GSP-WW: Toxicity of Influent

GSP-WW: Toxicity of Influent

Background

Western Water (WW) provides water, sewerage and recycled water services to 61,000 properties with a population of 162,000 across a region of 3,000 square kilometres to the north-west of Melbourne. Since the authority’s establishment 20 years ago, Western Water has seen its service population more than double. This strong growth rate is projected to continue as suburbs around Melton and Sunbury develop over the coming decade. Nearly all towns in the service area now have a secure water supply through provision of alternate supplies to local water. These include interconnection to adjoining supply systems as well as access to Melbourne water.

Aim:

To develop a method to model the risk of potential toxins (with a focus on tree root foam) into Western Water’s Recycled Water Plants (RWPs). These toxins may add stress to the biomass of the activated sludge, which would decrease the effectiveness of the treatment process. ATP is used as a stress indicator of the biomass.

Objectives:

  • Assess the feasibility of ATP as a test method to determine the toxicity of influent. If successful, implement testing across Western Water’s RWPs to minimise the loss of biomass, and protect the plant operations, quality of recycled water and biosolids.
  • Verify a threshold value for root foaming chemicals in the influent to assist the field operation team in the planning of root foaming activities in the sewer.

Toxcity of influent is a critical issue to Western Water business for the following reasons;

  1. The current tree root foam we use is no longer available requiring us to adopt the use of a different foam.
  2. We are experiencing some blockages in our network due to tree roots and are therefore going to commence a program of using tree root foam in our network.
  3. We wish create a model to determine whether the tree root foam program will increase the toxicity of our influent and adversely affect the performance of our recycled water plant.

 

GSP-VCM-01: Clean Energy Source for Production of Voyager Craft Malt

GSP-VCM-01: Clean Energy Source for Production of Voyager Craft Malt

Background:

Voyager Craft Malt is an artisan malt business located in Whitton, NSW. In 2014, Voyager Craft Malt, began as a start-up venture by two local entrepreneurs, and has quickly established a name for producing high quality small batch, single origin, malts from locally grown and regionally sourced grains. The malts Voyager produce are highly sort after by both craft beer and whisky producers across Australia. The success of the business has presented a significant challenge, as current demand for their product is outstripping production capacity. Voyager takes great pride in sourcing the considerable heat used in the malting process sustainably and maintaining a sustainable focus for their entire business. It is also something demanded of them by their customers. Currently, this is done by utilising waste heat from a bio-char business which is co-located with Voyager. However, the expansion of the business necessitates a move to a green field site and a re-evaluation of how they can supply sustainably sourced heat.

Objectives:

This project aims to investigate the techno-cost-effective business strategy for the integration of energy and heat in a small batch malting plant at the end of an electrical network and to undertake a   Feasibility Assessment and Process Implementation of a Clean Energy Heat Source for Voyager Craft Malt.

Specifically, this project seeks to address the requirement for additional process heat to meet the projected increase in production capacity. It will involve conducting a techno-economic feasibility of a range of different renewable heat sources, such as biomass fired boilers, solar thermal, solar PV driven heat pumps, electric driven heat pumps powered by green grid sourced electricity (power purchase agreement) and cogeneration of heat and power. The students selected for this project will be required to travel to Voyager Malt and conduct a site assessment identifying the key requirements of the business, the available area for mechanical plant, available rooftop space, process requirements, electrical grid limitations and more. Following the feasibility assessment, an implementation plan and accurate costing of the recommended technology will be undertaken. This may involve engineering design of any additional plant or infrastructure required.

Key research questions:

  • Using pinch analysis, what is the minimum requirement for process heating and cooling in a batch malting process?
  • What is the lowest cost energy solution for an ‘end of grid’ manufacturing process located in regional NSW?
  • What is the most effective heat exchange network design to maximise process heat recovery?

Deliverables:

The deliverables of this project will be staged with an initial focus on data collection.

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate
Commencement Workshop Collect data from Voyager:

·       Historical energy prices

·       Historical energy use by Voyager including peak usage.

·       Production volumes

·       Existing process heat requirements and parameters (eg. Temperature, flow rates etc.)

·       Proposed production volumes

Feb
Milestone 1 Project Plan March
Milestone 2 Some preliminary analysis of data

·       Establish energy performance indicators (e.g. MJ/tonne of malt)

·       Minimum utility requirements from pinch analysis.

·       What is the lowest cost clean energy solution to meet demand.

·       Preliminary heat exchange network to most effectively recover process heat?

 

May
Milestone 3 Progress report. Early June
Milestone 4 Draft Project Report. Early September
Milestone 5 Project Report. End September
A presentation on the project report. End October

 

Governance:

This project will be managed through weekly meetings with students, whom will seek draft approval from the Project Managers (Marcos Anastassiou and Dr Cameron Stanley) and through frequent contact with the Project Sponsor (Brad Woolner) to ensure work is satisfactory.

Reporting Requirements:

There will be draft approval and/or progress reporting fortnightly to the project managers.

Assumptions and Constraints:

Power usage data by Voyager is expected to be available, as well as data on costs associated with the plant and heat recovery data.

Risks and Minimisation Strategies:

Incomplete data collection resulting in inaccurate recommendations.

  • This will be minimised by collecting as much data as possible from as many sources as possible early on

Low data resolution.

  • The highest resolution data available will be sourced to ensure accuracy.

Student attributes:

Students should have a passion for sustainability and practical engineering, a broad understanding of various renewable energy sources available for process heating (or a willingness to learn) and a desire to work in a fast moving and dynamic team.

Number of students sought:

2 Master of Engineering Students

4 Undergraduate Students- (2 Mechanical & 2 Sustainable Systems)

GSP-NEW: North East Water 3MW Solar Plant

GSP-NEW: North East Water 3MW Solar Plant

Background:

North East Water (NEW) are a water and sewage services provider in north-east Victoria, supplying to approximately 108,000 people across 39 towns. They operate 20 water treatment facilities and 21 wastewater treatment plants (WTP), covering an area of 20,000 square kilometres. North East Water also operate one trade waste facility and provide recycled water for both drinking and irrigation use.

Objectives:

This project aims to investigate the most cost-effective business strategy for the integration of a new 3MW solar plant (currently under construction) at the West Wodonga WWTP. To achieve this objective, it will be vital to undertake several sub tasks;

  • Characterise historical energy demand and pricing at the WW site (and other large energy consuming sites across the NEW business) throughout the year, identifying the influence of season and weather.
  • Determine the operational capability of shutting off, scaling back or load shifting specific operations (i.e. water pumping, aeration etc.) at these sites. This will lead to greater awareness of the ability to tailor operations for price minimisation (avoiding high price events in the NEM), engage in demand response initiatives, or conduct virtual metering of the energy generated by the solar plant.
  • Establish the pricing triggers to enable clear control the purchase/sale or virtual metering of energy across the key NEW sites. This task would require a thorough evaluation of the influence of season and weather, particularly in large areas (such as Melbourne), on NEM spot prices.

Deliverables:

The deliverables of this project will be staged with an initial focus on data collection.

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate
Commencement Workshop Collect Data from NEW

●      Historical energy prices.

●      Historical energy use by NEW including peak usage.

●      Large loads and their ability to be turned off in a partial shutdown situation.

●      Real dollar costs of shutting down individual WTP.

Feb
Milestone 1 Project Plan March
Milestone 2 Some preliminary analysis of Data

·       Historical energy prices

·       Historical energy use by NEW including peak usage.

·       Large loads and their ability to be turned off in a partial shutdown situation.

·       Real dollar costs of shutting down individual WTP.

 

May
Milestone 3 Progress report. Early June
Milestone 4 Draft Project Report. Early September
Milestone 5 Project Report. End September
A presentation on the project report. End October

Governance:

This project will be managed through weekly meetings of the students () whom will seek draft approval from the Project Managers (Marcos Anastassiou, Dr Cameron Stanley and Dr Kazi Hasan) and through frequent contact with the Project Sponsor to ensure work is satisfactory.

Reporting Requirements:

There will be draft approval and/or progress reporting fortnightly to the project managers.

Assumptions and Constraints:

Energy spot price is assumed to be primarily driven by time of day and temperature across the state.

Power usage from individual WTP across NEW’s network is expected to be available, as well as data on costs associated with shutting down.

Risks and Minimisation Strategies:

Incomplete data collection resulting in inaccurate recommendations.

  • This will be minimised by collecting as much data as possible from as many sources as possible.
  • Low data resolution.
  • The highest resolution data available will be sourced to ensure accuracy.

 Guidelines/Standards:

Water Act 1989

Water Industry Act 1994

Survey of obligations and responsibilities under the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) function of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

GSP-SLSC-01: Future Life Saving Facilities

GSP-SLSC-01: Future Life Saving Facilities

Master of Architecture – Research Design Studio Proposal

Project Aim:

The aim of this project is to develop design proposals speculating on the future of surf life saving in Victoria, and around Australia, and re-imagining what a surf life-saving facility might look like, how it might integrate into the urban and rural urban contexts in which they operate, how they might better operate within sensitive natural environments and what the impact of long term environmental, cultural, political and economic change might be on the institution and built form of surf life saving clubs might be.

In the initial phases of the semester students will engage in a process of research exploring:

– What is a surf life saving club and its purpose?  How has this differed over time.  What are the architectural and cultural origins of the contemporary surf life saving club, and  how are they different in different parts of Australia.  What are the equivalent architectural types in other countries? How is the culture of surf life saving linked to the questions of Australian identity.

– What are the cultural, technological, social, policy, economic and other trajectories of change that might influence the future of the surf life saving club as an architectural model.

– How does the surf life saving club future integrate issues of sustainability, and what will the impact of imminent environmental collapse on surf life saving.

Students will be allocated a rural and urban site around Victoria, and an example of SLSC in another part of Australia.  They will be asked to document and analyse these precedents and prepare a dossier of information and ideas on the model. These observations will form the basis of  a brief based that will serve as the basis for design testing through the semester.

Wonthaggi Surf Life Saving Club

After an initial period of briefing, the students will begin to consider these challenges at a specific site – the Wonthaggi Surf Life Saving club.  Students will visit and document the site and be briefed on the specific challenges of the site by members of the club and Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority (ESIA) personnel.  Students will use this location as a site for testing of design possibilities for Surf Life Saving Clubs for the remainder of the semester.

Research through Design

Students will design and test their brief on the Wonthaggi site through a mixture of precedent based explorations, design process and digital techniques, model making and other explorative processes.

Work will be presented in class weekly, and updates and adjustments to the brief made in conjunction with ongoing design and exploration.

At the mid semester review (Week 7 approx.) students will present their research, their brief and an initial conceptual design for hypothetical future Surf Life Saving club on the Wonthaggi site.

For the remainder of the semester students, students will develop and test their design further.  From this initial conceptual proposal students will be asked to take into consideration the following:

  • The relationship between the surf life saving club and the surrounding town. How does the SLSC enable other activities (community, commercial, governmental). What amenity does it offer to the city/town.
  • The civic aspect of the design – what face does this design present to the public. How does this effect public engagement and tourism opportunities.
  • Opportunities for innovative programming and multi-use engagement.
  • New technologies and fabrication techniques that address issues of cost and deployment in challenging contexts.
  • The impact of climate collapse on coastal environments and changes in the way people use the coast.

At the final presentation (Week 14) students will present printed panels (posters) showing drawings, computer renderings, diagrams, text and other graphic explanations.  This may be supplemented by digital presentations, animations, physical models, VR or Augmented Reality presentations.  It will be accompanied by verbal presentation.

The usual format for the final review is a 15-20 minute presentation to a panel including the studio leader and invited external guests from industry.

Semester Activities:

Week Class Activity Task
Week 1 Introductory presentation by ESIA. Students to visit urban SLSC. Conduct survey of historical architectural SLSC station precedents.  Archival research on issues in SLS.
Week 2 Review Task 1. Students to visit rural SLSC. Explore examples of interstate and overseas life saving clubs and coastal building. Further Archival research on issues in SLS.  Prepare working issues brief.
Week 3 Present Task 2. Visit to Wonthaggi site. Presentation by Wongthaggi SLSC stakeholders. Review WSLSC issues.  Site analysis and observation.
Week 4 Present site analysis and research brief. Prepare preliminary design response.
Week 5 Present design options Respond to feedback and prepare mid semester design response.
Week 7 Mid semester presentation to RMIT & ESIA Respond to feedback and integrate complex technical requirements
Week 8 In progress presentation Develop project
Week 9 In progress presentation Develop project
Week 10 In progress presentation Develop project
Week 11 In progress presentation Develop project
Week 12 In progress presentation Prepare presentation
Week 13 Final project presentation to ESIA & WSLSC only Prepare presentation
Week 14 Final examination. Prepare presentation

The expectation is that the outcomes that are produced are not simply problem solving or simply responding to a brief. We expect our students to be ambitious, future focused and prepared to take risks in order to contribute value through design to a project. At RMIT Architecture, we are training students to be speculative thinkers.  This means using design to go beyond the brief and imagine future scenarios that might not yet be known.  When we engage with real projects the projects will usually be more conservative, but we are keen to make sure students remain ambitious on provocative.

GSP – GVW: Efficiency of Pumps in the Goulburn Valley Water Network

GSP – GVW: Efficiency of Pumps in the Goulburn Valley Water Network

Background

Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) provides water and sewerage services to approximately 130,000 people in 54 cities, towns and villages across more than 20,000 square kilometres in northern Victoria.  GVW also provides water and sewerage services to a large and diverse food manufacturing industry in the Goulburn Valley – also know as the food bowl of Australia.  Providing these water and sewerage services requires 37 separate water treatment plants for approximatley 59,000 properties across 54 towns, 26 wastewater management facilities for approximately 50,700 properties across 30 towns and 1,800 kilometre of buried water mains and sewers.

These 63 geographically dispersed water and wastewater systems are a defining feature of the operating environment of GVW, which has a major influence on the capital investment program, operational costs and customer service response times.

Provision of high quality water and trade waste services to food processing industries is a major business focus due to their individual impact on Goulburn Valley Water’s systems.

The geographic area of Goulburn Valley Water comprises the local government areas of:

  • Shire of Moira;
  • Shire of Campaspe;
  • City of Greater Shepparton;
  • Shire of Mansfield;
  • Shire of Mitchell;
  • Shire of Murrindindi; and
  • Shire of Strathbogie.

The main activities undertaken by Goulburn Valley Water are:

  • Harvesting and treatment of raw water;
  • Planning and management of headworks;
  • Reticulation of treated water to customers;
  • Collection and transportation of wastewater including trade waste;
  • Treatment and beneficial re-use of recycled water;
  • Beneficial recycling of wastewater treatment by-products such as biosolids and biogas;
  • Development and implementation of programs for the conservation and efficient use of water;
  • Planning with communities for their future water and wastewater services;
  • Community education about sustainable water management.

Goulburn Valley Water provides a range of services defined as Prescribed Services and Declared Services (regulated services) in clause 7 of the Water Industry Regulatory Order 2014 in respect of which the ESC has the power to regulate price standards and conditions of service and supply.

The regulated services provided by Goulburn Valley Water are as follows:

  • Retail water services;
  • Retail recycled water services;
  • Retail sewerage services;
  • Storage operator and bulk water services;
  • Bulk sewerage services
  • Bulk recycled water services;
  • Connection services;
  • Services to which developer charges apply;
  • Trade waste services.

Goulburn Valley Water does not provide drainage services (stormwater), irrigation services and irrigation drainage services.

Objectives:

The focus of this project is to evaluate the efficiency of pumps in the network with respect to different types of starting mechanism for the pumps. Specifically to compare variable speed drives (VSD) modulating frequency, energy efficiency drops versus the reliability of these drives.  Then compare soft starters (SS) – like a solenoid switch efficiency – soft start-ups with VSD’s and examine the reliability of these devices. Compare VSD’s with soft starters to see if they can have the same functionality. Benchmarks cost of VSD versus soft starters and useability and reliability of VSD’s versus SS. The project shall involve a literature review, gathering data from other water authorities about SS and VSD’s.

  • An assessment of the costs associated with various pumps and use of different drives, their reliability, efficacy and energy efficiency
  • An investigation of historical energy use of these pumps in various locations in the network

Deliverables:

The deliverables of this project will be staged with an initial focus on data collection. This will enable higher accuracy in surveys, allowing final recommendations to be made with confidence.

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate
Project Plan Project Plan Feb-March
Milestone 1 Data collection of:

●      Historical energy use of pumps in the network

●      Historical energy use by GVW including peak usage.

●      Real dollar cost and efficiency of  existing pump network

 

End April
Milestone 2 Collation of all data and an initial assessment of pump efficiency in the network Mid May
Progress Report Progress report. Early June
Milestone 3 A survey of the financial benefits that could be achieved by using more efficient pumping systems in the network Early July
Draft Project Report Draft Project Report. Early September
Project Report Project Report. End September
Presentation A presentation on the project report. End October

Governance:

This project will be managed through weekly meetings of the students whom will seek draft approval from the Project Managers (Marcos Anastassiou & Professor John Mo) and through frequent contact with the Project Sponsor (Mr Michael Welk) to ensure work is satisfactory.

Reporting Requirements:

There will be draft approval and/or progress reporting fortnightly to the project managers.

Assumptions and Constraints:

Power usage from infrastructure across GVW  network is expected to be available, as well as data on costs associated with the network and SCADA systems.

 Risks and Minimisation Strategies:

Incomplete data collection resulting in inaccurate recommendations.

  • This will be minimised by collecting as much data as possible from as many sources as possible.

Data loss has potential to significantly hinder the project.

  • This will be mitigated by keeping multiple backups of the data, updated weekly.

Low data resolution.

  • The highest resolution data available will be sourced to ensure accuracy

GSP-ESIA-01: Portable Mobile Modular SLC Temporary Facility

GSP-ESIA-01: Portable Mobile Modular SLC Temporary Facility

Background

The Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority (ESIA) has been established to improve the delivery of emergency services infrastructure in Victoria. ESIA ensures the efficient, effective, timely and transparent delivery of built infrastructure projects to support emergency services in the critical work they do in protecting our community.

The primary focus of the Authority’s work is infrastructure assets supporting volunteer brigades and units. The new body forms part of the Emergency Services portfolio, however, it is independent of the existing agencies and authorities.

Commencing as part of the first stage of implementation during 2017-18, was the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR). The Authority will focus on the delivery of building facilities (including vessels) for these volunteers, as these assets are crucial to supporting our committed volunteers in serving the community.

ESIA engages specialist staff with building and construction backgrounds, bringing together project management and procurement expertise to ensure that facilities are delivered efficiently and fit-for-purpose, resulting in better supported and connected emergency services.

Modern and appropriate facilities not only support the emergency services in their vital work for all Victorians, but contemporary services help sustain and encourage volunteerism within the community.

Any further inclusion of agencies under the ESIA umbrella will be the subject of extensive consultation with the identified bodies, volunteers and their representatives, as well as staff and the broader community.

ESIA’s purpose: To enhance the safety of all Victorians by ensuring the effective, efficient, timely and transparent delivery of VICSES and LSV built infrastructure projects, and MSAR sector vessels.

Scope of Work

To design and develop modular Surf Life Saving temporary facilities for Victorian Surf Lifesaving Clubs. These facilities need to be demountable, sustainable, scalable, self- sufficient with power/energy, water, solar and containment of waste. These modular facilities need to be secure with separate toilets and showers for male and female and minimal excavations to the site, to account for the sensitive landscapes these facilities are to be temporarily located upon. Modular design to include:

  • Kitchen facilities
  • Shower and toilets
  • Briefing room
  •  First aid room
  • Storage for surf lifesaving equipment

Equipment to include:

  • Rescue boat, ATV, Water storage, heating/cooling, waste tanks, radio and communications equipment, base power- PV and Batteries.

Stakeholders for the erection of these facilities will include DELWP, Local Councils, Surf Lifesaving Clubs, Energy Services and Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority.

 Deliverables

The deliverables of the project are structured under a staged approach. The deliverables of the project include:

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate (2020)
Project plan ·       Project Plan and Site Visit Mid March
Milestone 1 ·       Literature and data review about temporary modular design of demountable facilities March- April
Milestone 2 ·       Model and establish energy and water usage to size equipment requirements April-May
Milestone 3

 

 

 

·       Design of Modular facilities May- June
Milestone 4 ·       Review and provide advice about how to best to address modular facility design

 

May-June
Draft project report Draft project report and designs, diagrams, schematics, models &protoypes and presentation, Early June
Stakeholder engagement ·       Feedback from ESIA July
Final Report ·       Project report with accompanying presentation materials and and designs, diagrams, schematics, models & prototypes. ) End July

The project report shall be written up as a scientific report, but not limited to, the following sections:

  • Background
  • Assumptions and constraints
  • Modelling
  • Design
  • Protoyping
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Next steps

The project deliverables shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority do not have an in-depth understanding of the design process.

Work Method

TBD

Key Attributes

Attributes required include:

  • Knowledge of Industrial Design
  • Knowledge of design
  • Energy modelling
  • Self-motivated
  • Data analysis, modelling skills
  • Good report writing skills

Student Selection

ESIA shall be an active participant in selection of a suitable students for this Industry Engagement project. Participation should include ESIA reviewing the proposed students, based upon RMIT recommendation and maybe involved in interviewing the students.  .

Expenses

ESIA shall cover the travel and accommodation costs for the student whilst engaged in collecting site data and verification of requirements and processes and the costs associated with prototyping, modelling, materials and publication of documentation.

GSP-DJCS-02: Electric vehicle expansion at the Department of Justice and Community Safety

GSP-DJCS-02: Electric vehicle expansion at the Department of Justice and Community Safety

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) has a vision for a justice and community safety system that works together to build a safer, fairer and stronger Victoria. The department has productive partnerships with more than 60 statutory entities and the support of more than 100,000 volunteers. It has extensive service delivery responsibilities ranging from managing both the state’s adult and youth custodial systems to providing consumer protection.

The environment team resides within the Assurance business unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and manages the Environmental Management System (EMS) to minimise the department’s environmental impacts, ensure efficient use of resources and comply with various legislation including the Financial Reporting Directive 24D and Climate Change Act 2017.

This document specifies a proposal for an environmental sustainability project to be undertaken by a student over four months, with the guidance of the Senior Environmental Specialist and RMIT supervisor(s).

DJCS is a significant greenhouse gas emitter with emissions expected to reach 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (t/CO2-e) this financial year. The department manages over 700 leased vehicles which emit close to 3000t/CO2-e per annum. The department is also expanding its on site renewable energy generation and would like to utilise this technology to power vehicles across the state.

AIM:

The student shall perform an analysis of the departments leased vehicle fleet, log book data and the opportunities and challenges for electric vehicle expansion in the form of a report to the Assistant Director of Environment and Climate Change. This shall include specific recommendations, anticipated pay-backs and greenhouse gas emissions saving estimations to answer the research question:

Through analysis of the departments fleet utilisation, how can the department’s vehicle fleet be fully electrified in the most cost-efficient way?

The final report shall detail energy requirements of the various electric vehicles on the approved motor vehicle list, the related charging infrastructure requirements, expected charging times, average distance travelled, fuel and emissions savings at various levels of renewable energy penetration and any other opportunities the student may identify.

This project will contribute considerably to the department’s environmental targets within the Environmental Management Plan and key goals of reducing emissions.

DELIVERABLES:

The deliverables of the project can be structured to be delivered under a staged approach. This will allow DJCS to start applying outcomes from the project as the engagement progresses rather than once it has concluded.

The deliverables of the project include:

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate
1 Background and market research 6 weeks
2 Departmental baseline and analysis including asset usage and technology assessment 6 weeks
4 Final report and recommendations 4 weeks

 

The project report shall be written up as a business case including, but not limited to, the following sections:

  • Executive Summary
  • Background and market research
  • Departmental baseline and analysis
  • Recommendations

The project deliverables shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority do not have an in-depth understanding of energy efficiency audits.

WORK METHOD:

TBD

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Attributes required include:

  • Basic engineering and financial modeling
  • Intermediate spreadsheet skills
  • Intermediate energy efficiency audit knowledge
  • Self-motivated.

STUDENT SELECTION:

DJCS is welcomed to join the selection of students with RMIT project team.

The successful applicant must be willing to undertake security and police checks before appointment. DJCS reserves the right to refuse any or all students applying to this Industry Engagement.

GSP-DJCS-01: Energy Efficient Industries at the Department of Justice and Community Safety

GSP-DJCS-01: Energy Efficient Industries at the Department of Justice and Community Safety

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) has a vision for a justice and community safety system that works together to build a safer, fairer and stronger Victoria. The department has productive partnerships with more than 60 statutory entities and the support of more than 100,000 volunteers. It has extensive service delivery responsibilities ranging from managing both the state’s adult and youth custodial systems to providing consumer protection.

The environment team resides within the Assurance business unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and manages the Environmental Management System (EMS) to minimise the department’s environmental impacts, ensure efficient use of resources and comply with various legislation including the Financial Reporting Directive 24D and Climate Change Act 2017.

This project brief specifies a proposal for an environmental sustainability project to be undertaken by a student over four months, with the guidance of the Senior Environmental Specialist and RMIT supervisor(s).

DJCS is a significant greenhouse gas emitter with emissions expected to reach 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (t/CO2-e) this financial year. A significant contributor to emissions is from energy consumed at correctional centres and within vocational industries. The most energy intensive industries include vocations such as metal work, timber industries and bakery.

AIM:

The student shall perform a review across select energy intensive prison industry warehouses and workshops to establish both a best practice design guide for commercial and warehouse facilities and the industry operations within them. The assessment must consider the state government objective of ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050 with a focus to using electricity generated from onsite solar power generation.

The final report and guide shall be provided to the Assistant Director of Environment and Climate Change. These shall include specific recommendations, anticipated pay-backs and greenhouse gas emissions saving estimations to answer the research question:

What measures can be implemented to improve the energy consumption within prison industry buildings and operations. Can the buildings and operations be designed or retrofitted to be ‘net zero’ emissions in a cost-effective manner with current technology?

The design review shall include lighting, utilities, appliances, air circulation, heating and cooling. It should consider building envelope, roofing, insulation, consumption, usage (timers, sleep-mode etc.), appliances, security measures and any other opportunities the student may identify.

The operations review shall include elements from the most intensive industries – metal work, timber industries and bakery. Both metal work and timber industries also have powder coating and spray-painting facilities as part of the operations.

The student is expected to utilise available data on electricity and gas consumption, perform site visits, provide an industry comparison, research energy efficiency data (energy star ratings) of various electrical and gas devices, resulting in a design and appliance guide and recommendations. Findings will be presented in an extensive report detailing options to improve energy efficiency with corresponding costings, pay-backs and greenhouse gas emissions savings. The report should factor in emissions savings as onsite renewable energy generation increases or alternatively as the electricity grid decarbonises.

This project will contribute considerably to the department’s environmental targets within the Environmental Management Plan and key goals of reducing office-based emissions.

DELIVERABLES:

The deliverables of the project can be structured to be delivered under a staged approach. This will allow DJCS to start applying outcomes from the project as the engagement progresses rather than once it has concluded.

The deliverables of the project include:

Deliverable Description Initial Timing Estimate
1 Background and market research
2 Departmental baseline and analysis
3 Design audit methodology and outcomes
4 Final report and recommendations

 

The project report shall be written up as a business case including, but not limited to, the following sections:

  • Executive Summary
  • Background and market research
  • Departmental baseline and analysis
  • Design assessment and outcomes
  • Recommendations

The project deliverables shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority do not have an in-depth understanding of energy efficiency audits.

WORK METHOD:

 TBD

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Attributes required include:

  • Basic engineering and financial modeling
  • Intermediate spreadsheet skills
  • Intermediate energy efficiency audit knowledge
  • Self-motivated.

STUDENT SELECTION:

DJCS is welcomed to join the selection of students with RMIT project team.

The successful applicant must be willing to undertake security and police checks before appointment or access to site is given. DJCS reserves the right to refuse any or all students applying to this Industry Engagement at any stage of the process.

GSP-AHC-02: Water Management at Access Health and Community

GSP-AHC-02: Water Management at Access Health and Community

BACKGROUND:

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) provides high quality health and community services for its local community, focussing its efforts on those who have reduced access or increased complexity due to their health, social or personal determinants. It is Australia’s oldest community health service and is now a major player in health and community services in the inner eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The organization has 15 sites across the cities of Yarra, Boroondara, Manningham and Whitehorse with more than 350 staff and over 250 Volunteers. The sites range from large three storey mixed clinical and office buildings of 50-80 staff to small residential houses converted into community houses, or bases for outreach staff. Three properties are owned by AccessHC, some are collocated with other services, and the remainder are rented from councils. This means there is a mix of energy and waste streams and contracts and a mixed ability to create change due to constraints of the tenancy or property type.

AccessHC is highly committed to be a greener workplace. AccessHC would like to engage RMIT students in a project to assess its environmental performance and then develop an environmental management plan for the whole organisation.

The environmental performance assessment focuses on 3 main areas:

  • Energy Consumption
  • Water Consumption
  • Waste Generation

Students will work in groups focusing on each of the main areas.

The focus of this sub-project is on water management. Students are required to conduct a study on water use and waste water generation and provide recommendations for sustainable water management at AccessHC’s sites. These will contribute to the overall environmental management plan of AccessHC.

KEY PROJECT TASKS:

  • Baselining and benchmarking study on water management at AccessHC’s sites;
  • Making recommendations on what changes AccessHC could implement on the short, medium and long term for sustainable and efficient water management;
  • Setting up a monitoring and reporting system for sustainable water management.

DELIVERABLES:

No. Description Initial Timing Estimate
1 Background research and literature review March 2020
2 Baselining and benchmarking study April-May 2020
3 Environmental targets (recommendations) July 2020
4 Action Plan and Communication Plan August-September 2020
5 Environmental Management Plan October-November 2020
6 Final presentation and report November 2020

The project report shall be written up as an environmental management plan. A suggested template includes:

  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction:
  • Background
  • About the organization
  • Prior actions and achievements
  • Environmental Policy
  • Baseline Environmental Performance
  • Overview
  • Energy Consumption
  • Water Consumption
  • Waste Generation
  • Environmental Targets:
  • Overview
  • Energy consumption
  • Water consumption
  • Waste Generation
  • Action Plan
  • Communication Plan (optional)
  • Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

The project deliverables shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority of the readers do not have an in-depth understanding of energy efficiency audits.

WORK METHOD:

TBD

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Attributes required include:

  • Research skills
  • Intermediate understanding about environmental management and sustainable development
  • Self-motivated.

APPLICATIONS:

Students being interested in this project should send their CV and an expression of interest to Nina Nguyen at nina.nguyen@rmit.edu.au before 15 January 2020.

GSP-AHC-01: Solutions for Sustainable Waste Management at Access Health and Community

GSP-AHC-01: Solutions for Sustainable Waste Management at Access Health and Community

BACKGROUND:

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) provides high quality health and community services for its local community, focussing its efforts on those who have reduced access or increased complexity due to their health, social or personal determinants. It is Australia’s oldest community health service and is now a major player in health and community services in the inner eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The organization has 15 sites across the cities of Yarra, Boroondara, Manningham and Whitehorse with more than 350 staff and more than 250 Volunteers. The sites range from large three storey mixed clinical and office buildings of 50-80 staff to small residential houses converted into community houses, or bases for outreach staff. Three properties are owned by AccessHC, some are collocated with other services, and the remainder are rented from councils. This means there is a mix of energy and waste streams and contracts and a mixed ability to create change due to constraints of the tenancy or property type.

AccessHC is highly committed to be a greener workplace. AccessHC would like to engage RMIT students in a project to assess its environmental performance and then develop an environmental management plan for the whole organisation.

The environmental performance assessment focuses on 3 main areas:

  • Energy Consumption
  • Water Consumption
  • Waste Generation

Students will work in groups focusing on each of the main areas.

The focus of this sub-project is on waste management. Students will be required to conduct a study on current waste management practices and provide recommendations for reducing and recycling waste at AccessHC’s sites. These will contribute to the overall environmental management plan of AccessHC.

KEY PROJECT TASKS:

  • Baselining and benchmarking study on waste generation at AccessHC’s sites;
  • Making recommendations on what changes AccessHC could implement in the short, medium and long term to reduce and recycle waste;
  • Setting up a monitoring and reporting system for sustainable waste management.

DELIVERABLES:

No. Description Initial Timing Estimate
1 Background research and literature review March 2020
2 Baselining and benchmarking study April-May 2020
3 Environmental targets (recommendations) July 2020
4 Action Plan and Communication Plan August-September 2020
5 Environmental Management Plan October-November 2020
6 Final presentation and report November 2020

 

The project report shall be written up as an environmental management plan. A suggested template includes:

  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction:
  • Background
  • About the organization
  • Prior actions and achievements
  • Environmental Policy
  • Baseline Environmental Performance
  • Overview
  • Energy Consumption
  • Water Consumption
  • Waste Generation
  • Environmental Targets:
  • Overview
  • Energy consumption
  • Water consumption
  • Waste Generation
  • Action Plan
  • Communication Plan (optional)
  • Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

The project deliverables shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority of readers do not have an in-depth understanding of energy efficiency audits.

WORK METHOD:

TBD

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Attributes required include:

  • Research skills
  • Intermediate understanding about environmental management and sustainable development
  • Self-motivated.

 

APPLICATIONS:

Students being interested in this project should send their CV and an expression of interest to Nina Nguyen at nina.nguyen@rmit.edu.au before 15 January 2020.

 

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