WA bids to create 'solar cities'

20/7/05 The State Government has put its might behind two Western Australian bids for the $75million Solar Cities Project that will see solar panels placed on schools and Government Housing and help position the State at the forefront of energy innovation.

20/7/05
The State Government has put its might behind two Western Australian bids for the $75million Solar Cities Project that will see solar panels placed on schools and Government Housing and help position the State at the forefront of energy innovation.
Premier Geoff Gallop said the State was working hard to make a name for itself as a leader in the exploration of alternative energy sources - particularly renewable energy such as wind and solar - and in looking for innovative ways to conserve energy.
Dr Gallop today announced the two bids by WA consortiums, one based in Perth and the other Kalgoorlie. If successful, they will take part in a national trial involving solar power generation and 'smart' energy-saving techniques. The Commonwealth will offer 50 per cent matching funding to the successful proponents.
"Involvement in this program offers a great opportunity for WA," the Premier said.
"It will give us the opportunity to explore the realms of solar energy and to educate a new generation about our options for future energy sources.
"Anything we can do to reduce the environmental impact of energy supply should be investigated."
The Perth consortium is led by the State Housing Commission and includes BP Solar, Solar Sales, the Department of Education and Training, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council, the City of Melville, the Perth Transit Authority, Mirvac Fini and Jones Lang LaSalle.
Its primary aim is to demonstrate sustainable models of electricity supply using solar technologies such as photovoltaic (PV), where solar panels convert sunlight, and solar thermal, where sunlight is used to heat water or air. It will investigate energy efficiency, load management, smart meters and cost reflective pricing.
The Perth Solar City Project is primarily focused on the residential and small business sector. Energy-saving techniques, smart meters and energy-efficient appliances will be fitted in a variety of locations, including:

  • two existing and one new Department of Housing and Works (DHW) apartment complexes (700 units in total);
  • 100 DHW existing single dwellings;
  • 100 DHW dwellings in a new subdivision scheduled at Forrestdale;
  • 400 existing privately owned households;
  • 17 demonstration homes at a new in-fill housing estate in Hollywood;
  • 75 schools in the metropolitan area and the Department of Education and Training headquarters in East Perth; and
  • the proposed new Cockburn Central rail station.
The existing private households and businesses will be targeted in the City of Melville, Town of Bassendean, City of Bayswater, Shire of Kalamunda, City of Swan, Shire of Mundaring and City of Belmont. These local governments have committed to supporting the project and will provide publicity, training and financial support throughout the trial period of eight years.
"Schools will also be involved because of their potential to be a focus of community education," Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan said.
"A PV system will be installed on the roof of the Department of Education and Training headquarters in East Perth as a highly visible public demonstration project for training teachers."
A plan to install a 45kW PV system on the new Cockburn Central rail station is also part of the bid.
Mr Logan said the Department of Housing and Works had committed in principle to contributing $3.9million in funding and that the total size of the project would be $27.8million over nine years.
A major feature of the Perth Solar City bid is the emphasis on community education and participation. A strong communications campaign will keep householders, students and business informed of the benefits of energy saving measures and developments involving both new and existing technologies.
Another key element is the inclusion of a cost-reflective pricing structure to test its effects on consumer use, particularly at peak periods.
"The Perth Solar City bid proposes the adoption of a SmartPower tariff similar to that currently promoted by Western Power," the Minister said.
"The SmartPower tariff is a time-of-use charging system where the price paid for electricity in peak periods is higher than that paid during off-peak periods.
"By encouraging consumers to shift their electricity use to low or off-peak periods, consumers can save money as well as reducing demand on the network at peak periods."
A consortium led by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has also submitted a 'Solar Cities' proposal.
Although the group's bid is independent to the Perth proposal, Mr Logan has offered support through the DHW. This includes a potential new Government office building in Kalgoorlie with PV cells, access to Homeswest homes for the installation of PV cells, and access to PV cell technology in indigenous communities.
Premier's office: 9222 9475
Minister for Housing and Works office: 9222 8950