This week we begin the first of a 4-part series in which Carl Smith looks at Australia’s energy options beyond fossil fuels. Today, he investigates geothermal and nuclear power. The energy stored below Australia is immense. But it’s not just coal and gas. There’s also a huge amount of geothermal heat. Can this energy be harnessed to fuel the nation?
>mp3download> ABC-ScienceShow
A 2014 independent market analysis projected that the global CSP market will see “phenomenal growth at a 19.4% CAGR [compound annual growth rate] between 2014 and 2020.” A global CSP market that was worth $2.5 billion in 2013 would hit nearly $8.7 billion by the end of 2020…But once solar PV hits 10 to 15 % of annual electric generation in a region, PV can become less valuable. IEA projects that when that occurs, perhaps around 2030, “Massive-scale [solar thermal electric] deployment takes off at this stage thanks to CSP plants’ built-in thermal storage, which allows for generation of electricity when demand peaks in late afternoon and in the evening, thus complementing PV generation.”
>readmore> ThinkProgress
Global warming is now linked to not so extreme weather, more evaporation, in warmer air, whipping up into smaller, more intense rain storms, same amount of rain but falling more heavily in smaller area, so more damage.
>readmore> SydneyMorningHerald
Queen Victoria Market could one day stand tall alongside the Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House and Stonehenge – if it’s accepted as a World Heritage Listed site… federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt admitting it could take up to two years just to get it on the National Heritage List…then take years onto world list …Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.”What people have to be assured is although we will spend $240 million rejuvenating this market, it will be protected and it will be the Queen Victoria Market people know and love,”…Ministerial delusion – how can a market be equivalent to Taj Mahal and Stonehenge?
>readmore> TheAustralian
Everyone’s heard of the carbon footprint of different energy sources, the largest footprint belonging to coal because every kWhr of energy produced emits about 900 grams of CO2. Wind and nuclear have the smallest carbon footprint with only 15 g emitted per kWhr, and that mainly from concrete production, construction, and mining of steel and uranium.. ..WHO(World Health organisation) has called biomass burning in developing countries a major global health issue (WHO int)…But an energy’s deathprint, as it is called, is rarely discussed….and Environment Minister Hunt now wants to burn native forest biomass to reduce(?) emissions?!?
>readmore> Forbes
It’s been on the go in EU for a year or 2 but here’s progress in USA now, following regs to limit emissions from cars, trucks and buses, following regs to limit power stations. Meanwhile the clever country has regs for home slow combustion fires but nothing for power stations or vehicles and aircraft completely outright!
>readmore> ThinkProgress
Texas has always had a big reputation for so much hydrocarbon power in the ground. But even during low priced bonanza with shale oil and gas, fossil fuel bidders were not prepared to match 20 year contract terms offered by wind and solar suppliers, already the winners y’all!
>readmore> ThinkProgress
A report about examples in Australia and around the world for community energy
>readmore> Crikey
Australia’s first solar farms to be co-owned by local government and the community could be completed by the end of the year, with the Lismore City Council set to launch a campaign to attract investors to the project in north-eastern NSW…“This model is simple and low-risk with clear results, which is attractive for local government because it provides surety for the community and for investors. We are launching an innovation in how councils and community do business, with both financial and clean energy returns.” We need to congratulate these folks, maybe catching up with the rest of the world.
>readmore> RenewEconomy
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