Silex solar project loss, and laser uranium enrichment problems
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been happy about Silex Systems getting government backing for its solar project. I know that these nuclear-related companies like to have a bet each way – in case the nuclear industry goes pear-shaped.
But it seems to me that there’s not much incentive for them to develop renewable energy, when their real stuff is in the nuclear industry. As with Silex’s dangerous laser enrichment technology – now being used by GE Hitachi in America. And there are questions there – with the American facility having 45 security violations! -Christina Macpherson
Silex downplays $30 million loss, A,BC News, 25 Oct 11 A company developing a major solar project in north-west Victoria says it is in a strong financial position, despite posting a $30 million loss in the past year.
Silex is developing power stations near Mildura using photovoltaic technology. The company has posted its annual report, including a net loss of $31.5 million….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-24/silex-posts-30m-loss/3597688
Australia’s New England area has bright future for farmers and wind energy
The huge commercial wind farm planned for Sapphire, between Glen Innes and Inverell, has negotiated with more than 20 landholders to take between 150 and 170 turbines.
“Those turbines are all on large properties,” Mr Cruickshank said. “They can run their sheep and cattle without any difference, they get a good return, and there aren’t any neighbours who are affected.”
Wind power puts region in renewable energy box seat, The Armidale Express JANENE CAREY 17 Oct, 2011 NATURAL advantages are making New England a significant part of the push to source 20 per cent of Australia’s energy from renewables by 2020.
Paul Cruickshank, one of the speakers at a low-carbon economy seminar held in Armidale said that although this region has the potential for large scale solar, our real advantage lies in wind power. Continue reading
Clean Energy Finance Corp could guide Australia to be a renewable energy super power
Clean Energy Finance Corp vital to untainted future –Cowra Community News, 18 Oct 11, ACF THE Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has welcomed the appointment of Jillian Broadbent AO as chair of an expert review panel that will advise on the design of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The foundation has also urged the federal Government to enshrine the new body in law by April 2012 “so it can start investing in the next wave of renewable, clean energy by July 2013”.
“The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will harness Aussie innovation in cutting edge technologies like solar thermal, geothermal and wave power,” says the ACF’s economic adviser, Simon O’Connor, in a statement.
“Australia has massive untapped, abundant renewable energy resources, yet we have failed to capitalise on this natural competitive advantage. “Funding for renewable energy has struggled to match commercial needs, with the result that Australian-made technology has gone to China, California and Spain.
“Now, the CEFC will help fill the renewable energy ‘valley of death’, keeping Australian technology here and creating Aussie jobs. “Returns on public investment through a CEFC are far better than the returns delivered through grant programs.
“Combined with a carbon price, this is the most economically efficient way to turbo-charge the renewable energy sector, which is why we are seeing many countries setting up finance corporations, like the UK’s Green Investment Bank.
“The renewable energy industry is ready, investors are ready, Australians are ready – it’s time to get on with the job and help Australia become a clean energy superpower.” Further detail about the CEFC in the ACF’s report, Helping Australia Compete in the Renewable Energy Race, at www.acfonline.org.au /CEFC.http://cowracommunitynews.com/viewnews.php?newsid=8415&id=137
Xstrata mining company, like its close friend Glencore, out to wreck renewable energy in Australia
The mining giant Xstrata is now behaving just like the company that is the world’s most ruthless, secretive and lacking in integrity – Glencore.
This is hardly surprising, as the two companies are as thick as thieves, and tipped to merger very soon. or might have already merged. Glencore’s CEO, South African -born Ivan Glasenberg, took the trouble to become an Australian citizen. Glencore very recently listed as a public company. Both actions designed to further Glencore’s interest in Australia, as Glencore bought into Xstrata Australia.
It’s a dead shame that Australian governments can lie down and let these rapacious corporations, known. especially in Glencore’s case, for illegal activities and environmental degradation – walk all over efforts to get renewable energy happening in this country.
Given the government’s description of CopperString [ involving renewable energyplan]as a “once in a generation opportunity,” it now seems extraordinary that it should agree with the proposal by Sims, a noted economic rationalist, to allow “the market” – effectively Xstrata – to decide the fate of the project….
Xstrata gas deal sinks renewables hub, Climate Spectator Giles Parkinson, 7 oct 11, Hopes of building one of Australia’s largest renewable energy hubs in north Queensland appear to have been dashed after the Swiss-based global mining giant Xstrata signed a deal instead with AGL Energy to build a gas-fired power station in Mt Isa. Continue reading
Australia’s Greenhouse Mafia lobbying hard to undermine Clean Energy Finance Corporation
The hardest thing is that the big polluters are working to stop the CEF being passed and at the same time, actively lobbying to turn it into more compensation, undermining the carbon price……. to divert funding from genuine energy efficiency merit to be used as “compensation” for big polluters who do not want to actually pay a price on carbon. For some people, too much pork is barely enough!
I am keen to see the whole $1.2 billion of the CTP invested in good programs and believe it will be. It is certainly possible for ambitious investments to be made through an unambitious funding scheme….
Australia’s $1.2 Billion Clean Technology Program, Renewable Energy World, By Dan Cass , October 6, 2011 When the Labor Government, Greens and independents pass the Clean Energy Future (CEF) package later this year, there will be more than $13.2 billion on the table for renewables and low-carbon investment. Continue reading
Vixctoria’s State Library saves $60,000 a year through energy efficiency
VICTORIA’S STATE LIBRARY REAPS THE BENEFITS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY
PACE, By Hartley Henderson 6 October 2011, Over the last ten years the push for energy efficiency has been rapidly gathering momentum, particularly in relation to productivity improvement and reduction of carbon emissions.
During a recent visit to Australia from Low Voltage Drives headquarters in Finland, ABB group vice president, Pekka Tiitinen, pointed out that 65 percent of all energy consumption at industrial sites goes through motors, and that the biggest challenge is ignorance of the scope for savings…. “Some 50 percent of carbon reduction comes from energy efficiency improvement from renewable energy and other non-fossil, plus carbon capture storage,” he said.
“Australia is a front runner in legislating for energy efficiency and recognising the benefits of energy appraisals for industry and large buildings.
In industry, cost/benefit analysis demonstrates that big savings of up to 50 percent can be achieved, with payback typically in one to two years and sometimes even five to eight months. “The easiest way to add more electricity capacity, is to improve the energy efficiency that would release existing capture in new consumption. Nowadays, more and more systems are playing a key vital role in that.”…
The State Library of Victoria was founded in 1854 and is a reference and research library for over one million visitors a year.
It holds more than two million books and occupies an entire city block of two hectares, comprising reading rooms, galleries, exhibition spaces, conference centre and cafe. Jussi says that an energy appraisal carried out at the library concluded that significant energy savings could be made by replacing the existing HVAC flow control, which used throttling valves, with variable speed drives..
Jussi advises that by using 15 ABB standard drives for HVAC, from 5.5 kW to 55 kW, energy savings of between 30 to 60 percent were achieved across the various applications. “With combined motor ratings of 400 kW and 24/7 plant operation, the total energy consumption was reduced by 1,800 MWh annually, saving the library nearly $60,000 per year. Payback, including maintenance savings, was achieved in just 14 months,” he said…. http://www.pacetoday.com.au/news/victoria-s-state-library-reaps-the-benefits-of-ene
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation a chance to turbocharge renewable energy
Next generation of clean energy technology is within Australia’s grasp, SMH, Kane Thornton October 5, 2011 “…….The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) pledged under the federal government’s carbon price package will use $10 billion of carbon price revenue from big polluters as loans for new, clean energy technologies. It will be overseen by an independent board of finance professionals.
Last year, renewable energy provided about 8.6 per cent of Australia’s electricity. We are headed for 20 per cent by 2020 under the bipartisan Renewable Energy Target. A recent review by the Productivity Commission found that most of Australia’s trading partners have introduced some kind of target for renewable energy. The debate on a carbon price continues, but the energy target is currently Australia’s largest climate change policy, set to lead to the reduction of about 380 million tonnes of carbon emissions by the end of the decade. Like the IT industry in the late 1990s, some incredibly bright minds across the world have turned their attention to developing new technologies that can produce clean, renewable electricity…..lobally there are plenty of examples where the investment is indeed paying off. Figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance show that $US243 billion ($A252 billion) was invested in clean energy last year, as the sector continues to outstrip traditional energy. Some of the world’s biggest players are seeing the value in clean energy investments, including Google, GE, the US military, Samsung and engineering giant Siemens. GE’s Ecomagination program made more than $80 billion for the company over the past five years by combining good business and sustainability.
Clean energy is a massive opportunity for Australia. There will be the occasional setback, but this is an opportunity we should be seizing with both hands rather than looking for reasons to sit on them. http://www.smh.com.au/business/next-generation-of-clean-energy-technology-is-within-australias-grasp-20111004-1l77n.html#ixzz1a25GMjO9
Australian rooftop solar system providing power at all times
under the current government’s lack of incentives, rooftop solar is not economically attractive … until now.”
urban consumers wanted access to the grid to ensure they had power at all times.
“This achieves that for people – it’s a system which guarantees power supply from a predominantly solar source,”
What solar crisis?, Daily Examiner, 3 Oct 2011 A CLARENCE Valley solar power innovation promises to dramatically reduce household power costs and is offering hope to an industry sector which has had the rug pulled from under it.
In a first for Australia, Northern Rivers Renewable Energy (NRRE) has developed a system that automatically manages a home’s solar and grid power to the advantage of the home owner.
In a nutshell, the household’s entire electricity needs are stored in batteries which are, for the most part, recharged by solar power.
Now – and here’s the innovation – if enough solar energy is not produced, due to persistent rain for example, the system then recharges the batteries from grid power using a combination of off-peak and peak electricity. Continue reading
IAE predicts solar energy boom – will Australia miss out?
….. the IEA will produce a study that predicts more than half the world’s energy needs, and most of its electricity needs, will come from solar energy sources by 2060. The question that Australia needs to ask itself, as it signs yet another multibillion-dollar contract to develop LNG resources, is how it is placed to benefit from a solar future that will dominate future energy sources in the same way as coal and oil has in the past….
Ferguson, like the IEA, has mostly been interested in protecting the supply of fossil fuels for export or use at home, …
Will Australia miss the global solar boom? Crikey.com, 29 Sept 11, by Giles Parkinson of Climate Spectator “……In the past couple of years, however, the IEA has focused more on different scenarios for the world’s future energy needs — both in terms of energy security and in reducing emissions. In doing so, it has emerged as one of the world’s most bullish proponents of renewable energy, in particular solar.Federal
Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson next month will have the honour of chairing the biennial meeting of 36 energy ministers hosted by the International Energy Agency. The topic will be the world’s energy future, and the contents are likely to be surprising — so much so that Ferguson may have cause to consider if Australia is well prepared for the energy revolution ahead.Since its establishment in the 1970s, after the oil price shock, the IEA’s principal mandate has been around the protection of oil supplies, and its forecasts for the world’s long-term energy mix were viewed — particularly by those pushing renewables — with some suspicion. Continue reading
Victorian country town – 90% of households want action for renewable energy
Residents plan for renewable energy, Stawell Times News 23 Sep, 2011 STAWELL REGION – Stawell Climate Action Group has handed over the results of a survey about renewable energy to Federal Member for Mallee, John Forrest.
Group spokesperson, Julie Andrew said of the 105 Stawell households that were surveyed, 91 percent wanted strong policies to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy. She said a remarkable 90 percent of those surveyed wanted Australia to develop a plan to move to 100 percent renewable energy.
“We found when we talked with people and shared information, people in our region overwhelmingly want to talk about solutions,” Ms Andrew said. “They want to get behind a positive vision. They are tired of the negativity and bickering by politicians and just want our elected representatives to get on and do something.”
Ms Andrew said Stawell Climate Action Group asked Mr Forrest to tell the group his plan for how it could get serious renewable energy investment flowing into the Stawell area and making renewable energy more affordable for all Australians……. It’s time we got on with it and unlocked the potential of renewable energy like solar and wind in our area and we will keep working to see that happen.” http://www.stawelltimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/residents-plan-for-renewable-energy/2301627.aspx
Victoria’s Baillieu Liberal government kills off community wind farm plans
As of last month, the project is on hold, possibly dead, after the Baillieu government introduced Australia’s most restrictive wind farm regulations.
Libs sweep wind from turbine sails, The Age, Adam Morton. September 24, 2011 — Nearly four years ago, a small group of Woodend residents hatched a plan to power the historic town entirely on renewable energy. Three wind turbines would be built in a pine forest six kilometres south of the town to generate enough energy to run not only Woodend, but also nearby Macedon, Mount Macedon and Newham.
Wind speeds were modelled to determine the best location, community forums held, more than 500 signatures collected in support, and initial steps taken to start raising the $14 million needed. A smaller number of people expressed objections. Continue reading
Clean Energy Council once again to be run by fossil fuel interests?
Some years ago, the Clean Energy Council was heavily influenced by the fossil fuel industries – and so, not at all to be trusted on matters of renewable energy.
The Clean Energy Council cleaned up its act. But now – is it once again to be dominated by fossil fuel interests? – C.M
[AGL – one of] the big three energy “gentailers” – along with Origin and TruEnergy – which already wield extraordinary power over the clean energy industry and effectively hold the power of veto over which projects and which technologies get funding….the concentration of power in the hands of the gentailers is not good, and it is their influence, rather than bad policy, that is often blamed for blocking the rollout of renewables.
Australia’s clean power struggle, 20 Sep 2011, Climate Spectator, Giles Parkinson The naming of AGL Energy CEO Michael Fraser as the new chairman of the Clean Energy Council caused barely a ripple of interest in the mainstream media last week, but it has created some anxiety in the local renewables industry……. Continue reading
Upper Hunter region Councils look to renewable energy “life after coal”
Coal towns urged to consider renewable future, ABC News Newcastle, September 19, 2011 , A new $100,000 report has identified Muswellbrook and Singleton as future renewable energy hubs. The Upper Hunter Diversification Report was commissioned by the six Upper Hunter councils, co-funded by the State Government, and is being released to Singleton councillors this week.
It attempts to signal where the Hunter’s jobs will come from over the next 25 years and as the coal boom subsides. Singleton Council’s Salena Avard says because of the skilled mine labour force in Muswellbrook and Singleton, the towns would be perfect for the production of renewable energy technologies. “Singleton has a really fantastic set of skills that are associated both with the mining industry but professional services and all sorts of support industries,” she said.
“I think there is an opportunity for us to have a look at where we can transfer those skills. “Everyone recognises that the mining industry is going to be here for some time yet, but certainly life after mining is a consideration of this report.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-19/upper-hunter-renewable-energy-hubs/2905970/?site=newcastle
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
Wind farms for South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales
Acciona Plans to Develop 144-Megawatt South Australia Wind Farm, Bloomberg, By James Paton – Sep 15, 2011 Acciona SA (ANA), the Spanish renewable energy company, plans to develop a 144-megawatt wind farm in the state of South Australia, according to documents filed with the Australian government.
The Exmoor wind farm, with as many as 48 turbines, would be located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Naracoorte in the southeast region of the state, the Madrid-based company said in documents lodged yesterday with the Australian Environment Department. Acciona may get approval to build the wind farm as early as 2013, the company said.
Acciona, AGL Energy Ltd. (AGK) and Investec Plc are among companies planning to build more wind-power projects in Australia as the country moves toward a goal of generating 20 percent of its power from renewable energy sources by 2020. AGL’s 420-megawatt Macarthur wind farm in Victoria state, estimated to cost A$1 billion ($1 billion), will be the largest in the southern hemisphere when it is completed in early 2013, the Sydney-based company said last year.
Acciona in July opened the 107 million-euro ($148 million) Gunning wind farm in New South Wales state, the company’s third in Australia. That project has a capacity of 46.5 megawatts…http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-16/acciona-plans-to-develop-144-megawatt-south-australia-wind-farm.html
1 This month
7 April – WEBINAR – Australia and the Doomsday Clock – Preventing nuclear war through NoFirstUse and other policies
Online | Tuesday April 7, 4:00-5:30pm, Australian Eastern Time / 8:00-9:30am Central Europe Time
– Access the registration link
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 