Mixed Greens: Energy storage conference coming to Australia

Melbourne is set to host Australia’s first ever energy storage conference, which will be held in conjunction with the Solar 2014 conference in May 2014. The Australian Energy Storage Conference will bring together equipment providers, manufactures, utilities, policy makers and energy experts, to explore the market ready applications for energy storage at all scales. It will host a two-day conference program, while also showcasing all the latest technology, solutions and application case studies.

Energy storage is not only widely considered to be the new frontier for the renewable energy industry, addressing one of its major challenges – intermittency, many believe it will be one of the major catalysts that will fundamentally change the entire energy industry. With global investment in energy storage tipped to reach $122 billion by 2021, cost effective solutions are rapidly emerging. The Australian Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition will be the first event in Australia to specifically showcase these, and their applications for renewable energy and beyond.

Fake warranties force nuclear shut-down in South Korea

South Korea says it is facing “unprecedented” power shortages after two of the country’s nuclear reactors were forced to shut down following the discovery that some parts had been installed with fake warranties. Bloomberg reports that minister of trade Yoon Sang Jick has ordered cuts to consumption in daylight hours because is expected to exceed supply. Two reactors will be closed for at least four months, and the reopening of another has been delayed.

South Korea relies on nuclear energy for 30 per cent of its electricity supply. “We are in a very desperate situation, where we can’t overcome this crisis without all your active support,” Yoon said in a statement. Bloomberg said the Shin-Kori No. 2 and Shin-Wolsong No. 1 reactors will be shut for about four months to replace control cables supplied under fake quality warranties. The government also ordered the replacement of cables at the Shin-Kori No. 1 reactor, already halted for regular maintenance, and at the new Shin-Wolsong No. 2 plant, which is under review before going into operation.

Nuclear-free Austria to cut electricity bills

Meanwhile, Austria has said it will cut the cost of retail electricity bills by 10 per cent in September, after deciding to pass on the benefits of increased renewables in the wholesale market that it shares with Germany. Renewables International reports that Austria has an even more ambitious nuclear phase-out than Germany, mandating that no nuclear power can be imported into its grid. Wholesale electricity prices in Austria are at their lowest for eight years, although much of the supply is priced through long term contracts. “If we are lucky, the news from Austria may be remembered as the beginning of the new age of affordable, increasingly renewable power,” wrote RI’s Craig Morris.

We’re not telling you how to vote, but…

Concerned that voters are not across the climate change policies of the three main parties contesting the September 7 federal election, Environment Victoria has launched its ‘Envirotracker’ – a running compilation of on-the-record policy commitments and statements that have been made by the ALP, Coalition and Greens over the past two years. “At this Federal election there is greater difference between what the major parties are proposing on the environment than in any federal election in decades,” said Environment Victoria campaigns director, Mark Wakeham. “Arguably there’s never been a more important election for the environment.” And while he stresses that Environment Victoria never tells Victorians how to vote, he adds “we do want people to be informed about the environment and climate policies of all parties before election day.”