Host Seth Scott discusses with Guest Speaker, Anna Robak, WSP Canada’s Executive Director, Research & Innovation about her view of the future of intelligent infrastructure. We also take a closer look into six criteria that infrastructure should meet to be considered truly intelligent.
Host Seth Scott discusses with Guest Speaker, Toby Kent, Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s CEO about his view of the future of sustainable infrastructure and the role resilience plays in infrastructure based on his previous experience as Melbourne’s Chief Resilience Officer.
Achieving net zero in infrastructure requires a shared understanding of what net zero means and the infrastructure sector’s role in managing and reducing carbon emissions.
Various standards, such as The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard) and PAS 2080:2023 Carbon Management in Buildings and Infrastructure (PAS 2080), provide essential guidance. However, confusion often arises due to a lack of clarity on how these standards apply in practice.
Australia already has made inroads on the components of a common definition. Our first consultation paper1 revealed that most of infrastructure is using a common framework. It also revealed broad-based agreement on the need for a common definition.
This paper:
Situated within the Malabar Headland National Park—a location marked by rich biodiversity and historical significance—the Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant (MBIP) represents a ground-breaking step in Australia’s energy landscape. This collaborative demonstration project, led by Jemena and Zinfra together with Sydney Water, and co-funded by ARENA, addresses the dual challenges of waste management and sustainable energy production.
The Plant transforms biogas produced at the Malabar Water Resource Recovery Facility into biomethane suitable for household and commercial use — a first in Australia to inject biomethane into the gas distribution network. By leveraging existing biogas production processes and incorporating sophisticated purification technology, the Plant produces and injects biomethane into the gas distribution network in New South Wales, exemplifying a cutting-edge approach to circularity in resource management. The functionality of the MBIP showcases technological innovation, but the piloting of the IS Essentials Rating Tool during the design and construction of the Plant also reflects a commitment to community engagement and sustainable development.
Fast Facts
Biomethane – from waste to valuable resource
Biomethane is produced from gases emitted from organic matter, like wastewater, or agricultural waste. It is considered renewable as organic waste is continually created. The biogas is purified or ‘upgraded’ to biomethane by removing carbon and impurities to meet the Australian Standard for general purpose natural gas, making it a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Unlike natural gas, biomethane relies on resources that are constantly replenished and are part of the natural carbon cycle. Entirely substitutable for natural gas, it can be used with existing customer appliances and industrial equipment, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support circular economy practices.
The project pioneered the recycling of off-spec biogas, converting it into usable biomethane instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, thereby enhancing the Plant’s overall sustainability, throughout its construction and operational phases.
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To view the full case study, click here.
