Aust Conserv

Australia's premier clean energy event, the inaugural Clean Energy Council Conference and Exhibition 2008, will be held on the Gold Coast from this coming Monday (24^th- 26^th November).

The event brings together some of the world's leading influencers in the clean energy industries of Australia and around the world, at a time when the future of those industries has never been more important.

At the Clean Energy Council Conference & Exhibition 2008 you will have access to the latest policy and market developments, first hand information on clean energy projects and in-depth briefings on recent technological advancements, energy efficiency, planning, community and new environmental initiatives.

For more information, visit http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/conf08/

Sunrise in Sydney - Flickr credits to glennharper

Australia is in a strong position to develop a thriving national solar industry over the next 20 years, according to a report into the renewable energy sector released today by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).

The report, undertaken by Access Economics, provides a compelling economic case for the implementation of a gross national feed-in tariff in Australia

?What this shows is that with the right policy and investment, there?s a strong future for sustainable and profitable growth in Australia?s renewable energy sector,? said CEO of the Clean Energy Council, Matthew Warren.

AN environmentally friendly taxi service used by stars, including actress Cate Blanchett, could be shut down just hours into a three-week trial.

The "eco taxi", the first of what was to have been a fleet of 10 green hire cars, began shuttling people around Sydney free on Wednesday during the notorious 3pm change-over - when it is usually nearly impossible to find a regular taxi.

But driver and owner Russell Howarth didn't get far before he was confronted with Ministry of Transport compliance officers and told he would be booked for stopping in taxi zones.

EcoTaxi full business listing on AustConserv

Six months into the program the results showed that although the number of managed servers increased by 30 per cent on the previous six months, Macquarie Hosting had reduced energy consumption in its data center by more than 10 per cent.

This equates to more than 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions according to independent calculations by The Frame Group.

BP Solar announced today that it will cease the production of solar photovoltaic (PV) power cells and panels from its manufacturing plant in Sydney Olympic park (Australia) at the end of March 2009. The decision comes because the company is looking to focus its operations at larger scale plants in lowest cost manufacturing countries, in order to drive down the cost of solar power for consumers.

The BP Solar sales and marketing team in Australia will continue their activities, and aim to grow the sales and servicing of solar products. However, BP Solar regrets that approximately 200 jobs will be lost from the manufacturing plant.

The Clean Energy Council says it is disappointed that BP Solar will no longer produce solar photovoltaic (PV) power cells in Australia, but hopes the decision will lead to more affordable solar energy supply for Australians.

?While we are certainly not pleased to see clean energy manufacturing leave Australian shores, we accept that this was a commercial decision by a global company looking to deliver the lowest cost solar panels to a growing world market by operating larger scale plants overseas,? said Matthew Warren, CEO of the Clean Energy Council.

?Hopefully this will mean more affordable solar energy for Australian households and businesses, making it easier for Australia?s fast-growing solar industry to deploy solar energy panels on rooftops across the sunniest continent on earth?.