Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
Centre Director: Associate Professor John Ruprecht
Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia
The centre’s core research areas
Research ranges from new wind and photovoltaic technologies, to wastewater treatment and desalination, to integrated water, energy and waste technologies that enable smart buildings, urban areas and rural communities.
Smart batteries
Our targeted research has the potential to grow the battery metals and mining equipment, technology and services sectors in Western Australia.
This will deliver substantial economic benefits, leading to a future battery industry with an emphasis on research and technology sector development across the battery value chain.
Renewable energy
Our research programs contribute to the development of a cleaner, more secure and reliable energy industry that delivers affordable energy.
Significant research is performed in photovoltaic devices and systems, small wind turbines, biomass, energy efficiency, storage and economics, and developing-country needs.
Integrating energy technologies
We conduct research that explores the integration of technical, social, environmental and policy issues of renewable energy technologies.
Our aim is to facilitate the sustainable and resilient planning of power delivery systems, microgrids and smart grids.
Energy from waste
The potential for wastewater grown microalgae to be a source of energy and feedstock has raised considerable interest in microalgae as sources of liquid biofuels.
Research areas include microalgae and macroalgae cultures for wastewater treatment and the commercial production of algae for biofuels using conventional and unconventional methods.
Smart cities
We have a focus on developing smart water, energy and waste systems for buildings, urban areas and communities.
A key part of this work is on smart power grids that use information and communications technology to monitor and actively control generation and demand in near real-time.
Smart water
Murdoch is leading a number of translational research projects aimed at enabling water supplies from poor quality water and improving water productivity in partnership with industry and government.
Our research capabilities include water conservation, reuse and purification and are directly related to the University’s key research strengths in food security and human health.
Key researchers
Associate Professor John Ruprecht
Associate Professor Ruprecht brings decades of high-level leadership in water resources, agriculture and business development from both private industry and government. His work spans water management, irrigation, land and water development, sustainable agriculture, urban water management, hydrologic research, mine rehabilitation programs, and regional development.
Professor Wendell Ela
Professor Ela is inaugural Chair of Desalination and Water Treatment at Murdoch University and the Chief Scientific Officer of the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia. His research focuses on desalination technology development and implementation, decentralized and off-grid water treatment systems and integrated water-renewable energy solutions for rural communities and agriculture.
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Dr Jonathon Whale
Dr Whale is the Academic Chair of Energy Studies at Murdoch with a background in the field of wind energy. He has been closely involved in the development and commercialisation of a range of wind turbines, with his current research aiming to improve the quality and reliability of small wind turbines.
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Associate Professor Navid Moheimani
Associate Professor Moheimani is a senior algae technical specialist who has over 18 years experience in wastewater treatment and biomass production from microalgae. He leads algae research and development and has experience in both conventional and unconventional biofuel production, and developing life cycle analysis for algae to biofuel production.
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Dr Aleksander Nikoloski
Dr Nikoloski is Academic Chair of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering with over twenty years teaching and research experience in the field of extractive metallurgy. He is strongly involved in professional practice through research, development and innovation projects funded by government and industry and has developed several metal extraction techniques used in industry today.
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