Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) is a leading not-for-profit research and education organisation which has a strategic partnership with the University of Melbourne Energy Research Institute to deliver the Zero Carbon Australia (ZCA) research project.

Early last decade Engineers Australia released three ground breaking reports on Sustainable Energy in Electricity Generation, Building and Construction, and Transport.  BZE's ZCA project follows on from these reports demonstrating how we can meet our total national energy needs with zero emissions.  The ZCA project consists of 5 plans, Stationary Energy (v1.0 now released), Buildings, Transport, Industrial Processes and Land Use.  Each plan is a detailed and costed technical report giving one scenario for the complete decarbonisation of that particular sector using current commercially available technology.  This unique project is a collaboration between many engineering and technical experts volunteering their time.

For example, the award winning Stationary Energy Plan v1.0 developed a 100% renewable electricity grid and outlined how the transition could take place.  This plan showed that Australia’s economy can be repowered with a mix of 60% baseload solar – molten salt power towers, 40% wind power – Enercon E-126 7.5MWe wind turbines and a significant transmission upgrade that was reviewed by SKM.  The plan has received endorsements from technical experts and has been launched to sell-out crowds around Australia.

The ZCA plan is helping to shift the debate on renewable energy in this country.  It has set a benchmark for research into climate change solutions and is busting myths about the desirability, economic impact and technical limitations of renewable energy.

Beyond Zero Emissions is now looking for additional volunteers to work on the plans (including version 2.0 of the Stationary Energy Plan), and financial donations to enable the plans to be completed.

Members of the Engineering Team are encouraged to satisfy part of their ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements by volunteering to work with Beyond Zero Emissions on the Zero Carbon Australia Project.  Many aspects of volunteering can contribute to your  CPD record in accordance with the EA CPD Policy for different CPD Types and Conditions (type IV (private study), type VI (preparation and presentation of material) and type VII (structured activity)).  Volunteer activities that are available are diverse and include primary and secondary research, report development, engineering reviews, technical presentations and industry liaison.

EA National Deputy President, Professor David Hood, who was involved in the earlier EA Reports has contributed to BZE, and helped arrange the ZCA Brisbane Launch:
“The BZE ZCA Projects offer great opportunities for engineering team members to learn about renewable energy, add value to the project, and meet their CPD obligations."  Hood says.

For more information on the Zero Carbon Australia Project http://zerocarbonplan.org

To contribute to the project as a volunteer http://www.zerocarbonplan.org/contribute

To donate to enable the project http://zerocarbonplan.org/donate

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