solar panels at UQ

I will bite my tongue and NOT provide any editorial comment on the following:


















Energy and Water Utilities

The Honourable Stephen Robertson

15/07/2011

Australia's largest flat panel PV solar array up and running

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson officially opened Australia's largest flat panel photovoltaic (PV) solar array today, marking the start of a solar tour of Queensland.

Mr Robertson said the $7.75 million solar power system was providing clean energy for the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland (UQ).

"I am pleased the Bligh Government has supported this innovative solar project by providing $1.5 million in funding," he said.

"It is the largest solar array of its type in Australia, covering four campus buildings with approximately 5000 polycrystalline silicon solar panels.

"This solar array will help UQ to reduce its carbon footprint and its reliance on the electricity grid.

"It will produce about 1750 megawatt hours of clean renewable solar energy each year and provide about five per cent of the university's peak demand power requirements.

"It will also help save an estimated 1770 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year - the equivalent of taking 335 cars off the road."

Mr Robertson said the university's solar project would also contribute to the development of future solar technologies.

"This solar power system also includes a ground-mounted, seven metre by six metre 8.4 kilowatt concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) array that tracks the sun as it moves across the sky," he said.

"The SolFocus CPV array has been donated by Brisbane company, Ingenero, and it will allow UQ researchers to undertake detailed comparisons with a different type of solar technology.

"It will deliver data that we expect to be crucial to the development of large scale commercial solar power projects in Queensland."

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the university was focussing on reducing carbon emissions and increasing its use of renewable energy.

"As well as being part of the university's functional energy infrastructure, the solar array will underpin research in diverse fields including physics, engineering, economics and sustainability," he said.

"Moreover, we will share this knowledge asset with the community by giving school students, teachers and any other interested people free access to a website showing live and historical data about UQ's solar infrastructure.

"The project is enhanced by the partnerships with industry, including a number of Queensland businesses at the forefront of renewable power."

Mr Robertson said he would be touring Queensland over coming months to engage with industry stakeholders and make some significant solar announcements.

"I want to see first-hand some of the innovative projects that are helping to create a clean energy future for Queensland," he said.

"My solar tour will also help to promote existing Bligh Government initiatives that are encouraging the take up of solar technologies by households and small businesses, such as our Solar Hot Water Rebate and Solar Bonus Scheme.

"Last year we set a target to double Queensland's use of solar energy in five years.

"What we didn't anticipate was just how quickly Queenslanders would embrace the technology and we are currently on track to hit our target three years ahead of schedule.

"The uptake represents a total of 227,000 household solar hot water systems and the equivalent of 125,000 small scale solar panel systems."

Other innovative solar projects the Bligh Government is delivering include:
* Carrara Stadium, Australia's largest solar stadium with solar roof panels capable of producing 240 kilowatts
* The world's first utility scale (44Mw) integration of solar power into a coal-fired power station at CS Energy's Kogan Creek power station
* The 250 megawatt Solar Dawn solar thermal power station planned for Chinchilla. (UQ is a research partner in this project)
* Community solar farms at Hervey Bay and Cloncurry.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Qld Infrastructure Plan, Green Door, Price On Pollution]

The Qld Infrastructure Plan & Regionalisation Strategy

This week, the Qld infrastructure blueprint for the next 20 years was released by the State Government for consultation.

The Queensland Infrastructure Plan (QIP) released this week is the foundation document to the Queensland Regionalisation Strategy (QRS) includes major documents including a significant masterplan for the Bruce Highway.

The aim of the QIP is to provide a clear outline of short-term infrastructure projects, as well as outlining the longer-term infrastructure priorities to meet the needs of Qld’s growing regions and the rebuilding tasks resulting from the recent natural disasters that have affected Qld.

As the key state-wide infrastructure planning document, the QIP replaces other regional infrastructure plans and programs including the South East Qld Infrastructure Plan and Program and the Far North Qld Infrastructure Plan.

Key projects prioritised in the QIP include:

Transit Networks; Bruce Highway upgrades; Dams, Airports; Ports, Kogan Creek Solar Boost; Rail; Pipelines; Gold Coast Rapid Transit and the Brisbane Cross River Rail.

The State Government now needs feedback from Qld businesses on the plan.

Opening a Green Door?

This week the Qld State Government announced that the Green Door is now open and the Green Door Information Paper is now available.

The Green Door is a Qld State Government initiative, developed in conjunction with local government and industry to accelerate the development assessment of exemplary sustainable 'green' developments in Qld.

Features could include the delivery of planning and economic priorities in a particular region, a significant reduction of water, waste and energy, the creation of permanent jobs or the provision of innovative and effective sustainable transport options.

Green Door aims to encourage leadership and innovation in sustainable developments by offering the 'fast track' opportunity to only the highest achieving projects.

A Price on pollution

On Sunday the Federal Government finally released details of the Price on pollution. At $23 per tonne in 2012 - the price will rise by 2.5% per annum.

It would appear (with the support of the Greens & a few independent, the legislation will pass through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Australian Federal Government is proposing a fixed price for the first 3 years commencing 1 July 2012. The plan is to transition to a cap and trade emissions trading scheme with the carbon price to be determined by the market.

The threshold has been set at 25 000 tonnes of CO2-e for assessing whether a facility is subject to the carbon pricing mechanism. Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions), together with legacy waste emissions, will count. The Government suggests around 500 businesses will be required to pay for their pollution under this mechanism.

The following sources will be covered: stationary energy, waste, industrial processes and fugitive emissions.

Transport has been excluded, but a fuel excise will apply. Heavy on-road transportation will not have any changes until 1 July 2014. More than half the revenue generated will go to helping households with tax cuts. Remaining revenue directed to power generators, renewable energy, clean energy, jobs and competitiveness assistance program.

A new Climate Change Authority will be established and headed by Bernie Fraser. This Authority will make independent recommendations to the government on the progress of the scheme, to ensure the longer-term emissions reduction target is met.

The Qld Government’s response to the Carbon Tax (Price on pollution)

This week the Qld Treasurer Andrew Fraser claimed that Qld Government has always supported action on climate change. Mr Fraser believes that putting a price on carbon is the most economically responsible way to take action.

However, the Qld State Government has apparently made it very clear to the Federal Government that the State will not support reforms that are not in the long-term interests of Queensland.

The Qld Government supports putting a price on the pollution emitted by the country's (so-called) biggest polluters, and compensation for the vast bulk of households, for any costs passed on.

The Treasurer said that the Queensland Government has lobbied hard to ensure things like agriculture and fuel were excluded. The Qld Government sought special arrangements to foster the development of the coal seam gas and LNG industries.

The Qld State Government remains reliant on the coal and LNG sectors for royalties. The Qld Government has welcomed the assistance for the coal industry, particularly to develop new technology.

The Qld Government is particularly exposed as the owner of numerous large coal fired power stations. The initial estimates show that the asset value of the State owned generators is likely to decrease by around $1.7 billion.

Governments and business are frantically analysing the detail and the impacts. Stay tuned!

Opening the Green Door

Opening the Green Door for sustainable development projects

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas announced that the Green Door is now open and the Green Door Information Paper is now available.

Mr Lucas said the Green Door is a State Government initiative, developed in conjunction with local government and industry to accelerate the development assessment of exemplary sustainable 'green' developments in Queensland.

"Through the Green Door the State Government will work with the applicant, the relevant local government and other stakeholders to fast track the assessment of projects displaying the 'best of the best' in green credentials," he said.

"A truly first rate sustainable development should not only be environmentally green, but also have a demonstrable positive impact on amenity, the economy and community wellbeing.

"Features could include the delivery of planning and economic priorities in a particular region, a significant reduction of water, waste and energy, the creati on of permanent jobs or the provision of innovative and effective sustainable transport options.

"We welcome the development industry to knock on our 'green door' so that we can help them to deliver the most sustainable developments in Queensland," Mr Lucas said

Green Door aims to encourage leadership and innovation in sustainable developments by offering the 'fast track' opportunity to only the highest achieving projects.

"The State Government has dedicated case managers who will be able to deal with up to six of the most sustainable development proposals at a time across Queensland," Mr Lucas said.

"Case managers will work collaboratively with local governments and referral agencies to assist the applicant to make an application that minimises delays and the need for an information request once it is lodged.

"The Green Door will reduce the time taken in the information and referral stage with added certainty upfront that the project will proceed smoothly through the process, allowing the delivery of sustainable projects sooner. Local and state Government assessment teams will work with the applicant every step of the way and provide clear advice on what they can expect before their application is lodged,
"This will save the applicant both time and money in holding costs while their application is assessed," Mr Lucas said

The government has been working in great detail with key industry groups to develop the Green Door Information Paper.

"The Green Door program is a great opportunity to fast track projects aiming to deliver exemplary environmental outcomes, that because of their unique nature, can sometimes become bogged down in the approval process," Mike Roberts, Acting Executive Director of the Housing Institute of Australia, said.

Brian Stewart, Chief Executive of the UDIA said the UDIA has provided the strongest support for sustainable development for a number of years.

"The UDIA launched and delivered the EnviroDevelopment branding nationally, and this initiative by the Government will add value and opportunities to our members who are committed to providing for a sustainable future."

In March and April this year 10 Green Door workshops were held throughout the state involving 138 participants with 30 local government officers representing 19 local governments, 66 state government officers and 42 development industry representatives.

The Green Door is a strong example of local and state government working together to improve our processes and support the development industry deliver developments that will protect our environment, promote economic growth and improve liveability.

"I want to know of exemplary sustainable development proposals so that we will be focussing our energy and resources on the proposals that will deliver the biggest bang for our buck", Mr Lucas said.

For more information vis it the Green Door website www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/greendoor
Green Door Advisory Committee organisations:


* Property Council of Australia;
* UDIA;
* Green Building Council of Australia;
* Housing Industry Association;
* LGAQ;
* Centre for Subtropical Design, QUT;
* Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand;
* Planning Institute of Australia;

* Premier's Council on Climate Change (guest)

Media contact: Thea Phillips 0400 232 341