WRAL Tech Wire

Cree, Lutron introduce lighting control and delivery system

Cree and Lutron Electronics said this week that they have a solution for the growing demand for energy-efficient LED lighting solutions that meet today's stringent energy and building codes.

Shine on: Durham solar firm Semprius cracks MIT top 10 tech list

The startup company's leading-edge solar technology "could soon make electricity cheaply enough to compete with power plants fueled by coal and natural gas," says the Massachusetts Institute for Technology in its annual "most important technology milestones" list.

Semprius' solar panel technology

Syngenta introduces internal composting program

With sales up 9 percent in the first quarter and continued company growth worldwide, the agribusiness giant also has created an internal composting program to reduce their environmental footprint in RTP.

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.

In the news: Axial Exchange, SciQuest, Cree, Sensus, lupus survey

Axial Exchange goes 'cloud;' Los Angeles picks SciQuest; Cree adds more LEDs; Sensus in smart grid deal; lupus impact understated, survey finds.

Chinese firm picks NCSU for wind power research center

China Ming Yang Wind Power Group will locate its North American research and development center at N.C. State's Centennial Campus.

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?

Lenovo using new Intel chip?; Google's smart glasses; Red Hat's cloud formula; new Sensus grid deal; Cree share target up; Comcast goes streaming.

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Lenovo reportedly putting Intel's new chip in smart phones; Google to offer glasses with heads-up data display; Red Hat's "open cloud" plans; Sensus wins Grand Cayman project; analysts boost Cree stock; Comcast to offer streaming.

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