what are you looking for?
You can search through the online database of resources below. Use the filter option to refine your search.
Streamlining electrification in support of decarbonisation
Our industry has increasingly focused on the electrification of building utilities coupled with low-carbon electricity to support the global decarbonization effort. Examples include the University of California’s system-wide ban on the use of on-site fossil fuel combustion in new construction and major renovations, and the City of Seattle’s recently passed measure to prohibit the use of natural gas for space heating in new construction and major replacements of heating systems in commercial buildings, as well as for water heating in new hotels and
large apartment buildings. This column presents an approach to integrating the production of domestic hot water with an electric heat-recovery chiller plant as a streamlined solution.
Feasibility study of wastewater energy transfer for an existing campus building cluster
The HVAC-related energy usage of a group of three existing buildings on a Canadian university campus (the “Cluster”) was simulated. Two scenarios were compared: (1) an ambient loop paired with conventional HVAC equipment (boiler plant and cooling tower), and (2) an ambient loop using wastewater energy transfer (“WET”). The study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing WET as a heating and cooling method for cold-climate institutional buildings, as well as to measure the effects of WET implementation on energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy costs
Pushing the Boundaries of Net Zero in the Australian Outback
Using a hybrid of dynamic thermal simulation and detailed hourly spreadsheet calculations, the analysis identified design and operation strategies to size PV and batteries for various degrees of grid independence.
Optimisation of Economy Cycle Operation and Supply Air Temperature Control for VAV systems
In the future, many Australian HVAC systems may be required to deal with harsher environmental conditions due to more extreme climatic conditions and a push to increase population centres in more northern and central regions of the country.
Minimizing Transmission In High Occupant Density Settings, Part 1
By David Rothamer, Ph.D.; Scott Sanders, Ph.D.; Douglas Reindl, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE; Timothy Bertram, Ph.D.ABSTRACT In this first article in a two-part series, we review the current base of knowledge regarding transmission of COVID-19. After briefly introducing...
Exploring the potential of personal radiant cooling systems
In the future, many Australian HVAC systems may be required to deal with harsher environmental conditions due to more extreme climatic conditions and a push to increase population centres in more northern and central regions of the country.
Lessons for the future of Australian HVAC from Pilbara mining
In the future, many Australian HVAC systems may be required to deal with harsher environmental conditions due to more extreme climatic conditions and a push to increase population centres in more northern and central regions of the country.
From device to the cloud: approaches and challenges in getting HVAC&R data from remote devices
There is strong demand for HVAC&R monitoring and metering solutions that incorporate cloud data collection and real-time or near-real-time cloud-based control. This is enabled by reductions in the cost of sensors and meters, advances in communication technologies, the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) as a lower-cost alternative to traditionally vertically integrated systems, and the move to more frequent data collection.
Planning for carbon neutral in existing buildings
This paper explores the role of optimisation of existing infrastructure, onsite renewable and non-renewable generation, hardware changes and energy-procurement activities in achieving carbon neutral status for a mixed-use building in Melbourne, with consideration to moving electricity and gas grid factors (cost and emissions) across 15 years.
Next-generation fault detection for commercial building HVAC systems
Modern commercial buildings are becoming more complicated as the number of sensors, actuators and control loops increases. The building management system (BMS) used to control these components will often generate equipment faults and anomalous behaviour, which causes energy waste, thermal discomfort, and drives up maintenance costs. Such system failures may last for a long time before a facility manager or technician notices them. This necessitates the use of automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) tools to detect operational faults and identify their root causes to ensure fault-free operation.
Peak powers
Environmental consultant Alan Pears AM makes the case for energy efficiency and emissions ratings that better reflect the impacts of peak demand and seasonal variability. Assessing, rating and regulating building energy use and emissions used to be simple when we were...
A well-deserved shout-out
AIRAH has recognised the decades-long contributions of several active and engaged members at its NSW President’s Shout event. Associate director of the Institute’s NSW division committee Gary Knox, F.AIRAH, hosted the event. AIRAH President Mikaila Ganado, M.AIRAH,...
Shining stars
The winners of the 2024 AIRAH Awards have been announced at a black-tie gala dinner held at Crown Aviary Melbourne on Thursday, November 21. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements from across Australia’s HVAC&R building services industry. Around 200 guests...
Q&A with Anastasia Alexandrova
Anastasia Alexandrova, M.AIRAH, was recently awarded her 10-year membership plaque at the 2024 AIRAH WA Members Lunch. We asked her to tell us a bit more about herself and what makes her tick. What is your job title? Business Development Manager at Turner Engineering...
Coffee grounds fuel sustainable roads
Researchers at RMIT University have developed an innovative technique that can make concrete 30 per cent stronger by turning waste coffee grounds into biochar. Laura Timberlake explores how the researchers are applying the innovation in the real world. Australia...
Could static power AC?
Researchers at RMIT have created an invention from waste polystyrene that generates static electricity from motion and wind.Created in collaboration with Riga Technical University in Latvia, the invention could lower power usage by recycling waste energy in air...
Advertisement