This is a heart-warming story. Imagine a train that is fully powered by the sun. Sounds ideal doesn’t it? If it could be done it would have to be a world’s first, right? Well, it has been done and somehow it seems appropriate it was done in the seaside town of Byron Bay. Here is […]
The BCR also brings to attention the documentary aspect of compliant work carried out and acknowledges that private building surveyors (private building certifiers depending on your jurisdiction) do not hold expertise in all aspects of building design and therefore often rely on engineers or other expert consultants to design and certify certain components of work.
Impacts for Occupancy Certificate sign off Read More »
In thinking about balancing the supply renewable energy with demand, we were reminded of an interesting idea we reported on 11 years ago. The article was about the use of plug in hybrid cars as part of the grid. Engineer, Richard Hunwick, put forward the proposal. It was a very good concept, but what’s happened
Can Electric Vehicles Help the Electricity Grid? Read More »
Back in 2017 we had a newsletter item about a trial program in Perth where people with solar panels could sell their excess power to each other but not back to the grid. It raised a lot of interesting ideas about the use of ‘blockchain’ software and the balancing of supply and demand of electricity.
Micro Grids – The Future Read More »
The Association of Accredited Certifiers held their annual conference recently. The association organised a ‘virtual’ conference this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Andrew Latimer (from Application Solutions) played a part by presenting one of the concurrent sessions entitled: A detailed look at Section J: 2019 version. Andrew presented his talk from home and had to
Kingspan Insulation opens high-tech, energy-efficient Australian Manufacturing Facility
Kingspan Group Opens Australian Insulation Manufacturing Facility Read More »
Change in life is a constant. After 9 years in our office we found the landlord didn’t want to renew the lease this time around! I guess he had a better offer. So we’ve moved to the office next door. It happens to be more modern, bigger and nicer! We can still say “we are
Our long term collaborator, Matthew Parnell, has moved to Melbourne and taken a position as Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Master of Design Strategy + Innovation at Swinburne University of Technology. Matthew is still involved in consulting work but some aspects have changed. We are now looking after some of his clients in the general ESD
About 18 months ago, a classic Marshall Britannia Steam Engine came out of storage in the hope of being steamed up and put to work. This Steam Engine was beautifully restored by one of our partners and is now nicknamed Antony’s Steam Engine. A group of steam and antique machinery enthusiasts in Maitland NSW, agreed
Steam Engine Put To Work Read More »
Last year our involvement in the medical outreach program in Vanuatu took an unexpected turn. In March 2015 a conference was held in the capital Port Vila to co-ordinate everyone’s efforts for the upcoming year. A few hours into the conference Cyclone Pam hit the island chain. The conference attendees were ushered to cyclone shelters where
Vanuatu – Update on the Medical Assistance Project Read More »
Beyond aesthetics and functionality, designing a home requires sustainability. Residential buildings in Australia produce over 10% of the country’s carbon emissions and consume 24% of
Green buildings are on the rise. According to the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), there was an 80% increase in Green Star certifications in
Renovating your home? Then you must know how the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (EP&A) applies to your situation. Ensure that your building meets all
The warm glow of the morning sun inside a room is naturally invigorating. Cooking dinner in a kitchen filled with soft, natural light, highlights the
