Articles
Even under a conservative government, coal-fired electricity has no future
Coal-fired electricity may have little or no economic future in Australia, a new analysis has found. While the new government seems determined to turn its back on renewable energy, our study shows that even without a carbon price, and even with the assumption that carbon capture and storage will eventually become commercially available, coal may not be able to compete with renewable electricity. [ + ]
FTTN system for NBN may prove impossible to operate
Worldwide, capital-starved private network operators often opt for FTTN networks as an interim step towards all fibre-optic networks. This allows them to make use of their existing copper lines, which may not even be fully paid for. In general, operators have been disappointed by FTTN's lower-than-expected performance, higher operating costs and lost revenue opportunities. [ + ]
Cogen system cuts carbon emissions in half
A new state-of-the-art cogeneration system is set to save Wagga Wagga’s Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre approximately $276,000 in energy costs and cut carbon emissions by up to 55% in the first year of operation. [ + ]
Maitland City Club kicks off trigeneration system
The state-of-the-art trigeneration system at Maitland City Club was officially ‘turned on’ by Joel Fitzgibbon MP on 15 August. Simons Green Energy was engaged to design, supply, install and maintain the 150 kW trigeneration system. [ + ]
Faulty electrical cables recalled
The NSW Fair Trading Commission has recalled three batches of ‘Infinity’ brand insulated electrical cables. The cables are thermoplastic-sheathed electric cable - commonly known as ‘TPS’. The batch numbers being recalled are INFH 190311, INFH 210912 and INFMEL 081112. [ + ]
BICSI releases new standard for electronic safety and security system design
BICSI, the international association supporting the information technology systems (ITS) industry, has released its latest standard, ANSI/BICSI 005-2013, Electronic Safety and Security (ESS) System Design and Implementation Best Practices. [ + ]
NBN training kit for businesses delivering professional services
Legal professionals, ICT consultants, architects, engineers and financial advisers will soon be able to access tailored advice on how to improve and build their businesses by using the National Broadband Network (NBN) and adapting to the digital economy. [ + ]
The great de-electrification
One of the certainties in the energy business used to be the regular year-in, year-out rise in demand for electricity [1]. Up until about 6 years ago, demand growth could be counted on with metronomic precision. Across our National Electricity Market - the NEM - electricity demand grew at about 2% annually. [ + ]
Hungary’s Esterháza palace installs energy-saving LED lights
With an average 80,000 visitors a year, Esterháza palace is one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Europe. Following a major restoration project, the iconic property, commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy in the 18th century, has recently recaptured much of its original grandeur. [ + ]
Ways to cut data centre emissions by 98%
Most big data centres, the global backbone of the internet, could slash their greenhouse gas emissions by 88% by switching to efficient, off-the-shelf equipment and improving energy management, according to Stanford University experts. [ + ]
Reveal the potential of your power network
Although power is a critical element for any business, no matter what industry, it needs to be reliable and economically sustainable. With organisations increasingly using more power, managing it efficiently can be a challenging task. [ + ]
LED lighting: opportunities and challenges
LEDs, or light emitting diodes, have been around for decades but factors such as reduced costs, improved luminous efficacy and faster switching are leading to widespread use of this technology in the commercial, residential and industrial lighting market. [ + ]
Ten tips to improve business efficiency
In the current economic climate, it’s more important than ever for businesses to improve efficiency and strengthen growth. Below are some tips from accounting firm HLB Mann Judd to help businesses operate efficiently. [ + ]
PoE: more than just remote powering
Scott Penno, Australia Country Manager, Allied Telesis, looks at how power over ethernet (PoE) can benefit SMEs and argues that it’s about far more than pushing power through LAN cables. [ + ]
Driving the Building Information Modelling revolution
A technological revolution is changing the way large projects are being built and managed in Asia, Europe and North America. Australia has been slow to adopt BIM, but can we afford lagging behind yet another innovation frontier? [ + ]