The UK has just thrown its weight behind community energy. Australia should too
This opinion piece was first published in Renew Economy. The shift to renewable energy is not just a technological feat. It is one of the most significant social changes regional Australia has navigated in decades. I recently published research examining the experiences and motivations of people actively opposing renewable energy in western Victoria. It’s complex, but […]
How National Merit Criteria can boost better practice in renewable developments
Regional communities are central to the success of Australia’s shift to clean energy. Their treatment and level of agency in influencing new energy infrastructure development will greatly affect the efficiency of the large-scale renewables rollout. A roll out which, having been delayed for far too long, is now attempting to be delivered at a very […]
The benefits of communities being (literally) invested in big renewables
While many communities are being asked to host large-scale renewables and transmission projects, we believe they should also be able to co-own or co-invest in them too. Enabling models for communities to become co-investors in large-scale projects builds a groundswell of people directly invested in these projects’ success. These models create important opportunities for everyday […]
Can ‘conservoltaics’ help relieve land-use conflict in New England’s renewable energy zone?
An emerging challenge in the transition to clean energy in regions such as New England, NSW, is land-use conflict, and the new practice of conservoltaics may be one solution. Conservoltaics refers to the process of combining solar energy production and biodiversity conservation and restoration. Glenn Christie of Succession Ecology is rolling out conservoltaic initiatives (or […]
Building local capacity now to get renewable-ready
The renewable energy transition could be the opportunity needed to breathe new life into rural and regional Australia. It offers a huge opportunity, too, for regions who have hosted fossil fuel extraction or processing as one of their key economic activities in the past. More to the point, the renewable energy transition needs rural and […]
Community Engagement: The Crucial Stitch in the shift to Clean Energy
Locals are best placed to really know a place. Traditional Custodians often have an unparalleled knowledge of a land and its history. Farmers are very familiar with the local climate, the winds, the rocks and the terrain. Those who work in local industries will be aware of opportunities and know the potential challenges. Community groups […]
Woohoo for 2022!
See you later, 2021! What a doozy of a year. We’re so proud of the way you and the rest of the community energy sector has forged on despite the evolving covid pandemic, displaying resilience and focus on your projects through what were (and continue to be) some really tough times. Following on from 2020, […]
Solar for All
When it comes to solar energy, Australia really is the “lucky country”. Australia is to clean solar what Saudi Arabia is to dirty oil. We’ve got so much of the stuff that a large part of our national identity is shaped by our sunshine. We are Bronzed Aussies, the Sunburnt Country, only some of us live in the Sunshine State, but we all Slip, Slop and Slap!
No surprise then that Australian home owners have so warmly embraced rooftop solar. Not only is this a great way to keep on top of rising energy bills, it also speaks to our sense of identity as independent pioneers and, added bonus, gives an opportunity to “stick it to the big guys”, the energy companies who send us their bills each quarter.
Newsletter – September 2019
Dear Community Energy Enthusiasts, Green shoots, new growth, a bit of heat and fresh products – that’s what Spring is all about. Green shoots are emerging in Queensland, with a community energy forum being held in Yeppoon on 28 September. We have new growth as Enova expands in to Sydney – meaning they now service […]
Scott Morrison’s betrayal of the Pacific was immoral – and completely unnecessary
Read Nicky Ison’s opinion piece outlining how Australia is in a unique and fortunate position whereby we can prosper economically while we reduce our contribution to climate change. Ignoring our Pacific Island neighbours is immoral but more than that it does nothing for our economy or our strategic position in the region. Read the full […]