Posts Tagged ‘energy’
[young] Energy State of the Nation
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 11th, 2010
Visit the website for more details.
Tags: brisbane, energy, innovation, networks
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Sustainability on Show
Posted in Events by collette on March 1st, 2010
Building or renovating a home? Go green with the latest energy efficient products. Visit Sustainability on Show and walk away with hundreds of green ideas to improve the health of your home and environment – plus save money. Reduce your carbon footprint with building and renovating ideas and products that conserve energy, save water and incorporate sustainable design. It’s a one-stop shop from flooring to kitchens, water efficiency to building materials – see it all at Sustainability on Show, a major feature of the Building & Home Improvement Expo.
9 – 11 July 2010 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Open 10am – 9pm Fri & Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun.
Visit buildexpo.com.au for more details.
Tags: behaviour change, building expo, consumption, energy
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Smart Grids for Distributed Power
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on February 24th, 2010
Source: Stock & Land
From The changing face of rural Australia’s energy supply, by Matt Cawood
THE nature of the power grid is about to fundamentally change, analyst Paul Budde believes.
Instead of a central power station pushing energy out to homes, farms and business sites around the grid, many sites will become capable of generating renewable power and sharing it around the grid via a “smart” management system that uses computer analysis to trigger switchgear. The United States government has just allocated US$20 billion to developing such a grid, and the Australian government is seeking tenders on a more modest $100 million grid linking 10,000 houses.
Mr Budde, whose company BuddeComm has recently released an analysis of smart grid trends and opportunities in Australia, regards the move to smart grids as “absolutely inevitable”. Currently, nearly a third of all energy generated is wasted because of inefficiencies in the delivery system, he said. “About 10 per cent of all power just disappears. We can’t afford to waste electricity in such a way.”
The cost of fossil-fuel generated electricity continues to climb. A system that helps use power more efficiently—by, for instance, switching on dishwashers in the early hours of the morning instead of during peak load—patterns of energy delivery can be smoothed out and the infrastructure needed to supply energy refined. And then there is the surge in renewable energy generation. “If we want solar energy, we want it to be efficient. It is not very efficient for everyone to have their own solar panels but not utilising the combined power of what is effectively a giant solar panel if you join them all together. A smart grid does that, and makes the whole system more efficient.”
Farmers have a big role to play in a world of smart grids, Mr Budde said. “Already in Europe, in places like Denmark and Germany, lots of farmers have windmills—thousands of them. It’s not just for their own properties: they are pumping energy back into the network. In Australia, solar power generation should be a very useful farming activity.”
From The changing face of rural Australia’s energy supply, by Matt Cawood
Tags: consumption, energy, production, smart grid
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Draughtproof Your Home: Workshop
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on February 5th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Image: douglemoine via flickr CC
Draughtproofing is the necessary first step to improving the thermal performance of your home. Draughts reduce the effectiveness of your home’s insulation, and can lead to big energy bills. Effective weather seals on all external doors, brush seals on internal bathroom, toilet and laundry doors, exhaust fan seals and elimination of recessed downlights will all contribute significantly to reducing air leakage. In this workshop presented by Maurice Beinat (EcoMaster), we will explore the many sources of draughts, and what you can do to prevent them.
Thu 11 Feb, 7pm – 9.30pm
Meeting Room 3&4, Ringwood Civic Centre, Braeside Ave, Ringwood
All welcome, Gold Coin appreciated.
Info: Chris or Sue, Nth Ringwood Community House 9876 3421 project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au, or visit the website.
Tags: community, consumption, education, energy
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Build The Mildura Solar Power Plant: Rally
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on January 15th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Calendar
For info go to http://savesolarsystems.wordpress.com
Tags: community, energy, local action, solar
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Lighting & Appliances: Summer Workshops
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on January 6th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Image: christmas w/a k via flickr CC
Learn how to reduce your energy consumption, though careful selection and use of lighting and appliances. Demonstrates the latest range of low-energy lighting options, appliance energy rating systems and various tools and techniques for reducing your household energy load.
CERES EcoHouse, presented by EnviroShop
8 Lee Street , Brunswick East
Wed 20 Jan, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sat 23 Jan 1pm – 3 pm
All welcome; Free; Bookings Required – Visit the website for details
Tags: education, energy, lighting
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Introduction to Energy Management: February
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on December 17th, 2009
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
Image: mckaysavage via flickr CC
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) is running the popular one day Introduction to Energy Management course again in February. Places are limited, so book early!
The full day course covers energy basics, assessment and auditing techniques and retrofit technologies. It also introduces the Australian standards, policies, regulations and programs which frame energy management. The Introduction to Energy Management course is conducted by experts in the area, and is designed for consultants, community groups, utilities, councils, teachers, government agencies and others with a working interest in the area.
When: 25 February, 9am – 5.00pm.
Where: 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC.
Cost: $600+GST per participant, which includes CD, training pack and lunch (discounts can be arranged for not-for-profit organisations).
Visit the website to register and find more information about this or any of MEFL’s other training courses or contact Khadiga on 9385 8501 & Elle on 9385 8519.
Tags: education, energy, MEFL
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Unveiling the new Big Dish
Posted in Events by Mark Ogge on December 1st, 2009
Source: Beyond Zero Emissions
A monthly discussion group hosted by Beyond Zero Emissions focusing on energy solutions to climate change, held on the first Monday of every month.
Guest speaker: Dr Keith Lovegrove
Dr. Keith Lovegrove unveiled the ANU’s new solar thermal dish in September at the SolarPACES international solar thermal conference in Berlin to much acclaim. This will be the first time it will be presented in Melbourne. It is the world’s biggest solar dish that comes with a mass production system that can build one dish a day. The dish has the highest optical efficiency of any commercial solar technology in the world and a field of 500 produces 100MW electrical power. ANU’s dishes can be used on undulating ground, which is difficult for current solar thermal systems that use mirror fields or troughs. Dr. Keith Lovegrove will also talk about replacing all of Australia’s energy needs with this solar technology used in conjunction with thermal salt storage. Dr. Keith Lovegrove is a senior lecturer in Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the Australian National University (ANU). He heads the ANU Solar Thermal Group which works on a range of projects involving high and low temperature thermal conversion of solar energy. This includes looking at dish and trough concentrators and thermochemical energy storage. He is widely published in scientific journals and has advised the Australian Government on CSP . Dr Lovegrove and his team are at the forefront of International research into concentrated solar power.
Tags: discussion group, energy, solar
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Keeping cool this summer: Moreland Solar City
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 16th, 2009
Source: Zero Carbon Moreland
Image: cristeenq via flickr CC
Air conditioning is not an essential requirement to keeping your home cool in summer. By using passive cooling techniques, you can keep the temperature of your home down. Some easy actions to stay cool in summer are:
* Use outside shading such as adjustable blinds, awnings, shutters or even grow vines on a trellis to shade the windows, reducing heat transfer through the window glass.
* Avoid using heat producing appliances during the hottest parts of the day.
* If you have to use an air conditioner; make sure you avoid using it all day, switch it on for a few hours if and only when it is necessary. Also set your thermostat between 24 and 26 degrees.
To read more about staying cool in summer visit the Moreland Solar City webpage.
Tags: consumption, cooling, energy, moreland solar city, passive
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Federal Government ceiling insulation rebates: Updated information
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on October 29th, 2009
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
There have been some changes to the Federal insulation rebate programs. The Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters (LEAPR), which provided $1000 rebate to landlords for rental accommodation, is now discontinued. Instead renters are now eligible for Home Insulation Program (HIP) which provides assistance of up to $1,600 to install ceiling insulation. The assistance is now available to eligible owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants. While the rebate has been increased per household there has been a dramatic reduction on the overall amount of money available to this part of the program.
To read more about and apply for the rebate visit www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/insulation/homeowners/
Tags: consumption, energy, governance
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