Aptly set in Townsville, one of seven cities in the Federal Government’s $94 million Solar Cities program, the conference attracted over 220 delegates. ANZSES Solar 09 brought together academic specialists, industry and policy makers together in a unique forum.

“The venue was great – Magnetic Island was memorable as a conference opener – and there was a sense of excitement amongst the delegates that we are on the verge of something great in the solar industry,” says CEO of ANZSES John Grimes commenting on the success of the event.

Magnetic Island Solar Suburb tour

The 47th Solar 09 conference kicked off with a tour of the Magnetic Island Solar Suburb initiative on Tuesday 29 September.

In collaboration with the Townsville Solar City Project, Ergon Energy is undertaking a comprehensive program to reduce energy consumption and increase the uptake of renewables on Magnetic Island. Its desire to do so is underpinned not only in a belief in sustainability, but also by the pressure created by increasing energy needs on the island, and the resulting pressure to build a second, $25 million subsea electricity cable to join the island with the mainland.

Delegates toured the island in a game of ‘spot the solar installation’, of which there are approximately 100, all of which are owned by Ergon, and hosted on roofs through the goodwill of the community.

As well as the photovoltaic installation program, Ergon also offers incentive schemes for the uptake of energy efficiency measures, such as roof painting, insulation and the installation of heat pumps and solar hot water.

The results of the program so far are encouraging – those who have participated in the scheme have decreased their energy use by 6 per cent, while those who have not, have increased their energy use by an average of 3 per cent. Ergon is using the model and expertise from its Magnetic Island project to implement similar schemes at Mt Isa and the northern suburbs of Mackay, in conjunction with the Queensland Government.

After a sod turning ceremony back at the Solar City Smart Lifestyle Centre to launch the 100 kilowatt solar park, the tour concluded with the ANZSES Solar 09 Conference Welcome Reception at the idyllic beachside setting of Horseshoe Bay.

Conference

Solar 09 featured an impressive combination of notable keynote speakers, in-depth technical papers, case studies and industry presentations.

The first official conference day was opened by the Vice Chancellor of James Cook University Professor Sandra Harding, who highlighted the university’s charter to be the university for the tropics, and the implicit responsibility the university has to encourage and develop sustainability. James Cook University hosted Solar 09 in partnership with ANZSES.

Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones said that she had had some “very frank discussion” over breakfast that morning about the responsibility of the Government to provide the right regulatory framework for the solar industry to succeed.

“As a young climate change minister there is a huge responsibility on my shoulders. The message I’m getting very loud and clear is that the Government needs to step up to the mark, through both legislative and incentive programs.”

Liberal Senator for Queensland Ian Macdonald spoke on behalf of Shadow Climate Change Minister Greg Hunt, saying that a chain of Federal Government policy decisions had caused great uncertainty for the industry, and that the Coalition would be seeking to amend the Renewable Energy Target (RET) in its current format.

“The Coalition will bring forward a private members bill to amend the RET, allowing for up to one quarter of the RET for emerging industries such as solar thermal.”

In thanking both politicians, ANZSES President Michael Dymond said that the Government plays a leading role in creating stability for the industry.

Other keynote speakers included Commercial Manager of Suntech Australia Mark Kibby, who emphasised the company’s strong Australian solar research base; and Associate Professor Keith Lovegrove, the solar thermal group leader at the Australian National University’s Department of Engineering.

Director of Oerlikon Systems Department Hiroshi Ishida said he expects solar power to achieve grid parity with traditional electricity supply – as soon as 2012 in the United States; while Ergon Energy Chief Executive Ian McLeod spoke about the company’s strategies to implement smart grid technology to support growing peak demand. Jenny Goddard, Chair of the Australian Solar Institute, kicked off proceedings on Thursday morning, updating delegates on the progress at the institute, which hopes to announce additional permanent board members shortly.

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Christine Milne, who has attended many ANZSES conferences, conveyed her disillusion with what she sees as inaction and inadequacy by the Federal Government in its efforts to support the renewable energy industry, and the solar sector in particular.

Scott Frier, Chief Operating Officer of Spanish-based company Abengoa Solar, gave delegates a taste of the potential of solar thermal, showing images of current, large scale projects already in operation in Spain and in the United States. He also announced that Abengoa is opening an Australian office in Brisbane.

ANZSES’ John Grimes also addressed the conference, noting that the Society had undergone an exciting phase of professionalisation in the past year, and is the only organisation in Australia with the interests of solar first and foremost on its agenda. Following the successful conference dinner, at which delegates had a chance to socialise by the poolside terrace, the last day of the conference featured an equally strong program, including the President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation Olivier Drücke, Australian National University’s (ANU) Professor Andrew Blakers, and Murdoch University’s Professor David Doepel.

ANZSES AGM

The ANZSES Annual General Meeting was held on Day 2 of the conference. The agenda for the coming year was discussed, and with plans for a strong focus on lobbying and advocacy, but also membership services, education, putting the spotlight on solar research and development, and professional accreditation for solar professionals.

Members also heard about the new specialist resource of over 1,100 academic papers available to ANZSES members via a searchable database. Users can also leave a comment on a paper they have read, creating the potential for development and discussion between the experts in the field.

The Australian PV Association (APVA) also held their Annual General Meeting during the conference. Members put forward the suggestion of greater collaboration between APVA and ANZSES, to ensure the overlapping interests of the associations were strengthened by consistent messages, and to ensure that recourses are shared where possible to avoid duplication.

Wal Read solar prize

ANU graduate student Rebecca Dunn was awarded the prestigious Wal Read solar prize for her research into the storage of solar energy as ammonia gas.

Rebecca Dunn is currently in the second year of her PhD in concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) at ANU. The prize, valued at $1,500 was sponsored by Suntech. Other prizes were awarded to Shelley Bambrook, Craig Johnson and Andrew Pascale.

ANZSES offers awards up to a combined total value of $6,000 for the most outstanding papers submitted to its annual conference by tertiary students and recent graduates who are residents of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands or Fiji. The awards are in honour of one of Australia’s solar pioneers, Wal Read.

ANZSES Solar 10

The 48th ANZSES Conference in 2010 will once again welcome a wide range of the best international solar and renewable energy researchers, industry personnel and funding bodies. The conference, to be held in late September to early October, is set to be located in Canberra, to coincide with the federal election year.

Achievements at ANZSES Solar 09:

• Engagement between industry and policy makers, especially in relation to the design of Solar Flagships
• Focus on new developments in solar, such as TEL’s thin film and Wizard Power’s big dish project
• A forum for in depth analysis of all things solar, and solar related
• Strengthening of links between solar professionals and industry, and increase the role of industry in the organisation