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Energy

Yokogawa partners with Shell on robotics and AI technology for plant maintenance

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Yokogawa Electric has formalized a long-term agreement with Shell Global Solutions to integrate and further develop technologies for utilizing robots and drones in plant monitoring and maintenance.

Under the agreement, Yokogawa will add an advanced machine vision tool called Operator Round by Exception (ORE), developed by Shell, into its own OpreX Robot Management Core.

The enhanced software service will be made available by Yokogawa to customers in the energy, chemicals, and other industries. [Read more…] about Yokogawa partners with Shell on robotics and AI technology for plant maintenance

Battery storage: The missing link in the power grid

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It’s a common misconception that the electricity grid operates like a vast reservoir of power, storing energy and delivering it on demand. The reality is a far more precarious balancing act.

The grid is a real-time network where electricity generation must constantly match consumption. This system has served us for a century, but its lack of storage capacity is a critical vulnerability, especially as we transition to intermittent renewable energy sources.

This is where a new generation of technology comes in: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These are not merely scaled-up versions of consumer batteries; they are sophisticated, utility-scale power assets designed to address the grid’s core challenges. [Read more…] about Battery storage: The missing link in the power grid

Voltfang secures €15 million funding and launches ‘Europe’s largest second-life battery factory’

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Voltfang, a large-scale provider of European battery storage solutions for industrial, commercial, and grid-scale applications, has successfully closed its Series B financing round, raising €15 million.

The round was once again led by Dutch deeptech investor FORWARD.One. Additional investors include existing backers such as Interzero, PT1, Helen Ventures, Daphni, Aurum Impact (the Goldbeck family office), as well as new partners like Fiege Ventures and Newberry Investments.

At the same time, the company is expanding and opening a new production site in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). [Read more…] about Voltfang secures €15 million funding and launches ‘Europe’s largest second-life battery factory’

ABB introduces ‘battery energy storage systems-as-a-service’

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ABB has launched its new “Battery Energy Storage Systems-as-a-Service” (BESS-as-a-Service) – a flexible, zero-CapEx solution designed to accelerate the shift to clean, resilient and affordable energy.

BESS-as-a-Service is the first in a range of next generation service models being developed to remove the barriers to clean technology adoption and accelerate industries’ transition to net zero.

With demand for energy storage expected to surge, ABB’s BESS-as-a-Service offers companies a turnkey path to energy independence and sustainability. [Read more…] about ABB introduces ‘battery energy storage systems-as-a-service’

Energy company Carrier to invest additional $1 billion in US manufacturing

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Carrier Global, a provider of intelligent climate and energy solutions, has revealed plans to invest an additional $1 billion over five years in US manufacturing, innovation and workforce expansion.

Carrier says the investment is “incremental to its ongoing commitments to American operations”, and is expected to create 4,000 highly skilled jobs in R&D, manufacturing and field service.

David Gitlin, chairman and CEO, Carrier, says: “This investment marks the next chapter in our commitment to US manufacturing. [Read more…] about Energy company Carrier to invest additional $1 billion in US manufacturing

Distributed intelligence: Using AI to manage power

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Artificial intelligence is transforming how we manage power, offering solutions to optimize energy consumption across various sectors.

Studies suggest that AI-powered energy management systems can lead to significant cost savings, with some reports indicating potential reductions of up to 20 percent in energy expenses for buildings and industrial facilities.

This article explores the key applications of the growing market for AI in power management, the companies driving this revolution, and the technologies involved. [Read more…] about Distributed intelligence: Using AI to manage power

Underwater robotic lidar scans play key role in extending life of Angolan oil field

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Off the coast of Angola, in the deep waters of the South Atlantic Ocean where the Girassol oil field has been producing for over two decades, a crucial project is under way to ensure its continued operation. (See video below.)

A key part of this “life extension project” involves the intricate work of 3D at Depth, a subsidiary of Kraken Robotics.

Recently, the company marked a significant milestone, completing its 1,000th subsea measurement task for TotalEnergies at the Girassol field. [Read more…] about Underwater robotic lidar scans play key role in extending life of Angolan oil field

Rosendin starts taking offers to purchase its solar module installation robot

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Rosendin, America’s largest employee-owned electrical contracting company with one of the fastest-growing renewable energy programs, has begun taking offers to sell its groundbreaking autonomous robotic solution for photovoltaic (PV) solar module installation.

The move follows a successful live demonstration of its three-piece robotic solution at a large-scale solar project under construction in West Texas.

At the April 17 event near Abilene, Rosendin’s robotic system proved it could accelerate utility-scale solar construction, while enhancing worker safety and solving persistent labor shortages. [Read more…] about Rosendin starts taking offers to purchase its solar module installation robot

Vattenfall to optimise large-scale battery park for Return

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Vattenfall and the international energy storage company Return have entered into an agreement under which Vattenfall will operate and optimize a large-scale battery park with a capacity of 50 megawatts for eight years.

The battery park will be located in Waddinxveen in southern Netherlands and is planned to be operational in the first half of 2026.

Return will provide Vattenfall with a large-scale battery with an output of 50 megawatts and a storage capacity of 100 megawatt hours in an eight-year contract from the planned commissioning in the first half of 2026. [Read more…] about Vattenfall to optimise large-scale battery park for Return

Top 10 robotics companies building the solar power future

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As the global demand for clean energy accelerates, utility-scale solar farms are multiplying across deserts, grasslands, and rooftops.

But building and maintaining these vast installations is labor-intensive, costly, and often dangerous. That’s where robotics comes in.

In the past 12 months, a new generation of startups and industrial giants has been quietly revolutionizing how solar farms are deployed and operated. [Read more…] about Top 10 robotics companies building the solar power future