Post of the Day
Myths of baseload and intermittent energy: It’s not what you think
Giles Parkinson
Over the next few months, with the right wing shift in the federal Coalition government, and state and federal elections afoot, expect to hear a lot about “baseload” and “intermittent” generation.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/myths-of-baseload-and-intermittent-energy-its-not-what-you-think-10399/
Today’s Celebration
Children’s Day – Afghanistan
Constitution Day – East Timor, Kazakhstan. Turks & Caicos Islands
Feast of St Rose of Lima (Rose Festival) – St. Lucia
St. Rose of Lima Day – Peru
Victory Day Cyprus – (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), Turkey
Agou – Voudon
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – http://www.un.org/en/events/disappearancesday/
More about Aug 30 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_30
National
Murray-Darling royal commission won’t cross-examine federal bureaucrats
The Federal Government’s court challenge to South Australia’s Murray–Darling inquiry is discontinued after the state abandons its attempt to cross–examine federal bureaucrats.
Water for drought relief could be a ‘loan’ [$]
Dying animals need water that can come from the eastern states and repaid to us when we most need it, South Australian Senator Anne Ruston says, as a fight flares over the River Murray.
Federal agency pushes back at Barnaby Joyce’s environmental water grab
The body in charge of environmental water purchases rejects calls by special drought envoy Barnaby Joyce to divert flows to assist graziers.
Renewables forecast to halve wholesale energy prices over four years
Analysis shows 7,200MW of renewables added to grid after closures of coal-fired plants
New minister pledges power price focus
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor says his focus will be to drive down power prices, and has rejected claims he is a climate change sceptic.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/minister-pledges-power-price-focus-200921494–spt.html
Power companies ‘as bad as banks’ [$]
Energy Minister Angus Taylor has equated power companies to the banks, saying they have forfeited their social licence and should brace for heavy-handed intervention.
‘NEG is dead’: States go it alone [$]
State Labor governments have vowed to push on with their own ambitious renewable energy schemes after the ‘death’ of the National Energy Guarantee.
https://www.afr.com/news/politics/neg-is-dead-states-go-it-alone-on-energy-policy-20180828-h14nmj
Pacific nations push Morrison government to pledge support for Paris climate accord
The Morrison government is under pressure from Pacific leaders to sign a pledge of support for the Paris climate accord, and declare climate change the “single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing” of the region.
Energy Insiders Podcast: The future of pumped hydro
ANU’s Andrew Blakers and GE’s Bill Armstrong on the future of pumped hydro in Australia. Where and when will it be built?
https://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-insiders-podcast-the-future-of-pumped-hydro-42287/
AGL leadership change may renew Canberra tensions
Cole Latimer
The proposed closure of a single coal-fired power station led to energy company AGL’s CEO’s removal and played a key part in the deposal of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, but can new leaders reach a compromise?
Our new PM wants to ‘bust congestion’ – here are four ways he could do that
Jake Whitehead
Building more roads will not help reduce congestion
Brothers In Harms: Scott Morrison And Donald Trump Are Cut From The Same Anti-Climate Cloth
Cat McLeod
The United States and Australia have a lot in common, not least of all our appalling record on the environment, particularly of late
https://newmatilda.com/2018/08/29/brothers-harms-scott-morrison-donald-trump-cut-anti-climate-cloth/
Myths of baseload and intermittent energy: It’s not what you think
Giles Parkinson
Over the next few months, with the right wing shift in the federal Coalition government, and state and federal elections afoot, expect to hear a lot about “baseload” and “intermittent” generation.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/myths-of-baseload-and-intermittent-energy-its-not-what-you-think-10399/
If you’re talking about drought but not climate change, you’re not doing your job, PM
Greg Jericho
Agriculture is a small part of the country’s GDP but a huge part of certain rural communities. They deserve a plan.
Issue has proved too big for run of Australian leaders
John Hewson
Climate policy has now proved a defining element in the demise of a run of Australian political leaders, from John Howard through to Malcolm Turnbull.
Each of the fallen increasingly played short-term, opportunistic politics, mostly for personal political advantage, on an issue upon which most Australians agree – the need to address climate change.
Victoria
‘A mega project on steroids’: Experts divided on Melbourne rail loop plan
The Victorian Government’s suburban train loop plan has been warmly received by the public, but experts are divided about the need for and viability of the $50 billion project.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-29/victorian-rail-suburban-loop-plan-divides-experts/10179340
Will Daniel Andrews and Matthew Guy seize the opportunity to act on climate?
The outcome of the 2018 state election will have big implications for tackling climate change and rolling out renewable energy.
Solar Insiders Podcast: The fallout from Victoria’s solar rebates
Victoria Labor’s solar rebate proposal is having an impact on the solar market, with customers putting off installations.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-insiders-podcast-the-fallout-from-victorias-solar-rebates-19797/
Frack attack: Victoria warns new energy minister to respect gas ban
The Victorian government has warned Australia’s new energy minister Angus Taylor not to try to pressure it to reverse its gas fracking ban.
New South Wales
Wentworth voters promise to do what Turnbull didn’t – act on climate
Poll shows Liberal primary vote down 22% in Wentworth, a blue ribbon electorate where a majority of voters support Australia’s shift to 100% renewables and commitment to cut emissions
https://reneweconomy.com.au/wentworth-voters-promise-to-do-what-turnbull-didnt-act-on-climate-45368
Missing dumped asbestos found in NSW
Authorities have located some of the 17,000 tonnes of asbestos waste they say was illegally dumped after being removed from a Sydney construction site.
Pressure mounts for early Sydney water use curbs on desalination delay
Calls are mounting for the government to bring forward water restrictions as storage levels plunge amid signs the $1.8 billion desalination plant won’t operate at full capacity for a year.
Queensland
Firies get Qld bushfire under control
A fast-moving bushfire north-west of Brisbane has been brought under control by firefighters.
Council and state clash over Brisbane development areas
The state government has declared new priority development areas. BCC does not support this state-led development.
South Australia
How antique dealers help smuggle ivory out of SA [$]
Some Adelaide antiques dealers are advising customers to lie to Australian customs agents about ivory products, and are offering to forge receipts to help people smuggle items out of the country.
Park ‘n’ rides to go ahead — not all of them [$]
The struggle for carparks at Golden Grove and Paradise is set to be lessened inside the next two years — but two other planned park ‘n’ rides at Klemzig and Tea Tree Plaza have no timeline.
Adelaide’s first cat curfew a step closer [$]
Cats would be confined to their homes from 9pm to 7am every day under a proposal for metropolitan Adelaide’s first cat curfew.
Victor Harbor pushes ahead with cruise ship plan [$]
Cruise ship passengers would dock at Granite Island under an ambitious plan to bring thousands of tourists to the “jewel” of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Sustainability
Facebook vows to be 100% renewable energy by 2020
Giles Parkinson29 August 2018 2 Comments
Internet giant Facebook has vowed to source 100 per cent of its considerable electricity needs from renewable energy by 2020.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/facebook-vows-to-be-100-renewable-energy-by-2020/
US renewables outshine nuclear, close gap on coal
Renewables account for nearly a fifth of all domestic electrical generation in US, beating nuclear and not far short of coal.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/us-renewables-outshine-nuclear-close-gap-on-coal-14119/
Adani Group files plea in India high court to stall fraud investigation
The mining conglomerate is asking the court to quash a request to produce information regarding its coal imports from Indonesia
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/aug/29/adani-group-india-dri-investigation-plea
50,000 evacuate after Myanmar dam breach
More than 50,000 people have been evacuated their homes in central Myanmar after a dam breach flooded towns and villages.