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
Australia’s voting system distorts Climate Change action
Queensland and particularly Western Australia, which both
have strong fossil fuels industries, relatively rural dwelling patterns, and populations of about 2m and 4.5m respectively.’……….
The climate policy disconnect: It’s rural voter over-representation Financial Times February 8, by Kate Mackenzie “………..a new paper finds that over-representation of regional voters can make a significant difference to public policy on both gasoline taxes and international climate change agreements… Continue reading
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
Climate Policy: Rudd’s and Abbott’s not all that different
….It’s time that Australian politicians realised that the clean-energy revolution is the equivalent to a modern-day space race. The winners get to take all. The losers get to clean the dishes and sweep the floor. Or drive a ploughless tractor.
Carbon copy Giles Parkinson Business Spectator 3 Feb 2010 The climate change policies of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition have more in common than you might think.For a start, both studiously ignore the need for the Australian economy to make any sort of transition, despite the clear global trend. Continue reading
Australia missing the bus on renewable energy
the opportunities for jobs, export earnings, energy security and zero-emissions electricity on offer in the renewable sector. Failure to act means Australians will remain stuck in the coal pit while the world prospers from the renewable energy boom.
Australia blown away on renewable energy Sydney Morning Herald MATTHEW WRIGHT February 3, 2010
RENEWABLE energy is the world’s fastest-growing power source. It is already generating baseload electricity at utility scales. Large solar thermal plants with heat storage can dispatch power whether or not the sun is shining, and make handsome profits during demand peaks. Wind power is being installed at scales that dwarf Australian grid requirements. These and other clean-energy technologies are replacing coal on modern energy grids.
Queensland could lead the renewable energy revolution
“New technologies include a solar thermal storage technology pilot, which captures heat from the sun and stores it for future electricity generation…..
Queensland bid for smart grid dollars (Media-Newswire.com) 30 Jan 2010 -A Queensland Government consortium has today launched a bid for $100 million in federal funds to build a demonstration smart electricity grid for Australia. Continue reading
Time for Australians to invest in renewable energy
WAKE UP AUSTRALIA: Seize the low-carbon opportunity Business Spectator -by Paul Gilding 28 Jan 2010 “……………There is no realistic scenario for Carbon Capture and Storage being able to deal with carbon emissions at a time and a price that will prevent renewable energy winning the market for clean energy. Continue reading
Cherie Blair will represent aboriginal nuclear victims in UK court case
Cherie Blair to work on SA compensation case ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 25 Jan 2010
The wife of the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will represent five Aboriginies seeking compensation for ill health caused by nuclear testing in South Australia’s outback during the 1950s. Continue reading
Powering Australia with solar energy
How Many Solar Panels To Power Australia Renewable Energy News 25 JANUARY, 2010 Supporters of solar power often wonder how many solar panels it would take to power Australia and if grouped together, how much land would they occupy?
We can estimate the land coverage needed thanks to a project from the Land Generator Initiative. 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 