Energy technology goes beyond charging cars
19 January, 2012The technology behind an Australian-produced electric vehicle charger could provide an answer to the challenges outlined in the government’s Energy White Paper, thanks to its potential to lower investment in electricity infrastructure by helping better use the existing capacity in the grid.
Sharing energy efficiency
07 December, 2011 by Jennifer Baltatzidis*, Origin EnergyThis past year has seen great change and uncertainty in the energy and regulatory market for business. From increases in energy costs due to network augmentations and more increases on this front expected, to the splitting of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) into two parts, to the introduction and/or adjustments of a variety of state-based schemes, along with more stringent requirements for the commercial building disclosure scheme, and now, an expected carbon tax along with a plethora of grant and tax-break incentives to come with it. While my intent is not to discuss the specifics of what all these changes will mean, one thing is for certain, energy prices will increase and the effects on many businesses will be difficult to ignore.
Low-carbon energy network
06 December, 2011The City of Sydney will begin final negotiations with energy provider Cogent Energy to build and operate a low-carbon energy network to power central Sydney and slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Research finds demand for heat exchanger technologies
18 November, 2011Frost & Sullivan’s 'Trends in Heat Exchanger Technologies' research finds that offering enhanced thermodynamic properties will help manufacturers sustain in this marketplace.
Macroeconomic report looks at NZ green growth opportunities
16 November, 2011The executive summary of a significant macroeconomic report on green growth opportunities for New Zealand has been released.
Australian scientists revolutionise processing of starch
10 November, 2011Australian scientists have developed an analyser that will monitor the behaviour of starches as they are cooked, revolutionising food manufacturing processes.
Trigeneration precinct for commercial buildings
04 November, 2011In April 2011, Investa Property Group and Cogent, a subsidiary of Origin, established a trigeneration facility that reduces the carbon footprints of two commercial buildings in Sydney.
Australians appointed to develop energy efficiency in Dubai cities
26 October, 2011An Australian technology services company has been appointed to assist in driving down energy consumption in three new iconic city precincts in Dubai.
Improving the physics of grocery store display cases to save energy
21 October, 2011Shoppers don’t usually give a second thought as they reach into a cooler to grab milk, cheese or prepackaged lunches. Open-front refrigerated display cases, which make up roughly 60% of the refrigerated cases in grocery stores and supermarkets, provide quick access to chilled products such as dairy, meat, fish and produce. While they are popular with shoppers and grocery stores, they’re less popular with electric utilities and others concerned with energy efficiency.
Victorian demountable classrooms go green
19 October, 2011Sustainable building provider Vento Australasia is participating in a Victorian state government initiative to provide inspiration to the next generation of energy-efficient relocatable classrooms.
Grocery retailer monitors and manages energy
11 October, 2011US-based grocery retail company Supervalu has installed energy monitoring hardware and has enrolled in a demand-response program with Net Peak Energy Group. The program organises payment to the retailer for effectively ‘selling’ their electricity back to their utilities when demand is high. Additionally, the program can call for the retailer’s distribution centres to shed up to 1.2 MW of power.
Remarkable development in Queenstown
29 September, 2011The mountains surrounding Queenstown on New Zealand’s south island overlooking Lake Wakatipu are aptly known as The Remarkables. If you’re familiar with this part of the world you’ll appreciate the effort that went into establishing a 6.4-hectare master plan for the Kawarau Falls Station (KFS) development.
Ford rides into e-bike market
23 September, 2011Alongside the exciting line-up of new vehicle and technology introductions on its stand at Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford is also unveiling a rather surprising addition to its range - an e-bike.
Are we setting the right priorities to address our energy challenges?
23 August, 2011You might use one to dry your hair or wash your dishes. There’s one in every elevator and ventilation system. And in industry they run machines, pumps, fans, conveyors and more. I’m talking about electric motors. They are quite literally everywhere and they use a lot of energy.
Transition to renewable energy in Europe
09 August, 2011The transition to renewable energy is set to deliver an economic pay-off in the years to come. Various studies show that a shift to alternative energy sources will raise the GNP in the coming decade and create new jobs, as Prof Eicke Weber, spokesperson for the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance, points out. Fraunhofer scientists are developing concepts and solutions for the transition as it takes shape.
