Industry News
Solar cell efficiency breakthrough
The early-stage breakthrough of a University of Sydney researcher and his German collaborators could see the realisation of 40% efficiency for low-cost solar cells suitable for rooftop panels. [ + ]
Stormwater greening Geelong Botanic Gardens and Eastern Park
Geelong’s Botanic Gardens and Eastern Park will be greener thanks to the construction of new stormwater irrigation infrastructure. The Australian Government is providing funding of $415,000 for the Eastern Park project, which is part of $2.79 million in Australian Government funding for the broader Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse - Geelong’s Plan project. [ + ]
World’s first ecofriendly, super-elite muscle car to unveil at MotorEx 12
Car constructor and green homes builder Mick Fabar plans to stun car enthusiasts, politicians and environmentalists alike at Meguiar’s MotorEx in Sydney’s Olympic Park Dome on 21 July, when he unveils ZERO’D, a 600 horsepower, turbocharged, biodiesel V8-powered sedan built with a ‘zero carbon footprint’ approach. [ + ]
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) market could soar, says GlobalData report
A new report by GlobalData predicts a steep rise in the market for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as energy-efficient lighting becomes increasingly important as an immediate solution to rising electricity consumption and as CFLs become more compatible with existing lighting infrastructures. [ + ]
Solar to play big role in New Zealand’s electricity future
Small-scale renewables could play a big part in New Zealand’s electricity future, says Brendan Winitana, Chair of the Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand. [ + ]
Feds put $3.75 million on table for a greener Green Square
Lord Mayor Clover Moore, today, welcomed a $3.75 million federal government grant to begin rolling out Australia’s first large-scale trigeneration network that will transform Sydney’s Green Square into a new retail, residential and employment hub. [ + ]
BlueScope Steel launches sustainability website
BlueScope Steel has launched a sustainability website for sustainability specialists, industry personnel and the general public that showcases sustainable solutions for building, infrastructure, mining, energy and manufacturing. [ + ]
James Cook University launches carbon neutral food recycling system
Queensland’s James Cook University claims to be the first university in the world to install a machine that takes food scraps and turns them into a liquid bio-fertiliser. The Bio-Regen system, created by local company VRM, has the potential to revolutionise management of commercial food waste and is already attracting worldwide attention. [ + ]
Fewer Australians are drinking bottled water says survey
As efforts to curb the consumption of bottled water, for environmental reasons, continue around Australia and the world, it appears that fewer Australians are drinking bottled water, according to the latest Roy Morgan Research non-alcoholic drinks survey. [ + ]
Stormwater to keep Melbourne’s heritage public gardens green
Work has started on a five million-litre underground stormwater storage tank that will supply three heritage-listed public gardens in Melbourne. [ + ]
Solving a 700 million pig problem
Australian science is helping to solve one of China’s biggest and smelliest problems - what to do with the waste produced by its 700 million pigs. [ + ]
Water trade is a valuable tool for Murray-Darling Basin communities, says NWC report
Released this week, the report, Impacts of water trading in the southern Murray-Darling Basin between 2006-07 and 2010-11, produced by the National Water Commission shows that selling water to the Commonwealth buyback program has not negatively impacted production. In fact, regional communities in the southern Murray-Darling Basin have remained productive even during drought, said Commissioner Laurie Arthur at a launch of the report at the Australian Water Congress 2012. [ + ]
Trading could help save our groundwater
A well-designed trading scheme could help protect one of Australia’s most precious resources for the future - its groundwater - as well as the many wetlands and lakes it supports. [ + ]
VicWater Annual Sustainability Seminar
VicWater’s Annual Sustainability Seminar, now in its 10th year, is to be held on Thursday 3 May 2012 at Etihad Stadium. This year’s theme ‘Balancing Sustainability Investment’ tackles the key issues around how investment in sustainability can be balanced against other priorities. [ + ]
Carbon Farming Handbook released
The recently released Carbon Farming Handbook will provide a wealth of information to landholders, farmers, waste operators and other clean energy businesses wanting to participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). [ + ]