New South Wales students taking their zero emissions house to China’s Solar Decathlon
Win or lose, beyond Datong, the long-term plan is to convert the Illawarra Flame into a commercially viable concept that will work at scale, so Australia’s fibros can be cleaned up, revitalised and power on for another lifetime.
Chic shack SUE WHITE ABC Environment 16 JUL 2013 A humble Australian home is an unlikely contender in the ‘energy olympics’ being held in China in a few weeks.
When 33 students from the Wollongong region started packing for their upcoming travels to Datong, China, luggage limits were put to the test. Fifty packets of Tim Tams. Hundreds of koala key rings. At least one cricket set. And oh yes, an entire house.
The “Illawarra Flame” renovated fibro at an open day earlier in the year.Clearly, this was no normal end of semester break. But for the students and their supporters (totalling 51 students, staff and contractors from the University of Wollongong and TAFE Illawarra Institute), not much is normal about their entry into this year’s Solar Decathlon China.
Even getting in was no small feat. Team UOW, as it’s known, is the first Australian team ever accepted into the prestigious international event. This two-week marathon is the largest sustainable building research and innovation competition in the world. There are 23 teams from around 30 countries entering their eco-friendly houses, and all are hoping to come home as the winner of 2013’s ‘Energy Olympics’.
For Team UOW, it’s been a two-year journey to demonstrate it’s possible to transform a typical uninspiring Aussie fibro house into the Illawarra Flame; a stylish, net zero-emission home powered by the planet and, of course, plenty of student power — of both the brain and brawn varieties. Continue reading
Victorian and New South Wales wind farms kick-started by Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation funding two Australian wind farms – K. Jalbuena Eco Sees, 17 July 13, Two major wind farm projects in Australia will be the beneficiaries of the Australian government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The C.E.F.C., a legislated fund dedicated to investing in clean energy, will invest 50 million Australian dollars ($45.94 million) to refinance Macarthur Wind Farm and will provide 37.5 million Australian dollars in senior debt finance to help build the Taralga Wind Farm.
Largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere
The 420 MW Macarthur Wind Farm in south western Victoria is said to be largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. It is a joint undertaking between Meridian Energy Limited and AGL Energy Limited through AGL subsidiary Macarthur Wind Farm Pty Limited.
Fully operational since January 2013, the Macarthur Wind Farm can generate enough energy to power 220,000 Victorian households and reduce carbon emissions by 1.7 million tonnes a year…….
Australian engineered and sourced
C.E.F.C. will also be providing 37.5 million Australian dollars in senior debt finance for the construction and operation of the Taralga Wind Farm, 45 kilometers of Goulburn in New South Wales…… Continue reading
New South Wales to get advanced wind power turbines with energy storage
So where are these cutting-edge turbines headed? Sixty-seven of them will be built for installation in the mountains of New South Wales in Australia i, with power expected to be flowing into the grid by the end of 2014.
Gamechanger: Next Generation Wind Turbines With Storage Are Cheap, Reliable And Brilliant Climate Progress, By Ryan Koronowski on Jul 14, 2013 What makes a new wind turbine exciting?
Wind companies are always trying to making their next turbine spin more efficiently and generate more power than the last, just as car companies are looking for better fuel efficiency and engine power. Advances usually come in small jumps in both cases, with a single percentage improvement cause for celebration.
GE announced a new line of wind turbines in May that generate between 20 and 24 percent more power than the previous best turbine in its class. It does this through traditional improvements in turbine design, but also through innovations that address one of the main issues that critics of wind power raise: intermittency. Continue reading
Australian invention: device to measure radiation exposure in pilots
New technology to measure radiation exposure in pilots (Medical Xpress) 17 July 13, —Researchers from the University of Wollongong have developed a unique device that measures how much radiation pilots and astronauts are exposed to. The silicon-based microdosimeter assesses the radiation risk to astronauts and pilots, and radiation damage to microelectronics, during long-term space missions and high altitude flights.
Exposure to too much radiation can cause cancer, damage to the foetuses of pregnant women and genetic defects that can be passed onto future generations.
Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld, Director of the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP) – the largest research body of its kind in the Asia Pacific region – has just been granted a US patent for his invention.
“Silicon microdosimetry is providing a new metric for the estimation of hazards from ionizing radiation in mixed radiation fields. It is an essential contribution toradiation protection of pilots and astronauts in avionics and space, where the radiation environment is not easy to predict,” Professor Rozenfeld said…..
Professor Rozenfeld also recently received a Chinese patent for a skin dosimetry technology that was 10 years in the making. ‘Drop-in’ accurately measures (in real time) the amount of radiation absorbed into a patient’s skin during procedures such as radiotherapy and CT scans that can give off high levels of ionising radiation.
“An accurate skin dose measurement can help prevent a patient’s skin from being overdosed, and at the same time, provide a vital indication of overall radiation safety,” Professor Rozenfeld said. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-07-technology-exposure.html
Clean Energy Future helping New South Wales’ farmers
A $1 million energy boost for NSW Farmers The Rural, July 15, 2013, NSW Farmers has received funding of $1 million from the Australian Government to deliver an energy innovation program to farmers across the state. Fiona Simson, President of NSW Farmers, said farmers urgently needed support in reducing their energy costs and in making decisions around their investment in energy related equipment.
“Over the past five years energy costs in NSW have risen approximately 60 percent for small to medium sized farming enterprises. Our own surveys and work by our partners in the program showed that farmers can readily achieve savings, but they also need the right advice and technical support,” she said.
Our farm energy innovation program will provide practical tools and advice to help farmers analyse their energy use and identify solutions. In addition, it will conduct pilots across 20 representative farms, involving the development of detailed strategies for intensive and broad acre operations. Continue reading
Maurice Newman and fossil fuel front group stop New South Wales wind farm
Protests stop wind farm plan BY:HARRY EDWARDS The Australian July 08, 2013 A LARGE wind farm proposed for near Goulburn in NSW has been shelved after protests from local landholders including Maurice Newman, the former head of the Australian Securities Exchange who has been anointed to chair a new business advisory council if the Coalition wins this year’s federal election.
The planning application for the 100-turbine Golspie wind farm, lodged by renewable energy developer Wind Prospect CWP, lapsed last week, with the company citing “wind resource, land security and grid connection issues”.
Mr Newman, who opposes wind farms and has pledged to lobby against subsidies for them, argues that fluctuations in output from renewable energy sources have increased power costs for consumers by requiring the construction of expensive backup generators.
Mr Newman belongs to Landscape Guardians, a community lobby group that actively campaigns against all wind farms in the Upper Lachlan shire, where he owns land. In January Tony Abbott announced that Mr Newman — appointed by the Howard government to chair the ABC — was his choice to head a new business advisory council for a Coalition government……
Labor’s Renewable Energy Target aims to have 20 per cent of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020. The Coalition intends to review the RET next year if it wins the election, and could rely on Mr Newman’s advice to scrap the target.
Climate Change Minister Mark Butler said the system was working. “Labor stands by our unprecedented investment in clean, renewable energy which is driving a transformation of the Australian economy with a 30 per cent increase in renewable energy generation in the last 12 months and a 7 per cent drop in carbon pollution in the national electricity market,” he said……. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/protests-stop-wind-farm-plan/story-e6frg6xf-1226675644019
Like King Canute, Wyong Council behaves as if the sea level will not rise
Actually – that headline is not really fair to King Canute. The Canute story is that his courtiers believed that King Canute had god-like powers, and could stop the tide coming in. Canute, in order to educate them, went down to the beach, and ordered the tide not to come in. However, as he expected, the tide did come in, and he got wet.
And the Wyong mayor and councillors might get we one day.
Sea level rise recommendation rejected http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-05/sea-level-rise-recommendation-rejected/4802480, 6 July 13
A sea-level rise recommendation for building heights in Wyong has been rejected by the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and Flood Plain Management Committee.
Wyong Council staff had recommended that an increase to floor level building heights of 400 millimetres was needed to allow for any future
sea level rises. Wyong Mayor Doug Eaton says the recommendation was rejected five votes to one.
“That recommendation of the committee now has to go to council to be either endorsed or changed by it my view it will almost certainly be
endorsed,” he said.
Another wind farm for New South Wales’ Upper Lachlan
Plans for Upper Lachlan windfarm http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-01/plans-for-upper-lachlan-windfarm/4790626 Natalie Whiting Jul 1, 2013 There are plans to set up another wind farm in the Upper Lachlan Shire Council area. Newtricity is proposing to build up to 40 turbines at the proposed Biala Wind Farm, outside Crookwell.
The 30 million dollar project would be spread over two adjacent sites. Two options have been identified to connect the windfarm to an existing electricity terminal.Newtricity says it could connect to the existing Goulburn to Yass transmission line or to the line being used by the near by Gullen Range wind farm, which is being constructed.
The development would also involve building a substation and control buildings on site.The company’s submitted its proposal and its preliminary environmental assessment to the Department of Planning.
Confusion about New South Wales Government’s attitude to nuclear power and uranium mining
In May, the minister’s office said evaluation of the expressions of interest were due to begin, with an announcement of the successful applicants due “mid-year”.
It’s far from clear, but presumably the announcement – which must be imminent – will not only tell us which companies have applied to explore uranium, but also where they want to do so. (at left, areas recommended for uranium exploration)
[NSW Premier -] “The Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Act 1986 continues to prohibit the construction of nuclear generation facilities in this state,” a spokesman told Fairfax Media when approached about the response.
“There has been and will be no change in the NSW government’s position on that.”
Nuclear act is still a minefield http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/nuclear-act-is-still-a-minefield-20130628-2p2cm.html#ixzz2XfneLben June 29, 2013 Sean Nicholls Sydney Morning Herald State Political Editor More than a year after the heat generated by last year’s announcement that the NSW government would overturn a 25-year ban on uranium exploration, things have gone a little quiet – publicly at least.
Premier Barry O’Farrell declared the move would help boost the state economy, particularly in light of the federal government decision to allow export of uranium to India. As expected, it was met with furious opposition from environment groups. Greenpeace labelled it “obscene”.
But while O’Farrell talked up the decision as a potential economic boost, he insisted his government was “not about to rush into mining uranium until we have carried out the necessary environmental and exploration checks and have had a mature and sensible discussion about utilising this resource”. Continue reading
New New South Wales wind farm at Gullen Range
EnergyAustralia signs PPA for Gullen Range wind farm REneweconomy, By Sophie Vorrath on 27 June 2013EnergyAustralia has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the China-based developer of a 165.5MW wind farm in NSW, to buy electricity and renewable energy credits generated by the 73-turbine project.
The Australian utility announced its latest PPA for Goldwind Australia’s Gullen Range wind farm on Thursday, hot on the heels of news that Boco Rock – another NSW wind farm EnergyAustralia is supporting through a PPA – has reached financial close.
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co – China’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, and second largest globally – will use a mix of its 1.5MW and 2.5MW permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) turbine technology for the Gullen Range project; the company’s largest outside China and the first in Australia to use Goldwind’s “next generation” 2.5MW turbine.
Gullen Range, located in the NSW Southern Tablelands, is currently under construction, with the first export of electricity generated by the wind farm slated for late 2013.
EnergyAustralia’s group executive manager of energy markets, Mark Collette, said this latest PPA was strong evidence of the utility’s intention to pursue investment in renewable energy in order to meet the its obligations under the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target……http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/energyaustralia-ppa-wind-farm-75104
Renewable Energy Target brings huge opportunities to regional New South Wales
Standing up for Renewable Energy Target http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/1578087/standing-up-for-renewable-energy-target/?cs=12 18 June 13, THE NSW Regional Renewables Alliance, representing farmers and rural businesses at Tuesday’s Rally4 Renewables in Canberra, is calling for bipartisan support for the current Renewable Energy Target (RET) of 41,000GWh by 2020. The group, which also supports a more collaborative approach to development of wind and solar projects in rural Australia, issued this media statement on Monday:
The RET has been in operation for 12 years and over that time has generated $18.5 billion in new investment, lowered electricity prices by 8% and created tens of thousands of jobs – mainly in regional and rural areas [1]. If retained in its current form, the RET will repeat this performance over its remaining 17 years of operation.
Andy Divall, Managing Director of Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage said the RET is making a massive difference to regional NSW. “In the 25 years we have been in business we haven’t seen anything like the opportunities the renewables industry will bring the region.” Continue reading
Nimbin to have Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Aboriginal tent embassy going up at Nimbin Rocks next month, Northern Star Melissa Gulbin 17th Jun 2013 AN Aboriginal tent embassy at Nimbin Rocks will be established next month. It is being set up in solidarity with the West Papua Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of resistance against what the independence movement call the “genocide” of its indigenous population under Indonesian military occupation.
It will be a tight itinerary, but last week it was decided that Nimbin would be added to healing ceremonies taking place from Lake Eyre to West Papua. The official Nimbin ceremonies will take place on Sunday, July 28, but the public are also invited to prepare the day prior.
The indigenous populations have granted each other with Aboriginal passports……. The convoy intends to transport sacred water collected from the mound springs of Arabunna country while following the ancient song lines across Australia in a freedom ride from Lake Eyre.
The convoy aims to reconnect culturally and creatively with Aboriginal communities at Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and now Nimbin.
The people of the Northern Rivers have been invited by Arabunna Aboriginal Elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott, who believes that following their song lines will reveal a deep connection between the lands which were once joined.”We were one people, we still are one people. We must uphold our cultural connection, the old land is calling us,” he said. To be involved email ruth.forsythe@gmail.com. http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/uniting-to-retrace-past/1909144/
Labor and Liberal in happy agreement pro uranium mining
States sign agreement on uranium ABC News, Jun 12, 2013 The New South Wales and South Australian governments have signed an agreement to encourage mining and exploration along the border of the two states.
The memorandum of understanding was signed at a uranium mining conference in Darwin yesterday.
Uranium exploration has only recently been allowed in NSW, while it is already being mined at Honeymoon and Beverley over the border…… “They want to see politicians whether they’re Liberal, Labor or National all working together and we are.”
Mr Hartcher says the agreement does not open the door to uranium mining in NSW….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-12/states-sign-agreement-on-uranium/4748452
Leichhardt City Council (Sydney) commits to 100% renewable energy by 2025
NSW council commits to 100% renewable energy by 2025 REneweconomy By Sophie Vorrath 13 June 2013 The council of the inner-west Sydney city of Leichhardt has committed to becoming 100 per cent renewable by 2025, building on its recent draft plan to tackle climate change by reducing emissions in local government facilities.
Leichhardt, which last year became the second council in NSW to achieve carbon neutrality, made the commitment last week – a goal it plans to achieve through direct investment in renewable energy, and without the need to purchase offsets.
Leichhardt is also one of eight Sydney councils – including Marrickville, Ashfield, Canterbury, Kogarah, Rockdale, Bankstown and Canada Bay – working with the Institute for Sustainable Futures to develop a renewable energy master plan for the region.
The master plan aims to identify the best ways to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, including solar PV, solar thermal, waste-to-energy, mini hydro, wind power and co/trigeneration. There is also the potential for alignment with the City of Sydney’s renewable energy plan.
As part of its own plan, Leichhardt aims to install a large amount of solar across council facilities, including the Town Hall and Balmain Library. A cogeneration plant is being constructed at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre – the Council’s largest consumer of electricity. The plan also proposes retrofitting existing energy sources in facilities to be environmentally friendly.
Development of the city’s renewable energy plan is largely credited to the Greens councillors, who are said to have worked hard to gain the support of their Labor, Independent and Liberal counterparts. http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/city-of-leichhardt-commits-to-100-renewables-by-2025#sthash.R3CtUtya.dpuf
Sydney on the road to 100% renewable energy
A Renewables Powered Sydney Achievable http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3789 13 June 13, 100% of central Sydney’s power, heating and cooling requirements could be supplied by renewable sources according to a draft master plan prepared by the City of Sydney. The blueprint details how the city’s energy needs could be met by 30% renewable electricity sources and the remainder from gases derived from waste.
“This plan provides an invaluable road map detailing where all the renewable resources exist, how much it costs to harness them and how we can use them to help deliver a 100 per cent clean renewable energy system for Sydney,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
The City’s research identified ample waste resources within a 250 km radius of Sydney CBD to produce enough gas to meet the targets set out in the Master Plan. Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green applauded the City’s initiative and progress to date.
“The City of Sydney has been a pioneer in championing the increased use of cleaner forms of energy such as solar, wind, bioenergy and trigeneration – a very efficient technology that produces power, heating and cooling from the one power source.”
“Local councils are the best equipped of all levels of government to deliver services that directly reflect the wants and needs of the population. Councils such as the City of Sydney are helping harness the enthusiasm of their residents to do things differently,” he said.
Also announced yesterday was an update of an energy efficiency drive by theCity of Sydney; which has seen savings of as much as 50 per cent from power and water efficiency retrofits in City buildings. “These figures show what a major difference can be made by retrofitting buildings. As cities are the greatest emitters of greenhouse gas, we need to make our buildings more energy efficient,” the Lord Mayor said.
The City has set a target to reduce its own energy and water consumption overall by 20 per cent compared to 2006 levels.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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