EcoGeneration

January/February 2010

Capital Wind Farm draws a fanfare

As the largest renewable electricity generator commissioned in New South Wales since the Snowy Hydro Scheme, the Capital Wind Farm represents an important achievement for large scale wind in Australia.

Lessons from windy Scotland

Iain Steele

Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, yet wind energy accounts for less than 0.4 per cent of electricity generated for public use. For Australia to increase its wind energy capacity as part of its Renewable Energy Target, it needs to be innovative and look to successful examples in other countries.

Surviving the storm – the impacts of the GFC on wind farm development

Ian Kay

Since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2007, the global economic landscape has undergone dramatic transformation. Despite its resilience relative to other industries, the wind farm industry has been unable to escape the economic challenges faced by economies and industries worldwide, writes Ian Kay.

Cogeneration plant lowers emissions at Midfield Meats

The Midfield Meat Group in Warrnambool, Victoria set out to establish itself as a long term operation with a reduced environmental impact by installing a cogeneration system.

Co-operating on cogeneration

One of the leaders in cogeneration and trigeneration plant applications in the Spanish, European and South American markets, Guascor Power, will soon be shipping its generation equipment to Australia’s shores, following an agreement with Drivetrain Power and Propulsion.

Old brewery site’s sustainable revamp

Sydney’s old Carlton United Brewery site is set to become a bustling and low-emission hub for residents, business and the community, under a redevelopment, which includes the planned installation of an onsite trigeneration plant.

All aboard – Australia’s rocky voyage toward sustainability

Lucy Rochlin

An executive with experience spanning numerous renewable associations and companies around the world, The Hon Peter Rae AO has a unique vantage point from which to understand Australia’s position within the global clean energy context. He spoke with Lucy Rochlin about the need for Australia to reassert itself as a leader in renewable energy before we miss the boat for good.

Great expectations – The Australian Geothermal Energy Conference

Lucy Rochlin

The annual Australian Geothermal Energy Conference, which took place in Brisbane from 10–13 November, showcased the innovation of an industry on the verge of a great future, Lucy Rochlin reports.

Transparency, materiality and competence: The Australian Geothermal Reporting Code

Malcolm Ward

The world’s first public reporting code for geothermal resources, reserves and exploration results was developed in 2007–08 by a joint committee of the Australian Geothermal Energy Group and the Australian Geothermal Energy Association. Malcolm Ward, Chairman of the committee, discusses the Code and provides an update on the imminent second edition.

Developing geothermal power projects in Australia

Stephen Hinchliffe and Mark Miller

Drawing on a world class heat resource, geothermal companies in Australia are leading the world in addressing the challenges of providing renewable, base load geothermal power to the grid. Dr Stephen Hinchliffe and Mr Mark Miller outline the processes involved in developing a geothermal power project in Australia.

Communicating Australia’s geothermal potential

In the past two years, the number of geothermal companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange has doubled, as has financial investment in the industry. Belinda Willis, Jane Lowe, and Heidi Delaney answer some questions about the Australian Geothermal Energy Association’s strategy to convey the technical complexity of this burgeoning industry.

Up close with Ian Porter

For Ian Porter, Chief Executive Officer of the Alternative Technology Association, people and communities are central to the existence – and success – of the clean energy industry. He spoke with EcoGeneration about his passion for sustainability and his vision for the future.

Bendigo conference focuses on regional energy

The Energy Futures in Regional Australia Conference took place in Bendigo from 8 – 10 November, serving as a meeting place for over 200 local and international industry players to discuss the future of renewable energy in regional locations.

EcoGen 2010 attracts clean energy leaders

Leading renewable energy experts Dr Mark Diesendorf and Professor David Harries are among the first confirmed speakers for EcoGen 2010, the main event for the clean energy industry.

Brisbane’s 2026 target on track with cogeneration engineering

Australia’s first operational, large scale, gas-powered, cogeneration plant in a commercial office building has earned Floth Sustainable Building Consultants a Gold Award at the 2009 Association of Consulting Engineers Australia Awards for Excellence – and is bringing Brisbane closer to its target of halving emissions by 2026.

Making electric cars smarter for a sustainable future

Ben Keneally

The mass adoption of electric cars will not only provide a significant opportunity for large scale reductions in urban air pollution and carbon emissions, but also the potential to make greater use of renewable energy, writes Ben Keneally.

Windorah Solar Farm

Renewable concentrated solar PV, off-grid, isolated generation, QLD

Soanar panels light up

Soanar is now offering an EcoTech range of mono-crystalline solar panels, which are International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) approved and come with a 25 year warranty.

3TIER expands geographical coverage of solar map

3TIER has expanded the geographical coverage of its solar map and dataset, previously available for the western hemisphere, to now include Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.

Tilting at Windmills – Will they be built?

Peter Dreher

The political consensus may have shifted to support the wind power industry, but construction of wind farms appears to have slowed down. What factors are contributing to the current lack of momentum? Peter Dreher lifts the fog on Australia’s wind project landscape.

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