Extensive experience preparing economic and technical models, greenhouse gas inventories and policy papers to evaluate the impact of energy efficiency and carbon policy for state and federal policy makers, international inter-governmental agencies and industry.
Refrigerant leak study – A data-driven insight from Australia
Detailed Australian study provides critical insight on the refrigerant leak rates across the refrigeration and air conditioning industry from 2006 to 2022. Commissioned by Refrigerants Australia, the study is the first accurate calculation of leak rates across many product categories. The findings of the paper were presented at a side event at the UN in Bangkok at the latest Montreal Protocol meeting of the parties (COP13/MOP36).
Heat pumps – emerging trends in the Australian market
Heat pumps have been recognised as an integral technology in the global effort to improve energy efficiency as part of decarbonisation. This study includes a domestic and international scan of heat pump use, assesses the key market drivers and evaluates the changing landscape, environmental risks and the potential impact on the HFC phased down (current).
Climate Risk of Heat Pumps
For the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The Victorian Government is developing a Gas Substitution Roadmap which will examine a range of measures to unlock long-term decarbonisation pathways for natural gas, to enable net zero emissions by 2050. Expert Group provided an assessment of the climate impact of using heat pumps instead of natural gas in commercial and residential applications and provided policy options to minimise that emissions impact, April 2022.
Maintenance and Leak Project
For the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE). This extensive international research project identifies common issues found with refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation equipment at installation and issues that develop over the life of the equipment which contribute to refrigerant leaks and excess energy use. The study assesses energy saving opportunities from regular preventative maintenance and assesses the energy penalty from potential leaks, Feb 2021.
A Study of Waste in the Cold Food Chain and Opportunities for Improvement.
The study includes quantification of the scale and location of failures, energy productivity lost, key sources of food waste and opportunities for improvement. Interested parties include DAWE, Refrigerants Australia, the Australian Cold Chain Council (AFCCC) and the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution to promote sustainable practices and innovative solutions for curbing food loss and waste. The findings were presented at the 31st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP) event held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome in November 2019 was published in 2020.
Consultation Regulation Impact Statement.
Conducted workshops throughout AU/NZ for consultation RIS for Refrigeration Display Cases and Storage Cabinets, and provided advice on standards, regulations and testing activities for ECCA on behalf of E3.
Assessment of environmental impacts from the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
(the Act) for Department of the Environment. This review involved modelling the direct and indirect emissions reduction achieved by sub sector through the current refrigeration and air conditioning and fire protection licensing schemes under the Act for Business as Usual and No Measures scenarios. Then model future potential emission reduction measures, such as maintenance requirements; controls on gases based on GWP thresholds; leak reduction strategies and improved handling practices.
A study on the Environmental Impacts of Refrigerant Gas in End-of-life vehicles in Australia
For Department of the Environment. The objective of this assignment was to identify the nature and scope of the environmental impacts from refrigerant gas in ELVs in terms of emissions to atmosphere, the nature of the impact; sources and causes, and the scale of the impact relative to emissions from other RAC sectors. The findings of this study will inform the review of the Ozone Protection and SGG legislation currently being undertaken Mar 2015.
Refrigeration from Catch to Market
A study of refrigeration technology options for the Northern Prawn Fishery and the Sydney Fish Markets. A Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and NPF Industry Pty Ltd project to review the technology alternatives, and recommend practical, cost-effective methods to overcome the immediate issues and devise a technology path forward for the seafood cold food chain (published Dec 2013). In 2014 the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre and Tropic Ocean Prawns provided Expert Group with $675,000 to design and install a new refrigeration system in a typical trawler operating on HCFC-22 and develop a technical specification to assist industry. In 2015 Expert Group was congratulated for taking out the Queensland and National Seafood Awards for Research and Development.
A study into the HFC Consumption in Australia
Prepared for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Ozone and Synthetic Gas Team, October 2011. This assignment involved the development of a bottom-up model of the national inventories of synthetic greenhouse gases to reconcile the tonnes of each HFC imported with consumption in key industry sector/sub-sector/applications. A technology transition map of the opportunities and obstacles to transition to low GWP alternatives was prepared to assess how Australian industry and consumers would be placed to respond to upcoming Carbon Policy or internationally agreed regulated phase-down of HFCs.
Refrigerant Emissions in Australia: Sources, Causes and Remedies
Prepared for the Department of Environment, Water Resources, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), Ozone and Synthetic Gas Team, March 2010. DEWHA commissioned this study to establish a greater understanding of the sources and causes of refrigerant leaks and technical standards that could reduce leaks on small to medium commercial refrigeration, and the quantitative benefits of such standards before making Carbon Policy decisions.
In from the Cold: 10-Year Strategy for Non-domestic Refrigeration
In association with Mark Ellis & Associates for the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee under the auspices of the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Council of Energy, September 2009. Part of a technical panel tasked to develop a blueprint of regulatory, labelling and voluntary initiatives jointly endorsed by government and industry to enhance energy efficiency for non-domestic refrigeration equipment over the next 10 years. This involved preparing a strategy paper and comprehensive product profiles of the supermarket industry and key technology sectors in the refrigerated cold food chain (public document). This was followed by extensive industry consultation on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCC&EE) involving public presentations, managing workshops, over 20 one-on-one in-confidence meetings and negotiating voluntary measures with industry leaders (including CEOs and technical directors of major supermarket chains).
Giving Teeth to TEWI for Refrigerants Australia
A technical industry standard developed by Expert Group with assistance from AIRAH Natural Refrigerants Steering Group to establish a best practice guideline and methodologies for calculating TEWI (Total Environmental Warming Impact) to facilitate more informed investment decisions in low emission technology in the HVAC&R industries (Published by AIRAH in 2012: ISBN 978-0-949436-53-5).
