Australia's solar industry prepares for battle

TheGreenMechanics: This is in Australia but it could well happen in Malaysia when and if the government changes hands. Renewable Energy should be in the agenda of both the government of the day and the opposing party.


Australia's RET currently requires 45,000 GWh of power by 2020 and provides a subsidy to people who install solar systems. Source: Infinite Energy


Australian PM looks set to gut the country's Renewable Energy Target program

Australia's renewable energy sector is feeling increasingly threatened by the government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

In a report in UK newspaper The Guardian, opposition Labor Party environment spokesman Mark Butler took Abbott to task. Butler accused the prime minister of having pretended to support the renewables industry before the election but said he was now "launching a full-frontal attack" on the sector.

"The Liberals went to the election saying there was no difference between the parties on renewable energy, but they weren’t being straight with the Australian people because now they are launching a full-frontal attack," Butler said, according to The Guardian.

The Labor environment spokesman said Abbott had taken control of a scheduled review of the country’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), adding that the current ruling coalition may reassess the program due to increases in power prices.

Butler said Labor would continue to oppose the repeal of the country’s carbon tax when parliament resumes this month and added that the party was also preparing "to ramp up a community campaign in support of renewable energy."

The renewable energy sector has become increasingly alarmed at the possibility of the government drastically reducing or even abolishing the RET.

The Australian solar council has already launched a "save solar" campaign out of fear the government review will immobilize the industry by eliminating the target, which requires 45,000 GWh of power to be sourced from renewables by 2020 and provides a subsidy to people who install solar systems.


Source: pv-magazine

Solar power saves the day during Australia's record heatwave

I enjoy watching the currently on-going Australian Open with all the top players gathered for a befitting occasion. For folks (including myself) who watch from the comfort of of their home the heatwave would not be an issue but for the spectators at the stadiums, including the players, 42^oC is not a comfortable temperature at all to be in.

I read that one can actually fry eggs by cracking and spreading them on to flat metal surfaces. It's that hot!

Maria Sharafova, in one of her winning matches, lamented about the soaring temperature they have to play their tennis, where organiser as well as the players have no definite answer as to when should matches be played under covered stadium.


Temperatures across many parts of Australia have soared past 40^oC for the last few days, melting plastic bottles where they stand. Photo credit: MICM Property


Solar power saves the day

While tennis players have wilted and bush fires have raged, solar power systems in Australia have come to the fore this week as the nation battles with the effects of the latest debilitating heatwave.

But it is Australia’s coal-fired power plants that have really been feeling the strain. As the middle of the day sees peak demand for power-hungry air conditioning units, the country’s traditional power supplies have had that demand alleviated by solar power systems.

Throughout the country, both rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations have upped their share of power use and generation, helping to rein in wholesale pricing and reduce the number of power outages.

At the midday peak last Wednesday, findings from the Australian Solar Council revealed that the state of South Australia drew 9.41% of its energy needs from solar systems. That figure was 9.13% for Western Australia, 8.64% for Queensland, 3.59% for New South Wales and 2.8% for Victoria.

Read what pv-magazine reported here. This is where I sourced the content of this article from.


TheGreenMechanics: While there are differences in opinion among energy players in Australia regarding 'unfair' benefit enjoyed by households with solar PV, there is clear indication that having your roof installed with solar power system helps in many ways than one.

Australian Wind Energy now cheaper than Coal and Gas

This is very encouraging for the Renewable Energy industry.

Bloomberg says that wind is now cheaper than fossil fuels in producing electricity in Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter.

Wind farm on a beautiful landscape. Image credit: DP Energy

Renewable energy, mainly driven by hydro- and wind-power projects, contributed 9.6% of Australia's electricity production in 2011, up from 8.7% in 2010, according to the Clean Energy Council.

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Bloomberg: Australian Wind Energy Cheaper Than Coal, Gas

Electricity can be supplied from a new wind farm in Australia at a cost of A$80 (approx. RM236) per megawatt hour, compared with A$143 (RM421) a megawatt hour from a new coal-fired power plant or A$116 (RM342) from a new station powered by natural gas when the cost of carbon emissions is included, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report.

Coal-fired power stations built in the 1970s and 1980s can still produce power at a lower cost than that of wind, the research shows.

Relying on fossil fuels to produce electricity is getting more expensive because of the government's price on carbon emissions imposed last year, higher financing costs and rising natural gas prices, BNEF said.

The cost of wind generation has fallen by 10% since 2011 on lower equipment expenses, while the cost of solar power has dropped by 29%.

"The fact that wind power is now cheaper than coal and gas in a country with some of the world's best fossil fuel resources shows that clean energy is a game changer which promises to turn the economics of power systems on its head," Michael Liebreich, chief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said in a statement today.

Renewables Target

While wind energy has become more competitive, Australia's plan to get at least 20% of its power from renewables by the end of the decade is still required to drive investment because of weak energy demand, the report said.

Australia last year started charging its biggest polluters a price of A$23 a metric ton for their carbon emissions to discourage the use of fossil fuels and fight climate change.

"The low and falling costs of renewable energy and high and rising costs of coal- and gas-fired plants suggest that much of Australia's new generating capacity is likely to be renewable," Sydney-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Kobad Bhavnagri wrote in the report.


Source: Bloomberg

Melbourne plans tallest building in southern hemisphere

Why do people build tall buildings?

For one, it is aimed at maximising the use of the area of land on which it stands. Huge buildings like modern skyscrapers can house a lot of people, almost like a little micro-city with vertical main streets in the form of stairs and elevators. I can understand that.

But what about this mine is bigger than yours contest that has been going on between countries and continents ever since who knows when? If you look at the top 10 tallest buildings, some of these stand on land where space is not an issue yet. But in cities cramped with millions of people, taller building probably is the better option.

Anyway, just to update, Australia is set to build the tallest building in the southern hemisphere that would involve A$600 million (approx. RM1.95 billion) in investment.

To compare, other notable tall buildings includes the followings:

• Burj Khalifa (829 metres)              - world's tallest
• Taipei 101 (509 m)                       - world's second tallest
• Shanghai World Financial Center (492 m) - world's third tallest
• Petronas Twin Towers (452 m)     - world's tallest twin buildings
• Willis Tower (442 m)                    - world's tallest since 1970s until newer buildings were built
• The Shard in London at (310 m)    - Europe's tallest
• Q1 Tower, Queensland (323 m)    - Australia's tallest

An artist’s impression of the 108-storey ‘Australia 108’ building. AFP photo via Borneo Post


Tallest building in southern hemisphere approved
via Borneo Post - Mar 19, 2013

MELBOURNE: Australia’s second-largest city Melbourne could possibly have the tallest building in the southern hemisphere after approval yesterday for a new 388-metre apartment and hotel complex.

The Victorian state government said Australia 108 would become the world’s 19th tallest building on completion and would be “an outstanding addition to Melbourne’s skyline”.

“I am proud to approve a tower that will define our city for many years to come,” Planning Minister Matthew Guy said.

There were some concerns that the construction of the 108-storey tower in the city’s Southbank area, expected to be ready in five years, would cast a shadow over the Shrine of Remembrance war memorial, one of the city’s best-known landmarks.

But Guy said the trustees of the shrine did not object to the proposal which he said was a A$600 million investment in the state economy that would create 300 jobs in construction and hospitality.

Architect Nonda Katsalidis said the tall, slender building which will have 646 apartments, a 288-room six-star hotel plus retail and office space, was designed to throw a spotlight on the city’s international identity.

“We don’t have an Opera House (like Sydney) but we have AFPa complex culture and all those ideas were thrown into this project,” Katsalidis told ABC radio.

“The hotel at the top is designed as a starburst. We took the inspiration from the stars on the Australian flag,” he added.

The world’s tallest building is Dubai’s Burj Khalifa at 828 metres high while Europe’s tallest skyscraper, the Shard in London, stands at 310 metres.

The current tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere is the Q1 tower on Queensland’s Gold Coast in Australia, which soars 323 metres to 71 storeys.

But Australia 108 could be trumped by South Africa’s Centurion Symbio City, a 447 metre tower to be built by 2018 near Pretoria.

Malaysia in Melbourne app for iPhone soon

To many Malaysians, Australia is close to heart. And especially to Sabah as there is this Australian-connection dating back to pre-WW2 or prior to that. The story of the POWs during WW2 and missionaries that followed were well documented and until today many Australians still come back to Malaysia to visit and pay respect to their relatives who died fighting alongside their Malaysian counterparts.

Today we have many Malaysians staying and making a living Down Under.

Screenshot of the iPhone app from the builder's website.

App for iPhone/iPad

So, I read this article about a iPhone/iPad app for Malaysians coming to Australia and specifically for those in Melbourne. Since many of you might consider studying in that country, I thought I would share this with you. At the time this was posted, the app is not yet launched but I suppose it would be pretty soon.


Via Bernama:
Melbourne: A young Malaysian broadcast journalist has created an iPhone and iPad app to help newly-arrived Malaysian students make a smooth transition to life here.

The "Malaysia in Melbourne" app created by Juliet John, among others highlighted the services and events held at the Malaysian Consulate and information on affordable restaurants and shops that sell Malaysian groceries, including halal eateries and outlets. It would be launched next March for free.

John, who holds a Masters degree in Global Media and Communications from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of South Australia, is the head of public relations at MELVIA, an app and game development studio here.

She said many Malaysian students felt lost after arriving here, and hoped her iPhone and iPad app could help them to get adjusted well in Australia.

"Many don't get to experience the Australian way of life because they are young, shy and timid to venture out with Australian friends. They can become depressed because they miss their family and friends at home and find it hard to make friends here and to fit in," she told Bernama here.

John said while Muslim students might not know where to buy halal food and others might find it difficult to find student services and accommodation.

She hoped the "Malaysia in Melbourne" app would change all this where students would be able to source information for a happy and meaningful stay in Australia.

She said the app would also provide information on job opportunities and internships, as well as social networking opportunities and on health and welfare matters. - Bernama

Greenhouse Gases: Australia to sign up for Kyoto 2 protocol

The Kyoto Protocol: is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that set binding obligations on the industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. - Wikipedia

Is Malaysia a party to the Kyoto Protocol? YES.

Greenhouse effect: Global warming, which is attributed to the greenhouse gases emissions, is the rise in global mean temperature due to an increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane in the atmosphere (CH4), see figure below - NPS.

Image: National Park Service

• Left - Naturally occurring greenhouse gases normally trap some of the sun’s heat, keeping the planet from freezing. 
• Right - Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are increasing greenhouse gas levels, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect. The result is global warming and unprecedented rates of climate change.

Australia to sign up for Kyoto 2 Protocol
By Martin Parry (AFP)

SYDNEY — Key greenhouse gas emitter Australia on Friday said it will sign up for a second round of the Kyoto Protocol environmental protection treaty, but New Zealand opted out.

Climate Minister Greg Combet made the announcement in a speech to a carbon expo, saying: "Australia is ready to join a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol." So far, only the European Union and several smaller economies have signalled a willingness to agree to a second round of pledges.

Australia is among the world's worst per capita polluters, with a heavy reliance on coal mining and exports and most of its electricity coming from coal-fired power stations. Although Kyoto - the first global treaty to set binding obligations on wealthy countries to cut emissions - was negotiated in 1997, Australia refused to join for years.

It was only when Labor came to power in 2007 that it shifted course. Combet's announcement comes ahead of annual negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which this year take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 26-December 7.

The big issue is renewing commitments under Kyoto after the first round of cuts expires on December 31, although agreement on a new globally-binding deal is not expected until 2015 and will not come into force until 2020. Combet said Australia's decision was not a blank cheque and other countries must also step up.

"For Australia, there must be continued progress towards this new agreement by 2015, from both the developing and developed countries alike. The Kyoto Protocol is not enough on its own - it will cover less than 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and only from a number of developed economies," he said.

"So to be effective, the new 2015 agreement needs to cover all the major emissions sources." - AFP

Calls to cut Australia's 20% Renewable Energy target rejected

Image from Australia's YES! to renewable

An independent body set up to consider Australia's official target of generating 20% of its energy needs by 2020 from renewable sources has rejected calls from incumbent utilities and heavy industry to scale back the target.

In its first major publication since its inception in July, the Climate Change Authority (CCA) on Friday said altering the target would harm investor confidence.

It recommends that the fixed large-scale RET target of 41,000 GWh per annum remains unchanged, and its full recommendations were included in a 150-page discussion paper as part of a wider review of the RET by the authority, which is due to be finished in December.

The RET, which enjoys support from both the ruling Labor Party and the opposition Liberal-National Coalition, met significant opposition from companies such as utilities Origin Energy and Energy Australia and the Business Council of Australia. Opponents wanted the set target cut because it would overshoot, resulting in higher industry costs.

“The challenge is to strike a reasonable balance between encouraging further investment in renewable energy — leading to ongoing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions — and the costs to the scheme to households and business consumers of electricity," said CCA chairman Bernie Fraser.

Australia’s renewable energy industry congratulated the authority for recognising the importance of policy stability, saying it had understood the key issues confronting the industry.

“Retaining a fixed target as drafted in the legislation is the best outcome for companies and investors who are looking at renewable energy projects between now and the end of the decade,” said CEC deputy chief executive Kane Thornton.

“Every review of this policy has shown that the RET is the most efficient, low-cost and effective way to deliver what Australians consistently say they want - more clean energy. But every review has also stifled investment and created uncertainty due to the prospect of serious policy changes,” he added.

A report released prior to the CCA discussion paper by the CEC and economists SKM MMA found that Australia’s economy stood to gain an additional A$18.7 billion ($19.4 billion) in investment under the RET.

“The renewable energy target has been an extraordinary success and must be maintained,” said John Grimes, chief executive of the Australian Solar Council. “It will help build many Big Solar plants in Australia over the next decade."

The CCA also recommended the RET be reviewed every four years, rather than every two years, to ensure certainty for investors.

This decision should pave the way for some 8 GW of wind farm developments and up to 3 GW of large scale solar over the next eight years.

Climate change minister Greg Combet said Australia’s policies to lower emissions and promote renewable energy may drive investment of A$100 billion ($104 billion) in the next four decades.

The government has set a price of A$23 ($23.8) per metric ton on carbon emissions for about 300 of its largest polluters for the year that started on 1 July, with a market-based system scheduled to begin in 2015.


TheGreenMechanics: 

By 2020, Australia is targeting 20% of its energy needs from renewables. Back home, what is Malaysia's RE target in the energy generation mix? By 2015, Malaysia targets to generate 5.5% of its total power needs from renewable sources. Prime Minister, Najib Razak said this during his keynote address at IGEM 2012 recently.

I wonder what would it be in 2020


Source: Renewable Energy World

Over 750,000 homes in Australia now have rooftop solar

Australia is seeing a steady growth in the solar market.

The latest figures released by Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) shows that more than 750,000 homes now feature solar photovoltaic panels. This brings total capacity, on home rooftops, to about 1.67 gigawatts(GW).

Small-scale solar PV. File picture: pv-magazine.com

The rate of installation slowed from 2011 after most states wound up their FIT schemes, but current trends shows that 600 MW is set to be added in 2012. In the next 12 months, Australia is forecasted to add another million houses with solar PV installed on their rooftops, with a capacity of over 2.3 GW.


Inspiring Australia

The State of Queensland remains the biggest in terms of installed capacity with 475 MW (see Table 1 below), followed by New South Wales with 435 MW. Queensland was one of the last states to wind back its FIT tariff, but gave installers and households approximately 12 months for a less troublesome transition to the new system.

Table 1: Numbers and installed capacity of solar, as at June 2012.

Figures derived from SEA website

The average system sizes recorded in June 2012 are around 2.84 kW and are expected to grow.

Back home, we have the FIT tariff and incentive by SEDA Malaysia that targets around 2,000 houseowners  in solar power investment this year, and 10,000 in 2013, which could earn them an average of RM500 monthly for 21 consecutive years. Of course this figure is a dwarf compared to Australia's three quarters of a million houses.

Australia's population as at December 2011 is around 22.6 million (ABS) with 1 million houses installed with solar PV this year. In comparison, our total population is around 28.6 million (Dec 2011) with probably less than 2,000 houses with solar PV. The climate and geographical location of Malaysia is better suited for solar power industry compared to a slightly temperate country like Australia, and lesser sun-radiated country like Germany.

We are very much at infancy stage but with the right approach, there is no stopping us from achieving similar ratio as that of Australia's. Very soon, for every 22 houses in Australia, there will be at least 1 with solar PV installed on its rooftop.

Do yo think you can see a solar PV system on a single rooftop in a 200-house housing estate anywhere in Malaysia? Take a walk sometime and observe.


References:
Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA)
Sustainable Energy Development Authority, Malaysia (SEDA)

Australians brace for carbon tax impacts

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard hailed the move to bring in a carbon tax in a bid to tackle climate change. The tax on corporate pollution will force about 350 major polluters to pay A$23 (RM81.00) for every tonne of carbon emissions they produce.

Video grab from 7News. Power plant is one of the top industrial polluters that will be hit hard by the Carbon Tax implementation

    File picture by voanews.com. Australians are not happy with the introduction of carbon tax.

What is Carbon tax?

It's a tax on the carbon content of fuels or, in effect, a tax on the carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. It levies a fee on the use of fossil fuels based on how much carbon their combustion emits. Sometime people call it pollution tax.


Australia did it on July 1

Many large users of carbon resources in electricity generation are resisting carbon taxation. Some notable examples are the United States, Russia, China and Japan.

PM Julia Gillard said that Australia has been debating on putting price on carbon and tackling climate change now for many long years. With the scheme, it is hoped that by 2020, Australia's carbon polution will be lesser by 159 million tonnes per year than it would be otherwise. This is equivalent to taking 45 million cars off the road.

Fixed carbon tax is for the first 3 years, followed by market-based carbon trading scheme after that.

Certain parliamentarian claimed that this 'flawed' policy will rake in $36 billion for the government over four years, and many small business as well as families are dreading its implications. Many believe that the cost of living will soar and it will hurt the industry.


Will we (Malaysians) be affected?

One of the industries that is bracing for the carbon tax implications is cattle production.

Beef Central Australia claimed that direct on-costs for producers will include a widely anticipated 9-10c/litre increase in the cost of aviation fuel, which affects the many larger-scale operations that reply upon helicopter and fixed wing-aircraft for mustering and property management.

We import large amount of cattle products from Australia as well as New Zealand, as such, we could perhaps also be on the receiving end.


Are we paying Carbon tax too?

Indirectly, yes.

Under the Renewable Energy Act 2011, there are four clean energy sources that are entitled to the FIT program, namely Biomass, Solar PV, Small Hydro and Biogas. Energy produced from these clean sources are paid premium rates and is funded by the 1% levy on consumers consuming 350kWh of electricity and above.

What this means is that the more energy you use -  which is primarily generated from fossil fuels - the more fees (or tax, if you like) will be levied on you. This is almost the description of Carbon Tax.

So, yes, in a way we are paying tax for similar purpose.

Australia's A$450 million solar PV project

Australia will go ahead with a large-scale solar PV project in New South Wales state to be undertaken by solar panel manufacturing giant First Solar, and gas retailer AGL Energy.

One of First Solar's projects. Image: First Solar Inc.

Australian federal government awarded a $130 million grant to AGL Energy and First Solar to build the 159 MW grid connected solar power stations. The A$450million (US$446 mil) renewable energy project will be built at two sites - Broken Hill and Nyngan.

Brief description of the project


Locations : Broken Hill and Nyngan in New South Wales
Generating capacity: 159 MW
Electricity sufficient for: 30,000 homes
Cost : A$450 million
Completion : end-2015
Job created by the project: 150 jobs in Broken Hill & up to 300 in Nyngan


Sydney Morning Herald reported that Energy Minister Martin Ferguson reopened first-round bidding in February after the consortium behind the initial winner - the Moree Solar Farm - proposed major changes to its project and failed to meet a December deadline to secure financial backing.

Mr Ferguson on Saturday (June 9) said the 159 megawatt project in Broken Hill and Nyngan represented excellent value for money and would ensure Australia brought industrial-scale solar power to market. The energy minister said a rigorous assessment process by the independent Solar Flagships Council found the AGL-First Solar bid had the highest level of merit overall "representing value-for-money, low risk and high commercial viability".

"At the end of the day it all comes down to cost and if large scale solar is going to succeed in Australia it has to be cost competitive," Mr Ferguson said in a statement.

But he noted all short-listed applicants, including the Moree Solar Farm, TRUenergy and Infigen-Suntech bids, were of "high merit" and would be referred to the new Australian Renewable Energy Agency for future funding consideration.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents on Malaysian scenario

Great move by Australia. Remember this country is one of the major producers of the 'dirty' coal and in terms of consumption it is in the top ten countries.

Australia made the move to spend more in producing energy from cleaner source. They are focused towards becoming 'net user' compared to Malaysia which seems to be aiming at becoming major producer of the solar panel itself.

First Solar has solar PV manufacturing plant in Kedah, Malaysia but has since scaled back production due to deteriorating demand in European market. I think we should increase solar panel usage domestically rather than depending too much on export. Get the state governments to contribute to the FIT fund coffer and revise the quota for both individual and non-individual rooftop/solar farm installations.

Create domestic market for panels you produce locally. What message are you sending to the world when you produce a lot of panels but you yourself don't use them?

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/450m-solar-project-for-outback-nsw-20120609-202cd.html