APPEA says natural gas has a role to play in reducing emissions and is pushing for more gas development to be one of the central aims of the Commonwealth’s Review of Australia’s Climate Change Policies. “Every analysis by credible experts shows that natural gas is essential to delivering reliable, cleaner energy over the next 20 years,” said APPEA Chief Executive […]
Policy
New dam safety legislation aimed to protect Queenslanders located in and around water storage dams has passed in parliament. The Water Legislation (Dam Safety) Amendment Bill 2016 passed with bipartisan support. Minister for Water Supply Mark Bailey said the new dam safety legislation will further safeguard Queenslanders against safety risks associated with dams. “These important safety measures implement recommendations from […]
Reduced developer charges for sewer and water services
Lauren Cella Civil Construction, News, Policy, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Midcoast Water has released a review of developer charges for water and sewer services that will see charges drop by at least 10 per cent from 1 July 2017 should the plan be endorsed. The proposed changes will see a standard water development charge across the MidCoast area of $5,970. Currently the charges are $6,155 for those in the former […]
The Queensland Government is urging the Turnbull Government to commit to a gas pipeline as part of a long-term package to tackle the looming east coast gas shortage. Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Queensland has had the political will to develop its gas reserves to supply domestic users and underpin LNG exports. “If the Turnbull Government wanted to […]
Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap released
Utility Journalist Electricity, Policy, Projects 0A national plan for energy could save Australian energy customers $100 billion and improve energy security according to the final report of the Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap released today by Energy Networks Australia and CSIRO. The Roadmap includes new state-by-state analysis by CSIRO, highlighting when energy security and cost risks will emerge in key locations and need to be addressed […]
The Turnbull Government has announced new restrictions on gas exports which aim to secure domestic gas supply. Mr Turnbull said the shortage of domestic gas supplies has resulted in dramatically higher prices in Australia – higher than prices paid in the markets to which Australian gas is being exported. “By ending the shortage, and ensuring the domestic market has adequate supplies, […]
A new agreement between two Victorian water corporations has provided security to irrigators in the Werribee South farming corridor. The Bulk Recycled Water Agreement 2017 guarantees Melbourne Water will supply up to 11,000 megalitres of recycled water from its Western Treatment Plant to Southern Rural Water each financial year. Southern Rural Water then supplies the water to agricultural irrigators in […]
New Electricity market laws for South Australia
Lauren Cella Electricity, Gas, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, News, Policy 0New State Government powers over the electricity market are now in place, putting effective control back in the hands of South Australians for the first time since the privatisation of ETSA. The new laws were announced by the Governor His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC at a meeting of the State’s Executive Council. “These new laws are a […]
What lies ahead for the energy sector?
Lauren Cella Electricity, Gas, Policy, Powerlines, Renewable Energy, Solar 0by Alan Pears, RMIT University, article first appeared on The Conversation 2017 is the year when many long-festering energy policy problems must be addressed. Our outdated energy market model is falling apart. The gas industry is lining its pockets at the expense of Australian industry. Climate policy is urgent, but controversial among key decision-makers. Our fossil fuel exports are under threat […]
NT Government calls for better nbn satellite services
Lauren Cella Features, News, Policy, Telecommunications 0The Northern Territory Government’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee regarding the nbn highlights that the lack of basic telecommunications infrastructure is a major issue faced by many remote communities across the state. Below is a summary of the Northern Territory Government’s position as outlined in the submission: The Northern Territory Government will continue to strongly advocate for families and […]
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have been directed by the Turnbull Government to review retail electricity prices. The review will scrutinise electricity retailer behaviour as well as contracts offered to residential and business customers and ensure consumers benefit from competition in the National Electricity Market. “Electricity prices have nearly doubled on top of inflation in most parts of […]
New laws have been introduced into the South Australian State Parliament in regards to the state’s energy future. The laws, first unveiled in the SA State Government’s energy plan, will hand the Energy Minister the power to direct electricity generators to turn on when required, putting the interests of South Australian first. The Minister will also be able to direct […]
Representatives from the gas industry have warned government that there is an urgent need to tackle the barriers to supply which are driving up prices. In a forum chaired by Industry Minister, Arthur Sinodinos, and supported by Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg MP, and the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Senator Matt Canavan, some of Australia’s largest […]
The Queensland Gas Company (QGC) will soon begin drilling up to 161 new wells, benefiting both gas supply and regional jobs. APPEA Queensland Director, Rhys Turner, said the start of “Project Ruby” was an important milestone for QGC and the Queensland gas industry. “The only way to meet growing demand for gas for our export and domestic markets is to […]
A new report warns that gas prices in eastern Australia are likely to double by 2030 unless urgent action is taken to develop new supply. APPEA Chief Executive, Dr Malcolm Roberts, said the report, “Meeting east Australia’s gas supply challenge” by McKinsey & Company, was an urgent call to action for policymakers, especially those in New South Wales, Victoria and […]
The Victorian Government is investing an additional $20 million in large-scale energy storage initiatives across Victoria in order to maintain the reliability of its energy grid, create jobs and protect affordability. The investment will take the Government’s total investment in energy storage to $25 million. This new funding will support energy storage companies that specialise in technologies including batteries, pumped […]
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has called for Australian governments to reach a national accord on carbon policy, claiming an overwhelming consensus of stakeholders supported a market-based policy. ENA CEO, John Bradley, said Australian governments were receiving a groundswell of support to reach pragmatic agreement on market-based carbon policies which are technology neutral. Mr Bradley said, “The energy industry, unions, social […]
Is the cybersecurity skills shortage real?
Lauren Cella Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, News, Policy, Safety and Training, Telecommunications 0You may have heard the recent lament about a shortage of skills in the cybersecurity sector, an idea that rose to prominence in 2016. But is there actually a shortage of skills in the sector? At Secure Utilities, we have the answers. Ricki Burke, Information Security Recruiter and founder of CyberSec People, an information security recruitment consultancy, has over ten […]
A new Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) report has found that an expected decline in gas production could create a gas-powered electricity generation (GPG) shortfall for New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia from 2018-19. AEMO’s 2017 Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) report, intended to assess the adequacy of gas infrastructure, reserves and resources to meet demand in eastern and […]
Australians may have to pay for FTTP upgrades
Lauren Cella News, Policy, Projects, Telecommunications 0In a Senate Estimates hearing, nbn CEO, Bill Morrow, said that Australians may need to pay extra for future upgrades on Fibre-to-the-node services. “If people said, ‘Not only do I want 50 megabits per second (Mbps), I want 200, and I’m willing to pay the difference between 50 and 200 because of incremental utility in my house, I have […]
Study highlights need for stronger basin plan
Lauren Cella Irrigation, News, Policy, Projects, Sustainability, Water 0The Victorian Government has released an independent study calling for the Murray Darling Basin Plan to be implemented in a way that avoids extra pressure on farmers from further wide-scale buybacks. The study supports Victoria’s approach to invest in water efficient infrastructure and measures that balance the competing needs of local communities, agriculture and the environment. The study shows the […]
Urgent need for businesses to address cyber threats
Lauren Cella Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, IOT, News, Policy, Safety and Training 0Audit and consulting firm, RSM Australia, claims the risk of cyber security attacks is not going away and businesses need to adapt much faster. RSM Australia said with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull raising cyber security to the level of national security, combined with the recent announcement in regards to the introduction of data breach notification laws, there were now compelling […]
Regional Queensland irrigation management bill passes
Lauren Cella Irrigation, News, Policy, Water 0The Queensland Parliament has passed legislation that would allow irrigators in rural communities to manage their own water schemes in the future. Water Supply Minister Mark Bailey said he was thrilled that the Water (Local Management Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2016 was now in place. “This is an important part of the Palaszczuk Government delivering on its election commitment to continue […]
AEMO report explores SA load shedding
Lauren Cella Digital Utilities, Electricity, News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Solar 0The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released a report of its continuing investigation into the events leading up to load shedding in South Australia on 8 February 2017, and has called for all parties to work together as the national energy market transitions. At 6:03pm, AEMO directed ElectraNet to interrupt 100MW of customer supply to restore system security and […]
Maximising solar penetration
Lauren Cella Asset management, Big Data, Civil Construction, Demand management, Digital Utilities, Electricity, Policy, Projects, Solar 0Increasing the number of solar installations in areas that have previously had their levels capped is a critical part of increasing the uptake of residential solar PV around the country. Recognising this, Dr Nick Engerer and his team from The Australian National University are working on an innovative new project that will help to maximise solar penetration levels in our […]
Proposed legislation cuts red tape for commercial solar
Lauren Cella Electricity, News, Policy, Solar, Stakeholder Engagement 0Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman, and the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury, have proposed new legislation to ACT parliament that aims to reduce red tape for commercial solar owners. “The bill amends planning legislation to require community consultation on certain development proposals before a development application is lodged,” Minister Gentleman said. “The amendment requires […]
Australia’s most comprehensive energy data system
Jessica Dickers Asset management, Big Data, Demand management, Digital Utilities, Electricity, IOT, Policy, Projects, Smart meters 0To help the energy sector plan for future infrastructure and policy needs, the CSIRO is bringing together Australia’s energy use data onto one publicly available online platform – the Energy Use Data Model (EUDM). Knowing how Australians use energy can help the sector create networks, products, technologies and policies to meet the future needs of consumers. CSIRO’s new Energy Use […]
Secure Utilities announces expert program lineup
Lauren Cella Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, News, Policy, Safety and Training, Telecommunications 0PwC’s Mark Coughlin and Director Technology, Security and Strategy at auDA, Rachael Falk, have been announced as the keynote presenters among a lineup of experts presenting at Secure Utilities, an event that tackles issues around data security for utilities in the digital age. The Secure Utilities program has just been announced, and includes a presentation from Mr Coughlin, who is […]
Women in utilities: Penelope Twemlow
Lauren Cella Electricity, Features, Policy, Projects, Telecommunications 0Penelope Twemlow, CEO, Energy Skills Queensland Can you provide some background on your career to date? I am a multi-degree qualified professional with 16 years’ experience in strategic and operational management, project and risk management, and governance and compliance. I also demonstrate people management, organisational culture and communications skills across a wide demographic and range of disciplines. My career commenced […]
PM calls for technology-neutral energy policy
Lauren Cella Electricity, Gas, News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability 0Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for the nation’s energy policy to focus on energy security rather than the type of technology used for delivery. In a speech at the National Press Club, Mr Turnbull said, “The next incarnation of our national energy policy should be technology agnostic. It’s security and cost that matters most, not how you deliver it. […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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