 Press release - 24 July 2009
AIR CHANGE AWARDED CLIMATE READY GRANT FOR A SOLAR DESICCANT AIR COOLER – THE “GREEN MACHINE”
· Air Change awarded Climate Ready Grant of $458,000 over 2 years
· “Green Machine” (GM) operates without compressors and refrigerants
· When commercialised, GM will significantly reduce energy consumption and Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings
· Aims for commercial production by 2011
Australian owned manufacturing company, Air Change, is pleased to announce it has received a $458,000 grant under the Australian Federal Government’s A$75m Ausindustry Climate Ready Program Round 3, to design and commercialise a unique solar powered air conditioning unit, the “Green Machine” (GM), which eliminates the need for both compressors and ozone depleting refrigerants.
The funds represent 50% of total project costs of $916,000, and will be supplied over a 2 year period to develop and commercialise the Green Machine, a hybrid desiccant indirect evaporative cooling system coupled with highly efficient heat exchanger technology and solar power. The GM is designed to provide extremely low energy cooling up to 12 times more power efficient than conventional air conditioning systems. The key innovation involved in the GM’s development will be the elimination of the refrigerant compressor from the air conditioner whilst overcoming the disadvantages of direct evaporative cooling.
Designed for both the domestic and the commercial market, the scalable unit will cool anywhere from an individual room to large factories and office buildings. When commercialised, the GM would represent a major boost to Australia’s fight against Climate Change by drastically reducing the energy consumption required for cooling. The system also supplies up to 100% outdoor air and represents a healthy alternative to conventional air conditioning systems with minimal or no fresh air.
Air Change manufactures and designs its range of air conditioning and ventilation units and core technology of air-to-air counterflow heat exchangers in Australia, providing 50 full time equivalent jobs. The Climate Ready Grant funds 50% of the cost towards one new Graduate engineer position to assist with the project. As commercialisation of the GM occurs, further employment opportunities will be available for apprentices, graduate engineers and other staff.
In Australia it is generally accepted that Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning accounts for approximately 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings and 4% of the Australian total greenhouse gas emissions. Air Change is very pleased to have received the support of the Commonwealth Government to develop and commercialise our low energy air conditioning system in readiness for an energy constrained future.
Air Change contacts
Steve Atherton, CEO, Air Change
02 9531 4699, 0419 015 145
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