PEI-Genesis has received two performance awards from Amphenol Corporation for 2011: the Global Excellence Award and the North American Excellence Award. [ + ]

As part of a growing line of energy management services for the data centre, Schneider Electric has introduced EnergySTEP Data Centre Assessment. It provides a detailed, customisable assessment of the power, cooling, physical infrastructure and operational efficiencies of a data centre that allows data centre managers to benchmark the performance of their facility against industry standards such as the Green Grid Data Centre Maturity Model. The assessment focuses on improvements that will help the data centre manager drive down the spiralling cost of energy, while ensuring maximum availability. [ + ]

Philips will light the majority of football stadiums in the Ukraine and Poland, including the Olympic stadium of Kiev (NSC Olimpiyskiy). These stadiums are, amongst other, venues for the European football championship this year during this summer’s football tournament. [ + ]

Honeywell has acquired INNCOM, a manufacturer of advanced software-based energy management solutions and in-room controls for lodging, healthcare and educational institutions. [ + ]

Defence industry manufacturer ATSA (Advanced Technology Systems Australia) has made waves in tidal power generation development with its involvement in the SeaUrchin project. [ + ]

Apex Wiring Solutions has opened its first Australian office in Melbourne. The company says the investment is a result of growing demand for preassembled modular power and lighting systems around the world. [ + ]

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has praised the federal government’s announcement that it will help communities and families buy energy-efficient hot water systems and household goods, saying it will support local cleantech manufacturing jobs. [ + ]

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) is calling for papers for its 50th annual conference at the Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Campus on 6 and 7 December 2012. [ + ]

Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC), the new regulator of workplace laws in the building and construction industry, begins operations today. FWBC was created by the Fair Work (Building) Act 2012 (FW Building Act). The agency is headed by the Acting Chief Executive, Leigh Johns, who was appointed by Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, on 30 May 2012. [ + ]

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has said electricity pricing reform and investment in smart metering will be required for a smooth transition to electric vehicles. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered a breakthrough in solar panel technology using dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) that improves the panels’ efficiency by at least 30%. [ + ]

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has found new placements for 60 out of 80 apprentices that had been placed with the Hastie Group. [ + ]

Solar leasing company Ingenero has launched its Energy Access solar lease, signing up its first customer in Queensland. [ + ]

Solar product manufacturer Jinko Solar has announced that its mono- and multicrystalline solar modules achieved high-yield performance results in Photon Laboratory’s outdoor field tests in January 2012. [ + ]

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) Victorian Branch has urged Fair Work Australia to reverse the standdown of electrical workers by Watters Electrical, part of the Hastie Group that recently entered into voluntary administration. [ + ]