Safety alert for installers of PV systems
16 April, 2013The Queensland Electrical Safety Office has issued a safety alert to highlight the risks associated with direct current (DC) isolators used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. When terminating electrical conductors into isolators and circuit breakers, it is paramount that connections are secure under the terminal clamp especially where DC is involved.
Distributed intelligence - the new paradigm in lighting control
15 April, 2013 by Claire Thompson | Supplied by: Organic ResponseSmart lighting control systems make a significant contribution to the effective operation of commercial buildings. As the race towards new technologies for lighting control continues, the prospect of creating smarter, more intuitive controls is seemingly straightforward - all a system really needs to do is to make decisions about which lights to switch on, and how brightly, based on information in the space beneath them.
Building an energy-efficient medical research institute
12 April, 2013 | Supplied by: Clipsal - by Schneider ElectricThe South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is building a diamond-shaped facility designed to foster researchers’ creativity and productivity.
Call for mandatory disclosure of energy origins
10 April, 2013 | Supplied by: University of TechnologyA recent study conducted by University of Technology’s Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF), as commissioned by the Total Environment Centre, has highlighted the absolute lack of disclosure by Australia’s electricity retailers regarding the origin of energy sources.
CSIRO helps smelters cut energy consumption
09 April, 2013 | Supplied by: CSIRO Head OfficeLarge smelters in electricity-intensive, metal-winning industries can use as much power as a medium-sized city, so finding ways to reduce their energy requirement is a high priority. In a bid to help smelters cut their consumption and associated emissions, the Australian research agency CSIRO, in partnership with industry players, is assessing and testing new electrical connection systems.
1 million solar powered homes
08 April, 2013 | Supplied by: Clean Energy CouncilMore than two million Australians are now getting cheaper power and saving some half a billion dollars a year on their electricity bills, because of their switch to solar energy, according to the Clean Energy Council. The number of Australian homes with solar power systems has passed the one million mark, according to figures from the Clean Energy Regulator that confirm the milestone was reached in March.
Despatchable solar energy
07 April, 2013 | Supplied by: Selectronic Australia Pty LtdMuch has been said about the limitations of photovoltaic (PV) solar as an alternative energy source, given its inherent intermittent nature. PV solar has even been blamed for grid instability as well as pushing up the price of electricity. So what about a solar system that allows the utility to decide how much power it requires and when?
Stanford Start.Home to transform green home construction
05 April, 2013Stanford University students are building the Start.Home, a solar-powered, net-zero emissions house that they say could transform green home construction.
Solar Inception SolaGRID renewable energy storage
04 April, 2013 | Supplied by: Solar Inception Pty LtdSolar Inception has released a smart renewable energy storage solution that can capture energy from multiple sources, including solar, wind, hydro, diesel Genset and the grid, and then use the stored energy on demand. SolaGRID ESS is a fully integrated and expandable lead acid gel energy storage system suitable for stand-alone (off-grid) or grid-coupled operation.
Sunflower makes Bluesfest a greenfest
04 April, 2013Performances in Byron Bay Bluesfest’s exclusive VIP area, the Lotus Palace, were powered solely by the sun, thanks to SCU’s new green initiative, a solar-powered sound system.
Australian-produced, grid-friendly EV charger ready to take the next step
28 March, 2013An Australian company providing grid-friendly residential electric vehicle charging plans to take its revolutionary technology to the next level via investment partners such as those from the energy and electric vehicle industries.
Brightgreen SL3500 LED shoplighter
26 March, 2013 | Supplied by: Brightgreen Pty LtdThe SL3500 shoplighter from Brightgreen is equivalent in output to a 200 W halogen lamp, but provides almost 22 lumens per dollar, compared to just 14.5 for a standard LED shoplighter, says the company. The fitting has an operating power 38 W but emits 3192 lumens of brightness. This adds up to 84 lumens per watt, compared to 16 lumens per watt for a halogen equivalent.
Funding charges renewable energy storage solutions
25 March, 2013Cost-effective battery storage for residential and commercial renewable energy systems is a step closer following an Australian Government investment of $480,000 to test a world-leading battery technology.
Solar Council welcomes RET review
22 March, 2013The Australian Solar Council has welcomed the government’s response to the Review of the Renewable Energy Target, calling it a significant boost to investor confidence and certainty.
Aeration for a cleaner, greener MCG
21 March, 2013 | Supplied by: CAPS Pty LtdAs part of a multimillion-dollar project to build Victoria’s largest underground recycled water treatment plant at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Compressed Air and Power Solutions (CAPS) Australia was selected to supply aeration blowers for the facility.
