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NABERS has released its FY23 Annual Report, showing growth and increased interest in its rating tools and enhancements. NABERS has continued to expand in the past financial year, with a growth in Sustainable Portfolios Index ratings (21 per cent), an increase in rated data centres (27 per cent), a 26 per cent increase in offices […]
The NSW government has introduced a bill that enshrines in law the state’s emissions reduction targets – and that establishes an independent Net Zero Commission to help hit those targets. Titled the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023, it supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030, […]
Camfil has launched a corrosion control monitor called the AirImage-COR that monitors corrosion in real time. The technology uses electrical resistance (ER) sensors to help mitigate the risk of corrosion. Corrosion is a natural process that occurs when metals react with molecular contaminants in the air. Metal surfaces will gradually deteriorate and compromise the integrity of […]
A Croatian energy company has discovered an underground lake with super-heated water that could supply tens of thousands of homes with clean geothermal electricity. Power company Bukotermal conducted a two-year study before they found the geothermal water source at Lunjkovec – Kutnjak field (located in the Varazdin County), near the Hungary border. The lake is […]
Rinnai has received NATA accreditation for its new “Yukawa laboratory”, which was designed, locally built, and commissioned within the company’s Melbourne, Mills Road – MTEC manufacturing facility. The lab is a twin-room 120kW dual chamber enthalpy test laboratory. “It is the largest in Victoria and second largest in Australia,” says Rinnai. “This enhanced facility will […]
ARBS is advising industry professionals, organisations, institutions, and associations that there is now only one month left to submit nominations for the ARBS 2024 Industry Awards. The awards recognise outstanding achievements in the air conditioning, refrigeration, and building services sector, and celebrate innovation and commitment to excellence across six categories. ARBS Young Achiever: Honouring up-and-coming […]
The recent report on heat pumps released by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) looked to answer an important question. Would the increased uptake of heat pumps as a result of electrification jeopardise Australia’s HFC phase-down target? The answer it gave was a solid “no”. But although the report may […]
Researchers at RMIT in Melbourne have developed software that allows architects and engineers to incorporate building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) into a building’s conceptual design phase. BIPVs are building features such as roof tiles, cladding and windows that double as solar panels. They can cover larger areas of buildings than traditional roof-mounted panels, and capture more energy using […]
Engineer and model-maker Warwick Bryce will be demonstrating his working model of James Harrison’s original 1857 ice-making machine in Geelong, Victoria, on October 20–21. The Geelong Showgrounds Museum will showcase a collection of farming and agricultural production memorabilia during the Royal Geelong Show from October 19–23. Harrison is known for inventing refrigeration beside the Barwon […]
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced further actions it will be taking to to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The Biden-Harris administration aims to reduce HFCs by 40 per cent in 2024, and to achieve an 85 per cent reduction by 2036 under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act – in line […]
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is holding a webinar on dispute resolution processes for defective building work complaints on Wednesday, October 25. The webinar has been designed to complement six videos produced to give building contractors some quick and simple insights into the QBCC’s dispute resolution process for such complaints. The video series […]
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) scientists have proposed a new technique which might help prevent “short-circuits” that can cause geothermal power plants to halt production. According to the researchers, the technique has the potential to improve the efficiency of geothermal power. “The public perception of geothermal is that since it’s renewable we should be able […]
Danfoss, Google, Microsoft and Schneider Electric have created a new data centre innovation hub in Fredericia, Denmark. The group – together with the Danish Data Center Industry – is launching the Net Zero Innovation Hub For Data Centers with a view to speed up common solutions for the green transition of data centres. According to […]
The ACT government has confirmed that its scheme for professional registration of engineers will begin on March 6, 2024. The scheme is underpinned by the Professional Engineers Act 2023, passed in March this year. There will be a phased approach for different areas of engineering: civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire safety. The government says […]
Sauermann has released the Si-C320 and Si-CPE320 transmitters, which replace the firm’s C 310 and CPE 310 models, respectively. The Si-C320 is an external stationary transmitter with four measurement, alarm and communication channels. The Si-CPE320 is a panel transmitter with a 316L stainless steel front panel and three channels. “This new Class 320 is now […]
In 2016 Reliable Controls released RC-RemoteAccess, a BACnet virtual private network (B/VPN) software solution designed to harden BACnet building automation networks and protect them from malicious actors. “Not only did it protect systems from threats, but also it was effortless to use and implement,” Reliable says. Now, with the release of software version 3.6.1, RC-RemoteAccess […]
Fujitsu General Australia has launched an advanced control system developed in partnership with Nube iO and tailored for the commercial and industrial building sectors. “As we witness the increased demand for smart building technologies, we are proud to present anywAiR iO,” says Kyle Rafter, head of product ANZ, Fujitsu General Australia. “This solution is our […]
The European Parliament and Council has taken the next – and what appears to be decisive – step towards a new and ambitious phase-out schedule for HFC refrigerants. The deal includes specific phase-out dates for the use of fluorinated gases in sectors where it is “technologically and economically feasible to switch to alternatives”. This includes […]
Building services specialist A.G. Coombs has released an advisory note on classification and structure for building data. “As the construction and property sectors continue to develop and embrace new technologies including digital twins, cognitive buildings, artificial intelligence and machine learning,” says A.G. Coombs, “there is a need to ensure that data systems are suitable to […]
A new research institute will offer advice to industry on how to assess and respond to climate change. Experts and industry leaders in the field of climate change gathered together recently for the launch of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR). The new institute will support the activities of UNSW researchers from the faculties […]