EcoGeneration

January/February 2008

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Building an energy efficiency target and strategy for Australia

Clean Energy Council Policy and Research Manager, Tristan Edis, discusses the Clean Energy Council’s vision for a strategy that will deliver on the Labor Government’s goal for Australia to be ‘at the forefront of OECD energy efficiency improvement’.

Ferguson Plarre: rising dough and lowering emissions

Lyndsie Mewett

Solar heating, hot water generation, energy monitoring systems…the 106 year old family business, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, has embraced innovative technologies to open an environmentally sustainable bakery in Melbourne.

International Review: Energy efficiency targets and funding programs

Clean Energy Council Policy and Research Manager, Tristan Edis, reviews the major energy efficiency initiatives in the US and Europe that target improved energy efficiency.

Shelly’s: Energy Efficiency by the Sea

In 2003, Shellharbour Workers Club underwent a major energy efficiency upgrade. Sarah Robertson reports Four years later, the club remains an institution in Shellharbour, it is just cleaner and greener.

Power smart: Learning to do more with less

Sarah Robertson

The Energy Efficiency and Demand Management Conference hosted by the Clean Energy Council last November was a great success, with attendees leaving inspired by energy efficient programs, and developments abroad and closer to home.

Wind farms & landscape impacts: getting the process right

Mike Scott, Director, Planisphere Urban Strategy Planners

A national assessment framework for wind farms and landscapes has answered some challenging questions about the process of assessing and responding to wind farm developments and provided a framework to ensure effective community participation.

Epuron, winding up Australia’s renewable energy

Epuron is planning to build the country’s largest wind farm just north of Silverton in New South Wales. Sarah Robertson spoke with Epuron Executive Director Andrew Durran about the proposed development and the company’s commitment to developing wind power in NSW.

Riding winds of change

Suzlon Energy Australia (SEA) entered the Australian wind energy market in 2004 with a five year plan to secure 600 megawatts of new projects across Australia and New Zealand. With over 75 per cent of that target secured in just over three years, SEA is reassessing where to grow from here. Sarah Robertson spoke with Suzlon’s Chief Operations Officer, Chris Judd, about the company’s projects and future aims as well as Australia’s wind industry as it is today and as it needs to be tomorrow.

A vision for the future of wind power

The wind turbine industry is gearing up for bigger and better turbines as well as a more accommodating market, according to Dr Andrew Garrad, Director of global wind energy group Garrad Hassan. Now, just to crack the grid…

Forget electric hot water - Go solar heat pump

Quantum Energy Technologies’ General Manager Michael Walstab discusses the benefits of solar heat pump systems for use anywhere, from caravan parks to high rise units and apartment buildings.

Solar water heater training resources

A shortage of plumbing professionals with skills in solar installation could decrease the effectiveness of recent government support measures for what is one of the most effective ways to cut greenhouse gases. Industry Development Officer Peter Rorke, reports.

REEEP assists major Pacific RE initiative

The dependency on fossil fuels poses major challenges for the Pacific Region. REEEP South East Asia and Pacific’s Eva Oberender discusses projects underway to mitigate climate change and promote the region’s use of clean energy.

The Federal Election - Outcomes for the clean energy sector

Policy and Research Manager, Tristan Edis, reviews the outcomes from the recent Federal Election and the ascension of a Rudd Lab

Climate Change finally emerged as a major issue over the 12months leading into the recent Federal Election. Indeed a great deal of the major policy breakthroughs were achieved before the formal election campaign commenced. Over an extraordinary 12 months, the outgoing Coalition Government adopted a great deal of the policies the clean energy sector had been arguing for over many years.

Carbon Markets Report 2007

The Carbon Markets Report 2007 provides a comprehensive assessment of Australian and international greenhouse abatement markets. Clean Energy Council’s Energy and Greenhouse Analyst, Sarah Morton, reports.

Now is the time to face climate change

In November 2007, a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sent a warning to the world that climate change must be addressed. Then, in December, the world’s leaders and their delegations met to discuss a roadmap for a post-Kyoto climate change agreement. Sarah Robertson reports on how the world will face climate change post Kyoto.