International News
SEELEY JOINS RACE FOR 2030 CRC
Seeley International has become the first air-conditioning manufacturer to join one of Australia ’ s largest ever clean energy focused collaborative research centres – RACE for 2030 CRC ( RACE ).
Seeley recently formalised a partnership with other industry , research and technology partners to incorporate innovative air-conditioning solutions into projects aimed at boosting energy productivity and demand flexibility , cutting energy costs and reducing emissions , for Australian homes , businesses and industries .
Headquartered in South Australia , and having manufacturing in both Australia and USA , Seeley exports hyper-efficient cooling and heating technologies to over 100 countries . Seeley is renowned for its strong R & D investment , focused on energy efficiency and peak demand , health and biological control and extreme climate performance capability .
Seeley ’ s executive director of imagineering , Rob Gilbert , said that HVAC technology will play an increasingly critical role in the clean energy transition and that the company ’ s next generation products were a natural fit with the RACE mission to drive innovation for a secure , affordable , clean energy future .
“ We know that cooling is a huge component of a building ’ s energy demand , which multiplies during peak demand , especially during the hot summers ,” Gilbert said . “ The major challenge in our clean energy transition will be to shape the energy load so that it aligns with the demand . As global demand grows for airconditioning and well-ventilated buildings , we cannot overstate the importance of clean , efficient HVAC technology .”
RACE partner , professor Frank Bruno of UNISA ’ s Future Industries Institute , said that he was extremely proud to have such a South Australian partner on board . “ UNISA has had a strong partnership with Seeley for more than 20 years and this initiative will enable us to continue to collaborate on exciting new projects ,” Professor Bruno said . “ Since cooling and heating in buildings represents a significant portion of energy use and peak power demand , Seeley , as the only air conditioning and heating manufacturer in the CRC , will play an important role in ensuring the latest innovations are used for a secure , affordable , clean energy future .”
In its 2018 Future of Cooling Report , the International Energy Agency described the growing demand for air
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Clean energy solutions are key to meeting global sustainability .
conditioning as one of the most critical blind spots in today ’ s energy debate which , if left unchecked , will see energy demand from air conditioners more than triple by 2050 . With Covid-19 having forced industry and governments to consider efficiency policies through the lens of health , Seeley noted that additional challenges and opportunities will be explored through RACE .
“ The demand for air-conditioning will continue to grow strongly , as will the emphasis for healthier buildings . Homes and businesses will be wanting to heat and cool 100 % outside air efficiently , rather than recirculating ‘ re-breathed ’ air ,” Gilbert said . “ This is central to Seeley ’ s technology and our growth , and we are delighted to now be partnering with RACE and its network participants , ultimately to deliver social , environmental and economic benefits on a far broader scale .”
Jon Jutsen , the CEO of RACE for 2030 stated that ‘ we are delighted to have a really innovative company like Seeley on board the powerful RACE collaborative . There are great opportunities for us to work together with our partners to improve energy efficiency , provide load flexibility and deliver better and more economical cooling solutions for consumers and businesses .” RACA
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I September 2021 17