At the National Consumers Roundtable on Energy, held in Melbourne 10-11 March 2011, participating consumer, social welfare and environmental organisations collectively raised three core areas of concern for consumers including; energy affordability, demand side participation and community engagement and education on energy issues.

We believe these issues need to be central elements of the current government’s energy agenda:
- Energy Affordability
- Demand Side Engagement
- Community engagement and education on energy issues

Click here to view the submission: Briefing note – Submission to Minister Ferguson March 2011 v1.0

The Value of Customer Reliability (VCR) is a numerical parameter of significant potential use in the operation, planning
and regulation of electricity systems. VCR represents the dollar value that customers place on the reliable supply of
electricity – an indicator of customers’ willingness to pay for not having supply interrupted.

Click here to view the submission: AEMO VCR Submission FINAL

April 28, 2011

It’s time to stop listening to the environmental naysayers and put a price on carbon as soon as possible, says the Alternative Technology Association.

ATA chief executive Ian Porter said the media agenda had been hostage in recent weeks to a range of critics – from corporations in polluting industries to conservative union leaders [...]

When: Saturday 7 May, 2011
Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Where: Yungaburra Community Hall, Cedar Street, Yungaburra
The Cairns branch will be exhibiting at the IT & Sustainable/ Renewable Energy Expo and is looking for volunteers to help out in 2 hour timeslots on the ATA stall. If you would like to join the branch in promoting sustainable living, [...]

When: Saturday 14 May
Time: 2pm
Where: Ben Somerville’s home, 18 Gwyn Rise Vermont South 3133. Melways: 62H5.
Update
Our first project is well on the way and is focused on the specific project requirements and technical specifications for a Arduino microprocessor shield based temperature sensing / fan control project, that measures temperatures in two rooms and switches a [...]

The ATA are well positioned to comment on the VEET scheme, with our members having been proactively involved with installing and utilising energy efficient products and practices for the past 30 years.

The overwhelming evidence from ATA members during this 30 year period is that end-use energy efficiency is a highly effective tool for reducing cost and greenhouse gas emissions:

- Energy efficiency drives down electricity bills for households and businesses with very short payback periods. – Energy efficiency delivers a low or no cost environmental outcome by reducing fossil fuel energy consumption. – Energy efficiency leads to greater consumer awareness of energy management within a building or premise.
- Energy efficiency raises consumer awareness of more sustainable technologies in both the energy and other sectors.
- Energy Efficiency raises consumer awareness of simple and effective behaviour change opportunities that can lead to further significant economic and environmental benefits.

ATA Submission – VEET RIS 2011 150511 v1.0

When: Thursday 28th April
Time: 7:15pm for 7:30pm start
Where: Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Rd, Windsor (underneath Albion Overpass, near Blackmore St; UBD 140 Ref. C14)
Cost: $3, to help cover venue hire costs
This month’s speaker is Ross Hasting from Solakool, talking about their innovative air conditioning system which is mostly powered by solar.
Here are just [...]

The Productivity Commission’s draft Urban Water Report mixes some sensible conclusions about desalination and use of recycled water in Australia with laughable points on the consumer costs of water restrictions.
The Alternative Technology Association’s water projects manager Adam Maxey said the commission was right to conclude there had been too much spending on desalination plants and [...]

When: Sunday 1 May
Time: 2pm
Where: 50 Hamilton Road, Warkworth
Entry fee: $5
Come and see what Chip and Leslie Babbott have done to generate some of their own power, hot water and food. There is a grid tied solar electric system, battery back-up system, solar hot water system, an electric car conversion and gardens. There will also [...]

This meeting will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday 27th April 2011 in room EN615 of the Engineering Department, Swinburne University, Hawthorn campus (for a map of Swinburne click here).
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Lithium Batteries and Supercapicitors for Electric Vehicles
Speaker – Tony Hollenkamp      Introductions – Justin [...]