Energy Options for Geelong

Hot dry rocks Geothermal

This has huge potential in the Geelong region. To find out more see this press release

Possible solar plant in Geelong
(so far we only know what was in this article)

Geelong in hunt for $60m project - Geelong News Wednesday Feb 11 2009

Geelong is a possible location for a $60 million solar manufacturing facility.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese this week announced he had granted Major Project Facilitation status to the proposed facility which has the potential to be the largest supplier of solar cells in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Spark Solar Australia’s Solar Cell Manufactuing Project is the first to be granted (Major Project facilitation) status by the Rudd Labor Government ....
The facility will research and develop solar cell technology as a clean energy option for businesses and households in Australia and overseas.
“With the right support from government, Australia can grow its renewable industries and become a world leader in green technologies, in turn creating thousands of highly skilled ‘green collar’ jobs and new export opportunities, “ he said.
“While the location of the factory has not yet been finalised, regions including Adelaide, Geelong, Wollongong, Quenbeyan and Canberra are under consideration.”
Construction and fit out of the factory is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, with the first solar cells set to roll off the production line by the end of next year.
“At full production, the factory is initially expected to produce more than 10 million solar cells each year, generating and estimated $135 million in annual export revenue and employing more than 115 Australians in high tech positions”.

Wave power Plan

• Geelong Independent Friday 20/2/09
• By Jessica Benton

A company is investigating potential for a wave power plant off the region’s coastline

Western Australia-based Carnegie Corporation is in talks with State Government about the development of the plant.

The $300 million project would use undersea buoys to capture and transfer energy from passing waves to onshore turbines.

Managing director Michael Ottaviano said the company was studying areas off the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast along with other coastal locations in Victoria.

The company had short-listed five sites, he said.

“We haven’t actually specified a location yet but we’ve done a study on Victoria more broadly and there’s a number of potential sites,” Mr Ottaviano said.

He expected the company to name its preferred location later this year.

Mr Ottaviano said Victorian coastlines were well-equipped to supply wave energy for commercial and residential uses.

“There’s two good things about Victoria. One is that it’s exposed to the Southern Ocean, where wave energy comes from, so it’s a fantasic wave resource,” he said.

“The second is the state has a good power grid that comes close to the coast in numerous locations, so there’s good energy to harvest and a good electricity system to put it into to distribute to the state.”

Victorian wave energy could power towns, cities and factories 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mr Ottaviano predicted.

The plant could provide up to 20 per cent of the state’s electricity.

Geelong’s manufacturing base also made the city a key contender to become the state’s “hub” for wave energy, Mr Ottaviano said.

“At least 130 jobs could be created and the technology being designed for this project fits in with the existing manufacturing companies,” he said.

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