esaa announces Innovation and Sustainability Reporting Award winners

Hydro Tasmania and AGL Energy have been announced as winners of the Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa) Innovation and Sustainability Reporting Awards respectively.

Hydro Tasmania’s King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP) has won the esaa Innovation Award for 2013. The project uses a range of renewable and conventional technologies to reduce diesel consumption for power generation on the island.

KIRIEP is a hybrid power system, comprising wind, solar, battery storage, flywheels, dynamic resistor technology, dynamic load control and use of biofuels. This combination of technologies means it can consistently generate power for the island even during lulls in the wind or when the sun isn’t shining.

Under the right conditions, KIREIP should deliver all of King Island’s power from renewable sources.

The 2013 esaa Sustainability Reporting Award was won by AGL Energy. The company’s standout coverage of key sustainability indicators, trends and targets for future performance secured it the award.

esaa says AGL’s report was comprehensive and direct, and showed the company’s genuine commitment to sustainable business practices now and in the long term.

Queensland electricity distributor Energex was commended for its Environmental Offset Policy and Strategy, which requires a 5:1 replacement for every native tree removed because of Energex works. The judges said the strategy was a simple, cost-effective way for Energex to meet its environmental obligations.

esaa’s Innovation and Sustainability Reporting Awards were judged by an independent expert panel, which included:

• Stephen Muir, Director, Sustainability at La Trobe University’s Office for Sustainability
• Dr Wendy Stubbs, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Monash University’s Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Management program
• Nick Wilson, Senior Market Regulatory Adviser with Mighty River Power

More information about esaa’s Sustainable Practice Framework is available here