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Category: News
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Tackling embodied carbon for building services
As Scope 3 emissions emerge as the next big obstacle on the road to net zero, new industry initiatives are looking at the way forward for building services. Until now, businesses have generally focused on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (or operational emissions) when making net zero commitments. Scope 1 covers direct emissions, for […]
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Solar power after dark
A research team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has discovered how to harness “night-time” solar power. The team, from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, made the breakthrough by using a semi-conductor device called a thermoradiative diode to generate electricity from the emission of infrared light. The results of the study […]
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APCO launches recycled packaging pledge
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has launched an initiative to drive a greater uptake of recycled content in packaging. The Recycled Materials Pledge challenges major brands across all industries, including HVAC&R, to publicly commit the volumes of specific materials they will transition from virgin materials to recycled materials by 2025. It will play a […]
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NEXTgen program open for applications
Applications are now open to join Standards Australia’s NEXTgen program for 2022–23. The NEXTgen Program selects emerging industry and technical experts and provides them with an opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation processes. “Emerging leaders will share knowledge and collaborate, developing a deep understanding of what it takes to shape robust […]
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Engineers Australia introduces construction AoP
Engineers Australia has introduced a new Construction Engineering Area of Practice (AoP). The new AoP will help maintain growth in the construction engineering industry to meet the demands of the nation’s construction sector. Engineers Australia has been working with the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) since 2020 in a collaborative effort to produce the AoP. Engineers […]
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Overcoming the stigma of VET
Vocational education and training (VET) has long been surrounded by negative perceptions. In a recent “What if” paper, VOCEDplus discusses what would happen if we could overcome these negative perceptions. The paper notes that societal perceptions of VET are influenced by a variety of factors, including the terminology surrounding vocational training versus higher education. VET […]
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Aurecon strengthens infrastructure team
Design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed two new leaders to shape its global infrastructure advisory business. Georgia Gosse joins as Infrastructure Advisory Principal and Queensland Regional Service Group Leader, working across all sectors. Julian Mitton joins as Principal in the firm’s New South Wales Infrastructure Advisory. An infrastructure sustainability and risk-management consultant, Gosse […]
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ARBS 2022 Awards finalists announced
Ahead of ARBS 2022 in Melbourne on August 16–18, the finalists have been revealed for the ARBS 2022 Industry Awards. A panel of industry experts evaluated and selected the finalists based on various criteria such as leadership, sustainability, performance, and origination. The award winners will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner on Wednesday […]
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Top chefs serve up message about cooling
To celebrate World Refrigeration Day on June 26, United Nations Environment Program OzonAction, Chefs4thePlanet, and Global Food Cold Chain Council are partnering to explain cooling’s essential role in protecting human health and the planet. The Cooling Keeps Food Fresh campaign will describe why cooling is necessary for food safety and how it supports nutritious diets […]
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Towards a better performance metric for cooling
Key players behind the Global Cooling Prize have launched a project to establish new performance metrics for air conditioners that will promote the uptake of next-generation technology. The Global Cooling Prize was an innovation competition that offered prizes for developing a room air conditioner with five times less climate impact than a standard model in […]
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Hydrocarbons the future for residential AC?
Industry stakeholders have applauded a revised International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standard that will allow larger charges of flammable refrigerants in household appliances such as air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. In particular, it could open the way for greater use of hydrocarbons in residential air conditioning. Standard IEC 60335-2-40 deals with the safety of […]
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New body to focus on commissioning
A new association focusing on commissioning has formed and is seeking industry support. The Testing and Commissioning Association (TACA) began when a group of building commissioning organisations saw a lack of ongoing professional development and local support for the Australian and Asia-Pacific commissioning industry. The association consists of commissioning specialists from around Australia and says […]
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ARC seeking field officers
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is recruiting field officers to help support the ARCTick national licensing scheme. Candidates should have RAC experience, communication and people skills, a positive “can do” attitude and a desire to help the industry to save the planet through the ARCTick licensing scheme. ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans says the […]
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Sustainable development in refrigeration
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has released its corporate Activity Report, detailing how the Institute has set its strategy and actions within the framework of the sustainable development of the refrigeration sector. The IIR states refrigeration is present in most areas of human activity, and is absolutely necessary for life. The Institute defines its […]
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Vale Warwick Stannus
Long-time industry stalwart Warwick Stannus, M.AIRAH, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022. With a strong background in both consulting and contracting in the HVAC&R industry, Stannus is recognised for his work in developing industry standards and his 19-year career at A.G. Coombs. He started working at A.G. Coombs in 2003 in the newly created […]
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NSW to invest in ventilation systems for schools
Automatic fresh air ventilation systems will be rolled out to more than 10,000 public school classrooms in New South Wales to bolster protection against COVID-19. With winter approaching, case loads are expected to increase. Considering that in Australia, 2022 has already seen more than double the number of COVID-related deaths in 2020 and 2021 combined […]
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Industry faces new deadline for fire testing
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has issued a corrigendum for NCC 2019 that delays the changeover to new testing requirements for passive fire protection systems. Previously, as of May 1, 2022, these systems were to be tested to the latest version of AS 1530.4; this has now been pushed back to September 1, 2022, […]
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Shanghai showdown for WA fridgie
Perth-based refrigeration and air conditioning technician Tom Clancy has been selected to represent Australia at the 46th Worldskills International Competition in Shanghai in October 2022. Selected for the Australian Skills Squad after an impressive performance at both regional and national competitions, Clancy is aiming for a top 10 spot at the international event, due to […]
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Master Builders supports petition for free standards
A federal House of Representatives petition calling for free or affordable access to Australian Standards has received support from the Master Builders Association of Victoria. The petition claims that although essential to many jobs, Australian Standards are becoming “increasingly expensive and the restrictions on accessibility are increasing”. “The existing model is unsustainable and will potentially […]
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Engineers Australia CEO earns prestigious plaudit
Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans AM has been honoured with the Women in Industry Excellence in Engineering Award at a recent gala dinner in Melbourne. The first woman to graduate from electrical engineering at Wollongong University, Dr Evans was acknowledged as an outstanding engineer and trailblazer in her field. Her career has included stints […]