Posts Tagged ‘energy’
Transition Darebin hosts Nicole Foss (The Automatic Earth)
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on January 20th, 2012
| 19 February , 2012 |
Nicole Foss is one of those big picture people who understands and explains the links between the converging pressures affecting the globe (peak oil, climate change, financial crisis) and the implications for our everyday lives. Nicole explains why a period of deflation is likely and discusses household and community preparation strategies. Nicole is a systems analyst who lives in Canada and blogs under the name Stoneleigh with writing partner “Ilargi” at The Automatic Earth.
Transition Darebin is cohosting an all day workshop with Nicole and Steve Keen on Sun 19th February.
Check out the Transition Darebin post for information about other Nicole Foss events in Melbourne.
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Energy, Transport, Housing & Summer Reading for the PM: Grattan Podcasts
Posted in Opinion, Research by Kate Archdeacon on December 22nd, 2011
Source: Grattan Institute
Australia’s energy future was considered in a seminar series that Grattan Institute ran jointly this year with the Melbourne Energy Institute. Webcasts are available for the final two seminars on the future of solar power and transport.
Grattan’s report Getting the housing we want was launched on November 21 by Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly in conversation with former Victorian Premier, John Brumby. Transcripts and recordings of the launch are available, as is the report.
Every year Grattan Institute produces its Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister. The list contains books and articles that we found stimulating and a pleasure to read, and that we believe the PM, or indeed any Australian, should read over the break. Watch the launch or download the reading list.
www.grattan.edu.au
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Cost-Effective Distributed Energy Systems in Australia
Posted in Opinion, Research by Kate Archdeacon on December 15th, 2011
Source: Climate Spectator
Photo by twicepix via flickr CC
From It’s time for a smarter grid by Giles Parkinson:
Imagine for a moment that you are the head of a large group of network operators, faced with a decision about what to do about rising peak electricity demand. And you are presented with a choice: invest $2.6 billion over five years on upgrading your network – the route you would normally take; or spend a comparable amount on solar power and energy storage, distributed throughout the network. This was the question posed by Professor John Bell, of the Queensland University of Technology, and Warwick Johnston, a leading solar analyst with Sunwiz, when they sought to find out if there was a better way than the traditional response of building more poles and wires to cope with rising peak demand.
Using Queensland network operator Energex as an example, and its forecast peak demand growth of 1.25GW over the five years to 2014/15, the study analysed the existing approach of spending $2.6 billion augmenting the grid, or investing a comparable amount in either 25GWh of storage, or 1.25GW of solar PV and 10GWh of storage. The study concluded that a combination of battery and solar PV produced a far better outcome, because of the ability to generate revenue from the energy produced, and the use of battery storage to resell energy. Over a five year period, the net present value (NPV) of the poles and wires solution was negative $2 billion, while the NPV of the solar/storage solution was negative $750 million. But because these could produce revenue over a 20-year period, the solar/storage had a positive NPV of $2 billion over a 20 year period.
Bell and Johnston say the main take-home messages from this are that the integration of distributed PV and battery storage into the existing energy system has the potential to be cost effective now, and it underpins the case for reform of the National Electricity Market, to ensure that distributed generation is fairly treated and that network providers are encouraged to opt for the solutions that have greater market benefit, rather than simply being least upfront cost.
[...]
>>Read the full article by Giles Parkinson on Climate Spectator.
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>>Read about VEIL’s work on Distributed Systems.
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Green Energy Future Day 2011
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 24th, 2011
| 3 December , 2011 | ||
| 10:30 am | to | 3:30 pm |
http://www.ceres.org.au/gefd
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Retrofittable Window Insulation
Posted in Models, Research by Kate Archdeacon on November 14th, 2011
Source: EcoVoice
Photo by sanbeiji via flickr CC
In October 2011 MEP Films launched Enerlogic® Window Film, a retrofit window film designed to give single-glazed windows the thermal performance of triple-glazed windows. Adding up to 92% more insulation to windows, it can deliver year-round results in cold, warm or mixed climates, with two types of film available. Enerlogic®35 has been designed to deflect 99% UV rays and 76% solar heat, and is suited to warmer climates. Enerlogic® 70 allows the winter sun’s natural light and warmth to enter the building while shielding the heat from the summer sun, for cooler climates.
Read more about this product on Eco-Voice.
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NB: We try not to promote specific products here on Sustainable Melbourne, and we can’t endorse a brand, but this seemed like a product that would be of interest. KA
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The Gemasolar Plant Reaches 24 Hour Solar Power: Concentrated Solar Technology (CST)
Posted in Events by Mark Ogge on October 31st, 2011
| 7 November , 2011 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Santiago Arias is the Technical Director O&M of Torresol Energy which constructed the 19.9MW Gemasolar plant in Seville, Spain. Gemasolar is the world’s first plant to apply the salt thermal-storage system in a configuration with a central tower and an array of heliostats. Gemasolar reached 24 hours of uninterrupted production in June 2011.
This is the baseload concentrated solar power technology modelled by the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 Stationary Energy Plan to supply 60% of Australia’s stationary energy requirements. Mr Arias will join us via Skype.
Time: 6:30- 8pm Monday 7 November 2011
Fritz Loewe Theatre (entry via level 2)
McCoy Building
University of Melbourne
Cnr Elgin & Swanston Streets, Carlton
Thank you to the University of Melbourne Energy Research Institute, our Zero Carbon Australia project partners for joining us in bringing you this event.
Entry: Gold coin donation
Further reading:
http://www.sener.es/News/gemasolar-solar-power-plant-reaches-24-hours-of…
http://www.torresolenergy.com/TORRESOL/gemasolar-plant/en
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Community Power Conference: Australian communities taking charge of their energy use
Posted in Events, Research by Kate Archdeacon on October 12th, 2011
| 14 October , 2011 | ||
| 15 October , 2011 |
Are you looking for practical, achievable ways to reduce the impact of electricity price rises in your community? The Community Power Conference: Australian Communities Taking Charge, aims to showcase how regional Australian communities: are developing innovative energy projects, helping to reduce local economic shocks can take practical action to hedge against rising energy prices.
14 -15 November, The Capital – Bendigo Performing Arts Centre, View Street, Bendigo
The Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, in its third biennial conference on renewable energy, is partnering with the Central Victoria Solar City project, part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program, and the City of Greater Bendigo, to deliver an exciting exploration of current energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies and actions being taken by Australian communities. This conference will show your community what it can do with regard to:
- more efficient use of energy in homes and businesses
- more effective demand management to smooth peak energy loads, and
- developing local, renewable energy generators embedded within the national distribution network.
The conference will bring together leaders in the renewable energy industry including government, industry associations and communities which have adopted sustainable strategies built on innovative, renewable energy business models. Speakers will engage with community and municipality leaders:
- Outlining and developing comprehensive strategies for local and regional energy sustainability (identifying appropriate business models, overcoming policy barriers, engaging your community, knowing your technology options);
- Showcasing examples of regional communities that have already, or are in the process of putting such strategies in place; and,
- Reviewing and developing communities’ local and regional energy sustainability policy and programs.
If your community is facing increased energy costs and you would like to learn how to address this issue at the local level then this conference can help you. Follow the link below for more information.
www.centralvictoriasolarcity.com.au/special-projects/communitypower
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Support renewable energy in Bendigo: Thursday 29th
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on September 26th, 2011
| 29 September , 2011 | ||
| 12:30 pm | to | 1:30 pm |
Source: Mt Alexander Sustainability Group Inc (MASG)
Photo: Launch of Mt Barker Community Wind Farm in Western Australia
Help us hand over an invitation to the Premier Mr. Baillieu to come to Castlemaine for a public presentation of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) community wind power project.
The Coalition government recently BANNED COMMUNITY WIND FARMS from the Mount Alexander Shire and City of Bendigo east of the Calder freeway and gave us NO REASON WHY. At the same time the Coalition government has announced the biggest expansion of COAL AND GAS MINING & EXPLORATION IN DECADES and is supporting a NEW PRIVATELY OWNED COAL POWER STATION with $50 M taxpayers’ money. We want to invite the Premier to Castlemaine so that he understands the social, environmental and financial benefits of community-owned wind power and supports renewable energy.
Show your support for community owned renewable energy this Thursday the 29th of September at 12.30pm at the Bendigo office of the Premier Level 1 56-60 King Street Bendigo
If you can’t make it send a message to the Premier Ted Baillieu and let him know how you feel 9651 5000 or ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au and ring or email Damian Drum, 5443-6277 damian.drum@parliament.vic.gov.au our Upper House member and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development. Tell them you want a wind industry in Victoria, that the wind industry is good for regional economies, farmers and Councils and the environment and you support a Community wind farm in the Mt Alexander Shire and want the blanket ban reversed.
For more information contact Dean on 0448 327 791 or dc@masg.org.
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2011 Bioregional Permaculture Conference in Melbourne: Registration Closes Today
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on September 23rd, 2011
| 30 September , 2011 | ||
| 12:00 am | to | 11:00 pm |
| 1 October , 2011 | ||
| 2 October , 2011 | ||
Workshops, speakers, site tours, party, film screening, a marketplace of ideas
The conference and its associated events will bring people together to share stories and discuss where we’re going as a movement. Presentations will be given by a wide range of local activists from local group leaders to gardeners, educators, writers, designers, foresters and more. Site visits will be happening to local gardens and community sites and a market place will take place. Evenings will be social time – Friday will be a large party with food, music and dancing, Saturday evening will be a screening of the new film Anima Mundi and a talk with the director. Both evening events will be suitable functions for bringing partners and friends. A marketplace area is available for ideas and produce – for stalls, posters and displays so please make use of this opportunity to tell your story and to let others know what you and your community are doing.
Friday 30th September – Sunday 2nd October
Venue: South Melbourne Commons, corner Bank & Montague Sts, South Melbourne.
Visit the Permaculture Melbourne site for more information – registration closes September 23.
The Recharge Scheme: Improving Mobility Access
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on September 7th, 2011
The RECHARGE Scheme™ is about encouraging local businesses and organisations to provide a power point so you can recharge the battery on your electric wheelchair or scooter, if required. The Scheme was first developed in the Shire of Nillumbik. It is a Disability Services Community Building Program initiative (Metro, Rural and DeafAccess), supported by the Victorian Department of Human Services, in partnership with Local Government. Thousands of organisations and businesses are also proud program partners.
RECHARGE was developed in response to the increasing number of people in Nillumbik with restricted mobility using electric scooters or wheelchairs as a means of transportation. Negotiating the steep roads and footpaths of the area however means that batteries run low more quickly and deter people from travelling longer distances. Through the MetroAccess initiative, we have been able to respond to these needs and draw on the strengths of Local Government and the Community to ensure people who use an electric scooter or wheelchair have more opportunities to participate in their communities.
Based on the community need and subsequent success of the Scheme, many other Victorian councils are joining forces to encourage local businesses and organisations in their area to participate. In November 2010, the RECHARGE Scheme™ received a Commendation by The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI), as part of its ‘Bold Ideas, Better Lives Challenge’ for a proposed national roll out plan. This is the first significant step towards securing an appropriate Sponsor to fund the national roll out. Pending funding, the Scheme would rolled out Australiawide from 2012.
RECHARGE stickers are displayed on the windows of participating businesses so you can easily find them. There are also RECHARGE stickers placed above or near power points so you can quickly ascertain which power point has been designated for your use. The RECHARGE website also maintains a list of accessibility resources, and the RECHARGE finder lists recharge points in greater Melbourne.
http://www.rechargescheme.org.au/
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