How can smart technology help communities ensure resilience in the face of natural disasters? Siemens explores the possibilities in a feature in its latest “Pictures of the Future” online magazine. The year is 2030. The place, Houston, watching the approach of a massive hurricane named Rose. The city’s mayor
home energy management
Home energy management software company Opower plans to begin offering its program to customers of First Utility, the UK’s largest independent domestic energy company. The offering under the new partnership between the companies is Opower’s first implementation outside of the US and will be the first of its
smart appliances
US home appliance makers are urging federal officials to take action to recognize the benefits of smart appliances and speed up development of the smart electricity grid. The announcement from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) followed the release of an action plan from the US Department of Energy
demand response
Demand response application and service provider EnerNOC has expanded its reach into the Australian and New Zealand markets with the acquisition of Energy Response Pty Ltd. Energy Response is the largest demand response provider in Australia and New Zealand. According to Boston-based EnerNOC, the acquisition will give it the ability
fuel efficiency
Six new corporate partners have come on board a US government initiative aimed at increasing the use of electric vehicles, alternative fuels and other efficiency strategies in commercial fleets. The newest members of the National Clean Fleets Partnership include Coca-Cola, Enterprise Holdings, General Electric, OSRAM SYLVANIA, Ryder and Staples. Together,
Smart-grid firm Sensus has turned to IBM to enhance the data security capabilities of its network infrastructure. Sensus plans to integrate IBM’s encryption and key management technologies into its FlexNet communications system for electric, gas and water utility smart endpoints, including meters and distribution automation devices. IBM’s software
energy storage
With an eye focused on the fast-growing energy storage market, Dow Chemical and Japan’s Ube Industries are launching a joint venture to make and sell electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. The 50-50 joint venture, Advanced Electrolyte Technologies LLC, is expected to be finalized later this year if it wins regulatory
sustainability
A “fundamental technological overhaul of production processes worldwide” is needed over the next three to four decades if the world is to end poverty and avoid catastrophic impacts from climate change and environmental degradation, warns a report from the United Nations. “The World Economic and Social Survey 2011: The Great
renewable energy
OM Group Inc. plans to purchase the German advanced materials firm Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. (VAC) for around €700 million ($1 billion). Founded in 1923, VAC designs, produces and markets technologically advanced materials and technologies, cores and components, and permanent magnets for electronic equipment markets, including the alternative energy, automotive,
waste heat recovery
Renewable energy company PowerVerde has successfully tested its 50-kilowatt electric power renewable waste heat recovery system — the “Liberator” — and expects to ship the first of five planned systems this week. The shipments will go to Newton Investments BV, a renewable energy investment company in the Netherlands. The firm plans to
Three years after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake killed some 68,000 people and devastated the region, the Chinese province of Sichuan has rebuilt its education and healthcare systems to be more modern and more connected than ever before. The just-completed “Connecting Sichuan” effort between Cisco and the Sichuan provincial government
efficiency
Just in time for July 4 holiday travelers, the Pew Clean Energy Program has launched a video to raise awareness of the benefits of increasing the fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks to as high as 60 miles per gallon (MPG) by 2025. The US Environmental Protection Agency
