2014 National Energy Efficiency Industry Awards

The winners of the National Energy Efficiency Industry Awards 2014 were announced last week at the National Energy Efficiency Conference gala dinner. Run by the Energy Efficiency Council, the awards recognise excellence in performance, leadership and innovation in the energy-efficiency sector.

Speaking at the dinner, Energy Efficiency Council Acting CEO Luke Menzel said, “Tonight’s award winners are leading the way in realising the energy-efficiency opportunity. They have been honoured for demonstrating outstanding leadership, remarkable outcomes or exceptional innovation. These projects and programs represent the very best in industrial, commercial and government efficiency, demand response and cogeneration.”

Dr Paul Bannister, head of projects and advisory services for Energy Action, won Energy Efficiency Leader 2014 in recognition of his lifetime of work advancing the energy-efficiency industry. He has held roles including technical author of the NABERS Energy and Water ratings and lead consultant for the design and execution of the Low Energy High Rise Project; and has been a major contributor to industry education through articles, publications, seminars and conferences. Dr Bannister has also been involved in numerous building improvement projects, such as upgrading Chifley Tower from a zero to four stars NABERS rating; upgrading Melbourne’s Freshwater Place building from 2.5 stars to 4.5 stars; and achieving a six-star Green Star and equivalent six-star NABERS performance at Charles Sturt University.

The NSW Government won Best Energy Savings Program 2014 for its Energy Savings Scheme, which helps homes and businesses save money on their electricity bills, while Orora won Leading Energy User 2014 for its efforts to save energy in its operations. In a new category for 2014, Kilsyth Basketball Association and its partner AGL Energy Services won the Best SME Energy Efficiency Project award, supported by NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Other winners include:

• Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2014: Australian Technology Park and BuildingIQ
• Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project 2014: Primo Smallgoods and Ecosave
• Best Cogeneration or District Energy Project 2014: Total Construction and Frasers Property Group
• Best Demand Response Project 2014: ERM Business Energy and EnerNOC