Rachel Urquhart
During the holiday period, HVAC&R News is featuring the winners of the AIRAH Awards 2022.
The AIRAH Awards category for Innovative use of Renewable Energy in HVAC&R is open to all individuals, recognising work carried out during 2020/2021.
This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of renewable energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems. It was previously known as the Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC&R, named in honour of Denis Joseph, F.AIRAH, a passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R.
This year’s winner was Conserve It, for its optimal scheduling of air conditioning systems with renewable energy resource and thermal storage in the Echuca Regional Health (ERH) building.
According to Conserve It, ERH has been a pioneer in use of renewable energy. Two solar cooling systems with a combination of electrical and absorption chillers and cold storage tanks have been operating in the hospital, making it one of the largest distributed energy systems installed in a built environment setting in Australia and globally.
Optimal operation of chillers, renewable energy and storage is a big challenge, and a team comprising of hospital management (ERH), industry partner (Conserve It) and research partner (CSIRO) have worked together to develop innovative advanced AI and machine-learning strategies for improving the utilisation of renewable energy.
Other finalists in the Innovative use of Regional Energy in HVAC&R category included:
- A.G. Coombs and Thermal Energy Solutions – 101 Collins Street, Melbourne
More information on the AIRAH Awards is available here.
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