WRAL Tech Wire

North Carolina makes Top 10 in clean energy jobs

Eight new clean energy projects in North Carolina were announced in the first quarter of 2012, which together could create nearly 2,300 new jobs - giving the state a No. 8 ranking by Environmental Entrepreneurs.

Environmental Entrepreneurs

Capitol Broadcasting builds solar 'farm' at broadcast tower site

The 1-megawatt solar facility will produce electricty that will in turn be sold to Progress Energy.

RTP a leader in hybrid 'loyalty,' but most buyers don't repeat

Update: Amidst all the hype about hybrid vehicles - those that combine electric motors with fossil fuels - comes a report that shows most hybrid owners don't repeat their choice when buying a replacement. Higher prices and long payback hurt, say The New York Times and The Detroit News.

A Toyota Prius hybrid

'Silicon Valley of smart grid' RTP plays host to international grid event

A crowd of some 225 people including attendees from around the world are attending the 'Networked Grid' conference in Durham to discuss the future of smart grid, smart meter and network technology.

Networked Grid

In $8M deal, Sensus takes smart grid down to your toaster

Under a licensing deal with a U.K. firm, Raleigh-based Sensus will be able to offer its utility customers the ability for individuals to monitor power use in their homes by device. They can do it with a mobile app or from PC.

PowerSecure revenues surge in 'transformational year'

With revenues growing across the business, the Wake Forest-based power and technology firm delivers record revenues. "Net, net," its CEO says, "we are very pleased ..."

Energy boon means 'millions' in new contract for PowerSecure

The Wake Forest-based energy technology company lands a contract for new electrical transmission infrastructure.

Cree 'Iconathon' to create symbols for LED 'revolution'

Swirlie CFL bulbs are out as a symbol, says Cree. The company is teaming up with The Noun Project, an online visual dictionary, to host an event where contributors can help the Durham company create symbols that will stand for LEDs.

What LED symbol will join The Noun Project lineup?

Report touts potential of coastal wind power for N.C.

A science panel advising Gov. Beverly Perdue on offshore energy development says oil and gas drilling is unlikely in waters within North Carolina's authority, but the coast has some of the best East Coast locations for wind power.

Green areas are possible offshore wind power lease sites

Wake Forest-based PowerSecure lands $15M in LED light orders

Three retailers place orders for a variety of light-emitting diode products to replace fluorescent fixtures and bulbs.

ABB, which has U.S. HQ in Cary, to buy Tennessee firm

ABB, a market leader for industrial motors, described the deal as part of a strategy that boosts its market presence in North America, and said the price of $72 a share is a 24-percent premium over Thomas & Betts' closing stock price on Jan. 27

ABB workers position semiconductors

Cree misses Street on revenues, earnings; shares tumble 7 percent

The Durham-based light emitting diodes and chip technology firm reports revenues under analysts' expectations. Earnings miss by a penny. CEO says "business environment remains challenging."

CIA investment arm pours more money into solar tech firm Semprius

The Durham-based firm secures more money from In-Q-Tel and a new investor. Duke Energy Renewables executive is also is named to the firm's board.

The Semprius process

Sensus CEO can tout smart grid from comforts of home

The Wake Forest residence of Peter Mainz, the chief executive at the global provider of technology and services for utility firms, is the latest to be added to Wake Electric Membership Corporation's growing smart grid.

Sensus CEO Peter Mainz now has a smart meter.

Clean energy investment hits record $260B in 2011

U.S. leads the way with solar power investments surging 36 percent. Spending in the U.S. rose by a third to $55.9 billion, surpassing the 1 percent gain in China to $47.4 billion.