Renewed Focus on Electric Vehicles & Smart Grids

Brisbane will once again host a national electric vehicle conference. Organiser Philippe Reboul says the 21 October event will not only explore the short and long term consequences for electric vehicles but also consider the role of Smart Grids. There’s a review event on this Saturday 22 May & next Wednesday 26 May. Meanwhile, Better Place and China automaker Chery have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on technology for switchable-battery electric cars. A report from Auto China 2010.

Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Conference 2010

2^nd Australian Annual Conference on Electric Vehicles

“EV short and long term impact”: Market, Infrastructure, Utilities, Fleet Owners, Policies, Renewables

“Smart Grid: making it relevant to you”: Governments, Developers, Distributors, Suppliers, Customers

21 October 2010, Brisbane, Australia

EV Conference organiser Philippe Reboul says:

“After the tremendous success of EV Conference 2009 thanks to all our fantastic speakers and participants, this year’s conference is happening on Thursday 21 October 2010 and will be even more exciting!

“Not only we will explore the short and long term consequences for all stakeholders of EVs arriving on the Australian market but we will also have a parallel conference on Smart Grid, another of the hottest subjects at the moment in the Energy world.

“And the two are closely linked! EVs are certainly part of the overall Smart Grid puzzle that must be progressively solved by Utilities, all levels of government, developers, suppliers and eventually customers!

“Improving our society energy efficiency and reducing its energy dependency are essential toward achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future but come with both strategic and practical challenges on which our speakers will focus.

“This conference will bring together experts from overseas and Australia’s electric vehicle and Smart Grid community representing an exceptional opportunity to network and learn about this emerging industry.”

Source: www.evconference.com.au

As a short preview to the October event, this Saturday 22 May there will be an Electric Vehicles Forum at the Mt Ommaney Library, Dandenong Road (Brisbane) from 1pm.

The organisers Sustainable Jamboree say this is a fact finding, futurist fun-filled forum – this will change your ideas about your transport options…

Can just about any vehicle become electric? Will petrol stations disappear? Do you know the difference between hybrid and electric? Electric vehicles in Australia are already on the road. Find out how soon you might be able to get one too.

Speakers include:

Dr Andrew Simpson, senior research fellow, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute. He has over 10 years experience in the hybrid/electric vehicle, electric power and renewable energy industries in Australia and North America, including two years most-recently at Tesla Motors in California.

Russell Austerberry, Australian Electric Vehicles Association, Brisbane.

Paul Martin, electric bicycles enthusiast

Allan Dow, www.elationebikes.com.au

The programme is being repeated on Wednesday 26 May.

Hosted by Sustainable Jamboree – think global and act local in the Jamboree Ward and beyond.

Source:  www.sustainablejamboree.org

Behind the scenes at Auto China 2010

From Dan Cohen, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives for Better Place

With 990 vehicles on display and 780,000 visitors passing through, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that something big happened at Auto China 2010. But despite the glamorous displays, the media frenzy, the pomp and circumstance, for me the most interesting event took place in the after hours.

After all the visitors had gone home one day, the venue closed its doors, lights went down, and the 2 million square foot venue was full of display cars blanketed with their protective covers. Amid this serene backdrop, Chery’s booth including the Better Place corner was in full swing for a special event.

As we recently announced, Better Place and Chery signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on technology for switchable-battery electric cars. Chery’s Vice President for New Energy Vehicles, Dr. Yuan, has been following Better Place for the past couple of years, and concluded that developing electric cars to operate on a battery switch platform would ultimately deliver the greatest value to consumers.

Chery is a fascinating company – aside from being one of the fastest growing automakers in the world, it is China’s largest independent automaker. Chery is proudly indigenous, relying on its continuously developing in-house engineering expertise to build the next generation of automobiles that are both world-class and environmentally sustainable.

Chery is based in Anhui Province, home to 61 million people. Hefei, its capital, has approximately 5 million people and is one of China’s 13 pilot cities subject to a mandate for integration of alternative fuel vehicles into their fleets. Attached to the mandate is a USD $8,800 rebate for fully electric cars used as taxis or other commercial fleets. And this is just a precursor of a much broader suite of pro-EV policies in the pipeline.

Better Place is now working with Chery to meet the emerging demand for affordable electric cars in the world’s largest auto market. The model for switchable-battery electric cars was displayed in China for the first time at the Chery booth, and it was received favorably by the private and public sectors alike.

The handful of VIPs visiting the booth for the after hours showing included China’s Vice Premier, Zhang Deijang, and the Mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong. The Mayor, who had previously served three major posts in Chery’s home province of Anhui, was delighted to see the company introduce Better Place to China at the auto show in Beijing. He said to us, “I think this is the most sensible model for an EV. I highly appreciate you guys bringing it here.”

With the rapid emergence of China’s automotive market – and the expectation that it will grow exponentially in the next few years – we predict that many standards for the automotive industry will be set in China. For Better Place, China is not only a strategic market vis-à-vis its size, but it is both a leading indicator and a trendsetter in the global race to sustainable transportation, and will have significant impact around the world. For all of these reasons, we’re happy to be here, and we see plenty more big developments on the horizon.

Source: www.betterplace.com

Get WED – Think Global, Act Local on 5 June

Join thousands of people from countries all over the world in celebrating World Environment Day this year. There are literally thousands of ways to do something positive for the environment. Thinking Global and Acting Local is on the mind of two Brisbane organisations – there’s the FWR Group’s Climate Active Charity Golf Day Thursday 3 June and  Local Eco Action Festival – LEAF -  Saturday 5 June.

World Environment Day – WED – is 5 June.

Join thousands of people from countries all over the world in celebrating WED this year. There are literally thousands of ways to do something positive for the environment. Again, whatever you decide to do, tell us about it so we can post your activities on this website and make it part of the ‘Wide World of WED’ map.

Get involved online through some of the activities and competitions we will launch in the coming weeks – there will be interesting prizes. Check out the Around the World Archive which lists the activities organized in the past years in more than 80 countries.

The theme of WED 2010 is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future.” It echoes the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet.  A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together can we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. 

As we celebrate WED, let us consider carefully the actions each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on Earth.

Through WED, we can employ our individual and collective power to stem the tide of extinction. Our conservation action has brought some species back from the brink, and has restored some vital natural habitats around the world. On WED, let us resolve to do much more, and much faster, to win the race against extinction!

Source: www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/celebratewed.asp

Climate Active Charity Golf Day. FWR Group, in association with a number of other organisations, is hosting a charity golf day in about two weeks.  On Thursday 3 June from 11am at Redland Golf Club.

With the importance of climate change and sustainable business, Mike Duggan of FWR Group says this event coincides with the Queensland Premier’s Climate Smart sustainability Awards and the World Environment Day.

Support for the event is coming from James Brockhurst, The Good  Capalaba, the Capalaba Business Improvement District and the Redland Bay Golf Course, an eco Biz partner.

The Climate Active Golf Challenge has the following goals:

• To raise awareness of climate and sustainability issues amongst business;
• To raise awareness and educate golfers in green and sustainable initiatives and practices;
• To encourage active lifestyles;
• To provide funding for climate active projects and initiatives.

For bookings contact Aaron at Redland Bay Golf Club 07 3206 7011 or email aaron@redlandbaygolf.com.au

Logan Eco Action Festival – LEAF – Learn how to change the world! Come to Logan’s first eco festival to find out more about your local environment, what we should do to protect it and best of all see how you can save money.

With an array of exhibitors, live music, wildlife shows, demonstrations and hands-on workshops, organic food markets, children’s activities, giveaways and much more, this free community festival welcomes everyone of all ages to attend and most importantly, participate!

When: Saturday 5 June 2010 – World Environment Day Time: 10 am to 5 pm Where: Griffith University Logan Campus, University Dr, Meadowbrook

 Source: www.logan.qld.gov.au/leaf/

Lucky Last – it’s time to nominate for the ABC CARBON 50

It’s that time of the year again. We haven’t forgotten to tell you all and invite nominations for the ABC CARBON 50. Maybe not quite as well established at the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential in the world, but we made our mark last year with 50 very special people. To nominate just reply to this abc carbon express email with the name or names of who you would like to put forward.   Just give us a very short description of who they are and why you think they deserve to be on the ABC CARBON 50 list. Helping us with the final 50 selection this year will be Connection Research and an independent well-qualified judge.

Remember last year? Cate Blanchett topped the list of the 50 most influential people in Australia who are committed to the environment, the planet and for the future of life on earth. They are advocates for climate change awareness and action at home and abroad, as well as campaigners for clean energy and energy efficiency. Some are very well known. Some are new discoveries.

The list was compiled by ABC CARBON from nominations received: 

1. Cate Blanchett – international actress and Oscar winner, climate change campaigner, face/voice of ACF’s campaign, Who on Earth Cares?, supporter of Earth Hour, featured speaker at the World Business Summit on Climate Change, Copenhagen last month (the full text of her brilliant speech follows this list); co-artistic director (with husband Andrew) of the Sydney Theatre Company which is embarking on a plan to produce all its own energy (through solar panels on the roof); personally committed to manage her own carbon footprint through her travels and in her home.

When asked why she cared about climate change, here’s her answer (on the Who on earth cares? website):

“I care about climate change because of our children. I want to safeguard their future. It is a situation that affects each and every one of us, in this country and around the world. It is an inescapable problem. A common link we share. It is a crisis that provides us with an opportunity to change for the better. To change the way we consume, the way we think and the way we behave. By assuming responsibility, we protect, and respect, the generations behind us”.

1. Tim Flannery – palaeontologist, Chairman of the Copenhagen Council, author of The Weather Makers, and 2007 Australian of the Year.
2. Ian Lowe – Emeritus Professor of Science, Technology and Society at Griffith University, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, author Living in the Greenhouse 1989 and Living in the Hothouse 2005.
3. Nick Rowley – Director of Kinesis and Strategic Director of the Copenhagen Climate Council and former advisor to Tony Blair (UK Government) and Bob Carr (NSW Government).
4. David Mills – chief scientific officer and founder of Ausra, the Australian solar thermal producer.
5. Ann Henderson-Sellers -  ARC Professorial Research Fellow, Climate Change Risk Research, Macquarie University, Sydney and former Director of the World Climate Programme.
6. Jean Palutikof – Director of Australia’s National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility at Griffith University. Prior to joining the UK Met Office, she was Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences and Director of the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, UK.
7. Peter Doherty – author of A Light History of Hot Air, Nobel Prize winner for Physiology and Medicine in 1996 and Australian of the Year in 1997.
8. Penny Sackett – Australia’s Chief Scientist.
9. Mara Bun – CEO of Green Cross Australia.
10. Greg Bourne – CEO of WWF Australia, former executive with BP and former advisor to Tony Blair.
11. Ove Hoegh Guldberg – Marine Science Professor at University of Queensland and lead author of Science Journal research article on climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.
12. Don Henry – CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
13. Ross Garnaut – economist, author of the Garnaut Review and diplomat.
14. David Karoly – climatologist, climate change researcher, Federation Fellow at University of Melbourne.
15. Matthew Warren – CEO of the Clean Energy Council, formerly Environment Writer with The Australian.
16. Rupert Posner – Director of The Climate Group.
17. Hugh Possingham – WWF Governor and ARC Federation Fellow, University of Queensland.
18. Colman Ridge – founder and organiser of Greenfest.
19. Anne Maree Huxley – CEO & Founder of Models of Success and Sustainability (MOSS).
20. Dave Sag – Founder & Executive Director of Carbon Planet.
21. Rob Cawthorne – Managing Director of the Carbon Reduction Institute.
22. Peter Cosier – Director of the Wentworth Group.
23. Michael Ottaviano – CEO of Carnegie Corporation, wave energy pioneers.
24. Jeff Harding – Chairman of Ceramic Fuels, former CEO of Pacific Hydro.
25. Robert Quirk – advocate and lecturer in sustainable agriculture, foundation chair of the Better Sugar Cane Initiative (BSI), the global round table for sugar  formed by WWF and IFC to develop practices to reduce the impacts of sugar cane growing.
26. John Connor – CEO of The Climate Institute.
27. Pep Canadell – Executive Director of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), and scientist with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.
28. Freddy Sharpe – CEO of Climate Friendly.
29. Sara Gipton – CEO of Greenfleet.
30. Janis Birkeland – Professor of Architecture, Queensland University of Technology, urban designer, and author of Design for Sustainability.
31. Graeme Pearman – consultant, former chief of CSIRO Atmospheric Research &  Research Fellow in Sustainability Science at Monash University.
32. Larissa Brown – Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and Young environmentalist of the year 2008 in the Banksia Awards.
33. Megan Wheatley – Business Development Manager, Suzlon Energy, formerly Head of Policy for the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
34. Richard Cassels – Director Climate Leadership, archaeologist & former GM of Queensland Museum.
35. Michael Raupach – co-Chair of the Global Carbon Project, and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research scientist.
36. Sidonie Carpenter – President of Green Roofs.
37. Fiona Wain – CEO of Environment Business Australia.
38. Imogen Zethoven – with the Pew Environment Group & Wilderness Society, campaigner for the Great Barrier Reef and formerly undertook great work with WWF Australia.
39. Martin Loosemore – is Principal Consultant Risk Management for Synergy Management Consulting Group, who consulted on  construction of the Beijing 2008 Olympic facilities, the Three Gorges Dam in China and now for the London 2012 Olympics; co-author (with Bede Boyle) of Climate Change and Corporate Social Responsibility.
40. David Baggs – founder, EcoSpecifier, Technical Director & Principal Consultant Chartered Architect, and UNAA Environment Day Award Finalist.
41. Paul Gilding – writer, advisor & advocate with 35 years engagement in sustainability, formerly with Greenpeace, he set up Ecos Corporation and Easy Being Green.
42. Jon Dee – founder of Planet Ark and founder of Ban the Bag campaign, to rid Australia of plastic shopping bags.
43. Craig Lovett – Founder of CleanEvent, the Melbourne based international event and venue cleaning management company with sustainable practices.
44. Samantha Graham – National Education Manager of Carbon Systems & Mum!
45. Tom Vassallo – who holds the Delta Chair of Sustainable Energy Development at University of Sydney, consultant to industry and formerly with CSIRO.
46. Romilly Madew, – CEO of Green Building Council.
47. Richard Boele – founder and Managing Director on Banarra, President of Australian Institute of Social & Ethical Accountability , and anti-mining campaigner.
48. Guy Lane – founder of My Clean Sky, carbon offset provider and enthusiast for aviation and the environment.
49. Dee Tipping – environmentalist, campaigner for plastic bag free Byron Shire and fundraising co-ordinator for community and the arts.

Ken Hickson, Director, ABC Carbon; Editor, abc carbon express and Author, “The ABC of Carbon”                           www.abccarbon.com