An expert on emissions trading schemes points to a number of new market trends that will drive Australian businesses to be more energy and resource efficient in the way they do business.

Electrical wholesaler MMEM Electrical Merchandising (MMEM) has a network of over 200 branches across Australia and, in recent years, has increased its product portfolio to over 130,000 products supplied to around 3000 electrical and data cabling contractors, industrial maintenance providers, builders and commercial contractors with everything from wiring accessories to motor-control devices, test equipment, cables, ducting, circuit protection and security systems.

Preventive maintenance is not just a matter of organisation: it also requires knowledge and the efficient handling of gathered information. A suitable thermal imaging camera helps in both of these areas, with an impact which makes itself abundantly clear in the cost-benefit analysis.

Infrared cameras expand the range of services offered by building sector specialists and allow them to better serve their customer groups. Using an infrared camera, suitable for building applications, before and/or after every building valuation, transaction or major HVAC repair maximises value and minimises costs.

The continued thirst for energy is a recurring story in news headlines every day - global warming forecasts rising temperatures, melting ice and population dislocations due to accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere from use of carbon-based energy. There are arguments for and against the dire predictions of global warming, yet one fact is undeniable - over the past 10-20 years, earth’s inhabitants are collectively consuming more energy at a faster rate than ever before.

It is important for electricians to have an understanding of energy efficiency in their day-to-day work. Businesses and households are increasingly looking to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce their energy bills as well as their carbon footprint, and the emissions trading scheme would provide an added impetus for this.

The BICSI South Pacific Conference 2010 will be held at the Rydges Hotel in Melbourne, 19-21 April 2010 and will feature a conference, exhibition, workshops and product demonstrations.

The low-carbon economy is likely to have significant financial impacts for all businesses, due to the need to account for existing market externalities such as carbon emissions and adverse environmental impacts. While the UN climate conference in Copenhagen attempted to develop an international approach to mitigating and managing the impacts of climate change, the Australian government has proposed a set of measures as part of its climate mitigation plan, such as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

According to the not-for-profit organisation Beyond Zero Emissions, Australia is falling behind in its uptake of viable solar energy technologies.

Many businesses took advantage of the government’s Investment Allowance last year. Although the window is now closed on equipment purchases, it is timely for businesses to sort out their finance to ensure they do qualify for the allowance.

The electric power generation, transmission and distribution industry in the US was one of three industries identified by the EPA as potentially being required to provide financial assurances to fund the clean-up of environmental releases.

Australian employers are reporting considerably stronger hiring intentions for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, according to results from a recent employment outlook survey.

Data recovery specialist Kroll Ontrack released its sixth annual top 10 data recoveries list of lost and sometimes retrieved data.

Nothing short of an ‘energy revolution’ will be required to successfully transition to a carbon-managed economy while fulfilling its energy needs, according to a VECCI report.

New standards for copper cabling smooth the way for high-performance data transmission in buildings, industrial plants and data centres. However, in order to have a long-term guarantee for the desired performance, the pitfalls in nomenclature need to be considered during project design and component selection.