Technology aids energy moves

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Technology is being produced to help Australian companies to improve energy efficiency while protecting the environment. The software will collect and analyse data on a company's use of fuel, electricity, gas and water, and then suggest ways in which the power can be used more efficiently.

The Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies (CEGT), a private company set up by the Victoria state government, is financing the development of the software, Environmental Management Measurement Application, being known as Emma. The use of Emma is intended to meet the demands soon to be made by the Canberra government for detailed information on energy efficiency and environmental performance, as well as helping companies to cut power bills.

CEGT's first targets will be the transport industry, mining and manufacturing. CEGT believes the information will also be useful when companies merge and different systems are integrated.

The Australian government has said better energy use will cut greenhouse gas emissions substantially and could increase gross domestic product by almost Aus$1billion ($780m, £400m) a year.