Articles
Cluster-scale urban developments with water recycling “going gang busters”
The past decade of sustainability, monitoring, research and innovation in Australia’s on-site water treatment industry was summed up recently by CQUniversity Senior Research Fellow Ted Gardner. [ + ]
Pooling together for success with water
waterAustralia has a mission to create growth and international business opportunities for companies that supply to the water sector. Les Targ, CEO waterAustralia, talks to Sustainability Matters about the organisation’s achievements to date and what he sees for the future of the water industry. [ + ]
Emerging thermal technologies and their role in energy production
Each year, millions of tonnes of waste materials are sent to landfills across Australia. While Australians are very good at recycling, there will always be waste that is not physically able to be recycled, or where it is not financially viable. Much of that waste, however, has a significant energy content, and a large portion of that energy is from renewable sources. [ + ]
“Use carbon tax to clean up coal pollution,” researchers say
Two of Australia’s leading clean-up scientists have urged governments and policymakers to earmark a portion of the carbon tax to cleaning up the mess that may be left by the nation’s old coal-fired power stations as they shut down. [ + ]
You can lead a horse to recycled water...
Australia’s water supply is far from plentiful, so water recycling is a key method of managing this precious resource. But many Australians are still opposed to the use of recycled water - especially when it comes to their drinking supplies. [ + ]
Salt-based battery a leap for green energy
Murdoch University researchers have come up with a potential solution to one of sustainable energy’s greatest challenges: power storage for use in non-generation times. [ + ]
AUT learning precinct is digital, adaptable and sustainable
Since November 2010, construction has been underway at AUT University for the city campus’s new sustainable learning complex, the WG Precinct. It has been a long wait, with planning having begun in 2006, but the project is nearing completion and will officially open in February 2013. [ + ]
Solving the stink from sewers
The rotten egg gas leaking from sewer pipes and costing billions of dollars worldwide in odour control may soon be far less of a problem, thanks to new research discussed at the 2012 International Water Association (IWA) conference last week. [ + ]
Automated brick production line provides greater efficiency
ABB has delivered four IRB 660 palletising robots to the Datong Coal Mine Group, China, to be used in the Tashan coal mine. Supported by brick machinery components from Shandong GONGLI, the ABB robots will play a key role in producing bricks primarily for adobe palletising. [ + ]
From agricultural factory to energy producer with biogas
Since 1752, the Wenning family in Germany has run a successful agricultural business and distillery. Thirty years ago, they took the first pioneering steps towards on-site biogas production. Together with the help of Atlas Copco, they now have evolved into an award-winning energy producer, using 50% less power than other, comparable plants. [ + ]
The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo 2012: don’t let it go to waste
The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) is supported by the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA), plus several other key waste and recycling industry bodies. The trade show will be held from 21-22 November 2012 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. [ + ]
School installs 60 kW solar PV system
Autonomous Energy has designed, installed and commissioned a 60 kW Solar PV system at Pymble Ladies’ College. The system was installed in two phases, the first phase (16 kW) was commissioned in July 2011 and the second phase (60 kW) went live in February 2012. [ + ]
Xylem placed on Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes
Xylem, a global water technology company focused on addressing the world’s most challenging water issues, has been placed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index in its first year as a standalone company. [ + ]
Sustainable water management for industrial hub
Albury City Council has adopted a non-conventional approach to the provision of water and sewer infrastructure for Nexus, the city’s new 187 hectare precinct for large and heavy industry. [ + ]
Sustainability conference and exhibition for Australian businesses
Taking place at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 8-9 November 2012, Australian Sustainability combines a diverse exhibition with an interactive multistreamed conference and seminar program. [ + ]