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axvoter · 2 years

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Blatantly Partisan Party Review XXV (federal 2022): Socialist Alliance

Running where: NSW, QLD, VIC, WA

Prior reviews: federal 2016, NSW 2019, federal 2019

What I said before: “This is quintessential ‘people before profit’ stuff: tax corporations, nationalise things, and make policy for the betterment of the population rather than maximising profit for private companies.”

What I think this year: Socialism in Australia has been notoriously fractious, especially in recent decades. In 2019, in an attempt to counter this, Socialist Alliance (SAll) participated in the state-level Victorian Socialists (VS; 2019 review, 2022 review to come) in an attempt to present a united front with other groups. This included Socialist Alternative (SAlt), who had previously eschewed electoral politics and focused heavily on uni campus organising. Unfortunately, in 2020, SAll walked away from from VS.

I have no particular inside line on the rights or wrongs of the SAll/VS split. SAll have set out their perspective here, arguing that “we no longer feel that the Victorian Socialist project is capable of uniting broader layers of socialists”. I am unaware of an official VS statement. The vibe I have got from asking around, and from observing online discussion, is that VS are just as annoyed at SAll for walking away. I suspect this dispute is cross-cut by generational, ideological, and state-based reasons. To me, the most disappointing thing about leftist and particularly socialist politics in Australia over the last few decades is how fragmented it has been, and this is yet another example.

But if I put aside that disappointment, what do they want? Socialist Alliance is the straightforward socialist fare you know and (maybe) love from past elections. They have a strong environmental angle: their 2022 federal election slogan is not simply “for people before profit” but “for people and planet before profit”. They demand system change—i.e. socialism via electoral politics—rather than climate change. To them, covid-19 and climate change are twin crises that expose the Australian government prioritising billionaires. Climate change, yes, you won’t see me disagreeing that our sluggish response is to protect the likes of mining magnates, but on covid-19, Australia frankly has performed very well. SAll has a legitimate criticism that working people have been hardest hit, and other important criticisms can be made, but there was nonetheless a sense of (at least state-based) solidarity that has led to some of the very best health outcomes on the planet. So I dunno, I feel some of this content is a bit “this current crisis is actually all about our core issue” over-reach.

Anyway, enough of me criticising their election pitch, because if I am honest with you, I am a stereotypical watermelon: green on the outside, red on the inside. And SAll offer pretty watermelon policies. They are strong on climate, demanding drastically increased taxation on wealthy elites to fund an emergency transition to renewable energy, a sustainable economy, and a prominent role for Indigenous peoples in restoring and caring for Country. As you might expect, they are keen on nationalising things, a large welfare state, removing anti-union laws, accepting refugees, a guaranteed livable income, gender equality, free tertiary education—you name it. Their First Nations policies appear to echo ideals of the Uluru Statement but it is unclear to me if they specifically support the Statement and its process.

Once you start digging into their policies, you’ll find that if you are sympathetic towards socialism or social democracy, you will broadly agree with the contours. You will also find they have a bit of a grab-bag of ideas, some of which you'll really like and others that leave you much less enthused. For me, they back something I very much want: parliament being reformed to have proportional representation. But they also support a governmental reform I dislike: all governments subject to a recall election if a petition is signed by 10% of the electorate. I think in principle these measures are liable to abuse and instability, and with such a low threshold it definitely is.

All in all, a good, but not great, socialist option.

My recommendation: Give Socialist Alliance a good preference.

(not Socialist Alternative, as I originally wrote, and which one commenter pointed out. SAlt are not on the ballot! They are involved in Victorian Socialists, a review of whom is coming shortly; I confess I have spent my whole life since starting uni writing SAlt's name when I meant SAll and vice versa)

Website: https://socialist-alliance.org/

#auspol #ausvotes #ausvotes22 #ausvotes2022 #Australian election #Australia #Election 2022 #Socialist Alliance #Victorian Socialists #socialism #eco-socialism #watermelons

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anythingarticles · 3 years

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Health problems / Health and fitness / Zango Anything

Health problems / Health and fitness /Over the past two decades, the United States has seen an increase in the rates of obesity and other weight problems. For example, childhood obesity rates have risen so much that on May 3, 2006, many of the nation's largest beverage distributors announced that they would no longer sell non-diet sodas to most public schools. However, rates of obesity and other weight-related health problems vary from culture to culture and from country to country. Because the United States is an industrialized nation with easy access to junk food, especially for children, obesity is definitely one of our nation's most pressing weight-related health problems. The situation is not the same in other cultures. Many people living in third world countries, especially in Africa, simply do not have the resources to obtain food.

Health problems

health problems

This results in widespread malnutrition. This single example simply shows that one nation, the United States, has more resources to feed its people than many of the poor countries in Africa and elsewhere. However, when you look at this issue interculturally, it is not that simple. The amount of food available in a culture is certainly a factor to consider when studying the various health problems associated with weight, but there is much more to consider. In our culture, many young women develop eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, which cause malnutrition but not due to lack of resources; Peer pressure and cultural pressure for women to be thin are the causes of rising rates of conditions such as anorexia and bulimia in women. These examples hardly scratch the surface of this problem, however, many interesting questions arise from the examples above.

Read More: How to Use a Grilling Plank

How is it possible that a country with vast resources and another country ravaged by poverty have many undernourished people? Why are they malnourished? Besides the availability of food, what other factors must be considered for the various health problems that exist in many different cultures as a result of weight? The overwhelming body of evidence shows that the culture one lives in, genetics, and the availability of food all contribute to the various health problems that affect the world as a result of weight. It is important to note that the culture in which you live defines the food you eat, which is what causes weight and health problems. Therefore, different cultures have different weight-associated health problems and if two or more cultures have a similar weight-associated health problem, the causes may be different. Also, different cultures have different explanations for the various health problems they encounter, and as a result, they practice different ways of curing and fixing these problems.

It is very important to consider the culture in which you live when analyzing all the health problems associated with weight. A look at the health of two ethnic groups located in Queensland, Australia that migrated from the Pacific Islands, the Samoans and the Tongans, shows some interesting things regarding health and weight. (Queensland Samoa). Samoans and Tongans are an interesting group to consider because, according to the Queensland government, "the death rates of those born in the Pacific Islands are higher than those of other Australians.

They are one of the few ethnic groups where this is the case. "Samoa and Tonga believe that one's status is higher the more one eats. This has resulted in" obesity and its associated conditions, cardiovascular disease and diabetes .. . Asthma is also a problem for the Samoan community "(Queensland Samoa). Now, traditionally, Samoans led a very active lifestyle and some genetic tests show that Samoans are larger and weigh more than people of other cultures However, "urbanization, lack of exercise, smoking and changes in diet have taken their toll" (Queensland Samoa). Their culture believes that spirits cause disease. Because of the climate and soil of Queensland allow the growth of plants associated with traditional medicine in Samoa, many Samoans choose traditional healers and perceive Western medicine as ineffective.

Samoans also believe that prayer is extremely important in the healing process. Now looking at a completely different ethnic group living in Queensland, the Italians, we notice some interesting differences in their health and weight issues compared to the Samoans / Tongans and the general Australian population. (Queensland Italy). Although Italians living in Queensland show low exercise patterns, many women are overweight (more than men), many men smoke (more than women), "... both men and women have lower death rates than Australian-born population "(Queensland Italy). Italians also consume less alcohol than the general Australian population. Food is used as preventive medicine because many Italians believe that high energy intake is a type of preventive medicine because they believe that thin people get sick more often. (Queensland Italy).

The following is important comparative information regarding Italians living in Queensland, provided by the Queensland government: There were lower mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in Italian-born immigrants compared to an Australian-born sample of the same age . Smoking and obesity are higher in males born in southern Europe, but there is a low level of mortality due to heart and respiratory diseases. Thalassemia rates are higher in Italians than in the general Australian population. Death rates from diabetes are higher in Italian women than in other Australian women. (Queensland Italy) Also, Italians in Queensland rarely use hospitals, but tend to use Western medicine. Analysis of these different ethnic groups living in the same place reveals very important information. The examples above show that Samoan / Tonga, Italians, and mainland Australians living in Queensland have very different health problems associated with weight despite living in the same location.

This shows the effect that culture has on weight and health. Samoans and Tongans have higher death rates than Italians and mainland Australians living in Queensland. Italians have the lowest death rate among these groups. There are many reasons for this, many of them related to culture and food. First, the similarities between these groups will be shown, and then the differences that led to these different mortality rates. It seems that both Samoans and Italians have low exercise patterns. Therefore, they burn less energy than people from other cultures. Both groups also smoke, which is increasing. Now the differences are staggering. According to Anne Caprio Shovic, assistant professor and director of Plan V in the Department of Food, Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Hawaii, "Samoans are known to be the most overweight population in the world. They suffer from high rates of related diseases. with weight, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus "(Shovic).

This happens to be the result of the food they eat and is also genetic. According to NSW Health, saturated fat and, to a lesser extent, cholesterol, are the main causes of weight in Samoans. (New South Wales Health). According to NSW Health, these are the main 'problem foods' that Samoans eat, but while many foods, such as offal (egg liver and kidney), shellfish (prawns), and egg yolks, for example, are naturally high in cholesterol , you are not the main problem. The main cause is an unhealthy fat called saturated fat found in foods like: fatty meat, fatty ground beef, chicken, chicken skin, hot dogs, corned beef, lamb flaps, and turkey tails. Whole dairy products such as milk, cheese, cream, sour cream, yogurt, ice cream fats, and oils such as butter, lard, butcher's solid cooking fat, and cooking oils labeled "vegetable oils." (New South Wales Health). It is obvious that when your culture consistently eats these types of foods, even though they are tasty, they contribute to all the problems that Samoans have with weight.

Health and fitness

health problems

Since this is what Samoans have been eating for many years, they are genetically predisposed to being overweight and / or having weight-related medical problems. Italians, on the other hand, are not known to be overweight. According to Rosemary Furfaro, "For the most part, meat is not a regular part of many Italian diets with vegetables, cereals and legumes as protagonists in most households" (Furfaro). Furfaro goes on to say: Basically, Italian cuisine is a combination of vegetables, cereals, fruits, fish, cheeses and a variety of meat, poultry and game usually dressed or cooked with olive oil (except for the extreme north). Reliance on what the country can produce has shaped a popular diet for centuries, particularly among poorer Italians, and is called the cucina povera.

We are now seeing a resurgence of this "poor man's food" and the Mediterranean diet is touted as the model around which we must restructure our eating habits. (Furfaro) Now it seems that the picture is clear. Samoans have a tradition of eating foods loaded with cholesterol and saturated fat. This leads to all kinds of problems already discussed, such as heart disease and diabetes. On the other hand, Italians are leading the way with the Mediterranean diet: the traditional Mediterranean diet provides up to 40% of total daily calories from fat, yet the associated incidence of cardiovascular disease is significantly reduced.

source https://anything5789.blogspot.com/2021/05/health-problems-health-and-fitness.html

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inerginc · 5 years

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This article looks at the growth of solar energy generation in Australia, its benefits and challenges posed to grid operators due to the inability of traditional energy infrastructure to accommodate increased capacity from distributed resources.

The article provides recommendations to address challenges stemming increased grid-DER integration.

This article first appeared in Smart Energy International Issue 3-2019. Read the full digimag here or subscribe to receive a print copy here.

According to the Australian Energy Market Operator the average daily peak generation of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) increased 25% from 3110MW to 3878MW between Q4 2017 and Q4 2018.

The increase in solar PV generation is attributed to a record amount of installed rooftop solar capacity over 2018, which made up 74% of total solar generation in Q4 2018.

The Clean Energy Regulator estimated that 1.6GW of solar capacity was installed across Australia over 2018, with more than 1GW of this capacity expected in the National Electricity Market, the system connecting electricity transmission grids of the eastern and southern Australia states and territories to create a cross-state wholesale electricity market.

Regulation

The speed and magnitude of our solar PV uptake is expected to continue skyrocketing following increased focus to expand portfolios of renewables by utility companies and an increase in both private and public funding in addition to the adoption of favourable policies by regulators as part of efforts to address climate change.

In Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), political parties offered rooftop solar rebate and battery storage subsidies.

Recently, the NSW Labour Opposition promised to deliver the biggest renewables rollout of 7GW of renewable energy.

Network challenges

However, the growth of the country’s renewable energy portfolio is expected to pose challenges for grid operators, as the current electricity infrastructure was not designed with the intention for electricity to move in two directions.

While it is not impossible for electricity to flow backwards, it is tricky to manage the grid on a technological level, especially when there is a lot of distributed electricity feeding back into the grid in the same area. Transformers may become saturated due to increased voltage from exportation. So what challenges do networks face when the local part of the grid is full?

Maintaining grid stability

Networks will face new technical and operational challenges in managing the future grid. The two main technical issues caused by large amounts of solar being fed back into the grid include: Voltage spikes on low voltage lines could damage network and consumer equipment and result in networks needing to temporarily shut down solar inverters to restore voltage to normal limits. Presently, because of limited visibility of data, there is little ability for low voltage networks to manage distributed energy resource (DER) export and the constraints in their networks that lead to high levels of DER causing them to breach technical obligations, such as voltage limits.

Thermal overloading of substation transformers or fault currents caused by net reverse (upstream) flows.

South Australia Power Networks (SAPN) conducted a pilot project in Salisbury which included integrating consumer onsite energy storage and solar generation to address voltage spikes and overloading of substation tranformers.

The study revealed that for customers installing solar systems of 5kW or more, even with batteries, energy exports are still typically significantly exceeding imports as most customers’ batteries are fully charged by about midday.

SAPN projects that zone substation reverse flows will be emerging across South Australia by 2020, and by 2050, distributed solar load flows on high voltage feeders could potentially exceed asset ratings at times of minimum demand.

Network impacts will arise first in the low voltage network, where the effect of increasing penetration of solar and other DER is to increase the dynamic range of power flows between peak demand and peak export and the rate with which the system can swing from one end of this range to the other.

Hence, investments such as changes to network configurations or equipment become necessary to maintain grid stability and reduce risks. But, who should pay for these investments?

According to the country’s standard for electrical and general safety installation for inverter energy systems, AS/NSZ 4777, most networks will allow system sizes as per the below:

1 Single phase connection (most homes): Up to 5kW

2. Three-phase connection (some homes and many businesses): Up to 30kW

Another important implication of size limitations is solar feed-in tariff eligibility. ‘First in best dressed’ access policy applies – so once certain (very localised) saturation levels are reached, new customer connections within the same area may not be allowed to export into the grid due to technical network constraints. New solar customers will naturally expect to be able to get connected to the grid and take advantage of feed-in tariffs to the same extent as their neighbours. But this is not always possible and it is raising questions of ‘solar equity’. Questions like ‘Why should my neighbours be able to export up to 5kW but I am restricted to 0kW because I connected after them?’ and ‘Do they pay more than me for this privilege’? The governing National Electricity Rule 6.1.4 states that ‘a distribution NSP must not charge a distribution network user, distribution use of system charges for the export of electricity generated by the user into the distribution network’. This leads to significant constraints as it bans export charging.

Legitimate questions are being raised about the local access regime and whether it remains fit for purpose. The reality is, the ‘first in best dressed’ approach needs assessment and innovative approaches considered – for example, sharing of export capacity among all customers, with energy potentially tradeable or auctioned.

Customers applying to install solar should always contact their local distributor to check network capacity before they make the decision to invest; and solar companies with an interest in their business should be advising them to do so.

Curtailment

Curtailment or the restriction of a customer’s generation capacity because of weakness in the grid in an area is a growing issue in Germany and China. It becomes essential to protect wholeofsystem security, safety and power reliability. In Germany, grid operators are being forced to dramatically increase operating costs to stabilise a centralised grid that was never built for fragmented renewable production. While in China the government has been trying to adjust the timing of construction and has set up an early warning system forcing regions suffering from excess capacity growth to slow down the pace of new approvals.

Considering these international scenarios, curtailment could become an issue in Australia, particularly as DER uptake accelerates as solar and battery subsidy policies take full effect.

In Australia, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) manages curtailment in large-scale generation in the National Electricity Market. While you would think new solar customers in Australia would prefer occasional curtailment to blanket export restrictions, distribution businesses do not have capacity to curtail at the local level. This poses the question of how curtailment in small-scale generation will be managed in future in order to ensure power system security and fairness for customers.

Promises versus challenges

It is essential that Australia establishes an effective mechanism to properly integrate solar and storage into the grid so customer exports aren’t restricted and they are able to get full benefit from their DER.

Energy Networks Australia has developed the Energy Network Transformation Roadmap to facilitate the development of a pathway forward for network businesses to accommodate distributed energy throughout their networks.

Energy Networks Australia is soon to launch DER connection guidelines, which will provide technical guidance for standardising rooftop solar connections for all Australian network businesses.

At a political and government level, policies and programmes must consider network and whole-of-system challenges. If they don’t, not only will customer expectations not be met, the system simply won’t cope. The solar boom could go bust. SEI

About the author: Monishka Narayan is a programme coordinator at Energy Networks Australia. Previously, worked with Charles Darwin University as a Research fellow developing organic, hybrid and perovskite solar cells.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

#Solar #microgrids

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greenplanetplumbing · 6 years

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A Guide to Buying Eco-Friendly and Low Flush Toilets

Check out new post published on https://www.greenplanetplumbing.com.au/a-guide-to-buying-eco-friendly-and-low-flush-toilets/

A Guide to Buying Eco-Friendly and Low Flush Toilets

“Eco” and “eco-friendly” are fast becoming popular phrases in construction in the wake of a shifting focus on climate change, corporate responsibility and environmental impact. If you are planning to build your home anytime soon, you should consider constructing a home that’s sustainable or at least contains eco-friendly elements. Building an eco-friendly home may be costlier up-front, however due to increased energy efficiency and water conservation, you’re likely to save in the long run.

One thing you may want to consider installing are low flush toilets, which are designed to save on water consumption, saving you money on your water bills.

10 things to consider when choosing your low flush toilet

1. Design

While your finances are important in choosing your bathroom throne, practicality is an equal, if not more important factor.

One thing you may want to look at when buying your toilet is diameter size of the opening. Check and compare to see if it’s larger compared to that of the traditional models. Also take note if the bowl’s bottom has a wider trap. Usually, toilets with a relatively small opening size and a narrow bottom consume 12 to 18 litres of water per flush, these are the traditional models. Modern designs, on the other hand, provide a more powerful disposal of your waste, but only using 4.5 to 4.8 litres of water per flush! That’s more than 50% less water consumed compared to older models.

Modern designs should be compliant with the Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (WELS) of the Australian Government. The WELS scheme requires that flushes of toilets sold must not exceed 5.5 litres.

There are also two types of toilets you can choose from: the gravity-fed and pressure-assisted.

Gravity-fed toilets are commonly installed and used in homes and commercial establishments. Every time you flush this kind of toilet, water goes down the tank into the bowl pushing down the waste. Compared to pressure-assisted toilets, gravity-fed toilets are cheaper. However, most models are not strong enough to immediately handle large amounts of waste.

Pressure-assisted toilets are more powerful and can handle larger amounts of waste sparing you flushing more than once. These types of toilets also use less water since they use air pressure. Pressure-assisted toilets save more water, however since these have greater flushing power, they can be noisier and more expensive.

2. Quality of materials

The porcelain used in manufacturing toilets is made of a clay and water mixture. It is, then, poured into a mould for finishing and glazing before being sent through a kiln for heating and solidifying.

Not all toilets come in the same shapes and sizes, nor do all manufacturers have one and the same production process. So, it’s best to check on the characteristics of the porcelain used to manufacture the toilet, particularly its quality and thickness. Not only would these qualities give a long-lasting look, but more importantly, they would mean less maintenance. The best measure of quality is the finish and the manufacturer’s reputation.

3. Go for dual-flush

The dual-flush toilet is designed to dispose of waste using different amounts of water. If you push the smaller button, 3 litres of water will be released. Meanwhile, the larger button releases 4.5 litres of water to flush out solid waste.

Both the gravity-fed and pressure-assisted models have the dual-flush variant. Dual-flush toilets may be pricier than their single-flush counterparts, but these do a better job in saving on water consumption and in turn cutting on water costs.

Interestingly, the dual-flush was first manufactured and sold in Australia. Though originally designed by an American in the late 1970s, Australians thought they needed it more and fast, as they live on dry land scarce with water. Bruce Thompson, then the research and development manager of Caroma, developed the system in 1980, thanks to a $130,000 grant from the Australian Government. The smaller button of the original dual-flush toilet released 5.5 litres of water, while the larger button released 11 litres. Since then, the project was such a success that every state except NSW mandated the installation of dual-flush toilets in new buildings constructed.

The dual-flush’s water usage was eventually reduced to 3 litres and 6 litres in 1994. The water release volume for the larger button eventually went down to 4.5 litres in compliance with the WELS scheme.

4. Flushing performance

The WELS scheme also has a ratings system in place. The more stars, the better the toilet’s flushing efficiency. The most efficient low-flush toilets are the dual-flush variants that release 3 and 4.5 litre. Majority of these units have a 4-star rating.

Low-flush toilets with a 5-star rating are also available in the Australian market. These have an integrated hand basin, which use greywater for flushing. Based on the government’s report, these only use less than 3 litres of water on average.

The report cites that there are 6-star rated toilets that already are out there, though not available in Australia. The 2 and 4-litre dual-flush toilet and the urine-separating toilet, which are available in Europe, only use from 1-2.7 litres of water. There’s also the 2 and 3-litre dual-flush that still needs further research and development; and the air-assisted prototype toilet, which flushes 1.5 litres of water.

5. The rough-in measurement

Like any other part of your home or building, you’d want to have the actual fit out and design of your toilet done right. Getting the right rough-in matters, in this case, because this determines the fittings that your plumber would be installing.

In laymen speak, the rough-in is the space between the wall and the centre of the toilet flange, which is found right below the toilet’s base. Most rough-ins measure 30.5 centimetres.

Unless you are undergoing significant remodelling, make sure that the toilet you wish to buy matches the rough-in distance. This way, you avoid the arduous task of moving the flange. It’s also wise to account for your baseboard’s thickness.

Forward planning is essential, which also means constant communication between you and your contractor.

6. Rebates and special offers

Quite a few areas in Australia offer rebates or services at special rates to encourage the use of low-flush toilets. In the metropolitan Sydney area, Sydney Water offers customers its WaterFix service. Customers with single-flush toilets can have their units replaced with WELS 4-star rated dual-flush toilets for as low as $196. The NSW state government can subsidise all or part of this amount if you are experiencing financial difficulty. If you’re charged at least $200 for the replacement service, you can opt to pay in 4 equal instalments spanning 4 billing periods. Visit Sydney Water’s WaterFix page to know more details on the service. You may also check out the replacement units (and their specifications) under the WaterFix service here.

Further south of Sydney, the local government of Eurobodalla Shire offers rebates to encourage residents with single-flush toilets to have them replaced. The Shire’s council is particularly providing a $100 refund on purchases and installations of any toilet with a WELS 4-star or higher rating. The program also allows a maximum of 2 rebates for every residential property.

Check with your local council or state governments for updates on rebates and special offers for replacing your toilet.

7. Bowl fixture and size

Make sure you know the size of the toilet you’re wanting, and where it will be fixed onto. Weigh all the pros and cons.

The two common types of toilet bowls in market are the floor-mounted and the wall-mounted. Where the toilet is attached is where the drainage goes. For the floor-mounted type, you can also choose to give it a wall outlet.

Choosing the type of toilet would depend on any existing plumbing, as well as the waste pipe where the drainage would connect to. Floor-mounted toilets are a more popular option, but it still helps to be discerning when choosing one. Make sure that you know the distance between the wall and the centre of the waste pipe for a perfect fit.

Wall-mounted toilets can look more stylish. They’re also easier to clean because of their smaller size. However, they need added reinforcement not only to bear the weight of the toilet itself, but also of those who would sit on it (you want to know that you’re supported when you sit down)!

Next thing to consider is whether to get a round or oval-shaped bowl. Given its shorter length, rounded bowls are used in smaller bathrooms. Most toilet seats are also made to fit rounded bowls for greater selection. Oval bowls, on the other hand, are usually 5 centimetres longer than round bowls giving more seating comfort. If you are thinking of installing an oval bowl, especially if upgrading from the usual round one, make sure that you still have space to move around.

8. Availability of spare parts

As with other permanent fixtures in your home, certain parts of your toilet are prone to wear and tear. Thus, make sure that the low flush toilet you plan to get has spare parts available in most hardware stores. This way, you’re sure to continue saving on water consumption.

It would also help to know the replaceable parts of your toilet and their specifications early on. List these down as the information will come in handy if/when the time comes.

9. Provisions for the elderly (if applicable)

Having seniors in your home means giving more care and special attention. You may be thinking of having a taller bowl installed, especially if they are frequenters of the bathroom. However, more able-bodied persons would find it discomforting to be sitting on a bowl taller than the standard 38-centimetre one. It also is a little pricier to get a high bowl.

Installing well-adjusted grab bars on the sides of the toilet would be more useful instead of having a tall bowl. This way, you’d maximise the toilet’s usage and thus become more considerate to all those who’d use it.

10. Colour scheme

Blue and peach are just some of the colour palettes trending in bathroom design in 2018. Just be careful when choosing whether your toilet’s colour would follow the trend or not. No matter which colour you choose, make sure it fits your style of the bathroom.

Neutral colours – like white – are safe because they won’t go out of style.

Enjoy your comfort zone

The toilet can be considered a place of comfort in one’s home. It’s also comforting to know that amid a changing environment, if we invest in eco-friendly flush toilets that conserve water, we’re not wasting natural resources.

When you’re ready to switch to an eco-friendly flush toilet, you can contact your trusted Newcastle plumber at Green Planet Plumbing. Our licensed plumbers are ready to take on the job anytime, anywhere. Contact us today!

#Australia water crisis #eco friendly #green plumbing #green plumbing solutions #low flush toilet #Newcastle plumbing #plumbing solutions #plumbing system #saving water #sustainable #sustainable plumbing #toilet #water conservation #Water crisis

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hsews · 6 years

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So why can’t our beloved Powerhouse Museum have two campuses, avoiding the need to move Locomotive No. 1, the Catalina flying boat and the other large objects? – Dick Pollitt, Mosman

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Photo:

Why can’t this government abandon Baird’s grand design and restore some sanity to what is really needed for Parramatta. – Garry Horvai, Pennant Hills

The destruction of the Powerhouse Museum is an act of cultural vandalism without comparison in the modern world. Rather than extend the collection over two iconic sites as has been done in London with the Tate and Tate Modern, or in the USA over several sites with the Smithsonian Institute, the NSW government has opted for ongoing debasement of the state’s cultural, historical and environmental heritage.

What a soulless, vapid city politicians are creating. The old joke about a bridge and an opera house for sale is no longer funny. I expect to see them listed in Domain any day now. – Marie-Louise Dreux, Petersham

After all of the expense of the Darling Harbour revamp, the added attraction of a world class museum within easy walking distance of the hotels and the revamped area would make the museum a cash cow.

Does the government think tourists are going to get on a train or ferry out to Parramatta when the city is the centre of tourism? – Robin Humphrey, Springwood

If Gladys Berejiklian is confident that the electorate agrees with the rebuilding of the stadiums and the moving of the Powerhouse Museum, she should put both proposals on hold until after the next election.

This would allow all people to decide on the future of these major issues, something they are currently denied. – Tony Re, Georges Hall

The papers the government released reveal what we always knew about the proposed move of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta: it was never feasible.

Oh well, all is not lost: I’m pitching the storyline to the producers of Utopia. – Irma Havlicek, Umina Beach

Australia needs to go its own way in the world

Your editorial was most candid and sounds a clarion call for us in Australia (“Summit of illusions has a clear message”, June 14) .

Our future focus should be towards our neighbours in the Asia/Oceania region of the world.

America reflected in the persona of Donald Trump has for too long now sounded like the spoilt child who has had its lolly taken away.

They were once great contributors to the planet, but a culture of expected rights and freedoms has them now moving towards being takers rather than givers.

The foundations of the planet earth we once knew are being shaken. This is admittedly discomforting.

If we don’t point ourselves in our own chosen direction then the bully boys of the world will drag us in their direction, which is ultimately self-defeating.

Australia’s coming of age might well start with us recognising our First Nations peoples in our Constitution. There’s a solid foundation stone to move us forward creatively. – Neville Williams, Darlinghurst

Many times I thought Trump would never be elected President of USA (Letters, June 14). I watched every minute of the three debates and came away convinced that he had no hope of victory, especially when he refused to say he would accept the will of the people in the event of he not winning. I was dumbfounded on election day.

So who is to say he will not succeed now? Time will tell. I have learned not to write him off. And for world peace, I wish him well. – Michael Kennedy, West Pymble

Of all the comments on the Singapore Summit, Michael Kirby’s informed and compassionate assessment seems the one most worthy of reflection (“A long way to right the wrongs”, June 14). Beware those who “mock the time with fairest show” when a false face hides what the false heart knows. – Meredith Williams, Dee Why

Even the most ardent supporter of Trump admits he sometimes presents poorly, but if he succeeds in denuclearising the Kim regime, who cares about his demeanour and modus operandi – unless you are one of those elitists for whom the “sizzle is more important than the steak”. – George Fishman, Vaucluse

Trump has now verified that he is not the great negotiator that he like the world to believe that he is. Kim has neither ceded nor agreed to anything remotely close to denuclearisation. Trump’s new nickname? Steinway. Kim is playing him like a piano. – Alan Garside, Raglan

I await the announcement of the biggest, most expensive Trump Hotel project to date – in Pyongyang. – Patrick McGrath, Potts Point

Energised by school funding

The state election is only nine months away and we now have news of a huge boost in funding for schools (“Huge boost in funding for schools”, June 14).

The Treasurer Dominic Perrottet claims the government’s strong economic management has allowed for heavy investment in schools.

It was encouraging to read all new schools and schools being upgraded will be designed with sustainability in mind. Does this mean all these schools will be fitted with solar panels?

Schools are the obvious buildings to make use of solar energy as very few schools are open at night. An initial outlay for solar panels could save schools an enormous sum of money due to lighting, heating, cooling and computer networks.

If there is as much spare cash as the Treasurer claims surely there will be enough for solar panels. –Robyn Lewis, Raglan

Guarantee there will be no indoor swimming pools, orchestra pits or heated horse stables in the “necessary” upgrades earmarked for a number of public schools in NSW. – John Cotterill, Kingsford

Times are changing

Christian churches must forgo the right to keep silent on child sexual abuse, both as educational institutions and as hearers of confession (“Bishops still don’t get it, things have changed”, June 14).

If not, they must forgo the right to work with children in line with the rest of the community who are banned from working with children if they fail to report abuse. – Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

Whether the Catholic bishops “get it” or not, the Pope has publicly stated what they have to do. The Pope said, in reply to a journalist’s question, that there is zero tolerance of sexual abuse; bishops must remove all powers from priests who offend; and they must support victims including in the pursuit of civil claims.

Moreover, some of the things recommended by the royal commission and mentioned by Joanne McCarthy are simply not within a bishop’s power to change. They are matters for Rome. – Greg McCarry, Epping

My bet is that Malcolm Turnbull will take all the credit for the royal commission into child abuse during his apology on October 22 rather than thanking Julia Gillard for initiating it (“Tougher laws months away”, June 14). – Judy Hungerford, North Curl Curl

An undersea cable for neighbours

Congratulations to the Turnbull government for financing the undersea internet cable to the Solomon Islands (“‘It’s business’: talks with Chinese telco ongoing”, June 14).

As a wealthy nation, Australia should be very proactive and generous in helping our less well off neighbours in any way we can. Be proactive not reactive. – Graham Russell, Clovelly

Will the internet cable connection promised to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea be better than the internet cable connections Turnbull promised to Australians? To where will their cable be connected? The home, curb or corner? They should check their contracts now for download speeds, data limits and ever-extending connection dates. – Ian Campbell, Newington

The political relationship between Brian Burston and Pauline Hanson has been destroyed.

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Turnbull’s double dissolution stunt

It’s no surprise that One Nation and the rest of the hard-right fringe is fracturing (“Senate scramble as Burston quits One Nation”, June 14). Five senators on the right no longer represent the party of their election.

This alone damns our democracy or what is left of it. But the carnage is partly due to Malcolm Turnbull’s double dissolution election stunt which meant more fringe-dwellers were elected than in a normal half-senate election. – Nick Wilson, Palm Beach

Training students for jobs that don’t exist

Recent findings seem to go against the current thinking that we are helping students by training them for jobs that don’t yet exist and that future workers will undertake a variety of jobs in response to flexibility in the job market (“Early career choice pays off over lifetime”, June 14).

With this type of thinking espoused by leaders in government and education, is it any wonder that children no longer have a clear sense of career direction? It would also be interesting to know if this is contributing to the lack of engagement with education in our young people. – Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

For universities to boast about their student culture and the variety and volume of their degrees and not show where people end up after graduating means that adolescents aren’t to blame for having an uncertain career path. Being in year 12, I know what courses I want to do, I just have no idea where it will land me or who I will be working for. – Naosheyrvaan Nasir, Quakers Hill

Data entry is not teaching

Just what do we want from our teachers and students that we are subjecting both to such extremes of testing and data collection (“Teachers win data entry reprieve”, June 14). Imagine the stress put on little children by such testing no matter how good, kind, caring and wonderful the teacher may be. Imagine multiplying the collection of 1000 pieces of data for one child by 28 or 30.

Do the people who dream up these schemes ever think about what the rest of the class is doing while the teacher is finding and entering the data? No wonder teachers are complaining about workload. – Augusta Monro, Dural

A final solution for refugees

Congratulations Australia, you’ve finally been recognised and acknowledged in the world (“Australia an inspiration for boat halt”, June 14).

Your treatment of refugees has been adapted by Italy and will forever be known as “The Aussie Solution”. Doesn’t have the same ring as “Final Solution” but the treatment of the oppressed is from the same page.

Hang your head in shame. – Tony Redmond, Wyong

Italy is a beautiful country but now not for refugees.

Italy was wrong to refuse the shipload of refugees. Spain showed a kinder heart and a stronger character and acted to help the unfortunate souls. This is only one example of an issue that is going to be ongoing.

Let’s work on making life better for all. – Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill (Vic)

Beware the private lives of politicians

C’mon all you finger pointers! Barnaby Joyce is a top politician whose personal life should be private but a sad play of events made it prime-time news (“Joyce due for icy welcome at Nationals conference”, June 12). If we investigated the morality of all our pollies, Parliament House would make R-rated films and websites look like Sunday school picnics. – Cecile Hunt, Paddington

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ritctfoul952-blog · 6 years

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inshapenews · 7 years

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INSHAPE NEWS LIFESTYLE – How I Improved My Travel Food Safety With Freedom Foods In One Day

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Let’s face it, many of us take what we eat and drink for granted. We don’t really consider how safe it is before we put it in our mouth. Plus, most of us don’t think about the consequences of our actions, until it’ s too late and that belly ache begins.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way when we travel, if we’re smart. This means leaving our Western ways at the airport terminal and adopting a new philosophy as we head to that plane.

Dr Joanna McMillan, a nutritional advisor for Freedom Foods, believes that enjoying traditional cuisine is part of travel. However, adopting an approach to travel food safety will prevent you from getting sick. A part of that strategy is understanding what actually causes illness in the first place.

“When we travel we are exposed to different microorganisms, and these can cause us some upset, even when not pathogenic – they are simply new to us,” said Dr Joanna McMillan. “Then there are also pathogens that can cause serious disease and/or long term effects on our health.”

“Therefore, to minimise the risk when you are travelling to less developed countries, you are best to consume piping hot food, freshly prepared rather than food that has been sitting in the hotel buffet for some time. Also, avoid salads that may have been washed (or not washed) in contaminated water.”

“I also recommend drinking only bottled water and avoiding ice cubes in your drinks. As well as washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating.”

A recent survey backs Dr McMillan’s suggestions.

1-in-4 Australian Travellers Fall Ill

A recent study of 1041 Australian travellers conducted in May 2017 by Lonergan Research found that a high number were falling sick when travelling to ‘at-risk’ countries. The key findings of this research include:

Over half (52%) of all overseas travel by Australians was to at-risk countries.

On their last trip, 1-in-4 Australians travelling to at-risk destinations fell ill.

Three-quarters of Australians who fell ill said this impacted negatively on their trip.

Half (49%) who fell ill said it had something to do with eating and drinking.

1-in-5 Australians drank tap water while overseas.

Over half (56%) of Australian travellers brushed their teeth using tap water.

Nearly half (47%) who travelled to an at-risk region consumed a drink with ice in it.

Recent NSW Health Department statistics reveal that some two-thirds of the state’s hepatitis A cases relate to overseas travel.

Why Freedom Foods Help Travel Food Safety

Dr McMillan, who holds a PhD in nutrition science and subsequently co-authored the International bestseller “The Low GI Diet” with Professor Brand-Miller and fellow dietitian Kaye Foster-Powell, accepted a position with Freedom Foods, a ‘free from’ allergens Australian food manufacturer. So, what drew Dr McMillan to Freedom Foods?

“I’ve always felt that the best way to have influence over the food products we have available to us is to work closely with the food industry,” said Dr McMillan.

“Freedom Foods have impressed me with their commitment to wanting to produce the healthiest products possible. They have an in-house dietitian, as well as me, both with PhDs in nutrition science and this is a sign of their commitment to staying up-to-date with nutrition science and putting this knowledge into practice,” she said.

Freedom Foods and the Australian Food Industry

According to the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Australia’s Food and Agribusiness sector, which includes food-related agricultural production, food processing and other major inputs, produced $53.9 billion in industry value in 2014-15. Freedom Foods is a part of this industry, which has grown at a rate 6.1 percent per year, over the last ten years.

Given that this industry is expansive, just what has Dr McMillan gained personally and professionally from her role with the company since she began?

“Professionally I have learnt a great deal about the practicalities of taking products from conception to market,” said Dr McMillan.

“Products have to be tasty to the consumer, fall within the right price range for the consumer, while being profitable for the company, and meet the nutrition criteria set. This is not always as easy as it seems, understanding the obstacles and solutions are key to making a great product range,” she said.

“I’ve especially enjoyed working on the Messy Monkeys range and the Barley+ range, as these target two important topics – kids nutrition and gut health – both key areas of interest for me.”

“Personally I’ve enjoyed working with a terrific group of people from those in-house at Freedom Foods, to those in the PR and communications team. We really do work as a team to bring good nutrition information to health care professionals and the public.”

It’s Dr McMillan’s desire to inform the public about better food practices that have led to her suggestions for increased travel food safety.

What Freedom Food Products are Ideal for Travel?

Dr McMillan suggests a range of Freedom Foods help to improve travel food safety, even if your travel just for the day. These include the Barely+ range, Free From range and Messy Monkeys.

“The Barley+ range of muesli and bars are stand out in that they deliver the diverse range of fermentable fibres in the quantities required to make a measurable difference to gut health. Other products may be high in fibre, but we now know so much more about the diversity and roles of different fibres, and many of these products lack this diversity,” said Dr McMillan.

“The Free From range of products continue to be market leaders and a trusted source of products that are suitable for those with allergies and intolerances to gluten, dairy or nuts. This allows far greater choice for those requiring special diets,” she said.

“Finally, the new Messy Monkeys range fills a much-needed space for healthier kids snack and lunch box foods. There are not many products that tick the nutrition boxes and these really are head and shoulders above the rest.”

Dr McMillian’s Top Travel Food Safety Tips

Aiming to keep you healthy as you travel, Dr McMillan suggests looking for the veggies.

“I always order extra veggies or salad on the side and make sure I fill up on these rather than the chips, white bread or dessert,” said Dr McMillan.

“Avoid eating between meals unless you’re really hungry and then go for simple snacks such as nuts or fresh fruit.”

“Eat slowly, so you have time to listen to your body cues as to when you have had enough to eat,” she said.

“And above all enjoy the local foods. Learning about and enjoying different traditional cuisines is a part of travel to me and being too particular about what you eat takes joy away. What you eat most of the time is much more important for your health than what you eat on a short holiday.”

What Foods are Most Travel-Friendly & Nutritious?

According to Dr McMillan, aeroplane food is not always the best. Therefore, she recommends taking a few snacks with you.

“If I’m on a short flight, over a mealtime, I usually pick up a salad or whole grain sandwich at the airport to take on board rather than rely on the onboard packaged meal,” said Dr McMillan.

“On longer flights take a bag of nuts, seeds and dried fruit to snack on, or a good quality cereal bar such as Freedom Foods Barley+ bars. Once I’m on location I enjoy the local foods on offer.”

Travel Food Safety When Eating Out While Travelling

Undoubtedly, one of the best parts about travelling is experiencing the local foods and culture. So how can you think travel food safety when eating out in another country?

“Almost every country has nutritious local offerings,” says Dr McMillan, “It’s only modern highly processed foods that tend to cause problems.”

“If you keep in mind the basic foundation of eating lots of plant foods, meats and seafood, opting for whole grains over refined, not too many sugary treats, and looking for healthy fats rather than refined, you’re on the right lines,” she said.

“Finally, just watch portion size as eating out often involves larger plates of food than you would serve yourself at home.”

Using the Freedom Foods Mantra When Next Travelling

Freedom Foods promote living a healthy lifestyle – positive energy, healthy weight, healthy heart and healthy mind – so how can you as a traveller utilise these tactics when you next travel?

Dr McMillan believes that staying active whilst travelling is the key.

“Walking to explore the area, engaging the mind by enjoying and being adventurous with the local cuisine, expanding the mind through learning how other people in different parts of the world live, and embracing travelling with energy and pleasure. This is part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr McMillan.

About Dr Joanna McMillan

Dr Joanna McMillan is one of Australia’s best-known health, nutrition and healthy lifestyle experts. She is a regular on television and is the official nutritionist for the Today Show, as well as radio and print media. She is director of her own small but growing company Dr Joanna which runs an online lifestyle change program Get Lean.

In August 2016, Joanna became a Nutritional Advisor for Freedom Foods Group, makers of great tasting, high quality, healthy foods and beverages with a focus on wholesome, tasty, allergen- ‘free foods’. Joanna acts as a media and consumer spokesperson for the brand and will be involved with their social media profile.

About Freedom Foods

Looking to create healthy alternatives to what was sitting on the supermarket shelves Freedom Foods, founded in 1990, followed the adage, “To make something good, you have to make it yourself.” As such, the company got to work and created wholesome, tasty, allergen-free foods seldom found elsewhere.

From here Freedom Foods developed the ‘free from’ movement in Australia. Plus, the company helped establish the health sections found in supermarkets and adopted stringent allergen testing practices.

Learn more about the Freedom Foods process.

Today, Freedom Foods guarantees that its foods are ‘free from’ wheat, rye, barley triticale and nuts. How? Well, they follow strict standards and pay attention to detail. Consequently, they now manufacture over 30 products and are continually looking at ways to improve their foods.

How I Improved My Travel Food Safety With Freedom Foods In One Day INSHAPE NEWS LIFESTYLE - How I Improved My Travel Food Safety With Freedom Foods In One Day…

#Dr Joanna McMillan #Freedom Foods #InShape News #travel food safety #Tricia Leanne Snell

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axvoter · 5 years

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Blatantly Partisan Party Review LII (federal 2019): Independents in NSW, Part Two

Time to cover the last six ungrouped independents on the NSW ballot for the Senate. Remember, you can only indicate a preference for these candidates if you vote below the line. To vote below the line you must give at least 12 preferences; you can keep going and give 13 or more��as many as you want. I recommend giving as many preferences as possible.

I cannot review independents standing for local seats in the House of Representatives. If an independent is standing in your electorate, I urge you to look into them. Some are very good options. Some are absolute cranks. Distribute your preferences wisely!

Glenn Wagner (Facebook)

Wagner might have a Facebook page for his Senate tilt, but it is pretty fucking useless. He has only added a couple of pictures and offers no information about his positions other than that “mental health matters” and that he wants more nurses and hospital beds. He appears to have responded to one website’s questionnaire in which he opposes government-led action on climate change or various banking, tax, and negative gearing reforms, but does want to approach drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one and wants to increase the minimum wage and penalty rates.

My recommendation: give Glenn Wagner a weak or no preference.

David J. O’Brien (website)

O’Brien has one of the lengthier policy platforms of an ungrouped independent, although it is articulated mostly as bullet points. It’s generally left-leaning with support for action on climate change, a transition to renewable energy, better public transport and healthcare, greater funding for the arts, pill testing at festivals, ending the most punitive and destructive Centrelink policies, better TAFE funding, etc. He is opposed to any further mining of brown coal or the use of public funds to support fossil fuel industries. I find little to quibble with beyond it just reading as a shopping list rather than a serious articulation of policy or political ideology. The thing that leaps out at me most as cause for pause is that he has some hesitation regarding immigration, but he does not go hard at this like the anti-immigrant or stable population crowds.

My recommendation: give David J. O’Brien a decent to good preference.

Wayne Lindsay Bell

A local newspaper profile of Wayne Bell describes his passion to stand for election as arising from watching too many politicians behaving badly on TV while he was convalescing from an injury. Can’t fault him there. I can fault him on a lot of other stuff though. He goes on about “Australian and Christian values”, so we can see he’s from the right. His attitude to immigration is the whole thing of “well a previous generation of migrants, to whom I am accustomed, are fine and came here ‘properly’ but the current lot are bludgers who don’t integrate”. He has a peculiar demand that any foreign land sale must be approved by voters at mandatory referendums, which I scarcely need to tell you is impractical.

On the other hand, Bell does want at least some action on climate change, funding for renewables, and wealth redistribution. That wealth redistribution policy, however, does not seem to extend as far as relationship breakdowns, where he thinks each partner should contribute equally to the costs of raising their child no matter their income. Given that women usually have far worse incomes after relationship breakdowns, I can only describe this as a silly anti-women thought bubble.

My recommendation: give Wayne Lindsay Bell a weak or no preference.

Michael Kirkwood (website)

This guy is absolutely off-the-charts religious. His website leads with Biblical quotes, John 1:1 and John 1:14. He explains that his campaign is “built around explaining in today's words the leadership of Jesus through His loving word”. Kirkwood takes an extremely conservative and fundamentalist approach: he has an unhinged flyer about “laws that encourage divorce … [and] abortion”. He demands these be the subject of a People’s Commission for Australia, which he also calls—I am not making this up—the Jesus Great Commission.

Not only is this a particularly narrow far-right take on Christianity, it is also entirely inappropriate for governing a secular country.

My recommendation: give Michael Kirkwood a weak or no preference.

Pamela Johnstone (website)

MORE BULLET POINTS POSING AS POLICY OH DEAR LORD MAKE IT END.

Johnstone is one of the more organised ungrouped independents, in that she actually indicates a reasonable range of policies on a website you can find with minimal effort. Pity she has fallen victim to the pox on ungrouped candidates that is bullet-point lists. For the love of god could the ungrouped candidates please try to write actual paragraphs with real details rather than just making shopping lists? Johnstone’s list is reasonable. She wants action on climate change, no new or expanded coal mines, environment to have priority in decision-making, etc. She demands the government stop talking about high-speed rail and start actually building it. She supports legalising euthanasia. Her background in Armidale and the Southern Highlands guides some rural-centric policies, including that long-standing rural cry of “decentralise the government”.

In light of a controversial recent Four Corners segment, it might be worth noting Johnstone’s attitude to overseas students at Australian universities. I like her emphasis that overseas students should be encouraged for reasons other than financial ones—but I do not like her belief that local students should have priority. There is no queue here. We do not need to pit local against overseas students. But then this policy position does not surprise me as she wants a cut to our migration intake for the usual spurious reason that migrants overload our public infrastructure. It’s a pity about this because most of her platform, especially her attitude to the environment, is pretty decent really. She does, though, argue for one of my absolute pet peeves: abolishing state government. I have written for the Guardian that state abolition is basically impossible and undesirable.

My recommendation: give Pamela Johnstone a decent preference.

Carolyn J. Crossman (website)

Crossman is another ungrouped independent concerned about the environment. Her personal profile on the website suggests she has experience in community advocacy to achieve positive results locally. She is concerned with water security (“water is life”), growing the renewable energy sector, reducing carbon emissions, and making “all decisions through the prism of climate change”. She also indicates an interest in gender equality and in the rights of Aboriginal peoples.

Crossman’s website has too many bullet points, surprise surprise, but she does go into detail on some policies. It is obvious she has a serious interest in addressing the crisis that has befallen the Murray-Darling Basin. She describes the deleterious effects of casualisation on on workers, especially for women, and how it both affects women’s incomes and restricts their life choices.

My recommendation: give Carolyn J. Crossman a good preference.

#auspol #ausvotes #ausvotes19 #ausvotes2019 #Australia #Election 2019 #Australian election #NSW #Senate #independent politics #independent politicians #independent candidate #independent candidates #independent #independents #ungrouped independents #bullet points are not policy for the love of god!

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inerginc · 5 years

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The article provides recommendations to address challenges stemming increased grid-DER integration.

According to the Australian Energy Market Operator the average daily peak generation of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) increased 25% from 3110MW to 3878MW between Q4 2017 and Q4 2018.

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Regulation

In Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), political parties offered rooftop solar rebate and battery storage subsidies.

Recently, the NSW Labour Opposition promised to deliver the biggest renewables rollout of 7GW of renewable energy.

Network challenges

Maintaining grid stability

Thermal overloading of substation transformers or fault currents caused by net reverse (upstream) flows.

Hence, investments such as changes to network configurations or equipment become necessary to maintain grid stability and reduce risks. But, who should pay for these investments?

According to the country’s standard for electrical and general safety installation for inverter energy systems, AS/NSZ 4777, most networks will allow system sizes as per the below:

1 Single phase connection (most homes): Up to 5kW

2. Three-phase connection (some homes and many businesses): Up to 30kW

Curtailment

Considering these international scenarios, curtailment could become an issue in Australia, particularly as DER uptake accelerates as solar and battery subsidy policies take full effect.

Promises versus challenges

Energy Networks Australia is soon to launch DER connection guidelines, which will provide technical guidance for standardising rooftop solar connections for all Australian network businesses.

Monishka Narayan is a programme coordinator at Energy Networks Australia. Previously, worked with Charles Darwin University as a Research fellow developing organic, hybrid and perovskite solar cells.

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#Solar #microgrids

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