Siemens has announced the Beyond 1% Summit as a national event with global and local thought leaders, to be held in Sydney on 3rd and 4th July 2024. The two-day summit will unite leading industry, government and academia to discuss and map out how Australia can capitalise on opportunities with technology and digitalisation to grow business, strengthen the economy and contribute in a greater way to decarbonising the world.  Siemens Australia and New Zealand CEO, Peter Halliday, said that Australia is responsible for about one per cent of global emissions. “Our Net Zero 2050 commitment mea ..read more

Construction will soon begin on Quinbrook’s 2GW Supernode Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Brendale which is set to become one of the largest in Queensland.  Stage one of the project is the construction of a 250MW/2hr capacity BESS and that will enable the efficient storage of surplus solar and wind energy, aid the displacement of coal and other emissions-intensive generation sources. Origin Energy has committed to the full capacity of stage one, under a recently completed agreement. The Supernode project is strategically located near the South Pine electricity substation. This wil ..read more

The New South Wales Government has released a new policy, measurement guidance and roadmap in an effort to support net zero infrastructure delivery.  In support of the broader net zero target, the New South Wales Government is launching the Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery Policy, which sets expectations for government agencies on managing embodied carbon in public infrastructure projects.   The policy, co-designed with New South Wales Government agencies and industry, will ensure upfront carbon emissions generated during the production of materials and the construction of ..read more

According to an expert from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), reducing materials embodied carbon in the construction industry will advance Australia’s goals of a low-carbon future.  It’s hard to drive through any urban area and not notice the busy construction sites on almost every block. Whether it’s a new apartment complex, your neighbours renovating their home, or the new road that’s being marked out – the building and construction industry in Australia isn’t showing signs of slowing down. But with all growth, comes its own set of challenges. As Australia sets its eyes on lower ..read more

Emerging gaps between infrastructure investment in major cities and regional areas are a perennial risk and ongoing barrier in Australia. Yet despite having less to work with, regional councils are launching exciting, high-impact initiatives ranging from responsive design to futuristic eco-transport.  Ahead of Urban Infrastructure Strategy 2024 (30 April to 2 May, Sydney), Quest Events spoke with Michelle Bisson, Executive Director, Planning & Environment at City of Newcastle, and Sonja Johnson, CEO at RDA Tropical North, to learn more about the role of infrastructure in community liv ..read more

The increasing uptake of battery technology has been a critical step in supporting traditionally emissions-heavy industries to decarbonise their operations. But conventional lithium batteries won’t be the driving technology for the future. Toshiba’s SCiBTM technology is a transformative force in the battery market. Compared to a conventional lithium battery, an SCiBTM cell utilises a lithium titanium oxide (LTO) in its anode. This chemistry ensures that if SCiBTM cells are pierced or damaged, the anode material transitions from a conductive phase to a high resistance phase. This is key to limi ..read more

The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Tonkin + Taylor have come together for an innovative study of Victoria’s coastline, which will enable the proactive management of coastal cliffs now and into the future. Coastal cliffs are dynamic by nature, constantly eroding due to natural processes such as wind and wave action, drainage and overland flow and chemical weathering. The distinctive features of the Victorian coastline are created by the complex interaction between the various geological units and coastal processes to create landforms that support a di ..read more

By Ben Townsley, Managing Director, Pronamics Civil construction is about to receive new mandatory climate reporting obligations when it comes to carbon emissions. How are you going to go about estimating emissions in your tenders? From 1 July 2024, Tier 1 companies will be legally obligated to report upon their climate-related risks and opportunities. Tier 2 and 3 companies will follow in subsequent years. Given all of our users will be affected by these changes, it has been at the front of our minds when it comes to our estimating software. Expert Estimation uses first principles to build up ..read more

By Ainsley Simpson, outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council In her eight years at the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Ainsley Simpson has seen tremendous change across our industry; and in particular, a swelling of support for a more sustainable infrastructure industry post-COVID. Here, Ms Simpson reflects on her time at the council, driving the sector to embrace the benefits that sustainability offers. When the first sod on the Walkerston Bypass was turned in May 2022, some residents had been waiting more than forty years to see the day. Once complete, t ..read more

The Queensland Government has announced that, in an agreement between CleanCo and the Northern Queensland Airport Group, Cairns and Mackay Airports will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.  The State Government said that this partnership marks a significant leap forward in sustainable tourism, with the airports to be powered by renewable energy generated at the local Kaban Wind Farm near Ravenshoe.  As a significant employer in the region, with more than 130 people working across the Cairns and Mackay Airports as part of the North Queensland Airport Group, this agree ..read more