EcoGeneration

September/October 2009

Powered by peach

It wasn’t so much a case of one giant peach but a giant pile of peach stones that got biomass specialist Greg Paxton thinking of new ways to re-use food waste and harness their unused energy.

Bioenergy continues to grow in UK and beyond

Twin biomass power projects in northeast England are increasing the United Kingdom’s ever-growing renewable energy capacity.

Lessons to be learnt: Bioenergy developments in Scandinavia and China

Andrew Lang

World Bioenergy Association board member Andrew Lang’s recent travels through Scandinavia and China provided him with some clear insights into the potential for bioenergy in the growing energy market. Examples, he argues, that should be taken on board in forming Australian energy policy.

ATRAA 09 - preparing for the best of times in clean energy generation

The 32nd ATRAA Conference & Exhibition was the most successful to date, with a record attendance of over 500 delegates, lively discussion and debate, and a sense of great anticipation as the clean energy industry gears up for exciting times ahead. Lucy Rochlin reports.

Awards recognise solar excellence

The ATRAA 2009 Industry Awards have been announced, with award winners including long-time industry stalwart Kim Atkinson, Going Solar, SunPower, Solgen Energy and Bushlight.

ATRAA Solar Mission shines light on Holt Community Centre

ATRAA 2009 kicked off with the annual ATRAA Solar Mission, bringing free solar power to charitable organisation, the Kippax UnitingCare Community Centre, located in the Canberra suburb of Holt.

RISE PD Day - old friends, familiar faces tackle new challenges

Over 270 delegates attended the RISE Professional Development Day, setting a new record for the pre-conference workshop, and reflecting the continued growth of Australia’s solar industry and accredited installers. Lucy Rochlin reports.

Solar research wrap

Solar researchers around the nation are developing new ways to harness the sun’s energy that will increase efficiency and lower materials costs. From flexible lightweight solar cells for defence and security, to new power storage solutions, EcoGeneration takes a look at some of the major solar research programs from around Australia.

Greenseekers launched at ATRAA

A new online networking platform, Greenseekers, was officially launched to the alternative technology industries at ATRAA 2009 in Canberra.

Smart solar energy management

Ralf J. Muenster

Slight shading on a solar photovoltaic system can significantly cut its energy production. So how can solar arrays be optimised without limiting their effectiveness?

Bushlight’s India Project

Grant Behrendorff

Grant Behrendorff discusses the collaborative development and demonstration of an optimised model for remote village electrification using renewable energy in India.

Solar Cities update

The Solar Cities program continues to move forward, with construction beginning at the two Central Victoria Solar City solar parks, located in Bendigo and Ballarat.

Flannery’s sustainable future

Sarah Robertson

Environmental scientist and writer, Professor Tim Flannery addressed the ATRAA conference about renewables in a sustainable future and global transformations on the climate change stage. Sarah Robertson spoke with him to discuss his views in detail.

All-Energy Australia draws global business leaders

The President of the European Solar Energy Foundation and the CEO of the Energy Supply Association of Australia will be among more than 100 speakers at the biggest and most prestigious clean energy conference Australia has seen.

The wonders of wind

Wind power’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and powering our energy future is well established. But at the local level, the advantages of wind power for communities are equally significant.

Winding up Australian wind

There are currently over 40 wind farms operating around the country, with more than 130 projects either committed or proposed. EcoGeneration presents a snapshot of a few of the most advanced large scale wind farms under development in Australia.

Floating offshore to capture high winds

By the year 2030, roughly 40 per cent of worldwide investments in the power plant market will go into developing renewable energy sources. While solar energy is expected to show the highest growth rate of over 28 per cent among the renewables, Siemens believes wind power is by far the most important energy source.

One world - wind energy

With the ongoing success of electricity generated from wind power, more countries are developing wind energy as an alternative source of power generation. Wind turbines are now being manufactured all around the world, and this requires new complex transportation solutions that connect several modes of transport to deliver wind turbines to their final destinations.

New Zealand wind wrap

Wind energy in New Zealand is a dynamic and quickly growing industry. Supported by the NZWEA, New Zealand has nine operating wind farms, two of which are being expanded and a tenth under construction, and many more in various stages of development.

Growing Australia’s renewable energy workforce

Lucy Rochlin

As renewable energy’s contribution to Australia’s energy mix grows, so too will the need for a skilled renewable energy workforce. The Clean Energy Council was engaged to provide a strategy to ensure that the skills and workforce requirements of Australia’s renewable energy industry can be met now and into the future.

RET’s safe passage

The clean energy industry has been through tumultuous times in recent months, but with the passage of the Renewable Energy Target (RET), the industry can now get down to business with certainty to produce 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity from renewables by 2020.

Fast-tracking clean energy with fuel cells

Significant advances are being made in the identification of alternative, greener energy solutions. Research into fuel cell technology is gathering momentum, with one company making a significant contribution to the evolution of a revolutionary, environmentally friendly means to generate electricity.

Australia called on to lead the way in clean tech

Australia should help lead international action to put low carbon technology financing and development at the centre of climate negotiations, alongside mitigation and adaption, according to new research.