EcoGeneration

November/December 2008

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Advancing solar thermal

Sarah Robertson

WorleyParsons has a vision: to be the driving force behind an industry which could provide 40 per cent of Australia’s renewable energy needs by 2020. To deliver on this goal, the company is looking to Australia’s natural and powerful resource, the sun.

Clean energy to heat up the Gold Coast

Kate Pemberton

This November the Gold Coast will play hose to the Clean Energy Council's inaugural annual clean energy industry event, the Clean Energy Council Conference & Exhibition 2008.

In conversation with Penny Wong

Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong spoke with EcoGeneration about her experiences as Australia's representative for climate change mitigation action and her vision for Australia's future.

Bogong Power Development links Kiewa gap

John Arnold

In 1961, the completed cascade hydropower development of the Kiewa Valley added about 200 MW of capacity to the Victorian electricity system. Forty-six years on, a missing link in the cascade is now under construction. For compatible construction in a pristine Alpine National Park, challenges in the concept design resulted in some innovative solutions.

Wind farm availability trends

Graham White, Anne Marie Graves, Keir Harman and Ross Walker

The revenue from a wind farm is directly related to the wind farm’s availability. As a result, an understanding of the availability that can be expected over a wind farm’s lifetime is essential in quantifying the project value.

The art of moving wind turbines around the world

Anja Brueggemann

While wind power is starting to take hold in Australia and New Zealand as a renewable energy source, there are significant obstacles affecting the industry’s growth. One such obstacle is transporting turbines from the factory to the site.

Geothermal energy - opportunities, options and strategies

Wendy Miller

By moving beyond a technical focus and thinking differently about uncertainty, options and relationships, geothermal companies can advance their commercial interests and maximise the likelihood of success in an environment of high uncertainty and rapid change.

Garnaut Climate Change Review encourages global agreement

Sarah Robertson

Professor Ross Garnaut released the Garnaut Review’s Final Report, urging Australians to act quickly and the nation to play its part in a global effort to mitigate the effects of climate change, reducing emissions by at least 10 per cent from 2000 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

The CDM under the CPRS

Louis Chiam and Chris Case Carbon Trading

How will the Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme impact upon Clean Development Mechanism projects for Australia’s clean energy industry? Chris Case and Louis Chiam from Mallesons Stephen Jaques discuss the potential impacts and outcome for the clean energy industry.

CPRS - it’s your business

With the implementation of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) just around the corner, many Australian businesses and individuals are unsure of what the scheme will mean to them and what they should do to prepare for it. Andrew Barson and Gavin Pereira give their view on emissions trading and the effects it will have on business and the clean energy industry.

Waste - thinking outside the bin

Household waste – a term that people use for something everybody has but nobody wants. It was a commodity with no value. However a new resource recovery park is changing the face of household waste and may bring it out of the bin. Sarah Robertson reports.

Gas - paving the way for a lower emissions future

Lyndsie Mewett and Kristine Pillai

With emissions trading on the horizon and a growing number of carbon-conscious consumers, energy generators are investing in gas-fired power generation. EcoGeneration looks at some of the gas-fired power stations currently proposed or under development around the nation.

The Australian Bioenergy Roadmap

The Australian Bioenergy Roadmap has seen Australia’s bioenergy industry come together to strengthen a promising renewable resource’s future for stationary energy generation, including both electricity and thermal energy. Sarah Robertson and Kristine Pillai report.

Sugarcan’s high energy achievers

Queensland scientists have put a special breed of high energy sugarcane under the microscope to develop its capacity to produce renewable energy. Kristine Pillai and Kate Pemberton report.

Diageo moves spirits to sustainability

Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray and Smirnoff will soon contribute to the United Kingdom’s renewable energy generation, with plans for a bioenergy facility in Scotland. Kristine Pillai reports.

COAG to develop national energy efficiency strategy

The recent Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting has put energy efficiency back in the spotlight as a vital weapon in reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. Sarah Robertson reports.

Renewable atlas maps endless opportunities

Environment Minister Peter Garrett has launched the first ever, user friendly interactive atlas, which maps the full extent of Australia’s renewable energy resources. Sarah Robertson reports.

Securing CDM and energy efficiency

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in the region and domestic schemes for energy efficiency were under discussion at a recent forum held by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and CVC Sustainable Investments. Sarah Robertson reports.