EcoGeneration

September/October 2007

Serious power, ready now

Wind power is an ultra-modern, proven technology that can make rapid in-roads into reducing greenhouse emissions – and there’s no reason this technology can’t make a serious contribution to Australia’s energy needs in the coming years.

Wind developments - what a year!

It’s been a busy, sometimes tumultuous 12 months for the wind energy industry in Australia. EcoGeneration looks back at the major developments affecting the wind projects being planned, commissioned and producing energy across the country.

Harnessing wind power at home

Perth householders may soon be using the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ to save energy, with funding going towards projects that could see electricity generated from that cool afternoon sea breeze.

Winds of change at Future Vision 2020

Members of Australia’s wind energy industry will gather in Melbourne from 8 – 10 October for Future Vision 2020 – an in-depth briefing on the latest developments in energy from the wind.

Australian wind energy: which way will it blow?

The next 12 months will be of critical importance to the Australian wind energy industry, write Peter Dreher and Rod Gillam, partners of Madgwicks, a business law firm and legal advisor to players in the industry.

Accreditation a world first

Certified Wind Farms Australia (CWFA) has been developed over the last two years with Auswind and key industry stakeholders in response to the need for sound environmental and social management in the wind energy industry.

Turning wind into wine

Victorian winery Elgo Estate has incorporated sustainability with a successful business model, installing a 150 kW wind turbine on site to power its operations.

How far we’ve come

Ric Brazzale reflects on the current suite of policy initiatives in place to support our vibrant and dynamic industry.

ATRAA takes Cairns

At a time when the future for the solar industry in Australia has never looked better, it was appropriate that the 30th Annual ATRAA Conference and Exhibition was staged in sunny Cairns.

Going solar across Victoria

The solar PV industry is taking off in Victoria, with two exciting new installations highlighting the benefits this technology can provide.

Tandem solar cells - working together for efficiency

Using plastics to harvest the energy of the sun just got a significant boost in efficiency thanks to a discovery made at the Centre for Polymers and Organic Solids at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Solar Cities powering forward

Following the announcement of a fifth solar city in Central Victoria, and with the Blacktown Solar City now open for business, EcoGeneration has compiled this review of the projects announced to date, comparing the contribution each city is making to sustainability.

Trigeneration - a hat trick for distributed energy

greenhouse analyst, Sarah Morton

Trigeneration - allowing the simultaneous conversion of a fuel into three useful energy products - is the latest buzz word in energy efficiency.

Carrum sewage gas plant opens

Melbourne Water’s Carrum Downs sewage gas power generation plant has been officially opened.

Debunking the debunkers

A recent public forum at the Australian National University has tackled climate change sceptics and their arguments head-on.

ZBB puts money into storage

ZBB Energy has secured funding to integrate its advanced zinc-bromine energy storage systems with multiple renewable energy sources at CSIRO’s Newcastle Energy Centre.

Geothermal rocking in Australia

The use of geothermal energy for electricity generation has been around for some time. Italy first established a geothermal electricity plant early last century and geothermal energy is now used for electricity generation in over 20 countries.

Small scale renewable energy storage

Michael McCann, Energy Strategies

Small-scale energy storage has been the focus of research and engineering effort for many decades, and now, a novel project is clearly demonstrating the benefits this technology can provide.

Renewable training centre opens in SA

A new training centre specialising in giving tradespeople in South Australia the skills to install renewable energy systems was opened in Adelaide on 2 August.

Locals learn about renewables in Cairns

Local councils and regional businesses heard how they can use renewable energy in their everyday operations at ‘The next wave sustainability advantage’ - adding value to your enterprise.

Embracing sustainability

There’s no doubt about it: green is the new black. And judging by the number of organisations improving and highlighting their environmental credentials, this is one trend that doesn’t look like it will go out of fashion any time soon.