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Author: Matt Dillon
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Electrification paving path towards decarbonisation
As building owners and businesses seek to reduce emissions, there is a growing requirement to convert buildings to be fully electric in order to decarbonise. At least that’s the case according to the latest Advisory Note from integrated building technical services provider A.G. Coombs. The note explores reasons for electrification, traditional fuels used in buildings, […]
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Scientists issue ‘final warning’ on climate crisis
As rising greenhouse gas emissions force the world to the brink of irreversible damage, scientists have delivered a “final warning” on the climate crisis. The message was issued by a panel of the world’s leading climate scientists in the final part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sixth assessment report. According to the […]
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Can growing crops at solar farms boost panel performance?
According to new research from Cornell University, growing commercial agricultural crops on solar farms can both increase commercial food production and improve solar panel performance and longevity. The research was published in the journal Applied Energy. “We now have, for the first time, a physics-based tool to estimate the costs and benefits of co-locating solar […]
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Big investors Google and Sol Systems back small fixes
Google and clean-energy developer Sol Systems have unveiled a new approach to energy efficiency by pairing clean energy with community investment in two less prosperous US states. The two giant corporates are providing seed funding to three electricity co-operatives and a non-profit, all US-based outfits. The idea is to spend money upfront to make homes […]
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AC based on air-cooled photovoltaic-thermal system
Scientists in China claim to have developed a photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) air conditioning system that uses an air-cooled condenser and a PV/T condenser combined in series. The research was published recently in Applied Thermal Energy, a technical journal. Researchers from Hebei University of Technology say they have designed the photovoltaic-thermal air conditioning system, whose novelty arises from using […]
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A.G. Coombs releases advisory note about net zero for FMs
Integrated building services provider A. G. Coombs has issued another in its series of informative guidance communiques or advisory notes. Aimed at facility managers, the latest is an exploration of net zero buildings. “The concept of ‘net zero’ is pivotal to any discussion regarding sustainability in the built environment,” the note says. “Despite its widespread […]
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Building 4.0 CRC Annual Showcase 2023 comes to Melbourne
Melbourne will host the Building 4.0 CRC Annual Showcase 2023 on March 22. The Showcase is a mix of demonstrations, presentations and exhibitions. “The Building 4.0 CRC Annual Showcase profiles some of our current and completed projects,” say the organisers. “It’s an opportunity for partners and researchers to interact with one another, build relationships, see […]
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Data Driven Smart Buildings Symposium calls for speakers
The Data-Driven Smart Buildings Symposium 2023 is calling for expressions of interest to present on topics relating to data-driven smart buildings, with a focus on building operation. Slated to take place Wednesday, May 24 at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, the Symposium will be hosted in collaboration with the International Energy Agency’s Annex […]
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National conference to confront energy crisis
Returning to Sydney for the first time in five years, the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2023 (NEEC23) will take place over May 24–25. “NEEC23 will bring Australia’s foremost energy efficiency experts, forward-thinking policy makers, innovative energy users, political leaders and industry trailblazers together to network, debate and create action around reducing energy bills and cutting […]
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Final report from ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit released
The final report from the ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey last October has been released by the US-based engineering association. “The Summit was designed to create an environment of collaboration and strategic dialogue to address the critical issues of the day, which were determined via the results of an international survey developed […]
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Electrification masterclass for commercial buildings
In collaboration with the City of Melbourne, construction engineering firm Cundall is delivering a two-hour masterclass for building owners and asset managers on practical pathways for electrification of existing commercial buildings. The masterclass is slated for 4–6pm on Wednesday, February 7 at Melbourne’s Library at The Dock. Facilitated by Cundall Associate Director Benny Cheah, the […]
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AIRAH seeks speakers for 2023 conferences
AIRAH is seeking speakers to share ideas, research, and findings for the Institute’s 2023 conferences and forums. Events slated for 2023 include the Indoor Air Quality Conference (Brisbane, July 17–18); the Future of HVAC (September 13–14, Melbourne); the Building Physics Forum (September 13, Melbourne); and the Big Data and Analytics Forum (September 14, Melbourne). Those […]
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Colleen Keyworth named new INWIC President
The International Network for Women in Cooling (INWIC) has appointed Colleen Keyworth as president for the 2023 year, with Dr Ina Colombo-Youla as president-elect to serve in 2024. INWIC was established in early 2022 to advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase female participation in the HVAC&R sector. Keyworth is the 2022 […]
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Google spinoff raises funds in search of geothermal growth
As market demand surges, Dandelion, a Google spinoff company making geothermal heating and cooling for homes, has raised AUD$104 million (US$70 million) to grow its operations. Dandelion powers heat pumps using geothermal bores drilled into household backyards. As with other forms of geothermal, Dandelion taps a secure reservoir of heat in the winter, and in the summer, […]
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TRANSFORM 2023 to be delivered as a hybrid event
The Green Building Council of Australia’s fifth annual TRANSFORM conference is slated to take place over March 22–23, 2023 at the Hilton Sydney and as a hybrid event. The gathering has been described by the GBCA as the industry-leading event at the forefront of the sustainable built environment. “Change is critical,” say the conference organisers. […]
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Dodgy short courses are no more, says ARC
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) says it has put the kibosh on dodgy RTOs that issue spurious qualifications. According to the ARC, tell-tale signs of inadequacy for these so-called qualifications are course length – typically two days when a minimum of 360 hours has been deemed necessary – and inappropriate reliance on recognition of prior […]
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Unprecedented weather for Australia and world
As parts of Australia had their wettest spring on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the Earth has just experienced its warmest eight-year period on record. Through mid-October, parts of Australia were experiencing unprecedented precipitation. On October 6, Sydney had received about 2,213mm of rainfall for the year, surpassing the previous record of 2,194mm […]
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Impact X aims to accelerate action for a net zero future
The second Impact X Summit Sydney will present an expanded three-day agenda of dialogue, workshops, and events, designed to accelerate action for a net zero, climate-positive future. The conference is scheduled to take place from November 9–11 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. It has been timed to coincide with the UN COP 27, allowing […]
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AIRAH to release new edition of DA09
AIRAH is poised to release the fourth edition of its critical technical resource, DA09 Air Conditioning Load Estimation and Psychrometrics, with the official release date set for October 27. Used to help estimate air conditioning peak loads and partial loads in any given space, DA09 is a fundamental component of AIRAH’s technical manual offering. “Releasing […]
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Councils collaborate on sustainable development planning
Twenty-four Victorian councils have collaborated on an application to state planning authorities that aims to ensure that all new developments are designed to be climate resilient and sustainable. The two-dozen high-profile local government organisations submitted a Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The PSA seeks to change […]