Australia’s mental health problem about wind farms
There are two main anti-wind farm groups in Australia busily fomenting anxiety and opposition. One is the Waubra Foundation, a group of mainly wealthy individuals, none of whom live in or near the town of Waubra, near Ballarat. Several of them, NIMBY style, have opposed turbines near their own properties elsewhere. They are led by an unregistered doctor, Sarah Laurie, and a wealthy mining investor, Peter Mitchell who also has connections to the Landscape Guardians. Despite their name, the Guardians have never attempted to guard our landscape from over-zealous residential developers, open cut coal or coal seam gas mining. They only target wind farm developments. All three – Waubra, the Guardians and Mitchell’s mining investment company share a South Melbourne post office box.
Wind turbine syndrome: a classic ‘communicated’ disease , by Simon Chapman https://theconversation.edu.au/wind-turbine-syndrome-a-classic-communicated-disease-8318?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+20+July+2012&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+20+July+2012+CID_be7f8aff1000afd17cabaf558b629431&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Simon+Chapman+investigates At the beginning of this year I started collecting examples of health problems some people were attributing to wind turbine exposure. I had noticed a growing number of such claims on the internet and was curious about how many I could find. Within an hour or two I had found nearly 50 and today the number has grown to an astonishing 155.
I have worked in public health on three continents since the mid 1970s. In all this time, I have never encountered anything in the history of disease that is said to cause even a fraction of the list of problems I have collected.
The list of 155 problems includes “deaths, many deaths”, none of which have ever been brought to the attention of a coroner. It includes several types of cancer, and both losing weight and gaining weight. You name it. Haemorrhoids have not yet been named, but nothing would surprise me. Continue reading
Battery storage of energy poised to increase renewable energy systems, especially in remote areas
the way the world generates electricity and delivers it to customers is undergoing fundamental change, be it towards smart grids or green grids, and scalable energy storage solutions, such as batteries, will be a key part of the industry in the future.
Redflow is one of only a handful of manufacturers of “flow” batteries, which Winter says are better able to manage long-term storage than lithium ion or other battery standards…..
Energy storage group Redflow works to recharge batteries BY: GILES PARKINSON The Australian July 20, 2012 WHEN Brisbane-based battery storage developer Redflow listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2010, it quickly became a market darling: the prospect of a cost-effective battery in a market increasingly hungry for storage capacity to manage demand peaks and the influx of renewables seemed irresistible.
Redflow shares quickly jumped to a peak of $1.70 for a market capitalisation of well more than $100 million before enthusiasm began to wane. Earlier this year, the bottom fell out when the company admitted its business plan was overly optimistic and any manufacturing deals would have to be put on hold……Chris Winter, who co-invented the company’s key product, a zinc-bromine “flow” battery in a Brisbane back yard in 2001, took the reins again. Continue reading
Australia top in solar radiation, may soon be top in solar energy market.
Yingli Green Energy, a Chinese solar panel manufacturer, believes that the potential for solar energy in Australia is so high that it may become the leader of the photovoltaic mass market by the end of the year.
Yingli notes the number of solar energy projects that are taking root in the country. Some researchers and solar energy market analysts have suggested that Australia may be the first to reach grid-parity with its solar energy initiatives. If this is accomplished within the next five years, the country could be home to the most active solar energy markets in the world.
Australia poised to take the lead in solar energy market http://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/australia-poised-to-take-the-lead-in-solar-energy-market/854766/ BY ANGIE BERGENSON – JULY 16, 2012 ingli Green Energy notes the solar energy potential of the country
Over the past decade, Australia has shown modest support for alternative energy. In recent years, this support has been growing at a rapid pace, with the country now showing major interest in solar energy. Because of Australia’s exposure to solar radiation, it is one of the most attractive locations in terms of a solar energy market. Continue reading
Electric cars for Australia will use predominantly renewable energy
GM’s Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia By Danny King Autoblog Green Jul 13th 2012 Better Place is going from Israel and Denmark to the Land Down Under. The progenitors of electric-vehicle battery-swapping systems have reached a deal with General Motors’ Holden division in Australia to provide EV-charging stations that can be used by drivers of the Holden (née Chevrolet ) Volt extended-range plug-in.
Better Place will provide so-called “membership packages” for Volt drivers while installing charging stations, including a bunch at Holden Volt dealers. Better Place also said it would work with the Australian government at ensuring that much of the energy used by the charging stations will come from renewable sources for true emissions-free driving (for the first 35 miles or so, anyway).
Better Place recently said that EVs using its battery-swapping systems in Israel and Denmark have surpassed one million kilometers (625,000 miles) driven via Better Place-supplied power. The company has an agreement with Renault to use the French automaker’s Fluence Z.E. EVs for the project….. http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/gms-holden-better-place-reach-australia-charging-station-agree/
Renewable energy project a practical community plan for Newcastle region
Council briefed on potential renewable energy projects http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-11/council-briefed-on-potential-renewable-energy-projects/4122744/?site=newcastle July 11, 2012 Australian Community Energy says a community renewable energy project is achievable in the Hunter. Newcastle Councillors have been told a community renewable energy project is achievable with as little as 1,000 people investing.
Dr Richard Finlay-Jones from the Hunter-based company Australian Community Energy briefed Councillors last night on the potential for community owned and managed wind and solar projects. Dr Finlay-Jones says such a project is already running near Daylesford in Victoria where just over 1,000 people invested to get the development off the ground.
He says a similar project would work in the Hunter. “Imagine if we could all invest $100 and be owners of an energy
company,” he said. “I think there would be a lot of people who would be receptive to that and it might not all be in the same location. “It might be disparate, it might be more regionalised.”
Big solar panel company opening in Sydney, sees great future for solar power in Australia
GREEN DEALS: Australia’s new solar player, Climate Spectator, 11 Jul 2012 Daniel Palmer Yingli Green Energy The world’s third largest solar manufacturer is setting up shop in Australia. China-based and NYSE-listed Yingli Green Energy has said it will open an office in Sydney to serve as its regional headquarters. With the unique claim to fame of being the first renewable energy company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup, the company sees Australia as a great place to further boost its global market share.
“Australia is one of the most promising markets in the solar industry,” Liansheng Miao, Chairman and CEO of Yingli, said. “We are happy to enhance our local presence by establishing this subsidiary, which will enable us to provide more convenient products and services to Australian customers.” The new branch will also be looking at selling panels in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands…… http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/green-deals-australia-s-new-solar-player
Beyond Zero Emissions issues first major report on Australia’s renewable energy potential
Moving towards 100% renewable energy in 10 years The Guardian, Peter Castaldo 11 July 12, A talk given at the Melbourne Unitarian Memorial Church…..Beyond Zero Emissions Beyond Zero Emissions is a not-for-profit organisation focusing on research and then communicating it to the public. The first major report produced is the Stationary Energy Plan (or otherwise known as the Electricity Grid Plan).
This is the first of six plans that are currently being produced and cover: Buildings, Transport, Land Use, Industrial, and finally, Australia a Renewable Energy Superpower…..
The Zero Carbon Australia Project is collaboration between BZE and Melbourne University and is largely volunteer run with as many as 600 volunteers,
Climate change Continue reading
Long range Holden Volt electric car and renewable energy
Holden Teams Up With Better Place to Offer Renewable Energy and Faster Charging for Volt http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6389:holden-teams-up-with-better-place-to-offer-renewable-energy-and-faster-charging-for-volt&catid=64:business&Itemid=117
MELBOURNE 10 July 2012. Holden has today announced Better Place as its preferred partner for renewable energy and faster charging solutions for the long range Holden Volt electric car.
Better Place will develop a number of membership packages for Volt customers including the installation of a ‘Charge Spot’ unit at home or work, and zero emissions charging provided through the purchase of renewable energy or 100% Government certified renewable energy certificates.
Holden Energy and Environment Director, Richard Marshall said offering customers faster charging and renewable energy solutions were important steps. Continue reading
Solar power with energy storage will benefit Australian households, AND utility companies
The partnership can actually benefit utilities too, though.
The residential systems (5 kW/20 kWh) will be available to the general residential marketplace in fall 2012, the company states. It will also be offering commercial and utility-scale energy storage systems.
Energy storage and solar join forces in Australia, REneweconomy, By Zachary Shahan 11 July 2012 Solar energy is getting cheaper and cheaper. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners around the world. It can cut electricity bills
dramatically and deliver up some pretty sweet long-term savings. But things get really exciting when you let it play with a cheap, home energy storage system. OK, I’m not sure if there’s a truly “cheap” system out there yet, but prices are falling for those as well, and a decent energy storage system with a solar power system is a match that utility companies probably don’t want to see.
Recent news is that energy storage company Greensmith Energy Management Systems has teamed up with South-Australian solar developer ZEN Energy Systems in the land down under.
“In the agreement, Greensmith will provide software licenses for its
Battery Operating System to ZEN, who will market and deliver a line of
energy storage products in Australia.”
This could be big news. Continue reading
Australia’s Solar PV threatening profits of big energy companies
How big utilities propose to kill solar PV, REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson 9 July 2012 A couple of nasty figures have been produced in recent weeks that will give energy companies – retailers, generators and distributors – cause to reflect on how they will manage to satisfy their shareholders’ insatiable appetite for increased profits in coming years.
The figures were inter-related. The first lot were the updated demand forecasts issues by the Australian Energy Market Operators. Demand for 2012/13 is now likely to be nearly 10 per cent below where it was predicted just a year ago, and demand out to 2020 might be 30 per cent below the most optimistic predictions. For an industry that has relied on an unremitting correlation of electricity demand to GDP growth, this has been a shock to the system.
Part of this reduction has been partly blamed on reduced manufacturing, and partly on reduced demand from households and business in response to surging electricity costs, and on the massive investment in infrastructure to cope with peak demand. But the most enduring, and growing factor, at least on the demand side, is the penetration of solar PV. And AEMO forecasts give little consolation to the established industry – the amount of solar PV in the Australian market is tipped to grow 10-fold over the next two decades, and its impact on revenue and profits for the incumbent generators, retailers and network operators will increase accordingly.
Private forecasts suggest that the growth of solar PV could be much greater than that recognised by AEMO. Yingli, the world’s largest solar PV manufacturer in 2012, has said that Australia could, in fact, become the first “mass market” for solar PV in the world – thanks to a combination of declining costs, rising grid prices, lots of sun and innovative financing models…….
Here are some tactics that are being suggested to deal with what AGL Energy managing director Michael Fraser described on the Radio National Breakfast program 10 days ago as the “infiltration” of solar PV and distributed energy. “It’s been a good thing,” Fraser said. “But we will have to watch that.”…. http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/how-big-utilities-propose-to-kill-solar-pv-81496
Huge wind farms to go ahead in South Australia and Western Australia
Go-ahead given for huge wind farm http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/go-ahead-given-for-huge-wind-farm/story-e6frea6u-1226418325533 5 July 12, FINAL State Government approval has been given for the construction of a $900 million, 105-turbine wind farm in the state’s mid-north.
The 315 megawatt Hornsdale wind farm, to be built 15km from Jamestown, would be the state’s largest, with the capacity togenerate 1,050,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year. The Development Assessment Commission gave provisional approval to the development in May, with Planning Minister John Rau yesterday giving developer Investec Bank Australia the green light to begin the development. Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the project would create up to 250 construction jobs locally.
Mega wind farm for Mid West Daniel Mercer, The West Australian July 6, 2012, State-owned power generator Verve is planning to significantly increase WA’s share of renewable energy supplies by spending $600 million to build the State’s biggest wind farm. Continue reading
Jumbo sized solar pergola at Perth zoo
Perth Zoo unveils ‘jumbo’ solar plant http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-zoo-unveils-jumbo-solar-plant-20120705-21je4.html WA Today July 5, 2012 Perth Zoo has completed its jumbo-sized solar panel installation – stretching partly across its elephant enclosure – making it the city’s largest single source of sun power.
A new 102-metre “solar pergola” was unveiled today, completing the $2.7 million clean-energy project that began last year with the installation of 303 solar panels on eight zoo structures. They include the elephant barn, reptile display, retail shop,
maintenance and administrative buildings.
A total of 755 solar panels are now used by the zoo, with the potential to generate about a third of its energy needs – 370,000kW hours a year – saving the popular tourist attraction about $100,000 a year. The installation was jointly funded by the state and federal governments as part of the nation’s $94 million Solar Cities program.
While the steel-framed solar pergola is the centrepiece of the Perth Zoo project, it also doubles as a bus shelter, running along the northern perimeter road and propping up 452 solar panels with a power rating of 145kW.
The entire system is rated at 237kW, making it the largest single solar generator in Perth – the world’s sunniest capital city, with an average eight hours sunshine a day over the entire year. Perth Zoo hosts about 610,000 visitors a year.
Solar Dawn confirms its plan to rise Ecogeneration, , 5 July 2012 The Solar Dawn consortium has advised the Federal Government that its Solar Flagships Program-winning project is well-advanced and remains Australia’s best prospect for a large-scale solar thermal facility, despite the consortium failing to meet the recent financial close milestone and the Queensland Government’s decision to withdrawn from its project support agreement.
Solar Dawn Project Director Anthony Wiseman said that while the project delay represented a set-back, the consortium – made up of AREVA Solar and Wind Prospect, after CS Energy pulled out – will pursue discussions with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Queensland Government to move Solar Dawn forward based on the project’s advanced status and the strong economic and environmental benefits it offers to the state and the country…..
World’s Biggest Wave Energy Turbine for Victoria
World’s Largest Wave Turbine Gets New Grant from Australian Government Clean Technica, JULY 3, 2012 BY GILES PARKINSON The Australian government as upped its investment in two nascent, Australian-developed wave energy technologies, announcing new grants worth almost $10 million to help bring the two new systems to the market, including what is believed to be the world’s biggest wave energy turbine.
The government is providing $5.6 million to BioPower Systems to install a 250kW full-scale pilot plant of its bioWAVE technology off the coast of Victoria, and is also providing just under $4 million to Oceanlinx, to install a 1MW demonstration plan of its Greenwave technology in South Australia.
Both grants are being made under the $126 million Emerging Renewables program, and follow an earlier $9 million grant to Carnegie Wave Energy, which is building a $31 million, 2MW grid-connected demonstration of its CETO technology near Fremantle in Western Australia.
BioPower CEO Tim Finnigan said the grant, along with a $5 million grant from the Victorian state government, means that its $15 million project was now fully funded. “This puts us into a position to complete the project, get it on the grid, and prove the technology at scale,” he told RenewEconomy. “It’s a pretty big development for us.”…… http://cleantechnica.com/2012/07/03/worlds-largest-wave-turbine-gets-new-grant-from-australian-government/
Queensland’s anti solar energy government swings into action
Campbell Newman Government axes Queensland solar energy scheme, nation’s largest by: Darrell Giles The Courier-Mail July 02, 2012 AUSTRALIA’S biggest solar energy scheme is dead in the water, torpedoed by the withdrawal of funding by the Newman Government. The State Government is pulling $75 million out of a renewable energy power project, effectively killing off up to 400 jobs.
Regional Queensland was set to be home to one of the biggest combination solar and gas power plants in the world under a $1.2 billion scheme, a joint Federal-State Government and private partnership.
The Solar Dawn project would have used Australian-pioneered technology and transformed Chinchilla and the western Darling Downs into the nation’s mixed-energy capital. But the Liberal National Party has found a way to back out of an earlier Bligh government agreement and halt its contribution.
Premier Campbell Newman signalled soon after winning the March state election that he would look at pulling the plug on the $75 million investment if he could do it without risk to taxpayers. Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle wrote to federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson last week to confirm he had cut the Queensland contribution. Mr McArdle was understood to have told Mr Ferguson Solar Dawn was unable to meet the State Government’s funding agreement.
As a result, the agreement between the two governments was “terminated”…… Prime Minister Julia Gillard had committed $464 million, saying the project would support Labor’s carbon tax and keep the environment clean…… http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-government-axes-queensland-solar-energy-scheme-nations-largest/story-e6freoof-1226413831562
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