|
NEW
ZEALAND LABELLED 'FOSSIL OF THE DAY' by Paul Warren Massey University hosted a Renewable Energy Research Seminar at Palmerston North the week of 15-21 November 1999, bringing together researchers, investigators and energy industry movers from around the world. Researchers and industry representatives presented reports on current work and discussed innovations and trends on the road to a sustainable future. The conference was organised by Massey University, Forest Research and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority the NZ government body which co-ordinates and encourages energy efficiency. Researchers covered fields from biofuel technologies, wind power, solar energy, artificial photosynthesis, solid oxide fuel cells and renewable woody biomass to distributed energy systems, carbon trading issues and industrial applications. Massey University associate professor Ralph Sims, presented an overview of sustainable energy options in NZ and challenged researchers to answer the question of what was required in NZ to see alternative sustainable technologies implemented in mainstream applications. Phil Harrington of the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) presented an overview of the projects and measures currently being supported by the Australian government and the results of some of these. He admitted the market economy philosophy which the Australian government has embraced has lead to significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, due mainly to their dependence on coal. Australia, he said had little prospect of new hydro power schemes and so future energy demand would rely heavily on alternatives now under development. The Australian government's commitment to this is high. Targets for reduced carbon emissions and increased market share by alternative power generation sources are currently being supported in the range of $400 million, through the AGO, and tax relief for alternative technologies. The government are offering in some cases he said a 50% cash rebate on the installation of Remote Area Power Systems (RAPS). In stark contrast to the Australian commitment to reduce pollution and support green technologies the New Zealand government offers very little incentive for sustainable energy research and development. At the Bonn Climate Change meeting COP 5 earlier this month NZ won the 'Fossil of the Day' award for the industrialised country with the largest increase (+30%) in carbon dioxide emissions since 1990. In the 70's and 80's, said associate professor Ralph Sims, New Zealand with government R&D programmes was a world leader in alternative fuel research. He said the successful model established by the Australian Greenhouse Office should be carefully considered by NZ. Peter Read a consultant on biofuel and sustainable technologies, pointed out that NZ has a reputation overseas of 'all talk and no do.' A sad commentary on the NZ sustainable energy industry that less than 15 years ago was renowned as a world leader earning export revenue. Since the oil shocks of the 70's support for environmental solutions to our energy needs have been neglected with the foolish promise to the public that demand would be supplied by industry in the new market economy. The Australian experience shows the fallacy of this course. 'Kiwi Ingenuity' still exists but there are few sources of investment capital available and very few other incentives such as tax relief. Alistair Wilson of Tararua Windpower, one of the success stories, pointed out that economics of return on investment ruled technological implementation in a market economy and that industry had little interest in new technologies that had no track record regardless of how promising they appeared. It seems sad and extremely short sighted that the fight to save our living world from destruction has been relegated by our elected representatives in government, to the hands of market driven industries who have no place on their balance sheet for the continuance of human life on earth. Despite the NZ government's pitiful level of support for this industry, there are some exciting developments. Fletcher Energy's investment in the Capstone micro turbine, Thermocell's solar water heating systems, Quantum solar heat pumps, MainPower's 4kW photovoltaic system installed at Rangiora High School and the 32 MW Tararua windfarm in Palmerston North. A particularly interesting project underway at Massey University is the direct harvest of light for energy by artificial photosynthesis. It copies a successful natural process using large arrays of porphyrin molecules in a similar way to the chlorophyll in plant leaves. The research is investigating ways to create large molecules which when used in solar cells will create electricity directly from light, at a production cost comparable to current fossil fuel production. This technology is being researched in Australia too, with one group already granted funds to produce 100 square metres of solar wall panels. The NZ process will mean cheap production techniques and the ability to produce thin film solar cells that can be rolled onto external walls or even over windows. Preliminary results are promising. We now know that technologies that permit breathtaking advances in energy conversion, and the use of alternative forms of energy, make it possible to grow the economy faster while healing the environment and that, thank God, it is no longer necessary to burn up the atmosphere to create economic opportunity. We have somehow got to convince a critical mass of decision makers and ordinary citizens in every nation of the world that that is true. Let's not allow the tail to wag the dog, it's time for ordinary New Zealand citizens to convince those in parliament that we choose life, for ourselves and our children.
|
