Power pole transition plan sparks concerns
A decision by an electricity network which covers more than 90 per cent of the state to phase out hardwood power poles in favour of composite poles made from resin and fibreglass has sparked community concerns amidst allegations the transition will increase power bills, further exacerbating financial pressures during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as well as compromise the timber industry.
Loy Yang identified for power play
A nuclear power station at Loy Yang would create cheaper zero emissions electricity and generate regional economic development, according to the federal Opposition's nuclear energy policy ... Loy Yang is one of seven identified locations at a power station that has closed or is scheduled to close, around Australia ... "Each of these locations offer important technical attributes needed for a zero-emissions nuclear plant..."
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley calls for nuclear power stations
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has backed the call for nuclear power in Australia ... “So they're trying to do everything with renewables, which is why it's not working. We're saying, take the time to keep gas in the system while we need it. It's not nearly as detrimental as coal.  Then build nuclear, because, while expensive to build, it's very cheap to operate, and nuclear is zero emissions."
Agreement to boost WA’s participation in wind energy supply chain: Dawson
The Cook Government has signed a collaborative agreement with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Through the agreement, an industry support program will deliver financial and non-financial support for local businesses, to enhance their participation in wind energy supply chains.
New wind farm in North Queensland to power 240,000 homes: Plibersek
The Albanese Government has approved another new wind farm in Queensland which will generate enough energy to power 240,000 Queensland homes. The 400 megawatt Gawara Baya Wind Farm is located 65km southwest of Ingham, Queensland and includes the installation of 69 wind turbines ... The project is expected to increase wind generation in the National Electricity Market by 5.2 per cent, and overall renewable generation by 1.8 per cent.
Letter of Demands from C.F.A. brigades to State Emergency Services Minister and C.F.A. C.O.
Affected CFA Brigades have united in a call for industrial action to achieve demands with respect to the future of their role as firefighters, in view of the Victorian State Government proposed reckless renewables expansion. We consider untenable the risks to lives and property, and irreparable damage imposed by proposed installations of High Voltage Transmission Lines and Renewable Energy Infrastructure.
Understanding the lengthy process for renewable energy approval
With far more interest and opportunity in the SW-REZ for renewable energy projects than current transmission capacity allows, many of the proposed wind and solar farms on the Hay Plains are unlikely to be built unless the Government announces further transmission projects to increase capacity ... Tim Mead, the Development Director at Australian-owned renewable energy developer Someva Renewables, sat down with The [Riverine] Grazier to discuss the SW REZ Access Rights tender process. Â
Century of power generated right here in Latrobe
At midday on Sunday, June 15 1924, electricity from the new Yallourn Power Station first reached Melbourne when the State Electricity Commission switched on the high voltage transmission line linking Morwell and the Yarraville distribution terminal. It was then the greatest single public infrastructure project Australia had seen, but it passed without fanfare or public ceremony.
Know the risks
Many portable devices today are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries pose a higher risk of fire than others. Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they are lightweight and long lasting compared to other rechargeable batteries.
Australia’s first crowdfunded solar farm powers up at Grong Grong
The Grong Grong solar farm powered up last week and is now operational, providing proof that community-owned renewables projects can get off the ground. The 1.5 megawatt (MW) project was officially launched a month ago, a celebration of a four year endeavour by Komo Energy to build the country’s first crowdfunded solar farm.
Community-first: a gust of fresh air
The process of community consultation undertaken in a Tasmanian renewable energy zone has been praised for its commitment to listening to the community. The lack of community consultation was a big sticking point for residents of the East Greenmount/Ramsay area when they heard, through neighbours, that there were plans to construct a wind farm in their neighbourhood.
James Lister speaks out: wind farms blow the seeds of community division
James Lister MP. Recent talk of more wind farm developments in our electorate of Southern Downs has stirred up all kinds of anger and ill feeling in the community. The fundamental problem is the exclusion of local input from state government level decisions over where wind and solar farms should be.
Forestry awards investigation permits for renewable energy opportunities: FCNSW
Forestry Corporation has today reached an important milestone to explore the potential for windfarms within public pine plantations to contribute to the NSW transition to renewable energy … Neoen, Iberdrola Australia, TagEnergy and Mainstream Renewables Power and Someva Renewables joint venture have been awarded permits to investigate wind farm opportunities in some pine plantations…
CSIRO releases 2023-24 GenCost report
Shaped by the highest volume of feedback since its inception in 2018, the 2023-24 annual GenCost report has been released ... GenCost is a leading economic report by CSIRO ... in collaboration with AEMO on the cost of building future electricity generation, storage and hydrogen production in Australia. The latest report introduces a range of changes in response to stakeholder feedback, most significantly, the inclusion of large-scale nuclear for the first time.
GSC councillors clash over VNI West sellout
The proposed Victorian New South Wales Interconnectors 500kv overhead transmission lines and towers that can reach almost 80 metres in height, is once again under the spotlight. The VNI project will carve a path through farmland and across communities on the journey from Bulgana in Victoria to the substation at Dinawan, near Jerilderie in NSW. Last week, Gannawarra Shire’s Cr Garner Smith put forward a motion that Council oppose the construction of VNI West through Gannawarra...
AgZero – The Power Shift: WA Farmers
Tickets are officially on sale for The Power Shift: Transitioning Farm Communities to Renewables ... Supported by Western Power and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, AgZero 2030 is bringing together a range of quality speakers to cover all topics of the energy transition and how it impacts farms, agriculture and our communities.
Hydrogen Jobs Plan to power up in the nick of time for energy security: Koutsantonis
The electricity generator being built as part of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan is critical  to energy supply in South Australia, a new Australian Energy Market Operator report on energy reliability reveals. The State Government-owned generator being built in Whyalla must connect to the grid as soon as possible to counterbalance the impacts of early closures of privately operated gas-fired generators...
More power pain for SA as major projects delayed: Patterson
South Australians face increased risk of power blackouts over the next decade despite paying some of the highest electricity prices in the world, according to a new report. The Australian Energy Market Operator report shows increased power grid reliability risks across the country over the coming years due to delays in major energy projects such as the SA-NSW interconnector...
Urgent investment needed for electricity reliability: AEMO
AEMO has today published an update to the 2023 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report, the 10-year reliability outlook for the National Electricity Market (NEM). The update was triggered due to material changes impacting reliability risks since the 2023 ESOO was published last August, including new commissioning dates for Project EnergyConnect, and mothballed gas and diesel generators in South Australia.
Transmission lines and turbines – how will they affect you?
Quill. A meeting was held at Birchip Leisure Centre ... Anne Webster, Gerald Feeny, Glenden Watts, Barry Batters and Di Lehmann attended to discuss the issue of renewables coming into the area, the construct company Cubico moving into Curyo West with idea of developing 100 to 200 wind turbines and the ramifications it might have on landholders and the community, should it go ahead.
Northern Grampians Shire Council concern with VNI West Geotech drilling communication and council’s role in renewable energy developments
Field surveys along the proposed VNI West draft corridor have begun, with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) initiating a Geotech drilling program in Northern Grampians Shire in May. Drilling was halted in early May and is due to restart on 13 May. According to documents provided to the public, the Geotech drilling program will assist TCV to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental factors such as flora and fauna, as well as geological characteristics within the area.
Nhill’s solar farm takes the next step
The first stage of construction at the Nhill Renewable Energy Facility is due to begin in May 2024. GWMWater awarded a contract to Next Generation Electrical for the works. The facility is GWMWater’s first venture into large scale energy generation with direct connection into the local electricity grid.
