The Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program is a $40 million merit-based, competitive grants program established by the Commonwealth Government to assist industry associations and non-profits provide practical, tailored energy efficiency information to small and medium enterprises and community organisations. Round 2 is currently open with applications closing 20 December 2012.
Canberra has set an Australian benchmark for low-cost large-scale solar generation with the announcement of the largest solar power facility to be built in Australia to date. When completed in 2014 it will produce enough renewable energy each year to power approximately 4,400 Canberra homes.
The 2012 Government Sustainability Conference will again provide local, state and federal government professionals and representatives of other public sector agencies with comprehensive analysis and advice about how to ingrain environmentally sustainable policies and practices within their organisations and the communities they serve. The conference will incorporate the Public Sector Clean Energy Forum: leading the way to efficient, low-carbon energy use. Registrations are now open, with early-bird registrations available until 25 July 2012.
The Community Energy Efficiency Program is a merit-based grant program established by the Australian Government to provide matched funding to local councils and non-profit community organisations to undertake energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits to council and community-use buildings, facilities and lighting. The program is part of the government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future. Applications close 5pm AEDST Friday 23 March 2012.
Lasy year’s All-Energy Australia exhibition was a sell out and featured over 230 exhibitors from 13 countries, filling over 3,000+ m2 of floor space. At the conference participants heard about the latest developments in the clean and renewable energy industry and its associated technologies in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The All-Energy Australia 2012 Exhibition and Conference will be held in Melbourne on 10-11 October 2012. The 2012 conference program will include international keynote presentations, case study presentations, technical updates and panel discussions – the call for papers is now open.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made sustainable energy one of his five priorities that will guide his second 5-year term. Specifically, he will direct the United Nations to extend energy’s reach in order to combat endemic poverty. Universal access to energy, improved efficiency and enhanced deployment of renewable sources are ambitious goals, and the Secretary-General is leading a Sustainable Energy for All initiative to make them achievable.
This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. In recognition of the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
WhichEnergy promotes solar energy consumer choice by providing the information consumers need – including ratings of solar products and retailers. For retailers it promotes best products and best practice – as ranked independently by consumers.
London’s new Blackfriars station – which is being built on a bridge spanning the River Thames – is on its way to becoming the world’s largest solar bridge as the installation of over 4,400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels begins. The only other known solar bridge known in the world is the Kurilpa Footbridge constructed in 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. An 1886 Victorian-era bridge is the foundation for the new Blackfriars station. A new roof will incorporate over 6,000m² of PV panels, creating the biggest solar array in London by mid 2012. The solar panels will generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year, providing 50% of the station’s energy and reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes per year. In addition to solar panels, other energy saving measures at the new station will include rain harvesting systems and sun pipes for natural lighting.
The Australian Alliance to Save Energy (A2SE) is an independent, not-for-profit, coalition of business, government and environmental leaders formed to drive research and advance the efficient use of energy in Australia. A2SE has appointed a new full time General Manager and established formal links with a growing list of international partners, giving the Alliance enormous reach and enabling it to be an exchange of knowledge and international best practice. A2SE has also strengthened its partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney, and with anchor sponsorship from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will be hosting the first Australian Summer Study on Energy Efficiency and Decentralised Energy from 29 February to 2 March 2012.
Sustainable House Day is celebrating its 10th year, and the event will continue to showcase some of Australia’s most sustainable homes to the public as millions of Australians continue to embrace renewable energy, recycling, and other practices suitable to their lifestyles.