NICTA leads $5m geothermal ‘big data’ analytics initiative
12 March, 2012NICTA is leading a multimillion-dollar, ICT-enabled, geothermal energy initiative announced by the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE).
Toyota unveils super-efficient and affordable hybrid future
12 March, 2012Toyota has heralded an affordable compact hybrid car that will cut fuel use and emissions in half without resorting to expensive technologies or manufacturing methods. Toyota’s FT-Bh Concept, which is having its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is about the same size as a Yaris but has shed well over 200 kg to tip the scales at 786 kg. The FT-Bh, which stands for Future Toyota B-segment hybrid, targets fuel economy of just 2.1 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km - almost twice as good as the Prius.
Seminar to examine responses to climate change
12 March, 2012Local, national and international experts will gather in Perth this week to discuss the latest approaches to climate change. The day-long seminar, ‘Advances in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Opportunities and Challenges’, will be held at Perth Convention Centre on Friday 16 March.
Using sunlight to split water
09 March, 2012University of Wollongong scientists are behind the establishment of a global consortium which is using sunlight to convert water into important chemical fuels such as hydrogen gas. The research promises a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing CO2 from fossil fuel use.
Hospital to maximise the power of the sun in Hervey Bay
02 March, 2012 | Supplied by: ABB Australia Pty LtdABB has officially signed a contract with Queensland Health to design, supply and install a 266-kilowatt roof-mounted solar panel system at the Hervey Bay Hospital located on the Fraser Coast in Queensland. The system will generate around 385 megawatt-hours of renewable energy each year, saving an estimated $20,000 on electricity costs and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 400 tonnes annually.
Powerstar opens Australian office
02 March, 2012EMSc - one of the UK’s leading energy-saving solutions manufacturers - is expanding into the Asia-Pacific region with the opening of an Australian office for its voltage optimisation solution, Powerstar. Powerstar reduces electrical energy consumption and has been proven to save up to 26.1% of consumed electricity.
Onset Hobo UX90 Occupancy and Light Logger
28 February, 2012 | Supplied by: OneTemp Pty LtdThe Onset Hobo UX90 Occupancy and Light Logger is a matchbox-sized, LCD data logger that tracks building occupancy and light usage to pinpoint areas in a building that could benefit from occupancy sensors and other energy-savings initiatives.
Veolia celebrates installation of solar power at Arndell Park
28 February, 2012On 23 February, Veolia Environmental Services celebrated the successful utilisation of solar power at its Arndell Park facility in NSW. A 50 kW solar panel system was recently installed at the facility and complements the various environmental initiatives that have already been implemented on site.
ANU receives go-ahead for solar art installation
09 February, 2012The Australian National University School of Art is set to shine in the sustainability stakes with a new solar panel array. The 40 kW array will produce about 70,000 kW hours of electricity annually (enough to power about 10 houses), cutting the school’s carbon emissions by more than 5%.
International energy research institute launched at Curtin
09 February, 2012The Honourable Martin Ferguson AM MP, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, has launched Curtin University’s Fuels and Energy Technology Institute (FETI) at Technology Park, Bentley. FETI will carry out fundamental research and technology development to provide solutions to the energy and environmental issues facing Australia.
Emulsion fuel technology on trial
09 February, 2012Alternative Petroleum Technology (APT), an American company, has partnered with New Zealand-based company Blended Fuel Solutions and recently taken up residence at the Clean Technology Centre in Otaki. The New Zealand branch of APT is introducing a range of emulsified fuel technologies which could help to reduce fuel consumption, increase engine efficiency and reduce noxious tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases.
Eminent Australian scientist joins MBD Energy
02 February, 2012MBD Energy Limited, which proposes to recycle waste CO2 emissions from coal-fired power stations and other forms of heavy industry into commercial production of algae biomass, has appointed Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Robin Batterham AO, to its board as a non-executive director.
First Solar sets another world record for CdTe solar PV efficiency
02 February, 2012First Solar has set a new world record for cadmium‐telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, achieving 14.4% total area efficiency.
Siemens electric eChopper motorcycle propels leading-edge technology
02 February, 2012Siemens Australia has presented a fully electrified high-performance motorcycle, the eChopper, to Australia at the Pacific 2012 Maritime Exposition in Sydney.
ADC BioScientific LCpro-SD portable photosynthesis system
01 February, 2012 | Supplied by: Anri Instruments & Controls Pty LtdThe LCpro-SD is a portable and easy-to-use photosynthesis system with full experimental programming and environmental control. The device provides full automatic and enhanced control of the environmental conditions within the plant leaf chamber. It is claimed to control CO2, H2O, temperature and PAR more accurately and easily than ever before.
