QUEENSLAND AND VICTORIA'S PUSH FOR SOLAR ENERGY HEATS UP
Published Monday, 16 June, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
NEVADA: In a new alliance the Queensland and Victorian Governments will pay for outstanding Queenslanders and Victorians to work with some the world's leading experts on solar thermal technology, Premiers Anna Bligh and John Brumby announced today.
Ms Bligh and Mr Brumby announced the alliance following the Solar Thermal Business Forum in Nevada - organised by the WJ Clinton Foundation Climate Change Initiative.
The Premiers also visited the Acciona Nevada One Plant.
Ms Bligh said the governments would contribute a total of $680,000 to establish the fellowships and create a 'solar atlas' to identify the best locations for solar energy generation with suitability and transmission network overlays.
"Solar thermal energy is a vital weapon in the global arsenal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Ms Bligh said.
"The potential for solar power - a limitless clean energy source - to reduce our reliance on coal-fired electricity in the future is exciting."
Ms Bligh said the Queensland share of the new solar energy alliance would be funded out of the latest stage of the Smart State Strategy.
"We are shifting our focus from 'bricks to brains', she said.
"We need our best and brightest turning their minds to climate change and the possible new solutions that may emerge through advancements in science and technology.
"These fellowships will be open to local solar thermal energy researchers or industry participants, to undertake a three month internship with leading US or Europe based solar thermal firms.
"We expect to fund six scholarships at up to $30,000 each and the recipients will see first-hand the approach taken to commercialise this exciting technology, so that on their return to their home State they will be well placed to develop the local industry."
Ms Bligh said the detailed solar atlas would enable companies to identify the best locations for solar energy generation.
"The atlas will involve detailed radiation imaging to determine the best possible location of thermal parks in the future - producing the most power at the least cost," she said.
Ms Bligh also announced a strategic partnership with the William J Clinton Foundation to explore the potential of establishing a solar thermal park in Queensland.
"As part of this partnership we will identify and assess the economic opportunity in Queensland for a commercial scale solar thermal park similar to the one we inspected in Nevada today," she said.
Built in 2007 at a cost of more than US$260 million, Acciona’s Nevada Solar One Plant is the first concentrating solar power plant built in the United States in more than 17 years. Its solar fields cover an area of 1.2 square kilometres.
The plant produces power during peak demand, with a nominal production capacity to supply more than 14,000 households annually.
"If we do proceed with our own solar thermal park the aim would be to ultimately generate electricity and send this to the grid," Ms Bligh said.
"The Clinton Foundation is sending experts from the United States to work with the Department of Mines and Energy in preparing a pre-feasibility study over the next two months. It will also look to play a facilitation role in encouraging US companies to invest in the park."
Solar thermal electricity (or concentrated solar power) is a different technology to solar photovoltaics (PVs)
Solar PVs convert sunshine into electricity, whereas solar thermal electricity converts sunshine to generate heat. The heat is then transferred to a fluid that can be used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. One of the advantages of solar thermal electricity is that the heat energy can be stored, potentially allowing electricity to be generated when the sun goes down.
Premier Bligh and Premier Brumby were joined at the forum in Nevada by leading research and development companies, manufacturers and developers in the solar thermal industry.
"We need to gain a better understanding of how to tap into this renewable resource to deliver cleaner and greener power to all Queenslanders," Ms Bligh said.
Queensland is already looking at solar thermal projects funded under the $50 million Queensland Renewable Energy Fund including the 10 megawatt Cloncurry Solar Thermal Pilot Project.
"We also have the Townsville Solar Cities Project focusing on solar PVs and introduced a feed-in tariff for solar top roof installations," Ms Bligh said.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500
Ms Bligh and Mr Brumby announced the alliance following the Solar Thermal Business Forum in Nevada - organised by the WJ Clinton Foundation Climate Change Initiative.
The Premiers also visited the Acciona Nevada One Plant.
Ms Bligh said the governments would contribute a total of $680,000 to establish the fellowships and create a 'solar atlas' to identify the best locations for solar energy generation with suitability and transmission network overlays.
"Solar thermal energy is a vital weapon in the global arsenal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Ms Bligh said.
"The potential for solar power - a limitless clean energy source - to reduce our reliance on coal-fired electricity in the future is exciting."
Ms Bligh said the Queensland share of the new solar energy alliance would be funded out of the latest stage of the Smart State Strategy.
"We are shifting our focus from 'bricks to brains', she said.
"We need our best and brightest turning their minds to climate change and the possible new solutions that may emerge through advancements in science and technology.
"These fellowships will be open to local solar thermal energy researchers or industry participants, to undertake a three month internship with leading US or Europe based solar thermal firms.
"We expect to fund six scholarships at up to $30,000 each and the recipients will see first-hand the approach taken to commercialise this exciting technology, so that on their return to their home State they will be well placed to develop the local industry."
Ms Bligh said the detailed solar atlas would enable companies to identify the best locations for solar energy generation.
"The atlas will involve detailed radiation imaging to determine the best possible location of thermal parks in the future - producing the most power at the least cost," she said.
Ms Bligh also announced a strategic partnership with the William J Clinton Foundation to explore the potential of establishing a solar thermal park in Queensland.
"As part of this partnership we will identify and assess the economic opportunity in Queensland for a commercial scale solar thermal park similar to the one we inspected in Nevada today," she said.
Built in 2007 at a cost of more than US$260 million, Acciona’s Nevada Solar One Plant is the first concentrating solar power plant built in the United States in more than 17 years. Its solar fields cover an area of 1.2 square kilometres.
The plant produces power during peak demand, with a nominal production capacity to supply more than 14,000 households annually.
"If we do proceed with our own solar thermal park the aim would be to ultimately generate electricity and send this to the grid," Ms Bligh said.
"The Clinton Foundation is sending experts from the United States to work with the Department of Mines and Energy in preparing a pre-feasibility study over the next two months. It will also look to play a facilitation role in encouraging US companies to invest in the park."
Solar thermal electricity (or concentrated solar power) is a different technology to solar photovoltaics (PVs)
Solar PVs convert sunshine into electricity, whereas solar thermal electricity converts sunshine to generate heat. The heat is then transferred to a fluid that can be used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. One of the advantages of solar thermal electricity is that the heat energy can be stored, potentially allowing electricity to be generated when the sun goes down.
Premier Bligh and Premier Brumby were joined at the forum in Nevada by leading research and development companies, manufacturers and developers in the solar thermal industry.
"We need to gain a better understanding of how to tap into this renewable resource to deliver cleaner and greener power to all Queenslanders," Ms Bligh said.
Queensland is already looking at solar thermal projects funded under the $50 million Queensland Renewable Energy Fund including the 10 megawatt Cloncurry Solar Thermal Pilot Project.
"We also have the Townsville Solar Cities Project focusing on solar PVs and introduced a feed-in tariff for solar top roof installations," Ms Bligh said.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500