Industry News
UQ helps plan future power
The University of Queensland will share a $3.3 million CSIRO grant to investigate the most economically efficient energy network for Australia’s future. Professor John Foster and Dr Liam Wagner from UQ School of Economics Energy Economics and Management Group will collaborate with the University of Sydney, University of Newcastle and University of NSW on a three-year project to provide a suite of tools and models to plan and manage the future grid. [ + ]
Construction to begin on WA wave energy project
Construction of the Perth Wave Energy Project is due to begin next month. Located at Garden Island, the project will start delivering green energy to the grid in 2014. [ + ]
Single compliance mark scheme begins
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has today introduced a single regulatory compliance mark (RCM) to illustrate a device’s compliance with all applicable ACMA standards - telecommunications, radiocommunications, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic energy (EME). [ + ]
NECA welcomes launch of new system to tackle non-compliant product
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) welcomed the launch of the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) in Queensland today as a major step forward in stamping out the use of non-compliant product. [ + ]
M+W Group acquires True Value Solar
After acquiring 65% of True Value Solar’s shares in 2011, German company M+W Group has secured the remaining 35% to acquire the company. [ + ]
CBS issues public warning about Unleash Solar
The South Australian Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has issued a public warning about the company following complaints of faulty equipment and warranty work not being completed. [ + ]
Getting back to work is a healthy goal
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a major campaign to highlight the physical, mental and social benefits of injured workers getting back to work as soon as it is safe for them to do so. The public awareness campaign highlights that injured workers who are off work for three months or longer face significant health risks. [ + ]
Apprentices earn less than McDonald’s workers, study shows
A University of Sydney report has found that electrical apprentice award rates are only slightly higher than welfare payments and fall mostly below the Henderson Poverty Line. [ + ]
Increasing apprentice pay could damage industry, NECA says
Increasing electrical apprentice pay rates would have a damaging impact on the industry and result in fewer employers taking on new apprentices, the CEO of NECA has said. [ + ]
World’s first nationwide electric vehicle charging network
Estonia has become the world’s first country to launch a nationwide fast-charging network for electric vehicles, using technology provided by power and automation technology group ABB. [ + ]
Now is the time to power up consumers on energy use
Australia now has the opportunity to make transformative changes to our electricity market to put power in the hands of consumers and businesses, according to the Chief Executive of Australia’s peak clean energy industry body, Clean Energy Council. [ + ]
Electrical and lighting alliance creates industry first
In an industry first, the Clipsal by Schneider Electric Partner Business has announced a commercial marketing alliance with Australia’s largest lighting retailer, Beacon Lighting. [ + ]
NECA issues safety warnings to flood-stricken residents
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has issued an electrical safety warning to residents as wild weather continues to cause problems around Australia with floods in northern NSW, threatened floods in southeast Queensland and a tropical cyclone set to hit northern Western Australia. [ + ]
Security 2013 to tackle tomorrow’s security challenges
Security 2013 Exhibition & Conference will be held from 24-26 July at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. Now in its 28th year, the event is expected to attract 4500 visitors from government and private enterprises, and more than 150 local and international suppliers will be showcasing the latest business security solutions for the Australasia market. [ + ]
Forecasting technology to boost solar energy
NCAR is spearheading a project to develop technology that gives 36-hour forecasts of incoming solar energy that could eliminate guesswork for solar power plants. [ + ]