EcoGeneration

July/August 2007

ATRAA reaches a milestone and goes public

This year’s ATRAA solar conference will showcase everything you ever wanted to know about solar PV but were too afraid to ask – plus a few new twists.

Federal Budget supports PV

BCSE Executive Director Ric Brazzale

The $150 million solar initiative announced in this year’s Federal Budget has been welcomed by Australia’s PV industry.

Phones run hot after Budget

The BCSE has been inundated with calls from electricians seeking training and accreditation in solar PV installation following the Federal Budget funding announcement.

Storage projects receive funding for efficiency

Five projects have received $17.6 million in funding to trial and demonstrate more efficient ways of storing electricity from renewable energy sources.

Alice Springs: Australia’s fourth Solar city

International tourists flying into Alice Springs will soon see another breathtaking sight apart from the brilliance of red sand and bright blue sky.

The economics of solar hot water

Ian Kirkham

With the issue of greenhouse gas emissions firmly on the agenda of Australian politics, businesses and homes, the practical solutions to deal with it are now easier to access than ever.

Australia’s PV industry grows by 20 per cent

Australia’s solar photovoltaic industry continued its steady growth over recent years but it’s still far behind the rest of the world, reports Ric Brazzal

Feed-In Tariffs: setting a fair price

Ric Brazzale

A ‘feed-in’ tariff is about to be implemented in three states and other states have committed to consider it.

Energy modelling experts McLennan Magasanik Associates (MMA) have found that combining energy efficiency and a clean energy target with emissions trading delivers a lower cost outcome than emissions trading alone.

Picking winners

BCSE’s Policy and Research Manager Tristan Edis unpacks the recommendations of the Task Group on Emissions Trading.

Emission omission keeps us thirsty for more

The lack of detail on emissions trading is like a pub with no beer, writes Tristan Edis.

Australia can afford cleaner, more efficient energy

Tristan Edis summarises the work done to date on the economic cost of taking action to avoid dangerous climate change.

Carbon trading? That’s old news

BCSE Greenhouse and Energy Analyst Sarah Morton sums up two recent reports about global carbon markets.

Cities of the world unite under Clinton initiative

Four energy service companies, five banks, and 15 cities - including Melbourne - have united in a landmark program designed to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings.

Queensland coal seam gas project powers up

Arrow Energy’s Daandine Power Generation Project is a 27.4 MW coal seam gas-fired power station feeding electricity into the grid in southeast Queensland.

Sustainable Energy 2007: a student’s perspective

Jonathon Shaw

The SE2007 conference ‘Powering Australia’s Future’ brought together a record 360 delegates from business, government and the community. With the promise of writing this article and volunteering over the two days in Sydney, I was able to witness the Australian sustainable energy industry do its bit to create a clean, secure and affordable energy future.