Exciting new development for renewable energy in Australia’s Northern Territory
Centre for Renewable Energy launched at CDU, Power Engineering, 08/12/2011, By Dr. Heather Johnstone ,Chief Editor, Charles Darwin University (CDU), based in Northern Territory, Australia, has launched a new renewable energy research facility. Australia’s minister for climate change, Karl Hampton, said: “This new centre will be the backbone of renewable energy development in the Territory. The Territory has many potential sources of renewable energy and is already attracting significant investment interest in its solar, tidal and geothermal energy possibilities.
“The centre will work with government, the private sector and the community to drive the research, development and uptake of these projects. “The Centre for Renewable Energy will be the key institution in spearheading initiatives under the Northern Territory Government’s Climate Change Policy, including sourcing 20 per cent of wholesale electricity from renewable sources by 2020.”
Professor Glover, vice chancellor of CDU, said the Centre will develop and evaluate new renewable energy and low emissions technologies for their commercial application. He said: “The hybrid integration of renewable and low emissions applications in the Territory’s remote and regional communities will be a priority.”– http://www.power-eng.com/articles/pei/2011/08/centre-for-renewable-energy-launched-at-cdu.html
Queensland government adopts most recommendations for renewable energy development
Qld considers green power, 9 News, 11 Aug 11, The Queensland government hopes to increase the state’s use of renewable energy with new measures such as introducing it to all indigenous communities. The parliament’s Environment and Resources Committee released its report into powering more of the state with renewable energy sources in May.
Noting around 30 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions come from Queensland, it made 14 recommendations to drive an increase in green power sources.
The Queensland government this week responded to the report and has accepted 10 of those recommendationsQueensland will now aspire to the federal government target of sourcing 20 per cent of the state’s electricity from renewable energy by 2020, and will consider using upfront subsidies or interest-free loans to encourage customers to switch to renewable energy sources such as solar power.
The government also gave in-principle support for a plan to introduce renewable energy systems into 34 remote indigenous communities that rely on diesel generators for power….http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8284274/qld-considers-green-power
Australia – secret deals for uranium to United Arab Emirates, waste returned to Australia?
Clamour to supply UAE nuclear needs, April Yee, The National, Aug 12, 2011 “……The UAE is in talks with nations to have used nuclear fuel returned, an arrangement known as “fuel leasing”. This would save the UAE the headache of having to store radioactive waste. France and Russia are the only countries that have agreements to keep other nations’ spent fuel.
“The UAE would favour an arrangement where spent fuel is taken back after use,” Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said yesterday. Continue reading
Positive results in Australian tests of radiation free airport scanners
In July, Thruvision’s terahertz-scanning technology was tested at airports in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, along with millimeter wave scanners from L3. Ron Frye, Thruvision’s Director of International Business Development, reports that the trials ended with positive results, but Australian authorities have not yet made any firm decisions about usage of full body scanners.
Safer full-body scanners? SF Gate, 11 Aug 11, As controversy simmers surrounding the levels of radiation used in full body scanners, a small company based in the United Kingdom has developed a machine that emits no radiation at all. Continue reading
Australia’s soldiers going solar
Super slim solar cell a success, The Age, Ben Cubby August 12, 2011 ‘A typical solar cell is about 0.2 millimetres thick, which is 200 micrometres thinner than a human hair or a sheet of paper, will soon be used by Australian soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan as a portable power source. The solar cells, invented by researchers at the Australian National University, can be used to cover helmets, tents or clothing and recharge electronic gear such as night vision goggles.
They also have extensive potential in civilian applications, including recharging phones and computers, because a square metre of lightweight solar panel can generate 140 watts of power and yet be rolled up into a ball afterwards. ‘A typical solar cell is about 0.2 millimetres thick, which is 200 micrometres – that’s too thick to bend, it would shatter,” the project’s chief investigator, Andrew Blakers, said. ”But these cells are about 45 microns thick, so they are flexible and also about the same efficiency as commercial solar cells. By comparison, really fine quality merino wool is about 18 microns thick.” In practice, many square metres of panel could be unfurled from a box about the same size as a wine cask http://www.theage.com.au/national/super-slim-solar-cell-a-success-20110811-1iot3.html
Mount Gambier leads in renewable energy training
Solar & wind power facility best in Australia, ABC Radio Adelaide, 10/08/2011 by Alan Richardson Mount Gambier can now boast that it has the very best facility in Australia for training technicians and installers involved in domestic renewable energy systems.
The $150,000 “Solar & domestic wind turbine installation and grid conect training centre” was built by TAFE students and largely financed by industry sponsors. It has attracted sponsorship and interest from around Australia in fact. The site features a ground level roof structure which has a tiled section, a currugated iron section and a Trimdeck section so students can practice installing solar panels on all roof types. There are also separate controllers and electronics for each set of installed panels , and their output can be monitored remotely via the internet.
Promising economic future for Queensland with renewable energy
|
Eco Business, , August 9th, 2011
|
A coalition of social, union, environmental and research organisations today said the federal government’s clean energy future plan would provide unprecedented investment in Australia’s renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, with the potential for major job creation, especially in Queensland.
The Southern Cross Climate Coalition, comprising The Australian Conservation Foundation, The Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Council of Social Services and The Climate Institute, made the claims in an analysis that also urges the federal government to release measures to meet Australia’s international climate finance obligations, in advance of the next round of climate negotiations in Durban in December. Continue reading
BHP and Mike Rann in a hurry to change laws to allow Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion
Just 10 weeks to seal Dam deal, Adelaide Now Sarah Martin August 09, 2011 “…..The insistence of the Premier to stay until the new indenture act is signed off has prompted concern from the Opposition and minor parties that the “whip hand” has been handed to BHP Billiton.
The company yesterday remained tight-lipped on the dealings for the legislation required for the $30 billion expansion
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/just-10-weeks-to-seal-dam-deal/story-fn6bqvxz-1226111312201
BHP Billiton is earmarking nearly $10 billion of a planned $80 billion capital-spending spree over the next five years to expand iron ore and coal mining in Australia but has yet to allocate funding for Olympic Dam…..
Our focus continues to be to… finalise indenture negotiations,” BHP Billiton spokeswoman Kelly Quirke said. The indenture negotiations refer to proposed amendments to legislation in the Roxby Downs township where the mine is located to allow expansion work to commence
BHP Olympic Dam expansion linked to outgoing politician SYDNEY Aug 8 (Reuters) – An Australian politician who has played a key role in developing BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine and is now under pressure to step down has vowed to stay on until Oct. 20 to finalise an expansion of the mine, suggesting talks may be nearing an end. Continue reading
Australian government policy drives Aboriginals off their homelands Amnesty report
Aborigines being driven off homelands: Amnesty, Google News, 9 Aug 11, SYDNEY — Australia’s Aborigines are being forced off their traditional land because of government policy, despite the fact they would live longer if they stayed put, Amnesty International claimed Tuesday.The human rights organisation studied small groups in the central desert region and found those choosing to live on their ancestral lands were effectively denied services such as public housing due to a government emphasis on bigger towns.
“There’s a grave risk that these policies will mean that one-third of the Aboriginal population in the Northern Territory will be abandoned,” said Amnesty International Australia director Claire Mallinson. “The report highlights the really unique and special relationship that Aboriginal people have with the land and then how government policies are putting that relationship at risk, and as a result, people and culture at risk.”
Mallinson said that research showed Aborigines lived healthier and longer lives in the small, homeland communities and that these tended to have fewer social problems such as domestic violence and substance abuse. “The stripping away of essential services will effectively force families to abandon their traditional lands and move into larger towns and cities,” she told AFP.
Australia has committed to improving the lives of its indigenous people but is directing the majority of resources in the Northern Territory to so-called growth towns, Amnesty argues. It said this means that outside these towns, many Aborigines live in overcrowded and dilapidated housing, often without electricity, running water or sanitation…..http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hk-Qm-M0PbPOcmJN4TeShRpGgnjA?docId=CNG.acce424d93fc8a31839fc35f83f0dae3.5d1
Some good news for Australia – avoiding radiation airport scanning?
Now why on Earth did I have to go to an American news service, to find out that the Australian government was doing something sensible about protecting people from ionising radiation? – Christina Macpherson
Australia Tests Radiation Free Body Scanners HUFFINGTON POST 9 Aug 1 1 AOL Travel News:
(at left – scanner – millimeter radio wave type)
Now that the whole “nudie pic” situation has been cleared up, it seems the main concern surrounding airport body scanners is the radiation they emit.
But, at airports in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, tests were run in July on scanners that emit no radiation, reports the BBC. Instead, the T8000, developed by UK-based ThruVision Systems, uses a “passive” screening technology.
— http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/09/australia-tests-radiation_n_922184.html
Martin Ferguson endorses new Australian pro nuclear spin centre
The aim of New England Nuclear Energy is to gain enough support to change NSW legislation created in 1986 which prohibits nuclear facilities from being constructed or operated.
Nuclear centre opens, The Glen Innes Examiner AMY SLESSOR, 09 Aug, 2011 ,NEW England Nuclear Energy opened its Research, Education and Discussion Centre on Saturday morning.
The opening was at 8.15.43 seconds to coincide with the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing to show how far nuclear had come since that day, according to New England Nuclear Energy principal Howard Eastwood. Continue reading
Pro uranium spin revs up, in Australia and USA
Toro Energy to commence regional public information days for Wiluna uranium project Proactive investors, August 10, 2011 Toro Energ will begin the public information days on the Wiluna uranium project in regional Western Australia on August 15.
Uranium Safe to Eat With a Spoon!, OpEd News.com by David Swanson, 11 Aug 11, Carefully ignoring Fukushima, Los Alamos, Vermont, and Nebraska, a comforting new announcement informs us that “nuclear energy is safe.” A series of soothing television ads and videostells us that mining uranium in Virginia would produce jobs and protect us from scary foreigners.
Virginia newspapers carried an article from theAssociated Press this week that did not pretend to be anything but one-sided, reporting on the agenda of corporations that would profit from mining uranium while including no other views or any verified facts. The Washington Post did the very same thing. These articles are essentially press releases that have been tweaked. The online versions even include the videos.
We can expect even less actual news reporting than that (yes, less than nothing) to come through our televisions. But these ads hyping uranium mining as a job solution will be aired. And the television networks will consequently view the mining corporations as customers not to be needlessly offended or inconvenienced……
Thousands of years of danger, to provide what the uranium mining companies claim might be 65 years of uranium use. That seems like the kind of deal only a U.S. president could consider a bargain. Let’s hope Virginia still has more life left in it than Washington. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Uranium-Safe-to-Eat-With-a-by-David-Swanson-110809-895.html
Australians urged to back inquiry into Murdoch media ownership
Rupert Murdoch has been allowed to become an unchallenged dictator of public opinion…and has free rein to spread his ideological agenda promoting wars, climate deniers and xenophobia.
But now the Australian Law Review Commission has recommended the adoption of new laws guaranteeing our privacy, and more and more voices are calling for a full inquiry on our media, including ownership concentration.
Gillard: Stand up to Murdoch, Avaaz, 11 Aug 11, Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited controls 70% of what Australians read in newspapers every day — and dismal media regulation give him a free rein to hold politics hostage, manipulate public opinion, and even hack phones. But now we have an opportunity to change that…..Avaaz members in the UK won an amazing victory, helping stop Murdoch from buying over 50% of UK media. Now, he is beginning to feel the heat here — PM Gillard is considering a full inquiry into Australian media that could place News Ltd under closer scrutiny and control. But Murdoch wields massive political influence and key members of both the cabinet and the Parliament are wavering.
Continue reading
Uranium mining company fights on, – environment is irrelevant?
Miner prepares to fight Arkaroola ban, Adelaide Now, Business Reporter Russell Emmerson, August 10, 2011, MARATHON Resources is preparing for a fight over the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.The company said yesterday it had retained two top commercial law firms and senior counsel in South Australia and interstate to advise Marathon on its options relating to its Mt Gee uranium tenement and the loss of its right to explore and mine in the Sanctuary.
Premier Mike Rann late last month banned mining in Arkaroola despite Marathon holding an exploration licence for what it believes is Australia’s fifth-largest undeveloped uranium reserve.
Marathon Resources chairman Peter Williams yesterday said the company would decide its next move after seeking the advice…..
While the State Government may not have a legal obligation to compensate Marathon for its expenditure, it is likely to offer an “ex gratia” payment for political purposes.
It paid the three bidders for the State Government’s cancelled $557 million prisons project at Mobilong $3.5 million each in “good faith” to avoid being seen as a political risk and is likely to do more here to protect the state’s “pro-mining” reputation… http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/miner-prepares-to-fight-arkaroola-ban/story-fn6bqvxz-1226112001383
Olympic Dam uranium mine- South Australia’s answer to the Hutt River Province
The Principality of Hutt River lies within the geographic territory of Western Australia, but is not part of the State of Western Australia. It seceded from the State of Western Australia in 1959, and became, legally, an independent Sovereign state in 1971.
Within a month or two, BHP Billiton is well positioned
to achieve the same status for its Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia.
This will be helped along by BHP Billiton dictating policy to its servant, (just barely hangin’ on to his job) Premier Mike Rann.
BHP Billiton will “improve” on the 1982 Indenture Act which allows BHP to override the:
· Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
· Development Act 1993
· Environmental Protection Act 1993
· Freedom of Information Act 1991
· Mining Act 1971
· Natural Resources Act 2004 (including the Water Resources Act 1997)
It is timely for Australians to rejoice in this new political entity? Time to make South African Marius Kloppers – Prince Marius? – Christina Macpherson
1 This month
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 