Industry News
Inconsistent cable recall reveals failures in safety laws
The recall of Infinity brand electrical cables in New South Wales - but not in any other Australian states - is putting homeowners at serious risk of fire or electric shock, Master Electricians Australia claims. [ + ]
AIRAH to offer BCA Essentials course
AIRAH is offering a series of half-day courses throughout November which provide an overview of the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume One BCA (Class 2-9 buildings) as it relates to mechanical services. [ + ]
Powerstar appoints Australian distributors
Following the opening of EMSc-Powerstar's Australian office earlier this year, the company has appointed five Australian distributors. [ + ]
eVe begins World Solar Challenge
The UNSW solar racing team, Sunswift, will begin the 3000 km 2013 World Solar Challenge on Sunday 6 October. The Sunswift team, comprising 32 students, built the lightweight solar-electric vehicle - the team's fifth - for the competition. [ + ]
NBN Co appoints executive chair, initiates strategic review
Former Optus and Telstra Chief Dr Ziggy Switkowski has been appointed to the board as chairman, pending the appointment of a new chief executive to replace Mike Quigley, who announced his intention to resign from the position in July. [ + ]
Minimum price for SA solar proposed
The Clean Energy Council has welcomed a recommendation to set a minimum price in South Australia for solar energy generated by South Australians. [ + ]
Beating LED droop
Scientists have been working frantically to create better LEDs to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy-efficient lighting, but one thing stands in the way: 'droop'. [ + ]
Schneider Electric employees continue volunteering efforts for the Julian Burton Burns Trust
For the second year running, Clipsal and Schneider Electric employees on 27 September continued their volunteering efforts for the Julian Burton Burns Trust (JBBT) to help increase fire safety awareness to thousands of South Australian school children. [ + ]
PV arrays standard open for public comment
Standards Australia has released a revised version of AS/NZS5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays for public comment. [ + ]
Falling particle receiver shows promising results
Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories are using a falling particle receiver to more efficiently convert the sun's energy to electricity in large-scale, concentrating solar power plants. [ + ]
enLighten attains IP66 rating for Cetus range
Enlighten has attained IP66 rating for its Cetus LED high- and low-bay light range. [ + ]
Submarine data link between SE Asia and the US to be upgraded
Alcatel-Lucent and Asia America Gateway, the cable system owned by a consortium of operators, have signed a deal to upgrade the cable system covering the route from the Philippines to the United States. [ + ]
New code of conduct for solar retail businesses
A new voluntary code of conduct for solar PV retail businesses imposes standards for the marketing and sale of solar PV systems, which are in addition to their existing obligations under consumer protection legislation. [ + ]
Renewable energy future looks bleak if CEFC axed
Concerns for the future of renewable energy projects are rising after the Coalition government announced plans to axe the CEFC. There are reportedly 170 projects in the pipeline for CEFC funding, of which 50 are well advanced. [ + ]
Revised Standards and Code for VDSL2 and Vectoring
To facilitate the deployment of VDSL2 and vectoring technologies as part of the NBN, the Communications Alliance has revised the industry standards and launched an industry code. [ + ]