Wanting Australian drones but buying foreign instead – by Dr Peter Layton

Australia has clear defence industry priorities including developing a local drone manufacturing sector. Here Dr Peter Layton examines Defence’s recent drone purchases, and asks why then, do we buy overseas made drones and not the best value or most advanced ones at that? In late February the Minister for Defence Industry launched the Defence Industry…

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Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Environmental Clean Technologies in lignite-based soil improvement hook up Industrial technology group Environmental Clean Technologies has signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) with ESG Agriculture for the development and offtake of soil health products. This HoA is a precursor to a Joint Venture (JV) between the companies in developing a lignite-based nitrogen soil health product,…

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Speargun soil tester invention ready for industrial trials: RMIT

A speargun-based invention by a PhD student promises could time and money in the design of offshore wind farms, according to RMIT University. Results on tests of Junlin Rong’s device published in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal show the “speargun projectile penetrometer” (SPP) could be twice as effective as currently-used lightweight free-fall soil testers, and much…

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Massive SunCable project gets environmental green light

SunCable’s flagship AAPowerLink project to take Australian renewable electricity to Singapore via a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system has received major environmental approval. The approval allows the company to progress the development, commercial, and engineering activities required to advance the project to Final Investment Decision. SunCable has obtained its principal environmental approval from…

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B-cycle to be re-designed for circular economy goal

B-cycle 2.0 consultation is now open to gather information in readiness to reform Australia’s battery product stewardship and B-Cycle recycling scheme. The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) announced industry consultation on its proposal to modify and future-proof the B-cycle Scheme. Representatives from industry, governments and organisations are invited to provide written feedback on the B-cycle Scheme…

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SA’s light on renewable future, repudiating nuclear – by Giles Parkinson

South Australia is set to be 100 percent net renewable power by 2027 – a remarkable world first based only on solar PV and wind. Giles Parkinson explains the milestone’s importance. When the federal and state governments were deciding on a location to announce a funding deal that will underwrite South Australia’s final leap to…

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