Renew Magazine

Fact-based and human-interest stories about building climate and energy resilience in your home and community. All the latest in sustainable issues and technology, as well as useful how-tos for reducing your footprint and contributing to a more resilient future.

Renew Magazine

ISSUE 169

Dear Renew community,

Quarterly round-up

PRODUCTS

Rethinking fast charging • Charging infrastructure is critical for an EV transition, but Australia's efforts so far have not kept up with demand. We take a quick look at a new company hoping to improve fast charging across the country.

3D printed homes actually happening • The idea of printing a home using a giant 3D printer has been around for a while. But short of a few example homes, not much seemed to be happening. Well, things are moving forward, at least overseas!

Monster wind turbines • China's latest wind turbine offering has now cracked the 20 megawatt barrier.

Mandatory disclosure of energy ratings on the horizon • Graham Hunt introduces us to a soon-to-be-implemented national framework that will be a massive win for renters and homebuyers.

Riding the solarcoaster • In a decade, Andy McCarthy went from being ridiculed for starting a solar business in the Latrobe Valley to employing hundreds of people. We sat down with him to hear more about the wild ride he's been on.

The place to Re • Janina Waldmann gets to know a community initiative in Sydney's inner-west tackling the problem of clothing waste.

Let the sunshine in • Energy advisor Dean Lombard makes a case for running the electricity grid with, not against, community energy resources.

Refuting myths about nuclear and renewable energy • There's a lot of talk at present about nuclear energy being a strong contender in Australia's energy market. But how much is political spin getting in the way of fact? Dr Mark Diesendorf unpacks some of the myths that are out there.

Are we there yet? Charging the nation's roads • Bryce Gaton asks, how many public EV chargers is ‘enough’ and how are we faring nation-wide?

Charting possibilities of the blue economy • Mia-Francesca Jones explores the opportunities of the blue economy for oceanic health, as well as human and planetary wellbeing.

Turning rice straw into a valuable commodity • Jane Hone gets to know a fast-growing startup on a mission to remove 1 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

On the right track • Rob McCann unpacks the sustainability impacts of train systems, and makes a case for building and innovating in rail for future generations.

Green gets the gold • A new study shows that green Airbnb stays are an accommodation preference, and paving the way for sustainable hospitality. A team of researchers from Queensland University of Technology Business School share their findings.

Back to Basics: unpacking power and energy • In our revisited Back to Basics column, we will try to provide simple explanations for potentially complex technical subjects that commonly confuse the average person.

The peg theory of sustainability • Long time Renew reader Peter Lynch has been reflecting on the changes in the sustainability movement over the past 30 years. In this opinion piece, he uses a peg metaphor to help make sense of where things are at.

A cool discovery in the outback • John Hermans is shocked at the diesel generators operating in central Australia, and then stumbles upon a thermal management solution worth sharing.

Now we're cooking … with electromagnetism! • Chris Freeburn on the case for switching to an induction cooktop.

Electrifying Australia with reader's stories • In this new section we look at reader examples of how they electrified their homes and stopped “burning...