Energy and climate change response - project details
Climate change education and advocacy for university students
Intelligent Grid - P4 Institutional Barriers, Stakeholder Engagement and Economic Modelling
Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site
Cogeneration in NSW: Review and Analysis of Opportunities
Projects completed in 2007
Expert sustainability advice for East Darling Harbour
Evaluation of Energy and Water Savings from WaterFix Retrofits
Review of NSW D-Factor and alternatives
Footprinting Greenhouse Emissions - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Review of the economic case for privatisation of the NSW electricity industry
North Eveleigh Redevelopment Energy Management Plan
3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative: discussion of a national roll-out
Australian energy and transport subsidies 2005-06
Capital region climate change forum
Energy efficiency in buildings: a survey of building managers
Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments
Urban Planning Impacts - UTS Challenge Grant
Projects completed in 2006
ISF Contribution to Australia Institute Geosequestration Discussion Paper
Economic instruments in the retail electricity market
Effective communication on climate change: web toolkit
Interval meter trials and small consumers
Projects completed in 2005
Climate change and water in Australia
Projects completed in 2004
Community EmPOWERment: Communities have their say on electricity
Projects completed in 2002
Enforceable greenhouse benchmarks in NSW
Projects completed in 2001
A survey on education and training in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas issues
Projects completed in 2000
Study of standby electricity use
Cooperatives and regional Australia in the new energy market
Capitalising demand management into the asset base
Energy assessment of alterations and additions
Policy toolkit for efficient management of energy, water and stormwater in Sydney
Training materials for SEDA's Energy Smart Homes policy
Urban Consolidation Challenge: Review of Environmental Impacts
Carbon Offset Watch
Carbon Offset Watch aims to provide consumers (individuals and businesses) with information to inform their offset purchasing decisions and encourage them to demand quality and transparency in offset retailer services and products. The project is a partnership between the Institute for Sustainable Futures, the Total Environment Centre (representing environmental interests) and CHOICE (representing consumer interests). Greenhouse gas emissions can, and should, be reduced directly by, for example, improving energy efficiency or buying accredited renewable energy. However, where these options have been exhausted or are not cost-effective, an alternative is for consumers to voluntarily pay for an emission reduction elsewhere. This is done by buying and removing (retiring) voluntary carbon offsets from the market so they cannot be re-sold. Often sellers of such credits will retire them from the market on behalf of the offset buyers. The process of buying and retiring carbon offset credits is known as carbon offsetting and a voluntary carbon market has emerged to supply carbon credits for this purpose. There are now more than 50 carbon offset providers operating in Australia. For consumers, the task of understanding and choosing between the diverse carbon offset products on offer can be daunting. There are many different ways in which a carbon credit can be generated, several competing standards under which those credits can be certified and many different voluntary carbon product and service offerings. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently raised concerns ‘that consumers may be facing misleading and deceptive conduct associated with this emerging market’. Carbon Offset Watch responds to these concerns and provides the information needed to make an informed choice when purchasing carbon offsets. Carbon Offset Watch will be available from www.carbonoffsetwatch.org.au
More information:
Carbon Offset Watch summary ( Download/view PDF)
Carbon Offset Watch assessment, methodology and results presentation ( Download/view PDF)
Carbon Offset Watch 2008 assessment report ( Download/view PDF)
Climate change education and advocacy for university students
NSW Government's Environmental Trust
ISF worked with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), Australian Student Environmental Network (ASEN) and UTS Environment Collective to develop and pilot a training program that will equip interested university students with the skills to undertake climate change education and advocacy. The training program and materials draw on existing research on communicating climate change and new research on the specific needs of university students. It also draws on the practical experience of AYCC's existing school climate change education program. The objective of the training program is to provide university students with the skills to lead an effective response to climate change amongst their peers, in their university environment and in their future careers, and to encourage personal behaviour change.
Partridge, E. & Atherton, A. 2008, What do UTS students think about climate change? survey results, [prepared for the New South Wales Government's Environmental Trust], Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney, View/Download paper
Training materials:
Workshop program. Download/view
Climate Science Update presentation. Download/view
Climate Solutions presentation. Download/view
The Climate Leadership Journey Workbook. Download/view
Children of the Future - Storytelling exercise. Download/view
Imagining Displacement for Climate Refugees: the Ball Bearing Demonstration. Download/view
A Just Transition to a clean, renewable energy economy is urgent and possible by Geoff Evans Download/view
Charts adapted from Moyer, Bill. The Practical Strategist. San Francisco: Social Movement Empowerment Projecy, 1990. Download/view
Negotiating 101: Some helpful stuff to help you negotiate effectively and successfully in your university or workplace. Download/view
Planning and promoting events. Download/view
Training evaluation. Download/view
Intelligent Grid - P4 Institutional Barriers, Stakeholder Engagement and Economic Modelling
CSIRO
ISF has been appointed as the Cluster Leader for the new Intelligent Grid Cluster, a collaborative research project under CSIRO's Energy Transformed Flagship. The Cluster includes seven collaborative research projects.
In addition to the Cluster Leader role, ISF is undertaking the research project on Institutional Barriers, Stakeholder Engagement and Economic Modelling. For the Intelligent Grid to fulfill its potential, it is essential that all relevant benefits and costs are identified, understood and evaluated. The aim of this project is to clearly elaborate the market benefits and effects (including CO2 reduction) of large scale distributed energy (distributed generation and demand management) deployment in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM).
The project consists of five parts:
Part 1: Review of Benefits and Barriers to Intelligent Grid and its components
Part 2: Report on economic regulatory barriers to Intelligent Grid development and mechanisms to overcome them
Part 3: Business deliberation on Intelligent Grids and DE
Part 4: Calculating dynamic localised avoidable network costs (DANCE model)
Part 5: Develop a Robust Transparent D.E. Evaluation Model (D-CODE Model)
The project will contribute towards accelerated uptake of demand management, distributed energy and time-of-use pricing and consequent major economic savings.
Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site
Elton Consulting
In August 2007, the Institute for Sustainable Futures and Elton Consulting were commissioned by Frasers Property Australia to provide advice on improving the sustainability of the Frasers Broadway development. The former site of the Carlton and United Brewery is being developed to provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail and public spaces. ISF has provided ongoing input into the Sustainability Strategy and options for the site, as well as detailed energy and water modelling input.
Frasers Broadway: http://www.frasersbroadway.com.au/broadway/
Cogeneration in NSW: Review and Analysis of Opportunities
Department of Planning (NSW)
ISF is undertaking a status report on cogeneration in NSW for public release. This report will build on findings of the Demand Management and Planning Project which has investigated 81 opportunities for cogeneration in a range of commercial, industrial and other applications. Net cost savings and payback periods were calculated for each opportunity. Analysis and publication of these data would be valuable to demonstrate the viability of cogeneration to regulators and the marketplace.
The report will:
1. Explain cogeneration technology for a general audience
2. Outline the benefits and costs of cogeneration (e.g. reduced energy costs and peak demand, greenhouse gas reduction, reliability improvements)
3. Provide a status report on implementation of cogeneration, focusing on NSW but also providing some international and national context
4. Analyse the economics of cogeneration in NSW, based on investigations by the Demand Management and Planning Project
5. Present case studies of successful applications of cogeneration
6. Discuss the approval process for cogeneration and any regulatory barriers that currently exist
7. Provide recommendations on how to increase the penetration of cogeneration and similar distributed generation technologies.
Projects completed in 2007
Expert sustainability advice for East Darling Harbour
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
ISF was engaged to provide expert sustainability advice to the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, in relation to the upcoming Barangaroo development at East Darling Harbour. Our discussion paper set out a framework of sustainability principles to guide future development on the site and ensure it reflects true innovation and leadership, now and into the future. We also examined options for innovative approaches to water and energy infrastructure serving the site.
Evaluation of Energy and Water Savings from WaterFix Retrofits
Sydney Water Corporation
This collaborative project involved original applied research to develop an estimate of the energy and water savings resulting from Sydney Water's WaterFix and DIY retrofit programs. The WaterFix program involves a plumber visiting a household to install water saving equipment. The DIY program provides householders with a kit they can install themselves. Rather than using an estimated saving per retrofit, the project used actual water and energy billing data to evaluate the savings achieved in practice by retrofits. This required cooperation between the Institute, EnergyAustralia and Sydney Water to integrate energy and water usage data from different customer databases. The methodological approach involved matching each retrofit participant with a non-participating control, using geographic information and data on usage patterns. The consumption differences between the matched pairs were then evaluated. The results of the analysis remain confidential at this time.
Review of NSW D-Factor and alternatives
Total Environment Centre
This project, undertaken in association with the U.S. Regulatory Assistance Project, provided research services to the Total Environment Centre to produce an Issues Paper investigating the NSW's D-Factor mechanism and related issues. The context for the project was to ensure that when regulation of electricity distribution network service providers is transferred to the national level from 2008, it incorporates appropriate and effective incentives for demand management (DM).
The report reviewed theory and practice of distribution network regulation and its influence on DM, to enable fundamental principles to be identified. Network regulation that takes place in NSW and other States was discussed in the context of the transition to a national regulatory system.
In particular, the performance of the D-Factor since its introduction in 2004/05 was assessed in terms of its impact on DM investment by the three NSW distribution network service providers (DNSPs). We have held discussions with the DNSPs and analysed their reported DM investments to draw preliminary conclusions on the influence of the D-Factor on DM investment.
The report discusses the pros and cons of adopting a D-Factor-like measure and its alternatives nationally.
Dunstan, C. & Abeysuriya, K., 2008, Win, Win, Win: regulating electricity distribution networks for reliability, consumers and the environment: review of the NSW D-Factor and alternative mechanisms to encourage demand management, [prepared for the Total Environment Centre], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. Download/view
Footprinting Greenhouse Emissions - Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Greenpeace Australia-Pacific
ISF worked with Greenpeace to footprint direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with Greenpeace's operations and to identify opportunities to reduce or offset emissions. ISF applied a Carbon Management Framework to:
- measure all direct CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions of the operations of Greenpeace Australia Pacific Ltd.
- identify areas where emission reductions are possible and make recommendations.
- audit all Greenpeace's operations that produce indirect emissions and rank these in order according to the ability to reduce these emissions
ISF developed a reporting format and tools that will enable Greenpeace to measure and report their own emissions in future years. In addition estimated indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of products and services in an office environment, including paper products, stationery, printing services and couriers. ISF developed new methods for assessing indirect emissions from these products and services that will be applicable in other situations.
Review of the economic case for privatisation of the NSW electricity industry
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre engaged the Institute for Sustainable Futures to review the economic case for privatisation of the NSW electricity industry, as presented by the Owen Inquiry into Electricity Supply in NSW. The review examined experiences with electricity industry privatisation elsewhere, assessed the economic assumptions to build the case for privatisation in the Owen Report and considered alternative approaches to meet the objective of supplying base load power while maintaining the State's credit rating.
The report found that the case for privatisation presented in the Owen Inquiry was based on numerous problematic assumptions and that there was strong justification for alternative assumptions that made privatisation look less attractive - economically, environmentally and socially. The report proposed an alternative approach to secure the future of the NSW electricity industry, focused on strong climate change response and support for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Riedy, C & Daly, J, 2007, Electricity supply in NSW: Alternatives to privatisation, [prepared for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. Download/view
Redfern Waterloo Authority
The Redfern Waterloo Authority engaged the Institute for Sustainable Futures to undertake an Energy Management Plan for the North Eveleigh carriageworks site. The Energy Management Plan (EMP) provided input to the Masterplan which is currently being undertaken for the site's redevelopment. The aim of the EMP was to determine options for sustainable energy management, examine the technical and economic feasibility of those options and provide recommendations for energy management on the site when it is redeveloped for residential and commercial uses. The report outlined sustainable and restorative energy targets for the site and modelled options that could achieve these targets.
3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative: discussion of a national roll-out
City of Sydney
The 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative is a Sydney-based program run by City of Sydney, North Sydney and Parramatta City Councils. It supports commercial office tenants in the three central business districts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving their energy efficiency and, hence, their climate change impact. Progress is measured annually using the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme. This project evaluated the most appropriate options for a successful national roll-out of the program, taking into consideration the following key parameters: delivery of tangible policy outcomes; cost-effectiveness; and realistic timeframes. The project team reviewed relevant literature and conducted interviews with stakeholders to evaluate what had and had not worked during the original project. It considered the advantages and difficulties of extending a highly successful local project to a national audience and suggested possible models that could be used to do so. Further information on the 3CBDs Initiative can be found on the City of Sydney 3CBDs Initiative website: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/3cbds/
Australian energy and transport subsidies 2005-06
Greenpeace Australia-Pacific
The Institute for Sustainable Futures has undertaken several projects to estimate the magnitude of energy and transport subsidies in Australia. These projects have revealed that most of the energy and transport subsidies in Australia support the production or use of fossil fuels, rather than energy efficiency or renewable energy. As such, the current pattern of subsidies contributes to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. In 2007, Greenpeace Australia-Pacific and ISF jointly funded an updated estimate of energy and transport subsidies for the 2005-06 financial year. The new report identified more than $9 billion in energy and transport subsidies in 2005-06, with more than 96% of these subsidies supporting fossil fuel production and use and less than 4% supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy. The majority of the subsidies - about 74% - are in the transport sector. The report concluded that there is strong justification for the gradual removal of specific energy and transport subsidies that encourage greenhouse gas emissions, as long as the social equity impact of subsidy removal is considered. Download/view report.
Capital region climate change forum
NSW Greenhouse Office
In December 2006, the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney held an innovative event called the Capital Region Climate Change Forum. The Forum ran over three days in Canberra and was funded by the NSW and ACT Governments. It used a citizens' jury format to bring together twenty randomly-selected citizens to deliberate on how Australia's Capital Region should respond to climate change.
The primary objectives of the Forum were to:
- Test the use of a citizens' jury as a way of helping the community to engage with the issue of climate change and develop informed recommendations on how to respond
- Provide a greater understanding of how the community in the Capital Region would like to respond to climate change
- Improve understanding of community perspectives on climate change more broadly.
In addition, the Forum was intended as a pilot for a larger process that could be held Australia-wide to improve communication of climate change issues and facilitate direct participation of Australian citizens in decisions on how to respond to climate change.
The citizens demonstrated their ability to engage with complex material and develop an integrated response in the form of a Citizens' Report. The participants were generally satisfied with the process and many were inspired by the opportunity to learn about climate change and have their say on how we should respond.
However, there were also many lessons and opportunities for improvement identified from the pilot that are documented in the Evaluation Report. Download/view report.
Channel 10 'Cool Aid' Special
Beyond Productions
The Institute for Sustainable Futures played a major role in a prime-time television special on global warming, which aired nationally in Network Ten in March 2007. The show's aim was to raise community awareness of climate change and provide simple illustrations of what the average person can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Our role was to provide general research support, develop a 'national carbon quiz' for the TV audience, develop and conduct on-camera carbon audits of a number of different celebrity households and calculate audit results. The carbon audits encompassed a broad range of aspects including household energy use, transport, waste, food and general consumption of goods. This project demonstrates ISF's expertise in translating and communicating complex sustainability concepts in a simple and easy to understand way. Footage from the show can be viewed at: http://ten.com.au/ten/coolaid-videos.html
Energy efficiency in buildings: a survey of building managers
Department of Planning (NSW)
The DMPP had previously conducted around 900 audits of energy reduction opportunities at a large number of sites in Sydney CBD and in the Sutherland-St George area. ISF conducted online survey research to measure the impact of these audits and to explore organisations' views about energy efficiency more broadly. The survey research was complemented by a literature review to draw out the findings of similar research undertaken in Australia and elsewhere, with a view to comparing the findings of the survey to those of previous projects. Taken together, the survey analysis and literature review identify key barriers to the take-up of energy efficiency measures, as well as potential opportunities to overcome these barriers. The DMPP will use the research to inform the development of more effective demand reduction strategies.
Download/view report: Partridge, E.Y. & McGee, C. 2007. Customer Survey Feedback from Demand Management and Planning Project, [prepared for NSW Department of Planning], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney.
An article about this research; 'Beyond Earth Hour', by Emma Partridge; was published in the May/June 2007 edition of EcoGeneration, the magazine of the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (Issue 40). Read 'Beyond Earth Hour', in EcoGeneration magazine: http://www.ecogeneration.com.au /
Wind power in NSW
Nature Conservation Council of NSW
The Institute for Sustainable Futures was engaged by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW to prepare a report and resource kit on the role of wind power in NSW. This material provides information to the NCC's members and other interested stakeholders in the form of fact sheets detailing: the planning and approval process; capturing benefits and addressing concerns; and supporting wind power. The report outlines the benefits of wind energy, the current state of science in relation to wind power, community objections to wind power and ways that wind farm design, planning and community consultation might be improved. The work includes development of case studies of wind farm development in Australia to demonstrate best-practice and a series of recommendations suggesting ways in which the industry can develop in NSW. The full report and fact sheets are available from the Nature Conservation Council (NSW) web site
Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments
Land Development Agency
The Institute was commissioned by the ACT's Land Development Agency to assist in creating guidelines for potential joint venture participants for the latest greenfield development at the northern ACT suburb of Crace. Like other State Government land developers, LDA's role encompasses industry leadership. LDA's vision for Crace is that it should set a new standard in sustainability initiatives in the ACT, so LDA has high expectations for water and energy demand and supply. ISF reviewed the opportunities for Crace, and specified targets that align with LDA's intentions, and are qualitatively different from current thinking what is best practice. The notional targets set significant water and energy use reductions for the residential land release. They are strong targets, relative to current best practice, with a focus on efficiency first (e.g. efficient appliances for water, high level passive solar design for energy, then source substitution for water (e.g. raintanks, greywater reuse, sewer mining) and low emission and/or renewables for energy (e.g. solar hot water and efficient gas heating provisions).
Urban Planning Impacts - UTS Challenge Grant
University of Technology, Sydney
We aim to foster innovative, sustainable approaches to city planning through an interdisciplinary collaboration, that addresses the current disconnect between urban planning and environmental impacts. This project will review existing planning models for transport, population and land use, and develop a modelling framework that links these components. This integrated framework will enable environmental impacts (e.g. greenhouse emissions, energy and water consumption) of future city planning configurations to be assessed. A Sydney based case-study will demonstrate the approach, inform policy and assist in facilitating applications for external funding. This project has the potential to significantly improve decision-making for urban planning.
Projects completed in 2006
ISF Contribution to Australia Institute Geosequestration Discussion Paper
Australian Conservation Foundation
With funding assistance from the Australian Conservation Foundation and Greenpeace, ISF's Chris Riedy co-authored an Australia Institute discussion paper that examines how much emissions abatement geosequestration - the underground storage of greenhouse gases - might deliver, how soon it might do so, what the cost of such abatement might be and how it compares with other energy policy options to reduce emissions. The paper provides quality and authoritative information to inform the public policy debate on how to manage the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. The Discussion Paper is Number 72 in the Australia Institute Discussion Paper series and is available at http://www.tai.org.au/documents/downloads/DP72.pdf
Economic instruments in the retail electricity market
Home Energy Audit Pty Ltd
ISF advice was sought by the Home Energy Ausit Pty Ltd (HEA) on opportunities to convert economic instruments available in the electricity market into sources of revenue. Economic instruments examined included Mandatory Renewable Energy Certificates, Demand Side Abatement to generate NSW Greenhouse Abatement Certificates, payments by electricity distributors for peak load reductions and payments from the National Electricity Market for demand reduction bids. HEA wishes to implement a Home Energy Audit service for Australian homeowners. The audit is envisaged as a staged process of an on-site data collection and assessment, followed by a written report providing evaluation and recommendations for improvement.
Effective Communication on Climate Change: Web Toolkit
Climate Action Network Australia
During 2006, the Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) undertook qualitative and quantitative research on how to effectively communicate climate change. CANA engaged ISF to develop the results of this research into a web toolkit on effective communication of climate change. The web toolkit is aimed at CANA's member groups and provides guidance on how to effectively communicate climate change issues, summaries of the research findings, examples of how to apply the research findings and the detailed research reports. ISF designed and presented a workshop on the web toolkit for the 2006 CANA Conference to introduce CANA members to the research and the various resources available in the web toolkit. The toolkit has since been used by CANA members as an input to their campaigning work.
Interval Meter Trials and Small Consumers
Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre
The ISF discussion paper: Interval Meter Trials and Small Consumers is available from CUAC's website.
Newington Demographic Study
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW)
The Newington Demographic Study investigated the demographic, behavioural and infrastructure-related factors influencing observed patterns of electricity demand in 30 homes in Newington, in western Sydney. The Study was undertaken in 2005 for the Demand Management and Planning Project, a partnership between the NSW Department of Planning, TransGrid and EnergyAustralia. Electricity demand was monitored in 30 Newington homes over a 12-month period. Although the homes are essentially identical in terms of physical structure, significant differences were identified in electricity demand patterns. The research used a survey and statistical analysis to investigate the characteristics of the households and assess the impact of these characteristics on the metered patterns of electricity consumption. While the sample was too small to allow general conclusions to be drawn, it was evident that behaviour (e.g. occupancy patterns) and the type of appliances installed had more influence on energy demand than demographic characteristics or building structure. This has important implications for the design of programs that aim to reduce household electricity consumption. A focus on changing behaviour is critical. The full Newington Demographic Study report is available from the Demand Management and Planning Project website.
Solar Water Heater Survey
Leichhardt Municipal Council
The performance of Leichhardt Council's energy efficiency development control plan (DCP 17) that requires the installation of solar hot water systems in new houses was assessed by surveying households with solar hot water systems. Mail questionnaires and in depth interviews covering a wide range of issues were conducted with more than 30 householders in the area who had installed solar water heaters to ascertain their attitudes to the policy and to solar water heaters generally. The results were used to assess the environmental outcomes of Leichhardt Municipal Council's Development Control Plan 17 -- Energy Efficient Housing (DCP 17), which came into operation in June 1994.
Why brown coal should stay in the ground - Greenhouse implications of the proposed expansion of brown coal mining in Victoria
Climate Action Network Australia
ISF was engaged by the Australian Gas Association, Climate Action Network Australia, and the Australian Conservation Foundation to write an extended briefing paper comparing the emissions from brown coal power stations and coal-to-oil projects with other fuels and technologies. The paper assesses the impact of expansion scenarios on national and international emissions and atmospheric concentrations. In addition, the paper outlines the risks and costs of both geosequestration and payment for greenhouse gas emissions. The report found that no brown coal-based technology is likely to deliver reduced greenhouse gas emissions, while some new brown coal-based technologies would make the situation worse. It also found that investment in brown coal projects would defer the uptake of renewable energy and implementation of energy efficiency programs.
Projects completed in 2005
Climate change and water in Australia
Climate Action Network Australia
At a time when much of Australia was in the midst of the worst drought on record, ISF collaborated with project partners from the water industry, insurance industry and environmental sector to focus attention on the impact that climate change is projected to have on agricultural and urban water supply security. ISF undertook a comprehensive literature review of recent research on water and climate change in Australia, covering projected changes in rainfall and water systems and impacts on cities, farmers and the environment. The literature review was written up as an annotated bibliography. The work was funded by the Climate Action Network Australia with a grant from the Myer Foundation. ISF's research was used to develop a publicly accessible website on climate change and water in Australia. The website may be viewed at http://www.cana.net.au/water/index.html
Projects completed in 2004
Community EmPOWERment: Communities have their say on electricity
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
In early 2004, Moreland Energy Foundation Limited engaged the Institute to conduct social research on Improving Demand Management Choices for Small Customers in the National Electricity Market (the Community Empowerment Project). The National Consumers Electricity Advocacy Panel (NCEAP) and the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) funded the research. The primary objectives of the research were to investigate the social influences on household electricity consumption, improve understanding of barriers to demand management at the household level and identify promising policy actions to allow householders to better manage their electricity use. A secondary objective was to educate householders on practical actions that they can take to reduce their electricity bills. Workshops were held in Victoria and Sydney, with a diverse range of people participating including low income, non-English speaking, and indigenous households among others. This work was written up in a Research Report, intended as a resource document for subsequent advocacy work, coordinated by Moreland Energy Foundation. The research was used to recommend and advocate changes to legislation, regulations, codes, policies and regulatory and industry structures. More information is available from Moreland Energy Foundation's website: http://www.mefl.com.au/community/service/43/
Projects completed in 2002
NSW Enforceable Greenhouse Benchmarks Submission - Nature Conservation Council
The Institute assisted the Combined Environment Groups to prepare a submission on the "Greenhouse related license conditions for electricity retailers" and "Framework for the use of carbon sequestration to offset emissions" Position Papers in February 2002. The submission provided clients with a policy analysis of the NSW Government's Position Paper on proposed mandatory greenhouse benchmarks. Salient points included a discussion of carbon sequestration, environmental risks, costs and benefits and the impact on prices.
Projects completed in 2001
A survey on education and training in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas issues
ABEC Partner Funds
The Report on Education and Training for the Australian Building Industry prepared by the Institute on behalf of the Australian Greenhouse Office and the Australian Building Energy Council used an 'Engineering for Sustainability' first year flagship course by the UTS Engineering Faculty as a best practice case study to illustrate how tertiary education can deliver training aimed at enabling more sustainable practices in the building and construction industry. The report, completed in April 2002, presented the barriers to the implementation of best practice and outlined a draft communications strategy to ensure the outcomes of the study are implemented.
Projects completed in 2000
Study of standby electricity use
Sustainable Energy Development Authority
Standby use, also known as 'leaking electricity' and 'phantom loads' refers to the energy consumed by appliances when they are switched 'off' and/or are drawing mains power when not performing their principal function. This is most often associated with remote control operation and the proliferation of plug pack mains adaptors which are used for a wide range of appliances. The Institute examined the significance of standby electricity consumption in appliances in NSW households for the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA). It estimated that the average household constantly 'leaks' more than 50W. When it is considered that most of these appliances are connected to the electricity supply continuously this amounts to an energy consumption of about 500kWh per year, which represents 5-10% of the average household's electricity usage.
Cooperatives and regional Australia in the new energy market.
The Institute, together with the Australian Centre for Cooperative Research and Development (ACCORD), examined the role of cooperatives in the restructured energy market, with a focus on rural and regional Australia. As part of this project, a forum was held in December 2000 to discuss issues faced by rural and regional Australia and cooperatives in a competitive energy market. The proceedings of this forum are available from this web site.
Capitalising demand management into the asset base
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre's Utility Consumers' Advocacy Program (UCAP) requested that the Institute for Sustainable Futures assess the option of capitalising the value of demand management projects into the Regulated Asset Base. Specifically, UCAP asked the Institute to provide advice on the option of capitalising the value of demand management projects into the asset base for the determination of NSW networks prices 2004-08 by IPART.
Energy assessment of alterations and additions
As part of the development of its Energy Smart Water Wise DCP, Marrickville wanted to determine the reasonable parameters for establishing energy efficiency requirements for alterations and additions. This is largely due to the particular nature of housing in the Marrickville area, an older high density inner city suburb. The project selected a range of typical applications for alterations and additions, assessed their energy efficiency using the NatHERS computer program and examined what would have been required to achieve in terms of energy efficiency measure to achieve various Star Ratings. The cost of these measures was compared to the total cost of the development to assist the council to determine a level of acceptable cost.
Policy toolkit on energy, water and stormwater efficiency for Sydney
This toolkit was developed by ISF staff and several other consultants to assist ten Sydney councils to implement energy, water and stormwater efficiency policies. The toolkit enables Councils to tailor their approach depending on the requirements of their own area when formulating residential Development Control Plans (DCPs). The toolkit has been successfully used by Marrickville Council in preparing its Energy Smart Water Wise Development Control Plan.
SEDA Energy Smart Homes Policy Training Materials
Training materials were produced to inform housing design and development stakeholders, such as architects, building designers, land developers, builders and product suppliers, of the purpose, requirements and benefits of SEDA's Smart Home Policy. This policy that requires new homes to have a minimum energy rating can save householders money on heating and cooling bills by making their homes as energy efficient as possible and has been widely adopted by councils throughout NSW. A number of targeted training booklets covering a wide range of energy efficiency issues were developed and trialed in collaboration with UTS Training and Development Services. SEDA has now licensed independent trainers to use the materials on a commercial basis.
Urban Consolidation Challenge: Review of Environmental Impacts
A review of studies which compared the environmental impacts of different types of urban development in Australian cities was undertaken. Impacts covered by the studies included energy, greenhouse, urban air pollution and water use. The review included analysis of methodological limitations of the studies and their potential application to Sydney.
