02/03/2005 - A trailer
showcasing renewable energy technologies was
launched in Brisbane today as part of the
Queensland Sustainable Energy Roadshow.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said the trailer, named
Solar Tropical, was fitted out with solar
panels, a small-scale wind turbine, battery
banks, a solar hot water panel, solar water
pumps and solar and wind monitoring tools.
It would tour regional Queensland until June.
"Solar Tropical will provide Queenslanders
with a hands-on experience of renewable energy
technologies," Senator Campbell said.
"Teachers, tradesmen, industry representatives
and anyone else who is interested will be
able to come and see how the latest renewable
energy technology works and how it could benefit
them.
"This is a great chance for people to
experience renewable energy technology and
ask questions about it.
"Experts demonstrating the technology
on the trailers will also run seminars and
workshops to further raise awareness and understanding
of Queensland's sustainable energy potential."
Solar Tropical is the first of three renewable
energy training trailers to be rolled out
as part of the Australian Government's Renewable
Remote Power Generation Programme.
The Australian Government is funding the
Queensland Sustainable Energy Industry Development
Group with $340,000 for four renewable energy
training and education projects throughout
regional and remote Queensland.
Other projects funded include short courses
in renewable energy for tradespeople and professionals,
school and community workshops and a national
network of TAFE trainers in renewable energy.
The Queensland Sustainable Energy Roadshow
will tour regional Queensland between March
and June, ending in Cairns.
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme
is a $206 million Australian Government initiative,
which aims to increase the uptake of renewable
energy generation technologies in remote areas
of Australia and to displace the use of diesel
fuel for electricity generation.
Backgrounder
Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme
Many people, businesses and towns in remote
locations rely on diesel generators for the
provision of electricity. The Australian Greenhouse
Office estimates that about 700 million litres
of diesel are consumed each year in Australia
for the generation of electricity in remote
areas. Due to the high costs of maintaining
and fuelling diesel generators, many remote
households make do with electricity only being
available for 8 to 12 hours a day. Renewable
power generation (usually photovoltaic panels
and wind turbines), combined with inverters
and batteries, can provide access to affordable
24-hour power.
The aim of the Renewable Remote Power Generation
Programme is to displace the use of fossil
fuel fuel used for electricity generation
by increasing the uptake of renewable generation
technologies in remote locations, usually
without access to the main electricity grid.
Funding for the Programme is expected to be
about $206 million and is based on the relevant
diesel fuel excise paid by remote public power
generators in the financial years 2000-01
to 2003-04. To date, Renewable Remote Power
Generation Progamme projects, sub-programs
and industry support activities worth more
than $128 million have been approved.
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Progamme
is managed by the Australian Greenhouse Office
within the Department of the Environment and
Heritage and is delivered by State Government
agencies.
