Australia currently is focused on the use of solar and wind technologies, with some consideration for the future being given to wave, geothermal technologies.
According to the latest quarterly report for the period ending in December 2008, GreenPower, an Australian government accreditation program for renewable energy, indicates that over 877,000 Australian homes and 34,000 businesses are voluntarily purchasing GreenPower (generated from sources such as mini hydro, wind power, and biomass). Unaudited total sales for the quarter were 476,758 MWh, bringing the total unaudited sales for the entire year to over 1.8 million MWh for the entire year.[1]
In 2008, more than half (55%) of all households in the Northern Territory (NT) used solar energy, the highest percentage as compared to any other Australian state or territory. The Northern Territory is followed by Western Australia (WA) at 22%, and Queensland (Qld) at 9%, coming in second and third respectively.
Additionally, as of March 2008, households located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) had the highest rate of GreenPower awareness (at nearly 71%), while households in Western Australia (WA) were least aware (39%).[2]
The Australian government has created an interactive map (which can be found at: http://www.ga.gov.au/renewable) that identifies operational renewable energy generators across Australia. The generators are classified by technology and can be viewed by State by click/zooming onto a spot on the map.and by requesting data about the facility by clicking in the box located on the right of the map. A link is also provided to a map of proposed sites.[3]
An Excel file containing raw data about all of the operating renewable generators in Australia, by name, state, and owner, can be accessed via the following link: http://www.ga.gov.au/renewable/operating/operating_renewable.xls
Australia's Solar Cities are urban areas located throughout Australia, specifically, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria, Moreland, Perth and Townsville. These Solar Cities are demonstrating how solar power, smart meters, energy efficiency, and novel approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future. Each Solar City is investigating and incorporating a combination of energy options as energy efficiency measures for homes and businesses. These efforts include the use of solar technologies, cost reflective pricing trials to reward citizens who use energy wisely, and community education on ways to improve energy usage in an increasingly energy-reliant world.[4]
Detailed information on specific efforts being undertaken by each Australian Solar City to incorporate solar power in an effort to meet their energy needs, can be accessed via the following link: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/solarcities/index.html
The following Australian State and Territory Governments have also implemented measures to increase the uptake of renewable energy:[5]
