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International Passive House Conference calls for papers
Slated for April 2024 in Innsbruck in Austria, the 27th International Passive House Conference is calling for papers. Recognising the role of existing buildings in the world’s attempts to limit the impacts of climate change, the conference’s theme is, “Retrofit. Have an impact”. The conference is slated for April 5–6 at the Campus Technik of […]
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Students design a sustainable future
ASHRAE has announced the winners of the 2023 Student Design Competition and the Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge. Students were challenged to design the HVAC system for a laboratory facility located in Cairo, Egypt, for the 2023 Student Design Competition. This consisted of a large single-story building with a rooftop penthouse equalling about 2,515m2. The teams were […]
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NABERS talks emissions factors for embodied carbon
NABERS is holding a webinar about emission factors for its much-anticipated embodied carbon tool on Wednesday, August 30. Australia currently has no consistent method of measurement for embodied emissions. NABERS has worked in partnership with the Green Building Council of Australia and collaborated with industry and governments across Australia to understand the appetite for a […]
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High hopes for freeze ray technology
An unusual discovery by a University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science professor is being developed as an on-demand cooling solution for high-flying military electronics. Mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Patrick Hopkins wants to create on-demand surface cooling for electronics inside spacecraft and high-altitude jets because “a lot of electronics on board heat […]
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States move ahead on road to registration
It may have taken some time since the recommendations originally appeared at the top of the priority list in the 2018 Building Confidence report, but professional registration schemes are now spreading quickly across the country, and establishing new rules to lift standards in Australia’s building and construction industry. Practice Standard in New South Wales This […]
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Highlighting the ‘health’ in OH&S
Although the concept of occupational health and safety (OH&S) is enshrined in our laws and even our culture, how much of the focus is on immediate safety issues, rather than health and wellbeing? This question is at the heart of a new book by Helen Lingard and Michelle Turner, both professors at The Centre for […]
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IOR seeks exceptional innovators
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is seeking nominations for the J&E Hall International Gold Medal. The award recognises the most innovative and practical contribution to the fields refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. The awards looks for outstanding accomplishments, including: Practical applications of innovative designs Projects that have made an original contribution to the […]
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Supermarkets hold the key to a cool future
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is working with Enel X to launch “Unlocking Flexible Demand in the Commercial Refrigeration Sector”, a program that will assist with integrating renewable energy sources into electricity networks. ARENA has granted Enel X $3.7 million in funding to demonstrate how the flexible demand systems can work in the commercial […]
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Fusion Group acquires Smartair Diffusion
Fusion Group Holdings, owner of Fusion Modulair, has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Sydney-based Smartair Diffusion, a leading developer and supplier of air diffusion products. The two companies, both industry veterans, say the strategic merger will unlock opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced market offerings. A leading provider of climate control solutions […]
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Carel doubles turnover in just three years
Carel Industries has reported revenue growth of more than 26 per cent in the first half of 2023. Carel CEO Francesco Nalini says he is proud to emphasise not only that the quarter represents the 10th consecutive quarter in which the group has recorded double-digit percentage organic revenue growth, but that the revenues achieved as […]
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Fujitsu launches new Comfort cooling range
Fujitsu General has launched a new wall-mounted Comfort cooling-only range in what it says is its latest solution for energy-efficient in-home cooling, featuring four models from 2.5kW–7.1kW. “It is important that Australians have complete control of their indoor climate when outdoor conditions are hot and humid,” says Fujitsu General Head of Product ANZ Kyle Rafter. “Everyone should feel like […]
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Getting warmer on solid-state heat pumps
Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) have made a breakthrough in refrigerant-free heating and cooling technology: a circuit topology for voltage converters with an electrical efficiency of 99.74 per cent. According to the AIF, the technology could considerably raise the coefficient of performance for electrocaloric heat pumps and the scientists […]
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EIA launches “What the F” campaign
The Environmental Investigation Authority (EIA) has launched a new campaign to educate consumers about the impact of fluorinated gases on the environment. “EIA’s Climate campaign has long advocated tackling the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of climate-warming emissions, specifically the phasing out or down of fluorinated gases, or F-gases,” says the EIA. “These are a range of greenhouse […]
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ACT seeks input on electrification plan
The ACT government is seeking input on its Integrated Energy Plan to guide the energy transition away from gas to renewable energy. “The ACT continues to lead the world in taking action on climate change,” says the ACT government. “We are set to become the first Australian jurisdiction to be powered exclusively by renewable energy, […]
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Polaris offers AC units with natural refrigerants
Sydney-based Polaris Technologies has released a range of natural refrigerant air conditioning units. The Polaris GreenSmart hydrocarbon systems use Engas M60 refrigerant, with a GWP of less than 1. “Manufactured with fully welded refrigeration lines and incorporating patented advanced leak prevention and detection technology, these air conditioners are built to the highest reliability and safety […]
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Carel acquires large chunk of Kiona
Carel Industries has entered into a binding agreement to acquire an 82.4 per cent stake in Kiona Holding AS. Kiona is a leading Norway-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of prop-tech solutions for energy consumption optimisation and building digitalisation in retail and industrial refrigeration, public, commercial and multi-residential facilities. Based in Trondheim, Norway, Kiona was formed in […]
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Government survey on pair coil issues
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is conducting a survey to investigate issues with pair coil. There have been reports of ant nesting and corrosion problems with pair coils, resulting in the leaking of refrigerant. DCCEEW notes that under consumer guarantee law this issue could be costing businesses time and […]
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Daikin opens cutting-edge facility in Brisbane
Daikin Australia has officially opened Daikin Park Brisbane, a cutting-edge centre located in Murarrie, Queensland. The park encompasses a range of features and initiatives aimed at optimising logistics, promoting sustainability, and enhancing customer experience. “The centrepiece is the implementation of the Manhattan Warehouse Management System, providing a comprehensive logistics solution for efficient fulfillment and dispatch […]
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Toshiba SMMS-u optimises climate control
Toshiba has launched its redesigned, seventh-generation super modular multi system, which it says optimises climate control in various types of commercial premises. “The expectations of a modern air conditioning system have evolved over the past years,” says Toshiba. “Today, advanced comfort goes hand in hand with reduced energy and maintenance costs, combined with maximised simplicity […]
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Unlocking educational potential in Northern Australia
Charles Darwin University’s new trades training facility is ready for development, with tender applications for construction now being assessed. The new teaching and training facilities to be built at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will aim to unlock education potential across Northern Australia, preparing for a future where the dual-sector university will reinvigorate industry growth in […]