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Energy

ABB automates giant solar energy farm in Abu Dhabi

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The Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project in Abu Dhabi – for which ABB supplies automation and optimization power generation solutions – is now exporting 100 percent of its designed capacity onto the grid.

Covering an area of 20 square km in the Al Dhafra region, located around 30 km south of Abu Dhabi City, the 2 GW plant uses four million solar modules to generate enough electricity for 200,000 homes across the UAE per year.

It will also help reduce Abu Dhabi’s annual CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tons, the equivalent of removing approximately 470,000 combustion cars from the roads.

[Read more…] about ABB automates giant solar energy farm in Abu Dhabi

What is Bioenergy and Can it Be a Good Enough Energy Source?

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The entire world is on the lookout for some alternative energy sources, and what often stands out as one of the possible solutions is bioenergy. If you have heard of it already, but you don’t quite understand what it entails, then chances are that you have a lot of questions on your mind.

From what it is and how it is produced, to whether it can actually be a good enough energy source… There are lots of things that are still not quite clear to you. And, it is time to get to the bottom of those things.

The concerns about climate change are making countries all over the world rethink their energy production approaches, and consider some alternative and renewable sources. [Read more…] about What is Bioenergy and Can it Be a Good Enough Energy Source?

How Smart Grid Technologies are Optimizing Power Delivery

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The traditional power grid system has transported electricity from centralized generation facilities to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers for decades. However, this one-way delivery model faces significant challenges in meeting modern energy demands.

Frequent blackouts, voltage irregularities, and substantial power losses during transmission have highlighted the need for a more efficient and resilient electricity infrastructure.

Enter innovative grid technologies, which promise to revolutionize how we generate, distribute, and consume energy. [Read more…] about How Smart Grid Technologies are Optimizing Power Delivery

Empowering Automation: A Comprehensive Guide to AGV Battery Charging Systems

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In the realm of industrial automation, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) represent a pivotal innovation, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs across numerous sectors.

Central to their performance is an often-overlooked component: the battery charging system.

This guide embarks on a detailed exploration of AGV battery charging systems, elucidating why an efficient charging system is not just an accessory but a cornerstone for AGV performance and longevity.

AGVs, robotic movers that follow markers or wires on the floor or use vision, magnets, or lasers for navigation, are indispensable in modern warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Empowering Automation: A Comprehensive Guide to AGV Battery Charging Systems

ANYbotics provides four-legged robot to inspect offshore oil rigs in Europe

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Aker BP, Cognite, and ANYbotics are partnering to pioneer offshore remote inspections with ANYmal X on the Valhall platform (main picture) in the North Sea, the large body of water between the UK and Scandinavia. 

ANYmal X, the only Ex-certified legged robot, was tested for integrated robotic inspections in offshore Ex-rated zones, showcasing the benefits of Cognite’s real-time digital twins and comprehensive AI-powered data platform. (See video below.)

This is a significant step in Aker BP’s aim to implement remote inspections as an enabler for unmanned operation of complex offshore processing platforms by 2027-2029. [Read more…] about ANYbotics provides four-legged robot to inspect offshore oil rigs in Europe

How Smart Home Devices Save Money on Energy Bills

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Ever-rising Energy costs significantly impact monthly expenses, causing many to adopt strategies to reduce their bills. Some methods include turning off lights, using less heating, and avoiding standby mode for electronic devices by unplugging them.

While these efforts may prove helpful in the long run, smart home devices are another option worth considering, according to Mark Thompson, Founder of Smart Home Tekkie.

Almost every household around the globe now has a smart home device, such as a smart speaker, display, or security camera.  [Read more…] about How Smart Home Devices Save Money on Energy Bills

Top Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings with Your Thermostat

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Thermostats control the heating and cooling systems that keep our homes comfortable, but they also have a major influence over residential energy usage and electricity bills. Newer programmable and smart thermostats are designed to optimize temperature control for both efficiency and convenience.

Brands like Ecobee and Siemens offer smart thermostats with scheduling features, remote sensors and connectivity that provide more precise regulation, resulting in energy savings of up to 10 percent per year.

For the average household, a smart thermostat can reduce annual utility costs by hundreds of dollars. They are also integrated with home automation for an improved experience. [Read more…] about Top Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings with Your Thermostat

Wiferion launches compact wireless charging system for small mobile robots

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Wiferion, an energy solution supplier powering mobile robots and autonomous industrial vehicles through wireless charging, introduced its new inductive etaLINK 1000 charging system to the US market, making its successful wireless charging technology available to smaller robots for the first time.

The new mobile charging unit integrated into the robot measures just 160 mm – making it 36 percent smaller than the etaLINK 3000, Wiferion’s standard charging system for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGV).

etaLINK 1000 has all the advantages of the larger models, such as high positioning tolerance, maintenance-free operation, and fast start up of power transfer in around one second. Wiferion will debut the etaLINK 1000 at Automate, May 22-25, 2023, in Detroit. [Read more…] about Wiferion launches compact wireless charging system for small mobile robots

Wiferion launches cloud-based optimization platform for intelligent mobile robot charging

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Wiferion, an energy solution supplier powering mobile robots and autonomous industrial vehicles through wireless charging, has launched what it says is “the world’s first cloud-based solution for smart robot charging optimization platform.

The cloud-based etaHUB application helps companies utilize their fleets more efficiently by reducing energy consumption, extending battery life, and increasing the productivity of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) through real-time intelligent charging management.

With its expansion into the North American market this year, Wiferion will debut etaHUB at Automate, May 22-25, 2023, in Detroit. [Read more…] about Wiferion launches cloud-based optimization platform for intelligent mobile robot charging