nuclear-news

Sunny Central Australia to lead in solar energy

These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator [pictured] and solar thermal technologies

CPV in Australia’s Red CentreA town called Alice: How CPV is springing up in Australia. Renewable Energy World, by Brian Elmer July 27, 2010 London — Located in the arid desert region in the heart of Australia, the small town of Alice Springs, with a population of 28,000 is normally best known as the jump off point for one of Australia’s best known natural icons, Uluru (the geological formation formerly known as Ayers Rock). Located about 500 km to the south west (considered a short distance in the vast reaches of the Northern Territory Outback) Uluru attracts some 400,000 visitors per year. Over the last few years though, Alice Springs has been attracting attention for another reason, its development of world-leading expertise in its use of one of the region’s other natural and abundant resources – solar energy.
Indeed, the central Australian region receives more sunlight than any other region in Australia, with over 7 kWh/m²/day of incident radiation, according to the Australian Solar Radiation Handbook 1994. Furthermore, whilst the local solar resource is high, the arid climate – which varies from blisteringly hot summers and sub-zero evening temperatures in winter – results in electricity consumption which is above the Australian average in homes and businesses.

These are just some of the reasons that Alice Springs was chosen to participate in the Australian government-funded energy efficiency pilot programme, known as Solar Cities. Under the Solar Cities programme, which was launched in 2004, seven cities throughout Australia were chosen to participate, with each Solar City delivering a unique trial covering a combination of energy efficiency measures; solar energy technologies; energy pricing trials; and, smart metering technologies.

The other Australian Solar Cities are Townsville (North Queensland); Blacktown (West Sydney); Coburg and Bendigo (Victoria); Adelaide (South Australia) and Perth (West Australia).

The Alice Solar City project (www.alicesolarcity.com.au) utilises a combination of innovative community engagement programmes, alongside high and low technology interventions and measures to empower the community to make informed and intelligent use of energy. Launched in 2008, Alice Solar City is led by the Alice Springs Town Council and is supported by a Consortium of local organizations. In just two years, the project has already attracted more than 20% of the town households to participate in the voluntary residential programme, as well as more than 100 local businesses…….

Alice Springs is serviced by its own grid, with gas and diesel being the fuel sources of a total local generation capacity of around 65 MW. Local electricity retailer, Power and Water Corporation are key partners on the project, keen to assess the impact of these technological and consumer engagement interventions, as well as a range of cost reflective electricity tariffs designed to encourage consumers to shift load to off-peak times.

Iconic Solar Energy Installations

In addition to the residential and commercial streams, Alice Solar City has supported and encouraged the development of five major ‘iconic’ projects in and around Alice Springs that will play a critical part in the strategy of making Alice Springs a national and international showcase for sustainable living and the use of renewable energy.

These projects will demonstrate large-scale renewable energy technologies, including a variety of cutting edge solar photovoltaic concentrator and solar thermal technologies.

CPV in Australia’s Red Centre | Renewable Energy World

July 28, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, renewable | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, climate change, global warming, renewable energy, renewables