groundstationmigration 10/12/13 groundstationmigration 10/12/13

2014 RWTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

Time out in Cairns.... The 2014 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition will be...

Time out in Cairns

The 2014 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition will be held from 20-22 August at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel, right in the heart of Tropical North Queensland.

Under the theme “Leadership, Transformation and Technology”, the 2014 Conference will be featuring some outstanding speakers, details of which will be announced soon. There will be great opportunities to network during the 3-day event, not only during the plenary sessions but also at the 2 cocktail functions and Gala Dinner.

Delegates are encouraged to bring their partners, who can participate in the Partner Program, an enjoyable program that gives partners the opportunity to mingle whilst indulging in some of the delights of the tropical north. Details of the Partner Program will be released shortly.

Cairns itself offers delightful attractions and activities and is also the major gateway to the myriad of leisure and holiday options available in this beautiful tropical region. Ozaccom, our registration partner, is offering a number of pre or post event tours and can organize holiday arrangements on your behalf. Why not consider allowing yourself some extra leisure time before or after the Conference. Registration details and leisure packages will be released very soon.

Exhibition spaces are selling quickly so, to avoid disappointment, don’t delay in completing and returning your booking form.

Sponsorship is a great way to promote your company leading up to and during the Conference. There are a number of sponsorship options which are open to all members and these will go on sale shortly. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Executive Officer, David Costelloe, at dcostelloe@rwta.com.au re sponsorship or any other opportunities you wish to pursue at the 2014 National Conference and Exhibition.

To register for the 2014 RWTA National Conference simply click on the REGISTER HERE button:- REGISTER HERE

groundstationmigration 23/1/13 groundstationmigration 23/1/13

2013 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition

We have great pleasure in announcing that the 2013 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition will be held at the spectacular Sheraton Four Points at Darling Harbour Sydney from 28-30 August.

TO REGISTER FOR THE 2013 RWTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION JUST CLICK ON THE REGISTRATION LINK BELOW:

We have great pleasure in announcing that the 2013 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition will be held at the spectacular Sheraton Four Points at Darling Harbour Sydney from 28-30 August.

Whichever way you look at it, this is going to be the event of the new millennium!!!!

We have secured the three adjoining ballrooms and surrounding area to offer one of the best combined conference and exhibition spaces in australia.

We have secured a block of harbour view rooms for delegates at a most reasonable rate.

Exhibitors and sponsors are advised to contact me early to ensure you can have a premium presence at this spectacular event. Further information on the theme, speakers, social activities and registration details will be announced early in the new year.

Australia's largest hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour consists of 682 rooms, including 14 suites. You can enjoy superb comforts and stellar convenience at the best location in Sydney. Located in Sydney's central business district and overlooking Darling Harbour, the hotel is just a short walk from the major entertainment and shopping districts including Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, and Chinatown. The property has its own walkway directly linking to the myriad of waterside restaurants, pleasure cruises, shops and entertainment on Darling Harbour. Business or pleasure?

From contemporary dining to great function venues, a fully equipped business centre, and a 24-hour fitness centre, Sheraton Four Points has what you need. Great city and water views can be enjoyed from the 682 guest rooms with some even offering balconies.

groundstationmigration 12/12/12 groundstationmigration 12/12/12

RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee 2012

The RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee last met on the 13th September 2012 and is due to meet again on the 6th December 2012. Closed

Report on the Activities of the RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee

Gabor Hilton RWTA Director and Life Member

Cold Running November 2012

The RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee last met on the 13th September 2012 and is due to meet again on the 6th December 2012. We wish to thank the retiring Chairman Rod McQueen for his contribution and leadership of the EE Subcommittee Chairperson from its inception. Glenn Edwards from Montague Cold Store was appointed the new Chairman and we are looking forwards to future growth under Glenn's committed leadership.

The Subcommittee's activities are hampered by the apparent lack of interest from our cold storage member's senior management. We are concerned by senior management failing to authorise their staff to participate in our surveys, and the lack of interest in participating in subcommittee meetings. We find it unbelievable and frustrating that senior management does not take ownership and fail to drive and encourage their staff's participation in this very worthwhile committee. Energy savings of up to 40% can be achieved by better plant control, management and adaptation of emerging technologies. In this regard, identifying opportunities and sharing experiences is vital to success and saving costs.

The ever increasing cost of energy can be offset by improving energy efficiency. Some of the emerging technologies that can help are;

Plant optimisation and SCADA control

Variable Frequency Drives on compressors, pumps, condenser and evaporator fans

Energy efficient solid state lighting (LEDs)

Voltage and Current optimisation

Heat reflecting coatings on external surfaces

Co-generation and Try-generation

Adaptation of Solar Photovoltaic generation

Combined RWTA REC Index and Energy Efficiency Benchmarking

RWTA employed the services of independent market researcher Anthony Frosh of Compact Research to carry out the monthly Renewable Energy Charges and Carbon Tax survey. We requested Anthony to include an additional column for the "Total volume of temperature controlled areas" so we can calculate the electricity used (kWh) per cubic meter for each facility.

We propose to publish the average Energy Efficiency (kWh/M³) for all facilities for the period together with the average state-wide impact on the cost of electricity of the clean energy charges. Members will be able to measure their energy efficiency against the average for the period for each Australian state.

We urge all RWTA members to participate in this independent survey so we can obtain meaningful data to be able to successfully lobby government to include the cold storage industry in funding for energy saving initiatives.

The average increases due to the clean energy charges for the month of July 2012 were:

STATE	State RECs Increase	Carbon Tax Increase	Total REC/CT Increase
NSW	13%	21%	34%
QLD	18%	26%	44%
VIC	19%	24%	43%
AVERAGE	16.7%	23.7%	4o.4%

The average increases due to the clean energy charges for the month of August 2012 were:

Clean Technology Investment Programs

A number of organisations helped us to lobby the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, DCCEE, on the exclusion of independent cold stores from the Clean Technology Investment Funds. Only companies that are classified under the ANZIC as manufacturers are eligible for CTI funding towards energy efficiency improvement projects. We wish to thank the following for their assistance in making submissions on our behalf to inform government about this unfair situation:

1. Mr Tim Edwards - Australian Refrigeration Association

2. Mr Phil Wilkinson - AIRAH

3. Ms Vivian Filling - AIG

The 1.2 billion DCCEE "Clean Technology Investment Program" was suspended during September but has now reopened for eligible applicants.

Low Carbon Australia Funding Opportunities

The Energy Efficiency Subcommittee members participated in a presentation at our last meeting that was followed up by a webinar with Low Carbon Australia on the possibilities of low interest long term loans to fund energy efficiency projects with repayments to be made mostly from energy savings. We thank Mr Henry Enning and his team for the special interest shown in RWTA.

SGG Levy

RWTA was represented in workshops, seminars and a Refrigeration Engineering Conference held in Brisbane on 24 July 2012 on the cost and consequences of the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Levy that increased the cost of most widely used refrigerants by 400-500%. This new tax could have profound effects on cold stores.

The synthetic HFC refrigerants were introduced after the Montreal Protocol banned the use of ozone depleting Freon refrigerants. Unfortunately these new blends have very high Global Warming Potential with GWPs in the order of 2000-4000 times that of carbon. The SGG Levy is paid by the importer and by the time the gas is charged into a refrigeration system the effect of the tax is multiplied many times. The cost of a major refrigerant leak in a cold store could cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Replacement refrigerants with low GWP are being developed but most existing products in trial cause an increase in energy use. The tax collected goes into general revenue and there is no funding to industry to retrofit alternative natural refrigerants.

R22 also increased in price as the manufacture and importation will be banned after 2015 and only recycled R22 will be available. The synthetic refrigerants that are designed to replace R22 have a high GWP and also became extremely expensive.

Natural Refrigerants
The huge increase in the cost of synthetic refrigerants is designed to encourage industry to retrofit refrigeration systems to use natural refrigerants. These of us who use ammonia as a refrigerant are safe as ammonia is a natural refrigerant together with carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. Ammonia and carbon dioxide cannot be retrofitted into HFC systems and a complete rebuild is required. Hydrocarbons can act as a suitable alternative refrigerant but because they are highly flammable and explosive they are restricted to smaller systems and are not expected to be widely used in cold storage. Because of their explosive nature the requirement for a remote well ventilated location of the plant and the protection from electrically induced sparks the hydrocarbon retrofits are cot straight forward and require special considerations.

RWTA is represented in the task force charged with developing an Australian Code of Practice for Flammable Refrigerants which should be released early 2013.

A very good paper by AIRAH "Transition to a low emission HVAC&R industry, a report on commercial, technical and skills gaps" was recently circulated to all RWTA members. I recommend that all cold store operators considering using flammable refrigerants read this excellent document.

National Energy Savings Initiative

RWTA made a submission to the National Energy Savings Initiative which follows on from the Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency and is designed for the introduction of a transitional energy savings initiative to replace existing and planned state energy efficiency schemes. As this is subject to agreement with the states it may never happen but we are involved so we can monitor the proceedings so our members will not be disadvantaged.

Special Thanks

On behalf of the cold storage members of the RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee we would like to express our gratitude to Michael Bellstedt of Minus 40 Refrigeration, Mark Holden of Oomiak Refrigeration and Tony Kimpton from GEA Refrigeration. They are regular attendees of our meetings and give us lots of support.

Last but not least.....

I urge all RWTA Board Members to encourage their engineers to pay more attention to and to increase their participation in the activities of the RWTA Energy Efficiency Subcommittee.

groundstationmigration 11/12/12 groundstationmigration 11/12/12

2012 Frank Vale Award Winner

Andrew Mates, Operations Manager at Americold Logistics in NSW is the winner of the 2012 Frank Vale Award which recognizes outstanding performance from our young achievers. The announcement was made at the Gala Dinner which concluded the 2012 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition at Peppers Salt Resort on Friday 31 August.

A very proud Andrew is pictured above (centre), holding the 2012 Frank Vale Award trophy.

Pictured with Andrew are from left Paul Fleiszig, RWTA National Chairman ( Director Oxford Logistics Group), Shane Triggell, Queensland Division Finalist (Cold Store Manager Rand Transport), Nathan Roylance, Victorian Division Finalist (Assistant Manager Oxford Cold Storage), and Martin Porter, Managing Director of Retracom Group.

Once again, we are most grateful for the generous sponsorship of the Frank Vale Award travel prize by Retracom Group. This is the sixth year running that Retracom Group has sponsored the $5,000 travel prize which will enable Andrew to travel to the USA next May to attend the IARW/WFLO Convention in Hollywood, Florida.

Our warmest congratulations go to Andrew Mates on his success and to our state finalists, Shane Triggell and Nathan Roylance, who were outstanding candidates and most worthy runners-up in a very close contest.

Applications, together with award guidelines and criteria, for the 2013 Frank Vale Award will be distributed to all members in early 2013. Remember the Award is open to each and every member of the RWTA who meets the award criteria.

All members are encouraged now to start thinking of suitable young achievers in their midst to put forward. All state finalists receive an all-expenses paid invitation to attend the 2013 RWTA National Conference & Exhibition and, if announced the winner, a trophy and a $5,000 travel prize to attend the 2014 IARW/WFLO Convention in USA.

groundstationmigration 15/8/12 groundstationmigration 15/8/12

2012 RWTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

2012 RWTA National Conference and Exhibition Program

Half an hour north of Byron Bay, through the cane fields of northern New South Wales to the Tweed Coast, is a unique conference and event destination--SALT--an emporium of venues and group possibilities across two neighbouring world-class resorts. SALT has a tropical air and a modern Australian feel. Its resorts, with lagoon and tropical pools and two pillarless ballrooms surround a coastal village at the edge of an unspoilt beach. Within the village are six distinctive restaurants and bars, including the renowned Season. Nearby, famous Golden Door Spa treatments can be included in your plans.

The modern Australian beach village of Kingscliff with its cafes and shops is just a leisurely walk away. As is one of the region's drawcards--SALT beach--a spectacular stretch of dune-fringed beach patrolled 365 days a year. The Tweed Coast Hinterland, with its volcanic mountain terrain, houses World Heritage Listed Mt Warning National Park--the first point on the Australian mainland to be touched by sunrise. The Mount Warning cauldron is an easy 45-minute drive east of SALT. Byron Bay, with its popular beach, cafe and market culture, is a half hour drive south. To the north, all the fun and excitement of the Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise is just a 40-minute drive away. And SALT is readily accessed through nearby airports:

20 minutes south of the Gold Coast Airport
90 minutes south of Brisbane Airport
60 minutes north of Ballina Airport

Discover the ultimate in beach holiday accommodation at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa where the seaside-village charm of Northern New South Wales combines with all the luxuries you would expect from one of Australia's leading resorts.

As part of the Salt lifestyle development at Kingscliff, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa is a destination within itself boasting first class facilities and services perfect for a weekend escape with a loved one, friends or the entire family.

The resort offers beautifully decorated hotel rooms and self-contained suites, ranging from one to three bedrooms, just metres from Salt Beach. Choose to laze the days away by our selection of resort and lagoon style pools or venture down to the patrolled Kingscliff Beach to feel the sand between your toes and breathe in the salt air. Alternatively, treat yourself to a massage at the on-site world-class spa facility, The Golden Door Spa, or hire a bike and explore the beautiful surrounds of our resort at your own pace.

Of an evening treat yourself to the culinary delights featured on the gourmet menu of our signature onsite restaurant, Season, or explore the dining options at Salt Village only a short stroll away.

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa is the ideal base to explore the Northern Coast of New South Wales, the surrounding Tweed Valley and nearby Gold Coast Hinterland. There are a whole host of activities, attractions and day trips to enjoy ranging from surfing and swimming at famous beaches, bushwalking through World Heritage-listed National Parks and exploring quaint villages.

Across the road, Mantra on Salt Beach Kingscliff invites you to enjoy an exceptional beachside holiday. Centrally located within Salt Village, Mantra on Salt Beach offers direct access to a variety of restaurants, retail stores and the exquisite Golden Door day spa. As well as its superb waterfront position, Mantra on Salt offers 317 hotel and fully self contained one and two bedroom rooms and suites each with a private balcony and most with breathtaking ocean views.

Perfect for a Kingscliff family holiday or a relaxing getaway for couples and conference delegates, our Mantra on Salt Beach hotel invites you to relax in privacy and comfort and our rooms and suites are specially designed to enhance the beauty of their natural beach surroundings. On-site enjoy our gorgeous lagoon style pool perfect for cooling off in on those hot summer days or have a hit on our tennis courts.

groundstationmigration 5/8/11 groundstationmigration 5/8/11

2011 RWTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

LAUNCESTON COUNTRY CLUB--11 to 13 August.

2011 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION PROGRAM

Speakers Papers

"The National Electricity Market. What the Future Holds. What to do about it."
Marc White, Principal Consultant. Goanna Energy Consulting Pty Ltd
Click here to download as PDF file.
"Low and No-Cost Methods of Reducing Refrigerated Warehouse Energy Consumption."
Marcus Wilcox, President. Cascade Energy, Inc.
Click here to download as PPT file.
"Reducing Energy and Carbon Costs of your Refrigeration Plant."
Dr Michael Bellstedt, Minus40 Pty Ltd
Click here to download as PPT file.
"Thermal Efficiency = Dollars + Sense"
EBS - Envisage Systems Pty Ltd
Click here to download as PDF file.