Ten new desalination research projects will share in $2.7 million from the Australian Government funded National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia (NCEDA).

 

Speaking at the opening of NCEDA’s International Intakes and Outfalls Workshop in Adelaide today, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell, announced the outcome of the Centre’s fourth round of funding for Australian desalination science.

 

“Australia now has 44 world class desalination research projects advancing Australian science and ingenuity while safeguarding the national public water interest,” Senator Farrell said.

 

“Our ongoing commitment to the nation’s water security is also creating opportunities for employment and sustainable growth, while consolidating our place on the international stage in the desalination and water sector.”

 

CEO Neil Palmer said the new Australian desalination research had a focus on renewable energy solutions, with one of the projects proposing to use geothermally-heated groundwater to power desalination.  Projects funded in previous rounds have included solar-powered desalination and innovative use of waste heat generated from large-scale minerals processing.

 

“Further reduction of the energy consumption of desal plants and fast-tracking new green technologies will continue to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian water and desalination industry and make us more competitive internationally,” Mr Palmer said.

 

A further $4.9 million of in-kind contributions and $535,000 in additional funding from participating organisations and research participants will bring $8.1 million of new investment into Australian desalination research. The Australian Government via its Water for the Future Initiative has allocated $12.3 million for the Centre’s four funding rounds.

 

Information on successful projects is at:  www.desalination.edu.au