Transmission and Distribution News

Schneider Electric, the pioneer in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, joined forces with state, region, and local officials and dignitaries to formally unveil its new 160,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in El Paso, Texas.  The plant is part of a $300 million U.S. manufacturing investment the company has made to support customers who will use the electrical equipment produced in it, contributing to the advancement of the energy transition and the build-out o...

Rockwell Automation, Inc., the globally renowned company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, and Infinitum, the creator of the sustainable air core motor, have announced an exclusive agreement to jointly develop and distribute a new class of high-efficiency, integrated low voltage drive and motor technology. This solution will significantly save energy and cut costs for industrial customers globally, while helping them reduce their carbon footprint and become more sus...

Sofamel has announced the release of their new SCF/OPT-460W and SCF/OPT-600W solar optimizers. These devices are very important when using photovoltaic energy systems. Some of their key benefits include: Improved overall system performance Solar optimizers allow energy production to be maximized at the individual panel level. This means that even if any panels are affected by shade or underperforming as the result of dirt or damage, the overall system performance is not significantly affe...

Siemens has received two major orders to set up the charging infrastructure for electric buses (e-buses) in two cities in Germany. In Hamburg, Siemens will again support Hamburger Hochbahn AG, one of Germany´s largest public transport companies, in reaching its goal of operating a completely emission-free bus fleet by 2030.  smooth transition to electric buses In Saarlouis, Siemens will enable the smooth transition to electric buses for Kreisverkehrsbetriebe Saarlouis (KVS GmbH). T...

Sensata Technologies announces the launch of its Gigavac GTM400 and GTM500 bidirectional contactors for applications up to 1500 Vdc and 400A and 500A. The new contactors are ideal for high-power applications that require reliable switching and DC circuit protection like energy storage systems, DC fast charging stations, and heavy-duty vehicles. The new GTM series excel in performance compared to competition, offering: Increased current carry capability (reduced size and weight, increased ba...

Beznau nuclear power plant (KKB) has completed the overhaul of block 2. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) has given its approval for the resumption of operations. KKB 2 will thus start a new operating cycle. The plant will continue providing an essential contribution to the security of supply in Switzerland. Comprehensive maintenance work The overhaul focused on comprehensive maintenance work, periodic tests and inspections. Out of 121 fuel elements, 20 were replaced. The...

BT and Johnson Controls announced a new collaboration to help business customers in the UK and internationally benefit from smart building technology to digitally monitor, analyze, and optimize energy use in workplaces. sustainable building management Buildings from offices to factories can all benefit, helping customers reach Net Zero faster while reducing operating costs. The global leaders in their respective fields will build on their extensive expertise in sustainable building management...

MBDA’s UK, MBDA Italia and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have announced at DSEI 2023 the signing of a collaboration agreement to work towards an Effects Domain to support the design of core-platform as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). In this Effects domain, the three companies will work together to ensure the seamless integration of weapons for the GCAP platform. Looking to the future, the collaboration will also include working on weapon effects managemen...

At the EMO 2023 event, Siemens is expanding its range of products and services with the "Digital Native" CNC Sinumerik One. The new CNC generation from Siemens, which was launched on the market in 2019, comes with numerous innovations in software and hardware. Sinumerik V6.22 With the new Sinumerik software version V6.22, there are new technology functions for the Sinumerik One that increase transparency in the machine, simplify operation, reduce machine wear, and increase performance. This...

The sensor solutions provider - HENSOLDT has received a follow-up order from the American L3Harris (formerly Viasat) for the delivery of high-performance electronics that will optimize NATO data links and thus the networking of individual troop units. The contract, worth a high single-digit million amount, covers the manufacture and delivery of a further 100 power amplifiers for the MIDS LVT (Multifunctional Information Distribution System, Low Volume Terminal) data radio system of the US and E...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that it will begin shipping samples of a new Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifier module for use in 5G massive MIMO (mMIMO) base stations on September 21, 2023. Power amplifier modules help reduce the power consumption of 5G mMIMO base stations. Providing high-speed, large-capacity communications, 5G mobile networks are becoming increasingly popular across the world, with their 5G mMIMO base stations installed predominantly in metropolitan areas....

PETRONAS, Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), Amazon, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) will collaborate in an effort to intensify their sustainability and decarbonization initiatives in the accelerated global energy transition. low-carbon energy solutions This aligns with PETRONAS’ commitment to deliver affordable, low-carbon energy solutions, while concurrently reducing the emissions intensity of its operations.  Leveraging Gentari’s expertise in clean energy solutions, the move also su...

WEG stands out once again by supplying a large custom-built induction motor for an Integrated Steel Plant in the Eastern part of India, in the state of Odisha. The induction motor of the MGW line, 26 MW/4 Poles/11 kV, is the largest ever manufactured in WEG's manufacturing site in India for the Indian market, it was selected to drive the main air compressor of the oxygen plant, essential for the operation of the entire Phase-1 of the steel production plant. challenges of interchangeability Th...

Axpo is pushing forward with its solar offensive in Switzerland, which was launched in 2022, and is planning to build an approximately 15-MWp ground-mounted installation in Ilanz/Glion in the canton of Graubünden. According to current planning, the plant is expected to generate around 22 gigawatt hours of sustainable electricity per year, a significant amount of which will be generated in the cold winter months. The project is intended to be a model of how nature, leisure activities and en...

Ameren will send nine teams – three from Illinois and six from Missouri – to compete in the 2023 National Gas Rodeo for natural gas workers – a two-day competition, Sept. 14-15, in Springfield, Missouri.  The Gas Rodeo attracts the best natural gas workers from around the country to compete in events based on traditional tasks and skills. Traditional tasks and skills “The Gas Rodeo is kind of like the Olympics for our gas journeymen and apprentices,” said Er...

At the DSEI exhibition in London, the industry champions for defense electronics from the UK, Italy and Japan have announced that they are working towards agreeing on a joint project delivery set-up for GCAP’s ISANKE & ICS domain (Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems).  The companies, Leonardo UK representing the UK, Mitsubishi Electric representing Japan, and both Leonardo and ELT Group representing Italy, are assessing a number of a...

TE Connectivity (TE), a pioneer in connectivity and sensors, brings new insulation piercing connectors to market to further support accelerated solar farm implementation. The Solar IPC (SIPC) assemblies support customers in responding with agility to changes that arise during the solar farm rollout phase and help save time and labor during installation. Specially engineered and designed for solar use, these robust SIPC assemblies complement TE’s existing Customizable Trunk Solution (CTS)...

Schneider Electric, the pioneer in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces that it has begun taking orders for Schneider Home, a first-of-its-kind integrated home energy management solution that makes homes more efficient and resilient. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, this award-winning solution provides energy independence automating energy production, storage, measurement, and control – all from a single, easy-to-use app....

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has developed the Ranger HEX, a 6x6 vehicle conversion designed to offer a significant improvement in payload of up to 3,800kg over the harshest of terrains.  It comes with a hybrid drivetrain to maintain performance and improve fuel consumption.   Ranger HEX benefits This new conversion benefits from Ricardo’s expertise and experience in creating high-quality, cost-effective special vehicles...

Grainger (GWW), the major broad line distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, has announced the appointment of Matt Fortin as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective Wednesday, September 13, 2023. With this appointment, he will join the Grainger Leadership Team. “With nearly two decades of experience in roles across Grainger, Matt brings an innate understanding of our business and our diverse team membe...

Global clean energy solutions company - Gentari officially rebranded renewable energy solutions provider WIRSOL Energy following the completion of its full acquisition in February 2023. solar and bESS With the rebranding, WIRSOL Energy will be known as Gentari Solar Australia. This firmly establishes and anchors Gentari as a developer with integrated solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) and asset management capability in the Australian renewable energy market. Gentari Solar Austral...

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted approval to Ameren Illinois to build a new transmission line to improve energy reliability for residents and businesses in the Peoria region.  138-kV transmission line The new 138-kV transmission line will connect Ameren’s substation in Alta with its substation in Pioneer Park in the City of Peoria, creating additional pathways for energy to flow to the region and reducing the frequency and duration of power outages. The project will...

Quanergy Solutions, a provider of 3D LiDAR security solutions, has established a strategic partnership with PowerStack, the global pioneer of off-grid smart power poles. This collaboration provides a seamlessly integrated solution uniquely poised to tackle intricate security challenges faced by remote critical infrastructure environments, including utilities, data centers, and more. Physical security solutions Often located in remote areas without access to power or running infrastructure, th...

Prysmian Group, the pioneer in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, has been awarded a new contract worth around €630 million by Terna Rete Italia S.p.A., a company fully owned by Terna S.p.A., the Italian power grid operator (TSO). The Adriatic Link project includes the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of an HVDC submarine interconnection which will contribute to de-carbonize Italy’s energy system, thus reinforcing Italy’s role as the Mediterranean en...

Host City 2023 conference and exhibition, the largest international meeting of cities and sports business events, returns to Glasgow, Scotland on 20-21 November.  Taking place with the support of Global Presenting Partners and Hosts Glasgow Life and EventScotland, this year’s event will once again see hundreds of major event owners, organizers and hosts from all over the world gather at the Technology and Innovation Centre around the conference theme of Driving and Reacting to Chang...

Clean energy solutions provider - Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd, has expanded its electric vehicle (EV) charging network into Sarawak in partnership with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). The first charging points in the state are located at Kuching’s ICOM Square, a strategic lifestyle location with easy access to malls, restaurants and office buildings. Gentari’s EV roaming network Accessible 24/7, the charging service will b...

The energy sector must overcome a lack of trust in artificial intelligence (AI) before the technology can be effectively used to accelerate the energy transition, a DNV report has found.  Based on interviews with senior representatives from energy companies across the United Kingdom, DNV’s research determined that while AI is already being used across the sector, companies are largely cautious of its new and unestablished uses. Interviews with senior reps from UK energy companies I...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Kei Uruma, “Mitsubishi Electric”) and EVERCOMM SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. (Headquarters: Singapore, CEO: Chen Chiu-Hao, “Evercomm”) jointly announced that they have entered into a cooperative agreement to develop and market solutions that support carbon neutrality in the manufacturing sector. As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi Electric will take an equity stake in Evercomm to solidify the tie...

As part of Aico’s continuous efforts to support the community, during the month of May 2023, Aico launched ‘Project SOS.’ The project welcomed local causes to apply for the chance of winning a week of volunteering from Aico colleagues to help support a community project. One of Aico’s main objectives is to cultivate strong relationships with local community groups and charitable organizations. Over the years, Aico has committed to organizing charity fundraisers and pledg...

Scolmore continues to develop and expand its Click wiring accessories range to meet the needs of an evolving sector and has just added a new RCD socket to its popular Mode range. RCD sockets have a built in residual current device which is designed to trip and cut the power if a fault with the current is detected. This helps to protect both appliances from damage and users from electric shocks if a bare wire is touched. Dedicated wiring solutions All products in the Mode range are manufacture...