Enhanced Renewable Energy Target (RET)
On Thursday 24th June, the Australian Parliament passed significant changes to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation, many of which are extremely positive for households who want to invest in small scale generation and energy efficiency technologies.
In August 2009, the Federal Government secured one of its 2007 election promises-to expand the RET to ensure that 20% of Australia’s electrical energy came from renewables in the year 2020.

Whilst the expansion of the RET was a positive move, a number of key design features that a number of community and industry organisations had been advocating for were overlooked by the government.

The most significant of these was the fact that strong incentives for small scale systems such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar hot water units, were leading to an oversupply of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in the market, crashing their price, and significantly hampering the ability of large scale projects to develop.

The existence of fixed annual targets within the RET, and the existence of the ‘Solar Credits’ multiplier for small solar, small wind and micro-hydro systems, meant that not only were investors in small scale technologies being prevented from achieving anything additional beyond the government’s mandated targets, but that they were actually reducing the amount of new renewable energy installed by four times the size of their system – clearly not their intention!

After significant lobbying and media pressure over the past six months, the Federal Government finally agreed to amending the design of their expanded RET scheme.

The solution offered by the government through the new ‘enhanced’ RET will see the small and large scale renewable energy markets split into two totally separate trading markets – so that activity and investment in one will not compromise the other.

From 1 January 2011, there will be a Small Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and a Large Renewable Energy Target (LRET).

The LRET will continue to operate in much the same way as the existing RET – but with eligibility restricted to large scale renewables such as wind farms, bio-gas plants, wave, geo-thermal and large scale solar projects. The LRET will have annual targets that make up approximately 90% of the existing RET.

The SRES will make up the remaining shortfall, and will likely in the short term go higher than the existing RET targets, meaning that the new scheme will likely deliver slightly more renewable energy across Australia.

Most importantly to investors in small scale technologies, the SRES will be uncapped – that is, there will be no fixed annual targets for small scale technologies. All RECs from small systems such as solar PV, small wind, solar hot water, heat pumps and micro-hydro systems will be purchased each year by electricity retailers.

The lack of a cap or annual targets for the SRES means that two fundamental problems of investing in small scale technologies have now been solved:

Firstly, investors in small scale technologies can be additional to the targets mandated by the government; and
Secondly, investors in small scale technologies will not be reducing the amount of new renewable energy installed.
The SRES will also include a fixed price for RECs of $40, providing greater financial certainty to investors in small scale technologies.
Finally, the ‘enhanced’ RET will also see the Solar Credits multiplier extend to investors in remote off-grid systems – up to 20 kW in size. This is a positive step after the scrapping of the remote off-grid subsidy (the Remote Renewable Power Generation Program) in September 2009.

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Great News - Hepburn Wind is underway and there is still a change for current Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group members to invest in the project for as little as $100. Of that $100, MRSG will receive $25 for future application to local sustainability projects.

Please consider if you can participate we need more greenpower to replace brown power, given the lack of real action at the Federal level.

In a week when Australia took a major step back from a low carbon future, the Hepburn community and supporters took a major step forward.   Last Wednesday we signed the full 'turn-key' contract for the construction of Australia's first community owned wind farm.

The signing of the contract with REpower Systems AG marks a major milestone as the project moves from vision to a certainty. The major works are now in the hands of REpower, and we now have contractual certainty in regards to cost and timeline.

  Construction on Leonards Hill is scheduled to start in October and in 12 months time we expect our two 2.05 MW turbines to be producing more electricity on average than is used in all of Daylesford's homes.

  Now is the time to invest...

Our 1112 members have invested more than $7.5m to date. This, coupled with our loan and state government grant totals over $11.6m.

For our final fund raising, we are issuing 1.8m shares. Shares, at $1, are available to existing members, Victorian residents and others in certain circumstances. Joining and investing in the co-operative requires a minimum subscription of just $1000.

Our Membership and Share Offer has been completely revised and may be downloaded from our website: hepburnwind.com.au 

Members of our co-operative share the profits from the sale of the valuable green energy produced. Our environment benefits from an estimated 12,200 tonnes of CO2 abatement per year, and the community benefits from the $1,000,000 we aim to contribute to local sustainability initiatives over the next 25 years.

  Most Australians want to see a meaningful response to the threat of climate change, but aren't sure what constructive role they can play. By pooling our resources, our community has already begun the transition to a low carbon future. And we're showing that it is not difficult - our project works out to be about $5500 a house, no-one has lost a job (in fact we've already created two local jobs), and we'll be improving the local power grid in the process.

  This offer will close soon. If you've been waiting to join, now is the time. Invite your family, friends and colleagues to join this exciting project and together let's take confident strides towards a low carbon future.

 
Simon Holmes à Court
Chairman

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 MEDIA RELEASE from

Senator the Hon Penny Wong The Hon Greg Combet AM MP

Minister for Climate Change Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change

Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Tel 02 6277 7920 Fax 02 6273 7330 PW 46/10

26 February 2010

ENHANCED RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET SCHEME

The Rudd Government’s Renewable Energy Target scheme will be enhanced to provide greater certainty for households, employees and businesses within the renewable energy industry, as we build the low pollution economy of the future.

From 1 January 2011 the Renewable Energy Target, which guarantees 20 per cent of Australia’s energy in 2020 will come from renewable sources, will include two parts - the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET).

The LRET, covering large-scale renewable energy projects like wind farms, commercial solar and geothermal, will deliver the vast majority of the 2020 target. This will free these projects from uncertainties that may have been caused by strong demand for small-scale renewable technologies.

The SRES will cover small-scale technologies such as solar panels and solar hot water systems and deliver the remainder of the target. It will provide a fixed price of $40 per megawatt hour of electricity produced, providing direct support for households that take action to reduce emissions.

Under this fixed price, a Sydney household that installs a 1.5 kilowatt solar panel system in 2011 will benefit from an upfront subsidy of $6200. If the same household decides to install a typical solar water heater they will receive $1200 in support under the SRES.

These changes are expected to deliver more renewable energy than the original 20 per cent target and will ensure we build the clean energy future Australia needs.

Importantly, the Government’s revamped RET will support new jobs and investment in both large and small-scale renewable energy projects.

While these changes address some uncertainty in the current market, uncertainty around the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is also harming market sentiment. This illustrates why it’s critical to have a market-based, long-term response to reducing emissions to drive investment in the renewable industry.

The Government will shortly release an industry consultation paper and intends to legislate the changes in the Winter Sittings of Parliament.

The Government will continue to work with the states and territories on other issues being considered by the Council of Australian Governments’ Review of Specific RET Issues.

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Changes to Insulation and Solar Hot Water Rebates

Solar hot water rebates still available!

 As heavily reported in the media, the Federal Government’s Environment Minister,  Peter Garrett, has announced the discontinuation of the home insulation program and changes to the solar hot water rebate.  The Federal Government’s solar hot water rebate is reduced from $1600 to $1000 and the rebate for heat pumps reduced from $1000 to $600. 

The Federal Government’s solar hot water rebate is one of four incentives for solar hot water and applies only to residents replacing an existing electric hot water system with a solar hot water or heat pump system; along with RECs & VEECs rebates the overall rebate available to residents replacing existing electric hot water systems with solar hot water is now around $2500.

 For residents replacing gas hot water systems the State Government rebate applies and this remains unchanged; along with RECs VEECs rebates the overall rebate available to residents replacing existing gas hot water systems with solar hot water remains around $2450.

How the announced changes may affect you:

 ·         New solar hot water orders (after 19/02/2010) replacing existing electric hot water systems will receive the Federal Government’s new rebate amount $1000

·         Existing customers who have placed an order on or prior to 19/02/2010 are unaffected by the change*

·         Existing customers with installation in progress or completed are unaffected by the change*

·         State Government rebate for residents replacing gas systems remains unchanged

·         RECs & VEECs rebates (applicable to residents replacing electric or gas hot water systems) remain unchanged

·         Rebates are still available and significant- the financial (not to mention environmental) case for installing solar hot water is solid however the trend seems to be clear that rebates are shrinking over time so the time to ACT is now!

 * System needs to be installed and rebate application received by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts no later than 19 March 2010

 Changes to the Green Loans Program 

On 19 February 2010, the following changes to the governments Green Loans Program were announced:

 An extra 600,000 free Home Sustainability Assessments have been added to the 360,000 already committed to the program. 

After long government delays for assessors to make bookings, a new call centre has now been set up for them making the booking system more efficient.

The actual loan component of the Green Loans program will be discontinued from 22 March 2010, however assessments will continue to allow you to make informed decisions about how to improve the energy and water efficiency of your home.

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The Riddells Creek Sustainability group is a non-profit organisation with no political affiliations. Its focus is assisting the community of Riddells Creek to find ways of living more simply and working together in a sustainable manner.

We began as a group of interested residents with connections to Greening of Riddell, Riddells Creek Landcare and Clarkefield & District Farm/Landcare.

We are the local group that originally brought the Solar Power Neighbourhood idea to Riddell.

Current status: 76 houses in Riddells Creek have installed a 1 kW or larger system with many more households installing systems in the Macedon Ranges.

Sunday Solar Picnic – February 21, 3 pm at Wybejong Park, (car park is opposite the T intersection to Sunbury) Riddells Creek.  BYO afternoon tea to share, chair, ideas, power bills for discussion. 

We are inviting current and interested solar power/hot water participants to celebrate our project.  This gathering will also be an opportunity to discuss how we use the coordinators’ fee for a community project. 

Do you have an idea on how these funds can be used? Contact us with ideas about how the money can advance other sustainable projects in Riddells Creek, Julie: cdlc@hotkey.net.au

Currently Riddells Creek Sustainability can offer you

• A Solar Hot Water deal.  To apply logon to www.rezeko.com and apply to Riddells Creek 3.  You need to login and create a user name and password.
•  Solar electricity system. To apply logon to www.rezeko.com and apply to Riddells Creek 3.
• A Green Power deal through WISE
• Free home energy audit assessment

The intent of which is:

• Green energy through WISE (Woodend Integrated Sustainable Energy)  Details of WISE Power are available at the www.wisegroup.org.au
• Sustainable Food Projects
• Community Education Projects

Free Home Energy Audit Assessment

Want to reduce your bills and be comfortable in your home but don’t know where to start?

The program offers a free home sustainability assessment and report. The report recommends specific changes that can help you to save money, energy and water.  If you want to make any of the changes recommended in the report, you can apply for a Green Loan. Green Loans can be up to $10,000 and are interest free for up to 4 years.

Why do it?

• Find out what improvements are best for you
• Make changes that suit your home and your budget
• Save on energy and water bills
• Improve the efficiency of your home and reduce carbon emissions

The home sustainability assessment is free and involves a qualified assessor inspecting your home.  It will involve an inspection of energy and water efficiency, heating and cooling, lighting, refrigeration and waste management. This information is used to calculate your environmental impact and provide you with a tailored report advising the most effective changes for your home.

This advice may range from small and easy changes such as changing light bulbs, to major investments such as a solar hot water system or photovoltaic panels. The assessment takes about 1.5 hours to complete. 

For a free home assessment from your local assessor, phone Ian de Silva on 0424572722 or 5428 7823.

After your assessment, you may choose to apply for a green loan to make bigger changes around your home. It is not compulsory to apply for the loan. Your assessment will be valid for 6 months for the purpose of applying for a green loan.   Renters and home owners can apply.  Retrofitting can be sourced from EcoMaster 54288527.
Further details can be accessed at www.livinggreener.gov.au or call the  Dept Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Hotline on 1800 895 076.

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Walk Against Warming

Australia’s community day of action on climate change - organised by Environment Victoria for Melbourne.

Trains leave for Southern Cross from Riddells Creek at 9:34am Sunbury at 10:55am

Come and be part of a giant human sign to send a strong message to our leaders.

Saturday, 12 December 2009 @ 12pm, State Library, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Walk Against Warming: 12 Dec 2009

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Coming climate community participation events

As the world moves towards a very uncertain outcome at Copenhagen, two events around Australia provide an opportunity for discussion of the issues and an expression of public concern at the lack of progress:

Run for a Safe Climate (2-29 November, from Cooktown to Melbourne via Adelaide)

http://www.runforasafeclimate.org

Walk Against Warming (Saturday 12 December, in capital and regional centres)  

http://www.walkagainstwarming.org

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The appliances that must have an energy rating in Australia and are listed on this website are:
   * Air-conditioners
   * Clothes Dryers
   * Clothes Washers
   * Dishwashers
   * Refrigerators / Freezers
   * Televisions

All products are searchable and sortable based on a number of factors based on your needs. It is a very useful website.

TVs coming soon - "The Commonwealth is now working with the states and territories to introduce regulations that mandate energy labeling and minimum energy performance standards for all televisions, targeted to come into effect from October 2009." This is now happening with all new products in shops having a rating sticker.

I sourced and bought a 6-star fridge from this website. We decided to go for a fridge with no freezer. This has halved our energy use for this appliance and, by my estimates, approximately halved our electricity consumption for this energy-hungry appliance.

The fridge by the way is the Electrolux ERM4307SCR:
http://www.electrolux.com.au/node38.aspx?productId=30609
http://www.theelectricdiscounter.com.au/asps/productpage1.asp?model=ERM4307SCR&extwarranty=3EWRFR3000

DID YOU KNOW - there is a new technology available for TVs called LED LCD. This technology almost halves the energy usage compared with LCD and Plasma TVs of the same size. This is great news. Go and have a look and ask to see "LED LCD TVs" (eg. at Retravision in Sunbury).

Russell B.

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Sustainability Victoria has a range of fact sheets that have in-depth information about saving energy at home.

Lighting

· Fast Facts on Energy Efficiency (PDF, 532KB)

Appliance operating costs

· Electrical appliances - operating costs (PDF, 237KB)

· Gas appliances - operating costs (PDF, 267KB)

Heating

· Keeping your winter warm (PDF, 231KB)

· Keeping your winter warm (rtf, 11.2KB)

· Choosing a heating system (PDF,493KB)

· Electric slab heating (PDF, 168KB)

· Electric space heating (PDF, 148KB)

· Gas ducted heating (PDF, 144KB)

· Gas space heating (PDF, 158KB)

· Heat shifters (PDF, 130KB)

· Hydronic heating (PDF, 180KB)

· Portable heaters (PDF, 297KB)

· Reverse cycle air conditioning (PDF, 171KB)

· Wood heating (PDF, 225KB)

Hot water

· Choosing a hot water system (PDF, 465KB)

· Solar hot water (PDF, 263KB)

Cooling

· Choosing a cooling system (PDF, 374KB)

· Save Energy in Summer (PDF, 487KB)

· Save Energy in Summer (rtf, 23.8KB)

Buildings

· Benefits of insulation (PDF, 311KB)

· Insulation installation (PDF, 699KB)

· Insulation types (PDF, 426KB)

· Landscape design (PDF, 366KB)

· Siting and solar access (PDF, 408KB)

· Thermal mass (PDF, 613KB)

· Window placement (PDF, 390KB)

· Window protection (PDF, 563KB)

Renewable energy

· Renewable energy systems (PDF, 115KB)

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The Labor Government’s feed-in tariff legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament on 25 June 2009. The government states that amendments were made "in response to input from responsible environment groups" which demonstrates that our combined efforts to contact politicians and build community support for a good feed-in tariff were successful. Well done ATA, Environment Victoria, Climate Action Groups, Sustainability activists and everybody who spent time and considerable effort on this campaign. The final structure of the Victorian feed-in tariff includes:

· 60 cents credit per kilowatt hour for energy fed back into the grid within that year. This is about four times the current cost of electricity in Victoria.

· The tariff is paid to residences, community organisations and small businesses with energy consumption less than 100 MWh a year

· An array size limit of 5kW applies

This outcome is a significant improvement on the feed-in tariff initially proposed by the government. Amendments introduced in the Upper House which improved the scheme include:

· extending participation to community organisations and small businesses with energy consumption less than 100 MWh a year (they were intially excluded)

· increasing the array size limit from 2kW to 5kW

Two electricity retailers have also provided letters which state they will provide cash or rollover credits for energy produced, rather than these credits "expiring" as was initially proposed. The additional amendment put by the Greens for the tariff to be paid on the gross output (rather than the net output) was not accepted. The tariff does not apply to large scale solar or wind either, so there is potential to further improve this legislation in the future. On balance, this is a significant improvement over the legislation initially proposed.

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