News and Information

Cool idea wins the day

25 October 2011

NORWOOD-BASED SMAC Technologies has won the Australian Clean Technologies Ideas Competition.

The company’s Shaw Method of Air-Conditioning (SMAC) technology proves that air conditioning can be green. SMAC Managing Director Wayne Ryan said their technology provides air conditioning but with up to 85 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions and a similar reduction in energy. “Our twin coil system differed from conventional air-conditioning by not only controlling temperature, but also humidity. Our technology can be used in all sectors. It can be installed in office buildings, in hospitals, in art galleries, in factories," he said.

The SMAC technology has been installed in locations around the world, including in Bangkok and Singapore. Locally it has been installed in the Art Gallery of South Australia and in the Barmera Hospital where it reduced energy use by 40 per cent in its first year of operation. “Other projects have seen a 55 per cent energy reduction to date," Mr Ryan said.

Innovation Minister Kim Carr said the SMAC technology was helping to reduce the nation's carbon footprint. "This type of technology not only builds strong new Australian-based manufacturing industries, but also helps existing industries to be more globally competitive and resilient to price rises," he said. POF have been working with SMAC for many years to help them protect and realise the value of their technology. “Without the patents and Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick’s involvement in the early stages, this never would have been possible” said Mr Ryan. The original inventor tried several attorneys at other firms before he got onto Greg Bartlett at POF. “Greg instantly grasped the concept of the invention and it took off from there”, he said.

SMAC will represent Australia at next month's Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition in the United States, competing against entrants from 90 countries for more than $100,000 in services to help launch their innovation. Mr Ryan said it would provide valuable international exposure. "We are already talking to a couple of very large US companies who work in the energy business," he said.