WRAL Tech Wire

'‘Envision Charlotte:' Cisco, Duke launch energy savings campaign

The networking gear giant and utility firm are teaming with Charlotte Center City Partners in $5.3 million program that sets a goal of reducing energy use by 20 percent over next six years.

ABB picks NCSU for $10M ‘Smart Grid’ center, to add jobs

The company, which focuses on power and automation technology, is establishing a “Smart Grid Center of Excellence” at NCSU’s Centennial Campus. ABB is looking for additional engineers, scientists and power grid technicians.

ABB, GM to seek uses for discarded electric vehicle batteries

The lithium-ion packs from GM’s Chevy Volt cars could be utilized in smart grids.

Cisco to acquire smart-grid applications developer

On Wednesday, Cisco sealed a partnership for smart grid development with a smart meter manufacturer.

Duke Energy picks California, Massachusetts firms for more smart grid work

Cree, ABB land $7.9M in federal funds for energy projects

ABB project focuses on superconducting magnetic energy storage for power grids. Cree will work with NCSU, ABB and others on light-weight electrical substations.

Cleantech investments surge 43% in second quarter with solar leading way

New report says investments in first six months of the year set a record at $4.04 billion.

Raleigh-based smart grid firm Consert raises $17.7M

GE Energy Financial Services, Qualcomm, Verizon Ventures, Constellation Energy and other private investors lead funding. Consert, which offers services through software-as-a-service model, has worked with IBM on pilot programs.

‘Ghost consumption’ is target of Raleigh smart grid tech firm Consert

In pilot programs, Consert’s technology enables consumer and commercial customers to reduce their utility bills by monitoring and controlling power consumption on demand remotely.

Duke Energy, Cisco to deploy, test smart grid home energy management system

Cisco rolls out a Home Energy Management Solution that it says will help consumers and utilities take advantage of smart grid and appliance technologies.

Cisco's Home Energy Controller

Utility companies to focus on ‘smart grid’ at Raleigh conference

Progress Energy CEO to address the IBM Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition event.

Duke Energy ready to move ahead with ‘smart grid’ projects

The Charlotte-based utility signs an agreement with the Department of Energy for $204 million in federal funding. Duke is committing more than $850 million of its own for projects.

Duke's "smart grid" map

Smart grid, LED businesses generate profits for PowerSecure

Wake Forest-based energy technology firm tops Street expectations of earnings. The company also looks to raise $100 million for possible acquisitions and investments plus capital.

PowerSecure invests $24M in two LED business buys

The Wake Forest-based provider of power solutions, such as smart grid technology, buys a manufacturing firm in Morrisville. It also will assume 100 percent ownership of an LED firm. The two deals include $4.4 million in cash and stock worth $20 million.

Triangle-based ABB, Sensus team up for smart grid solutions