CERES - Zero Emissions by 2012
Green Precincts
Final Report
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Overview of Water and Energy Saving Initiatives
3. Detail on Water an Energy Saving Initiatives
4. Community Engagement
5. Projected Water and Energy Savings
6. Benefits and Lessons Learnt
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1. Introduction
The CERES Green Precincts Project has resulted in probably the broadest and most innovative
array of water and energy saving techniques and technologies available anywhere in Australia.
This project aimed bring to life across the CERES 4 hectare site an array of the latest advances in
water and climate friendly action - to excite people to engage in transforming their lives to be part
of the movement towards a zero emissions future.
This project has added new water conserving features into six of CERES most visited buildings –
including rainwater harvesting, storm-water treatment, and grey-water onsite treatment.
It has added to CERES renewable energy generating capacity with wind, PVs, solar thermal,
Electric-Vehicle charging station, and biogas.
It features best practice in well known energy conservation measures such as passive solar design,
double glazing, insulation, natural lighting, natural heating and natural ventilation – while opening
the way for completely new options eg aquaponics, solar cooking, solar refrigeration, roof gardens,
and Electric Vehicle transport.
The innovations created in this project were made possible by Australian Government funding of $
1.1 million under the Green Precincts Fund. Other funding bodies, partners, and volunteers also
made invaluable contributions.
2. Overview of Water and Energy Saving Initiatives
The Green Precincts Grant enabled CERES to implement 21 energy & water saving initiatives on
the site. Below is a summary of the initiatives undertaken.
Water Saving Initiatives
1. Van Raay Centre - All rainwater harvested, stored in tanks, distributed to toilets and gardens.
Efficient water appliances installed – waterless urinals, low flush cisterns, timed flow taps
2. Education Centre – Rainwater is harvested, stored in a tank, distributed to toilets. Excess
rainwater from Education Centre and nearby Storage Shed are diverted to main CERES
underground storage tank.
3. EcoHouse - Rainwater falling on the carport is fed into a ‘Rain Garden’ Grey water from the
washing machine is delivered to a ‘Wicking Garden’
4. Cafe Toilets - Upgraded, connected to tank water, fitted with water saving fixtures.
5. Cafe Grey Water – Treated with a Rootzone system comprising of septic tanks, horizontal and
vertical reed beds
6. Aquaponics - An intensive system of food production claiming to use 1% of water used in soil
grown food. Uses the manure of fish for nourishment of plants.
Energy Saving Initiatives
7. Wind Generator - Installed a 4 KW state-of-art vertical axis wind generator
8. Solar Pavilion - Created a shelter featuring the latest in flexible photovoltaics
9. Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station - A bank of photovoltaics demonstrating what’s
needed to charge an electric vehicle for zero – emissions electric vehicle transport.
10. Solar Thermal - A 16 square meter Scheffler Dish – which concentrates the sun’s energy to a
point.
11. Biogas BBQ - Takes vegetable waste – feeds it into a digestor which produces gas for cooking.
12. Van Raay Centre, Education Centre, and EcoHouse. Many energy saving features incorporated
into these building projects including excellent passive design, insulation, double glazing, airlock
and air curtain, efficient lighting, hydronic heating, heat pumps for hot water, efficient refrigeration
and cooking equipment.
13. Aquaponics - Solar powered pumping system
14. Electric Vehicle Conversion – A Mercedes Sprinter van has been converted from petrol to
electric engine
15. Solar Cookers – A 2.8 Scheffler dish and an evacuated tube steam cooker have been constructed
16. Solar Cooling – A Cafe food storage room has been installed with geothermal cooling drawning
air from below the building.
17. Green Roof – Installed on the roof of CERES Organic Market cool-room
Education and Behaviour Change Initiatives
18. Interpretation - Signs and website information are used to convey information about the
initiatives
19. Schools visiting CERES – Initiatives developed as part of this program have been included in
the activities offered to the 60,000 school students who visit CERES each year
20. CERES visiting Schools – Initiatives developed as part of this program have been incorporated
into the activities offered to over 600 schools CERES supports in sustainability education each year.
21. Behaviour Change - A vast array of community engagement activities have been conducted to
communicate innovations to the broader community, enthuse them to adopt them where appropriate,
and excite them in making transformations in their lives towards a climate-safe future.
3. Detail on Water and Energy Saving Initiatives
Water Saving Initiatives
1. Van Raay Community Centre
This Centre consists of 3 newly constructed buildings incorporating best practice in water and
energy management – providing office space, community meeting space, and restaurant and a
community kitchen. Each of these spaces required specialised consideration regarding energy and
water usage patterns and management needs.
All water from rooves in the Van Raay Centre is collected in two 20 kilolitre tanks. Water is
pumped from these tanks into toilets in the Centre – and to gardens in the surrounding area.
2. Education Centre
CERES Education (or Learning Centre) has been doubled in size and had water and energy saving
features incorporated into the upgrade. Rainwater is harvested into a storage tank and used to
provide water for toilets. Toilets had been previously fitted with Caroma Profile 5-star toilets in
which hand-wash water flows directly into the cistern to flush the toilet. Rainwater in excess to
toilet needs, as well as rainfall on the nearby Storage Shed, is diverted into CERES main
underground storage tank further down the site near CERES Cafe.
3. EcoHouse
CERES EcoHouse had an extensive renovation in the course of this project. This provided an
excellent opportunity to install new water conserving and managing features. The building already
harvested water into a 10K litre tank. Added to this is a grey-water system treating water from the
washing machine and distributing it to surrounding gardens. A new ‘Wicking Garden’ was created
to receive the treated grey-water. This is a garden which has water fed from below the plants - thus
saving considerably on water needs. Rainfall from the EcoCentre carport was directed into a newly
constructed ‘Rain Garden’.
4. Cafe Toilets and Grey-Water Treatment
CERES Cafe toilets are the heaviest used toilets on-site – catering with the bulk of the 500,000
visitors to CERES each year. The Cafe toilets were previously an in-house designed and built
composting system. Unfortunately Government regulations rendered these illegal so CERES was
forced to close them down and use portaloos which used mains water. As part of the Green
Precincts Grant CERES has modified the original toilet block to use rainwater from CERES main
underground water tank. The new toilet block also demonstrates low flushing options and timer
controlled hand washing taps.
5. Aquaponics
Aquaponics is a form of intensive urban agriculture – using the manure from fish to fertilise plant
growth. A new medium sized Aquaponics system has been created which is believed to require 1%
of the water required by soil grown plants. Silver perch fish are used to produce Asian greens,
herbs, lettuces and tomatoes.
Energy Saving Initiatives
6. Van Raay Centre, Education Centre and EcoHouse
Thanks to the Green Precincts Grant these building projects have all included the best in passive
design taking best advantage of northern orientation, insulation, double glazing, natural light and
heating, thermal mass to store heat, natural ventilation, and shading via eves or landscaping.
The Van Raay Centre is fitted with an efficient hydronics heating system, heat pump units for water
heating, an efficient refrigeration design, and the latest in efficient kitchen equipment.
7. Wind Generator
A 4 kwatt Urban Green Energy vertical axis wind generator has been added to CERES energy
generation capacity. This variety of generator is particularly quiet – and so suitable for an urban
context. The vertical axis is particularly effective at responding to low wind speeds from any
direction.
8. Photovoltaics
Three new photovoltaic displays have been added to those already in existence at CERES.
Photovoltaic technology is rapidly improving – so it is important for a demonstration Centre like
CERES to be constantly updating with the latest available.
The Solar Pavilion in CERES Energy Park is a shelter for many of the 60,000 school students who
visit the site annually. The roof of this structure is made of vinyl which incorporates the latest
flexible, light-weight, thin-film photovoltaics . This is a 1.4 kW system which is grid connected.
The Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Station demonstrates the size of photovoltaic array required to
charge an electric vehicle for a whole year’s travel – thus enabling zero emissions personal
transport. The Charging Station has been fitted with a Charge Point as part of the Victorian
Government Electric Vehicle Trial program – thus forming part of a network which is expected to
usher in electric vehicles to Australia. The Charge Station has a 2.8 kW photovoltaic array of Qcells.
The Aquaponics farm has its water pumping and heating systems powered by photovoltaics.
9. Solar Thermal
A 16 sq meter Scheffler Dish has been designed and constructed capable of concentrating the
sunlight to one point to provide 12 MW h/yr of thermal energy. This energy can be put to use in
several ways such as heating water (eg for CERES hydronic heating), or electricity generation (via a
Rankine or Stirling engine) or both of these (ie COGEN). CERES will be working with Universities
to explore the most effective uses for the power generated in future years.
10. Solar Cooking
CERES was keen to explore the feasibility of cooking with solar power to provide insights into
options for the huge hospitality industry to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. As part of the
Green Precincts Fund CERES has created two varieties of solar cookers – a 2.8 sq meter Scheffler
dish and an evacuated tube steam cooker. As part of this project a design for cooking in CERES
Cafe and Restaurant has been developed. The cost of implementing this design will form the basis
of future submissions for funding.
11. Solar Cooling
A geothermal heat exchange cooling system has been installed in CERES Cafe food storage
coolroom. This system uses a solar powered forced airexhaust system to draw air from below the
coolroom inside to cool food. A design has also been developed for a solar powered refrigerated
drink fountain. This will form the basis for future submissions by CERES. Several Universities are
keen to assist with the construction of this unit.
12. Biogas
A BBQ powered by biogas has been designed and constructed. This plant takes food waste from
CERES Cafe and visiting schools – chops it up and puts it into a digester tank where it is broken
down by bacteria. The bacteria produce biogas which can be used for cooking, heating, or
electricity generation.
Within the community approximately a third of all household waste is food waste – and is currently
disposed of in landfill sites. This represents a vast resource for energy to be provided by biogas
digesters.
As part of this project a larger scale digester has been designed that would process organic wastes
from local markets or the community. Electricity and organic fertiliser would be created by this
plant. This provides a model for distributed organic waste recycling in the urban context. CERES is
currently seeking financial support to enable realisationof this design.
13. Electric Vehicle Conversion
Private cars and transport vehicles are one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Finding
an alternative zero emissions alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicle would therefore be a great
contribution to lowering carbon emissions. CERES has been a leader since 2007 in converting
petrol powered transport vehicles to electric power. If the electric vehicles are powered with
photovoltaics – then transport is zero emissions.
In this project CERES has converted a Mercedes Sprinter van from petrol to electric engine –
introducing the latest in electric vehicle technology.
14. Green Roof
A green roof was installed on top of CERES Market’s refrigerated cool room. It was felt that this
was a particularly appropriate location for the green roof as refrigeration in summer is a major
energy consumer at CERES.
The green roof was constructed by cutting off the base of a shipping container and placing this on
top of the cool room. Waterproofing and drainage systems were installed – soil added – and drought
resistant plants sown. Six months later a flourishing garden adorned the cool room.
15. Smart Metering and Energy Management
Smart meters are installed on many of the major energy using projects on the CERES site. These
meters relay information on energy use all over CERES site – enabling us to identify major sources
of energy usage and where to target management and improvement strategies. The meter displays
are a major tool for education – for school groups, CERES staff, and the public.
4. Community Engagement
Every day of the year CERES is a-buzz with a myriad of community engagement activities. This is
what CERES excels at.
Whether it be school groups visiting CERES, volunteers assisting with projects, enquiries at
Reception, regular visitors to the Cafe, Nursery, or Organic Market, or interstate or overseas
visitors, groups renting spaces, organised courses and training programs – the site will always be
bustling with people of all ages, all cultures, all interests, coming from near and far.
In addition to groups visiting us – CERES also goes out into the community – working in over 600
schools – delivering food boxes to over 600 households – taking groups to Aboriginal communities
and Indian and Indonesian villages – and covering a broad network via our website, facebook, and
e-newletters.
This broad network of engagements is used to communicate the innovations created in this project.
Particular community engagement activities carried out specifically as part of the Green Precincts
funding included:
a) Integrating the initiatives developed as part of this grant into activities and tours for Schools and
Adult Groups visiting CERES. CERES has around 65,000 school visits pa.
b) Integrating the initiatives developed as part of this grant into activities conducted out in the 600
Schools CERES delivers programs to.
c) The establishment of a Green Tech Notice Board at CERES – providing the latest information on
projects being developed.
d) Having information available for the 500,000 visitors who come to CERES each year – via signs,
tours, Reception/ Information Officer.
e) Green Tech forums – updating the public on plans and progress
f) Workshops – involving the public in
g) Demonstrations at CERES Festivals
h) Featuring energy and water saving initiatives in Courses and Training conducted at CERES eg
Permaculture, Urban Farmer, VET courses.
i) CERES Information/ Reception Officer - available every day to answer questions on all projects
at CERES. Energy and Water saving technologies are popular themes for people’s questions.
j) Organised a Launch of Solar Charge Station for Electric Vehicles with several sponsors and
donors as well as the State Govt Electric VehicleTrials team.
k) Website
l) Signage
m) Other Community Engagement activities include: various community workshops (eg focussing
on aquaponics, green roof construction, electric vehicle and electric bike conversion), volunteer
involvement in constructing innovations (eg many NAB volunteers involved with Solar Pavilion,
Scheffler Dish, EV Charging Station), CERES Behaviour Change Program, inclusion of
innovations in many Courses conducted at CERES (eg Permaculture Design Course, Urban Farmer
Course, VET Courses, Hospitality Courses), public launches (eg Solar EV Charging Station),
conferences (eg EV conversion), organising Green Tech Public Forums, organising forum for
political candidates for State Elections on Climate policy, innovations on display at CERES
festivals (eg Harvest Festival, Kingfisher), weekly opening of EcoHouse, Green Tech information
hub outside Cafe, involving numerous business organisations in inkind support/ sponsoring/
partnering, presentations to CERES Global re appropriate technologies for Developing Countries.
n) CERES has also supported MEFL (Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd) in implementing their Zero
Carbon Moreland Program.
5. Projected Water and Energy Savings
Water Savings
Total projected reduction in water usage is 1,022 kL per annum. Most of the water saving
innovations have been recently installed – so we do not have actual measurements on savings as
yet. Savings included below are our best estimates.
1a) Van Raay Centre – water collect, reticulate, manage and meter 50kL pa
1b) Van Raay Centre – Rainwater harvest and storage
The area of roof providing rainwater to tanks is 421 sq m. With 2 tanks of 22,700 litre capacity ie
total 45,400. This system has the potential of capturing 260 kL pa. This is the potential water saving
from mains water.
1d) Van Raay Centre – Efficient Water Appliances
Projections of water use for the Centre without water-saving measures is 4 ML pa.
We would expect that with low flow water fittings, low flush cisterns, waterless urinals, and timed
flow tap outlets that in the order of 5% of water should be saved – ie 200 kL pa.
2. Education Centre – water from rooves to big tank
The area or rooves collecting water is 105 sq m. The potential water collected from such a system is
65kL pa. This is the potential savings of water – but depends on effective use of water. The water
will be used for CERES toilets and gardens.
3. Solar Pavilion – rain garden
Rain Garden takes water harvested from EcoHouse carport roof 12 kL savings based on 20 m2 roof
area. The Wicking Garden would reduce water use via more efficient underground watering.
4. Cafe Toilets – beautification and tank to toilet
CERES Cafe toilet block – the heaviest used toilet block on the site – were previously composting
toilets using no water (except for hand washing). Unfortunately Govt regulations changed and made
the composting toilets illegal – so CERES was forced to close them and for some time used hired
portaloos (which were filled with mains water).
The present system using tank-to-toilet eliminates the use of mains water altogether. The estimated
use of water in the toilets is 420,000 litres pa – which is the estimated amount saved in the
beautification and modification of the toilet block.
5. Cafe – greywater treatment and dispersion
Measurements of Cafe greywater output indicates that 1000 litres of water will be treated by the
system per day – ie 365kL pa.
This water would be used to water CERES Village Green lawns and gardens – and the Cafe
Ampitheatre gardens. Water savings 365 kL pa.
6. EcoHouse – greywater – washing machine to garden
Washing Machine usage :
Water used per wash 51.5 litres
Number of washes per week = 3
Water produced (and so saved from mains water in water gardens) 6.2kL pa
15. Aquaponics food production
Aquaponics claims to produce food with 1% of water used by regular soil based agriculture. The
aquaponics unit produces about 40 kg of food per week – or 2,080 kg per year – which by
conventional soil agriculture would require 8,000 kL pa. (using 4,000 kL water per tonne as
conventional water use). CERES aquaponics system uses 20L per day ie 7,300 litres pa or 7.3 kL
pa. So savings in water use pa is 7,993 kL or 8 ML pa.
Energy Savings
Total potential for Energy reduction through Green Precincts initiatives is 67,000 kWhr per year.
Most of the energy saving innovations have been recently completed – so we do not have
meaningful measurements on savings as yet. These will be available in the future. The amount of
savings in some instances will depend on the efficiency with which equipment is used. Below we
give estimates of the potential for savings. Whether the potential is achieved will depend on our
effective use of the equipment.
The reduction in energy use would occur through the following projects:
7. Wind Generator
The new wind turbine is a 4 KW Urban Green Energy (UGE) Vertical Axis machine. Based on an
average wind speed of 5km/hr – this would be expected to generate 4 MWhr pa.
8. Solar Pavillion
The generating capacity is 1.44kW or 5.2 kWh per day = 1,892 kWhr pa
9. Solar Charging Station for Electric Vehicles
2.7 kw PV array – capable of producing 9.7kwh per day ( ie x by 3.6 ) or 3,540 kWhr pa.
10. Solar Thermal
A 16 sq m Scheffler dish has the capacity to generate about 12 MWh of thermal energy per year.
This energy can be put to use in numerous ways eg generating electricity (through a Rankine or
Stirling Engine) , heating water, both of these together ( Cogen ), focussing onto PVs for enhanced
electricity generation. CERES has been working with RMIT on the Rankine energy possibility – but
will invite other Universities and Companies to use the Scheffler for trialling and researching other
uses of the energy generated.
11. Biogas BBQ
The Biogas BBQ is expected to produce .1 cubic meters of gas per day– or 55 cubic meters per
year. This would produce about 367 kWhr or energy per year.
12a) Van Raay – Smart Metering
Because of the newness of the Van Raay Centre we do not have yearly energy usage figures as yet.
However the estimate of its use without efficiency measures would be 50MWpa.
We expect 15% saving with smart metering and EMS. So save 7.5 MWpa
12b) Van Raay – Hydronic Heating
The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy
efficiency measures. If we assume about 20% of this will be on heating then this would amount to
10 MWpa. If we assume Hydronic Heating can save 20% on energy use then this would be a saving
of 2MWpa.
12c) Van Raay – Efficient Lighting
The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy
efficiency measures. If we assume about 10% of this will be on lighting then this would amount to 5
MWpa. If we assume efficient lighting can save 20% on energy use then this would be a saving
of 1MWpa.
12d) Van Raay – Double Glazing and Insulation
Double glazing and insulation are estimated to halve the number of days for which heating is
required for comfort. Estimate of 3.36 MW pa savings.
12e) Van Raay – Hot Water Heat Pumps
Estimated 1 MW pa saved pa.
12f) Van Raay - Efficient Refrigeration
The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy
efficiency measures. If we assume 25% of this is for refrigeration (the VR Centre having 2
commercial kitchens) this would amount to 12.5 MWhr pa energy used on refrigeration. We would
expect a 30% reduction in energy use for our efficient system – so a savings of 4 MWhr pa.
12g) Van Raay – Efficient Kitchen Equipment
The total Energy use of the Van Raay Centre is expected to be about 50 MWpa without energy
efficiency measures. We estimate 15% of this would be in cooking ie 8 MWhr pa. Efficient Kitchen
equipment would expect a 30% reduction in energy use ie 2 MWhr pa.
13. Education Centre – passive design, double glazing, insulation
Pre-renovation energy use for gas heating was 40,000 MJoule pa – or 11,200 kWhr pa.
Double glazing and insulation are projected to halve the number of days a heater is required for
comfortable living. So the savings would be 5,600 kWhr pa .
14. EcoHouse – double glazing, insulation, airlock, aircurtain, efficient hot water and heating
Pre-renovation energy use for gas heating was 40,000 MJoule pa – or 11,200 kWhr pa.
Double glazing and insulation are projected to halve the number of days a heater is required for
comfortable living. So the savings would be 5,600 kWhr pa.
15. Aquaponics
PV power pump is .732 kw x 24 hrs x 365 days pa. = 6,412 kWhr pa saved.
Solar Thermal heater – .4kW x4hrs x 90days = 144kWhr pa saved
16. Electric Vehicle Conversion
A vehicle running on diesel for 15,000 km pa would use 17,500 kWhr of energy.
It is expected that an Electric Vehicle travelling 15,000 pa would use 7,500 kWhr . So the savings
expected would be 10,000 kWhr pa.
17. Solar Cooker
A 2.8 m2 dish is capable of producing 1.2 kW of energy. With an average of 4.5 peak sun hours
over the year – this would produce 5.4 kWhr /day x 365 days = 1,971 kWhr pa. This is the amount
of cooking energy which could be saved if cooker were used at maximum efficiency.
18. Solar Cooling
Savings are primarily arising from longer life of food stored. In the past vegetables for the Cafe
deteriorated quickly – particularly in hot weather. We expect this to substantially improve with the
new cooling. Estimated saving 500 kWhr pa.
19. Green Roof
Energy usage of Market container coolroom is approximately 2,500 kWhr pa. A 20% savings would
be expected from a green roof. So savings expected is 500 kWhr pa.
CERES has conducted its first ‘Carbon Footprint Report’ which will be used as a baseline for future
carbon audits – and a baseline for measuring the impact of initiatives developed as part of this
program.
The Smart Metering and Energy Management System developed within this program will be a
major tool for measuring the effectiveness of initiatives introduced within the program.
6. Benefits and Lessons learnt
Benefits
The project has been of enormous benefit to CERES in:
> Providing the largest array of innovative water and energy savings displays available anywhere in
Australia. CERES is known widely as a place to visit to learn about the best ideas in sustainable
practice. This grant has allowed CERES to expand and update the ideas it can present.
> Making water and energy savings within CERES – clarifying the pathway towards zero carbon
emissions.
> Having displays available for CERES education programs with schools and adults – and having
them available to about 500,000 persons visiting CERES site each year.
> Developing relationships with individuals and businesses working in the water and energy saving
industries – and involving them in CERES innovations
> Providing projects for TAFE and Universities to work with CERES to test and develop initiatives
> Developing plans for initiatives which would lead to even greater water or energy savings – but
were outside the budget for this project. CERES will use these plans/ designs for future submissions
for funding from the Govt or Philanthropics or business partners. Eg Solar Cooking (using
evacuated tubes to produce steam – piped into the kitchen to cook with), Biogas (we have produced
a design for a medium sized plant which would be suitable for treating 300 kgm of food waste each
day – producing biogas and 300 litres of liquid fertilizer each day ).
> Enabling CERES to produce energy saving technologies which are a first in Australia eg the 16 sq
metre Scheffler dish
> The innovations created in this program have naturally infiltrated into a host of CERES
educational activities – both with school groups and adults. CERES has many educational programs
operating – schools visiting the site, activities out in schools, adult tours, Tertiary Institution tours,
short and long-term courses, workshops, festivals. They are also accessible to the casual visitors to
CERES which number about 500,000 pa – and people are constantly asking questions about them
from our Information Officer/ Receptionist who is available to the public 7 days per week.
Lessons Learnt
> Grants like this are invaluable for CERES in being able to expand and update its initiatives aimed
at water and energy saving.
> To be at the forefront of innovation requires considerable time and access to expertise. For
example Scheffler Dish, Electric Vehicle. For the Scheffler dish, which is a recently developed
technology, there were no Engineering drawings to guide construction. So we had to create them
ourselves. This was quite a detailed and long process – but resulted in CERES producing the first
ever 16 sq m Scheffler in Australia. The detailed designs are also now available for anyone to use.
Similarly with the Electric Vehicle – few have attempted to make conversions from petrol engine to
electric – especially with transport vehicles (vans – in contrast to people carrier cars). The group
working on CERES Mercedes Sprinter conversion have had to work from scratch – solving highly
technical problems along the way. They have been praised by the Inspection Authorities for the high
quality of their work – and have been called upon by commercial car companies for gaining insight
into solutions to challenges they are facing in producing commercial electric vehicles.
> There is a lot of interest in water and energy saving innovations. We’ve had many volunteers
eager to assist with most projects. We’ve had numerous Tertiary institutions interested to work with
us on taking innovations further – testing their performance and replicability, improving their
performance, etc. We’ve worked with numerous businesses – also enthusiastic about the innovative
nature of our work – offering to provide inkind and professional support.
> Gaining permits from responsible bodies has been a major source of time delay and frustration –
particularly for grey water systems. We underestimated this. It poses a problem for grant programs
with a fixed timeframe. It also poses a major problem where innovation is involved. Our experience
has been that often our innovations don’t easily fit into existing regulations – or that there is
confusion within regulatory bodies about who’s responsibility it is to deal with issues.