Articles
Renewable energy growth provides contractors an opportunity to turbocharge their business
Within renewable energy there are many different technologies: wind energy, solar thermal energy and solar electric energy known as photovoltaics or PV. Although some electrical mechanics would be involved in the wind farm industry and possibly the solar thermal power industry, it is the PV industry which has seen the demand for electrical contractors in recent years. The growth in this market has been substantial. [ + ]
Lightweight cable technology helps address Brazil’s power demand
Cable company Nexans has developed the Lo-Sag conductor, which consists of a thermal-resistant aluminium conductor wrapped around a composite carbon core. It has been installed in Brazil to address the country’s increased power demand. [ + ]
More trouble brewing for solar installers
Australia-based solar companies that are not properly charging GST could soon run into troubled waters. [ + ]
Exclusive: Master Electricians CEO on a better apprenticeship service for all
The ApprenticeConnect service assists employers in the apprentice hire process on their behalf from recruitment to completion. This includes, among other services, providing advice and facilitating communication and ongoing monitoring of an apprentice’s training, facilitation of a training plan with the RTO as well as on-the-job training and mentoring. [ + ]
Fuel cell technology to cut carbon emissions
Ceramic Fuel Cells’ gas-to-electricity generator BlueGen uses patented fuel cell technology to provide electricity from widely available natural gas. A fuel cell is an electricity generator that converts gas into electricity and heat through an electrochemical reaction, without combustion or noise. [ + ]
Grid Stability System to minimise power fluctuations from solar plants
MPower’s Grid Stability System (GSS) is designed to minimise power fluctuations from solar generating plants into remote area diesel power stations by incorporating battery storage and control of battery energy to stabilise power production from photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants. [ + ]
Improving power quality at mine sites
Ongoing discussion on the effect of variable voltage, variable frequency (3VF) drives (VFDs in the US) on coal mining power systems has received some clarification with recently collected data. [ + ]
Gas-powered, air-conditioning solution to cut energy usage and costs
FMSA, a Melbourne-based company offering comprehensive architectural, interior design and professional construction management services, has reduced its energy usage and costs through an environmental retrofit of its office building in North Melbourne, which included installation of three 85 kW Yanmar gas-powered, air-conditioning systems. [ + ]
Carbon tax countdown begins - are you ready?
The final countdown to the carbon tax has begun. This article details the key elements of the carbon price mechanism (CPM) and provides some last-minute prepation tips to help you get ready for 1 July 2012. [ + ]
Innovative solution for safe termination of data cables
The data cable termination tool from Australian company Tech Innovations helps alleviate many challenging manual handling and safety issues confronted by technicians. The product allows technicians to perform the task on a stable, height-adjustable working platform that is lightweight and easily transported. [ + ]
CSP could provide 30% of Australia’s electricity
Concentrating solar power (CSP) could provide around 30% of Australia’s total current electricity generation capacity with only modest extensions to the national electricity grid if forecast cost reductions are achieved, finds a report released by Australian Solar Institute (ASI). [ + ]
New cabling training requirements
The regulatory requirements for cabling providers who install specialised cabling within customer premises have been amended by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The new competency requirements will apply from 1 July 2012. [ + ]
The top five characteristics of a good employer
Aon Hewitt has announced its 2012 Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand survey results. The company also outlines the five characteristics that distinguish a ‘best employer’ from the pack. [ + ]
Philips lights up the Empire State Building
The New York skyline is being made over, thanks to a partnership between lighting company Philips and the Empire State Building (ESB). Philips was selected by the ESB to help the building transition its iconic tower lights to LEDs. [ + ]
Why buy thermal imaging cameras?
Thermal imaging cameras can detect extremely small temperature differences. Based on these temperature differences, thermal imaging cameras are able to produce a crisp image on which the smallest of details can be seen. This makes them perfect tools for a wide variety of predictive maintenance applications. A thermal imaging camera is a reliable, non-contact instrument which is able to scan and visualise the temperature distribution of entire surfaces of machinery and electrical equipment quickly and accurately. Maintenance programs utilising thermography have contributed to substantial cost savings for many users of thermal imaging cameras around the world. [ + ]