North Queensland Renewable Energy Take-up & Reduced Energy Demand Plan

Townsville & North QueenslandEnergy Review 2011

By Kate Austin

Regional Overview

► Townsville considered the Capital of North Queensland (NQ).► Population 261,000 with growth rate of around 3%► Strong, diverse economy ($13.3 billion GRP) growth @ 10%► Key to the region’s success:

► Geographically located in resource rich environment;► Economic stability and future opportunities;► Plentiful water supply;

►Leading education & research expertise; ► Available & affordable land for

development;► Expertise in tropical sustainability;► Advanced technical capability – NBN; and►Significant Local, State and Federal

Government support

►Queensland one of Australia’s highest energy consumers ►Dispersed population, large geographical area, economy founded on

large industry.►Energy consumption 32% increase between 2000 & 2008 (3 times

higher than national average). ►Per capita consumption was 16% higher than national average in 2005

– one of the highest in the WORLD!

►Strategies to reduce energy demand & drive efficiency…► Regulatory Strategies► Economic Strategies► Educational Strategies

► Technical Strategies

Current Energy Consumption & Reduction Strategies

► Regulatory Strategies► Appliance Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)► National Construction Code (NCC) Improvements► Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) & Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s)► Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) Act 2006

► Economic Strategies► Carbon Price Policy► Federal Funded Programs for a Clean Energy Future► Expansion of North Queensland’s Economic Corridors► Short Term Investment for Long-Term (Life-Cycle Costing)

► Educational Strategies► Energy Assessments & Behavioural Change Management► Develop a Program-wide Communication & Engagement Strategy► Development of, & Involvement in Participative Educational Programs and Initiatives► Government & Industry Energy Efficiency Leadership & Education

► Technical Strategies ► Electricity Network Configuration Improvements► Information Technology (IT) for Education & Smart Grid Readiness► Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT)► Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Generation

Reducing Energy Demand

►Current state► Significant dependency remains on coal and petroleum products.

► Renewable energy in Queensland is still in its infancy – gaining momentum.

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►Time is now to increase regional development, transition to a renewable energy mix and decrease CO2 emissions. ► NQ’s renewable energy resources include solar, wind, bioenergy, hydro

and geothermal!

Increasing Renewable Energy Potential

►North Queensland boasts excellent solar resources – equal with world’s best!

►Large-scale Solar – Concentrated thermal solar► Base-load capacity central tower plants. ► Can be supplemented using hybridisation with geothermal, wind or gas.

► Small-scale Solar – Photovoltaics and solar water systems - $0.44 per kWh feed-in tariff rebate.

►Access to investment capital is a►Barrier, access to tradespersons, ► & storage options.

Solar Energy

► Wind intensity across the region is variable – best resources along the coast and selected inland sites.

► Feasibility of wind energy in NQ will likely be realised through numerous small-medium generators .

► Excellent opportunity to incorporate small wind generation into urban public infrastructure design.

► Benefits – CO2 free, No operating costs, land leasing provides farmer revenue diversity, fast to install.

► Barriers – initial investment & intermittency.

Wind Energy

► Most versatile renewable energy source both in viable feedstock and processing options – can be stored.

► North Queensland at the heart of nation’s sugar cane and banana industries with extensive grazing, piggery and poultry resources – plentiful feedstock.

► Some sugar mills have established co-generation using sugar production waste for electrical and mechanical energy generation.

► Human and municipal waste an option for small-scale production.

► Barriers – feedstock

► competition, funding.

Bioenergy

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Framework for the Future – Roadmap for Change

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Framework for the Future – Roadmap for Change

► North Queensland has world class renewable energy resources presenting opportunity to become a leader in renewables projects.

Potential Renewable Projects in NQ

►The current level of energy consumption is unsustainable.►Energy reduction and energy efficiency actions could

significantly reduce energy waste and excessive consumption.

►The region is well placed to undertake the transition led by a willing and capable Council with key community and business partners, and world-class renewable energy resources.

In Summary…

Thank You!Any

Questions?