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Category: News
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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 […]
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New mech services licensing coming to NSW
The NSW government is preparing to implement a new licensing system for mechanical services in October 2022. The changes were prompted by the need for medical gases licensing, but also include provisions that impact mechanical services workers across refrigeration, air conditioning and plumbing. The Building Amendment (Mechanical Services and Medical Gas Work) Bill 2020 amends […]
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Winners announced in Cooling Solutions Challenge
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the winners of the Cooling Solutions Challenge prize competition. The initiative offered a total of US$195,000 (AU$290,000), for climate-friendly cooling innovations to protect people against extreme heat. Solutions were sought to help first responders, individuals, households, or displaced populations keep cool during extreme heat events, which […]
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Government backs hydrogen for home heating
Representatives from Victorian and federal governments were present for the unveiling of two new technologies from Rinnai Australia that are designed with future energy in mind. The first is a continuous flow hot water system developed by Rinnai Japan for the domestic market, which uses 100 per cent hydrogen combustion technology. Rinnai plans to start […]
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Australian HVAC&R inventor receives national recognition
Ron Conry, L.AIRAH, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the HVAC&R industry, in particular the development of the high-speed and oil-free centrifugal compressor. A refrigeration technician by trade, Conry started in the industry in the 1960s. He worked for around 25 years with traditional HVAC&R equipment, before […]
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Thermal storage system based on sand
The world’s first commercial sand-based thermal energy storage system has been developed to back up a heating network in Finland. Technology company Polar Night Energy and utility organisation Vatajankoski joined forces to create the system, which is adjacent to a power plant. It has 100kW heating power and 8MWh capacity, and can heat the sand […]
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Alex Shan awarded Young Engineer of the Year
Cundall Senior Mechanical Engineer Alex Shan was awarded the CIBSE ANZ Jack Pirie Award – Young Engineer of the Year 2022 during the official ceremony at NSW Parliament House on July 7. The award recognises an engineer with less than seven years of professional experience who has demonstrated technical excellence, exceptional professionalism, and a positive […]
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HVAC&R salary survey to offer further industry insights
AIRAH has launched the second edition of its Salary Survey to benchmark industry wages and forecast trends in employment. The survey will run until the end of August and is for all those who work in the HVAC&R sector. The first edition of AIRAH’s HVAC&R Salary Survey was conducted in 2019. With data from almost […]
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ATO offers tax time guide for trades
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has developed a range of resources to help workers get their tax returns right – including a guide specifically for trades. From car and travel expenses to tools and protective gear, the tax time guide has been created to help work out what they can and can’t claim. An ATO […]
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Cundall announces new appointments
Cundall has announced the appointment of two new partners within its global leadership team, among several other promotions. The appointment of Rob Turner in Manchester and Alejandro (Alex) Saez in Singapore brings the number of partners in the business to 44. At the same time, David Collins will become a director within Cundall Australia, and […]
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Vanessa Visman to lead new Aurecon team
Aurecon has appointed Vanessa Visman as Principal – Asset Management and Performance. In the role she will establish and lead an Operations Performance and Assurance team designed to help organisations operate new and existing assets at peak performance. Aurecon says Visman, who joins from Hatch, is a globally recognised operational readiness specialist with a proven […]
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Tensions rise over EU HFC phase-down plans
As the European Union considers ambitious new targets for phasing down HFC refrigerants, industry is divided about the path forward. Some groups have cautioned regulators against moving too fast, but others believe the stricter phase-down is both achievable and desirable. What’s on the table? In April this year, the European Commission proposed two new regulations […]
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New podcast delves into critical role of data ontologies
AIRAH’s Big Data STG has released a new podcast focusing on the role of data ontologies and the need for a common naming system for building data. The release follows on from the Big Data and Analytics Forum held last week in Sydney and online. There, keynote speaker Brian Turner from Buildings IOT highlighted the […]
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Castrol and Submer to develop data centre cooling
Lubricant brand Castrol and immersion cooling systems organisation Submer have signed an agreement aiming to accelerate the adoption of immersion cooling as a pathway to more efficient and sustainable data centre operations. The companies plan to develop a new generation of immersion cooling fluids and collaborate on developing the global supply and standards. Immersion cooling is […]
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Top chefs launch global campaign about cooling
To celebrate World Refrigeration Day, world-leading chefs have launched a campaign to remind people that cooling enables nutritional diets, helps reduce the number of undernourished, and can lower greenhouse gas emissions. The chefs are part of the Chefs4thePlanet network, which is joining with United Nations Environment Programme OzonAction and Global Food Cold Chain Council in […]