By Bill Grace, The University of Western Australia Before renewables came along, coal-fired power stations pumped out electricity (and carbon emissions) 24 hours a day. But now, this type of “always on” baseload power is no longer necessary or commercially viable. This is one of many reasons why the Coalition’s proposed nuclear strategy is flawed.…
The federal government has announced a $45 million contract for another 15 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to be built by Thales Australia at Bendigo, Victoria. According to a statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy on Tuesday, the additional vehicles “will facilitate command and control of Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) long-range fires…
Oil and gas technology company Pivotree has built and tested a full-scale prototype of its integrated subsea oil and gas production tree and vessel mooring system. Inventor and Pivotree Managing Director Chris Merrick said the Pivotree technology had the potential to make previously marginal and stranded oil and gas fields both profitable and sustainable. Designed…
Seeley International, stung by Victoria’s ban on new gas installations, has hit back, ramping up production of its Braemar Dominator Series electric air heating system. In March Seeley announced it would close its Albury, NSW plant and consolidation of operations in Adelaide, blaming Victoria’s Gas Substitution Pathway for the loss of 125 jobs. Now, following…
The federal government will invest over $100 million to buy new lethal and non-lethal drones from a German and an Australian manufacturer. The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) will bolster the ADF’s ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augments the ADF’s existing stock of drones. The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and…
Whyalla steel works produces first structural steel The Managing Director of Liberty Steel Group Tony Swiericzuk at Whyalla in South Australia has celebrated the completion of repairs and start up activities at the primary steel producer. Swiericzuk took to social media and said: “After a 48 hour reheat furnace start up programme, the Whyalla Steelworks…
Recce Pharmaceuticals has been awarded a grant of US$2 million (approximately $3 million) by the US Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) for development of burn wound treatments. Recce, an ASX-listed company developing synthetic anti-infectives, said in a statement on Monday morning (AEST) that the grant recognised its RECCE 327 Gel (R327G)…
Wine exports to China, on which harsh duties were removed earlier this year, are back to near-peak levels, the federal government has announced. On Monday agriculture minister Murray Watt said that over 9.8 million litres of bottled wine was exported to China in May, valued at $142.2 million. Of this, nearly 7.4 million litres worth…
Design and manufacturing company IntelliDesign has partnered with the UQ Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) to develop a portable ultra-low field MRI scanner. This proof of concept device was designed and built by the company’s design and engineering team in collaboration with UQ researchers. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a gold standard for diagnostic imaging…
A $798 million renewable energy project to create almost 600 jobs in North West Queensland, along with new manufacturing jobs in Townsville, is now one step closer. The Queensland Coordinator-General has declared the Vecco Critical Minerals Project a ‘coordinated project’, paving the way for environmental approvals. Vecco is proposing a new greenfield mine and critical…
