Archived News for Engineering Professionals - April, 2011
A report by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office has found that while total renewable energy generation in Victoria has increased, efforts to increase the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources have not been effective.
The audit, which examined the role of renewable energy development and facilitation by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) and Sustainability Victoria (SV), found that neither the setting of renewable energy targets, nor the establishment of investment incentives, had delivered expected results.
“The volume of renewable energy presently generated falls well short of expectations and growth in the state’s capacity to generate renewable energy is not on track to deliver future targets.”
Design partners announced for Great Western Highway upgrade
Sinclair Knight Merz and Parsons Brinckerhoff have been selected to partner with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to undertake the detailed design work and obtain the necessary environmental approvals for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow.
Australia climbs international clean energy ranking
The international environment agency, The Pew Charitable Trusts, has released a report that ranks Australia in 12th position in G20 countries - behind Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, India and Japan, but ahead of the UK - in terms of investment in clean energy.
Regal to trial new methane extraction technology
Enhanced Biogenic Methane (EBM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Regal Resources, is conducting a pilot project in Victoria for its biogenic methane enhancement (BME) technology.
Australian universities ranked in top 50 for engineering and technology
Four Australian universities have been ranked in the world’s top 50 universities in the inaugural QS World University Rankings for engineering and technology.
Strong outlook for civil engineering construction sector
Economic Analyst, BIS Shrapnel, has released its annual study on the outlook for the civil engineering construction sector in Australia, finding that the sector is growing strongly, with 25% growth forecast for the next three years due to mining, LNG and flood reconstruction activity.