Sydney, ANZAC and Glebe Island Bridges, Sydney - photo Marghanita

Ecologically Sustainable Sydney

Energy

Energy Ratings and Use

From 1 July 2010 a typical residential EnergyAustralia customer will pay a further $126 per annum – or an extra $2.40 per week. From 1 July 2010 a typical Integral Energy residential customer will pay an extra $85 per annum or $1.60 per week; and a Country Energy residential customer will pay $183 more per annum or $3.50 per week. - IPART:Electricity Price Rises Change - April 2010

“About one third of NSW households are connected to gas and currently spend around $12 a week on average. This will increase to around $13.45 a week by 2013” he added. - IPART release final report on Gas Prices - June 2010

Buildings

Green Star is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental design and construction of buildings and, with 11 per cent of Australia's CBD commercial office buildings Green Star certified, building green is now a business imperative....- Green Star Overview

On 30 April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) announced that it would request the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to increase the energy efficiency provisions in the 2010 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
In brief, COAG requested the ABCB to increase the energy efficiency provisions so that the 2010 BCA requires:
1. a 6 star energy rating, or equivalent, for new residential buildings; and 2. a significant increase in the energy efficiency requirements for all new commercial buildings.ABCB

"A 0 star rating is very poor and means the building shell does practically nothing to reduce the discomfort of hot or cold weather. A 5 star rating indicates good, but not outstanding, thermal performance. People living in a 10 star home are unlikely to need any artificial cooling or heating."NATHERS: Energy Efficiency Rating and House Price in the ACT

Energy Sources

The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) was formed in Sydney in 1837. It supplied gas for the first public lighting of a street lamp in Sydney in 1841 and was the second company to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. - AGL Company Overview History

There was a large and representative gathering...at the Glebe Town Hall last evening to witness the switching on of the electric light to the lamps in St. John's road...The Mayor of the Glebe, Alderman Artlett, presided. TheT Lord Mayor, Sir Allen Taylor, tho town clerk, and the electrical engineer of the City Council were present to represent the City Council, which is supplying the current. Mr. Lukey (secretary) represented the Australian Gaslight Company, which has lighted the Glebe for many years, and is still to continue the contract for all streets outside the main thoroughfares. Mr. Keegan, M.L.A., and many residents of the Glebe - The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 29 December 1911 page 8

Bottled gas is a term used for substances which are gaseous at standard temperature and pressure (STP) and have been compressed and stored in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or composite bottles known as gas cylinders.Wikipedia

Wood smoke is a complex mixture of gases and particles. The gases and particles are air pollutants. The main air pollutants in wood smoke include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, air toxics and particulate matter. The amount, or concentration, of air pollutants in wood smoke emitted from a home heater will actually vary depending on:...NSW Health Factsheet (1 August 2003)

Using multiple energy sources needs to be balanced between saving from actual usage and the base level ongoing service (connection) fees, for gas, electricity and water. The cost of installation and maintenance also needs to be investigated and factored in.

Electricity Generation

Wind Power, Hydro, Gas and Coal-fired Electricity Generation, Landfill Gas, Biogas and Bagasse Generation, Cogeneration, Solar Energy, Coal Seam Methane Generation, Natural Gas AGL Energy Sources

Gas, PV (Solar) and Cogeneration - Origin Energy Generation

EnergyAustralia has four options available so you can choose whether a portion or all of your electricity usage is matched with energy from renewable sources, like wind or solar. - Energy Australia

(1) There are 62 power stations (of 1 MW capacity or above) currently operating in NSW. There are a myriad of smaller generation facilities including solar panels installed on school rooftops across the State.
(2) The locations of these 62 power stations are detailed in the attached table....NSW Parliament Question asked on 30 November 2005 (session 53-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 161. Answer received on 19 January 2006 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 164.

As part of this program, a cogeneration plant has been installed at Bondi Sewage Treatment Plant to convert biogas, a product of the wastewater treatment process into electricity. - Sydney Water: Major Projects > Eastern Suburbs

Cooling & Heating

A new energy labelling standard (AS/NZS 3823.2:2009) came into force on 1 April 2010. The new standard reduces the number of stars for the same energy consumption. More at - www.basix.nsw.gov.au/docs/energy/newStarRating.pdf

Energy ratings for heating and cooling of a variety of brands and models of cooling and heating devices are available at: www.energyrating.gov.au

Stoves, Dishwashers, Dryers and Washing Machines

A large Stove, Dishwasher, Dryer or Washing Machine uses more energy than a small device. However, as it does more work, it may well be more efficient. However, if it is not used to its capacity, then it is wasting energy.


Washing Machine Electricity Use
RatingCapacityWarm Wash Energy UsageCold Wash Energy Usage

4.5starFront Loading 8kg254kWh/365washes108kWh/365washes
4starFront Loading 8.5kg280kWh/365washes188kWh/365washes
3.5starTop Loading 8kg321kWh/365washes65kWh/365washes
2starTop Loading 8kg580kWh/365washes90kWh/365washes

Source: www.energyrating.gov.au

Buying Smart
* Newer ovens have additional insulation and tighter-fitting oven door gaskets and hinges to save energy. These include self-cleaning models which use less energy for normal cooking because of higher insulation levels. (However, if you use the self-cleaning option more than once a month, you will end up using more energy than you will save from the extra insulation.)
* With electric cook tops, there are a number of new types of burners on the market: solid disk elements, radiant elements under glass, halogen elements, and induction elements.
* Solid disk elements and radiant elements under glass are easier to clean, but they take longer to heat up and use more electricity.
* Halogen elements and induction elements are more efficient than conventional electric coil elements. But remember that induction elements require that you use only iron or steel pots and pans. Aluminum cookware will not work with induction elements..California Energy Commission

Hot Water

Solar Hotwater systems may require boosting to keep the water at healthy temperatures or comfortable temperatures on cloudy days. They may also require regular cleaning and repair after storms.

Using the sun’s energy to heat water will save you energy, lower your hot water bills, and reduce greenhouse pollution....Solar water heaters are generally equipped with gas or electric boosters to ensure you are never without hot water. Technology advances in recent years mean systems are now 20% more efficient than their counterparts of 30 years ago and frost problems have now been eliminated....Sustainability Victoria Solar Hotwater Fact Sheet (1 Aug 2006)

Energy Ratings for Hot water systems can be compared at www.energyrating.gov.au

Lighting

Energy Ratings for Fluorescent Lamps can be compared at www.energyrating.gov.au

Refrigerators

A new energy labelling standard(AS/NZS 4474.2:2009) came into force on 1 April 2010. The new standard reduces the number of stars for the same energy consumption. A refrigerator which rated 3 stars under the old standard now only rates 1.5-2 stars. More at:www.basix.nsw.gov.au/docs/energy/newStarRating.pdf

Energy Usage of Refrigerators of Different Size and Star Ratings
SizeNew Star RatingElectricity Usage

48litres 1.5 stars 220kWh/year
50litres3 stars146kWh/year
113litres2.5 stars190kWh/year
130litres4 stars177kWh/year
227litres3.5 stars 273kWh/year

Energy Ratings for Domestic & Commercial Refrigerators can be compared at www.energyrating.gov.au


Information and Communication Technology

Newer devices tend to be more energy efficient and more powerful. However, energy is embedded in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment and its disposal. So, it makes sense to extend the life of equipment. Equipment in standby mode also consumes energy - though less than if the device is left running.

Capacity planning often focuses on peaks. However, in quiet times, idle computers consume energy (which emits greenhouse gases) and generate heat within data centres. Ensuring their is sufficient rather than excess computer capacity helps to minimise energy requirements. - Ramin Communications: Business Imperatives for Green ICT

Compare TVs, Set Top boxes and Power Supplies at www.energyrating.gov.au

Computers and telecommunications equipment contributes about 2% to greenhouse gas emissions. Data centres and client equipment can be made more efficient. - Green Technology Strategies: Energy saving - Data Centres and Client Equipment

Motor Vehicles

In 2005, an average of over 120,000 vehicles travelled through Annandale each day(RTA). CO2-e Emissions from 120,000 Cars/Day
If all these vehicles were the 2010 Holden VE SIDI Commodore Berlina and they travelled just 1km, they would have generated 301g CO2-e(greenguide) each. The total CO2-e equivalent generated by Traffic through Annandale, in just one day, would be 301g*120,000 vehicles =36,120kg.Carbon Footprint of Daily Traffic through Annandale

Compare Vehicles at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/

Results of studies conducted around the world on emissions outcomes and performance of ethanol blends are often contradictory. Emissions from ethanol blended fuels vary markedly between different ethanol blends and different vehicle technologies.Royal Automobile Association of South Australia

Unleaded to be phased out in 2011
Many motorists are still unaware that 91 RON unleaded petrol is to be phased out in NSW by 1 July 2011. Its place will be taken by the existing E10 ethanol blend. - NRMA Blog (Friday, May 7th, 2010)

www.ramin.com.au/eco-sydney/energy-ratings-use.shtml © Ramin Communications 2010. Last modified 29 Nov 2013.