Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Obstacles to the use of alternative energy have primarily been an economical factor with the efficiency rate. The high initial cost has often been a key barrier however the energy from then onwards remains free for either wind or solar energy and maintenance costs also remain relatively low in comparison to many other forms of energy.
Researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) may have found a solution to fix some of the obstacles for solar power and wind power with a new tool they have developed. The new tool indicates the most suitable areas across Australia to establish new wind or solar farms.
The ANU ‘heat maps’ is a project with farmers and landholders in mind, which researchers indicate are an essential part of the solution to help speed up Australia’s solar and wind uptake and assist the nation fulfil its renewable energy targets. Scientists indicate that the area between Goulburn and Lithgow in New South Wales is particularly suited for new clean energy sites as it is well serviced by transmission lines with suitable wind and solar resources. Tasmania has many possibilities for new wind farms in the north coast as well as the King and Flinders islands.
Professor Andrew Blakers, of the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics, indicated that Victoria, the Yallourn district is most suitable due to its good wind potential and powerful existing transmission into Melbourne, in addition a requirement to replace local coal industry jobs. Professor Blakers also pointed out large scale wind potential in the west of Melbourne. “South Australia has excellent wind and solar potential to the east of the St Vincent and Spencer gulfs, while Queensland’s best wind and solar sites follow the coastal transmission lines north from Brisbane in areas such as Rockhampton and Mackay,” he said. “Perth, on the other hand, has an abundance of suitable solar and wind sites close to transmission lines that run from the north and the south of the city,” he added.
ANU PhD researcher Cheng Cheng, who took part in the study as well, stated that the project hopes to empower landowners to speak to developers directly for negotiations with them to set up solar or wind farms utilizing their property. He also stated that accessing high voltage transmission lines is crucial for solar and wind farms and landholders’ places with wind and sun close to existing infrastructure present a good economic opportunity.
Cheng further noted that their heat maps are designed to provide bargaining together with developers. This can also help the solar and wind farm developers by lowering the complexity and time needed to obtain legal access and community acceptance. “If landowners or local councils are able to access this sort of information and collectively approach developers themselves, it could speed up the development process. Currently, developers approaching individual landowners may face high rejection rates,” he said. “Landholders who host solar or wind farms have another drought-proof income source. This is beneficial for farmers, as crops can be grown underneath both solar and wind farms and animals can have access to shade.”
Professor Blakers stated that accessing high power transmission lines is the largest obstacle presently facing developers. “All of the possible sites we’ve identified are near existing and approved high-power transmission lines. These maps show the relative cost of renewable energy on each 1,000m x 1,000m parcel of land for solar farms and 250m x 250m parcel for wind.”
Land across Australia has been separated into different cost categories for solar and wind generation, going from Class A to Class E. Professor Blakers stated that Class A, B and C sites are most preferred.
