Renewable Hydrogen Ecosystem Study, Goulburn Valley, Australia
Aurecon's study guided Goulburn Valley Water to identify pathways to a renewable hydrogen ecosystem and support a clean energy transition in regional Victoria.
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Greater Sydney currently relies heavily on rainfall for its drinking water supply which will be impacted in the future by climate change and a growing population. In response to these factors, the Sydney Water Planning Partnership explored a range of rainfall independent supply options including recycled water for non-drinking purposes, desalination, and purified recycled water.
Purified recycled water (PRW) is water recycled from industry and homes (including from kitchens, showers and toilets) that has been purified to meet strict Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling to supplement drinking water sources. PRW has the potential to provide a safe, reliable and cost competitive water supply to Greater Sydney and Australian communities; not only improving long-term resilience, but also reducing wastewater entering the environment.
There is a significant opportunity to increase acceptance of PRW by improving the water literacy of Australians.
'Moving conversations about water' 2024 Report
An outcome of the partnership’s exploration into an alternative drinking water supply is the Purified Recycled Water Discovery Centre and adjacent visitor’s centre. With Aurecon involved from its strategy to commissioning, the centre demonstrates scientific evidence behind the purified recycled water technology and provides communities and stakeholders with an understanding of its safe process and viability.
Aurecon was involved from the early strategy and feasibility phases, through to construction and commissioning under the partnership. For earlier phases, the partnership assessed a variety of considerations and objectives including defining key project objectives; reviewing suitable treatment technologies; understanding the degree of on-site community engagement; and determining a suitable site for the centre.
Community engagement during the early stages enabled designers to gain an understanding of people’s curiosity regarding PRW, which then informed the overall philosophy for the centre.
Throughout the project, the partnership engaged a variety of industry and technical stakeholders to be a part of the development of the project. For example, NSW Health and its International Expert Advisory Panel.
A dual-membrane advanced treatment process (membrane ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation) was selected as the most appropriate technology solution, based on the partnership’s assessment of Sydney’s water quality requirements and current technology capabilities. Extensive analysis was completed to select this treatment process which has also been globally proven to provide the treatment level required to meet Australian Standards and other water guidelines.
A key achievement by the partnership was including adaptability into the overall design. This allows Sydney Water to modify or expand in future to explore additional PRW treatment technologies, such as ozone and biological activated carbon.
The concept of PRW for drinking is a complicated and sensitive topic in the Australian context. The partnership has been instrumental in driving collaboration between Sydney Water stakeholders during this project, enabling Sydney Water with a platform to showcase technology and capability, while at the same time encouraging communities to engage in a discussion around purified recycled water.
Aurecon's study guided Goulburn Valley Water to identify pathways to a renewable hydrogen ecosystem and support a clean energy transition in regional Victoria.
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