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About Aurora

Greenhouse Challenge

Taking up the challenge

The Greenhouse Challenge is a voluntary program established by the Commonwealth Government as part of the national effort to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (which are widely considered as the main cause for global warming). Aurora Energy became a signatory to the Greenhouse Challenge soon after the company was formed in July 1998.

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with Aurora’s operations are relatively small at a rate of only 0.82 tonnes Co2equivalent per GWh (1 Giga Watt hour = 1,000,000 kWh) of electricity sold in 2004/05.

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Aurora's Emissions

Aurora's greenhouse emissions can be divided into Network and non-Network emissions. Network related emissions are those associated with the distribution of thermal power through Aurora’s distribution network. Non-network emissions are those related to day-to-day business operations such as vehicle fleet, internal energy use, etc.

With the reduced rainfall levels in recent years along with the growing demand for electricity in Tasmania, there has been an increasing reliance on the electricity generated at Bell Bay power station using natural gas. This has resulted in an increase in Network related emissions from zero in 2000/01 to 1,233 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2004/05. Aurora’s Network related emissions are expected to increase with the operation of Basslink.

Aurora's total Non-network emissions from 1998/99 to 2004/05 have also risen by 3.6%. However, direct emission intensity (as a ratio of greenhouse gas emission to the amount of electricity sold), has in fact fallen by 2.8% during this period (from 0.71 tonnes Co2equivalent per GWh in 1998/99, to 0.69 tonnes Co2equivalent per GWh in 2004/05).

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Our Achievements

Despite a significant reduction in Aurora's direct (non-network) emissions through an earlier fleet management program, since 2001/02 Tasmania’s electricity mix has included an increasing portion of thermal power generated at Bell Bay power station which has in turn resulted in an increase in Aurora’s Network related emissions. Network related emissions are those emissions associated with the network losses which occur during distribution of electricity.

Aurora is committed to the continued reduction of direct emissions within our own business, and influencing emission reductions within our customers sites through energy efficiency and fuel selection advice.

Among our achievements to date are:

  • A Certificate of recognition from Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage for Aurora's long-standing membership of Greenhouse Challenge.
  • Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Greenhouse Gas Abatement at 2005 inaugural Greenhouse Challenge Plus awards and conference.
  • 2004 Certificate of Commendation from AFMA (Australasian Fleet Managers Association) for fleet emission reductions.
  • 2001 Tasmanian Award for Environmental Excellence (Government Business Enterprise and Infrastructure category) for introduction of solar electricity Net Metering Buy Back program.
  • Implementation of Greenhouse Challenge Recruiting Program in 2003 with recruitment of nine major Tasmanian companies into the Greenhouse Challenge program.
  • Reconditioning and re-use of approx 40,000 litres of transformer oil p.a.
  • Continuing success in demand shifting and energy savings through Aurora's Pay As You Go (APAYG) Meters with approx. 35,000 meter installations by the end of 2004/05.
  • Launch of APAYG in South Australia in Feb 2006.
  • Continued administration of the Commonwealth Government's PV Rebate Program (with approx. $1 million dollars rebate distributed to 234 applicants in Tasmania by Feb 06).
  • Introduction of Net Metering Buy Back program for grid interactive PV and small wind systems since March 2000.
  • Inclusion of four hybrid-electric vehicles in Aurora's fleet.
  • Continued certification to ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) since 1998.

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