Cooma Wind Energy - Winds of Change

Cooma Wind Energy Forum a Success

300 people attended the Cooma Wind Energy Forum convened by Mayor Roger Norton with considerable input by Rashida Nuridin (Friends of Renewable Energy), bringing proficient and experienced speakers and research scientists to open the door to renewable energy for the region.

Rashida Nuridin, a long-term campaigner for wind energy, recently met with the Federal Environment Minister, Senator Campbell, in Canberra with Dr Matthew Nott, initiator of the highly successful “Clean Energy for Eternity” group which drew almost 300 people to Bega to discuss a sustainable future. Dr Nott also spoke at the Cooma meeting, calling for the Cooma Monaro and Snowy River Shires to similarly set a renewable energy target at 50% by 2010.Nearly

This is in stark contrast to the Commonwealth government target of 12.5 %, which has already been achieved five years ahead of schedule, diminishing opportunities for researchers and investors alike to grow the renewables sector in Australia. This shortfall in potential research funding is compounded by an increase in electricity consumption, resulting in a proportionate fall in renewables to 8%. The failure of the Federal government to sign the Kyoto Protocol – one of two nations who will not do so, the other being the United States – has limited research in the renewable sector. On the ABC Four Corners Program 28 August “What Price Global Warming” scientists and leaders from the business (CEDA) & banking sectors however, expressed their belief in the now urgent need to contain Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGE), a view distinctly different to the personal views of the Prime Minister.

Two research scientists, Dr Mark Diesendorf from the ANU and Dr Ray Prowse, Director of the Sustainable Energy Centre at the ANU, nevertheless highlighted ongoing research into renewables; Dr Diesendorf clearly indicating economic benefits of wind energy, and Dr Prowse enlightening the gathering with the very recent breakthrough in ‘sliver cell’ silicon technology that places solar energy in the same efficiency ballpark as wind.

The ACF Clean Energy Coordinator, Erwin Jackson, similarly, spoke on the urgent need for renewable energy as one of a set of major initiatives to GHGE, universally understood to be a leading agent of climate change. Dr Jackson opened with compelling evidence of the break up of the Antarctic ice shelf due to global warming, and how temperature change has already imperilled the Australian coral reefs and Alpine ecosystems, resulting in potentially a 10–40% reduction in the snowfields, a view reiterated by the ABC program. Dr Jackson argued that the most effective remedy to reduce GHGE (global flatulence!) was potentially a mix of geo-sequestration, burning natural gas instead of coal, energy and fuel efficiencies, protecting and planting forests, renewable energy transport and the renewable sector.

Opposing wind farms on the Monaro, was the REAL (Reduced Emissions And Landscape) Monaro group headed by Jim Litchfield who outlined the problems with wind energy, potentially dividing communities and bringing about a fall in property values.

However, CEO for the Ararat Council, Bill Braithwaite, enthused the community as to the major economic benefits arising from wind energy farms, including direct rates accruals per turbine as well as $50,000 in community grants per annum. As a result of the wind turbine success of the Ararat Council, Mr Braithwaite garnered support and interest to build a wind turbine factory for the export market that will employ 700 people locally.

Rashida Nuridin reported that China would soon generate equivalent wind energy per annum to Australia’s entire annual energy generation, despite currently importing natural gas and coal from Australia, the latter accruing BHP’s largest global profit last financial year ($13 billion). China also builds 1 750MW coal-fired power station every two weeks.

The reality is however, that burning coal for electricity generation is dirty, adding particle pollution to the atmosphere and increasing GHGE. Dr Diesendorf suggested that a combination of wind energy and crop residue for electricity production was the most sensible course for Australia, and with the solution to generation intermittency due to wind factors solved through peaking power plants, whether hydro or gas. The clear indication is that wind turbines must be placed in high wind velocity locations (preferably in open rural landscapes) and that the downsides (noise, visual and bird kill) are minimal. Bill Braithwaite revealed how in Ararat, land values have positively accrued rather than diminished due to the wind farms, a key factor for landholders on the Monaro.

The forum attracted great interest, with the vast majority of people present in favour of wind farms for the Monaro. Mayor Norton said that the Council would proceed only if the proposed wind farms did not offend anyone in the community. Both State and Federal Members, Steve Whan and Gary Nairn, were unable to attend the forum, however, did ask for their views to be read out, indicating that wind was one of a mix of solutions and that they supported wind farms, only if they had full community support. The ACF and scientists said they could not comment on any particular wind project and that wind was one of – although the most economically efficient next to the just released sliver cell solar technology - a mix of renewable energy solutions.

Strong supporter for wind energy, Bev Allen, called for a bus trip to visit Ararat at the invitation of Mr Braithwaite and Mayor Norton said he would assist to organise the trip.

Dr Ray Prowse told the meeting that the most important step forwards would be for the Commonwealth to sign the Kyoto Protocol and that Kim Beazley had said that he would sign the Kyoto Protocol if elected.

For more information:

http://solar.anu.edu.au/; www.SLIVER.com.au; http://abc.net.au/4corners/default.htm;

www.sustainablehouseday.com; www.anzes.org; http://www.keepwintercool.com.au/

www.cleanenergyforeternity.net

http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publications/energy_future/#fuel_reform.

Wind Energy Forum: Adelaide 21 September contact Rashida http://www.climateinstitute.org.au/cia1/index.php.

Al Gore is currently in Australia talking about Climate Change Greenpeace and the NCC Council of NSW will host a forum on renewables on 12 September; Sarah.neal@au.greenpeace.org

Acacia Rose