Global design and engineering firm Arup has been named a finalist in four categories in the prestigious 2013 BRW Client Choice Awards. This is the company’s third consecutive year of reaching the finals. [ + ]

South Australia has moved to a more competitive market by deregulating retail energy prices and implementing the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF). [ + ]

Dr Manuel J Blanco has joined CSIRO as Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI). ASTRI is an $87 million, eight-year international collaboration transforming the energy industry in Australia by bringing down the cost of solar thermal. [ + ]

Nominations for the 2013 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards are now open nationally. [ + ]

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has been selected to provide an Auction Solution to support auctioning of carbon units in accordance with the Clean Energy Act 2011. [ + ]

A report released by the Clean Energy Council has found that the market for energy storage technology in Australia will be equivalent to several coal-fired power stations by 2030, effectively transforming the way we think about electricity for our homes and businesses. [ + ]

There is a fundamental crisis in planning in Victoria, University of Melbourne planning expert Dr Alan March writes in his new book The Democratic Plan: Analysis and Diagnosis. [ + ]

The Canberra office of fitout and reburbishment company ISIS was recognised as one of the world’s most liveable buildings at the 2012 International Livable Buildings Awards. [ + ]

Scientists are trying to find out how to keep public parks and ovals green while using less water. [ + ]

Launched this week, the Energy Action Price Index (Business) will give businesses granularity and transparency on retail electricity price fluctuations. [ + ]

Lend Lease’s Barangaroo South project, part of the $6 billion Barangaroo urban regeneration development on Sydney Harbour, has been accepted as a pilot project for the newly released Green Star - Communities PILOT rating tool. [ + ]

Nilfisk-Advance Group has introduced the first fuel-cell-powered industrial combination sweeper-scrubber. [ + ]

Today saw the first intake of seawater into the second stage of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (SSDP), marking a major milestone in commissioning the WA Government’s $450 million expansion project. [ + ]

Understanding how our water catchments react to natural disturbances may offer hydrologists greater insight into how to manage our water supplies. Key to this is an understanding of the steady state and why water responds differently in different circumstances. [ + ]

To adapt to rising sea levels, scientists have developed a calculator that can guide coastal planners on the height and positioning necessary for infrastructure to avoid inundation and erosion as sea levels rise. [ + ]