3. Demonstration projects
3.1 Solar Cities
Solar Cities is a $94 million initiative of the Australian Government designed to:
- demonstrate the environmental and economic effects of combining cost reflective pricing with the widespread use of solar technology, energy efficiency and smart meters; and
- find out what barriers exist regarding energy efficiency, electricity demand management and the use of solar technology, among businesses and householders in different parts of Australia, and test ways to deal with these barriers
- capture information about energy use across a variety of Australian communities, to inform future energy efficiency policy.
A component of the Solar Cities program involves promoting energy efficiency and distributed energy generation in commercial buildings.
The program provides funding of up to 50 per cent of the cost of approved projects. There are currently seven Solar Cities: Adelaide, Townsville, Blacktown, Alice Springs, Central Victoria, Perth and Moreland.
3.2 Smart Grid, Smart City
Smart Grid, Smart City is a $100 million initiative aimed at developing a commercial-scale smart grid demonstration project. Smart grids incorporate advanced communication and communications technologies to the existing electricity grid. Smart grid infrastructure uses sensors, meters, digital devices and analytic tools to automate, monitor and control the two-way flow of energy from power plant to plug.
The program is being administered by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. The Smart Grid, Smart City program is based in Newcastle, with additional trials in Newington, Sydney CBD, Ku-ring-gai, and Scone. Participation in the program is largely dependent on the uptake by the community in Ausgrid networks, who are implementing the program.
Smart grids enable a combination of applications that can deliver a more efficient, robust and consumer-friendly electricity network. For example, a smart grid can help consumers reduce their energy bills through the use of energy efficient 'smart appliances' that can be programmed to run on off-peak power. It can also identify and resolve faults on the electricity grid, automatically 'self-heal' and thus reduce operation and maintenance cost.
Importantly, a smart grid provides greater ability to incorporate and distribute renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Solar and wind power are inconsistent sources of energy, but could be made more reliable with the smart grid's better controls. Smart grid technology may help better integrate renewable sources of energy into the local grid where it is used. Power that is generated locally from solar and wind can be shared more efficiently in the community.
3.3 Renewable Energy Demonstration Program
The Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP) is a $435m competitive grants program designed to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of new renewable energy technologies for power generation in Australia. It is designed to fill the gap between post-research and commercial uptake. Eligible companies can apply for funding to support a large-scale demonstration renewable energy generation project located in Australia.
The program provides grants for eligible renewable energy power generation demonstration projects, of up to one third of the eligible expenditure on the project. Grants are in the range of $50 million to $100 million.
Currently, over $233 million has been allocated to successful projects.
3.4 Solar Flagships Program
The Solar Flagships Program commits $1.5 billion to support the construction of up to four large scale, grid-connected solar power stations in Australia, using solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies.
The Program is part of the Australian Government's $5 billion Clean Energy Initiative and will support the demonstration of large scale solar technologies in a commercial context.
The primary objective of the Solar Flagships program is to provide the foundation for large scale, grid-connected, solar power to play a significant role in Australia's electricity supply and to operate within a competitive electricity market. The Government's aim is to establish up to 1,000 megawatts of solar power generation capacity.
The outcome of Round 1 of the Solar Flagships program was announced on 18 June 2011, with the 150 megawatt Moree Solar Farm photovoltaic project and the 250 megawatt Solar Dawn solar thermal project being selected for funding.
Following the selection of projects, on 10 July 2011 the Australian Government announced its intention to establish the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of its Clean Energy Future package. ARENA will have an independent, decision making, board appointed by the Minister for Resources and Energy. ARENA’s role will be to allocate funding to renewable energy and enabling technology projects, including taking over the administration of the Solar Flagships program.
3.5 Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI)
Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a program that brings together the Australian Government, the States and Territories to support schools and their communities in demonstrating whole-of-school approach to improving a school's sustainability.
AuSSI provides networking and clustering opportunities for schools, as well as curriculum planning tools, audit tools and facilitation support to manage resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. AuSSi also addresses associated social and financial issues by exploring on-ground projects and ways to involve the local community and encourage a shift in the broader community towards more sustainable practices and processes.
AuSSi fosters school ownership and empowerment and focuses on student involvement and learning.
Case Study
At remote Mataranka Primary School, students take a keen interest in environmental and economic sustainability, as many are strongly associated with station life where sustainable business is paramount. Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum is therefore an obvious necessity.
Students also maintain a bush food garden, where they draw on traditional Jawoyn and Manggarayi knowledge, to grow local native foods. Through this activity, Indigenous students reconnect with their ancestors' traditions and all students learn the nutritional value and different applications of native species.
