December 2023/January 2024 vol.37 no.

INSIGHTS
2024

In partnership with
2 INSIGHTS 2024
 Welcome to the 2024 Insights issue where we’ve asked industry Westwick-Farrow Media
leaders to provide you with their views on what challenges A.B.N. 22 152 305 336

and opportunities lie ahead. The issue combines content from www.wfmedia.com.au

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CONTENTS
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Editors
Carolyn Jackson
sm@wfmedia.com.au
Glenn Johnson
pt@wfmedia.com.au

CEO Insights Katerina Sakkas

ecd@wfmedia.com.au

Publishing Director/MD
Janice Williams
08 Glenn Parsons, Warren and Brown Technologies
Art Director/Production Manager
Julie Wright
10 Cuong Vo, BÜrkert Australia
Art/Production
16 Charlene Loo, BSI Australia and New Zealand Linda Klobusiak, Marija Tutkovska

Circulation
20 Mark FergusoN, Kaishan Australia Dianna Alberry
circulation@wfmedia.com.au

Copy Control
Mitchie Mullins
04 The evolution of social licence copy@wfmedia.com.au

Advertising Sales
12 Optimising Australian networks and speeding electrification Heather McWhirter – 0411 562 057
HMcWhirter@wfmedia.com.au
14 Robust power grid needed for once-in-a-decade demand Sandra Romanin – 0414 558 464
sromanin@wfmedia.com.au
18 2023 a key year for safeguard reform and sustainability disclosure
Candice Stannard – 0419 216 437
cstannard@wfmedia.com.au
27 Harnessing smart water tech for sustainability
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INSIGHTS 2024 3
The evolution of
social licence
Glenn Johnson, Editor, Process Technology

T
The “social licence to operate” he term “social licence” has been In more recent times, the concept has
around for about half a century, evolved beyond its initial association with
term first came about in reference
but its present usage as “social mining companies and has become a crucial
to mining companies, but now licence to operate” is generally consideration for businesses across various
almost every company must be accepted to be associated originally with other industries. Today, virtually any com-
the resources industry in the early 2000s. pany, regardless of its sector, is expected
seen to be operating responsibly.
The term emerged as a recognition to demonstrate a commitment to responsible
that companies, especially those involved and ethical practices. This includes not
in resource extraction like mining, needed only complying with legal requirements but
more than just legal permits to operate also engaging in activities that contribute
successfully. It highlighted the importance positively to society, the environment and
of earning and maintaining the trust and ac- the wellbeing of employees.
ceptance of local communities, stakeholders It should be remembered that the concept
and the broader public. of social licence actually reflects, not a legal

4 INSIGHTS 2024
 Social licence

mining industry, Rio Tinto faced substantial

backlash after it dynamited the ancient
Indigenous site at Juukan Gorge.
In most cases in the examples above,
no law was broken, but the reputational
ramifications are still playing out.

The focus on ‘ESG’

The main areas in which organisations
measure their social licence today is through
what has become known as Environmental,
Social and Governance measures (ESG).
According to the Harvard Law School1,
“the three categories of ESG are increas-
ingly integrated into investment analysis,
processes and decision-making” when it
comes to corporate investment.
‘Environmental’ captures general envi-
ronmental sustainability, including energy
efficiencies, carbon footprints, greenhouse
gas emissions, deforestation, biodiversity,
climate change and pollution mitigation,
waste management and water usage.
‘Social’ covers labour standards, wages
and benefits, workplace and board diversity
and inclusion, pay equity, human rights, com-
munity relations, privacy and data protection,
health and safety, and other human capital
and social justice issues.
‘Governance’ covers how the environmen-
tal and social factors are managed, corporate
board composition and structure, strategic
sustainability oversight and compliance, ex-
ecutive compensation, political contributions
and lobbying, and bribery and corruption.

Environmental sustainability
The largest aspect of the current concept
of social licence to operate involves en-
iStock.com/Thai Noipho

vironmental responsibility. Companies are

increasingly under scrutiny for their impact
on the environment, and stakeholders expect
them to go beyond mere compliance with
regulations. Businesses are now required to
proactively manage their energy and water
usage, minimise their ecological footprint,
and engage in sustainable practices that
promote environmental conservation.
requirement, but an unwritten agreement sion advertisements we see championing Although the energy and mining sectors
between business and society. Some might the responsible work of mining and gas are the ones feeling the most pressure to act
argue that the burden of proof seems to lie companies — to a television audience that — being responsible for 56% of Australia’s
with stakeholders to show what companies is not their direct customer — to see that greenhouse emissions — there is pressure
are doing wrong, not with companies to these companies are taking their social across all industries and coming from many
prove what they are doing right, while image more seriously than ever. angles. Regulators are imposing stricter
the absence of community protest may be On the flip side, there is much discus- emissions limits, such as the Safeguard
interpreted as consent. sion in the news media about increasing Mechanism for businesses in Australia, as
If companies do not break the law, scepticism in the community towards major well as increasing pressure on companies
repercussions are limited to reputational corporate entities, after a number of high- to provide greater transparency in emissions
and financial effects, but in today’s digitally profile incidents where companies have reporting. The federal government has com-
connected world, company reputation has failed to meet community expectations in mitted the country to reducing greenhouse
become increasingly important. We only relation to treatment of their workforce, or gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels
have to reflect on the number of televi- in protecting personal data. Similarly, in the by 2030, and to net zero by 2050.

INSIGHTS 2024 5
Social licence

In the commercial arena, banks will no Companies are increasingly under scrutiny for their
longer finance certain projects and will
impact on the environment, and stakeholders expect
tighten lending to those not meeting their
sustainability plans, and shareholders, in- them to go beyond mere compliance with regulations.
cluding superannuation funds, are demanding
a clear path to decarbonisation.
On a more public level, customers are
taking their business to sustainable brands,
individual companies are expecting more
sustainable outcomes from their suppliers,
identified for improvement was external stakeholders that the firm’s actions will be
and in some cases, employees are demand-
assurance, with the report stating that beneficial, through authentic dialogue and
ing climate action from their employers.
“limited assurance continues to be the most ongoing engagement the desires of the
Energy and water common level of assurance among those stakeholders are integrated into the firm”.
Efficient management of energy and water
organisations (85%), with 9% obtaining a The latter can result in a social licence
resources is essential not only for minimising
combination of limited and reasonable assur- that reflects a more genuine alignment of
environmental impact but also for ensuring
ance … Independent verification of reported interest and is much more resilient as it
long-term operational sustainability. This
information would increase confidence in is founded on shared values. The former,
involves adopting technologies and practices
organisations’ sustainability reporting and more common approach, usually results
that enhance energy efficiency, reduce water
reduce greenwashing risks”. in further conflict and court decisions, as
consumption and minimise waste generation.
we often see playing out in the approach
Companies that prioritise environmental
Social responsibility taken by some industries to the concerns
stewardship not only contribute to global
There are many aspects to social respon- of social groups that may not be in agree-
sustainability goals but also enhance their
sibility, and according to a review by QUT3, ment with their actions, such as farmers,
reputation and credibility among environ-
“multiple social licences will exist across environmentalists and Indigenous people.
mentally conscious consumers and investors.
multiple scales both internally (project, When a company fails to meet stake-
Recycling organisation and industry) and externally holder expectations the social licence may
Resource recovery is another critical aspect (local, regional, national and international)”. be damaged or lost altogether. Repairing
of the modern social licence to operate. These social licences are often at odds a social licence means that to be seen as
Companies are encouraged to implement with one another: for example, the greater anything other than tokenistic, dialogue
strategies for recycling and reusing mate- environmental benefit of closing a coal mine must be accompanied with concrete action
rials, reducing waste, and minimising the is at odds with the social impact on the to demonstrate a genuine desire to repair
depletion of finite resources. This not only community that the mine supports in terms relationships. Recent events around the
aligns with the principles of a circular of jobs and flow-on business. Optus response to a major network outage
economy but also demonstrates a commit- Generally, from a social perspective, a are a case in point.
ment to responsible resource management. social licence to operate cannot be controlled,
Sustainability reporting so companies seek to attempt to manage Social licence cannot be ignored
Mandatory sustainability reporting is be- it through protecting reputation — mainly Today the concept of ‘social licence to
coming a potential future requirement that through PR activities. According to the operate’ extends across industries, with
companies will need to meet. Govern- QUT research, this has traditionally been businesses expected to prioritise respon-
ments, regulatory bodies and investors are accomplished either “through a pro-self sible practices. Environmental, Social and
increasingly recognising the importance perspective, where the social licence is a Governance (ESG) measures, including
of transparent reporting on ESG metrics. resource ‘bought’ through actions that align sustainability reporting and a focus on
This reporting provides stakeholders with with stakeholder expectations, or [through] environmental responsibility, are now key
insights into a company’s sustainability a pro-social perspective in which the social criteria for evaluating companies. The path
performance, enabling them to make more licence is the result of mutually beneficial forward involves authentic stakeholder
informed decisions and to hold companies relationships with stakeholders”. engagement, integrating their desires into
accountable for their impact on society and The report reflects that while a pro-self business practices, and a genuine commit-
the environment. perspective can result in a social licence, ment to shared values to build and sustain
A recent annual survey of the ASX100 by the transactional nature of this approach a resilient social licence.
KPMG (the KPMG Australian Sustainability means that collaboration with stakehold-
ers is undertaken only usually around a 1. Bergman MS, Dekelbaum AJ et al 2020, Intro-
Reporting Survey June 2023) 2 reflected
duction to ESG, Harvard Law School Forum on
that “the vast majority of Australia’s top specific project and only on the company’s Corporate Governance, <<https://corpgov.law.
companies now report on sustainability terms: “Often the stakeholders are chosen harvard.edu/2020/08/01/introduction-to-esg/>>
2. KPMG 2023, Status of Australian Sustainability
performance” but acknowledged that “areas by the firm to pre-determine the outcome, Reporting Trends: June 2023 Update, <<https://
for potential improvement persist”. engaging only with those likely to already assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/au/pdf/2023/
Among ASX100 companies reporting on agree with the firm’s actions. These licences australian-sustainability-reporting-trends-june-
2023-update.pdf>>
sustainability, the proportion of companies are therefore not supported by any lasting 3. Hurst B 2022, ‘Community engagement and
linking sustainable development goals to relationship and are withdrawn as easily as social licence to operate’, QUT Business School
aspects of their business has increased they are initially acquired.” research insights, Queensland University of
Technology, <<https://research.qut.edu.au/ara-
from 71% in 2022 to 77% in 2023, accord- With a pro-social perspective, on the consumer-research/community-engagement-and-
ing to the report. However, the main area other hand, “rather than trying to persuade social-licence-to-operate/>>

6 INSIGHTS 2024
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 insights 2024

Glenn Parsons
Chief Technology Officer, Warren and Brown Technologies

What growth opportunities do you predict for of the production line. This has reduced the lead time of product
deliveries and enabled the production line to become more agile
your industry in 2024?
in its approach.
In 2024, I see several growth opportunities for the industry as
Attracting and maintaining a strong, capable workforce is a
an increasing number of higher density optical fibre cables and
priority for the company in 2024. To assist with this endeavour,
connectors are deployed in international and national markets. The
the plan is to further enhance the workforce development program
thirst for higher bandwidth services such as 5G wireless and 250
by introducing additional online training focusing on developing the
Mbps fixed line services, along with massive growth in cloud-based
individual. It’s a more holistic approach which I hope will greatly
services, is driving demand for increasing levels of connectivity.
benefit the employees and the company alike.
Telecommunications is constantly evolving and improving. The
technology never stays still. New networks can take years to roll
What resource recovery initiatives is your
out and as they approach end of life, they are eventually replaced
with the next generation of equipment. In this environment, the
company planning to implement in 2024?
WBT is planning to expand our resource recovery initiatives in
opportunity for growth can be realised through innovation, end-
2024 through a reduce, reuse, recycling approach. We have a well-
to-end next-generation solutions, maintained quality control and
established recycling process for metal, cardboard and electronic
an unwavering focus on the customer and the challenges they
waste. In 2024, we are looking to further reduce and minimise
face in transitioning their networks.
our reliance on non-recyclable packaging materials. We are also
What are the three biggest challenges or threats looking to explore schemes that promote reuse of packaging ma-
terials with our customers for specific products where this makes
facing your industry in 2024? sense. Some of these initiatives can be implemented in isolation.
Three of the biggest challenges facing the industry in 2024 are
Other initiatives will require significant cooperation across the
as follows:
industry including suppliers, logistics partners and our customers.
Maintaining supply chain stability
We recently established a repair centre supporting the refur-
Maintaining reliable and consistent component supply for produc-
bishment and repair of legacy equipment for our customers. The
tion and finished goods is critical to meeting customer require-
repair centre has the capability to determine the failure modes of
ments. Recent global events such as the COVID-19 outbreak in
active equipment, repair it and then test against required specifica-
2020 have shown us how supply chains can be disrupted causing
tions. In 2024, we are looking to extend the number of products
long delays in material supply. As a result, carefully considered
supported by the repair centre allowing customers to extend the
alternate supply chain options should be implemented wherever
life of aging devices (as required) by repairing and reusing legacy
possible to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruption.
devices in a cost-effective way.
Controlling costs
The global economic outlook is uncertain. Rising inflation and rising
interest rates are a common thread across many economies. The
wars in Ukraine and the Gaza strip are adding to the uncertainty.
Minimising increases in costs can be a significant challenge in
this environment. Further escalation of global instability in 2024
would provide a significant challenge to the industry.
Continuing to fund R&D activity
Continuing to fund the required R&D activity in the current climate Glenn Parsons, an innovative
of rising interest rates is a challenge. However, as described technology leader with an
above, to grow the business in 2024, ongoing development will illustrious career, currently
be required. serves as the Chief Technology
Officer at Warren and Brown
How is your company mentoring staff and Te ch n o l o g i e s . J o i n i n g t h e
organisation in 2016, Glenn has
developing workforce skills in 2024 and played a pivotal role in shaping
beyond? the company’s technological
In recent times, employee training programs have been conducted landscape. With a rich background
on an as-need basis to assist employees with their current role. in the tech industry, he brings
Most of the training has therefore been on-the-job training as a wealth of experience and
required. The company has spent considerable time and effort expertise to his role.
focusing on quality control procedures to enhance the efficiency

INSIGHTS 2024 9
 insights 2024

Cuong Vo
General Manager at BÜrkert Australia

What growth opportunities do you predict for several remedies. These include applying labour-saving automation
to reduce manual tasks, but also employing advanced digitalisation
your industry in 2024? including artificial intelligence to enable less experienced employees
Manufacturers today are faced with a number of simultaneous
to succeed in technically sophisticated jobs where they likely didn’t
issues that affect their ability to maintain profitability — not least
have the tools to succeed before.
of which are increasing regulatory requirements, labour shortages
Many manufacturing problems are very complex, with multiple
and the need to achieve sustainability targets. While greater use
facets, and draw on many disciplines. This means that many soft
of process automation can provide solutions to many of these
skills are necessary too. Team leaders need emotional intelligence
problems, manufacturers may be challenged by how to choose the
and the ability to work well with others, so they can get their
best solutions for their needs and to integrate these automation
teams aligned to solve those complex problems.
solutions into their existing operations and processes.
Globally, Bürkert operates its own workforce development and
It is therefore necessary for businesses to seek out the right
enablement program. It puts employees on the pathway to gaining
partners with the right technology leadership to help them to find
the skills they need, which has also proven to be a good way of
their way clearly to the right solution.
retaining them.
The growth opportunity in this situation is therefore in being
The company also provides its employees a working environment
the partner that will be a willing and active collaborator with
where each individual has the chance to develop in accordance
the end customer: providing the necessary support through each
with their abilities and strengths, to use the freedom offered and
phase of transformation, from consulting engagement to analyt-
to grow and take on responsibility, while maintaining a healthy
ics implementation; from infrastructure readiness assessment to
work/life balance.
support services. Providing these comprehensive services will be
the main areas of opportunity for businesses in our industry to
deliver significant value.
How is your company tracking with its net zero
emissions by 2050 targets?
What are the three biggest challenges or threats Bürkert has set the goal for itself to become carbon neutral as a
global organisation by 2030 and is currently undertaking a study
facing your industry in 2024? of the complete ecological impact of its portfolio of products,
Firstly, it is clear to many of us that global economic growth will
systems and services. Sustainability will become a decisive fac-
slow further in 2024, and there are also the ongoing wars in Ukraine
tor in developing Bürkert’s portfolio and underlying technologies.
and the Middle East that could contribute to a worsening global
In addition to making its own portfolio greener, Bürkert will as-
financial outlook. Locally, we are still seeing high inflation and high
sess opportunities to add solutions and services helping customers
energy prices, which has meant manufacturers are choosing to
and partners to become more sustainable. Bürkert will develop a
delay further investment unless there is a clear short-term return.
deep understanding of customers’ sustainability efforts and build
Secondly, manufacturers are faced with increasing regulatory
the required competencies to develop solutions and services that
expenses, increasing consumer demands and mandated sustain-
help customers reduce their carbon footprint and save resources
ability targets.
in their value creation process.
These two issues lead to the need for a way to more easily
managed scalability, both up and down as business needs change.
Traditional manufacturing automation systems are difficult to scale,
Cuong Vo, General Manager at
and can suffer unacceptable downtime costs when equipment fails. Bürkert Australia, boasts over
There is a need for more modular automation solutions that allow 20 years in process control and
businesses the flexibility to cope with fluctuating demands. automation. With a background in
Finally, today’s businesses are having to grapple with manag- Swisslog, Rockwell Automation
ing an aging workforce, upskilling workers to be able to cope and Schneider Electric, Cuong
with new requirements from automation and digitalisation and, at excels in sales, operational
the same time, attract and retain young talent with increasingly excellence and digital marketing.
higher demands regarding purpose, working models and lifetime Specialising in guiding medium-
career models. It is more important than ever for our industry to sized organisations through
continue to broaden our support for STEM education and university transformative changes, he
partnership programs. prioritises customer-centric
approaches for sustainable growth. Passionate about industrial
How is your company mentoring staff and automation, Cuong emphasises collaborative problem-solving,
leveraging competence and commitment. Joining Bürkert during
developing workforce skills in 2024 and beyond? a growth phase, he looks forward to contributing to the team’s
Many industries, including us in process control and automation, are momentum, sharing knowledge and accelerating market presence in
starving for people. Millions of skilled jobs are going unfilled, and Australia. Cuong’s extensive experience in the United Kingdom and
many employers are at their wits’ end about how to fill them. To Australia positions him as a key asset to Bürkert’s regional success.
help alleviate this persistent crisis, industry has had to implement

INSIGHTS 2024 11
 Optimising
Australian
networks
and speeding
electrification
Why technology-driven transmission
could be a game changer for the grid
Jack Curtis, Neara Co-Founder

M
ultiple reports released through- but technology can and should be playing the network to unlock significant capacity
out 2023, including the New a greater role in stabilising energy supply across its 1.4 million conductors by showing
South Wales Government’s as renewables are brought online. the volume of energy distribution available
Electricity Supply and Reli- Based on digital modelling of the NSW to be transported could more than double
ability Check-Up, have reinforced the main network, there are up to 10 gigawatts of with only minimal cost and time investment
challenge facing Australia’s energy sector: available yet untapped capacity sitting within required. By modelling each span individu-
we need to diversify our approach to the the existing grid with a clear accessibility ally, capacity in certain parts of Essential’s
clean energy transition or risk losing grid pathway. This volume of available power network was twice as high as previously
reliability. In fact, this report’s specific rec- requires little network augmentation and thought under a crude standards model.
ognition of untapped capacity sitting within funding and could provide more energy than These findings alleviated the requirements
the grid highlights the pressing need for HumeLink, Central West Orana and Eraring for export limits on rooftop solar and allowed
infrastructure optimisation beyond physical combined. Essentially, this would give us larger systems to be installed on residential
projects and transmission lines, with new enough renewable generation in time to and commercial premises.
methodologies like digital analysis critical counter the exit of fossil-fuelled power
to maximising the grid’s full potential. stations like Eraring, without waiting for Sourcing network capacity with
Australian network service providers the delivery of new transmission projects. advanced digital line ratings
(NSPs) are increasingly deploying AI and With further analysis and modelling, Digital line ratings can play a critical role in
machine learning-powered capabilities to this figure could rise significantly not bringing renewable energy online at an ac-
unlock untapped network capacity and bring only in NSW but across Australia. Neara’s celerated pace. In the United States, EMPACT
renewables online faster. This diversified AI-enabled digital modelling of Essential Engineering scaled its adoption of Neara’s
approach aims to de-risk the clean energy Energy’s network, which covers nearly platform for wider processes including line
transition by sourcing untapped capacity, 900,000 homes and businesses, allowed ratings, allowing the identification of more

12 INSIGHTS 2024
 Smart grids

iStock.com/zhengzaishuru
opportunities to bring more electricity online capacity across an entire several-thousand- are already combining multiple data sources
using only existing assets, finding 94.5% kilometre-long network. including LiDAR, geospatial and satellite
of lines could safely run at double their This method has caused utilities to err imagery to create a more accurate network
capacity. This assisted EMPACT in helping on the side of caution to avoid the risk of picture at speed and with greater context.
utilities more effectively navigate extreme overloading lines with potentially dangerous This not only means utilities can action
weather and resultant demand spikes while levels of current, as well as downstream infrastructure changes more efficiently in-
bringing more clean energy online faster. clearance risks. This has left many utilities cluding the strategic addition of taller poles
While there are still limits to how much unable to reap the benefits of abundant clean or alternative conductors to accommodate
energy utilities can run at once, technology energy projects because the conservative more current, but to identify and aggregate
in this use case helps utilities implement approach leaves little room for new energy latent network capacity pockets of all sizes
standards at a line-by-line level offering integration. Without digitisation of the net- to increase the flow of clean energy.
critical flexibility not provided by crude, work to understand the actual capacity, The shift from a manual, conservative
conservative models traditionally deployed clean energy projects otherwise ready to approach to scalable data-driven analysis
for safety. Traditional line rating methods go are being put on hold due to a lack of will play a pivotal role in unlocking capac-
that evaluate capacity usage are still largely confidence as to whether the capacity for ity and fostering a transition towards a
manual, requiring individual engineers to them to be safely activated exists. more sustainable, optimised future where
be sent into the field to record, compile clean energy is a reality. The combination
and analyse data from each stretch of the The potential of technology- of innovation and infrastructure will mark
network. This process is incredibly time- driven transmission the success of the clean energy transition,
consuming, laborious and cost-intensive, The path to a sustainable energy future will serving as the paradigm shift required to
and fails to provide the level of detail or be radically shaped by the convergence of ensure that 2030 and 2050 targets are not
visibility needed to accurately assess true technology and innovative thinking. Utilities a possibility but a reality.

INSIGHTS 2024 13
 Network resilience

Robust power
grid needed for
once-in-a-decade
demand
iStock.com/ZambeziShark

T
he Australian Energy Market Op- “The entire industry has been focusing generators, since they can only produce
erator (AEMO) has completed its and continues to focus on managing possible power when there’s wind and sun.
2023–24 Summer Readiness Over- risks for the summer ahead, particularly “Relying too much on these generation
view, outlining expected weather during high demand periods,” Gatt said. sources is too risky without a large storage
conditions, energy system preparations and To mitigate such risks, AEMO is in the capacity built into the network.”
contingencies to maintain electricity reli- process of procuring additional reserves While having additional wind and solar
ability in Australia’s main power systems through the Interim Reliability Reserve and power should reduce the risk of blackouts
this summer. Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader in the coming hot summer, blackout risk
AEMO works on an ongoing basis with (RERT) mechanisms in the NEM. In West- cannot be ruled out, Meegahapola said.
generation and transmission businesses, ern Australia, it is tendering for reserves “The operator needs careful planning
federal and state governments, and key through the Supplementary Reserve Capacity to optimally utilise the additional wind and
agencies to manage risks to the National mechanism. solar generators while coordinating with
Electricity Market (NEM) that serves the Compared to last summer in the NEM, the energy storage systems.
eastern and south-eastern regions of Aus- an average 1500 MW of scheduled genera- “As we move towards a low-carbon power
tralia, and the Western Australian South tion and an extra 2000 MW of generation grid, the network requires more storage
West Interconnected System (SWIS). capacity from new wind and solar projects capacity to firm the output of the wind and
“Our extensive planning with industry, will be available this summer. In the WEM, solar energy generators.
governments and network businesses nearly 50 MW of extra scheduled generation Meegahapola, who conducts research into
aims to have enough generation and is expected to be available. renewable power generation, power system
transmission available year-round to meet However, an expert from RMIT has stability and microgrids, said community or
consumers’ electricity needs,” said AEMO cautioned that more measures need to be neighbourhood batteries and microgrids
Executive General Manager Operations put into place. should also form part of the mix.
Michael Gatt. “According to the Australian Energy “These solutions would help us construct
“This year’s summer forecast is for hot Market Operator we are in a much better a more robust power grid that can cope
and dry El Niño conditions, increasing the position than last year due to additional wind with extreme weather conditions.”
risk of bushfires and extreme heat, which and solar capacity added to the system,” In addition to its collaboration with indus-
could see electricity demand reach a 1-in- said Associate Professor Lasantha Meega- try, governments and network businesses to
10-year high across the eastern states and hapola from the university’s Electrical and identify and plan for relevant summer risk
in Western Australia.” Biomedical Engineering department. scenarios, AEMO said it had undertaken
In August, AEMO identified periods when “However, the amount of energy pro- extensive briefings and emergency exercises
electricity reliability thresholds were at risk duced by these renewable power sources to test contingency plans and communication
in the NEM and SWIS this summer. is significantly lower compared to traditional processes ahead of summer.

14 INSIGHTS 2024
 Regardless of your organization’s
scale or focus, we can support you
to grow sustainably and achieve
your Net Zero targets with our
range of standards, certification
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Talk to us today
Call: 1300 730 134
Email: info.aus@bsigroup.com
Visit: bsigroup.com/en-AU
 insights 2024

Charlene Loo
Managing Director, BSI Australia and New Zealand

What growth opportunities do you predict for your management and sustainable events. For example, the ISO Net Zero
Guidelines, an output of Our 2050 World collaboration facilitated by
industry in 2024?
BSI, provide a practical, end-to-end framework for organisations at
Clients and stakeholders will need expert guidance and strategic sup-
any level of maturity on their net zero journey.
port in navigating the myriad global challenges but also opportunities
Recognising that water security is a key area of the conversation
they will face in 2024. Whether it is on climate, quality of life or
about extreme weather, we also recently launched a campaign setting
cybersecurity, BSI will be responding to these needs as a trusted
out concrete steps to support progress towards a water positive future.
partner for organisations looking to accelerate progress towards a
sustainable, ethical and digitally safe world.
What plans does your company have in terms
What are the three biggest challenges or threats of the energy transition, electrification and
facing your industry in 2024? replacement of gas?
Climate change is something we take very seriously and is a con- We have a Kitemark for Electric Vehicle Charging, which supports
sideration for all those we work with. At BSI, we are committed to market assurance amidst the rapid expansion and technological ad-
using our expertise to guide organisations on how to adapt their own vancement in electric vehicles and their associated systems. We also
operations to this transition. offer comprehensive hydrogen testing and certification services as
A second challenge we and those we work with face day-to-day we take steps to cleaner energy.
is cyber risk. As we digitise our business, adapting our services for Earlier this year we launched the revised carbon management
organisations that are themselves digitising at a rapid pace, we be- standard, PAS 2080:2023, designed to help built environment or-
come heavily dependent on IT systems. To counter this, we continue ganisations accelerate progress to a sustainable world by reducing
to invest in our cybersecurity program and BSI is globally certified their carbon emissions.
to the Information Security standard ISO 27001.
A third challenge — equally one we see as an opportunity — comes How is your company tracking with its net zero
around social sustainability and workplace culture. Organisations have emissions by 2050 targets?
the opportunity to partner with their people to build diverse, equitable BSI has made a public commitment to reach net zero in its operations
and inclusive workplace cultures with the potential to bring enormous by 2030, requiring a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. A
benefit to individuals, organisations and society. further commitment has been made to reduce Scope 3 emissions
by 42% in the same timeframe. Our Carbon Allowance Model gives
How is your company mentoring staff and leaders across BSI personal accountability for greenhouse gas (GHG)
developing workforce skills in 2024 and beyond? emissions reduction by introducing a designated carbon budget for
We take equality and diversity seriously, understanding that by using each team and linking the achievement of organisational net zero
the talent and skills available in all groups and communities, we can goals to individual remuneration.
build the strong team needed to accelerate progress for the long- Adopting standards and BSI’s own solutions is a strategic corner-
term benefit of all. stone: thus, measurement and reporting of BSI’s GHG data is being
In 2022 we launched our global Smart Working policy, which done in line with the requirements of the GHG standard (ISO 14064-1).
provides a flexible structure to help leaders, teams and employees BSI is also implementing the ISO Net Zero Guidelines.
consider where, when and how work best gets done.
Through our ‘human connections’ series, we have continued to
Charlene Loo joined BSI ANZ
mature our approach across diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, en-
in 2017 and was appointed
couraging open conversations among our people and giving them the
Managing Director in April
opportunity to share their perspectives on topics they care deeply about.
2023, overseeing all facets of
To support talent retention, we have also expanded our parent the organisation. With over
mentoring program and have supported a total of 51 mothers matched two decades of leadership
since it began. Our Global Women’s Network Forum launched last experience, she has steered
year and now has six regional branches. the business to new heights
through strategic planning,
What strategies is your company developing to a customer-centric approach
build resilience to extreme weather conditions in and a passion for fostering
a collaborative work culture.
2024? Notably, sustainability is a key
Sustainability is core to our operations. We produced the world’s first
focus in her leadership approach.
environmental management standard in 1992 and since then we have
led the way in developing new standards around areas including energy

INSIGHTS 2024 17
 2023 a key year
for safeguard
reform and
sustainability
disclosure
Ilona Millar and Emily Morison – Gilbert + Tobin

There is no doubt that 2023 has been a significant year

for climate law and policy reform, both in Australia
and overseas. For Australian businesses, few reforms
have been more noteworthy than the introduction of
long-awaited changes to the Emissions Reduction
Safeguard Mechanism, and the ongoing development
of global and domestic climate, sustainability and
nature-related risk disclosure standards.

H
ere, we recap these key develop- anism Credits’ (SMCs), which facilities may near term to support longer-term compli-
ments and what they mean for automatically generate for below-baseline ance — and potential funding opportunities
Australian businesses as we performance. These units can be banked to support adaptation to the reforms, such
approach the end of the year. on an unlimited basis until 2030, and may as the Safeguard Transformation Stream of
be traded and surrendered for compliance the Powering the Regions Fund.
Safeguard Mechanism reforms purposes, along with Australian Carbon
commence Credit Units (ACCUs). ISSB launches sustainability
Following months of consultation, 1 July Although the reforms have commenced, and climate disclosure
2023 saw the commencement of reforms there are a number of important elements of
standards and government
to the Safeguard Mechanism established the scheme that are still under development,
under the National Greenhouse and Energy including the ‘international best practice consults on mandatory climate-
Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) (NGER Act) and benchmarks’ that the government will apply risk disclosure framework
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting for the purposes of setting a baseline for In June 2023, the International Sustain-
(Safeguard Mechanism) Rule 2015 (Cth). new facilities, and the emissions intensity ability Standards Board (ISSB) published
Under the reforms, the baselines for values of production variables that will be its much anticipated first two global sus-
designated large facilities will decline on a used for baseline calculations. tainability disclosure standards: ‘IFRS S1
trajectory aligned with achieving Australia’s The reforms should prompt existing General Requirements for Disclosure of
updated emission reduction targets of 43% Safeguard Mechanism facilities — and those Sustainability-related Financial Information’
below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero looking to develop emissions intensive new (IFRS S1) and ‘IFRS S2 Climate-related
by 2050. This decline rate is set at 4.9% or expanded facilities — to consider oppor- Disclosures’ (IFRS S2).
per year to 2030 for most facilities, with tunities to optimise onsite decarbonisation. IFRS S1 requires companies to disclose
particular trade-exposed facilities eligible Facilities should also consider the utility information about their sustainability-related
to apply for a discounted rate. of a procurement strategy for ACCUs and risks and opportunities that is useful to inves-
Other important features of the reforms SMCs — including opportunities to generate tors when making decisions about providing
include the introduction of ‘Safeguard Mech- SMCs for below baseline performance in the resources to these companies. Meanwhile,

18 INSIGHTS 2024
 Sustainability reporting

under Australian law. However, this may not TNFD launches

iStock.com/Tanankorn Pilong
be far away, with the Australian Department of
Treasury recently consulting on a framework
recommendations for nature-
for mandatory climate-related financial risk related risk management and
disclosures for Australian businesses that disclosure
is proposed to align closely with IFRS S2. Beyond climate and sustainability disclosure
In its most recent consultation paper frameworks, 2023 has also been a signifi-
released in June, the government proposed cant year for nature-related reporting, with
a phased approach to disclosure obligations: the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial
the first group of entities — which would have Disclosures (TNFD) launching its recom-
obligations from 2024–25 onwards — are mendations for nature-related risk manage-
proposed to be certain types of large entities ment and disclosure on 18 September 2023
with reporting obligations under Chapter 2M after two years of design and consultation.
of the Corporations Act. Significantly, entities These recommendations are designed to be
required to report under Chapter 2M of the consistent with the TCFD and ISSB (among
Corporations Act that are also ‘controlling others) and again adopt the TCFD’s four-
corporations’ under the NGER Act and meet pillar framework.
NGER publication thresholds will also be One important feature of the TNFD’s rec-
included in this first group. Obligations for ommendations is the ‘LEAP’ assessment ap-
smaller Corporations Act companies will proach, which provides a framework to assist
commence from 2026–27, with obligations organisations to assess their nature-related
for smaller-scale businesses applying from dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.
2027–28 onwards. Controlling corporations In the wake of the launch, the Austral-
who report under Chapter 2M of the Cor- ian Government published a report on the
porations Act and do not meet publication outcomes of a number of Australian case
thresholds will also have obligations from studies that tested the draft recommendations
2027–28 onwards. across different value chains, including critical
One important corollary of aligning the mineral mining for producing clean energy
framework with IFRS S2 is the proposal that technologies and natural gas extraction for
disclosure of material scope 3 emissions be industrial manufacturing (among others).
required for all reporting entities from their The report suggests a number of ac-
second reporting year onwards. While some tions for Australian businesses looking to
industry groups have raised concerns over adopt the TNFD recommendations, includ-
the proposal for scope 3 reporting, citing ing building their internal natural science
challenges associated with calculating these capabilities; developing a stakeholder
emissions, others have supported this proposal engagement strategy to help identify and
IFRS S2 requires disclosure of informa- but suggested that more guidance is needed assess nature-related risks and opportuni-
tion specifically linked to climate-related on the materiality of scope 3 emissions. Other ties; seeking opportunities to promote First
risks and opportunities, and is designed submitters have advocated that entities should Nations People’s knowledge and land man-
to be used in conjunction with IFRS S1. be given more time before mandatory scope agement practices; and creating a roadmap
Both standards adopt a similar structure 3 disclosures are phased in. for preparing nature-related disclosures.
to the recommendations of the Taskforce Details about what information will need Although Australian businesses are not
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to be disclosed under the framework will be currently subject to mandatory nature-related
(TCFD), with required disclosures centring set out in standards that are currently under disclosure requirements, as the report notes,
on four pillars: governance, strategy, risk development by the Australian Accounting the launch of the TNFD recommendations
management, and metrics and targets. Standards Board (AASB). The AASB is should prompt companies to evaluate
While the standards will be effective for expected to release an exposure draft of whether nature-related risks and opportuni-
annual reporting periods beginning on or these standards in October for consultation, ties are material to their business activities
after 1 January 2024, a transitional relief following publication of a position paper and warrant disclosure to shareholders in
provision in IFRS S1 allows entities to only by Treasury. accordance with the Corporations Act 2001
disclose information on climate-related Companies should review the require- (Cth). Businesses should also monitor de-
risks and opportunities under IFRS S2 for ments of IFRS S2, on the assumption that velopments from the ISSB, which recently
the first reporting period; in other words, the Australian framework when finalised will concluded consultations on potential future
entities will only need to apply IFRS S1 in largely align with these requirements. For work priorities, including standards for
so far as it is relevant to climate-related entities that already report in accordance biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem
disclosures for the first year. with TCFD recommendations, undertaking an services. The ISSB is expected to announce
analysis of gaps between current reporting its priorities in the first half of 2024.
What does this mean for and the requirements of the IFRS S2 may This article has been republished with
Australian companies? help to enhance their climate-related disclo- permission from Ilona Millar, Partner at
The standards themselves will not be manda- sures and prepare for mandatory reporting Gilbert + Tobin, who authored this article with
tory for Australian businesses until codified obligations to commence. Emily Morison, Lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin.

INSIGHTS 2024 19
 insights 2024

Mark Ferguson
CEO, Kaishan Australia

What growth opportunities do you predict for and service departments around the country. Attracting and retaining
these people is an ongoing challenge with intensive training and
your industry in 2024? retraining, remuneration and succession strategies that reward our
I see potential for growth in the supply of purpose-designed
people. Our apprenticeship program is training new technicians to
compressors and systems for contamination-free, scientific,
handle current and future developments in the industry.
chemical, food and beverage and precision engineering applications.
The introduction of new innovations in specialised, energy-saving
What strategies is your company developing to
compressors, including variable speed, permanent magnet, oil-free
and low-pressure models, offers machines that are designed to build resilience to extreme weather conditions
match critical industry needs with maximum energy efficiency. Global in 2024?
resources also allow us to custom design and build compressors We have grown and prepared our national, mobile service teams
for mining, marine and other demanding applications. to handle customer downtime emergencies with a professional and
With industry needing to maintain compressors and systems effective rapid response protocol. Our national network ensures
in peak running condition to maximise production with the lowest we are adequately stocked avoiding supply delays in all types of
possible energy usage and extend the life of existing installations, compressors and products to meet the continuing demands of
we will see a growing need for repairs, replacements and regular our customers.
servicing. To that end we have increased our national fleet of highly
trained mobile technicians backed by a comprehensive stock of What plans does your company have in terms
compressor parts and system accessories for all makes and models. of the energy transition, electrification and
replacement of gas?
What are the three biggest challenges or threats Fortunately, most of our air compressors run on electricity, so
facing your industry in 2024? our reliance on gas and other forms of energy are minimal. This
We find the three biggest challenges are around staffing, energy is why we are so focused on minimising the amount of electrical
costs and global unrest. input for airpower output. With Australia’s rapid intended transition
Firstly, there is a shortage of available personnel skilled in to renewable energy generation, we are very aware of the part
compressed air-related trades and administration. Being a highly we and every industry will have to play in reaching these goals.
specialised industry, we are aware of the need to train future Energy-efficient compressors and well-maintained systems will
technicians through an ongoing apprenticeship program. Even be paramount in assisting our customers to meet their industry
competent technicians from similar fields need intensive training emission reduction targets.
and experience in the ever-evolving compressed air industry. The
hangover from COVID-19 also continues to put pressure on recruiting How is your company tracking with its net zero
and retention of our workforce; however, we believe providing a
emissions by 2050 targets?
positive work environment and real growth opportunities will keep
Globally, the Kaishan Group is on track to produce more renewable
us ahead of the game throughout 2024 and beyond.
energy than our compressor products take from the worldwide
Increasing energy costs and supply uncertainties also continue
grid. We are global leaders in manufacturing and installing power
to put pressure on our industry and that of many of our customers.
plants that generate power back into production by converting
We at Kaishan must continue to lead in the development of low
waste energy into useable electricity. This allows factories to
energy cost solutions to compressed air supply. With the introduction
reduce energy usage and meet their emissions reductions targets.
of global initiatives including rare earth and permanent magnet
technologies, we are currently achieving quite remarkable results
in improving energy in to airpower out ratios that have maintained
compressed air as a viable and sustainable power supply. For over 30 years Mark Ferguson
Thirdly, uncertainties in relation to global trading and the has worked with a myriad of
ramifications of international conflict are constantly putting upward compressed air equipment
pressure on pricing for production commodities. Increased capital applications across Australia.
Starting in the industry as a
costs of compressors and ancillary products are stifling customer
Graduate Engineer, Mark has
equipment upgrades and replacement investment by customers.
been involved in all aspects
of compressed air including
How is your company mentoring staff and sales and marketing, design and
developing workforce skills in 2024 and manufacture through to business
beyond? leadership.
As a rapidly expanding business, we are constantly seeking skilled
and capable people to grow and enhance our administration, sales

INSIGHTS 2024 21
 new
products

Enabling foot switch

The BERNSTEIN Three-Stage Enabling
Foot Switch is an electromechanical
switch designed for staged control op-
erations. Its features include hands-free
operation; reduced risk to the operator;
easy and controlled positioning; and
pedal position feedback.
Generally, a machine will not operate when a safety gate is open, which can make
programming and maintenance problematic. With an enabling foot switch, these tasks
can be safely performed using the logically designed switching stages as follows:
Position 1 = OFF, Position 2 = ON, Position 3 = STOP, or rather will revert to the
OFF position when the pedal is fully compressed. Level 3 is of enormous importance
Control valve volume
for the safety of the operator.
booster
In addition, the enabling foot switches can be equipped with a safety latching
The Type 6000 Volume Booster from Con-
mechanism. This ensures that the foot switch engages after reaching Position 3, and
trolAir is a one-to-one signal to output relay
also ensures that the machine cannot be started without first being unlocked.
that, when used with a positioner/actuator,
Enabling foot switches from Bernstein also have the added option of pedal posi-
is designed to increase the stroking speed
tion monitoring. From a control point of view, pedal positions 1 and 3 are completely
of control valves. A large input signal
identical. Bernstein switches have an optional additional PNP signal output which
change to the volume booster delivers
indicates the exact pedal position, making it easy to identify and signal a forced stop.
high-volume, fast-action throttling control.
An integral bypass valve provides system Pacific Automation
stability while allowing normal positioner www.pacificautomation.com.au
airflow and normal valve actuation with
small input changes. If the volume booster
is to be used for on/off control valves, the
bypass valve can be closed to optimise
stroking speed. The Type 6000 is avail-
able in aluminium or 316 stainless steel
construction.
The fast response of the Type 6000
delivers high air volume for rapid actuator
stroking. It consists of an adjustable bypass
valve tuning unit that responds to eliminate
actuator overshoot or overdamping. There
is also soft seat sealing to provide tight
shutoff and reduce costly air consumption.
Type 6000 volume booster is corrosion and Spark trap for dust extraction system
wear resistant, made of stainless steel for Nordfab’s Inline Spark Trap is a complementary fire prevention item for a dust extrac-

external trim and internal wear parts. There tion system.

is a choice of 1/2″ or 3/4″ NPT supply and Installed in the ducting system, as part of a dust collection system, the Inline Spark Trap

output ports. The material used for the is designed to reduce the possibility of fire in cyclones/dust collectors, by decreasing the

diaphragms is either nitrile or nylon, and number of sparks which could reach the cyclone or dust collector through the ductwork.

the bypass valve and springs are made The spark trap’s effectiveness is based on a simple principle, disrupting the laminar

of 304 stainless steel. Special versions are airflow to cause sparks to cool and extinguish before they can enter a cyclone/dust

available with EPDM or silicone elastomers collector.

and stainless steel internals. There are no moving parts and no power is required for operation.

Slentech Pty Ltd Nordfab Pty Ltd

www.slentech.com.au www.nordfab.com

22 INSIGHTS 2024
 case study

Mass timber office building opening in Melbourne

Hines has announced the practical completion of its mass timber office
building in Melbourne. The building will offer tenants an employee-
centric workspace to help attract and retain talent, while supporting
demand for high-quality, green office buildings.
The firm’s T3 Collingwood is claimed to be the tallest mass timber
office building in Melbourne. Building with timber can result in carbon
savings when compared to steel and concrete.
David Warneford, country head of Australia and New Zealand at
Hines, said, “We’re seeing a strong pivot towards ESG adherence, as
well as towards core central locations, among today's tenants — both
are expected to underpin growth for the prime end of the office market
in Australia. Demand is there, and we see good locations and premium
green buildings leasing.”
The 18,200 m2 and 15-storey building is located at 36 Wellington
Street in Collingwood, Melbourne, adding to Hines’ global portfolio of
26 timber assets in various development stages across North America continued momentum in return to work in our capital cities and the
and Europe as of 2023. future supply dynamics of office, we’re optimistic about the office
“These ‘magnet buildings’ are sustainability driven, well located, sector in Australia.”
technologically efficient and adjacent to transit. They’re more than Hines is also developing 600 Collins, the firm’s $1 billion next-
just office buildings. They’re places for building culture, collaboration generation prime office tower in the heart of the city, which aims to set
and community,” Warneford said. “Given the strength of our portfolio, benchmarks for tenant amenity, workplace and ESG.

case study

Regional hospital installs Wastemaster

Leonie Lloyd, Executive General Manager Epworth Geelong, said
Epworth wants to champion sustainable hospital practices. Results
from an independent sustainability audit found that one of the biggest
contributors to the hospital’s carbon emissions was food waste from
the kitchen.
“Previously, tens of thousands of kilograms of food offcuts were
being taken from the kitchen at Epworth Geelong to landfill,” Lloyd said.
The Wastemaster dehydrator removes water from food waste such
as fish and chicken bones, fruit and vegetables, eggs and eggshells,
teabags and coffee grinds, leaving behind a powdery residue that is
high in nutrients.
Epworth HealthCare Group Sustainability Manager Simon Mikedis
said the residue will be taken to a City of Greater Geelong council
facility to be used in nutrient-rich compost in local parks and reserves.
“Longer term, we will partner with an anaerobic facility so food
waste residue can produce electricity to power homes,” Mikedis said.
In Victoria, Epworth Richmond was the first hospital to install a
Wastemaster system. Last year, more than 36,000 kilograms of kitchen
waste from the hospital was reduced to residue and taken to Yarra Valley
Water’s anaerobic facility at Wollert. This residue was used to create
Tonnes of food waste from the Epworth Geelong kitchen is being enough electricity to power five homes for an entire year.
converted to compost, reducing landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. “In three years, the Wastemaster at Epworth Richmond has prevented
In the longer term, this waste will also be used to power local homes. 135 tonnes of food waste going to landfill, cutting greenhouse gas
Epworth Geelong is one of the first regional Australia hospitals to emissions by 224 tonnes,” Mikedis said.
install a Wastemaster food waste dehydrator, which removes 80% of The installation of the Wastemaster system at Epworth Geelong was
water from kitchen waste. made possible through support from the Percy Baxter Charitable Trust.

INSIGHTS 2024 23
 sponsored content

iStock.com/Martin Barraud
Responsible Mining is not a distant aspiration
Andres Quijano, Envirosuite Sales Manager — Americas at Envirosuite

I
n an era where environmental stewardship and ethical practices The journey to Responsible Mining is not just one of compliance
take centre stage, the mining industry is currently moving requirements; it is a proactive commitment to shaping a brighter
towards a transformative shift towards Responsible Mining and more responsible future for the industry while safeguarding
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The global mining industry stands at a crossroads, facing
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INSIGHTS 2024 25
 new
products
Safety controller
The PNOZ m C0 standalone base unit from
the PNOZmulti 2 small controller range is
now available in Australia.
PNOZ m C0 offers numerous functions
in a compact housing: eight safe inputs
and four safe semiconductor outputs in
a width of 22.5 mm monitor safety func-
tions on small machines. Depending on
the application, users can achieve PL e
or SIL CL 3. There are also two test pulse
outputs, both of which can be configured
as standard outputs.
LED indications are provided for error
messages, diagnostics, supply voltage,
Load carrier for offshore wind sector output circuits and input circuits, and
Combilift, global manufacturer of multidirectional, articulated forklifts and straddle carriers, monitoring of shorts across contacts is
is moving into the offshore wind sector with the launch of a new product designed to meet achieved by means of test pulse outputs
the intricate load-handling demands of large-scale offshore wind manufacturers. at the inputs.
The Combi-LC, designed at Combilift’s HQ and manufacturing plant in Ireland in collabo-
ration with Siemens Gamesa, allows for the movement of wind turbine blades and towers
— some as long as 115 m and weighing in at around 70 t — through production stages
and on to storage locations, which can sometimes be as far as 5 km apart.
The concept of bespoke Load Carriers [patent pending design] is based on two fully
customisable remote-control units with low-level chassis beds that can work in tandem
master and slave operation, with dimensions and wheel configurations that vary according
to load type and weight.
Siemens Gamesa is the first company to use the bespoke Load Carriers.
Combilift
combilift.com

Users can create a safety circuit us-

ing the PNOZmulti Configurator software
tool, which provides access to a large
collection of authorised software blocks
Flexible switchboard cables without having to pay any licence fees.
LAPP Australia’s locally stocked range of orange tinned copper The PNOZmulti Configurator I is designed
Switchboard Flex cables is designed to meet Australian standards for to help accomplish safety requirements
use in switchboard applications. The cables are suitable for switchboards simply, flexibly and intuitively, whether it be
and transformers, mains power distribution, burial in underground ducts for emergency stop, safety gate monitor-
or conduit, and other industrial applications. These low smoke zero halogen ing, light curtain or two-hand operation.
(LSZH) cables are designed for harsh Australian conditions. They are ultra-flexible The safety configuration only takes a few
with class 6 stranding, and a minimum bending radius of 5 times the outside diameter clicks. PNOZmulti can be used regardless
of the cable. of the machine type, plant type, country
The single-core double insulated (SDI) cables feature an operating temperature range or branch of industry.
of -25°C to 110°C and voltage rating of 600 V/1000 V. The orange outer sheath is made The safety circuit can be transferred
from R-E-110, a flexible rubber that provides UV and weather resistance, oil and chemi- directly to the unit via a USB cable and
cal resistance, and flame-retardant properties. stored directly there, or alternatively, via
Conductor sizes range from 10–300 mm with outer diameters from 9–32.4 mm to the chip card.
suit a broad range of industrial applications, including mains power distribution and DC If the number of safety functions on
power feeds. Other products in the SDI range include earth tinned copper (green-yellow a machine rises, users can migrate to
outer sheath, 110°C), standard bare copper (black outer sheath with bare copper, 90°C) the modular expandable base units
and black tinned copper (black outer sheath with black copper, 110°C). PNOZ m B0, PNOZ m B0.1 or PNOZ m B1.
LAPP Australia Pty Ltd Pilz Australia Industrial Automation LP
lappaustralia.com.au www.pilz.com.au

26 INSIGHTS 2024
 Smart water

and chemicals usage, such that organisations

can achieve cost savings while simultane-
ously reducing their environmental impact.
The merits of resource optimisation are
twofold: it not only drives cost reductions,
but also contributes to the curbing of green-
house gas emissions, aligning organisations
with sustainable practices.

2. Improving water treatment

and conservation
Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence
(AI) are game changers in every aspect of
our lives, including the water industry. They
enable companies to monitor and optimise
water treatment processes with precision.
By leveraging these technologies, organisa-
tions can prevent non-compliance issues and
ensure that treated water quality remains
consistently high. Moreover, smart water
technologies empower businesses to manage

Harnessing
water more effectively by identifying areas
where water can be conserved, reducing
wastage and supporting the preservation

smart water
of this precious resource.

3. Data-driven decision-making
Data forms the bedrock of effective water

tech for
management. With smart water technolo-
gies, data is transformed into actionable
information for operators and managers.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) can be
set to provide guidance for decision-making,

sustainability
offering a better understanding of the plant’s
operations and enabling rapid responses
to water quality issues and emergencies.
By harnessing the power of data-driven
Remi Thelisson, Head of Digital Transformation, Asia Pacific, Veolia Water Technologies decision-making, organisations can optimise
their operations, improve efficiency and
minimise their environmental impact.

W
By embracing smart water technologies,
ater is the essence of life, and Here are three ways smart water tech- such as Veolia Water Technologies’
its responsible management nologies can enhance an organisation’s Hubgrade digital solution, organisations
is crucial for the wellbeing of sustainability efforts: can optimise resources, improve water
humanity and our planet. As treatment and make data-driven
the global population burgeons and climate 1. Optimising resources decisions. The solution provides user-
change intensifies, water management poses Efficient resource management is at the heart friendly and comprehensible data, as
well as a unified platform for users to
increasingly complex challenges. Among of sustainability. Real-time data monitoring
evaluate, monitor and improve process
these challenges is the pressing need to and analytics play a pivotal role in identify-
performance. By leveraging advanced
decarbonise water treatment activities. ing areas for improvement. With the right
technologies, like artificial intelligence and
Conventional water treatment processes digital solution, organisations can monitor
machine learning, the solution analyses
are often energy-intensive and can contrib- their water treatment processes in real
data gathered from sensors that monitor
ute significantly to a manufacturer’s carbon time, allowing them to make data-driven the biological composition of wastewater.
emissions. By embracing smart water tech- decisions that optimise resource utilisation. It can automatically fine-tune treatment
nologies, companies can significantly reduce For example, weather forecasts can be used parameters, such as minimising aeration
their carbon emissions while improving their to optimise the operations of sewers and or optimising chemical usage.
overall sustainability performance. wastewater plants, load, as well as energy

INSIGHTS 2024 27
 new
products

Optical breakout cable

The LAPP HITRONIC HDH mini-breakout cable is designed to be a compact
and efficient solution for data transmission in demanding environments.
Combining fibre optics with durability, this cable is said to ensure reliable
connections in industrial settings and telecommunications. Its design fea-
tures robust connectors and a strong outer jacket, safeguarding against
mechanical stress and environmental factors.
The Mini-Breakout Cable’s versatility, coupled with its space-saving
construction, makes it suitable for scenarios where space is at a premium.
With high data transfer capabilities, resilience and adaptability, the LAPP Multifunction cable certifier
HITRONIC HDH Mini-Breakout Cable stands is said to be suitable for Approved by more than 35 cable manufacturers worldwide,

high-demand applications. the TestPro CV100 Multifunction Cable Certifier is purpose-

The cable is designed to be easy to handle due to a flexible and built for today’s copper and fibre network infrastructure.

compact design and includes reinforced glass yarn for strain relief. The Offering a large suite of test functions, the TestPro CV100

halogen-free LSZH outer sheath meets fire protection requirements, with enables certification of cables to ISO/IEC 14763-3, AS/NZS

classified fire behaviour according to EU Directive 305/2011 (BauPVO/CPR). 3080:2003 and other standards through hot swappable

It is suitable for use in backbone network areas and can be used in test adapters.

both dry and damp rooms. It offers testing for single pair Ethernet, hybrid-powered
fibre, wireless network connectivity (SSID, RSSI, Ping,
Treotham Automation Pty Ltd
Speedtest, Roaming) and network connectivity (Speedtest,
www.treotham.com.au
SNR per link speed).
The CV100 platform is compatible with multiple plugin
test adapters for different applications, including: copper test
adapters up to CAT 8.1 and 3 GHz as standard (CAT 8.2
as an option); fibre OLTS test adapters (singlemode and
multimode); OTDR test adapters; and multi-gigabit network
test up to 10 Gb and PoE Test Adapter up to 90 W. It
comes with project management software and regular free
firmware updates.
Other features include full CAT6A certification in 6 s;
network switch detail (VLANs list and usage, slot, port,
device list, MACs, IPs); a locator for NEXT, RL and Shield;
and MPTL and coaxial adapters. Made in Singapore with
local calibration in Australia, it has a 5-year warranty.
TelecomTest Solutions
www.telecomtest.com.au

GPU cards
Advantech has introduced the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada and NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada GPU cards for its modular systems.
Powered by the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture, these graphics cards provide an increased number of CUDA cores
compared to the previous generation. They are also equipped with third-generation RT Cores and fourth-generation Tensor
Cores. The Ada generation graphics cards can claim more than double the single-precision floating point throughput,
resulting in up to 2-times higher performance for 3D model workflows, real-time ray tracing and AI training. With
their higher performance these RTX GPU are suitable for manufacturing, transportation and m e d i c a l
industries for image processing and Edge AI acceleration.
As an NVIDIA Elite Partner, Advantech can offer a wide range of industrial GPU
solutions, with a specific emphasis on NVIDIA RTX GPU cards and Quadro GPU cards.
In the near future more NVIDIA Ada Generation GPU cards will be available, including the
RTX 5000 Ada, RTX 4000 Ada, A800 40GB Active and RTX 4500 Ada.
Advantech Australia Pty Ltd
www.advantech.net.au

28 INSIGHTS 2024
 case study

Energy savings achieved through power

monitoring at rubber plant
Founded in 1917, the ensuring compressors
Yo k o h a m a R u b b e r were turned down or off
Company manufactures when not needed. This
various types of tyres for simple initiative led to
passenger cars, trucks further energy savings
and buses, construction both at night and during
ve h i c l e s , i n d u s t r i a l the day when major
vehicles, agricultural production equipment
and forestry machinery. was not in use.
It also manufactures To e n h a n c e t h e
conveyor belts, bridge energy-saving effects
and civil engineering of EcoWebServer III,
materials, and aviation Yokohama Rubber has
components as well as also installed EcoAdviser
sporting goods. The company’s plant in Onomichi City, Japan, began at the Onomichi Plant. EcoAdviser is an energy-saving support
production in 1974 and specialises in the production of large tyres for application that graphically visualises energy information collected by
construction and industrial vehicles that operate in mines, ports and EcoWebServer III in an easy-to-understand manner that can be seen
other demanding environments. by all personnel.
The tyre manufacturing process requires a large amount of energy, “It is only natural that we energy managers want to see and
especially in the scouring process for mixing raw materials. In response understand fully detailed energy information,” said Kazuyoshi
to the drive for carbon neutral manufacturing, Yokohama Rubber is Yanagisawa, Manager of the Engineering and Maintenance Section.
working on energy conservation initiatives with the initial goal of “However, it is the operators onsite who actually use the energy.
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 28%, compared to 2019, by We realised that in order to increase onsite motivation for energy
2030. Longer term it plans to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. conservation, clear simple graphics display via EcoAdviser would be
The company has already reduced the use of electricity through the an ideal solution.”
introduction of modern inverters while other energy-saving measures To help with implementation, the company adopted the EcoAdviser
have resulted in other significant reductions in fuel costs. Aiming to Utilization Support Service provided by Fukuyama Works. This includes
go further and create a world-class energy-saving program, engineers screen creation training and basic screen creation services to get the
from the Onomichi Plant visited Mitsubishi Electric’s Fukuyama Works, system up and running quickly. The training has been effective, and
which showcases energy conservation techniques in its own operations. now the staff members are able to create new screens on their own.
On visiting the plant, Kazuyoshi Yanagisawa, Manager of Onomichi’s Yokohama Rubber designates June every year as ‘Environment
Engineering and Maintenance Section, commented that: “While their Month’, when each department at the plant competes in energy-saving
products are different from ours, I realised at once that the factory’s activities. The EcoWebServer III and EcoAdviser played a major role in
energy efficiency is superb, thanks to the monitoring and analysis the most recent Environment Month.
systems they have developed.” “Previously we could only describe the results rather than quantify
Based on their tour of the Fukuyama Works, Onomichi’s Engineering them,” Matsushita said. “However, EcoWebServer III and EcoAdviser
and Maintenance Section developed an energy-saving data collection have made it possible to visualise the effects of actions such as
system based on Mitsubishi Electric’s EcoWebServer III. This collects turning off wasteful lighting in a way that can be understood by
energy information from around the factory and displays it on a PC everyone. Showing the actual power-saving figures really motivates
connected to the site’s existing internal computer network. The system each department.”
means power consumption can be visualised in near real time, making In addition to Environment Month, the Engineering and Maintenance
it possible to plan effective energy-saving measures. Section now uses the figures to disseminate information to all
“We quickly discovered via EcoWebServer III that power consumption personnel via a regular in-house e-newsletter entitled Energy
was fairly constant throughout the day,” said Takeshi Matsushita of the Conservation Communication. By copying the EcoAdviser screen
Engineering and Maintenance Section. “Surprisingly, it did not drop into the newsletter, specific information can be given in an easy-to-
much during periods of low production. This was because the main understand way.
water pump was operating all the time, even when a pressurised supply Not content to rest of their laurels, Onomichi is now considering
was not required. This was a quick fix with an immediate payback in integrating management of energy sources other than electric power,
terms of significant energy savings.” such as boilers, steam and cooling water, into the EcoWebServer III/
It was also realised that power consumption was not dropping EcoAdviser system.
significantly during the night when production was also lower. After Mitsubishi Electric Australia
consulting with the appropriate personnel, new procedures were developed www.mitsubishielectric.com.au

INSIGHTS 2024 29
 new
products

Modular connector
A single connector that supports
Enclosures the demanding technical expecta-
The flame-retardant UL94-V0 ABS IP54 1556 family of enclosures is inspired by the IP68 tions of the increasing number
polycarbonate 1557 series. It features the same modern rounded corners and top face styl- of functions on a PCB board,
ing and introduces rectangular versions to complement the square formats derived from following the general trend of
the 1557 series. IP54 sealed for general-purpose indoor use, the ABS material gives a miniaturisation, HARTING’s har-
lower price point than the polycarbonate used in the 1557, which is designed for installation modular is designed for various
outdoors and in aggressive environments. Self-tapping screws secure the lid to the base, applications, transferring a variety
for applications where repeated access is not required. There are multiple PCB mounting of signals, power and data from
standoffs in both the lid and the base. PCB to PCB.
There are four square sizes from 80 x 80 to 200 x 200 mm and three rectangular ones HARTING’s har-modular gives
from 120 x 80 to 200 x 160 mm. All are available in black, RAL 7035 grey and white and users the option to customise their
there are two heights: 45 and 60 mm for the smallest size and 45 and 70 mm for the larger own connectors easily without the
ones. The enclosure is suitable for desktops when fitted with the supplied feet; it can also use of tools, thus saving on tooling
be wall-mounted with four visible brackets or two hidden ones. Also available as an option costs and time. The har-modular
are 2-mm-thick aluminium internal panels. also offers developers the option to
Hammond Electronics Pty Ltd create prototypes in small series,
www.hammfg.com allowing quick reconfiguration with
ease. The har-modular is suitable
for developers who have difficulty
in finding a solution for their ap-
plications from a wide range of
DIN connectors.
The key requirement for the
design of the har-modular is for
it to be highly robust. This con-
nector is as robust as the popular
DIN 41612 connectors. Despite its
similar sturdiness, it is not meant to
replace the DIN 41612 connectors,
but to offer viable solutions to meet
the requirement for numerous dif-
ferent signal, power and data lines
to co-exist in a singular connector.
Winner of the German Innovation
Award 2021 and US IDEA Award,
On-site cleaning and sanitising system the har-modular is applicable in
eWater Systems are designed to replace harsh chemicals with a sustainable on-site almost all industries, including the
system that provides an unlimited supply of Australian Certified Organic disinfectant, PGTD energy market. It is also a
sanitiser and cleaner using electrolysis technology. good solution for control cabinets
There are two central products in the range that both directly and indirectly adhere and power supplies.
to all major green building programs. HARTING Pty Ltd
The eWater Standalone System is a wall-mounted, single outlet device that is www.harting.com.au
compact and suitable for commercial kitchens and cleaning closets. The system is
easy to install and can be set up within new sites or adapted to fit existing locations.
The Reticulated System operates through central tanks that are designed to support
full building installations, large-scale food preparation establishments and medical
facilities. This system provides multiple Oversink Flexi Faucets and Auto Dispensing
Handwash Stations, which can be tailored to meet the needs of a busy kitchen, food
preparation and facilities, as well as cleaning and sanitising operations.
eWater Systems are designed to be effective against a wide range of pathogens
including coronaviruses (COVID-19) and are supported by HACCP food safety certification.
eWater Systems Pty Ltd
www.ewatersystems.com

30 INSIGHTS 2024
 case study

Energy deal for Australia’s vulnerable communities

Aged care and community services provider BaptistCare NSW, ACT
and WA has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with
Flow Power, linking energy use from its NSW and ACT operations to
renewable generation from January 2025.
The PPA will allow BaptistCare to purchase around 15,000 megawatt
hours each year from solar and wind farms in NSW from 2025. This
will reduce the carbon footprint of its NSW and ACT operations by 70%
(off a 2022 baseline of Scope 1 and 2 emissions).
“BaptistCare is committed to reaching net zero in our Scope 1 and
2 emissions by 2050 or before, and this PPA with Flow Power forms a
key part of our credible roadmap to get there,” said Thomas Griffiths,
Head of Strategy & Investments for BaptistCare NSW, ACT and WA.
“We will save around 11,000 tonnes of carbon per year, which is
like taking 25,000 petrol-powered cars off the road over the 10 years agreement will complement other environmental and sustainability
of the agreement.1 initiatives from BaptistCare. These include the installation of solar
“It’s also a way to ensure BaptistCare is a part of the just transition. panels at residential aged care homes and efforts to reduce Scope 3
We care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and emissions such as through improved recycling practices.
this PPA, paired with other initiatives, is one part of our commitment “The scale of these challenges requires innovation and collaboration.
to caring for people, planet and the community. We are proud to help We are grateful for the support from the NSW Office of Energy and
lead the aged care and community sector towards a just transition to Climate Change and the Sustainability Advantage Program to develop our
renewable energy,” Griffiths said. net zero pathway and identify opportunities to reduce our emissions,”
Byron Serjeantson, Chief Operating Officer for Flow Power, said: said Charles Moore, CEO of BaptistCare NSW, ACT and WA.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone on their 2050 net 1. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator: Greenhouse Gas Equivalen-
cies Calculator | US EPA
zero roadmap, and an important moment for the wider aged care sector.”
Along with obtaining supply linked to renewable energy sources Flow Power
and large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) from Flow Power, the www.flowpower.com.au

case study

Insect-powered food waste management solution

for hospitality industry
is separated, segregated and recycled. We currently divert 96% of waste
from landfills by utilising 17 different waste streams.
“By bringing Goterra into our precinct, we are adding another
innovative solution to waste streams by harnessing the natural power
of insects and transforming waste into fertiliser.”
The modular onsite food waste processing system uses maggot-
based robotic systems to unlock organic waste processing and
divert food waste from landfill. Suitable for greasy food waste and
Luke Fraser, CEO Howard Smith
biodegradable packaging, the black soldier fly larvae can convert food
Wharves (left) and Justin Frank,
Head of Strategy and Communi-
waste into high-value, low-impact protein and fertiliser in just 12 days.
cations, Goterra (right). Olympia Yarger, CEO and founder of Goterra, said, “Aligning with
Howard Smith Wharves is a natural development in our mission.
Engaging with sustainability-centric partners enables us to transform
Howard Smith Wharves and Goterra have unveiled a food waste waste streams into regenerative by-products.”
management initiative with the deployment of Goterra’s technology Fraser said: “It’s of global importance that we reduce our footprint
onsite at the precinct. The solution, powered by insect technology, is and make informed decisions about lasting environmental impacts. In
designed to help provide sustainable food waste management in the Australia, with our goal of reaching net zero by 2050, we must ensure
hospitality industry. that sustainability is not just a one-off but business as usual. We have an
CEO of Howard Smith Wharves Luke Fraser said, “Our core open-door policy to allow the community to experience our equipment and
sustainability focus is to ensure that waste generated across our venues processes in action to inspire widespread adaptation of similar practices.”

INSIGHTS 2024 31
SPONSORED CONTENT

iStock.com/iStock.com/artJazz
Hydropower: redefining the
renewable energy landscape

H
ydropower is a cornerstone of sustainable energy environmental sustainability, enabling the harnessing of
solutions. It promotes environmental responsibility, renewable energy from flowing water, redefining the renewable
economic stability and energy reliability as the world energy landscape.
continues to shift towards a sustainable and environmentally In October 2023, the International Hydropower Association
responsible future. (IHA) held the World Hydropower Congress in Bali where
As a technology, hydropower provides essential grid stability and SMEC’s Karen Atkinson (Chief Operating Officer, South East
energy storage capabilities, enabling the seamless integration of Asia (SEA) Division) and Bob Tilbury (Market Director – Water),
intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Simultaneously, were among the presenters. Both shared their insights on current
contributing to climate change mitigation through water resource projects and contributing to the ongoing dialogue on the role
management, flood control, and ecosystem restoration in well- and urgency for sustainable energy solutions.
planned and sustainable initiatives. Globally, there are key actions required within hydropower
SMEC is advancing hydropower projec ts globally by and the renewables sector more broadly to help achieve net-
utilising innovative designs and technologies that emphasise zero goals by 2050.

32 INSIGHTS 2024
Acknowledging industry challenges with a sense
of urgency
Despite its immense potential, the hydropower industry faces
significant challenges, especially as emphasis shifts to the
transition from global warming to the more immediate ‘global
boiling’ scenario. This term, which Indonesian President Jokowi
Widodo used in his opening remarks, shows the escalation in
urgency for action to address climate risks. SMEC recognises the
pressing issues of perceptions, financing, market mechanisms
for capacity and firming, and industry capacity in consulting
and construction. Perception-related issues involve concerns
such as the environmental impact of hydropower and potential
displacement of communities. Addressing these hurdles is
imperative to unleash the full potential of hydropower as a
sustainable energy source and to address the immediate
environmental challenges posed by the climate crisis.

Actionable steps for industry advancement believes that sustainable development is the path to achieving
The Congress highlighted three pivotal actions imperative for net-zero goals by 2050.
driving the industry forward, calling for collective efforts and
individual engagement. SMEC advocates for industry-wide The imperative of collective action
dissemination of knowledge, and advocacy for essential policies, The future of hydropower relies on collaborative efforts. It is
regulations, and market mechanisms. Sharing lessons and best imperative for all stakeholders to unite and work together to
practices related to financing and sustainable contracting models tackle the challenges impeding sustainable development in
will be crucial in propelling the industry’s growth. Additionally, the industry. Collective action is fundamental in steering the
supporting organisations like IHA, pivotal in promoting the industry towards a prosperous and sustainable future. Karen
industry and addressing climate change, is critical for industry Atkinson, who delivered SMEC’s closing statement at the high-
advancement. level Stakeholder Forum, highlighted this critical insight, stating,
“Embracing sustainable hydropower as the fundamental driver is
Embracing sustainable hydropower not just a choice; it is an imperative for the future of our planet.”
SMEC firmly endorses the IHA-authored San Jose Declaration The World Hydropower Congress provided invaluable perspectives
and Bali Statement, underscoring the importance of sustainable and directions for the future. The event emphasised the pivotal
hydropower as the driver for green industrial growth. This role of sustainable hydropower, advocating for concerted efforts,
commitment aligns with the milestone launch of the Hydropower strategic alliances, and workforce transformation to drive the
Sustainability Alliance (HAS) at the Congress, an initiative industry toward a sustainable, prosperous future. As a business
dedicated to enhancing transparency and trust through a rigorous SMEC stands poised to incorporate these insights into its
Hydropower Sustainability Standard, combining efforts from both strategies, continuing its commitment to fostering sustainable
public and private sectors to certify sustainability, ensuring a development and innovation in the hydropower sector.
mutual understanding between civil society and hydropower Following the IHA World Hydropower Congress and COP28
developers. This emphasises the imperative need for sustainable there is hope that through a global collaborative approach,
policies and standards for the industry’s global well-being. effective change can be achieved. At COP28, IHA announced
that 125 countries have pledged to triple the total global
Message to COP 28: a call for collaborative progress renewable power capacity by 2030 to at least 11,000 GW and
The message conveyed at the Congress to COP 28 is clear: the doubling energy efficiency improvement rates to be in with a
future of hydropower lies in sustainable development, recognising hope of meeting 1.5°C goals. To achieve this, hydropower has
that green economic growth cannot occur without the pivotal a crucial role to play.
role of hydropower. A key outcome of the Congress; the Bali SMEC is proud of the technical expertise which our teams bring
Statement stresses that sustainable hydropower should be the to this challenge and the role the engineering industry will play
backbone of national strategies fostering low-carbon economies, in shaping the global energy landscape, creating sustainable,
especially in regions like ASEAN where substantial hydropower secure, and prosperous communities for all.
potential exists.
However, success in these areas hinges on strong governmental
and financial support, recognising and understanding the
significance of present and future renewable energy landscapes,
and delivering hydropower projects that meet the Hydropower
Sustainability Standard. SMEC advocates for the transition
towards a future where sustainable growth is propelled by
water, wind, and solar energy collectively. Emphasising the SMEC
integration of pumped storage with solar and wind, SMEC www.smec.com

INSIGHTS 2024 33
 case study

IPCs enhance warehouse automation

A high-profile distribution centre in North Rocks, Sydney, was grappling extracted via the TwinCAT ADS protocol, allowing real-time visualisation
with an outdated control system, and Layer Seven Automation was of operations. This data can be sorted into databases and message
tasked with finding a futureproof solution to improve efficiency, flexibility queues, facilitating dynamic reporting and analysis.
and connectivity while minimising costs. They found that solution in an Among the benefits provided by utilising an IPC were rapid
Industrial (IPC) solution from Beckhoff. deployment capabilities, including network updates (an essential
The distribution centre was facing a challenge with its old system, feature for a logistics centre in a post-COVID environment), and the
consisting of 700 m of conveyor lines and 28 diverter stations, all of fact that employees with minimal industrial programming experience
which had worked well for many years. But the controller boards started were able to quickly get up to speed with its user-friendly interface.
to fail one by one and it became clear that the system was reaching The IPC’s Windows operating system also allows users to create their
the end of its life. As it was a proprietary system and new parts were own programs and messaging systems to run concurrently with the
expensive, management decided something had to be done. control program.
Lucky Thommadura of Layer Seven Automation found the solution The system enabled the distribution centre to manage peak occupancy
to this challenge in a collaboration with Harry Mulder of Beckhoff zones effectively, thereby optimising resources and reducing operational
Automation. bottlenecks. It also allowed for better reporting for management. The
The solution utilised Beckhoff’s C6920 IPC, which was able to be new architecture also proved to be highly cost-effective, replacing the
linked to all the diverter stations via the company’s EtherCAT network
need for multiple replacement boards with a single, efficient controller
and seamlessly merged Windows-based systems with a virtual PLC.
solution. It also provided enhanced security by isolating the EtherCAT
This new set-up offered numerous benefits, including significantly
network, limiting exposure to potential threats.
faster operational processes, real-time program testing from multiple
By leveraging Beckhoff’s IPC technologies and strategic planning,
locations, cloud capabilities and third-party connectivity.
the distribution centre has been able to achieve enhanced operational
The project was executed in phases, starting with replacing the
efficiency, real-time data insights and a cost-effective solution for
boards at each diverter station with Leuze scanners. The use of these
future scalability.
advanced scanners with built-in I/O points streamlined wiring and
In the future, Layer Seven Automation plans to implement redundancy
simplified the design, while the EtherCAT network provided speed
in the form of a hot standby CPU for increased system availability.
and reliability. The new system captured raw barcode data from the
Additionally, it intends to optimise the system execution load to
scanners, decoded it in real time and executed logic for each zone,
accommodate web services for visualisation purposes. The use of ADS
ensuring efficient box routing and diversion.
to extract data for further processing and integration into ERP systems
Every box detection was recorded as an event in Beckhoff’s TwinCAT
event log and Layer Seven’s event log. This was facilitated by RabbitMQ, like SAP and MS-Dynamics is a key part of these plans.
a message queuing program, chosen for its suitability over MQTT for Open IIoT
this specific application. Data from the Beckhoff controller was also www.openiiot.com.au

34 INSIGHTS 2024
 sponsored content

Case Study:
Nordfab Pty Ltd x Green-Technology,
E-Waste Company

I
mplementing Nordfab Australia’s packed tower wet Compliance and Reputation:
scrubber, ducting system, and carbon filter systems can Adhering to strict environmental standards and utilising advanced
offer several advantages for a green-technology company pollution control technologies can enhance the company’s
focused on eliminating electronic waste from landfill and compliance profile. This can lead to positive public perception,
promoting a circular economy. bolstering the company’s reputation as a responsible and eco-
Here are some key advantages: conscious entity in the industry.

Efficient Pollution Control: Contribution to Circular Economy:

The packed tower wet scrubber efficiently removes pollutants and By efficiently managing waste and recycling processes while
contaminants from exhaust gases produced during the recycling minimising environmental impact, the company aligns with the
or reprocessing of electronic waste. This ensures compliance principles of a circular economy. This contributes to the goal
with environmental regulations and minimises harmful emissions, of reintroducing valuable materials back into the production
contributing to a cleaner environment. cycle, reducing the need for raw materials and promoting a
more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
Resource Conservation:
The ducting system facilitates the efficient movement of air and Long-Term Cost Savings:
gases within the facility, optimising energy use and reducing While initial investment might be required for installing these
resource wastage. This helps in conserving energy, which aligns systems, they often lead to long-term cost savings. Reduced
with the goals of sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint. energy consumption, minimised waste, and improved process
efficiency can result in lower operational costs over time.
Odour and Emission Control: In essence, the integration of Nordfab Australia’s systems can
The carbon filter systems are effective in eliminating odours significantly support the green-technology company’s mission of
and capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that might eradicating electronic waste from landfill, promoting a circular
be released during the recycling process. This ensures a economy, and ensuring environmentally responsible practices
safer and healthier working environment for employees and in its operations.
neighbouring communities.

Enhanced Recycling Processes:

By installing these systems, the company can improve its
electronic waste recycling processes. Cleaner air and reduced
emissions mean better working conditions for employees and
can potentially increase productivity and efficiency in handling Nordfab Pty Ltd
recycled materials. www.nordfab.com

INSIGHTS 2024 35
How climate risk
assessment
can help decarbonisation agenda
Amy Steel, Climate Risk Expert and WA Leader, ENGIE Impact

I
n recent years there has been a global bottom line, mitigating risk as well as adapt-
push for increased transparency on the ing decarbonisation plans of companies in
financial implications of climate change. the long run.
Countries like New Zealand and the
United Kingdom have mandated disclosures, Integrating physical climate
followed soon after by the US, Switzerland risk must be considered as
and Singapore.
Australia looks set to be next.
companies decarbonise
Decarbonisation remains a critical challenge
This year Jim Chalmers called for Aus-
of this decade, with various compounding and
tralia to align its business practices with
interacting factors influencing companies’
international stakeholders, investors and
decarbonisation plans. Work needs to be
competitors. And last December, the Treas-
done to limit this risk and benefit from the
ury released a consultation paper detailing
advantages presented as companies take
plans for a mandatory climate risk framework
for certain Australian organisations. steps to decarbonise assets and businesses.
Australian businesses are already on the This July was recorded to be the hot-
front foot, ranking in the top four countries test in 120,000 years in Australia. High
for Task Force on Climate-related Finan- temperatures are a known hazard for solar
cial Disclosures (TCFD) support. Financial farms and can result in a decrease in energy
regulators have issued guidance requiring production at extreme ambient temperatures.
companies to report on their exposure to As extreme weather events grow in both
climate-related financial risks. Meanwhile, frequency and magnitude under the changing
the Australian Banking Association, rep- climate, decarbonisation plans need to be
resenting investors and business workers adapted to build resilience to these more
potent extremes. Companies should evalu- ment and take proactive measures to address
overseeing $47.2 trillion in assets, supports
ate the system design components which climate-related risks. This transparency will
applying the International Sustainabil-
are concurrently vulnerable to extreme not only help protect their financial interests
ity Standards Board's (ISSB) TCFD-based
heat events. For example, depending on the but will allow companies to take proactive
scheme to Australian borrowers.
level of solar energy input the normalised actions to achieve their commitment to
The momentum is shifting towards man-
power output for a solar farm decline with decarbonisation.
datory reporting and, consequently, many
companies are already providing crucial increasing temperature up to about 50°C.
information on their efforts to mitigate Companies need to identify the key thresh- Industrial evolution the key to
the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. olds which could be tipped. Simultaneously, climate transparency
Companies reliant on fossil fuels face in- they need to undertake scenario modelling Companies have recognised the importance
creasing financial and regulatory pressures to understand the future frequency, duration of addressing climate risks and have started
in the coming years as well, making accurate and magnitude of extreme heat and explore to incorporate decarbonisation strategies and
reporting an imperative. the other factors which may be contributing climate risk management into their opera-
But it’s not all about reporting solely to the issue (ie, wind speed/irradiance) to tions. For example, BHP has committed to
to maintain compliance. There are several assist in building a climate-resilient system. a goal of net zero operational emissions
notable upsides to climate risk reporting, In essence, climate risk assessment will by 2050 and is investing in low-emissions
and it comes down to increasing their at- encourage Australian industries to reassess technologies to reduce its carbon footprint.
tractiveness to investors, improving their their operations, identify areas for improve- Meanwhile, Rio Tinto has divested from

36 INSIGHTS 2024
 Climate risk reporting

coal operations and is actively investing in compliance costs, regulatory burden and transparency and mandatory climate risk
renewable energy projects. concerns regarding the accuracy of reported disclosures will empower industries to seize
However, it is not just the mining giants information. the opportunities presented by a sustainable
that must take action; smaller companies However, for Australian organisations, and resilient economy while safeguarding
across all industries must also adapt to the climate risk disclosures provide an op- their future in a rapidly changing world.
changing landscape by addressing climate- portunity to reassess their operations and
related risks and opportunities. Companies identify areas for improvement. By ad-
can address climate risks by incorporating dressing these risks and taking proactive
climate-resilient design principles into their measures, industries can not only protect
projects, investing in sustainable materials their financial interests but also contribute
and engaging in thorough risk assessments to to the global sustainability effort. Failure to
identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities. address these risks could lead to significant
financial losses, reputational damage and
Pros of certainty and reduced investor interest.
assessment outweigh cons of As Australia moves towards a values-
additional compliance based capitalism, the nation must recognise
Mandatory climate risk reporting laws pre- the importance of integrating decarbonisa- Amy Steel, Climate Risk Expert and WA
sent both benefits and challenges, including tion and climate risk adaptation. Embracing Leader, ENGIE Impact.

INSIGHTS 2024 37
 new
products

Black solar panel

Trina Vertex S+ NEG9RC.27 is based on N-type i-TOPCon technology and is
a lightweight, smaller 1.6+1.6 mm dual-glass solar panel with increased power
production for residential and commercial applications. Available in Trina Solar’s
aesthetic black design, it measures 1762 x 1134 mm in size, delivering 445 W
maximum power output, with an efficiency of 22.3%.
The panel can achieve either a 6.6 kW system or 8 kW system and is suitable
for any type of residential or commercial rooftop. It incorporates a bifacial feature
with transparent encapsulant, making it suitable for specific applications such as carports, public spaces and agricultural
projects, with additional power gain from the back side of the module.
The N-type technology is designed to benefit end users in a variety of ways when compared to P-type panels. The
N-type cell’s base layer is first coated with phosphorus and then the top layer is coated with boron. Electricity flows from
the bottom to the top in N-type cells. N-type panels also deliver a higher conversion efficiency than P-type panels, due to
the panels having a greater sensitivity to long wavelength light.
The solar panels are easily integrated and designed to be compatible with existing mainstream inverters and diverse
mounting systems. They weigh 21 kg, making them suitable for low-load-capacity roofs.
The panel has increased crack and scratch resistance, meets IEC fire ratings (Class A+C) and meets Australia’s harsh
environment performance requirements. It has also passed 35 mm hail tests.
Trina Solar
www.trinasolar.com/au

Cat6 cables
WBT’s CAT6 cables offer fast data transfer to elevate
network performance. Crafted to adhere to the rigor-
ous ISO:IEC 11801 cabling standard, these U/UTP
(unshielded twisted pairs) cables are designed for use
in both horizontal and vertical (backbone) configura-
tions. They constitute the base of a very high bit rate
VDI (voice-data-image) network.
Available in a vibrant array of colours, these cables
come in 305 m boxes, offering flexibility in installation.
The U/UTP design, when paired with WBT/HypaConnect
connectors, ensures conformity with Class E channel
standards. Suited to both new network set-ups and
optimisations, WBT CAT6 cables facilitate the transmis-
sion of digital and analog voice, data and video signals.
Warren & Brown Technologies
www.wbnetworks.com.au

38 INSIGHTS 2024
 new
products

Machine vision box PC

Interworld Electronics has introduced the AVS-320 compact fanless
machine vision box PC from APLEX technology. The AVS-320 has
been designed for factory automation, smart industry and machine
vision applications. With its compact size, rugged and fanless de-
sign, high-speed powerful computing abilities and wide range of additional
features, the AVS-320 is suitable for a wide variety of applications.
The AVS-320 is powered by the Intel Celeron J6413 quad core processor and supports up to
32 GB SoDIMM DDR4 memory. It has two USB3.1 and two USB2 ports; one RS-232 and one RS-232/422/485
serial port; one VGA and one HDMI graphics output port; one GbE and two GbE PoE LAN ports; 8-bit digital I/O; as well
as one M.2 SATA port and one M.2 expansion slot. This wide range of I/O enables users to integrate it with machine vision
cameras and other peripheral devices to collect and analyse image data in real time.
The AVS-320 is designed to be a rugged, durable and reliable fanless system that features a tough casing (aluminium heatsink
and steel chassis) and an operating temperature range of -20 to 70°C, enabling it to continuously run, even in harsh industrial
environments. It supports a 24 VDC input and is compact (180 x 130 x 55 mm), making it a good option for applications with
limited space.
It supports both Windows 10 and 11, and is DIN-rail mountable, providing even more versatility.
Interworld Electronics and Computer Industries
www.ieci.com.au

Code readers
Balluff has released the BVS ID sensor, designed to read barcodes, 2D codes and
DMC codes.
With Balluf’s SensorApp software, the sensor offers auto-setup features with con-
figuration and monitoring options via a web browser. The sensor also offers integration
with automation and IT systems due to standardised interfaces.
The product also provides additional condition monitoring information when integrated
into an IO-Link network, providing access to vibration, temperature, code quality and
operating time. MQTT and REST API protocols enable IIoT communication, facilitating
data exchange for Industry 4.0 initiatives.
The sensor comes in three versions. The BVS0060 has red and white LED illumination,
and the BVS0061 has white and infrared illumination, both with IO-Link and Gigabit
Ethernet interfaces. The BVS01A0 offers red LED illumination and a USB interface only.
Balluff Pty Ltd
www.balluff.com.au

1556 FR ABS IP54 enclosures

Learn more: hammfg.com/1556

ausales@hammfg.com • 08 8240 2244

INSIGHTS 2024 39
 new
products

Absolute encoder with SPE

TR Electronic has released an absolute rotary encoder
series that directly support single-pair Ethernet (SPE).
The 582 series absolute multiturn encoder from
TR Electronic can transmit its position measurement
values and other status information to the master via
2-wire Ethernet. The same pair of wires can also be
used to supply power.
The CEV582 absolute encoder offers 18-bit single
turn resolution and up to 4096 revolutions via a mul-
titurn gearbox. Data is provided via 10 MBps SPE,
with power provided over the same pair according to

Carbon monoxide sensor module the Power-over-Data-Line (PODL) Class 11 standard,

Whether in homes, offices or public spaces, the demand for precise air which allows up to 50 W per output, with only 3–4

monitoring tools is increasing. To cater to this need, Backplane Systems W required by the encoder.

Technology now supplies Innodisk’s IAGCO, a digital carbon monoxide The encoder has a narrow 58 mm housing and

sensor module. comes in various shaft configurations: solid, blind,

Designed for indoor air quality monitoring, IAGCO serves security moni- hollow, wire draw and claw coupling.

toring needs and seamlessly integrates into wireless sensor networks. Its Leuze electronic Pty Ltd
primary role is the meticulous detection of carbon monoxide concentrations www.leuze.com.au
around its installation point.
The sensor’s rapid response and recovery time provides users with
prompt information about any dangerous carbon monoxide concentrations.
It has wide operating ranges capable of accommodating varied temperature,
humidity and voltage conditions.
The IAGCO’s on-chip data processing capability eliminates the need for
external libraries, simplifying operations while not unduly straining the main
control unit (MCU). Applications include smart home systems, HVAC and
home appliances, as well the burgeoning realm of IoT devices.
Backplane Systems Technology Pty Ltd
www.backplane.com.au

40 INSIGHTS 2024
 new
products

Smoke alarms
PSA has launched two upgraded smoke alarms in its popular Lifesaver 6000 Series: Lifesaver
6800, mains-powered with 9 VDC battery backup; and Lifesaver 6800RL, mains-powered
with rechargeable 10-year lithium battery backup.
In addition to using the latest photoelectric sensing technology, the Lifesaver 6800
and 6800RL feature a new advanced sensor to provide improved performance and a
reduction in false alarms, particularly dust and bug contamination. This is particularly
important given the lack of education around the need for smoke alarm cleaning main-
tenance (recommended annually). The Lifesaver 6800 and 6800RL’s resilience against
these false alarm triggers reduces the need for regular cleaning and servicing.
The anti-static sensor repels dust particles, while a fine mesh anti-bug screen over the
sensor chamber minimises bug contamination. Other features include enhanced design for
improved airflow, and easy installation and maintenance with the QUICK SLIDE base.
The smoke alarms can be interconnected with up to 24 units and have wireless interlinking capabili-
ties when used with 6000WB.
PSA designs, develops and produces all products in partnership with a leading manufacturer of fire safety products
— not a generic electrical manufacturer.
PSA Products
www.psaproducts.com.au

LAPP Etherline®cables and EPIC DATA

connectors for industrial ethernet applications.

SiC MOSFETs
Toshiba has launched its ‘TWxxxZxxxC’ series of silicon carbide
(SiC) MOSFETs. These products are the first in Toshiba’s SiC
MOSFET line-up to use the four-pin TO-247-4L(X) package,
which allows Kelvin connection of the signal source terminal for
the gate drive.
Use of the four-pin TO-247-4L can reduce the effect of source
wire inductance inside the package, improving high-speed
switching performance. For the new TW045Z120C, the turn-on
loss is approximately 40% lower and the turn-off loss reduced
by approximately 34% compared with Toshiba’s current product
TW045N120C in a three-pin TO-247 package. This helps to reduce
equipment power loss.
Applications include switching power supplies (servers, data
centres, communications equipment, etc); EV charging stations;
photovoltaic inverters; and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
Treotham Automation Pty Ltd
Toshiba (Australia) Pty Ltd
www.toshiba.com.au
www.treotham.com.au
info@treotham.com.au
1300 65 75 64

INSIGHTS 2024 41
 case study

Bromelton, Qld, facility receives aerator upgrade

AJ Bush & Sons operates Boyers wanted to try
a large-capacity rendering a unit because of the
facility at its processing easier and safer access
facility in Bromelton, Qld, to the Echo-Storm
where it manufactures for maintenance, as all
nutrient-rich protein meals required equipment can
and tallows/oils. be mounted on the pond
The factory is rich in bank. He already had a
organic material which self-priming Gorman-Rupp
it treats via anaerobic pump that could be used
digestion and aerobic for the project. Boyers’
tre at m e n t proc e sses, pond is 200 x 40 x 4 m
with treated water deep, with an inflow of 2
used to irrigate pasture ML per day.
surrounding the facility. For the project, Boyers
Byron Boyers, Plant purchased a 4″ VA4-
Engineering Manager, 550 Echo-Storm unit
wanted to upgrade his pond which he hooked to his
aeration system to a better Gorman-Rupp pump. He
and safer one, and reached designed a floating suction
out to Hydro Innovations about its Echo-Storm venturi aerators from arrangement to keep the suction line off the bottom and fired it up.
Gorman-Rupp for the upgrade. The aerators use a self-priming pump Echo-Storm units are available in four sizes (2″, 3″, 4″ and 6″) and
to draw water from the source to be treated. The water is then pumped may improve safety and reliability while reducing maintenance costs.
at pressure through the Echo-Storm, which adds dissolved oxygen to it Hydro Innovations
and ‘conditions’ it as it accelerates at more than 16 m/s through the unit. www.hydroinnovations.com.au

PoE switches
D-Link A/NZ has launched the DIS Series of industrial Gigabit Long Reach PoE+
switches consisting of the unmanaged DIS-F100G Series and the Layer 2 Smart
Managed DIS-F200G Series, both with long-reach PoE support. The switches are
designed for indoor and outdoor industrial network applications, including factory
automation and warehousing.
The DIS-F100G and DIS-F200G Series switches are housed in a durable, industrial-
grade enclosure with IP40 ingress protection. A fanless energy-efficient design and
robust housing enable operation in harsh environments with wide operating temperatures.
For optimal reliability, the DIS Series provides cold start capability in environments with temperatures as low as -40°C with full-load
operation at up to 75°C.
D-Link also designed the DIS Series with hardened components to withstand environments with high electromagnetic interference
(EMI) that would damage ordinary enterprise devices. All switches in the DIS Series also support dual power inputs to provide
power redundancy.
The DIS Series features models that support IEEE 802.3at PoE+ to deliver up to 30 W of power per port to connected PoE devices
with a total PoE power budget of 120 or 240 W.
The DIS-F100G and DIS-F200G Series offer Long Reach PoE technology, allowing the use of longer network cable runs which
are normally limited to 100 m. The Long Reach PoE technology supports cables up to 250 m long.
The RJ-45 Ethernet ports on the DIS-F100G and DIS-F200G Series feature embedded 6 kV surge protection. And the DIS-F200G
Series also features carrier-grade RUN-Ring technology with 10–20 ms recovery for high-speed Ethernet ring resilience.
D-Link Australia Pty Ltd
www.dlink.com.au

42 INSIGHTS 2024
 new
products

Air circuit breakers

Siemens has launched two additional versions of its Sentron
3WA Power Circuit Breakers, alternatively known as air circuit
breakers (ACBs). Series 3WA3 meets the requirements of
UL 1066 and IEC 60947-2 standards, which enables it to
be used worldwide. This is particularly advantageous for
switchgear manufacturers and OEMs producing systems
for both standardisation areas — IEC and UL. The 3WA2
series is designed exclusively for the UL 489 market. The
two new ACB model series complement the 3WA1 version
for IEC markets, which launched in autumn 2020. Siemens
offers a full range of ACBs which are based on a consistent
system and offer flexibility for applications around the globe.
A core element of low-voltage switchboards, ACBs protect
electrical installations in buildings, infrastructure and indus-
trial facilities from damage caused by short circuits, ground
faults or overload faults. This is essential also for critical
infrastructure, such as hospitals or data centres. While built
to perform over the lifetime of a facility, the Sentron 3WA
circuit breakers also support software-based planning and
engineering, digital testing and monitoring, and seamless
integration in automation and IoT systems. Upgrades can
be completed 100% digitally.
The Sentron 3WA ACB trip units’ features include integrated
arc energy reduction (Dynamic Arc Flash Sentry, DAS+),
enabling Sentron 3WA ACBs to trip rapidly in the event
of a fault during work being carried out in the immediate
vicinity of live parts. In this way, the arc energy and thus
the energy released in the power distribution equipment
room is reduced. This technology complies with the National
Electric Code (NEC) for the US market; it is designed to
protect service technicians from serious injury resulting from
arc flash hazards.
The Sentron 3WA ACB UL series 3WA2 and 3WA3 are
available in three frame sizes with rated current ranges from
800 to 5000 A.
Siemens Ltd
www.siemens.com.au

INSIGHTS 2024 43
 case study

iStock.com/Chris Cham
Synthetic dye in wastewater
threatening ecosystem

A study has found that dyes commonly used in textiles, food and to shift from the concept of centralised or regional treatment methods,
pharmaceuticals pose a pressing threat to plant, animal and human to decentralised and site-specific treatment at source, by compelling
health, as well as natural environments around the world. industries to remove dyes from the wastewater they create before it
Each year, billions of tonnes of dye-containing wastewater enter reaches public water systems.”
water systems. A group of researchers from the UK, China, Korea Dyes are used in the rubber, leather tanning, paper, food,
and Belgium say that new sustainable technologies including new pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries, while the biggest user,
membrane-based nano-scale filtration are needed to solve the issue, the textile business, consumes 80% of produced synthetic dyes and
adding that legislation is needed to compel industrial producers to generates about 70 billion tons of dye-containing wastewater annually.
eliminate colourants before they reach public sewage systems or China, India and Bangladesh combined discharge around 3.5 billion
waterways. tonnes of textile wastewater each year. In water bodies, untreated
Published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, the study highlights dyes can cause colouration, reducing visible light and hindering
that up to 80% of dye-containing industrial wastewaters created in low- photosynthesis for aquatic plants.
and middle-income countries are released into waterways untreated or The review explores the variety of remediation technologies for
used directly for irrigation. According to the authors, this poses a wide dye-containing wastewater, including chemical, biological, physical and
range of direct and indirect threats to human, animal and plant health. emerging advanced membrane-based techniques. The authors found
Despite these threats to health and ecosystem, the authors say that that no single technique presents a ‘silver bullet’ for removing dyes,
there is inadequate infrastructure, investment and regulatory effort for while several promising methods are not yet ready at scale.
making dye usage more sustainable, or for treatment of dye-containing In light of this, the researchers suggest a collective effort, led
wastewater. by policymakers, to increase the adoption of advanced remediation
Dr Ming Xie, a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering technologies and change textile processing methods to minimise the
at the University of Bath (UK), believes that a multipronged approach use of the most toxic dyes.
is needed to combat the issue. The authors also highlight a potential commercial impetus with
“Dyes create several problems when they reach water systems, industries potentially able to create new revenue streams from the
from stopping light reaching the microorganisms that are the bedrock processing, separation and reuse of wastewater materials.
of our food chains, preventing their reproduction and growth, to more Dr Dong Han Seo, co-author of the study, said the research provides
direct consequences like the toxic effects on plants, soils, animals and insight on how to effectively manage the challenge from the perspective
humans,” Xie said. of a circular economy, recycling dyes from wastewaters using strategies
“There are several potential ways to remove dyes from water including to recover both useful dyes and clean water.
chemical, biological and membrane-based techniques, but different dyes “This review provides the examples on how we can reduce the
required different approaches, and once they reach wastewater systems dye footprints from production stages using new dyeing techniques.
treatment processes can be highly energy intensive. Guidance on effective solutions to dye-containing wastewaters could
“A worldwide regulatory effort is needed to stop dyes reaching be used to treat other challenging wastewater streams, safeguarding
wastewater or other water systems such as irrigation. Given the lives and the environment for future generations,” said Dr Jiuyang Lin,
complexity of treating dye-containing wastewater, one solution would be from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

44 INSIGHTS 2024
 new
products

Pluggable glass
fibre cable
connectors Downlights
Digitalisation in the industry is
Brightgreen’s Plus 4.0 Downlight Collection comes
increasing rapidly. Data vol-
in 11 styles with varied beam angles, multiple CCTs
umes are also rising quickly.
and hundreds of custom fascia colours. This allows
A futureproof communication
for over 10,000 LED combinations.
infrastructure in factories with glass fibre cables is therefore essential. Recent
The company’s Tru-Colour 4 technology has achieved
additions to Treotham’s range include the site-assembly EPIC DATA FFC-LC
perfect (100/100) scores for colour accuracy (TM30
connector and EPIC DATA FFC-SC connector for GOF fibre-optic cables. These
Rg) and natural materials (CRI R9).
connectors simplify the establishment of a pluggable glass fibre connection and
The advanced optical-grade polymer lenses elimi-
offer a high level of flexibility.
nate light degradation and colour shift issues, offer-
181 zettabytes (the number 181 followed by 21 zeros) is the prediction for
ing lossless light quality. The low-glare lights deliver
the amount of digital data generated worldwide by 2025. How can this gigantic
83 lumens per watt (lm/W) and are resilient against
amount of data be transferred in a quick and stable manner? The solution is
sustained voltages up to 285 V, with 3100 V surge
light, namely via fibre-optic, cables.
protection and a power ripple-proof IC design. They
Fibre-optic cables transport data at up to 40 Gbps over different wavelengths
feature a 360-degree, universally gimballed socket
simultaneously and are resistant to electromagnetic interference. As a result,
with a full 40-degree range of movement, allowing
there is no signal interference and no data loss. Furthermore, considerably
for versatile lighting solutions. Smart lighting control
longer installation lengths are possible than copper. Glass fibre cables can easily
is available via app, voice or automation.
achieve 40 Gbps over 40 km at 1550 nm. This enables synchronised real-time
Designed to withstand the harsh Australian climate,
capability and, therefore, efficient production through fast communication, even
the downlights are backed by a 10-year extended
at very high data transmission rates such as those found in digital twins, robot
luminaire failure guarantee.
AI and Industry 4.0.
Brightgreen Pty Ltd
Treotham Automation Pty Ltd
www.brightgreen.com
www.treotham.com.au

Much safer and much easier to maintain.

(02) 9898 1800

sales@HydroInnovations.com.au
www.HydroInnovations.com.au

INSIGHTS 2024 45
 new
products

Oil-free rotary screw

compressors
Kaeser Australia has released its latest class
0 oil-free compressor. The CSG.1 rotary screw
compressors have air flow rates ranging from 4
to 15 m³/min and pressures up to 11 bar. Users
are offered the choice of air- or water-cooling, and
can select an optional integrated refrigeration dryer or an i.HOC (heat of compression) dryer.
The CSG.1 can be specified as a fixed speed, fixed flow rated machine or, for applications
with fluctuating compressed air demand, variable speed controlled SFC versions are available
with IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency synchronous reluctance motors.
Anti-corrosion
The risk of potential product contamination by oil from the rotary screw compressor is
protection
for electrical
evaluated and minimised by means of an HACCP analysis and certified by the TÜV Rheinland
equipment
for a residual oil class 0 certificate in accordance with ISO 8573-1.
Electrical failures and malfunctions
The CSG.1 has also been certified according to ISO 22000:2018, which covers the manu-
due to corrosion can be easily
facture of food and beverage equipment. To further formalise the supply chain’s integrity, us-
mitigated with the proper preven-
ers can also option the CSG.1 with pharmaceutical, food or engineering industry certification
tive maintenance plans in place.
packages. Certification is also available that the machine is free of silicone contamination,
A form of protection suited to
as per VW PV 3.10.7.
electrical enclosures is Cortec’s
Kaeser’s Sigma Profile rotors now feature a wear-resistant PEEK coating, which results in
Vapour phase Corrosion Inhibitor
an airend that will exhibit no air flow loss during its lifetime. Developed in-house, the coating
(VpCI) technology. This may be
has three layers; nanoceramic, PEEK basecoat and topcoat. This coating is biocompatible,
applied in the form of a VpCI-101
FDA-certified and compliant with European requirement VO 1935 for food contact materials,
device, or a VpCI-105 or VpCI-111
making it suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Emitter cup placed inside the
Kaeser Compressors Australia control panel or cabinet. Vapour
au.kaeser.com phase Corrosion Inhibitors diffuse
out of these devices, disperse
throughout the enclosure and
are attracted to metal surfaces
where they adsorb, forming a
protective molecular layer that
inhibits the corrosion reaction.
Signal columns These molecules do not interfere
On machines or in automated processes, signal with electronics performance and
towers are important visual aids for controlling simply float away when the enclo-
complex processes. Now, APS Industrial has sure is opened.
brought to market a new range of Siemens VpCI Emitters can offer pro-
SIRIUS signalling columns that are much more tection to electrical and elec-
than just an on/off light. tronic equipment during various
Thanks to professional signalling technology, important processes, including:
the SIRIUS signalling columns optimise visibility of plant shipment of new components;
operations and, in turn, increase plant availability. The new-to- preventive maintenance of control
market units are capable of signalling different states and offer a variety panels, circuit breaker boxes and
of signalling levels and functions for flexibility. electrical enclosures; and the
The wide range of signalling variants includes an individual mode that allows a mothballing and layup of facilities.
user to activate each of the segments separately; and multicolour LEDs, enabling the setting of Cortec
more than 1M colours. Different light effects encompass Continuous, Blinking (3/2/1 Hz), Flashing www.cortecvci.com/international/
(1x/2x/3x) and Rotating light (70 rpm). australia/
SIRIUS command, signalling and detecting devices are a good choice when it comes to control,
command and monitoring.
APS Industrial
www.apsindustrial.com.au

46 INSIGHTS 2024
 Innovation

iStock.com/zodebala
Smart solar
made simpler
Building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, are building features
such as roof tiles, cladding and windows that double as solar
panels. They can be designed to cover a greater area of a
“There are so many technical factors
building, generating solar energy from different angles. They to consider when integrating BIPV into a
are also customisable and visually striking. design that it hadn’t been a popular choice,
which was a missed opportunity,” he said.
“Making BIPV design more accessible

H
promotes sustainable development of
owever, BIPVs come with extra fully clad in solar panels was announced energy-efficient buildings, while providing
complexity in predicting perfor- last year. opportunities for low-carbon architecture.”
mance and sourcing appropriate “This is the perfect solution for building Another challenge faced by designers and
technology, which has made them designers and developers looking to select developers using integrated solar is choos-
a far less popular choice for new installa- the right solar option to suit their design,” ing and sourcing materials. BIPV Enabler
tions in Australia compared with conventional said project lead Associate Professor can assist with this through a photovoltaic
roof-mounted panels. But new technology Rebecca Yang, from RMIT’s Solar Energy product database where Australian suppliers
devised by Australian scientists might be Application Group. can be easily identified.
set to change this. “We’re making integrated solar a more Among the tool’s features are maps, a
A team at RMIT has created a software attractive option to developers, slicing the 3D shape library, solar visualisations, hourly
tool — dubbed the BIPV Enabler — to help time it would normally take to research and weather data, and pricing information for
architects and engineers incorporate, source implement incognito solar devices. materials and feed-in tariffs.
and cost BIPV in a building’s conceptual “This isn’t just for new buildings either. Yang said BIPV Enabler also works with
design phase. The software, funded by Those looking to retrofit integrated solar computer-aided design programs and could
RMIT and the Australian Renewable Energy into existing buildings will benefit too,” be scaled and customised to incorporate
Agency, is the first of its kind to be designed added Yang, who is also the Director of other open-source datasets to suit chang-
using Australian data. the Australian PV Institute and driving the ing needs.
The tool integrates product, regulation, BIPV Alliance. “We hope to see more buildings capable
technical, economic and construction data Nic Bao, a lecturer in architecture at of generating solar electricity, while main-
to create 3D models and detailed life cy- RMIT, said having a tool to effortlessly in- taining good design standards — a win for
cle simulations tailored to each building’s corporate factors such as climate, building the planet and aesthetics,” Yang said.
planned location. It comes as the construc- code and materials would make solar-savvy For more information about BIPV Enabler,
tion of Australia’s first office tower to be design easier. contact the Solar Energy Application Group.

INSIGHTS 2024 47
 new
products

High solids measurement model

Further extending its total solids product portfolio, Cerlic
has released a newly developed CMC ITL (insertion type)
model for the measurement of high solids (<30% TS).
Adding to its traditional ‘flow through’ models, the
CMC ITL will bring built-in self-cleaning to the total sol-
ids range, reducing the need for operator intervention
Platform suspension system
and manual cleaning in applications prone to build-up.
The modular design of energy chains facilitates this space-saving
As with the X-Sensors range of total suspended solids
solution. For modern platform technology, such as theatre stages,
(TSS) sensors, customers can utilise either compressed
a variety of cables and hoses that adjust the stage height must be
air or pressurised water for the cleaning process, with
accommodated. Stroke heights of up to 40 m are possible.
no consumables or moving parts.
This is how the zig-zag system works: the unextended energy
To simplify maintenance, service and periodical inspec-
chain is placed in a custom-made basket. If the platform is raised,
tions, Cerlic incorporated a ‘hot tap’ mounting option,
the energy chain unfolds, generating little or no noise. This construc-
allowing site to isolate and remove the CMC from the
tion is possible with the e-chains of the igus E4.1 system as well
process without having to stop flow or purge the pipe. For
as many other types of chain.
most installations this will remove
The new zig-zag complete system is a standardised and modular
the need for bypass pipework.
energy supply for travels up to 15 m. It does not only include the
Cerlic will also offer a 24 VDC
energy chain, mounting brackets, interior separation, the guide
alternative of the CMC, alongside
basket and the strain relief preparation, but also the connection to
the standard 240 VAC unit.
common standard trusses. For overhead application, the energy
Control Components Pty Ltd
chain is equipped with a safety steel rope following DIN EN17206.
www.controlcomponents.com.au
Treotham Automation Pty Ltd
www.treotham.com.au

Compact industrial PC
Beckhoff has added the C6043 to its range of ultra-compact industrial PCs. This series
is characterised primarily by the second board level for an NVIDIA graphics processing
unit (GPU) integrated in the factory.
With the ex-factory assignable slot for a GPU, the C6043, which measures 132 x 202
x 127 mm, can be equipped with highly parallelising and long-term available NVIDIA
GPUs in addition to its Intel Core processors. This makes it suitable as a central control
unit for applications that place high demands on 3D graphics or with deeply integrated
vision and AI program modules with minimal cycle times. The TwinCAT 3 automation
software can map these functions fully integrated alongside the classic controller, without
additional software or interfaces.
The Intel Core i5, i7, and i9 processors have been installed in a hybrid architecture. As
with the previous processor generations, Intel Celeron, Pentium and Core i3 offer classic
performance cores; Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9, on the other hand, also have 4, 8 and
16 efficient cores, respectively. This combination of performance and efficiency cores
allows applications to be implemented on a total of up to 24 real processor cores. While
performance cores are primarily suitable for high-performance, single-thread applications,
many additional threads can be executed in real time or in user mode on the additional
efficiency cores. Each individual core can be configured individually via TwinCAT.
Beckhoff Automation Pty Ltd
www.beckhoff.com

48 INSIGHTS 2024
 Event

AOG Energy:
powering the
future of energy

T
he AOG Energy Exhibition and Con- In 2024, AOG Energy will focus more than cal role in the energy transition towards
ference returns in 2024 energised ever on connecting people, with over 200 a low carbon economy and decarbonised
for the future. Bringing the energy exhibitors in attendance, including 30% from world,” said Roger Cook, Premier of Western
sector together for three days of overseas. The global showcase will span Australia. “WA has an abundance of all the
collaboration, delegates will discuss the smart technology, innovation, engineering minerals needed to create lithium ion and
challenges and opportunities presented by solutions — and more — across the entire vanadium flow batteries, and we are blessed
the transition and work towards a decar- energy supply chain. AOG Energy presents an with consistent and low-cost renewable
bonised future. invaluable networking opportunity to connect energy through wind and solar, which will
Based in Perth, AOG Energy will open both global and local markets and promote allow us to produce green hydrogen at scale.”
with strong support from government, WA as an attractive investment location. Engagement of this size will position WA,
project operators and global industry play- The Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast this and the nation, as a global leader in the
ers, and include a world-class conference year will explore the topic of ‘What’s my age continued developments that are integral to
program. The three dedicated theatres will again? Cultivating a future without bias’, forming the industry collaboration required
cover the entire value chain, with deep covering the subject of generational diver- to accelerate the energy transition.
dives into wind power, renewable energy sity, intergenerational collaboration, lifelong Australian Government and WA Govern-
sources — including carbon capture and learning, career transition, mentorship and ment representatives will be in attendance,
storage (CCS) — and strategic keynotes ageism. The event will also see the return as well as keynote speakers from AOG
providing insights into how the industry is of the Subsea Welcome Drinks reception Energy sponsors including the Department
progressing environmental resilience and and a series of networking events. of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation,
sustainable outcomes. “Western Australia is uniquely placed to Woodside and Chevron.
support the global clean energy transition. Diversified Communications Australia
Our natural gas reserves will play a criti- www.divcom.net.au

Registrations for AOG Energy

2024 are now open —
register at: aogexpo.com.au
What: AOG Energy 2024
When: 13–15 March 2024
Where: Perth Exhibition and
Convention Centre

INSIGHTS 2024 49
 Sustainable building
iStock.com/ipopba

Are virtual
site visits
the key to a net zero
The technologies deemed most useful
by leaders from the CEP sector in help-

construction sector?
ing reduce carbon emissions or achieving
sustainability goals were:
• Environmental impact assessment and
monitoring tools (57%).
• Geospatial analytics and insights powered

A
by AI (49%).
lmost all (95%) construction, engi- According to Nearmap, location intel- • Advanced measurement and measure-
neering and property (CEP) busi- ligence technology tools that enable virtual ment tools (47%).
ness leaders in Australia say that site visits have the potential to help reduce • High-resolution aerial imagery of areas
decarbonisation and emissions carbon emissions, eg, cutting just two physi- across Australia (45%).
reduction is central to their organisation’s cal site visits each day that would normally “It is encouraging to see that 93% of
overall sustainability agenda, compared to require one hour of travel time can have a CEP business leaders believe technology
just 86% of those from all other sectors, significant impact. Nearmap estimates that can help reduce emissions — particularly
according to research commissioned by companies can potentially reduce up to as there has long been a misconception that
aerial technology company Nearmap. 5280 kg of carbon emissions and save up deep technical or geospatial knowledge is
The construction industry alone is one to AU$34,100 a year. needed to implement solutions that can help
of Australia’s largest industries, responsible The company’s research found that while companies meet decarbonisation goals,” said
for approximately 9% of the country’s GDP. 93% of CEP leaders believe technologies Daniel Paull, Executive Vice President and
However, the built environment sector has such as aerial imagery and geospatial analyt- General Manager, Nearmap Australia and
a disproportionate amount of greenhouse ics can help reduce carbon emissions and New Zealand.
emissions — reportedly being responsible achieve sustainability goals, the reported “The power of making simple changes
for one-quarter of Australia’s emissions. usage of technology across the sector is like switching to virtual site visits should
This presents a significant opportunity for currently only 75%. Barriers to adoption not be underestimated — understanding
the industry to lead in achieving net zero include limited awareness and understand- this will help overcome the barriers to
carbon for Australian buildings, and it could ing of available technologies (60%); lack of adoption identified by the research and
be a reality by 2040, as laid out in a guide technology tools and solutions (57%); and lift usage of technologies that can help
produced by UNSW Sydney. financial constraints (56%). contribute to a greener future for all.”

50 INSIGHTS 2024
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