Arranging fibre installation for Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) in apartments and office buildings will be more straightforward in future, thanks to a new code of practice. [ + ]

EMSc (Australia), the Australian subsidiary of UK-based EMSc, has established a new office in Melbourne to meet the growing demand for its Powerstar voltage optimisation system in Australia.

RS Components and Philips Lumileds have announced a global distribution agreement that will see RS Components able to stock the full breadth of the Philips Lumileds range at its 17 distribution centres around the world. [ + ]

Eaton today launched a new Customer Experience Centre at its Australian headquarters in Mascot, Sydney. The company will use the facility for internal training and to showcase and demonstrate Eaton products to end users and channel partners. [ + ]

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has released a new technical specification for solar-powered, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting devices, such as solar lanterns. [ + ]

Changes to the Federal Government’s Support for Adult Australian Apprentices (SAAA) payments are hurting small businesses, Master Electricians Australia has said. [ + ]

Visionstream, part of Leighton Contractors, has announced a contract extension with Chorus worth over NZ$500 million to continue construction of New Zealand’s Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) network in the greater Auckland region. [ + ]

The AS/NZS 3598:2000 Energy Audits Standard is open for public comment. Energy audits and surveys are investigations of energy use for a defined audit object, such as a manufacturing site. [ + ]

Engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a device that regulates or limits the amount of excess current that moves through the power grid when a surge occurs. [ + ]

The Prysmian Group, a supplier of energy and telecom cable systems, has been awarded a new contract worth approximately €85 million by REE (Red Eléctrica de España, S.A.U.). The project involves the design, supply and installation of a turnkey high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable system. [ + ]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) industry module revenues are forecast to decline 20% in 2013 to $20.5 billion from $25.5 billion in 2012. [ + ]

ABB, the global power and automation technology group, and Power-One, a provider of renewable energy and of energy-efficient power conversion and power management solutions, have agreed to a transaction in which ABB will acquire Power-One for $6.35 per share in cash or $1028 million equity value. [ + ]

Stephen King, MEA Queensland state manager, called on the government to endorse energy efficiency and assessment qualification as a prerequisite for performing in-home energy audits in the state. [ + ]

Stanford researchers have developed a new form of cooling structure which works even when the sun is shining. The structure could reduce our reliance on air conditioners in homes and cars, the researchers say. [ + ]

The death of a Cairns worker who was electrocuted while installing cabling has prompted a warning from the Queensland Electrical Safety Office about working in confined ceiling spaces. [ + ]