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Category: News
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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 […]
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Study reveals why women don’t choose engineering as a career
As Australia’s engineering skills shortage intensifies, Engineers Australia has released a new study revealing the reasons women aren’t entering the profession – and what can be done to change that. Findings from the Women in Engineering Report indicate the biggest reason girls don’t choose to study engineering is a lack of awareness of what engineering […]
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Accredited CO2 training on offer at Beijer Ref Academy
Beijer Ref and Superior Training Centre have joined forces to offer what they say is the only nationally accredited CO2 course currently being run in Australia, on state-of-the-art equipment in a custom-built facility. “This is an important step forward in the upskilling of technicians in CO2 systems technology,” says Superior Training Centre head trainer Antonis […]
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Carole O’Neil named global Managing Partner for Cundall
Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Cundall has named Carole O’Neil as its new Managing Partner. O’Neil will lead the practice as it embraces a new strategy and the next stage in its development, including a clear focus on people and culture. Having been with Cundall for 15 years, O’Neil takes over from Tomás Neeson, who will now […]
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CPD is go for electrical licence holders in Victoria
After a successful pilot program, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has officially announced the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for electrical licence holders. At its most simple, most licence holders, including electricians and restricted electrical licence (REL) holders, must now complete a day of CPD training, before their licence can be renewed. CPD can be completed […]
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3D-printed homes coming to a street near you
Melbourne-based company Fortex has announced a partnership with COBOD International to bring the BOD2 3D construction printing technology to Australia. The company hopes it will be the start of a 3D-printing revolution. “Fortex is proud to be laying the foundation for a new construction paradigm in Australia with COBOD 3D printers,” says Fortex CEO David […]
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New partnership to raise awareness of mental health
Software company simPRO has announced a philanthropic partnership with MATES in Construction, a suicide awareness, prevention and support program serving Australia’s and New Zealand’s construction industry. According to MATES in Construction, Australia’s construction industry is losing one worker per week to suicide. Construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than a […]
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WorldSkills International Competition cancelled
The 46th WorldSkills International Competition scheduled to be held in Shanghai has been cancelled due to ongoing pandemic prevention and control restrictions in China. Scheduled for October 12–17, 2022, the competition was originally planned for 2021 and was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. “It is with deep disappointment that we announce the cancellation […]
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Australia joins global pact for energy efficiency
Amid the mounting power crises locally and globally, Australia has issued a joint statement with 25 other countries stressing the importance of energy efficiency for addressing energy supply issues, rising inflation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The statement was one of the major outcomes of the Global Conference on Energy Efficiency organised by the International Energy […]
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UNSW research underlines benefits of cool roofs
New research has confirmed the potential benefits of reflective material on buildings – and raised more questions about the NSW government’s change of heart on banning dark roofs. After conducting a technological and cost-benefit analysis across major Australian cities, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney team found that city-wide implementation of cool roofs […]
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New chair Tony Arnel appointed to ARBS board
Professor Tony Arnel has been appointed to chair the ARBS Exhibitions board, replacing Ian Hopkins. A professor at Deakin University, Arnel is a former president of the Energy Efficiency Council, Green Building Council of Australia and World Green Building Council. He was also the Victorian Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner for 12 years. “I feel […]
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UNEP looks to the sea for a cool change in Egypt
The International Energy Agency states that cooling technology creates more than 7 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. In Egypt during summer, approximately half of the country’s electricity goes towards air conditioning. Temperatures can hit 40°C and remain in the high thirties throughout the season, especially in cities experiencing the urban heat island […]
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Design competition aims for “true zero carbon”
Design Matters has launched a new design competition with ambitious sustainability goals: the True Zero Carbon Challenge. The aim of the competition is twofold. First, to design a home that produces more power than it uses over the year through energy-efficient design, careful appliance selection, and photovoltaic integration. Second, to consider and calculate embodied carbon […]
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ARC offers free A2/A2L refrigerant training resources
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has released a set of free A2/A2L refrigerant training resources for registered training organisations (RTOs). The resources, developed in partnership with Refrigerants Australia and selected TAFE colleges, build on the unit of competency for A2/A2L refrigerants that the ARC created in 2018. They have been designed to assist RTO teachers […]
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Government safeguard for construction industry
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is promoting a financial safeguard that may be of interest to businesses in the building and construction industry, including HVAC&R: the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). The PPSR is a public noticeboard of security interests in personal property, and provides a way for businesses to help get their invoices paid […]
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Mid-tier maladies – new research offers vital insights
HVAC maintenance in Australia’s mid-tier is the focus for a trio of reports just released through the Better Ways To Work project. The result of extensive surveys and deep-dive interviews with workers and stakeholders, the new publications shine a light on key issues in the sector. The project was led by researchers at University of […]
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New explosive gas atmospheres standard on the way
Industry is preparing for a new edition of AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009, Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres, due to appear later this year. AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009 is a modified version of the IEC 60079-10-1 standard, published in 2008. Since then there have been two updates to the IEC standard, in 2015 and 2020. The Standards Australia […]
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The new insulation on the block
A report by researchers featured in Nano Letters has revealed a new type of lightweight foam could reduce energy costs by more than a third. Made from wood-based cellulose nanocrystals, the material is thermally insulating, can reflect sunlight and emits absorbed heat. The researchers connected the cellulose nanocrystals together with a silane bridge, before freezing and […]