Environment

Fast detection of water leaks

Combining artificial intelligence and machine learning, Australian start-up Sytewave has developed and patented a system that accurately detects water leaks over a wide area in a matter of seconds. Quite simply, said the company’s CEO, Rick Brown, “We are on a mission to save our planet’s most precious resource, water.” Sytewave’s leak detection, monitoring and analysis system is far more advanced from anything on the market today in rapidly finding and reporting leaks in real time. Its patented technology does not require a water system to be turned off and it can detect multiple leaks from up to 7.5 kilometers away in seconds and accurate within one square meter. During a trial at one of Brisbane’s aquatic centers, Sytewave found a leak that two other leak detection companies failed to find. Six months earlier, the pool was losing 15 thousand liters of water a day. Sytewave combines artificial intelligence with machine learning to deploy its harmless approach to leak detection to rapidly determine the exact location of leaks in a water system. Its state-of-the-art, cloud-based monitoring system works year-round to immediately find leaks in pipe infrastructure. When leaks are found, alerts and reports are sent so that a team can be deployed to fix the problems. Sytewave measures and calculates the distinct signature a leak makes within one square meter. The Sytewave technology doesn’t listen at the source of a problem, which is time consuming and inefficient and mostly inaccurate. Sytewave’s harmless signal is so powerful that it listens further away to analyse an entire infrastructure. Even if a network of city pipes is 100 kilometers long, Sytewave can test an entire system with multiple pings to accurately find leaks. Testing over a wide area accurately and rapidly makes for an efficient system. “Sytewave is leaps ahead of the competition and our […]

Rio Tinto to deploy world’s first fully autonomous water trucks at Gudai-Darri

Rio Tinto will deploy the world’s first fully autonomous water trucks at its $2.6 billion Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The new vehicles, primarily used for dust suppression on site, will enhance productivity by enabling mine operations to digitally track water consumption and reduce waste. Developed through a successful collaboration with leading equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar, three water trucks will join Gudai-Darri’s fleet of Caterpillar heavy mobile equipment including autonomous haul trucks and production drills. The vehicle’s intelligent on-board system detects dry and dusty conditions on site, triggering the application of water to roads to keep them in good condition. The refilling process is also completely automated with the water trucks recognising when it is time to refill, prompting them to self-drive to the water stand, park and top-up before returning to the field. They boast a 160,000-litre tank capacity, a 33 per cent increase on Rio Tinto’s largest water truck which has a tank capacity of 120,000-litres. Once deployed, the water trucks will be integrated into Rio Tinto’s existing Autonomous Haulage System which has been shown to significantly improve safety by reducing the risks associated with operators working around heavy machinery. Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said “We have worked closely with Caterpillar to safely and successfully deploy the world’s first fully autonomous water truck. Water spraying is a vital part of mining operations and this new technology will improve productivity and reduce water usage across our operations. “The continued expansion of our autonomous fleet helps improve safety and continues Rio Tinto’s efforts to adopt world-leading technology to enhance our operations and realise our vision of making Gudai-Darri one of the world’s most technologically advanced mines.” Caterpillar Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson added “We are pleased to work with Rio Tinto to […]

Rio Tinto and ARENA to study using hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in alumina refining

Rio Tinto has partnered with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to study whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in alumina refineries to reduce emissions. Rio Tinto will conduct a $1.2 million feasibility study, equally funded with ARENA through a $580,000 grant, into using clean hydrogen to replace natural gas in the calcination process of refining at the Yarwun aumina refinery in Gladstone. The study program includes work to be done at Rio Tinto’s Bundoora Technical Development Centre in Melbourne, where Rio Tinto’s in-house development capability has now been extended to hydrogen. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said “If we can replace fossil fuels with clean hydrogen in the refining process for alumina, this will reduce emissions in the energy and emissions intensive refining stage of the aluminium supply chain. Exploring these new clean energy technologies and methods is a crucial step towards producing green aluminium. “This study will investigate a potential technology that can contribute to the decarbonisation of the Australian alumina industry. If successful, the technical and commercial lessons from Rio Tinto’s study could lead to the implementation of hydrogen calcination technology, not only in Australia, but also internationally.” Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations acting managing director Daniel van der Westhuizen said “We see the ARENA and Rio Tinto-funded study as a step towards reducing refinery emissions and one that has the potential to play an important part in Rio Tinto’s commitment to decarbonisation. “We’re investing in work that needs to be done, not only to decarbonise one of our sites, but also to help provide a lower-emissions pathway for Rio Tinto and the global aluminium industry. “We recognise we are on a long road towards reducing emissions across our operations and there is clearly more work to be done. But projects such as this are an important part […]

Footy club canteens to be safer with $30,000 in grants from ESV

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is offering Victorian grassroots football and netball clubs grants of up to $1,000 to upgrade old and potentially dangerous gas and electrical equipment in their canteens. ESV, in partnership with AFL Victoria, has handed out more than $90,000 over the past three years through its Safer Canteens grants program, helping 100 Victorian football/netball club canteens buy appliances that are safer and more efficient. Safer Canteens promotes broader energy safety and supports local, regional and suburban community sport – particularly following the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) during 2020. Grant applications open today. ESV Commissioner and Chair, Marnie Williams, said $30,000 was available through this year’s program with more than 30 clubs expected to receive a grant. An additional $1,000 Safer Canteen grant will be awarded through the Canteen Hero program, where ESV recognises the contribution of canteen volunteers, often the unsung heroes of footy clubs. Ms Williams also announced that ESV had this year become the sole sponsor of the Victorian Blind Football League, contributing $15,000 to support community sport and inclusion for the visually impaired. “After the disappointment of last year’s footy season being cancelled, it’s great to see our suburban, regional and rural athletes kicking and handballing again,” Ms Williams said. “ESV is proud to stand by community football and build on our long-standing partnership with AFL Victoria while also promoting awareness on important energy safety issues. “Safer Canteens also helps us ensure the safety of canteen volunteers and the community by helping them purchase safe new appliances. “We are so proud to get behind the Victorian Blind Football League, helping support this fantastic avenue for the visually impaired community to get out, have fun and enjoy some team camaraderie.” Head of AFL Victoria, Brad Scott, applauded ESV’s commitment to supporting inclusion and grassroots […]

Big Oil, Gas and Coal running out of places to hide

Three global fossil fuel giants have just suffered embarrassing rebukes over their inadequate action on climate change. Collectively, the developments show how courts, and frustrated investors, are increasingly willing to force companies to reduce their carbon dioxide pollution quickly. A Dutch court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to slash its greenhouse emissions, and 61% of Chevron shareholders backed a resolution to force that company to do the same. And in an upset at Exxon Mobil, an activist hedge fund won two seats on the company’s board. The string of wins was followed in Australia on Thursday by a court ruling that the federal environment minister, when deciding whether or not to approve a new coal mine, owes a duty of care to young people to avoid causing them personal injury from climate change. The court rulings are particularly significant. Courts have often been reluctant to interfere in what is viewed as an issue best left to policymakers. These recent judgements, and others, suggest courts are more prepared to scrutinise emissions reduction by businesses and – in the case of the Dutch court – order them to do more. Court warns of ‘irreversible consequences’ In a world-first ruling, a Hague court ordered oil and gas giant Shell to reduce CO₂ emissions by 45% by 2030, relative to 2019 levels. The court noted Shell had no emissions-reduction targets to 2030, and its policies to 2050 were “rather intangible, undefined and non-binding”. The case was brought by climate activist and human rights groups. The court found climate change due to CO₂ emissions “has serious and irreversible consequences” and threatened the human “right to life”. It also found Shell was responsible for so-called “Scope 3” emissions generated by its customers and suppliers. The Chevron upset involved an investor revolt. Some 61% of shareholders supported a resolution calling for Chevron to substantially reduce Scope 3 […]

CSIRO and partners launch $68M Hydrogen Industry Mission

A new Hydrogen Industry Mission launched today by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, will help support the world’s transition to clean energy, create new jobs and boost the economy. Hydrogen, when mixed with oxygen, can be used as an emissions-free fuel source to generate electricity, power or heat. But it is expensive to turn into a fuel. The research mission will help drive down the cost of hydrogen production to under $2 per kilogram, making the fuel more affordable and helping to position Australia to lead the world in exporting hydrogen by 2030. Over the next five years, more than 100 projects worth $68M have been planned by partners including: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER), Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) , Fortescue Metals Group, Swinburne University, the Victorian Government, the Future Fuels CRC, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), and the Australian Hydrogen Council, along with collaborators Toyota and Hyundai. CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the unique mission-based partnership was the key to creating a new industry for the future energy needs of Australia and the world. “Australia can become a renewable energy leader through the production, use and export of hydrogen, but it will only become a reality if we breakthrough the $2/kg barrier. That needs Australia’s world class science working with CSIRO’s commercialisation expertise turning breakthrough science into real-world solutions,” Dr Marshall said. “Taking a Team Australia approach is essential to creating the 8,000 jobs and $11 billion a year in GDP that hydrogen can contribute to Australia’s economy as we build back better from the impacts of Covid-19.” CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council Dr Fiona Simon said the Mission came at a critical time for the emerging Australian hydrogen industry. “We need a coordinated series of investments in industrial-scale research and demonstration activities, […]

Budget 2021-22: What it means for the Circular Economy

With international pressure mounting on Australia to commit to more substantial action on climate change, Budget 2021-22 was an opportunity — coupled with a once-in-a-generation social license to spend strategically to ‘build back better’ — to set out the government’s strategy towards addressing these concerns. So what’s in the budget for the Circular Economy? Materials & recycling New funding for waste and resource recovery initiatives was a very modest $78 million. This was not unexpected after last year’s budget announcement of a historically significant ($250m) boost for Australia’s recycling infrastructure. The bulk of new funding has been directed towards diverting organic waste from landfill (thus also addressing emissions reduction). Recycling. The Government is investing $11 million to support Australia’s recycling industry, including an additional $5.9 million over four years from 2021-22 for the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund and $5 million over three years from 2021-22 to help small businesses adopt the Australasian Recycling label. Organic waste. The Government is investing $67 million over four years from 2021-22 to enhance organic waste facilities and support community education to reduce food waste going to landfill. This includes: $59.8 million to deliver grants in partnership with states and territories through a Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund to enhance existing organic waste and processing infrastructure and make better use of this resource. $7.2 million to deliver a community and education program on the benefits of processed organic waste. NSW Circular welcomes these recycling and organic waste initiatives including the Food Waste for Healthy Soils. A similar grants program for textiles is urgently needed to tackle textile waste. Australia is ranked second in the world for textile disposal. Households account for nearly 90% of our textile waste. As a nation we threw away some 300,000 tonnes of textiles in 2018- 19. Of this, over 90% […]

Christopher-Boyle-Managing-Director-AFCryo

AFCryo unveils Green Hydrogen Production System for zero-emission refuelling

Christchurch-headquartered cryocooler developer AFCryo in conjunction with Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2) has unveiled its Green Hydrogen Production System to provide a cheaper and more reliable way of generating green hydrogen from renewable sources for refuelling transport, generating power and industrial use. The revolutionary system, which splits water into pure hydrogen and medical grade oxygen without the polymer membrane used in common electrolysers, combines AFCryo’s world-leading cryogenic technology for gas separation and hydrogen liquefaction with unique and patented Membrane-Free Electrolyser technology from UK manufacturer CPH2. AFCryo and CPH2 have signed a landmark agreement to collaboratively develop and market the on-demand green hydrogen and oxygen production system. AFCryo is set to ship its first production unit to CPH2 in the UK, for integration with its electrolyser technology, for a commission to deliver Ireland’s first 1MW (megawatt) electrolyser-based system to produce pure hydrogen and oxygen. Christopher Boyle, Managing Director and co-founder of AFCryo, says the company is on a mission to add hydrogen to the global energy network to help governments, businesses and energy consumers reach bold emission reduction targets. “Hydrogen is one of the most scalable and viable options we have to help us make the energy transition to a lower-carbon economy. By joining forces with CPH2, we’ve created a faster, more reliable and more cost-effective renewable energy hydrogen production system. Importantly, the oxygen, considered a bi-product of the hydrogen production system, is pure enough to be captured for use in industry or injected into existing waste-water systems to improve the aerobic process.” Boyle says government and industry investment in the hydrogen economy is critical to achieving global decarbonisation goals. “This technology is ready to help transport networks and industries globally transition to hydrogen to help achieve zero-carbon targets. “In New Zealand, an immediate opportunity is to turn the hydrogen refuelling network […]

CSIRO recruits top agencies for low emmissions power systems

Some of the country’s leading energy research organisations have been recruited to participate in a global research partnership that will focus on accelerating the decarbonisation of our electricity system. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, along with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), today announced The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, and global consultancy Stratagen will form an Australian contingent to contribute to the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) consortium. G-PST is an international group of electricity system operators collaborating with leading international researchers to accelerate the transition to low emissions, low cost, secure and reliable power systems, and signals a major commitment to implementing the technologies and approaches to permanently reduce emissions trajectories, while simultaneously improving grid reliability, resilience, and security. Dr John Ward, Research Director of CSIRO’s Energy Systems Research Program, said CSIRO and AEMO were pleased to draw on their experience in research-industry collaborations to lead the Australian research delegation contributing to G-PST. “The energy sector is a central tenant of our net zero future,” Dr Ward said. “It accounts for 54 per cent of Australia’s emissions and has the most mature range of low emission technology options for immediate and long-term opportunities. “The cost of renewable energy is no longer our major challenge – integrating this energy efficiently into our electricity systems is what we need to solve.” Tackling these challenges – from solving technical issues, through to workforce training and developing new real-time operational tools – in a collaborative way and sharing outcomes widely will significantly accelerate the global transition to a low emissions electricity sector. CSIRO will both conduct this research and coordinate with other Australian researchers – across universities and industry – so that Australian research is directly addressing the energy challenges most relevant to Australia. Australia will also benefit from international research and […]

Pierlite to illuminate schools across NSW

Leading Australian lighting and controls solutions provider, Pierlite, has been appointed by Schools Infrastructure NSW to provide LED lighting across a large number of NSW public schools as part of a statewide Lighting Upgrade Program that will improve the wellbeing of students and teachers, provide energy savings, and create hundreds of NSW jobs. Pierlite will supply significant numbers of its innovative LED products to up to 1,000 NSW public schools, replacing existing fluorescent lighting and, in the process, slash energy consumption by at least 50 per cent. The majority of components and labour will be sourced from NSW-based businesses and manufactured at Pierlite’s Padstow facility. Pierlite’s solution is centered on its range of Vandalux and Unilux EP upgrade kits, providing rapid delivery and installation across a broad range of indoor school environments, including classrooms, gymnasiums, staff offices, halls and corridors. The fittings offer significant energy savings, reduced environmental waste and wellbeing benefits to those interacting in the installed spaces. Additional benefits include a 50 per cent faster install time, reduced installation risk, and a lower risk of exposure to ceiling contaminants. The initial phase of the project will see a number of new jobs created at Pierlite, its component suppliers and service providers. School Infrastructure NSW’s LED Lighting Upgrade Program (LUP) has been designated as a COVID-19 economic stimulus recovery program. In addition to delivering operating cost reductions in electricity and maintenance, the LUP program aims to support student learning behaviours by improving the indoor lighting environment across NSW public schools. Pierlite Australia CEO Gustav Arianto said, “This is a strategically important contract for Pierlite and we are proud to partner with SINSW to ensure successful outcomes for NSW public schools.” “Our commitment to local job growth and manufacturing has always been a strong focus for Pierlite. Throughout the seventy […]

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