King Island switches from diesel to renewables – with large battery energy storage system
Australia’s largest battery-based renewable energy storage system to be built on Tasmanian island Process and Control Engineering 1 November, 2012 Kevin Gomez Australian energy storage company Ecoult has been awarded the Hydro Tasmania contract to supply the largest battery based renewable energy storage system in Australia for the King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP).
Ecoult CEO John Wood said the UltraBattery storage system would shift and smooth renewable energy generated on King Island and will help maintain stability of the power grid.
“Ecoult’s UltraBattery solutions support the utilisation of renewable energy by storing energy in periods where there is excess generation and making it available when it is needed to better match demand,” Wood said…… http://www.pacetoday.com.au/news/australia-s-largest-battery-based-renewable-energy
Wind power for Tasmania, and for export to Pacific islands
Island communities targeted for wind plant BY:MATTHEW DENHOLM :The Australian October 29, 2012 AUSTRALIA is seeking to export an off-grid power plant – capable of providing 100 per cent renewable energy – to remote and island communities currently reliant on diesel throughout the Asia-Pacific.
A prototype of the plant has been developed by Hydro Tasmania on King Island and by the end of next year will be providing 65 per cent of the Bass Strait island’s energy needs from renewable sources, or 100 per cent on windy days.
By reducing reliance on diesel generators – previously the source of 100 per cent of the island’s power – the wind and solar plant will save $4.5m a year….. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/island-communities-targeted-for-wind-plant/story-e6frg8y6-1226504898547
Aborigines boo Australia’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin
Macklin booed at NAIDOC night 9 July 2012 Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has been booed at an official function in Hobart because of her support for the Northern Territory intervention…..
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-07-07/macklin-booed-at-naidoc-night/975600
Australia’s energy generation – community-owned renewable projects are the way forward.
The Hepburn Community Wind Farm consists of two turbines built by the community, after locals decided nearly seven years ago to take responsibility for their own energy needs.
Citizen-owned energy is way of the future. Power Engineering, 17 June 12, AUSTRALIA’S carbon tax is just two weeks away. The cost of electricity is set to rise from July 1, with a national renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020.
Large-scale wind farms are increasing, solar energy is booming and hydro schemes are being adopted across the country.
But the real future of energy generation is in community- owned renewable energy projects, according to one of the men involved in setting up Australia’s first citizen-owned wind farm. Now he has his sights set on Tasmania. Continue reading
Paul Howes’ fight against the environment
Green flak for Howes, The Mercury JARRAD BEVAN | May 13, 2012 THE Greens have dismissed comments by Australian Workers Union secretary Paul Howes that the state’s future depends on standing up to the environmental movement. They say it is “populist grandstanding” from an old-school unionist stuck in a last-century economic mindset.
Greens leader Nick McKim said Tasmania instead needed to smarten its economy by transitioning away from an over-reliance on market-exposed heavy industries and bulk commodity exports.
“It’s the attitude of people like Mr Howes that put Tasmania’s economy in the vulnerable position it’s now in, and he has the temerity to fly in from the mainland and give us a lecture on economics,” he said.
Mr Howes said Tasmania’s main political parties had lost the public-relations battle to the environmental movement…..
Liberal MP Matthew Groom backed Mr Howes, saying Tasmanians were sick of being treated as the “plaything” for environmental groups or the inner-city constituency of the Labor Party in Sydney and Melbourne.
“They are sick of a Government that panders to green groups….. http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/05/13/327741_tasmania-news.html
TASMANIA needs to stand up to the environmental movement for the sake of its future, a Labor Party powerbroker says. T he Mercury Tassie told to toughen up MATT SMITH | May 12, 2012 Paul Howes, secretary of the powerful Australian Workers Union, said the Government needed to resist the environmental movement … Mr Howes said Tasmania’s main political parties had lost the public relations battle to the Greens and the environmental movement.
Tasmanian wind farm providing jobs, while conventional farming continues, too
Premier Lara Giddings, who yesterday visited the site, said 200 jobs over 18 months was a welcome boost for an area hit hard by the forestry downturn.
Wind farm has plenty of puff http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/05/04/325101_tasmania-news.html BRUCE MOUNSTER | May 04, 2012 YOU just have to look at the trees.. Then, says Hydro Tasmania chief executive Roy Adair, it’s easy to see why the Cape Portland property on Tasmania’s far north-east tip, is considered one of the best wind farm sites in Australia. “The configuration of the trees and the way that they are heavily leaning to one side,” he said.
The 550ha beef, dairy and former woolgrowing property is home to the 56 turbine Musselroe wind farm, now under construction after an eight year gestation. Continue reading
Australia’s carbon tax benefits will kick in in May 2012
Carbon tax’s family dividends http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/04/14/318411_tasmania-news.html
DAVID KILLICK | April 14, 2012 HUNDREDS of thousands of Tasmanians will shortly benefit from increased welfare payments and tax cuts under the Federal Government’s new carbon tax regime. Increases in family payments, pensions and benefits will start with lump-sum payments next month, followed by benefit rises which take effect in the new year.
Tax cuts also kick in on July 1 and 14,000 Tasmanians will no longer have to pay tax at all, thanks to a tripling of the tax-free threshold. More than 100,000 Tasmanian pensioners will receive up to $510 a year more in benefits, 44,000 families will get $110 per child and self-funded retirees will be $380 a year better off. Around 17,000 jobseekers will be paid another $218 for singles and $390 for couples, the state’s 8500 single parents will receive $234
more a year and 7500 students will be $218 a year better off. And 179,000 Tasmanians on less than $80,000 a year will receive tax cuts. Continue reading
Tasmania’s unique opportunity as leader in renewable energy
Opportunities for Tasmania in the impacts of climate change, 1 March 2012 The Tasmanian Energy Forum was opened in Hobart today with an address from Minister for Climate Change and energy efficiency, Cassy O’Connor, outlining the opportunities that co-exist with the impacts of climate change.
“Tasmania has an opportunity like no other state in Australia to become a leader in renewable technology,” she said. “Through our early investment into renewable energy technology, Tasmania is perfectly positioned to become a green battery for mainland Australia and an economic powerhouse in a carbon constrained world.
“We have the Climate Futures work from the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems CRC that tells us how rainfall patterns will change, what to expect in the way of extreme events like flooding and bushfire, and which parts of our state will suffer more severe frost, and longer dry spells.
“The change in rain patterns will affect flows into our hydro dams, investment in renewable energy production must happen now if we are to maintain our competitive advantage. “We have amazing opportunities in:
Renewable energy with excellent wind resources, and potential in solar, tidal and geothermal
Energy efficiency across industry, business and the community with big in roads into energy efficiency upgrades in public housing, and
Innovative and sustainable agriculture, and a sustainable forestry industry
“The time is now to act upon advice from the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Industry Development Board, to secure our clean, green, energy future.” http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=34357
Australia’s National Solar Schools Program takes off in Tasmania
Solar funds for schools, THE MERCURY | January 25, 2012 FIFTEEN Tasmanian schools have won funding to install solar and other renewable-power systems to improve energy efficiency. The National Solar School Programs announced that more than $25 million would be distributed to 784 Australian schools for measures to tackle climate change.
Southern schools to receive grants are Bruny Island District ($50,000), Cygnet Primary ($45,333), Fahan ($47,687), Moonah Primary ($49,689), Peregrine, Nichols Rivulet ($42,197), Risdon Vale Primary ($49,975), St Paul’s Catholic School, Bridgewater ($39,440), Tasman District ($50,000) and Warrane Primary ($50,000).
The final round of applications for the grants will open on February 13. http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/25/295171_tasmania-news.html
Radioactive birds may arrive in Tasmania in seasonal migration
Mutton bird radiation warning, ABC News, September 30, 2011 Tasmanians are being warned not to collect dead mutton birds for research. A recent Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association newsletter describes research into mutton bird exposure to radiation from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant. It says the birds will soon be migrating back to Australia after many spent winter in the Sea of Japan.
The article says people can help researchers by collecting freshly dead mutton birds, freezing them and handing them over to their local Parks and Wildlife office or museum. But the department says it is not seeking samples and discourages people unfamiliar with wildlife from collecting them. A spokeswoman says suggestions of radiation exposure in birds is being further investigated. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-30/20110930-muttonbird-radiation-warning/3193736?section=tas
Tasmania already 86% renewable energy, but going for 100%
Renewable energy push, The Mercury, DAVID KILLICK | August 30, 2011 TASMANIA should become Australia’s renewable energy state, producing 100 per cent of its own needs and selling clean power to rest of the nation by 2020, a report recommends. The state should also aim to become a proving ground for the new generation of electric and hybrid vehicles, the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Industry Development Board report says.
The board yesterday handed its advice to the State Government on a Tasmanian renewable energy strategy with recommendations including more funding for clean power projects on the Bass Strait islands…. Tasmania generates 86 per cent of its energy from renewable sources and last year was a net exporter of energy for the first time via the Basslink cable…http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/08/30/257231_tasmania-news.html
Liberal Party attack on environmental education in school
Mr McKim said “But what [Mr Ferguson] has now revealed is that if there was a Liberal education minister, they would be sending out directives to schools saying we are banning you from making decisions about who you invite into your school and what they can say.
Libs lash ‘green’ schools push, The Mercury, SUE NEALES | May 20, 2011 THE State Opposition has warned parents their children are at risk of being brainwashed by extremist environmental groups now Greens leader Nick McKim is Education Minister. Continue reading
For unspoilt Tasmania, nuclear power is not a good look
Nuclear not for Tassie The Mercury – The Voice of Tasmania, 26 March 11, “……..If Tasmania is to become an island famed worldwide for its niche and high-quality food, fish and wine products; creative, scientific and artistic talent; unspoilt heritage and unique wilderness and tourism experiences, it is also worth considering that a nuclear power station may not be such a good look or brand fit. Continue reading
Ziggy’s nuclear plans for Tasmania now thwarted
It all seemed a long way from the heady days of December 2006, when former Telstra head, nuclear physicist and chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Ziggy Switkowski, produced a report for the Howard government on the prospects and opportunities for nuclear power in Australia.
He concluded 25 nuclear reactors could be built around Australia’s coast….One nuclear power plant was pencilled in for the Tamar River north of Launceston or on the nearby Bass Strait coast, near the undersea Basslink power-cable link to Victoria.
Nuclear not for Tassie The Mercury – The Voice of Tasmania, SUE NEALES March 26, 2011 “……..Prime Minister Julia Gillard ….has firmly told Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, a keen proponent of nuclear energy’s potential for Australia ……that there will be no renewed nuclear power debate any time soon. Continue reading
Change date for Australia Day – Premier defends Greens’ stance
The Greens leader and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Nick McKim, says Indigenous people associate the date with invasion…. Aboriginal protesters…….. say January the 26th marks the invasion of their land and heritage.
Premier defends Greens’ move to shift Australia Day ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 27 Jan 2011, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has defended a call by the Greens to shift the date of Australia Day. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 