Australia looks to use clean energy funds for carbon capture

The Australian government said on Tuesday it would introduce legislation to allow clean energy funds to back carbon capture and storage projects, a move that could see such money going to coal-fired plants even as the nation combats climate change.

Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said the government was seeking to amend the mandate for the Clean Energy Finance Corp (CEFC), which up to now has been limited to giving loans to wind, solar, bioenergy and energy storage projects.

CEFC's mandate is to help cut carbon emissions and promote new technologies.

"This amendment that we're introducing only applies to carbon capture and storage," Frydenberg told reporters in Canberra.

However, if carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is attached to a high efficiency-low emissions coal-fired power station, a gas-fired power plant or an industrial plant, that would be eligible for funding from the CEFC, he said.

CEFC would have the final say over what CCS projects get funding, he noted.

Australia's conservative government wants a "technology neutral" approach to promoting stable power supply, seeing coal- and gas-fired power as essential to back up wind and solar energy when the wind is low and the sun is down.

"The decision that the government's made is significant because it removes one of the barriers to CCS, which has been around the financing of it," said Brad Page, chief executive of Melbourne-based Global CCS Institute.

He said CCS technology could be retrofitted to existing coal-fired, gas-fired and industrial plants, not just attached to new plants.

The Australia Institute, a think tank opposed to coal, said it did not make sense to take money from renewable energy to back CCS, as previous funding had not yielded much over the past two decades.

The announcement on the legislation comes about 10 days ahead of a highly anticipated report by Australia's chief scientist on what steps the country needs to take to ensure power and gas supplies are secure, reliable and affordable, while also cutting carbon emissions.

The report was commissioned last year by the government following a string of blackouts and price spikes in the state of South Australia, which relies on wind and solar energy for more than 40 percent of its power.

After a decade of uncertainty over Australia's carbon policy, major miners, like BHP, manufacturers and the power industry have called for a carbon price and emissions trading to help companies make investment decisions on new power stations.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reiterated on Tuesday, however, that the government would not pursue an emissions intensity scheme, a system that would set limits on how much carbon a site could emit and give tradable credits to those that emit less than the limit.

Aruba Promises 100% Clean Energy by 2020

Aruba Promises 100% Clean Energy by 2020

December 10th, 2016 by Carolyn Fortuna

Aruba, a 19 mile long island in the southern Caribbean Sea, is dependent on imported fossil fuels, with more than 80% of the island's electricity generated using heavy fuel oil. But over the next half dozen years, that is going to change. Aruba has pledged to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2020 with particular emphasis on variable wind and solar for renewable energy.

Aruba is making progress toward sustainability as it develops a renewable energy framework, which requires overbuilding capacity or integrating storage technologies to compensate for the variable nature of wind and solar. The Vader Piet wind farm generates part of Aruba's electricity needs, and there is a second wind farm in development. Additional planned projects include an Airport Solar Park, a waste-to-energy plant, solar panels on residential and commercial buildings. When completed, these projects will generate a substantial percentage of Aruba's power needs. Aruba is also researching ocean thermal energy conversion, geothermal power, and energy storage technologies.

Aruba will also look to new ways to convert waste to energy and increase energy efficiency. To leverage its resources, the island must address barriers, such as limited open land and steeply sloping seabed. The utility company is working to provide air conditioning using ice that is produced at night when electricity costs are lower. Advanced technology such as floating offshore wind turbines and novel applications of commercial technology may be needed to reach the ambitious 100% clean energy by 2020 goal.

Justin Locke, director of the island energy program at the Carbon War Room, an international nonprofit, says it makes sense for islands to switch to clean power. "Islands currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world. At the same time, they also have some of the best renewable energy resources."

To move beyond the transition to renewable energy to smart growth, Aruba's plans include:

  •  creation of world-class walkable destinations for tourists and residents;

  •  providing incentives for household retrofitting and commercial energy efficiency;

  •  implementing a sustainable approach to smart growth in the tourism
industry to create an inspirational holiday destination; and,

  •  creating an Agriculture sector in Aruba that makes the best use of water
resources.

The Green Platform has been the foundational mechanism to develop an land-use and urban planning component for Aruba that promotes the transition to renewable forms of energy.

The Government of Aruba has goals to balance quality of life and sustained economic growth through a sustainable and shared prosperity. To achieve these goals, Aruba promotes economic growth, social equity, and environmental awareness. Aruba has designed an initiative to develop the island as a gateway between Europe and the Americas in the areas of green technology, business support services, and creative industries, which is intended to bring greater economic diversification, stability, growth, and increased sustainability to Aruba.

"Islands provide an incredible blueprint, or guiding light, for what a renewable economy could look like from a technical, financial, and regulatory perspective," according to Locke, "because they are actually moving in that direction now."

Energy-efficient upgrades can not only shrink your utility bill; they can increase the value of your home.

Energy-efficient upgrades can not only shrink your utility bill; they can increase the value of your home.

Homebuyers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of energy-efficient homes. In fact, they’re often willing to pay more for homes with “green” upgrades, says Sandra Adomatis, a specialist in green valuation with Adomatis Appraisal Service in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Just how much your home will increase in value depends on a number of factors, Adomatis says, like where you live, which upgrades you’ve made and how your home is marketed at sale time. The length of time to recoup the costs of green upgrades also depends on the energy costs in your area.

In 2014, upgraded homes in Los Angeles County saw a 6 percent increase in value, according to a study from Build It Green, a nonprofit based in Oakland, California, that works with home professionals. Upgraded homes in Washington, D.C., saw a 2 percent to 5 percent increase in 2015, according to a study Adomatis authored.

Consumer Reports suggests that upgrades like a gleaming new kitchen or a finished basement may give you more bang for your buck than energy-saving features. But if going green appeals more than adding quartz countertops, here’s where you can begin.

FIND OUT HOW MUCH ENERGY YOUR HOME USES

Getting a quick energy assessment or a more thorough energy audit can determine how much energy your home uses, as well as which upgrades would make the most sense for your home and your finances. An audit may include an energy rating, a number that indicates how energy-efficient your home is and how much it will increase if you make recommended upgrades.

The Department of Energy website lists ways to find assessors in your area. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program offers assessor and advisory services to help you determine what to upgrade. Your utility provider may also offer energy audits.

The cost varies depending on location and who’s providing the service. Your utility company may offer an assessment for free or at a discount. A full audit may run $300 to $500 depending on the complexity, according to Don Knapp, senior marketing manager with Build It Green. You may not want to foot the bill for a full audit unless you’re planning to take advantage of it with major upgrades.

Once you know where you can improve your energy use, begin by making the changes that are most affordable and have a quicker payoff, Adomatis advises. Then consider whether the costlier ones are worth the investment. Keep in mind that a variety of tax credits and financing options are available for energy-efficient improvements.

Here are some common energy upgrades, from least expensive to most.

1. INSULATION. A 2016 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine found that the average attic air-seal and fiberglass insulation job costs $1,268, with an added value to the home at resale within a year of completion of $1,482. That amounts to a 116 percent return on investment. And according to Energy Star, homeowners can save $200 a year in heating and cooling costs by making air sealing and insulation improvements .

2. APPLIANCES. Your appliances account for about 15 percent of your home’s energy consumption, the DOE says. Certified clothes dryers can save you $245 over the life of the machine, according to Energy Star. A certified dryer from General Electric can run from $649 to $1,399.

When upgrading, look at the kilowatt-hour usage of a new appliance and compare it to your current one — a good Energy Star rating doesn’t necessarily mean it will use less energy than your existing appliance, Adomatis says.

3. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS. These systems account for about 43 percent of your energy bill, according to the DOE. Replacement costs for an entire HVAC system — heating, ventilation and air conditioning — vary widely depending on equipment brands and sizing, but may run several thousand dollars. Energy Star estimates that you can save 30 percent on cooling costs by replacing your central air conditioning unit if it’s more than 12 years old.

According to Energy Star, a certified heat pump water heater has a payback time of two years and can save a four-person home $3,400 over its lifetime. A 50-gallon Geospring hybrid electric water heater from General Electric costs $1,399, plus installation.

While addressing your home’s heating and cooling systems, bear in the mind that leaky duct systems can be the biggest wasters of energy in your home, according to Charley Cormany, executive director of Efficiency First California, a nonprofit trade organization that represents energy-efficient contractors. The cost of a professional duct test typically runs $325 to $350 in California, he says.

4. WINDOWS. Replacing the windows in your home may cost $8,000 to $24,000, and could take decades to pay off, according to Consumer Reports. You can recoup some of that in resale value and energy savings. Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report found that installing 10 vinyl replacement windows, at a cost of $14,725, can add $10,794 in resale value. Energy Star estimates that certified windows, doors and skylights can reduce your energy bill by up to 15 percent. If you’ve already tightened the shell of your home, installing a set of new windows may not be worth the cost. But the upgrade may be worth considering if you live in a colder climate.

5. SOLAR PANELS. EnergySage, a company offering an online marketplace for purchasing and installing solar panels, says the average cost of a solar panel system is $12,500. The payoff time and the amount you’ll save will vary depending on where you live. Estimated savings over a 20-year period in Philadelphia, for example, amount to $17,985, while it’s more than twice that amount in Seattle: $39,452, according to EnergySage.

LAST: LET BUYERS KNOW

When it comes time to sell, your real estate agent can help you market your home as energy efficient. Provide your agent with utility bills or your energy rating, if you received one with your audit, to include when describing the house on a multiple listing service, or MLS. There’s a growing trend in the real estate industry to make energy upgrades visible, Knapp says; energy disclosures are now a common practice in cities like Berkeley, California, and Chicago.

“If it’s reflected on the MLS, “it’s more likely to be reflected in the resale value,” Knapp said.

Bottom line: If you weigh the costs and savings carefully, going green can be worth the investment.

_____

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Email staff writer Michael Burge: mburge@nerdwallet.com.

Build It Green: Lowering energy costs may increase property value

https://www.builditgreen.org/images/gha/downloads/Casestudy1_Final_printready.pdf

Energy.gov: Find an energy auditor

http://energy.gov/energysaver/professional-home-energy-audits

Energy.gov: Information on financing and incentives for home energy improvements

http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver-website-contact

NerdWallet.com: How to find the right real estate agent for you

https://nerd.me/7-nerdwallet-mortgages

Solar pitch kicks off Greens Qld campaign

http://news360.com/article/274772783

THE Greens have kicked off their Queensland election campaign with a plan to boost solar power in the Sunshine State. 

THEY promise to invest $100 million in solar research and put $70 million towards fitting 100,000 homes with solar panels.

Their plan to roll out solar across the state includes guaranteeing the retail price for those who supply solar power to the grid.

"We want to make sure Queenslanders control their power bills, not the big energy companies," said Greens leader Christine Milne, who was at the campaign launch in Brisbane on Saturday.

Queensland Greens lead spokesman Charles Worringham said the plan removed barriers for those wanting to install solar panels.

"Our solar plan is a key part of our vision for a fair society, a healthy economy and a clean environment in our Sunshine State," he said.

The Greens have previously set a state renewable energy target of 90 per cent by 2030.

Mr Worringham, the candidate for the Brisbane seat of Moggill, has said even one Greens member in the Queensland parliament would be a major win for the party.

Queenslanders head to the polls on January 31.