Sustainability

MD Series High Density Networked Power Metering System with BACnet or Modbus Protocols from Siemens Smart Infrastructure is optimized for use in equipment rooms, multi-family housing, data centers and other high metering load measurement areas. It won a 2020 Engineers’ Choice Award in the Power – Energy, Power Protection category. Courtesy: Siemens
Energy Management February 13, 2020

Three energy meter selection tips

Energy saving designs: Consider how long energy data collection is needed, how many phases and accuracy, and how the data should be collected.

By Drew Knobloch
New research by engineers at MIT and elsewhere could lead to batteries that can pack more power per pound and last longer. Courtesy: MIT News
Energy, Power February 4, 2020

Electrode design may lead to more powerful batteries

An MIT research team has devised a lithium metal anode that could improve the longevity and energy density of future batteries.

By David L. Chandler
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
Power Quality January 31, 2020

Wearable electronics powered by flexible batteries

Stanford University researchers have developed an experimental device designed to provide a comfortable power source for technologies that bends and flexes with the human body.

By Tom Abate
The automated stacker is a tool for picking loads off the ground or at heights up to 72”. Courtesy: Raymond Corp
Energy, Power December 13, 2019

Energy solutions will define our futures

What you have seen in automotive, you will see in lift trucks.

By Damon Hosmer
An illustration shows a battery’s cathode undergoing phase transition from iron phosphate (FP) to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) during charging. Simulations by Rice University scientists showed that adding defects — distortions in their crystal lattices — could help batteries charge faster. Courtesy; Kaiqi Yang, Rice University
Energy Efficiency December 12, 2019

Detours can improve batteries for electronics, solar energy storage

Scientists at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering have discovered that placing specific defects could improve how lithium ions travel in batteries.

By Mike Williams
By automating absence of voltage verification and completing the entire verification process in 10 seconds, Panduit’s VeriSafe absence-of-voltage-tester (AVT) enables plants to work faster, safer, and more efficiently. Courtesy: Panduit
Safety November 30, 2019

Employing PtD as the first line of defense against control panel electrical hazards

Prevention through design (PtD) can help manufacturers keep workers safe from electrical hazards, which remains one of the most common dangers they face daily. Do you use the five-point hierarchy of risk?

By Martin Kronz
Energy, Power November 18, 2019

Synthetic compounds could help produce more energy from biogas

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that synthetic compounds, called siloxanes, could be harnessed to produce more energy for industries such as wastewater treatment plants and other energy-dependent industries.

By James Lynch
Energy, Power November 11, 2019

Top 5 Plant Engineering articles November 4-10

Articles about Leaders Under 40, low battery self-discharge, optimized maintenance programs, Industry 4.0 success, and industrial fire systems were Plant Engineering’s five most clicked articles from November 4-10. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
With on-site nitrogen generation, consumers can get nitrogen at the purity level needed, often at a cost savings when compared to the cost of highly pure tanked nitrogen. Courtesy: Atlas Copco
Energy Management November 8, 2019

Understand the PRICE of nitrogen

Generating your own may be the best way to go

By Brett Maiorano
Courtesy: CFE Media
Energy Management October 11, 2019

Energy management’s strategic role shifting for manufacturers

Reliable energy efficiency policies are being given a new lease on life by the introduction of better technology solutions.

By Vincent de Rul