Safety Switches and Disconnects News

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...

C&S Electric celebrated their Foundation Day with great excitement and enthusiasm at all their marketing offices and manufacturing plants. The central event of the grand celebration was held at their Noida Phase 2 plant in Noida, India, which was attended by more than 2100 employees, who participated with joy. C&S Electric marks Foundation Day Mr. Chandraker spoke about the progress they have made in the last two years since acquisition The gathering was addressed by C&S Electric...

Following the announcement of an emergency release of oil stocks by IEA Member Countries on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the IEA Governing Board confirmed that the total amount committed to date stands at 61.7 million barrels, making it the largest stock release in International Energy Agency (IEA) history. IEA Member Countries unanimously agreed on 1 March, 2022, to an initial emergency response plan to alleviate the increasing tightness in oil markets resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukra...

As part of the GET H2 initiative, RWE Gas Storage West intends to build a hydrogen storage facility in Gronau-Epe by 2027. Storage facilities are also an important part of future European infrastructure for green hydrogen. Most of the facility is to be built on the RWE site at Kottiger Hook. The connection of the cavern to the above-ground facility as well as the connection to a future hydrogen transport network will be made through pipelines outside the storage site.  IPCEI funding Toge...

ABB is working with SEV, the main electrical power producer and distributor for the Faroe Islands, to deliver innovative Synchronous Condenser (SC) technology that will stabilize its power grid as renewable generation replaces fossil-fueled plants. The first SC unit is currently being commissioned on the island of Suðuroy. SEV has now placed an order for a similar unit to be located at Sund on Streymoy, the Faroes’ largest and most populous island. 2030 Green Energy Goal SEV to gene...

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. collaborates with Senko Advance Co., Ltd. to develop, manufacture, and sell a small MT ferrule for Senko Advance’s SN®-MT connector, a next-generation small multi-fiber connector that enables high-density optical connectivity. Through this new development, Furukawa will realize next-generation high-density optical connectivity and promote its practical use in data centers. Background The SN®-MT connector can realize more than 2.7 times higher de...

Prysmian Group, the pioneer in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, has been awarded a contract worth around €1.2 billion by NeuConnect Britain Limited and NeuConnect Deutschland GmbH for the turn-key design, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning of a 725 kilometer submarine interconnector that will directly link the German and UK electricity grids for the first time. This 1400 MW submarine and land cable system will connect two of Europe’s largest energy...

Luminus Devices announces the launch and immediate availability of a new high-efficacy family of 5050 Mid-Power LEDs designed with sulfur resistance for high performance and long-term reliability in outdoor lighting and horticulture applications. MP-5050-250R LEDs These new MP-5050-250R high-performance LEDs provide low thermal resistance, up to 185 lumens/Watt, high PPF/W, and CRI options of 70, 80, and 90 minimum. In addition, they are compatible with automatic placement equipment and are R...

Würth Elektronik complements its infrared product range with the new WL-SIQW SMT Infrared QFN LED Waterclear product series. The LEDs in Quad Flat No Leads (QFN) format are available in 2720, 3535 and 3737 packages, with different radiant intensities from 125 to 800 mW/sr and in 90°, 120° or 150° beam angles. WL-SIQW components Depending on the application, the infrared sources are available in wavelengths of 850 or 940 nm. The SMT-mountable WL-SIQW components are suitable for...

ZPN Energy and Fleet-Eye Ltd are pleased to announce they have entered a global strategic partnership, combining ZPN Energy’s EV charging, energy management and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) portfolio with Fleet-Eye’s world class GPS-based tracking and telematics technology, offering real-time EV performance feedback to the commercial vehicle and asset sector. The partnership will provide EV owners and e-Fleet operators a turnkey solution to reduce costs, enjoy efficiency savings and m...

The globally renowned manufacturer of electronic and electrical components, Würth Elektronik has expanded its optoelectronic portfolio, with optocouplers in all common packages and CTR (Current Transfer Ratio) values. This includes the WL-OCPT series of phototransistor optocouplers in DIP-4, SOP-4 and LSOP-4 packages. WL-OCDA Darlington optocouplers The WL-OCDA Darlington optocoupler series is available as DIP-4 and SOP-4. These different packages are also available in a range of lead fr...

Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the U.S. unveils a new sustainable, EV charging concept structure designed for electrifying fleets and high-demand charging applications at scale. The new VersiCharge XL concept (UL standard) was created to electrify new or existing parking lots and building structures quickly and efficiently by using a modular, scalable design made in partnership with Nexii Building Solutions using their proprietary, sustainable building material with a low carbon footprint in t...

Cummins Inc. and Meritor, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Cummins will acquire Meritor, a provider of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Cummins will pay $36.50 in cash per Meritor share, for a total transaction value of approximately $3.7 billion, including assumed debt and net of acquired cash. Most critical technology &ldq...

Uniting the previously separated sectors of mobility and energy through the electrification of transport is an exciting yet daunting task. Electric vehicle grid integration – interconnecting electric cars with the power grid – presents many challenges, but also many opportunities for enabling smarter, more holistic energy management in homes, businesses and across entire cities. Network voltage deviations There will be 130 million EVs on European roads by 2035. A study by Eur...