Message From The Editor
Renewable energy is here and we are embracing it
Just a few years ago, discussions about energy conservation and renewable energy took place only on the sidelines. Today, it's front and centre. The remarkable energy saving potential of LEDs has driven technological innovation at high speed. Electric cars are no longer just objects of curiosity, and wind, like solar, is now taking a residential turn, proof of popular acceptance. News, case studies and an interview on the subject. Good reading!
Line Goyette
Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
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Changing Scene
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Smart Charging
Energy Independent Vehicles Key to Solving Grid Problems
Smart charging of electric vehicles could substantially decrease the pressure on electrical grids at peak times, according to a future energy scenarios report published by the UK National Grid. According to the report, the peak impact of electric cars in the UK will be equivalent to capacity of six nuclear plants. Smart charging could substantially reduce pressure on the system at peak times, reducing additional demand from electric vehicles to 3.5GW by 2030 from a potential scenario of 8GW of additional demand without the technology.
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Wind Turbine Technician Training
The Road Behind and the Road Ahead
By Phil McKay
Wind technicians have been working to keep Canada's turbines turning for a long time now. TransAlta's Cowley Ridge Wind Farm was one of the first commercial facilities in the country with the original technicians back in 1993 describing their experiences of being "up so high" and that "there was nothing like it." Sitting on 25-meter-tall lattice work towers, these machines were less than a third of the height of most tubular wind turbine towers today. However, many of the same skills learned on these first sites are still relevant today even though the technology has certainly progressed.
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Market Research
Electric Vehicle Smart Charging: Market Forecast
With 30 million battery electric vehicles to be in use worldwide by 2025, smart charging solutions have become an enormous investment opportunity. The electric vehicle supply equipment ecosystem will be a global US$2.6 billion market within the next five years, according to a new research report published by ON World. North America is headquarters to the world's largest and most innovative electric vehicle and smart charging companies, the report says. By 2022 there will be over a million electric vehicle supply equipment connectors in the U.S. and Canada, including residential, workplaces, fleet stations and publicly available chargers.
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Solar Power
Solar Impulse from the Inside
By Line Goyette
Solar Impulse was the first solar-powered plane to fly around the world. But as ABB spokesperson Conor Lennon recently told me, the actual flight is just part of the story. The greater goal for him and for project sponsor ABB was to demonstrate that clean technologies can achieve impossible goals, and as a result make a positive and lasting difference to the world. I met with Conor Lennon to talk about this project during the ABB Customer World in March earlier this year in Houston, Texas. I wanted to learn more about it from an insider's perspective.
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Economy
New House Prices Continue Rising in June
Nationally, new house prices rose 0.2% in June, curbed by a pause in new house price rises in Southern Ontario and down from a 0.8% increase in April and a 0.7% gain in May. Toronto recorded no change in new home prices in June. The same dynamic was observed in a number of neighbouring census metropolitan areas, with only St. Catharines-Niagara (+0.1%) and Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (+0.1%) reporting minimal price increases. These results follow the introduction of the Fair Housing Plan by the Ontario government in April. The plan includes the 15% Non-Resident Speculation Tax, as well as other measures aimed at cooling the housing market in Ontario. Elsewhere, Vancouver (+1.5%) and Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario part (+0.9%) were the top contributors to the national gain.
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Survey Says
Electrical Contractor Hourly Rate by Years Experience
Electrical contractor wages jump significantly after achieving 5 years of on the job experience.
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Survey Says From Recent Issues
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New Products and Solutions
Vario Sky Electrochromic Smart Glass
Vario Sky is electrochomic glass that is capable of controlling the amount of heat passing through a window. The Vario Sky Glass electrochromic coating consists of five layers of ceramic material. Applying a low voltage of electricity darkens the coating as lithium ions and electrons transfer from one electrochromic layer to another. Reversing the voltage polarity causes the ions and electrons to return to their original layer, so that the glass returns to its clear state. This solid-state reaction is controlled through a very low voltage (less than 5V DC) power supply.
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Eguana Technologies AC Battery
This AC battery combines Eguana's Power Control System with LG Chem's lithium battery technology to offer a complete residential energy storage system. The AC battery features full integration between PCS, BMS, and battery to achieve high performance and longevity in an extremely flexible package. Delivered in an outdoor rated, wall mountable, system certified package, the AC battery simplifies project planning and is designed for simple, rapid installation in the field.
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StanPro LED Retrofit Kit
The StanPro CLR-L is a retrofit plate that comes complete with an IP68-rated LED module and IP67-rated driver. The plate fits most HID acorn and globe light applications. The easy to install full cut-off design will increase the efficiency of existing luminaires, while reducing maintenance costs and wasted light. Several distribution types are available. Retrofit applications include city parks and recreation, campuses and pathways.
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Eiko LED Litespan HID Replacement
The Eiko LED HID replacement is an energy saving LED that will work well in almost any setting. Equivalent to a 250W metal halide lamp, this 100W replacement LED generates 120 lumens per watt and operates at 347V in temperatures from -40 to 60 C.
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Current Copper Prices
 Monitor daily and 6-month $US prices for copper — the preferred electrical conductor for most categories of electrical wiring.
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The Electrical Stock Market
 Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
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