Electrical Industry News for October 2024

The leaves are falling, and it may seem easy to rake them right into the water – but that can create a number of issues for aquatic life, as well as humans and pets living along the shore. Why does it matter if people dump leaves in the Lake? Higher risk of health hazards: Decaying leaf litter can cause algae blooms that are toxic to fish, pets and humans. Disrupts the ecosystem: Leaves not only block sunlight needed by fish, microbes and other aquatic life – they also use up ox...

Ameren Illinois customers served by the Marion Operating Center (OC) know that journeymen linemen - Jason Novak, Clayton Gulley and Austin Lewis are great at keeping the lights on in southern Illinois. The trio now has the distinction of being the best linemen in the world after finishing first overall at the 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, USA, Oct. 18-19, 2024. 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo The lineman's rodeo attracts the best linemen from arou...

In its first investment in Poland, Axpo has acquired a plant in Western Pomerania, which produces green energy mainly from agricultural waste, it has been announced. The company plans to develop further biogas projects in the country over the coming years, making Poland one of five European countries in which Axpo has entered the biogas market. Axpo acquires Polish biogas plant In October 2024, Axpo purchased a biogas plant from private shareholders. In the upcoming months, Axpo will renovate...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that its ME Innovation Fund has invested in Formic Technologies Inc. (Formic), a U.S.-based startup company that designs, develops, and maintains industrial robots, offered through a subscription-based sales model. This is the eighth investment that the fund has made to date. Rise in demand for industrial robots In the manufacturing and logistics sectors, efforts to automate processes in response to labor shortages are rapidly advancing, leading t...

Siemens has launched SIMOCODE M-CP, an efficient and future-proof motor management product series, specially tailored for motor control centers (MCC). The new product series complements the existing SIMOCODE portfolio and is designed to optimally meet the requirements of motor control centers.  SIMOCODE M-CP SIMOCODE M-CP introduces a new standard in the industry with its compact design, advanced functionality, and compatibility with Ethernet-based communication. In the future, SIMOCODE...

Smartkem, Inc., a company that has the potential to power the next generation of displays using its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), announced that it will be exhibiting at the TechBlick: The Future of Electronics Reshaped global conference, in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 24th, 2024. Smartkem's booth no. is F01 at the Estrel Berlin Hotel and Convention Center (ECC). Smartkem Senior Formulation Scientist, Jordan Brannick, will be in situ thr...

As more builders and homeowners look to electric appliances, electric vehicles, and more to decarbonize homes, increased amperage is required to maintain the status quo of activity in a home. The modular design of Leviton’s Load Center products allows homeowners to make their standard load center a smart energy solution by swapping traditional breakers with Leviton’s 2nd Gen Smart Circuit Breakers, installing the Leviton Whole Home Energy Monitor (LWHEM), and downloading the My Levi...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cognitive Research Lab Inc. on October 17, with the aim of developing a business that helps organizations make decisions to avoid/mitigate national security risk and human risk related to natural disasters and public-safety situations. Mitsubishi Electric and Cognitive Research Lab sign MoU Based on the MoU, Mitsubishi Electric’s technologies and expertise, cultivated through the company...

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has secured a contract with Unibuss, one of the bus operators in the Greater Oslo region, to deliver its innovative Depot360 Managed Services solution to ensure optimized operations of its fleet and charging infrastructure. With Norway at the forefront of the global transition to electric mobility, this contract establishes Siemens' Depot360 footprint in the country. Depot360 Managed Services Siemens’ Depot360 Managed Services addresses the unique challenges...

Sensata Technologies announces it will showcase its latest aerospace innovation, the Digital Inceptor, at the NBAA-BACE conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 22-24, 2024. As advanced air mobility evolves, the demand for lightweight, reliable pilot controls increases. Sensata, a pioneer in high-volume, multi-axis inceptors, leveraged its micro-RVDT technology and a modular design to create the lightest passive inceptor on the market.  Sensata’s Digital Inceptor features a com...

Dylan Skaro has been promoted to the position of Financial Controller at Hunt Electric. Dylan’s new team will consist of multiple GL Accountants, the Accounts Payable team, a Financial Analyst, and a Tax Accountant. His team will prepare financial statements, budgets, and other financial reports to help management make timely and strategic decisions for the company. Dylan Skaro appointed Financial Controller Dylan has helped design reports in Qlik to help Hunt Electric be more efficient...

SoFi Stadium, a world-class venue, turned to industry major - Belden for a complete end-to-end cabling and connectivity solution. Belden’s cutting-edge technology supports the stadium’s data-heavy demands, including the one-of-a-kind, roof-suspended Oculus video board, Wi-Fi infrastructure, digital ticketing, and a DAS system. Belden’s solutions for SoFi Stadium When the stadium’s owners required a solution that delivered top-tier quality, performance, and reliability...

Ameren line workers, apprentices and judges will travel to the 40th annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, USA, later this week. The event, often coined as the ‘Lineman Olympics’, will take place on Oct. 19 and offers line workers from around the world the opportunity to compete in events based on the common tasks performed by journeymen line workers and apprentices. Ameren line workers at the ‘Lineman Olympics’ Ameren Illinois is sending 12 lin...

Interplay Learning’s Skill Advisor and Mentor (SAM), the first artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant for the skilled trades, has been named 2024’s top innovation in technology integration by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). SAM has been honored by IACET with the Innovation of the Year Award – Technology Integration, which recognizes the best of the best in the use of eLearning design, simulation programs, v...

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) launches a first-of-class Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) for the Indian Navy from its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. The vessel, christened INS Samarthak, was launched by Ms Shashi Tripathi, President- Navy Wives Welfare Association, in the August presence of the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, Assistant Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition Rear Admiral Sandee...

Interplay Learning, the pioneer in immersive career development solutions for the skilled trades, announces a new partnership with The SEER Group, the globally renowned home services enterprise with over 40 partner brands specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services.  Through this collaboration, The SEER Group will implement Interplay Learning’s career development platform to centralize and streamline its training. Partnership with Interplay The SEER Group will deploy I...

EA Technology, a globally renowned company in electrical asset management and smart grid solutions, has secured strategic investment from Summa Equity, a private equity firm known for its sustainability-focused approach. The electricity sector is on the cusp of major transformation, driven by the need for decarbonization, infrastructure modernization, and the rise of renewable energy. With Summa Equity’s investment, EA Technology is poised to address these challenges, while accelerating i...

Large power generators are often used to supply emergency power when the loss of utility power is not acceptable and can mean the difference between life and death. Using basic generator protection with a circuit breaker is simply inadequate and does not provide the full range of protection. To ensure system reliability, prevent equipment damage, and avoid unnecessary repair costs, users should protect the generator against many of the most common problems, a list of which follows with recommen...

Energy Solutions UK Ltd, a renowned supplier of marine electrical systems, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Hampshire-based marine monitoring and control systems manufacturer, Oceanic Systems (UK) Ltd (“Oceanics”). Founded in 2003, Oceanic Systems is an industry-renowned designer and manufacturer of advanced NMEA2000®-based integrated Alarm, Display, and Control Systems for various vessels, including leisure, commercial, and military globally. Oceanics’ technic...

In an exciting update from the IT Department, it was announced that Beau Brenno has been promoted to Director of BI/AI. In his new role, Beau will be supporting and expanding of their current business intelligence tool, Qlik, and taking advantage of the new AI tools/efficiencies that Qlik and other products offer. Beau has been with Hunt since January 2022 and has been part of many important projects in his time here. He was integral in building many applications in Qlik for billings, the sale...

As access to capital is a common challenge for entrepreneurs, Verizon is announcing new $10,000 grant funding opportunities available for small businesses via the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform. Small business owners who register on the platform can receive free, personalized access to over 50 online courses in English and Spanish, mentorship opportunities with industry experts, 1:1 and group expert coaching, virtual and in-person community events and the opportunity to apply for...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced that the Siemens factory in Erlangen, Germany, will become a Digital Lighthouse Factory, part of its Global Lighthouse Network. The award recognizes technology companies that are at the forefront of applying fourth industrial revolution technologies.  By following the Green Lean Digital approach, which combines innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the plant has made significant progress, increasing productivity by 69 percent and re...

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC, a globally renowned supplier of Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems, introduces the s-MEXT indoor unit, a Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) unit for I.T. cooling applications. Uses include small-to-medium-sized data rooms, cell phone and cable TV/telephone/internet provider relay stations, medical imaging equipment cooling and critical cooling infrastructure applications, labora...

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announces that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., headquartered in Espoo, Finland and headed by CEO Antti Vasara, to collaborate on the development of key nature-positive technologies, which are initially expected to include direct ocean capture (DOC) technology for the direct removal of CO2 from seawater. Together with VTT, the largest comprehensive research institute in Northern Europe, Mi...

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Danfoss Fire Safety, which specializes in fire suppression technology and is a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss Group. The acquisition is expected to boost growth and accelerate the transition towards offering a sustainable fire safety portfolio. efficient extinguishing system Danfoss Fire Safety will report to the Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure, mainly enriching its portfolio with its high-pressure water mi...

To avoid damage and prevent death, most modern electrical distribution systems are grounded. Grounded systems (also known as “earthed” systems), consist of an earth-referenced grounding conductor (e.g. the third prong on a small-scale electrical outlet), which is used as a return path to enable a breaker trip during an inadvertent short-circuit condition. Ungrounded systems, on the other hand, operate without an earth-referenced grounded conductor, so a breaker will not trip during...

High voltage transmission and distribution substations are where incoming and outgoing power circuits meet to form an electrical grid. When properly designed, any fault on an electrical system can be localized to the fault location without the need for a total system shutdown. Selecting the proper bus scheme within a high-voltage substation will allow circuit reliability to be maintained cost-efficiently. Single Bus Configuration In a single-bus configuration, each electrical circuit is conne...

Municipal water distribution systems contain thousands of miles of underground pipes to distribute potable water to homes and businesses. In order to supply water across long distances, and to reach all points within the distribution system, large pumping facilities are used to maintain water system pressure within these pipes. Water Hammering But what happens when the pressure varies suddenly? Rapid changes in the water flow rate result in high-pressure build-up and high surge forces. This c...

Large industrial and commercial facilities consume sizable amounts of electricity for heating, cooling, and operations. By using a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, users can significantly reduce the facility’s electrical consumption. In addition, a CHP system can be made to operate as a backup source of power in the event of an electrical utility outage. What is a CHP system? Traditional electrical generation systems produce electricity inefficiently, with most of the energy wasted...

Designing electrical systems in hazardous locations, such as wastewater treatment facilities, aircraft hangars, fuel dispensing areas, and bulk storage areas, requires careful attention to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment against fire and explosion. Within hazardous locations, a high concentration of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, and dust typically exist. An improperly designed electrical system can become the ignition source for this flammable atmosphere. Expensive and Unrelia...