Renewable Energy Handbook 2010 - Department of Finance - The ...

10PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOKOFFICE OF ENERGYRENEWABLE ENERGY HANDBOOK 20101.1.3 HISTORY OF RENEWABLE ENERGYIN WESTERN AUSTRALIARenewable energy is not a new concept in WesternAustralia. The Indigenous people were the State’sfi rst users, burning wood for cooking and heating.The fi rst European settlers made similar use ofwood as an energy supply, as well as harnessingthe forces of nature in the form of waterwheelsand windmills to grind fl our.Global interest in alternatives to fossil fuels andrenewable energy took a great leap forward duringthe oil crisis in the 1970s, which saw oil pricesquadruple around the world. By the late 1980s theenhanced greenhouse effect emerged as a majorenvironmental issue. Global warming was directlyattributed to human activities, particularly the burningof fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas.More environmentally sensitive energy alternativesbecame a priority.02WHAT IS RENEWABLEENERGY?Western Australia has a number of renewable energyprojects, including Australia’s fi rst grid-connectedphotovoltaic system in Kalbarri and commercialwind farm at Esperance and a demonstrationwave energy plant.Geographic issues including the vastness of ourState, the remoteness of our settlements and thehigh cost of delivering energy have also given riseto renewable energy projects in areas where thesupply of more conventional power is costly.1.1.4 RENEWABLE ENERGYPOLICY CONTEXTThe Western Australian Government has a range ofpolicies and initiatives that aim to increase the useand awareness of renewable energy in the State.The risks posed by climate change highlight theneed to reduce Australia’s carbon footprint and thisis increasingly refl ected in State Government policy.Western Australia’s Strategic Energy Initiative,Energy 2031 currently under development, will providea framework delivering the State’s present andfuture energy needs, including renewable energy.The State Government also provides a number ofsupport schemes to assist in the removal of barriersand addressing market failures for renewableenergy projects.Renewable energy refers to any source of energy that Section 17 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity)can be used without depleting its reserves.Act 2000 (Commonwealth) more specifi cally defi nesThis can include energy the following sources: these broad groups into a number of ‘eligible· Solarrenewable energy sources’ for the purpose ofgenerating Renewable Energy Certifi cates (RECs)· Windunder the Renewable Energy Target (RET) measure.Bioenergy, such as wood, agricultural crops and Solar, wind and bioenergy technologies are all·residues, animal wastes, and municipal solid currently utilised commercially in Western Australia.(green) wasteA number of technologies, including geothermal,· Hydropowerhave signifi cant potential for greater deployment.Further explanation of these technologies isGeothermal and hot dry rock· available in Appendix 1 with examples of theirTidal and waveutilisation specifi cally within Western Australia·· Alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel presented in Appendix 2. More detailed informationon specifi c technologies can be sourced from thereferences in Appendix 3.