by Scott Willis
Turbine News
Did anyone hear Chris Laidlaw interviewing Keith Turner (ex-Meridian
CEO) on National Radio on the 18 July? Several very interesting
questions were put to Keith Turner and at least two important issues
came to the fore: Distributed Generation (or DG) and Policy (vacuum).
Turner argued that DG (generating at or near the point of consumption
with photovoltaics, micro wind or hydro, and strong grid
interconnectedness) while clearly the path of the future, just hasn't
happened despite the promise. Essentially (listening between the
words) this is because we don't offer any incentives for DG and we
maintain plenty of disincentives under our current market structure
that seeks to foster competition in what is essential national
infrastructure.
The further we get down the path to our own energy generation in
Blueskin Bay, it's become evident that no-one knows how to do this
(community generation) in New Zealand yet, outside of a few individual
households who have gone to considerable effort to exist
outside the grid and a handful of grid interconnected households – but
that's individuals, not communities. Keith Turner talked of 'economies
of scale' which is another way of saying that our energy sector is
designed for Think Big projects.
One thing we've discovered is that building the physical
infrastructure is not complicated and will likely generate plenty of
electricity at any one of the sites currently under consideration. In
fact, New Zealand is the only country, we were told, where wind
generation is built for its economic merits alone (we have plenty of
wind) – all other countries subsidise wind to help reduce their
reliance on 'dirty energy' (energy from non-renewables such as oil and
coal). We have wind and we have sites, subject to lease agreements and
agreement with our broad community of the desirability of the project.
We could generate electricity. But there's another required
'infrastructure' we need to make the economic case. This is the
virtual infrastructure of the market: as it is set up now, the
electricity market will not easily accommodate generation from a small
community with a wind turbine. If we had a large hydro lake and a
geothermal plant as well, then it would be a piece of cake, but as it
is, we will need help, in either changed policy or market partners.
The question we'll have to address as we talk about generating our own
energy is: do we want electricity and do we want it to be from
renewables? Because if we do, we will have the power to make it
happen. The timeline is still not clear, as we need to find the
appropriate way to build our virtual market infrastructure, raise
capital, establish the co-operative, and secure the appropriate
consents. I'm hoping to find a way to address the market challenge
promptly, firstly because this challenge is almost as great for those
single households who want to sell back to the grid, but also because
we have such a good momentum right now. The rest will then follow.
Things haven't been standing idle, but the Community Turbine
Information Day won't be in August. Keep your eye out for a date in
the Blueskin News or via the WEP E-list.
Economic light
With the GST rise on its way, and rising electricity prices right now,
we can't afford to be complacent about ensuring we use less
electricity and using electricity more efficiently. Unless you're an
exceptional family that goes to bed when the light fails and rises at
first light, you'll be lighting your home. Hopefully you're only
lighting those spaces you're living in and have everyone ensuring they
'turn out the light'. More than good habits though, big efficiencies
can now be made with the choice of lights and bulbs. Technology is
delivering ever more efficient lighting, with incadescent bulbs easily
replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs, saving energy and money, and
also fluorescent tubes, low energy halogen, and LEDs among the more
common for the householder. And if you're concerned about the tiny
amount of mercury in some of the compact fluorescent bulbs, make sure
you're as cautious about the fish you eat as well! Oh, and there's a
competition sponsored by RightLight, an Industry-wide initiative
developed by the Electricity Commission, offering $10, 000 to make
your home more energy efficient. Here's the address:
www.rightlight.govt.nz/ .
For more information on the WEP or to subscribe to the WEP e-list,
email waitatienergy@gmail.com or phone 4822048.
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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
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