The Beagle
May 14, 2019
The Beagle Editor,
I was much taken by this simple message on the memorial walk up to the old Coalbunker Wharf at Batemans Bay. "Coal - the power of the past." What a simple, clear message it sends. Coal was big, back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but no longer; time has moved on. Too bad some don't tread that way to come across that simple truth.
Then today comes an ironic confirmation. "Black coal museum now powered by solar and battery storage". What? A solar-powered coal museum? Surely that can't be a thing? Let's read on....
"A solar and battery storage system built to power a coal mine museum in the coastal Victorian town of Wonthaggi has been officially launched, as a living demonstration of Australia’s energy transition. The community-driven "Old Energy – New Energy" project has completed the installation of 91kW of solar PV and 41kWh of battery storage at the former State Coal Mine which is now a popular tourist site run by Parks Victoria. State energy minister Lily D’ambrosio, who attended the opening, said the project – which received $241,000 in funding from the Labor government’s New Energy Jobs Fund – served both functional and educational purposes.
Not only would the solar and battery system power the site, she said, but it would demonstrate how renewable energy, energy efficiency and new technology were changing the game. “It’s great to see a facility that was once used to mine coal now leading the way when it comes to renewable energy in tourism,” D’Ambrosio said. “We want to see more sites like this one transition to renewables – we’re delivering the investment needed to support that transition.” Bravo!
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That's the kind of leadership we need in Canberra. Make sure to vote for action on climate change this election. The survival of our way-of-life depends upon it.
Terry McGee, Malua Bay