SEDA Banksia Awards

SEDA’s Energy Smart Business (ESB) and Solar In Schools programs, are finalists in the Banksia Environmental Awards 2001 to be presented on 2 June 2001 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, to celebrate World Environment Day.

The ESB program has 170 business partners who are so far enjoying energy savings of over $11.2 million per year and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 194,000 tonnes pa.

The Solar in Schools Program equips schools with their own solar power system and provides them with a Solar Explorer Kit teaching resource to help students learn about the benefits of renewable energy.

To date, the program has helped 18 NSW schools install their own grid-connected solar power system. Each school is saving $250 off their electricity bill each year – money that can be spent on other educational resources.
Allies Express May 01 newsletter.

Codrington Wind Farm

Australia's biggest wind farm has recently been openned at Codrington near Port Fairy, western Victoria and it is the first non-government wind farm in Australia. It comprises 14 turbines which will produce 14.2 megawatts, providing energy to power about 14,000 homes in the area.
Source: The Sun newsletter June 2001.

US Army vehicles go green

The US Army will put into use a new vehicle based on the Chrysler Ram and powered by a hybrid electric-diesel engine with low emission levels. It has been reported that a commercial version of vehicle will soon be available from Chrysler.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 26/5/01.

Canberra goes gas

Ten new CNG buses have now been added to the ACTION fleet of two already running in Canberra. The buses will cost the ACT government $4.2 million. Source: Sunday Telegraph 26/5/01.

Ethanol for GM

General Motors's company vehicles will now run on E85 fuel which is 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. This is about to become the fuel of choice for their vehicles in Michigan. They will also be producing a range of Chevy pick-up trucks will be the first off the line as a trial with all light-weight trucks being compatible with this renewable fuel in 2002.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 26/5/01.

Giant fuel joint venture in Europe

A joint venture has been formed between Delphi Automotive Systems, the road-ready fuel cell system manufacturers and TotalFinaElf the European, fuel cell giant. They will be collaborating on research and testing of fuel cell technology and fuel reformation. Source: Sunday Telegraph 26/5/01.

Electric car in India

India's first mass-produced Electric car is now available. It is called the Reva and has a 220-volt onboard charger that can be recharged from any outlet. Source: Sunday Telegraph 3rd June 2001.

Van on the charge

Toyota has just released a new fuel cell four-wheel-drive vehicle at its environmental forum recently. It is called the FCHV-4 and is powered by hydrogen stored in high-pressure fuel cell stack with output of 90kW.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 24th June 2001.

Solar Centre opens

BP has openned the largest solar panel manufacturing centre in the Southern Hemisphere. It cost $20 mil and is in Homebush Bay and will employ about 200 to make solar panels for export. Source: SMH Saturday 1st July 2001.

Government in hybrid cars

Mr Bob Debus, Attorney General and Minister for the Environment, has taken to driving a new hybrid Toyota Insight around town. His comment is that it is nippy and sporty so he is enjoying the experience and making a good example. Also other departments are catching on to the idea as EPA staff are planning a fleet of such vehicles beyond the existing small number in use now as a trial.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 13th July 2001.

World's Largest Off Shore Wind Farm Opens.

In Dec 2000, off the cost of Denmark, the largest off shore wind generation facility was openned. A row of 20 enormous wind turbines can be seen gently spinning above the waves nearly two miles from shore.
Source: The Environment Magazine 18th July 2001.

Orbital scooter in China.

A scooter powered by a two-stroke orbital engine has just won a major environmental award in China. The 50cc Hi-Jeter model has 40% greater fuel economy and better than 80% less emission than existing standards.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 22nd July 2001.

Chambers go green.

The Australian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and its State and Territory agencies have signed a 3 yr co-efficiency agreement with the Commonwealth committing them to improve environmental and economic performance.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 29th July 2001.

Honda on Hydro

Honda has now opened the first production and refuelling station in Los Angeles, at its research and development centre. Solar power is used to extract hydrogen from water and this is their way of pushing the adoption of hydrogen as the fuel of the future.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 5th Aug 2001.

Green Power grows

Around 2,400 Australians signed up to Green Power last month showing that while leaders talk, we can act. Who's choosing genuine renewable energy? Customer numbers soared for retailers in all states in June, with over 1,000 new sign-ups in Victoria.

Green Power sales for 2000-2001 are expected to be over 450 GWh, up from 300 GWh in 1999-2000.
Source: SEDA Allies Newsletter August 2001.

Gas Emission cuts for business

A new user-friendly international greenhouse gas emissions standard for businesses is the first of its kind, and will aid the development of effective strategies for companies to cut emissions.  The new Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (GHG Protocol) has been launched by the WRI and the WBCSD. Edie http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/4835.cfm. Source: Sustainable Business News Oct Newsletter.

GEEIP offers sales opportunity for Allies

The Energy Smart Government program is helping NSW Government agencies improve their energy efficiency to save money on their energy bills and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the major barriers to energy efficiency has been the lack of capital available to many core agencies. Whilst Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) has provided a solution for larger agencies with large energy bills, many agencies still find capital a barrier.

That’s why SEDA has been working with the NSW Treasury to develop the Government Energy Efficiency Investment Program (GEEIP). GEEIP will allow agencies to access finance for small scale ($10k - $500k) investments in energy efficiency in their operations. Source: SEDA Allies Newsletter October 2001

Energy Smart Business in NSW acknowledged

The companies, members of the Energy Smart Business (ESB) program, are part of a state-wide initiative that is good for business and great for the environment. The ESB program, developed and managed by SEDA has been an amazing success, with over 170 businesses saving over $14 million dollars a year on energy bills and cutting greenhouse emissions by over 221,000 tonnes per annum. The total reduction is equivalent to taking 48,571 cars off NSW roads for good. Source: SEDA Allies Newsletter November 2001.

Cogeneration plant opens

A $100, 000 grant from SEDA has helped Sutherland Shire Council to build a new cogeneration plant at  Sutherland Leisure Centre.

The plant will generate electricity from gas for lighting and general consumption at the leisure centre. Excess heat will be used for heating the water in the pools, a function that formerly required the consumption of electricity through heat pumps.

These measures are expected to annually save council $126,010 in energy costs for at least the first five years and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,400 tonnes per year.

"The plant  is a great example of how being energy wise can be good for the environment while benefiting our organisation and ratepayers through significant cost savings," said the Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Councillor Tracie Sonda.

The plant was installed by Tarong Energy at a cost of $1,008,155. Source: SEDA Allies Newsletter November 2001.

Compromise Reached On Global Warming Treaty

All night negotiations at the United Nations conference on climate change in Marrakech ended in a compromise package, hailed by all parties as paving the way for ratification of the Kyoto protocol to reduce global warming. Source: Financial Times / ENS / BBC / NY Times.

Xerox Saves Millions On Sustainable Energy, Operations

Last year Xerox kept nearly 160 million pounds of materials out of landfills and enabled customers to save more than 800 million kilowatt hours of electricity. Meanwhile, its environmental programs are paying off in hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings annually. Source: Greenbiz http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=18379

Growing Number Of MBA Programs Back Sustainability

Eighty-two Master Business Association programs worldwide report including social and environmental topics to meet the business challenges of a global marketplace. Source: Greenbiz: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=18383

Dream Fuel within reach

Larry Burns of General Motors has outlined the imminent availability and inclusion of fuel cell technology for future production of their vehicles. This is now seen as the cleanest and best alternative power source for passenger vehicles as well as other applications such as commercial and heavy transport. Further than that, he said he sees this technology being applied to a wide range of situations like homes and small business and even locomotives.

The basis is so simple that a 25kW stack - sufficient for the average home - or a number of these stacks of fuel cells can be put to generating power for almost any need. That is how scalable it is and there is no need for different methods of production once the initial development has been put it place. Production costs are thereby reduced as a well as eth pollution from many and varied sources. Source: Sunday Telegraph 27th January 2002.

Congratulations to the following Environs Australia members for their recent achievements!

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) won the “Sustainable Environment” award at the 2001 Premiers Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management. Their Eastern Hills Catchment Management Project was recognised as outstanding in the conservation and enhancement of the environment in Western Australia. This remarkable grassroots project has involved over 2000 volunteers establishing some 200,000 native plants across Perth’s Eastern Hills. Assisted by the 5 regional catchment groups and focussing on bushland protection and water quality management, the project has developed a culture of conservation within both regional institutions/agencies as well as local communities. For further information, contact Mick McCarthy on (08) 9479 4808. Source: Environs Australia - Best five minutes - January 2002.

South Sydney Councils host Environs NSW Office

Environs Australia’s new Sydney office location is now being hosted by South Sydney Councils , a long standing member. This support by the Councils is greatly appreciated, including the efforts of Councillor Jill Lay in the reaching an agreement that will provide benefits for both organisations. The Sydney office will focus on providing and expanding membership services and products for NSW councils. Contact Paul Bateson, NSW Program Manager on (02) 9228 5336 or email pbateson@environs.org.au. Source: Environs Australia - Best five minutes - January 2002.

Electronics Recycling Pilot

EcoRecycle Victoria, in conjunction with major electronics suppliers, has recently started a pilot in end-of-life recovery of TV's, VCR's and other electronic equipment. Mitsubishi Electric, LG Electronics, NEC Aust, Panasonic, Hitachi, Sony and others are all participating. Source: ReNew Jan-March 2002 issue.

RRPGP interest growing

Recently a number of new programmes have been approved under the Renewable Energy Power Generation Programme, including ATSIC Indigenous Community Support Project for $8m, Qld Working Property Rebate Scheme for $8m, Renewable Energy Diesel Replacement Scheme for $22.3m, Northern Territory's Renewable Energy Rebate Programme for $38.2m and WA's RAPS Programme for $18m. See www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/rrpg/index/html. Source: ReNew Jan-March 2002 issue.

Wind projects planned, approved and openned

Conditional approval has been given to Primergy and Wind Prospect's for a 40-50MW wind farm at Green Point south of Mt Gambier, South Aust. Another 55-70MW using 35 turbines has been planned for the Eyre Peninsula.

Late last year Pacific Hydro received approval for its 50 turbine 75MW project at Ararat, Vic, as well as winning the Expression Of Interest for a wind project on the Fremantle Dock site in WA.

Hydro Tasmania's 130MW Woolnorth wind farm and 46 kilometres of new 110kV transmission line gained final approval in Sept 01 and the 10.5MW Stage1 is due to be under construction before beginning of 02.

Stanwell's 22MW Toora wind farm is currently under construction by Vesta and Transfield Aust after receiving final approval. There are several other projects on the drawing board in SA, WA and Qld.

Western Power has openned its 21.6MW wind farm at Albany late 01 with others planned for sites along the WA coast. The Albany site runs 12 turbines and cost $45m, with a saving of 77,000 tons of greenhouse gas emission pa. Source: ReNew Jan-March 2002 issue.

Back to Article Page 1  Back to Article Page 2   Go To Article Page 4   Go To Article Page 5   Go to Events page