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More Power Woes for Denmark and Walpole
Two major power failures on Friday and Saturday last weekend proves that the Denmark Walpole line is far from stable and that technical solutions are urgently needed says Paul Llewellyn Greens Member for the South West region.
The power failures come a few days after a meeting of the South Coast Power Working Group, convened by Western Power in Denmark highlighting the need for action. The Working Group was set up to find innovative and practical power solutions for the Denmark to Walpole power line after disastrous blackouts over the Easter long weekend in 2007, and has been meeting for over a year.
Greens spokesman on energy, Paul Llewellyn, is a member of the South Coast Power Working Group and has considerable experience in energy policy and planning.
"The Working Group is looking for ways to save energy and to generate power locally in order to take the load off the aging power lines. This will be cheaper, faster and more effective than building a new $40 M transmission line, and will also reduce the community's dependence on coal and gas fired power located stations hundreds of kilometres away," Mr Llewellyn said.
"In order to achieve these significant network benefits, a combination of generating local power, creating more energy efficiency homes and businesses and ensuring more stringent planning controls for new developments is needed.
"New technology is making it possible to deliver reliable energy services at the local level in an environmentally friendly way. It is now possible to build locally controlled intelligent grids with smart metering, local power generation including solar, wind, micro gas turbines, and a raft of energy efficient household appliances. This is the way of the future and it is the direction that many communities are taking in Europe and North America.
"There are local businesses that want to get started on solar energy and wind energy, so this is the right time for action.
"Over the coming weeks, the energy consumption will be audited in over 400 homes and businesses on the Denmark - Walpole line so we can work out the best ways to reduce and manage local power consumption. This could be achieved by providing incentives for energy efficient appliances such as solar hot water systems and 6 star refrigerators, by improving household insulation so we don't have to turn our heaters up so much or by putting timers on hot water heater so they don't come on at peak time.
"Unreliable and depleted power and water supplies are putting the brakes on unsustainable land development on the south coast. We must stop creating ever more building lots and issuing building permits for large inefficient homes full of inefficient appliances. It is irresponsible and short-sighted to expand our local populations unless we commit to building more energy and water efficient homes and towns, based on clean green technology."
The South Coast Power Working Group will continue to meet regularly progress solutions for a more stable power system for Denmark.
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For more information or comment contact Paul Llewellyn on 0428 317 182 or pllewellyn@mp.wa.gov.au
