Victoria Solar Energy Office
The Office is another important step in positioning Victoria as a global player in solar development.
September 05, 2010
The Office is another important step in positioning Victoria as a global player in solar development.
April 15, 2010
Queensland Solar Micro Grid
The University of Queensland deploys powerful array of photovoltaic panels to improve its carbon footprint and participate in the build out of a solar micro-grid. ...
... "The new project, to be located on three buildings at UQ's St Lucia campus, will feature a 1.2 MW solar photovoltaic installation capable of producing 1750 MWh of electricity a year. This will save approximately 1750 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is equivalent to taking 335 cars off the roads each year. " ...Via The University of Queensland: UQ goes solar
February 26, 2010
Plastiki - Boat Made of Recycled Plastic
David de Rothschild has built a boat from recycled plastic bottles and plans to sail it from San Francisco in the US to Sydney, Australia.
Yes he is from the famous Rothschild family.
The boat and crew will travel in a green manner (composting toilets and vertical green garden fertilized by composted poop) Power for on board electronics comes from solar cells and wind turbines. The boat uses glue made from cashew nuts.
Follow the journey and check out the web site for lots of geen info.
Via: Plastiki LINK
February 18, 2010
Australian Tower to get Solar Skin Upgrade
The UTS Tower in Sydney, Australia is may get a proposed upgrade - a solar skin. This PV "wrap" would turn the tower into a very green and energy efficient structure.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Tower "upgrade" is " ... Fueled by the university’s sustainability drive ... turn the building into a “landmark environmental tower” by wrapping it in a photovoltaic skin."
"The sustainable energy system, devised by postgraduate students in 2008, has been funded to allow students to build and test the project."
There are a number of propose upgrades including wind turbines and cogeneration ... the solar skin " ... stretches around walls and roof elements ... the building is covered in a lightweight composite mesh textile that can collect rain water, generate electricity and complement the plan’s passive ventilation system that uses natural convection."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
February 11, 2010
April 10, 2009
Green IT Research
Fujitsu Australia published a Australia-based study on Green IT called A Convenient Truth that validates the tangible benefits can be realized through a Green IT policy. ...
... "Across the board, IT departments are slowly becoming more sustainable, but this trend may be more a positive side effect than a principal policy driver. The main motivator for many companies seeking to reduce their IT energy consumption is to reduce costs. The added benefit is that the company ends up reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. " ...Via FUJITSU Australia: New Research on Green IT
March 15, 2009
Blue Solar
Aussie solar panels absorb more of the spectrum to increase conversion efficiency. ...
... "The pilot program at the university will demonstrate new production techniques that allow traditional panels to catch more light from the blue end of the spectrum, the short wavelengths. " ...Via Sydney Morning Herald: Solar panel captures more light
April 05, 2008
Earth Hour - Global Awareness of Global Warming
"Earth Hour ... annual international event started in 2007, held on the last Saturday of March, that asks households and businesses to turn off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances for one hour in the evening. ...promoted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald."
See Wikipedia for images of major locations before and after the lights are turned off.
Via: Wikipediua Link
Continue reading "Earth Hour - Global Awareness of Global Warming" »
January 25, 2008
CO2 Savings Aussie Style
Nic Frances discusses greenhouse gas reduction ...
December 25, 2007
Incandescent Bulb's Days (May Be) Numbered ...
The Energy and Security Act of 2007 was signed into Law on Dec 19th, 2007. Along with items like requiring higher CAFE for cars there is an interesting note about ... the incandescent light bulb.
Though most people are saying that the incandescent bulb will not be sold after 2012 - it is more correct to say that the current energy inefficient incandescent bulb as sold today will not be available.
It is likely that the initial make up supply of bulbs will be from either higher efficiency incandescent bulbs or as in intermediate step - CFB.
One little problem about CFB is that they contain MERCURY which is a rather nasty environmental pollutant - one linked to health effects in younger children. Maybe lower cost LED bulbs will be available by 2012?
So far now ... maybe it is time to stock up on the old incandescent bulbs ... 2012 will be here before you know it.
Via: WhiteHouse.gov Link
Continue reading "Incandescent Bulb's Days (May Be) Numbered ..." »
November 21, 2007
Solar Power at Night
Australian company is researching methods to even out the power generating capability of solar energy systems. It envisions a solar system that creates hydrogen during the day for use by fuel cells at night. ...
... "The technology that will continue to produce electricity when the sun goes down works by using the concentrated solar energy to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen through a spectrum splitter and then an electrolyser. " ...Via Herald Sun: Solar After Dark Solar Systems Research: "Current research and development efforts are targeting greater output by using high efficiency PV cells, better mirror technology and reducing parasitic losses. "
Solar fuel cell and electrolyzer demonstrated ...
October 31, 2007
Krikey! Dr Karl Shares Australian Insights on Alternative Energy
Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow in the Physics Department at the University of Sydney and a candidate for Australia's Climate Change Coalition. ...
Continue reading "Krikey! Dr Karl Shares Australian Insights on Alternative Energy" »
June 27, 2007
Australia Wind Turbine Concept: Simple and Effective
Nifty wind turbine could be mounted on rooftops and provide power to house and grid. ...
April 01, 2007
Energy Down For Earth Hour
Sydney, Australia collaborates for Earth Hour to switch their lights out and have a positive impact on
energy consumption. ... ... "In the city centre alone energy consumption fell 10.2 per cent between 7.30pm and 8.30pm, saving 24.86 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the air. " ...
Via Sydney Morning Herald: Sydney Earth Hour
March 26, 2007
Australia Plans to Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs
"SYDNEY, Australia (AP)—The Australian government on Tuesday (20-Feb-07) announced plans to phase out incandescent light bulbs ... Legislation to gradually restrict the sale of the old-style bulbs could reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tons by 2012 and cut household power bills by up to 66 percent, said Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull."
"Australia produced almost 565 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2004, official figures show."
"Under the Australian plan, bulbs that do not comply with energy efficiency targets would be gradually banned from sale. Exemptions may apply for special needs such as medical lighting and oven lights."
"Fluorescent bulbs are currently more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but use only about 20 percent of the power to produce the same amount of light and last longer, making them more competitive over time, advocates argue."
Via: LiveScience.Com Link
February 20, 2007
Energy Efficiency: Australia Legislates Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Australian government legislates greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency through lightbulb replacement program. ...
... "In a world-first for a national government, households and commercial users will be pushed to use energy-efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lights, which have been on the market in Australia for 10 years. " ...
Via The Australian: Light Bulb Legislation