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Gas Turbine and Energy Production: How Sensing Technology Works

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Why Natural Gas Is A Key Contributor to the Energy Industry


Natural gas has a number of benefits over alternative sources of power. Nuclear power is carbon-free, but it is incredibly expensive due to engineering controls in place to ensure its safety. The United States is a domestic producer of natural gas, whereas oil often comes from countries that hate us.

That natural gas is relatively cheap is a side benefit. Natural gas use produces less greenhouse gas than coal or oil, explaining why a number of oil and coal plants have been converted to natural gas. While wind and solar power is being built at a rapid pace, it is unreliable due to weather.

Furthermore, wind and solar tend to be at their low point when power demand is highest, whether it is a freezing winter night or late on a summer evening. The solution is building more natural gas power plants to meet consumer needs, even when it is a backup for renewable energy. [Read more…] about Gas Turbine and Energy Production: How Sensing Technology Works

JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project

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JPB Système, a manufacturer of efficiency-enhancing technology solutions for aerospace, aeronautic and other industries, has received funding from the French government’s Ministry for Economy and Finance to support a project to establish a new purpose-built, state-of-the art production facility in Villaroche, south of Paris.

The grant was secured through the government’s Francerelance plan, part of its Territoires d’Industrie programme designed to accelerate industry growth and help manufacturing companies revive operations amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For JPB Système, the funding will contribute towards its ambitious JPB Villaroche 2025 project – an initiative valued at more than €30 million that will see the company establish an advanced factory of the future adjacent to its current facility. [Read more…] about JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project

Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

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Continental has developed what it says are “quieter” conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo.

The company says its “Sicon” pouch conveyor belt transports bulk material safely and cleanly, with low noise and emissions, through residential districts of Japan’s capital.

The conveyor belt are being used in the construction of an underground catch basin for 150,000 cubic meters of water. [Read more…] about Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

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American auto giant General Motors to invest $800 million to convert one of its existing facilities into Canada’s first large-scale commercial electric vehicle manufacturing plant.

Subject to ratification of a tentative 2021 agreement reached with Unifor and confirmation of government support, GM plans to bring production of its recently announced BrightDrop electric light commercial vehicle, the EV600, to its CAMI manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario (main picture, courtesy 3BL Media).

The nearly $800 million (1 billion Canadian dollar) investment will support GM’s timing to deliver BrightDrop EV600 in late 2021. The investment will enable GM to convert CAMI into Canada’s first large-scale electric delivery vehicles manufacturing plant. [Read more…] about GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

Mitsubishi’s elevator business in China produces its one millionth unit

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Mitsubishi Electric says its Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Company (SMEC), a joint venture company operating in China, has produced its one millionth unit.

The figure includes both elevators and escalators, and comes 34 years after starting production at the company’s Min Hung Plant in 1987.

Mitsubishi Electric, working in collaboration with SMEC, says it continues to deliver “safety, peace of mind and riding comfort in China”, the world’s largest elevator and escalator market, and maintain its “market-leading brand”. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi’s elevator business in China produces its one millionth unit

Moorebot launches compact autonomous ‘Scout’ robot

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Moorebot, the maker of robot applications like the Hubble Hugo Baby Cam and the Zeus fighting robot, has launched its new “Scout” robot. 

Jun Ye, CEO at Moorebot at Pilot Labs, says: “The Moorebot Scout is an autonomous AI robot that lets you monitor, discover and explore the world around you.

“Scout’s applications range from an intelligent mobile home camera, a pet companion, a surveillance tool for handyman, and an inspiring, modern learning toy for kids.” [Read more…] about Moorebot launches compact autonomous ‘Scout’ robot

Software-based PLCs pose challenge to traditional hardware infrastructure

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By Sharmila Annaswamy, IoT Analytics

Software is increasingly replacing hardware in industrial environments. Software-based programmable logic controllers (Soft PLCs) today are reliable, powerful and flexible.

Soft PLC adoption is expected to double between 2019 and 2025, posing an “innovator’s dilemma” for incumbent industrial automation vendors.

Actions taken by incumbents will prevent significant disruption in the near-term, but the long-term threat of soft PLCs will remain. [Read more…] about Software-based PLCs pose challenge to traditional hardware infrastructure

Siemens provides electric charging points for bus depot in Hamburg

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Siemens Smart Infrastructure won a major contract from Hamburger Hochbahn, the largest local transport provider in the Hanseatic city.

Siemens will equip two of the six carports at the Alsterdorf bus depot with a total of 96 charging points as well as medium and low-voltage technology. Operations are scheduled to start in summer 2021.

With a total of 240 parking spaces, it is one of the largest and most modern bus depots for electric buses in Europe. [Read more…] about Siemens provides electric charging points for bus depot in Hamburg

ABB helps Indian district manage its water amid drought

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Global industrial giant ABB is supporting India’s Koppal district to ease water shortages with its digital water management solutions.

In a unique project led by L&T Construction Water & Effluent Treatment IC for the Government of Kartanaka, ABB’s solutions will help the local water authority to track, measure and optimize water use in this drought-stricken region of southwest India, as well as pump and distribute clean treated river water to village homes.

The solution includes 635 digital flowmeters and technologies to improve control at pumping stations and reservoirs. [Read more…] about ABB helps Indian district manage its water amid drought

ABB establishes new R&D center for electric vehicle technology

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ABB says it is “underlining its market leading position” in electric vehicle charging infrastructure by establishing a new E-mobility Innovation Lab, where it will house 120 specialists working on next generation solutions. (See video below.)

Designed to spur further innovations in e-mobility, the $10 million, 3,600 sq m facility is based on the Delft University of Technology campus, in the Netherlands and will drive ABB’s future portfolio development, as well as R&D projects for EVs. The University was ranked among the top 15 engineering and technology universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings in 2020.

Along with an investment of $30 million into a global Center of Excellence and production site for EV charging infrastructure, due to open next year in Italy, the facility in Delft underlines ABB’s plans to grow investments in sustaining its technology leadership. [Read more…] about ABB establishes new R&D center for electric vehicle technology