Community Energy Projects

Old Midland Courthouse

21 July 2014

Introducing our Speaker

Community Energy CongressCanberra, 16 – 17 June 2014:

“The RET is likely to go for sure”

Quote by: just about every inside

expert attending the congress…

© 2008 Frank Huster / Aurora Photos© 2008 Frank Huster / Aurora Photos

Research shows that people who Research shows that people who

participate in community energy projects:participate in community energy projects:•• are more knowledgeable about energyare more knowledgeable about energy

•• use energy more efficiently in their homesuse energy more efficiently in their homes

•• contribute to public policy debate about contribute to public policy debate about

energy, andenergy, and

•• inspire similar responses among family and inspire similar responses among family and •• inspire similar responses among family and inspire similar responses among family and

friendsfriendsIvorIvor FrischknechtFrischknecht, CEO ARENA, CEO ARENA

If a 14If a 14--yearyear--old boy old boy can can build a working build a working

windmill to power his windmill to power his village in Malawi, village in Malawi,

what are we waiting what are we waiting what are we waiting what are we waiting for?for?

University of New South WalesUniversity of New South Wales∗ Sydney∗ Sydney

600 students are studying 600 students are studying

photovoltaicsphotovoltaics at the first at the first

university in the world to university in the world to

offer undergraduate offer undergraduate

degrees in PV technologydegrees in PV technologyCopyright © University of New South WalesCopyright © University of New South Wales

© 2008: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty© 2008: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty

Across Australia, communities are coming together to pursue

genuine sustainability opportunities, and few are as compelling as community energy projects.

Inspiring – Encouraging – Positive – Informative

as community energy projects.

Communities are leading the way:- increasing local energy security

- creating regional development opportunities- acting to reduce carbon emissions.

C4CE aims to foster the development of a vibrant community

energy sector in Australia, taking an active role in creating a sustainable and resilient energy future for Australia.

Decarbonise - Decentralise - Democratise - Demonstrate

Vision that whole community could benefitExtensive community engagementUp-skilled lots of people, created new jobs

Danish connection

Community Wind Farm

Danish connection

Co-op: almost 2000 members, board of directors

~ $10m from members, $2m loan, $2m grant

2 wind turbines (4.1 MW capacity) 10km south of Daylesford, Victoriascaled to the towns of Daylesford & Hepburn Springs

Initial public meeting 2004 - First electricity generated June 2011

1kWh per second when the wind is blowing

Linking community investors with quality solar projects

Trust structure – max 20 investors per projectNo share offer, no prospectus, can move quicklySMSFs able to provide capitalSMSFs able to provide capital

Trustee company –Not For Profit - min 2 directorsDirectors act on behalf of investors

Royal Hotel Boggabri – proof of concept projectOver $200,000 invested so far in three projects(15kW, 60kW over 3 sites, 50kW)

Investors provide capital for installationReceive a fee for each kWh the system generates for the 7yrs

Mortgage over panelsOffset consumption – no export

Darebin Solar $aver Program for Pensioners

Council acquires bank loan - recovers money over timeCouncil acquires bank loan - recovers money over timeCouncil pays upfront for panels - confirmed sales for solar installer

1.5-2kW systems for pensioner householdsPensioner household has reduced energy costs

System is paid off over 10 years through council rates systemSystem debt is attached to the property not the pensioner

8000 mail-out, 600 enquiries, 500 home visits, 60% uptake300 households 0.5MW

Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia Inc.

Funded by donations

No paid staff – all volunteers

Quick Win projects / Big Win ProjectsQuick Win projects / Big Win Projects

Interest free loans to $20,000 for Quick Win projects

Admin costs funded by membership and separate donations

Gawler Community House SA - 10kW PV + LED lighting- $17,560 loan from CORENA- Loan repayments $1000/qtr- Installation July 2014

Tulgeen Disability Services NSW- 7kW PV- $12,000 loan from CORENA- Loan repayments $1000/qtr over 3 years- Installation Nov 2013

50MW solar thermal plant with molten salt storage at Port Augusta, SA

Tendered July 2014 to Ausgrid to own & operate existing wind turbine

Built in 1997 but now being encroached on by expanding coal export infrastructure

Clean Energy Association of Newcastle and Surrounds

infrastructure

Collaboration between:- community group- energy retailer - wind farm developer- wind turbine manufacturer- local surf life saving clubs - local lawyers

CORE – Community Owned Renewable Energy10kW – 10MW

Inspiration:

German village of Wildpoldsreidproduced 496% of its power in 2013

Motivation:

Climate change, self-sufficiency, local empowerment,Climate change, self-sufficiency, local empowerment,regional development, energy security

Financing:

Donations, crowd-funding, debt, shareholder equity

Structure:

Company, cooperative, trust or combinations

Australia’s First Community Solar Farm is still to be doneSome of the highest retail AND lowest wholesale energy prices in the world!Putting renewables in is not the problem – retiring old generating assets out is.

© 2009 Reuters/Tim Wimborne© 2009 Reuters/Tim Wimborne