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Category: News
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Monash University inks MoU with Engie to accelerate Net Zero Initiative
Monash University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global energy company Engie. The two organisations will explore opportunities to co-develop scalable zero-carbon solutions that accelerate the implementation of Monash’s Net Zero Initiative, winner of the 2018 United Nations “Momentum for Change Award”. As part of its broader scope, the collaboration to be developed […]
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ARBS Foundation publishes new research on chilled beams
The ARBS Education and Research Foundation and Team Catalyst have published a detailed study of active chilled beam systems that they say offers “groundbreaking findings”. Funding was provided to Team Catalyst to research active chilled beam systems and to compare the performance of two chilled water plant configurations: Standard using chilled water plant of multiple […]
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Purpose-built quarantine facilities a must for every state
Australian governments must construct purpose-built COVID-19 quarantine facilities in every state regardless of the nation’s progress with vaccinations. So argues leading epidemiologist at UNSW Sydney, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, who says the buildings could be constructed relatively quickly and cheaply as modular structures using prefabricated components. Although the federal government has now agreed to fund a […]
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Alfa Laval publishes white paper on sustainable refrigerants
Heat transfer specialist Alfa Laval has published a white paper offering guidance on selecting and accommodating refrigerants for diverse heating and cooling applications. The document, titled Navigating a changing refrigerants market, was developed by the company as a response to customers seeking guidance when choosing from the growing range of new refrigerants generally, and natural […]
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To infinity and refrigeration
A team of engineers from Purdue University, Air Squared Inc and Whirlpool Corporation are collaborating to build a refrigerator for astronauts that works in zero gravity – and upside down. The team ran tests last month on their fridge design at the Zero Gravity Corporation’s (ZERO-G) weightless research lab. The unique testing centre allowed them to test the […]
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Greenstar achieves carbon neutral certification
Although the HVAC&R industry has often shown its power to reduce emissions through innovative net zero projects and technology, there are fewer examples of companies that have taken on the challenge themselves as organisations. Perth-based HVAC and electrical firm Greenstar has now done this by earning carbon neutral certification through Climate Active. Climate Active is […]
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Energy Efficiency Council names Dr Mary Stewart new President
Dr Mary Stewart has been named President of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC). She replaces Professor Tony Arnel, who stepped down after six years. A recognised expert in sustainable development, Dr Stewart is a trained chemical engineer, and CEO of energy and climate risk advisory firm Energetics. “It is a great honour to take the […]
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Why is R404A still a go-to option in Australia?
Despite its tag as an “outgoing” refrigerant in the HFC phase-down, there are signs that R404A remains a go-to option for key sectors of Australia’s HVAC&R industry. According to experts, pressure from end-users for low first-cost and straightforward, low-risk solutions, and a lack of incentives to move to new technologies have made R404A an ongoing […]
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IIR develops model to calculate cold chain CO2 emissions
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has developed a model to calculate the CO2 emissions for each stage of the cold chain and for all countries in the world. Explained in the IIR’s latest Informatory Note, the model allows comparisons between the CO2 emissions associated with the current and “improved” versions of the global cold chain. According to […]
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Using waste heat to power a sustainable future
Future turbine optimisation could mean considerably more efficient use of waste heat from the manufacturing industry, and in so doing reduce its environmental footprint. That’s the finding by City University of London’s Dr Martin White, whose research appears in Applied Thermal Engineering. The research explores a novel organic Rankine cycle system, based on a two-phase […]
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Tensions rise over EU refrigerant transition
Debate is intensifying in Europe over the future of HFCs as the European Union eyes stricter limits on the global warming potential of refrigerants, and manufacturers push back on the proposed switch to hydrocarbons. The European Union (EU) is in the process of reviewing its F-Gas Regulation, which provides a roadmap for phasing down fluorinated […]
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Hotel quarantine ventilation back in the spotlight
The most recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria has brought renewed attention to ventilation systems in hotel quarantine. The new wave of cases began when a Victorian man returned to Melbourne after spending 14 days in the Playford medi-hotel in Adelaide. Although he initially returned a negative result, he later tested positive, and it has […]
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New DA manuals focus on commissioning
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) is releasing two Design Application (DA) manuals focusing on air distribution systems and hydronic water systems. DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC is a new release in AIRAH’s collection of technical resources. The manual discusses the testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) of air distribution systems […]
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Cooling demand set to rise along with temperatures
A recent study by Empa researchers has predicted that climate change could increase the cooling demand of buildings. The projection is based on climate data from Switzerland and research done at NEST, a building Empa and Eawag use for modular research. It is estimated that the average global temperatures will rise due to climate change, […]
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Building commissioning gets a boost
Standards Australia has published SA TS 5342:2021 – Technical specification for building commissioning. The document has been developed to provide industry with a common framework and consistent minimum requirements for commissioning buildings, and related activities. It has been many years in the making, with representatives from the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating […]
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NCC the key to making buildings COVID-safe?
Last week, an international group of scientists and indoor air quality (IAQ) experts called for a “paradigm shift” in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19 by improving indoor ventilation systems. They say that the potential benefit to public health is comparable to that achieved in the 1800s when cities started organising clean water supplies and […]
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Roadmap aims to improve insulation installation
A coalition of insulation, building and organisations focused on energy efficiency has released a joint Roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation. The roadmap sets out a series of actions to ensure that insulation is installed following best-practice processes for quality control and safety. “Insulation is an essential component of a healthy, comfortable […]
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Massive sewer heat-recovery project under way in US
The largest sewer heat-recovery project in the US is now under construction in Denver. The AU$1.3 billion project is designed to use the consistent temperature of wastewater beneath the National Western Complex by way of an epic heat pump that works like a reversible air conditioning unit. Home to a stock show and rodeo, the […]
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Online platform will trade recovered HFC refrigerants
A new, EU-funded online platform has been launched to enable trading of reclaimed HFC refrigerants in Europe. The website, called Retradeables, has been designed to provide a simple, viable market where used F-gases – or fluorinated refrigerants – can be bought, reclaimed and sold for further use. Users can access a live online exchange for […]
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Suzanne Toumbourou moves on from ASBEC
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has announced that Executive Director Suzanne Toumbourou has been appointed CEO of the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and will conclude her tenure at ASBEC at the end of June 2021. “It has been an immense pleasure and privilege to work with ASBEC’s members over the past decade,” […]