The City of Greater Geelong has announced $50,000 in funding support for three projects that use clean technology, as part of Council’s $4.6 million Community Grants program.
Of the three projects, one aims to fast track the electrification of homes and businesses, and the other two projects aim to reduce the environmental impacts of concrete and asphalt.
The three projects that support Council’s move towards a circular economy are:
- BOOM Power Pty Ltd
- Fulton Hogan
- Australian Engineering Solutions (Austeng) and Deakin University
Greater Geelong Mayor and Innovative Solutions Chair, Peter Murrihy, said, “We’re proud to support local companies and researchers that are trialling products for a low carbon economy while developing skills for tomorrow.
“Geelong is a proud centre for advanced manufacturing in Australia and we want to keep supporting local businesses that are helping to cut emissions and reduce energy costs.”
BOOM Power Pty Ltd
The team behind the BOOM software-as-a-service platform are working with their ASX-listed strategic partner, Bill Identity (Bid), to accelerate the electrification of homes and businesses.
The project will develop the ability for households and small to medium enterprises to upload an energy bill and receive a tailored proposal for electrifying their home or business.
The user will answer simple questions about their home or business and receive a tailored plan for electrification of their building, including solar, storage, hot water, heating and cooling, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The report will then explain upfront the financed costs, financial savings and environmental benefits.
Fulton Hogan
Construction and roadworks company, Fulton Hogan, will use biochar sourced from agricultural and organic sites in Greater Geelong to test the viability of using biochar in cold mix asphalt products at their Lara plant.
The testing hopes to reduce energy costs, create circular economy solutions to a waste product, and create a low-carbon pavement material.
Australian Engineering Solutions (Austeng) and Deakin University
North Geelong engineering firm, Austeng, and Deakin University will use crushed glass and industrial by-products to create a more sustainable alternative to cement-based concrete.
By mixing crushed glass with fly ash and slag, the project aims to develop a sustainable geopolymer concrete that meets performance standards for footpaths, pavements, and floor slabs.
Concrete is one of the most consumed materials in the world – second to water – and its production is responsible for seven per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions.
Replacing cement with fly ash can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by between 30-50 per cent and make use of waste fly ash and glass.
The previous grant round in 2019 saw Capricorn Power, Deakin University, Focus Pty Ltd and Geelong Sustainability Group Inc. complete clean technology and circular economy projects that addressed stockpiled landfill, reduced household energy use, encouraged community solar production and the uptake of renewable energy.
Innovative Solutions Deputy Chair, Councillor Sarah Mansfield, said the projects are great examples of how governments, universities, and the private sector can work together for the benefit of our environment.
“We want to help local businesses trial new products and make the move towards a circular economy where nothing is wasted.”
Featured image: The team at Fulton Hogan. Image: City of Greater Geelong.
