Energy efficiency by far the number 1 low carbon answer
Such were findings of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) of Australia
Energy Efficiency: Twice the Impact of Renewables, Nuclear and Clean Coal. Combined. : TreeHugger, by Warren McLaren, Bundanoon, Australia 07. 6.10” The International Energy Agency estimates that energy efficiency will deliver 65 per cent of worldwide carbon cuts in the energy sector by 2020, and 54 per cent by 2030. This means that in 2020 energy efficiency could have almost twice the impact of renewable energy, nuclear power and clean coal combined.” Continue reading
Victorian Liberal Party opposes wind farms
Wind farm policy is one of the few clear-cut differences between the major parties, and shapes as a significant issue in some regional seats at the November election.
“……….Under a policy released last month, Mr Baillieu announced that turbines would be banned along most of the coast, several mountain ranges, in or near national and state parks and designated regional population growth corridors and within two kilometres of any home unless a contract was signed with the owner. Continue reading
Wind turbines not harmful to health
No evidence that wind turbines make people sick Herald Sun: AAP * July 02, 2010 THERE is no evidence that wind turbines can make people who live nearby sick, Australia’s peak health body has concluded following a scientific review. Continue reading
Global subsidy to fossil fuels – about $600 billion
Just how much do governments spend on fossil fuels anyway? Thanks to a new report by IEA, http://www.iea.org/files/energy_subsidies.pdf , we now know the number is $557 billion worldwide as of 2008.
Time to come clean on energy subsidies? Renewable Energy World, Elisa WoodJune 11, 20100Time to come clean on energy subsidies? What you don’t know will hurt you. That’s the message in Michael Lewis’ new book, “The Big Short,” which traces today’s worldwide economic downturn to a single problem: the secretive nature of prices in the subprime mortgage bond markets.
What’s this got to do with energy? Our industry has its own opaque corners that can cause widespread damage. This week the International Energy Agency (IEA) is attempting to focus light on a big one: energy subsides for fossil fuels. Continue reading
Saudi Arabia looking to the solar alternative to nuclear power
a great opportunity to not only use solar energy as a primary energy source but to profit worldwide from the renewable energy, as well…Minister of Petroleum, Ali Al-Naimi, said: “Saudi Arabia aspires to export as much solar energy in the future as it exports oil now.”
Alternatives to nuclear energy under focus – Arab News 7 June 2010, “…………..Official studies from the German government has shown that the risk of getting cancer significantly increased in children growing up in the neighborhood of a nuclear power station, particularly leukemia. Other disadvantages have to do with nuclear waste. The EIA has shown that a typical nuclear reactor produces 20-30 tons or waste per year that can’t be disposed of with Plutonium 239 remaining dangerous for as much as 10,000 years and radioactive for 240,000 years. Most countries reuse nuclear waste to create energy but this just creates more waste while others utilize the waste through their national defense departments…. Continue reading
NSW wind power project approved, despite fossil fuel lobby’s hype
coal and nuclear power industries are spreading bad press about wind power as it is presently their main renewable competitor,…“Local anti-wind groups have sucked up their propaganda.”…..wind power has the cheapest operational costs. “
Wind Power a Concern for Some Communities, Epoch Times, By Cassie Ryan, 31 May 2010, In Australia this month, Epuron’s 73-turbine Gullen Range wind farm in New South Wales was approved, Continue reading
Egypt: $110 billion for renewables, mainly wind
Egypt Government to Invest in Wind, From $110 Billion Renewable Energy Budget, Green Prophet, May 28, 2010 The Egyptian government has announced plans to generate 1,000 megawatts of wind power this year. Speaking at the energy forum for the Middle East and North Africa 2010, Egypt’s Electricity Minister Hassan Younis said that the country is ready to increase its capabilities in alternative energy projects by 2027. Continue reading
Renewable energy leaping ahead in China
China’s Push for Renewable Energy, donga.com[English donga] 18 May 2010, The popularity of renewable energy sources including wind, photovoltaic and biomass is growing dramatically in China. Beijing designated renewable energy as a strategic industry last year, and invested 34.6 billion U.S. dollars, twice as much as the U.S.Despite the global financial crisis, the renewable energy industry knows no recession. Continue reading
Liberal Party stalling Australia’s Renewable Energy Policy
Coalition puts a spanner in the renewable works, Sydney Morning Herald LENORE TAYLOR May 1, 2010 THE future of Australia’s only remaining incentive to invest in renewable energy is under a cloud after the Coalition raised concerns about proposed government amendments to the 20 per cent renewable energy target. Continue reading
Victoria’s community owned Hepburn Wind shows the way to renewable energy
Small players spinning wheels of renewable energy, Sydney Morning Herald, CHRIS ZAPPONE, April 28, 2010 Although the prospects of a national emissions trading scheme appear to have receded further over the horizon, one community is determined to make renewable energy a reality. At least locally.Community-owned Hepburn Wind today completed a contract for the delivery of two 2 megawatt wind turbines to be installed at Leonards Hill, south of Daylesford in central Victoria.The locally operated enterprise, billed as the first of its kind in Australia, is expected to supply almost all of Daylesford’s and Hepburn Shire’s electricity needs – enough for 2300 homes by the beginning of next year. Hepburn wind farm believed to be the first in Australia | Energy
Big uranium promoter South Australian govt seeks environmental credibility
South Australian government announces Community Sustainability Grants. Premier, the Hon Mike Rann said, “The Government of South Australia is pleased to be partnering with Conservation SA to help communities become more resilient so that they can readily respond to climate change.
“Climate change is a real issue that affects everyone, and programs like this will give South Australians the opportunity to be part of the local solution.”
Community groups and non-government organisations are invited to apply for small (up to $3,000) or medium (up to $10,000) grants
Despite huge renewable energy resources, Australia is way behind in clean energy
Australia lagging in clean energy investment, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Sarah Clarke Mar 26, 2010 A global analysis of clean energy investment has found that Australia ranks 14th on the list of G20 countries, behind Mexico and Turkey. Continue reading
Review- Australia:nuke waste dump, USA states’ opposition to nuclear industry
Australia: Nuke waste dump for aboriginal land, but opposition is growing.. S.A. govt to subsidise BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mine, Rudd govt improves (we hope) Renewable Energy legislation.
International: While Obama rewards his corporate backers with $8 billion in nuclear loan guarantees, legislatures in 3 states knock back nuclear power- Vermont to close nuke reactor, West Virginia to retain no new nukes policy, Arizona refuses to include nuclear as “renewable”. Bloody political coup in Niger welcomed by uranium industry.
Mapping Queensland’s potential for wind eneergy
…..The Queensland Wind Map can be downloaded free from www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au
Queensland’s clean wind energy potential mapped My Sunshine Coast, 28 Feb 2010, Stephen Robertson The Bligh Government has released a map of Queensland’s wind energy potential to help lead clean energy companies to prime development sites in Queensland. Continue reading
Australia will not introduce nuclear power
To meet its climate goals, Australia shouldn’t rely on either nuclear power or fossil fuels, Hepburn said. Instead the country should aggressively conserve energy and use more renewable power.
Rudd Rules Out Introducing Nuclear Power in Australia BusinessWeek By Ben Sharples and Stuart Biggs February 17, 2010, (Bloomberg) — Australia, ….has ruled out introducing nuclear power to the country and instead will pursue other low- carbon energy options, including ‘clean’ coal. Continue reading