Duke University researchers have developed a method to determine the environmental impact of various chemicals in biosolids. Their research has been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. [ + ]

Chemical engineers at Curtin University have discovered a way to make rechargeable batteries - such as those found in laptops - with extreme capacity, potentially powering electrical cars to run more than 300 km before needing a recharge. [ + ]

New Zealand's Green Party yesterday announced a policy intended to make it easier for households to afford solar power, thus removing a key barrier to the uptake of the technology. [ + ]

Professor Dirk Matten will be presenting a Sydney Ideas lecture, titled The Enigma of the ‘Responsible’ Corporation, next week. The free lecture will be held on 18 February from 6-7.30 pm at the University of Sydney. [ + ]

A containerised solar power system, dubbed the 'Solar Station', has arrived in Vanuatu as the first of a series designed to power fresh water production for 11,000 people on the islands. [ + ]

Carbon Trade Exchange, an electronic carbon credit exchange platform, today announced the appointments of Peter Hawkes as chief general counsel and Mia Mather as operations manager, both effective immediately. [ + ]

Yingli Green Energy Australia has entered into a distribution agreement with Energy Matters, an Australia solar supply and installation company. [ + ]

Global recycling company TerraCycle, which currently operates in 23 countries including the US, Canada, the UK and New Zealand, has officially launched in Australia. [ + ]

Standards Australia has announced the release of three draft standards on energy audits for public comment. The standards are designed to assist organisations when deciding on what type of audit to implement. [ + ]

SolarMax has announced the installation of its grid-connected solar inverters at Yass Valley Aged Care (YVAC), a regional NSW aged care facility, through its installation partner, Ygrene Energy. [ + ]

The VoltLogic energy management device, from Renewable Energy Solutions Australia (RESA), has been awarded AS4777 certification - the Australian standard for grid-connected inverters. [ + ]

The 2014 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards celebrate innovation and leading practice within Australia's property development and investment industries. [ + ]

Mechanical services contractor AE Smith has become a key Australian strategic partner of BuildingIQ - energy management software that actively predicts and manages HVAC loads in commercial buildings. [ + ]

A survey conducted by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has revealed what chemical engineers consider to be the most important chemically engineered inventions and solutions of the modern era. [ + ]

pitt&sherry, on behalf of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), is conducting a survey regarding greenhouse gas emissions abatement opportunities in infrastructure, in relation to the Australian Government’s proposed Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). [ + ]