EcoGeneration

March/April 2010

Solar technician training in the Pacific Islands

Geoff Stapleton of Global Sustainable Energy Solutions is fresh from the first stage of an exciting new sustainable energy project rolling out across the Pacific Islands.

Our time to shine: Australia’s burgeoning solar energy industry

Dr Richard Corkish

Despite the common refrain that Australia’s solar energy industry is not booming as it should be, the fact is we’re living in one of the most positive times for Australian solar technology in nearly 30 years, writes Dr Richard Corkish.

Leading the charge on local renewable energy

The Central Victoria Solar City Project has now officially been launched and the project’s two 300 kilowatt solar parks in Bendigo and Ballarat have begun feeding clean energy to the grid. EcoGeneration takes a closer look at these projects and the community-driven forces that have propelled them forward.

At the forefront of carbon neutral manufacturing

The renewable energy industry is leading other industries in the adoption of a cradle-to-grave approach to industrial scale manufacturing. SMA’s carbon neutral solar inverter manufacturing plant is one such example.

Imagining the solar future

Lucy Rochlin

Since the early 1970s, Dr Muriel Watt has been working with a quiet determination to ensure that renewable energy is a viable means of living sustainably. Lucy Rochlin spoke with Dr Watt about why she can’t imagine a future for Australia without solar panels on every house.

Bringing world-first technology to remote Western Australia

The world’s first hybrid solar-diesel power stations are only months away from operation, in two of Australia’s hottest towns – Marble Bar and Nullagine, in the east Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Energising Western Australia

Western Australian will be lit by renewables from 22–24 March when the inaugural Energising WA National Conference and Exhibition is hosted by the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association.

Bogong powers up in the high plains

Lucy Rochlin

The largest hydro power project constructed in Australia in 25 years, the Bogong Hydro Power Project, was commissioned in October 2009. Lucy Rochlin visited the site last year to get a better understanding of the project scale and design.

60 years of hydro

Candice Johnson

Renewable energy may be considered a fledgling industry by some; however its long and industrious history was recently commemorated as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, one of Australia’s oldest renewable energy projects, celebrated 60 years since the commencement of construction. Candice Johnson reports.

Defining the lines of enquiry: The National Research and Development Plan for Bioenergy and Biofuels

Dr Roslyn Prinsley, Julie Bird and Vicki Byrne

If Australia’s primary industries are to improve their productivity and sustainability they cannot afford a fragmented or duplicative research and development system, particularly when it comes to the development of bioenergy and biofuels.

Bringing bioenergy to market

Iain MacGill

Dr Iain MacGill discusses the challenges and opportunities for bioenergy to contribute to an expanded renewable energy target within the Australian National Electricity Market.

Building bioenergy’s sustainability credentials

Sustainability is a critical issue for the bioenergy industry, as one of the fastest growing sectors in renewable energy. The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation recently undertook a review addressing this issue, led by Deborah O’Connell from the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems division.

From opportunity to implementation: Bioenergy Australia 2009 Conference

The Bioenergy Australia Conference, held from 9–10 December 2009 at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast, Queensland was attended by a record 344 delegates, bringing together the diverse interests and ideas that form the bioenergy industry.

EcoGen 2010 – six months to go and counting!

With just six months to go until the clean energy industry comes together for the Australian clean energy industry event of the year, the excitement continues to build. EcoGeneration brings you the latest EcoGen 2010 developments.

Copenhagen – where to from here?

Dominique La Fontaine

While it may be tempting, it is misguided to take a black and white view regarding the success of the Copenhagen Climate Change conference. Like most complex matters, the outcomes are a mix of positive achievements and missed opportunity, writes Dominique La Fontaine, who attended the conference in December.

Up close with Jianhong Zhou

Jianhong Zhou is Chairman and CEO of Sun-Earth, a company that he has served for the past ten years. Since 2000, Mr Zhou has steered Sun-Earth from its original focus on solar ingot manufacturing, to a vertically integrated, manufacturer of solar panels with products distributed around the world. Mr Zhou graduated with an MBA from Zhejiang University and is an electrical engineer by training.

The new challenge: quality and price

With heavy declines in the solar market in the first half of 2009 and a noticeable relaxation in the second half, many experts predict a revival of the industry for 2010 and beyond. Multi-Contact Deutschland GmbH (MC) also expects positive developments in the photovoltaic market, and anticipates new challenges. Key Account Manager for photovoltaics, Matthias Mack answers some of key questions about the company’s outlook.

Kickstarting clean tech

Sari Mattila

Clean energy innovation in Australia requires not only the right technology, but also the right financial backing. Sari Mattila looks at two clean energy companies whose clean energy products and systems have been given a kickstart with the support of AusIndustry.