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Category: News
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Roadmap for addressing engineering skills crisis
Engineers Australia has developed a new report that it describes as a roadmap to address Australia’s engineering skills shortage in the short, medium and long term. Strengthening the Engineering Workforce identifies five factors influencing the profession’s supply of engineers and provides an inventory of tangible initiatives which could lessen current and future shortages. Supply factors […]
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Fake city shows heatwave weaknesses
Washington Post writers have constructed a hypothetical city to demonstrate the disastrous effects of extreme heat on infrastructure – building a cautionary tale in “Meltsville”. The project draws international inspiration from true examples of built environments that weren’t designed to endure extreme temperatures. Meltsville, through its article and accompanying dynamic graphics, illustrates that much of […]
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Building equality in gender policies
Governments around Australia are pushing the building and construction industry to take action on gender equality policies. Earlier this year the Victorian government revealed the Building Equality Policy (BEP), aimed at creating training and employment opportunities for women through government procurement on building, infrastructure, civil engineering and any other capital works projects. Under the gender […]
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Gill named to senior role at The Carbon Trust
Steve Gill, the head of the World Refrigeration Day secretariat, has been appointed head of sustainable cooling at The Carbon Trust. In this new role, Gill will lead global initiatives to address critical climate change challenges. He’ll also be charged with developing new propositions to address gaps and opportunities globally where The Carbon Trust can […]
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Geothermal solution for sustainable poultry farming
A new hybrid geothermal and solar energy system promises to dramatically reduce emissions and energy costs for many Australian poultry farms. The University of Melbourne is teaming up with geothermal companies Ground Source Systems and Fourth Element Energy to create a hybrid geothermal and solar HVAC system specifically for the poultry industry. The project, funded […]
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Suppliers sought for Home Heating and Cooling Program
The Victorian government is once again looking for suppliers to join the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. In response to industry feedback, applications are now open online, via VendorPanel, the government’s eProcurement Platform. The program offers rebates to replace gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle split systems in low-income and vulnerable households. It […]
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Digital partnership for HVAC&R maintenance
AIRAH has partnered with field-servicing software provider Uptick to offer DA19 HVAC&R Maintenanceas an integrated online solution. The first of its kind, the partnership will allow Uptick to provide AIRAH’s DA19 inspection checklists, routine maintenance frequencies, and asset-class taxonomy to its premium customers. For more than 20 years, DA19 has been widely considered the definitive […]
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Expanding the clean energy workforce
Solar Victoria is offering free and low-cost packages for women to take up apprenticeships and training in the renewable energy industry – including air conditioning and refrigeration. The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades has invested $11 million in comprehensive training and workforce development packages. Women currently make up less than 1 per cent of the […]
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Collective push for higher standards in NCC 2022
More than 100 organisations have signed a joint statement supporting the lifting of energy standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC). The document has been sent to federal and state and territory ministers ahead of a meeting in late August, where it is expected a final decision will be made on raising minimum energy […]
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New IAQ study from Daikin
A new indoor air quality study from Daikin has revealed more than half of Australians have experienced health issues due to poor air quality at home. The company says its Understanding indoor air quality in Australian homes research shows that humid conditions, poor ventilation and a lack of awareness on how to improve air quality […]
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Optimising commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment
The Victorian government has published a guide to optimising the performance of commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment. Aimed at end-users, it contains information on refrigerant gases, energy use, and a maintenance checklist for typical equipment. “Refrigeration and cooling systems can use a lot of energy and, if not properly maintained, may leak refrigerants,” reads the […]
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Landmark Australian ventilation study
A recent City of Melbourne research project has found that simple changes to ventilation systems can significantly decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and reduce energy consumption in office buildings. The City of Melbourne BREATH pilot tested and evaluated three different ventilation systems in a vacant CBD building over three months: displacement ventilation air conditioning, in-ceiling […]
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Sensory heating and cooling mattress promotes sleep
Bioengineers at the University of Texas in Austin, USA, have developed a sensory heating and cooling mattress and pillow system that can help people fall asleep. It is designed to manipulate bodily temperatures through sensors connected to the skin. Research fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Shahab […]
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Bill Gates backs green air conditioning startup
Software billionaire Bill Gates is investing in air conditioning startup Blue Frontier, a company that aims to develop technology that will improve air conditioning efficiency and reduce harmful environmental impacts. Blue Frontier has received a $20 million round of funding, with backers including Bill Gates’ investment fund Breakthrough Energy Ventures, among others. According to its […]
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Quick wins for energy-efficiency upgrades
A team from UNSW Sydney supported by the federal government has released a series of case studies that highlight the biggest opportunities for energy efficiency savings in existing commercial buildings. The project originated with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (now DCCEEW), which sought to develop case studies showcasing the top low-cost options […]
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NABERS expands to warehouses and cold stores
NABERS has confirmed that its energy rating tool for warehouses and cold stores will launch in September 2022. The new tool represents a step forward for this sector being able to manage and gain recognition for environmental performance and progress towards net zero emissions. According to NABERS, there has been a lot of buzz around […]
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Marine life inspires dynamic buildings
Researchers from the University of Toronto have created a new, low-cost “optofluidic” system that could help buildings save energy by dynamically changing the appearance of their exteriors. The research is inspired by marine life such as krill, shrimp and crabs. Master’s student in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, Raphael Kay, compares the new technology […]
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Australian research project to focus on IAQ
The Australian Research Council has confirmed $5 million in funding for a new training centre to reduce airborne infections through improved indoor air quality for better public health in new building systems. The project, backed by various universities and industry partners – including many from the HVAC&R sector – will be led by QUT Distinguished […]
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US report makes compelling case for heat pumps
A new report focusing on heating and cooling in US homes argues that transitioning from the existing heating systems and one-way air conditioners to two-way heat pumps could slash emissions CO2 emissions by 67Mt and cut national heating costs by US$13.6 billion. The report, Combating High Fuel Prices with Hybrid Heating, advocates for households to […]
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Cooler buildings with rooftop wrapping
Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a new method of cooling buildings by wrapping rooftops in “cooling paper”. They believe the material could lower carbon emissions, electricity bills and reduce the need for air conditioning. College of Engineering professor Yi Zheng and PhD researcher Andrew Caratenuto started a company called Planck Energies to test the cooling paper in […]