Cleantech Effect to focus on energy sustainability

Peer-to-peer trading, microgrids and community-driven energy projects — are they key to future energy sustainability in our communities?

It’s a question that’ll get attendees thinking during the Cleantech Effect 2017, to be held on 23 August at the Lake Kawana Community Centre, Bokarina, Queensland.

ITP Renewables senior engineer Nic Jacobson said he was excited to be presenting the latest research and case studies of local energy trading, both in Australia and overseas, to the Cleantech Effect audience.

“Peer-to-peer trading, microgrids and community-driven energy projects are certainly very topical at the moment as the technology improves and is fast becoming one of the latest disruptions in the power industry,” Jacobson said. 

“The traditional centralised electricity distribution model is under increasing pressure to adapt to changing conditions such as distributed renewable energy and rising energy costs and, as these technologies become more prevalent, the options and business models for electricity supply become more varied and innovative.

“With these emerging models and new technologies, it’s important to discuss the implications and opportunities of these community-driven projects and apply these learnings to get the best outcomes for communities into the future.

“The research that has been completed in this field, and its ability to contribute to a sustainable, affordable and healthy built environment, will certainly be a point of discussion and complementary to this year’s Cleantech Effect theme of designing our future.” 

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said this year’s Cleantech Effect theme was extremely relevant, particularly considering the official opening of the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm last week.

“Sunshine Coast Council is the first local government in Australia to offset 100% of its electricity consumption with energy from a renewable source,” Jamieson said.

Economic Development and Innovation Portfolio Cr Steve Robinson said the event was designed to challenge the thinking of how we create sustainable communities and use new technologies. “Attendees will be able to engage with industry experts and hear from a wide range of speakers across a number of industries, including our key speakers Peter Maddison from Grand Designs Australia and Dr Keith Suter,” Cr Robinson said.

“The Cleantech Effect 2017 is the only cleantech conference, trade show and networking event of its kind in Australia, and it’s an event that any forward-thinking and progressive business will not want to miss.”