EcoGeneration

May/June 2008

Shifting to the clean energy space

Sarah Robertson

Australia has witnessed a sea change in the attitudes of large energy utilities as they invest increasing amounts in clean energy projects, from gas to geothermal, solar and wind.

A clean energy services future

Sustainable Solutions Co-director and RMIT Adjunct Professor Alan Pears looks at how suppliers can keep pace with the move toward sustainable demand.

Ocean power basics

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Sustainable Energy Centre University of South Australia Brian Kirke and EcoGeneration’s Sarah Robertson explain how wave and tidal power technologies work and how they compare.

Girt by sea - harnessing Australia’s ocean power

Water covers over 75 per cent of the Earth, but the ocean’s power remains largely unharnessed. Ocean power is an emerging form of renewable energy generation that has the potential to contribute significantly to the world’s energy needs. Sarah Robertson discusses ocean power projects and technologies under development in Australia and the potential energy generation they offer.

Heat - the forgotten renewable energy

Ken Guthrie and Christian Bertsch of Sustainability Victoria outline the developing role of solar thermal technologies to provide renewable heat in Europe and the lessons and opportunities of these developments for Australia.

Bigger is better - the development of turbines

In the late 1970s, when the first commercial turbines were being developed, nobody imagined how the wind industry would grow to its current status. Garrad Hassan’s Warwick Elkins and Graham White discuss how far the technology has come.

Wind tram whistles thorugh Melbourne

Yarra Trams has introduced Melbourne’s first wind-powered tram, with plans to switch more of the fleet over to renewable energy in the future. Sarah Robertson reports.

Wind industry blows into Dalby

Darling Downs of Queensland is well known for production of prime wheat and premium beef, but winds of change have brought new opportunity to an area currently dominated by traditional agriculture. Sarah Robertson reports.

New kiosks feed the grid

Melanie McKenzie from Econnect Communication reports on the kiosk substations being installed at the Hallett wind farm in South Australia that will minimise down time and increase performance.

Pacific talks looks to PEMM

REEEP Manager, South East Asia and Pacific Eva Oberender

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) was invited as an observer to the recent Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) Energy Working Group (EWG) meeting.

Gas scheme leading Queensland’s clean energy future

Three years have passed since the introduction of Queensland’s 13 per cent gas scheme, a period that has witnessed a sea change in public opinion on Australia’s energy mix. The scheme has recently achieved some major milestones. Maryam Jahanshahi reports.

Darling Downs - delivering gas and water to Queensland

Queensland’s Darling Downs Power Station will produce enough power to supply the equivalent of 400,000 Queensland homes and, when operational, save over two million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Maryam Jahanshahi reports.

Ceramic Fuel Cells - completing clean energy generation

Emitting 60 per cent less carbon dioxide than traditional combustion generators, and able to be used in a wide range of applications, ceramic fuel cells may offer an alternative and cleaner solution to energy generation. Maryam Jahanshahi reports.

Solar Cities Congress

The international spotlight on climate change shone down on Adelaide from 17 - 21 February for the 3rd International Solar Cities Congress 2008. Sarah Robertson reports on the event that encourages greater use of renewable energy.

Simplicity the key to an Australian ETS

Sarah Robertson

Professor Ross Garnaut’s study into the introduction of an Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has concluded that it will provide Australia with a unique opportunity for profound, long-term structural change.

Garnaut review calls for bold yet affordable action

Professor Ross Garnaut’s stern warning to Australian governments about the need to commit to ambitious targets and mitigation efforts has emphasised the need for bold yet affordable action, beginning now.

Climate change solutions with a low price tag

Sarah Robertson

A report from McKinsey & Company, An Australian Cost Curve for Greenhouse Gas Reduction, asks the question: what can Australia do to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing its quality of life?

Face of the future

Who will Australia’s future clean energy leaders be? Sarah Robertson speaks to one young industry representative who is working towards a clean energy future.

A mainstream global industry

An international renewable energy conference in March highlighted the industry’s prime position in the global market. REEEP Manager Amy Kean reports.

Bottling sunlight - the development of SolarGas

Maryam Jahanshahi

Scientists at the CSIRO have successfully developed a process which uses solar energy to increase the energy content of natural gas in a unique, hybrid fossil/solar reaction.

FuturArc Forum encourages sustainable design

Sarah Robertson

The regional 2008 FuturArc Forum series highlighted the transformative role of sustainable building practices in the architectural and construction industries.