John Liddell
Repowering Port Augusta, – an exercise in renewable energy
John’s talk was a follow on from his visit last year when he spoke on the work of Beyond Zero Emissions, a not-for-profit research and education organisation, working with the University of Melbourne’s Energy Research Institute. They aim at getting Australia off fossil fuel and using renewable energy as the sole source of energy. They chose Port Augusta, where two old power stations are due to be replaced, as a site to present a renewable energy plan. At present Port Augusta has above average levels of lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. To replace the old power stations they have a choice of using natural gas or a mixture of solar and wind energy. The natural gas will run out in approx. 13 years which then means importing gas. A Stationary Energy Plan, using 60% solar power and 40% wind power, modelled on a successful Spanish plan currently supplying a small town , would supply their requirements.
The benefits are that renewable energy, after the initial more expensive set up, is low on costs and creates more local jobs. The local populations is beginning to see these benefits and is starting to support a renewable energy plan over that of new power stations or gas.