Smart Manufacturing

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 […]

Actuators reliable for sustainable energy generation

Low maintenance Airstroke actuators from Firestone provide a compact and easily installed way to facilitate robust and reliable engineering of clean green renewable energy installations needing to continuously orient solar and wind power arrays towards their source of energy. The simple pneumatic actuators can be installed in solar arrays and within wind power structures to continuously orient their generating surfaces in the most favourable position to optimise the amount of energy produced from natural sources. In actuation capacities from just a few dozen kilograms to more than 40 tons a unit, and functioning reliably for millions of cycles, Airstrokes are proven worldwide in demanding covered and outdoor applications ranging from conveyors and vibrating screens though to splitting a giant Australian mining dragline for maintenance. Their complementary fabric-and-rubber Airmount isolators deliver isolation efficiencies frequently exceeding 99 per cent to protect sensitive plant from damage from ambient noise vibration and harshness (NVH) and to reduce NVH emissions from installed plant. The rubber and fabric actuators solve the problem of stationary solar collection panels becoming inefficient as the sun shifts from a 90-degree angle to the panels, or where wind generators must be smoothly re-oriented to harvest the maximum energy from changing winds. Usually inflated or deflated by standard fixed or mobile compressed air (typically the ubiquitous 7 bar (100 psi) compressor equipment used throughout Australia), they can continuously reorient photovoltaic systems to minimise and angle of incidence between the incoming sunlight and a photovoltaic array, or to achieve the most favourable angle for Wind generation. Airstrokes are particularly beneficial for installations where continuous focusing through single or dual-axis arrangements enhances energy returns. Such installations – sometimes in remote locations and subject to climatic extremes over 24 hours – need extremely reliable actuators to continuously reposition payloads, including solar panels and reflectors. Airstroke […]

Construction materials made from mushrooms and food waste

UK-based company Biohm uses natural vegetative material to ‘grow’ insulation panels.It has also developed a new type of composite material that is 100% biodegradable and vegan. Biohm is one of 17 companies in The Circulars Accelerator Cohort 2021. What if we could use waste or carbon-negative materials to make buildings? Biohm,a ‘biomanufacturing’ company is doing just that, creating building materials from mushrooms, orange peel, cocoa husks and other food waste. They have developed an alternative to wood-based sheet materials made from waste by-products from the food or agricultural sectors. Called Orb, the composite material is 100% biodegradable and vegan and can be moulded into shapes. It has also developed a world-first insulation panel made from mycelium – the white, thread-like roots that grow from fungus. The natural mushroom fibres can outperform some insulation products. “Mycelium is usually found in forests, underground, and it holds the topsoil together. It allows plants to connect to one another – it’s like nature’s Internet. And we grow that into an insulation panel that can provide superior insulation values compared to other alternatives on the market,” says Biohm founder Ehab Sayed. Cutting back on waste Sayed started the company after being shocked by the waste from the construction industry. By repurposing waste, and creating biodegradable products, his company contributes towards the ‘circular economy’. Biohm is a member of The Circulars Accelerator Cohort 2021, an initiative to help circular economy entrepreneurs scale their innovations. The accelerator is a collaboration with UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s innovation crowdsourcing platform, and is led by professional services company Accenture in partnership with Anglo American, Ecolab, and Schneider Electric. An incomplete circle More than 92 billion tonnes of materials were extracted and processed in 2019, contributing to about half of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. “The resulting waste – including plastics, textiles, food, electronics and more – […]

Circular Economy Awards launched in Australia & New Zealand

A new awards program, The Circle Awards, will celebrate and unite the businesses, organisations, projects and people shaping the circular economy in Australia and New Zealand. Established by The World’s Most Rubbish (TWMR) in partnership with NSW Circular, TheBravery, and Urban List, The Circle Awards aims to spotlight products and services adopting circular practices that span all aspects of our day-to-day lives. It also aims to grow awareness of the sustainable options available to more people, not just the ones who are already looking for them. In contrast to our current ‘take-make-waste’ linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design. It’s about rethinking the entire approach in order to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems. Keeping resources in use for longer, and in a perpetual loop, or circle, reduces environmental impact and protects precious natural resources. Nick Hoskin, Co-Founder of TWMR and The Circle Awards said, “Many consumers andbrands are already contributing towards a more circular world, sometimes without realising it. “While we’re hearing the term ‘circularity’ or the ‘circular economy’ more than ever, the understanding of what this means, both in theory and practice, is limited. “The Circle Awards showcases tangible examples of circularity in action, demonstrating to people that we can consume more consciously without compromising on quality, cost or experience. In fact, circular design thinking is behind some of the most interesting products and services on the market as a driving force for innovation. “The result can be a far superior experience because every aspect in the process has been carefully considered to deliver the best possible outcome,” explained Nick. Importantly, The Circle Awards is here to recognise and celebrate those making progress in this space, not just those doing it perfectly or on a large scale, […]

IIoT edge devices and gateways vital to a monitoring strategy

-Daniel Sultana, Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand at Paessler. One of the key benefits of converging IT (Information Technology), OT (Operational Technology) and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) systems in a manufacturing business is that it enables a more holistic approach to manage the entire infrastructure. The resulting digital interconnectedness provides vast improvements for manufacturers in terms of efficiency, reliability and profitability, but there are risks associated with IT/OT convergence, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre. What are IIoT gateways? Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to a network of connected devices in the industrial sector and is a subset of the Internet of Things (IoT). An IIoT gateway is a bridge between a field network and the IoT platform or sometimes a business application. IIoT gateways can be viewed as data aggregation points for field devices or wireless networks. They provide local storage and compute capabilities as well as a user interface for data processing and system management. The defining characteristic of connected devices on IIoT networks is that they transfer data without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Connected devices communicate through IIoT gateways, which are physical servers that filter data and transmit it to other devices and software applications. IIoT gateways have therefore become a key part of a solution to monitor an entire infrastructure holistically, which provides a multitude of benefits for manufacturers that adopt it. Since digital transformation in manufacturing started, more and more connected and smart devices are appearing in factory settings. This includes sensors for monitoring environmental factors like temperature, humidity and vibrations, as well as devices needed for smart automation. Building monitoring systems There are concerning stories about poorly secured building automation networks being hijacked, resulting in hundreds of employees being unnecessarily evacuated and a loss of productivity. For this reason, facilities […]

Poralu Marine delivers longest public floating wave attenuator for Geelong project

Poralu Marine has just completed a major project in Victoria at Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) as the main general contractor for this turn-key entire multi-million-dollar project including design and installation. Poralu Marine engineered and delivered a perfect hybrid and resilient solution: heavy duty wide floating concrete wave attenuator to protect the first stage of a brand-new aluminium made marina and to benefit of all the advantages of this high-tech metal. The harbour that could previously shelter 280 berths has been completely remodelled simultaneously with the waterfront. The fixed jetties will eventually be replaced by the floating versatile system to offer around 360 berths which can moor boats ranging from eight to twenty-seven meters. This project marks an important milestone for the Victorian shores. Wangim Walk (which means boomerang in the Wadawurrung language) is a 440-meter-long concrete public wave attenuator and amongst the longest built in Australia in similar area exposed to strong winds. With its width of five to six meters and its 20-meter-long gangway, the wave attenuator is highly noticeable and was designed not only to welcome visitors for a unique on-water experience but also as a wave protection for the harbour and to facilitate the berthing of temporary vessels and mega yachts

Aussie hi-tech welder to join global defence industry

A manufacturer of hi-tech welding equipment is embarking on a joint project with a huge global player that it hopes will help it gain a foothold in the lucrative defence manufacturing sector. K-TIG Limited, based in Adelaide, South Australia, has commercialised Australian CSIRO technology to weld materials faster and stronger than traditional techniques. Until now, the publicly-listed company has focused on the pipe, tank and pressure vessel industries. But this week, K-TIG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with major Korean company Hanwha Defence Group and Hanwha Defence Australia, to develop advanced keyhole welding procedures for armoured applications. Hanwha is South Korea’s largest defence company and also operates in aerospace, fintech, mining and clean energy. It is also the preferred supplier for the Australian Army’s Land 8116 self-propelled artillery project and shortlisted for the Land400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle project. The K-TIG system can perform a traditional six-hour weld in less than four minutes to a quality standard and, unlike traditional welding, it requires no edged preparation or filler materials. K-TIG managing director Adrian Smith said the MOU with Hanwha would trigger a 24-week joint project to demonstrate the K-TIG technology in Adelaide on the specific defence materials at specific joint geometries to prove its “superior hardness characteristics”. “Traditionally when you weld two pieces of armour together you change the mechanical properties because you melt the metal and recrystallise it around the joint and the joint is not as hard as the base metal,” he said. “But our technology and the way we weld in a single pass involves much less degradation in the strength of the joint so our joint hardness is comparable to the base metals plus we have less defects. A Hanwha k9 self-propelled howitzer. Picture: Hanwha Defence. “Once we’ve proven the suitability then we will look […]

Energy Renaissance to deliver defence-grade cybersecure battery management system with CSIRO and IMCRC

Energy Renaissance, an Australian lithium-ion battery manufacturer, will develop a defence-grade cybersecure Battery Management System (BMS) for its superStorage family of batteries that are to be manufactured in Tomago, NSW. The A$1.46 million BMS project is jointly funded and developed by Energy Renaissance with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC). The BMS will monitor and report on the battery’s usage, lifespan and faults through a mobile network to Energy Renaissance and their customers. Communicating through an inverter, the system will enable secure real time data, analytics and remote management to drive down the risk of battery failure and operating costs for grid-scale energy storage users. Brian Craighead, Technology and Development Director of Energy Renaissance said, “The collaboration between Energy Renaissance, CSIRO, and IMCRC will promote an Australian Battery Management System instead of relying on an overseas technology platform. Working together with CSIRO will ensure we can create a world-class defence-grade cybersecure Battery Management System that is fully developed and managed in Australia for critical energy storage infrastructures.” “Software designed and developed in Australia has a strong global reputation and we’ve built a history and track record as an industry. Through this project, we will demonstrate the advantage that Australian intellectual property can bring to a highly competitive energy storage market where a superior Battery Management System is critical for the operating efficiency of a battery.” Dr Adam Best, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO said, “CSIRO is delighted to be working with Energy Renaissance to develop a Battery Management System that is the ‘nerve centre’ of a battery, and will make batteries safer, more affordable and optimised to operate in high temperature environments. Our partnership with Energy Renaissance validates CSIRO’s capabilities to collaborate, train and transfer skills for the advanced manufacturing of batteries.” David Chuter, CEO […]

AVEVA and OSIsoft combine to unlock potential for industrial organisations

Industrial Software Market Leaders Introduce ‘Performance Intelligence’ to create Industrial Software and Data Leadership AVEVA, a global leader in engineering and industrial software, has joined forces with OSIsoft to meet the expanding information management needs of industrial companies and accelerate their digital transformation. The combined portfolio brings OSIsoft’s world-class data management together with AVEVA’s leading industrial software to unlock Performance Intelligence. Providing greater operational agility and resilience, Performance Intelligence connects information and artificial intelligence (AI) with human insight, to enable faster and more accurate decision making, helping industries boost sustainability. By pairing the trusted capabilities of OSIsoft’s PI System with the leading industrial software of AVEVA, Performance Intelligence gives the people behind essential processes the rich, reliable data they need to better measure and understand the entire industrial lifecycle. Areas where Performance Intelligence is likely to have the most impact will include organisational productivity, operational agility, and sustainability. The global big data and analytics market is growing exponentially and projected to be worth $274 billion by 2022. Staying ahead of the curve requires a new understanding of the scope and scale of industrial information to leverage that data effectively. Insight into industrial information from edge to enterprise reduces downtime, production costs, and energy consumption – optimising resources and driving sustainability. The combined software portfolio is driving digital transformation for over 20,000 customers globally, operational efficiency to empower people, industries, and communities. Craig Hayman, CEO at AVEVA, said, “Together we’re redefining the capabilities of industrial software. Through Performance Intelligence, we can see worlds of data from bold new angles, and inspire better understanding of complex value chains, to boost performance and drive sustainability. The combined impact of AVEVA and OSIsoft will enable our customers to manage complex industries more efficiently. Our expanded capabilities elevate AVEVA’s commitment to deliver operational agility that […]

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