Industry News
Gippsland Water Factory wins 2012 WateReuse Award
CH2M HILL, a global consulting, design, construction and operations firm, has announced that the Gippsland Water Factory in Victoria is one of the winners of the 2012 WateReuse Awards from the WateReuse Association. [ + ]
Renewable energy inquiry heats up
The government’s $435 million renewable energy grants program will come under scrutiny at a public hearing of parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit in Canberra today. [ + ]
Energy efficiency minimum standards a win for consumers
The availability of low-quality, energy-intensive appliances imported from overseas will be reduced under new legislation passed through the Senate last week, in a move applauded by the Clean Energy Council. [ + ]
SEACI taps into future water availability
Australia’s water resources can be better managed under a changing climate, thanks to research released last week by the South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative (SEACI). [ + ]
Renewable generation soars on high winds
Research from carbon analytics firm RepuTex shows power generation from Australia’s renewable energy sector has risen dramatically over recent months, on the back of strong winds across Australia’s eastern seaboard and reduced output from brown coal generators. [ + ]
Australia achieves 500 Green Star certified projects
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has officially certified 500 Green Star projects. [ + ]
Free TV and computer recycling scheme for Victoria
Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, has launched a free television and computer recycling service in Melbourne, as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. [ + ]
NSW cafe installs solar air conditioning
Specialist bakery and cafe Brioche has installed a solar air conditioner. [ + ]
$1.25 million to tackle geothermal challenge
The University of Adelaide has been awarded $1.25 million to lead research into one of the geothermal industry’s biggest technical challenges. [ + ]
Australia celebrates sustainability during World Green Building Week 2012
More than 90 nations around the world will unite this week for World Green Building Week. [ + ]
Higher power prices driving a “ditch the grid” mentality
With more than half the cost of rising electricity bills due to network and distribution costs through poles and wires, more Australians are looking to solar energy and an alternative to grid connection. [ + ]
Environment award for Australian carpet innovator
Interface, Australia’s largest manufacturer of commercial modular carpet, has won the NSW Government 2012 Green Globe Award for Excellence in Sustainability. The awards were announced last week by the NSW Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker, at NSW Parliament House. [ + ]
Super trawler banned until proven sustainable
The Stop the Trawler alliance has welcomed the federal government’s laws to prohibit super trawlers in Australia until science and consultation can demonstrate they will not damage our marine life and fisheries. [ + ]
Suitable algae-to-biofuel locations identified
Scientists have, for the first time, identified a number of WA sites capable of producing large quantities of commercial biofuel from microalgae. [ + ]
Future Farm research into reducing methane emissions
A Chinese official has praised the global value of carbon reduction research at The University of Western Australia’s Future Farm, where scientists have found that a common Australian native plant can greatly reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emission. [ + ]
