These are exciting and challenging times for energy in Australia. While the national and state governments grapple with determining acceptable policies to meet national and international objectives, a great deal of positive action is taking place at the local level by community groups across the country to develop and introduce energy generation projects based on renewable sources. MCE is one of more than a dozen such community organisations in Victoria that are bringing, or planning to bring, cheap clean energy to their local area.
MCE is working on two interesting projects for our local area.
MCE is working on two interesting projects for our local area.
- The Mitchell Shire Council operates the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre at Chittick Park in Seymour. It is a large building that contains a swimming pool, basketball courts, gym, and other rooms. And its operation consumes a lot of electricity. MCE is collaborating with the Council on a project which will see 400 solar panels installed on the roof of the Centre, making very large savings on Council’s power bills. A detailed feasibility study carried out by Moreland Energy Foundation indicates that the savings would be about $30,000 per year.
- MCE is also part of the Strathbogie-Seymour Energy Alliance working on a pumped hydro energy scheme. This type of project provides the stability and reliability that is increasingly required as cheaper power from renewable sources becomes a more significant part of the nation’s power supply.
- MCE has prepared a detailed proposal for the installation of a 99kW solar system on Karingal, Seymour's community residential care facility. The proposal, together with financing options, has been submitted to Karingal's management committee who will decide on action to be taken to implement the project. This will save Seymour's important community organisation very considerable expenditure into the future.