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Current eNewsletter November/December 2008

What's going on behind the Four Walls and Under the Roof?

As the holiday season and the end of 2008 draws near it's hard to believe that another year has gone past. The FWR Team has been so busy that the year feels like it has gone past in a flash. One year as head of Australian government for Kevin Rudd, global financial trouble, and a weeks worth of rain in Brisbane. Time flies when you are having fun!

The November/December eNewsletter will be our last for 2008. We decided to keep the eNewsletter compact, yet robust, providing a snapshot of what has been happening behind the four walls and under the roof since September, as well as news from the growing sustainability sector, and a feature on SLIVER Cell Photovoltaic technology. With new projects, new staff, and a new office there is lots to tell you about...and more to come for the start of 2009.

Also, please note that the FWR Team will be on holidays between December 19th and January 4th. The office will be closed during these two weeks over Christmas and New Years. We are back on the ground and running as of January 5th. If we don't see you before then, have a safe and happy Christmas and New Years. All the best!

Enjoy,
The FWR Team

Is Sliver Cell photovoltaic power the answer?

When the automotive industry crashed onto the scene earlier this century, the technology was, for better use of a word, clunky. You had to crank it, push it, pull it and that was if you could afford it or even get your hands on it to begin with. The solar industry has mirrored the car industry, moving from chunky, less efficient, and expensive technology to the sleeker, more efficient, product that is on the market today.

However, many barriers still remain for the growing solar industry. As many of the companies dealing in solar technology found earlier this year, when sales systems are reliant upon a finite resource (i.e. government funding and rebates) and the playing field changes (i.e. means testing for the rebate) cash is, as they say, King...and the bottom line for 99% of people. So, how can the industry work smarter?

• Increase efficiencyof the product?
• Use less material inputs?
• Develop more streamlined production?
• Reduce the cost to the purchaser?
• All of the above if you are talking Sliver Cell PV technology.

SLIVER technology comprises SLIVER panels/modules and SLIVER cells – the building blocks of SLIVER panels. SLIVER cells are substantially thinner than most solar cells yet highly efficient. SLIVER cells on their own are highly efficient demonstrating efficiencies of over 19%. SLIVER modules tested by the US Sandia National Laboratories show efficiencies of between 12 and 14% with a 50% coverage ratio (i.e. SLIVER cells spaced with an equal sized gap between them). With a 100% coverage ratio (i.e. SLIVER cells spaced with NO gap between them), efficiencies of 17.7% have been demonstrated. SLIVER Technology provides a:

• Radically different size and shape for a PV Technology;
• Dramatic reduction in expensive silicon use;
• Module efficiency and transparency that can be varied when SLIVER cells are spaced out; and,
• A low temperature coefficient resulting in higher module efficiencies.

Please see Origin Energy's Sliver Cell Technology page for more information on Sliver Cell Technology. Four Walls and A Roof does not endorse, nor sell, Origin or BP solar technologies.

So why are Solar PV production plants in Australia closing down? In mid-November, BP Solar announced the closer of its Sydney factory. Taking the solar production off-shore in what is considered a 'good for business' decision. BP has said that " the decision is based on a desire to drive costs down and achieve a bigger scale and that's why they are relocating"(ABC News, Nov. 2008). Again, cash is King, but maybe using cheaper labour is not the only, or best for that matter, answer. Let us know what you think about solar and new SLIVER Cell technology. Contact us here.

Behind the Four Walls and under the Roof

Four Walls and A Roof have continued to grow throughout the final quarter of 2008. We have been taking on new projects and have seen our Team grow from two to five members in the past three months. Here are some of the highlights:

The Good Guys Pilot National Sustainability Program

What started as one ecoChampion's initiative to build sustainability into the core of his business plan has now grown into a National Pilot Program. James Brockhurst The Good Guys (left, with Mike Duggan) has long been a leader in energy, water and resource efficiency. As one of the founding Queensland EPA ecoBiz Program Partners, the Capalaba store is now looked upon as a case study in retail sustainability. And, the rest of The Good Guys have stood up and taken notice.

Launching this December 2008 The Good Guys have employed the Team at Four Walls and A Roof to guide the Pilot of their Sustainability Program throughout Australia. Commencing with pilot stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, Four Walls and A Roof and The Good Guys Support Centre Team will be introducing sustainability in business operations and sustainable selling to the electrical goods retail sector.

Energy, Water, Waste, Transport and Greenhouse Gas Emission Audits of the Pilot stores will be completed by the end of December. January 2009 will see the sustainability education and training program in full swing. We are looking forward to an exciting 2009 and beyond working with The Good Guys.

Queensland X-Ray Ecofacts Program

Four Walls and A Roof have been working with QLD X-Ray for the last 5 months as part of the Ecofacts Program. QLD X-Ray had already been making significant improvements in water use and reduction in use across their branches. FWR are working with Head Office to increase overall business and operational sustainability by targeting energy and waste risks and opportunities.

QLD X-Ray utilises diagnostic and X-Ray equipment that uses a great deal of energy and generates significant waste heat. Improving efficiencies in the use of this equipmentand increasing the equipments product life span are two areas that FWR and QLD X-Ray are focusing upon.

January 2009 will see the introduction of action plans to assist in reducing energy usage, minimising waste, and improving staff satisfaction and health. As newly registered Queensland EPA ecoBiz Facilitators, FWR will be introducing QLD X-Ray to the ecoBiz program in the New Year.

Queensland EPA Manufactured Housing Sustainability Program

Four Walls and A Roof were commissioned by the QLD EPA to lead the Manufactured Housing sector sustainability program. Commencing with a sector forum this December 2008, FWR is developing face-to-face training and eLearning/eTraining modules to assist the Manufactured Housing sector in developing more sustainable practices and systems.

The manufactured housing sector has the capability to make a difference in economic, social and environmental terms. Manufactured homes can be produced and erected more efficiently, consume less energy and generate less waste than the construction of conventional homes.

The potential for manufactured homes, if delivered correctly, is to allow more client choice and involvement, particularly in the case of housing where a variety of different features and systems can be realised from manufacturers. For the construction industry, prefabrication allows the problems associated with shortages of skills to be avoided.

Using manufactured components on a project allows the time spent working on site to be reduced. This means that the impact of the construction on the local environment is for a shorter period of time.

Manufactured homes also maintain quality standards as, in factory environments, the quality of the finished product is much easier to assure than on site.

If you or your Organisation are involved with the Manufactured Housing sector and would like to be involved in this program, please contact us at Four Walls and A Roof.

Watt Utilities Energy Audit Basic and Advanced Training

Four Walls and A Roof have teamed up with Watt Utilities to provide the growing energy industry with Energy Auditing Education and Training Programs. In November 2008, we released our Basic and Advanced Training courses holding two successful training sessions. Early December will see another Advanced Training Course held before a wider launch in early 2009.

eTraining Courses will be available in early 2009 as an alternative to the one-day face-to-face training sessions. Please contact us for more information.

The Hornery Institute

In late October, The Hornery Institute contacted Four Walls and A Roof to invite our Team to assist with the Well being/Sustainability Project being carried out for Santos Gas and Oil. Santos are in the later stages of the planning process for the GLNG Project, a coal-seam gas pipeline connecting the gas fields in Roma to a planned facility in the Gladstone region.

FWR have, in conjunction with The Hornery Institute, designed and developed a tool for measuring wellbeing, risk probability, and opportunities/threats to the region. The Wellbeing Tool has applications for any project where communities are involved and is currently being run through scenarios to test its rigor.

If you would like to know more about this project, please contact us.

The Greenpages Annual

The Greenpages Annual Edition has just been launched in stores this last week of November. Four Walls and A Roof feature in the Education and Training section of the magazine. We also have a new Greenpages Four Walls and A Roof feature webpage launching in December 2008.

Get your copy of The Greenpages Annual at your local newsagent before they are all sold out!

Australian Green Development Forum (AGDF) AGM and Board of Directors

The AGDF held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in late November. The Team at Four Walls and A Roof are proud to announce that Mike Duggan, FWR Principal, has been elected to the AGDF Board of Directors for 2009/2010. Mike is looking forward to assisting the AGDF Team, members and his fellow Directors in steering the AGDF towards new opportunities and successes in the New Year.

Contact us to find out more about Mike's role within the AGDF.

Sustainability Sector News

Check out the following sustainability sector newsbytes:

• Next year's Queensland EPA Sustainable Industries Awards will be held in June in Brisbane 2009 – nominations close 27 February, 2009. If you have a project or initiative that you think might turn some heads at the EPA, contact them to find out more about the categories and award applications. Check out the Sustainable Industries Awards website here.

• The Australian Green Development Forum (AGDF) Annual Forum themed 'Is Sustainable, Affordable' was held in October 2008. It was a great success, bringing together industry professionals with academics and a special guest, Cuban Professor Dr. Fernando Martirena. The Annual Forum pointed towards some key industry opportunities and risks and paved the way for big things from the AGDF in 2009. Prior to the Annual Forum, FWR conducted an online poll of website visitors. We asked people 'Is Sustainable Housing Affordable?'. Here are the resultof the Poll:
  • 48% of pollsters indicated that 'Yes, sustainable housing is affordable' ;
  • 4% indicated that 'No, sustainable housing is not affordable' ; and,
  • 48% indicated that 'Sustainable housing could be more affordable if the government provided more sustainable housing rebates'.

Contact us to find out more about the 'Is Sustainable Housing Affordable' Poll.

• Mobium Group have released the Living LOHAS 2 Report. LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) are one of the worlds fastest growing consumer groups. Mobium Group are the peak organisation for LOHAS research in Australia and their latest report indicates that, regardless of a slowing global consumer market, LOHAS-aligned consumers are not slowing their spending or dropping out of the market. In fact, they are flocking to LOHAS-aligned products and services in numbers. Check out the Mobium Group website to find out more.

• The ANZ Bank Environmental Sustainability Team held their first bush regeneration day at the Fox Gully Regeneration site within the Toohey Forest (Brisbane, QLD). The Regeneration Day was arranged by Michael Fox (Site Co-ordinator), Michael Duggan (FWR), and Robert Moulden (ANZ) whom have now planned further days to come in 2009. The regeneration of the Fox Gully is a key initiative for Climate Active, Four Walls and A Roof's 'giving back' program and it is great to have ANZ Bank assisting with the regeneration efforts.

• The Queensland Group leading the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) Pre-Service Teacher Program (iQuEST) have just completed their year long, action research into the state of environmental education for sustainability in pre-service teacher programs. The research indicates that there is a great deal more to be done in order to prepare and empower our future teachers to provide education for sustainability. The iQuEST group have further research cycles to commence in 2009 so keep you eye out for further updates. Contact us for more information on the iQuEST Project.

• GreenICT have completed their first phase of industry research into sustainability within the information and communications sector. Not surprisingly the research, conducted through phone interviews, case studies, and industry data collection, indicates that, whilst there are a few doing some good things, there are many whom aren't. With a big push in the USA and Europe to 'green up' the ICT Industry, it won't be long before Australian companies are finding their feet in the growing GreenICT sector. Contact us for more information about the GreenICT Research.

• The Sunshine Coast Science Centre in Innovation and Professional Practice (SCIPP), in conjunction with Maroochydore State High School, The University of the Sunshine Coast, and Four Walls and A Roof, have completed the development and piloting of two new education for sustainability units of study. The Science 21 and Year 9 Sustainability Units engage students with eco-preferable materials, energy conservation, sustainable products and environmental systems. The Units were designed to be enquiry-based and to lead students along a path of constructivist learning via a Learning Journal. Now that the Units have been tested and refined further they will be launched within the Sunshine Coast district in 2009.

• Greenfest 2008 was a roaring success. Highlights included the Speakers Event, Music and Food...all of which did not disappoint in the slightest. The speakers were of the highest caliber in the country. The Music was laid back, but passionate and powerful. And, there was something for everyone to eat ranging from organic muffins to ginger beer. Greenfest 2009 is already in the planning stages. Make sure to lock it into your social calendar again next year!

What is Ecolect?

Ecolect is the world's first 'Virtual Classroom' designed exclusively for the growing sustainability industry.

elearning, eTraining, and eMarketing services will be coming online soon – including free learning opportunities as well as fee for service eLearning/eTraining packages that will save people, professionals and companies considerable time and money in the long term getting up to speed with the latest knowledge in relation to sustainability and sustainable development.

What is a Virtual Classroom you may ask? A virtual classroom is like a big, dynamic, interactive library. It is comprised of content and learning management systems that provide live, anytime, online education, training and information. Virtual Classrooms also have lower environmental impacts then many 'real world' classrooms. For example:

• They reduce the need for people to travel to a central location for every workshop, thereby, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and petrol use and;
• Reduce the waste generation of paper, plastic cups and full garbage bags that are a feature of typical education and training workshops.

elearning opportunities also reach more people –  by affecting a critical mass of people in one session. This achieves faster results for the environment and human health and also increases the knowledge pool more rapidly.

We invite you to join our elearning opportunity program and be ready to sign up for the growing course catalogue in 2009. Ecolect is currently in the Beta-testing stage (i.e. we are working out the little hiccups in the content and learning management systems). Feel free to surf on in and visit Ecolect and contact us for more information.

Ecolect is a division of the Four Walls and A Roof Organisation and in partnership with Allied Organisations.

Our Allied Partners