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Author: Rachel Urquhart
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CSIRO predicts more climate extremes
CSIRO has released its seventh biennial State of the Climate report, projecting that in coming decades Australians are likely to experience more heat and fewer cold extremes, as well as more time in drought, more dangerous fire days, and a longer fire season for large areas. The report draws on Australian and international climate research […]
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Antec Controls maintains lead time on products
During the supply chain issues and parts shortages recently experienced across the entire industry, Antec Controls says it has maintained a world’s-best lead time on valves and controllers. The company attributes this to its constant push towards vertical integration. “Much of the manufacturing processes are completed in-house, allowing them to be consistent and efficient with […]
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Sound advice on building tuning
A.G. Coombs has published an advisory note on the advantages of building tuning, and how to implement it effectively. The publication outlines why effective building tuning is important, as well as how to address instability within a control system and its causes, and some of the common pitfalls in tuning strategies. According to A.G. Coombs, […]
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Manufacturing breakthrough for thermoelectrics
University of Notre Dame researchers have developed a new manufacturing process that allows thermoelectric devices to be produced faster and at lower cost. The innovative process uses intense pulsed light to sinter thermoelectric material in less than a second, while conventional sintering in thermal ovens can take hours. This method of turning nanoparticle inks into flexible […]
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US tightens supply chain emissions reporting
The US Government is tightening its emissions reporting requirements, with its proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule expanding to include Scope 3 emissions. The new rule requires major federal government contractors to report their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, in a bid to protect the US Government’s supply chains from climate-related financial […]
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Energy-intense data centres seek solutions
Digital infrastructure and continuity solutions provider Vertiv has flagged the environmental and community impacts of data centres as a key industry concern in 2023. “Data centres will experience increased regulation and third-party oversight in 2023 as the world continues to grapple with the industry’s rising energy and water consumption against the backdrop of ongoing climate […]
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Engineer celebrates 50 years in industry
For Marino Bassi, Key Account Senior Advisor at Nidec Global Appliance, 2022 marks 50 years in the European refrigeration industry. A member of the Embraco team since 1994, Bassi has held many roles within the business, and is now dedicated to the portfolio for commercial applications. Among Bassi’s many achievements, says employer Embraco, was his […]
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New path for PV-powered cooling
An Australian-Indian group of researchers is exploring the combined use of thermoelectric modules (TEMs) and rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in HVAC for buildings. Using air as the thermal fluid for the rooftop PV, the scientists designed a system that uses a primary TEM wall to deliver room air conditioning. Traditionally, TEMs have not been used in […]
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Air quality webinar for healthy buildings
IAQ Ventilation will host a webinar to discuss indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring, and the latest trends in IAQ smart sensor technology. The free one-hour webinar, Indoor Air Quality Monitoring and Visualisation in Practice, will be held on November 23. IAQ Ventilation says its webinar is ideal for building operators, consulting engineers, HVAC and […]
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Fujitsu General grows its applied team
Fujitsu General Australia has welcomed Frank Spiropoulos to the role of Applied Business Manager. Fujitsu General says Spiropoulos is a seasoned HVAC professional with experience in a range of roles valuable to the business: from chiller technician to authorised dealer and product support manager. Prior to joining the company, his most recent role was as […]
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Fujitsu General launches new Comfort range
Fujitsu General Australia has launched its new wall-mounted reverse cycle Comfort range, featuring six models from 2.5kW to 7.1kW cooling capacity. Kyle Rafter, Head of Product ANZ, Fujitsu General, says the Comfort range was designed to ensure maximum value and user satisfaction, combining energy efficient features and award-winning design. “It is important that Australians have […]
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Women in cooling survey reveals global challenges
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published a new report surveying 810 women worldwide working in the HVAC&R sector, to better understand their careers, challenges, motivation, and opportunities. According to the report, more than 15 million people are employed worldwide in the HVAC&R industry, with the under-representation of women evidenced by the fact that […]
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Global award to recognise lower GWP innovation
Entries are open for the ASHRAE and OzonAction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 2022 Lower GWP Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Innovation Award. According to ASHRAE, the award promotes innovative design, research, and practice. It recognises people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to minimise global warming potential (GWP) through […]
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HVAC exhaust can boost rooftop crops
Researchers have found that planting vegetables crops near vents exhausting carbon dioxide-rich air can produce up to four times more growth. The farming system, known as BIG GRO, takes a sustainable waste resource that exists in excess in cities – human respiration – and applies it to farming. Conducted on the roof of the […]
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Summit takes on decarbonisation and disaster resilience
After a two-year hiatus from holding an in-person event, the Sustainability Summit and Awards has returned in a new hybrid format. As both an in-person event held in Sydney and an online broadcast via livestream, the event provides traditional networking opportunities while maintaining the previous years’ remote accessibility. Slated for November 10, the summit will […]
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Unequal economic impact of extreme heat
A new research article linking economic growth and extreme heat has highlighted that the worst impacted communities will likely be the least culpable when it comes to man-made climate impacts. According to researchers Christopher W. Callahan and Justin S. Mankin, “global inequality is both a cause and consequence of the unequal burden of climate change”. […]
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Worker shortage key concern for contractors
A recent report found that a shortage of skilled labour and supply chain disruptions are two of the major business issues impacting specialty contractors, with the skills shortage predicted to worsen. Released by construction management software provider Procore Technologies, in partnership with Dodge Construction Network, the 2022 Top Business Issues for Specialty Contractors Report aims […]
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Johnson Controls expands manifold product line
Johnson Controls has expanded its Tyco RM-2 Riser Manifold product offering with the launch of two RM-2 Base models designed to complement the fully integrated RM-2 Riser Manifold. The riser manifolds support fire safety by supplying, monitoring, and regulating water flow to a building’s fire suppression piping system. Johnson Controls says the new base models […]
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Better meetings for better business
Sustainable leadership drives long-lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits for businesses, says the Institute for Sustainable Leadership (ISL), which has launched a new microcourse on leading better meetings. The ISL says that while meeting management may seem like a small procedural detail, it affects a range of other practices that influence performance, including employee engagement, […]
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Siemens promotes benefits of data-driven buildings
Siemens is promoting data-driven building service programs to identify issues earlier and achieve greater efficiencies and cost savings when compared to traditional building services. “Data-driven digital services leverage data and analytics for greater intelligence into systems and operations, such as energy usage and emissions, failure-causing anomalies, code compliance, building systems interaction and occupant experience that […]