Caption: Jo Lim, VicWater, Li Gao, South East Water, Jason Cotton, IWN, Jo Murdoch, North East Water
VicWater and IWN were thrilled to announce the funding recipients for the 2024 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge at the awards ceremony on 5th December, recognising innovative solutions that are paving the way for a sustainable water future.
Winner – South East Water & RMIT University
For their world-first off-grid, solar-driven technology to co-produce green hydrogen and oxidant, this solution harnesses renewable energy to reduce emissions and support a low-carbon economy. Installed on a floating modular platform, it integrates with existing water corporation infrastructure, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Funding will optimize durability, reliability, and efficiency, enhancing its climate impact.
Runners-Up
1st – Gippsland Water & Custom Fluids
For their nanobubble oxygenation project, which can significantly improve the efficacy of aerobic wastewater treatment substantially reducing the energy requirement of the process with the potential to reduce greenhouse gases such as Nitrous Oxide formed during current aeration processes.
2nd – North East Water & Goulburn-Murray Water
For their Nutrient Sponge Booms for Algae Control project, using biochar, generated from the pyrolysis of biosolids, to absorb nutrients from stored recycled water to help mitigate algal blooms—an increasingly significant challenge in a changing climate. The resulting nutrient rich biochar has the potential to be used as a fertiliser in agricultural applications.
We’d like to congratulate these teams for their groundbreaking work and acknowledge and celebrate all the entrants this year. Their innovative ideas and commitment to tackling the water industry’s challenges are what drives progress.
Stay tuned as we continue to support these projects and share their journey toward adoption within the sector.
