Industry News
Clean Energy Regulator and Australian Securities and Investments Commission sign MoU
The Clean Energy Regulator and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding on the working relationship between the two agencies to deliver their regulatory responsibilities under the carbon pricing mechanism. [ + ]
Nanoparticles seek and destroy groundwater toxins
Iron nanoparticles encapsulated in a rust-preventing polymer coating could hold incredible potential for cleaning up groundwater contaminated with toxic chemicals, a leading water expert says. [ + ]
Climate change expert: Australia will go nuclear by 2030
A University of Adelaide scientist believes it is inevitable that Australia will become a user of the world’s most advanced nuclear power technology, if the country is serious about cutting carbon emissions. [ + ]
New ASTM sustainability standard on resource depletion potential
A proposed new ASTM International standard describes a method for calculating the length of time that a non-fuel mineral commodity can be extracted from its reserves and resources, for purposes of environmental product declarations (EPD) and life cycle analyses (LCA). [ + ]
Higher EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 due to economic recovery and cold winter
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published data revealing that greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2010, as a result of both economic recovery in many countries after the 2009 recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless, emissions growth was somewhat contained by continued strong growth in renewable energy sources. [ + ]
Australian recycling start-up wins global award
A new Australian recycling company, Relivit, has won a major international business award, further boosting its credentials and propelling it into a new phase of growth in the local market. [ + ]
Symposium to help industry shift to low-carbon economy
To help industry effectively transition to become competitive in a global low-carbon economy, the Carbon Market Institute is bringing together academia and industry to identify and address the skills, competencies and capabilities required. [ + ]
Quick and easy energy measurement with new metering device
The ambitious goals set by the German government to promote energy efficiency have put pressure on companies to change their energy-use policies. But the sustainable management of energy resources and the associated energy-saving measures can only be implemented if users have a reliable means of quantifying their power consumption. A new metering device, which was presented at the Sensor+Test 2012 trade fair in Nuremberg from 22-24 May, has enabled them to do just that. [ + ]
Australia’s greenest data centre scoops national award
The iseek Communications Data Centre, located at Brisbane Airport, has been chosen from a host of high-profile projects to win the WSP Award for Best Sustainable Development - New Buildings at the Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovations and Excellence Awards 2012. [ + ]
$5.2 billion saving to households and businesses under new national energy efficiency framework
The Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, yesterday introduced the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) legislation to Parliament following agreement between the Gillard government, the New Zealand government and states and territories. [ + ]
South Australian wind power figures vindicate radical energy plan
Yesterday, energy consultants EnergyQuest broke the news that wind power supplied 31% of South Australia’s electricity in the last quarter - up from 21% 12 months ago. Just six years ago, the contribution of wind in South Australia was close to zero. [ + ]
The impact of the carbon tax on SMEs
Despite the introduction of the carbon tax being just weeks away, MYOB research reveals close to half of Australia’s small to medium business operators (SMEs) are uninformed about the legislation’s likely impact on their livelihood. [ + ]
National water modelling scheme to improve Australia’s water management
Australia’s first national river-basin modelling platform, Source, was formally launched yesterday by Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, the Hon Don Farrell, at eWater’s Source 2012 Conference. Senator Farrell also announced nearly $4 million of Australian Government funding to support the application of the platform across Australia, with funding matched by the NSW, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian, ACT and Northern Territory governments. [ + ]
Queensland Urban Utilities to participate in $100 million critical water research program
Queensland Urban Utilities will invest $1 million over nine years to participate in the newly established Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities. The centre will undertake a national research program, which aims to revolutionise urban water management in Australia by influencing and guiding more than $100 billion in water investments and $550 billion in private sector urban investment over the next 15 years. [ + ]
Australian solar technology breaks the 20% barrier
Australian solar research has produced photovoltaic solar cells that recently broke the 20% barrier for conversion efficiency in capturing the sun’s energy, the highest-ever efficiency for a low-cost, commercial silicon solar cell. [ + ]
