An Australian-developed electric vehicle charger can halve electric vehicle (EV) charging costs, a world-first Victorian Department of Transport trial has found. The ChargeIQ EV charger was also found to optimise utilities’ network performance. [ + ]

The 2013 AIRAH Awards are open to individuals, companies, corporate bodies, institutions and government authorities, and recognise work carried out during 2012. [ + ]

Master Electricians Australia has urged the Queensland Government to restrict power price rises for off-peak energy tariffs, in order to ease pressure on the grid, reduce the amount of investment needed and cut costs to consumers. [ + ]

ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) energy labelling program has been expanded to include an As Designed label, in addition to the In Operation label. [ + ]

Energy research specialist Energeia says microgrids will give consumers greater control over the cost, carbon intensity and reliability of their electricity supply - and, ultimately, the option of complete independence from the main grid. [ + ]

ABB has announced that it will start producing central inverters at its Johannesburg facility in 2014 to support the rapidly growing local photovoltaic (PV) market and local content requirements. [ + ]

NBN Co has announced the release of its Master Developer Agreement (MDA). The new MDA aims to streamline NBN Co’s implementation of the government’s Fibre in New Developments Policy. [ + ]

The lack of electricians entering Australia from overseas is severely stunting growth within the construction sector, Master Electricians Australia (MEA) claims. [ + ]

215 Adelaide Street, Brisbane was announced winner of the Thinc Award for Best Sustainable Development - Existing Buildings at the 2013 National Property Council of Australia /Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards. [ + ]

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has expressed concerns over the drop in numbers of apprentices. [ + ]

Lend Lease’s Darling Quarter and Commonwealth Bank Place development has taken home four awards from the 2013 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards. [ + ]

Leviton has been awarded the 2013 Industry Award of Merit at the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) national meeting in Boston on 6 May. [ + ]

ASIS and BICSI have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster the growth of the security and information technology systems industries, promote public safety and protect critical infrastructure globally. [ + ]

Twelve engineering graduates are preparing to take part in Schneider Electric’s Energy Generation Graduate Programme Assessment Days, which are being held in Sydney and Melbourne throughout May. [ + ]

Investing in clean energy will maximise the economic potential for gas exports and ensure energy affordability for domestic users, CEC Chief Executive David Green has told a power and utilities conference in Sydney. [ + ]