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Showing posts from February, 2012

The winds of change

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Principle 1: Observe and interact Speaking is Martin May (Treasurer) and Tracy Anthony (CEO) of Hepburn Wind. To the left of them (hands on hips) is Craig Memery from the ATA, a renewable and smart networks specialist to offer independent information about the technologies. To the right of Tracy is Marju Tonisson, Communications Coordinator from Infigen Energy. Proposed development near Seymour The Cherry Tree Wind Farm, located about 15km east of Seymour, is in the early stages of development. The plan (not yet submitted to council) is to install 12-16 turbines to generate about 40-50MW, sufficient to power about 22,000 'normal' homes. The size of the project is limited mainly by the capacity of the nearby transmission lines. Infigen Energy (an Australian company) have held a couple of information sessions late last year in from people about the proposal along with an independent acoustic expert to answer questions. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the sessions.

A carport without the car

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Principle 7: Design from patterns to details We've always wanted an undercover outdoor space so we can enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather. It's the sun more than the rain that prevents us from having meals outside, especially at this time of the year (mid-summer). The temptation to shade the north (sun) facing deck with sails has been there, but from what I've seen is that once they are set up they are rarely taken down when they should be; which defeats the purpose of passive solar design. I've found that we use our north deck as a space to make the most of the sun, for drying clothes and for dehydrating food. I'm keen to make a solar cooker for use in this space too, as the deck has great access to the kitchen. In the longer term I think that a deciduous vine would be welcomed over most of the deck, leaving some space open to take advantage of the sun's free energy. While thoughts of the best way to make use of our primary outdoor space (the deck) has