Clean Energy Initiative

The Australian government's Clean Energy Initiative comprises four components promoting Carbon Capture and Storage, large scale solar power stations, research into renewable technologies and a funding vehicle for new technologies.

Background
The initiative, which is managed by the federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, comprises:


 * "The Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships Program that supports the construction and demonstration of large scale integrated carbon capture and storage projects in Australia, which may include gasification, post-combustion capture, oxy-firing, transport and storage technologies. Complementing this program is the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative, which aims to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that will reduce emissions from coal use."


 * "The Solar Flagships Program, which supports the construction and demonstration of large scale, grid connected solar power stations in Australia, which may include solar thermal, photovoltaic and energy storage technologies. In addition, the Government has provided $100 million to the Australian Solar Institute (ASI), which aims to increase the cost-effectiveness of solar technologies and accelerate the capacity of solar industries in Australia, thereby assisting in meeting the Government’s expanded Renewable Energy Target of 20 per cent by 2020."


 * "The Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE), which will promote the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable technologies through a commercial investment approach. ACRE will also manage grants awarded under the following programs:
 * The Renewable Energy Demonstration Program
 * The Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program
 * The Geothermal Drilling Program
 * The Wind Energy Forecasting Capability
 * The Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies Program
 * The Renewable Energy Equity Fund


 * The Renewable Energy Future Fund, which will support the development and deployment of large and small scale renewable energy projects and will enhance take-up of industrial, commercial and residential energy efficiency. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will administer the Fund."

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Australia and coal
 * Carbon Capture and Storage
 * Carbon Capture and Storage in Australia

External Resources

 * Martin Ferguson, "Australia's Biggest Every Renewable Energy Roll-out", Media Release, May 11, 2010.