MATTERS OF INTEREST

SOLAR ELECTRIC BUS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:39): I rise today to bring to the attention of the chamber the recent launch, here in Adelaide, of the world's first 100 per cent solar electric bus. The Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison, presided at the unveiling of this addition to the Adelaide City Council's free connector bus service. I had the pleasure of attending the event and learning about the operation of our city's unique new commuter transport vehicle.

This remarkable innovation in environmentally sustainable public transport represents the realisation of Adelaide City Council's eight-year, million-dollar plan to deliver an entirely electric community bus. Built by new Zealand's Designline International, the vehicle has no combustion engine, nor is it a hybrid. In fact, the 27-seater bus named Tindo, in acknowledgment of the Kaurna people's word for 'sun', will use 100 per cent solar energy. Consequently, Tindo is not only emission-free and carbon neutral but is also extremely quiet. This is a particular benefit when its use as a free service through the Adelaide connector bus service, both in the city and residential areas, is taken into account. Tindo is powered by 320 photovoltaic panels (supplied by BP Solar) mounted above the new Adelaide central bus station. This is now the largest grid-connected solar panel system in Adelaide.

I am sure that members would be interested to know that a significant portion of the funding for this unique solar photovoltaic system was provided by the commonwealth government by means of the Adelaide Solar City program. This is a partnership approach that involves commonwealth and local government, the private sector and local communities in rethinking ways in which energy is produced and used to ensure a sustainable future in urban locations.

I should add that Adelaide is hosting the third International Solar Cities Congress next week. Leading business, planning and policy representatives will gather to discuss the realities of increasing energy needs and the situation where many resources are finite—and Tindo will be used to transport the delegates to the centre.

I note that the Adelaide City Council also committed substantial funds to the Tindo project. The Lord Mayor and the council should be congratulated on taking the lead that I am sure other communities will be glad to follow.

Independent of the South Australian grid, the generation of electricity to power Tindo will remain, as I have mentioned, entirely carbon neutral. Up to 70,000 kilowatt hours of zero carbon emissions of electricity will be produced every year. This will enable Tindo to operate for some 200 kilometres between charges, given typical metropolitan conditions, with no tail pipe emissions.

It is Tindo's innovative battery technology that provides the vehicle's exceptional energy storage capacity and operational range. Its 11 sodium/nickel battery modules are resistant to external temperature extremes and, as a bonus, are also essentially maintenance free and, consequently, highly economical.

Tindo began operations from Calvary Hospital, with the Lord Mayor on board, on Monday 11 February. I am advised the bus was full by the time it reached the city.

Not only does Tindo represent a sizeable investment in Adelaide's sustainable future, it also represents yet another win for South Australia in terms of innovation. It is widely acknowledged that the generation of ideas and their realisation and application are the essential drivers of social, economic and, increasingly, environmental health and wellbeing.

It is hard to dispute the assertion that a community—indeed, a nation—which embraces technology will flourish and prosper. It is in this context that, once again, South Australia, and specifically Adelaide, lead the way in the application of cutting edge technologies. This lead has been recognised by transport and environmental observers and commentators all over the world. A simple internet search reveals applause for Adelaide's selection of Tindo from interested parties in Canada, the United States and Eastern Europe, as well as those closer to home.

The creative use of technology has been one of the hallmarks of our community here in South Australia. Now more than ever we join with the wider Australian community in dealing with the social and environmental challenges we face as a nation. Dismissed or, indeed, simply ignored, by the previous federal government, the innovation imperative is crucial to meeting these challenges. Labor in the states and territories and in the federal sphere acknowledges and is prepared to act on this imperative.

As my colleagues in this chamber are aware, federal Labor will implement an emissions trading scheme by 2010 and will make the investments that are required to help the economy prepare for emissions trading.

Time expired.