Circular economy: water, energy and waste

Reimagining urban water, waste and energy systems and creating regenerative infrastructures that capture synergies and deliver benefits for all.

ISF's research into the cutting-edge of restorative infrastructure asks:

“What if we started to expect something quite different from our infrastructure? Can we go beyond reducing ecological damage and seek to design infrastructure that actually improves the local environment, economy and society?”

To achieve this, we need to think differently about networks, institutional arrangements, recovery of valuable materials, acceptable levels of risk, security and price, and a more expansive approach to externalities.

Diagram of circular economy for water — Circular economy example

Water utilities are moving towards a vision of integrated resource recovery due to a combination of expanding sustainability and liveability aspirations, operational challenges, network constraints and emerging contextual factors. Rising energy costs, as well as increases in energy intensity due to alternate water supplies such as desalination, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts are also pushing new ways of thinking for water and sewage services.

A circular economy approach provides resilience to resource shocks and constraints, and also reduces the impact on the environment when responding to carbon reduction and zero wastewater to ocean requirements.

PROJECT | 2019-2021

The future of water smart homes in Greater Sydney

How will water-connected smart technologies in the home transform water practices and systems in Sydney in the near future?

NEWS | FEB 2021

Making water more efficient for our schools

The Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) was established in Victoria to save water and energy in schools, as well as educate current and future generations about the importance of the efficient use of these resources to achieve a more sustainable environment.

NEWS | NOV 2020

Transitioning the water industry with the circular economy

An ISF report for the Water Services Association of Australia outlines the potential benefits of a circular economy approach and the steps that the water industry will need to take to unlock them.

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PROJECT | 2019

Circular economy planning and mapping for Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula and Lower Hunter

Guiding major utilities to consider new ways of thinking about water for a more sustainable system.

PROJECT | 2018-2019

Circular economy analysis for the Lower Hunter Water System

This study focused on all water, organic waste and energy material flows within the Lower Hunter. It built on previous work ISF completed for Sydney Water, which applied this focus to the Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsular regions in Sydney.

The project explored four scenarios: Business as Usual 2017, Business as Usual 2047, Alternative 2047 and Alternative Plus 2047 (which included potable and non-potable reuse options). These prospective pathways provided Hunter Water staff with an alternative approach to integrating the material flows within the water and waste water system and revealed potential innovations for reducing the freshwater consumption and electricity demand from the grid by 2047.

Client: Hunter Water

Researchers: Pierre Mukheibir, Melita Jazbec, Ben Madden

PROJECT | 2011-2016

Making better recycled water investments

This national collaborative research sought to shape the knowledge base and future actions of key investors and decision-makers in recycled water. ISF researchers worked with 12 partner organisations representing key stakeholder groups – utilities, developers, local authorities, technology providers and regulators – to develop eight wide-ranging case studies.

PROJECT | 2010

Frasers Broadway precinct water cycle strategy

The $2 billion redevelopment of the Old Kent Brewery site on Broadway in Sydney is one of Australia’s most successful examples of green urban regeneration. ISF was a key partner of Frasers Property in identifying sustainability opportunities for the site, and assisted in developing the Frasers Broadway Precinct Water Cycle Strategy to plan significant reductions in overall energy use, water use and solid waste.

Location: Sydney

Client: Frasers Property Australia

Researcher: Pierre Mukheibir

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Frasers Broadway Precinct Water Cycle Strategy - "Green Transformation" (Article)