A recent article by Hiroko Tabuchi for the New York Times highlights Japan’s plan to build 22 new coal-fired power stations across 17 sites over the next 5 years, adding up to 20GW of capacity to its grid. This is in addition to Japan’s existing coal-powered fleet of around 46GW and almost as much as… Continue Reading >
Bushfires across Australia’s east coast are topping headlines. Many are blaming CO2 for driving changes in climate that have resulted in the size and intensity of the fires, using it as a platform to demand more ‘climate action’. And while CO2 may play an indirect link via the impact on drought patterns, we are concerned… Continue Reading >
The steel, cement and aluminium industries account for 30% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. A recent article in the Fin Review ($) by Simon Evans and Brad Thompson highlighted the challenge facing the companies that are striving to eliminate or reduce their CO2 footprint by 2030, noting a ‘game-changer’ is needed to ‘unpick tough… Continue Reading >
Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist has penned a piece in today’s Age titled ‘How I became a convert to hydrogen’. It’s a great example of how a scientist readily changes their view on a topic when presented with new information. It’s also a great insight into how to shape a particular message on a politically… Continue Reading >
As of 1 January 2020, Victorian electricity customers will be hit with price hikes. Again. Today’s article ($) in the AFR reports that both Origin and AGL will raise their prices in line with last month’s ruling from Victoria’s Essential Services Commission, with Origin saying an average residential customer would see a $122 increase in… Continue Reading >
With the increased penetration of wind and solar power and the unexpected closure of Hazelwood brown coal power station in March 2017 wholesale electricity prices have skyrocketed and the risk of blackouts have increased. The following chart confirms the impact that unreliable energy sources are having on energy affordability. Today’s article ($) in the Australian… Continue Reading >
This week, Victorian opposition leader Michael O’Brian launched his party’s ‘zero-to-landfill’ waste policy. The policy sets an ambitious target, to eliminate all waste to landfill by 2035, with interim reductions of 33% by 2025 and 66% by 2030. The policy targets two key focus areas: Materials Recovery Facilities Energy from waste applications Until now the… Continue Reading >
‘Green’ steel applications are being developed by a range of companies ‘Green’ steel is the term used to describe a production method that uses ‘renewable hydrogen’ instead of coking coal, eliminating CO2 emissions ‘Renewable hydrogen’ is made using electricity generated by wind turbines and solar panels Media reports routinely leave out discussion of cost, which… Continue Reading >
Parts of the media are omitting important information when they present news about Australia’s fledgling hydrogen industry. An example is yesterday’s article in The Age titled ‘Battlelines drawn over Australia’s hydrogen fork in the road’ (link at bottom of this page). The article reported that a ‘potential stoush is brewing over the future source of… Continue Reading >
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES RAISES CASH TO EXPAND A rights issue is underway in which industrial technology group Environmental Clean Technologies (ASX:ECT) is seeking to raise between $2.75 million and $7.45 million for expansion. The company is developing a number of technologies to upgrade low-grade materials such as brown coal as well as recover waste resources… Continue Reading >