Electrical safety authorities have warned that small portable generators imported into Australia may have unsuitable battery charging outlets. Electrical contractors are being urged to ensure their portable generators have the correct outlet and leads. [ + ]

NBN Co has hired Greg Adcock to take up the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) with immediate effect. Adcock will be a member of the executive committee and report to the CEO. [ + ]

Royal Philips has announced the appointment of Rob Fletcher as general manager of Philips Lighting ANZ, effective immediately. [ + ]

The race is on to determine which New Zealand town will win the fastest broadband speeds in the Southern Hemisphere in Chorus's Welcome to Gigatown competition. [ + ]

ASHRAE and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) have joined forces to promote better indoor air quality in the built environment. [ + ]

SEA has welcomed two new board members: Rodney Littlejohn, managing director of Tersum Energy, and Antony Piccinini of FRV Services Australia. [ + ]

Australia's vocation education and training (VET) system is having to compensate for stagnant literacy and numeracy standards in Year 12 students, E-Oz Energy Skills Australia has warned. [ + ]

Communications Alliance is seeking comments on a scheduled review of the 'Requirements for installation of temporary field telecommunications customer cabling for defence purposes' standard (AS/ACIF S035:2008). [ + ]

NECA supports the decision for a judicial enquiry into the four unnecessary deaths during the rollout of the home insulation program. [ + ]

ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG have signed a memorandum of understanding as part of plans to establish a consortium to provide a software platform for smart homes. The plan is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. [ + ]

The value of total construction activity is expected to fall in the next few years, a new report shows. However, the NBN rollout will mean plenty of construction work in the telecommunications sector. [ + ]

An Australian-American partnership of solar engineers is ramping up the efficiency of solar cells with a project to develop next-generation solar cells with targeted efficiencies of 29%. [ + ]

NBN Co has appointed three advisory firms to support the strategic review of the NBN rollout. [ + ]

First Solar has been contracted to construct what will be Queensland's largest solar power installation. The company has signed a contract with the University of Queensland to build a solar photovoltaic research facility at UQ's Gatton campus. [ + ]

Pacific Services Group has named Jeffrey Bretz as its new chief executive. Bretz will steer the electrical, data and communications services provider through its next phase of growth. [ + ]