While much of the focus on building the Renewable Energy Zone has been the land use conflict on our farms, and some farmers cashing in while others miss out, many local residents are also finding ways to benefit directly from the transition to renewable power.
Uralla first in line
Long before any of the renewable energy zones were declared, Uralla was signing up to take advantage of the renewables transition.
Environmental scientist Dr Sandra Eady partnered with Uralla Shire Council more than 10 years ago to argue the case for Uralla to become Australia’s first Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET).
Uralla was selected from a shortlist of five towns. Dr Eady says the town was successful because of the preparation that had gone into the business case and blueprint, its highway location, the community engagement that had already taken place, and its capacity to make it happen.
The basic actions of Uralla’s zero net plan were to:
- Work towards less energy at home and at work
- Generate renewable energy on-site
- Import sustainable firewood
- Restoration and reforestation nearby
- Generate renewable energy nearby, and
- Import or purchase renewable energy.
ZNET Uralla, a team of volunteers, has worked towards those goals since that time.
“We deal with sustainability at the community level, so are focused on what individuals can do to be more sustainable,” Dr Eady told New England Times.
“From an energy perspective our focus has been on improving energy efficiency of homes and small businesses and enabling behind-the-meter rooftop solar.
“This year, ZNET has a focus on food and water sustainability, along with some creative projects to connect people with the natural environment and its stewardship.”
ZNET has little effect on attitudes towards the broader REZ
ZNET members who have adopted this practical, community-level approach now find themselves in the midst of a region that has become a Mecca for huge commercial renewable energy projects. Has it changed its approach?
“The move to more renewables in our energy mix from industrial scale generation is a necessary one to mitigate climate change,” Dr Eady said.
“From ZNET’s perspective, this should be done with genuine consultation with the local communities that are being asked to host large scale infrastructure, considering a broad spectrum of community feedback and avenues for benefit sharing.
“We keep a watching brief on initiatives such as the proposed community solar farm and the benefits emanating from the New England Solar Farm benefit-sharing initiative, but are not directly involved.”
Uralla residents who participated in the New England Times Engage Poll on Renewable Energy in the past week were consistent in their understanding that ZNET is a different thing to the REZ.
82 of the 538 people that responded to the Engage Poll were from the Uralla Shire, 78% of whom knew that Uralla has signed up to be a net zero town before there was a REZ. Around half said they support the initiative and believe it is a good thing for Uralla, with only 18% strongly opposed and believing it was a bad thing for the town.
38% or respondents said they had participated in an event or course run by ZNET, but only 9 respondents said that the ZNET initiatives made them more supportive of the REZ. 35% said it had no impact on how they thought about the REZ, but respondents were strong in their praise of the personal benefits they received.
“Initiatives like ZNET help people understand renewable energy, why it is important and how to get the most of it as a household and community. We need more like this. I live near Invergowrie and ZNET workshops helped me understand how to make my home more energy efficient and comfortable, and save money.”
“I’m very grateful for the hard work that they are doing to benefit our community.”
However, views were more mixed on the proposed co-owned local solar farm, which was part of the original ZNET mission.
“I would rather the community benefit from a general reduction in in power bills because of all that is going on.”
“There was meant to be community solar, discounts for locals when the solar farm started, so far nothing.”
“If it wasn’t owned by a handful of people, was actually run properly, no foreign investors, profits to stay local and benefit local people.”
“Sounds messy.”
Full results of the Engage Poll on Renewable Energy will be published later this week.
Pole mounted batteries keep local power for locals in Armidale
Up the road in Armidale, residents in selected areas can now take advantage of a local energy storage trial, with Essential Energy commissioning seven pole-mounted batteries installed in the region during September. This allows people in Armidale to store and then use locally generated roof top solar power and save money by doing so.
Armidale is one of five regional New South Wales communities chosen for the trial in regional NSW towns, including Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Bathurst, and Wagga Wagga.
Resident and renewable energy advocate, Heidi McElnea is encouraging community members to get involved in this opportunity to locally generate, store and use renewable energy without the need to invest in a home battery.
McElnea works with the not-for-profit Community Power Agency, designed to support New England communities through the shift to clean energy.
“To capture and store the energy for when it’s needed later in the day makes a lot of sense,” she says.
“It will give residents in the trial area the chance to play a bigger role in shaping the energy future for regional communities.”
Essential Energy has partnered with Origin Energy to understand how to best use batteries on the grid so communities can get the most out of their rooftop solar while being supported through the energy transition.
Essential Energy’s Head of Commercial Development Andrew Hillsdon says the batteries store excess rooftop solar generated during the day and release it when energy demand is high and solar systems are no longer generating, such as when the sun goes down.
“The use of batteries allows Essential Energy to manage peak demand periods and voltage on our network, especially as solar generation increases. Batteries are a key part of supporting customers and the network through the energy transition,” he says.
Origin Energy’s General Manager of Business Products and Technology, Andrew Cleland says the trial would benefit eligible Armidale households whether they have solar panels or not, or even if they are renting.
“We’re excited to be working with Essential Energy on this latest community battery trial in Armidale. We encourage eligible residents with or without solar panels to sign up and share in the benefits of this trial, which will be delivering energy savings and allow the community to store and utilise excess solar energy when it’s needed,” said Cleland.
For more information about the trial and to find out if you are eligible to take part, visit Origin Energy’s website.
Community benefit sharing brings opportunity and possibility
Beyond the immediate impact of jobs and flow on economic activity, all of the renewable developments in the region offer grants or other benefits to the community.
ACEN Australia’s New England Solar, the largest solar farm in the state, has promised $7 million for community funding through the Social Investment Program (SIP), and $200,000 through Uralla Grants each year. $200,000 is about the going rate, with the Sapphire Wind Farm, EnergyCo, and most of the not yet realised developments offering around that figure per year in direct grants to the local communities that support the project, as well as bigger structural grants to social projects and local infrastructure.
The Thunderbolt Windfarm, located between Uralla and Bendemeer, has agreed to a Neighbour Benefit Fund of $220,000 per year, plus a Community benefit sharing program of an additional $160,000 per year shared across Uralla and Tamworth Regional Councils, the equivalent of 1.5% of the entire development’s cost.
Armidale too has implemented a framework that will see 1.5% of development costs diverted to the community. Oxley Solar Farm and the Oven Mountain pumped hydro project are among those who have already agreed.
ACEN’s Uralla grants have recently sprinkled another $150,000 across 22 organisations, funding all manner of small initiatives from buying outdoor heaters for the Bundarra Campdraft to a therapy dog for the aged care centre in Uralla, McMaugh Gardens. They also supported the recent flurry of festivals from Thunderbolt’s to yesterday’s Fairy Festival.
Twice a year, Sapphire Wind Farm invites local community organisations to submit applications for a share of funding that can be used on equipment and infrastructure purchases, repairs and renovations, and programs and events.
The Inverell Pioneer Village is one of this round’s successful organisations, receiving funding for the preservation of the George Devine Collection.
Mr Les Moulds, Secretary of the Inverell Pioneer Village Committee expressed his heartfelt thanks to Squadron Energy for the funding.
“The George Devine Collection is an irreplaceable treasure trove of historical photographs, memorabilia and equipment dating back to the 1800s.”
“High quality display cabinets will ensure the Collection is not only visible but also protects it from potential damage, making it more accessible and engaging for visitors,” Mr Moulds said.
Sapphire Wind Farm Operations Manager David Williamson said the fund was a great way to give back to the community, with many organisations benefiting.
“We’re glad we could help enhance the Inverell Pioneer Village, which is a major tourist attraction for Inverell with over 15,000 people visiting each year,” Mr Williamson said.
“Our support for many organisations shows that we are always striving to ensure as many people as possible reap the benefits from our projects.”
Top image: pole batteries being installed for the trial in Armidale (supplied).
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