Energy

Embodied Energy
Carbon Offsets
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Links & Contacts
Factsheets & Downloads
Recommended Reading & Viewing

The people of the Illawarra have been leading the way in tackling the challenges posed by climate change. Households use 30% of all the energy consumed in NSW. This means the small, everyday changes residents of the Illawarra are undertaking to increase the energy efficiency of their homes and cut their greenhouse gas emissions, can collectively have a big impact in creating more sustainable futures.

Image: Cycling and walking are great ways to improve our health, and address issues like climate change

Just some of the simple but important changes we can make in our homes and lives to become more energy efficient include:

Investigate the Home Power Saver program which provides eligible households with free energy assesments, a power saver action plan and power saving kits.
Switching to solar hot water (remember to check out our rebates page)
Insulating your walls and ceiling to reduce heat loss or gain (remember to check out our rebates page)
Getting rid of any old second fridges – you can even be paid to have it taken away and disposed of responsibility through the Fridge Buyback scheme
Replacing incandescent light globes and down lights with energy efficient globes
Walking, cycling and using public transport rather than relying on your car
Selecting energy efficient new appliances – see check www.energyrating.gov.au for more info on the labels to look out for
Washing in cold water and dry your clothes in the sun when possible
Turning appliances off at the wall when not in use
Installing AAA rated showerheads to reduce hot water use
Purchasing Green Power
Installing Photovoltaic solar panels for household energy production (remember to check out our rebates page)

What Council is doing to reduce its energy consumption

Kiama Municipal Council has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce its energy consumption to demonstrate to the community that it is taking action as well as encouraging the community to reduce their energy consumption. These initatives include:

Installing a 10kW photovoltaic solar power system on its Administration building
Installing power factor correction equipment in the Administration building
Trialling energy efficient lighting technology for future upgrades

Kiama Council 10kW photovoltaic system production

Date

Kilowatt Hours running total

November 2011

4,100

December 2011

5,600

January 2012

7,200

February 2012

8,600

March 2012

9,917

April 2012

11,262

May 2012

12,416

June 2012

13,612

July 2012

14,412

August 2012

15,496

September 12

16,876

October 12

18,435

November 12

20,144

December 12

21,625

January 13

23,104

February 13

24,660

Embodied Energy

Though it’s important to look at the energy we use in our homes, looking at the bigger picture, most of our energy usage is hidden in the production and distribution of all the goods and services we consume.

Embodied energy refers to the total amount of energy that goes into making something – including extracting the raw materials, transportation, assembling the product and the disassembling and decomposition of the product after it’s finished with. The Australian Conservation Foundation has put together a really helpful tool at www.acfonline.org.au/consumptionatlas that shows the environmental cost of our consumption in terms of greenhouse gases, water and eco-footprint.

Of all the things we consume, surprisingly, it’s our food which has the most hidden energy input. The Power House Museum has put together a great display to show the life cycle of a packet of kettle chips and identify the many resources from across Australia and indeed the world, required to produce, package and distribute this simple snack food. Cooking healthy food from scratch, purchasing from local and sustainable food producers, and having a go at growing food in your own backyard are everyday actions we can take to address climate change, which are just as important as reducing household energy bills. For more ideas on sustainable food, check out our sustainable food page.

Carbon Offsets

Carbon Offsets offer individuals, organisations and businesses an opportunity to invest in emission-reducing technologies to 'offset' their own carbon pollution. Travellers, for example, may choose to purchase offsets for a flight or car travel. There have even been cases of couples having 'green weddings' by offsetting the emissions from the event! A recent study by the Total Environment Centre, Institute for Sustainable Futures and CHOICE magazine has undertaken a review of carbon offset products, which you can find here:

www.carbonoffsetwatch.org.au/the-rankings

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

What is a REC?

Renewable Energy Certificates, as the name implies, are a form of currency which recognises and certifies renewable energy generation has taken place.

The REC system has been created to aid in meeting Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET), set to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas production and increase the proportion of Australia’s electricity that is derived from renewable energy sources.

Read more on the Rebates page.

Residential Solar Power and Solar Hot water systems

Links & Contacts

Alternative Technology Association
www.ata.org.au/branches/illawarra
A not for profit national organisation, with a branch in the Illawarra, that aims to provide a strong voice for renewable energy and ideas of green living.

Future World Eco-Technology Centre -
www.futureworld.org.au
The Futureworld Eco-Technology Centre is an exciting facility located in the Illawarra, that demonstrates innovative environmentally friendly technologies.

Your Home
www.yourhome.gov.au
A suite of online materials developed to encourage the design and renovation of homes to make them more sustainable and enjoyable. Excellent resources includes a Technical Manual, Buyers Guide, and Renovator’s Guide.

Save Power
www.savepower.nsw.gov.au
A really great site filled with power saving tips and a ‘power pledge’ you can take to help you reduce your energy bills.

Nabers
www.nabers.com.au
Allows you to find how energy efficient your home is, and gives you ideas on how you can reduce your energy bills.

Fridge Buyback Scheme
www.fridgebuyback.com.au or 1800 708 401
Will remove your second working old fridge and may even pay you $35 for it!

Energy Labelling
www.energyrating.gov.au
A government initiative which gives a star rating for the energy efficiency of various electrical products, allowing you to make an informed choice.

Green Vehicle Guide
www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/GVGPublicUI/home.aspx
A federal government initiative that allows you to compare new Australian vehicles based on greenhouse and air pollution emissions.

Factsheets & Downloads

Your Home Technical Manual

Date	Kilowatt Hours running total
November 2011	4,100
December 2011	5,600
January 2012	7,200
February 2012	8,600
March 2012	9,917
April 2012	11,262
May 2012	12,416
June 2012	13,612
July 2012	14,412
August 2012	15,496
September 12	16,876
October 12	18,435
November 12	20,144
December 12	21,625
January 13	23,104
February 13	24,660

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