The discovery of a new phosphor could lead to cheaper and more efficient fluorescent and LED lighting, according to new research from Europe. [ + ]

Arlec Australia has advised that the company's rechargeable Handheld Worklight 150 Lumen 15 LED product may contain materials that do not comply with the flammability requirements of AS/NZS 60335.1.1 [ + ]

The new WorksSafe Victoria headquarters is being given a substantial green push, thanks to funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. [ + ]

ABB will supply energy-efficient, low-voltage power distribution solutions to the new car manufacturing facilities of Renault-Nissan and Daimler in Aguascalientes, Mexico. [ + ]

Details of the proposed make-good by car manufacturer Volkswagen AG have been released. Information relates only to the United States at this stage. [ + ]

The upcoming merger of state-owned electricity distributors Ergon and Energex is having an adverse impact on local Queensland electrical businesses. Regional company Gieger Electrical has notified its workforce that one third of staff will be let go in the face of a reduced workload. [ + ]

Increases to award rates and the national minimum wage are due to take effect from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2016. If you are an employer, you'll need to ensure you are across the changes. [ + ]

New information from Juniper Research suggests that by 2021, the average driver will save an entire working day per year through less driving time. The advent of smart city initiatives, including including advanced traffic management and smart parking, will contribute to 4.2 billion fewer man hours on the road. [ + ]

Landing a helicopter on an onshore or offshore facility is still regarded as one of the most hazardous operations when flying, but a new lighting system is now changing that. [ + ]

CSIRO has unveiled a solar-powered air-conditioning system to cool Australian commercial buildings, achieving greater energy efficiency. Operating at Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre in Ballarat, Victoria, the system uses concentrating solar thermal technology to produce heat energy used to power the air-conditioning system. [ + ]

The team at Kennards Hire are now making it event easier to find the right tool for the job, launching what they say is Australia's first live equipment hire platform. [ + ]

Master Builders Australia (MBA) has formally launched its Jobs and Skills for the Future policy as part of its Strong Building: Strong Economy campaign for the next term of government. [ + ]

After extensive testing, battery company Redflow and energy storage management provider Redback Technologies have announced the compatibility of their technologies to bring a new, more efficient energy solution to Australian homes. [ + ]

Battery packs supplied with certain HP, Compaq, HP ProBook, HP Envy, HP Pavilion Notebook computers have been identified as a fire risk. Not all HP notebook PCs in these ranges have an affected battery pack. [ + ]

Australian councils should urgently consider tailored debt finance to improve their energy performance and reduce emissions from old and poorly maintained assets. [ + ]