Articles
The biomass alternative
Industry is being challenged to reduce carbon emissions and its reliance on non-renewable fuel sources. Spurring this on has been volatile oil prices as well as the likely introduction of schemes such as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). In this article, Juergen Peterseim* and Prof Dr-Ing Udo Hellwig** from ERK Eckrohrkessel GmbH describe technologies that are available and can make use of biomass as an alternative fuel source for industry.
[ + ]The mother of all oil spills
The recent outcry in the national media over the spilling of around 200 tonnes of oil by a ship off the Queensland coast obscures another, far larger oil spill - and one more risky to the public health and Australian environment.
[ + ]Lighting the way through the ‘green’ building rating maze
Energy management and environmental performance are becoming increasingly significant across today’s commercial building sector. Building owners, developers and occupiers face a complex mix of design, application and classification requirements to meet Australia’s two key ‘green’ rating tools for office buildings - Green Star and NABERS Energy. Brett Annesley, Dynalite Segment Manager - Energy Management, sheds light on the issues from a lighting control and automation perspective.
[ + ]Generating revenue from landfill
Given that landfills are one of the biggest potential emitters of greenhouse gases, SEMF*’s sustainability expert, Dr Gareth Forde, looks at how local government and landfill operators can reduce their emissions while at the same time generating revenue.
[ + ]Paint IT green
Once upon a time, the IT department was ignored when it came to sustainability. But now, more and more Australian companies are wising up to the benefits of green IT. Andrew Collins explains how these new technologies can cut carbon emissions, power usage and your power bill.
[ + ]Solar energy
In 2009, the global solar industry remains in a very strong position, despite the faltering global economy. A number of factors are driving strong growth in the global solar industry today: government policy incentives and carbon regulation; volatility in the fossil fuels markets; climate change, energy security issues; and the need for increased energy production to meet growing demand.
[ + ]Wastewater algae to bio-crude oil
In November, the New Zealand Minister of Energy Hon Gerry Brownlee opened what is claimed to be the largest wastewater algae to bio-crude oil demonstration project in the world.
[ + ]Algal synthesiser offers renewed hope of rapid CO2 emissions reduction
A new technology that may hold the key to rapid, large-scale CO2 emissions reduction from existing coal- and gas-fired power stations and other smoke-stack industries such as smelters and refineries has been unveiled as a curtain-raiser to three major trial installations along the east coast of Australia next year.
[ + ]Better way to harness waste heat
New MIT research points the way to a technology that might make it possible to harvest much of the wasted heat produced by everything from computer processor chips to car engines to electric powerplants, and turn it into usable electricity.
[ + ]De-carbonising Australia's homes
Despite contributing approximately 54 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually to the atmosphere, Australia's seven million dwellings currently have no role in the federal government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
[ + ]Shopping centre waste to power homes
General waste from Sydney’s newest shopping centre, Top Ryde City, is scheduled to be recovered and re-used to create renewable electricity, thanks to a waste management process implemented by Veolia Environmental Services. It is looking to recover up to 60-65% of all general waste and recyclable materials, once the centre launches in November.
[ + ]Recycled water plant
Black & Veatch has announced that Stage 1 of the Sembcorp Changi NEWater Plant (SCNP) in Singapore has started commercial operations. Black & Veatch provided full design engineering for the plant along with construction support and commissioning services.
[ + ]CNG-powered waste collection trucks
SITA Environmental Solutions’ new fleet of kerbside collection vehicles, powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), has been officially commissioned in South Australia. The fleet of 23 vehicles will service the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA) council regions of Playford, Salisbury and Gawler with fortnightly recycling and garden and food organics collections, and a weekly general waste collection.
[ + ]Software improves processes and data quality
MidCoast Water (MCW) delivers water and sewage services to the Manning and Great Lakes communities of New South Wales, supplying 11 billion L of water per year to 35,000 households spread over 7000 km2.
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