4S: Sustainable & Social Suppliers' Stories
ALINGA ENERGY
Power connects us to the rest of the world.
Electricity is fundamental to the way we live our lives, but despite this, most of us tend to take it for granted.
People often forget that a coal-fired power station is on the other end of our toaster. Sadly, our innocent use of electricity is a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Based on a study provided by the Climate Council, Australia’s electricity sector is the nation’s single largest source of greenhouse gas pollution—accounting around a third of total greenhouse gas emissions.
On top of that, an estimated 1.1 billion people in the world are without access to electricity and even more than that live with unreliable, barely affordable power.
That is why Ruby Heard decided to create Alinga Energy Consulting.
WHAT IS ALINGA?
Alinga is an Indigenous owned, female led and profit-for-purpose enterprise that offers engineering and advisory services in the energy space.
They work to help the environment by assisting organisations and disvantaged communities to transition to renewable energy. Everything they do gravitates around improving the life of businesses and the community through affordable, clean energy.
In 2018, Ruby Heard transitioned out of her long term electrical engineering position with a large international firm to establish herself as an independent, freelance consultant.
She launched Alinga Energy in Australia to provide energy consulting services to where they are needed most desperately.
WHAT THEY DO
- Energy feasibility studies for complex renewable energy systems including embedded networks and island-able microgrids.
- Design of grid connected and off-grid energy systems.
- Delivery of solar power education and training for consumers.
WITH POWER, COMES RESPONSIBILITY
Over the past few years they have worked across the residential, commercial and community sectors, partnering with NGOs and for-profit companies to achieve outcomes for people and the environment.
They have also worked with local councils to deliver solar bulk buy programs for low-income residents, and provided energy advisory services to assess grant proposals for off-grid energy projects in Papua New Guinea.
Additionally, they have delivered energy feasibility studies for organisations aspiring to 100% renewable energy generation.
Ruby Heard, Somali refugee Sabriin and UNHCR energy officer Diana Benato, troubleshooting a refugee camp health centre installation in Ethiopia.
THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SOLAR STIMULUS
In September 2020, Alinga, along with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) launched the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander solar stimulus, to lower power bills, reduce energy poverty, create local jobs and contribute to a cleaner future for generations to come, watch the video below:
Link to video:
Credit: ©WWF-Australia.
FOCUSING ON THOSE IN NEED
We might be quite aware of the lack of access that is common in parts of Africa, Asia and South America, but we also have less apparent issues closer to home. Recently the Australian Energy Regulator reported Australian electricity debt as $45 million for small businesses and $125 million for residential, representing over 170,000 customers.
The effect of high energy costs on lower socioeconomic families exacerbates their strained financial situation and disadvantages them further. Many remote communities are subjected to pre-paid electricity accounts and experience frequent power outages when their accounts run out.
These people are often precluded from helping their situation by purchasing a solar system either because they rent or because they do not have the funds to spare.
“Our work with commercial clients allows us to take on a high proportion of low and pro-bono projects for those in need”. Said Ruby Heard.
HOW CAN YOU ONBOARD ALINGA ENERGY INTO YOUR BUSINESS?
Alinga Energy Consulting is committed to reducing electricity costs, improving energy access and decreasing diesel fuel use in vulnerable communities in Australia and the Pacific.
If your business is:
- Looking to reduce your businesses energy costs or lower your carbon footprint;
- Working to lower living costs for low-income households or remote communities or;
- Thinking about going off-grid, establishing a resilient microgrid or building a new off-grid facility
Alinga Energy can help.
Contact Ruby at: contact@alingaenergy.com
Visit their Website: https://www.alingaenergy.com
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