In this interview, Vincent Aherne, project leader of the Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (i-Hub) project, talks about the integration of innovative platforms, models and renewable energy technologies in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) sector.
Report extract
The Australian heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) sector consumes around 22 per cent of all electricity produced and is responsible for around 50 per cent of peak demand on the electricity grid.
This is a substantial energy-consuming sector that provides a largely untapped opportunity for enhanced grid-interactive control of demand response, load flexibility, renewable energy uptake and integration of various technologies.
ARENA has co-funded the Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (i-Hub) project, led by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), to demonstrate how renewable energy technology can be optimally integrated with HVAC&R equipment in commercial buildings.
