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
Review – Gareth Evans – weak sop, and so on
Well, well, Gareth Evans, ? champion of nuclear disarmament has now come out in favour of Australia taking in everybody else’s dirty washing – i.e. nuclear wastes. I always though he was a weak sop, anyway.
Australia’s Paladin uranium company hopes nobody is noticing that it mucks up Malawi’s drinking water, and that it attacks the Malawi Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice – (bet it wouldn’t dare have a go at Australia’s)
BHP is lying low – hoping we’ll all forget about the predicted dust storms, as we have apparently forgotten about Maralinga. Russia plans to join forces with Cameco, in Australia uranium mining.
The nuclear industry is quietly worrying about the falling uranium price, and dimming prospects for commercial nuclear power – hence the increased nuclear hype. Marshall islanders fear sea level rise, to add to their radiation-induced problems.
Some really interesting ideas coming on in how energy efficiency, and smart grids, combining with renewables have great potential for Australia’s energy future. That’s some of the week that has been………….
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
Gas beats nuclear, and it’s a good transition to renewables
I realise that I am out of step with many environmentalists, but I am a fan of gas as an energy source. We cannot just shut down all our big fossil fuel industries. Nuclear power just adds damage and danger, along with its greenhouse gases. 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
Australia’s plan to resolve climate issue
Australia moves to resolve climate issue
9 News Sep 21 200 A proposal to resolve thorny climate change issues dividing developed and developing nations is being proposed by Australia in the lead up to the Copenhagen summit in December.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong will reveal that Australia has been working on a proposed legal structure that could appease developing nations unwilling or unable to commit to economy-wide targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The issue has been a key point of difference, and a sensitive one, in addition to talks on just how much richer nations should pay to help poorer nations adjust to the huge changes required to reduce carbon pollution.
In a speech to the New York University School of Law on Monday (NY time), Senator Wong will tell students the proposed structure would allow nations to choose how they’ll reduce emissions instead of imposing a set of economy-wide targets that must be met by all countries………….Nations would be able to choose from a series of legally-binding schedules that could include renewable energy targets, a technology standard or a target to reduce deforestation, submitting a schedule before December……………..
“Developed countries would be expected to record an ambitious economy-wide emissions reduction target.
“For developing countries, taking on international mitigation obligations for the first time is a big deal – but the flexibilities in schedules are designed to give them greater comfort.”
For example, Australia’s national schedule would include an economy-wide target to reduce emissions by up to 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020, the legislated carbon pollution reduction scheme and the renewable energy target.
Clean coal stealing funds from renewables
Clean coal funds are robbing renewable energy
COAL MINING 16 September 2009 a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl=location.href;CAPRICORN Conservation Council vice-president Ian Herbert says money spent on clean coal should be funding renewable energy technology.
Clean coal technology is an umbrella term used to describe technologies being developed that aim to reduce the environmental impact of coal energy generation such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Herbert claims clean coal is still unproved and Australia would be far more advanced if the funds were spent on developing renewable energy sources.
The representative says even if clean coal is proven, workable clean coal technology is still at least 20 years off.
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
Renewable energy futures for Australia’s stock exchange
Australia’s ASX to launch renewable energy futures
Thu Sep 17, 2009
SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Australia’s futures exchange operator ASX Ltd (ASX.AX) plans to establish a futures market for renewable energy by the end of the year as the country seeks to quadruple green power generation by 2020.
ASX said on Thursday it hoped to list futures and options contracts on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) before the year-end as demand grows for RECs to offset greenhouse gas emissions and as consumers seek greener energy.
“We’re just waiting for final regulatory approval but expect to make an announcement shortly,” David Kresvan, ASX’s manager of energy and environmental markets, told Reuters.
In Australia, RECs are a form of currency that can be earned by installing solar panels, wind turbines and micro-hydro plants. Each REC represents one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated from renewable energy and can be traded once registered. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSSP53326920090917
Australian protest against coal
Aussie Activists Target World’s Most-Polluting Coal Plant
solve climate by Leigh Ewbank – Sep 11th, 2009Hundreds of climate activists are descending on Australia’s Latrobe Valley this weekend with a message for the owner of the most-polluting coal-fired power plant in the industrialized world: 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 