Pyrenees Advocate
Friday 18/5/2007 Page: 5
Civil construction works are well underway for the 128 turbine Waubra Wind Farm. The civil works including construction of access tracks, turbine hardstands and turbine foundations are being carried out by Acciona Energy in conjunction with Leighton Contractors. Acciona Energy Construction Manager, Mr Bruce Payne said, We are very pleased that construction works are progressing well.
Leighton Contractors are doing a great job working with us to deliver the first important phase of this exciting wind farm project," he said. "We are almost finished building the internal access tracks and construction of the turbine foundations and crane hardstands are well underway. "Civil and earth works are expected to be completed in August this year. This will be followed by electrical works and the first wind turbine is expected to go up late this year." Mr Payne said. "We are using local construction and manufacturing skills and have sourced local equipment and materials wherever possible. "Currently more than 100 people are working on site.
Approximately 70% of the workers are local employees from Waubra and surrounds, either working directly for Leighton Contractors or for regional businesses that are involved as subcontractors," he said. The construction of the Wind Farm is expected to create around 200 jobs at its peak and approximately 30 permanent on site jobs for its operation plus office and management support staff.
Acciona Energy has taken great care to manage environmental issues during the development and construction phase of the wind farm. Environmental and Cultural Heritage Management Plans are being implemented to monitor and manage environment and cultural heritage matters during construction.
As part of its community relations program, Acciona Energy launched a dedicated website www.waubrawindfarm.com.au and publishes a Waubra Wind Farm newsletter on a regular basis which appears in the Pvrenees Advocate.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Tuki project receives support
Hepburn Shire Advocate
Wednesday 23/5/2007 Page: 7
SMEATON and Kingston residents are among supporters of the Tuki windfarm. Kingston's Bruce Armstrong said wind energy was an effective form of energy and was one way the Hepburn Shire district could reduce climate change. "Having been to a windfarm, I can say that they are surprisingly quiet. Nor did I see one dead bird at the base of a turbine," he said. "I agree that wind turbines need a base and access roads. "But hydro and fossil fuel installations also occupy land. "In the case of Tuki, the land that will be used is unfit for cultivation, as indicated by the area's alternate name of Stoney Rises," Mr Armstrong said.
Smeaton's Emma Paulding also suggested the turbines would not reduce the land's attractiveness. "The letter drop from the Spa Country Landscape Guardians, highlighting the threat to the visual beauty of the spa country, made me laugh. "Firstly because the 'beautiful landscape' they showed looked like nothing more than cleared farming land dotted by introduced weeds and straight lines - hardly a beautiful natural landscape as this land would have once been covered by native forest," she said.
The project consists of 19 turbines and will deliver up to 28.5MW of power with a capital investment required of approximately $70 million. The development requires approval by Hepburn Shire Council.
Wednesday 23/5/2007 Page: 7
SMEATON and Kingston residents are among supporters of the Tuki windfarm. Kingston's Bruce Armstrong said wind energy was an effective form of energy and was one way the Hepburn Shire district could reduce climate change. "Having been to a windfarm, I can say that they are surprisingly quiet. Nor did I see one dead bird at the base of a turbine," he said. "I agree that wind turbines need a base and access roads. "But hydro and fossil fuel installations also occupy land. "In the case of Tuki, the land that will be used is unfit for cultivation, as indicated by the area's alternate name of Stoney Rises," Mr Armstrong said.
Smeaton's Emma Paulding also suggested the turbines would not reduce the land's attractiveness. "The letter drop from the Spa Country Landscape Guardians, highlighting the threat to the visual beauty of the spa country, made me laugh. "Firstly because the 'beautiful landscape' they showed looked like nothing more than cleared farming land dotted by introduced weeds and straight lines - hardly a beautiful natural landscape as this land would have once been covered by native forest," she said.
The project consists of 19 turbines and will deliver up to 28.5MW of power with a capital investment required of approximately $70 million. The development requires approval by Hepburn Shire Council.
The Renewable Energy Centre helps to make the Subject of Wind Power a Breeze for the UK
The Renewable Energy Centre
May 22, 2007
With the rising popularity of renewable technologies in the UK The Renewable Energy Centre was pleased to announce a record number of visits to the Wind Power section of the website this month.
(PRLog.Org) – TheRenewableEnergyCentre.co.uk today was pleased to announce record visits to the Wind Power section of their website this month, as many individuals and companies are beginning to research this emerging technology in response to increasing media coverage.
The Nuclear Power versus Renewable Energy debate in the news recently has particularly fuelled interest in the subject and The Renewable Energy Centre believes it is vital that individuals and businesses throughout the UK are kept informed of the benefits and drawbacks of this alternative source of power.
Gordon Brown’s public pledge to build five ‘Eco-towns’ has also attracted attention. The proposal aims to create up to 100,000 new homes powered by solar panels and wind turbines and partly in response to the housing shortage crisis and an attempt to encourage people’s perceptions of Labour as a ‘green’ party.
The Renewable Energy Centre defines Wind Power as the conversion of wind energy into electricity using a wind turbine. The Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy which is then used to drive a generator converting the energy into electricity.
Wind Power currently only contributes as little as 2% towards the total electricity generated in the UK. There are 141 grid-connected wind farms in the UK containing 1787 wind turbines with the capacity to generate 2066 MW - enough electricity to supply the needs of 1,154,964 homes.
The latest development in the Wind Power industry is the £3 billion ‘Atlantic Array’ proposal for the worlds largest offshore wind farm to be built of the coast of North Devon. The project has a potential capacity of 1,500 MW and could generate electricity for up to million homes, amounting to 53% of domestic energy needs of southwest England. This would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.3 million tonnes per year, 5% of the southwest’s total.
Read more...
May 22, 2007
With the rising popularity of renewable technologies in the UK The Renewable Energy Centre was pleased to announce a record number of visits to the Wind Power section of the website this month.
(PRLog.Org) – TheRenewableEnergyCentre.co.uk today was pleased to announce record visits to the Wind Power section of their website this month, as many individuals and companies are beginning to research this emerging technology in response to increasing media coverage.
The Nuclear Power versus Renewable Energy debate in the news recently has particularly fuelled interest in the subject and The Renewable Energy Centre believes it is vital that individuals and businesses throughout the UK are kept informed of the benefits and drawbacks of this alternative source of power.
Gordon Brown’s public pledge to build five ‘Eco-towns’ has also attracted attention. The proposal aims to create up to 100,000 new homes powered by solar panels and wind turbines and partly in response to the housing shortage crisis and an attempt to encourage people’s perceptions of Labour as a ‘green’ party.
The Renewable Energy Centre defines Wind Power as the conversion of wind energy into electricity using a wind turbine. The Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy which is then used to drive a generator converting the energy into electricity.
Wind Power currently only contributes as little as 2% towards the total electricity generated in the UK. There are 141 grid-connected wind farms in the UK containing 1787 wind turbines with the capacity to generate 2066 MW - enough electricity to supply the needs of 1,154,964 homes.
The latest development in the Wind Power industry is the £3 billion ‘Atlantic Array’ proposal for the worlds largest offshore wind farm to be built of the coast of North Devon. The project has a potential capacity of 1,500 MW and could generate electricity for up to million homes, amounting to 53% of domestic energy needs of southwest England. This would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.3 million tonnes per year, 5% of the southwest’s total.
Read more...
OUTLOOK UK's Energy White Paper expected to propose new emissions trading scheme
http://www.forbes.com
AFX News Limited
05.23.07
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK government's Energy White Paper, to be released today after a series of delays, is expected to propose a new emissions trading scheme that could affect up to 5,000 companies in the UK. Under its widely anticipated Energy Performance Commitment programme, large non-energy intensive businesses and public sector organisations would be included in a mandatory emissions trading scheme in the 'cap and trade' tradition of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Cap and trade usually involves a government setting a limit (cap) on the amount of pollutants that can be emitted, and any reduction by a company below that level can be sold or traded to other companies that have used more than their allocation. Much of the fine-tuning of the proposal will take place through consultation after the White Paper is published but the scheme outlines the potential for up to 5,000 companies to fall under the remit of EPCs.
The number of companies affected will depend on a threshold of electricity consumption that has yet to be decided but according to a Defra emissions report, the focus of the departments consultation covered a threshold of 3,000 MWh per year of electricity, which covers a sector of about 5,000 organisations including supermarkets, hotel chains and rail operators.
Read more...
AFX News Limited
05.23.07
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK government's Energy White Paper, to be released today after a series of delays, is expected to propose a new emissions trading scheme that could affect up to 5,000 companies in the UK. Under its widely anticipated Energy Performance Commitment programme, large non-energy intensive businesses and public sector organisations would be included in a mandatory emissions trading scheme in the 'cap and trade' tradition of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Cap and trade usually involves a government setting a limit (cap) on the amount of pollutants that can be emitted, and any reduction by a company below that level can be sold or traded to other companies that have used more than their allocation. Much of the fine-tuning of the proposal will take place through consultation after the White Paper is published but the scheme outlines the potential for up to 5,000 companies to fall under the remit of EPCs.
The number of companies affected will depend on a threshold of electricity consumption that has yet to be decided but according to a Defra emissions report, the focus of the departments consultation covered a threshold of 3,000 MWh per year of electricity, which covers a sector of about 5,000 organisations including supermarkets, hotel chains and rail operators.
Read more...
Q1 2007 Renewable Energy & Biofuels Country Attractiveness Indices
http://www.altenergystocks.com
Ernst & Young recently released its Q1 2007 Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices, a series of indices that rank countries on their attractiveness with regards to alternative energy growth and development. These indices provide good yardsticks for investors who want to know which markets offer the best near and long term alt energy growth prospects.
Read more...
Ernst & Young recently released its Q1 2007 Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices, a series of indices that rank countries on their attractiveness with regards to alternative energy growth and development. These indices provide good yardsticks for investors who want to know which markets offer the best near and long term alt energy growth prospects.
Read more...
Change the Rules, Change the Future
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
New energy rules could unleash an economic boom and help quash climate change
In 1997, as the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change was being negotiated, the U.S. Senate voted, 95-0, to reject any agreement that "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States." The senators were acting on the widespread fear that the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy would hurt American businesses and cost millions of jobs. Those were the beliefs and the politics of the times.
But times change. Ten years later, it's increasingly clear that it will be more costly not to act on global warming than to act. Clean, renewable, efficient energy will not be a burden but a boon -- the next in a series of revolutions, beginning with telecom and digital that have invigorated our economy with new ideas, new industries, and new jobs.
Voters, investors, activists, business leaders, and policy experts are pushing for clean energy to create jobs, limit climate change, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. And yet, progress is slow: oil imports and carbon emissions continue to rise. Why?
Because the rules of the game -- the laws, regulations, subsidies, and tax credits that shape the energy market and the way it acts -- continue to make fossil fuels a less expensive, more convenient choice for consumers. These rules are both the heart of the problem, and the key to a solution.
Read more...
New energy rules could unleash an economic boom and help quash climate change
In 1997, as the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change was being negotiated, the U.S. Senate voted, 95-0, to reject any agreement that "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States." The senators were acting on the widespread fear that the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy would hurt American businesses and cost millions of jobs. Those were the beliefs and the politics of the times.
But times change. Ten years later, it's increasingly clear that it will be more costly not to act on global warming than to act. Clean, renewable, efficient energy will not be a burden but a boon -- the next in a series of revolutions, beginning with telecom and digital that have invigorated our economy with new ideas, new industries, and new jobs.
Voters, investors, activists, business leaders, and policy experts are pushing for clean energy to create jobs, limit climate change, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. And yet, progress is slow: oil imports and carbon emissions continue to rise. Why?
Because the rules of the game -- the laws, regulations, subsidies, and tax credits that shape the energy market and the way it acts -- continue to make fossil fuels a less expensive, more convenient choice for consumers. These rules are both the heart of the problem, and the key to a solution.
Read more...
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Gust of energy support
Bunbury Herald
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 3
A RENEWABLE energy company testing the suitability of a wind farm at Brunswick Junction has indicated it would be interested in supplying green power for Binningup's desalination plant due to open in 2011. Pacific Hydro community relations manager Emily Wood yesterday said if the Brunswick wind farm ever went ahead, then the company would be interested in supporting the desalination plant. Eighteen months ago, a 50m mast was installed about 3km out of Brunswick to test winds speeds.
Ms Wood said the company was about six months away from deciding whether it would continue investigating the site by erecting a 100m mast. Ms Wood said it cost hundreds of millions of dollars to erect a wind farm and possible sites were being tested all over Australia for wind speed, proximity to grid infrastructure, population, and community interest. She said studies were in their preliminary stages and it took about five years to assess a site and complete construction of a wind farm.
Last week, a spokesman for Water Resources Minister John Kobelke said the Binningup site for the State's second desalination plant, Desal 2, was chosen because the coastal land was already owned by the Water Corporation. The spokesman said the plant would be built so its capacity could be more than doubled to 100gL and special filtration tanks added. The desalinated water would be piped to the Harvey-Perth connection.
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 3
A RENEWABLE energy company testing the suitability of a wind farm at Brunswick Junction has indicated it would be interested in supplying green power for Binningup's desalination plant due to open in 2011. Pacific Hydro community relations manager Emily Wood yesterday said if the Brunswick wind farm ever went ahead, then the company would be interested in supporting the desalination plant. Eighteen months ago, a 50m mast was installed about 3km out of Brunswick to test winds speeds.
Ms Wood said the company was about six months away from deciding whether it would continue investigating the site by erecting a 100m mast. Ms Wood said it cost hundreds of millions of dollars to erect a wind farm and possible sites were being tested all over Australia for wind speed, proximity to grid infrastructure, population, and community interest. She said studies were in their preliminary stages and it took about five years to assess a site and complete construction of a wind farm.
Last week, a spokesman for Water Resources Minister John Kobelke said the Binningup site for the State's second desalination plant, Desal 2, was chosen because the coastal land was already owned by the Water Corporation. The spokesman said the plant would be built so its capacity could be more than doubled to 100gL and special filtration tanks added. The desalinated water would be piped to the Harvey-Perth connection.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Cashing in the wind
Courier Mail
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 43
INCREASING energy demands and the need for clean power generation have propelled European countries such as Germany and Spain to lead the world in the field of wind energy.
Denmark, a small country of just 43,000sq km, has now built the world's largest offshore wind park in the North Sea. The wind park, 20km offshore, will generate 75 per cent of Denmark's electricity needs with wind energy by 2025. Denmark will host the UN Climate Summit in 2009 and wants to lead the way in the fight against global warming.
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 43
INCREASING energy demands and the need for clean power generation have propelled European countries such as Germany and Spain to lead the world in the field of wind energy.Denmark, a small country of just 43,000sq km, has now built the world's largest offshore wind park in the North Sea. The wind park, 20km offshore, will generate 75 per cent of Denmark's electricity needs with wind energy by 2025. Denmark will host the UN Climate Summit in 2009 and wants to lead the way in the fight against global warming.
Something In The Air: I'll wait and see
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 7
As the nuclear debate lurches forward in Australia, this environmental idealist will support any energy sources that are sustainable and help to address climate change. But I will only support nuclear energy if it can compete on an equal basis with renewable energy, which I don't believe it can. Hidden government subsidies and deferred costs will be used to make it look financially viable.
Putting aside risks of nuclear weapons proliferation, the two main issues are accidents and radioactive waste. While the nuclear industry has an excellent safety record, there have been accidents other than Chernobyl. Nuclear plants are also potential targets for terrorism. Despite the small risk, a big nuclear accident has such far reaching ramifications that the full risk is uninsurable.
The World Nuclear Association's website says there are 270,000 tonnes of highly radioactive spent fuel rods in temporary storage world-wide with 12,000 tonnes added each year. They also say that "final disposal is not urgent". Disposal implies that nature will eventually return it to the environment. But spent fuel rods will take at least 10,000 years to decay to the same level of radioactivity as high-grade uranium ore and at least 100,000 years to become truly safe. So I think it is much more honest to speak of "storage".
The nuclear industry has been going for fifty years but no high level nuclear waste has been permanently stored. Permanent storage requires spent fuel to be encased in solid copper canisters that are placed far underground in rock that is believed to be geologically stable for at least 100,000 years and then backfilled all the way to the surface. Only the Swedes and Finns are even close to achieving this incredible engineering feat.
It is unlikely that any corporation or government can guarantee the safe storage of dangerous radioactive waste for a time that is at least as long as civilization has existed and perhaps as long as humans have been walking on this planet. So when the nuclear industry is prepared to accept full liability for the risk and has a permanent waste storage facility, not just planned but actually in place, then I'll be prepared to consider nuclear energy as competing on a level playing field. In the meantime I will continue to say no to nuclear energy.
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 7
As the nuclear debate lurches forward in Australia, this environmental idealist will support any energy sources that are sustainable and help to address climate change. But I will only support nuclear energy if it can compete on an equal basis with renewable energy, which I don't believe it can. Hidden government subsidies and deferred costs will be used to make it look financially viable.
Putting aside risks of nuclear weapons proliferation, the two main issues are accidents and radioactive waste. While the nuclear industry has an excellent safety record, there have been accidents other than Chernobyl. Nuclear plants are also potential targets for terrorism. Despite the small risk, a big nuclear accident has such far reaching ramifications that the full risk is uninsurable.
The World Nuclear Association's website says there are 270,000 tonnes of highly radioactive spent fuel rods in temporary storage world-wide with 12,000 tonnes added each year. They also say that "final disposal is not urgent". Disposal implies that nature will eventually return it to the environment. But spent fuel rods will take at least 10,000 years to decay to the same level of radioactivity as high-grade uranium ore and at least 100,000 years to become truly safe. So I think it is much more honest to speak of "storage".
The nuclear industry has been going for fifty years but no high level nuclear waste has been permanently stored. Permanent storage requires spent fuel to be encased in solid copper canisters that are placed far underground in rock that is believed to be geologically stable for at least 100,000 years and then backfilled all the way to the surface. Only the Swedes and Finns are even close to achieving this incredible engineering feat.
It is unlikely that any corporation or government can guarantee the safe storage of dangerous radioactive waste for a time that is at least as long as civilization has existed and perhaps as long as humans have been walking on this planet. So when the nuclear industry is prepared to accept full liability for the risk and has a permanent waste storage facility, not just planned but actually in place, then I'll be prepared to consider nuclear energy as competing on a level playing field. In the meantime I will continue to say no to nuclear energy.
Project expected to raise charges
Australian
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 4
Matthew Warren Environment writer
MANDATORY targets for climate-friendly energy technologies, including new hydrogen clean coal, could be the most effective way of steering Australia to a low-emissions future. The new $2 billion Hydrogen Energy power station proposed by Rio Tinto and BP, which produces electricity at about the same cost as wind energy, will require a doubling of wholesale electricity prices if it is to proceed.
Hydrogen Energy chief executive Lewis Gillies said the Kwinana proposal would need a "technology-specific carbon price" if it were to get the go-ahead after a $50 million feasibility study concluded in 2011. He said electricity from the new clean coal technology was expected to cost about the same as wind energy, about $70 per megawatt hour, which is double the long-term price for base-load coal-fired electricity. This would require a price on greenhouse emissions of more than $30 a tonne to make this new power station competitive, doubling wholesale electricity prices and pushing up retail prices by about 30 per cent.
Mr Gillies said the joint venture should be lobbying the Howard Government to intervene in the market to make the technology competitive before the introduction of a long-term price on greenhouse emissions from either emissions trading or a tax. "Here is a new technology; let's not wait for a carbon trading system to get into place to enable it," Mr Gillies said. "There are a number of ways the Government can provide the enabling policy.
The key thing to note here is that with all forms of low-carbon power, they are more expensive than conventional power." The renewable energy industry yesterday welcomed the announcement, but warned that the new project would have to compete with even cheaper low emission technologies, including geothermal and solar thermal.
Renewable Energy Generators Australia chief executive Susan Jeanes said her industry was pushing the Howard Government for a wider mandatory target for low-emission energy technologies, which would include projects like this new clean coal technology. "We are happy to compete with clean coal on price and environmental grounds. We just need the market mechanism within which to compete," Ms Jeanes said.
"The Mandatory Renewable Energy Target was a market trading mechanism that allowed the cheapest renewable energy to come into the market. The renewable energy industry has no problem at all opening up that sort of mechanism to other energy sources like clean coal, and even nuclear, if the Government decides to go down that track." Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the joint venture would need government co-investment in the upfront capital cost as well as continuing market intervention to support its higher electricity generation costs.
He indicated this market intervention would need to be open to competition to ensure it did not exclude improvements in rival low-emissions technologies, including renewable energy and nuclear power. "If you start producing electricity for $70 a megawatt hour, what do you do when someone comes along and says I can do that with nuclear for $65 to $70, can I have a share of this market as well, and can I have the same benefits as well?" he said.
Tuesday 22/5/2007 Page: 4
Matthew Warren Environment writer
MANDATORY targets for climate-friendly energy technologies, including new hydrogen clean coal, could be the most effective way of steering Australia to a low-emissions future. The new $2 billion Hydrogen Energy power station proposed by Rio Tinto and BP, which produces electricity at about the same cost as wind energy, will require a doubling of wholesale electricity prices if it is to proceed.
Hydrogen Energy chief executive Lewis Gillies said the Kwinana proposal would need a "technology-specific carbon price" if it were to get the go-ahead after a $50 million feasibility study concluded in 2011. He said electricity from the new clean coal technology was expected to cost about the same as wind energy, about $70 per megawatt hour, which is double the long-term price for base-load coal-fired electricity. This would require a price on greenhouse emissions of more than $30 a tonne to make this new power station competitive, doubling wholesale electricity prices and pushing up retail prices by about 30 per cent.
Mr Gillies said the joint venture should be lobbying the Howard Government to intervene in the market to make the technology competitive before the introduction of a long-term price on greenhouse emissions from either emissions trading or a tax. "Here is a new technology; let's not wait for a carbon trading system to get into place to enable it," Mr Gillies said. "There are a number of ways the Government can provide the enabling policy.
The key thing to note here is that with all forms of low-carbon power, they are more expensive than conventional power." The renewable energy industry yesterday welcomed the announcement, but warned that the new project would have to compete with even cheaper low emission technologies, including geothermal and solar thermal.
Renewable Energy Generators Australia chief executive Susan Jeanes said her industry was pushing the Howard Government for a wider mandatory target for low-emission energy technologies, which would include projects like this new clean coal technology. "We are happy to compete with clean coal on price and environmental grounds. We just need the market mechanism within which to compete," Ms Jeanes said.
"The Mandatory Renewable Energy Target was a market trading mechanism that allowed the cheapest renewable energy to come into the market. The renewable energy industry has no problem at all opening up that sort of mechanism to other energy sources like clean coal, and even nuclear, if the Government decides to go down that track." Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the joint venture would need government co-investment in the upfront capital cost as well as continuing market intervention to support its higher electricity generation costs.
He indicated this market intervention would need to be open to competition to ensure it did not exclude improvements in rival low-emissions technologies, including renewable energy and nuclear power. "If you start producing electricity for $70 a megawatt hour, what do you do when someone comes along and says I can do that with nuclear for $65 to $70, can I have a share of this market as well, and can I have the same benefits as well?" he said.
Can climate change get worse? It has...
The Age
May 22, 2007
Liz Minchin, environment reporter
The world is now on track to experience more catastrophic damages from climate change than in the worst-case scenario forecast by international experts, scientists have warned. The research, published in a prestigious US science journal, shows that between 2000 and 2004 the rate of increase in global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels was three times greater than in the 1990s. That is faster than even the worst-case scenario modelled by the world's leading scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, published over recent months, because the updated emissions figures were not available in time to be included.
The climbing emissions mean that average global temperatures are now on track to rise by more than four degrees this century - enough to thaw vast areas of arctic permafrost and leave about 3 billion people suffering from water shortages, including in Australia. And Australia's emissions from fossil fuels are increasing faster than the global average, growing at nearly twice the rate of the United States.
Senior CSIRO scientist Michael Raupach, who led the international research on accelerating global emissions, told The Age that the findings were "dreadful". "Emissions are increasing faster than we thought, which means the impacts of climate change will also happen even sooner than expected," said Dr Raupach, a co-chairman of the Global Carbon Project, based at the CSIRO in Canberra. "What this really highlights is the urgency of cutting emissions. It won't be easy, but we know that we have solutions available to us now to do that and that it can be done at a relatively small cost to the economy."
The jump in emissions since 2000 has been driven by increasing populations, growing global wealth, and greater than expected use of fossil fuels. The paper found that none of the world's major rich or developing regions are "decarbonising" their energy supplies, by reducing demand or switching to less polluting energy, which spells trouble for international efforts to curb global greenhouse emissions. The research is being published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The outlook for Australia is particularly dire. In assessing the same data for Australia, Dr Raupach found Australia's carbon emissions have been growing at nearly twice the global average since 1990. Yet Australia is also considered to be one of the most vulnerable developed countries to climate change. The IPCC recently warned that global warming was now causing "increasing stresses on water supply and agriculture, changed natural ecosystems (and) reduced seasonal snow cover" in Australia.
Dr Raupach also found Australia has achieved less than the US or Europe in improving the carbon intensity of its economy. Australia is the world's second worst carbon polluter per capita, producing 19 tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels alone each year, just behind the US, with 20 tonnes a year. The global average is 4.3 tonnes per person.
"While China's total emissions are far higher than Australia's, that's only because there are 65 Chinese for every Australian; per capita their emissions were 3.7 tonnes a year in 2004," Dr Raupach said. "So when it comes to emissions reductions over the coming decades, Australia clearly has to make a bigger proportional reduction than China in any globally equitable and workable strategy."
Early this month, scientists, economists and government representatives from more than 120 countries signed off a landmark statement saying it was possible and affordable to make deep emission cuts, but that political inaction remained a key barrier to progress.
May 22, 2007
Liz Minchin, environment reporter
The world is now on track to experience more catastrophic damages from climate change than in the worst-case scenario forecast by international experts, scientists have warned. The research, published in a prestigious US science journal, shows that between 2000 and 2004 the rate of increase in global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels was three times greater than in the 1990s. That is faster than even the worst-case scenario modelled by the world's leading scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, published over recent months, because the updated emissions figures were not available in time to be included.The climbing emissions mean that average global temperatures are now on track to rise by more than four degrees this century - enough to thaw vast areas of arctic permafrost and leave about 3 billion people suffering from water shortages, including in Australia. And Australia's emissions from fossil fuels are increasing faster than the global average, growing at nearly twice the rate of the United States.
Senior CSIRO scientist Michael Raupach, who led the international research on accelerating global emissions, told The Age that the findings were "dreadful". "Emissions are increasing faster than we thought, which means the impacts of climate change will also happen even sooner than expected," said Dr Raupach, a co-chairman of the Global Carbon Project, based at the CSIRO in Canberra. "What this really highlights is the urgency of cutting emissions. It won't be easy, but we know that we have solutions available to us now to do that and that it can be done at a relatively small cost to the economy."
The jump in emissions since 2000 has been driven by increasing populations, growing global wealth, and greater than expected use of fossil fuels. The paper found that none of the world's major rich or developing regions are "decarbonising" their energy supplies, by reducing demand or switching to less polluting energy, which spells trouble for international efforts to curb global greenhouse emissions. The research is being published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The outlook for Australia is particularly dire. In assessing the same data for Australia, Dr Raupach found Australia's carbon emissions have been growing at nearly twice the global average since 1990. Yet Australia is also considered to be one of the most vulnerable developed countries to climate change. The IPCC recently warned that global warming was now causing "increasing stresses on water supply and agriculture, changed natural ecosystems (and) reduced seasonal snow cover" in Australia.
Dr Raupach also found Australia has achieved less than the US or Europe in improving the carbon intensity of its economy. Australia is the world's second worst carbon polluter per capita, producing 19 tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels alone each year, just behind the US, with 20 tonnes a year. The global average is 4.3 tonnes per person.
"While China's total emissions are far higher than Australia's, that's only because there are 65 Chinese for every Australian; per capita their emissions were 3.7 tonnes a year in 2004," Dr Raupach said. "So when it comes to emissions reductions over the coming decades, Australia clearly has to make a bigger proportional reduction than China in any globally equitable and workable strategy."
Early this month, scientists, economists and government representatives from more than 120 countries signed off a landmark statement saying it was possible and affordable to make deep emission cuts, but that political inaction remained a key barrier to progress.
Farm benefits flow on to community
Bendigo Advertiser
19/05/2007 Page: 28
FOUR wind energy facilities are now operating in Victoria. Codrington, Toora and Wonthaggi are near the coast, while Challicum Hills is well inland, south-east of Ararat. Their total operational output is 104 megawatts. By way of comparison, three megawatts is sufficient to power 3000 homes.
There have been three major approvals of wind farms in Victoria in recent times, which will lead to a huge increase in the amount of wind-generated power produced in this state over the next few years. In August last year, the Mount Gellibrand site near Colac, was approved for a 232 megawatt wind farm, a $380 million project which will provide the electricity needs of 133,450 homes.
In October last year, the State Government announced approval for Australia's largest wind farm of 329 megawatts near Macarthur. This $600 million project will provide the electricity needs of 190,000 homes and last month the minister announced his approval of the Mt Mercer wind farm near Daylesford, which will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and save an estimated 390,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Across Bass Strait, Hydro Tasmania will commission a major project expanding the existing windfarm at Woolnorth in Tasmania's north west. The existing plant produces 65 megawatts of power and the upgrade will deliver a further 75 megawatts, bringing online Australia's biggest windfarm to date.
There has been a huge increase in the economies of scale for wind farming, with new European technology turning out turbines capable of producing three megawatts of power each and some capable of producing five megawatts each. A side benefit both overseas and in Australia has been the steady flow of tourists coming to see wind farms in action.
Hydro Tasmania spokesman Josh Bradshaw said 35,000 people had been through the Woolnorth facility since it opened in 2004 and a local tour company was set up specifically to guide visitors around the site. He said other local benefits included upgraded roads and electrical systems and hundreds of construction jobs during the development of each plant, along with the flow-on effects to small town food and accommodation businesses, as well as the tourism potential.
19/05/2007 Page: 28
FOUR wind energy facilities are now operating in Victoria. Codrington, Toora and Wonthaggi are near the coast, while Challicum Hills is well inland, south-east of Ararat. Their total operational output is 104 megawatts. By way of comparison, three megawatts is sufficient to power 3000 homes.
There have been three major approvals of wind farms in Victoria in recent times, which will lead to a huge increase in the amount of wind-generated power produced in this state over the next few years. In August last year, the Mount Gellibrand site near Colac, was approved for a 232 megawatt wind farm, a $380 million project which will provide the electricity needs of 133,450 homes.
In October last year, the State Government announced approval for Australia's largest wind farm of 329 megawatts near Macarthur. This $600 million project will provide the electricity needs of 190,000 homes and last month the minister announced his approval of the Mt Mercer wind farm near Daylesford, which will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and save an estimated 390,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Across Bass Strait, Hydro Tasmania will commission a major project expanding the existing windfarm at Woolnorth in Tasmania's north west. The existing plant produces 65 megawatts of power and the upgrade will deliver a further 75 megawatts, bringing online Australia's biggest windfarm to date.
There has been a huge increase in the economies of scale for wind farming, with new European technology turning out turbines capable of producing three megawatts of power each and some capable of producing five megawatts each. A side benefit both overseas and in Australia has been the steady flow of tourists coming to see wind farms in action.
Hydro Tasmania spokesman Josh Bradshaw said 35,000 people had been through the Woolnorth facility since it opened in 2004 and a local tour company was set up specifically to guide visitors around the site. He said other local benefits included upgraded roads and electrical systems and hundreds of construction jobs during the development of each plant, along with the flow-on effects to small town food and accommodation businesses, as well as the tourism potential.
Winding up the neighbourhood
Ballarat Courier
19/05/2007 Page: 5
DOUG Hobson believes Victoria is facing two major resource and infrastructure problems - one is water, the other electricity. For Mr Hobson, a farmer, wind turbines are part of a solution to a shortage of energy. On an 80ha property at Addington that Mr Hobson shares with his wife, Annette, and brother, Barry, five turbines are being built. Roads to each site are in place and excavations for each turbine are complete. Over the next few weeks concrete will be poured into the holes which are 11m by 11m and about 1.5m deep.
For several years Mr Hobson had thought the farm on elevated land was suitable for turbines - it was often windy on the hilly land but calm at his home at nearby Weatherboard. So when he was approached by Wind Power with a proposal for a turbine project his family was open to the idea. Wind Power has since handed the project to Acciona Energy.
He is familiar with the criticisms about the wind farms and rumours of rates skyrocketing. As far as we know they (rates) shouldn't be any different because we don't own the turbines," he said. If we owned the things they would probably be seen as a capital improvement."
Ballarat council financial operations manager Rod Leith said it was likely there would be no change to the amount paid in rates by the farmer unless the turbines dramatically increased a property's value. Mr Hobson is happy to talk to people about the turbines and says he would rather live near a wind turbine than a coal-fired power station. Mr Hobson said another attraction was that farming could continue around turbines and they would generate income.
19/05/2007 Page: 5
DOUG Hobson believes Victoria is facing two major resource and infrastructure problems - one is water, the other electricity. For Mr Hobson, a farmer, wind turbines are part of a solution to a shortage of energy. On an 80ha property at Addington that Mr Hobson shares with his wife, Annette, and brother, Barry, five turbines are being built. Roads to each site are in place and excavations for each turbine are complete. Over the next few weeks concrete will be poured into the holes which are 11m by 11m and about 1.5m deep.For several years Mr Hobson had thought the farm on elevated land was suitable for turbines - it was often windy on the hilly land but calm at his home at nearby Weatherboard. So when he was approached by Wind Power with a proposal for a turbine project his family was open to the idea. Wind Power has since handed the project to Acciona Energy.
He is familiar with the criticisms about the wind farms and rumours of rates skyrocketing. As far as we know they (rates) shouldn't be any different because we don't own the turbines," he said. If we owned the things they would probably be seen as a capital improvement."
Ballarat council financial operations manager Rod Leith said it was likely there would be no change to the amount paid in rates by the farmer unless the turbines dramatically increased a property's value. Mr Hobson is happy to talk to people about the turbines and says he would rather live near a wind turbine than a coal-fired power station. Mr Hobson said another attraction was that farming could continue around turbines and they would generate income.
High pressure for pure water
Sunday Times
20/05/2007 Page: 69
THE desalination plant planned for Binningup will operate on the same principles as the Kwinana plant. The Kwinana plant is powered by a wind farm 200km north of Perth, near Cervantes, but a renewable energy source has yet to be identified for the new plant.
Desalination uses reverse-osmosis to remove salt from water under high pressure. Sea water is collected in an onshore wet-well below sea level. It is then pumped to a reverse-osmosis system via a pre-treatment system that adds chlorine to remove biological matter. The chlorine is then neutralised so that it does not hinder the reverse-osmosis process. High-pressure pumps pressurise the sea water so that its molecules diffuse through a fine membrane that removes the salts and impurities.
Finally, the water is treated with lime and carbon dioxide to make it suitable for drinking and stored in a giant 12 megalitre tank that holds two hours of production. From there, it is pumped to the integrated water-supply system. A total of 144 megalitres of water a day can be pumped into Perth's water system.
The highly salty seawater concentrate produced as a byproduct of the process is pumped back into the sea via diffusers to minimise environmental impact. Critics of the first desalination plant were particularly sceptical of the final process, fearing that the concentrated salt water would prove hazardous to marine life. Their fears have so far proved unfounded, however, with investigations showing marine life in Cockburn Sound largely unaffected by the desalination plant.
20/05/2007 Page: 69
THE desalination plant planned for Binningup will operate on the same principles as the Kwinana plant. The Kwinana plant is powered by a wind farm 200km north of Perth, near Cervantes, but a renewable energy source has yet to be identified for the new plant.
Desalination uses reverse-osmosis to remove salt from water under high pressure. Sea water is collected in an onshore wet-well below sea level. It is then pumped to a reverse-osmosis system via a pre-treatment system that adds chlorine to remove biological matter. The chlorine is then neutralised so that it does not hinder the reverse-osmosis process. High-pressure pumps pressurise the sea water so that its molecules diffuse through a fine membrane that removes the salts and impurities.
Finally, the water is treated with lime and carbon dioxide to make it suitable for drinking and stored in a giant 12 megalitre tank that holds two hours of production. From there, it is pumped to the integrated water-supply system. A total of 144 megalitres of water a day can be pumped into Perth's water system.
The highly salty seawater concentrate produced as a byproduct of the process is pumped back into the sea via diffusers to minimise environmental impact. Critics of the first desalination plant were particularly sceptical of the final process, fearing that the concentrated salt water would prove hazardous to marine life. Their fears have so far proved unfounded, however, with investigations showing marine life in Cockburn Sound largely unaffected by the desalination plant.
Stage two progressing as planned
Portland Observer
16/05/2007 Page: 1
SECTIONS of Cape Bridgewater have been transformed into construction sites with contractors having poured 16 of the 29 foundations for Pacific Hydro's Portland Wind Energy Project. The 58 megawatt stage two development will have 29 wind generators which will each produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1000 Victorian homes. The second stage of the wider $330 million PWEP project is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.
Pacific Hydro PWEP site manager Danny Halstead said Portland-based firm GR Carr Pty Ltd had poured the 16th foundation last week, with each foundation taking an estimated 300 cubic metres of concrete. There is also 24 tonnes of steel in each foundation. "Porthaul has also completed more than 80 per cent of the access roads needed for the project," he said. Mr Halstead said the first tower was expected to be installed later this year, with nacelles expected to be shipped from Germany to Portland in September and October.'
Construction work at the substation next to Portland Aluminium is also well underway. Work at the substation will allow energy generated from the project to be fed into the National Electricity Grid. The PWEP will include two more stages - at capes Sir William Grant and Nelson. The first stage at Yambuk has already been completed. Pacific Hydro chief executive officer Rob Grant said he was very pleased Stage Two was on schedule. "We have a great workforce of local contractors and after almost four months of construction the project is progressing as planned," he said.
16/05/2007 Page: 1
SECTIONS of Cape Bridgewater have been transformed into construction sites with contractors having poured 16 of the 29 foundations for Pacific Hydro's Portland Wind Energy Project. The 58 megawatt stage two development will have 29 wind generators which will each produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1000 Victorian homes. The second stage of the wider $330 million PWEP project is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.Pacific Hydro PWEP site manager Danny Halstead said Portland-based firm GR Carr Pty Ltd had poured the 16th foundation last week, with each foundation taking an estimated 300 cubic metres of concrete. There is also 24 tonnes of steel in each foundation. "Porthaul has also completed more than 80 per cent of the access roads needed for the project," he said. Mr Halstead said the first tower was expected to be installed later this year, with nacelles expected to be shipped from Germany to Portland in September and October.'
Construction work at the substation next to Portland Aluminium is also well underway. Work at the substation will allow energy generated from the project to be fed into the National Electricity Grid. The PWEP will include two more stages - at capes Sir William Grant and Nelson. The first stage at Yambuk has already been completed. Pacific Hydro chief executive officer Rob Grant said he was very pleased Stage Two was on schedule. "We have a great workforce of local contractors and after almost four months of construction the project is progressing as planned," he said.
Wind turbines cause friction
Bendigo Advertiser
19/05/2007 Page: 29
PIPERS Creek is majestic countryside, whatever eyes you look through; rolling hills flanked by the northern slopes of the Cobaw Ranges pushing north-east into the McHarg Ranges and beyond. It is the start of the great boulder country that continues through to Kilmore and Seymour. It is as though ancient giants have left a playground of strewn marbles in jumbled clusters, often poised precariously on the lips of rocky outcrops.
But its hilltops are bald, stripped of almost all vegetation during the 150 or so years since white settlement. Dennis Cartwright came to this area about 10 years ago to set up a family vineyard. He bought more than 40 hectares from a local sheep farmer whose property had been quarantined after an outbreak of Bovine Johnes disease decimated the herds and livelihoods of many graziers. The muscle-wasting disease is spread through the faecal contamination of pastures that are carrying more beasts than they can sustain.
Many Pipers Creek farms changed hands as a result of the disease, others switched to cattle, country retreats and niche market ventures, such as vineyards. In early 2004, another opportunity knocked on the door - wind farming was on the agenda. "I was approached in early 2004 by Wind Power Pty Ltd," Mr Cartwright recalled. "Their conversation was along the lines that they were looking to invest in wind opportunities around the area and would we be prepared to enter an exclusivity arrangement not to talk to anyone else.
"That was before the Macedon Ranges Landscape Guardians came along." The next thing Mr Cartwright knew his name was being bandied around the neighbourhood as the "black sheep" of the local community who had sold out to the wind energy enemy. "One neighbour was abused by another neighbour, saying that he had agreed to put a wind turbine on top of his hill, which meant the other neighbour's superannuation was going to depreciate because the property's value would go down," Mr Cartwright said.
"They said I was the bad guy, but no one ever came to see me. "There was all this beat-up going on and all Wind Power had wanted to do was put a monitoring station on my hill," he said. "There's nothing wrong with keeping options and I really an in favour of wind energy, I suppose. They're a great thing for the environment."
Mr Cartwright said he could not accept arguments that wind turbines affected birds and said he had satisfied himself by visiting the Ararat wind farm to check noise problems. "They make a whoosh when you are up close," he said. `But as to the concrete pollution argument from the turbine footings, that's bull; cows graze happily underneath them. "There really are no arguments that make sense, the only thing being the aesthetics. Some find them offensive and others find them peaceful," Mr Cartwright said. "I think they add a component of humanity to a landscape without necessarily having anyone around. "It's a vitality," he said.
19/05/2007 Page: 29
PIPERS Creek is majestic countryside, whatever eyes you look through; rolling hills flanked by the northern slopes of the Cobaw Ranges pushing north-east into the McHarg Ranges and beyond. It is the start of the great boulder country that continues through to Kilmore and Seymour. It is as though ancient giants have left a playground of strewn marbles in jumbled clusters, often poised precariously on the lips of rocky outcrops.
But its hilltops are bald, stripped of almost all vegetation during the 150 or so years since white settlement. Dennis Cartwright came to this area about 10 years ago to set up a family vineyard. He bought more than 40 hectares from a local sheep farmer whose property had been quarantined after an outbreak of Bovine Johnes disease decimated the herds and livelihoods of many graziers. The muscle-wasting disease is spread through the faecal contamination of pastures that are carrying more beasts than they can sustain.
Many Pipers Creek farms changed hands as a result of the disease, others switched to cattle, country retreats and niche market ventures, such as vineyards. In early 2004, another opportunity knocked on the door - wind farming was on the agenda. "I was approached in early 2004 by Wind Power Pty Ltd," Mr Cartwright recalled. "Their conversation was along the lines that they were looking to invest in wind opportunities around the area and would we be prepared to enter an exclusivity arrangement not to talk to anyone else.
"That was before the Macedon Ranges Landscape Guardians came along." The next thing Mr Cartwright knew his name was being bandied around the neighbourhood as the "black sheep" of the local community who had sold out to the wind energy enemy. "One neighbour was abused by another neighbour, saying that he had agreed to put a wind turbine on top of his hill, which meant the other neighbour's superannuation was going to depreciate because the property's value would go down," Mr Cartwright said.
"They said I was the bad guy, but no one ever came to see me. "There was all this beat-up going on and all Wind Power had wanted to do was put a monitoring station on my hill," he said. "There's nothing wrong with keeping options and I really an in favour of wind energy, I suppose. They're a great thing for the environment."
Mr Cartwright said he could not accept arguments that wind turbines affected birds and said he had satisfied himself by visiting the Ararat wind farm to check noise problems. "They make a whoosh when you are up close," he said. `But as to the concrete pollution argument from the turbine footings, that's bull; cows graze happily underneath them. "There really are no arguments that make sense, the only thing being the aesthetics. Some find them offensive and others find them peaceful," Mr Cartwright said. "I think they add a component of humanity to a landscape without necessarily having anyone around. "It's a vitality," he said.
Plans approved for wind farm
Mortlake Dispatch
17/05/2007 Page: 1
A planning permit has been issued for a $49 million wind farm in Woorndoo. Moyne Shire councillor Stan Cook said the permit was passed unanimously at a meeting last week and the project would now go on to the next stage. "We still have a way to go yet," he said. "This is the first stage of the process. "We don't know when construction will start; that is dependent on wind farm developers, NewEn." Mr Cook said more than 15 wind turbines will be built on a 750 hectare property on Woorndoo-Chatsworth Road.
He said the project will produce enough energy to power 17,257 homes. "It will also offset carbon emissions, to the equivalent of taking 27,000 cars off the road each year. "When the project goes ahead it will create 60 new jobs for nine months. "Some of those jobs will go to people in the area and it will also help local business because people will spend in nearby towns. "When the wind farm is finished it will create four full-time jobs." Mr Cook said council will eventually collect rate revenue from the wind farm."
Nothing will be collected until the project is up and running. "It will be a great development for the area." He said there had been some objections to the proposal in the past but they were based on things that could be overcome. "A couple of residents will be able to see the turbines in the distance. "We have a policy that wind farms have to be a certain distance from homes. "Some people also had concerns the turbines would cause noise at certain times." Councillor Brenda Hampson said there was potential for the wind farm to become a tourist attraction. "It is a project we have worked on for many years," she said.
Cr Hampson said because the wind farm would produce less than 30 megawatts of power the decision was left to Moyne Shire. "Anything over 30 megawatts has to go to the State Government and this is 29.9 megawatts." She said councillors had met with objectors and developers prior to the approval. "One of the objections was the impact on flora and fauna.
"The applicants will now prepare an environmental management plan." Mac's Hotel publican Tony McEwan said Mortlake had around 20 businesses and the increased employment could have a flow on effect for the town. "It may be a bit of a boost for Mortlake; the town needs it." he said. Mortlake IGA Friendly Grocer proprietor Marie Evans said Woorndoo was not part of a major tourist area and, as such, the turbines would not effect many homes. "Not many people live in Woorndoo," she said. "We have not heard anyone complain about the decision."
17/05/2007 Page: 1
A planning permit has been issued for a $49 million wind farm in Woorndoo. Moyne Shire councillor Stan Cook said the permit was passed unanimously at a meeting last week and the project would now go on to the next stage. "We still have a way to go yet," he said. "This is the first stage of the process. "We don't know when construction will start; that is dependent on wind farm developers, NewEn." Mr Cook said more than 15 wind turbines will be built on a 750 hectare property on Woorndoo-Chatsworth Road.
He said the project will produce enough energy to power 17,257 homes. "It will also offset carbon emissions, to the equivalent of taking 27,000 cars off the road each year. "When the project goes ahead it will create 60 new jobs for nine months. "Some of those jobs will go to people in the area and it will also help local business because people will spend in nearby towns. "When the wind farm is finished it will create four full-time jobs." Mr Cook said council will eventually collect rate revenue from the wind farm."
Nothing will be collected until the project is up and running. "It will be a great development for the area." He said there had been some objections to the proposal in the past but they were based on things that could be overcome. "A couple of residents will be able to see the turbines in the distance. "We have a policy that wind farms have to be a certain distance from homes. "Some people also had concerns the turbines would cause noise at certain times." Councillor Brenda Hampson said there was potential for the wind farm to become a tourist attraction. "It is a project we have worked on for many years," she said.
Cr Hampson said because the wind farm would produce less than 30 megawatts of power the decision was left to Moyne Shire. "Anything over 30 megawatts has to go to the State Government and this is 29.9 megawatts." She said councillors had met with objectors and developers prior to the approval. "One of the objections was the impact on flora and fauna.
"The applicants will now prepare an environmental management plan." Mac's Hotel publican Tony McEwan said Mortlake had around 20 businesses and the increased employment could have a flow on effect for the town. "It may be a bit of a boost for Mortlake; the town needs it." he said. Mortlake IGA Friendly Grocer proprietor Marie Evans said Woorndoo was not part of a major tourist area and, as such, the turbines would not effect many homes. "Not many people live in Woorndoo," she said. "We have not heard anyone complain about the decision."
Prepared for all events with turbines
Mirror
16/05/2007 Page: 8
AS PART of their general emergency response planning, Captain Ray Argento and Secretary Ken Roche of Toora Fire Brigade met recently with various representatives to discuss how to deal with various scenarios relating to the wind turbines on the Toora hills.
The meeting was also attended by Toora Wind Farm Manager Barry Atkins of Stanwell Corporation, Specialist Response Officer Ken O'Brien from Country Fire Authority [CFA] Headquarters, Gippsland CFA Regional Operations Officer Simon Bloink and South Gippsland Group Officer Neville Pulham.
Captain Ray Argento said that Toora CFA volunteers had already carried out special training exercises since the wind farm's construction in relation to wind turbine fires.
Mr O'Brien advised that the current meeting was effectively fine-tuning strategies for the CFA to follow in the unlikely event that there was a hazardous materials problem or a person was trapped in the nacelle [the room or capsule at the top of the tower that contains the equipment].
16/05/2007 Page: 8
AS PART of their general emergency response planning, Captain Ray Argento and Secretary Ken Roche of Toora Fire Brigade met recently with various representatives to discuss how to deal with various scenarios relating to the wind turbines on the Toora hills.
The meeting was also attended by Toora Wind Farm Manager Barry Atkins of Stanwell Corporation, Specialist Response Officer Ken O'Brien from Country Fire Authority [CFA] Headquarters, Gippsland CFA Regional Operations Officer Simon Bloink and South Gippsland Group Officer Neville Pulham.
Captain Ray Argento said that Toora CFA volunteers had already carried out special training exercises since the wind farm's construction in relation to wind turbine fires.
Mr O'Brien advised that the current meeting was effectively fine-tuning strategies for the CFA to follow in the unlikely event that there was a hazardous materials problem or a person was trapped in the nacelle [the room or capsule at the top of the tower that contains the equipment].
Friday, 18 May 2007
Turbines installed between towers in Bahrain
Engineers Australia
May, 2007 Page: 31
Large-scale turbine blades have been installed onto the 240m-high Bahrain World Trade Center towers by UK engineering consultant Atkins. It is one of the first buildings in the world to incorporate the feature. All major structural works have been completed on the building, which is scheduled to open this year.
The three wind turbines are horizontally supported between the towers by three bridges weighing 65t. The installation of the 29m diameter blades was the culmination of over three years of research and development by the company's architects and engineers collaborating with Danish partners Ramboll and Norwin. The Nass Murray and Roberts joint venture was the builder on the project. Atkins performed structural engineering.
"The challenge was to physically and operationally integrate the turbines and bridges into the high-rise building form," said Simha Lytherao, senior project manager for Atkins Middle East. "Physical integration meant supporting around 80t per turbine and the bridge while also mitigating imposed dynamic loads, including structure-borne vibration.
"Operational integration meant harmonising the electricity generated with the building low voltage electrical systems and coordinating the control of the turbines with the various building management systems." Once operational, the wind turbines will generate about 11 %-15% of the towers' energy needs. According to the company, this will equate to about The power will be used for the public areas of the building.
According to the company, the 50-storey towers were designed to enhance the effectiveness of the turbines housed between them. The elliptical shape of the towers causes them to behave as aerofoils, funnelling the onshore breeze between them and creating a negative pressure behind, thus accelerating the wind velocity between the towers. The effect was confirmed through wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics modelling which showed the incoming wind being deflected by the towers in the form of an S-shaped streamline passing between both towers.
This funnelling has the effect of amplifying the wind speed at the turbine location by up to 30%. Vertically, as the towers taper upwards, their aerofoil sections reduce. When combined with the increasing velocity of the onshore breeze at increasing The wind turbines on the Bahrain World Trade Center will heights, this creates an almost equal regime of wind velocity for each of the three turbines.
May, 2007 Page: 31
Large-scale turbine blades have been installed onto the 240m-high Bahrain World Trade Center towers by UK engineering consultant Atkins. It is one of the first buildings in the world to incorporate the feature. All major structural works have been completed on the building, which is scheduled to open this year.The three wind turbines are horizontally supported between the towers by three bridges weighing 65t. The installation of the 29m diameter blades was the culmination of over three years of research and development by the company's architects and engineers collaborating with Danish partners Ramboll and Norwin. The Nass Murray and Roberts joint venture was the builder on the project. Atkins performed structural engineering.
"The challenge was to physically and operationally integrate the turbines and bridges into the high-rise building form," said Simha Lytherao, senior project manager for Atkins Middle East. "Physical integration meant supporting around 80t per turbine and the bridge while also mitigating imposed dynamic loads, including structure-borne vibration.
"Operational integration meant harmonising the electricity generated with the building low voltage electrical systems and coordinating the control of the turbines with the various building management systems." Once operational, the wind turbines will generate about 11 %-15% of the towers' energy needs. According to the company, this will equate to about The power will be used for the public areas of the building.
According to the company, the 50-storey towers were designed to enhance the effectiveness of the turbines housed between them. The elliptical shape of the towers causes them to behave as aerofoils, funnelling the onshore breeze between them and creating a negative pressure behind, thus accelerating the wind velocity between the towers. The effect was confirmed through wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics modelling which showed the incoming wind being deflected by the towers in the form of an S-shaped streamline passing between both towers.
This funnelling has the effect of amplifying the wind speed at the turbine location by up to 30%. Vertically, as the towers taper upwards, their aerofoil sections reduce. When combined with the increasing velocity of the onshore breeze at increasing The wind turbines on the Bahrain World Trade Center will heights, this creates an almost equal regime of wind velocity for each of the three turbines.
Boosting the power of remote communities
Engineers Australia
May, 2007 Page: 42
A new wind-diesel powerstation is being constructed in the seaside town of Hopetoun, as its proximity to the Ravensthorpe Nickel mine has resulted in a near tripling in size of permanent housing, placing added strain on the local infrastructure. Verve Energy is building the powerstation to meet the new demands for energy.
The new station comprises seven low load Detroit Diesel 320kW engines and two 600kW Enercon wind turbines. Ken Littlewood, manager sustainable energy assets for Verve Energy, said: "The winddiesel technology is all about maximising wind penetration and minimising diesel consumption while maintaining a very high level of reliability for the town." He explained that the diesel engines can operate at a 7% load which is quite unusual for diesel generators. "Generally diesel generators want 40% loading on the machines, but we have developed some "smarts" in the control system that enable us to bring the loading right down. It helps prevent glazing of the generators;" Littlewood said.
He added that Detroit Diesels was the only top level manufacturer that would support running the engines at 7% loading, explaining that the engines offered the capability to modify the control system and fuel injection systems.
Algorithms to control the loading on the diesel generators and maximise the wind integration were developed in conjunction with Power Corporation of Northern Territory. Verve Energy now owns the intellectual property, and the company's engineers are continually working on the development of the control algorithms.
Verve Energy said it was achieving 40% to 50% of wind contribution to the Hopetoun loads on a monthly basis, and it had reported up to 98% instantaneous contribution.
Littlewood said: "We maintain supply of diesel fuel to guarantee a minimum 10 days of fuel all the time. Generally, with good wind penetration we can cut consumption by half so in Hopetoun I expect the consumption rate will be around 1500L/d when the wind is blowing." The current design represents the upper limit of population for a wind-diesel system - with about 700 houses connected to the network. Verve Energy general manager trading and sustainable energy Greg Denton said: "The engineering challenge for us is to expand the standard product and make it more useful for more opportunities.
Hopetoun will present that challenge first, where we will need technology in the future." A second new wind-diesel powerstation is also under construction at Coral Bay where the increasingly popular holiday destination of Ningaloo Reef is requiring extra capacity. Littlewood said that because it is in a cyclone area Verve Energy has sourced cyclone M rated wind turbines.
These turbines are specifically designed so that they can be lowered and tied down when a cyclone approaches. "In Coral Bay the technology is slightly different as the cyclone-rated wind turbines are less controllable, so we have a 500kW fly wheel (a power store) integrated into the system to sink excess wind energy and help control fluctuations on the system," Littlewood explained.
The 275kW wind turbines at Coral Bay are developed by Vernier. They were originally designed to be lowered for maintenance purposes but when installed in New Caledonia the design was found to be practical in times of cyclonic weather.
May, 2007 Page: 42
A new wind-diesel powerstation is being constructed in the seaside town of Hopetoun, as its proximity to the Ravensthorpe Nickel mine has resulted in a near tripling in size of permanent housing, placing added strain on the local infrastructure. Verve Energy is building the powerstation to meet the new demands for energy.The new station comprises seven low load Detroit Diesel 320kW engines and two 600kW Enercon wind turbines. Ken Littlewood, manager sustainable energy assets for Verve Energy, said: "The winddiesel technology is all about maximising wind penetration and minimising diesel consumption while maintaining a very high level of reliability for the town." He explained that the diesel engines can operate at a 7% load which is quite unusual for diesel generators. "Generally diesel generators want 40% loading on the machines, but we have developed some "smarts" in the control system that enable us to bring the loading right down. It helps prevent glazing of the generators;" Littlewood said.
He added that Detroit Diesels was the only top level manufacturer that would support running the engines at 7% loading, explaining that the engines offered the capability to modify the control system and fuel injection systems.
Algorithms to control the loading on the diesel generators and maximise the wind integration were developed in conjunction with Power Corporation of Northern Territory. Verve Energy now owns the intellectual property, and the company's engineers are continually working on the development of the control algorithms.
Verve Energy said it was achieving 40% to 50% of wind contribution to the Hopetoun loads on a monthly basis, and it had reported up to 98% instantaneous contribution.
Littlewood said: "We maintain supply of diesel fuel to guarantee a minimum 10 days of fuel all the time. Generally, with good wind penetration we can cut consumption by half so in Hopetoun I expect the consumption rate will be around 1500L/d when the wind is blowing." The current design represents the upper limit of population for a wind-diesel system - with about 700 houses connected to the network. Verve Energy general manager trading and sustainable energy Greg Denton said: "The engineering challenge for us is to expand the standard product and make it more useful for more opportunities.
Hopetoun will present that challenge first, where we will need technology in the future." A second new wind-diesel powerstation is also under construction at Coral Bay where the increasingly popular holiday destination of Ningaloo Reef is requiring extra capacity. Littlewood said that because it is in a cyclone area Verve Energy has sourced cyclone M rated wind turbines.
These turbines are specifically designed so that they can be lowered and tied down when a cyclone approaches. "In Coral Bay the technology is slightly different as the cyclone-rated wind turbines are less controllable, so we have a 500kW fly wheel (a power store) integrated into the system to sink excess wind energy and help control fluctuations on the system," Littlewood explained.
The 275kW wind turbines at Coral Bay are developed by Vernier. They were originally designed to be lowered for maintenance purposes but when installed in New Caledonia the design was found to be practical in times of cyclonic weather.
Plan to consult residents
Ballarat Courier
Thursday 17/5/2007 Page: 7
THE company behind a push to build a 19-turbine windfarm near Smeaton and Campbelltown has unveiled its community consultation plan to residents. Wind Power's plan has outlined its intention to have two further information sessions for residents, arrange a visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm and establish a community reference group to gauge community support or opposition.
However, the Spa Country Landscape Guardians group, opposed to the development, said only residents near Clunes had received the letter dated May 7 while the vast majority of people affected were yet to receive any notice of the company's plans.
Wind Power director Andrew Newbold said the company was committed to keeping residents informed and the information sessions and community reference group would ensure the process was fair. We want this to be constructive, open and transparent and we have got nothing to hide and I would hope they participate after the couple of information sessions our consultants will do," he said. "I'm hoping they are coming with an open mind as we are prepared to listen to them."
Spa Country Landscape Guardians group spokesman Will Elsworth said opponents remained suspicious of the consultation process, particularly how appointments would be made to the community reference group. "What we have gathered from other experiences is that if we put forward individual nominations (for the reference group) they won't accept it... they just stack it.
We don't get to see their environmental impact studies... we have asked them to be open and transparent. People are very upset and distressed." The first of the two information sessions will be held on Sunday, June 3, at the Smeaton Bowling Club from 10am to 3pm. A visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm will also be held on Sunday, June 3.
Anyone wishing to attend can register their interest by calling 9830 2700 between 9am and 5pm. Registrations close at 5pm on Friday, May 25.
Thursday 17/5/2007 Page: 7
THE company behind a push to build a 19-turbine windfarm near Smeaton and Campbelltown has unveiled its community consultation plan to residents. Wind Power's plan has outlined its intention to have two further information sessions for residents, arrange a visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm and establish a community reference group to gauge community support or opposition.
However, the Spa Country Landscape Guardians group, opposed to the development, said only residents near Clunes had received the letter dated May 7 while the vast majority of people affected were yet to receive any notice of the company's plans.
Wind Power director Andrew Newbold said the company was committed to keeping residents informed and the information sessions and community reference group would ensure the process was fair. We want this to be constructive, open and transparent and we have got nothing to hide and I would hope they participate after the couple of information sessions our consultants will do," he said. "I'm hoping they are coming with an open mind as we are prepared to listen to them."
Spa Country Landscape Guardians group spokesman Will Elsworth said opponents remained suspicious of the consultation process, particularly how appointments would be made to the community reference group. "What we have gathered from other experiences is that if we put forward individual nominations (for the reference group) they won't accept it... they just stack it.
We don't get to see their environmental impact studies... we have asked them to be open and transparent. People are very upset and distressed." The first of the two information sessions will be held on Sunday, June 3, at the Smeaton Bowling Club from 10am to 3pm. A visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm will also be held on Sunday, June 3.
Anyone wishing to attend can register their interest by calling 9830 2700 between 9am and 5pm. Registrations close at 5pm on Friday, May 25.
Change in the wind
Burnie Advocate
Thursday 17/5/2007 Page: 22
Tasmanian energy expertise finds new market in India
TASMANIAN wind energy expertise has gained a foothold in the emerging massive Indian market. Hobart-based renewable energy company Roaring 40s yesterday announced an agreement with major turbine manufacturer Enercon (India) Ltd for its first Indian wind farm project.
Roaring 40s' growth is expected to add another 20-odd jobs to the existing 40 within the next two years, according to spokesman Josh Bradshaw. "There are good opportunities there for further employment for Tasmania, which manifests in wages and real earnings." Roaring 40s has a growing portfolio of assets in world boom driver China and is hoping to do the same in India. "We think it will end up overtaking China in terms of the wind energy market, so there's massive potential there," Mr Bradshaw said. "It's the first hopefully in a pipeline of projects."
The agreement establishes commercial arrangements for an $80 million, 50.4 megaWatt wind energy project at Khandke, in the state of Maharashtra. It will be wholly owned by Roaring 40s and is due to be commissioned by December. Enercon Limited is one of the biggest operators in India's wind energy market.
"The Maharashtra project represents a significant milestone for Roaring 40s and reinforces the company's strong and continued growth in the Asian region," Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher said. "India is one of the global leaders in embracing wind energy as a means of meeting increasing energy demand and improving the environment and Roaring 40s is very pleased to be working with Enercon to help India achieve its renewable energy targets." Roaring 40s is a joint venture between Hydro Tasmania and the CLP Group.
Thursday 17/5/2007 Page: 22
Tasmanian energy expertise finds new market in India
TASMANIAN wind energy expertise has gained a foothold in the emerging massive Indian market. Hobart-based renewable energy company Roaring 40s yesterday announced an agreement with major turbine manufacturer Enercon (India) Ltd for its first Indian wind farm project.
Roaring 40s' growth is expected to add another 20-odd jobs to the existing 40 within the next two years, according to spokesman Josh Bradshaw. "There are good opportunities there for further employment for Tasmania, which manifests in wages and real earnings." Roaring 40s has a growing portfolio of assets in world boom driver China and is hoping to do the same in India. "We think it will end up overtaking China in terms of the wind energy market, so there's massive potential there," Mr Bradshaw said. "It's the first hopefully in a pipeline of projects."
The agreement establishes commercial arrangements for an $80 million, 50.4 megaWatt wind energy project at Khandke, in the state of Maharashtra. It will be wholly owned by Roaring 40s and is due to be commissioned by December. Enercon Limited is one of the biggest operators in India's wind energy market.
"The Maharashtra project represents a significant milestone for Roaring 40s and reinforces the company's strong and continued growth in the Asian region," Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher said. "India is one of the global leaders in embracing wind energy as a means of meeting increasing energy demand and improving the environment and Roaring 40s is very pleased to be working with Enercon to help India achieve its renewable energy targets." Roaring 40s is a joint venture between Hydro Tasmania and the CLP Group.
Council alliance leads way with aim for zero carbon emissions
Melbourne Times
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 12
AN ALLIANCE of central Victorian councils plans to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2020, outstripping Melbourne's local government response to climate change.
The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance - whose 14 member councils cover about a fifth of the state - has ambitious plans to achieve carbon neutrality using wind farms to displace coal, retrofitting cars with electric motors and a move towards regional carbon trading. In metropolitan Melbourne, only Melbourne, Moreland and Maribyrnong councils currently have plans to achieve zero emissions.
CVGA founder Terry White said the goal was to make central Victoria the first region in the developed world to "successfully make the transition from climate damaging to climate friendly". "The science has firmed up, and we have 10 years to do something serious.
Councils have the capacity to lead their communities and demonstrate the feasibility of the goal," he said. Mr White said the country tradition of self-reliance had helped the CVGA work towards turning rural households into net energy producers rather than consumers, via the region's rich supply of wind energy and solar energy. Current and future wind farms had the capacity to power half of the region's homes, Mr White said.
A regional carbon trading system is being planned through biosequestering carbon in permanent conservation plantations. Metropolitan Melbourne's sole greenhouse partnership - the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action - is researching the feasibility of carbon neutrality, but has not yet committed to an overarching goal.
In other grassroots action on climate change, the Australian and New Zealand branch of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)-Local Governments for Sustainability project recently launched the Australasian Mayors Council on Climate Protection.
The group represents the 220 Australian councils involved in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection initiative and is expected to be vocal in its support of nationwide action on climate change in the lead up to this year's federal election.
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 12
AN ALLIANCE of central Victorian councils plans to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2020, outstripping Melbourne's local government response to climate change.
The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance - whose 14 member councils cover about a fifth of the state - has ambitious plans to achieve carbon neutrality using wind farms to displace coal, retrofitting cars with electric motors and a move towards regional carbon trading. In metropolitan Melbourne, only Melbourne, Moreland and Maribyrnong councils currently have plans to achieve zero emissions.
CVGA founder Terry White said the goal was to make central Victoria the first region in the developed world to "successfully make the transition from climate damaging to climate friendly". "The science has firmed up, and we have 10 years to do something serious.
Councils have the capacity to lead their communities and demonstrate the feasibility of the goal," he said. Mr White said the country tradition of self-reliance had helped the CVGA work towards turning rural households into net energy producers rather than consumers, via the region's rich supply of wind energy and solar energy. Current and future wind farms had the capacity to power half of the region's homes, Mr White said.
A regional carbon trading system is being planned through biosequestering carbon in permanent conservation plantations. Metropolitan Melbourne's sole greenhouse partnership - the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action - is researching the feasibility of carbon neutrality, but has not yet committed to an overarching goal.
In other grassroots action on climate change, the Australian and New Zealand branch of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)-Local Governments for Sustainability project recently launched the Australasian Mayors Council on Climate Protection.
The group represents the 220 Australian councils involved in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection initiative and is expected to be vocal in its support of nationwide action on climate change in the lead up to this year's federal election.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Climate change the focus
Manningham Leader
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 5
A NEW climate change action group has formed in Manningham to help residents learn how they can reduce greenhouse emissions. Warrandyte residents Wayne and Ruth Rankin created Climate Action Now (CAN) to synthesise information in the climate change debate. "A lot of great information is emerging in the newspapers and on television, but it's pretty overwhelming," Mr Rankin said.
"Some of the terminology is even more confusing. What is it to be `carbon neutral'? "How do we make sense of the claims and counter-claims for wind, solar, geothermal, landfill and biomass? What about nuclear?" The group has organised a community information night at Warrandyte on May 24, featuring speakers from energy companies, a solar system manufacturer, a wind farm manager, scientists and a policy analyst from the National Emissions Trading Taskforce.
Mrs Rankin said many people wanted to help the environment on an individual basis. "There is a groundswell of people saying `what can we do?'," she said. "We're trying to guide those people and help them out." The Climate Action Now information evening will be at Warrandyte High School theatre, Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte, on May 24 at 7.30pm. Details: 9844 1959.
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 5
A NEW climate change action group has formed in Manningham to help residents learn how they can reduce greenhouse emissions. Warrandyte residents Wayne and Ruth Rankin created Climate Action Now (CAN) to synthesise information in the climate change debate. "A lot of great information is emerging in the newspapers and on television, but it's pretty overwhelming," Mr Rankin said."Some of the terminology is even more confusing. What is it to be `carbon neutral'? "How do we make sense of the claims and counter-claims for wind, solar, geothermal, landfill and biomass? What about nuclear?" The group has organised a community information night at Warrandyte on May 24, featuring speakers from energy companies, a solar system manufacturer, a wind farm manager, scientists and a policy analyst from the National Emissions Trading Taskforce.
Mrs Rankin said many people wanted to help the environment on an individual basis. "There is a groundswell of people saying `what can we do?'," she said. "We're trying to guide those people and help them out." The Climate Action Now information evening will be at Warrandyte High School theatre, Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte, on May 24 at 7.30pm. Details: 9844 1959.
SYSTEMS GO Shire approves first wind farm
Hamilton Spectator
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 1
Southern Grampians Shire has unanimously approved the first wind farm in the shire. The shire's agreement to issue a planning permit for seven wind turbines on a Woodhouse farm at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday follows similar approval by Moyne Shire Council for eight turbines on an adjacent farm on Tuesday.
Ten families - a fair proportion of the small Woodhouse community - strongly opposed the $49 million wind farm, but none were present when Southern Grampians Shire made its decision. It's unclear whether they intend to take their objections to the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal (VCAT). The shire's physical services director, Jim Nolan, said there had been meetings with the objectors, consultants, developer NewEn, and council. He said council couldn't issue it planning permit until the time allowed for an appeal to VCAT had expired.
Net benefit
Mr Nolan said consultant, Chris Harty, had come to the conclusion the wind farm provided a net benefit. Mr Harty said the Morton's Lane wind farm helped to address the threat of fundamental environmental changes to habitat and longterm species survival associated with climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. "The wind farm addresses these threats though its ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions mainly though growing energy demand and during windy conditions when the wind farm will generate renewable energy directly into the electricity system," he said.
However, Mr Harty admitted there were equity and fairness concerns with large projects. "This is perhaps strongly highlighted with wind farms because of the size of the wind turbines, which can be seen over long distances and highlighting the private economic benefit some landowners receive compared to others." The minimum setback from neighbouring properties will he 165 metres.
Overlay sought
Cr Katrina Rainsford wanted the shire to create a wind farm overlay in the shire but Mr Nolan said that would have to be subject to a future council debate. Both Southern Grampians and Moyne had to give a decision on a planning permit for the wind farm because the two host farms involved - North Gums and Yamba - straddle the shire boundary along Morton's Lane. The wind farm will cover 1100 hectares over both sites. The towers will be 103 metres tall and the blades 45 metres in length.
While it was the first wind farm to he approved in Southern Grampians, it was old hat for Moyne Shire which has become the wind farm capital in Victoria with an extraordinary number approved or planned, including the biggest in Australia so far - the 183-turbine wind farm half way between Hawkesdale and Macarthur.
Although Southern Grampians Shire had no hesitation supporting the Woodhouse wind farm, it attached 48 conditions to the permit. These conditions cover traffic, environment, striped-legged lizard, bats, landscape. noise, Aboriginal cultural heritage, television reception and interference, lighting, security, emergency arrangements, decommissioning, blade shadow flicker, aviation safety clearances, water supply, fuel and vegetation management, and aircraft hazards.
Developer, NewEn, says the Woodhouse wind farm will provide electricity for 17,257 homes, and create emission savings equivalent to taking 27,000 cars off the road annually.
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 1
Southern Grampians Shire has unanimously approved the first wind farm in the shire. The shire's agreement to issue a planning permit for seven wind turbines on a Woodhouse farm at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday follows similar approval by Moyne Shire Council for eight turbines on an adjacent farm on Tuesday.
Ten families - a fair proportion of the small Woodhouse community - strongly opposed the $49 million wind farm, but none were present when Southern Grampians Shire made its decision. It's unclear whether they intend to take their objections to the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal (VCAT). The shire's physical services director, Jim Nolan, said there had been meetings with the objectors, consultants, developer NewEn, and council. He said council couldn't issue it planning permit until the time allowed for an appeal to VCAT had expired.
Net benefit
Mr Nolan said consultant, Chris Harty, had come to the conclusion the wind farm provided a net benefit. Mr Harty said the Morton's Lane wind farm helped to address the threat of fundamental environmental changes to habitat and longterm species survival associated with climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. "The wind farm addresses these threats though its ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions mainly though growing energy demand and during windy conditions when the wind farm will generate renewable energy directly into the electricity system," he said.
However, Mr Harty admitted there were equity and fairness concerns with large projects. "This is perhaps strongly highlighted with wind farms because of the size of the wind turbines, which can be seen over long distances and highlighting the private economic benefit some landowners receive compared to others." The minimum setback from neighbouring properties will he 165 metres.
Overlay sought
Cr Katrina Rainsford wanted the shire to create a wind farm overlay in the shire but Mr Nolan said that would have to be subject to a future council debate. Both Southern Grampians and Moyne had to give a decision on a planning permit for the wind farm because the two host farms involved - North Gums and Yamba - straddle the shire boundary along Morton's Lane. The wind farm will cover 1100 hectares over both sites. The towers will be 103 metres tall and the blades 45 metres in length.
While it was the first wind farm to he approved in Southern Grampians, it was old hat for Moyne Shire which has become the wind farm capital in Victoria with an extraordinary number approved or planned, including the biggest in Australia so far - the 183-turbine wind farm half way between Hawkesdale and Macarthur.
Although Southern Grampians Shire had no hesitation supporting the Woodhouse wind farm, it attached 48 conditions to the permit. These conditions cover traffic, environment, striped-legged lizard, bats, landscape. noise, Aboriginal cultural heritage, television reception and interference, lighting, security, emergency arrangements, decommissioning, blade shadow flicker, aviation safety clearances, water supply, fuel and vegetation management, and aircraft hazards.
Developer, NewEn, says the Woodhouse wind farm will provide electricity for 17,257 homes, and create emission savings equivalent to taking 27,000 cars off the road annually.
Business climate set for change
Hobart Mercury
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 24
INVESTORS will soon be able to rank companies based on their performance in a "climate change economy". Ratings agency RepuTex has developed a Climate Change Growth Index of companies listed on the S&P-ASX 300. The index will track stocks best able to address climate change risks and take advantage of opportunities for growth, allowing investors to build issues such as a carbon tax, water shortages and emissions targets into their investment decisions.
"Climate change factors are already having an impact on company earnings," RepuTex head of research Hugh Grossman said yesterday. "This impact is likely to grow as changes to the regulatory setting occur, such as the introduction of a carbon trading scheme." Some 45 companies already qualify for the index, based on their capacity to create wealth and remain financially competitive, he said.
A second index, the RepuTex Clean Tech Index, will identify the leading creators and manufacturers of clean technology equipment, products and services. "New market forces will drive innovation and growth in the development of clean technologies." Mr Grossman said. "These companies provide a direct technological solution to address climate change such as renewable energy, alternative fuels and efficiency gains." Rankings are based on the future earnings capacity of the business in a carbon-constrained environment
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 24
INVESTORS will soon be able to rank companies based on their performance in a "climate change economy". Ratings agency RepuTex has developed a Climate Change Growth Index of companies listed on the S&P-ASX 300. The index will track stocks best able to address climate change risks and take advantage of opportunities for growth, allowing investors to build issues such as a carbon tax, water shortages and emissions targets into their investment decisions.
"Climate change factors are already having an impact on company earnings," RepuTex head of research Hugh Grossman said yesterday. "This impact is likely to grow as changes to the regulatory setting occur, such as the introduction of a carbon trading scheme." Some 45 companies already qualify for the index, based on their capacity to create wealth and remain financially competitive, he said.
A second index, the RepuTex Clean Tech Index, will identify the leading creators and manufacturers of clean technology equipment, products and services. "New market forces will drive innovation and growth in the development of clean technologies." Mr Grossman said. "These companies provide a direct technological solution to address climate change such as renewable energy, alternative fuels and efficiency gains." Rankings are based on the future earnings capacity of the business in a carbon-constrained environment
Carpenter backs $1bn desal plant, scraps aquifer plan
Australian
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 7
SEAWATER will provide a third of Western Australia's fresh water within four years following the Carpenter Government's decision to spend almost $1 billion building a second desalination plant south of Perth. Premier Alan Carpenter announced yesterday that he had dumped a plan by government utility Water Corporation to make the massive South West Yarragadee aquifer the state's next major water source.
Citing climate change and environmental concerns about the plan to tap the aquifer, Mr Carpenter announced that a $955 million desalination plant would be built near Binningup, about 150km south of Perth. More desalination plants were possible in the future. Like the existing wind-powered desalination plant 41km south of Perth the third-largest in the world the new plant will be powered by renewable energy and will provide 45 gigalitres of fresh water a year enough for 150,000 homes when it opens. And it will have the capacity to provide up to 100 gigalitres of fresh water a year as demand increases.
Western Australia's integrated water scheme at present supplies 270 gigalitres of water a year to the southwest, wheatbelt, Goldfields and metropolitan areas. Mr Carpenter, who recently assembled a panel of experts to consider projects to reduce the state's greenhouse gases, said the new desalination plant could be powered by geothermal energy. "There is a very exciting prospect with geothermal energy technology potentially being available for base-load power in the southwest of Western Australia in coincidence with the time lines we are talking about here (for the new plant)," he said.
He said that 30 years ago, 90 per cent of the state's fresh water came from dams, but that had fallen to 25 per cent. The percentage of recycled water in the integrated system had increased from 2.6 per cent in 2001 to 13.6 per cent. Mr Carpenter said new water sources, recycling and demand management had delivered an extra 180 gigalitres a year. "Western Australia is now recognised across Australia, even by the federal Government, as the nation's leader in water management, to the extent that Perth is the only major capital city where people can use sprinklers through the summer," he said.
Mr Carpenter defended his decision to shelve the tapping of the aquifer in the southwest. "A lot more work needs to be done on assessing the full impact of climate change before we entertain utilising South West Yarragadee in the way that was proposed," he said. "Rainfall is declining, it continues to decline and we don't know if it will continue to decline." A sum of $750 million towards the cost of building and connecting the desalination plant has been paid out of this year's surplus. A further $205 million would be set aside next year.
Opposition Leader Paul Omodei said he was delighted at the decision to take the Yarragadee option off the agenda and he cautiously welcomed the desalination plant. Any decision that will stop the Government taking water from the southern Yarragadee is a good decision and we will take some credit for that." he said.
Wednesday 16/5/2007 Page: 7
SEAWATER will provide a third of Western Australia's fresh water within four years following the Carpenter Government's decision to spend almost $1 billion building a second desalination plant south of Perth. Premier Alan Carpenter announced yesterday that he had dumped a plan by government utility Water Corporation to make the massive South West Yarragadee aquifer the state's next major water source.
Citing climate change and environmental concerns about the plan to tap the aquifer, Mr Carpenter announced that a $955 million desalination plant would be built near Binningup, about 150km south of Perth. More desalination plants were possible in the future. Like the existing wind-powered desalination plant 41km south of Perth the third-largest in the world the new plant will be powered by renewable energy and will provide 45 gigalitres of fresh water a year enough for 150,000 homes when it opens. And it will have the capacity to provide up to 100 gigalitres of fresh water a year as demand increases.
Western Australia's integrated water scheme at present supplies 270 gigalitres of water a year to the southwest, wheatbelt, Goldfields and metropolitan areas. Mr Carpenter, who recently assembled a panel of experts to consider projects to reduce the state's greenhouse gases, said the new desalination plant could be powered by geothermal energy. "There is a very exciting prospect with geothermal energy technology potentially being available for base-load power in the southwest of Western Australia in coincidence with the time lines we are talking about here (for the new plant)," he said.
He said that 30 years ago, 90 per cent of the state's fresh water came from dams, but that had fallen to 25 per cent. The percentage of recycled water in the integrated system had increased from 2.6 per cent in 2001 to 13.6 per cent. Mr Carpenter said new water sources, recycling and demand management had delivered an extra 180 gigalitres a year. "Western Australia is now recognised across Australia, even by the federal Government, as the nation's leader in water management, to the extent that Perth is the only major capital city where people can use sprinklers through the summer," he said.
Mr Carpenter defended his decision to shelve the tapping of the aquifer in the southwest. "A lot more work needs to be done on assessing the full impact of climate change before we entertain utilising South West Yarragadee in the way that was proposed," he said. "Rainfall is declining, it continues to decline and we don't know if it will continue to decline." A sum of $750 million towards the cost of building and connecting the desalination plant has been paid out of this year's surplus. A further $205 million would be set aside next year.
Opposition Leader Paul Omodei said he was delighted at the decision to take the Yarragadee option off the agenda and he cautiously welcomed the desalination plant. Any decision that will stop the Government taking water from the southern Yarragadee is a good decision and we will take some credit for that." he said.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Work begins on $400m wind farm at Waubra
Ballarat Courier
Tuesday 15/5/2007 Page: 7
WORKS are well underway on the Waubra Wind Farm development, with the first stage set for completion in August. The 128-turbine wind farm is Victoria's second biggest, and will involve a total investment of around $400 million. The project covers an area of more than 173 square kilometres, and involves 36 landowners. The project is being undertaken by Spanish company Acciona Energy in conjunction with Leighton Contractors.
The first stage, estimated to cost around $35 million, involves the civil works and includes construction to access tracks, turbine hardstands and foundations. The second stage will involve the electrical works, while the turbines are expected to be erected later this year.
About 100 people are currently employed at the site, with 70 per cent from Ballarat and district. At its peak, the wind farm is expected to create around 200 jobs. Acciona Energy construction manager Bruce Payne said it was a fast-moving project, and considered central Western Victoria to be the "windpower capital of Australia". Mr Payne said they had overcome problems relating to rock and soil conditions, and had implemented environmental plans and a recycling program.
The company has also formed a Community Reference Group, to allow the community and landowners to keep informed about the construction. Waubra farmer Ted Harrison, whose property the turbines will go through, said he had no complaints and the company had assisted him where there was any disruption to his farming program.
All our neighbours have got them (turbines), and no doubt the majority of people are happy about it, for the simple reason, it's brought a spark of life into the little town," Mr Harrison said. "A lot of workers mean a lot of outside money, and we've only got the hotel and the little store so it's a big thing for them."
Tuesday 15/5/2007 Page: 7
WORKS are well underway on the Waubra Wind Farm development, with the first stage set for completion in August. The 128-turbine wind farm is Victoria's second biggest, and will involve a total investment of around $400 million. The project covers an area of more than 173 square kilometres, and involves 36 landowners. The project is being undertaken by Spanish company Acciona Energy in conjunction with Leighton Contractors.The first stage, estimated to cost around $35 million, involves the civil works and includes construction to access tracks, turbine hardstands and foundations. The second stage will involve the electrical works, while the turbines are expected to be erected later this year.
About 100 people are currently employed at the site, with 70 per cent from Ballarat and district. At its peak, the wind farm is expected to create around 200 jobs. Acciona Energy construction manager Bruce Payne said it was a fast-moving project, and considered central Western Victoria to be the "windpower capital of Australia". Mr Payne said they had overcome problems relating to rock and soil conditions, and had implemented environmental plans and a recycling program.
The company has also formed a Community Reference Group, to allow the community and landowners to keep informed about the construction. Waubra farmer Ted Harrison, whose property the turbines will go through, said he had no complaints and the company had assisted him where there was any disruption to his farming program.
All our neighbours have got them (turbines), and no doubt the majority of people are happy about it, for the simple reason, it's brought a spark of life into the little town," Mr Harrison said. "A lot of workers mean a lot of outside money, and we've only got the hotel and the little store so it's a big thing for them."
Green energy the rage
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday 15/5/2007 Page: 43
DURING the past decade, people in the Hunter Region have been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by tapping into a wind farm in Newcastle and a solar farm at Singleton. The wind turbine on Kooragang Island, Newcastle, generates enough energy to power approximately 230 houses," said Peter White, an EnergyAustralia electrician.
Mr White said there was a solar farm south of Singleton that was one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and it produced enough energy to supply electricity to power approximately 70 houses. In addition to the solar farm, Mr White said some buildings in the Upper Hunter area had solar panels installed. Each of these produced enough energy to power about 20 standard light globes.
Some installations had the ability to sell the energy they produced back into the power grid, Mr White said. "The Upper Hunter Shire is discussing a proposal to erect a wind farm with four turbines on the Liverpool Ranges near Murrurundi and it would have the potential to provide enough energy to power approximately 900 houses," Mr White said.
EnergyAustralia offers customers the option of buying Green Power, which is generated from accredited renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass and hydro. EnergyAustralia has teamed up with the Newcastle International Sports Centre Trust to help EnergyAustralia Stadium go green for the 2007 NRL season.
Renewable energy such as solar power will play a major role in this EnergyAustralia initiative. Mr Tilse, a Scone builder, spoke of a NSW State Government initiative called the Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX), which outlines requirements for new homes. Some of the requirements include the installation of solar hot water systems and insulation batts. Each house that has the BASIX requirement has its own water tank, which is connected to gutters for rainwater collection," Mr Tilse said.
Tuesday 15/5/2007 Page: 43
DURING the past decade, people in the Hunter Region have been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by tapping into a wind farm in Newcastle and a solar farm at Singleton. The wind turbine on Kooragang Island, Newcastle, generates enough energy to power approximately 230 houses," said Peter White, an EnergyAustralia electrician.
Mr White said there was a solar farm south of Singleton that was one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and it produced enough energy to supply electricity to power approximately 70 houses. In addition to the solar farm, Mr White said some buildings in the Upper Hunter area had solar panels installed. Each of these produced enough energy to power about 20 standard light globes.
Some installations had the ability to sell the energy they produced back into the power grid, Mr White said. "The Upper Hunter Shire is discussing a proposal to erect a wind farm with four turbines on the Liverpool Ranges near Murrurundi and it would have the potential to provide enough energy to power approximately 900 houses," Mr White said.
EnergyAustralia offers customers the option of buying Green Power, which is generated from accredited renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass and hydro. EnergyAustralia has teamed up with the Newcastle International Sports Centre Trust to help EnergyAustralia Stadium go green for the 2007 NRL season.
Renewable energy such as solar power will play a major role in this EnergyAustralia initiative. Mr Tilse, a Scone builder, spoke of a NSW State Government initiative called the Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX), which outlines requirements for new homes. Some of the requirements include the installation of solar hot water systems and insulation batts. Each house that has the BASIX requirement has its own water tank, which is connected to gutters for rainwater collection," Mr Tilse said.
Renewable Energy Should Provide the Fuel for 10% of the UK's Electricity Requirement by 2010
Business Wire
May 14, 2007 07:55
DUBLIN, Ireland - Research and Markets has announced the addition of Renewable Energy Market Report 2006 to their offering.
The UK's Government’s Aspiration is That Renewable Energy Should Provide the Fuel for 10% of the UK's Electricity Requirement by 2010, and 20% by 2020
This report analyses the UK's use of energy from renewable sources, with particular reference to biofuels and wastes, hydropower, wind and wave power, solar power and geothermal acquifers. In 2005, UK consumption of renewable primary energy was 4.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) — an increase of 15% over the previous year. Biofuels and wastes accounted for much of this figure, with hydropower and wind energy being the next most significant renewable sources. Wind power has shown a marked increase in market share in recent years, owing to the growth of offshore wind farms. Co-firing of biomass with fossil fuels has also grown rapidly.
Two factors are driving the development of the renewable-energy market. Firstly, there is a need to find additional primary energy sources as the UK's indigenous oil and gas output declines. Contributions from renewable energy will help to reduce the UK's increasing dependence on imported fossil fuels and thereby reduce the likelihood of disruptions to the UK energy supply caused by international politics or market forces. Secondly, most renewable energy sources (hydropower, wind energy, wave power and solar power) do not produce any carbon-dioxide emissions. This will help the UK to meets its environmental commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
However, the market faces several challenges. Gaining planning permission for a new installation can be a long and complex process. On many occasions, proposals have been rejected after 2 or 3 years of discussion. There are also reports of a shortage of suitable sites for large renewable-energy projects, the most attractive sites having already been developed or denied planning permission. Renewable energy does, however, receive support from the Renewables Obligation, which requires electricity suppliers to produce a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. There is also a move towards a more distributed electricity-generation system, and renewable-energy plant has a role to play in this respect.
The UK market for renewable energy is forecast to grow. The Government's aspiration is that renewable energy should provide the fuel for 10% of the UK's electricity requirement by 2010, and 20% by 2020. Although output from renewable sources is growing rapidly and could almost reach the 2010 target, there will have to be an even more rapid expansion in the volume of renewable-energy plant if the 2020 target is to be met.
May 14, 2007 07:55
DUBLIN, Ireland - Research and Markets has announced the addition of Renewable Energy Market Report 2006 to their offering.
The UK's Government’s Aspiration is That Renewable Energy Should Provide the Fuel for 10% of the UK's Electricity Requirement by 2010, and 20% by 2020
This report analyses the UK's use of energy from renewable sources, with particular reference to biofuels and wastes, hydropower, wind and wave power, solar power and geothermal acquifers. In 2005, UK consumption of renewable primary energy was 4.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) — an increase of 15% over the previous year. Biofuels and wastes accounted for much of this figure, with hydropower and wind energy being the next most significant renewable sources. Wind power has shown a marked increase in market share in recent years, owing to the growth of offshore wind farms. Co-firing of biomass with fossil fuels has also grown rapidly.
Two factors are driving the development of the renewable-energy market. Firstly, there is a need to find additional primary energy sources as the UK's indigenous oil and gas output declines. Contributions from renewable energy will help to reduce the UK's increasing dependence on imported fossil fuels and thereby reduce the likelihood of disruptions to the UK energy supply caused by international politics or market forces. Secondly, most renewable energy sources (hydropower, wind energy, wave power and solar power) do not produce any carbon-dioxide emissions. This will help the UK to meets its environmental commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
However, the market faces several challenges. Gaining planning permission for a new installation can be a long and complex process. On many occasions, proposals have been rejected after 2 or 3 years of discussion. There are also reports of a shortage of suitable sites for large renewable-energy projects, the most attractive sites having already been developed or denied planning permission. Renewable energy does, however, receive support from the Renewables Obligation, which requires electricity suppliers to produce a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. There is also a move towards a more distributed electricity-generation system, and renewable-energy plant has a role to play in this respect.
The UK market for renewable energy is forecast to grow. The Government's aspiration is that renewable energy should provide the fuel for 10% of the UK's electricity requirement by 2010, and 20% by 2020. Although output from renewable sources is growing rapidly and could almost reach the 2010 target, there will have to be an even more rapid expansion in the volume of renewable-energy plant if the 2020 target is to be met.
Monday, 14 May 2007
Energy storage trial
Albany & Great Southern Weekender
Thursday 10/5/2007 Page: 6
A REVOLUTIONARY energy storage project is to be trialled at Windy Harbour. Melbourne-based Cougar Energy Limited is to establish Australia's first multi-installation demonstration project for renewable energy storage using its vanadium redox battery (VRB) technology. Cougar Energy initiated the trial after being offered $1.83 million in project funding under the Australian Government's Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies (AEST) program.
The company was then able to offer Windy Harbour residents and Manjimup Shire the opportunity to upgrade their existing systems or to install new renewable energy-based power systems using VRB instead of lead acid batteries as the storage component at competitive pricing. After funding details are finalised with the government, Cougar expects to have a 10kW storage system in place by the end of the year.
VRB Energy Storage System (VRB ESS) managing director Dr Len Walker said the units, which stored electricity produced by solar or wind generators, were ideally suited to Windy Harbour. Residents now use small diesel or petrol generators with some solar and wind energy to meet their electricity needs. "The aim of the Windy Harbour project is to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of diesel and petrol-driven engines for electricity generation," Dr Walker said.
"Renewable energy electricity generation sources, primarily solar photovoltaic or small wind turbines, coupled with appropriately sized VRB ESS and power conversion equipment, will be used to create a number of reliable, environmentally friendly and continuously available, high quality power systems." Cougar Power Systems manager Rob Blackwell said Windy Harbour was chosen for the first trial of the VRB technology after contacts made in 2005.
He said the company met the community and Manjimup Shire about 12 months ago to discuss their off-grid power supply problems. "We decided Windy Harbour was ideal when the Australian Government grant was given," Mr Blackwell said. "This will give participants in our scheme the opportunity to install the latest technology remote area power supply systems at much cheaper than normal prices. "We plan it to be a demonstration case." The VRB is an electrochemical energy storage device, where energy (electricity) is stored indefinitely in a liquid and can be recovered instantaneously.
Mr Blackwell said the trial would involve installing a cell stack drawing and distributing power from two external 1,000 litre polyethylene tanks containing the electrolyte. He said VRB had better efficiency and much longer cycle life than lead-acid batteries when used with solar and wind energy. Cougar Energy's grant was one of five successful funding applications, totalling $17.6 million, jointly announced by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The grant announcement follows Cougar's recent review of the VRB technology which confirmed there was significant potential for the technology to be incorporated as part of Australia's Remote Area Power Supply requirements, at both the residential and township levels.
Thursday 10/5/2007 Page: 6
A REVOLUTIONARY energy storage project is to be trialled at Windy Harbour. Melbourne-based Cougar Energy Limited is to establish Australia's first multi-installation demonstration project for renewable energy storage using its vanadium redox battery (VRB) technology. Cougar Energy initiated the trial after being offered $1.83 million in project funding under the Australian Government's Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies (AEST) program.
The company was then able to offer Windy Harbour residents and Manjimup Shire the opportunity to upgrade their existing systems or to install new renewable energy-based power systems using VRB instead of lead acid batteries as the storage component at competitive pricing. After funding details are finalised with the government, Cougar expects to have a 10kW storage system in place by the end of the year.
VRB Energy Storage System (VRB ESS) managing director Dr Len Walker said the units, which stored electricity produced by solar or wind generators, were ideally suited to Windy Harbour. Residents now use small diesel or petrol generators with some solar and wind energy to meet their electricity needs. "The aim of the Windy Harbour project is to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of diesel and petrol-driven engines for electricity generation," Dr Walker said.
"Renewable energy electricity generation sources, primarily solar photovoltaic or small wind turbines, coupled with appropriately sized VRB ESS and power conversion equipment, will be used to create a number of reliable, environmentally friendly and continuously available, high quality power systems." Cougar Power Systems manager Rob Blackwell said Windy Harbour was chosen for the first trial of the VRB technology after contacts made in 2005.
He said the company met the community and Manjimup Shire about 12 months ago to discuss their off-grid power supply problems. "We decided Windy Harbour was ideal when the Australian Government grant was given," Mr Blackwell said. "This will give participants in our scheme the opportunity to install the latest technology remote area power supply systems at much cheaper than normal prices. "We plan it to be a demonstration case." The VRB is an electrochemical energy storage device, where energy (electricity) is stored indefinitely in a liquid and can be recovered instantaneously.
Mr Blackwell said the trial would involve installing a cell stack drawing and distributing power from two external 1,000 litre polyethylene tanks containing the electrolyte. He said VRB had better efficiency and much longer cycle life than lead-acid batteries when used with solar and wind energy. Cougar Energy's grant was one of five successful funding applications, totalling $17.6 million, jointly announced by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The grant announcement follows Cougar's recent review of the VRB technology which confirmed there was significant potential for the technology to be incorporated as part of Australia's Remote Area Power Supply requirements, at both the residential and township levels.
Tassie strikes a big blow
Hobart Mercury
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 7
THE biggest wind turbines in the southern hemisphere will be churning out enough power for 30,000 homes from the state's North-West this weekend. Roaring 40s has just finished the final stage of the Woolnorth Wind Farm, completing 25 new towers and turbines. The turbines generate three megawatts each, with the blade tips reaching 125 metres into the sky - or more than twice the height of Wrest Point casino.
Roaring 40s public relations manager Josh Bradshaw said it made the operation the biggest wind farm in Australia. "It's an exciting weekend for all of the team who have been working up there." Mr Bradshaw said. The $170 million final stage at Woolnorth began construction in January last year, the beginning of a long process to built the 80-metre towers. Each tower has four 45-metre-long blades. In total, the Woolnorth operation will generate 140 megawatts of power, including the two previous stages.
Mr Bradshaw said it had more than likely reached its capacity, which could see an end to wind energy expansion in Tasmania for some fillip "What we would like to do next is build Musselroe," he said. The Musselroe project in the north-east was well advanced before the Federal Government ended its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme, which gave incentives to clean energy production. Roaring 40s put the project on hold. "We are encouraged by the NSW scheme which [Premier Morris] lemma says lie will implement." Mr Bradshaw said. "It has capacity for projects outside NSW, but we'll have to wait and see what the detail involves."
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 7
THE biggest wind turbines in the southern hemisphere will be churning out enough power for 30,000 homes from the state's North-West this weekend. Roaring 40s has just finished the final stage of the Woolnorth Wind Farm, completing 25 new towers and turbines. The turbines generate three megawatts each, with the blade tips reaching 125 metres into the sky - or more than twice the height of Wrest Point casino.Roaring 40s public relations manager Josh Bradshaw said it made the operation the biggest wind farm in Australia. "It's an exciting weekend for all of the team who have been working up there." Mr Bradshaw said. The $170 million final stage at Woolnorth began construction in January last year, the beginning of a long process to built the 80-metre towers. Each tower has four 45-metre-long blades. In total, the Woolnorth operation will generate 140 megawatts of power, including the two previous stages.
Mr Bradshaw said it had more than likely reached its capacity, which could see an end to wind energy expansion in Tasmania for some fillip "What we would like to do next is build Musselroe," he said. The Musselroe project in the north-east was well advanced before the Federal Government ended its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme, which gave incentives to clean energy production. Roaring 40s put the project on hold. "We are encouraged by the NSW scheme which [Premier Morris] lemma says lie will implement." Mr Bradshaw said. "It has capacity for projects outside NSW, but we'll have to wait and see what the detail involves."
Drought drives power prices up
Canberra Times
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 1
Electricity prices will soar 14.25 per cent from July 1 if a draft report issued yesterday by the pricing regulator is confirmed - but Canberra's main energy supplier says a 34 per cent increase is warranted. The move for a dramatic price increase is the result of the escalation in wholesale electricity costs caused by the drought.
The Snowy Hydro scheme, which normally supplies about 15 per cent of electricity for the national grid - importantly for Canberra at peak times - is struggling badly with Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne desperately low. The drought is also limiting output from some coal-fired Queensland generators, unable to maintain supply because they have insufficient water to create steam for their turbines.
In a draft decision yesterday, the ACT Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission determined the retail price of electricity for domestic consumers should increase by 14.25 per cent from July 1. But the price increase could be greater, with submissions on the draft decision due by June 8 before the commission's final decision a week later.
ActewAGL is expected to make a submission, seeking an increase considerably above the regulator's figure. Under the proposed increase, the average annual household power bill would rise by $158 from $1112 to $1270. Senior commissioner Paul Baxter said the key question was whether wholesale prices had peaked or were still increasing. "The biggest concern we have is that we don't discourage competition by holding the price too low," Mr Baxter said. Neither did the commission want to cause a collapse in the market as occurred about five years ago in California when retail prices were set below the wholesale price.
ActewAGL's general manager retail, Ivan Slavich, said the commission's draft determination was based on a wholesale price of $58 a megawatt-hour. The current price was $80. In a competitive market, the retail price should be the market price - what a new entrant would have to pay to compete. Mr Slavich would not say how much ActewAGL was paying for its wholesale electricity, but said at the current wholesale price, the domestic retail price should increase by 34 per cent. Otherwise, ActewAGL would have to sell electricity for less than what it paid for it.
"Your readers should realise there will be no windfall gains from this." Given increased costs, he also warned that ActewAGL might need to review its popular bundling options where consumers received discounts if they were customers of other ActewAGL or TransACT products. However, he guaranteed existing contracts would be honoured. The proposed price increase includes about 3 per cent to cover the ACT Government's controversial network facilities tax announced in the last ACT budget.
This has added $5.5 million annually to the network component of the cost of electricity in the ACT. Mr Baxter said the Government had increased funding for rebates on energy, water and sewerage bills to reduce the impact of the tax on pensioners, health -care -card holders and Department of Veteran's Affairs gold-card holders. About 12 months ago, the commission recommended to the Government that domestic electricity prices be set by the market, as are gas prices.
But as with all other jurisdictions, the ACT Government continues to require prices for consumers who use less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity a year to be capped. The price set by the commission from July 1 will be for 12 months. Mr Baxter said he was seeking advice on whether it would be possible to vary the price during the year. Energy Retailers Association executive director Cameron O'Reilly said it might not be much comfort to ACT residents, but other Australians were experiencing similar pressures. Prices were traditionally lower in autumn and the present prices were unprecedented in the national electricity market.
Mr O'Reilly said wholesale and network costs comprised about 90 per cent of the electricity price. The association believed the best results for consumers occurred when the market set the price. Energy was becoming more analogous to petrol pricing and governments should not dictate price changes. Mr Slavich said that with wholesale prices at the current level, renewable generators such as wind farms would be viable. The price rise had also increased the possibility of a gas-fired power station in the ACT.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope could not be contacted yesterday.
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 1
Electricity prices will soar 14.25 per cent from July 1 if a draft report issued yesterday by the pricing regulator is confirmed - but Canberra's main energy supplier says a 34 per cent increase is warranted. The move for a dramatic price increase is the result of the escalation in wholesale electricity costs caused by the drought.
The Snowy Hydro scheme, which normally supplies about 15 per cent of electricity for the national grid - importantly for Canberra at peak times - is struggling badly with Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne desperately low. The drought is also limiting output from some coal-fired Queensland generators, unable to maintain supply because they have insufficient water to create steam for their turbines.
In a draft decision yesterday, the ACT Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission determined the retail price of electricity for domestic consumers should increase by 14.25 per cent from July 1. But the price increase could be greater, with submissions on the draft decision due by June 8 before the commission's final decision a week later.
ActewAGL is expected to make a submission, seeking an increase considerably above the regulator's figure. Under the proposed increase, the average annual household power bill would rise by $158 from $1112 to $1270. Senior commissioner Paul Baxter said the key question was whether wholesale prices had peaked or were still increasing. "The biggest concern we have is that we don't discourage competition by holding the price too low," Mr Baxter said. Neither did the commission want to cause a collapse in the market as occurred about five years ago in California when retail prices were set below the wholesale price.
ActewAGL's general manager retail, Ivan Slavich, said the commission's draft determination was based on a wholesale price of $58 a megawatt-hour. The current price was $80. In a competitive market, the retail price should be the market price - what a new entrant would have to pay to compete. Mr Slavich would not say how much ActewAGL was paying for its wholesale electricity, but said at the current wholesale price, the domestic retail price should increase by 34 per cent. Otherwise, ActewAGL would have to sell electricity for less than what it paid for it.
"Your readers should realise there will be no windfall gains from this." Given increased costs, he also warned that ActewAGL might need to review its popular bundling options where consumers received discounts if they were customers of other ActewAGL or TransACT products. However, he guaranteed existing contracts would be honoured. The proposed price increase includes about 3 per cent to cover the ACT Government's controversial network facilities tax announced in the last ACT budget.
This has added $5.5 million annually to the network component of the cost of electricity in the ACT. Mr Baxter said the Government had increased funding for rebates on energy, water and sewerage bills to reduce the impact of the tax on pensioners, health -care -card holders and Department of Veteran's Affairs gold-card holders. About 12 months ago, the commission recommended to the Government that domestic electricity prices be set by the market, as are gas prices.
But as with all other jurisdictions, the ACT Government continues to require prices for consumers who use less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity a year to be capped. The price set by the commission from July 1 will be for 12 months. Mr Baxter said he was seeking advice on whether it would be possible to vary the price during the year. Energy Retailers Association executive director Cameron O'Reilly said it might not be much comfort to ACT residents, but other Australians were experiencing similar pressures. Prices were traditionally lower in autumn and the present prices were unprecedented in the national electricity market.
Mr O'Reilly said wholesale and network costs comprised about 90 per cent of the electricity price. The association believed the best results for consumers occurred when the market set the price. Energy was becoming more analogous to petrol pricing and governments should not dictate price changes. Mr Slavich said that with wholesale prices at the current level, renewable generators such as wind farms would be viable. The price rise had also increased the possibility of a gas-fired power station in the ACT.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope could not be contacted yesterday.
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