasingly considered a valuable resource, Veolia says.
The company hopes to make money not just from selling methane-generated electricity into the national electricity grid, but also from turning organic waste into fertiliser. Hot water from waste processing could also be used to establish greenhouses and fish farms. Unlike traditional landfills, which capture the methane only when a tip is full, Veolia's team of engineering and environmental managers want to generate as much methane as possible and suck it from the decomposing waste while the tip fills.
They have designed a system of pipes that run horizontally and vertically through the waste that pumps the gas to their nearby power plant. Leachate in the pit - created when rain percolating through the waste reacts with decomposing material - is pumped through the layers of rubbish to speed up the decomposition, which in turn generates more methane.
Veolia has entered a long-term contract to provide the electricity to EnergyAustralia, which estimates that capturing gas from the landfill will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 800,000 tonnes a year and generate 20 megawatts an hour, or enough green electricity a year to power 30,000 homes. Veolia also has State Government approval to build a 25-turbine wind farm near the Woodlawn tip, which would generate another 50 megawatts an hour.
But a $50 a tonne levy imposed by the NSW Government on waste that goes to landfill has prompted Veolia to look at ways of using some of the waste instead of burying it. Veolia's ambitious plans have not been without problems. Clyde and Auburn residents went to court several years ago in an unsuccessful bid to stop the construction of a waste transfer station at Clyde, from which the waste is sent by rail to the tip.
Veolia defends the efficiency of its transport system. It says the trains that transfer almost 9000 tonnes of waste from Clyde every week have taken 39,000 truck movements off the roads. South-western Sydney is likely to get another waste transfer station similar to that at Clyde under the company's plan to build a recycling plant at Woodlawn. The transfer station is expected to handle an extra 240,000 tonnes of rubbish a year that would travel to Woodlawn by rail. However, it is likely the waste would be delivered to the transfer station by trucks.
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 1
THEY call it the void. A giant open-cut mine on the outskirts of Goulburn is slowly filling with Sydney's waste, but this super tip is also a new source of green power. When the switch is flicked at a small power plant nearby in about six months. methane from the decomposing waste will be burned to generate electricity.The food scraps and paper a growing number of Sydneysiders throw out will be used to generate the electricity to power their homes. Methane is a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. About 20 per cent of human-induced global warming since pre-industrial times has been attributed to methane emanating from landfills, coalmines, oil and gas operations, and agriculture.
Capturing the gas and using it to generate electricity prevents it from entering the atmosphere and displaces electricity that would otherwise have been generated by coal-fired power stations. What is good for the environment is also good for companies such as Veolia, the international waste and water group that owns the Woodlawn tip at Goulburn. Once viewed as nothing more than a problem that had to be buried, literally, waste is increasingly considered a valuable resource, Veolia says.
The company hopes to make money not just from selling methane-generated electricity into the national electricity grid, but also from turning organic waste into fertiliser. Hot water from waste processing could also be used to establish greenhouses and fish farms. Unlike traditional landfills, which capture the methane only when a tip is full, Veolia's team of engineering and environmental managers want to generate as much methane as possible and suck it from the decomposing waste while the tip fills.
They have designed a system of pipes that run horizontally and vertically through the waste that pumps the gas to their nearby power plant. Leachate in the pit - created when rain percolating through the waste reacts with decomposing material - is pumped through the layers of rubbish to speed up the decomposition, which in turn generates more methane.
Veolia has entered a long-term contract to provide the electricity to EnergyAustralia, which estimates that capturing gas from the landfill will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 800,000 tonnes a year and generate 20 megawatts an hour, or enough green electricity a year to power 30,000 homes. Veolia also has State Government approval to build a 25-turbine wind farm near the Woodlawn tip, which would generate another 50 megawatts an hour.
But a $50 a tonne levy imposed by the NSW Government on waste that goes to landfill has prompted Veolia to look at ways of using some of the waste instead of burying it. Veolia's ambitious plans have not been without problems. Clyde and Auburn residents went to court several years ago in an unsuccessful bid to stop the construction of a waste transfer station at Clyde, from which the waste is sent by rail to the tip.
Veolia defends the efficiency of its transport system. It says the trains that transfer almost 9000 tonnes of waste from Clyde every week have taken 39,000 truck movements off the roads. South-western Sydney is likely to get another waste transfer station similar to that at Clyde under the company's plan to build a recycling plant at Woodlawn. The transfer station is expected to handle an extra 240,000 tonnes of rubbish a year that would travel to Woodlawn by rail. However, it is likely the waste would be delivered to the transfer station by trucks.
$850 per megawatt back to community
Goulburn Post
Monday 16/4/2007 Page: 4
Lachlan Shire councillors on Thursday voted to levy monetary contributions from wind farm builders to fund its community enhancement program. Gathering for a planning committee meeting in Crookwell. councillors voted to levy an annual fee of $850 per megawatt per farm. While a levy payment was originally recommended to be $1000, it was pointed out at the meeting the NSW Department of Planning's own recommendation for such levies was $833.33 per megawatt. It was moved by Cr Garry Cosgrove and seconded by Cr Sandra Bill that the levy generally follow the State's recommendation and on the vote it was set at $850. indexed as at March 31. 2007.
Speaking after the meeting. Council's general manager John Bell said the payment would be linked to the life of the respective projects. "We think it is a fair community amount and the money gained would be spent in the general area of the respective wind farms." Mr Bell said. "Councillors thought that if we are going to have wind farms, then there should be some community benefits and we clearly already have the support of the Department of Planning on this matter." The spokesperson for the Friends of Crookwell, Humphrey Price-Jones, said the $850 levy would not placate people, particularly those directly affected by wind farms.
"This in no way pays for the damage done to individual farms or farmers. Rather, it will benefit ratepayers in general," Mr Price-Jones said. "What the council should be doing is opposing wind farms tooth and nail because none of them to date comply with its own control plan. "The State government seems to be acknowledging how communities have been given this enormous problem and wants to placate people by identifying a source of money." Mr Price-Jones pointed out no work had as yet started on Taralga. Crookwell 2. Walwa or Cullerin wind farms but "some people's lives have already been damaged by the stresses associated with them".
A spokesperson for RES Southern Cross, one of the companies wanting to build a wind farm in the shire, could not be reached for comment on the levy's fiscal practicalities.
Monday 16/4/2007 Page: 4
Lachlan Shire councillors on Thursday voted to levy monetary contributions from wind farm builders to fund its community enhancement program. Gathering for a planning committee meeting in Crookwell. councillors voted to levy an annual fee of $850 per megawatt per farm. While a levy payment was originally recommended to be $1000, it was pointed out at the meeting the NSW Department of Planning's own recommendation for such levies was $833.33 per megawatt. It was moved by Cr Garry Cosgrove and seconded by Cr Sandra Bill that the levy generally follow the State's recommendation and on the vote it was set at $850. indexed as at March 31. 2007.
Speaking after the meeting. Council's general manager John Bell said the payment would be linked to the life of the respective projects. "We think it is a fair community amount and the money gained would be spent in the general area of the respective wind farms." Mr Bell said. "Councillors thought that if we are going to have wind farms, then there should be some community benefits and we clearly already have the support of the Department of Planning on this matter." The spokesperson for the Friends of Crookwell, Humphrey Price-Jones, said the $850 levy would not placate people, particularly those directly affected by wind farms.
"This in no way pays for the damage done to individual farms or farmers. Rather, it will benefit ratepayers in general," Mr Price-Jones said. "What the council should be doing is opposing wind farms tooth and nail because none of them to date comply with its own control plan. "The State government seems to be acknowledging how communities have been given this enormous problem and wants to placate people by identifying a source of money." Mr Price-Jones pointed out no work had as yet started on Taralga. Crookwell 2. Walwa or Cullerin wind farms but "some people's lives have already been damaged by the stresses associated with them".
A spokesperson for RES Southern Cross, one of the companies wanting to build a wind farm in the shire, could not be reached for comment on the levy's fiscal practicalities.
How solar ran out of puff
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 12
The president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Professor Ian Lowe, remembers a time when solar had all the answers. "In the 1970s, the case for solar energy was the case against all other forms of energy," Lowe says. It was the superstar solution to the energy crisis. The expectation was that because solar offered no-risk electricity generation and would never run out, it would swiftly dispatch coal-fired electricity to the dustbin of absurd human inventions. And with our climate, it seemed better suited to conditions in Australia than almost anywhere else.
But 30 years later solar is the renewable power that never grew up - at least in Australia. While global growth in the installation of rooftop solar panels is estimated at 40 per cent a year (and higher in booming solar markets such as Germany and Japan), in Australia it is about 16 per cent, says the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. And that growth is on such a small base that solar barely registers in figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics figures on how our electricity is made.
Of the nearly 8 per cent of Australian electricity generated by renewables, 6.5 per cent is hydroelectricity, 0.8 per cent is bioenergy (power from reusing waste), wind accounts for
0.6 per cent and less than 0.1 per cent is generated by solar power. The rest of our power is coal-fired electricity, which, Lowe points out, compares poorly to countries such as New Zealand (mostly hydroelectricity), Norway (where renewables account for a third of electricity generation) and Iceland (three-quarters).
Nowhere is the good news/bad news nature of the solar story more evident than at the University of New South Wales's world-renowned School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, which claims its many solar-cell breakthroughs have generated "approximately $1 billion" in sales worldwide.
The school's researchers have collected a swag of prestigious awards, including the Alternative Nobel Prize, the Australia Prize and the World Technology Award. One of its graduates, Zhengrong Shi, heads one of the largest solar energy corporations in the world, China's SunTech Power Holdings. He is worth a reported $2.7 billion.
But ask its head of school, Dr Richard Coricish, why more Australians aren't installing grid-connected solar systems at home and his frustration is obvious. "If you don't include the environmental costs of coal-fired electricity when comparing them with solar, it becomes very difficult. [Saving money] is not what motivates me and if that's all that motivates the consumer, then perhaps solar isn't for them.
"I don't want to sound too negative because it's an exciting time for us - the world is beating a path to our door. But the [Australian] situation does frustrate me." Corkish is right: unless you are going to add the environmental costs of coal-fired electricity to your power bill, it's hard to justify installing solar panels. Yet.
The problem is the cost of installing a grid-connected solar system - between $9000 and $40,000, depending on the size of your house and family. Even when you take into account the maximum $4000 federal rebate, it's an investment many ordinary, debt-ridden home owners can't justify. The price tag is inflated by the cost of producing refined silicon (which is also in demand for semiconductor manufacture in the electronics industry), which accounts for about 40 per cent of the cost.
Most estimates show it takes between 20 and 30 years for a grid-connected solar system to "pay for itself' - that is, to recoup the initial outlay through savings made compared with existing bills. As a result, only 30,000 Australian households - out of 8 million - have installed solar panels.
Apart from reducing the up-front cost of the systems, which is being explored through research, one of the best ways to increase uptake would be if governments changed the electricity pricing structure, says Duncan Macgregor, of the solar hot water and solar panel installer Going Solar. At present, electricity retailers such as Origin Energy pay people with solar panels about the same rate for feeding surplus solar-generated power back into the grid as they charge for coalfired electricity. This is despite the fact that they on-sell solar-generated electricity - branded GreenPower - at a premium to environmentally conscious consumers.
At least two state governments are planning to adopt "feed-in tariffs", which increase the rate home owners are paid for producing electricity from solar panels. Last year South Australia announced a plan to double the rates solar users are paid for generating surplus power. The Victorian Government has also introduced legislation in Parliament which is expected to extend existing feed-in tariffs for wind energy to solar from next January.
Tony Wood, a spokesman for Origin Energy, the largest installer of solar panels in Australia, says the cost of higher rates paid to the providers of solar power is likely to be passed onto customers. This would be done by increasing the distribution network tariff for consumers of coal-fired electricity, because solar electricity systems use energy generated locally. The cost of maintaining the poles and lines of the distribution network is enormous - it is forecast to cost $9 billion over the next five years in NSW alone.
The NSW Minister for Energy, Ian Macdonald, says he prefers to let the market decide which types of renewable fuels to use,"rather than the Government picking winners". He says that the State Government requires that 15 per cent of electricity used in NSW to come from renewable sources by 2020.
The economic story of solar hot water, however, is much more attractive to the average home owner. A solar hot water system costs up to three times more than a gas or electric set-up but, at about $4000, it is still much more affordable than solar electricity. Because of the money saved, a solar hot water system should pay for itself "within five to 10 years", says Stephen Kranch, the national manager of Solahart. And because solar hot water tanks usually last 20 years, installing a solar hot water system can mean free hot water for up to 10 years. "The consumer should look very positively at solar hot water. It makes economic as well as environmental sense," says Ian Lowe.
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy says the number of Australian households buying a solar water heating system more than doubled between 2001 and last year, when it reached 45,700. In total, 348,000 Australian households have solar hot water - but this is still only about 5 per cent of the market. NSW and Victoria are two of the poorest performing states in the uptake of solar hot water, with 2.5 per cent and 1 per cent of households, respectively, owning a solar tank.
Kranch says the price gap between a solar system and a conventional one prevents the market from growing faster. The key to building the market, he says, is introducing a simplified system of rebates. At present, consumers can apply for a state government rebate, which in Victoria is a maximum of $1500. An additional sweetener is offered through a complex system of renewable energy certificates, a carbon trading-type scheme of electronic certificates which are traded between registered organisations and whose value changes depending on supply and demand.
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 12
The president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Professor Ian Lowe, remembers a time when solar had all the answers. "In the 1970s, the case for solar energy was the case against all other forms of energy," Lowe says. It was the superstar solution to the energy crisis. The expectation was that because solar offered no-risk electricity generation and would never run out, it would swiftly dispatch coal-fired electricity to the dustbin of absurd human inventions. And with our climate, it seemed better suited to conditions in Australia than almost anywhere else.But 30 years later solar is the renewable power that never grew up - at least in Australia. While global growth in the installation of rooftop solar panels is estimated at 40 per cent a year (and higher in booming solar markets such as Germany and Japan), in Australia it is about 16 per cent, says the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. And that growth is on such a small base that solar barely registers in figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics figures on how our electricity is made.
Of the nearly 8 per cent of Australian electricity generated by renewables, 6.5 per cent is hydroelectricity, 0.8 per cent is bioenergy (power from reusing waste), wind accounts for
0.6 per cent and less than 0.1 per cent is generated by solar power. The rest of our power is coal-fired electricity, which, Lowe points out, compares poorly to countries such as New Zealand (mostly hydroelectricity), Norway (where renewables account for a third of electricity generation) and Iceland (three-quarters).
Nowhere is the good news/bad news nature of the solar story more evident than at the University of New South Wales's world-renowned School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, which claims its many solar-cell breakthroughs have generated "approximately $1 billion" in sales worldwide.
The school's researchers have collected a swag of prestigious awards, including the Alternative Nobel Prize, the Australia Prize and the World Technology Award. One of its graduates, Zhengrong Shi, heads one of the largest solar energy corporations in the world, China's SunTech Power Holdings. He is worth a reported $2.7 billion.
But ask its head of school, Dr Richard Coricish, why more Australians aren't installing grid-connected solar systems at home and his frustration is obvious. "If you don't include the environmental costs of coal-fired electricity when comparing them with solar, it becomes very difficult. [Saving money] is not what motivates me and if that's all that motivates the consumer, then perhaps solar isn't for them.
"I don't want to sound too negative because it's an exciting time for us - the world is beating a path to our door. But the [Australian] situation does frustrate me." Corkish is right: unless you are going to add the environmental costs of coal-fired electricity to your power bill, it's hard to justify installing solar panels. Yet.
The problem is the cost of installing a grid-connected solar system - between $9000 and $40,000, depending on the size of your house and family. Even when you take into account the maximum $4000 federal rebate, it's an investment many ordinary, debt-ridden home owners can't justify. The price tag is inflated by the cost of producing refined silicon (which is also in demand for semiconductor manufacture in the electronics industry), which accounts for about 40 per cent of the cost.
Most estimates show it takes between 20 and 30 years for a grid-connected solar system to "pay for itself' - that is, to recoup the initial outlay through savings made compared with existing bills. As a result, only 30,000 Australian households - out of 8 million - have installed solar panels.
Apart from reducing the up-front cost of the systems, which is being explored through research, one of the best ways to increase uptake would be if governments changed the electricity pricing structure, says Duncan Macgregor, of the solar hot water and solar panel installer Going Solar. At present, electricity retailers such as Origin Energy pay people with solar panels about the same rate for feeding surplus solar-generated power back into the grid as they charge for coalfired electricity. This is despite the fact that they on-sell solar-generated electricity - branded GreenPower - at a premium to environmentally conscious consumers.
At least two state governments are planning to adopt "feed-in tariffs", which increase the rate home owners are paid for producing electricity from solar panels. Last year South Australia announced a plan to double the rates solar users are paid for generating surplus power. The Victorian Government has also introduced legislation in Parliament which is expected to extend existing feed-in tariffs for wind energy to solar from next January.
Tony Wood, a spokesman for Origin Energy, the largest installer of solar panels in Australia, says the cost of higher rates paid to the providers of solar power is likely to be passed onto customers. This would be done by increasing the distribution network tariff for consumers of coal-fired electricity, because solar electricity systems use energy generated locally. The cost of maintaining the poles and lines of the distribution network is enormous - it is forecast to cost $9 billion over the next five years in NSW alone.
The NSW Minister for Energy, Ian Macdonald, says he prefers to let the market decide which types of renewable fuels to use,"rather than the Government picking winners". He says that the State Government requires that 15 per cent of electricity used in NSW to come from renewable sources by 2020.
The economic story of solar hot water, however, is much more attractive to the average home owner. A solar hot water system costs up to three times more than a gas or electric set-up but, at about $4000, it is still much more affordable than solar electricity. Because of the money saved, a solar hot water system should pay for itself "within five to 10 years", says Stephen Kranch, the national manager of Solahart. And because solar hot water tanks usually last 20 years, installing a solar hot water system can mean free hot water for up to 10 years. "The consumer should look very positively at solar hot water. It makes economic as well as environmental sense," says Ian Lowe.
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy says the number of Australian households buying a solar water heating system more than doubled between 2001 and last year, when it reached 45,700. In total, 348,000 Australian households have solar hot water - but this is still only about 5 per cent of the market. NSW and Victoria are two of the poorest performing states in the uptake of solar hot water, with 2.5 per cent and 1 per cent of households, respectively, owning a solar tank.
Kranch says the price gap between a solar system and a conventional one prevents the market from growing faster. The key to building the market, he says, is introducing a simplified system of rebates. At present, consumers can apply for a state government rebate, which in Victoria is a maximum of $1500. An additional sweetener is offered through a complex system of renewable energy certificates, a carbon trading-type scheme of electronic certificates which are traded between registered organisations and whose value changes depending on supply and demand.
Wind of change
Australian R&D Review
April, 2007 Page: 16
Allco Wind Energy has announced its entry into the large European wind energy market, entering into partnership arrangements with two leading German developers, WPD AG and JUWI GmbH. Allco will acquire a total of 112MW of wind energy in Germany and France, with completion in 2007 and 2008.
With a total installed capacity of 60MW, three wind farms in Germany have been acquired from WPD, with the acquisition of a fourth project, to he completed later in 2007, taking the overall installed capacity to 64MW. Wind turbine generators are supplied by Vestas and Siemens.
An agreement has been entered into with JUWI whereby Allco will acquire eight wind energy projects in Germany and France totalling 48.5MW. The first acquisition of the 6MW Ober Kostenz project in Germany (6.0MW, 3 x Vestas V90 - 2.0MW) has been completed. Wind turbine generators are supplied by Vestas and Enercon.
Link: www.allco.com.au/home.aspx?m=2
April, 2007 Page: 16
Allco Wind Energy has announced its entry into the large European wind energy market, entering into partnership arrangements with two leading German developers, WPD AG and JUWI GmbH. Allco will acquire a total of 112MW of wind energy in Germany and France, with completion in 2007 and 2008.
With a total installed capacity of 60MW, three wind farms in Germany have been acquired from WPD, with the acquisition of a fourth project, to he completed later in 2007, taking the overall installed capacity to 64MW. Wind turbine generators are supplied by Vestas and Siemens.
An agreement has been entered into with JUWI whereby Allco will acquire eight wind energy projects in Germany and France totalling 48.5MW. The first acquisition of the 6MW Ober Kostenz project in Germany (6.0MW, 3 x Vestas V90 - 2.0MW) has been completed. Wind turbine generators are supplied by Vestas and Enercon.
Link: www.allco.com.au/home.aspx?m=2
Wind of change
Australian R&D Review
April, 2007 Page: 16
TrustPower, which generates all of its electricity from sustainable resources, has added impetus to carbon trading in New Zealand by selling carbon credits to Meridian Energy. TrustPower, which owns and operates 34 hydro generators and the Tararua Wind Farm, has been awarded carbon credits for a number of its sustainable generation development and enhancement projects. The largest completed so far has been the Stage 2 development of the Tararua Wind Farm.
Chief executive Keith Tempest says TrustPower's decision to focus on renewable energy sources has proven to be a sound one, for the company and the environment. "We are pleased that our efforts to concentrate on sustainable generation have put us in a position where we are now able to trade our surplus carbon credits to assist others to gain carbon neutrality or offset their own greenhouse gas emissions. We welcome approaches from any New Zealand businesses that require assistance to gain carbon-neutral status."
In addition to its existing 100% sustainable generation portfolio, TrustPower is on target to complete its Tararua Stage 3 Wind Farm expansion in July and its Deep Stream Hydro project later in the year. It is in the resource consenting phase for a new 72MW hydro project in Marlborough, a 42MW hydro scheme on the west coast of the South Island, and a new 200MW wind farm at Mahinerangi in Otago, adjacent to one of its existing hydro schemes. It has also begun construction of a new 88MW wind farm at Snowtown in South Australia.
Link: www.trustpower.co.nz
April, 2007 Page: 16
TrustPower, which generates all of its electricity from sustainable resources, has added impetus to carbon trading in New Zealand by selling carbon credits to Meridian Energy. TrustPower, which owns and operates 34 hydro generators and the Tararua Wind Farm, has been awarded carbon credits for a number of its sustainable generation development and enhancement projects. The largest completed so far has been the Stage 2 development of the Tararua Wind Farm.
Chief executive Keith Tempest says TrustPower's decision to focus on renewable energy sources has proven to be a sound one, for the company and the environment. "We are pleased that our efforts to concentrate on sustainable generation have put us in a position where we are now able to trade our surplus carbon credits to assist others to gain carbon neutrality or offset their own greenhouse gas emissions. We welcome approaches from any New Zealand businesses that require assistance to gain carbon-neutral status."
In addition to its existing 100% sustainable generation portfolio, TrustPower is on target to complete its Tararua Stage 3 Wind Farm expansion in July and its Deep Stream Hydro project later in the year. It is in the resource consenting phase for a new 72MW hydro project in Marlborough, a 42MW hydro scheme on the west coast of the South Island, and a new 200MW wind farm at Mahinerangi in Otago, adjacent to one of its existing hydro schemes. It has also begun construction of a new 88MW wind farm at Snowtown in South Australia.
Link: www.trustpower.co.nz
Wind farm win
Weekly Times
Wednesday 18/4/2007 Page: 2
THE Victorian Government has approved a 64-turbine, 160-megawatt wind farm at Mt Mercer. about 30km south of Ballarat. Planning Minister Justin Madden said the wind farm would generate enough power for 73,000 homes. The 11th wind farm to be approved in Victoria is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to build and will create up to 120 construction jobs and 1,' permanent positions.
Wednesday 18/4/2007 Page: 2
THE Victorian Government has approved a 64-turbine, 160-megawatt wind farm at Mt Mercer. about 30km south of Ballarat. Planning Minister Justin Madden said the wind farm would generate enough power for 73,000 homes. The 11th wind farm to be approved in Victoria is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to build and will create up to 120 construction jobs and 1,' permanent positions.
Regulation needed for offset schemes
Southern Courier
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 15
The rapidly-sprouting carbon offset industry needs greater regulatory control, climate-change activists and environmental scientists have warned. An increasingly popular concept, carbon offsetting allows the environmentally conscious consumer to pay extra to reduce the destructive capacity of their personal ecological footprint, but there are concerns that loose regulatory provisions endanger the efficacy of such schemes.
Dr Mark Diesendorf, senior lecturer at the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales recently told the Courier: "At present there appears to be no regulatory structure for offsets at all and no real information to guide consumers. There is a desperate need for a serious accreditation scheme for offsets.
"While tree plantations are better than nothing, they are not as secure as, say, purchasing wind energy, as trees can burn down and also once trees are fully grown they cease to absorb carbon dioxide:' The local activist group Climate Action Coogee shares Dr Diesendorf's concerns. "There are some offsetting companies that are not ecologically sustainable and some overseas companies that are causing problems for local communities," said a spokesperson for the group.
"In the long run businesses will have to invest in permanent renewable-energy strategies in order for Australia to make the greenhouse-gas emission reductions that it has to make. We think it is important that regulatory reform kick-starts this process along." Other commentators have warned that throwing money at carbon offsetting may also instil an attitude of environmental recklessness and give corporations the ultimate excuse not to reform their day-to-day environmentally damaging operations.
"Carbon offsetting is a good way to get people thinking about the problems associated with pollution but offsetting is not a solution to climate change," the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Federal Opposition spokesman on Climate Change, Arts, Heritage and the Environment, Peter Garrett, said: "The issue of carbon offsetting will be considered as the Labor Party continues its policy development process in the lead-up to the next election"
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 15
The rapidly-sprouting carbon offset industry needs greater regulatory control, climate-change activists and environmental scientists have warned. An increasingly popular concept, carbon offsetting allows the environmentally conscious consumer to pay extra to reduce the destructive capacity of their personal ecological footprint, but there are concerns that loose regulatory provisions endanger the efficacy of such schemes.
Dr Mark Diesendorf, senior lecturer at the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales recently told the Courier: "At present there appears to be no regulatory structure for offsets at all and no real information to guide consumers. There is a desperate need for a serious accreditation scheme for offsets.
"While tree plantations are better than nothing, they are not as secure as, say, purchasing wind energy, as trees can burn down and also once trees are fully grown they cease to absorb carbon dioxide:' The local activist group Climate Action Coogee shares Dr Diesendorf's concerns. "There are some offsetting companies that are not ecologically sustainable and some overseas companies that are causing problems for local communities," said a spokesperson for the group.
"In the long run businesses will have to invest in permanent renewable-energy strategies in order for Australia to make the greenhouse-gas emission reductions that it has to make. We think it is important that regulatory reform kick-starts this process along." Other commentators have warned that throwing money at carbon offsetting may also instil an attitude of environmental recklessness and give corporations the ultimate excuse not to reform their day-to-day environmentally damaging operations.
"Carbon offsetting is a good way to get people thinking about the problems associated with pollution but offsetting is not a solution to climate change," the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Federal Opposition spokesman on Climate Change, Arts, Heritage and the Environment, Peter Garrett, said: "The issue of carbon offsetting will be considered as the Labor Party continues its policy development process in the lead-up to the next election"
Renewal energy forum
Atherton Tablelander
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 25
WITH all the rain the Tablelands has received, you'd be mistaken for thinking that solar power was futile in this region. Solar power is just one of the more than effective sources of renewable energy residents can tap into to prevent the threat of climate change.
Residents can find out more about sustainable energy - such as the Tablelands' own wind farm at Ravenshoe - at a public forum being held at Atherton State High School on Wednesday night.
Speaking at the forum will be manager of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Industry Development Group, Wendy Miller. She will be debunking some of the common myths about renewable energy and look at its role and energy efficiency locally and globally in its capacity to meet our energy demands, while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Forum organiser Gabriele Bohnet, from the Tablelands Environment Network, said a large number of people did not realise the options for renewable energy that existed in Australia. "Australia has been a forerunner in this technology, but hasn't been supported by our government," Ms Bohnet said.
Now companies are moving overseas where they have investment which they can't get here, and it is kind of sad." The forum, which is presented by the North Queensland Climate Alliance, will show residents affordable options for acting against climate change, such as installing a solar hot water system.
"I have been living around the Tablelands for the last eight years and during that time I've been living in a house with solar hot water," Ms Bohnet said. "In that house, even on a rainy day, we hardly had to use the gas booster." Australia is estimated to have enough natural gas reserves to last until 2050.
Ms Bohnet said natural gas was also an alternative energy source that was underused by Australians. At the moment our natural gas is exported, which it shouldn't be because it is a clean resource," she said. If enough people turned to cleaner sources of energy, entire communities could help reduce greenhouse emissions. "By using things like energy efficiency bulbs, with solar hot water and other renewable resources we could ultimately save on our power bills," Ms Bohnet said.
The climate change and energy forum will be held at Atherton State High School auditorium, on Maunds Road on Wednesday, April 18 from 7pm to 9pm. Everyone is welcome and a gold coin contribution would be appreciated.
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 25
WITH all the rain the Tablelands has received, you'd be mistaken for thinking that solar power was futile in this region. Solar power is just one of the more than effective sources of renewable energy residents can tap into to prevent the threat of climate change.
Residents can find out more about sustainable energy - such as the Tablelands' own wind farm at Ravenshoe - at a public forum being held at Atherton State High School on Wednesday night.
Speaking at the forum will be manager of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Industry Development Group, Wendy Miller. She will be debunking some of the common myths about renewable energy and look at its role and energy efficiency locally and globally in its capacity to meet our energy demands, while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Forum organiser Gabriele Bohnet, from the Tablelands Environment Network, said a large number of people did not realise the options for renewable energy that existed in Australia. "Australia has been a forerunner in this technology, but hasn't been supported by our government," Ms Bohnet said.
Now companies are moving overseas where they have investment which they can't get here, and it is kind of sad." The forum, which is presented by the North Queensland Climate Alliance, will show residents affordable options for acting against climate change, such as installing a solar hot water system.
"I have been living around the Tablelands for the last eight years and during that time I've been living in a house with solar hot water," Ms Bohnet said. "In that house, even on a rainy day, we hardly had to use the gas booster." Australia is estimated to have enough natural gas reserves to last until 2050.
Ms Bohnet said natural gas was also an alternative energy source that was underused by Australians. At the moment our natural gas is exported, which it shouldn't be because it is a clean resource," she said. If enough people turned to cleaner sources of energy, entire communities could help reduce greenhouse emissions. "By using things like energy efficiency bulbs, with solar hot water and other renewable resources we could ultimately save on our power bills," Ms Bohnet said.
The climate change and energy forum will be held at Atherton State High School auditorium, on Maunds Road on Wednesday, April 18 from 7pm to 9pm. Everyone is welcome and a gold coin contribution would be appreciated.
Monday, 16 April 2007
`Green' business can be a real breeze
Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 16/4/2007 Page: 12
IT IS easy being green if you ask business partners Janie Jenkins and sisters Kylie and Jane Brammy. They have just switched their city physiotherapy practice, Therapia, to 100 per cent wind energy. That said, tracking down an electricity supplier able to offer new wind energy to business customers took a little effort.
''We eventually sourced new wind energy which produces no greenhouse gases from TRUEnergy," Jane Brammy said. "It costs 5c per kilowatt hour extra, which over the year will add up to about $300, but it's worth it because it's an investment in the technology and, ultimately, the planet." The physiotherapy and pilates studio, which is celebrating its first anniversary in June, is keen to be seen as a best-practice model for green business.
Featuring strawbale insulation and skylights, the building embodies the business's green philosophy - it's a converted warehouse.
Monday 16/4/2007 Page: 12
IT IS easy being green if you ask business partners Janie Jenkins and sisters Kylie and Jane Brammy. They have just switched their city physiotherapy practice, Therapia, to 100 per cent wind energy. That said, tracking down an electricity supplier able to offer new wind energy to business customers took a little effort.''We eventually sourced new wind energy which produces no greenhouse gases from TRUEnergy," Jane Brammy said. "It costs 5c per kilowatt hour extra, which over the year will add up to about $300, but it's worth it because it's an investment in the technology and, ultimately, the planet." The physiotherapy and pilates studio, which is celebrating its first anniversary in June, is keen to be seen as a best-practice model for green business.
Featuring strawbale insulation and skylights, the building embodies the business's green philosophy - it's a converted warehouse.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Power glitches beaten
North Queensland Register
Thursday 12/4/2007 Page: 33
Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD) has signed a multi-year distribution deal with Australian company Powercorp to distribute its new power quality solution, PowerStore .
Developed and manufactured entirely in Australia by Northern Territory innovators, the PowerStore solution is the first technology of its kind in the world. Designed to absorb and source energy at exceptionally high speed, the product works to smooth all generation fluctuations to maintain utility quality electrical supply.
Steve Robinson, Siemens executive general manager power transmission and distribution, said the new product was a breakthrough for the wind generation and mining industries.
"PowerStore is a true power quality device and the first commercial solution on the market capable of large output." PowerStore addresses the problem of power fluctuation in grids, which is common, and most acute in soft grids, such as remote area isolated networks, mine site electrical distribution and community power supply. The problem also exists in large networks at the end of long distribution lines, at the interconnection point of wind farms and other critical nodes.
Link: PowerStore
Thursday 12/4/2007 Page: 33
Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD) has signed a multi-year distribution deal with Australian company Powercorp to distribute its new power quality solution, PowerStore .Developed and manufactured entirely in Australia by Northern Territory innovators, the PowerStore solution is the first technology of its kind in the world. Designed to absorb and source energy at exceptionally high speed, the product works to smooth all generation fluctuations to maintain utility quality electrical supply.
Steve Robinson, Siemens executive general manager power transmission and distribution, said the new product was a breakthrough for the wind generation and mining industries.
"PowerStore is a true power quality device and the first commercial solution on the market capable of large output." PowerStore addresses the problem of power fluctuation in grids, which is common, and most acute in soft grids, such as remote area isolated networks, mine site electrical distribution and community power supply. The problem also exists in large networks at the end of long distribution lines, at the interconnection point of wind farms and other critical nodes.
Link: PowerStore
Farmers to receive windfall
Bendigo Advertiser
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 8
A $250 million wind farm planned for rural Victoria will help drought-proof struggling farms, the company behind the project says. The Victorian Government yesterday signed off West- Wind Energy's plan to build a 160-megawatt wind farm at Mt Mercer, 30 km south of Ballarat.
WestWind Energy plans to build 64 turbines on 2600 hectares of land, which crosses several farm properties. The firm's planning and business development manager, Tobias Geiger, said the project would help droughtproof farms for another two to three generations because of the extra income it would bring the farmers.
Each of the seven landowners will be paid up to $7000 per turbine built on their properties. "Obviously, for the landholders it's a great relief now that it has been approved because it will help them really drought-proof their activities," Mr Geiger said.
Farmer Ian Wylie, who will have 18 turbines built on his property, said the income would help him survive the drought. "It will just mean now being able to get through the drought without having to sell breeding stock, we will be able to buy more feed and keep things going along until the drought breaks," he said. "When the drought does break we'll be able to put in infrastructure so if it does happen again we won't be in strife."
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 8
A $250 million wind farm planned for rural Victoria will help drought-proof struggling farms, the company behind the project says. The Victorian Government yesterday signed off West- Wind Energy's plan to build a 160-megawatt wind farm at Mt Mercer, 30 km south of Ballarat.
WestWind Energy plans to build 64 turbines on 2600 hectares of land, which crosses several farm properties. The firm's planning and business development manager, Tobias Geiger, said the project would help droughtproof farms for another two to three generations because of the extra income it would bring the farmers.
Each of the seven landowners will be paid up to $7000 per turbine built on their properties. "Obviously, for the landholders it's a great relief now that it has been approved because it will help them really drought-proof their activities," Mr Geiger said.
Farmer Ian Wylie, who will have 18 turbines built on his property, said the income would help him survive the drought. "It will just mean now being able to get through the drought without having to sell breeding stock, we will be able to buy more feed and keep things going along until the drought breaks," he said. "When the drought does break we'll be able to put in infrastructure so if it does happen again we won't be in strife."
Mt Mercer wind farm OK
Ballarat Courier
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 2
The State Government approved the 64-turbine wind farm on the recommendation of an independent panel. The 160-megawatt facility, to be built on 2600 hectares of land at Mt Mercer, about 30km south of Ballarat, is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 73,000 hones. The site will also house a major service and maintenance centre for wind turbines in the region creating 12 permanent positions.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the development, the 11th wind farm approved for Victoria, was an economic and environmental boon. The Mt Mercer wind farm will be a win for the environment, a win for jobs and a win for sustainable development in rural and regional Victoria," Mr Madden said.
"We expect this project alone to save more than 390,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year - that's 11.7 million 'black balloons' that would otherwise be floating up into the atmosphere." Mr Madden said the wind farm was expected to take between 12 to 18 months to install and create up to 120 construction jobs and 12 permanent positions.
The company behind the development, Westwind Energy, said it was "very pleased" with the approval. Business development manager Tobias Geiger said Westwind Energy was an Australian company but part of the German-based Westwind group of companies.
Mr Geiger said Westwind Energy had "generally" received strong support from the local community. He said the company would work to earn the trust of community members who still had reservations.
The Mt Mercer site is 8km of the Enfield State Park and 15km of Meredith, Rokewood, Dereel, Corindhap and Grenville.
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 2
The State Government approved the 64-turbine wind farm on the recommendation of an independent panel. The 160-megawatt facility, to be built on 2600 hectares of land at Mt Mercer, about 30km south of Ballarat, is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 73,000 hones. The site will also house a major service and maintenance centre for wind turbines in the region creating 12 permanent positions.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the development, the 11th wind farm approved for Victoria, was an economic and environmental boon. The Mt Mercer wind farm will be a win for the environment, a win for jobs and a win for sustainable development in rural and regional Victoria," Mr Madden said.
"We expect this project alone to save more than 390,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year - that's 11.7 million 'black balloons' that would otherwise be floating up into the atmosphere." Mr Madden said the wind farm was expected to take between 12 to 18 months to install and create up to 120 construction jobs and 12 permanent positions.
The company behind the development, Westwind Energy, said it was "very pleased" with the approval. Business development manager Tobias Geiger said Westwind Energy was an Australian company but part of the German-based Westwind group of companies.
Mr Geiger said Westwind Energy had "generally" received strong support from the local community. He said the company would work to earn the trust of community members who still had reservations.
The Mt Mercer site is 8km of the Enfield State Park and 15km of Meredith, Rokewood, Dereel, Corindhap and Grenville.
Sustainable energy has powerful future
Age
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 8
Political clout, not technology, is hindering renewable energy systems, writes Mark Diesendorf.
OPPONENTS of renewable energy from the coal and nuclear industries, and their political supporters, are disseminating the fallacy that renewable energy cannot provide base-load power to substitute for coal-fired electricity. If this becomes widely accepted, renewable energy will remain a niche market rather than achieve its potential of being part of mainstream energy supply technologies.
Electricity grids are designed to handle variability in demand and supply and have different types of power stations - baseload, intermediate-load, peakload and reserve. A base-load station is, in theory, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and operates most of the time at full power.
In mainland Australia, baseload power stations are mostly coal-fired while a few are gasfired. Coal-fired stations are by far the most polluting of all power stations, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. Overseas, some base-load power stations are nuclear-powered.
An electricity supply system cannot be built out of base-load power stations alone. These stations take all day to start up and, in general, their output cannot be changed quickly enough to handle peaks and other variations in demand. They also break down from time to time.
A faster, cheaper, more flexible power station is used to complement base-load, handle the peaks and handle quickly unpredictable fluctuations in supply and demand. These peak-load stations are designed to be run for short periods each day. They can be started rapidly from cold and their output can be changed rapidly. Some peak-load stations are gas turbines (like jet engines) fuelled by natural gas.
Hydro-electricity with dams is also used to provide peak-load power. Some renewable electricity sources have identical variability to coal-fired power stations and so they are base-load. They can be integrated into the electricity supply system without any additional back-up. Examples include:
The inclusion of large-scale wind energy in the list may be a surprise to some people, because wind energy is often described as an "intermittent" source, that is, one that switches on and off frequently.
While a single wind turbine is certainly intermittent, a system of several geographically separated wind farms is not. Total wind energy output of the system generally varies smoothly and rarely falls to zero. Nevertheless, it may require some back-up, for example, from gas turbines.
When wind energy supplies up to 20 per cent of electricity generation, the additional costs of reserve plant are relatively small. For widely dispersed wind farms, the back-up capacity only has to be one-fifth to one-third of the wind capacity. Since it has low capital cost and is operated infrequently, it plays the role of reliability insurance with a low premium.
Of course, if a national electricity grid is connected by transmission line to another country (for example, as western Denmark is connected to Norway), it does not need to install any back-up for wind, because it buys supplementary power from its neighbours when required.
By 2040, renewable energy could supply more than half Australia's electricity, reducing greenhouse emissions from electricity generation by nearly 80 per cent. In the longer term, when solar electricity is less expensive, there is no technical reason to stop renewable energy from supplying 100 per cent of grid electricity. The system could be just as reliable as the dirty, fossil-fuelled system that it replaces.
The barriers to a sustainable energy future are neither technological nor economic, but the immense political power of the big greenhouse gas polluting industries - coal, aluminium, iron and steel, cement, motor vehicles and part of the oil industry.
Dr Mark Diesendorf is the director of Sustainability Centre, senior lecturer in environmental studies at the University of New South Wales, and a member of the Energy- Science Coalition. His new book, Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy, will be published by UNSW Press next month.
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 8
Political clout, not technology, is hindering renewable energy systems, writes Mark Diesendorf.
OPPONENTS of renewable energy from the coal and nuclear industries, and their political supporters, are disseminating the fallacy that renewable energy cannot provide base-load power to substitute for coal-fired electricity. If this becomes widely accepted, renewable energy will remain a niche market rather than achieve its potential of being part of mainstream energy supply technologies.
Electricity grids are designed to handle variability in demand and supply and have different types of power stations - baseload, intermediate-load, peakload and reserve. A base-load station is, in theory, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and operates most of the time at full power.
In mainland Australia, baseload power stations are mostly coal-fired while a few are gasfired. Coal-fired stations are by far the most polluting of all power stations, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. Overseas, some base-load power stations are nuclear-powered.
An electricity supply system cannot be built out of base-load power stations alone. These stations take all day to start up and, in general, their output cannot be changed quickly enough to handle peaks and other variations in demand. They also break down from time to time.
A faster, cheaper, more flexible power station is used to complement base-load, handle the peaks and handle quickly unpredictable fluctuations in supply and demand. These peak-load stations are designed to be run for short periods each day. They can be started rapidly from cold and their output can be changed rapidly. Some peak-load stations are gas turbines (like jet engines) fuelled by natural gas.
Hydro-electricity with dams is also used to provide peak-load power. Some renewable electricity sources have identical variability to coal-fired power stations and so they are base-load. They can be integrated into the electricity supply system without any additional back-up. Examples include:
- Bio-energy, based on the combustion of crops and crop residues, or their gasification followed by combustion of the gas.
- Hot rock geothermal power, which is being developed in South Australia and Queensland.
- Solar thermal electricity, with overnight heat storage in water or rocks, or a thermochemical store.
- Large-scale, distributed wind energy, with a small amount of occasional back-up from a peak-load plant.
The inclusion of large-scale wind energy in the list may be a surprise to some people, because wind energy is often described as an "intermittent" source, that is, one that switches on and off frequently.
While a single wind turbine is certainly intermittent, a system of several geographically separated wind farms is not. Total wind energy output of the system generally varies smoothly and rarely falls to zero. Nevertheless, it may require some back-up, for example, from gas turbines.
When wind energy supplies up to 20 per cent of electricity generation, the additional costs of reserve plant are relatively small. For widely dispersed wind farms, the back-up capacity only has to be one-fifth to one-third of the wind capacity. Since it has low capital cost and is operated infrequently, it plays the role of reliability insurance with a low premium.
Of course, if a national electricity grid is connected by transmission line to another country (for example, as western Denmark is connected to Norway), it does not need to install any back-up for wind, because it buys supplementary power from its neighbours when required.
By 2040, renewable energy could supply more than half Australia's electricity, reducing greenhouse emissions from electricity generation by nearly 80 per cent. In the longer term, when solar electricity is less expensive, there is no technical reason to stop renewable energy from supplying 100 per cent of grid electricity. The system could be just as reliable as the dirty, fossil-fuelled system that it replaces.
The barriers to a sustainable energy future are neither technological nor economic, but the immense political power of the big greenhouse gas polluting industries - coal, aluminium, iron and steel, cement, motor vehicles and part of the oil industry.
Dr Mark Diesendorf is the director of Sustainability Centre, senior lecturer in environmental studies at the University of New South Wales, and a member of the Energy- Science Coalition. His new book, Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy, will be published by UNSW Press next month.
Extreme heat and cold could spark blackouts
Age
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 7
VICTORIA faces the prospect of power shortfalls next summer if winter proves unusually dry and cold and the coming summer unusually hot. Industry insiders warn that booming demand and a lack of hydro power has left the state vulnerable to power station shutdowns and heat waves.
The National Electricity Market Management Company, which controls the power grid, predicts there would not be enough energy to cope with a one-in-10-year heatwave combined with a major plant failure next summer. The Age understands that NEMMCO raised the issue in a private briefing to electricity generators this month.
Projections posted on the company's website show Victoria will be short of reserve capacity - needed to prevent blackouts during an extreme summer demand surge - by up to 230 megawatts in February and March 2008. NEMMCO chief executive Les Hosking said the prediction was a "first step in a lengthy planning cycle", with a number of options to generate more power before the summer.
But Melbourne-based electricity expert Michael Zammit, whose company runs multimillion dollar demand management programs for the NSW Government, warned that a cold, dry winter leading into a hot, dry summer could have a "devastating" impact on Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
"There would be absolutely no doubt in my mind that there would be rolling blackouts," Mr Zammit said. "We just haven't had enough generation capacity built to keep up with demand." Industry Minister Peter Batchelor said there had been huge investment to increase the state's power supply. "The Government is confident that electricity demand can be met this summer," Mr Batchelor said.
He said that since Labor came to office, Victoria's power capacity had increased by 2000 megawatts, with the upgrade and completion of several power stations, wind farms and the Basslink cable connecting Tasmania with the mainland.
Far from supplying Victoria with cheap hydro power as promised, drought-stricken Tasmania is now using the Basslink cable to import coalfired electricity from the mainland to avoid power rationing over winter. That means one of Victoria's key power transmission safety valves is effectively not operating.
Concern about the power supply follows revelations in The Age yesterday that hefty increases to household power bills are near certain, with wholesale prices up by more than 70 per cent during the past 12 months.
Friday 13/4/2007 Page: 7
VICTORIA faces the prospect of power shortfalls next summer if winter proves unusually dry and cold and the coming summer unusually hot. Industry insiders warn that booming demand and a lack of hydro power has left the state vulnerable to power station shutdowns and heat waves.
The National Electricity Market Management Company, which controls the power grid, predicts there would not be enough energy to cope with a one-in-10-year heatwave combined with a major plant failure next summer. The Age understands that NEMMCO raised the issue in a private briefing to electricity generators this month.
Projections posted on the company's website show Victoria will be short of reserve capacity - needed to prevent blackouts during an extreme summer demand surge - by up to 230 megawatts in February and March 2008. NEMMCO chief executive Les Hosking said the prediction was a "first step in a lengthy planning cycle", with a number of options to generate more power before the summer.
But Melbourne-based electricity expert Michael Zammit, whose company runs multimillion dollar demand management programs for the NSW Government, warned that a cold, dry winter leading into a hot, dry summer could have a "devastating" impact on Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
"There would be absolutely no doubt in my mind that there would be rolling blackouts," Mr Zammit said. "We just haven't had enough generation capacity built to keep up with demand." Industry Minister Peter Batchelor said there had been huge investment to increase the state's power supply. "The Government is confident that electricity demand can be met this summer," Mr Batchelor said.
He said that since Labor came to office, Victoria's power capacity had increased by 2000 megawatts, with the upgrade and completion of several power stations, wind farms and the Basslink cable connecting Tasmania with the mainland.
Far from supplying Victoria with cheap hydro power as promised, drought-stricken Tasmania is now using the Basslink cable to import coalfired electricity from the mainland to avoid power rationing over winter. That means one of Victoria's key power transmission safety valves is effectively not operating.
Concern about the power supply follows revelations in The Age yesterday that hefty increases to household power bills are near certain, with wholesale prices up by more than 70 per cent during the past 12 months.
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