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Category: News
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Windows that control heat with the flick of a switch
Engineers at Duke University in North Carolina, USA have developed a window-like technology that can alternate between absorbing heating and cooling with the flick of a switch. The material is made from electrochromic technology, a material that can change colour and opacity through conducting electricity. Assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke, […]
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Strategies to stop our cities overheating
Launched at COP26, Beating the Heat is a handbook that provides strategies for sustainable cooling of cities. Created by the Cool Coalition, UNEP, RMI, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), Mission Innovation and Clean Cooling Collaborative, it offers planners an encyclopedia of proven options to help cool cities. In recent weeks, much […]
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Subject matter experts needed for Gas Training Package
With the Gas Supply Industry Skills project having commenced, the Gas Industry Reference Committee is forming a Technical Advisory Committee. The committee is now seeking expert input. “Your industry expertise and insight is welcome to help review and develop five qualifications and 69 Units of Competency in the Gas Supply Training Package,” says Australian Industry […]
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Good vibrations for cooling data centres
Glasgow-based Katrick Technologies hopes to revolutionise cooling power consumption in data centres with a vibrations-based heat-removal system. As the data proliferates in our increasingly digitised world, the energy demands of data centres are rising. Nature magazine has predicted that by 2030, data centres will be responsible for more than 8,000TWh of consumption worldwide, much of […]
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Concrete steps to manage embodied carbon
As scrutiny of embodied carbon increases, the NSW government has announced that it will fund the investigation and development of a world-leading framework for measuring, benchmarking and certifying emissions from construction and building materials. Carbon emissions from materials used in construction, such as steel and cement, are expected to become the largest source of carbon […]
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Seeking clarity on professional registration
As professional registration schemes commence across Australia, practitioners in the refrigeration sector are looking for a clear statement from government on which parts of their work will fall under the new regulations – and calling for alternative qualification pathways. On July 1, 2021, the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 came into effect in New […]
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CEOs call for committed climate action
CEOs of some of the world’s largest multinational organisations – including a number of iconic names in HVAC&R – have committed to reducing emissions by more than 1Gt annually by 2030. All members of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, the more than 90 chief executives say that if world leaders reach agreement at COP26 […]
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New guide to energy efficient homes
The federal government has published the sixth edition of Your Home, an independent guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Your Home provides advice on designs, materials and appliances that can make homes more comfortable and sustainable when building, buying or renovating. Written by more than 50 experts in building design and construction, it contains the latest […]
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COVID-19 considerations for operating theatres
The AIRAH Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices Special Technical Group (STG) has produced a document that looks at the advantages, disadvantages and risks of common COVID-19 practices in operating theatres. The document provides considerations related to various measures that may be employed in operating rooms to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This includes negative […]
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A.G. Coombs releases advisory note on IT systems
In response to varied occupancy patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, A.G. Coombs has released an advisory note on supporting resilient tenant IT systems. “During COVID-19 many buildings experienced a significant reduction in the number of occupants,” says A.G. Coombs. “With the move to remote working, the reliance on tenant IT systems, often supported by […]
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Countries must go hard and early to avoid 2.7°C rise
The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest Emissions Program Gap Report has found that countries’ climate promises for 2030 fall far short of Paris Achievement goals, leaving the world on track for a global temperature rise of at least 2.7°C this century. The report, now in its 12th year, finds that countries will need to go […]
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Victoria pledges millions to build clean energy workforce
The Victorian government has launched a $6 million fund to support projects that promote training for an expanded clean energy workforce. The Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund provides grants up to $1 million for collaboration between industry and training providers to deliver innovation in clean economy training and workforce development. Funding can be used […]
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Beijer Ref acquires Australian HVAC distributor
Global refrigeration wholesaler Beijer Ref has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares in the Australian distribution company Airstream. Airstream is a manufacturer and distributor of air conditioning ducting and associated fittings. The company was established in 2011 and consists of 14 employees. The majority of Airstream’s sales are made locally in Perth. Airstream […]
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Built environment offers open paths to net zero
As the federal government promotes its five-point technology-driven plan to reach net zero by 2050, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released a policy platform highlighting five ways the built environment can help Australia transition to a net zero future. The paper comes in the lead-up to COP26 in Glasgow from October 31–November […]
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Technology will take us to net zero, promises PM
The federal government has released Australia’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which it says will achieve net zero by 2050. A joint media release from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor says that Australia will act in a “practical, responsible way” to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 […]
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World Bank launches sustainable cooling program
The World Bank has announced new program to accelerate the uptake of sustainable cooling solutions, including air conditioning, refrigeration and cold chain, in developing countries. The program will provide technical assistance to ensure that efficient cooling is included in new World Bank Group investment projects and will mobilise further financing. Cooling collaboration The Efficient Clean […]
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Electric homes group tops 35,000 members
My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) is a rapidly growing Australian online community where members volunteer their time to help each other improve their homes – often in relation to heating and cooling. Last week it passed the milestone of 35,000 members. Group founder and co-admin Tim Forcey describes MEEH as “possibly Australia’s largest continuously updated […]
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Task Force Z rallies the troops for sustainable homes
Task Force Z is inviting professionals in the built environment to join its network of change-makers driving sustainable and zero energy homes at scale. The networking initiative has spun off from work funded by the NSW government and the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), which has been delivered as industry-facing projects through the South Australian […]
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RAC apprentice takes top honours in Queensland
Refrigeration and air conditioning tradesperson Lauren Campbell has taken out the top state award for Apprentice of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Training Awards, which this year celebrates 60 years of excellence in training. Campbell, from Manly West in Brisbane, was named as the winner of the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year at […]
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New tech taps heat from underground carparks
A renewable energy source company has developed a technology that could see heat from underground parking lots used to warm the buildings above them. Enerdrape, a cleantech spin-off of the Swiss Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL), creates renewable energy sources that can be used in new and existing building structures. The technology the company […]