Case Studies
Community-funded solar project at Sydney convention centre
An innovative sustainability initiative will see the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) become home to the first community-funded solar energy project of its kind in Australia. [ + ]
Students take on construction waste
Murdoch University has partnered with Master Builders WA, the building and construction industry association, to tackle real-life construction waste issues on building sites. [ + ]
Bacteria break down toxic chemicals in groundwater
University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers have improved a standard remediation practice in order to speed up the degradation of toxic industrial chemicals in contaminated groundwater.
[ + ]A solar thermal field for Cyprus
CSIRO scientists have designed and installed a solar thermal field - a half-acre plot of land consisting of 50 special mirrors called heliostats - for a research institute on the island nation of Cyprus, Europe. [ + ]
Floating solar technology implemented at wastewater plant
Infratech Industries has launched a floating solar system that will generate an estimated 57% more power than fixed land-based systems. [ + ]
ABB supplies EV charger for renewable energy research
Power and automation company ABB has been awarded a contract for the supply and installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging solution for the Australian Energy Research Institute.
[ + ]Flour power: sustainable development at former industrial site
International design practice HASSELL is overseeing architecture, interior design, urban design and landscape architecture for a $120 million development at a disused flour mill. [ + ]
JUST certification for sustainable property consultancy
Sustainability-focused property consultancy Viridis Australasia has become the first organisation in Australia - and the 13th worldwide - to be awarded JUST certification. [ + ]
Scratch-resistant glass is good for the environment (and your phone)
University of Queensland start-up company TenasiTech has received more than $3 million in investor support for the development of scratch-resistant and environmentally sustainable acrylic glass, suitable for use in the computer, electronics and automotive industries. [ + ]
Concrete plant provides an education in environmental management
Building materials supplier Hanson recently hosted a site tour at its Lytton concrete plant for students from Queensland University of Technology (QUT). There, the students witnessed a combination of complex production processes and sound environmental management in practice. [ + ]
Saving energy with smart facades
Glass-fronted office buildings are some of the biggest energy consumers, and regulating their temperature is a big job. Now a facade element developed by Fraunhofer researchers and designers for glass fronts is to reduce energy consumption by harnessing solar thermal energy. A demonstrator version will be on display at Hannover Messe. [ + ]
Making wheat drought-proof
A University of Queensland PhD candidate has developed a cheap and simple technique allowing scientists to better adapt grain crops such as wheat to drought conditions, which are predicted to become more frequent and severe due to climate change. [ + ]
Under construction: Australia's largest single-building rooftop solar system
Property group Stockland has selected Todae Solar and Canadian Solar to install a 1.22 MW rooftop solar system on Stockland Shellharbour Shopping Centre in the Illawarra region of NSW. Once completed, the system will be Australia's largest single-building rooftop solar system. [ + ]
Limiting leaks at water storage reservoir
An applicator of Rhino Linings Australasia recently won the tender to repair the inside and outside of the 80 metre-diameter, above-ground, steel potable water storage tank located at the Hospital Hill Reservoir in Murwillumbah, NSW. [ + ]
Fabric recycling inspired by a sandwich toaster
Four Monash University graduates have worked with the Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA), PVC manufacturers and recyclers to find solutions for recycling PVC-coated polyester fabric into new product. [ + ]