Category Archives: Energy & Environment

Nagakawa, u-blox Partner to Develop HVAC, VRF

THALWIL, Switzerland, Mar 28, 2024 – u-blox, a global provider of leading positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced its partnership with Nagakawa Group, to develop smart Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems digitally integrated with a Building Management System (BMS) software. The aim is to optimize energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions in various buildings in Vietnam, such as offices, factories, warehouses and homes.

Nagakawa’s comprehensive smart VRF/HVAC and BMS solution is particularly relevant for a country where nowadays up to 45% of electricity generation still comes from coal-fired sources. Such innovative developments will contribute to the Vietnamese government achieving its goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, as pledged at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in 2021.

Nagakawa’s new smart building solution should play a crucial role in the digital transformation of various types of buildings. Supported by BEMServer, described as the world’s premier open source building energy management platform, and enabling manual or automatic adjustment of HVAC/VRF systems, the solution will help curb energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. Power consumption data from the VRF/HVAC systems is sent to an AIoT cloud server, where it is analyzed and pushed as a notification to the BMS dashboard. As the data is accessible through a wide range of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or building control centers, the facility manager or system owner can take immediate action to prevent electricity waste.

Nagakawa is partnering with u-blox and the BEESOTA 6G Alliance to build a comprehensive system, with gradual implementation into buildings planned throughout Vietnam. u-blox provides cellular connectivity via its multi-mode LTE Cat 1bis LENA-R8 module, equipped with the global and ultra-low power MQTT Anywhere IoT communication service. The u-blox Thingstream cloud-based delivery platform then enables simple processing, transformation, and integration of messages to the enterprise. This integration ensures seamless connectivity and robust security for air conditioning systems.

Implementing Nagakawa’s comprehensive solution in buildings provides dual benefits to its initiators. Firstly, it reduces operational expenses and monthly electricity bills. Secondly, it makes it easier to acquire the Vietnam Green Label, certifying adherence to environmentally friendly Green Label Criteria set by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).

The successful deployment of this sustainable solution across Vietnam could also lead to further expansion in other countries.

About u-blox

u-blox provides semiconductor chips, modules, and IoT services that reliably locate and connect every thing. Their cutting-edge solutions drive innovation for the car of the future and the Internet of Things. Headquartered in Thalwil (Zurich), Switzerland, they have a global presence of 1,400 experts who enable their customers to build solutions for a precise, smart, and sustainable future.

For more information, visit www.u-blox.com.

u-blox Launches F10 GNSS Platform

THALWIL, Switzerland, Mar 28, 2024 – u-blox, a global provider of leading positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced F10, the company’s first dual-band GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) platform combining L1 and L5 bands to offer enhanced multipath resistance and meter-level positioning accuracy. The platform caters to urban mobility applications, such as aftermarket telematics and micromobility.

Applications that use GNSS receivers for accurate positioning are on the rise. Yet, current receivers do not fully perform in urban areas. Accurate and reliable positioning in dense urban environments, where buildings or tree foliage can reflect satellite signals, requires GNSS receivers to mitigate multipath effects. The L5 band’s resilience to these effects significantly improves positioning accuracy. Combined with the well-established L1 band, an L1/L5 dual-band GNSS receiver can deliver < 2 m positioning accuracy (CEP50), against about 4 m with the L1 band only. The u-blox team has conducted driving tests in several urban areas, confirming a significant improvement over GNSS L1 receivers.

The F10’s firmware algorithm prioritizes L5 band signals in weak signal environments, ensuring reliable positioning accuracy even when paired with small antennas. The platform is also equipped with protection-level technology that provides a real-time trustworthy positioning accuracy estimate.

When a cellular modem is extremely close to a GNSS receiver, it can interfere with the receiver’s reception. Some F10 module models (NEO-F10N, MAX-F10S, and MIA-F10Q) are equipped with a robust RF circuit that allows the GNSS and the cellular modem to operate without interference.

The u-blox F10 platform is pin-to-pin compatible with the previous u-blox M10 generation for easy migration. It also supports u-blox AssistNow, which offers real-time online A-GNSS service with global availability to reduce GNSS time-to-first-fix and power consumption.

The u-blox EVK-F101 evaluation kit will be available in April 2024.

About u-blox

u-blox provides semiconductor chips, modules, and IoT services that reliably locate and connect every thing. Their cutting-edge solutions drive innovation for the car of the future and the Internet of Things. Headquartered in Thalwil (Zurich), Switzerland, they have a global presence of 1,400 experts who enable their customers to build solutions for a precise, smart, and sustainable future.

For more information, visit www.u-blox.com.

Siemens Introduces EcoTech Sustainability Product Label

MUNICH, Germany, Mar 5, 2024 – Siemens announces the launch of its sustainability product label approach – Siemens EcoTech – setting a new standard for transparency in the industry. Siemens EcoTech gives customers a comprehensive insight into product performance across selected environmental criteria. At launch, the Siemens EcoTech label covers a range of products from across the Siemens portfolio for infrastructure and industrial applications. The label will be gradually extended to cover additional, relevant Siemens product families, which meet the stringent criteria.

“With Siemens EcoTech, we’re paving the way for a new era of transparency,” said Judith Wiese, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and Chief People and Sustainability Officer. “The Siemens EcoTech label represents our commitment to empower our customers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices to support their sustainability goals. We want sustainability to be at the core of every product we offer.”

Siemens uses extensive data, provided in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), to assess a product’s lifecycle performance against a set of robust eco design criteria across three dimensions: sustainable materials, optimal use and value recovery, and circularity. Eco design criteria include diverse aspects such as use of low carbon materials, sustainable packaging, energy efficiency, longevity, circularity instructions and recyclability. Such detailed insight forms the basis of the Siemens EcoTech Profile (SEP), a product data sheet on the product’s comparable performance in areas like materials, design, use phase, and end of lifecycle, providing more data transparency than any other company in the industry.

Additionally, today all Siemens EcoTech products are manufactured in production facilities using 100 percent renewable electricity, contributing to the company’s overall ambition to achieve a net zero-carbon footprint of its production facilities and buildings worldwide by 2030.

Matthias Rebellius, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO Smart Infrastructure at Siemens added: “We’ve been driving sustainability transformation for our customers and society as front runners. Siemens EcoTech represents our ambition to further scale our sustainability impact, providing a simplified process of finding, classifying, and listing sustainable products, ultimately benefiting both our customers and the environment.”

At launch, products covered by the Siemens EcoTech label include the recently announced SENTRON ECPD (Electronic Circuit Protection Device). Multifunctional, versatile and compact, SENTRON ECPD can substitute up to ten conventional products with one device. This reduces manufacturing materials by 1.53kg (up to 80 percent on electronics, 90 percent on metals and 90 percent on plastics depending on application), and associated carbon emissions by 50 percent compared to conventional solutions. Another example covered by Siemens EcoTech in the first phase of the roll out is the industrial PC Simatic IPC BX-39, which is over 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor product.

Siemens EcoTech represents the next milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to minimize the environmental footprint of its own operations and products, and further supports the digital and sustainability transformation of its customers. Building upon the Environmental Portfolio launched in 2008, the systematic integration of ecodesign principles with the Siemens Robust Eco Design approach from 2020 and the DEGREE framework introduced in 2021 – which provides a 360-degree approach to core sustainability values with clear targets in six fields, including decarbonization, ethics, governance, resource efficiency, equity and employability – Siemens continues to lead the way in sustainability. Today, more than 90 percent of Siemens’ business enables customers to achieve a positive sustainability impact and – with the aid of Siemens technologies sold in fiscal 2023 – customers avoided around 190 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Further information on Siemens EcoTech is available at
http://www.siemens.com/SiemensEcoTech.

Further information on sustainability at Siemens is available at
https://www.siemens.com/sustainability.

About Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI)

Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. As of September 30, 2023, the business had around 75,000 employees worldwide.

About Siemens AG

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.

In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide.

Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

Rockwell, 1PointFive Partner for Carbon Dioxide Removal Credit

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb 20, 2024 – Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, is pleased to announce an agreement with 1PointFive to purchase carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits from STRATOS, 1PointFive’s Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility under construction in Texas.

Central to Rockwell Automation’s purpose is connecting the imagination of people with the potential of technology, to expand human possibility and make the world more connected, more productive, and more sustainable. For more than 120 years, Rockwell’s technology and expertise have improved the efficiency of industrial processes, which includes making the most of scarce resources. Our holistic strategy encompasses company-wide sustainability efforts, while also helping our customers and communities be more sustainable and equitable. Rockwell Automation is committed to environmental stewardship and exploring options to accelerate the net zero transition—the primary reason for the partnership.

“We’re excited to collaborate with 1PointFive as we expand our company’s sustainability goals. This is our first step in demonstrating our commitment to advancing carbon capture technologies, starting with how our company does business and what it means for the world around us,” said Tom O’Reilly, vice president, sustainability, Rockwell Automation. “Every day, we help tens of thousands of global customers achieve productivity and sustainability goals with data-driven solutions, so it’s only right we start from within, ultimately expanding our ability to make a positive impact on the world.”

Rockwell Automation plans to use 1PointFive’s CDR credits to address emissions associated with its corporate travel program. Once operational, 1PointFive’s DAC facility will extract carbon dioxide from ambient air directly and can address CO2 emissions from dispersed sources, such as automobile and airplane travel, which is oftentimes difficult to tackle.

The CDR credits from 1PointFive aligns with Rockwell’s commitment to support technologies, such as DAC, that can advance sustainability goals by providing a practical, transparent and durable carbon removal solution.

“We are pleased to support Rockwell Automation’s sustainability strategy and demonstrate how Direct Air Capture credits can become a solution to remove emissions from transportation,” said Michael Avery, president and general manager, 1PointFive. “This agreement reinforces Direct Air Capture’s potential to address emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sources and provides an example that other organizations can follow to further their own climate goals.”

To learn more about Rockwell Automation’s commitment to sustainability, please click here.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc., is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. They connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries.

To learn more, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

Siemens Energy Certifies PFISTERER’s Pluggable Connection

for environmentally friendly 420 kV Clean Air Applications

WINTERBACH, Germany, Feb 6, 2024 – The CONNEX pluggable connection system from PFISTERER has been successfully certified by Siemens Energy for use in 420 kV Clean Air switchgears. PFISTERER is the first manufacturer to be certified for this application and is thus making an important contribution to environmentally friendly energy transmission.


The CONNEX pluggable connection system from PFISTERER has been successfully tested for use in environmentally friends 420 kV Clean Air switchgears.

Clean Air is an environmentally friendly, non-polluting insulating medium as an alternative to the well-known insulating gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Clean Air consists solely of natural components of ambient air, such as oxygen and nitrogen. The use of Clean Air is intended to help minimize the environmental effects of electrical switchgears. PFISTERER’s Connex product family is the first pluggable connection technology for switchgear to be certified by Siemens Energy for 420 kV Clean Air applications. The socket forming the interface with the switchgear successfully passed the dielectric type test with Clean Air according to IEC 62271-203. The design of the socket was tested under increased pressure conditions, amongst other things.

“If electric power is generated in an environmentally friendly way, transmission and distribution must follow suit. Because our technology is used at the interfaces, it plays an important part in this. The successful testing confirms its reliability for Clean Air, which is an important step towards climate-friendly energy transmission,” says Alejandro Escobin, head of product management HV Cable Accessories at PFISTERER.

Key account manager, Norbert Fink adds: “The pluggability of the CONNEX system allows it to be installed quickly and easily, with a minimal space requirement and maximum flexibility. We are delighted that this technology will in future be contributing even more to improving sustainability.”

About PFISTERER

In 1921 Karl Pfisterer founded his factory for special electrical products in Stuttgart with the aim of improving the world of power transmission. The PFISTERER Group has pursued this goal of quality and technological leadership for more than 100 years. Today, PFISTERER is one of the world’s leading specialists and system suppliers for energy infrastructure – with a complete range of cable fittings, overhead line technology and components along the entire transmission chain from power generation to consumption. With state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and 1,200 employees at 19 international locations and 5 factories, PFISTERER not only connects the power grids of today and tomorrow, but also makes an important contribution to a sustainable and secure energy infrastructure.

For more information, visit PFISTERER website.

EDF Renewables Selects mPrest for DERMS

PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Feb 5, 2024 – mPrest, a leading developer and provider of dynamic grid aware, as well as Behind the Meter, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), has been chosen by EDF Renewables Israel Ltd., a subsidiary of EDF Renewables SA, an international energy company which develops, builds, and operates renewable power generation plants, and is a leader in the competitive renewable energy market, as its DERMS platform for the purpose of managing and optimizing its distributed solar and storage assets profits.

EDF Renewables Israel is the leading company in the growing competitive distributed energy market in Israel.  To maximize its trading profits between the energy market, distributed generation and storage, and energy sales to customers, EDF Renewables Israel requires a sophisticated Virtual Power Plant (VPP) platform.  Said platform goes beyond a standard VPP platform. It acts as a “system of systems” orchestration platform, integrating with all distributed generation, as well as with multiple Energy Management Systems (EMS’) at large distributed solar sites, and offers an end-to-end energy-cost optimization of all distributed generation and storage.

“mPrest’s DERMS represents a leap forward in energy innovation, seamlessly integrating, managing, and optimizing diverse energy resources. It’s not just about power; it’s a strategic approach to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem,” said Natan Barak, mPrest’s CEO. “After investing years in our architecture and infrastructure for distribution companies, we are fortunate to have expanded our Enterprise DERMS offering to include Edge DERMS for VPPs and aggregators as well.  We are therefore honored to partner with EDF Renewables, in optimizing and managing their distributed flexibility and energy trading profits.”

“In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, our solar and storage based VPP harnesses energy from distributed resources, and optimizes energy production, while paving the way for a cleaner energy future,” said Ayalon Vaniche the CEO of EDF Renewables Israel. “In the journey towards a cleaner and more efficient energy future, our VPP takes center stage.”

“mPrest’s DERMS is pioneering a new era of energy management.  It’s about seamlessly integrating renewable resources, storage technologies, and advanced analytics, to create a dynamic and efficient energy ecosystem,” said Ron Halpern, mPrest’s chief commercial officer. “We’re excited to introduce a paradigm shift in energy dynamics.  It’s not just about generating power, it’s about orchestrating a symphony of distributed energy resources to create a resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure, while optimizing grid-edge flexibility, and reducing energy costs.”

About mPrest

Leveraging its unparalleled experience and expertise in real-time mission-critical command and control software, mPrest has developed the world-leading distributed asset orchestration and optimization software. mPrest’s micro-services based, real-time orchestration and optimization platform brings the power of AI and IoT to the digital transformation of the energy and other industrial IOT markets. mPrest’s applications suite, including Distributed Energy Resources Management Systems (DERMS) and Asset Health Management (AHM) are deployed on premise or in the cloud in record time in the most forward-looking and efficient organizations worldwide, including some of the world’s largest energy companies. mPrest’s vendor-agnostic product suite interfaces with millions of sensors, devices, machines, assets, subsystems, IT and OT applications, creating a system of systems that provides end-to-end visibility and control over complex and distributed operations.

For more information, visit www.mprest.com.

About EDF Renewables Israel

EDF Renewables Israel, part of the global EDF Group (the French National Electricity Company), is the leading company in the growing and competitive Israeli renewable energy market. As part of a foremost world corporation, EDF Renewables brings the financial stability and proven capabilities to develop, plan and execute ground-breaking projects on a national scale with proven track record. EDF Renewables Israel has been an active player in Israel since 2009, with a vision to spearhead the renewable energy revolution in Israel by developing projects based on the most innovative solutions and top-notch technologies in the field. EDF Renewables has extensive experience in every stage of renewable energy projects: initiation, development, planning and engineering, procurement, construction, operation, maintenance and management. The company is actively involved in all types of PV, including ground projects, electricity storage, projects over agricultural fields (Agro PV) and on fishponds, water reservoirs, and rooftops.

US Water Alliance, WRF to Develop GHG Emission Guidance

for Water Utilities

WALNUT CREEK, CA, Feb 1, 2024 – The US Water Alliance (the Alliance) and The Water Research Foundation (WRF) have assembled a team of utilities, researchers, and technical experts to establish industry‐wide guidance and tools to help improve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts at water and wastewater utilities.

Considering increasing pressure from the global community to reduce GHG emissions (e.g., via the Paris Agreement) and the frequency of extreme climate events, the water sector has increased its efforts in this area.

As utilities work to mitigate GHG emissions, conducting a GHG emissions inventory is the first step to understanding current emission sources. Although many GHG estimation methodologies exist, there is no utility-facing industry-wide framework or easy‐to‐use resource that provides water utilities with practical guidance on which emissions are essential to address and what the best available methods are for assessing them over the lifecycle of capital and operational emissions.

Funded by WRF’s Research Priority Program along with utility partners, WRF Project 5188 – Establishing Industry‐Wide Guidance for Water Utility Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories – aims to create a utility‐facing guidance document and a replicable accounting tool that captures worldwide best practices for estimating direct and indirect GHG emissions at utilities using a lifecycle approach. The guide will provide context for which GHG emissions are vital to include as well as areas of emissions with higher and lower certainty estimates to scale GHG reduction efforts across utilities of all sizes and geographies.

“Understanding current greenhouse gas emission sources is a vital step for water and wastewater utilities working to mitigate climate change impacts,” said Dr. Peter Grevatt, CEO of The Water Research Foundation. “We are excited to work with the US Water Alliance’s strong cross-sector team to develop international, industry-wide consensus around GHG accounting and methodologies.”

As well as WRF funding, the approximately $600,000 project includes in-kind contributions from numerous consultancy firms, associations, and more than a dozen supporting utilities.

Principal Investigator and US Water Alliance Director of Climate Action David Ponder commented on the formation of the team:

“Our team of leading researchers and practitioners will allow for international collaboration and consensus-building with a commitment towards long-term implementation support through the Alliance network and our partners, as well as seeking to scale what works. Furthermore, we bring the ability to divide the work among different GHG subject matter expert teams to efficiently execute tasks, delivering maximum value and impact for the international water community.”

Following a 21-month research process since October 2023, the guidance document and GHG emissions accounting tool will be made publicly available for industry dissemination. Additionally, peer-reviewed articles and conference workshops will be key to educating the water sector on estimating direct and indirect utility GHG emissions.

“This project is a unique opportunity to bring the global water community together, gain consensus, and standardize GHG accounting for water utilities so everyone follows the science and best practices, allowing us to accurately estimate emissions and more effectively plan and take climate action,” said Brown and Caldwell’s Dr. John Willis, an authority on utility GHG emissions and a contributing researcher.

About The US Water Alliance

The US Water Alliance is a national membership organization advancing policies and programs to secure a sustainable One Water future for all. We believe that all water has value. Life’s most precious resource must be managed sustainably and inclusively to build strong economies, vibrant communities, and healthy environments.

For more information, visit www.uswateralliance.org

About The Water Research Foundation

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

For more information, visit www.waterrf.org

About Brown and Caldwell

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 52 offices and over 1,900 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, our creative solutions have helped municipalities, private industry, and government agencies successfully overcome their most challenging water and environmental obstacles.

For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com.