Melbourne Water is undertaking a program to establish new habitat for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, with funding support from the Federal Government. With only a small number of lowland sub-species of the Leadbeater’s Possum remaining in the wild, the Securing a future for lowland Leadbeater’s Possum initiative aims to re-establish habitat in the Yarra Valley, at the Yarra Valley […]
Sustainability
Notice to Proceed issued for 300MW battery in west VIC
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Origin Energy has issued a Notice to Proceed on a 300MW/650MWh battery to bolster the grid of the Mortlake region in Victoria’s west, to be delivered by EPC contractor, Fluence. Initially announced in late 2022 on behalf of the Federal Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide up to $24 million in funding to the project, as part […]
Melbourne Water monitoring program discovers record-breaking platypus
Kody Cook Company news, News, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0A waterways monitoring program undertaken by Melbourne Water has led to the discovery of the oldest platypus ever recorded in the wild. The Melbourne Water Urban Platypus Program (MWUPP), in association with Ecology Australia and Cesar performs sampling to gather population health data of these cryptic monotremes. The male platypus was estimated to be one year old when he was […]
Milestone for NT renewables project
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Solar, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Final testing is underway on the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project, which is set to provide a 1.1MW solar array and a 3MWh energy storage system to the region. Once testing of the battery system is complete at Berrimah, it will be transported to Wurrumiyanga where another round of testing will take place to ensure successful integration […]
CEC releases guide for First Nations engagement on renewable energy
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has released the first ever national guide on cooperation with First Nations people on renewable energy projects, which outlines meaningful engagement, consent, participation and benefit-sharing. This new guide sets out expectations for industry and details key considerations for engagement at each stage of a project’s life cycle. Co-authored by the CEC and KPMG, Leading Principles: […]
NT Gov releases surface water intake policy
Kody Cook News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0The Northern Territory Government has released the Surface Water Intake – Wet Season Flows Policy, which is set to provide protection to the territory’s waterways and certainty around water use for industry, landholders and anglers. The policy provides guidance to industry about access to wet season flows, and a pathway for responsible and sustainable economic development. The policy is precautionary, […]
Spotlight on sustainability: new report from Urban Utilities
Utility Journalist Electricity, Sustainability, Water 0Water utilities are at the forefront of climate impact as they grapple with challenges posed by climate change, including shifting precipitation patterns and increased water scarcity. By adopting sustainable practices, utilities contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and support the push towards net zero. With the release of its first sustainability report, Urban Utilities is highlighting its commitment […]
Studying aircon water waste with digital meter data
Utility Journalist Digital Utilities, Smart meters, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability, Water 0The New South Wales Government, Tamworth Regional Council, the University of Technology Sydney Institute for Sustainable Futures, and Taggle Systems are joining forces to improve water efficiency in the home through an innovative research study. The study aims to learn how much water can be saved when air cooling units are properly maintained. To collect this data, 100 eligible residents […]
Approvals for TAS renewable energy projects to be streamlined
Sarah MacNamara News, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Tasmanian Government has announced a new plan whereby the approval process for new renewable energy projects will be streamlined. Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said in a new move to secure the ongoing expansion of the sector, a dedicated approvals pathway will assist the continuing rollout of major renewable energy projects. “I’m very pleased to be progressing […]
Hunter Water applies for permanent desalination plant
Steph Barker Desalination, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0Hunter Water has formally applied to build a permanent seawater desalination plant at Belmont in the Lower Hunter region, a move it says is a crucial step in securing the Lower Hunter’s water supply for generations to come. The New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has put the plant’s modification application on public display, seeking community and […]
Water utility wins VIC climate innovation challenge
Kody Cook Company news, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Barwon Water has received recognition for two climate change research projects undertaken by its staff, which have been announced as the joint winners of the Victorian Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge (WMCIC). The challenge aimed to identify and reward groundbreaking projects addressing climate change within the water sector. Barwon Water was recognised for both ‘Meta-analysis of low carbon cement alternatives […]
Water utilities win VIC Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge 2023
Steph Barker News, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, has announced the winner of the Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge 2023. An innovative project between three Victorian water corporations to find greener alternatives to concrete won the major climate change prize. The winning project – a collaboration between Yarra Valley Water, North East Water, and Barwon Water – focuses on finding low-carbon cement alternatives […]
QLD Gov reveals new emissions reduction target
Steph Barker News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, has unveiled the government’s plan to legislate a new emissions reduction target of 75 per cent by 2035. Premier Miles said 75 per cent by 2035 is an achievable target that will support industry growth, attract greater investment in renewables and generate lasting benefits, especially in regional areas, and will also provide Queenslanders with greater access […]
The Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio has released the updated Gas Substitution Roadmap – which is set to help Victorians reduce their reliance on expensive fossil gas and ease cost-of-living pressures. The roadmap outlines the next steps for Victoria’s transition from fossil gas to cheaper, more modern electrical appliances. Fossil gas is no longer the cheap and […]
AGL signs MOU for battery recycling facility
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Company news, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0AGL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with battery recycling start-up, Renewable Metals, to jointly undertake a pre-feasibility study into developing a lithium battery recycling facility at AGL’s planned Hunter Energy Hub in NSW. The pre-feasibility study will outline key indicative project infrastructure and engineering requirements and identify regulatory approvals and licences necessary for the development, construction, and operation […]
VIC Gov announces new emissions reductions and renewables targets
Steph Barker News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Victorian Government is legislating its emissions reductions and renewable energy targets, making official the new Victorian renewable energy target of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035. The new legislation is designed to drive down power bills, encourage investment into Victoria’s renewable energy industry and create tens of thousands of jobs. Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, […]
SE Water announces industry partnership to develop biochar project
Kody Cook Company news, News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0As part of the second phase of the $1 million Biosolids to Biochar project, South East Water is again partnering with RMIT, Intelligent Water Networks, Greater Western Water and Barwon Water to develop trials of a new pyrolysis technology (PYROCO). The project uses next generation pyrolysis technology to transform biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants into biochar, a safe and […]
APA enters MoU for new carbon capture and storage development
Kody Cook Company news, News, Spotlight, Sustainability 0APA and Santos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to determine the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines in South Australia. The scope of the MoU is to assess the potential to unlock decarbonisation opportunities by connecting heavy CO₂ emitters and/or CO₂ import locations to the Santos operated CCS facility in Moomba, South Australia via CCS pipelines. […]
Capacity Investment Scheme enabling major energy projects for NSW
Kody Cook News, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Federal and New South Wales Governments are partnering as part of the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, announcing the successful bid of six major dispatchable energy projects across the state. The projects from this tender alone are equal to 8 per cent of the total 2022/23 New South Wales summer peak demand into the network at short notice – […]
Sydney Water opens $26M demonstration recycled water plant
Steph Barker News, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Sydney Water has opened its Purified Recycled Water (PRW) demonstration plant in Western Sydney, a $26 million investment designed to help safeguard Sydney’s water supply. The opening of the plant comes as Warragamba Dam levels drop a further two per cent. Dams across Greater Sydney have collectively dropped 0.3 per cent, down to 88 per cent capacity, while Warragamba Dam […]
NT to support large-scale renewable energy project
Kody Cook News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Northern Territory Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international construction and engineering company to support the delivery of a large-scale green energy project and meet the green energy demands of the Asia-Pacific region. Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, signed the MoU with Samsung C&T, who will work with the Northern Territory Government to establish large-scale […]
$6M funding to investigate industrial water recycling
Steph Barker News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water 0The New South Wales and Federal Governments have announced they will each invest $3 million, for a total of $6 million, to investigate industrial water recycling in Tamworth. The final business case to investigate building the state’s first regional industrial advanced water treatment plant would significantly reduce the amount of town water being used by four major commercial processing and […]
How to choose the right torque limiter when operating valves
Utility Journalist Asset management, Condition Assessment, Maintenance, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability 0It’s easy to imagine that a stuck or very difficult valve is the primary reason for purchasing such a tool. However, this is not necessarily the best reason to use a portable valve actuator. Here we discuss the key considerations to take into account when choosing a torque limiter. Too much torque can cause serious damage to the valve, and […]
Inside the nerve centre that powers Origin’s gas supply network
Utility Journalist Asset management, Features, Gas, Pipelines, Sustainability 0Origin Energy manages one of the largest gas supply networks in Australia, and controls and monitors thousands of gas assets as part of Australia Pacific LNG’s coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas project in Queensland. Here we take a look behind the scenes at the technology and operations used in the utility’s Brisbane Central Control Room (BCCR). In a […]
Are we ready for digital by default?
Utility Journalist Asset management, Civil Construction, Digital Utilities, Features, Projects, Renewable Energy, Sustainability 0By Frank Zeichner, CEO IoT Alliance Australia The transformative power of digital technologies discussion is happening in every boardroom and on every construction site in Australia. Yet despite well-established business cases, we’re lagging and slow in our uptake and use of the smart data that is essential for Australia’s future prosperity. At stake is our economic productivity and net zero […]
Talking fate and transport of microplastics with South East Water
Utility Journalist Projects, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Growing global concern about microplastics has spurred a range of research and studies into the different methods that can be adopted to reduce their widespread presence. Recent studies undertaken by South East Water can help water utilities gain invaluable first experiences in sampling and characterising this contaminant. Concurrent with the increase in production and usage of plastic materials worldwide has […]
Combating water scarcity with digital water metering
Utility Journalist Disaster Management, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, Projects, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0With the arrival of El Niño comes pressing concerns for water security and inevitable water restrictions as utilities are faced with the challenge of limited water supply. Equipping consumers with water consumption data allows them to keep a close eye on their water usage, and reduce water waste at a time when every drop counts. As we approach the hot […]
Milestone for $94 million Sydney Water wastewater facility upgrade
Kody Cook News, Projects, Spotlight, Sustainability 0As part of its $94 million upgrade, the North Head Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) has been installed with two new digestors. The digestors are currently being used to produce biosolids for use in compost and on a trial basis in forestry, and are expected to almost double the sludge digestion capacity at the plant. The North Head WRRF provides […]
The hot topic of water security
Utility Journalist Projects, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability, Water 0As we face a future affected by climate change, the reliability of our water systems becomes more important than ever. But when water security covers such broad ground, where do water authorities focus? Interflow’s Contracts Manager, John Weaver, said that at the centre of most water security success, is a wellmaintained asset base. “In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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