Industry News
Increased electricity demand could lead to load shedding
A combination of intense weather, high electricity consumption and unplanned outages on the generation network has triggered the potential for load shedding to occur in parts of South Australia and Victoria, AEMO says. [ + ]
Electricity demand peaks as heatwave continues
Electricity demand has reached its highest point since the heatwave preceding the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, the Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa) has reported. [ + ]
Yingli Solar creates new technical manager role
Christian Bindel has been appointed to the newly created role of technical manager for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands for Yingli Solar. [ + ]
Tips to avoid heat stress
As temperatures are forecast to soar over the coming days, SafeWork South Australia reminds workplaces to ensure they have measures in place to cope with the heat. [ + ]
AI Group calls for immigration boost
Australia needs to increase its immigration intake by 30,000 to 220,000 for the 2014-15 financial year in order to meet current and future skills shortages, suggests the Australian Industry Group. [ + ]
Voltage optimisation webinar
Powerstar is holding a free webinar on voltage optimisation on 12 February from 9-10 am. [ + ]
Submissions invited on ESS Issues Paper
Submissions have been invited on an issues paper as part of a review of the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS). The paper was jointly released by NSW Trade & Investment and the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage. [ + ]
iCat wins SAimX award
The iCat application from Clipsal by Schneider Electric has won the Business and eCommerce category of the South Australian Interactive Media Excellence Awards (SAimX). [ + ]
Cheap and easy way to solar efficiency
A collaboration between Chinese and US chemists has found a simple and cheap way to increase solar cell efficiency by modifying the molecular structure of a polymer commonly used in solar cells. [ + ]
Comment period for revised CFL standard closing soon
The Committee Draft for Vote (CDV) of IEC 60969 Ed 2, Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting services - Performance requirements (34/1701/CDV) was published on 1 November 2013 and is scheduled to close on 7 February 2014, according to a statement issued by lites.asia. [ + ]
Industry welcomes streamlined environmental approval process
The move to streamline environmental project approvals has been welcomed by the energy industry. MOUs that give state governments the power to decide on projects assessed under Australia's main national environmental laws were signed at the COAG meeting. [ + ]
Prosegur expands in Australia; acquires Chubb Security
Private security company Prosegur has acquired Chubb Security Services in Australia, a company specialising in the cash logistics and ATMs' operation and servicing sector. [ + ]
Energy Efficiency Opportunities cuts shock industry
Energy Efficiency Council members are shocked by the surprise funding cuts to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program. [ + ]
SolarQuip to run SPS accreditation course
A stand-alone power systems (SPS) accreditation course is being held in Moruya in late January 2014. Run by SolarQuip's Glen Morris, the course consists of five days' classroom-based theory then three days of off-grid practical training. [ + ]
National Occupational Licensing Scheme scrapped, NOLA disbanded
COAG has announced that the National Occupational Licensing Scheme (NOLS) will be disbanded. The National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) will be disestablished early in 2014. [ + ]