Under Federal Government – Climate zealotry takes priority
The Federal Labor Government’s inability to read the international political climate and instead press on with its domestic climate agenda, demonstrates that the Prime Minister isn’t focused on the struggles of the Australian people, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said this week.
Vena Energy leads Australian renewable energy innovation with utility-scale greenfield solar and battery energy hybrid project: Vena Energy
“This hybrid configuration redefines operational flexibility. Our system enables simultaneous export of solar power to the grid and independent operation of the battery for energy export or storage. By optimising existing grid infrastructure, we are enabling renewable energy to be dispatched when needed, delivering cost-effective power to South Australia" : Owen Sela, Head of Vena Energy in Australia.
New clean energy resource under our feet
A new report from Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the Geological Survey of New South Wales, has found elevated levels of natural hydrogen and helium in locations throughout New South Wales.
Solar heating for new pool: Council considers options for renewable energy at replacement pools
Heating options for two of the replacement pools at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool are currently being investigated by the contractor, ELM Aquatics. Works are due to commence late next month, with the pool closing on February 24, to be completed for re-opening late November 2025. General Manager, David Webb said the replacement project includes three new pools, filtration equipment, solar heating, renewable energy supply, recreational facilities and landscaping.
Battery like a charger on a huge scale
The 150 megawatt battery installed by Engie at the old Hazelwood power station site has just had its first birthday – and the company is very happy with its ability to produce electricity when needed and its financial performance.
Foreign owned and controlled TransGrid is disconnected from regional Australia
The ever-increasing number of stories of the difficulties faced by landowners when dealing with transmission network builder, TransGrid, points to an organisation with no knowledge of, and no interest in learning about, the land, and the peoples living on that land, through which they are building those networks.
How much gas talk is hot air?
Take out the hype and Beetaloo gas is a pretty thin project. The sub-basin, 900 km north of Alice Springs, is “estimated” to contain 500 trillion cubic feet of gas. The NT Government refers to this estimate as being “by industry”.
Power restored after Cowalla bushfire while crews replacing poles
Western Power says power has been restored to all 150 customers affected by the bushfire in Cowalla, Wanerie and Karakin. Twenty power poles were destroyed by the bushfire, which was reported at 12.03pm on Tuesday, December 31.
Transmission lines versus the environment: One family’s story
The Betts/Barbour/Hume family’s 157-year-old agricultural and biodiversity conservation property is at a critical point. It may not survive this latest challenge to its viability. If it fails, it will take with it decades of labour and investment expended on protecting an extremely environmentally, historically, agriculturally and culturally important area.
Two decades under pressure
Serena Kirby. A career as a commercial deep-sea diver is not for the faint hearted but it’s been Jason Thornton’s profession for nearly two decades. Jason works for companies that supply divers to the oil and gas industry for the construction and maintenance of underwater pipelines. He says the job is far from glamorous.
Think, question
Ian Penno. Getting around lately and in general discussions mainly with locals, it is satisfying that they are still thinking for themselves and in their own minds questioning the management and direction of our great region, state and country. Courage must be to ask the questions out loud and demand answers ... Water ... Fair go for horticulture transition ... Energy ...
Transmission lines – “Don’t think, do!” – More on the landholders’ fight
Peter Hobbs. This article which is intended to be a follow-up and one motivated by Charltonian Glenda Watts’s Letter to the Buloke Times Editor ... Glenda’s message is simple but significant in the process developed by the Victorian Government underpinning the construction of transmission lines in rural Victoria ... What follows is a dissection of these seven steps outlining [TCV's] shortcomings...
Weld Australia slams Opposition’s nuclear power plan as unrealistic fantasy
According to Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, the Opposition’s plan relies on the misguided notion that coal-fired power stations can continue operating reliabily indefinitely to bridge the energy gap. “It is a fantasy to imagine that coal-fired power stations can keep running without billions of dollars being poured into their maintenance. Many of these plants have already exceeded their design life two- or threefold,” said Crittenden.
Backup power for Lancelin rolled out
Lancelin residents will have backup power from a new high voltage injection unit in the event of long unplanned outages on the network, according to Western Power. Western Power asset management executive manager Gair Landsborough said high voltage injection unit (HVIUs) connect several emergency response generators together, that were monitored and managed remotely, to power a bigger area than would normally be possible when using a single generator.
Energy transition: at what cost?
An independent report by a leading consultant shows that the Labor’s Party’s ‘renewables only’ energy plan will cost Australians at least $642 billion, according to the federal Opposition. “This is five times more than they have told the Australian people,” Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien said.
Too expensive and too slow
Environmentalists in Gippsland maintain that nuclear energy is not a viable option for the region because it’s too expensive, its lengthy design and construction time make it too slow to replace coal, and it uses too much water. “Australia boasts abundant renewable energy resources, being the sunniest continent in the world and among the windiest, making renewable energy abundant and affordable,” Gippsland Climate Change Network said in its submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into nuclear power.
Nuclear power essential: Camier
Nuclear power generation in the Latrobe Valley is now essential because of the need for base load power in a balanced system as over-investment in renewables is destabilising electricity supply and increasing costs, according to a retired Morwell scientist. Dr Ron Camier, in a submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into nuclear power, said these increasing costs due to renewables were a primary driver for increasing unemployment and the cost-of-living.
Loy Yang seeks water for mine lake
Water is a key part of the operation of the Loy Yang mine – and will still be a key part of the brown coal mine’s future. The scheduled closure of the Loy Yang A power station in 2035 is looming larger on the horizon, and the water issue needs to be sorted out.
“Say no to towers”
Alex Morrison. The Prime Minister has begun an anti-bullying campaign. It’s welcome. He could start right at home with his own government who are allowing TCV to bully farmers in this district into accepting the power lines that come with wind turbines. Their treatment of affected landholders along VNI West power line route is a disgrace, the so-called negotiations and compensation offers are a farce.
A wooden pipeline that carries more than water – it carries a lot of history
A captivating chapter of Tasmania's industrial heritage - a story of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship that celebrates innovation and resilience in Tasmania's wild west ...The story culminates with the remarkable Lake Margaret Hydroelectric Power Scheme - a testament to ingenuity and the enduring legacy of wooden pipelines.
Energy network prepares for summer
Electricity distributor AusNet has spent almost $60 million on vegetation management and maintenance programs in the last 12 months, to prepare the network ready for summer. AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said it’s important that the network is ready for severe weather events.
Concepts move to development phase
Tangible progress has been made with the Local Development Strategy (LDS) ‘Innovation Upper Murray’, with several opportunities now at Stage 3 of the process - developing projects, with community members and experts, through Innovation Working Groups (IWG).
