Up-and-coming Australian scientist Kim Jye Lee Chang from the University of Tasmania was one of the state winners at the 2012 AusBiotech/GSK Student Excellence Award for his work in identifying new microorganisms that can be used to produce oil from recycled carbon sources. The discovery could provide Australia with a secure, environmentally sustainable fuel feedstock for the future. [ + ]

Selecting a burner for any process heating application always involves a choice between different burner models and different burner sizes. Both will have a significant effect on product quality and system efficiency. [ + ]

Environment Minister Robyn Parker has released the NABERS Energy Management Guide for Tenants, which is designed to help office tenants take control of their energy costs and environmental impacts. [ + ]

Capturing and recycling ammonia from livestock waste is possible using a process developed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers. This invention could help streamline on-farm nitrogen management by allowing farmers to reduce potentially harmful ammonia emissions and concentrate nitrogen in a liquid product to sell as fertiliser. [ + ]

Phillip Island residents and businesses are set to benefit from improved water security following the completion of the Phillip Island Recycled Water Scheme project. The scheme will save 194 million litres of drinking water each year by providing Class A recycled water to developing residential areas, as well as agricultural and commercial businesses. [ + ]

University of Waikato ecologist Professor David Hamilton has been awarded a $920,000 Marsden Grant to study toxin production found in blue-green algae in lakes. [ + ]

A $130,000 grant from assistance program Commercialisation Australia will help one of Australia’s largest tyre recyclers, Queensland-based Chip Tyre, to refine a process that turns rubber crumbs recycled from old car tyres into explosives for use under wet conditions. [ + ]

A University of Canterbury lecturer in New Zealand is researching the possibility of producing fuel from air and electricity. The technology removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produces methanol, a liquid fuel similar to petrol. [ + ]

Global Reporting Initiative’s Focal Point Australia has released research demonstrating how public sector sustainability reporting can increase public accountability and improve operational efficiency while reducing the reporting burden. [ + ]

Research from carbon analytics firm RepuTex indicates that growth of wind capacity in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) is expected to outstrip growth in electricity demand by more than 2.5 times over the next seven years. [ + ]

Emerson Network Power has released guidelines for organisations to consider when deciding to retrofit or replace a data centre in the quest for greater efficiency. [ + ]

Two chemists from the University of Waikato have come up with an innovative method for treating bore water on Waikato farms. Along the way, they may have hit on a low-cost solution for developing countries, where many people have limited access to clean and affordable water. [ + ]

Recycling keeps paper, plastics and even jeans out of landfills. Could recycling rare-earth magnets do the same? Perhaps, if the recycling process can be improved. [ + ]

Increasing the use of water recycling in food production and manufacturing is among new research being undertaken by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence. [ + ]

As energy represents approximately a third of the operating costs for water plants, the water industry is faced with quite a dilemma. Australia faces yet another challenge: that of drought-proofing one of the driest countries in the world. The recent Schneider PlantStruxure NOW! 2012 User Conference included discussion on water and wastewater trends and the impact on Australian industry. [ + ]