Over $25 million will be awarded to 784 Australian schools for renewable power systems in 2011-12. [ + ]

The 2012 Rockwell Automation on the Move (RAOTM) will offer plenty of opportunities for visitors to see, hear and interact with industry experts, hands-on labs and displays. [ + ]

The power and automation technology group ABB and North American low-voltage products company Thomas & Betts Corporation have announced that both companies’ boards of directors have agreed to a transaction in which ABB will acquire Thomas & Betts for $72 per share in cash or approximately $3.9bn. [ + ]

Schneider Electric Australia has recruited 14 new graduates as part of its 2012 Energy Generation graduate program. The graduates, who will start with the company in February 2012, were selected from across Australia for both their technical skills and passion in wanting to solve the energy challenges facing the planet. [ + ]

The government’s Bill to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) should be rejected by Parliament, said Australian Industry Group CEO Heather Ridout. Those who comply with the law have nothing to fear from the ABCC and the existing legislation, she added. [ + ]

The upcoming Safety Automation Forum, part of the Rockwell Automation on the Move industry event, will showcase machine process and electrical safety techniques from leading industry safety experts. [ + ]

Siemens has agreed to acquire California-headquartered platform and MDM application software company eMeter Corporation. [ + ]

Nominations for the Global Energy Prize will close 29 February 2012. [ + ]

Spirent Communications has been named by Frost & Sullivan as the market leader in the 1/10/40/100G ethernet and cloud infrastructure test equipment markets, with 28.9 and 45.6% market shares respectively. [ + ]

The National Electrical and Communications Association has recognised 10 electrical and communications companies across Australia as being the best of the best in the industry.

ABB is set to acquire Envitech Energy to widen its presence in the North-American rail market.

Lindsay Le Compte, the NSW and ACT CEO of NECA, has tendered his resignation and will leave the organisation on 30 November 2011.

Nyrstar Hobart has awarded a $2.5m+ order to Rockwell Automation and its Global Solutions team to replace a distributed control system (DCS) at the company’s zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania.

The drop in the cost of solar equipment and increases in electricity prices make solar an even more attractive investment decision for householders and businesses.

Fluke Corporation has awarded Fluke tools to the five Australian category winners of the WorldSkills 2011 competition, held in London.