Only the Greens up to date on low carbon economy
Head-in-the-sand economics Business Spectator, Giles Parkinson 13 Oct 09 “……….Unlike the other domestic political parties who are bickering over a scheme that will have minimal environmental impact, only the Greens are proposing a scheme that seeks to meet the demand of the science. Continue reading
Family car – solar-powered, fast and low-energy
Solar car ‘uses less power than a toaster’ Brisbane Times KELLY LANE
October 8, 2009
It’s lean, green and can run on less energy than it takes to power the family toaster. Continue reading
Renewable energy trading starts 24 Nov on ASX
ASX announces start for renewable energy trading ABC News Oct 7, 2009
The operator of Australia’s futures market, the Australian Securities Exchange, will begin trade in renewable energy certificates from November 24.
Renewable energy certificates, or RECs, are a form of currency that can be earned by installing solar panels, wind turbines and micro-hydro plants.
Each certificate represents one megawatt hour of electricity generated from renewable energy.
The trade in REC futures and options is designed to help ensure Australia meets its target for 20 per cent of electricity to come from green power by 2020. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/07/2707337.htm?section=business
Kevin Rudd should come clean on renewable energy
Editorial: Reserve Bank eases the accelerator
Adelaide Now 7 Oct 09 Dim prospects for sun power GOING green and embracing alternative energy is one of the standards the Federal Government has been flagging furiously since its first day in office. Continue reading
Decentralised smart power for regional Australia
Smart power works best when used by bright sparks The Age JOHN MARTIN October 6, 2009 “…………An intelligent grid will also accept power from different and decentralised sources, not just the huge, centralised, coal-burning, power plants in places such as the Latrobe Valley. Continue reading
Renewable energy’s prospects rise, with Smart Grid plan
Australia’s Smart Grid A Step Closer by Energy Matters 1 October 09 The Australian Government yesterday announced the next step in transforming Australia’s ageing electricity grid into a “smart grid” through the release of a report. Continue reading
Australia’s renewable energy policy in a mess
Solar sector held back by foggy energy policy THE AUSTRALIAN Giles Parksinson | September 28, 2009 WHEN Kevin Rudd returns to Australia to translate the grand rhetoric of the international stage into action on the domestic front, he could start by trying to sort out the mess and the confusion in the country’s solar ambitions. Continue reading
Online Solar and Energy Efficiency Forum for Scientists and Community
Energy Matters Launches Australian Solar Power Online Forums
Melbourne, Victoria, September 25, 2009. Energy Matters, a national provider of solar power solutions for home, business and community groups has launched an online community to cater to supporters of solar power and other forms of renewable energy in Australia. Continue reading
Solar power’s bright new prospects
World wakes to new dawn for solar power
The Age PADDY MANNING September 19, 2009
WHEN Lindsay Tanner says greenies are ”obsessed” with solar energy, he’s right. And it’s obvious why.Clean coal is a myth. Nuclear has radioactive waste and security issues and (read Helen Caldicott) it’s not as efficient as they say. Continue reading
South Australia Sets Sights On Exporting Renewable Energy
South Australia Sets Sights On Exporting Renewable Energy
Energy Matters 26 August 09
South Australian Premier Mike Rann recently unveiled a plan to see renewable energy sourced power generated in South Australia exported to the nation’s eastern states. Continue reading
Australia targets 20% renewable energy by 2020
Australia targets 20% renewable energy by 2020
Google News (AFP) – 20 August 09
SYDNEY — Australia on Thursday passed a clean energy law requiring the country to produce 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020 in move that could draw billions of dollars of green investment. Continue reading
How on earth can coal gas be called “renewable” energy?
Alternative energy advocates unhappy about coal gas inclusion in RET bill
ABC Rural News 18/08/2009
Alternative energy groups say gas produced by burning coal doesn’t come from a renewable source, and shouldn’t be included under a renewable energy target scheme.
The chief executive of Western Australia’s Sustainable Energy Association, Professor Ray Wills, wants a new bill introduced into Federal Parliament.He says it should be separate to either the renewable energy or emissions trading legislation, to deal with so-called ‘transitional’ fuels.”And including coal gas which actually does a useful service of reducing methane to carbon dioxide, and so therefore is less greenhouse intensive, but it’s certainly not a renewable energy source,” he says.”We can set up separate innovation funds that allow migration from fossil fuelgeneration to renewable energy generation.”
Alternative energy advocates unhappy about coal gas inclusion in RET bill – 18/08/2009
Australia passing Renewable Energy Target Law
Australia’s Renewable Energy Target Bill Passes House Of Rep
Energy matters 18 August 09
After being decoupled from the Australian Government’s failed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), the Renewable Energy Target bill was passed in the House of Representatives last night.The legislation will see 20 per cent of Australia’s energy needs sourced from renewable energy within 20 years.
For Australia’s solar industry, it’s very good news as the legislation also covers the Solar Credits program that will provide substantial rebates for households, businesses and community groups wishing to install solar power systems, both off grid and grid connect. ……………….
Unlike the previous rebate; the Solar Credits scheme is not means tested; meaning that most households will be eligible for the program.
………..In an odd compromise, amendments already made to the RET allow for coal seam methane tapped for use as an energy source to also be counted in the RET, a move the Australian Greens say is a deal struck to increase the profit margins of the coal sector. However, Senator Wong says it would be included on top of the 20% target
Australia’s Renewable Energy Target Bill Passes House Of Reps : Renewable Energy News
Renewable energy stocks rise, and Australia to pass renewables legislation
Green companies get wind in their sails
August 17, 2009
CLEAN chip stocks outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 by 7.6 per cent in the first half of this year, showing companies focused on climate change solutions are capable of earning superior returns, according to analysis from The Climate Institute.
Over three years, clean indices recorded returns 47 per cent greater than the benchmark index, according to findings from The Climate Institute study.
The analysis combined three clean technology indices; the RepuTex Carbon Leaders Index Series, the RepuTex Climate Change Index Series and Bakers Investment Groups ALTEX Australia Index and compared them with the Standard and Poors ASX 200 index.
The findings came as Climate Change Minister Penny Wong yesterday announced the Federal Government had bowed to pressure and would decouple the Renewable Energy Target Bill from the emissions trading legislation rejected in the Senate on Thursday.
The RET Bill is now widely expected to be passed this week, paving the way for more than $28 billion of investment in a clean energy sector, expected to help the economy draw 20 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2020.
Australia’s carbon scheme to boost markets
Carbon scheme to boost markets
Giles Parkinson | August 10, 2009Article from: The Australian“……………..Lagging behind in renewables
WITH the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target also facing a standstill in the Senate, there are growing concerns in the local renewable energy industry that the country is being left behind.There are billions of dollars of projects currently on hold, and while the government says it wants to be a leader in renewable technologies, other countries are marching ahead.China has recently upgraded its renewable energy target from 15 per cent to 20 per cent by 2020, which will translate to around 150 gigawatts of wind power, 20GW of solar power and 30GW of biomass power.India joined the push towards solar last week, announcing plans to install 20GW of solar capacity by 2020 — its reliance on an equivalent amount of diesel-sourced power means solar will be cost-competitive — with a grand plan to lift that to 200GW of solar by 2050.
“Everyone wants to be world leader,” says Ray Wills, head of the WA Sustainable Energy Association. “Other developed and developing nations are moving aggressively to develop their lesser renewable energy resources while Australia — with the world’s best resources — is lagging behind.”
In the US, the amount produced by renewable energy sources (11.1 per cent) has overtaken that of nuclear power (10.4 per cent), according to the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration.Professor Wills notes that $US155 billion was invested directly into clean-energy companies and projects worldwide in 2008, and total transactions in the sector, including acquisitions and buyouts, were $US223 billion. Precious little of that occurred in Australia.
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
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 