energisingwa SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR THIS CENTURY WIN A YEAR’S WORTH OF BIODIESEL SOLUTIONS FUEL FROM FOR A CLEANER ENERGY FUTURE GULL BUILD A GREEN JOB CARBON NEUTRAL, SUSTAINABLE CITIES advertising feature L^i]ndjg]Zae!lZ]VkZiV`Zc,(%[Vb^anh^oZYXVghd[[i]ZgdVY# I]Z<gZZcIdlcegd_ZXi^hVcZck^gdcbZciVaan[g^ZcYanhZg^Zhd[ZcZg\n^c^i^Vi^kZhYZkZadeZYWnLZhiZgcEdlZg^ceVgicZgh]^el^i]i]Z9ZcbVg`VcY LVaedaZXdbbjc^i^ZhidgV^hZVlVgZcZhhd[ZcZg\njhZVieZV`i^bZhVcYidgZYjXZZcZg\nXdchjbei^dc#6abdhi+!%%%XdbeVXiÓjdgZhXZcia^\]i\adWZh ]VkZWZZc^chiVaaZY^ci]ZXdbbjc^i^ZhÄi]ZXVgWdcZfj^kVaZciidiV`^c\,(%XVghd[[djggdVYh[dgVnZVg#I]gdj\]ZcZg\nZ[ÒX^ZcXnZYjXVi^dcVcY ^ccdkVi^kZlVnhd[XdccZXi^c\VcYbVcV\^c\ZcZg\nhjX]Vhhl^iX]^c\ZaZXig^X]dilViZgid\VhWddhiZYhdaVg]dilViZg!LZhiZgcEdlZg^hXdbb^iiZY id]Zae^c\XgZViZVadlXVgWdc[jijgZ# ENERGISING WA 3 WA SEA CHAIRMAN WA SEA CEO The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Power outages in Perth due to burgeoning Association Inc (WA SEA) was established peak demand in an energy hungry on 11 July 2002. community, reported problems of coal In February 2010, WA SEA has almost mining contract deliveries, disastrous oil 300 members, making WA SEA Australia’s leaks polluting the environment and gas largest state-based body in the sustainable supply problems from the North West energy sector. Shelf twice creating an energy generation crisis for Perth and the south-west in Membership support is critical for any recent years, all underscore the need for industry body. WA SEA has support more urgent action to create diversifi ed from enterprises doing business in many generation capacity in the state. different sectors, from architecture to accommodation, from fi shing to fi nance, The key is ensuring a diversity of energy from hot water to human resources, from supply for electricity production. Over- reliance on one or two sources of supply landfi ll gas to law and from infrastructure A new inconvenient truth – economic is not wise. to intellectual property, to name a few reform based on sustainable energy – is examples. State and federal governments must act achievable. This is not a claim it will be easy, With the strength of support from a broad quickly and resolve to aggressively invest or the same as it has always been, nor does range of enterprises and in particular in a variety of renewable generation spread it mean reform will not break the economy. across regional and rural Australia – due to the signifi cant base of WA SEA’s Investments in energy effi ciency and investing in a diversity of projects including sponsoring members in the corporate renewable energy will deliver projects additional wind farms, ramping up biomass category providing strong fi nancial support returning real profi ts in real operations with and biogas production for electricity, for WA SEA, the association continues Any membership organisation is only as real jobs that deliver real, emissions-free actually committing to harvest the wealth to grow capability and impact as a potent strong as its members and their contribution energy and help build a more effi cient, of solar energy in the state using both solar advocacy organisation. and I thank all WA SEA members for more sustainable economy. thermal and photovoltaic technology and Signifi cantly last year, WA SEA was invited contributing to the growth and vibrancy of fast-tracking the development of our wave Climate change is real, the impacts are to participate in the Federal Government’s their industry body. and geothermal resources. already proving dire and will only get Enterprise Connect program to deliver If you are interested in the sustainability of worse. Humans are causing it and we need We need action to tap the energy source business improvement services for the Clean your business and of Australia’s economy to stop. We can stop if we use sustainable that will be dominant in the 21st century Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC). The CEIC and you want to help act on the challenge energy – and use it sustainably. offers a range of business improvement of climate change, I invite your business, – renewable energy that will deliver on This second edition of Energising WA services to help small and medium sized organisation or enterprise to join WA SEA. both energy security and on reducing our provides more information on sustainable clean energy companies fi nd and adapt the greenhouse gas emissions. energy, more examples of how we can do latest research and technology to improve Australia must ramp up use of our massive it and showcases many Western Australian products and manufacturing processes to renewable energy resources. champions in sustainable energy across grow their commercial activities. WA SEA And energy effi ciency is a critical our communities and businesses helping is delighted to be delivering complementary component, as it will reduce infl ationary us get there. services through this program to help bolster Bob Blakiston Chairman, WA SEA pressures that would otherwise occur Australia’s clean tech businesses. through spiraling fossil fuel prices. We must fundamentally change the way we think about energy and how we do business. Dr Ray Wills CEO, WA SEA SAVING GENERATING LEARNING CREATING CONNECTING ENERGISING WA 5 HELPING REGIONAL CUSTOMERS CONTENTS 10 SAVE MONEY AND REDUCE POLLUTION SAVING LEARNING 6 Conserving energy at home 26 Courses evolve with climate change issue ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST 7 Homeowner renewable rebates 27 Investigating the power of LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES 20 7 Let’s cut greenhouse emissions geothermal energy 8 Setting the carbon neutral 28 Genuine ‘green jobs’ benchmark for local government 29 Contributing to positive change globally CONFUSED ABOUT SOLAR POWER REBATES? 9 Two-thirds of Australians say ‘yes’ 30 Driving sustainability to solar 32 Confused about solar power rebates? 10 One of the world’s most 33 The renewable energy skills gap liveable communities 10 Sustainable living at its best CREATING 12 New energy effi ciency disclosure scheme for commercial buildings 13 Built environment to generate jobs 34 Solution-focused approach 35 Changing today for tomorrow GENERATING 36 Developing small wind turbine industry 37 Passionate about the positives of photovoltaics 14 Harnessing the globe’s renewable energy 38 A gateway for energy and minerals 15 Wave energy project surges forward 39 New power station boosts capacity 16 ETS: the cap and trade system and reliability 18 Providing direction for a long term 40 Solar solutions for a cleaner energy future energy vision for WA 41 Delaying action now means more effort 19 Groundbreaking solar thermal to catch up technology 32 19 Energy storage: saving for a rainy day CONNECTING 20 Renewable energy certifi cates fi nancially rewarding A GATEWAY FOR ENERGY 20 Helping regional customers save money 42 A journey towards energy self-suffi ciency AND MINERALS and reduce pollution 44 Leading by example 21 National leader joins the global fi ght 44 Bringing world fi rst technology to 22 Clean algae biofuel project leads remote WA world in productivity 45 Innovation and collaboration required for 23 2010: the year ahead sustainable energy solutions 23 Sunshine doesn’t need to be 46 Smart grids: a two-way street pre-purchased 47 Much more than fast cars 24 Electric vehicles: sustainable, 48 Engineering reduced greenhouse gas zero-emission transportation production: a remanufacturing solution 25 WA at the forefront of wave 49 Solar industrial city, Great Sandy Desert energy innovation 44 WA SEA INFORMATION 50 WA SEA application form 51 Energising WA national conference 52 Committee members This paper was manufactured 53 WA SEA staff using fully sustainable 54 Corporate members re-growth forestry methods. 56 Members directory 38 LEADING BY EXAMPLE Published by Editor: Alecia Myers WA SEA is the peak industry body for all enterprises supporting substantive action on sustainable energy in WA. Writer: Louise Allan WA SEA members are the business part of the solution to climate change. At a critical time for individuals, governments, Design: Zara Hancock businesses and the community to develop workable solutions to reduce emissions and adapt to global warming, you can Advertising (WA SEA): Lisa Murray 9228 1292 join the chamber of businesses, organisations and individuals advocating sustainable energy solutions. Advertising (The West): Elizabeth Poustie 9482 3254 Publication Date: February 24, 2010 For more information or to become a member call WA SEA on 9228 1292 or visit www.wasea.com.au SAVING GENERATING LEARNING CREATING CONNECTING CONSERVING ENERGY AT HOME WE’VE ALL HEARD THE PHRASE ‘CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME’; WELL From the different appliances you have You can also keep energy costs down by SO TOO DOES SAVING ENERGY AND around the house, through to how to use using reverse cycle air conditioning (RCAC). REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. them more effi ciently, there are many things This type of air conditioner combines you can do, some that won’t cost a cent, to refrigerated cooling with energy effi cient As members of the communities in help you save money and reduce the energy heating in a single unit. which we live, work and raise families, you use or waste. RCAC are more energy-effi cient than we all have a responsibility to do our bit The less energy you use to heat, light and regular electric heating because they work to reduce the amount of energy you use power your home, the less harmful emissions by transferring heat. Before you buy an air around the home. you release into our environment. conditioner however think about the overall costs you might be up for. Do the sums and When we cut our greenhouse gas According to Synergy, one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy is you might fi nd a more expensive unit has emissions by saving energy, we will lower running costs, making it the cheapest also save money on energy bills.