The following article is interesting in context of green power, like wind generators. Australia has signed an international agreement to have between 2% to 5% green power by 2010 (I think from memory). Also note that NSW supplies 20% of Victorian power needs and the tabling of a report in 1997 pointing to shortages by 2000. In South Australia a similar report with same conclusions was tabled in 1996 with the government falling asleep. This is all very interesting in view of the carbon credits trading and the floating of ideas to source Tasmanian Hydro power. I wonder where it leaves the privatisation debate.

Story Link

Bracks considers new power generator
From AAP
08feb00

12.45pm (AEDT) THE Victorian Government will consider building a new electricity generator to safeguard against future power cuts.

Premier Steve Bracks said the Government would investigate the viability of another generator in the Latrobe Valley. Mr Bracks said Victorians should not have to suffer future power blackouts and restrictions because of disputes such as the one at Yallourn Energy.

He said the previous Kennett government disregarded a 1997 report from Coopers and Lybrand which recommended more electricity generation in Victoria.

Mr Bracks said he would consider "whether we need to dust that off and implement further generation capacity in Victoria".

"I'm seeking a report on the generation capacity in Victoria, whether it's sufficient," he said. "We're working on that now to ensure this never happens again."

Mr Bracks said the Latrobe Valley would be the ideal site for a new generator because it is the source of brown coal used in electricity production.

He said wind generation may also be considered.

He said he was unsure of the price tag for a new power station.

Most of Victoria's electricity is generated by four privately-owned power plants in the Latrobe Valley in the state's south-east. Up to 20 per cent of it comes from NSW.

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Comments:

You've got to hand to the politicians. Nothing quite like a heatwave to bring things to a boil. Wind generation is being considered nearby where I live...gossip has it that 70% is American involvement. It's hot gossip....

Regards from Down Under

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), February 07, 2000

Answers

Pieter, all your posts have been really interesting. Thanks for keeping TB2K updated on the power outages Down Under. Another odd Forum twist where some really substantial articles / issues languish while silly ones get attention.

And now we're gonna commit the same sin ;^) and post this AP Breaking News article just cuz we thought of you, and of another thing to prep for (but not in our neck of the woods!) :

[ Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only ]

Feb 7, 2000 - 09:25 PM

With Brother's Help, Young Girl Survives Crocodile Attack

DARWIN, Australia (AP) - A young girl escaped from the jaws of an 8-foot crocodile when her little brother distracted the beast by grabbing its tail, their father said Tuesday.

Roy Harrington said his daughter Martina, 8, and son Paul, 5, were hunting for turtles on Saturday in a creek near in Australia's Northern Territory, when the animal seized her and began dragging her into the water.

"I could see it pulling her down," Harrington told reporters. "Paul grabbed the tail of the croc and he threw his head up - that gave Martina a chance to get her feet out of his mouth."

Harrington said he then attacked and killed the crocodile with an ax.

Martina was treated at a clinic for bite wounds and released, he said.

Saltwater crocodiles live in waterways throughout Australia's tropical north.
The reptiles have been protected in Australia since the early 1970s and their numbers have burgeoned.
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), February 07, 2000.

I have lived in northern Australia all my life. If you go swimming, in a coastal river, etc up here, then you DESERVE to be eaten by a crocodile. Plain stupidity.

-- XOR (drwizzard@usa.net), February 08, 2000.

Pieter,

Mr Bracks said the Latrobe Valley would be the ideal site for a new generator because it is the source of brown coal used in electricity production.

I hope you don't Really think this is Green :-)

-- Casper (c@no.yr), February 08, 2000.

Yeh, Pieter, Thanks for all you contribute... but I believe it will not be the politicians or government who we should rely upon for new alternative energy production. I started with my own home... I don't have to rely on the regulated or unregulated crooks...oppps...companies that produce and distribute power. I live in the northwest corner of California where wind is plentiful and risen above my home are two windgenerators which supply about 60% of my power needs... I have a few small solar panels that pick up the tab in the summer but not much power in the winter months... I do rely on a gas backup generator to power up an inverter battery charger but I am about to replace that with my recent adventure with getting rid of chicken manure...its hot, it stinks, it Methane gas...and it will put my gas generator out of business! Pieter, I think we have to take back our lives on the individual and community level, one step at a time... maybe if enough people tell the power companies to get lost... they'll start getting things right again....No...No...scratch that thought...people hungery for power and money won't change... they just find a way to rip us off somewhere else! Well, I better stop before I start getting political... thanks again Pieter... keep up the good work! BRyan

-- S BRyan G III (sbrg3@juno.com), February 08, 2000.

Fuel cells next year?

-- by my own power (aim@self.sufficiency), February 08, 2000.

Ashton & Leska,
XOR has got it right. Crocs and swimming don't mix sometimes. Rather predictable results I'm afraid if you do go swimming. When I lived in North Queensland an American tourist was taken. Don't recall the details. Daintree National Park crocs aren't too particular...hehe.

Casper,
hehe..., no - I did not mean brown coal as green. I am pointing out the alternative power push is on in earnest now. The www.melbournetoday.com.au website is promoting the green theme. It's a 'hot' topic for locals with the privately owned gas fields generator starting soon, and a wind farm planned for up the road. Exciting happenings in a rural region.

S BRyan G III,
Good on you. We're looking at similar ideas, but you're much advanced compared to us. Warmer here you see.

Regards from OZ

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), February 08, 2000.

Pieter, Thanks for the compliment... you say it is warmer there... I know... just think think of the power we could produce with my chickens and your heat.... actually, thats one of the draw backs during the winter months, to produce adequate supply of CH4(methane) you need to keep the digestor about 90 degrees F... because it is colder now, I don't produce enough gas to pick up the slack... good thing we have a lot of wind!

Be glad to share any of the stuff with the forum... it not a secret except if it is from the government... people shouldn't have secrets about developing personal independence.

The strange thing about inverters is they have been around for about 50 years....

If someone wanted to still be on the grid and use inverters...that is good also... grid supplys one small inverter to keep batteries in float status... then several other larger inverters run direct from batteries to supply wattage to home... its like running you home on the energy it takes to run a battery charger.

This news is not good for the government to let out to the public...no profit in supply a 4 bedroom/2 1/2 bath home only 200KWH/month... at the most!

God bless, keep your head out of the sand! Your supplying a vital informational forum with life!

BRyan

-- S BRyan G III (sbrg3@juno.com), February 08, 2000.