In what is claimed will be an Australian first, Yarra Valley Water is developing an innovative waste-to-energy facility in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. [ + ]

What do Valvoline, Eilbeck Cranes, Southern Steel and 3M have in common? They have all recently upgraded their power-hungry 400 W high-bay lights to energy-efficient EELCO fittings. Apart from an immediate improvement in illumination levels, all four companies can also take advantage of significant government rebates now available for approved energy-efficient upgrades. [ + ]

Kyocera Solar has supplied Kyocera solar modules to ProVision Solar that will power a total of eight auto businesses on the Big Island of Hawaii, making it one of the greenest enterprises on the island. [ + ]

Water is a fuel, vital for business and every bit as critical to moving our economy forward as energy. James Currie, Client Services Director, Australia, Black & Veatch discusses the role industry in Australia can play in securing our future water supplies. [ + ]

Simons Green Energy has completed the installation of a 70 kWe cogeneration system at the soon-to-be-opened Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel. As part of the new International Airport precinct, the hotel has adopted a range of environmental initiatives in line with the Sydney Airport Environmental Management Strategy. [ + ]

GHD’s Global Technical Leader - Water, Rip Copithorn*, discusses a range of technologies that will influence the future of wastewater treatment and change the way we think about water security. [ + ]

‘Australian Municipal Waste Management - Voice of the Customer Study’ is Frost & Sullivan’s recently completed study that analysed feedback from 42 councils across all states and territories in Australia. [ + ]

The eighth Eco Expo Asia will take place from 28 to 31 October at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. [ + ]

The Gillard government is moving to improve measurement and reporting of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and production. A discussion paper released today sets out proposals to introduce new CSG-specific measurement and estimation methods into Australia’s greenhouse gas reporting framework. [ + ]

In order to deliver true sustainable outcomes for transport infrastructure, it is necessary to consider a broad range of economic, social and environmental aspects. Bridges form an integral part of most transport infrastructure projects and bridge engineers are strongly placed to influence the sustainability outcomes of such projects. [ + ]

Within the Academy of Finland’s Research Programme on Climate Change (FICCA), a model has been developed that facilitates the computational estimation of the energy consumption and emissions for all residential buildings in any given area. [ + ]

A novel, single-step wastewater recycling treatment that uses a ceramic membrane is currently being trialled in Australia to determine if it can provide a more affordable and sustainable solution. Jonathan Clement, Managing Director Asia-Pacific PWN Technologies, provides the details. [ + ]

Could your merlot be growing alongside the moose of Yellowstone National Park soon or in prime panda habitat in China? A new study by a team of international researchers and led by Conservation International suggests that it could. [ + ]

FirstCarbon Solutions, a pioneer in environmental sustainability business solutions, and Compass Group, a food and support services company, have announced the launch of the software tool being used to support Compass Group’s Carbon FOODprint toolkit. The web-based tool is designed to help Compass Group’s food operations staff lower their environmental impact and their operational costs. [ + ]

One of the country’s biggest sugar companies has opened a cogeneration facility that uses waste from its processes to produce enough electricity to meet one-third of Mackay City’s power needs, as well as supply steam and electricity to its own mill and sugar refinery. [ + ]