Lucy Ardern | September 28th, 2010
THE Gold Coast developer of a green energy device that has orders from around the world, has been heartened by a shift towards renewable energy in his own country.
Tidal Energy founder Aaron Davidson said he was pleased to hear the Gillard government was swinging back towards positive and proactive solutions to environmental issues.
''It has been heartening to hear the change in the government,'' he said.
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''It is looking like we will see a more honest approach to green energy.''
Mr Davidson said his company had benefited from Federal Government grants in the development of a water turbine system, which creates power with low pressure.
But it had just given he and partner Craig Hill 'a taste for the possibilities', rather than the ability to progress it into a real business.
''Companies like ours need funding to take it to a commercial stage,'' he said.
''We have managed to make it work without that money, but it has taken years.''
The Tidal Energy partners have just secured $35 million in orders from around the world and an offer of $200m investment from a Chinese company after 20 years spent developing the device and looking for support.
The Gillard government yesterday announced a parliamentary committee to pave the way for a price on carbon emissions, which the Greens will co-chair.
