International Energy Agency Report on CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion

Posted on May 31, 2011 by GJO ESQ

In the lead-up to the UN climate negotiations in Cancún, the latest information on the level and growth of CO2 emissions, their source and geographic distribution will be essential to lay the foundation for a global agreement. To provide input to and support for the UN process the IEA is making available for free download the Highlights version of CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion.

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Spanish Concentrated Solar Thermal Plant Commissioned!

Posted on May 31, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Torresol Energy has commissioned the 19.9MW Gemasolar concentrated solar power plant in Seville, Spain, the first commercial-scale CSP plant that combines a solar tower technology with extensive thermal storage capabilities. The plant uses an innovative molten salt heat transfer technology that helps avoid fluctuations in power supply, can provide 15 hours of energy production without sunlight, and so can provide energy 24/7 for many months in the year.

The plant, which comprises 2,650 mirrors over 185ha, is expected to generate around 110GWh of energy each year, up to three times the amount of competing solar plants. Torresol is a joint venture between Spanish engineering group Sener, and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy centre. The plant will produce temperatures of more than 900°C at the central receiver, which can absorb 95 per cent of the radiation from the sun’s spectrum, while the molten salt heat transfer system reaches temperatures of more than 500°C.

Torresol chairman Enrique Sendagorta described Gemasolar as a “revolution” in the CSP sector, and said the standardization of this new technology will mean a real reduction in the investment costs for solar plants. “The commercial operation of this plant will lead the way for other central tower plants with molten salt receiver technology, an efficient system that improves the dispatchability of electric power from renewable sources,” he said. Gemasolar has been a awarded a 25-year regulated tariff by the Spanish Government. Torresol also intends to begin operations at two 50MW parabolic trough solar plants at Cadiz by the end of the year. It plans more facilities in the US, Europe, Middle East and north Africa.

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More Efficient Buildings Could Cut ‘Peak Demand’ Spending By Up To $16.7bn

Posted on May 31, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Quoted from the Carbon and Environment Daily:

A new study for the climate change department for the first time attempts to quantify the cuts in spending on ‘peak demand’ energy infrastructure that could be achieved by improving the efficiency of the nation’s homes, offices and factories.

Prepared by the Institute for Sustainable Futures and Energetics, the study says energy efficiency improvements could save up to an estimated $16.7 billion in energy infrastructure expenditure by 2020.

As well as delivering a net economic benefit of $1 billion a year, efficiency measures could eliminate all forecast growth in energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s building stock, says the report, which was completed last July but has only just been publicly released.

Up to 58% of peak demand growth eliminated

The study examines the extent to which improvements in lighting, air-conditioning, water heating and appliances could reduce peak demand in summer and winter.

It then quantifies the potential savings in avoided energy infrastructure spending under ‘moderate’ and ‘accelerated’ scenarios.

“For the key peak season of summer, the steep projected peak electricity demand growth is reduced by over 5,000MW in the moderate scenario and over 7,000MW in the accelerated scenario,” it says.

“This equates to the elimination of between 43% and 58% respectively of total summer projected peak demand growth to 2020,” it says.

The moderate scenario would deliver annual savings through avoided infrastructure costs of $2.4 billion, while the accelerated scenario would result in savings of $3.3 billion, it says.

Fuel savings add another $1 billion to $1.3 billion a year.

Building our savings: Reduced infrastructure costs from improving building energy efficiency (Institute for Sustainable Futures and Energetics, July 2010)

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The Critical Decade ….

Posted on May 26, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Australia’s Climate Commission, a Federal Government appointed group of eminent scientists recently released their latest report recent entitled “The Critical Decade“.

“Over many decades thousands of scientists have painted an unambiguous picture: the global climate is changing and humanity is almost surely the primary cause. The risks have never been clearer and the case for action has never been more urgent.

Our Earth’s surface is warming rapidly and we can already see social, economic and environmental impacts in Australia. Failing to take sufficient action today entails potentially huge risks to our economy, society and way of life into the future.

This is the critical decade for action.”

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National “Yes” Day For a Price on Carbon Pollution, Sunday, June 5 …

Posted on May 23, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Today’s report from the Climate Commission has a clear message for
Australia:

“The atmosphere is warming, the ocean is warming, ice is being lost
from glaciers and ice caps, and sea levels are rising.”

Sunday 5 June is our day to say ‘Yes!’ to climate action and a strong
price on pollution.

We are in a very important time in history – the evidence of human-
induced climate change is stronger than ever – and we have a critical
opportunity to say ‘YES!’ to action on climate change and clean
renewable energy investment.

Right now, the Federal Government, the Greens and the Independents are
making choices for our future. They can set an ambitious carbon price
and create strong investments in clean energy. Or, they can cave into
the big polluters, who are lobbying hard to make sure money stays in
their pockets.
Will the government stand up and put a strong price on pollution? You,
your friends, workmates and family can make the difference.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW invites you to join us on
Sunday 5 June to say ‘Yes’ to a price on pollution. This is one of
many massive rallies taking place across the country on World
Environment Day.

Where: Prince Alfred Park, Sydney CBD
When: 11 AM, Sunday 5 June
RSVP: Click here

Get set for a big, bright, fun and family-friendly day, with bands,
great speakers and even face-painting for the kids! You will be one of
thousands across Australia making the time to stand up and demonstrate
support for a carbon price and a clean energy future for Australia.

On June 5, we can make sure our voices are heard – right at the time
when our government needs to hear our support the loudest.

Hope to see you there,

Pepe Clarke
CEO, Nature Conservation Council of NSW

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Agenda, CASES Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, May 25 @ 7:00 PM

Posted on May 23, 2011 by GJO ESQ

CASES Monthly Meeting Agenda, Wednesday, May 25 @ 7:00 PM

Barrett House, 6 Barrett Place, Randwick

Convenor: Gregory John Olsen Esq, Minuter: Tony Muscio

7:00 PM: BYO Victuals.

7:30 PM: Discussions.
– Doorknock for 100% Renewables Survey at Phillip Bay on Saturday, May 28 (Greg)
– Update on use of Google group, Yammer and Mail Chimp (Tony including a demonstration)
– Roster for personing CASES’ stall at the at Bondi the Beautiful Fair on World Environment Day, June 5 (Claire): http://streetcorner.com.au/news/showPost.cfm?bid=21286&mycomm=ES Jaan asks, “What presentation will we devise so that CASES’ kiosk stands out from all the others?”
– CASES’ response to the NSW Government’s retrospective changes to the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme (Everyone)
– Report on Environmental Implications of Coal Seam Gas and Coal Mining in NSW Forum (Greg)
– Other business (Anyone)

9:00 PM: Pack/Clean Up and Depart in Peace.

Next Meeting Wednesday, June 22, @ 7:00 PM

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Renewables Can Power the World!!!!

Posted on May 17, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Here’s is a link to an article in the Climate Spectator which covers the 1,000 page IPCC report which details how, and at what cost, the world could be powered by renewables by 80%: http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/renewables-can-power-world?utm_source=Climate%2BSpectator%2Bdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Climate%2BSpectator%2Bdaily

Here’s a link to the report’s summary: http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report/srren-spm-fd4

Bring it on, baby!!!

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4.2 Tonnes CO2 Per Capita PA is the Maximum For Survival!

Posted on May 16, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Here’s a link to a PDF which explains that 4.2 tons pa per person is the optimum amount of carbon emitted. http://www.optimumpopulation.org/optjournal/opt.af.biocapacity.PDF

Here is the salient quote, “The constraint that the use of energy places on population is simple in global terms. The Earth’s carbon sinks are able to absorb about 9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, from the burning of fossil fuels. A probable mean lowest acceptable carbon dioxide emission is 4.2 tonnes per person per year.” 🙂

In 2009 Australians produced 19.6 tonnes per person pa, the outright worst in the world: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AonYZs4MzlZbdFF1QW00ckYzOG0yWkZqcUhnNDVlSWc&hl=en#gid=0

I’ve got mine down to about 6 tonnes pa. However, owning a car and going on a couple of aeroplane trips in the past year blew my figure out but I’m getting there. 🙂

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350.org’s Moving Planet Event, 24/10/2011

Posted on May 6, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Here’s something into which you can get your teeth. 350.org, an international organisation that is working to get our atmospheric carbon down to 350 parts per million from it’s current, and rising, level of over 390 ppm, is planning a BIG worldwide action on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

Quoting from their new website, http://www.moving-planet.org/,

“Moving Planet is a worldwide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis—a single day to move away from fossil fuels. For too long, our leaders have denied and delayed, compromised and caved. That era must come to an end: it’s time to get moving on the climate crisis. Come on bike, on skates, on a board, or just on foot. Come with your neighbors and your friends, your family and your co-workers. Come be part of something huge.”

Let’s consider supporting this action with our own action, or by joining another action. An item for our next meeting. 🙂

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Coal Seam Gas & Coal Mining in NSW Forum

Posted on May 6, 2011 by GJO ESQ

Here’s an important forum that may interest you:

Environmental Implications of Coal Seam Gas and Coal Mining in NSW

Phillip Adams – chairperson, Jack Mundey – opening

Coal seam gas (CSG) is hailed as the energy source with a smaller carbon footprint than coal. However CSG coal mining proposed for the Liverpool Plains, Hunter Valley, St Peters and Warragamba Dam catchments could cause considerable environmental damage and loss of prime agricultural lands. Damage to aquifers, competition for groundwater and disposal of extracted salt water are concerns of farmers and rural towns, as are the chemicals injected for Fracking the coal seams to extract the gas. Fugitive emissions from pipes, well leaks and coal mines can release damaging methane. Particulates from open cut mining can cause health hazards.

How can agriculture and mining co-exist in these regions? The mining companies are proposing solutions. New government regulations and adequate monitoring of mining operations are urgently required to minimise these potential environmental and health hazards.

Public Forum: 6 – 8 pm, Monday 16 May 2011
Eastern Avenue Auditorium, Building F19, University of Sydney
Please RSVP, details on the community events page of ACF’s website

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