A new app that developers claim will rival Skype is moving into beta testing and the call is out for 30,000 individuals to take part. [ + ]

Panasonic has announced pilot projects with ActewAGL, Snowy Hydro's Red Energy and Ergon Energy to install Panasonic battery technology in solar-installed homes. [ + ]

The Australian Accident Repair Network (AARN) is reporting that new airbag technology being tested by Mercedes could potentially change the face of in-car safety systems. [ + ]

The Australian Smart Lighting Summit, to be held on 8-9 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, will draw more than 150 lighting industry experts who will discuss strategies and new technologies for public lighting retrofits aimed at reducing energy consumption and costs. [ + ]

The first delegate for NECA's 2016 Industry Conference in South Africa has been registered following the announcement of prize winners from the 2015 Market Monitor draw in Canberra. [ + ]

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $1.4 million support for the University of Adelaide to develop an online Australian energy storage knowledge bank and build a mobile energy storage test facility. [ + ]

Electricians and other tradespeople, including communication workers, are warned against working in known asbestos-contaminated properties with the release of a new asbestos safety guide. [ + ]

Solar manufacturer Q CELLS has been recognised by the Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC) as the first company to have its entire range of solar panels certified with the VDE Quality Tested seal of approval.

The latest quarterly Sensis Business Index (SBI) survey shows business confidence among small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Australia is steady, yet perceptions of the economy are increasingly negative. [ + ]

The doors have opened to SPARC, Australia's premier lighting event for the international lighting community. [ + ]

The National Electricity Market (NEM) is currently undergoing an unprecedented shift, where the way in which market participants interact is likely to change. [ + ]

Nine Western Sydney municipal councils will be replacing 13,000 street lights with energy-efficient lights under a $7.8 million street lighting project. [ + ]

Internet security specialist ESET has apparently discovered more than 30 fake applications available for download on the Google Play Store. The malicious applications, which pretend to be cheats for the popular Minecraft game, have been installed by more than 600,000 Android users worldwide. [ + ]

It's been a bad month for motor companies. The Yakata airbag inflator saga continues, with Toyota, Nissan and Honda recalling more than 31 million vehicles worldwide. Now Ford has issued a local notice on its VN and VO Transit vehicles. [ + ]

The Sydney Opera House will be carbon neutral for the 10 nights of Vivid LIVE, as part of Vivid Sydney, through a number of green initiatives that will reduce the environmental impact of the upcoming annual music and light festival. [ + ]