Solar thermal energy is in the limelight again in Australia for its enormous potential of renewable energy – it could provide between a third and up to half of the nation’s energy needs, says a new report. But this will require a new way of thinking about energy production and delivery. With strong R&D and clear directions, Australia could potentially be a world leader in this clean energy supply chain. Read more

By Giles Parkinson for Renew Economy (6 June 2012):

A new report outlining the prospects of solar thermal energy has underlined its enormous potential for Australia, saying it could provide between a third and even one half of the nation’s energy needs, but notes it may require a new of thinking about energy production and delivery.

The report, entitled, “Realising the potential of Concentrating Solar Power in Australia”, says that solar thermal technology is behind wind energy and solar PV in terms of deployment and costs, but could play a critical role because its energy can be stored and dispatched when needed. Not only that, but Australia also as the potential to parlay its excellent R&D into a significant stake in the global supply chain, and it could even end up being an exporter of renewable energy, rather than just fossil fuels.

The report predicts that 2GW of solar thermal could be built by 2020, with 15GW deployed in the near to medium term. That would account for up to 30 per cent of the country’s total generation capacity. However, its potential could be even greater, if the best resources remote from the grid could also be tapped, it was conceivable that solar thermal could provide half of the country’s energy need by 2050.

Solar thermal is different from solar PV used in household rooftop systems because rather than using modules to generate electricity, solar thermal uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate solar energy onto a single point or linear receiver, and use that energy to create steam and drive a turbine. It also lends itself to storage, allowing energy to be dispatched at time of peak demand, or even overnight.

This report covers what is known as concentrated solar power (CSP), which includes concentrated solar PV as well as solar thermal. Australia has been a leading innovator in CSP technology, with Ausra (now owned by Areva), pioneering the compact linear Fresnel reflector technology,  the ANU developing solar dish technology that will be used in the Whyalla Solar Oasis project, and numerous technology breakthroughs at the CSIRO solar facility near Newcastle. The first demonstration plant of Australian developed CPV technology will be unveiled in Bridgewater, Victoria, later this month.

However, the report, prepared by IT Power on behalf of the Australian Solar Institute, says that Australia could lose the opportunity to be a world leader if it did not set out a clear roadmap for the technology.

“With CSP exploiting its world-leading solar resources, Australia can claim a significant place in the global clean energy supply chain,” it says, noting that this is a unique opportunity because Australia does not hold such a stake in other clean energy alternatives. “Delaying action will see that opportunity missed,” it notes.

The CSP industry is confident it can follow the success of wind energy and solar PV and achieve a significant fall across the cost curve. The report estimates that the average cost of CSP is around $250/MWh (similar to some recent renewable auction bids in South Africa) but it argues that this can fall to $120-$130/MWh – where its ability to provide dispatchable power.

The report says that CSP plants could be configured with or without thermal storage. This means that in the 15GW scenario, which would require minimum grid upgrades, the energy potential ranges between 25,000 and 60,000 GWh per year (equivalent to 8 to 20% of current annual electricity demand).

Its roadmap, see table below, suggests that Australia could reach the stage in a few decades when it is actually exporting electricity to Asia. As outlandish as this concept may be, such grids are being considered in Europe – where the Desertec Initiative is looking to export solar power from north Africa, and is now under discussion in Japan, which is looking to export solar and other renewable sources from Mongolia.

The report says systems could be configured to offer combinations of immediate generation when solar is available (no thermal storage), energy on-demand using storage or co-firing, or continuous generation at lower power level using storage or co-firing.

The report lists CSP’s advantages as providing dispatchable energy, to complement other renewable energy sources with variable outputs, the ability to be integrated into existing new coal and gas power plants, and the fact that it need not compete for productive land or valuable water. It would create jobs – every 100MW of system would create around 500 job years during construction and 20 jobs during operation, mostly in regional areas – and 10 GW of capacity would reduce Australia’s emissions by roughly 30 Mt CO2 per year, or over 15% of electricity sector emissions.

But, the technology does face challenges, outlined in the table below. Mostly this is about finding the “value proposition” and delivering the right incentives to help bring the technology down the cost curve.

It suggests a series of measures, ensuring that financing is available for early deployment, the creation of solar-CSP precincts, and leverage its considerable R&D expertise, with a focus on targeting deployment of systems below 50 MW (overlooked by the global industry), incorporating energy storage, improving efficiency and hybridisation with fossil fuel plants, as well as using advanced cooling technologies.

However, Keith Lovegrove, one of the lead authors of the report, suggests that to fully embrace technologies such as solar thermal, policy makers and grid operators needed to move beyond the concepts and practices that had dominated the industry in recent decades, particularly the obsession with “baseload” and “peak-load” power.

“Baseload is only a term used by someone wanting to criticize something,” Lovergrove told RenewEconomy. “It’s basically an outmoded concept. It’s a term invented to keep some power stations busy.

“The thing about the energy future is to match supply to demand at all times. Smart meters will allow people to decide how to manage demand. People in the business of energy supply can decide how to manage that. CSP with storage is well suited to that.”

Lovegrove says there is enormous potential for CSP to come down the cost curve. But CSP did not need to match the current cost of “baseload” coal because it would not be competing in the same market. “The reason you would bother with CSP is that it is dispatchable, so the incentives we put in place should recognize that.”

Source: www.reneweconomy.com.au

Australia has come to the forefront in energy efficiency with two major initiatives aimed at reducing energy demands by the industrial sector. The Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program has been recognised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a ‘leading-edge’ energy management program, while the recently launched Energy Efficiency Exchange website aims to help Australian businesses increase their energy efficiency. Read more

Published on June 4, 2012

Government reports:

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program has been recognised as a ‘leading-edge’ energy management program by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The ‘Energy Management Programmes for Industry: Gaining through saving’  report profiles Australia’s EEO program alongside industrial energy management programs in Denmark, Sweden and Ireland, and cites EEO as a model for improving energy efficiency outcomes and addressing information failures.

The IEA report states that opportunities to improve energy efficiency are still under exploited in the industrial sector, which accounts for one third of global energy demand and more than 40 per cent in countries such as Australia and developing economies like China. The report notes however, that this requires the development of effective policies to address key information, organisational and capability barriers.

IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said the EEO Program was a successful example of how government can work with industry to reduce energy use.

“The IEA considers energy efficiency as the most cost effective option in the short to medium term to reduce global emissions. Australia’s EEO Program provides a leading-edge example of how best to reduce energy use and improve energy management systems,” Ms van der Hoeven said.

The report cites EEO’s assessment framework, support mechanisms for participants and public reporting requirements as being successful in reducing energy use, improving energy management systems and changing the way in which energy efficiency is viewed within participating organisations.

The program’s industry support strategies were also highlighted as key elements in the program’s success. Industry Support Officers, annual workshops and development of case studies and guidance material has ensured companies have a clear understanding of program requirements with best practice approaches and learnings shared among participating companies.

For more information on the IEA report visit http://iipnetwork.org/publications .

Source: www.eex.gov.au

The Energy Efficiency Exchange website has been officially launched to assist Australian businesses to implement energy efficiency practices.

eex.gov.au has been developed by the Australian, state and territory governments in response to industry research that highlighted the need for quality information on energy efficiency in one central location. For more information on eex.gov.au government partners, see the About Us page.

Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, who launched the website at the Future of Energy Forum at the Queensland University of Technology, says the Energy Efficiency Exchange is one part of a suite of measures being implemented to support energy efficiency in Australia’s medium and large energy-using businesses. See Minister Ferguson’s media release.

The design of eex.gov.au is based upon ‘user centred’ research. During the site’s development, interviews with a range of company representatives were held in their workplaces. Potential users were asked about their energy efficiency knowledge, information needs and the way they source information.

From this research, the site has been designed for the ‘energy champions’ in companies. The layout of the website incorporates four key content streams: Energy Management, Industry Sectors, Technologies and Business Support.

The Sectors and Technologies streams are designed for technical users such as engineers and site staff, who can access practical examples of energy efficiency opportunities, detailed technical resources and case studies.

The Energy Management and Business Support areas enable corporate and head office staff to find information on energy management, financing options and business case development skills.

Sector-specific content

A range of industry sectors are covered in the Energy Efficiency Exchange, including manufacturing, transport and commercial buildings. Further sector pages on mining and resource processing will be published in coming months.

Under Manufacturing (which covers the chemicals and plastics, pulp and paper, and food and beverage subsectors), energy efficiency opportunities focus on the optimisation of production processes, supported by case studies and examples from related industries. Users can scan the opportunities with the fastest payback or progress through the list to those with longer term savings and higher upfront costs.

In the Commercial and Services sector, opportunities focus on the management of energy in buildings using metering and monitoring, lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other strategies to minimise energy use. Where relevant, these opportunities are linked to related technology pages, providing comprehensive and detailed options for the sector.

The Transport pages currently focus on road and air transport. It will be useful for freight and haulage companies and airlines wishing to take advantage of cost-saving opportunities in areas such as eco driving, maintenance practices, aerodynamics and fleet management.

Technologies

As technologies are commonly deployed across industry sectors, a stream of the website is devoted to the energy efficiency benefits of different technologies and process systems. Technologies on the website presently include HVAC, lighting, motors, pumps and fans, compressed air and process heat. Sections on comminution, materials movement and energy management systems are due for release soon.

The Technology pages, like the Sector pages, incorporate referenced opportunities listed in order of payback potential, as well as case studies and detailed technical resources for users wanting to undertake further analysis.

Energy Management

Information is designed for companies who may be new to energy management, drawing on best practice materials from EEO and other government programs. It covers the identification of energy efficiency opportunities, how to assess and select opportunities and how to engage with staff and stakeholders so they can see the merits and benefits of energy efficiency.

Guidance on developing successful business cases for energy efficiency projects outlines effective approaches to securing resources for project implementation, using real life examples from EEO companies.

The Energy Management stream also provides an introduction to the energy market outlining a range of demand management strategies which can assist in negotiating energy supply contracts and reducing energy costs.

On-going improvement

The Energy Efficiency Exchange will continue to evolve as new information becomes available. Pages will be peer-reviewed and regularly updated with the latest research. New sector and technologies pages are also planned to expand the site into new areas.

Users are encouraged to provide feedback to improve the site further. A protocol is being developed to support the peer review process of third party resources recommended by industry.

Suggestions on new content areas and other site enhancements are also welcomed – use our Feedback form or email eex@ret.gov.au

Source: www.eex.gov.au

The Swiss made Solar Impulse – a totally solar-powered plane – landed in Morocco after flying for 19 hours from Spain, completing the second leg of its pioneering journey. And knowing how important bees are, with populations falling rapidly in many countries, the nasty predator has been identified. Fuelled by a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder, while climate change might be a factor, studies show that parasitic mites have been found to be the primary problem. Read More

By BBC (5 June 2012):

A solar-powered plane has landed in Morocco after flying from Spain, completing the second leg of its pioneering journey.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard landed the Solar Impulse in Rabat – 19 hours after taking off from Madrid.

The plane – the size of a jumbo jet – was powered by 12,000 solar cells turning four electrical motors.

The 2,500km-trip (1,550 miles), begun in Switzerland in May, is described as a rehearsal for a world tour in 2014.

Made of carbon fibre, the plane is the size of an Airbus A340 but only weighs as much as an average family car, according to its creators.

‘Silent giant’

People were able to follow the aircraft’s flight progress via a virtual dashboard on Solar Impulse’s website, which showed the plane’s battery status, altitude and speed.

Mr Piccard was also posting live updates of his journey on Twitter (@bertrandpiccard). In one of his tweets, the former balloonist described the “great feeling” of gliding across southern European skies with solar-powered engines.

The Solar Impulse project was launched in 2003 by Mr Piccard and Swiss pilot Andre Boschberg who flew the first leg of the journey from Switzerland to Madrid in late May.

The aircraft made history in July 2010 when it became the first manned solar plane to complete a 26-hour nonstop flight.

The landmark flight proved that the sun’s energy was enough to keep the plane in the air, even at night.

The organisers now hope to go on a round-the-world tour with a new and improved Solar Impulse model in 2014.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Parasitic mites contribute to bee-killing virus

Reuters report from London(8 June 2012):

Parasitic mites have turbo-charged the spread of a virus responsible for a rise in honey bee deaths around the world, scientists said yesterday.

Bee populations have been falling rapidly in many countries, fuelled by a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. Its cause is unclear but the Varroa mite is a prime suspect, since it spreads viruses while feeding on hemolymph, or bee’s “blood”.

To clarify the link between mites and viruses, a team led by Dr Stephen Martin of Britain’s University of Sheffield studied the impact of Varroa in Hawaii, which the mites have only recently invaded.

They found the arrival of Varroa increased the prevalence of a single type of virus, deformed wing virus (DWV), in honey bees from around 10 per cent to 100 per cent.

At the same time the amount of DWV virus in the bees’ bodies rocketed by a million-fold and there was a huge reduction in virus diversity, with a single strain of DWV crowding out others.

“It is that strain that is now dominant around the world and seems to be killing bees,” Dr Martin said. “My money would be on this virus as being key.”

Other factors – including fungi, pesticides and decreased plant diversity – are thought to play a role in colony collapse, but Dr Ian Jones of the University of Reading said the latest findings pointed to the virus and mite combination as being the main culprit.

“This data provides clear evidence that, of all the suggested mechanisms of honey bee loss, virus infection brought in by mite infestation is a major player in the decline,” he said.

Dr Jones, who was not involved the research, said the findings published in the journal Science reinforced the need for beekeepers to control Varroa infestation in colonies.

The threat to bee populations extends across much of Europe and the United States to Asia, South America and the Middle East, experts say.

Bees are important pollinators of flowering plants, including many fruit and vegetable crops.

A United Nations report last year estimated that bees and other pollinators such as butterflies, beetles or birds do work worth €153 billion (S$246 billion) a year for the human economy.

Source: www.todayonline.com

On a visit to Switzerland this month, Ken Hickson was most impressed by the commitment to sustainability by companies and the country at large. The economy is a very sustainable one too, unlike many of its European neighbours. Switzerland is creative and enterprising, productive and self-sufficient, in food and agriculture in particular. Its tourism industry thrives as does its dedication to high environmental and conservation standards. Many United Nations agencies are based here, as well as Red Cross, WWF and IUCN. Here’s the official report from the Swiss Government to the Rio+20 Conference. Read More

Report from the Swiss Government on Rio+20

On 8 June 2012, the Federal Council appointed the Swiss delegation to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development from 20 to 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The federal government will be represented by President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. The conference should renew the commitment to sustainable development and provide a forum for discussing the green economy at the highest political level.

The central themes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro from 20 to 22 June 2012 are the contribution of a green economy to sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the improvement of institutions that deal with sustainable development at the international level. Furthermore, the UN would like to renew and strengthen political engagements for sustainable development. Prior to the actual conference, which will be attended by approximately 130 heads of state and government, the last round of preliminary negotiations is being held between negotiators from 13 to 15 June in Rio. Between the preliminary negotiations and the conference, host nation Brazil is organising discussions with representatives from civil society. More than 50,000 participants are expected in Rio.

Sustainable development – i.e. a type of development that ensures good social, economic and environmental conditions for future generations – is highly valued by Switzerland and one of its top constitutional objectives. The previous UN conferences on sustainability, the environment and development in 1972 (Stockholm), 1992 (Rio), and 2002 (Johannesburg) have had a major influence on sustainable development and environmental policy. The Federal Council expects this year’s Rio Conference to give particular impetus to the creation of a green economy and the reform of UN sustainability and environmental institutions (see fact sheet). Switzerland’s main goals are:

Promote a green economy as part of sustainable development and poverty eradication

The green economy has the potential to steer today’s economic development toward a more sustainable solution. Switzerland views the green economy as a tool that can bring about sustainable development. Switzerland expects the Rio+20 Conference to create consensus on three aspects: 1) the general commitment to a green economy as part of sustainable development; 2) concrete policies and measures; and 3) a framework for action, such as national action plans that are aligned with national strategies on sustainable development and poverty eradication. Together, these aspects should provide an international green roadmap.

Strengthen international environmental governance

Switzerland expects the Rio+20 Conference to create consensus on a range of concrete reforms in the UN system for environmental issues. This will make it possible for the UN to more effectively carry out its core tasks, such as ensuring coordination of and cooperation between conventions and institutions in the UN system, providing reliable scientific results in environmental issues, developing internationally binding policies, and supporting the implementation of these policies with adequate funding.

Create a sustainable development council

Switzerland expects the Rio+20 Conference to create consensus on an ambitious and effective reform package for UN sustainable development institutions. Although clear progress has been made in the last 20 years, significant efforts still need to be made so that global development is actually sustainable and international governance of sustainable development can be improved. Switzerland suggests that the international framework for sustainable development be strengthened by creating a sustainable development council.

Pursue Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Switzerland welcomes the efforts that are being made to devise a range of global sustainable development goals. These types of goals would highlight the commitment of the international community and guide the community of states in implementing sustainable development. The goals would be useful in developing more effective activities by UN bodies and other key players and in fostering a coordinated approach to common concerns. In addition, Sustainable Development Goals would define a framework for international cooperation and progress evaluation.

Switzerland’s representatives in Rio

The Federal Council appointed Switzerland’s representatives for Rio at a meeting on 8 June 2012. President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf will attend the opening ceremony of the Rio Conference on 20 June 2012, give a speech at the plenary meeting and take part in presidential-level negotiations until 21 June. Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will participate in the negotiations on 21 and 22 June. Bruno Oberle, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), will also negotiate at the ministerial level and was appointed State Secretary by the Federal Council for the duration of the conference.

The ministerial delegation appointed by the Federal Council includes ten people who will support the members of government and the head of the FOEN. The negotiating delegation led by Ambassador Franz Perrez, head of the International Affairs Division of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), also includes ten people from the federal administration, seven people from civil society organisations (environmental and development organisations, trade associations, scientists, youth) cantonal and city representatives and a member of the Federal Assembly. For logistical purposes, the delegation will be assisted by employees of the Swiss representatives in Brazil. Another 11 representatives from the federal administration (including 7 from the SDC, 2 from the FOEN, 1 from PLANAT, and 1 from ARE) are travelling to Rio in order to participate in the events that were co-organised by Switzerland.

Source: www.eda.admin.ch