America’s first public-use quick-charge station for electric vehicles opens

Portland General Electric and NEC have joined forces to declare North America’s first public-use, quick-charge station for electric vehicles open for business. Heralded as a tipping point for the roll-out of electric vehicles in the U.S., the Takasago Rapid Charging Station is said to provide batteries with up to 80 per cent full strength in 20 to 30 minutes. Company officials and Governor Ted Kulongoski took the opportunity to power up a visiting Nissan LEAF before it left for a two-day tour of the area. Read More

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

Energy storage system to top up peak electricity supply

The amount of power drawn from the electricity grid can vary greatly at different times of the day. It usually peaks in the early evening for a couple of hours after the mass exodus from school and work, while short-lived spikes are also common after major televised sporting events, during commercial breaks and in the morning hours. This can cause headaches for energy companies as they struggle to match supply with demand. But researchers have now found a way to manage these short-lived draws on the electricity grid far that could halve the fuel needed. Read More

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

Energy efficient lighting e-Bulletin

On 21 July 2010 QWESTNet held its second lighting forum in Brisbane. Held in association with

the Illuminating Engineering Society (ies), the forum focused on energy efficient lighting

technologies including LEDs, lighting controls and the use of daylight.

Click on ‘listen to presentation’ or the presenter’s photograph to hear the presentation

ies Partner Presentation
Presenter:Gillian Isoardi
ies/University of Queensland
Listen to Presentation

Gillian’s presentation gives an overview of the role of IES and outlines the positive reasons

for businesses to pursue energy efficient lighting.  Adhering to best practices in lighting will

ensure an installation that meets the needs of all users. Further benefits can, of course,

be realised by lowering operating costs of buildings but also by improving the quality of

workspaces and the appearance of products.

LED: good, bad and best practice
Presenter: Gorana Jusufovich
Lumascape
Listen to Presentation

A brief discussion of some of the benefits and pitfalls of using LED

based lighting systems. How do LEDs compare to conventional light

sources; what to be aware of when selecting an LED based lighting product; and busting

some of the myths surrounding LEDs.

Facility management and lighting controls
Presenter:Lance Stewart
Creative Lighting
Listen to Presentation

Why do we need lighting control systems and what do we need from them?

Can best lighting practice be achieved under the Building Code of Australia

and what is good lighting practice any way? Lance discusses recent trends in efficient lighting

and control.

Daylighting and Greenstar
Presenter: Carl N Gray
MGF Consulting NQ
Listen to Presentation

A brief primer on daylighting as applicable in Queensland workplaces,

specifically what can and cannot be done with daylight? Why we should

do more; why we should be very careful about it; how it can be done; and who to ask.

Top

Case Studies

Queensland Police Service fit-out Presenter: Caitlyn Young Norman Disney & Young Listen to Presentation The Queensland Police Service CBD facility fitout was completed in 2004/2005. Utilising an Energy Conservation Systems (ECS) lighting control system, occupancy based switching and daylight harvesting have delivered an efficient lighting design and flexibility for future changes. The integration of this system has led to a significant saving in energy and CO2 emissions. William McCormack Place Presenter: Carl N Gray MGF Consulting NQ Listen to Presentation The Queensland Government’s newest office building located in Cairns has attained ‘World Leader’ green status – the first outside of a capital city. In line with the lighting engineer’s vision, an emphasis on real world performance was placed before Greenstar ‘point scoring’ to achieve a highly energy efficient yet highly comfortable building. Highlights include effective daylighting and shading, a novel approach to daylight harvesting, direct/indirect lighting and the integration of ceiling fans. Queesland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Presenter: Doug Brimblecombe QPAC Listen to Presentation Between November 2008 and March 2009, QPAC refurbished its major theatres and public spaces for the first time since the centre was constructed 25 years ago. This was an opportunity for QPAC to introduce more efficient lighting practices without compromising the nature of the building and its use. As part of the refurbishment, aged incandescent and large wattage fixtures were replaced with LED and halogen lights. In the Concert Hall auditorium, the original 2500 watt profiles were replaced with three-colour LED lighting and theatrical fixtures, each of 1200 watts. These changes have minimised the amount of lights required to produce colour on stage, while backstage, single watt LED bulbs have replaced 60+ watt ‘blue’ light circuits. One year and three months after the refurbishment, QPAC is seeing energy savings which are expected to improve with further work due to be completed by the end of 2010. CitySwitch Program Presenter: Mark Taylor Brisbane City Council Listen to Presentation Brisbane City Council is partnering in a national office tenant energy management program called CitySwitch Green Office. This program gives your business: a structured process to improve energy efficiency and operating costs; positioning and promotion as an environmental leader; networking opportunities with like-minded companies; regular updates and resources. Key elements to effective lighting Presenter: Darrin Schreier Aurecon Listen to Presentation Efficient lighting is something everybody appears to be looking for, whether it be to meet legislated government criteria, to achieve a Greenstar or NABERS rating, or to save money in the face of rising energy costs. To achieve efficient lighting 4 key elements need to be addressed. Energy efficiency regulation and quality lighting Presenter: Steve Coyne Light Naturally Listen to Presentation There are two levels of energy efficiency which have the potential to affect quality lighting outcomes: energy efficiency of lighting product and energy efficiency of lighting design. The type of regulatory tool implemented for each can have a significant impact on quality lighting outcomes and compliance levels. Whatever form the regulation takes, it is apparent that in the future, quality lighting outcomes will require knowledge, expertise and training in lighting design Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

OROVILLE, Calif. (UPI) — A California college says it is set to become the nation’s only grid-positive college, producing more energy from its own on-site solar power than it uses.

Butte College in Oroville, Calif., will add 15.000 solar panels to its existing 10,000 by May 2011 to become the largest solar-producing college in the world, a college release said Wednesday.

“Once this solar project is completed, Butte College will provide enough clean renewable energy to cover all of our electricity needs and generate slightly more than we use — which will be a source of additional revenue for the college,” Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College President, said.

The school’s solar panels will generate more than 6.3 million kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power more than 9.200 average-sized homes, the release said.

The 15,000 new solar panels will be placed atop rooftops and will create covered parking areas and walkways.

The project will cost $17 million, with $12.65 million coming from federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, which are low-interest loans that can be used for clean energy projects.

The college will fund the remainder, up to $4.35 million.
Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

The early bird registration deadline for Fuel Cells Science & Technology 2010 ends tomorrow.
Don’t forget to reserve your place, register now.

Fuel Cells Science & Technology 2010 will be held 6-7 October in Zaragoza , the capital city of the Zaragoza province, Spain. The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and technologists working on fuel cell developments from across the globe. They will have the opportunity to address the key scientific, engineering and technology challenges underpinning this innovation.  Attendance will benefit all those interested in or affected by the key research and development issues facing fuel cell science and technology.

Conference fees

Early Bird¹ Registration: €815 +16% VAT = €845.40
Conference Registration €900 +16% VAT = €1044
Registration for Students² :€395 +16% VAT = €458.20
¹The early bird deadline is 31 July, 2010.
²Student registration forms must be accompanied by a signed letter from your head of department attesting to student status

Topics and Themes

• Fuels, Infrastructure and Fuel Processing
• Modelling and Control
• Materials for Fuel Cells
• Fuel Cell Systems and Applications
• Fuel Cell Electrochemistry
• Cell and Stack Technology

The conference will be comprised of keynote lectures, plenary presentations, concurrent submitted oral presentations, interactive poster sessions as well as presentation of the Grove Medal.

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

Peabody Energy is the world’s largest coal company, still growing in Australia, and an innovative provider of low-cost energy. Our mission is to be a leading worldwide producer and supplier of sustainable energy solutions.

In Australia, Peabody Energy Australia has nine operations located in Queensland and New South Wales and is an active coal trader in all major coal regions. Our Australian operations currently employ more than 3,500 highly skilled people, all of whom are helping us to achieve our goals of being a long-term participant in the Australian coal industry – powering economic prosperity and delivering a better quality of life.

Our dynamic growth strategy offers exceptional careers and ensures there are ongoing opportunities to work at the forefront of the resources industry, in both our Australian and international offices and sites.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

45 Clarence Street
Sydney  NSW  2000
PH: 02 9249 6100 FAX: 02 9299 1519
Email: Unknown
Website: www.seda.nsw.gov.au

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

PO Box 6366,
Blacktown NSW 2148
Phone: 131 081
Facsimile: 02 9853 6000
Website: www.integral.com.au
Email: integral@integral.com.au
The second largest state-owned energy corporation in New South Wales, Integral Energy was incorporated under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

570 George Street
Sydney  NSW  2000
PH: 131 535 FAX: Unknown
Email: Unknown
Website: www.energy.com.au

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Enertrade

Level 10, Comalco Place, 12 Creek Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO BOX10, Brisbane QLD 4001

PH: 07 3331 9900 FAX: 07 3331 9901
Email: enertrade@enertrade.com.au
Website: www.enertrade.com.au

Enertrade owns and operates the North Queensland Gas Pipeline, a gas-fired power station at Barcaldine and purchases electricity from privately owned power stations through Power Purchase Agreements and trades this into the National Electricity Market.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha