While only around 500 entities are directly impacted, the carbon pricing mechanism and related measures are likely to have a broad and transformative effect on the Australian economy and impact all businesses over time. The price on carbon commenced on 1 July 2012 making an understanding of the mechanics of this major reform important for […]
Managing the Commercial Implications of the Carbon Tax Read More »
Our alliance partner, Antony Pritchett, faced an interesting challenge. He had to move a 4.5 tonne steam engine from St Ives where it had been on display for many years. With no immediate alternative display venue available it had to go into storage on the Central Coast. A large gathering of family and friends bent
The Green Cities 08 conference speakers made repeated references to the scale of the carbon emissions problem and the need to take substantial and immediate action to avoid severe climate change effects. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is already above the stabilization level to keep global temperatures within 2 degrees of current levels.
Reducing Australia’s Carbon Emissions Read More »
Engineers Australia recently hosted a presentation by Richard Hunwick (www.hunwickconsultants.com.au) on plug-in-hybrid vehicles. We can give you a glimpse of Richard’s proposition here and would encourage you to visit his web site and visit the link on plug-in-hybrid cars for more detail. Richard sees the PHEV as the way Australia can reduce its dependence on
FINDING SOLUTIONS –An Example Read More »
It is easy to understand why business owners and managers might be hesitant to commission an energy assessment. It is an unknown field for most people. But it is amazing how much energy can be saved. These savings translate into cost savings and improved profits for our clients. A recent example of an assessment carried
Big Savings on Energy Costs Read More »
Late last year (2008) CNN ran a story about an emerging green race between China and the rest of the world. The paradox is that many in the world are accusing China of being a major polluter and of not supporting international efforts to curb carbon pollution. But behind the scenes China is apparently making the
Looking to the Future Read More »
In our last newsletter we referred to the Chinese car maker BYD in relation to the story about plug in hybrid cars. The concepts mentioned may have sounded far fetched; for example that BYD has a goal to be the world’s largest car maker; that plug in hybrids (PHEV) could solve the electricity grid management
The Australian Solar Energy Society arranged a field trip to Australia’s largest solar thermal power station recently. The plant is part of Macquarie Generation’s Liddell Power Station in the Hunter Valley. Novatec Solar has been awarded the contract to build the new 9MW thermal solar field at Liddell, which will complement the existing plant, a
AuSES Tour of Solar Thermal Power Station Read More »
The Commercial Building Disclosure Scheme For a while it was called the Mandatory Disclosure of Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings Scheme. But that was a mouth full. So now it is the Commercial Buildings Disclosure Scheme; which can be conveniently shortened to CBD. As many readers will know, Section J (of the BCA) has been
Mandatory Disclosure is here! Commercial Building Disclosure Read More »
Concrete and brickwork have very low inherent insulation properties. This comes as a surprise because the perception is that these types of walls are a substantial barrier to the outside environment. While they are a substantial barrier, this is more a measure of thermal mass; The ability to store heat (or cold). Heat will travel
J1V3 is an important part of sustainable building practices in Australia. A J1V3 performance solution can be adopted as an alternative compliance pathway to the
Between 2014 and 2024, the total solar PV capacity in Australia grew 10 times to 36.6 GW. This is due to the country’s ideal geographical
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
