Concept to creation: agricultural waste to energy

Engineers Australia has selected the ‘Make it so’ idea, which will be made a reality by the engineering profession. It is to ‘make it so’ developing communities can re-use their agricultural waste to create energy for cooking and heating.

The initiative, called Make it so, was launched back in February by Engineers Australia and aimed to shift Australians’ perception and increase understanding of the engineering profession, while inspiring more Australians to consider careers in engineering. It called on everyday Australians to submit ideas via a dedicated website with one lucky person having their idea made so by an engineering team.

The idea selected, so that developing communities can re-use their agricultural waste to create energy for cooking and heating, was announced by Peter Taylor, CEO of Engineers Australia, during Australian Engineering Week and coincides with the news that 2011 is set to become the year of Humanitarian Engineering. The agricultural waste to energy idea was contributed by an undergraduate student in South Australia and was selected by Engineers Australia to demonstrate the pivotal role engineers and engineering teams can play in improving people’s quality of life around the world.

Taylor said that while they did receive some whacky ideas, the majority of the 7000 ideas submitted show a clear indication that the Australian public are concerned about the big issues challenging all of us - issues such as renewables, accessible energy, climate change and water. Importantly, it would seem that the Australian public sees the engineering profession as playing a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.

All the ideas received were analysed and six major categories and a number of sub-categories were identified. The top three categories of ideas received were energy (30%), water (20%) and cars (14%).

The generation of energy using naturally occurring and regenerating sources was of primary interest. The use of solar energy, ensuring it is cost effective, renewable and accessible provides an example, as was creating more renewable energy sources through cheaper alternatives and harnessing what nature has to offer while being efficient.

Water was the second most popular category, with recycling, supply and heating of water being of primary interest. A similar number of ideas were received on improving the supply of water through redirection where any overflow/excess occurs and capturing rainwater.

Taylor says that while the engineering profession is reasonably highly regarded by the public, as a profession it was not well understood. This can be attributed to the fact that there are no intimate one-on-one relationships established as is the case with doctors. By engaging with the public in this Make it so campaign, the organisation is hoping to bring awareness to the engineering profession and highlight how it can turn ideas into reality and make a difference for the world.

Taylor says, “Communities, both globally and in Australia, are facing significant sustainability challenges. The engineering profession, with its know-how and creativity, has the right people to assist in tackling some of these difficult issues. We plan to engage about 90,000+ members to assist in making the worthwhile selected idea so.”

The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness to the contribution the engineering team makes to the community by engaging both the engineering professionals and the Australian public in ideas generation.

Engineers Australia will partner with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) to bring this project to fruition. EWB is an organisation dedicated to assisting developing countries gain the knowledge, resources and appropriate technologies needed to improve livelihoods.

The selected idea will require a low-tech, low-maintenance engineering solution to make it a reality. To follow the progress of the project, visit www.makeitso.org.au.

Peter Taylor is the Chief Executive of Engineers Australia. He took up his position in February 2004. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, the University of Queensland and the Indian Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

With Engineers Australia, he has been a staunch advocate of infrastructure reform, global mobility of engineering professionals and solving the engineering skills shortage.

In 2003, Taylor was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society through engineering.