Articles
Industry has a greater role in securing Australia’s water supply
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. [ + ]
Recycling, waste minimisation and waste-to-energy to gain traction
‘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. [ + ]
Eco Expo Asia 2013
The eighth Eco Expo Asia will take place from 28 to 31 October at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. [ + ]
Water - can less be more?
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. [ + ]
Improving monitoring of emissions from coal seam gas production
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. [ + ]
Bridge design ticks all the boxes for sustainability
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. [ + ]
Map-based data on the energy consumption of residential buildings
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. [ + ]
Game changer for wastewater recycling
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. [ + ]
Climate change will put the squeeze on world’s wineries and wilderness, says study
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. [ + ]
Web-based tool helps redesign sustainability within foodservice operations
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. [ + ]
Mackay Sugar’s recipe for energy savings success
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. [ + ]
Advances in the management of corrosion in sewers
Corrosion of sewer assets is a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in countries with a warm climate. It is estimated that concrete sewer pipes in many areas of Australia are being corroded at an average rate of 1-3 mm per year or more. Hence, instead of providing service for 50 to 100 years as recorded in water utilities asset registers, sewer pipes are failing after 20 years or less. Internal surveys by several major water utilities in Australia show that the abnormally fast depreciation of assets and the mitigation of corrosion problems alone are costing the Australian water industry hundreds of millions of dollars a year. [ + ]
Is north orientation best for me?
Most people would be reluctant to put solar panels on east- or west-facing roofs as they fear that they may be losing too much power production and increasing their return on investment too much. However, RETI has produced some surprising results in the difference in performance between different orientated panels. [ + ]
Mixing it up with renewables
Sustainability Matters talks to Ivor Frischknecht, CEO of ARENA, about the current and future trends for the renewable energy mix in Australia. ARENA is an independent statutory authority tasked with the objectives of improving the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increasing the supply of renewable energy in Australia. [ + ]
Save energy and earn revenue
What if businesses were told that they could use less energy and get paid more for it? Demand response programs in Australia and New Zealand can do just that. [ + ]
