Solar is a real option: CSIRO Report says sun will soon match coal (Oz)

[jpak]

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=environment&story_id=483163&category=environment&m=5&y=2006

Solar thermal technology is capable of producing Australia's entire electricity demand and is the only renewable energy capable of making deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, a confidential coal research report obtained by The Canberra Times says.

The report, by the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development, claims solar thermal technology "is poised to play a significant role in baseload generation for Australia" and will be cost-competitive with coal within seven years.

It says solar thermal-generated power is capable of meeting the requirements of two major electric power markets - "large-scale dispatchable markets comprised of grid-connected peaking and base-load power and rapidly expanding distributed markets including both on-grid and remote off-grid applications".

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Greens leader Senator Bob Brown said the report clearly indicated Australia should be investing in developing and commercialising new solar technologies to meet growing global demand and has accused the Federal Government of undermining solar research by cutting back funding. "This report demonstrates that Australia's future is definitely solar. It also places a question mark over Government decisions to scale-back funding for research in this area. You begin to wonder if there are vested interests that are making sure cost-efficient renewable energy drops off the agenda.

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[spag68]

1. You wonder if there are vested interests????

If Sen. Brown said that then he is asleep at the wheel. At least Australia was smart enough to kick Rupert Murdock out.

[jpak]

2. The Howard regime is working with the coal industry to

stymie Ozzy wind power and solar energy whilst it promotes coal and nuclear power.

All the more reason to despise the MoFo...