Home: Renewable Energy News: Thursday 29 October, 2009

Renewable Energy News

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER, 2009 |

Clean Coal Not Viable For 20 Years - Report

Clean coal not viable until 2030
The Federal Government's own global carbon capture and storage institute; which costs the Australian taxpayer $100 million a year, has acknowledged that controversial "new generation coal" and "clean coal" power will not be commercially viable until the carbon price hits at least $60 dollars a tonne and as much as $112 a tonne depending upon the process selected. That is not expected until at least 2030.

The report highlights that widespread take-up of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is faced with the stark risk of high project failure rates typical with the adoption of new technologies, but that this can be overcome by "targeted project support, and appropriate incentives for development" - in other words, more taxpayer money on top of the $2.4 billion the Labor government has shelled out for research into clean coal.

According to Max Sylvester, co-founder of Energy Matters, "We've paid this institute $100 million a year to tell us something we already knew; however, what it does confirm is this : carbon at $60 a tonne would make wind and solar power even more cost effective; so why bother continuing with filthy fossil fuels when there are cleaner alternatives. This is where more of Australian tax payers money needs to go."

Mr. Sylvester points out that clean coal is a godsend for the coal industry rather than the burden the sector claims it to be. "To create clean coal takes more energy - therefore, more coal. The coal industry is crying poor about it? It's really very puzzling. What will continue to suffer is the environment, as clean coal is not no-emissions coal. Clean coal technologies should at best be seen as an exit strategy rather than a case of business as usual for the coal industry."

Australia's Solar Hot Water Rebate - For How Much Longer?

Australia's solar hot water rebates
The Australian Government's $1600 solar hot water rebate has certainly been popular; with thousands of Australians taking advantage of program. Solar hot water systems have been flying out of warehouses across the country.

But the rebate isn't sitting well with everyone in the Australian renewable energy industry.

On top of federal and state incentives, each qualifying solar hot water system sold is also accompanied by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). A Renewable Energy Certificate can be traded for cash or in some cases a point of sale discount, making solar hot water systems even cheaper for consumers. The value of these certificates fluctuates according to market conditions and with so many RECs on the market now, this has led to a drop in their value.

Keppel Prince Engineering, who manufacture about 40% of Australia's wind turbine towers, says they might be forced to shed 150 jobs, blaming the influence of solar hot water related Renewable Energy Certificates.

Some analysts have said that the influence of solar hot water RECs may even mean Australia will not be able to achieve its Renewable Energy Target (RET) goal of having 20 per cent of electricity generated through renewable sources by 2020; as RECs allocations will be disproportionately taken up by solar hot water systems instead.

The market price for a Renewable Energy Certificate has dropped from around $50 to as low as $26 in recent months. Some companies, including national solar hot water solutions provider Energy Matters, locked in higher REC values before the free-fall, meaning they can offer their clients more generous rebates on solar hot water. However, for large-scale wind and solar energy projects, many ventures are temporarily unviable as a result of low REC values.

According to the ABC's World Today, a spokesman for the Clean Energy Council says one way to avoid this situation would be to set a floor price for renewable energy certificates. The Australian Greens, under their proposed Safe Climate legislation, would see the removal of solar water heaters and heat pumps from the definition of renewable energy.

Others in the industry are concerned that the low value of RECs may provide the excuse for the government pull the $1600 solar hot water rebate altogether; and with little notice, as has been the trend with solar subsidies in recent months.

Over the last 4 months the Australian solar industry has seen three very important incentive programs axed prematurely. In early June the SHCP solar rebate ended before the official cut-off date and consumers and industry were left hanging for nearly two months before the Solar Credits program legislation was finally passed. In late June the government axed the remote power rebate for most of Australia with no warning; and earlier this month, the National Solar Schools Program was also suspended without notice.

Japanese Team Wins Australia's Solar Car Race

Japan wins solar car race - Global Green Challenge
A Japanese solar car yesterday won the Global Green Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide after averaging just over 100 kilometres an hour over the duration of the race, which started on Sunday.

The Tokai Challenger took the lead from the outset of the 3000 kilometre race and maintained a substantial lead even after experiencing a flat tire less than 200 kilometres from the finish. The second and third placed teams are expected to arrive in Adelaide this morning.

The victory by Tokai Challenger is the first by a Japanese team since 1993 and breaks a 4 race winning streak by the Dutch Nuon team. At last reports, the Dutch Nuon team was battling it out for second place against University of Michigan Solar Car Team.

While the Japanese team may have taken line honours, other remarkable achievements have occurred during the event.

A Tesla American sports car participating in the 2009 Global Green Challenge achieved a distance of 501 kilometres (313 miles) on a single charge; a world record for a production electric car on a single charge.

The Deep Green Research modified Honda electric vehicle achieved an endurance run of 360 kilometres that equated to 85 watt hours per kilometre; making the vehicle, according to the Deep Green team, ‘the most energy efficient in the event’. The team also claimed the achievement made the Deep Green Research Honda the most efficient road registered vehicle in Australia and possibly in the world by vehicle weight.