ACTEW AGL

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ActewAGL was Australia's first multi-utility to offer electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services in a single organisation. At the time of its formation it was the only multi-utility of its kind in Australia.

ActewAGL comprises two joint ventures: a retail joint venture between AGL Energy and ACTEW Corporation and a distribution joint venture between Jemena and ACTEW Corporation.

ActewAGL provides utility services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and South-east New South Wales.

History

ActewAGL was formed in October 2000 when the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) and ACTEW Corporation, an ACT Government-owned enterprise, entered into Australia's first utility joint venture.
Following October 2006 business dealings with AGL and Alinta, ownership of ActewAGL's retail arm was shared equally between AGL Energy and ACTEW Corporation and ownership of ActewAGL's distribution arm was shared equally between Alinta and ACTEW Corporation. Further changes to the distribution partnership occurred when a consortium including Singapore Power purchased Alinta in 2007. Alinta changed its name in 2008 to Jemena. The distribution partnership is now owned equally by Jemena and ACTEW Corporation.

In February 2004, ActewAGL entered into a management agreement with TransACT Capital Communications Pty Ltd. This means that ActewAGL now manages the day-to-day operations of TransACT. The TransACT network provides access to full telecommunication services.

Green initiatives

Since its beginning, ActewAGL has continued to undertake several innovative programs to help the environment. They include the following.

Greenchoice – This is a program that lets residential and business customers support environmentally friendly green energy by paying a premium on their electricity bill (either fixed or percentage based plans). The additional payment is invested in renewable energy generation from sources like mini hydro, wind power and biomass.

The Greenchoice program is independently assessed by the Australian government's National Green Power Accreditation Program to guarantee that the green energy produced by ActewAGL comes from government-approved renewable energy sources.

ActewAGL solar – The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, by offering support and advice to those interested in installing solar generation systems to their homes.

ActewAGL hydro – While most hydro-electric developments require the building of dams and lakes, ActewAGL's mini-hydro uses an existing water supply to provide electricity that would otherwise come from fossil-fuel power stations.

Solar farm – In early 2008 ActewAGL worked with the ACT Government to study the feasibility of developing a solar farm in the ACT. The study investigated the environmental impact, economic viability and educational benefits of such a facility. In May 2009 the ACT Government called for expressions of interest to construct, own and operate a solar power facility in the ACT. The government specified the facility must be capable of delivering power to at least 10,000 Canberra homes. ActewAGL responded to this request and in December 2009 were advised that they had been shortlisted to move through to the next stage of the selection process.

Battery electric vehicle – ActewAGL was assisting Better Place Australia in the establishment of their first Australian electric vehicle network in Canberra. In July 2009, Better Place Australia announced that it had chosen Canberra for its first city-wide roll-out in Australia. Better Place will commence installation of its charge spots and battery swap stations in 2011 and start supporting approximately 1,000 trial electric vehicle customers in Canberra from 2012. ActewAGL will support the electric vehicle network by supplying and distributing electricity from renewable sources.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 

Never mind the politics, people need a place to live, food and energy.  Imagine a world where there is abundant energy for transport, the home and our factories, and that energy does not harm our environment. Imagine that the world economy is stable and that the population is under the threshold where the planet can meet our needs. Isn't that a wonderful vision?

That ideal may not be totally within our grasp. But we can at least strive for clean energy for living, which is technologically within sight, such as to curb climate change.

 Clean energy from wind generation

RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY

Solar power from micro generation is now a growing industry as many Youtube videos are demonstrating. As these conversions and new builds gain in popularity electric vehicles will also gain favour, especially for households generating excess energy, which they could get better value from by using for transport. Electricity used in this way might reduce transport costs by up to 200%. So provide a higher quality of life with lesser environmental damage.

If buying an EV, it would make sense to have the latest future proof technology, such as battery cartridge exchange built into the vehicle, for self servicing, or exchanges at local stores or cooperatives. This technology exists but has not yet been incorporated in production vehicles.

When EVs become available with cartridge refueling, it would make sense to have in place at least a few service stations to cater for eventual demand. The technology would thus be in place when it is needed. Such a move when it is implemented will greatly reduce carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere and ease the transition from oil based economies to abundant clean energy.

THE CHICKEN AND EGG SITUATION

If there were service forecourts to cater for battery cartridge exchange, that might in turn persuade motor manufacturers to produce vehicles with the system. This is a classic chicken and egg situation. Who should do what first.

Given the scale of the problem, it might be prudent for every corporation involved in the industry to at least investigate the potential that any emerging technology might offer for the future on mankind, which is after all the future of their company and eventual profits for their shareholders.

ENERGY GENERATING-DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES

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