From the Web Team:  REB is a small action group  which is working on many aspects of Renewable Energy from a number of directions.  With time at a premium we don't want to put on more pressure on them to write reports, so it seems like putting in the information they contribute at meetings via the minutes is a good idea!  The work the group is doing is wide ranging and clearly requires considerable research and decision making.  

From the August Minutes (20 August 2019)    

"1.  Action Groups – report on action plan to implement key strategies

1.1    Waste to Energy – report from Adrian.
Adrian has contacted Kelly Wickham at Sustainability Victoria to discuss whether there is any funding available to investigate feasibility of options. Adrian has made contact with Mt Alexander Sustainability Group and will try to meet with them to discuss their project. Still investigating plasma system which recycles plastic back to food grade pellets. Gasification to produce syngas, original company who were liaising with don’t have the capacity. Have found a Canadian company which is more progressed. Cruise ships using similar smaller systems.
1.2    Community Energy Project – report from John
Account for Community Energy Fund is nearly established. John circulated advice received from the Bendigo Sustainability Group and Chuffed.org. Loan based approach would be much easier than PPA type arrangement. Need to work out fundraising and how to proceed and how to accept donations. If people are going to want to claim on tax return will need to get Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Initial project would be for the two kindergartens we have been liaising with. Mens Shed might also be interested.
ACTION: John and Larissa to identify what are the steps and tasks needed and what skills might be required to progress with the community energy project, with the aim of seeking a few more volunteers to assist. Draft an email to go out to contact list and circulate to REB group for review.
1.3    Energy Efficiency sessions – report from John
The draft proofing and insulation session was held last night with 10 people attending. Most that attended indicated they would attend the next session. Might need to get a list of handyman and trades people that could undertake retrofit work such as installing installation.
 
2.Mini Grant project: Designing to Engage Benalla in a Renewable Energy Future
Documents were finalised and printed. The group discussed how the flyers should be used and distributed. Should promote at the Lakeside Market, will work on organising for 28 September market. Will also put some in West End Post Office, Library and Swanpool Cinema.
 
3.Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap
3.1.Launch – the document was recently launched in Wangaratta,  John attended. John distributed a hard copy of the Roadmap.
3.2.John is organising a guest speaker to talk about the Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap for the September BSFG meeting. Discussed whether REB could use the opportunity to also promote the REB group. Agreed that this was a good idea. Meeting should be widely promoted.
 
4.Hot Water Bulk Buy
John and Kevin have been liaising with Indigo Power on the hot water bulk buy. Draft flyer was circulated with indicative prices. Will need a plumber and electrician, John will speak to potential interested plumber and advise Indigo Power.
 
5.Community Engagement Strategy
5.1.Reports of discussions with stakeholders
Peter discussed with Daryl Defazio who has some concerns around large scale solar. Hasn’t been able to get in touch with Tim Bowtell as yet.
5.2.John distributed Bendigo Council Community Engagement Toolkit which might be useful as we consider community engagement opportunities.
 
6.General Business
6.1.Annual Statement to Community Affairs Victoria is due the end of October. Peter will report as per the BSFG AGM.
Motion: That Peter is to complete the online lodgement of the Annual Statement to Community Affairs Victoria based on the information presented at the BSFG/REB AGM.
Moved: Kevin Smith               2nd:  Peter Maddock                All in favour
6.2.Still haven’t heard about the outcome of the funding application submitted with GVCE (Goulburn Valley Community Energy). Geoff Lodge would still like to progress with solar on community housing which isn’t dependent on this funding. May also be future discussion if GVCE are successful with Winton Solar Farm project, regarding community benefit sharing which would be from the outset (unlike others who may only commit once operational and making profit).
6.3.Kevin and Peter will attend the Lightsource BP Solar farm (Winton) session – looking at extending / increasing the size of the solar farm application.
6.4.Chelsea from DELWP wanted to gauge interest in screening of the film ‘2040’ as either a promotion or fundraising event for BSFG and REB. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea at either the DELWP Theatrette or BPACC. Peter suggested ‘Point of no return’ is another good film to screen.
6.5.  Benalla Youth Action Society  John sent email to the group to ask if they are thinking about the School Strike for Climate on September 20th.
 
7.Next Meeting
Tuesday 17th September 2019  10am"

DELWP's Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap project is a 12-month project funded through the Goulburn Valley and Ovens Murray Regional Partnerships and hosted by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.  By end of July 2019 the project will be complete.  The Roadmap will represent the voice of the community, identify local barriers and issues, understand the investment potential of the region and identify community expectations of the renewable energy transition.

Is your business spending too much on energy?  Register now for workshops - 7 May

The Roadmap is working with DELWP Business and Industry Engagement to bring free energy workshops for Hume region businesses in Wodonga and Shepparton. Come and hear local businesses talk about what they do to reduce their energy costs, and the range of practical and technical solutions they use:

• Bioenergy
• Refrigeration solutions
• Power Purchasing Agreements
• Solar

• Environmental Upgrade Agreements
• Energy efficiency
• Replacing LPG with heat pumps
• Gas efficiencies

Wodonga
7:30 – 9:30 am
The Cube
118 Hovell Street, Wodonga 
https://energy-workshop-for-business-wodonga.eventbrite.com.au
 
Shepparton
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Quality Hotel ParkLake
481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
https://energy-workshop-for-business-shepparton.eventbrite.com.au

For more details, please contact Jan O’Dwyer, Business and Industry Engagement
on 0402 224 506 or [email protected]

Pumped Hydro Electric Storage potential of our region

The Roadmap has commissioned the 100% Renewable Energy group of the Research School of Electrical, Energy and Materials Engineering, Australia National University to survey the Hume region’s potential to host pumped hydroelectric storage (PHES).  We are starting to receive raw data and maps (see below). Contact us if you would like some more information.

Each identified potential site comprises an upper and lower reservoir pair plus a hypothetical tunnel route between the reservoirs, and includes data such as latitude, longitude, altitude, head, slope, water volume, water area, rock volume, dam wall length, water/rock ratio, energy storage potential and approximate relative cost (red- least cost and yellow – high cost)

​PHES is an important part of our renewable energy future providing storage solutions that can release energy to meet demand and stabilise the electricity grid.  
Image from the New South Wales government Pumped Hydro Roadmap report.

Visit the Roadmap webpage
Our Roadmap webpage is now live! Visit for roadmap project details, catch up on previous newsletters and to view an inspiring video capturing the community forums held last year. We will continue to add to the webpage so keep visiting.

For further information please contact:

Tom Brown (Project Manager):  0436 611 935   [email protected]
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please email us with UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject.

Source:  Extracted from the April Newsletter 
Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap | Hume Region
Forest, Fire and Regions | Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning