Distributed or more localised energy generation solutions are among local government's five top priorities and will be a focus of a national conference on energy futures in regional Australia in Bendigo in November.
Mike Hill, chairman of a committee advising the Victorian Government on local sustainability, said a review of the four-year Victorian Local Sustainability Accord found distributed energy was now a key issue for local governments.
Mr Hill said growing awareness of distribution losses along power lines and of the need to reduce CO2 emissions was driving interest in distributed energy among councils.
"Distributed energy is about communities taking their energy futures into their own hands," Mr Hill said.
"It encompasses a range of options from bulk buying energy , to setting up energy education programs, localised renewable energy projects, to introducing greater energy efficiency and opportunities for co-generation and tri-generation and more.
"Twenty years ago, only those councils with energy supply businesses in their boundaries were interested but now up to two thirds of councils are saying energy and energy futures are a big issue for them."
Mr Hill will be among 40-plus speakers addressing Energy Futures in Regional Australia conference in Bendigo on November 8-10.
The conference features leading innovators in regional energy generation, development, investment, policy and pricing.
Jointly organised by La Trobe University and the City of Greater Bendigo, it's expected to draw huge interest from local government, economic development, investment, academic and community energy organisations.
Registrations close October 30.
For details and to register, check www.energyfuturesconference.com.au
