In October 2010, Rare Consulting was appointed as a panel member for the provision of advice on alternative fuels. This 3-year appointment entails the provision of advice to the Australian Government on a range of issues associated with the market adoption of alternative fuels in Australia.
The Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism commissioned Rare Consulting to develop a knowledge base relating to the real-world performance of energy efficiency technologies and practices within the Australian transport sector. This substantial project involved the critical analysis of more than 100 opportunities, a comprehensive program of consultation, and the ultimate delivery of the knowledge base for future use.
Undertaken for the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, this work involved consideration of the Australian Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program and the development of a resource pack to provide program guidance for the road transport sector. The work involved development of a process guidance and conduct of national information workshops in partnership with the Department.
This study was undertaken for the Energy Networks Association with a view to identifying a strategy for the Australian natural gas supply industry to 2020 and beyond. The work involved an examination of the current strategic context, liaison with key gas network operators, and assembly of a draft strategy. The work culminated in the presentation of the findings at an industry conference in Canberra in October 2010.
Rare Consulting advised Golden State Foods on its potential commercial liability under a carbon trading scheme and the strategic actions that might be implemented to reduce this liability. A carbon audit quantified the extent of the organisation’s liability and a detailed investigation was undertaken of the commercial opportunities that could reduce this liability in the future. A carbon response strategy was submitted to the organisation for consideration and subsequent adoption.
Rare Consulting has worked with a number of private companies to assess reporting and compliance liability under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS). The most recent assessment was conducted for a freight and logistics company that was seeking to understand whether they were liable to report under the scheme. After discovering that the company was liable to report, Rare Consulting assisted the company with the registration and reporting process. In addition, a series of strategic opportunities for reducing GHG emissions and energy use in the future were identified.
Rare has been working with the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water to develop a unique modelling tool to be used by local government authorities for determining the optimal level of fit of specific sustainable mobility initiatives with the unique travel and socio-demographic characteristics of individual local communities. The work involved the development of the concept (2008) design of the tool (2009), and conduct of a pilot of the program in partnership with Randwick City Council in Sydney.
The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water appointed Rare Consulting as the facilitator for the NSW FleetWise Program. This appointment follows Rare’s substantial involvement with the design of key elements of the program. This voluntary program is designed to provide public and private sector organisations with practical tools and guidance on the development of fleet strategies that seek to minimise emissions and fuel costs. The commencement of the 3-year program was formally announced by the NSW Environment Minister in August 2010.
Undertaken for the City of Melbourne, this study involved an examination of electric vehicle operation within the context of local government transport and planning policies. The work involved an audit of existing policies and consideration of the degree to which electric vehicles would likely support or contravene established local government policies.
The University of Tasmania commissioned Rare Consulting to undertake a scoping study designed to produce a framework for the development of a comprehensive sustainable transport strategy for the University and affiliated institutions. The work involved strategic analysis and stakeholder consultation, culminating in the successful delivery of draft framework in early October 2010.
The first stage of this work, undertaken with Standards Australia, involved an examination of the current state of play of electric vehicle technologies and the potential role for Australian Standards in supporting this agenda in Australia. The second stage of work involved the assembly of a work-plan for national standards development, involving substantial consultation with key industry and government stakeholders.
This study was undertaken for the Victorian Department of Transport and involved the development of comprehensive baselines of diesel bus operation in Victoria. This information was collated with the assistance of Victorian bus operators and culminated in the development of a model designed to provide guidance in relation to the economic and environmental outcomes of increased adoption of alternative technologies and fuels in the Victorian bus fleet.
Rare Consulting was commissioned by EcoStation (a joint initiative of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority and the Victorian Transport Association) to develop a tool for assessing the environmental and energy consumption of heavy vehicle fleets. This work extended to the development of resource materials for the program and the facilitation of industry workshops designed to encourage commercial vehicle operators to investigate fleet improvements.
Rare Consulting was commissioned by EcoStation (a joint initiative of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority and the Victorian Transport Association) to develop a tool for assessing the environmental and energy consumption of heavy vehicle fleets. This work extended to the development of resource materials for the program and the facilitation of industry workshops designed to encourage commercial vehicle operators to investigate fleet improvements.
Undertaken for the Victorian Department of Transport, this project involved an examination of the key public policy issues surrounding the market introduction of electric vehicles in Australia. The study examined electric vehicles within the context of existing transport policy and provided advice on key policy considerations, and discussed how these considerations should be accommodated within an imminent trial of electric vehicles in Victoria.
Following completion of the design elements of the FleetWise initiative, Rare worked with the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change to pilot the program among a number of foundation partners, including News Limited, Insurance Australia Group, Uniting Care and Sydney City Council.
This study into opportunities to reduce volatile organic compound emissions from the smash repair industry included estimating how those opportunities may improve the industry’s overall emissions profile and recommending policy measures that might ensure future volatile organic compound reductions from the industry.
Delivered in December 2010, this project involved the development of a benchmarking system for assessing the fuel efficiency of heavy vehicles in Australia. The model advances a fleet segment approach that characterises the fleet into specific segments, developed largely in the descriptors used in the USEPA SmartWay program. The project involved the development of a model (using MS Excel) that facilitated upload of fleet information and analysis of same to derive fuel efficiency and emissions benchmarks.
Part of a wider study exploring future scenarios for management of transport energy demand in Australia, this study was undertaken for Queensland Energy Resources and involved a commercial assessment of the market potential of alternative vehicle and fuel technologies in Australia over the next 20 years. The wider project involved the contributions of three organisations in addition to Rare: Purvin & Gertz, Energy Quest and Acil Tasman.
Rare Consulting was commissioned by Queensland Energy Resources to conduct an assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with production of diesel fuel from a range of alternative sources including gas, coal and shale, and to compare those results with the greenhouse impact of conventional fuel production
In July 2009, Rare Consulting was appointed as the facilitator (and strategic design consultant) for the NSW Green Truck Partnership. This initiative seeks to partner with key industry operators (national companies) to develop the case studies necessary to support transport industry investment in cleaner vehicle technologies and energy efficient freight practices. Chaired by the RTA, the initiative has secured the participation of leading transport companies and freight customers including Woolworths, Star Track Express, Toll, Linfox, TNT, Boral Transport, Murray Goulburn Cooperative and Sands Fridge Lines.
Rare Consulting has completed a number of strategic fleet assessments for Australian road freight operators. The focus of these assessments has largely been around managing the increasing compliance obligations and key financial risks arising from volatile world diesel prices. The work extended to detailed assessments of the commercial viability of investments in cleaner technologies and/or improved freight and logistics practices.
Rare was commissioned by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment to work with a group of local vehicle OEMs to study the barriers and opportunities related to increasing the uptake of gaseous fuelled passenger vehicles with an emphasis on LPG. The study covered both public perception and technology issues related to these fuels and developed a range of initiatives that could be adopted to enhance the overall consumer experience and therefore the uptake of LPG vehicles.
This work involved the conduct of a discrete study of the key factors affecting the shape of the Australian commercial fuels market to 2015 for BP Australia. The results of this study were documented in a strategic report and communicated to key account managers at a national conference in late 2008.
Facilitated a series of informational workshops for the Chinese Provincial Government of Chongqing in relation to the development of LNG production facilities and the use of LNG for road transport.
In 2007 and 2008, the New South Wales Government began trialling a program of actions designed to improve the environmental performance of government vehicle fleets, while simultaneously delivering economic benefits. This project presented the Department with a design for the conduct of the NSW FleetWise Initiative, which is designed to reduce GHG emissions from the New South Wales passenger vehicle fleet by implementing positive actions in partnership with the corporate sector.
Preparation of a strategy paper for Hanson Australia on the alternatives to wholesale use of conventional drivetrain and fuel technologies within its fleet.
This project involved an analysis of the carbon footprint of the Australian freight industry (road, rail, sea and air) and the identification of potential strategies and the possible future roles of government and industry in advancing low carbon actions. The six month study culminated in the release of a report for industry consulting in July 2008.
Rare Consulting provided the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet with comments on the possible inclusion of transport in the development of a national emissions trading scheme, and whether any direct GHG abatement benefits from road transport would be delivered in the short to medium term.
COAG Working Group (2007-2008)
In partnership with the CSIRO and Orbital Engine Corporation, Rare Consulting was commissioned by COAG to model the sensitivities associated with the inclusion of transport in a national emissions trading scheme.
This study was undertaken for the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and involved an examination of specific low carbon innovation opportunities in three industry sectors, including transport and logistics.
A review of the opportunities to reduce emissions from the NSW vehicle fleet over the next 8–10 years was undertaken in order to advise the Roads and Traffic Authority NSW on the realistic short-term opportunities for emissions reduction in terms of alternative fuels and more efficient vehicle technologies.
This project involved the preparation of a key note address for the summit covering all aspects of the challenges associated with reducing dependence on conventional fuels. In addition, assistance was provided with the design of the format of the summit and on-the-day facilitation.
Rare Consulting was involved in the assessment of opportunities for the Tasmanian heavy vehicle industry to reduce its reliance on conventional diesel fuels. As a consequence, Rare Consulting worked with WHK Garrotts (Launceston) and a group of forest industry transport operators to develop Australia’s first pipeline to truck LNG supply chain. The work included negotiation with global LNG technology providers and recently culminated in the signing of a $150m commercial deal in July 2008.