Small scale solar power for economy and democracy – theme for October 18
Solar power is now cheaper than retail electricity for millions of households. In the developed world, it can save countless homeowners tens of thousands of dollars.
Meanwhile, all across the developing world, solar power is actually cheaper than power generated from fossil fuels. Just as many people in the developing world leapfrogged from no phones to cell phones, these populations will leapfrog from no electricity to electricity from solar panels.
Democratizing the Energy System One of the major implications of solar power growth, electric vehicle growth and wind power growth to some extent (wind turbines are great additions to farms and small communities) is that they are essentially democratizing our energy system. They decentralize ownership and provide more societal power and more money to common citizens and small businesses. They create more energy independence and security for families, cities and nations, which I believe will ultimately contribute to greater peace in the world.
Also, there has got to be some positive psychological effect from people realizing that they are no longer burning the bones of dinosaurs (amongst other fossils!) for their energy needs, but are instead using renewable sources of energy such as sunlight and wind. http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/27/communicating-renewable-energy-revolution/
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Changing climate change“2040” paints an optimistic picture of the future of the environment
The film focuses on technological and agricultural solutions that are already being implemented to help combat climate change, The Economist Feb 19th 2019
EVENTS
more info at Action Australia
March 3 – Sydney – Free Julian Assange
March 10 – Melbourne – Free Julian Assange
For international news go to https://nuclear-news.net/
of the week
Nuclear power: Surviving on secrecy and misinformation
Australia — Nuclear Waste Cargo Ships ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN Bound for Australia
Clean Energy Australia 2018
What Effect Is The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident Having On Us?
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The Editor
The Advertiser
The privatised electricity industry is going to inflict higher costs on the public in the name of reducing peak demand (The Advertiser, 9/2/15), a noble and worthwhile aim.
There are two problems with believing that the electricity industry has turned over a new leaf. Firstly, there is no mention of household generators of electricity receiving comparable tariffs to those being asked by the industry. Secondly, there is no guarantee that those who do not have electricity guzzling air-conditioners will not be hit by the higher tariffs supposedly targeted at those who do.
The new scheme takes money from the public for “smart meters”, imposes “cost-reflective” pricing on household users but not household suppliers, and the new user’s tariff cuts in at a level that is likely to include a typical energy conservative user.
The energy conserver will be paying more, the household solar generator will be getting less, and every household will be paying for a new meter that is of no benefit to them.
Dennis Matthews