Reckless renewables rush threatening energy grid
The State Government’s reckless rush to renewables is threatening Australia’s energy grid and the livelihoods of farmers and their communities, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says. In its draft 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP) … (AEMO) has brought forward the expected exit of the network’s coal-fired power stations to 2038 - five years earlier than the 2022 ISP.
No-cost electricity can solve grid problems
Providing zero or low-cost energy during the solar peak is a way of dealing with stability problems in the Alice Springs electricity grid, says Anthony Seipolt of Cadency Consulting, an international expert on renewable power. The Alice Springs News asked him to comment on the two-year $12.5m Future Grid research project...
Greater protection of farmer rights needed under new transmission code: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is concerned not enough is being done to protect the rights of landholders when it comes to the development and operation of transmission lines across farmland … newly released Land Access Code of Practice falls short of offering farmers the protections they need.
Community benefit fund for Campbells Bridge wind farm
Energy leader, RWE Renewables Australia, has announced details of a generous local Community Benefit Fund for the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm, if the project proceeds to operations ... Funding will be calculated at $3,200 per megawatt of project capacity.
Locals put the wind up multinational energy company
The Southern Wimmera Renewables Research Association (SWRRA) formed in response to the announcement of plans for a wind facility at Campbells Bridge ... The association, made up by farmers and residents from the Southern Mallee, aims to accumulate and communicate information relating to the government’s plans for Renewable Energy (RE) within the region and the potential impacts, so that affected communities are adequately informed.
Buloke Times editorial: Nuclear power – is it time?
We have believed for a long time now that Australia’s ban on the use of nuclear energy, for the manufacture of anything but medical isotopes, was not justified. Politicians will generally not talk about it. But now we have some data put on the table, for consideration by the powers that be ... Taking Finland as a guide, their power station when it came online produced a drop of 75 per cent in the price of electricity.
Killing koalas to “save” polar bears: Robert Onfray
In this article Robert Onfray details the lack of environmental scrutiny of the wind factories and pumped hydro projects built or planned in Queensland as the state sanctions the wholesale clearing of remnant native forest on the coastal ranges straddling the Great Dividing Range ... 10,178 hectares of koala and 6,744 hectares of greater glider habitats are set to disappear if all the renewable proposals in Queensland are approved ... "blunt force trauma" is to be used to euthanise injured animals or those that cannot be relocated, particularly koalas.
The future is bright and nuclear: McArthur
The Victorian Labor Government voted against a private member’s bill seeking to repeal the prohibition on nuclear energy activities. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, spoke in support of the bill stating that the future is nuclear. “Nuclear energy is the cheapest and most reliable zero-emission clean energy source of minimal impact." ... As of June 2023 there are 57 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide and 21 are under construction in China. France announced plans to build six new reactors and to consider building a further eight.
EV”ˆchargers for regional Victoria
As a part of the ongoing “Charging the Regions” project, Donald has seen the completion of its very own electric car charging station, located at 68A Woods Street.
Wurrumiyanga remote power project underway: Manison
A renewables future is one step closer for the Tiwi Islands, with construction underway at the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project. Wurrumiyanga is home to over 2000 people, and soon it will be powered by 50 per cent renewable energy.
Tony Pasin visit to Longridge
Longridge Board of Governance … have become increasingly concerned about the forecast of intermittent power outages … Given that Longridge does not have a generator ... Bill Vine, recently contacted Tony Pasin … asking the question “why should Longridge need to go to the market to fund a generator?”
In the line of fire
Recent changes to the proposed corridor for the 500kv Victorian New South Wales interconnector have placed additional stress on some of the region’s families as they now find themselves in the firing line ... The Bennett’s property sits between the majestic floodplain jewels, the Edward River and Billabong Creek, but now, the altered VNI West puts their generations of tranquillity in jeopardy.
CarbonNet pipeline stakeholder consultation
The landmark federal-state CarbonNet project, which aims to take carbon dioxide emissions from the Latrobe Valley and sequester them under Bass Strait, has got the go ahead for a vital part of the project – the plan to build a pipeline that will carry liquefied CO2 to the coast. The 100 kilometre-pipeline – 80km buried onshore and a further 20km offshore – will take liquefied CO2 to a carbon capture and storage hub at Golden Beach, creating a connection for multiple carbon capture projects.
$1.3 billion investment to progress CopperString 2032 to construction: Palaszczuk, Dick, Stewart
The Palaszczuk Government has announced a $1.3 billion package to progress work on CopperString 2032, demonstrating Queensland’s commitment to delivering Australia’s largest transmission project. The funding will get the project ready for construction to commence mid-2024, a significant milestone towards unlocking the North West Minerals Province, and the renewable energy potential of North Queensland.
How long is your hose?
The Naked Farmer (18-year CFA volunteer). Have you ever been a volunteer? It feels great, doesn’t it? Imagine if you were responsible for putting those volunteers’ life at added risk? For an organisation like the CFA which relies predominantly on volunteers, why wouldn’t it stop and ask the question, "Why are we allowing the added risk of Transmission Lines to our volunteers and those we serve to protect?"
Cleanco to partner in development phase of the Moah Creek Wind Farm: Energy Estate
CleanCo is partnering with Central Queensland Power to progress the development of the Moah Creek Wind Farm … This investment puts CleanCo on a path to supercharging its current portfolio of publicly owned generation assets connected via the state’s renewable energy backbone, the Queensland SuperGrid.
Power supply deal secured with Aldoga Solar Farm to drive Central Queensland hydrogen industry: Acciona Energia
Publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation has signed a 15-year, 380-Megawatt Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ACCIONA EnergÃa to purchase 100 per cent of the output from its planned Aldoga Solar Farm, 20 km north-west of Gladstone ... Stanwell plans to supply output from the Aldoga Solar Farm PPA to the proposed Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project ... ARR.News has asked some questions of the companies.
Landmark legislation protects Queensland energy workers and public ownership: de Brenni
The Palaszczuk Government has taken the next steps to enshrine the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan into law, with a commitment to legislate renewable energy targets, and guarantee the financial security of workers. Following months of consultation, the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 was introduced to Parliament after receiving overwhelming support from the community and industry.
Dulacca Wind Farm powers up for Queensland: Palaszczuk, de Brenni
The 180MW project, owned by Octopus and developed by RES, created 150 jobs in regional Queensland at its construction peak. State-owned CleanCo has a long-term power purchase agreement with the Dulacca Wind Farm to acquire 70 per cent of the output (or 126MW), meaning that the renewable energy generated here in the Western Downs will support CleanCo to provide affordable, clean energy to its customers.
Major partners for Pilbara green iron renewable hydrogen study: Johnston
South Korean steel making company POSCO and French energy generator ENGIE will conduct a pre-feasibility study for a major renewable hydrogen project in the Pilbara. The study will determine the feasibility of using renewable hydrogen to power POSCO's proposed Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant in Port Hedland.
NSW introduces landmark Climate Change Bill to set emissions reduction targets: Minns, Sharpe
The Minns Labor Government has introduced its landmark Climate Change Bill, to enshrine emissions reduction targets in law in NSW and establish an independent Net Zero Commission. The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 commits NSW to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
Power play, VNI West debate rages
Just as Transgrid has announced an expansion of the preferred corridor, an ‘Explosive’ energy report exposes serious flaws in the $20 billion Rewiring the Nation plan. Australia is on the verge of an energy crisis as politicians continue to close down traditional baseline power sources for the green dream.
