Energy efficiency on the Web – the new frontier

Lloyd Harrington and Robert Foster, Energy Efficient Strategies
Charles Edlington, Australian Greenhouse Office

Keywords

websites, appliances listings, registration, government procurement, efficiency awards, Energy Star, Energy All Stars

Abstract

This paper describes the key elements of government energy efficiency websites and how these are now used to manage all aspects of government energy efficiency programs in Australia. In summary these elements are:

Public Information Resource: www.energyrating.gov.au has information concerning all regulated products including references to all relevant test procedures and regulatory standards.

Registration Database: All electric products that are regulated for energy efficiency are registered using an on-line database system that is accessible from anywhere in the world.

Interactive Listings: Consumers can search for products that are regulated for efficiency through interactive listings which are updated daily.

Internal Policy Document Control: All relevant internal policy documents are kept on an internal secure website to improve process control.

Energy Star website: The Energy Star website in Australia provides details on the program to consumers and partners.

Energy All Stars: This new "high efficiency" database lists the most efficient products available on the market. The database is intended for use by state and federal agencies as well as private industry for procurement contracts.

Motor Solutions On-line: This is an on-line database of high efficiency motors and includes free software for industry to optimise their motor selection.

Water Efficiency Labelling: Australia is introducing mandatory water efficiency labelling in 2006 and the system is being introduced with a fully electronic registration system.

Gas Appliance Labelling: Government regulation is expanding to include gas appliance efficiency labelling and these products will be included into the integrated government website/database system from 2006.