Australian govts not promoting solar power industry
the government is clearly more focused on supporting “clean coal” technology in order to protect coal and gas exports.
New French owner committed to Ausra’s solar plans | The Courier-Mail Kerrie Sinclair 14 Feb 2010 While European solar plant companies look to expand into Asia, Australian peers struggle. Continue reading
Wind power going ahead in New South Wales
Hunter Valley energy farm to power homes Sydney Morning Herald February 9, 2010 A $190 million renewable energy farm that will provide power for 47,000 Hunter Valley homes has been given planning approval by the NSW government. Continue reading
Cogeneration energy plant for Queensland sugar mill
Sweet news for Mackay Sugar Cogeneration Project EcoGeneration 10 February 2010
Mackay Sugar has issued contracts for the construction of a $120 million cogeneration power plant at its Racecourse Mill in Queensland. Continue reading
China takes the lead in renewable energy jobs
James M. Gentile: Who Will Win The Race For Jobs In Renewable Energy? THE HUFFINGTON POST February 8, 2010 When it comes to renewable energy innovation and equipment manufacturing, China is challenging the West, and the outcome will decide where millions of jobs go in the future. Continue reading
Western Australia makes modest start on promoting renewable energy
WA Gov puts up $10m in funds for green energy tech Third round of funding to encourage the development of sustainable, low-emission technologies Computerworld Staff * 10 February, 2010 Continue reading
Canada developing renewable energy, leaving nuclear to languish
This gives the government a chance to ramp up efforts to have green energy replace nuclear, which now accounts for about half of Ontario’s power,
Nuclear industry left hanging
Rob Ferguson Queen’s Park Bureau With files from Tanya Talaga thestar.com 10 Feb 2010
The McGuinty government is leaving Ontario’s nuclear industry “drifting in the wind” after handing foreign-based Samsung a $7 billion deal to develop green power, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak charges. Continue reading
Abbott’s Climate Policy very costly – Financial Analyst’s Report
the Coalition proposal would exacerbate the problem and ”put the final nail in the renewable energy industry’s coffin”
Report blasts Abbott climate plan Sydney Morning Herald ADAM MORTON February 10, 2010THE Coalition’s climate change policy would cost taxpayers more than twice as much as the government’s emissions trading scheme, an analysis has found. Continue reading
Review: AREVA, Climate Policy, Iran’s uranium enrichment
Au
stralia. Areva takes over Australian solar company. Continuing chaos on Australia’s Climate Change policy, as Rudd dithers over the Greens’ modest carbon tax plan, and Abbott is encouraged, as media publicises cranky extremist views of Lord Monckton. Sustainable Northern Australia report raises debate. W.A. govt refuses to hold public inquiry into uranium industry’s impact.
International: Obama appoints nuclear lobbyist as nuclear safety regulator. France’s AREVA joins powerful Korean nuclear industry competitor, while acquiring several solar companies. Iran ramps up uranium enrichment, while U.S and Israeli hawks preach war. Continuing anxieties over overuse of medical radiation – the week that has been
Can nuclear giant AREVA be trusted with solar energy industry?
There are two ways of looking at the French nuclear company AREVA taking over an Australian solar company.
1. Areva’s resources, financial and expert, can bring the necessary push to really make this solar industry happen. And, with the financial mess that is developing in AREVA’s nuclear industry, this solar move could herald a very positive transition away from nuclear, and to renewables.
2. In Australia, we have a sad history of fossil fuel interests buying up solar industry initiatives precisely for the purpose of killing them off. AREVA has just joined forces with its powerful Korean nuclear competitor, KEPCO. Can corporations like Areva be trusted to really develop renewable technologies – or are they out to suppress them so as to promote their nuclear power empire?
I would like to think that Areva is truly diversifying, and promoting renewable energy technologies. I bear in mind the work of people like Ralph Nader, who has always been willing to talk with polluting corporations, and work for improvements.
Nevertheless, the fear remains.
Australian solar companies taken over by multinationals
Local solar power leaders taken over by Areva and Silex THE AUSTRALIAN, Giles Parkinson February 10, 2010 TWO of Australia’s most promising solar energy technologies changed hands yesterday, with the world’s largest nuclear energy group Areva buying Ausra and Silex Systems acquiring the assets of the collapsed Solar Systems. Continue reading
Areva ‘hedging’ its bets, with renewable energy push
this acquisition of Ausra is a good sign of where the market is heading. Given that the nuclear renaissance simply isn’t materializing as expected, it’s wise for Areva and other big energy conglomerates to hedge their bets.
Areva gets deeper into renewables with Ausra purchase the energy collective, by Tyler Hamilton, 02/08/2010 France’s Areva SA is known mostly as a designer of light-water nuclear reactors, builder of transmission and distribution systems, and a miner of uranium, Continue reading
Small, beautiful, renewable energy cars
a bright future for a spectrum of ‘micro’ electric vehicles
Meet Trev: A two-seater renewable energy vehicle, by Phil Hart , February 6, 2010 , The Oil Drum: ]Major auto companies are now close to bringing their first electric vehicles onto the market. Continue reading
Rudd’s chance to truly address Climate Change
Fortunately, Rudd has been thrown a political and environmental lifeline by the Greens who have proposed the government take up the recommendation made by the Garnaut Report to introduce a transitional carbon tax of $20 a tonne for two years between July 2010 and July 2012.
Rudd missed opportunity to dump failed emissions scheme The Age, Kenneth Diavidson, 8 Feb 2010 February 8, 2010
Uranium prices to go down further
Investors take a stick to disappointing resources companies, Robin Bromby,The Australian, February 08,
“……….Uranium in surplusDEUTSCHE Bank has put a “sell” recommendation on Paladin Energy (PDN) with a target price of $3.30, against Friday’s close at $3.52. The bank’s analysts are predicting a uranium market surplus of 4500 tonnes by 2011.
……….. Deutsche believes uranium prices will be hit this year due to production growth in Kazakhstan, increasing US Department of Energy spot sales, and permit delays to nuclear reactor plans in the West.
Wind farm financed by community group
the Jura wind park is the first in the country to be financed by a broad citizen base: some 600 private investors…
Wind power gains ground in Switzerland GenevaLunch Jessica Evans, 5 February 2010 New wind turbines at Saint-Brais, canton Jura, will raise Switzerland’s total annual renewable energy power production to 17.5 MW, according to Suisse Eole, the Swiss wind energy promotion association. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 