Articles
Intelligent motor control to maximise HVAC efficiency
Because HVAC systems comprise a large amount of a building’s operating costs, it makes sense to ensure these systems are running as efficiently as possible. The key to identifying the energy-savings opportunities in HVAC systems is understanding the operating electrical profile of the system as it pertains to heating and cooling.
[ + ]Should you throw away the instruction manual?
Most of us are averse to reading instruction manuals when we take delivery of some piece of equipment. We used to joke about getting the kids to program the home VCR because it was so complicated and the instruction manual was too hard to follow. But when it comes to electrical systems that are even more complex that we have to install and commission, we don’t have the luxury of being able to fob it off to the kids to get it working.
[ + ]Executives expecting strong finish to financial year
The latest Dun & Bradstreet National Business Expectations Survey shows strong employment and selling price expectations that point to capacity constraints.
[ + ]How do we get ‘more share’ of the consumer’s wallet?
Over the past few decades, Australian homes have been getting larger and more sophisticated, with consumers happily spending considerable money on their homes. We have more space, better quality and far more technology in our homes than ever before. And because of those increases, the electrical industry has experienced growth in its net worth. But that increase hasn’t been at the same rate as some other industries.
[ + ]Meeting the challenge of energy efficiency
Industry is undoubtedly a major contributor to climate change. But while technology has contributed to accelerating carbon emissions, it also presents solutions to reduce it. Some analysts suggest that global energy consumption will double in the next 30-40 years - India and China’s rapid development is resulting in huge demand for electricity, while the surge of data centres in developed countries is the leading growth area in electricity consumption. So how can we curb energy consumption without impeding development?
[ + ]Solar energy is coming, ready or not
Solar energy has the potential to become the leading source of ‘green’ energy in Australia, however, with so many means of delivering it and the various complexities associated with them, there is a danger that we may choose the wrong path and impede the effectiveness of solar energy in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. These choices not only need to be made by governments, but also private enterprises, the community and the electrical industry.
[ + ]Growing green
Everywhere you look there is a tagline about ‘going green’. Al Gore brought the climate change issue to the masses in the film An Inconvenient Truth and then many of the world’s leading musicians did their bit to raise awareness in the series of Live Earth concerts.
[ + ]Greening the built environment with renewable energy
With residential and commercial buildings responsible for 23% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, buildings have a significant role to play in reducing our carbon footprint. Building green provides the greatest, most cost-effective opportunity to tackle climate change. What’s more, this action, and its positive impact, can be taken quickly.
[ + ]Make the most of the opportunities
My message to electrical contractors is to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves. There’s never been a better time to be aggressive. There’s no easier sell than an upsell. That’s a lesson we all need to learn and apply in our businesses.
[ + ]The link between IT and sustainability
IT can play a key role in sustainable practices across the business, but CIOs haven’t taken advantage of it yet, says industry analyst.
[ + ]Debate over effectiveness of heat pumps
A water-heating company claims that the Gas Alliance is misleading homeowners about the effectiveness of heat pumps as an energy-efficient means to heat domestic water.
[ + ]Project: Environmentally sustainable lighting in office complex
One Shelley Street, the new Sydney premise of the Macquarie Group, was developed by Brookfield Multiplex to set new standards in sustainable office design. The building boasts many environmental initiatives that saw it awarded the Green Building Council of Australia’s 6-Star Green Star - Office Design v2 Certified Rating, representative of ‘world leadership’ in environmentally sustainable design and/or construction.
[ + ]NECA calls on government to extend insulation inspections
With more house fires occurring, linked to the insulation installation program, NECA has reiterated its call for the government to stipulate licensed electricians pre-inspect roof areas to ascertain the existing electrics are safe.
[ + ]Cable degradation issue solved for Queensland oil refinery
Maser Communications has supplied a series of specialist steel wire armoured cables to a Queensland oil refinery. After suffering through issues associated with cable degradation, the end user outlined its requirement for a robust cable construction and Maser was quick to identify a steel wire armoured solution that would provide the necessary mechanical protection.
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