Sustainable electricity, apps for power-hungry restaurants and biofuels made from seaweed were all innovative Australian ideas presented at this year’s ClimateLaunchpad in Cyprus.
ClimateLaunchpad is one of the world’s largest competitions for sustainable business innovators, with a particular focus on new technologies and business models which address climate change.
Each year entrepreneurs and start-ups without funding pitch their ideas first at a national level and then, if chosen, internationally. The winner gets €10,000 and, on the way, proves that their concepts have commercial and environmental benefits.
This year’s winner out of the 105 entrants was the Kenyan team behind Alkanol Gel Fuel, a bio-fuel made from superheated fruit and vegetable peelings as well as egg shells. Aside from eliminating methane-producing waste it also works as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels.
The Australian entrants were:
Capricorn Power
Capricorn’s goal is to commercialise a process that uses various waste heat sources, such as burning green council waste or using the heat from industrial exhaust, to generate power on a localised scale.
Power facilities can be built on or near waste collection facilities keeping costs down and employing locals in the communities they serve.
Circular Experiment
The Circular Experiment is a trial program running on the Sunshine Coast with the goal of helping small businesses become more sustainable and save money.
Their entry ‘My Impact’ is a tool designed to help restaurant owners both understand and cut down on their electricity costs. Creators Jaine and Ashleigh Morris chose restauranteurs as they’re faced with unique challenges – such as the high energy use of cooking and refrigeration equipment and their inability as tenants to install renewable energy sources.
Tide 2 Tank
The group of engineers behind Tide 2 Tank hopes to grow kelp on a widespread basis for use as a biofuel. It would also serve as a carbon storage mechanism and help to rehabilitate fisheries in polluted waters.
Australians who want to register for 2018 should follow the Climate-KIC Australia page. Click on the links below for more information on the competition, winners and the Australian entries.
Positive Actions
- Business owners who want to lift their sustainability game can visit Business Recycling
- If your organisation is considering going solar get in touch with the team at Planet Ark Power
- If you live on the Sunshine Coast check out Circular Experiment’s services for small business owners
- Get involved with National Recycling Week and cut waste at home, work, school and in the community
Sources
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Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.