Around the Industry

Jefferson Electric merges with Pioneer Power Solutions

Dry-type transformer and ballast manufacturer Jefferson Electric, Inc., Franklin, Wis., has merged with Pioneer Power Solutions, Fort Lee, N.J. Pioneer is a manufacturer of liquid-filled electric transformers for utility, industrial and commercial applications.

“The merger with Pioneer provides Jefferson with an expanded platform and the capital it needs to grow. In particular, the combination will provide strong support for Jefferson's ongoing expansion into the low-voltage magnetics market,” said Thomas Klink, president of Jefferson Electric. “We anticipate that, together with Pioneer, we will form important structural and financial synergies, resulting in increased efficiencies and profitability for both companies going forward.”

Jefferson will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer. Thomas Klink will stay as president with a seat on Pioneer Power's board of directors.

Dialight acquires BTI Light Systems

UK-based lighting manufacturer Dialight plc announced the acquisition of BTI Light Systems A/S, a Danish company offering signaling and safety equipment for the wind, marine, and airport industries. BTI is being acquired from its management for a total consideration of DKK 26 million (~$4.6 million).

Operating out of Copenhagen, BTI's product portfolio includes obstruction lighting and aids to navigation for both onshore and offshore wind turbines and airports. The chief executive of BTI, Max Hansen, will remain with the business for a period of at least two years.

Eaton teams with Takaoka Electric to develop EV chargers

Eaton Corp. announced that it will collaborate with Takaoka Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, to develop and launch DC Quick Chargers, a key component in the charging of electric vehicle (EV) battery packs. The collaboration will enable Eaton to provide a complete line of charging stations across residential, commercial and industrial applications in North America.

Eaton said it's working to advance the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Burlington, Ontario, and many other communities across North America. Eaton has some expertise in other markets that use free-standing electrical charging, including truck-stop electrification, ports, marinas, recreational vehicles, government and major public-sector infrastructure.

Takaoka Electric manufactures and sells electrical equipment primarily to the Japanese market. The company offers power transformers (gas-insulated and oil-immersed), on-load tap changing transformers (gas-insulated and oil-immersed), distribution transformers, mobile transformers, mold-type transformers and switchgear and gas circuit breakers.

Chloride Group rejects Emerson Electric's buyout offer

Chloride Group plc, a British-based UPS manufacturer, rebuffed a buyout offer by Emerson Electric, St. Louis. Emerson believes the combination of Emerson and Chloride would create a powerful force in the global uninterruptible power supply (UPS) market.

GE rolls out utility-scale batteries

GE Energy Storage Technologies, a New Orleans-based unit of GE Transportation, last month introduced its battery technology for utility companies. Under the brand Durathon, the sodium-based batteries can have an operable life of up to 20 years, providing an alternative to costly new power generation.

“Utility companies are facing unprecedented challenges and we're working with them to create a better energy system, one that can bring energy to customers where it's needed, when it's needed, efficiently and for the best price,” said Prescott Logan, general manager of GE Energy Storage Technologies. “GE's Durathon battery technology has been developed to change the future of power generation, transmission and distribution for end users around the globe.”

The Durathon battery technology was developed to support a broad range of utility-oriented applications, including transmission and distribution upgrade deferral, time shifting, congestion relief, peak shaving, load following and reserve capacity. Additionally, it will support end-user applications such as time-of-use management , demand charge reduction, and power quality improvement, said GE.

GE announced last fall that it's building a new battery plant in Schenectady, N.Y. The facility is sited in close proximity to GE Global Research in Niskayuna, where researchers will continue to work on enhancements to the battery chemistry and related systems technology. GE is making a $150 million investment to build upon the Durathon battery technology through the development of new materials, new manufacturing technologies and intelligent controls.

Nexans wins $116 million Dubai extra-high voltage cabling contract

Nexans, Paris, France, has been awarded a 90 million-euros (approximately $116 million) turnkey contract by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to construct Dubai's first extra-high voltage (EHV) underground cable system operating at 400 kV. The project will play a key role in DEWA's plans to upgrade its power transmission infrastructure to meet the constantly increasing demand for electrical power created by the rapid expansion of Dubai Emirate.

Siemens to supply Texas wind farm

E.ON U.S., an energy holding company based in Louisville, Ky., placed an order with Siemens Energy for 87 wind turbines for the Papalote Creek II wind power plant in San Patricio County, Texas. With a total installed rated capacity of more than 200 MW, the Papalote Creek II wind farm is expected to provide clean power to approximately 60,000 households.

Delivery is expected to begin this month and the wind farm is expected to be commissioned in the fall of 2010. Siemens also will provide service and maintenance for two years.

Siemens is constructing a 300,000-square-foot wind turbine nacelle assembly facility in Hutchinson, Kan., which is scheduled to become operational in December 2010. Siemens also recently expanded its 600,000-square-foot blade manufacturing facilities in Fort Madison, Iowa, which it opened in 2007. The blades for the Papalote Creek II wind power plant will be manufactured in Fort Madison.