Category: Archive

EnergyAustralia issues safety guide on summer storms, along with warning that storms could interrupt power supply

Summer storms are getting closer and EnergyAustralia has been
encouraging residents to make sure they’re prepared, according to a
company statement (Erisk Net , 20 October 2005).

Storms could interrupt power supply: EnergyAustralia General
Manager Network Geoff Lilliss said it was important to remember that
summer storms could interrupt the power supply. “Heavy rain, strong
winds, lightning and fallen trees are among the most common causes of
blackouts and they can also cause a great deal of damage to your home,”
Lilliss said. “Just as EnergyAustralia prepares its power network for
summer, there are things residents should do to ensure their families
and homes stay safe.”

EnergyAustralia produces safety guide: To assist in storm season
preparations, EnergyAustralia produced a summer safety guide which
contained important information about how to prepare for and stay safe
during a storm. It would be distributed through metropolitan and
suburban newspapers in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions
during October and November.

Advice on quick power restoration: “The safety guide advises
what to do before, during and after a storm as well as what to do if
you do lose power. There’s also advice on how you can help
EnergyAustralia restore power as quickly as possible after a storm,”
Lilliss said.

Fallen powerline warning: He also urged parents to warn their
children about the dangers of fallen powerlines. “After a storm, fallen
powerlines can easily be hidden by trees or flooded creeks. Our message
is to always assume fallen powerlines are ‘live’ with electricity, to
stay well away, warn others to do the same and call EnergyAustralia on
13 13 88 to report the problem.

Additional advice available: “Safety of the public and our
people is of utmost importance to EnergyAustralia so I encourage you to
read this guide, discuss it with your family and ensure you are
prepared for the storm season,” Lilliss said. More safety advice would
be available from EnergyAustralia’s website at http://www.energy.com.au.

Safety tips: EnergyAustralia’s storm safety tips:

• “Prepare for summer by removing loose items from your yard which
could become airborne in strong winds, trim trees which could fall on
your home, check the roof for leaks and clean your gutters.

• “Keep a battery-powered radio handy to listen for weather and power
restoration updates as well as a torch and spare batteries.

• “If you lose power during a storm switch off and unplug sensitive
electrical devices and keep your fridge closed as much as possible to
keep the contents cool.

• “After a storm beware of fallen powerlines, particularly those hidden in fallen trees or other debris.

• “If your entire suburb is without power it is not necessary to call
EnergyAustralia to report it as we’ll have detected the problem and
will be working to restore your supply.

• “However, if your neighbours have power and you don’t or if you’ve
seen or heard something which you think could be responsible for your
loss of supply, call us on 13 13 88.

• “If you call EnergyAustralia to report a loss of supply, providing
your address, nearest corner and the number on your nearest power pole
will help our field crews locate your home quickly.

• “Always remember your personal safety – don’t approach fallen powerlines for any reason and warn others to do the same.

• “If you’re calling to report fallen powerlines, let us know what type
they are. Are they the lines that run between power poles or between a
power pole and your home? This information will ensure EnergyAustralia
dispatches the right crew to undertake repairs.”

Reference: EnergyAustralia, 20 October 2005. Contact: EnergyAustralia News Pager, ph: (02) 9966 7985.

Erisk Net, 26/10/2005

Households in 2020 could be purged
of their modern luxuries and forced to revert to simpler standards of
living unless action is taken now to reduce escalating levels of carbon
dioxide emissions, according to independent research commissioned by
the Energy Saving Trust.

A panel of experts have predicted two
alternative scenarios for life in 2020 within the report – ‘2020
Futures: Energy and Waste in an Age of Excess’. The bleaker outlook
predicts that without a concerted effort to curb our individual carbon
dioxide emissions and create a more sustainable future, the home
comforts, timesaving luxuries and freedoms we currently take for
granted could become things of the past.

In stark contrast,
experts reveal that if we take positive action now to ‘green-proof’ our
homes and create sustainable living spaces that cause minimal damage to
the environment, an altogether more optimistic view of the future is
within our grasp by 2020.

Two-car families, time-saving
appliances, trendy gadgets and restful baths are just some of the
modern luxuries that some experts predict could be banished by 2020 if
we fail to take action now to reduce our energy consumption:

Back to basics;
Gadget
purge – patio heaters, plasma TVs, electric toothbrushes and other
modern innovations we’ve come to take for granted could become
recognised as anti-social pieces of household equipment
Empty
driveways – the two-car family could become unheard of as fuel prices
rocket and personal vehicle use is heavily rationed – 
Out with the
bath water – bath time could be an increasingly rare occurrence as
taxes are levied on them and timed shower units designed to limit
energy wastage 
Turn it down – average internal temperatures have
risen by an average 6° since 1970, but turning the thermostat up at may
no longer be an option. Home temperatures could be heavily regulated
and families reliant on new insulation crafted from sustainable
materials to provide warmth. Likewise, light switches might only be
able to be activated when natural light is deemed insufficient
Crowded
house – rising sea levels causing coastal flooding will prompt mass
migration inland, marking an end to the ‘McMansion’ (inefficient and
sprawling) approach to housing. Homes may down-size to become tightly
compact, merely functional spaces – with energy-consuming appliances
such as fridge-freezers banished and replaced with cold rooms for food
storage
And the worse case scenarios if no action is undertaken to address energy usage: 
Strict
rationing – similar to post-war rationing of food supplies, our energy
use could be heavily rationed, with dedicated time-slots allocated to
households to carry out tasks requiring energy use to avoid any wastage

Harsh punitive measures – areas in cities and suburbs where energy
usage reach critical levels could see stringently forced energy laws
and waste directives imposed. Energy Police with the power to issue
penalties and fines for excessive energy consumption could be born

2020 Vision: An alternative, sustainable future
The
Energy Saving Trust claim that this regressive, punitive scenario could
be easily avoided and replaced with a brighter, more optimistic future
if UK consumers start to recognise their social responsibility to
reduce levels of energy waste and its impact on the environment.

If this happens, the report predicts that 2020 could see the emergence of the following trends
Personal
power stations – our homes could become mini power stations as we turn
to renewable energy sources. By 2020, experts predict that it could be
common place to source energy in our own homes with excess energy sold
back to the national grid, providing an additional income source for
green households
Prefabulous – Prefabricated homes built offsite
using recycled bricks and wood and insulated with sheep’s wool and
reconstituted paper will become the norm. We will be able to design our
homes online and have them delivered and assembled in a week
Glass
houses – the humble conservatory could help save us from the worst
effects of climate change  ‘green’ homes will be built so that they are
south facing with an attached solar powered conservatory, providing up
to 50% of a household’s hot water needs
Green roofs – roofs will
be made of peat, bricks and sedum instead of conventional materials.
Roof gardens and living roofs will be subsidised, as they will help to
improve insulation and air quality
Carbon trading – households
will trade carbon credits and debits, working collectively to reduce
our emissions (in the same way as businesses do now)

Philip
Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said; “The bleak
picture of life in 2020 can be easily avoided just by taking small
measures now to reduce excess levels of carbon emissions – one of the
leading contributors to climate change.

“We are optimistic
that a step-change in the way we view our energy consumption in the
home will see an energy-efficient future emerging, where
environmentally hazardous homes are replaced with ecologically friendly
ones and consumers recognise their own responsibility to create a
sustainable environment for future generations.

“Rather than
having to rely on harsher measures to urge consumers to take the issue
seriously, we are encouraging people to act now and start saving at
least 20% of their carbon dioxide emissions. This target is easily
achievable by adopting a mix of simple measures such as improving
insulation, turning appliances off standby, installing energy saving
lightbulbs and turning the thermostat down by just one degree.”

Simple
changes to your home and the way you use energy can make big savings,
both for your pocket and the environment. For example, adopting a range
of straightforward measures including filling cavity walls,
sufficiently insulating lofts and upgrading to energy saving
recommended appliances could reduce your household’s emissions by two
tonnes of CO2 annually and reduce your energy bills by up to £250.

To find out how you can save 20% during Energy Saving Week and throughout the year, log on to www.saveyour20percent.co.uk or call the Energy Saving Helpline on 0800 9157722.

Notes:

About the report
2020 Futures: Energy and Waste in and Age of Excess was compiled by the Future Laboratory on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust.
An executive summary of the report is available on request.

Save your 20% campaign
During
Energy Saving Week (24th-30th October), the Energy Saving Trust is
launching ‘Save your 20%’ – a new campaign that aims to reduce UK
homes’ energy use by a fifth of their current levels. The ‘Save your
20%’ campaign involves the Energy Saving Trust working with local
authorities, energy suppliers and other parties to promote the uptake
of energy-saving measures such as cavity wall insulation and loft
insulation, as well as encouraging consumers to adopt simple, everyday
measures such as turning appliances off standby. For more information,
visit www.saveyour20percent.co.uk

About the Energy Saving Trust
The
Energy Saving Trust was set up by the UK Government after the 1992
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and is one of the UK’s leading
organisations addressing the damaging affects of climate change. It
aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by promoting the sustainable and
efficient use of energy. The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit
organisation funded by government and the private sector.

The
Energy Saving Trust provides free, impartial advice on how to make your
home more energy efficient and save money on household bills.

About The Future Laboratory
The
Future Laboratory was established in November 2001, and has already
established a prominent reputation for its innovative approach to
forecasting. The Future Laboratory uses ethnographic research tools and
a create, qualitative outlook to help brands, retailers, designers and
marketing departments gain better insights into market directions and
the future products or brands consumers may need. It also offers
lifestyle analysis, brand development and consumer network building.

The Basslink interconnector, now being rushed into service, may be of
only limited value to Victoria in its looming summer generation
capacity challenge, suggested The Age (28 October 2005).

Worrisome time ahead: Victoria is facing a shortfall in reserve
generation capacity of 500MW this summer, leaving only 30MW of plant
available to cover mechanical failure when the system is operating at
full capacity.

Tas hydro resources depleted: BassLink was initially feared by
Victorian generators, who felt it would depress Victorian power prices.
But seven years of drought in Tasmania have left Hydro Tasmania’s dams
at only 38 per cent capacity.

Flow is likely to be largely south: As a result, BassLink will
only bring power to Victoria at moments of high demand and Victorian
generators are expected to sell large amounts of power into Tasmania
until the state’s water resources are replenished. Hydro Tasmania
reported a net profit of $44.4 million for the June year, up $9 million
on the previous year despite the dry conditions.

The Age, 28/10/2005

What is Opal? It is a very low aromatic gasoline, with no sulphur and
no lead. The key feature is its low level of aromatics, which we hope
will lead to some reduction in abuse.
However, I say this cautiously, because we realize there are many
facets to this issue. Opal is only one step in the overall fight to
address the issue.
We in BP believe a corporation should make a contribution not just to a
nation’s economy but also socially and environmentally where it can.
And this instance was one where we felt we could make such a social
contribution.
We wanted to do it for this reason.
And we are not seeking to be sole supplier of Opal. We are making Opal
available to other companies. And it is fine by us if other companies
make similar purpose fuels. This is not about attaining a commercial
benefit. This is about solving a serious problem.
I think the sincerity of our approach is demonstrated by several of our
staff spending several weeks camping with communities in Central
Australia learning about the problem first hand and coming back
determined to play a part.
And it goes further. We acknowledge that more needs to be done, and BP
has also established a return to school program in conjunction with
Yirara College in Alice Springs and Teen Challenge. This program has
resulted in a total of 12 remote students who previously sniffed petrol
resuming their studies during 2004.
I especially wish to thank the Minister and to the Australian
Government for their support, firstly through the Comgas scheme, and
secondly to our Opal proposal. The cost of these fuels is much higher
than ordinary unleaded petrol, and Opal would not be able to be
delivered to the communities at a similar price to unleaded if it were
not for the financial support of the Australian Government. The program
depends upon the Government’s support through the Department of Health
and Ageing, and this is a true industry/government/community
partnership.
The full text of the speech is available on BP’s website.

Have an emergency kit with a torch and battery-operated radio on hand. Unplug or switch off appliances in case of power surges, but leave one light turned on so you can see when the power comes on. Look at your neighbours’ houses to see if the blackout is limited to your property or more widespread.

If the blackout seems to be only affecting your property, check that your circuit breaker or safety switch has not operated. If any of these have caused the outage, you may need to call your electrician for advice. If the blackout is widespread the best way to get an update on the situation is to call 13 22 96 and check Ergon Energy’s automated system. Our recorded response will advise you if we know about the outage and when we expect to have it fixed.

If you have information to report about the outage that may help us fix it sooner, you can choose to speak to an operator. When your power is restored, turn your appliances back on one by one. Don’t forget to replace the items in your emergency kit, including the batteries. Want to know more? Ergon Energy has a free information guide available to help you in case of power interruptions. Call 13 10 46 for your free copy.

This advice is from Ergon’s website

Following last year’s successful Peat’s Ridge
Festival, the UNSW Ecoliving Centre is aiming to make this year’s
Festival ecologically better than ever! The 2004 Audit showed the
Festival was overall a sustainable success, but there is always more
work to be done.

Taking
an advisory role, the Ecoliving Centre is aiming for the 2005
Festival to have a 0% waste rate. All waste is dealt with on-site,
including the compacting of aluminum cans for off-site recycling.
Bands playing throughout the Festival will use only ecologically
sustainable forms of energy, primarily through solar power sources.
It is the Solid Waste Management System implemented by the Ecoliving
Centre which is the most impressive.

Seven
individual supervisors will ensure the volunteers and visitors adhere
to the recycling process. With each individual estimated at producing
three litres of waste per day, and the festival running for three
days straight, it is crucial that every individual contributes to the
management system. Four individual bins will separate the waste
on-site, ensuring the efficient management of all waste. Clear
signage and volunteer instructions will ensure visitors place the
relevant waste in the corresponding bin. The four bins will be:

• Recyclables
  – cans, plastics 1 and 2, soft drink bottles and beer cans

• Paper,
  cardboard, and newsprint products

• Compost
  Products – food waste, utensils

• Other
  Garbage.

All
containers will be collected and taken off-site for the recycling
process. Composting however will occur on-site after the completion
of the Festival.

John
Blair from UNSW Faculty of the Built Environment will be overseeing
the implementation of the Solid Waste Management System, in
conjunction with the Ecoliving Centre.

The
Environmental Management System offers a continuous improvement cycle
for future Peat’s Ridge Festivals to come. Hopefully other
festivals around Australia and the world can use this successful
model to make the face of festivals the most ecologically responsible
and sustainable they can be.

For
further information please contact Cameron Little (02) 9398
8838

http://www.ecoliving.unsw.edu.au