Solar thermal power push to keep jobs in Port Augusta
THE “dominoes” are lined up for Port Augusta to switch from coal-fired to solar thermal power generation and advocates are urging governments to summon the “political will” to secure the project….(subscribers only)
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/solar-thermal-power-push-to-keep-jobs-in-port-augusta/news-story/dd0e42df6d28e5e0bb5959966ac676be
Oman Ama community group to Canberra to reject nuclear waste dump plan
Qld group rejects nuclear dump plan Brisbane [AAP], EchoNet 1 Mar 16 Representatives from a tiny Queensland town have travelled to Canberra to voice concerns about being on a shortlist for nuclear waste dump sites.
Oman Ama, west of Warwick, was in November named as one of six potential dump sites identified by the federal government, which began a four-month consultation period…….
Members of the group Friends of Oman Ama will meet with two of Mr Frydenberg’s advisors on Tuesday, believing their questions about the process have not been adequately answered. ‘There’s some real damage happening – in family, friends, there’s division in the community’, spokesman Mark Russell told AAP.
‘The degree of harm and hurt is only going to be exacerbated as this process goes on.’ Mr Russell said the government was yet to clarify how it would measure “community acceptance”.‘We have no way of identifying where the goalposts are,’ he said.
‘It’s a very murky area, but it’s a key part of the process – because (the minister) is pinning his approach on this to the consultation factor.’
Oman Ama is a potential site because one land holder expressed an interest to an offer of “four times” the retail value of his property, Mr Russell said. He said residents were not concerned about the owner’s decision, but the way in which the government had begun the process based on one landowner’s interest.
Other property owners were worried about the financial impact and had spoken to bank managers, real estate agents and insurance brokers, Mr Russell added.
‘They have been told if you get a radioactive waste management facility in your area, your land values are most likely to depreciate’, he said……http://www.echo.net.au/2016/03/qld-group-rejects-nuclear-dump-plan/
Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg would not meet Communities from outback sites designated for nuclear waste dump
Residents ‘disappointed’ Minister Josh Frydenberg failed to meet them over nuclear waste dump concerns, ABC News, By Leah MacLennan and Natalie Whiting, 1 Mar 16 South Australian residents campaigning against a nuclear waste dump being set up in their communities have taken their fight to Canberra.The Federal Government has a shortlist of six sites for the facility, which would house medium- and low-level waste, much of it from nuclear medicine. Representatives from all six communities have travelled to Canberra, where they have met with government advisers, but have not been able to meet Resources and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg.
Three of the proposed sites are in South Australia,with two near the Eyre Peninsula town of Kimba.
Kimba farmer Peter Woolford travelled for two days to get to Canberra and said he was disappointed the Minister did not make time to meet with the group. “I think it’s certainly a lack of respect that’s been shown to a lot of us at the moment,” Mr Woolford said………
The group is concerned about the impact a dump could have on the environment, agriculture and land values. Andyamathanya woman from the Flinders Ranges, Regina MacKenzie, said one of the proposed sites has archaeological and spiritual significance for her people. “What little we have left, let us preserve it. Let us take it for the future,” Ms MacKenzie said.
“We’re fighting for our survival, not only our survival but our spiritual survival as well as Aboriginal people.”
Community consultation on the proposed sites will end on March 11….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-01/resident-disappointed-josh-frydenberg-failed-meet-nuclear-waste/7211416
Communities fight Turnbull government nuclear waste dump plan
Aboriginal woman Regina Mackenzie said the proposed Barndioota site in the Flinders Ranges threatened important cultural heritage sites. “There was no consultation whatsoever … we just feel it’s an attack on our belief system,” she said.
Greens nuclear spokesman senator Scott Ludlam said communities were told the dump would not be built if locals largely objected. “There’s strong opposition in all six communities [and] the government needs to abandon this idea,” he said.
Nuclear waste dump: Sleepless nights, tears and stress as communities fight Turnbull government plan, SMH March 1, 2016 – Nicole Hasham Environment and immigration correspondent When Peter Woolford’s son died in a motorbike accident 12 years ago, the rural community of Kimba united to help the farmer and his wife through their personal cataclysm.
But that was then. Now, old friends in the community no longer speak, and people on the streets of the South Australian town are afraid to talk about the issue that has driven a wedge between neighbours: a proposed nuclear waste dump.
Cortlinye, near Kimba, is one of six sites across Australia the federal government has shortlisted to host the nation’s first permanent nuclear dump for low-level and intermediate waste.
The others are at Sallys Flat near Hill End in NSW, Hale in the Northern Territory, Pinkawillinie and Barndioota in South Australia and Oman Ama in Queensland.
If sites are approved, landowners who volunteered their property would receive up to four times the value of their land, and the community would receive about $10 million for infrastructure or services.
But this fight is “not about money”, said Mr Woolford, who was in Canberra on Tuesday with waste dump opponents from the other five communities to voice their concern. They say Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg refused to meet them, however they met other senior officials. Continue reading
Solar energy to the grid: New South Wales’ Moree solar farm in operation
Moree solar farm starts feeding energy into grid http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-29/moree-solar-farm-starts-feeding-the-grid/7207942 ABC New England By Kelly Fuller The largest single-axis tracking solar farm in the country is now feeding energy back into the grid from Moree in New South Wales.
The solar farm is led by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) and has been funded with assistance of a $102 million grant from Australian Renewable Energy Agency and $47 million in debt financing from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
At full capacity the project is expected to generate 140,000 megawatt hours per annum, or the equivalent energy to supply the needs of 15,000 homes.
The company’s country manager Cameron Gamsworthy said feeding energy back into the grid was a significant step in the project’s development.
“It’s absolutely a major milestone. We’re now generating clean, renewable energy for the country,” he said. “[We are] looking forward to getting the project fully commissioned over the course of the next month.”
The farm’s 222,000 panels are expected to have a life of 30 years, and the company hopes the project will be at full capacity in a month’s time.
Mr Gamsworthy said FRV was considering other projects in the region.
Farm solar is the future
While the Moree project is unique, a University of New England academic said there was a growing demand for solar energy, particularly among rural communities.
“Farmers are getting more and more hungry for mobile technology that can be distributed around the farm,” said Professor David Lamb, from the university’s Smart Farm. “It could be a little water bore pump or some sort of gate alarm system or a trough monitor,” he said. “All of these technologies are going to need solar themselves because we obviously don’t want powerlines running around farms.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are literally thousands of little solar panels balancing on the back seat of old tractors that are used to keep the battery alive while it is left out in the weather for the next start.”At the end of the day the solar panel is becoming the set of pliers on a farm — you see them everywhere you look.”
Professor Lamb said the university was putting up ‘smart trees’ around the Smart Farm. “We literally have little sensors in the trees showing the amount of water these guys suck out of the ground, and each and every one of these trees has their own solar panel,” he said.
“[It] is quite ironic when you consider that trees are one of the most efficient harvesters of solar energy that we know.”
Tasmania’s great opportunities in renewable energy
King Island is emblematic of the challenges and opportunities facing the state. It is blessed with natural resources, but punished by its relative remoteness and lack of economies of scale. It has been a perfect testing ground for renewable technology, and has led to the Hydro exporting novel approaches to overseas markets. The project has already avoided the use of 18 million litres of diesel, and saved more than $24 million.
Tassie must look to future in renewables, February 29, 2016, ROSALIE WOODRUFF, Mercury “……… The Paris climate agreement sends a clear message to governments and investors that the age of fossil fuels is finished. There is a momentum around renewable energy generation, pushed by an urgency to respond to global warming and an explosion of new technology.
From crisis comes opportunity. The Greens are focused on the long-term task of transitioning Australia away from dependence on fossil fuels. The future is clearly in renewable energy generation, for pragmatism and prosperity.
We have released the Greens Energy Strategy, a blueprint for how the state can get started immediately on setting the business conditions we need to attract medium to large-scale renewable projects.
Our target is for Tasmania to be self-sufficient in clean electricity generation by 2022, and to be net exporters to the mainland. This is achievable. Continue reading
Could renewable power be Port Augusta’s saviour?
THE “dominoes” are lined up for Port Augusta to switch from coal-fired to solar thermal power generation and advocates are urging governments to summon the “political will” to secure the project….(subscribers only)
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/solar-thermal-power-push-to-keep-jobs-in-port-augusta/news-story/dd0e42df6d28e5e0bb5959966ac676be
Port Augusta community keenly concerned about renewable energy versus nuclear industry developments
Key points:
- Regional job losses and nuclear royal commission findings have some locals worried
- Government minister Geoff Brock says no nuclear decisions have been taken
- Tomato greenhouses using desalinated water are praised for creating local jobs
Hundreds of residents are expected at Port Augusta’s Central Oval complex to quiz visiting Government ministers on a range of issues including jobs.
The regional city is gearing for an imminent closure of Alinta’s Port Augusta power stations.
Mayor Sam Johnson expressed hope a range of options including hydroponic farming and renewable energy projects would create a secure future for the Port Augusta region.
“There is an area around Port Augusta which is clearly one of the world’s best sites when it comes to wind … also [ideal for] solar virtually from just south of Port Augusta right up to Roxby Downs,” he said.”As you go over towards Whyalla and Cowell, [that area] has been identified for anyone that wants to invest in wave technology.”
Government ministers are expected to tour Sundrop Farms’ vast tomato greenhouses at Port Augusta, which use desalinated sea water for crop production in the arid region. State Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock praised such ventures at a time of job losses elsewhere. “They will have around 200 people working there full-time and the good thing about this [is] Sundrop have just won an innovative award in Germany on an international scale,” he said.
“They’re going to have the research and development [functions] located at Port Augusta, so this is state of the art.”
Radioactive nuclear waste worries for northern SA residents
Nuclear concerns will also be high on the agenda for the public forum and for Cabinet as it meets in the far north region. The Port Augusta Mayor said there was significant local concern about the future prospect of radioactive waste being transported through the northern region.
Mr Johnson said talk of a possible nuclear waste facility for the state’s north was a hot topic among residents. He said if any high-level waste was ever shipped in via Whyalla or Port Pirie, it would also be likely to be transported through Port Augusta.
“The only way to go … is through Port Augusta, which has a two-lane bridge which has been in need of a little bit of work,” he said.
“There’s effectively no alternative detour access route and should there be an incident that occurs on that bridge then that has significant impacts not just for Port Augusta but also potentially the eco or marine environment.”…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-28/jobs-nuclear-waste-port-augusta-forum-country-cabinet/7205842
Australia’s Labor and Liberal Parties unite in dismissing community concerns on nuclear waste dumping
Liberal and Labor vote to ignore waste dump community concerns 22 Feb 2016 | Scott Ludlam The Labor and Libberal parties have voted together against a senate motion acknowledging the community opposition to each of the six locations shortlisted as a site for a nuclear waste dump.
“It’s not as though this motion asked a lot of the government, but for the opposition to cower from it is disappointing and weak,” Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Nuclear Issues Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said today.
“The government is shirking their own process. After months of assurances that they would heed community concerns, they’re desperately trying to downplay those concerns or ignore them altogether.
“We should be investigating all avenues to minimise waste, we should have a genuinely independent inquiry to investigate long-term stewardship options for spent fuel, reprocessing wastes, and other categories of radioactive waste. And we certainly should categorically rule out the importation of international nuclear waste,” Senator Ludlam concluded.
The senate motion opposed by Labor and the Coalition can be viewed here: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/motions/strong-local-opposition-all-6-proposed-nuclear-waste-dump-sites
Will the Australian govt impose a Lucas Heights nuclear waste dump on a South Australian community?
We will soon see how much in a rush the government is with the issue. Will it try to find a site by any means, even if this implies imposing it on a community or will it take its commitment not to do so seriously and maybe take the steps necessary to find a long-lived solution to a long-lived problem?| By Anica Niepraschk , 29 February 2016 The federal government – once again – is looking for a place to dump its nuclear waste. All attempts over the last twenty years have failed – and so might this one, at least if the government is sticking to the promises it made in its new approach.The process is to be voluntary and no dump is to be located anywhere without community consent. These are the words at least. 28 sites across Australia had been nominated by landowners last year and were reduced to a shortlist of six by the Department for Resources.
The six sites are in Hale (NT), not far from Alice Springs, Hill End in NSW, Oman Ama in Queensland and three sites in South Australia: two in the Kimba region (Cortlinye and Pinkawillinie) and Wallerbidina/ Barndioota, outside Hawker. The South Australian shortlisted sites also get increasingly entangled in a debate as to whether the state might offer itself up as the world’s nuclear waste dump, accepting high-level nuclear waste from power reactors around the world. This was the key prospect outlined in the tentative findings of the Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, released last week. All six sites are so far highly contested by the local communities, Continue reading |
South Australia a great State not a Waste State – communities visit Federal Parliament
Flinders Ranges and Kimba residents voicing nuclear concerns to Federal Parliament http://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/3753842/local-voice-on-nuclear-goes-national/?cs=1538 28 Feb 16
FLINDERS Ranges and Kimba representatives will travel to Parliament House in Canberra next week, with delegates from three other sites across Australia targeted for a national radioactive waste dump joining them.
South Australia has three nominated sites – two at Kimba and one just north of Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. The visit comes a week before the closure of public comment on the National Radioactive Waste Management Project on March 11.
Meetings have been requested with the key decision maker federal Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg and other ministers to discuss community concerns ahead of the submission deadline.
Toni Scott and her family neighbour in Kimba a part of a group of locals within affected areas.She has been in regular contact and feels taking their message directly to Canberra will be an important way to step up campaigning efforts to ensure community concerns are recognised and reflected. “We are going to Canberra because our concerns must be heard,” Ms Scott said.
“Communities deserve to be treated better than what this process has delivered thus far and we want to get our message across face to face.”
Regina McKenzie has regularly spoken against the planned proposal near Hawker.“Its important that we get the message through to the government – no means no,” Ms McKenzie said.”We don’t want to live next to a radioactive waste dump. “SA is a great state not a waste state.”
AGL proceeding with Silverton wind farm project in far west NSW
AGL vows to go ahead with Silverton wind farm project in far west NSW ABC Broken Hill
By Declan Gooch 27 Feb 16 Energy company AGL has reaffirmed its commitment to the Silverton wind farm project in far west New South Wales, and says studies of the site will get under way within weeks.
The proposed site along the Barrier Ranges just outside the Silverton township was first proposed in 2007 by Epuron, but stalled after AGL took over in 2012. AGL blamed uncertainty about the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target for the pause, with development approval set to run out in May.
The company announced at a community meeting on Thursday night it applied that day to have another five years added to the approval, and announced a new project manager, Adam Mackett.”We’re already doing work through the hydrogeological study where we’re committed to this project, so we’re showing that,” Mr Mackett said. “It is a half-a-billion-dollar project so before we then fully commit to constructing it we need to do a bit of work.”
Mr Mackett is no stranger to the state’s far west, having managed the construction of the Broken Hill solar farm around 25 minutes away. He also oversaw the construction of South Australia’s Hallett wind farm.
“We’re confident of having [the Silverton project] extended, we think the Silverton wind farm is a fantastic opportunity.”
AGL hopes the wind farm will generate enough power to supply around 120,000 average homes.
Funding will be contributed from AGL’s newly-announced Powering Australian Renewables Fund, which will be seeded partly by the Broken Hill solar farm……… AGL said it hopes its Powering Australian Renewables fund will be set up by the middle of the year, and that the extension to the project’s approval will be signed off in the next three months. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-26/agl-vows-to-go-ahead-with-silverton-wind-farm-project/7202338
The dangers in Australia’s uranium deal with India
The blame, in this case, falls on the Australian Government, who went against the wishes of its joint committee to carry on with the agreement – and ignored existing loopholes in the safeguards – that may provide the opportunity for nuclear proliferation
This is a great opportunity for Australia to consider the several alternative energy exportation means available to them that are just as likely to succeed and without risking regional instability in the Indo-Pacific region. These include solar and wind power
It is vital that Australia rethinks the impact of exporting uranium to India while maintaining its strong bilateral relations with the country. The Government must also come to realise how this deal can affect the current dynamics of South Asia, the wider Indo-Pacific region and the perception of Australia across the global community. Regional instability in an already volatile region is the last thing Australia needs to get involved in.
The cost of Australia’s uranium deal with India https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-cost-of-australias-uranium-deal-with-india,8723#.VtIfhLJpus0.twitter
THERE IS NO DOUBT that the civil nuclear deal recently signed by Australia and India, for the purpose of exporting uranium, has raised various important questions regarding the use of Australian uranium in India.
Despite these questions being asked, various government officials have reassured the international and domestic community that the deal will build on the bilateral relationship between the two nations, through economic and strategic means.
Yet, it is quite clear that there are various risks involved on Australia’s part, which in turn, can significantly hamper their geopolitical reputation and affect their bilateral relationships with other nations — potentially leading to instability in South Asia. Continue reading
Australia at risk of missing its 2020 renewable energy target
Some continue to blame the sluggish investment on the uncertainty created by then Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s ferocious push across 2014 and 2015 to cut the renewable energy target. Last year the government and Labor struck a deal to lower the target.
In recent times there have been some positive signs of movement.. This month energy giant AGL launched an investment fund aimed at delivering 1000 megawatts worth of renewable energy, while Origin Energy head Grant King was quoted saying his company was preparing to back new projects………
Australia risks missing clean power goals, with households to pick up the bill, SMH, February 28, 2016 Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age Australia risks not hitting its 2020 renewable energy target with analysts now forecasting that interim goals will be missed – a situation that will trigger penalties that households will have to pay.
Many in the energy industry agree that this year will be “make or break” for achieving the end-of-decade target, which aims to deliver about 23 per cent of Australia’s electricity from clean technologies such as wind and solar.
“This year is critical” said Kane Thornton, who heads the Clean Energy Council……….. Continue reading
Gas company APA joins throng to spend on renewable energy projects
APA aims to ramp up renewable energy spending, The Age February 28, 2016 Brian Robins APA wants a seat at the table in the multibillion-dollar investment boom in renewable energy sources over the next few years amid national moves to meet the mandated renewable energy target.
This month, AGL said it might launch a $3 billion fund to build renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms.
Rival Origin Energy said it might invest in similar projects but would most likely buy the output under long-term contracts.
Under federal government policy, one-fifth of electricity must be sourced from renewable energy by 2020. The move is expected to hasten the closure of heavily polluting coal-fired power stations…….
APA is considering several projects, including a potential solar farm in Western Australia, if it wins support from Australian Renewable Energy Agency funding and signs a power sales agreement. It is also bidding on an estimated 90MW of wind turbine capacity in the Northern Territory………http://www.theage.com.au/business/apa-aims-to-ramp-up-renewable-energy-spending-20160224-gn2a1g.html
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PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
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