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
Carbon tax plan helped attract world’s largest solar maker to Australia
World’s largest solar maker opens office in Australia Radio Australia September 17, 2011 The world’s largest maker of solar panels says Australia’s carbon tax is one of the factors that has attracted it to the country.
The US-based First Solar opened its doors in Australia this month, planning to be a major supplier of solar panels for large-scale power projects. The company says costs of panels are coming down quickly but government incentives will be necessary for another five years….. SNOWDON: If the forecasts are right, solar energy will deliver half the world’s electricity production within fifty years. Australia’s target is 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020, a policy that encouraged the world’s biggest solar panel maker to open a sales and engineering office in Sydney a week ago. And the carbon tax while not essential, helped….
Government incentives he says will be necessary for another five years, after which the industry should be established…..
Solar energy lacks national plan, Australian govt slow to help
The Australian solar industry is battling to ensure that government support for large-scale development holds up, following a string of setbacks for a rooftop solar sector that has seen subsidies withdrawn or reduced across the nation…..
Australia needs national plan for large solar, says industry, Recharge 13 Sept 11, Australia risks missing its potential in large-scale solar without a stable policy and planning regime to underpin a steady pipeline of projects, the country’s renewables industry association has warned.
Launching its Large-scale Solar Policy Roadmap, Australia’s Clean Energy Council (CEC) calls on the country’s policy-makers to capitalise on the interest the federal government’s A$1.5bn ($1.6bn) Solar Flagships programme has generated among international investors. Continue reading
As solar energy costs fall, Australia needs to act fast developing solar expertise
the potential role of solar is quite impressive. It could be a trillion dollar market or more within a decade or two, and the world’s biggest energy technology companies are jostling for position. As Mark Twidell, from the Australian Solar Institute points out, solar is the only technology where costs are falling rapidly – most others are static or rising…..
Australian solar thinks big, Climate Spectator,Giles Parkinson, 9 Sept 11, More than 100 aspiring developers of large-scale solar plants will join financiers, policy makers and NGOs in Melbourne for yet another solar summit today – anxious to learn how they can stop meeting like this and actually go out and build stuff. Continue reading
Costs of solar energy in Australia dropping, competitive with coal
Australia, Solar Costs Actually Compete with Coal Calfinder (USA) 9 Sept 11, Solar energy. Solar panels. Solar affordability. We’ve talked about it a lot. And for good reason—solar energy is emerging more and more into the social consciousness as a great alternative for coal and other exhaustible energy. Places all around the world are finding that the cost of solar energy is dropping. Especially in Australia.
Solar power generated by photovoltaic cells has created such a drop in cost for solar energy in Australia that the energy source has become incredibly cheap. In fact, these cells produce power for as little money as coal-derived electricity.
To find out how much solar costs in your area, click here.
Such a drop in cost, says the Australian Photovoltaic Association, has allowed solar to finally rival coal. The idea is called grid parity, where the government itself has begun to rethink pricing models and availability of solar paneling.
That’s saying a lot. But these solar panels are doing a lot. Across the country, governments are abandoning the concept of paying people for the power that their solar cells generate.
Despite the controversial feed-in tariffs, blamed largely for the country’s rapid rise in electricity costs, solar panels are generating electricity so cheaply that the solar source has become competitive with coal—even without subsidies, according to Photovoltaic Association spokeswoman Dr. Muriel Watt…. http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/news/australia-solar-costs/comment-page-
Australia’s carbon tax stimulates foreign investment in renewable energy
We think its a tremendous advantage. We’ve been long supporters of the carbon tax and we think the package the government has come up with will be pretty effective. It seems to be the most economically efficient way to reach any given target.
Foreign company interest in Australian renewable energy, Radio Australia September 7, 2011 , Some of the world’s biggest companies are getting involved in Australia’s renewable energy sector. Large investments are being made in solar technology at a time when the debate around climate change and carbon schemes is highly politicised. Continue reading
Queensland’s solar tariff helps create $3.5 billion in new investment
Queensland’s tariff, which pays 45c per kWh, had helped thousands to access clean power…“[Queensland will avoid] going down the path of other states in collapsing their schemes and causing such dislocation amongst a somewhat new and still vulnerable part of the economy.”….Current policies to promote renewable energy in Queensland would create $3.5 billion in new investment and 3500 new jobs.
Solar cuts are ‘foolish’: Roberston – Narooma News, GRAHAM READFEARN, 06 Sep, 2011 Queensland Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has accused other state governments of being “foolish and shortsighted” for cutting payments to promote solar energy.Mr Robertson told the Ecogen renewable energy conference in Brisbane yesterday that recent decisions in Victoria and New South Wales to cut back payments for homeowners with solar power would damage the industry. Continue reading
Wind power a financial winner for South Australian farmers
they will receive about $15,000 per year for each turbine on their properties. Each turbine requires about half a hectare of space. A wheat crop on the same amount of land would yield about $300
Farmers to reap more from wind than crops, Adelaide Now, Katrina Stokes , September 01, 2011THIRTY Yorke Peninsula landowners will reap an average of $90,000 a year to host wind turbines on their land in a $1.3 billion development.Residents have embraced the proposal that will 180 wind turbines on farms near Ardrossan and provide 25 per cent of the state’s daily energy needs. 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.
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
1 This month
Read the Public Inquiry Report, the Commissioners’ report, Surrendering Australia: The AUKUS Deception is available to download for free at aukuspublicinquiry.com. Or just watch the replay of the National Press Club Luncheon.
4 November – Will AUKUS keep us safe – at what cost?
the Commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry present their findings at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address
Submissions to the federal government’s new draft framework close on the 13th November 2026.
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AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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