Engineers Australia (Queensland) held the Engineering Excellence Awards 2010 presentation night on October 8th 2010 at the Great Hall of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is a premier event on the calendar of engineers throughout Queensland. The stated purpose of the awards is to “promote industry excellence, foster leadership, and encourage innovation and sustainability.”

Entries came from fields as diverse as the building of a suspended 25m concrete swimming pool at Brisbane Girls Grammar, to the roadside tolling systems used in the free-flow traffic control on Brisbane’s Gateway arterial road network.

E3k joined with Leighton Contractors to become finalists in the Research and Development category of the Awards. The entry was based on mathematical models developed to provide benchmarks for the consumption of energy used in hauling ore within large mining operations. A single algorithm was then developed which could be applied to assess the energy efficiency of individual machines over time and set targets for improvement in their consumption of energy. This same formula can also be applied to assist in the design of more energy efficient mine sites and the selection of vehicles appropriate to each site.

From the highly competitive field of entrants, the overall Award for the evening was presented to Project Services (Department of Public works) for their 6-star green office design, which houses the Joint Contact Centre at Zilmere on Brisbane’s northside.

The staff of e3k would like to congratulate all those who not only won awards, but who participated in this prestigious event and who, every day, use their skills and knowledge to help create a more sustainable, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for all Australians.

The progress of this project has been followed with keen interest by e3k since 2000 when Mr Michael Perry met with e3k engineers to explore the idea of generating power from the tidal currents off the east coast of Australia.  Mr Perry created Atlantis Energy Limited (AEL) and Dr Gilmore of e3k joined its board as a Director. Together they set about developing a device which was capable of harnessing energy from ocean currents and at the same time was unique and patentable.

Start-up funds were raised from private investors on the back of a U.S. Patent [No 7,654,082] for Intellectual Property developed by e3k engineers: Dr Duncan Gilmore, Dr Raymond Hope, Ms Melissa Kruger and Ms Carmen Keating; together with Mr Michael Perry and Mr Gary Campbell.  The technology is known as “Nereus” and is now being commercialised by Altlantis Resources Corporation.

Whilst the 1,430 ton giant recently installed at the European Marine Energy Centre bears little resemblance to the original Nereus prototype [which was towed behind a fishing trawler in the Clarence River in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and subsequently installed off Victoria, Australia to generate power into the mainland electricity grid], this has in no way diminished the pride with which e3k observes the latest stage of Atlantis Resources Corporation’s continued developments in harnessing energy from ocean currents.

http://www.e3k.com/pdfs/e3k-Oct08-Wave-Power.pdf

See the Australian Building Codes Board for more information.

The amendment includes adjustments to a product’s tested emissivity, in Section K3.2. These adjustments are summarised as follows:

-For vertical and downward facing surfaces, emissivity of 0.03 or as tested, whichever is greater

-For upward facing surfaces in non-vented cavities where the cavity is fully sealed, emissivity of 0.03 or as tested, whichever is greater

-For upward facing surfaces in non-vented cavities where no special precautions for the prevention of air ingress have been included, assume slight dust cover and add 0.05 to the tested emissivity

-For upward facing surfaces in naturally ventilated space, assume moderate dust cover and add 0.25 to the tested emissivity.

Section K4.2 of the amendment addresses the ventilation of roofs, walls and floors. The implication of this section is that tile roofs are assumed to be naturally ventilated; whereas metal roofs are assumed to be non-vented. This means that any reflective foil insulation installed directly under a tiled roof will be penalised with an additional 0.25 added to the tested emissivity for moderate dust cover.

Section 3.12.1 in volume two of the Building Code of Australia gives the requirements for building thermal insulation. Table 3.12.1.1 gives the minimum total R-Value for different climate zones, with the minimum being 2.7 downwards for zone 1 and the maximum 4.8 upwards for zone 8.

The effect of the amendment will mean that some systems, particularly tiled roofs with the insulation installed parallel to a roof, and including an anti-glare upper surface, and without any sarking, will not achieve an R-Value of 2.7.

One solution to this problem is to use reflective foil and bubble cell insulations in new installations in a similar manner to the retrofit case. This would mean specifying systems for new installations with a reflective sarking (with an upward facing anti-glare surface and a downward facing low emissivity silver surface) under tile roofs, (metal roofs may not need the sarking) and install reflective insulation parallel to the ceiling with both upper and lower surfaces being low emissivity silver.

The Australian Government seeks to improve the energy efficiency rating of Australian homes through its $4 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package. This is the largest measure of this kind ever to be undertaken in Australia and represents a significant opportunity for the insulation industry.

Ceiling insulation is one area being particularly targeted. As part of the package, assistance may be granted:

Up to the value of $1,600 through the Homeowner Insulation Program, and
Up to the value of $1,000 through the Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters.

These programs will remain in effect until 30 June 2011 for renters and landlords, and 31 December 2011 for owner-occupiers.

Since 2004, e3k has been working with industry leaders to calculate and identify the “total R-Value” of various building structures, that is, a structure’s overall resistance to heat transfer. This is an essential quantity for compliance with the relevant standard*, the Building Code of Australia, and to qualify for the grants.

Comparing different products in various installation configurations can be challenging. The total R-Value provides a benchmark against which to measure, and is required for effective comparison.

With the knowledgeable and experienced help available through e3k, insulation suppliers can position themselves to benefit to the fullest from this environmentally friendly initiative.

For further information on the Energy Efficient Homes Package, click here

Download the Homeowner Insulation Program Guidelines as a PDF here

* Australian and New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 4859.1:2002/Amdt 1:2006 Material for the thermal insulation of buildings

The idea for the research and development came from Leighton Contractors, operators of one of the largest fleet of bulk materials transport vehicles (haul trucks) in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Steve McDonald, General Manager Plant for Leighton Contractors said the company needed a reliable measurement system that could be applied equally across all operations and within the operations, where the nature of the work undertaken varied frequently.

“When we looked for such a system, it was clear that no-one had developed anything that could take into account the variation that we frequently encounter, particularly in our contract mining operations,” Mr McDonald said.

“Together with e3k we have been able to develop a system which will enable us to lower our carbon emissions and fulfil our commitment of becoming a more sustainable company.”

Leighton Media Centre

See the full article.

From 2010-11 the Government will replace the current R&D Tax Concession with a simplified Tax Credit.

The new credits (either a 40% or 45% credit), are equivalent to a 133% or 150% tax deduction respectively.

The 45% credit applies to firms with an annual turnover of less than $20 Million, whilst the 40% credit applies to foreign owned firms and those with an annual turnover of greater than $20 Million.

The refundable 45% Tax Credit will be available to small companies in tax loss, with no limit on the level of R&D expenditure i.e. firms will receive a tax refund of 45% of their R&D spending when they file their tax return, even if they are in tax loss.

The current Tax Concession works in the same way but at a lower level equivalent to a 125% tax deduction rather than a 150% tax deduction, and with a $2 Million cap on R&D expenditure.

Visit www.ausindustry.gov.au

From 2010-11 the Government will replace the current R&D Tax Concession with a simplified Tax Credit.

As a transitional measure for 2009-10, the R&D expenditure cap for the existing R&D Tax Offset will be lifted from $1 Million to $2 Million.

The cap is the maximum amount a firm can spend on R&D to be eligible for the Tax Offset.

Visit www.ausindustry.gov.au

From 2010-11 the Government will replace the current R&D Tax Concession with a simplified Tax Credit.

Under the new Tax Credit system, eligibility criteria will be tightened to maximise the results of the Government’s investment. Only genuine R&D will be supported.

The Government plans to consult further on the eligibility criteria in developing the legislation during 2009. A consultation paper is expected mid 2009 with an exposure draft towards the end of 2009.

Working with an AusIndustry Registered Research Agency (RRA) is expected to ensure that genuine R&D is being undertaken.

Gilmore Engineers Pty Ltd – e3k has been a RRA since 2001 (registered number 34439).

Visit www.ausindustry.gov.au