Renewable Energy in

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is used from a number of sources in Queensland. Currently 3.2% of the 10,000 Megawatts (MW) of electricity generated in the state comes from renewable sources. Queensland’s renewable energy is produced from both government and privately owned energy installations. The most significant of these is biomass primarily bagasse or sugar cane waste.

What are the sources of renewable energy in shown in geothermal energy sources closer to existing transmission lines. Queensland? Hydro Bagasse Hydro energy or energy from water is generated from Bagasse (the fibre residue from crushed sugar Barron Gorge, Kareeya, Koombooloomba and cane) is used as a fuel in the generation of electricity at many of the sugar mills in northern Wivenhoe. It is possible to generate around 650MW Queensland, and in a smaller number of mills in of energy from these locations. south east Queensland. The sugar mills use most of this electricity in the production of sugar, but Solar an increasing proportion of surplus power is sold Only a very small percentage of solar energy is used in to the network. Queensland, primarily for heating water with 4.8% of Geothermal equipment at Birdsville. households in Queensland using solar hot water Currently the State has the capacity to generate Image courtesy of systems. Photovoltaic cells are increasingly being used approximately 400 megawatts (MW) of biomass‐ . in remote area power supplies. (See separate fact fired electricity. The use of biomass as an energy sheet on solar energy). source has added value to Queensland's sugar industry.

Biogas Wind A small amount of biogas is generated from a number of 'Wind farms’, utilising wind waste facilities across Queensland including in Brisbane, generators to produce Townsville and Swanbank. electricity, are located on Thursday Island2 and at Geothermal Windy Hill in far north Windy Hill . Geothermal or hot dry rocks has potential to produce energy Queensland. Additional Image courtesy of Stanwell in Queensland. sites in Queensland are Corporation Limited. being investigated for suitability as to their future use for Currently Australia’s only geothermal power station is located in Birdsville western Queensland1. The power station allows wind farm electricity production. geothermal power to meet the town’s electricity demand at night and during winter. The is Links investing in research to investigate the amount of energy that , Geothermal energy at Birdsville, Wind could be obtained from these energy at ‘hot rocks’. 1 Owned and operated by Ergon Energy. 2 Owned and operated by Ergon Energy. Though much of the initial interest in geothermal energy Queensland Resources Council acknowledges Department of sources has centred on the Mines and Energy, Ergon Energy and deep granite deposits in far Limited as sources for this information. Koombooloomba Hydro Dam. south west Queensland, Image courtesy of Stanwell interest is now also being Last updated February 2010. Corporation Limited.

OresomeResources ‐ Queensland Resources Council ‐ Minerals and Energy Education T (07) 3295 9560 F (07) 3295 9570 Level 13 133 Mary St Brisbane, Queensland 4000 – www.oresomeresources.com