Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently delivered the Australian federal Budget, which will see the hydrogen industry benefit from $2 billion in funding for the Hydrogen Headstart initiative. The initiative is aimed at helping to scale-up green hydrogen energy production, which has the potential to become a significant export industry.

The funding will provide revenue support for investment in renewable hydrogen production through competitive production contracts and will cover the commercial gap between the cost of hydrogen production from renewables and its current market price.

The initiative aims to support two to three flagship projects which could provide up to 1 GW of hydrogen electrolyser capacity.

The Australian Hydrogen Council has welcomed the government’s budget announcement, which includes $38.2 million for a Guarantee of Origin scheme and $2.0 million to establish a fund to support First Nations people and businesses to engage with hydrogen projects.

Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council, said the Budget is a “signal” to the market of Australia’s potential to be a world-leading hydrogen provider.

“Competitive hydrogen production contracts are a much-needed market mechanism to provide revenue support for flagship projects, and will help get more and more large hydrogen projects off the ground so we can scale up to gigawatt-scale capacity as soon as possible,” Simon said.

She also commented on the fund allocated to support First Nations people and businesses in the industry, labelling community support of hydrogen projects as “crucial”.

“There is, of course, much more to do, but as the name of the Hydrogen Headstart mechanism indicates, this is an important early step,” she said.

ReNu Energy (RNE) has also welcomed the funding as its hydrogen investee company, Countrywide Hydrogen (CH), is developing hydrogen projects in Tasmania to decarbonise the state’s economy in transport, natural gas substitution and diesel displacement.

There is already support in Tasmania to embrace hydrogen blending into Tas Gas’s natural gas network and supply industrial customers with 100% hydrogen. The delivered cost of hydrogen is critical to the success of these projects as it aims to replace traditional fossil fuels.

CH is confident the federal government support to minimise the price of hydrogen will accelerate the uptake of hydrogen, allowing emissions reduction targets to be achieved faster.

Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), echoed these thoughts, saying the funding will reduce the cost of hydrogen and help create thousands of regional jobs.

“Australia has an unparalleled opportunity to become a global green hydrogen leader, but we can’t afford to lose our momentum as other competing countries step up their ambitions and support,” Miller said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Just_Super

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/article/hydrogen-headstart-industry-responds-to-federal-budget-732426040

Energy Next, part of RX Global, has released the full program and agenda for its July event, which includes experienced and innovative clean energy experts and organisations, covering topics to help drive Australia’s clean energy transformation.

Energy Next will take place at the ICC Sydney on 18–19 July 2023, alongside the Clean Energy Council’s Australian Clean Energy Summit. The event is powered by All-Energy Australia, in partnership with the Clean Energy Council and with the support of the NSW Government.

The agenda includes presentations and panel discussions about topics including solar PV, energy storage, hydrogen and ammonia, VPPs, EVs, microgrids, wind energy and energy data.

Topics such as: whether the future of solar could be Perovskites; gravitational energy storage technologies; how AI can help predict future breakdowns in the renewable energy chain; the Air Battery; Super Hybrids; and delivering low-cost clean hydrogen and ammonia through an integrated development of carbon capture storage (CCS) for renewable energy generation, are included in the agenda.

Panel discussions will include the charging infrastructure for EVs, long-duration energy storage technologies and development, and how energy startups are going to play a role in decarbonising the Australian economy.

Robby Clark, Portfolio Director at Energy Next of RX Global, said the agenda covers the latest developments in the clean energy space, keeping event visitors up-to-date.

Speakers from various organisations in the clean energy space, such as Schneider Electric, Greatcell Energy Solar, Emergent Group, Green Gravity, Essential Water & Energy Services and Sunshine Hydro, will be speaking alongside project leaders and government agencies.

Registration for the event is now open here: https://www.energynext.com.au/en-gb/register.html.

To view the full agenda, visit: https://www.energynext.com.au/en-gb/education/agenda.html.

Image credit: iStock.com/Ljupco

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/energy-next-july-agenda-released-1379674444

In a collaborative project with Australian steel manufacturer Molycop, the UNSW SMaRT Centre, footwear manufacturer Crawford Boots and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMBC), a novel steel manufacturing process using waste rubber feedstock has been commercialised.

The process involves maximising the recovery and utilisation of waste rubber from end-of-life vehicle tyres, conveyor belts and rubber safety boots as a substitute for imported carbonaceous material used in the company’s electric arc furnace (EAF) in Newcastle.

The new technology reduces Molycop’s reliance on imported carbonaceous materials by up to 20%, while removing up to 90,000 tyres from landfill and reducing the steelmaker’s electricity consumption and scope one carbon emissions.

In practice, the company and its partners have developed a means to maximise the use of rubber crumb (polymer) as a source of carbon and hydrogen needed in the steelmaking process.

Ian Tooze, Molycop President of Sustainability, said a key objective for the company is to displace fossil carbon materials to reduce the consumption of virgin raw materials, recover valuable materials from waste streams and reduce carbon footprint.

“This project proves that Australia can develop and, critically, commercialise new and innovative ways to address waste and emissions that also benefits steelmakers’ bottom lines and the environment. Through AMGC we have bridged that commercialisation gap, developing a product, process and system that can now be offered to global EAF steelmakers,” Tooze said.

Veena Sahajwalla, Director of the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) centre, said it is crucial for manufacturers and researchers to work to tackle environmental issues while delivering commercial outcomes.

“By working collaboratively with Molycop, we have been able to prove that polymer injection works and is commercially viable. It is only through partnerships like this that we can truly achieve positive environmental outcomes at scale,” she said.

Penny Crawford, Founder of Crawford Boots, said, “Being involved with this project has led to us looking at the entire life cycle of our products. From protecting the feet of workers in mines to how our boots are used at time of disposal, we now have revised our products to make them more suitable to polymer injection technology — collaborative programs like AMGC’s lift the entire manufacturing industry.”

As a result of the collaborative project, Molycop and its partners have developed an exportable product and process which can be made available to global EAF operators.

Jens Goennemann, AMGC Managing Director, said commercialising great manufacturing ideas is where Australia’s future prosperity lies. Doing so will reduce emissions and waste while generating more jobs and revenue for the nation.

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/waste/news/using-waste-rubber-for-steel-manufacturing-1333334438

Work is underway at SA Water’s Port Lincoln Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of the utility’s $400,000 investment to enhance sewage treatment and the plant’s overall performance.

To improve the efficiency of the biological process that breaks down nutrients in sewage, the floating aerators in one of the plant’s treatment basins and seals located along the basin will be rehabilitated.

Chris Young, SA Water General Manager of Operations, said the floating aerators distribute a constant supply of oxygen to help microorganisms remove the nutrients. This is vital to recycling sewerage and helping create sustainable sources of recycled water.

Used water and sewage undergo a series of processes when they come into the plant, including treating the sewage and separating solid organic material from water. The aerators push oxygen into the sewage, giving the naturally occurring bugs a push to break down the organic material and remove all nutrients.

“The process is a living, breathing beast and we need to keep it performing at an optimal level to maximise our recycled water supply. Replacing the aerators every five years ensures we’re looking after our busy bugs,” Young said.

The recycled water is used by local council to irrigate ovals and parks across town.

“While the basin is empty, we’ll also give it a thorough clean and inspect other equipment that’s usually not visible, with the project expected to take around eight weeks to complete,” Young said.

The plant was built in 1994 and currently supplies around 100 million litres of recycled water each year.

The works are not expected to impact local customers’ sewer services and measures have been put in place to manage any temporary increases in sewer odour from the plant.

“We expect this to be a low likelihood, but do however encourage the community to be our ‘sleuths’ and get in touch if they notice any change,” Young said.

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/wastewater/news/upgrade-underway-for-sa-water-treatment-plant-1172013892

A study by Sustainability Victoria and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has found that even minor adjustments to aging housing stock can lead to better health and quality of life for vulnerable Australians. The study saw Sustainability Victoria deliver free retrofits to 1000 households in Melbourne’s western suburbs and the Goulburn Valley. The upgrades, costing on average $2809, are designed to pay for themselves within three years, thanks to energy and healthcare savings.

Academics from two UTS research groups, the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation and the Institute for Sustainable Futures, were engaged by Sustainability Victoria to conduct a three-year trial of two sets of households.

All the participants were on a low income and had a chronic health condition. Most were elderly. The first set of households received the upgrades — such as insulation, draught sealing and space heating — before winter, the second after winter.

The trial period found that temperatures in the first set of homes increased by 0.47°C in the morning, reducing the time that residents spent below the recommended healthy winter indoor temperature of 18°C by 43 minutes.

Residents said they felt warmer and noticed less condensation, meaning less likelihood of damp and mould. They also experienced improved mental and physical health.

“We also saw improvements around important aspects of quality of life, such as reduced anxiety and increased feelings of safety and comfort,” said Rosalie Viney, Director of the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation.

It also led to residents’ gas bills dropping by $85 over winter (meaning lower greenhouse gas emissions) and they used fewer medical services than the second group, resulting in an $887 saving to the healthcare system. The study also indicated that the upgrades would save nearly $5000 over 10 years.

One study participant, Heather, told Sustainability Victoria that her family now visited her in winter, thanks to her house being warmer.

Another, Carol, said, “If I can keep myself healthy and warm, my anxiety stays away. If I’m mentally OK, then my physical [health] is much better.”

According to Kerryn Wilmot, research lead from the Institute for Sustainable Futures, almost half of Australian homes have an energy rating of below two stars, compared with the seven stars mandated for new homes.

“It’s crucial that we start overhauling substandard housing stock in Australia — especially for vulnerable members of the community,” Wilmot said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Thurtell

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/upgrading-housing-to-improve-health-427566595

Sustainability Victoria has called on manufacturers to showcase sustainability success stories by entering this year’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards. This program has been unearthing advancements and achievements in sustainability for 21 years.

The awards feature six categories aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Two awards within each category will be presented: the Community Champion Award for individuals and small organisations and the Industry Leader Award for medium and large organisations.

The Premier will also select two overall winners to be presented at the ceremony: The Premier’s Recognition Award for a stand-out submission from the 12 winners and The Premier’s Regional Recognition Award, a stand-out regional organisation/project from all qualifying finalists.

Last year’s Premier’s Recognition Award winners were packaging made from mushroom mycelium and land revegetation in Euroa, showing the diversity of entries in the program.

Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria Interim CEO, said, “The Premier’s Sustainability Awards provides the platform to acknowledge the tremendous work going on right across the state and I look forward to celebrating the achievements of the many organisations, community groups and individuals leading the way to a sustainable future.”

Entries for the Premier’s Sustainability Awards close on Friday, 30 June 2023 at 5 pm. The judging panel will include a range of independent environmental experts selected for their sustainability and industry expertise.

Image credit: iStock.com/new look casting

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/entries-for-premier-s-sustainability-awards-open-1086707606

Bango Wind Farm’s 46 turbines are now fully operational and generating clean, renewable energy to 144,000 homes, preventing 543,000 t of carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere annually.

It will also play a role in making groceries greener, after Woolworths agreed to purchase electricity from Bango for around 30% of its NSW energy needs, equivalent to 108 supermarkets.

Tattarang Chairman, Andrew Forrest, said the opening of the wind farm is an important milestone for Squadron Energy and a significant development in Australia’s transition to green energy.

According to Forrest, the industry needs to deliver an average of 40 wind turbines a month to reach the federal government’s target of 82% renewables by 2030.

“Business, in full partnership with government, must work to do everything we can to bring our emissions down as a nation. Squadron will play a leading role in this, providing one-third of the energy required to reach 82% renewables by 2030,” Forrest said.

Jason Willoughby, Squadron Energy CEO, said, “I am thrilled to mark the opening of Bango Wind Farm today, which follows Crudine Ridge Wind Farm entering operations early last year. “This is another step forward for our company as we deliver on our 20 GW development pipeline of wind, solar and battery projects across Australia.”

Bango Wind Farm is located 30 km north of Yass in the South Western Slopes region of NSW. During construction, the project benefited the local community, supporting more than 320 jobs and injecting $14m into the regional economy.

Snowy Hydro and Transurban have also signed power purchase agreements to buy electricity from Bango Wind Farm.

Along with the operating Sapphire Wind Farm, the opening of Bango Wind Farm means Squadron Energy is now supplying 80% of the combined electricity needs of Sydney’s Eastern Distributor, Cross City Tunnel, Hills M2, Lane Cove Tunnel and WestConnex toll roads.

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/news/bango-wind-farm-now-fully-operational-1142609735

Simply Cups has been officially recognised as an Alternative Destination under the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), giving instructions on how to recycle paper cups at one of the 1500 cup collection locations in Australia.

Paper cups, including coffee cups, cannot currently be recycled in traditional kerbside recycling and are sent to landfill.

The ARL provides guidance about which bin packaging should be placed in and includes an Alternative Destination option for specialised recycling programs, such as Simply Cups.

All paper cups will be able to carry the ARL when arrangements for this are finalised mid-late 2023. Cups recycled through the program are made into a variety of products, such as asphalt, lightweight concrete products and as a plasterboard substitute.

Recognition of the program as a valid recycling solution via the ARL Program is a boost to the expansion of the ARL, which is becoming a trusted guide on recycling.

Managed by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the ARL requires recycling organisations to verify that their packaging is recyclable and demonstrate that there is a sufficient network of recycling points that are easily accessible.

It requires that the solution is available for all brands and types of coffee cups. APCO CEO Chris Foley said APCO collaborated with government, packaging manufacturers, retailers and recyclers to address the recycling confusion.

The 2022 Consumer Insights Report revealed that the ARL helps Australians to recycle more and that they want to see it on more packaging.

According to Closed Loop Environmental Solutions Managing Director Rob Pascoe, the company is thrilled to have received ARL recognition for the Simply Cups program.

Having started in 2017, Simply Cups has over 1500 collection points nationally, half of which are accessible to all members of the public via Closed Loop’s partnership with 7-Eleven and shopping centres and supermarkets. Cup recycling is also starting to be more actively provided in offices, schools, hospitals and at construction sites.

Angus McKay, CEO at 7-Eleven, said the partnership has helped save more than 30 million cups from landfill, which may increase with ARL recognition.

Closed Loop continues to explore additional innovative applications for recycled cups as well as other challenging packaging items.

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/waste/news/paper-cups-recognised-as-recyclable-59020723

Australia’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has, over a seven-year period, achieved high energy, cost and emissions savings under the energy performance contract (EPC) between Siemens and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).

MCC CEO Stuart Fox said the MCC has saved over $5m in energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50,089 t in the seven-year period.

The MCG stadium has also:

• achieved 120% return of guaranteed financial value
• saved 119% on guaranteed electricity value and 157% on guaranteed water value
• saved enough electricity to power the light towers for nearly six years.
   

The announcement of the results comes after the launch of MCC’s 2022–25 Sustainability Plan, focusing on tacking climate change.

The new seven-year EPC includes further savings such as the replacement of chillers, implementation of Siemens’ patented Demand Flow optimisation strategy for the entire chilled water system, monitoring and optimisation of car park ventilation systems and digitalisation technology to manage peak electricity usage and other works.

Peter Halliday, CEO of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, said, “Achieving net zero requires a multi-pronged approach and the work done by MCC is a great example of how buildings, one of the highest consumers of energy, can drive positive environmental outcomes and positive business outcomes.”

The first EPC works done by Siemens at the MCG include:

• replacing the existing lighting systems with low-energy lighting technologies
• installing a new building management system
• implementing changes to heating and ventilation systems
• installing new chilled water systems and modernised room control systems.

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/news/energy-savings-winning-at-melbourne-cricket-ground-323033055

Wärtsilä has been selected by Origin Energy as the preferred contractor to deliver the first phase, 460 MW and 920 MWh, of what will be one of Australia’s largest energy storage projects. The Eraring battery will be installed at Origin’s Eraring Power Station, with the option to expand the battery to 700 MW and 2800 MWh in the future.

Both companies have signed an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract with a value of slightly more than 300m euros. The order is expected to be booked latest in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and equipment delivery is expected to occur from October 2023 to September 2024.

The battery will be connected to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) and support energy security and reliability in the state of NSW.

“With significant solar and wind resources, Australia is in a unique position to rapidly decarbonise its energy sector. Flexible capacity, provided by energy storage projects like Origin’s Eraring battery or grid balancing engines, will be vital to achieving that as the share of renewables increases. The scale of this project positions Wärtsilä at the heart of that trend, delivering gigawatt-scale energy storage projects in each of our key markets around the world,” said Håkan Agnevall, President & CEO, Wärtsilä.

“Eraring is a strategic site with high-quality connection infrastructure enabling us to deliver energy into major demand centres. Development of the Eraring battery is a key next step as we look to transform the Eraring site for the future, given our intention to exit coal-fired generation by as early as August 2025. We look forward to working with Wärtsilä and key contractors to deliver the Eraring battery safely and expeditiously,” said Greg Jarvis, Head of Energy Supply and Operations at Origin Energy.

Wärtsilä’s energy storage system (ESS) is designed with the potential to switch operation into grid-forming in the future, with the capability to supply a variety of system strength and restart ancillary services. With a higher proportion of renewable energy sources on the grid, this will help deliver stability and resilience for the NEM, helping to facilitate Australia’s clean energy transition.

The project will involve Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform, Storage+ Solution and GridSoly Quantum.

Image credit: Wärtsilä Corporation

source http://sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/news/eraring-battery-project-contracted-116312744