This is a great vision - and fully costed!
Have a look here:
http://media.beyondzeroemissions.org/preview-exec-sum14.pdf
100% renewable energy by 2020
(11 posts) (8 voices)-
moemoke
MemberTotally agree, we had these guys give a talk about their ideas at the
Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group a few weeks ago. the amount of knowledge
they have on all sorts of 'alternative' energy amazing.
And all done on a shoestring.It's a shame our Govt's have thier heads so far up the coal industry.
Posted Tuesday 9 Mar 2010 @ 2:03:29 am from IP # -
Michael L.
MemberI don't know about a great vision, maybe through rose coloured glasses!
It maybe is possible to get to the zero emissions by 2020, but not the way they are progressing with those solar arrays, one of which I believe has been de-commissioned in the U.S. Solar and Wind are only minor bit players against the geothermal resources that are coming on stream in the next 5 or 6 years. There are enough proven hot rock geothermal resources to power Australia in to whatever millenium you wish to nominate, and beyond. It is also feasible to convert the current coal fired stations in the Latrobe Valley to geothermal generation, if the current overseas power station owners were given a big enough incentive, convert or lose the stations.
The only impediment is poor government funding and resources being put into the development of this, the only really cheap, efficient, renewable 24/7/365 peak load power source.Posted Tuesday 9 Mar 2010 @ 5:40:55 am from IP # -
Maybe this will help. A ship with a kite power drive.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/09/2841287.htm?section=justin
Posted Tuesday 9 Mar 2010 @ 9:04:10 pm from IP # -
The NSW Government's approval for the Concept Plan for the coal fired Bayswater B project threatens to lock the state of NSW into coal fired generation for another 30 years. If we build a 2000 MW generator there will be no need for any additional capacity for years, removing one of the reasons to build renewables capacity. Opposition needs to be raised to this project before it becomes inevitable.
Posted Wednesday 10 Mar 2010 @ 2:07:07 am from IP # -
Daniel Boon
MemberLook, I sorry to burst the bubble ... not chance of 100% renewable energy by 2020 and forget geothermal as well .... jut remember the simple equation, EROEI (energy return on energy invested) the cost to make 100% renewable energy will take every bit of all the fossil fuel energy in the world a 100 times over; same with geothermal ... its just some blokes doing a shake-down for money for their energy consumption ...
The answer is simple ... less humans and reduce your consumption by at least half and we may last until 2100 (but I very much doubt it ...)
Posted Thursday 11 Mar 2010 @ 6:34:38 am from IP # -
Daniel,
It may not be quite possible to get everything done by 2020. But at least we should move along the line that munter suggests: no new coal fired power station. As power stations have to be replaced the new energy must come from renewable energy.And sorry, your arguments are a bit too flat and exaggerated (..."a hundred times over" ... ). And your 'simple' answer sounds quite desperate or fatalistic.
Posted Thursday 11 Mar 2010 @ 10:06:36 am from IP # -
dymonite69
MemberDaniel,
Where is your reference for EROEI of renewable generation? My understanding is that it takes much less than 5 years for this to occur for PV solar.
But I do agree with your next statement, a much heavier focus will be required on our growing demand side. Australia consumes 4x the world average per capita. But the implications of this intervention are even more unpalatable than having to pay more for energy.
Posted Thursday 11 Mar 2010 @ 10:25:47 am from IP # -
"But the implications of this intervention are even more unpalatable than having to pay more for energy."
Do you mean the implications for politicians who try to encourage energy saving or the implications for all of us in a reduced energy availability environment?
Posted Thursday 11 Mar 2010 @ 10:38:29 am from IP # -
Michael L.
MemberSorry Daniel Boon, you just don't understand the logistics of geothermal energy. It is a PROVEN cheap and renewable source of 100% clean energy available 24/7/365, and will provide cheaper power than solar or wind. Birdsville has been on geo power for over 10 years, as have many areas of New Zealand and the U.S.A.
In Victoria the plans are well established for a geo station near Anglesea, which will also use its spare generation for a desal plant.
As for EROEI, for solar it is no more than 5 years, and that's just for my 1Kw system.
If Rudd was to divert the money he is wasting on the NBN to geothermal, the nation would be self sufficient on non-coal power by 2030 at the latest.Posted Wednesday 17 Mar 2010 @ 12:25:59 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberThe only true zero emissions scenario is reached when every single fossil fuel generator closes for the last time. That wont happen till 2050, if ever, but in the meantime closing down one burner after the other, and only allowing a new one under exceptional terms and with 100% offset is a good way to go. Government (community) financial support for alternative energy manufacturers will continue to play a critical role in seeing this zero emmissions goal developed in the face of very expensive energy prices as a result.
Posted Wednesday 17 Mar 2010 @ 1:04:36 am from IP #
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