January 9, 2012

World’s Toughest Wind Farm Rules

Filed under: Industry News — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 10:56 am

It looks as though NSW may have the toughest wind farm rules in Australia and worldwide, under a NSW government proposal people who are living within two kilometres of a planned wind farm will have the right to contest. Reported in the Herald, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard says NSW remains committed to being part of the Federal Government’s 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, despite proposing what he has described as the world’s toughest wind-farm guidelines.

The NSW Greens said the proposal would kill off the wind-generation sector in favour of coal seam gas as a solution to the state’s future energy needs.

”If this draft plan becomes law, the government has effectively chosen a destructive coal seam gas future for NSW, over the clean, green and jobs-rich wind-energy sector,” Greens planning spokesman David Shoebridge said.

”NSW is abandoning the most cost-effective option for reducing its carbon footprint, which in effect means it is giving the green light for coal seam gas projects across the state”.

(Source: http://www.smh.com.au/)

January 6, 2012

ABB Acquires Darwin company Powercorp

Filed under: Industry News — Tags: , , , , — @ 10:28 am

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire Powercorp, an Australian renewable power automation company. This acquisition strengthens ABB’s portfolio of control technologies used to manage the integration of renewable energy sources.

Darwin based Powercorp employs around 30 people and offers automation and intelligent control solutions to manage renewable energy generation in isolated grids, ensuring utility grade power quality and grid stability. This enables very high levels of wind and solar power penetration into isolated diesel powered grids, thus reducing emissions and dependency on fossil fuel.

“Powercorp brings expertise for the integration of renewable energy generation into conventional micro and remote island grids,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “This bolt-on acquisition will add specialist know-how and solutions to our control systems offering and further strengthen our position in the renewable space.”

Powercorp has installed several systems to integrate renewable power into remote grids and keep generation in balance with consumption. The company also supplies systems that dynamically store and release energy in response to frequency and voltage deviations, to stabilize small or remote grids.

“Joining forces with ABB is a logical next step for the growth of our business,” said Alan Langworthy CEO of Powercorp. “It will expand our global reach and help create optimal solutions for higher and better use of renewable energy generation.”

The transaction is expected to close before year end.

Loy Yang Power in debt $565 Million Dollars

Filed under: Industry News — Tags: , , , — @ 9:26 am

Loy Yang Power has been given the OK by the government to keep trading after declaring debt of approximately $565 million.  Australian Securities and Investments Commission was notified of the current situation that Loy Yang Power was in November and since has not issued a “no action” cease trade notification.

The government conducted a report that predicted that in the event that Loy Yang Power was to close, wholesale electricity prices would nearly double which would directly affect household power costs. The report found that the estimated power prices would increase by nearly 80 per cent in Victoria and 45 per cent in NSW.

Other energy industry sources told the Herald that  Loy Yang Power was emerging as the first big test of the government’s policies aimed at ensuring the electricity market coped with the introduction of the $23-a-tonne carbon price in July without major disruption.

Loy Yang Power lobbied fiercely for amendments to the carbon tax laws that would have allowed deferred payments when producers bought forward-dated pollution permits under the scheme, a provision that was included under the Rudd government’s emissions trading scheme that would have reduced the sudden increase in their working capital requirements.

Loy Yang Power’s chief executive Mr Nethercote said it was ”more than likely” Loy Yang would have had to get a no action letter from ASIC even without a carbon price, which will cost it about $450 million a year.

(Source: http://www.smh.com.au/ )   

 

January 3, 2012

Have You Considered a Ceiling Fan?

Filed under: Special offers — @ 1:54 pm

Now that summer is well in force, it might be time to consider cheaper options to keeping cool in the heat.

Ceiling fans can be the perfect energy saving option; depending on the type of fan being used they can use about 15 to 30 watts on low speed, 30 to 50 watts on medium speed, and 50 to 80 watts on high speed. Ceiling fans should be an option to consider when looking for an energy solution for both the summer and winter months.

 

How will a ceiling fan keep you cool?
Ceiling fans make us feel cooler rather than lowering the temperature of a room. Moving air increases the amount of heat leaving our body which as a result makes us feel cooler up to 8 degrees cooler.

Can a ceiling fan really help keep you warmer in winter?
Not many people know this, but a ceiling fan can actually be switched over to reverse in winter. Usually underneath the fan or towards the back there will be a switch, once that’s turned on a different effect takes place. Once the blades are running in reverse the hot air in the room starts to rise and once hitting the fan its circulated throughout the room.

Remember there are many different fans out there to choose from depending on the size of your room. To find the best fan for your home, simply contact one of our friendly staff or shop online today! 

BizLine Receives Recognition

Filed under: Special offers — @ 9:48 am

Bizline’s testing laboratory receives EA accreditation

Bizline -  Specialising in fasters, fixings, tools, and electrical accessories for electricians now operates an in-house testing facility based near Orleans, in central France.

This recognition certifies that the tests made in the laboratory are of the same value and standards as those performed by a national testing body.Following a detailed audit the lab was granted official accreditation from COFRAC, the French arm of the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).

The testing center ensures Bizline that its products are fully compliant with all local regulations in its different markets throughout the world, but also accelerates the normalization process, in comparison to tests made in an external laboratory.

Bizline’s lab employs four people and currently tests almost 400 products a year.
Bizline products are currently distributed in Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, New Zealand, Portugal Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.

Check out the Bizline range online today!