Renewable Energy for Benalla

Community Energy Working Group

Benalla Adopts Renewable EnergyVision – Benalla no longer relies on fossil fuel based energy

Why?• Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are a major contributor to climate change.

• Climate change threatens our livelihoods and those of future generations, including our children and grandchildren.

• Adopting clean renewable energy will result in a major reduction to greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce impact of climate change.

• “We are the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and the last generation to be able to do anything about it.” President Obama

Climate Change in the Goulburn-Broken (DSE 2008)Medium Emissions 2030 Scenario

CO2 emissions increase moderately until the middle of the century before declining.By 2100 a global temperature increase greater than 2 degrees is likely.

Changes in Climate• Rainfall patterns change, more high-volume rainfall events• Warmer temperatures with greatest increase in summer. • More hot days, less cold days, reduction in number of frosts• Reduction in annual rainfall with greatest reductions in spring • Drier conditions due to increased evaporation and reduction of humidityWhilst these changes will have long term consequences the impacts of climate change are more likely to be felt through extreme events such as heavy rainfall, heat waves and increased bushfire risk.

For more details see ‘BRC Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan’

Current trends indicate changes are happening much faster than the worst case scenario predicted by the IPCC

Impacts of Climate Change WATER Decreases in rainfall - less water for rivers. PRIMARY PRODUCTION Reduced rainfall - reductions in soil moisture- most farms under stress

COMMUNITIES Significant Impacts on human health• Increased heatwaves - cause deaths through heart attack, stroke and heat exhaustion,

- elderly are most susceptible.• High temperatures are also linked to:

- increased hospital admissions relating to heat stress, sunburn and dehydration;- more outdoor work-related accidents and reduced productivity.

For much greater detail see ‘BRC Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan’ pp 8-10

New Energy Jobs Fund

The Victorian Government's $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund will support Victorian-based, commercially ready projects that:

• Create long-term sustainable jobs

• Drive economic development

• Increase community participation

• Increase the uptake of renewable energy generation

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Funding to support new energy technology projects will be available through three annual grant rounds.

The Program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million.

New Energy Jobs Fund

Community CategoryEligibilityNot-for-profit organisations, co-operatives, social enterprises or local councils.

Supports:• development of a business case and the • implementation of projects for the benefit of local communities.

Projects under the Community category are able to apply for funding of up to: $100,000 for the development of a business case, or up to $1 million for project implementation and advisory services.

Community-based projects funded for business case development in the first or second years will be eligible to apply for project implementation funding in subsequent year(s).

Community-Owned Renewable Energy

What is Community Renewable Energy?

Community-owned renewable energy refers to projects where a community group initiates, develops, operates and benefits

from a renewable energy source or energy efficiency initiative.

Community energy projects :• maximise local ownership and decision making• generate jobs• use resources efficiently and sustainably• match energy production to local energy needs and circumstances• help address climate change.

Community-Owned Renewable Energy

Benefits of Community-Owned Renewable Energy

Environmental• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions which helps reduce impacts of climate change.

Public Acceptance• Educate people about renewable energy and involves them in creating a sustainable low- carbon future.

Social• Build community participation and empowerment by offering chance to make a significant collective contribution to reducing climate change.

Economic• Strengthen local economies by developing renewable energy industries, jobs and training.• Financial benefits shared amongst the community.

Options for Community Energy Projects

Solar Photovoltaic (PV)Behind-the meter models best suited for community energy projects. Host site agrees to purchase the energy over the life of the project. Avoids problems of selling into energy market.Donation/community organisation solarFunds raised for community organisations rooftop solar PV through donations from crowd funding or traditional fund raising.

Community investment solarAn organisation develops a community solar project and opens it up to community investors who will receive a certain return on their investment.

Multi-household solarInvolves aggregating households to deliver efficiencies through bulk-buying schemes such as one previously conducted through North-East Greenhouse Alliance.

Council- Community partnershipCommunity group forms partnership with council to install PV panels on roof of community building.

Further Options for Community Energy Projects

Bioenergy Bioenergy projects are appropriate where:• heating, cooling &/or electricity are needed• cheap, sustainable biomass resources are readily available.

Small/Micro HydroDepends on natural flow of river rather than storing water.Possibility of ‘in-line’ hydro in Benalla water supply mains.

WindMicro-wind turbines (up to 50KW) and mid-sized (up to 700KW) most appropriate for community ownership.

Energy EfficiencyEfficient use of energy can reduce demand, reduce environmental impacts and deliver financial benefits for communities.Some individual businesses and households may not be aware of benefits of energy efficiency.Community energy/Council groups can help bridge these gaps.

Current Situation in BenallaPhotovoltaic Installations in Benalla Rural City (2014) Number of Percent of Capacity (kW)Houses Installs houses Domestic Commercial Total 6155 997 16.2% 2914kW 237kW 3151kW

Benalla’s daily electricity demand – approx. 14MW (includes Henderson’s)

Council installations:Indoor recreation centre 15kW Art Gallery 15kW Town Hall 5kWCouncil owned kindergarten 1.5kW

Hospital 96 kW of solar panels installed and plan to double them! Factories (from observation)Benalla Timber Products in Midland Highway Engine Reconditioning in Sydney Road Factory plansBenalla Toyota plans to cover roof with panels. Quote - $65,000 Payback period – 25 monthsHenderson’s seeking energy efficiencies – considering installing panels or upgrading machinery.Other PlansWinton Wetlands investigating possibility of 10MW solar farm on the Wetlands Reserve.

Council Documents and Climate ChangeEnvironment Strategy 2011-2015 Review

Strategic Direction 2Acting to mitigate climate emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

2.2 Council and community are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and resource use.2.2.1 Council is a leader to the community in ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce consumption.

Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025Action 11 The community and council are less reliant on fossil fuels.11.2 Council promotes energy efficiency with households and businesses.11.8 Undertake a feasibility study to assess alternative energy options for the Benalla community and identify actions for Council to undertake.

Economic Development StrategyClimate change is included in the Economic Development Strategy as follows:“Solar and other energy generation” and “green jobs” are listed as emerging industries for the Benalla area. p.33

A Future Energy Plan for Benalla!

Vision: Benalla becomes a zero net energy town by reducing and balancing local energy needs with a 100% renewable energy supply.

A Possible Plan: Follow the Z-NET Blueprint which sets out 4 stages to achieve this vision.

Investigate the current non-renewable energy use in Benalla and develop a Benalla Future Energy Plan

Encourage use of less energy and greater energy efficiency across the total community.

Generate renewable energy on site with PV panels on roofs.

Generate large scale renewable energy nearby.

Obviously council and community support is essential for such a vision to be achieved.

What are we seeking from Council?

1) In-principle support for the development of a future energy plan for Benalla. Refer to Action 11.8 in the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan: Undertake a feasibility study to assess alternative energy options for the Benalla community and identify actions for Council to undertake.

2) Active support in engaging the community in this development.

3) Active involvement in developing an application for funding through the New Energy Jobs Fund to conduct a feasibility study to look at all the options for Benalla to become a zero net energy town and develop a

Benalla Future Energy Plan.

Moreland Zero Carbon Evolution

An example to follow?

In 2020 in Moreland:Shifting towards zero net carbon emissions is part of creating a prosperous and resilient future for Moreland.It will encourage connected communities of citizens who are doing things differently to have a positive influence on our shared future.

Households and businesses will be powered by renewable energy.

Businesses will become energy and resource smart.

Homes will consume less energy and be comfortable, affordable and healthy places to

live.

Residents will act as conscious consumers.

A challenge to us all!

Poem from 'Optimism - Reflections on a life of action’ by Bob Brown

it's 3:23 in the morningand I'm awakebecause my great great grandchildrenwon't let me sleep,my great great grandchildrenask me in dreamswhat did you do while the planet was plundered?what did you do when the earth was unravelling?surely you did somethingwhen the seasons started failing?as the mammals, reptiles and birds were all dying?did you fill the streets with protestwhen democracy was stolen?what did you doonce you knew?

Part of poem from "Hieroglyphic Stairway' by Drew Dillinger