Stawell, Victoria, calls for political action for renewable energy
“We’re keen to see as much of that funding go to renewables and energy efficiency as possible and not polluting energy sources such as fossil gas and clean coal.”…
The group is calling on Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest to get behind the renewable energy elements of this package.
Climate group supports legislation for funding, The Stawell Times News, MICHELLE DELISLE 16 Sep, 2011 STAWELL – Stawell Climate Action Group welcomes the renewable energy commitments delivered by the carbon price package and is calling for them to be rolled out as soon as possible.
“There is $10 billion of new funding for renewable energy over five years which is a great result for Australia and for the Wimmera,” said Julie Andrew, Stawell Climate Action group spokesperson.
“We’re keen to see as much of that funding go to renewables and energy efficiency as possible and not polluting energy sources such as fossil gas and clean coal.” Continue reading
Victoria’s Liberal Government kills off the future for the wind industry
The Clean Energy Council estimates the decision will kill off around $3 billion of potential wind farm developments. …Victoria’s decision removes some of the best wind resources in the eastern states.
What bothers the industry most about the Victorian decision is that the government has refused to explain its rationale and the analysis behind the rulings, or why they have not been applied to other industries, such as coal seam gas. The government is accused of delivering on all of the demands of the anti-wind groups, and more, despite the fact that many of its claims had been dismissed in the recent Senate wind inquiry
Have we blown the RET? Climate Spectator, Giles Parkinson, 30 Aug 11, “….Victoria’s imposition of a 2km setback for wind farms (giving the right of veto to any householder within that area), to exclude vast tracts of the best resources (the prettiest areas along the coast near the Great Ocean Road, the Mornington Peninsula, the Yarra Valley, and Mt Macedon ranges), and an unexpected addition – a 5km setback from 21 regional centres – means that options in that state are fast running out. Continue reading
Victoria’s Professor Maria Forsyth’s research team – developing solar storage
Can we store solar energy for when the sun doesn’t shine?, The Age, 30 Aug 11, A question for Professor Maria Forsyth”….one of Australia’s top researchers with an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship, Professor Forsyth and her research team are developing battery technologies and materials so industries can capture green energy and store it, too….
“..we’re looking at it more from a point of view of stationary applications — so any small industry that can generate its own power on-site, and has storage capacity and capability, doesn’t have to rely on the grid….
How soon could these materials be available?
I have a desire to see the first generation of these devices available within three years. In five to 10 years, we should be getting towards the high-quality end of these devices. But it does require industry involvement — worldwide, and especially in Australia.
Victorian solar cell initiative
AUSTRALIA TO MANUFACTURE SOLAR CELLS WITH NEW PRINTING MACHINE, FEN, By Annie Dang on 1 August 2011 Producing solar cells with zero-emissions electricity will provide new manufacturing opportunities for local industries.
Australian solar researchers and industry have partnered to develop innovative ways of generating zero-emissions electricity using a printing machine to produce solar cells.
The $7.2 million project will see the development of a possible alternative solar cell technology compared with more conventional photovoltaic systems. It is expected that the products will provide Australia industries the opportunity to commercialise and produce the cells competitively. The Federal Government will contribute a $1.7 million grant through the Australian Solar Institute with the Victorian Government providing funding of equal amount.
Launched in Melbourne yesterday, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP said the project was aimed at developing efficient solar cells using organic materials and conventional printing methods.
The project will see researchers at the University of Melbourne, the CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship, and Monash University collaborate with industry partners BlueScope Steel, Innovia Films and Robert Bosch to take commercialese their printing machine innovation…. http://www.myfen.com.au/news/australia-to-manufacture-solar-cells-with-new-prin
Daylesford shows the way, for Australian community owned wind power
Community-owned wind powers up, ABC Environment | 2 AUG 2011 BY SUE WHITE With profits to be made from the provision of renewable electricity, an increasing number of savvy community groups around the world are pooling their resources to get in on the action.
The newly-installed turbines started generating on June 22, as Hepburn Wind begins its quest to create 12,200 megawatt hours (MWh) over the next 12 months – the equivalent of powering 2,300 homes. Hepburn Wind’s journey began in 2005….. Continue reading
Community wind power to the people of Hepburn, Victoria
Australian community wind delivers power to the people Recharge 22 June 11 Community wind farms are no stranger to the US — where the sector is comparable to the size of the entire Australian commercial wind industry. But Australia has been slow to jump on the community bandwagon. Low-cost electricity generated from the country’s vast coal and gas reserves provides real challenges to the economics, while connecting windy but often remote regions to the national grid is difficult and expensive.
Enter the pioneers of the Hepburn Wind Park — Australia’s first co-operative wind farm, about 100km northwest of Melbourne, Victoria.
Commissioned this week, nearly four years after the co-operative was registered, Hepburn’s two 2MW turbines now supply enough electricity to power 2,300 homes — 300 more than are in the area.
The community-owned project moved from dream to reality in April last year, when Germany’s REpower signed a contract to build the wind farm, and a final offer for 1.8 million shares was released. Continue reading
Victorian ALP Conference motion to reaffirm Labor’s anti nuclear policy
The ALP Victoria Conference, noting that the Liberal Party in Victoria under Ted Baillieu and federally under Tony Abbott has continued to push for a domestic nuclear power industry in Australia.
And further, that
1. Nuclear energy is dangerous, dirty, expensive and slow;
2. As an energy source nuclear energy offers less power than renewables do, and in fact is a non-renewable resource; and
3. Nuclear energy programs are linked to nuclear weapons programs, and nuclear power plants are significant and serious potential targets for terrorists.
This Conference resolves to
1. Uphold and reaffirm Victorian Labor’s longstanding and principled opposition to nuclear energy and the construction of nuclear power stations; and
2. Oppose any construction of a nuclear power station in Victoria;
3. Raise awareness in the community of any Liberal Party attempts to introduce nuclear energy into Victoria by stealth.
Moved: Ali Vaughan (Melbourne FEA)
Seconded: Alex White (LHMU/ United Voice)
Victoria’s community wind farm launched
Hepburn Wind co-operative members will share in the proceeds of the sale of electricity and a portion of profits will be returned to the local area via a community sustainability fund. Through the fund, Hepburn Wind plans to provide more than $1 million for sustainability initiatives in the local community over the next 25 years.
Wind Farm erected , Eco Generation, 13 April 2011 Both turbines have now been erected at Australia’s first community-owned renewable energy project at Leonards Hill, 10 km south of Daylesford, Victoria. Continue reading
Whittlesea (Victoria) may strengthen its nuclear free status
free of a nuclear power plant, uranium enrichment or reprocessing plants;Is not used as a base for nuclear weapons or any facilities associated with their development, manufacture or transportation;
Nuclear fallout – Whittlesea Leader, 12 April 11, A TOXIC debate exploded at a Whittlesea Council meeting during a discussion about the municipality reaffirming its position as a nuclear-free zone. Continue reading
Victoria was set to get nuclear power in 1980s
For Victoria, nuclear power was oh so close, crikey, 21 March 11, by Bill Birnbauer, As news of Japan’s nuclear radiation crisis hits our screens, it is apt to remind ourselves just how gung-ho some of our own senior bureaucrats and politicians were about building nuclear power stations in Victoria as recently as 1980.The former State Electricity Commission had assessed at least 10 coastal locations for their suitability as nuclear power station sites…..Nuclear power: For Victoria, nuclear power was oh so close | Crikey
Green energy will power ahead in South West Victoria
Federal Government legislation means wind farms and other renewable power sources will continue to be built.
‘Huge demand’ to continue for green energy, ABC South West Vic – Australian Broadcasting Corporation January 25, 2011 The Clean Energy Council says a drop in the number of households paying for renewable power will not affect the development of green energy projects in south-west Victoria Continue reading
Victoria starts off an Australia-wide movement to community-owned wind farms
In the United Kingdom and Europe, community-owned projects are commonplace. Denmark alone has over 200,000 investors owning more than 5,500 turbines.
Communities embark on clean energy path — EcoGeneration — January/February 2011 Construction has commenced at Australia’s first community-owned wind farm in Victoria. Going first has meant a long, hard road for the team behind the project, but now many other communities around Australia are asking how it was done. Embark’s Alicia Webb reports. Continue reading
Smart Grids, Broadband, and Renewable Energy for Australia
Smart grids and the national broadband network
Australia is in a unique position to benefit from two infrastructure projects that are being developed simultaneously…..no matter how one looks at this issue, the overriding solution is to move away from fossil fuels to renewables as quickly as possible.
Australia’s State and Federal govts hampering renewable energy
the newly elected Baillieu coalition government in the state of Victoria is making it difficult to gain planning approval for new wind farms,…….
Meanwhile, on Friday climate change minister ( or is it Coal Promotion Minister) Greg Combet announced an end to the Solar Credit Multiplier scheme, which subsidises the installation of rooftop panels.
Australian renewables industry fears fresh roadblocks Proposed buffer zone around new wind farms threatens to stifle expansion, BusinessGreen, by Tom Young, 7 Dec 10, Australia’s nascent renewable industry suffered a series of setbacks over the weekend as state and federal politicians continued to show reticence over support for the sector. Continue reading
Victorian election – not a good result for Climate Change action
Mr Baillieu has said he will abandon Labor’s plan for a staged closure of the Hazelwood coal power station….and introducing tougher planning regulations that would prevent wind turbines being erected in tourist areas…..
Coalition has explaining to do on climate targets, The Age, Adam Morton, November 30, 2010“……….Environment Victoria, the state’s main green lobby group, said there were many gaps in the new government’s environment and climate policy stance as it had not outlined its full plans before the election as promised. Continue reading
1 This month
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
– go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com/
Antinuclear 