Energy Transition

For the birds: Why wind research should be shared

Offshore wind farms might affect seabirds. But we don’t know how much or what to do about it. And if Australians don’t fight for their right to know, then the unique environmental data gathered during feasibility research could remain the...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Energy Transition

Range Anxiety – It’s Just Different

Part 9 in Peter Aubourg’s Diary of an EV Driver I am convinced that range anxiety is something you have before you buy an EV. Or at least before the first week of owning an EV. I had range anxiety on day one when I drove out of the showroom with...

Peter Aubourg

September 2024

Energy Transition

Rooftop solar: UOW energy expert slams ‘enthusiastic but naive’ book

Wollongong City Council independent candidate Suzanne de Vive, who ran on a proposal for an entirely solar-powered state, has had the least support from voters, with the Ward 1 business coach receiving 4.55% of the mayoral vote at press time on...

Genevieve Swart

September 2024

Energy Transition

Electrifying event in Corrimal this Thursday

Find out how to cut costs and support clean energy when Nature Conservation Council NSW and Rewiring Australia host a free electrifying event at Corrimal Community Centre this Thursday from 5.30-7.30pm.

Genevieve Swart

September 2024

Energy Transition

Tradies: Heroes of our Homes

When we think of professionals acting on climate change, we may think of scientists or policymakers. But it is our local plumbers, electricians and air conditioner installers who are some of the true heroes of the energy transition. They’re the...

Kristen McDonald

September 2024

Energy Transition

Green v Green: The new face of environmental debate

We love the ocean in the Illawarra. Its rhythm is woven into everything from early surfs to evening dog walks. On wild days, we gather on headlands to watch breakers roll in; on sunny ones, we bliss out overlooking a calm blue expanse. These shared...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Opinion

Energy Explained: How to bring everyone along in the clean energy revolution

Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, discusses ways to combat energy poverty and boost the economy, all while reducing the world’s carbon footprint. Electrifying everything – at the moment, it...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Energy Transition

Why a young marine ecologist was inspired to write about offshore wind

Last week a young Port Kembla scientist was celebrating a major achievement: having her first article published in Renew Economy, the national clean energy news website. Phebe Fidge is a 26-year-old marine ecologist and her piece was titled: I’m...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Energy transition

Are EVs better for the planet?

We’d only had our EV for a week or so when someone said to me that EVs are worse for the environment because of the embedded emissions of the battery. So, as an engineer, I was curious to find out the facts. The easiest way to judge this is to...

Peter Aubourg

August 2024

Energy transition

‘So much talent and potential’: Beyond Zero Emissions CEO rates the Gong after Clean Tech Tour

On July 3, Hi Neighbour volunteer Darryl Best organised a special tour of the Port Kembla steelworks to welcome a clean economy celebrity to Wollongong. Afterwards, Heidi Lee, CEO of independent think tank Beyond Zero Emissions, said she saw “so...

Genevieve Swart

July 2024

Energy Transition

Energy Explained: Why should we ‘electrify everything’?

Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, shares his thoughts on calls to ‘electrify everything’ by Rewiring Australia, the organisation started by Austinmer engineer Dr Saul Griffith. Do you support...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Energy transition

Energy Explained: How much power can solar actually deliver?

Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, explains some fundamental laws of physics and why solar has its limits. What percentage of the grid can solar realistically provide? That is difficult to answer...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Opinion

Energy Explained: Why restructuring the market may save you money

Last week, Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, explained how, thanks to the people’s rooftop solar revolution, he believes energy regulations are no longer fit for purpose. This week, he calls...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Energy Transition

‘Be beyond reproach’: Politicians warned words matter after rally rhetoric

Calls across the board for civil conversations about offshore wind have emerged after Sunday’s “peaceful” local rally made national headlines for a violent metaphor. On Monday, the ABC reported that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had called...

Genevieve Swart

August 2024

Opinion

Energy Explained: The hidden cost in your electricity bill

It’s not transparent in your bill, so most people wouldn’t realise, but behind the scenes, when you get your electricity bill, it’s actually got two components to it. One of them is the charge to use the grid – to get the power from wherever it was generated to your home – and then the other component is for the actual energy you’re buying.

Genevieve Swart

July 2024

Opinion

Electricity Regulation – Kicking goals or killing time before the bell?

We all expect the lights to come on when we flick the switch. Have you ever stopped to think about the many rules, regulations, and organisations that keep the lights on? What does it take to change these rules? Where do vested interests lie? How does this impact your electricity bill?

The Illawarra Flame

July 2024

News

Electrify 2515 update: What’s happening in the world of solar?

Electrify 2515 coordinator Kristen McDonald shares an update. Australians are fortunate to have access to the world’s cheapest delivered energy – our rooftop solar. From the local to the national level, developments are continually taking place...

Kristen McDonald

June 2024

Energy transition

Energy Explained: The case for home and community batteries

Following on from last week’s FAQ, ‘Should I install solar panels on my home’, Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong, answers two common questions about batteries. So I’ve got solar panels...

Genevieve Swart

July 2024

News

Common ground: Rooftop solar is the people’s revolution

Australians love rooftop solar. “We invented the technology, we’re the biggest users of the technology,” said Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong. “Australia is leading the world with the...

Genevieve Swart

July 2024

Energy transition

Energy Explained: Should you put rooftop solar on your home?

In the first of our ‘Energy Explained’ series of conversations with energy expert Ty Christopher, the Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong answers a common question about electrifying your home. Should I put...

Genevieve Swart

July 2024

Energy transition

Good for the Gong: Could Illawarra wind groups meet for a cuppa?

On Saturday, June 15, the day the Illawarra’s wind zone was declared, Good for the Gong founder Sean Moran was celebrating a “good thing for the environment” but also focused on healing the rift in the community, possibly over a beer. Sean has not met anyone from Responsible Future (Illawarra Chapter), but he’d like to. “We have a bit of back and forth online,” he said. “I haven’t met anyone in person. I’d actually like to sit down – you know, at the pub, over a coffee or something – and chat to some of the members.

Genevieve Swart

June 2024

Opinion

Navigating the Illawarra Offshore Energy Debate: A Call for Collaboration

By Michelle Voyer & Ty Christopher of the University of Wollongong The recent announcement of the Illawarra Offshore Energy Infrastructure Zone marks a pivotal moment for our community. Whilst the Federal Government’s submission summary report...

The Illawarra Flame

June 2024