On 12/07/2011 11:01 AM, Sylvia Else wrote:
On 12/07/2011 1:35 AM, Alan Erskine wrote:



You might want to read this: http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/


It's mostly propaganda.

I agree with government spending on RE, but the tax income from the 'Big
500' will be spent on RE, so industry is paying for RE roll-out.

There may be a clever piece of sleight of hand designed to appease the
Greens without actually spending money. Most of the money is for
"innovative" renewable energy schemes. As long as "innovative" is given
a reasonable meaning, the money won't be paid out to construct more of
the same solar and wind, and indeed may not be paid out at all in the
absence of some real innovation. The latter result may be the
government's intent.

Sylvia.

Propaganda? Rubbish! Yes, the money will be spent on PV and wind
systems, as well as other systems. By using the word "innovative" they
mean "other than fossil". There is no abscense of innovation in
renewable energy, I can assure you. PV grew by over 53% last year
alone, compared to the previous year (which had a 40ish % increase on
the previous year). Right smack-bang in the middle of a recession.

Have a look at what Germany are doing - getting rid of all nuclear power
stations before 2020. The shortfall in electricity will be made up with
improved efficiency at coal stations and also more RE.

There are already power stations in the U.S. and U.K. that run on poplar
and willow SRC (Short Rotation Coppice, I recommend looking that up).
Not experimental stuff either, but actuall grid-connected power stations.