Industry News

December 2016
DOE announces projects for biofuels, bioproducts, biopower

An aerial view of Rentech's Product Demonstration Unit (PDU) in Commerce City, Colorado

The Energy Department (DOE) announced the selection of six projects for up to $12.9 million in federal funding, entitled, “Project Definition for Pilot- and Demonstration-Scale Manufacturing of Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biopower.” These projects, required to share the cost at a minimum of 50%, will develop an
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Date:
12/30/2016
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for uninterruptible power supplies, a class of battery chargers. (December 28, 2016). This pre-publication final rule is subject to the procedures at 10 CFR 430.5. The effect
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Date:
12/29/2016
DoE to spend $18M to accelerate plug-in EVs and alt fuels

The Energy Department (DoE) announced $18 million in support of five EV projects

The Energy Department (DoE) announced $18 million in support of five projects for research, development, and demonstration of innovative plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and direct injection propane engine technologies, as well as community-based projects to accelerate the adoption of light, medium and heavy duty ve
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Date:
12/28/2016
FERC issues license for Montana pumped-storage hydro project

Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Hydro project

The Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Hydro project, located in Montana, has been issued a 50-year license to construct and operate by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Final design is to be completed in 2017 with construction anticipated to begin in 2018. Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Hydro project,
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Date:
12/28/2016
Belgian investment firm Korys, owned by the Colruyt family, is investing in the Swedish renewable energy software maker Greenbyte. Greenbyte’s software supports wind energy and solar PV owners, operators and asset managers in capturing the full potential of renewable energy projects. Since its founding in 20
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Date:
12/27/2016
Infinite Electronics, a supplier of engineering grade RF components, assemblies and wired / wireless connectivity solutions, announced that it has acquired KP Performance Antennas, an Edmonton Canada based manufacturer of broadband antennas and accessories. Founded in 2008, KP formed a strong team of experie
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Date:
12/27/2016
Energy Dept to invest in Wave Energy Test Facility

Wave energy converter (WEC) device

The Energy Department announced the award of up to $40 million, subject to appropriations, to design, permit, and construct an open-water, grid-connected national wave energy testing facility. The facility will be constructed in Newport, Oregon, by the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center at Oregon St
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Date:
12/26/2016
element14's electronic design community has launched a new Design Challenge for designers and engineers called ‘Safe and Sound’. Sponsored by Texas Instruments (TI), element14 will challenge 15 community members to design a personal safety-oriented wearable device or solution that protects a person from per
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Date:
12/26/2016
Nordic Semiconductor to show advanced wireless solutions at CES

Nordic Semiconductor will demonstrate the capabilities of its Bluetooth 5-compatible nRF52 Series SoCs at CES 2017

Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA announced it will demonstrate Bluetooth low energy- (including Bluetooth 5) and IEEE 802.15.4-enabled technologies at International CES 2017.The company is also confirming details of exhibits, demonstrations, and design partner companies it will be ho
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Date:
12/23/2016
Schaffner USA has significantly updated their web site to include the introduction of new products, like sine wave output filters, line and load reactors, active and passive harmonic filters, and more. The new data, makes it easy for viewers to learn about power quality issues and how to resolve them. Additional ne
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Date:
12/23/2016
Elma Electronic announced it has added EKF Elektronik, a premier designer of boards based on 3U CompactPCI Serial and PMC/XMC mezzanine standards, to its partner ecosystem. EKF brings 40 years of technical expertise in modular industrial computing to Elma’s portfolio of building blocks for embedded system sol
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Date:
12/23/2016
TDK and Tronics Microsystems jointly announced that the all-cash public tender offer launched by TDK's wholly-owned subsidiary EPCOS was successfully closed on December 14, 2016. EPCOS, a leading manufacturer of electronic components, modules and systems based in Munich, Germany, acquired 72.38% of the outstanding sha
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Date:
12/21/2016
California PUC approves EV infrastructure plan

The plan to install charging infrastructure ensures the utility can provide the chargers to a wider range of customers

The highly-anticipated approval of PG&E's plan to install charging infrastructure means not just that more drivers will have refueling options, but that it ensures the utility can provide the chargers to a wider range of customers by ratebasing it. The California Public Utilities Commission decision means PG&a
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Date:
12/21/2016
ON Semi to demo new rapid-charging USB-C solutions at CES

USB Type-C

ON Semiconductor, driving energy efficient innovations, will be showcasing its portfolio of solutions for the effective implementation of USB Type-C applications at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. USB Type-C is the rapidly emerging default industry-standard for wired smart and rapid charging an
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Date:
12/20/2016
Valencell, a leading innovator in performance biometric data sensor technology, and STMicroelectronics, a semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, announced the launch of a new, highly accurate and scalable development kit for biometric wearables that includes ST’s co
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Date:
12/20/2016
The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler has today concluded a purchase contract with SEMIKRON International for the acquisition of 51% of the shares of Compact Dynamics, a manufacturer of high-performance electric motors. At the same time, Schaeffler and SEMIKRON have agreed a cooperation for the development of
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Date:
12/20/2016
Heliatek to exhibit at CES in Las Vegas and BAU in Munich

HeliaFilm with junction box

Heliatek is expanding its global presence by exhibiting at two major upcoming shows in the US and Europe. The International Consumer Electronics Show (International CES) will take place from the 5th to the 8th of January 2017 in Las Vegas. This show recognizes innovative concepts and products illustrating t
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Date:
12/19/2016
Ways to participate in the “Solar in Your Community Challenge”

Solar in Your Community Challenge

The Solar in Your Community Challenge is a $5 million prize competition funded by the SunShot Initiative that aims to expand solar electricity access. Specifically, it focuses on low-and moderate-income (LMI) households and nonprofits that haven’t been able to take advantage of the booming solar market. Challenge pa
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Date:
12/19/2016
ConCarExpo moves to Berlin in 2017

Connected Car & Mobility Solutions - The ConCarExpo starts in Berlin July 5-6, 2017

The automotive industry is in transition and faces new challanges. Digitalization enables groundbreaking new technical opportunities and opens new business models. This automobile revolution has it’s own trade fair. The ConCarExpo. From July 5-6, 2017 in Berlin (Estrel Congress & Messe Center Berlin). With the ConCa
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Date:
12/19/2016
Achim Gerstner named Vice President, Business Manager at AMETEK

Achim Gerstner

AMETEK Compliance Test Solutions (CTS), a leader in test and measurement instrumentation for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, announced that Achim Gerstner has been named Vice President, Business Manager. In his new position, Gerstner has responsibility for the strategic direction and profit an
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Date:
12/16/2016
High Growth Robotics has announced the launch of the British Robotics Seed Fund – the first investment fund specialising in UK-based robotics start-ups. The focus of the Fund is to deliver returns to Investors by making targeted investments in promising UK-based seed-stage robotics companies wrapped within a
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Date:
12/16/2016
AT&S to present at Nepcon 2017 in Tokyo

Ever-higher speeds and HF designs also place high demands on printed circuit board technology

At Nepcon 2017 (18-20 January 2017) in Tokyo, AT&S will be presenting innovative technologies as a response to current challenges in telecommunication, automotive electronics, wearables and medical electronics. Advancing miniaturisation, high data rates and/or high frequencies, power electronics with increasing cur
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Date:
12/16/2016
Analog Devices and China's CEPRI collaborate on smart-grid reliability

An overview of various smart grid subsystems

Analog Devices announced a collaboration with the China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI) to improve reliability of smart substations, the “nerve centers” of modern electrical grids. New electronics and sensor technologies are enabling resilient and flexible grids to meet the evolving needs of how en
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Date:
12/15/2016
Volkswagen invests in EV-charging leader Hubject

One of the requirements for e-mobility is a well-developed charging infrastructure

The Volkswagen Group is joining the eRoaming platform Hubject as shareholder. With the strategic investment in the Berlin-based company, The car maker will push ahead with the digital interconnection of charging stations for electric vehicles starting in early 2017 as well as the expansion and internationalization of
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Date:
12/15/2016
Mark your calendar to join us for these events taking place during APEC 2017. Micromouse Back by popular demand, you won't want to miss the world-famous APEC Micromouse Competition. The only event of its kind in North America, this competition draws contestants from all over the world. The Micromouse Com
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Date:
12/15/2016
Confusion in the traction-motor business

Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles 2017-2027

What do golf cars and heavy electric trucks have in common? There is still no agreement on the best type of electric motor to use in either of them. On IDTechEx analysis, the booming, confusing traction motor business will rise to around $400 billion in 2027. The new IDTechEx Research report, Electric Motors fo
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Date:
12/15/2016
Powerbox promotes Patrick Le Fèvre to Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Patrick Le Fèvre

Powerbox International has promoted Patrick Le Fèvre, its Marketing and Communication Director, to the role of Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO). In an extension of his responsibilities to promote Powerbox standard and custom products and solutions, starting 1st of January 2017, Le Fèvre will be
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Date:
12/14/2016
Nichicon (America), a leader in the electronics industry’s aluminum capacitor sector, is proud to introduce Mark Gebbia, Bartlett, IL, as the newest member of its engineering team. Gebbia joins Nichicon with over 30 years of experience in the capacitor industry. Previously, he served as Director of Engineering an
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Date:
12/14/2016
Governor Perry comes from a state long-associated with the oil industry, but he also has a successful track record of promoting wind power. When Perry took office as governor, Texas had 116 megawatts of wind power, but it now boasts 18,000 megawatts, making it the country’s largest wind producer. If the incoming Se
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Date:
12/13/2016
Pagani Huayra BC supercar has Microchip’s MOST tech

Pagani Automobili’s Huayra BC supercar is using MOST technology Intelligent Network Interface Controllers

One of the most technologically advanced sports coupes in the world features Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) technology for powering the vehicle’s premium surround sound audio and infotainment system. Pagani Automobili’s Huayra BC supercar is using MOST technology Intelligent Network Interface Controllers (I
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Date:
12/13/2016
Arçelik, one of the world’s leading manufacturers in home appliances industry, is championing new IE4 energy efficient motors to combat increasing energy consumption. Along with increasing renewable energy generation, improving energy efficiency is vital to balancing increased consumption and reducing the exter
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Date:
12/12/2016
China's NextEV faster than Tesla?

Chinese electric car startup NextEV claims its NIO EP9 model is the world's fastest electric car

It's not often that a start-up can claim to be a world-beater from the off. But that's precisely what's happening in the auto industry, where Chinese unknown NextEV has launched what it claims is the world's fastest electric car. Pure-electric cars have been around for decades but only in the past five years or
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Date:
12/12/2016
SunShot Prize launched for

The SunShot Prize: Solar in Your Community Challenge is a prize competition that aims to expand solar electricity access to all Americans

The SunShot Prize: Solar in Your Community Challenge is a prize competition that aims to expand solar electricity access to all Americans, especially underserved segments such as low- and moderate-income (LMI) households, state, local, and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. In order to make solar mo
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Date:
12/09/2016
America’s utilities not veering from clean energy path

Clean energy now costs less than dirty energy

A new NRDC report finds that the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is irrevocably underway. But don’t take our word for it—ask the nation’s electric utilities who have already made long-term business plans based on that reality. Several major utilities interviewed by S&P Global Market In
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Date:
12/09/2016
Energy company offers no-cost charging for EVs

EV owners with a ChargePoint Home station will enjoy free vehicle charging

Transportation accounted for 34% of all carbon emissions in 2015. While transportation is crucial to our economy and our personal lives, as a sector it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Further, a fundamental change in consumer purchasing and mobility behavior is crucial to any effort to
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Date:
12/08/2016
Strengthening an expanding portfolio of printed electronics solutions, Molex has signed a worldwide license agreement to manufacture Enfucell SoftBattery power sources. With over a decade developing the patented technology, Enfucell has been a forerunner in printable battery design for the needs of healthcare, sp
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Date:
12/08/2016
RES and Lloyd’s Register make statement on battery storage

An example of a hybrid storage system using batteries and thermal energy

Battery storage combined with low carbon power generation is the solution to ‘black swan events’ says RES and Lloyd’s Register, as Australia re-designs its energy policy following the blackout that affected 1.7 million South Australia residents. Technology and innovation raises the game on how battery st
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Date:
12/07/2016
AnSem, a leading analog, RF and mixed-signal ASIC solutions company, has become the official partner of Bart Swings, long track speed skater and multiple European and world champion inline speed skater. The partnership between AnSem and Bart Swings from Leuven seems like a match made in heaven, since Bart is a
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Date:
12/07/2016
As a part of the Obama Administration’s effort to cut energy waste in America’s buildings, the Energy Department launched the Better Buildings Zero Energy Schools Accelerator. Six school districts, two states and several national organizations are working collaboratively to develop zero energy design that is
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Date:
12/06/2016
The New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation has made a 10-year project loan of more than $1 million to the energy storage company Demand Energy, bringing large-scale battery storage technology to a privately owned low-income housing development in Brooklyn, NY. Demand Energy's lithium-ion battery system wil
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Date:
12/06/2016
Advanced simulation software is helping Tokamak Energy to develop a pioneering clean energy power plant based on nuclear fusion. Using the electromagnetic design and analysis facilities provided by the Cobham Technical Services Opera software, critical design issues are being resolved at an early stage to help pr
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Date:
12/05/2016
PCIM Europe 2017 offers “Next Career Level“, a new career concept for everyone to benefit from. It creates a direct presentation and recruiting possibility for exhibitors at their booth and it helps visitors to inform themselves about new potential employers. Easy professional reorientation The “Next Career Level“ symbol is
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Date:
12/02/2016
Selco Products has been manufacturing custom cable and wire harnesses assemblies for many years for large OEM customers, and recently expanded its harness capabilities to meet custom designs from new and existing OEM customers. This has enabled Selco to support these customers from engineering design to rapid pr
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Date:
12/02/2016
French start-up, Texplained, a leader in microchip reverse engineering and security, has launched a new laboratory. This lab enables Texplained to offer fast and in-depth analyses of microchip security to help companies and government organisations protect their microchips and products against counterfeiting an
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Date:
12/01/2016
Cars reinvented: huge opportunities and dangers

The biggest change in cars for one hundred years is now starting

The new IDTechEx report, Electric Car Technology and Forecasts 2017-2027 finds that the biggest change in cars for one hundred years is now starting. It is driven by totally new requirements and capabilities. They will cause huge new businesses to appear but some giants currently making cars and their parts wi
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Date:
12/01/2016
Molex has signed a distribution agreement for their industrial product range with Bürklin Elektronik for Europe. Bürklin is a German distributor of high quality electronic components. More than 34,500 items from the Molex Industrial segment can now be ordered via Bürklin Elektronik. This will include h
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Date:
12/01/2016
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