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THE world's use of renewable energy is growing rapidly as the technology matures.
 But it is essential for scientists and industry to join with governments in building community confidence in the ability of renewable energy to meet our needs.
The Australian Co-operative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (acrcre/acrcre.html">ACRE), based at Murdoch University, is part of an energetic and co-ordinated response to meeting those needs. The Centre is part of the Australian Government's Greenhouse Response Strategy.
The growth in renewable energy use will escalate as the electricity industry restructures and the international community mobilises efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The ability of the renewable energy industry to participate in these developments is dependent on the availability of scientific, technological and educational services specifically directed towards renewables.
There is an urgent need for more scientists and engineers to develop renewable energy systems and to take advantage of new developments in this technology.
Many more technicians will be required to install, maintain and repair renewable energy systems.
Teachers need in-service training to acquaint them with renewable energy and courseware is required for them to use in schools.
The public also needs up-to-date, independent advice about renewable energy systems.
The industry's sudden surge of growth over the past five years has caught educators napping.
Utilities and industry are finding it difficult to recruit staff who are qualified to design and maintain renewable energy systems. Developing countries are turning to renewable energy as a clean, reliable option for their rural electrification programmes but they are limited by a shortage of appropriately-trained engineers, technicians and policy analysts.
Industry and local government need staff with experience in energy management, and they are looking for training courses where their technical staff can acquire these skills.
The demand for information about renewables is enormous but little is being done to service it. This is a short-sighted policy because public confidence is essential for the continued growth of the industry.
There is currently a high level of public support for renewables but a lack of detailed knowledge about the options available and their relative costs.
The CRC was announced by the Government in March, 1995 as part of a package of measures, called Greenhouse 21C, which were designed to supplement the 'no regrets' measures in the original Greenhouse Response Strategy.
The Australian Government was one of the first nations to sign the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was debated at the World Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
This treaty commits Australia to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
ACRE was formally established in July 1996 following a competitive bidding process by four consortia. The successful bid originated from Murdoch University but it also involves participants from three states and two territories, and New Zealand.
Industry and utilities have a major role in ACRE in addition to university staff and students.
See also
No doubting Thomas...
ACRE partners in energy research
Smart move to be in 'robust' renewables
Tropical technology
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