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Microgrids as Fact and Metaphor

In visualizing microgrids as smaller versions of the existing grid, we ignore a whole new dimension of the impending electricity revolution that I wish to call “microgrid as metaphor,” and distinguish it from “microgrid as fact.” Let me elaborate.




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Climate Change: The Need for a More Consistent Baseline and Immediate Action

The UN climate conference in Lima set the stage for Paris in 2015. Next year’s accord is to provide a working, albeit not a final, answer to the question: Is it possible to keep global warming at or below the 2 degree Celsius limit? This limit is considered the boundary beyond which the negative climatic, economic and social consequences of climate change are thought to become intolerably severe and potentially irreversible.




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UK Low-Carbon Contract Winners Revealed: Wind Scores, Solar Disappoints

The first round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) programme — the UK scheme that is designed to support low-carbon generation and a capacity margin in the energy sector — has concluded. Contracts were offered to 27 renewable electricity projects with a total value of some £315 million (US$500 million), which include two offshore wind farms with a total planned capacity of more than 1.1 GW, 15 onshore wind projects and five solar projects. In total, more 2 GW of new low-carbon capacity (including renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage) could be built under the CfD scheme.




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US Climate Commitment Should Spur Other Countries to Act

The proposed U.S. commitment to tackling climate change in support of a new international climate agreement is a serious and achievable plan that demonstrates the United States is ready to take significant action. Coming today, eight months before the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in Paris this December, known as COP 21, the U.S. submission adds momentum toglobal climate negotiations and should help spur other countries to act.




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Engineering Possibilities Versus Practical Implementation: Utility Portfolios and Business Models

Europe’s utilities are re-evaluating their business models due to the energy transition. Members of POWER-GEN Europe’s Advisory Board consider how a reliance on fossil fuels is no longer politically desirable, forcing utilities to transform their portfolios to adapt to radical change.




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Real-time Update on Electronics Manufacturing and COVID-19 – April 6, 2020

As health officials around the globe struggle to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus cases, the electronics manufacturing industry continues to face ambiguous operating restrictions, uncertain economic conditions, abnormalities in supply chains, and greater gaps in the workforce. Over the past week, IPC has continued to monitor the health of the electronics manufacturing industry amid the […]




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Important Advocacy Opportunity: How Is Your Company Affected by US EPA Action on High-Priority Substances?

By Kelly Scanlon, director, environment, health and safety policy and research, IPC The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released “scoping documents” for its upcoming reviews of certain high-priority chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 6(b). Your review of these documents is important because scoping is the foundation of the risk evaluation […]




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Australian manufacturer signs 10-year agreement with Chinese medical distributor

Queensland-based Capricornia Contact Lens has signed a 10-year strategic distribution agreement with one of China’s leading pharmaceutical and medical equipment distributers, Shenzhen Relin Medicine.



  • 2020 Latest from Austrade

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March 25, 2020 - IPC Welcomes U.S. Economic Stabilization Package, Proposes Agenda for Economic Recovery and Resiliency in Electronics Manufacturing




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April 6, 2020 - The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association Unveils New Corporate Logo




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April 16, 2020 - Electronics Manufacturing Sector Calls on Leaders of U.S., Mexico, Canada to Boost Cooperation During COVID-19 Recovery




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International Education Climate Action Summit 2020

A virtual event to catalyse climate action in the international education sector.




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Impact of COVID-19 and the South Asia wine sector

Gain an overview of the landscape for Australian wine, particularly during COVID-19, in India and Sri Lanka.




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How Will PG&E’s Bankruptcy Impact the CleanTech Industry?

On January 14, 2019, California’s largest utility, PG&E, filed a bankruptcy notice stating that it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the month end on January 29th. Given its business situation, PG&E must proceed with the bankruptcy process unless lawmakers step in because PG&E’s current liabilities from California’s 2017 and 2018 fires are about 10 times PG&E’s current market cap of $3.5 billion, which is down 90% since last Fall. Obviously, this is a big issue for the cleantech industry since PG&E covers a territory that runs from Eureka to Bakersfield, including 106,000 miles of electric grid.




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Opinion: In Germany, the Green New Deal actually works

Opponents of the U.S. congressional Democrats’ Green New Deal point to Germany as an example of a country where similar policies have backfired. They should take a closer look; the U.S. could do well to imitate Europe’s largest economy.




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In Northeast, more research needed on offshore wind’s impact on fishing

As plans for wind farms across New England’s waters progress, fishermen continue to express concerns about the impact of the burgeoning offshore wind industry on their livelihoods.




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GE expanding Turkish wind turbine blade factory; hiring 300 workers

This week LM Wind Power, a subsidiary of GE Renewable Energy, announced its plan to recruit 300 additional employees at its wind turbine blade manufacturing site in Bergama, Turkey.




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Hydrogen: key to a zero-carbon future, or a costly distraction?

The U.K.’s push for a low-carbon economy has some notable successes, but the hardest part of the battle has barely started.




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Ameren tests software that could unlock future ‘transactive energy marketplace’

Ameren is preparing to test a Canadian company’s software that could someday help usher in a radically different business model for the utility.




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U.S. announces changes to implementing regulations of the Endangered Species Act

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt has unveiled changes to the implementing regulations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that Interior says is “designed to increase transparency and effectiveness and bring the administration of the Act into the 21st century.”





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New POWERGEN award program seeks inspirational women of excellent character

In recognition of the widely acknowledged studies that show that organizations with gender equality perform better financially, this year POWERGEN International, along with partner UL, is launching a new awards program that seeks out women of good character.




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DEF CON is actually, for real, not a joke canceled

All it took was a pandemic, but the long-running joke finally became a reality: DEF CON is canceled. 

The annual hacker conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, typically draws tens of thousands of attendees to talk shop, compare notes, and generally cause delightful mischief. One element of that mischief is the constant — and until now false — yearly claim that DEF CON is canceled. The coronavirus changed that, and the organization announced Friday that the in-person conference will not take place this year. 

"The #DEFCONiscanceled meme has crossed over into real life, courtesy of #COVID19," read the announcement. "In early March we had hopes that things would be stable by August. That is no longer realistic." Read more...

More about Def Con, Coronavirus, Tech, and Cybersecurity





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Learn to play the drums — without actually buying a drum set

TL;DR: You don't have to buy a drum set to learn how to play the drums. Instead, just grab the Senstroke by Redison bluetooth drum kit for $189.95, on sale for 5% off as of May 9.


If you want to learn how to play the drums, then a quality set may cost you upwards of $1,000. Not only is this a hefty price to play for individuals who aren't fully committed to the instrument yet, but their massive size may be impossible to fit inside your space. Or at least your housemates may not appreciate it.

With the Senstroke by Redison Bluetooth Drum Kit and App Bundle, you can practice, play, and record on just about any surface for a much more affordable price — and it'll take up little to no space.  Read more...

More about Music, Online Learning, Mashable Shopping, Cool Gadgets, and Tech




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Insight – Industry 4.0 transforms prospects for Australian manufacturing

Across the world, the pace of innovation is increasing and transforming the way services are delivered and goods produced.




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Digital Contact-Tracing Apps: Hype or Helpful?

Australia, India and UK Pursuing Centralized Approach Many Privacy Experts Warn Against
Technology is no panacea, including for combating COVID-19. While that might sound obvious, it's worth repeating because some governments continue to hype contact-tracing apps. Such apps won't magically identify every potential exposure. But they could make manual contact-tracing programs more effective.




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Digital Contact-Tracing Apps Must Win Hearts and Minds

We Need These Apps, But Some Nations' Security and Privacy Follies Don't Bode Well
Despite the need to battle COVID-19, several nations' in-development digital contact-tracing apps are already dogged by security and privacy concerns. Whether enough users will ever trust these apps to make them effective remains a major question. Is it too late to get more projects back on track?




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Analysis: COVID-19 Contact-Tracing Privacy Issues

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the privacy issues raised by COVID-19 contact-tracing apps. Also featured: An update on efforts to fight fraud tied to economic stimulus payments; John Kindervag on the origins of "zero trust."




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Analysis: Ransomware's Costly Impact

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the rising costs of ransomware attacks and the latest victims. Also featured: An assessment of Australia's new contact-tracing app designed to help battle the spread of COVID-19, and a discussion of applying the "zero trust" model to the remote workforce.




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Analysis: The Contact-Tracing Conundrum

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the many challenges involved in developing and implementing contact-tracing apps to help in the battle against COVID-19. Also featured: A discussion of emerging privacy issues and a report on why account takeover fraud losses are growing.




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Austrade regional market update on the impact of COVID-19 (as at 28 April 2020)

Austrade will provide weekly regional updates on the progression and impact of COVID-19 around the world, to support the international education sector as the situation continues to evolve. These reports are compiled using the latest on-the-ground information and advice.




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Austrade regional market update on the impact of COVID-19 (as at 5 May 2020)

Austrade will provide weekly regional updates on the progression and impact of COVID-19 around the world, to support the international education sector as the situation continues to evolve. These reports are compiled using the latest on-the-ground information and advice.




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Digital Contact-Tracing Apps: Hype or Helpful?

Australia, India and UK Pursuing Centralized Approach Many Privacy Experts Warn Against
Technology is no panacea, including for combating COVID-19. While that might sound obvious, it's worth repeating because some governments continue to hype contact-tracing apps. Such apps won't magically identify every potential exposure. But they could make manual contact-tracing programs more effective.




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Digital Contact-Tracing Apps Must Win Hearts and Minds

We Need These Apps, But Some Nations' Security and Privacy Follies Don't Bode Well
Despite the need to battle COVID-19, several nations' in-development digital contact-tracing apps are already dogged by security and privacy concerns. Whether enough users will ever trust these apps to make them effective remains a major question. Is it too late to get more projects back on track?




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Analysis: The Contact-Tracing Conundrum

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the many challenges involved in developing and implementing contact-tracing apps to help in the battle against COVID-19. Also featured: A discussion of emerging privacy issues and a report on why account takeover fraud losses are growing.




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RBI: Security Issues and Risk Mitigation Measures Related to Card-Present Transactions

The Reserve Bank of India on Sept. 22, 2011 issued a notification on security issues and risk mitigation measures related to card-present transactions.




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Digital Contact-Tracing Apps: Hype or Helpful?

Australia, India and UK Pursuing Centralized Approach Many Privacy Experts Warn Against
Technology is no panacea, including for combating COVID-19. While that might sound obvious, it's worth repeating because some governments continue to hype contact-tracing apps. Such apps won't magically identify every potential exposure. But they could make manual contact-tracing programs more effective.




act

Digital Contact-Tracing Apps Must Win Hearts and Minds

We Need These Apps, But Some Nations' Security and Privacy Follies Don't Bode Well
Despite the need to battle COVID-19, several nations' in-development digital contact-tracing apps are already dogged by security and privacy concerns. Whether enough users will ever trust these apps to make them effective remains a major question. Is it too late to get more projects back on track?




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Analysis: The Contact-Tracing Conundrum

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the many challenges involved in developing and implementing contact-tracing apps to help in the battle against COVID-19. Also featured: A discussion of emerging privacy issues and a report on why account takeover fraud losses are growing.




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RBI: Security Issues and Risk Mitigation Measures Related to Card-Present Transactions

The Reserve Bank of India on Sept. 22, 2011 issued a notification on security issues and risk mitigation measures related to card-present transactions.




act

Digital Contact-Tracing Apps: Hype or Helpful?

Australia, India and UK Pursuing Centralized Approach Many Privacy Experts Warn Against
Technology is no panacea, including for combating COVID-19. While that might sound obvious, it's worth repeating because some governments continue to hype contact-tracing apps. Such apps won't magically identify every potential exposure. But they could make manual contact-tracing programs more effective.




act

Digital Contact-Tracing Apps Must Win Hearts and Minds

We Need These Apps, But Some Nations' Security and Privacy Follies Don't Bode Well
Despite the need to battle COVID-19, several nations' in-development digital contact-tracing apps are already dogged by security and privacy concerns. Whether enough users will ever trust these apps to make them effective remains a major question. Is it too late to get more projects back on track?




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Analysis: Ransomware's Costly Impact

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the rising costs of ransomware attacks and the latest victims. Also featured: An assessment of Australia's new contact-tracing app designed to help battle the spread of COVID-19, and a discussion of applying the "zero trust" model to the remote workforce.




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Analysis: The Contact-Tracing Conundrum

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the many challenges involved in developing and implementing contact-tracing apps to help in the battle against COVID-19. Also featured: A discussion of emerging privacy issues and a report on why account takeover fraud losses are growing.




act

Digital Contact-Tracing Apps: Hype or Helpful?

Australia, India and UK Pursuing Centralized Approach Many Privacy Experts Warn Against
Technology is no panacea, including for combating COVID-19. While that might sound obvious, it's worth repeating because some governments continue to hype contact-tracing apps. Such apps won't magically identify every potential exposure. But they could make manual contact-tracing programs more effective.




act

Digital Contact-Tracing Apps Must Win Hearts and Minds

We Need These Apps, But Some Nations' Security and Privacy Follies Don't Bode Well
Despite the need to battle COVID-19, several nations' in-development digital contact-tracing apps are already dogged by security and privacy concerns. Whether enough users will ever trust these apps to make them effective remains a major question. Is it too late to get more projects back on track?




act

Analysis: COVID-19 Contact-Tracing Privacy Issues

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the privacy issues raised by COVID-19 contact-tracing apps. Also featured: An update on efforts to fight fraud tied to economic stimulus payments; John Kindervag on the origins of "zero trust."




act

Analysis: Ransomware's Costly Impact

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the rising costs of ransomware attacks and the latest victims. Also featured: An assessment of Australia's new contact-tracing app designed to help battle the spread of COVID-19, and a discussion of applying the "zero trust" model to the remote workforce.




act

Analysis: The Contact-Tracing Conundrum

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes the many challenges involved in developing and implementing contact-tracing apps to help in the battle against COVID-19. Also featured: A discussion of emerging privacy issues and a report on why account takeover fraud losses are growing.