A carbon price might still appear years away, but a voluntary “white certificate” market where corporations and individuals trade the benefits of reduced energy consumption could be in place by July next year. That is one of the key recommendations of the prime minister’s task force on energy efficiency, released last Friday, which calls for something of a culture shock in this country on the way it consumes energy.

The task force said a formal trading scheme should be in place by mid-2012 as one of the key policy platforms to lift the country’s energy efficiency by 30% and a voluntary market where corporations and households could gain benefit from early action could take place as early as July 2011.

The underlying goal of the task force is to replace the mish-mash of ineffective and half-hearted policies with a focused national scheme that would support a trading mechanism with strict national efficiency targets. To date, Australia has implemented less than one fifth of the key energy efficiency recommendations made by the International Energy Authority and trails the OECD so badly that, even if its policy recommendations were implemented, there is no guarantee Australia would be able to make up lost ground. In a world of high energy costs (yes, including Australia) and reduced emissions, that could pose problems.

The task force believes that the trading market would be one of the principal mechanisms that could help cut household energy costs by up to $296 a year from where they would be otherwise, reduce peak energy demand by up to 1400MW below the reference case through to 2020 and save up to $12 billion in avoided energy infrastructure costs.

The scheme would work something like this: The government might set a mandatory obligation for an energy retailer to find 40,000 units of energy efficiency savings a year — and the failure to do so would incur a penalty of $40 a unit.

A householder installing a new heating system that achieves an energy efficiency saving of 10 units would be able to sell those units to the retailer, potentially for up to $400, either directly or through a reduced purchase price from an energy services company.

The task force notes that this would be similar to what occurs for renewable energy through the renewable energy target, where households investing in solar water heaters or small solar power systems can claim renewable energy certificates and sell them to electricity retailers, or installers offer water heaters to householders at a price that is reduced by the value of the certificates.

It would mean that Australia would have three market mechanisms to support the reduction of energy use, the transition to renewable energy and reduced emissions.

The task force suggests that the RET and the energy savings initiative would not be able to achieve the current 2020 emissions reduction target by themselves, but it could better prepare the economy to respond to a carbon price.

“An explicit price on carbon will underpin and catalyse energy efficiency throughout the economy — greatly enhancing the effectiveness of proposals in this report. Energy efficiency policy is an important part of a suite of responses to climate change, but it cannot realistically be expected to do the ‘heavy lifting’ needed to deliver Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.”

Energy efficiency will also help major emitters cope with emission reduction targets. The report notes that smelting and refining group Nyrstar, one of the most vocal critics of the CPRS, had identified energy savings of 11% from the first initiatives spawned from the energy efficiency opportunities program.

If the task force recommendations are adopted, it seems certain that Australian business and households are in for something of a culture shock when it comes to energy consumption, particularly those businesses (and banks) that will only invest in initiatives that increase production and ignore those that could provide a higher rate of return by reducing costs.

The report notes that Australia compares badly with the OECD average on energy intensity, and has done comparatively little in terms of programs and standards, simply because energy has been so cheap and formed such a small part of business and household expenses.

Indeed, it says there has been such limited demand that most Australian financial institutions do not even have the intellectual property and products needed to finance energy efficiency, meaning that few projects that have been proposed have gotten the finance to go ahead.

Because energy costs have been considered so immaterial, company boards have not investigated potentially very profitable energy efficiency options that would deliver a quick payback on investments. Some substantial energy efficiency upgrades that could deliver good rates of return were unable to access capital expenditure budgets as they were dumped in favour of projects that increased production but delivered lower rates of return.

The task force wants businesses to move from a position where energy efficiency is considered to be a useful means of saving money and getting good PR, to becoming part of a company’s core business and fundamental to its competitiveness, productivity and social licence to operate.

All of this will present a challenge to electricity generators and retailers, who have built up large franchises based on the simple concept that selling more electrons and building more power stations means making more money.

The task force says that, if its recommendations are taken up, the gains in energy efficiency and fall in energy consumption would also lead to lower wholesale prices, and lower profits for existing generators — possibly of between $600 million and $1.5 billion over the period 2012 to 2020.

It says, though, that over this time total generator profit is estimated at about $40 billion and “does not represent a loss to the economy”, as there is a countervailing benefit to energy users through lower energy costs. Indeed, it nominates a net benefit to the economy from the scheme of $6.6 billion.

And it notes that some companies have learned to deal with the change and focus on other metrics. The UK retailer E.ON, for instance, now states on its website: “Our business is selling energy. The more energy people use, the more money we make, surely? Except, for a forward-looking energy company with an eye on more than short-term profit, it doesn’t. Our ideal would be to have more customers. All using less energy.”

*This article originally appeared on Climate Spectator

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

]]> http://www.energy-options.info/2010/10/carbon-tax-in-australia/feed/ 0 http://www.energy-options.info/2010/08/future-transport-what-are-we-in-for-come-along-to-this-forum/ http://www.energy-options.info/2010/08/future-transport-what-are-we-in-for-come-along-to-this-forum/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:04:10 +0000 Editor http://energy-options.info/?p=755 ‘What does future transport hold for us ‘ forum. Come along…..

Come to QWESTNet and find out what new transport technologies and practices are available now and in the future to save you money, reduce your emissions and
put your business ahead of the game.

Hear about the future of freight and what that means to your business.

Discover what LNG, CNG, and BioFuels could do for your future transport fuel requirements.

Learn from case studies of other business experiences on how to save fuel through driver training and fleet car projects, and the creation of an Electric Vehicle Rental Car Project.

The Keynote speaker is Mark Gjerek, of RARE Consulting, a national consulting firm specialising in practical solutions to today’s contemporary transport and environmental challenges.

Who should attend?

Fleet operators
Logistics companies
Hire & rental companies
Freight and courier companies
Taxi owners/operators
Bus and coach companies,
and general business owners……
any business that uses transport, has commercial vehicles
or has staff that travel to their workplace

Register Now

Wednesday 15 September 2010

9:00am – 1:00pm (registration opens at 8:30am)

Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane

$44 (incl. GST)

QWESTNet Future Transport Agenda

Register Here
Before: 2pm Friday 10 September 2010

qwestnet.info@derm.qld.gov.au
or phone (07) 3330 5433

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick (UPI) — Energy companies in Canada’s Maritime Provinces say they are studying ways for their customers to help them utilize wind energy more efficiently.

Wind power is environmentally friendly but unpredictable compared to carbon-fueled sources of electricity, which are always available as needed, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.

A $32 million Power Shift Atlantic project is intended to recruit consumers to help solve the problem by developing ways to use wind-generated power whenever it is available.

“So what we’re looking at is being able to manipulate customer usage, whether it be refrigeration, or air conditioning or process-related,” said John Gaudet of Prince Edward Island’s Maritime Electric.

“So like if the wind blows in the middle of the night, potentially processes could be operated in the middle of the night,” he said.

Power Shift Atlantic wants 2,000 commercial and residential customers to take part in the pilot project.

Researchers at the University of New Brunswick are studying wind patterns in the region to determine peak wind-generation times, so customers will be able to plan their power usage.

The project is also looking at systems that will provide power with minimum inconvenience to the customer.

“Can we control customer apparatus at these times so we can turn them on, use that electricity, and turn them off when the wind isn’t blowing, all without the need to consult or inform or contact the customer?” Gaudet said.

Copyright 2010 by United Press International

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

Energy efficient lighting e-Bulletin

On 21 July 2010 QWESTNet held its second lighting forum in Brisbane. Held in association with

the Illuminating Engineering Society (ies), the forum focused on energy efficient lighting

technologies including LEDs, lighting controls and the use of daylight.

Click on ‘listen to presentation’ or the presenter’s photograph to hear the presentation

ies Partner Presentation
Presenter:Gillian Isoardi
ies/University of Queensland
Listen to Presentation

Gillian’s presentation gives an overview of the role of IES and outlines the positive reasons

for businesses to pursue energy efficient lighting.  Adhering to best practices in lighting will

ensure an installation that meets the needs of all users. Further benefits can, of course,

be realised by lowering operating costs of buildings but also by improving the quality of

workspaces and the appearance of products.

LED: good, bad and best practice
Presenter: Gorana Jusufovich
Lumascape
Listen to Presentation

A brief discussion of some of the benefits and pitfalls of using LED

based lighting systems. How do LEDs compare to conventional light

sources; what to be aware of when selecting an LED based lighting product; and busting

some of the myths surrounding LEDs.

Facility management and lighting controls
Presenter:Lance Stewart
Creative Lighting
Listen to Presentation

Why do we need lighting control systems and what do we need from them?

Can best lighting practice be achieved under the Building Code of Australia

and what is good lighting practice any way? Lance discusses recent trends in efficient lighting

and control.

Daylighting and Greenstar
Presenter: Carl N Gray
MGF Consulting NQ
Listen to Presentation

A brief primer on daylighting as applicable in Queensland workplaces,

specifically what can and cannot be done with daylight? Why we should

do more; why we should be very careful about it; how it can be done; and who to ask.

Top

Case Studies

Queensland Police Service fit-out Presenter: Caitlyn Young Norman Disney & Young Listen to Presentation The Queensland Police Service CBD facility fitout was completed in 2004/2005. Utilising an Energy Conservation Systems (ECS) lighting control system, occupancy based switching and daylight harvesting have delivered an efficient lighting design and flexibility for future changes. The integration of this system has led to a significant saving in energy and CO2 emissions. William McCormack Place Presenter: Carl N Gray MGF Consulting NQ Listen to Presentation The Queensland Government’s newest office building located in Cairns has attained ‘World Leader’ green status – the first outside of a capital city. In line with the lighting engineer’s vision, an emphasis on real world performance was placed before Greenstar ‘point scoring’ to achieve a highly energy efficient yet highly comfortable building. Highlights include effective daylighting and shading, a novel approach to daylight harvesting, direct/indirect lighting and the integration of ceiling fans. Queesland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Presenter: Doug Brimblecombe QPAC Listen to Presentation Between November 2008 and March 2009, QPAC refurbished its major theatres and public spaces for the first time since the centre was constructed 25 years ago. This was an opportunity for QPAC to introduce more efficient lighting practices without compromising the nature of the building and its use. As part of the refurbishment, aged incandescent and large wattage fixtures were replaced with LED and halogen lights. In the Concert Hall auditorium, the original 2500 watt profiles were replaced with three-colour LED lighting and theatrical fixtures, each of 1200 watts. These changes have minimised the amount of lights required to produce colour on stage, while backstage, single watt LED bulbs have replaced 60+ watt ‘blue’ light circuits. One year and three months after the refurbishment, QPAC is seeing energy savings which are expected to improve with further work due to be completed by the end of 2010. CitySwitch Program Presenter: Mark Taylor Brisbane City Council Listen to Presentation Brisbane City Council is partnering in a national office tenant energy management program called CitySwitch Green Office. This program gives your business: a structured process to improve energy efficiency and operating costs; positioning and promotion as an environmental leader; networking opportunities with like-minded companies; regular updates and resources. Key elements to effective lighting Presenter: Darrin Schreier Aurecon Listen to Presentation Efficient lighting is something everybody appears to be looking for, whether it be to meet legislated government criteria, to achieve a Greenstar or NABERS rating, or to save money in the face of rising energy costs. To achieve efficient lighting 4 key elements need to be addressed. Energy efficiency regulation and quality lighting Presenter: Steve Coyne Light Naturally Listen to Presentation There are two levels of energy efficiency which have the potential to affect quality lighting outcomes: energy efficiency of lighting product and energy efficiency of lighting design. The type of regulatory tool implemented for each can have a significant impact on quality lighting outcomes and compliance levels. Whatever form the regulation takes, it is apparent that in the future, quality lighting outcomes will require knowledge, expertise and training in lighting design Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

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The second largest state-owned energy corporation in New South Wales, Integral Energy was incorporated under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995

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or                www.energysmart.com.au

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Department of Energy

PO BOX 15216, City East QLD 4002
PH: 07 3898 0375 FAX: 07 3238 3088
Email: info@energy.qld.gov.au
Website: www.energy.qld.gov.au
The Department of Energy plays a key role in driving new investment in Queensland’s energy sector and ensuring the continued delivery of reliable, competitively priced and sustainable energy supply to all Queenslanders

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PH: 02 6453 2888 FAX: 02 6452 3794
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