Australians looking to take advantage of sustainable energy systems will be pleased to note that an upcoming event will offer helpful advice for those looking to make the switch.
The Community Power Conference: Australian Communities Taking charge takes place in Bendigo on November 14 and 15.
Interested parties can register their attendance and expect two solid days of information and helpful tips for forming a strategy that will reduce the impact of rising electricity prices.
Organisers have opened invitation to any community leaders looking to make a positive difference in homes and businesses in their area.
Talks will focus on such topics as peak load demand management and the development of local, renewable energy generators that connect to the local distribution network.
A number of experts in the field will attend, including representatives from the solar power industry, government and community leaders – all scheduled to offer their advice concerning sustainable strategies that harness renewable energy and reduce emissions.
The conference has a strong focus on how communities can come together to achieve more profound change by collaborating on group projects that benefit local centres.
Part of the process requires smart ways to engage with residents and get them involved by showcasing the benefits of these kinds of technology.
A number of pre-existing projects will be used as examples of how communities can create positive changes when it comes to building reliable energy infrastructure.
The conference will examine the effectiveness of solar panel systems in Ballarat and Bendigo, as well as community-owned wind turbine farms in Daylesford and Western Australia.
Professor John Martin of La Trobe University's Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities and acting chief conference organiser is confident that the event will be a success.
Martin says: "Many country areas, especially, can see the potential ahead for them by adopting their own locally based solar, wind and geothermal sources.
"They can see the jobs, they can see the opportunities renewable energy brings and they want to protect themselves against rising energy prices."
He also welcomes the sharing of knowledge from towns with advanced programs already in place.
"Many are far enough down the track to share what they've learnt, so we see this
conference as a key opportunity for other communities, local, state and the federal
governments and regional development interests to come see and suck up the enthusiasm for this stuff," he states.
Posted by Mike Peacock – Solar Correspondent