Australia’s clean energy companies may go overseas, due to Abbott’s cuts to renewable energy
Abbot’s Cuts to Clean Energy Could Push Companies Abroad – Sourceable, 15 Nov 13 Prime Minister Tony Abbot has flagged massive cuts to funding for renewable energy which the sector’s peak body says could spur an exodus of companies overseas. – The Clean Energy Council (CCEC), Australia’s peak body for the renewable energy sector, said that the Abbot government’s proposed legislation for the repeal of the carbon tax contains a provision which will reduce funding for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) by $435 million over the next three years.
In an official statement Kane Thornton, CEC’s deputy chief executive, said that the cuts to ARENA funding threaten to roll back the tremendous progressive achieved by Australia’s clean energy sector over recent years, in areas including large-scale solar, marine, geothermal and energy storage.
“It is disappointing that the agency is now facing a significant budget reduction,” Thornton said.
According to Thornton the slated changes to funding for ARENA could spur many renewable energy companies to relocate abroad, to jurisdictions where government support for renewable energy is more clear-cut and consistent.
“This unstable policy environment has had a clear impact on major technology innovators, developers and financiers, who will understandably be questioning their future in Australia,” said Thornton.-………. http://sourceable.net/abbots-cuts-to-clean-energy-could-push-companies-abroad/#sthash.QHz36p6r.dpuf
Anti Wind group exposed – poses as a “charitable foundation” – Senator Di Natale
Pollie Watch: Senator for Victoria holds anti-wind farm lobby to account Yes 2 renewables November 14, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank Senator for Victoria Richard DiNatale (Australian Greens) has used his first speech since the 2013 election to hold the anti-wind farm lobby to account for spreading health fears, being subsidised by Australian taxpayers, and having links to fossil fuel investors.
Rather than distracting policy makers with spurious claims of a wind farm noise disease and wasting taxpayers money, Senator DiNatale suggests the anti-wind farm groups could campaign on the health impacts of poor air quality.
“We are seeing more people dying from poor air quality than we’re seeing die from the road toll. The mining and combustion and transport of coal is one of the reasons why that’s happening. But no, this group campaigns against a clean renewable form of energy, despite the fact that if we able to make the transition to cleaner renewable energy we mitigate against some of the most important health impacts…”
DiNatale takes aim at the Waubra Foundation and their status as a ‘health promotion charity,’
“The issue here is not that the Waubra Foundation should continue to spread the misinformation that it does. The issue here is that the Australian taxpayer should be subsidising that activity. [Australian taxpayers] are subsidising the work of the Waubra Foundation–that is, every person in this country makes a donation to the anti-wind activities of the Waubra Foundation.”
In his speech, DiNatale shines a light on the background of the founder and current chairman of the Waubra Foundation, Peter Mitchell. According to DiNatale, Mr Mitchell is a “current and former director of a number of coal, gas, and uranium related companies” as well as a background campaigning against wind farms:
“[Mitchell] is a director of Lowel Resources, who are basically the ultimate holding company of a resources fund, which are companies engaged entirely in mining and energy investment including oil, gas and uranium. He’s also the former director of the Australian Petroleum Institute Limited and Molopo Limited, a company entirely invested in oil and gas ……http://yes2renewables.org/2013/11/14/pollie-watch-senator-for-victoria-holds-anti-wind-farm-lobby-to-account/
Abbott government to gut Renewable Energy Agency, to prevent new renewable energy industry development
Australian Renewable Energy Agency To Be Gutted http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4023 Proposed changes to ARENA’s funding would mean support for new projects would essentially disappear. 100% Renewable’s accusation prior to the election that the Coalition was no friend of renewable energyis unfortunately proving to be an accurate charge.
Continuing its slash and burn approach to years of hard work in trying to make Australia a global renewable energy leader, the Government has announced it intends cutting funding to the Agency by $435 million. While this would not impact current projects; the Agency would be left with little to drive the further development of renewable energy.
The Clean Energy Council has expressed disappointment with the news. “The government gave repeated commitments on its support for ARENA prior to the election and it is disappointing that the agency is now facing a significant budget reduction,” said the CEC’s Deputy Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
“Successive governments have now reduced and altered the level of ARENA’s funding during the short period since it was established. This unstable policy environment has had a clear impact on major technology innovators, developers and financiers, who will understandably be questioning their future in Australia.”
The Australian Solar Council has called on Parliament to block any attempt to gut the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
“The solar industry takes the government at its word when it says it is committed to tackling climate change and supporting the renewable energy industry in Australia, but so far we have only seen one half of the equation – the cuts,” said the Council’s Chief Executive, John Grimes. “Where are the government’s positive policies for direct action on climate change?”
“The work that ARENA does is an excellent example of Direct Action. This independent agency, with its annual funding prescribed in legislation, backs practical programs. This is about real action in the real world.” The anti-renewable energy crusade may not be over yet – yesterday we reported it appears Prime Minister Abbott has the Renewable Energy Target in his sights next.
Cogeneration sugar mill plants give renewable energy a new lease of life
Sugar mill renewable energy plants kick started by overseas sale. ABC Rural News, 12 Nov 13 Swiss-based company Capital Dynamic has taken over two of the country’s major renewable energy assets for an undisclosed sum.The cogeneration plants at the Broadwater and Condong Sugar Mills, in northern NSW, recommenced operations last Friday processing sugar cane trash from the current harvest.
They cost the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative $220 million to build but have been shut down while receivers looked for a buyer.David Scaysbrook, managing director of Clean Energy Infrastructure at Capital says they have had their eye on the plants for a year.
“We have a history of taking over broken assets..we’ve done similar things in the UK in gas, coal and methane assets. We are operational experts and we think we can add something to the resuscitation of the business.”…….. Capital Dynamics refers to its purchase of the two cogeneration plants as a “compelling investment”.
The company’s David Scaysbrook, managing director the Clean Energy and Infrastructure team, says their investment breathes new life into the power plant operation and the future prospects for the local community in which they operate.
He says “especially to the local sugar cane growers who are so critical to the region’s economy.”
Capital Dynamics plans to “operate the assets over the very long term, to improve them and to deliver to their investors strong financial returns from multiple revenue sources”.
Mr Scaysbrook says it is a genuine, long-term partnership model.
The company’s chief executive officer, Stefan Ammann, says their team has decades of experience in successfully investing and operating thermal plants as well as other renewables such as wind and solar.
Capital Dynamics now owns and manages more than 230 mega watt of clean energy capacity in North America, Europe and Australia, with 68 MW of those now in northern NSW. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-11/cogen-plants-sold-to-foreign-investor/5083058
By 2015 Australia’s gas prices to triple
Gas Prices Could Triple (Or More) In 2015 http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4018 11 Nov 13, According to AGL’s CEO, east coast gas prices could skyrocket soon. The situation will occur as a result of the effects of LNG plants being constructed at Gladstone. An article on The Australian says when these plants start up in 2015; spot gas price spikes are likely to be exacerbated by demand for Australian gas from Asia.
“For industrial and commercial gas users, I have no doubt there will be demand destruction,” said Mr. Fraser.
“You start with baseload gas power generation, that is the first load that will get knocked off because it doesn’t work without a price on carbon, those gas prices.”
The situation will also impact households; but Mr. Fraser claims average per-household annual increases are likely to be less than $100.
However, with households being pummelled by energy price rises in recent years and the much vaunted carbon tax repeal perhaps unlikely to deliver the savingspromised; any further increases in energy bills could be the proverbial straw.
Earlier this year, Matthew Wright, Executive Director of Zero Emissions said common major gas appliances already have an electric competitor that beats them on price and performance; including induction cooktops, heat pump hot water units and reverse cycle heat pump air-conditioners. In July, Mr. Wright also forewarned the push to develop more gas fields in Australia had little to do with securing domestic supplies and lowering prices and more to do with export profits.
“Do not be fooled by the fossil gas miners – they’re not here to give Australia a competitive advantage, only renewable electricity generators can do that as there is no way to export renewable electricity,” he said.
Financial costs aside, the other impact of Asia’s thirst for Australia’s gas reserves is the cost to the environment from the rush to dot the landscape with coal seam gas wells.
Off grid solar energy an economic benefit to mining companies
Of the 400 operating mine sites in Australia, 170 are either off-grid or connected to a smaller distribution network and needing to supply their own electricity. Natural gas and diesel dominate as fuel supplies for electricity generation and other energy uses. Rising prices of both of these fuels are leading mining companies to consider alternatives.
In South Africa, reliability of electricity supply has been a major issue for the mining sector, with electricity shortages in 2008 severely impacting operations and financial performance at a number of mine sites. The South African Government is addressing electricity supply issues through a renewable energy procurement programme….
Renewable energy, and in particular solar photovoltaic (PV), can offer significant benefits to mining companies. The unit cost of energy from solar PV is now below $US200/MWh in many locations compared to typical diesel generation costs of around $US300/MWh. This provides an opportunity for mining companies to reduce energy costs by reducing diesel consumption and maintenance costs with solar generation, particularly at sites with high day-time loads. The diesel engines are retained for night-time generation and as backup to the solar panels. Their operating life is also extended through lower annual operating hours.
Mining operations are strongly influenced by international commodity prices and operational focus can change rapidly in response to market signals. Diesel generators support this flexibility through their modularity and ability to be relocated to other sites if required. Solar modules also offer a degree of flexibility. With simple foundation systems and electrical reticulation, solar installations can theoretically be redeployed to other sites if mining operations need to close down. Recent trends in lease financing of solar modules provide further alignment with mining operations.
As panel prices continue to decrease and panel efficiency continues to increase, expect to see greater focus on renewable energy as a strategic consideration for mining operations. http://sourceable.net/grid-renewables-mining-energy-price-certainty/
Waubra residents dissociate themselves from anti wind farm group
Waubra Wednesday #9 – Community demands its name back from anti-wind farm group On 1 November 2013, the Waubra community ramped up its campaign to reclaim its name from an anti-wind farm campaign group known as the Waubra Foundation. Yes 2 Renewables November 6, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank Fed up with the town’s name being tarnished by claims of a ‘Waubra disease‘, community leaders have sent a petition with 316 signatures to the anti-wind farm organisation asking them to stop using town’s name. Yes 2 Renewables applaud the community’s effort on the issue.
“Waubra is associated with wind towers. We don’t mind that,” Waubra wind farmer Doug Hobson told The Courier. “With the turbines people actually take more notice of our town as they pass through.
“But when you Google ‘Waubra’ the first thing that comes up is something negative about our town. People would think that everyone in Waubra doesn’t like wind farms, and that is not the case,” Hobson added.
The petition was sent to the Waubra Foundation just days after they announced more anti-wind farm campaigners to positions in the organisation, such as retired Liberal MP Alby Schultz who is slated to lobby the Abbott government. Yes 2 Renewables commented on the appointments at Climate Spectator.
It’s clear the Waubra Foundation has no credible claim to use the town’s name. Yet will the Foundation heed the wishes of community members or will it ignore them? Time will tell. For now, Yes 2 Renewables will keep an eye on the situation…….
Petition Text……
Cover Letter sent with the petition….
Bullying tactics by the anti wind farm lobby
Bullying from wind farm opponents a pattern of behaviour http://yes2renewables.org/2013/11/07/bullying-from-wind-farm-opponents-a-pattern-of-behaviour/ November 7, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank Last week, The Canberra Times reported that anti-wind farm campaigner Tony Hodgson has threatened legal action against neighbours who host turbines. The following is a letter to the editor published by the paper:
Anti-wind farm campaigner Tony Hodgson’s threats to sue neighbours who host turbines (‘Threat of legal action against wind farm hosts,’ October 29, p6) are not new.
Earlier this year it was reported that Maurice Newman, business advisor to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and board member of Tiger Airlines, issued a similar threat to Crookwell sheep farmer Charlie Prell. In both cases, the legals threats were made in relation to alleged health impacts of wind farms.
There are now 19 reviews by credible health bodies that show wind energy is clean and safe. It’s time for anti-wind farm groups to accept this and stop bullying potential turbine hosts–people who are seeking a drought-proof income stream for their farm and act on climate change.
It’s OK for people to have disagreements about the aesthetics of wind farms in the bush. Most Australians can accept that. What’s unacceptable is bullying behaviour in the form of legal threats. It’s divisive and prevents communities from assessing the merits of wind farms.
How quickly Australia could transition to renewable energy
Australia’s rapid renewables transition – all it needs is policy (good tables, graphics) REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson on 5 November 2013 Australia has the opportunity to make an incredibly rapid transition to a mostly renewable energy-based grid within two decades with a strong carbon price and other incentives, but will most likely maintain the status quo and increase emissions from its grid if the carbon price is removed.
That is the broad conclusion of the Climate Change Authority’s draft investigation into the emissions reduction potential for the electricity report, included in a 245-page appendix to the 176 page overview released last week.
The scenarios unveiled by the CCA would make even the most optimist Green policy seem modest in comparison. By 2030, it says, renewables could make up 69 per cent of Australia’s generation (that includes a large slab of geothermal) and by 2050 the grid could be almost emissions free.
That is almost a complete reversal of the current make-up of Australia’s electricity grid, which is dominated by coal and is one of the most energy intensive in the developed world. This table below outlines the scenarios envisaged under the modelling.
The prognosis is not really that outlandish. Renewables already compete with new build fossil fuel generation, Continue reading
Australian company Silex in solar and nuclear developments
enriched uranium demand would remain depressed in the next two to three years due to the shutdown of nuclear plants after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster i
China solar backers sought in Australia, South China Morning Post Silex, claiming a technology edge, is talking to state-backed power generators for investment in an expansion of a major solar farm project Eric Ng eric.mpng@scmp.com 05 November, 2013 Silex Systems, an Australian solar energy and nuclear fuel enrichment technology firm, is in talks with Chinese state-backed power generators to invest in its major solar farm project in Australia and buy its equipment to develop projects in China.
The company, listed in Australia and the United States, commissioned a 1.5 megawatts solar farm in Victoria in July, and plans to build a 100MW expansion project on the same site late next year.
Its 1.5MW plant is Australia’s first grid-connected solar farm based on so-called concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology.
Silex chief executive Michael Goldsworthy said the company had started talks with two of the mainland’s five state-owned power generation groups about investing in the proposed 100MW project, and for them to buy equipment from Silex to develop solar farms on the mainland. Continue reading
South Australia gets world’s first wave energy converter
Oceanlinx launches wave energy converter in Australia, Renewable Energy Magazine, Dan McCue Monday, 04 November 2013 Australian wave energy company Oceanlinx team launched the world’s first 1 MW wave energy converter — called ‘greenWAVE’ — on 25 October 2013 in TechPort Adelaide in Australia. By the end of the year, Oceanlinx Ltd.along with the Port MacDonnell community will be celebrating the long awaited connection of the ‘greenWAVE’ energy converter unit to the grid in South Australia.
Built and launched from TechPort in Adelaide, the $7 million project will be the first of its kind to be commissioned in the world. The groundbreaking demonstration unit received $4 million from the federal government in a bid to make the project ready for market.
Once connected to the grid, the unit will be rigorously tested for the best part of 2014, the company said in a written statement.
Based on the Oscillating Water Column principle, the technology is one of the most tested and matured technologies in the wave energy sector.
The unit is completely environmentally friendly sitting under its own weight on the seabed in shallow water with no anchors, mooring or attachment to the seabed. It is expected to act as an artificial reef for sea life. It has no moving parts under the water and is designed to withstand the most aggressive sea conditions. With ease of access to the weather tight power house placed above the sea level, the through life management costs are kept to the minimum…….http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/article/oceanlinx-launches-wave-energy-converter-in-australia-20131104
AUDIO: Farmers and householders can benefit from Mildura area’s renewable energy developments
North west Victoria tapping into renewable energy http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/ag-energy-victoria/5067808Vic Country Hour By Brett Worthington Nov 2013, Victoria’s north west is quickly developing a reputation as the state’s clean energy heartland.
Near Mildura, there are plans to build a power plant that uses waste from almond, grape and grain growing. Just meters away is a 
one of Australia’s largest solar electricity plants, which features satellite dishes covered in mirrors.
Melbourne University researcher David Coote says agricultural communities can slash their bills if they embrace renewable technology. “Somewhere like Mildura could easily target going 100 per cent renewable,” he said. Continue reading
With solar power, energy efficiency, battery storage – you can be energy independent
How To Gain Energy Independence http://www.energymatters.com.au/energy-efficiency/energy-independence.php 4 Nov 13 Are you interested in having more control over the energy you use? Would you like to be less dependent upon traditional electricity generators, distributors or retailers? Energy Matters can help you.There are several steps along the path toward full energy independence.
Go solar
The simplest and most effective way to gain some energy independence is toinstall solar PV. You will generate your own power and export the excess to the grid; for which you will receive a credit. Apart from simple maintenance every three years, there is nothing to check or worry about – simply enjoy your reduced power bills.
The other great thing about installing solar panels is you don’t necessarily need to pay anything up front. Energy Matters offers a zero deposit payment plan and repayments for a large system can be less than a cup of coffee a day!
Run your appliances when the sun shines Continue reading
South Australia Power Networks punish home energy storage
Home Energy Storage Penalised In South Australia http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4004 3 Nov 13, SA Power Networks seems to have taken a dim view of mains-connected solar households incorporating battery storage systems. While countries such as Germany are actively encouraging the uptake of home energy storage, it appears South Australia is actively discouraging it.
In an industry news bulletin from earlier this month; SA Power Networks have declared that customers installing energy storage will lose their feed in tariff incentive. According to the document: Continue reading
Energy storage batteries could soon make solar households independent of the grid
Solar has power to cut grid reliance http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/19635839/solar-has-power-to-cut-grid-reliance/ Thousands of WA households with solar panels could begin disconnecting from the electricity grid once batteries became “affordable and reliable”, Australia’s peak renewable energy lobby has claimed.
Warning about the huge financial implications for traditional energy businesses unless governments got policy settings right, the Clean Energy Council said residential solar customers could soon become independent of the network. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 