The City of Sydney, by contrast, is currently meeting around 14 per cent of its electricity demand with renewables, on a path to 50 per cent by 2030. Recently, it made a second attempt to convince Australia’s energy rule maker to encourage decentralised energy – such as solar and battery storage – by removing some of the market barriers and making the rules fairer.
The City of Melbourne has a renewable energy target of 25 per cent by 2018
The City of Adelaide is also targeting net zero emissions by 2050
And the ACT leads the push to renewables,
Sydney steps up action on climate, aims for 50% renewables by 2030 http://reneweconomy.com.au/sydney-steps-up-action-on-climate-aims-for-50-renewables-by-2030-2030/ By Sophie Vorrath on 16 May 2017
A City of Sydney proposal to double down on local government sustainability and climate targets has been unanimously supported by council, adding stronger environmental targets and greater support for technology and digital infrastructure to the city’s already ambitious plan.
First adopted in 2008, the Sustainable Sydney 2030 action plan will now be updated by council with a reinforced commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, sourcing half of its energy from renewables by 2030 and zero increase in water usage.
The refresh of the document also confirms the City’s alignment with the 100 Resilient Cities initiative and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Continue reading →
May 16, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
energy, New South Wales |
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It’s a problem central Adelaide resident Jo Thomas was forced to confront when she learned a developer had plans to build a four-storey building next door.
Continue reading →
May 16, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, legal, solar |
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Network owner Ausnet sees grid dominated by wind and solar http://reneweconomy.com.au/network-owner-ausnet-sees-grid-dominated-by-wind-and-solar-19103/ By Giles Parkinson on 16 May 2017
Ausnet Services, the largest operator of electricity and gas networks in Victoria, has given its vision of what the grid of the future might look like in that state – and it is one dominated by wind and solar.
That is probably not surprising, given that the state government is likely to have its target of 40 per cent renewable energy generation by 2025 locked into legislation in the next few months. But it does reflect how quickly the nature of generation in the state most dependent on brown coal will change. Continue reading →
May 16, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
solar, Victoria, wind |
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ABC Rural By Babs McHugh, 11 May 17 The Federal budget includes a number of multi-million-dollar measures to ensure more gas is available and shore up east-coast supplies.
May 12, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, politics |
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Renewable hydrogen could fuel Australia’s next export boom after CSIRO breakthrough, ABC News, 11 May 17, By Rebecca Turner Australia’s next big export industry could be its sunlight and wind, as game-changing technology makes it easier to transport and deliver their energy as hydrogen.
Industry players are even talking up renewable hydrogen as the next liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, which could supply hydrogen to power cars, buses, trucks and trains in Japan, South Korea and even Europe.
Their plans have been given a boost by a CSIRO-developed metal membrane, which allows the high-purity hydrogen needed for hydrogen-powered cars to be separated from ammonia.
What is renewable hydrogen?
- Hydrogen is a carrier of energy
- Renewable hydrogen is produced by purifying seawater, then separating the hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis
- The process of separation is powered by solar or wind energy
- The hydrogen becomes a vehicle for storing renewable energy such as solar or wind
- It is converted into transportable forms for export
CSIRO principal research scientist Michael Dolan said the technology, now being trialled on an industrial scale in Australia, was “the missing link” which allowed hydrogen to be transported and used as an energy source.
“There’s potentially a very big market for the technology, given these cars are starting to get onto the road in pretty big numbers in Asian and Europe,” Dr Dolan said.
While there are only four hydrogen cars in Australia — produced by Hyundai and Toyota — South Korea already has hydrogen-powered taxis on its streets……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-11/hydrogen-breakthrough-could-fuel-renewable-energy-export-boom/8518916
May 12, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy |
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AusNet trial successfully takes part of Melbourne suburb off-grid http://reneweconomy.com.au/ausnet-trial-successfully-takes-part-melbourne-suburb-off-grid-21015/ By Sophie Vorrath on 11 May 2017 A solar and battery storage mini-grid trial by Victorian network operator AusNet Services has succeeded in taking part of a Melbourne suburb completely off grid, demonstrating how utilities can use solar, battery storage and the internet of things to boost energy security and reliability in the future.
AusNet said on Wednesday that eight homes had been successfully separated from Victoria’s main electricity grid and operated together as a stand-alone solar and battery storage powered mini grid, as part of the company’s Mooroolbark Mini Grid trial.
The homes, including two that had neither solar or batteries, were able to maintain power by sharing electricity via AusNet’s powerlines that connect the mini grid, before being successfully re-integrated with the main grid.
AusNet said the cloud-based mini grid control system – which has been provided by locally-based energy technology company GreenSync – and the stabiliser took the mini grid through a sequence of stages to test the stability of the mini grid as an independent, unified renewable energy system.
The stabiliser, developed by Power Technology Engineered Solutions, is essentially a smart battery storage system that smooths renewable energy supply and consumption across the mini grid by either delivering or absorbing power when needed.
Parker, speaking at Energy Network Australia’s Welcome to the Grid Edge conference on Wednesday, said that the achievement was a “major milestone” on the road to a future grid with high penetration of solar and storage.
“The electricity network will continue to play an important role in our energy future, but we need to make sure it is able to support technology such as solar panels and battery storage for the benefit of all customers,” he said.
“In the future, we may be able to use this technology to keep homes powered during major storm events.
“We could also use (it) to smooth peak demand on our network, helping to reduce the need to build expensive power stations and therefore reducing costs to customers.”
The next step for the trial is to test additional control functionality to manage peak loads and generation on the network, as well as further testing of the stand-alone supply scenario involving additional customers being integrated into the stand-alone mini grid.
May 12, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
solar, Victoria |
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Other announcements included the Government reaffirming their $110m loan commitment for the solar thermal project in Port Augusta.
Most of the package will go to measures that will accelerate exploration and assessment of onshore gas and lay the groundwork for new gas pipelines.
It is clear from this budget that the Coalition government is failing to undertake the longer term strategic thinking that is needed to transform Australia’s energy system and wider economy to address Australia’s growing emissions
Turnbull’s budget ignores energy crisis and dodges climate http://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbulls-budget-ignores-energy-crisis-dodges-climate-24886/ By Matthew Rose on 10 May 2017
Budgets are centrepiece moments for governments. They lay out spending and savings but they also highlight values and choices, along with the agenda the government will pursue in the coming financial year. Decisions often have legislative implications that must be wrangled through the Senate and therefore dominate the political agenda for months if not the following year.
Unfortunately, the second budget of the Turnbull Government continues their dire management of Australia’s energy and climate change policy. By the government’s own admission, they are in the grip of an ‘energy crisis’ largely concerning east coast gas supplies. The energy sector overall has been plagued by policy uncertainty.
Earlier in the week the Energy and Environment Minister admitted Australia wouldn’t meet its Paris Commitment of net zero emissions by 2050 and instead the end of the century was a more realistic ambition.
This ambition ignores the overwhelming scientific evidence that net zero emissions by the end of the century is totally inadequate in avoiding extremely dangerous climate change. It is inconsistent with the Paris Agreement goal of holding global warming well below 2 degrees and to pursue a 1.5-degree limit. In short, it is a grossly negligent position from Australia’s environment minister.
Despite these self-identified challenges the Federal Budget fails to address them. The current centrepiece of the Government’s climate policy the Emission Reduction Fund (ERF) remains under a cloud with no further funding allocated in the Budget. Continue reading →
May 11, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy, politics |
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Queensland
20,000 jobs in solar power proposal
A US firm is scouting sites in Queensland for up to six solar thermal power stations, each of which would cost about $600m to build and need 4000 construction workers…..
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/solar-power-queensland-plans-for-up-to-six-solar-thermal-stations/news-story/500edfdd61cdd0603bb876a8a558e3b0
May 7, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
Queensland, solar |
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There’s just too much news on renewable energy! Unable to cope, I give you some brief notes.
May 6, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy |
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AEMO chief says clinging to old energy business models is “insane”http://reneweconomy.com.au/aemo-chief-says-clinging-to-old-energy-business-models-is-insane-66776/ By Giles Parkinson on 3 May 2017
The new head of the Australian Energy Market Operators says the notion that major energy industry players can hold on to their old business models is “insane”, and has described last year’s state-wide blackout in South Australia as a “wake-up” call for all in the industry.
In a speech to the Australian Solar Council conference in Melbourne on Wednesday, and in earlier in-depth interview with RenewEconomy, Zibelman says the pace of change in the energy industry would be rapid, would focus on consumers and their use of rooftop solar and battery storage, and on demand management.
Zibelman advocates major reforms in the market, particularly in the proposed 5-minute rule, which she says would help make wind and solar “predictable”. She says it is clear that Australia will lead the world in shifting from a grid focused on centralised generation and passive consumers to one based on distributed resources and two way system.
This, she says, will require a new approach from all involved, including incumbent utilities, network operators, regulators, and AEMO itself. Continue reading →
May 5, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy |
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I strongly recommend viewers to read http://reneweconomy.com.au/ where Giles Parkinson ,Sophie Vorrath, and other mighty pens will give you all the news on renewable energy. The ABC is good, too.
For this website – the avalanche of renewable energy news is overwhelming. It
IS all happening in Australia, even if our government is blind to that fact.
But, as this site is dedicated to nuclear issues, from now on, we’ll be providing only brief notes on renewables. I am grateful to Jim Green, Beyond Nuclear (Australia) and Maelor Himbury, for their daily dedication to collecting these headlines.
National
Solar PV could provide 30% of power needs by 2030, ARENA says
ARENA says solar PV could account for 30% of Australia’s power needs by 2030, as it unveils its new investment priorities – storage and reliability, solar innovation, energy productivity and renewable energy exports. Also, expect an announcement on solar thermal soon.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-pv-could-provide-30-of-power-needs-by-2030-arena-says-38670/
Why every Australian town should have its own wind or solar farm
Imagining an Australia where every town is running off its own renewable energy projects is becoming a reality. Victoria is on the case.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/why-every-australian-town-should-have-its-own-wind-or-solar-farm-92636/
The solar panel and battery revolution: how will your state measure up?
Paul Graham, CSIRO
A new report predicts a boom in household solar and batteries as Australia’s electricity networks move to a more sustainable footing, with some states poised for a 500% boost in rooftop solar.
http://theconversation.com/the-solar-panel-and-battery-revolution-how-will-your-state-measure-up-76866
Five-fold increase in clean energy investment
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/fivefold-increase-in-clean-energy-investment-bodes-will-for-2020-target-20170502-gvwze0
Solar panel and battery revolution: how will your state measure up?
A new roadmap for Australia’s electricity networks outlines a national plan to keep the lights on, make sure bills are affordable, and decarbonise our electricity industry by mid-century.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-panel-battery-revolution-will-state-measure-65842
May 3, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy |
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Tasmanian households and small businesses can increase their energy efficiency through a new no-interest loan scheme, BLAIR RICHARDS, State Political Editor, Mercury
May 2, 2017 THE State Government has continued its focus on power prices, opening up the long-awaited energy efficiency loan scheme.The scheme, which was one of the major cost-of-living announcements in last year’s state budget, has been announced just ahead of the next budget.
Under the $10 million scheme Tasmanian households and small businesses can obtain interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for energy efficient appliances including heat pumps, double-glazed windows, solar panels and solar hot water systems.
The loans will be provided by Westpac and administered by Aurora Energy.
The scheme follows the Government’s pledge to legislate to cap power prices for the next 12 months to avoid a possible national price hike.
Energy Minister Matthew Groom said the two power price initiatives would help keep a lid on costs to Tasmanian households and businesses.
Mr Groom said 2000 people had already registered for energy efficiency loans.
“Products can be purchased from any Tasmanian supplier that has been operating in the state for 18 months or more, which will ensure that Tasmanian businesses benefit from the scheme as well,” he said.
Deputy Opposition leader Michelle O’Byrne said Labor supported the energy loans scheme, however it had been a long time coming. http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-households-and-small-businesses-can-increase-their-energy-efficiency-through-a-new-nointerest-loan-scheme/news-story/65f512a7d8bd287c1d3c5da400db0564
May 3, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
efficiency, Tasmania |
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AGL kills idea of gas as transition fuel: wind, solar + storage cheaper, REneweconomy, By Sophie Vorrath on 2 May 2017 Australia’s largest integrated energy company, AGL Energy, says Australia’s transition away from a coal power dominated national grid to low-carbon generation will largely bypass “baseload” gas, and instead shift straight to large-scale wind and solar.
As politicians and the gas lobby expend considerable energy over the need to guarantee supply of gas, the company founded some 180 years ago as The Australian Gas Light Co, says the combination of wind and solar and battery storage is already cheaper than new gas generators.
“The energy transition we have all been anticipating will skip ‘big baseload gas’ as a major component of the NEM’s base-load generation and instead largely be a case of moving from ‘big coal’ to ‘big renewables’,” AGL CFO Brett Redman says in a presentation to the Macquarie Australia Conference in Sydney on Tuesday.
The frank prediction – which flies in the face of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to subsidise the delivery of more gas into Australia’s electricity market – is based on the now fairly well accepted economic view that gas power will continue up the cost curve, making it less and less competitive with large-scale solar and wind. Continue reading →
May 3, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy |
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Demonstrators rally for Port Augusta solar thermal power plant http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/demonstrators-rally-for-port-augusta-solar-thermal-power-plant/news-story/0c142b68f658a89d7c455202a4021d56 April 30, 2017 MORE than 200 people turned out on the steps of Parliament House on Sunday, with their own makeshift solar panels, urging the State Government to back a solar thermal power plant at Port Augusta.
Decked with mirror panels to mimic solar panels, the demonstrators were led by Port Augusta Mayor Sam Johnson and former coal power station worker Gary Rowbottom.
The Federal Government has committed $110 million in funding through a loan for the project, but the State Government is yet to commit any money.
Mr Johnson said a power purchase plan from the government would make it viable and secure jobs for the Far North city. “Our community has pushed for solar thermal for years,” he said. “Now, it’s time for action from the State Government. Federal funding is now locked in for solar thermal in Port Augusta so it’s time for the Premier to make solar thermal a reality.
“Building solar thermal won’t just help Port Augusta, it will create manufacturing jobs for SA, regional jobs and balance our electricity grid with big storage.”
Mr Rowbottom said the project would provide much-needed stimulus for Port Augusta. “This is Jay Weatherill and the SA Government’s chance to support our community for the long term, helping us build a new future and becoming the clean energy powerhouse of SA now the coal station has closed,” he said.
Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said solar thermal power was “absolutely in the mix” for the State Government going forward.
May 1, 2017
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
solar, South Australia |
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Antinuclear 