Safety Switches and Disconnects News

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a major landmark with its equipment enabling record power transmission of 6,000 MW, over the recently commissioned ±800 kV, 6,000 MW Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) link between the Western Region Grid (Raigarh, Chhattisgarh) and the Southern Region Grid (Pugalur, Tamil Nadu). BHEL has been proudly associated in building this prestigious project of national importance which will supplement power availability in the Southern G...

Volta Trucks, the disruptive full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider, has revealed its first ‘Volta Trucks Hub’ that will deliver its Truck as a Service customer-focused operations as the first full-electric Volta Zeros start customer evaluation in mid-2022. This important milestone confirms the first location where vehicles will be serviced and maintained in Paris, with confirmation of the London Hub location due shortly. ‘Volta Trucks Hub, Paris...

“None of us could have imagined the challenges we are all facing now: The huge task of achieving climate neutrality has been compounded by the structural break in the supply of power and raw materials. That makes it all the more important to pull together, support each other and work as one.” With those words, RWE Executive Board Member, Dr. Lars Kulik evoked the team spirit that underlies international research. On behalf of the RWE Innovation Centre in Niederaussem, he welcomed 42...

The impact of COVID-19 has reversed progress on access to electricity and clean cooking while slowing vital improvements in energy efficiency, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest update of data and projections related to key aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. renewable energies However, renewable energies have shown resilience to the shock caused by the pandemic. Even if renewables maintain their rapid growth, and if access and efficiency improvements rec...

In this data-intensive automotive environment, there is an increasing amount of electronic content in modern vehicles, which is leading to an ever-increasing cable harness complexity impacting manufacturing, supply chain, costs, and vehicle weight. OEMs are therefore seeking to reduce this complexity by simplifying architectures and consolidating connections within the car. Ongoing industry challenges To address this need, TE Connectivity (TE), a pioneer in connectivity and sensors, has launc...

The Swedish investment entity - Baseload Capital, which specializes in funding and deployment of clean heat power solutions worldwide, is realizing a joint project in the oil and gas industry with Munich-based company, Orcan Energy, the leading waste heat solutions provider in Europe and Asia with over 500 ORC plants installed internationally. Orcan‘s ORC systems will be used to convert previously unused geothermal heat from oil and gas production into CO2-free and low-cost electricity. T...

SEMIKRON and Danfoss Silicon Power announced a merger to create a joint business specialized in Power Electronics focusing on power semiconductor modules. With an existing workforce of more than 3,500 dedicated power electronic specialists, the new SEMIKRON-Danfoss will provide world-class technology expertise as the partner in Power Electronics. The merger comes with a firm commitment to future investments, paving the way for green growth and a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and decarboni...

A smart city implements the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology to interconnect buildings, resources, and data, to create an efficient, adaptive, and more environment-friendly ecosystem for its citizens. Many interlocking technologies make a smart city, but the main sectors are as follows: Smart Buildings Smart Energy Smart Mobility Smart Data As a power supply manufacturer of efficient, compact power supplies, RECOM is well-positioned to support the smart technologies that go into the...

RWE is further refining its commitment to biodiversity and has joined a global initiative by the Science Based Target Network (SBTN). Around 100 companies, associations and experts are working on developing scientific criteria to measure the effects on biodiversity as part of the SBTN's 'Corporate Engagement Program'. RWE’s target for 2030 is for new assets to have a positive contribution to biodiversity in their vicinity overall. Sustainability is an integral part of RWE's corporate stra...

Studies have confirmed the positive effects of artificial lighting on employee wellbeing. Steve Marr, the Director of Product at CP Electronics, part of Legrand’s Energy Controls business unit, explains how human centric lighting (HCL) and lighting control technology create more productive environments. HCL focuses on light’s influence on circadian rhythms, the daily fluctuations of melatonin, cortisol and serotonin. Melatonin is a natural soporific produced in the evenings that hel...

Visitors and exhibitors from more than 160 countries were present in the RAI last week during Intertraffic Amsterdam and Amsterdam Drone Week. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, all halls of the RAI were fully occupied. It is also the first time that these two events organized by RAI Amsterdam took place simultaneously in the RAI. Looking at the underlying themes and issues, there are major similarities between Intertraffic and Amsterdam Drone Week. Mobility, both in the air and...

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has been chosen by distribution grid operator Distributie Energie Oltenian (DEO) in Romania to supply its latest Advanced Distribution Management Software (ADMS) to a control center in Craiova, a town about 200 km West of Bucharest. The order paves the way for the distribution system operator to operate a smarter grid and make advancements in its digital transformation journey. The ADMS is expected to become operational by end of 2023. Renewable energy production...

The Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has voted unanimously to reappoint Dr. Fatih Birol as Executive Director, giving him strong backing to lead a new era for the IEA. His reappointment, for a third term, comes at a pivotal moment for the IEA amid heightened awareness that clean energy transitions must be not only rapid but also secure. 2022 IEA Ministerial The vote to reappoint Dr. Birol took place during the 2022 IEA Ministerial The vote to reappoint Dr. Birol took...

Volta Trucks, the disruptive full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and service provider, has announced the arrival of its Volta Zero in Spain, following the conclusion of a successful Series C funding round of €230 million. As part of its European roadshow, Volta Trucks will be in Madrid on the 5th to 6th April, presenting the Volta Zero at the world-renowned Circuito del Jarma, home to the Spanish Grand Prix between 1968 and 1981.  Impact of freight transport Diesel-engine...

New submarine cable factory in the US and production capacity expansion at the Italian, Finnish and French plants. Prysmian Group, the pioneer in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, is keeping pace with executing its investment plan of about €1 billion by 2024, mainly targeted at developing businesses that support the energy transition. Major international utilities “Development of the trans-European power grid plays a strategic role in decarburization and in the transit...

OVC III, power-dense AC/DC modules feature a wide input range and high isolation. RECOM has added a 20W part to its ‘E-K’ range of encapsulated, PCB-mount AC/DC modules, the RAC20E-K/277. Even though it is economically designed, the series is dimensionally of the same size as the existing 20W at just 52.7 mm x 27.6 mm footprint, but with a different pinning that is compatible with further industry standards. It also features full load operation over a very wide input range of 85&nda...

In a move to support the circular economy and reduce waste, Screwfix, the omnichannel retailer, has enhanced its offering in refurbished power tools. Keeping products in use for longer forms a key part of the company’s sustainability strategy, and in January, Screwfix began selling refurbished tools directly to customers. The initial trial has been hugely successful, and the national retailer is aiming to refurbish and sell 100,000 items this year. Low carbon energy sources Screwfix has...

Armenia’s electricity production is heavily reliant on fuel imports and a continued emphasis on energy efficiency and solar deployment would help diversify the country’s energy supply, though further infrastructure investments may be needed to integrate the large planned increase in variable renewable sources, according to a new policy review by the International Energy Agency. Energy Strategy While Armenia has a diverse generation mix of gas-fired thermal, hydropower, and nuc...

On March 10, 2022, the 'Seminar on Sustainable Development of Coal-Fired Power for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality & Project Signing Ceremony', co-organized by Shanghai Electric Group and Shanghai ICT Developer Energy Technology, was held under the sponsorship of the Shanghai Institute of Cleantech Innovation. Zhou Qiang, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and Chen Rong, Deputy Head of Songjiang District, sent their congratulatory video messages....

On his appointment as Director on the Board of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Mr. Upinder Singh Matharu, 58, assumed charge as Director (Power) of the Public Sector Engineering and Manufacturing Enterprise at the company. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Matharu was heading BHEL’s Power Sector Eastern Region as Executive Director. He is a 1984 batch Mechanical Engineering graduate from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, in Patiala, India and holds a post-g...

RWE and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding collaboration in low carbon and green hydrogen. Both companies agreed to explore the potential for importing low-carbon and green hydrogen as well as hydrogen derivatives, such as ammonia, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Germany. Furthermore, RWE and ADNOC agreed to assess the potential for the joint development of green hydrogen and hydrogen derivative production projects in relevant...

Legrand UK and Ireland has announced that Michael Smith Switchgear is now an approved partner for the use of Zucchini transformers and busbar, in the assembly of their switchgear systems. Michael Smith Switchgear specializes in bespoke solutions in the building services market. Supporting electrical contractors, the Leicester-based switchboard manufacturer installs their systems across warehouses, distribution centers, schools, hospitals and airports. Legrand - Michael Smith Switchgear partner...

Only a few days ago, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to quickly build the first German LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel, near Hamburg. RWE is following suit. The company wants to realize another project in the immediate vicinity: a terminal for the import of green energy. RWE is relying on green ammonia as the most competitive hydrogen derivative with the highest level of technological maturity. decarbonization The project is intended to help facilitate the subsequent conversio...

Texas Instruments (TI) will demonstrate at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) how engineers can overcome some of their most pressing power-management design challenges. From March 20 through 24 in booth No. 514, the company will showcase the newest additions to its power-management portfolio and demonstrate system-level solutions for increasing power density; reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI), noise and quiescent current (IQ); and extending reliability. Power experts wil...

Volta Trucks, the disruptive full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider, has concluded its demanding winter testing program, undertaken inside the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. The cold weather testing program was part of a rigorous regime of vehicle tests designed to ensure that the full-electric Volta Zero will deliver the highest levels of quality, reliability, and durability when series production of customer specification vehicles starts later this year. Custo...

RECOM has announced the launch of their RAC10E-K/277 series of board-mount AC/DC encapsulated modules, rated at 10W in a compact 1.8 x 1 inch (45.7 x 25.4mm) footprint. Part of the RECOM ‘Economy’ series, the modules are available with single 3.3, 5, 12, 15, and 24V fully regulated outputs and with a wide input range that includes nominal 100, 115, 240, and 277VAC (120 – 430VDC).  Applications and Compliance The parts are particularly suitable for harsh electrical envir...

Würth Elektronik presents slim Bluetooth Low Energy radio module Proteus-e. With the new Proteus-e radio module, Würth Elektronik is continuing its successful Proteus Bluetooth Low Energy series. The focus of the Proteus-e is on basic Bluetooth functionality in order to address price-sensitive applications. The radio module is based on the Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 standard and includes certificates of conformity for CE, FCC, IC, and TELEC. Despite the integrated antenna, the Proteus-e...

The electricity system in Moldova is characterized by its reliance on imports, which supplied 69% of demand in 2020. Renewable electricity accounted for just over 12% of domestic generation, though there remains over 27 GW of potential renewable generation capacity via wind, solar, biomass, and hydro. To provide Moldovan policymakers at all levels with a vision towards a clean, secure, and modern electricity system, the International Energy Agency (IEA) launched a policy roadmap on System Integ...

According to Next Green Car, in the UK, electric passenger car sales increased by 74 percent in 2020. With the number of electric car owners growing, there is concern about the need for more charging points and the impact this will have on the National Grid, especially during peak charging times. Here Steve Hughes, Managing Director of power quality specialist REO UK, explains how to minimize the likelihood of outages as the number of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow. With the UK Gover...

Charging an EV will become as familiar to them as filling up at the pump. But, unlike going to a petrol station, EVs can be charged at home, at work, at destinations like cinemas and supermarkets, and on the go. Ofgem explains how the supply rules apply in different charging scenarios. Providing clarity to EV drivers, local authorities, investors and ChargePoint operators is crucial in enabling the roll-out of the EV infrastructure needed. Ofgem official Kevin Baillie explains how new guidance...