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Northern Territory to be a net zero hero by 2050
The Northern Territory has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Recently the NT government released its Climate Change Response: Towards 2050 document and a three-year action plan, which are built around four key objectives. The objectives are: Slashing emissions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 Building a resilient Territory that adapts and […]
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NSW announces $79m renewable energy zone
The New South Wales government has unveiled a $79m plan to develop a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the New England region in the north of the state. The 8,000MW REZ is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs and generate enough power for 3.5 million homes. The main purpose of the REZ is to […]
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Schedule HVAC technicians via Cloud-based app
vWork is cloud-based job scheduling and dispatch software for HVAC and refrigeration businesses. It makes dispatchers and technicians more efficient and improves service reliability, says the namesake company. At a time when pandemic restrictions are forcing HVAC businesses to work smarter and respond more nimbly to unprecedented changes, the company says that their automated customer […]
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Apprentices and trainees receive $2.5bn boost
The federal government has announced a new $2.5bn package to support training and job creation, and to help the economy recover from the impact of COVID-19. The bulk of the funding will go towards extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) wage subsidy. This program pays 50 per cent of an apprentice’s wages, […]
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The $5b green hydrogen project
A $5bn green hydrogen-based ammonia facility powered by renewable energy will be constructed in Saudi Arabia. Air Products announced that they had signed an agreement with ACWA Power and NEOM for the plant, which will be equally owned by the three partners. The project will supply 650 tonnes per day of green hydrogen, via electrolysis […]
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ATMO Australia 2020 conference
Shecco is holding the ATMOsphere Australia 2020 conference as a virtual event on July 28, 2020. ATMOsphere Australia 2020 is a one-day event about sustainable cooling solutions in refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The theme for this year is “Now is the time to make a cooler and more sustainable future together!”. The conference […]
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Water-filled windows make a splash
Loughborough University’s Dr Matyas Gutai has developed a system that can allegedly save up to 72 per cent more energy than buildings fitted with traditional heating systems and double glass. The material he uses? Water. “Water-filled glass” (WFG) involves a sheet of water being trapped between a panel of glass. Gutai has been researching the […]
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UNIDO’s refrigeration guidelines for emissions reduction
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has launched a new guidance document to support domestic and commercial refrigeration manufacturers seeking to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funded by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP) and supported by International Copper Association (ICA), the study is intended to help manufacturers understand net benefits […]
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Starting up the energy efficiency jobs machine
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), and the Property Council of Australia (PCA), have released a joint statement that captures the key insight from the National Summit: Energy Efficiency and Australia’s Economic Recovery. The Summit was held on July 1, organised by the parties mentioned. It was […]
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Comments open on national registration framework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a draft National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners for public comment. This follows up on the Building Confidence report, which signalled the need for the registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. Accordingly, the ABCB has released a discussion paper that puts forward […]
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‘Watching brief’ on airborne COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged growing concerns surrounding the airborne transmission of the coronavirus, following the publication of an open letter addressed to the Geneva-based agency, but says more evidence is still required. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the organisation has advised that the virus is primarily spread through large respiratory droplets […]
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The cold reality of energy poverty
The average Australian would probably not describe theirs as a cold country. However, working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light how many Australians are struggling with their heating and energy bills. An article on the Sydney Morning Herald website states that on average, 42 people in New South Wales end up […]
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International response to resilience
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has teamed up with leading industry organisations to launch a new initiative to coordinate an international response to improving the resilience of the built environment. Together with the National Research Council of Canada, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the International Code Council; the ABCB […]
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Iain Stewart among Australia’s most innovative engineers
Among the nominees listed in Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers 2020 (AMIE 2020) is Exergenics founder Iain Stewart, Affil.AIRAH, whose innovative work on plant optimisation helps to address inefficiencies in conventional chilled plant control strategies. Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers is a program organised by Create magazine, the publication of Engineers Australia. Into its fifth year, the […]
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Grosvenor launches natural refrigerant service
Technical services company Grosvenor Engineering Group has introduced a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVAC&R systems. Through the service, the company hopes to help the Australian commercial office market reduce its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative. “The opportunity for the use of natural refrigerants is broad within the commercial market,” says Grosvenor […]
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Jane MacMaster appointed as Chief Engineer
Engineers Australia has appointed Jane MacMaster to the newly created role of Chief Engineer. Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans says MacMaster will lead Engineers Australia’s engagement and policy discussion with industry, government, academia and other key stakeholders. “The Chief Engineer will play an important part in delivering the organisation’s strategic vision, and we are […]
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COVID-19 likely to be airborne, claim 239 experts
More than 200 scientists from over 30 countries have signed an open letter urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to take the role of airborne spread of COVID-19 more seriously. Published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, the letter titled “It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19” challenges the view held by the […]
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Concerns over non-compliant pipework
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has raised concerns about refrigeration contractors not complying with piping changes in NCC 2019. In NCC 2016, the code required (from Spec J5.2c, 2.(a)): (ii) For heated or chilled water piping, having a material R-Value not less than that specified in Table 2a; and (iii) For refrigerant, steam or […]
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New rules for AC with flammable refrigerant
As of July 1, 2020, new rules govern the sale of air conditioners with flammable refrigerants in New South Wales. The rules apply to air conditioners with Class 2 and Class 3 refrigerants, for example hydrocarbons, but not Class 2L refrigerants, such as R32. Air conditioners with these refrigerants are now considered “declared articles” and […]
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Belimo to host webinar on control valve selection
HVAC field device manufacturer Belimo will be hosting a free webinar on control valve selection on its newly launched online training platform. The Control Valve 101 webinar will cover all the essentials of the subject, says the company. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 14, at 3pm (AEST), 2.30pm (ACST) and 1pm (AWST). The content […]