The introduction of membrane technology solutions for the treatment of municipal wastewater fundamentally changed the requirements on mechanical wastewater treatment systems. Conventional screening systems with bar spacings or perforations from 6 mm were not sufficient to guarantee the stable and low-maintenance operation of downstream membrane plants.This extract article describes the history of fine screens as pre-treatment systems for membrane plants, with particular emphasis on the importance and influence of operational experience. [ + ]

Anaerobic wastewater digestion technologies respond not only to industry’s need to thoroughly clean up the wastewater it discharges to the environment, but also to the need for industry to break free from the cost and pollution of fossil fuels. [ + ]

Barcelona’s Saint Joan Despi Water Treatment Plant is currently trialling a pilot plant built by Xylem Spain to assess the potential of ultrafiltration to treat a portion of the city’s water supply. Meanwhile, the small town of Taralga, located 2.5 hours’ drive southwest of Sydney, was having its water supply filtered and treated with UV. Todd Miklich thought the water treatment plant (WTP) he had seen on his trip would be a suitable fit for the town. [ + ]

Brisbane-based company Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) is continuing to grow its export business designing and manufacturing chlorine generators for water disinfection to one of the world’s most environmentally challenged and water-starved regions - the Middle East. [ + ]

The pitt&sherry Carbon Emissions Index (CEDEX) for November indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation have fallen to their lowest level for 10 years. CEDEX has been providing early indicators for key greenhouse gas emission trends in Australia since 2007. [ + ]

The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo Innovation Awards are being held on Wednesday 21 November at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and are set to reward forward thinking waste and recycling innovations. [ + ]

Over the past two years, Pure Advantage has dedicated significant resources towards understanding and identifying the opportunities for New Zealand to foster green growth and create skilled jobs while at the same time contributing towards the conservation of natural resources and the environment in New Zealand. Pure Advantage has just released an independent report called ‘Green Growth: Opportunities for New Zealand’, which was prepared by Vivid Economics of London in conjunction with the University of Auckland Business School and includes a foreword by Lord Stern. [ + ]

Monash University Clayton Campus in Victoria recently conducted a two-month pilot study to determine the financial benefits of installing the Australian-designed EcoSwitch throughout the university’s office workstations.  The EcoSwitch is an energy-saving device that cuts out standby power used by equipment and appliances. [ + ]

CSIRO mathematician Dr Aaron Thornton was named a 2012 Victorian Young Tall Poppy last night in recognition of his work in carbon dioxide and molecular gas research. [ + ]

Today’s waste diversion solutions can actually complement a public space, whether at an airport terminal or a five-star foyer, so in the context of increasing landfill rates in Australia, it’s imperative that such solutions are increasingly available. [ + ]

EUA finance through Low Carbon Australia, National Australia Bank and Eureka Funds Management will enable the Suleman property development group to make a 30% saving in energy costs for its 15-storey office block in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after business locations. [ + ]

University of Melbourne engineers have developed a novel method of collecting and storing carbon dioxide that is claimed to be able to reduce the cost of separating and storing carbon dioxide. [ + ]

Sika has provided the green roof waterproofing membrane for one of Australia’s largest desalination plants that was recently completed in Wonthaggi, Victoria. [ + ]

Up-and-coming Australian scientist Kim Jye Lee Chang from the University of Tasmania was one of the state winners at the 2012 AusBiotech/GSK Student Excellence Award for his work in identifying new microorganisms that can be used to produce oil from recycled carbon sources. The discovery could provide Australia with a secure, environmentally sustainable fuel feedstock for the future. [ + ]

Environment Minister Robyn Parker has released the NABERS Energy Management Guide for Tenants, which is designed to help office tenants take control of their energy costs and environmental impacts. [ + ]