Jianbin Wang receives his PhD

Congratulations to Dr Jianbin Wang, Chief Innovation Officer of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities and the Water Sensitive Cities Institute, on the recent conferral of his PhD.

Jianbin’s thesis is titled Water–energy nexus framework in urban water management at precinct scale, and recognises that water and energy services are the cornerstone of future sustainable development.

In his thesis, Jianbin presents an integrated assessment framework that reconciles managing objectives of water with those of energy. He argues that the notion of a ‘water sensitive energy index’ contributes to overall understanding and assessment of energy performance of key water and energy streams in creating water–energy efficient precincts.

The framework, presented through case studies, is supported by a range of solutions, comprising demand management (such as better thermal insulation), technological intervention (such as stormwater harvesting and sewer mining) and urban design (such as new building typology and multi-functional public open space) emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Jianbin also proposes a new business model using  a ‘future contract’. This idea centres on trading resources, waste and performance targets within a sector as well as between sectors. By doing so, we can appropriately measure and re-distribute the benefits and costs associated with the water–energy nexus approach and facilitate a whole-of-government response towards sustainable precinct development.

We’re proud of Jianbin’s groundbreaking work in this area, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of this important research.