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Spotlight on future of building materials
The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) is hosting an online Spotlight event about regenerative materials, and the future of building materials. Featuring speakers from government and industry, the event will explore how different existing materials can adapt, which emerging biophilic and regenerative materials are entering the market, and the role government can play […]
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CSIRO predicts more climate extremes
CSIRO has released its seventh biennial State of the Climate report, projecting that in coming decades Australians are likely to experience more heat and fewer cold extremes, as well as more time in drought, more dangerous fire days, and a longer fire season for large areas. The report draws on Australian and international climate research […]
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Antec Controls maintains lead time on products
During the supply chain issues and parts shortages recently experienced across the entire industry, Antec Controls says it has maintained a world’s-best lead time on valves and controllers. The company attributes this to its constant push towards vertical integration. “Much of the manufacturing processes are completed in-house, allowing them to be consistent and efficient with […]
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Sound advice on building tuning
A.G. Coombs has published an advisory note on the advantages of building tuning, and how to implement it effectively. The publication outlines why effective building tuning is important, as well as how to address instability within a control system and its causes, and some of the common pitfalls in tuning strategies. According to A.G. Coombs, […]
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Queensland fridgie wins national apprentice award
Air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice Jennah Halley has taken out the Apprentice of the Year award at the Australian Training Awards. The nation’s best apprentices, students, training providers, teachers and businesses were recognised for their hard work and dedication at the annual Australian Training Awards presentation, held in Adelaide at the Adelaide Convention Centre on […]
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Survey shows rising salaries in Australian HVAC&R
AIRAH has released the results of its 2022 salary survey, and they show that salaries are on the rise across the Australian HVAC&R industry. The survey provides a snapshot of employment, salaries and expectations across the sector. The 2022 survey also offers a comparison to the original AIRAH salary survey conducted in 2019 – before […]
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Winners announced at the 2022 AIRAH Awards
AIRAH has announced the winners of the AIRAH Awards 2022 at a gala dinner on November 24 at Luna Park in Sydney. Almost 200 industry leaders gathered on the night to celebrate the top people, projects and products of Australia’s HVAC&R sector. AIRAH says it has been working for many years to raise the profile […]
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Thermo Controls to distribute SmartSense
Thermo Controls has announced an exclusive agreement to distribute the SmartSense temperature monitoring system. SmartSense is designed to offer a fully independent real-time monitoring system that provides critical temperature monitoring for a wide range of applications including pharmacies, labs, restaurants, clinics, hospitals, fridges, freezers, and IT server rooms. “If you have critical assets that are […]
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Manufacturing breakthrough for thermoelectrics
University of Notre Dame researchers have developed a new manufacturing process that allows thermoelectric devices to be produced faster and at lower cost. The innovative process uses intense pulsed light to sinter thermoelectric material in less than a second, while conventional sintering in thermal ovens can take hours. This method of turning nanoparticle inks into flexible […]
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Occupational licensing due for an overhaul?
Overhauling occupational licensing in Australia and letting homeowners, renters and social-housing tenants move more easily for work could deliver tens of billions of dollars in productivity gains. That is the claim of a submission to the federal government’s employment white paper, developed by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). In the submission, CEDA […]
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US tightens supply chain emissions reporting
The US Government is tightening its emissions reporting requirements, with its proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule expanding to include Scope 3 emissions. The new rule requires major federal government contractors to report their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, in a bid to protect the US Government’s supply chains from climate-related financial […]
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Energy-intense data centres seek solutions
Digital infrastructure and continuity solutions provider Vertiv has flagged the environmental and community impacts of data centres as a key industry concern in 2023. “Data centres will experience increased regulation and third-party oversight in 2023 as the world continues to grapple with the industry’s rising energy and water consumption against the backdrop of ongoing climate […]
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Engineer celebrates 50 years in industry
For Marino Bassi, Key Account Senior Advisor at Nidec Global Appliance, 2022 marks 50 years in the European refrigeration industry. A member of the Embraco team since 1994, Bassi has held many roles within the business, and is now dedicated to the portfolio for commercial applications. Among Bassi’s many achievements, says employer Embraco, was his […]
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Designers tackle challenge of ‘true zero’ homes
Omnia House, by Elizabeth Wheeler of Future Focus Buildings and Tamar Boyd of Blue Lotus Energy Rating, has taken out the National Award for the Design Matters National (DMN) True Zero Carbon Challenge 2022. The DMN True Zero Carbon Challenge is an annual home design competition focused on net zero goals. A building designer and […]
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Results of major RAC testing project revealed
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the complete results of its refrigeration and air conditioning bench-testing project. It clearly demonstrates that preventative maintenance minimises technology failure, reduces refrigerant leaks, and increases the energy efficiency of properly installed equipment. The project is the next stage of a much larger […]
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TRANSFORM 2023 to be delivered as a hybrid event
The Green Building Council of Australia’s fifth annual TRANSFORM conference is slated to take place over March 22–23, 2023 at the Hilton Sydney and as a hybrid event. The gathering has been described by the GBCA as the industry-leading event at the forefront of the sustainable built environment. “Change is critical,” say the conference organisers. […]
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Sunshine Coast considers urban forests for cooling
A study is under way to investigate the “hot spots” of the Sunshine Coast and explore how urban forests can minimise heat risks. The Cool Urban Forests project is being delivered through the University of the Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council’s Regional Partnership Agreement. Project lead Dr Silvia Tavares, a UniSC Senior Lecturer in […]
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New path for PV-powered cooling
An Australian-Indian group of researchers is exploring the combined use of thermoelectric modules (TEMs) and rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in HVAC for buildings. Using air as the thermal fluid for the rooftop PV, the scientists designed a system that uses a primary TEM wall to deliver room air conditioning. Traditionally, TEMs have not been used in […]
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Buildings and construction failing net zero challenge
The 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction has been released at COP27, containing alarming news for the sector. Overall, it indicates that after a temporary drop in emissions during the pandemic, emissions have hit an all-time high. This has been driven by increases in construction that have wiped out improvements in energy efficiency. […]
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Exploring the potential of solar process heat
The Solar Academy of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Program and the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) are hosting a free webinar on solar process heat. According to the IEA SHC Solar Academy, the industrial sector accounts for approximately 30 per cent of the total energy consumption in OECD countries. Most of the energy […]