A fresh bout of heightened solar activity has officially begun, bringing with it increased risks for power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, GPS signals and even cell phones and ATM transactions.

The Regional Roadshows tour will be traversing South Australia this year from 31 March to 4 April, displaying the very latest in industrial automation, instrumentation and process technology.

Two government inquiries have begun into last November's Yallourn mine collapse.

A discussion paper on the feasibility and nature of an electricity feed-in tariff for the ACT has been issued by the government.

Canberra Stadium will go green next year as part of the government's response to climate change.

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has officially opened the $60 million National Information Communication Technology Australia (NICTA) Laboratory Facility in Canberra.

'Smart' metering — the remote management of utility meters by means of two-way communication with the utility — is expected to boom in the next five years, according to a study from ABI Research.

Siemens and Comcell Switchboards, an Australian manufacturer of low-voltage switchboards, have signed a licence agreement on the Siemens Sivacon Switchboard technology.

The Electrical and Communications Association (ECA) in Western Australia has restructured and re-branded to become part of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bali in December, Philips called for action on climate change, outlining specific steps industry and government can adopt to reduce CO₂ emissions while maintaining economic growth.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has issued a warning to any tradesmen working near metering antenna mounting brackets.

The CT-001 Communications and Cabling committee was awarded the Outstanding Committee Award by Standards Australia for its exceptional service and commitment over and above that of any other committee in 2007.

Lighting Council Australia has commenced operation as a Canberra-based, incorporated peak industry association for the lighting industry.

Michigan-based utility, Consumers Energy is developing a high-tech meter system as part of its five-year plan to invest US$6 billion in energy reliability and customer service.

According to ICT market analysts Ovum, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has announced a new ‘solution’ aimed at helping mobile network operators reduce their energy use and carbon footprints. This forms part of a move by the vendor to position itself as a ‘green’ supplier.