SAIRAC JOBURG EMBRACES FACE-TO-FACE CONNECTION WITH INSIGHTFUL CO2 TECHTALK
All images by © RACA Journal www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 11
TECH TALK
SAIRAC JOBURG EMBRACES FACE-TO-FACE CONNECTION WITH INSIGHTFUL CO2 TECHTALK
By Eamonn Ryan
The SAIRAC Johannesburg Centre continues its dedicated efforts to foster knowledge sharing and networking within the HVAC & R community.
This June ' s technical talk not only delivered invaluable insights into CO2 systems but also powerfully underscored a welcome trend: the return to vital face-to-face engagements, offering a dynamic and engaging contrast to the online platforms that have dominated recent professional interactions.
Gregory Grobbelaar, the SAIRAC Joburg chairman set a tone of camaraderie and shared purpose. " I would like to welcome you all tonight to our June technical talk, and I hope you enjoy the evening with us." This in-person gathering served as a reminder of the enduring value of direct interaction, allowing for immediate questions, nuanced discussions and the invaluable casual networking that virtual platforms, while convenient, often struggle to replicate. The energy of the room reinforced the sentiment that while online learning has its place, the human element of shared physical space remains irreplaceable for true industry connection.
Grobbelaar outlined an exciting calendar of upcoming events for the Joburg centre, showcasing a blended approach that balances convenience with the essential need for in-person interaction:
• Equipment Selection for Refrigeration Applications: A three-part Zoom course presented by Robert Fox, was scheduled for July 8, 15 and 22
• Ducting course: Another three-day Zoom course, also presented by Robert Fox, scheduled for August 5, 12 and 19
• Air Conditioning course: A five-day Zoom course led by Anton Kotze on September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
The calendar also features key in-person events that continue the vital trend of face-to-face engagement:
• Annual Christmas in July and AGM was scheduled for July
at the Apollo Conferencing Hotel
• Fellows Lunch: Scheduled for October 17 at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead, providing another excellent opportunity for members to connect in person
UNPACKING CO2 SYSTEMS: A DEEP DIVE INTO THERMAL EFFICIENCY Introduced by James Laidlaw of ACRA, the highlight of the evening was an illuminating presentation on‘ Optimising CO2 systems for enhanced cooling and heating efficiency’ delivered by Jannie Potgieter, a mechanical engineer at Thermologika specialising in thermal fluid systems, with over 15 years of experience and a master ' s degree focusing specifically on CO2 systems, promised a deep dive into this complex but crucial topic.
The actual technical content will be presented in RACA Journal in a subsequent issue.
The June TechTalk served as a powerful reminder of the irreplaceable value of direct human connection in fostering learning, collaboration and community within the HVAC & R industry. As SAIRAC Joburg plans its future events, the blend of accessible online learning and impactful in-person
Gregory Grobbelaar, the SAIRAC Joburg chairman.
James Laidlaw of ACRA.
Jannie Potgieter, a mechanical engineer at Thermologika.
gatherings ensures that its members remain at the forefront of industry knowledge and professional camaraderie. RACA
All images by © RACA Journal www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 11