Smart Power Grid

February 2017

The demand for renewable electricity in Europe has grown briskly

“The demand for renewable electricity in Europe, documented with Guarantees of Origin (GOs), has grown briskly in 2016 – up 5% from 2015 and reaching nearly 370 TWh,” says Tom Lindberg, Managing Director in ECOHZ, based on statistics from the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB). “Behind this growth are th

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Date:

02/28/2017

Increasing power density

Y. Iwasaki, M. Chounabayashi, M. Nakazawa, S. Iwamoto, Y. Oonishi, M. Hori, H. Kakiki and O. Ikawa

Current market requirements are trending towards further downsizing and increased efficiency of power conversion systems. For this reason, enhanced power density of the power modules will be critical in order to respond to the evolving needs of the market. In order to increase the power density, All-SiC modules wi

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Date:

02/28/2017

Through SunShot's systems integration efforts, DOE is funding a range of research and development projects to advance technology in four broad, inter-related areas: grid performance and reliability, dispatchability, power electronics and communications.

DoE to spend up to $30M to speed solar integration into the grid

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) SunShot Initiative announced up to $30 million in new projects to support the integration of solar energy into the nation’s electric grid, while diversifying the nation’s electricity sources and improving the reliability and security of the electric gr

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Date:

02/22/2017

Michael Heaven of Aurora Solar

PSDcast - Michael Heaven of Aurora Solar on cell power and yield

In this PSDcast Canadian-based solar energy expert, Michael Heaven, President, CEO and Co-Founder from Aurora Solar Technologies talks to Alix Paultre of Power Systems Design about solar cell manufacturing. Raw wafers go in one end and cells come out the other and are graded into 40-60 power level bins. This in

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Date:

02/16/2017

TIB Series DIN-Rail Power Supplies

Traco's TIB series DIN-rail supplies tout efficient circuit topology, cost/performance ratio

Traco Power's TIB Series of DIN-Rail power supplies combines an efficient circuit topology with optimized cost/performance ratio for industrial environments and for electric control cabinets. The design is focused on the parameters and functions to provide highest reliability in a general range of applications. With a very high

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Date:

02/15/2017

Solution enables cross-functional device support and will be backward-compatible with existing zigbee certified products

Microchip unveils zigbee PRO green power certified platform

The industry’s first zigbee alliance certified zigbee platform with zigbee PRO and Green Power features (formerly known as zigbee 3.0) from a semiconductor company, is now available from Microchip Technology, a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions. With greater interoperability an

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Date:

02/13/2017

Gowanda expands capabilities with Microwave Circuits buy

Gowanda Components Group announced that its capabilities for the design and manufacture of RF and microwave filters are expanding in connection with the acquisition of Microwave Circuits from AMTI in Lynchburg, VA. “Microwave Circuits’ designs and technologies complement those of our TTE Filters business

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Date:

02/13/2017

A German research team has explored the technological basis for reducing the energy losses in power grids and electric devices by more than half

German research team finds solution for significant reduction in energy losses in electric devices and the grid

A German research team has explored the technological basis for reducing the energy losses in power grids and electric devices by more than half. This can be made possible through the use of direct current (DC). DC allows for smaller power losses when compared to the alternating current (AC) used today. The fi

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Date:

02/10/2017

EnOcean to show low-energy LED controls at Strategies in Light

At Strategies in Light 2017 (Anaheim, February 28 – March 2, 2017), EnOcean, a leader in energy harvesting wireless technology, will present self powered wireless LED control for multiple wireless protocols. At booth #107, the company will be exhibiting their extensive Dolphin portfolio, including self-powered sw

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Date:

02/08/2017

Jonah Teeter-Balin of AeroVironment

PSDcast - Jonah Teeter-Balin of AeroVironment on charging the Chevy Bolt

In this PSDcast, Jonah Teeter-Balin of AeroVironment talks to Alix Paultre of Power Systems Design about the company's infrastructure support for charging the Chevy Bolt. A critical aspect for market adoption of EVs in the marketplace is not only range anxiety, but chrarging security.

Date:

02/07/2017

States use renewable energy to win business

Celina Bonugli

U.S. states often tussle over who can attract the most innovative, high-growth businesses. Increasingly, governors can point to a new factor that makes their state competitive: affordable renewable energy. Advanced Energy Economy cites that nearly half of Fortune 500 companies have a sustainability or renewa

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Date:

02/07/2017

Curtis Mosher (left), Eric Henderson (middle) and Mike Mcloskey (right) have assembled a prototype biomimetic tree that produces electricity. Such technology could appeal to a niche market in the future, according to the researchers.

Iowa State scientists design generator that mimics trees

Iowa State University scientists have built a device that mimics the branches and leaves of a cottonwood tree and generates electricity when its artificial leaves sway in the wind. Michael McCloskey, an associate professor of genetics, development and cell biology who led the design of the device, said the

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Date:

02/02/2017

Ian Lawee of Analog Devices

PSDcast - Ian Lawee of Analog Devices on energy metering and the smart grid

In this PSDcast, Ian Lawee of Analog Devices talks to Alix Paultre of Power Systems Design on energy metering and the smart grid. In addition to their many initiatives, Analog Devices is also collaborating with the China Electric Power Research Institute to improve reliability of smart substations. The An

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Date:

02/01/2017

Empowering wireless charger design

Eko Lisuwandi, Linear Technology

The use of batteries in everyday devices is getting more ubiquitous. In many of these products, a charging connector is difficult or impossible to use. For example, some products require sealed enclosures to protect sensitive electronics from harsh environments and to enable for convenient cleaning or st

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Date:

02/01/2017

The design explosion

Alix Paultre, Editorial Director, PSD

Let’s continue the thought we began with at the front of the issue, as simply saying that it’s good to have a lot of product development, even if some of it is on stuff that is a little crazy, leaves a lot to be said. How does a laundry-folding robot help humanity? Will having a toothbrush that sends me em

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Date:

02/01/2017