MARCH 2019
Cyber
Attacks in
Renewables NEWS
Off-grid Renewables are Growing, Bringing Socio-economic Benefits to Millions
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Canadian Solar Closes US$45 Million Financing with Natixis for Mexican Power Project
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LONGi Cooperates with Aiko Solar on CCZ High-efficiency Monocrystalline Products
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EDITOR‘S NOTE
Indeed, there are countless benefits the internet and advanced technology could offer us. However, no matter how good it is, the bad guys of cyberspace will always find a way to ruin it. This is the exact scenario in the renewable energy industry since hackers are targeting the oil, gas, solar and other energy-related sector. While more and more locations are utilizing renewable energy, the risk for cyber attacks are also increasing. Oil and gas imports are vulnerable to geopolitical influence and it is not surprising that hackers will hit areas that are using these energy sources. But even the wind and solar energy industries are also under attack. Apparently, the people behind the cyberattacks are aiming to destroy the entire renewable energy industry as a whole or use it to spread massive destruction. These attacks cannot be denied since there are already recorded cyberattacks in various locations. One is in Europe in 2013 and the other one is in Ukraine in 2015. But these are not the only ones. There are actually more hacking attempts in different areas around the globe. So, what could the government and private industries do about this? An urgent need to increase cybersecurity is apparent and this could be made possible by taking diverse steps towards full cyber defense. Best practices should be created to safeguard renewable energy industries. Passwords should be unique and should not be shared in public. Opera4
Cyber Crimes in the Renewables tors should be well-trained on handling possible cyberattacks. Certain groups are created which primarily aims to brainstorm and develop strategic plans to make sure that every equipment follows security measures and cyber defense requirements. The growth of renewable energy and the increased availability of technologies like sensors and big data makes cyber defense even more challenging. But for sure, there is a rationalized solution to safeguard the renewable energy industry. Whatever that is, it should be applied now.
CON TENTS
NEWS
16 Cyber Attacks Pose Risks in Renewable Energy Industry
32 Off-grid Renewables are Growing, Bringing Socio-economic Benefits to Millions
36 Canadian Solar Closes US$45 Million Financing with Natixis for Mexican Power Project
S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
50 4 Top-of-the-Line Breakthroughs in Mass Finishing Industry
56 5 Ways to Fix Your Common Construction Mistakes
38 LONGi Cooperates with Aiko Solar on CCZ High-efficiency Monocrystalline Products
42 What Lies Ahead for Construction Equipment 6
60 Hassle Free Ways to Help You to Determine Car Problems
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Choosing the Right Window Type Aircon for Philippine Consumers A comprehensive guide for Filipinos in selecting the perfect type of air conditioning unit for condos or large vacation houses this summer.
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here is no better way to beat the heat than getting that window type air conditioner installed in your homes. But with the countless brands and types of these cooling units available in the market, how do you exactly know which is which? Worry no more because we made the choosing easier. Here’s the nitty-gritty on buying the best window type AC for Philippine homes.
R-32 Eco-friendly Refrigerant The R-32 is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant that can save you money and protect the earth’s ozone layer. R-32 is the latest refrigerant that has been recognized by environmentalists, scientists and HVACR engineers to be the most effective cooling medium for conveying heat. R-32 can significantly reduce the cost of electricity consumption by up to
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10% when compared to other air conditioning units that are using refrigerant R-22. Likewise, R-32 as opposed to other refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A, has the least global warming potential (GWP). R-32 GWP is 30% much lower as opposed to the existing refrigerants (R-22 and R-410A) in the temperature control market. R-32 has less environmental impact with significant reduction in global warming. Consumers can now
save money and protect the environment at the same time. So when choosing a window type aircon for your home, office or commercial establishment, ensure that you are buying an R-32 Refrigerant air conditioner.
What Features to Look For Having an air-conditioning unit can surely make a great impact on your electricity bill so choosing the most energy-efficient one can cut back on your costs. Here are four of the features you should check when canvassing for the perfect window type aircon. • Sleep Setting With a sleep setting, the unit switches to low values when the homeowners are sleeping, making the unit less noisy and the air more comfortable and convenient for sleep. • Easy-to-access Filters Filters that are easily accessible for maintenance can lengthen the life span of the unit. • Electronic Control Controlling the temperature by degrees is a great flexibility to the users. • Timer You can set the time when to turn on/off the unit to help you save cost and energy.
What Size of Window Type Aircon to Buy It may not be very obvious to you, but determining the size of your window type aircon is the most crucial decision you will ever have to make. When selecting the appropriate size of window type aircon you want to install in your homes, the first consideration should not be the size of the window where it will be installed, rather the size of the room. Choosing a size too small for the room will be insufficient to cool the whole area by itself. Meanwhile, picking a unit too big will do a better job of cooling the room quickly but will not be very cost-efficient since the bigger the unit is, the more
energy it consumes. Aside from that, a large aircon in a small room will only cause more humidity in the air and will make it feel more uncomfortable than before. To know the proper size of your unit, you may need a little geometry to figure out your room size. If you have a regularly shaped rectangle or square room, simply multiply the length of the room by its width. For triangular rooms, your room size is half of the product of the length and the width. If you do have odd-shaped rooms that are neither squares nor triangles, you can divide the
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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E rooms into regular shapes that are easier to calculate and just add the products. In case you do have any contact with your house’s engineer/architect, you may just ask them for the floor area of that specific room so you wouldn’t need to do the math. Once you have the accurate room size, you can now proceed to note the actual cooling capacity (in BTU) needed for your aircon. The table below shows the area where you want your units installed and its corresponding cooling capacity. RECOMMENDED TABLE Area Sq.Ft 70 85 100 115 130 145 175 200 260 300 330 360 400 520 There are also several other factors to consider to determine the most accurate cooling capacity you need, such as:
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BTU Sq.Ft 100 125 150 170 190 210 250 290 375 440 480 520 580 750
• Sunlight When the room comes in direct sunlight or is considerably sunny during the day, add another 10% to the cooling capacity.
5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 12000 14000 18000 21000 23000 25000 28000 36000 • Shade Otherwise, if the room is heavily shaded, decrease the capacity by 10%.
• Ceiling If you have ceilings higher than the normal 8 feet, it is advisable to increase your cooling capacity. • Kitchen Area Add another 4,000 BTU to your cooling capacity if the unit will be installed in the kitchen. • Number of Room Occupants If the regular occupants of the room are more than 2, increase the capacity by 600 BTU for each additional person. • Climate Warmer climates like the Philippines may need an aircon with higher BTU output.
Good thing the Window Type Inverter (R32) air conditioner from TOSOT, the best aircon supplier in the Philippines, offers more than just the above features. With its R32 Refrigerant, air conditioning has never been this eco-friendly. Equipped with powerful cooling but energy-efficient mechanisms, you can save on cost and energy by up to 50 percent! Its high performance, durability, and up-to-date design will surely not disappoint you this coming summer.
To find out the best aircon for your home, visit TOSOT showroom located at 2162 FB Harrison St., San Jose, Pasay City, Philippines or call +632-8330000 to book an appointment. You may also visit their website (click here) to get more information about the best aircon units in the Philippines. This product is also available at Lazada (click here) and Adobomall (click here) online shopping sites.
The TOSOT Window Type Inverter (R32) is available in different capacity sizes: 1.0HP, 1.5HP, 2.0HP and 2.5HP.
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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
A Must Have Lighting System for First Responders & Security Personnel in Philippines Security Officers and Emergency Medical Technicians Should Have At least One Pelican RALS
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aving the task of ensuring other’s safety is definitely not an easy job. Nope, we are not only referring to policemen and soldiers who are brave-hearted. Even security guards and first aid officers have courageous hearts too. It would take a lot of courage to put their lives at risk just to make sure that everyone around them is safe from any harm.
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No doubt, you feel safe every time you see one standing beside the door of an establishment. The mere sight of security personnel makes you feel sheltered from any adverse situations. A uniformed officer can definitely give the feeling of safety. But is it enough for them to wear uniforms? Apparently not. They need to wear the complete gear so they are ready to face any unfortunate event that may occur.
Essential Security Personnel & EMT Gears In order for them to perform their tasks well, they need to carry a lot of gears. This includes a communication device, first aid kit, flashlight and other gadgets. These essential gears are important to protect themselves, the people around them, and the establishment they are guarding. Whatever time of the day they are on duty, they need to come in complete uniform and gadgets.One of the things we mentioned above is a flashlight. Not only can a flashlight be used for the obvious purpose of shedding light in dark places, but it can also be used as a striking device for necessary situations or possibly even protection. Flashlights are not only needed during the night. It is also a must-have during the day since there are instances that some extra light is needed like visiting dark rooms. Even though it can be used as a weapon in some instances, there is no need to get a permit to carry one. This makes it easier for personnel to choose what type of flashlight he wants to use during his duty.
Remote Area Lighting System for Security Officers and First Aid Responders Of course, it is important to use only the best flashlight that is durable and tough. That is why security personnel in the Philippines choose Pelican Remote Area Lighting System (RALS) and Pelican Tactical Flashlights since it can cater to their needs and it aids them to perform their tasks well. There are different designs for a Pelican RALS. One common factor of their lights is their use of polycarbonate for the lens which makes it more durable. These can also be used for a long time since this lamp life is at 50000 hours! There is also no need to get spare batteries or charge it from time to time. With its long hours of battery life, it also means that security officers can perform their tasks without interruption, thus making them more efficient.Pelican RALS can be used by emergency medical technicians and security personnel at airports and aviation, ports and maritime, hotels and hospitality, malls, tourist locations, and resorts, and many other locations. Unlike gas lamps or candles, RALS are considered professional lighting. With that, security guards look more
trustworthy and proficient since they use high-quality gear. Although security officers are mostly assigned to ensure the safety of a particular location, there are instances when they also need to respond to
operations or even calamities. For situations like this, Pelican RALS will definitely be handy. It would be easier to spot dark areas where someone in need may be waiting for a rescue.
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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
Top RALS and Tactical Flashlights for Security Personnel Two of the top Remote Area Lighting System (RALS) that are perfect for risky jobs are the 9430 RALS and the 9460 RALS. The 9430 Remote Area Lighting System (RALS) has multiple heads and Bluetooth activation. It can run for up to 15 hours and could light up an entire soccer field or an accident scene. You can just On the other hand, 9460 imagine how wide it can cover! Remote Area Lighting System (RALS) features dual Furthermore, two of the best telescoping LED light heads. Pelican flashlights are the It is the perfect alternative to 2350 Tactical Flashlight and wasteful generator powered 2360 Tactical Flashlight has lights. It is engineered with 4 Selectable Programs with a Intelligent Control System lifetime guarantee. The 2360 which displays the RALS’ Flashlight has 375 lumens current battery life. The user while the 2350 Flashlight has may choose their desired run 178 lumens. Constructed with time and regulate the the most intensity of the light. Its durable telescopic masts could extend of mateup to 6 feet and rotate 260 rials, an degrees. aerospace grade Due to the versatility of these aluminum Pelican RALS, it is not only body and perfect for security personnel. an impact emergency medical resistant technicians, police officers, LED lamp politicians, facilities module, the management, engineers and 2350 and homeowners could also own 2360 LED one. But where can you buy keeps you these items? Pelican RALS are on point available at Coby’s Gear and without Gadget and Cobankiat Hardequipment ware. These lighting systems failure. can be delivered within the 14
Philippines. Knowing how good these flashlights are will not make you doubt why security personnel are crazy about it. Of course, getting the best portable lighting solutions does not complete a security personnel’s gear. Aside from getting a Pelican RALS and flashlights, it is also important to acquire other quality items to prepare them for unexpected scenarios and risky situations. Above all, a security guard should always keep their wits, preparedness, common sense, and good judgment, and the rest of the security duty gear will aid along the way.
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Cyber Attacks Pose Risks in
Renewable Energy Industr y
There is an urgent need for an effective cyber defense to avoid catastrophic losses. Although there are myriads of advantages from technological advancement, there are also downsides that need the attention of the authorities. In this world connected by technology, even the renewable industry is exposed to cyber attacks.
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The number of entry points for hackers of oil, gas, solar power and other energyrelated renewable industry has deliberately increased. This poses a huge threat since it may result in the shutdown of operations and even damage to expensive equipment.
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COVER STORY
Electricity production from renewable energy sources has increased from 19 percent in 2006 and 24 percent in 2016. The boost of the usage of renewable energy around the globe is a positive thing. However, it still remains vulnerable to cyber attacks. The shift towards the use of wind and solar energy reduces dependency on oil and gas imports, which are susceptible to geopolitical 18
influence. But this does not ensure sustained supply of energy since wind and solar energy needs advanced energy storage solutions. Like oil and gas, this is also unguarded from hackers.
COVER STORY
Major Cyber Attacks In recent years, there are already recorded cyber attacks which is a wakeup call for energy companies to invest in cyber defense. This way it can reduce, if not totally eliminate, the entry of cyber attackers for renewable energy. Hacking group “Dragonfly” attacked Europe in 2013 which compromised their industrial control systems. The group infected the renewable energy companies with malware that is designed to gather intelligence. However, investigations reveal that the said malware also has the ability to take control of physical systems, risking a huge population of people. Meanwhile, in 2015, an electricity distribution grid in Ukraine was affected by a malware called “KillDisk” and “BlackEnergy.” This sophisticated malware resulted in the shutdown of electricity affecting about 225,000 consumers. Due to the severe software damage, the attack has caused, it took months before the electricity grid was fully restored. Solar energy is also not
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secure. This needs attention since there is a large number of solar energy utilization in the US alone. There is an increase in the usage of solar energy since prices are low even for its inverters, trackers, and modules. While the renewable energy sector is not yet secured, attacks may still increase in frequency and
destructiveness. Hence, it is imperative to build up their defenses before an attack could result in catastrophic losses.
Steps Toward Cyber Security
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ybersecurity for distributed energy resources (DER) is significant to avoid more detrimental attacks. What could be done to increase security and protect renewable energy from hackers? Energy infrastructure operators should undergo training and should be fully aware of the risks. Proper training on how to deal with cyber attacks could help lessen the impact of malware which may result in massive physical damage. Private energy companies can also work hand-in-hand with the government to guard their institution from hacks. A public-private partnership with established trust can share confidential cyber attack information that can help create strategic plans on how to avert hackers. In California, there is an increased focus on cybersecurity. The DER Cybersecurity Workgroup is formed whose primary goal is to create a collection of best practices which can then be used to develop national and international DER cybersecurity standards. Since there are grid support functions in California’s Rule 21, a Smart Inverter Working Group was also created to ensure that inverter manufacturers can meet cyber defense requirements and grid support functions. 22
Inverter manufacturers should fend off from publishing default passwords in manuals since this will allow unsecured access not only to sensitive data but also to control parameters. The use of low-cost and inferior networking equipment should also be avoided since these have weak security and may open the door to data encryption. Best practices should be done in order to avoid security threats. Passwords should not be published or shared. System owners should formulate a unique password immediately after installation. Data transmitted by inverters and other equipment should be encrypted for added security.
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The shift towards the use of wind and solar energy reduces dependency on oil and gas imports, which are susceptible to geopolitical influence.
The shift towards the use of wind and solar energy reduces dependency on oil and gas imports, which are susceptible to geopolitical influence.
COVER STORY
Safeguarding Renewable Energy
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mily Hwang, application engineering manager of Yaskawa Solectria Solar, said that security should be considered all the time starting from PV site development. This way, security can be integrated into the early stag-
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es of any renewable energy project. Cyber adversaries have more motives for attacks. That is why there is an urgent need to stay ahead of the villains in cyberspace by taking necessary steps to improved
COVER STORY
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cybersecurity. It is also imperative that industries will continue to anticipate risks so that defensive strategies can be created prior to any attack. No one would like to see any vast damage to properties and life loss due to cyber attacks. Hence, it is hoped that there will be an effective cyber defense for energy networks before anything undesirable happens. -end-
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NEWS
Off-grid Renewables are Growing, Bringing Socio-economic Benefits to Millions
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ew IRENA brief highlights positive momentum for off-grid renewable energy, and its transformative impact as a key pillar of Sustainable Development Goal 7 Off-grid renewable energy has witnessed spectacular growth over the last decade. Since 2008 capacity has trebled and the number of people in rural communities served by the technology has witnessed 32
six-fold growth. Today, up to 133 million people are receiving life-changing access to low-cost, secure renewable energy and benefit from the socioeconomic impact access delivers. Global off-grid investments in 2017 reached USD 284 million. These findings feature in a new IRENA brief launched during the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York. The paper, entitled: Off-grid Renewable Energy Solutions,
Global and Regional Status and Trends, builds on IRENA’s statistical analysis to offer a global picture of the sector’s trajectory and impact. The data highlights the extent to which off-grid renewables are emerging as a mainstream solution to the expansion of electricity services all over the world, contributing to sustainable development goal 7 (SDG 7) by broadening the reach of electricity beyond existing grid infrastructure.
“Off-grid renewable energy is an important contributor to energy access across the developing world having witnessed widespread, rapid growth in deployment over the last few years,” said Dr. Rabia Ferroukhi, Deputy Director of the Knowledge, Policy and Finance at IRENA. “Our analysis captures this momentum whilst shedding light on the need to step-up efforts towards 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.” Africa has emerged as a dynamic, fast-moving hub for off-grid renewables. The development of solar lighting solutions and innovations in deployment and financing models, such as pay as you go options and mobile payment platforms have contributed to Africa’s rapid advances. The continent’s off-grid industry now serves around 53 million people – the equivalent of the entire population of South Africa – up from just over two million in 2011. The brief identifies Asia as a global leader in off-grid renewables capacity deployment. Today, up to 76 million people across the continent may now benefit from such power sources. South America, home to some of the highest rates of electricity access in the
developing world, has also witnessed off-grid renewable growth the brief suggests, where the technology is considered key to ‘last mile’ electricity access. Off-grid renewable energy solutions are being deployed to provide electricity services for a wide range of end-uses, including for powering agriculture, telecommunication infrastructure, healthcare centres, schools, and rural enterprises. The paper emphasises that linking delivery of off-grid solutions to energy service delivery can unlock substantial socio-economic benefits, contributing to multiple SDGs. While dramatic cost reductions have been the primary driver of this acceleration, it is the
multifaceted socioeconomic benefits that provide the greatest incentives for its deployment. Renewable energy’s centrality to the SDG 7 goal on universal access to clean, reliable and affordable energy against a backdrop of a billion people who still live without it, is unquestionable. However, beyond energy itself renewables are a key contributor to sustainable development, generating jobs, stimulating growth, ensuring resource security and improving health. The paper notes that in Bangladesh, around 133 000 jobs have been created through a Solar Home System programme and an off-grid renewables initiative in Rwanda aims to generate 7 000 jobs whilst delivering energy access to almost 80 33
NEWS
000 people. Similarly, incomes in rural households benefit from lower cost solar lanterns, and remote health and educational facilities are enhanced through consistent availability of power. “Renewables are a central pillar of SDG 7 and represent one of the most effective and economicmeans available 34
in the pursuit of universal energy access,” said Rabia Ferroukhi, Deputy-Director of Knowledge Policy and Finance at IRENA. “Yet beyond this, we are now beginning to truly understand the way in which distributed renewable electricity is transforming the lives of those receiving from it, bringing stability and opportunity to
millions of people around the world.” Read the brief on the Off-grid Renewable Energy Solutions and the six case studies developed to showcase the socioeconomic impact of off-grid renewables in South East Asia.
NEWS
Canadian Solar Closes US$45 Million Financing with Natixis for Mexican Power Project
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anadian Solar Inc. (the “Company”, or “Canadian Solar”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world’s largest solar power companies, today announced it has closed a US$45 million financing with Natixis, an arm of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France. Proceeds from the non-recourse financing will be used to construct the Company’s 68MWp solar power project in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Canadian Solar was awarded the Aguascalientes project during the 2016 inaugural Mexico energy auction. Electricity generated by the project will be sold to Comisión Federal de Electricidad, under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for energy and capacity, and 20-year for Clean Energy Certificates for approximately US$47.95/MWh. The Aguascalientes solar project will utilize over 200,000 highefficiency CS6U-P poly modules supplied by Canadian Solar. The construction of the project started in April and is expected to reach commercial operation in December 2018. As the Aguascalientes region boasts some of the highest levels of solar irradiation in the world, the project is expected to meet the 36
electricity demand of approximately 60,000 local homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide. “This is Canadian Solar’s first solar power project in Mexico and our first time working with Natixis. I expect more to come in this rapidly growing market,” commented Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc. “We have a 436 MWp pipeline of late-stage solar projects with PPAs in Mexicoand look forward to collaborating with financial institutions, such as Natixis to, construct these projects.” Canadian Solar and Natixis worked closely to conclude this
transaction in less than two months, a very short time frame for a non-recourse project financing. This showcases the unique expertise and commitment from Natixis and Canadian Solar as well as the strong development attributes of the Aguascalientes solar project. Natixis recently announced that it will introduce its Green Weighting Factor system for its financing deals to comply with Paris Agreement goals. Natixis’s Green Weighting Factor is intended to allocate capital to promote financings with a positive impact on both the climate and the environment, by adjusting the expected profitability threshold on these various transactions according to their effects on climate change.
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NEWS
LONGi Cooperates with Aiko Solar on CCZ High-efficiency Monocrystalline Products LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. signed an agreement for cooperation in the development of CCZ (continuous Czochralski) high-efficiency monocrystalline products. Executives from both parties formalized the agreement after in-depth discussions on the future development of the PV industry and applications of CCZ based high-efficiency monocrystalline products. CCZ process produces narrower longitudinal resistivity distribution of silicon ingots that is suited in high-efficiency P-type PERC and high-efficiency N-type cells. The cooperation is for LONGi to provide CCZ based solar monocrystalline wafers to Aiko Solar to produce mono PERC solar cells. LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has focused on high-efficiency monocrystalline technology since the company inception in 2000 and actively deploys next-generation highefficiency monocrystalline products. LONGi has completed the research and development of CCZ high-effi38
NEWS
ciency monocrystalline products and has developed series production capabilities for the process. LONGi’s strategic product planning and equipment layout allows existing production equipment to be upgraded for CCZ production process to quickly respond to customers’ demand for CCZ based high-efficiency monocrystalline products. LONGi Green Energy 40
Technology Co., Ltd. adheres to the mission of promoting customer value. The cooperation with Aiko Solar will promote the development and application of CCZ highefficiency monocrystalline technology and enhance the technical competitiveness of both companies. Established in 2009, Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Technology is one of the largest manufacturers for
advanced crystalline solar cells. It specializes in solar cell research, manufacture and sales. “By using only top quality materials, including wafers from Aiko’s key supplier LONGi, as well as manufacturing equipment from the top suppliers, customers are confident in the quality and performance of the end result.” Says Michael Ho, Aiko Solar Vice General Manager.
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What Lies Ahead for Construction Equipment This is the future of plant, machinery, heavy equipment and vehicles. Every Caterpillar, Komatsu, Case, Hitachi, Volvo, and Deere equipment in use at construction sites today are products of a careful developmental study in manufacturing. Ever since industrialization began, builders and engineers sought for advanced construction equipment and machines that will render smooth site operations at minimum costs. Today, we have all the basic construction equipment we need. Using excavators, backhoes, loaders, cranes, and rollers, among others we have formed and built engineering marvels. Engineers always find a way to maximize the use of these equipment. And yet, we could take advantage of modern technology to further exploit the use of these equipment, and to develop more machines that will help in forwarding construction methods. There are essentially three areas which are the focus of construction equipment manufacturers in relating its past, present, and future. Once these three – hydraulics, engines, and computer systems – are 42
engineered to be better than its current state, they lead to lower maintenance costs, decreased operation costs, improved efficiency and reliability, and longer machine life. Excavators, backhoes, and loaders have hydraulics embedded in them to lift, load and unload materials and objects. Mobility of these equipment relies in this system. What emerging hydraulic technologies can do is optimize both hydraulic flow and pressure, including the ability to modulate both. They will largely affect the equipment’s efficiency, versatility, and lifting capabilities. There are still so much to forward with engine controls, fuel injection systems, and the engine combustion process. When engineers work to improve these areas about the engines in construction equipment, it will yield increased fuel efficiency and decreased amount of harmful emissions into the air. The greatest impact in redesigning the engine is in the environment, being a critical issue in the construction equipment industry. Computer systems are only a recent integration with construction equipment, but
they make waves for enhanced site performance. Digitization, including GPS navigation, allows more effective monitoring in machine operations, more analyzed fuel efficiency, much controlled hydraulics, and reliable reporting of machine performance – all of which are in the end part of the construction process. While these three are existing ar-
eas that seek improvement, there is also a room for creativity in the manufacture of construction equipment by producing hybrids and using 3D printing. There are already existing hybrid excavators and hybrid bulldozers, which will continue to flourish as manufacturers look in this area to accelerate site operations.
But there’s a more current technology, the 3D printing or additive manufacturing, which takes production of construction equipment to an entirely new level. It allows modelling of equipment parts like cabs, booms, and buckets, as 3D printing provide design allowances not found in conventional manufacturing.
Efficiency, quality, and safety are the cores of construction equipment. And they remain to be so in the future, just catching up with modern technology.
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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
Simple Tricks that Help You Find the Best Home Improvement Contractor Online home-services contractor directories are great resources Every home owner knows how difficult it is to find a professional contractor for improvements or repairs. Although the market is overflowing with offers, the selection process takes a huge amount of time. The situation is even more complicated when you need to hire someone for a major project. You’ll need to spend a lot of hours researching, considering your budget and time planning. Things can get so complicated that a lot of people are tempted to quit the research and do the improvements themselves. However, experts say that the purchase of a professional home improvement project is not as difficult as it seems. Home improvement contractors won’t come to you and offers their services by themselves, but the Internet will prove its efficiency once again. Online home-services contractor directories are great resources for all those who need to improve their living conditions Most people think that remodelling a house takes a lot of time and money and they are not 44
far from the truth. Home owners could lose even more if they choose scheming contractors that will charge them a lot for sloppy or incomplete work. Here is where modern technology comes in. Thanks to modern online tools people can find efficient and professional contractors in one place. Some of these platforms are built using technology that
allows homeowners to see which of the service providers have patents, who will receive it soon and who doesn’t. Thanks to the aforementioned tools, homeowners can receive price offers from contractors instantly, compare them and make a documented choice in a few minutes. Besides, people can find out more about a potential contractor by seeing the other users’ ratings or reading the
reviews. We all know that recommendations are essential when we’re looking for a good plumber, handy man and other home improvement professional. On the other hand, they are not enough, because homeowners need to make a few more steps before starting to work with a contractor. Every good negotiator needs a little help and inspiration. We’ve gathered a few tips that will make home improvement and remodelling run smooth, regard-
less of the project’s size, requirements and home owner’s needs. 1. First and foremost, it’s important to know what you need. A clear evaluation of needs will help you sort your research by price, rating or maybe you’d rather work with a contractor that is very close to your house; 2. Once you’ve found a contractor that meets all your standards, make sure that you are available for further discussions. Also, you can talk more over the phone and discuss the details of
your work together; 3. Meet the contractor, discuss and negotiate the terms of your agreement face-to-face. In this stage, you can ask him to adjust the price; 4. If you decided to work with a contractor, tell him that and settle the deal, because good professionals are hard to find; 5. Maintain communication with your home improvement contractor during the entire repairing or remodelling process.
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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
Modern Automated Pallet-Wrapping Machinery Can Save Your Business Time and Money Automated pallet-wrapping machine is the way forward in industrial businesses
Automation Offers Higher Productivity If your industry manufactures and packages high volume, manual wrapping in your production line is not efficient for workers at the end that remain under pressure to palletise goods that constantly roll off the production line. It is possible to see increases of 100% or more in output even with the slightest of automation such as the implementation of a semiautomatic pallet wrapper which will reduce labour and material costs significantly.
Increased Security and Protection Automated pallet wrapping machines wrap more tightly and consistently to secure and protect products compared to hand wrapping.
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he days of relying on stretch wrapping pallets by hand in order to secure your product for freighting is fast being replaced by cutting-edge automation technology that delivers high-performance film and packaging solutions to increase yield, security, speed and produce quality pallet packaging. 46
It’s not possible for a person to effectively manually balanced loads and consistently apply pressure to evenly stretch film in order to safely provide adequate load containment every time. Hand wrapping is simply an inefficient method that costs money in labour, time and unnecessary stretch film usage. We have outlined and justified why it’s time to upgrade from manually wrapping pallets to an integrated automated pallet-wrapping process that increases your business profits.
The opportunity for human error means constant double checks on pallet security before loading for shipment which results in lower productivity, higher labour costs and timeconsuming repetitive tasks. Manual wrapping increases the potential for work-related injuries and employees have less protection which necessitates the
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coverage of costly comprehensive insurance protection. An automated machine will deliver consistent wrapping capabilities, a lower potential for a work-related injury on the plant floor and noticeably less film usage.
Greater cost reductions Automated pallet wrapping machinery offers greater wrap potential due to their capability of maximizing the amount of stretch that is achieved, much more than can be done by hand, reducing the amount of film waste and minimising your business’s environmental impact. Statistically, you can expect to see on average 25%-40% stretch when manually pallet wrapping, compared to an automated or semi-automated pallet wrapper
where an average of 250% or more stretch can be achieved. Automated machines have the ability to pre-stretch each roll of stretch film which means you are saving on material costs. The capital investment in automation speaks for itself. On average you can expect to save on film costs with the upgrade to automated wrapping between 25-40% and in optimal cases you will see an approximate 66% savings on film.
Reduced Load Damage The actual cost of freight damage resulting from hand wrapped and poorly secured loads are not always quantifiable because many of the related expenses are not calculated into the final number including costs of supplemental shipping insurance to cover compromised
loads. If consideration is given to the cost of damaged goods, labour, cost of the pallets, wrapping, replacement and re-shipping of damaged products, this hidden cost may be more than anticipated. Automating your pallet wrapping process undoubtedly reduces the load damage you experience due to the machines reliability and consistency in protecting products. In order to achieve a secure load, there are specific wrap forces or load containment guidelines specific to each type of palletised shipment. If you don’t know what these are for your pallets, there are tools available that can help you determine them. What is more important than the number of times a pallet is wrapped, or the gauge of the stretch film used is containment force. Knowing this makes the process of hand wrapping seem inefficient and unrealistic if you intend to grow your business. New technologies in automated pallet wrapping means machinery is engineered for precision high-speed and high-payload operation and maximum reliability enabling you to maximise your return of investment.
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4 Top-of-the-Line Breakthroughs in Mass Finishing Industry Mass finishing engineered into a modern technology that can easily produce almost any surface finish Different manufacturing processes, materials, surface finishes and the need for more desirable automation have driven breakthroughs in mass finishing. This informative article covers mass finishing solutions for heavy and large parts, puts in plain words drag finishing solutions, discusses surf finishing technologies and highlights a couple of different media developments. Early Ages of Finishing Vibrators: After the first finishing vibrators arrived at the market for sale in the mid-1950s, they were specifically used for ordinary deburring of massproduced components, generally in the automotive business world. About 60 years later, mass finishing engineered into a modern technology that can easily produce almost any surface finish, whether it is deburring, defined surface radius, mirror image polishing or surface smoothing. During that period, mass finishing was required to make improvements in manufacturing methods, materials, surface 50
quality requirements and production systems. In these modern times, people are no longer happy with an ordinary deburring job, but they’re insisting on repeatable pre-plate surface finishes and highly polished surfaces of the parts. One example is orthopaedic augmentations, which are polished and ground by mass finishing. They have no additional surface finishing phase before being implanted in the human body. This write-up will discuss some of the most recent breakthroughs that have given a hand to this technology to move forward. • Polishing and Grinding media – showcasing new technical improvements • Surf finishing – empowering automatic mass finishing of specific surface areas • Drag finishing – a substantial force process to finish delicate components • XXL components – heavy and large parts with weights of up to 8,000 lbs.
1. Mass Finishing Media Mass finishing media are usually less apparent than the equipment, yet similarly important. Many revolutionary media have made available new options for mass finishing applications.
Finishing of Exotic and Harder Metals for Different Industries As new manufacturing processes and materials are created, the mass finishing processes need to adapt. There are usually a couple of real success stories about the media that have happened recently. Exotic and harder metals used in healthcare and aerospace applications and the requirement for highly refined surfaces have
led to the advancement of media that can provide extremely fast cut, yet a very sleek finish as a pre-step to the particular vibratory polishing process.
Ideal Pre-Polish Finishes The use of tumbling media has also made many breakthroughs in other industries; This link states everything about such type of media and its uses. The advancement of technologies to blend fine abrasives with the liquid plastic resin carrier substance has led to the production of plastic-type media that induces ideal pre-polish finishes.
The Use of Media in Mass Finishing Applications The media has opened the new
door to several new mass finishing processes, which in turn became a breakthrough in the finishing industry. This media can easily be used in any kind of mass finishing application, for example, vibratory bowls, tumble barrels, and tubs, high energy barrel machines, high energy disk systems or even drag finishers.
2. Surf Finishing Surf finishing is another dramatically growing mass finishing technique. It uses wellknown spin finish technologies. The effective use of robots allows an accurate movement of the components through the particular spinning media mass. Specific areas of a component can easily be processed to a precise edge radius or finish.
The Use of Multiple Six-Axis Bots This surf finishing process includes multiple six-axis bots designed with specific clamping system and a revolving work bowl stuffed with polishing or grinding media. The robotic system picks up the component and holds it into the spinning media mass. This media moves around the workpiece. This puts a powerful “surfing� impact on the specific areas of the components.
Material Controlling System The spinning velocity of the bowl can be adjusted to achieve different levels of process strength from mild polishing to intense deburring and surface grinding. The robotic system serves a dual 51
S P E C IA L F E AT U R E purpose. It not only manipulates the various components in the media in 6 axes but also works as the material controlling system for a computerised process. By handling single workpieces, they never come in contact with each other, preventing part-on-part damage and providing full process traceability.
3. Drag Finishing Drag finishing is actually the best finishing approach for top quality components, which should have a perfect finish.
Drag Finishing for Different Industries These days, drag finishing became one of the most well-known mass finishing solutions, specifically for orthopaedic enhancements and high-value aerospace parts. On the other hand, drag finishing is also utilised in other industries such as tool holders, propellers, finishing the boat, cutting tools and gears.
50 Times More Effective Than Vibratory Finishing Machines Drag finishing machines have a slide carousel with between 2 and 12 rotating stations and a standing work bowl stuffed with finishing media for polishing or grinding. The particular work parts, installed on the stations, are usually dragged through the media by the slide carousel. This 52
particular motion makes a very high force between the media and the pieces, producing a high gloss polish and high metal removal. Drag finishers are usually 50 times more effective than vibratory finishing machines. Quite simply, similar pieces, which require 5 hours in any vibratory machine, can easily be processed and finished in a drag finisher in just ten minutes.
4. XXL Components As incredible as it looks, even today, hand polishing and grinding remain the frequent finishing method for heavy, large components.
Ability to Process 8,000 Lbs. Parts New vibratory machine types handle components with weights
of up to 8,000 lbs. as well as diameters as much as hundred inches. Some other components consist of heavy equipment for wind generators, light weight aluminium airframe components, large bearing races, etc. Most of these components require surface smoothing or deburring, right after the machining operations. In order to process all the parts, the equipment has to be sized to fit the component easily. Finishing light weight aluminium fuselage parts in a tub type vibrator is the right option. Tubs with a workable length of 30 ft. are produced and are operating around the world. Very large components that are highly processed in tubs in many cases are fixtured to spacer rollers to avoid the large part from mashing the media.
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Manlift’s Mobile Rental App Is Now Live on App Store Download Manlift’s Mobile Rental App On Google Play & Apple App Store
At the moment, Manlift is working further in enhancing the digital application where customers can manage their entire rental activity in the app and can also be assisted via the app’s live-chat functionality. The Manlift Rental App is available across the Gulf Cooperating Countries and India. “This online platform provides our customers with a digital tool to simplify their way of interacting with us,” according to David King, Group Managing Director of Manlift. “We are committed to delivering the best customer experience, which now includes the rental app. We have created a selfservice rental experience that is information rich and is mobile and user-friendly to our customers who will increasingly operate in a more digital way.”
Manlift, the leading aerial work platform and rental specialist in the Middle East and Africa Region, has launched the Manlift Rental Mobile App, available in both Android and Apple App Store. Manlift’s rental mobile application allows customers to browse, search, reserve and schedule aerial work platform 54
equipment among other features in one process. The Manlift rental app is part of the company’s digital strategy to increase customer satisfaction through connectivity and engage in new markets. The interface of the app is easy to use and it is designed to improve onsite productivity and the level of customer experience.
The Manlift Group, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, is a fast-growing rental and sales specialist of aerial work platforms, and power generators. In 2009, another branch was opened in Qatar to supply both power generators and access platforms. However, power generators business is only handled by Qatar branch. Currently, Manlift has a foot print in three countries (UAE, Qatar and India) and has 6 depots with more than 2,800 machines.
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5 Ways to Fix Your Common Construction Mistakes What are the common construction mistakes? People invest their money, efforts, and time to build towers, houses or bridges. And one mistake can ruin the projects that took years to build. That’s why it is necessary for you to learn from other’s mistakes because you won’t live long enough 56
to make them all yourself. If the tools are packed away and a construction site is cleaned up, you will feel more rewarding that you have done everything well in time.
But don’t you think that you should step back and check the things if they are done well? Your workers may have fumbled building principles without even realizing it. The Association of Advancing Technologies in Real estate focuses on efficient, cost-effective building methods that support the goal of selling more properties. That being said, you better learn about common errors in building wrap, home siting, and ductwork planning. Staying away from all these mistakes results in constructing a comfortable, higher quality and energy-efficient property at bit extra cost to the contractor. And not to forget, when it comes to the hard times of construction litigation, you can’t afford to go wrong.
material is simply as vital as the amount you put in. Compression setting decreases insulation’s R-value. Scientific studies by the Oak Ridge National Research laboratory reveals that wall insulation that forms to create a 5% space cuts down the effective R-value of the wall as much as 50 %. Batt insulating material has to fit tightly into stud cavities and all over electric and mechanical boxes. In unusually formed areas or spaces with notable blockades, loose fill such as blown-in cellulose can be useful. Make a slight cut in the insulating material to fit instead of skipping areas with spaces or compressing it over pipes, wires, and boxes. Spray foam is more expensive than other insulations,
but since it closes the space while it insulates, you can get rid of the expense of sealing and effortlessly insulate the nooks and crannies. It is better to insulate water lines to preserve water-heating energy and recessed lights that permeate the building envelope.
2. HVAC – Heating and Air Conditioning Bonus Tip: Size HVAC system with rule-of-thumb computation. Make use of Manual J to size your Heating and cooling system properly. With today’s more restrictive building envelopes, general rule usually leads to extra-large systems that are more expensive in the beginning and cost more to work over time. Outsized systems also do not de-humidify the internal environment of the building due
1. Insulation Bonus Tip: Try to install the minimum amount of insulating material at the earliest opportunity. Stick to the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed padding levels and insulation recommendations. Make your properties more leisurely, a little calmer and a lot more cost-effective by using DOE’s highly recommended installation methods and insulation levels at http://www.ornl.gov/. The way you install insulating 57
to a shorter run time. Therefore, residents usually pay more for discomfort. ACCA’s Manual J computations take construction techniques into consideration to properly size an HVAC system. Implementing Manual J may take a couple of hours per building or less if you are handling several similar buildings. This extra cost is more often than not re-couped instantly because a smaller system can be bought.
3. Building Wrap Bonus Tip: Place building wrap at the earliest opportunity, and do not concern yourself with the strapping or careful installation. 58
Go for a building an outdoor or indoor scaffolding to access the tops to wrap everything as required. Make sure that working platforms are properly snugged with ringlocks; this page describes the basics of scaffolding with quality ringlocks. Just follow the instructions. Placing building wraps inadequately may risk mildew and mold; decaying window jams; and drafty floors and walls. To do it right, overlap all joints at least 7 inches in shingle manner, so they reduce water. Seal the wrap off with codeapproved sheathing tape to make a tight joint. Make use of nails
(plastic lid fasteners work best), and make inside-out Y cuts (also known as “I” cuts) to cover window spaces.
4. Ductwork Bonus Tip: Run a duct through an unconditioned attic space. You can run ductwork in conditioned attics and insulate them properly in an unconditioned area. In accordance with the NAHB Research Center, running ducts in conditioned attics can help to eliminate cooling and heating loads by 30 to 40%. Additionally, it reduces ducts length because supply areas are usually more flexible. Cover ducts in
conditioned attics with R-4 insulating material to prevent moisture build-up or condensation. Joe Gregory, a procurement consultant of Bob Ward Company, recently constructed the zero energy Maximum Efficiency Home line in Baltimore. He conducted a duct-blaster test to demonstrate his workers how drippy the duct tubes were. At this point, he guided his sub-contractors to understand the standard of work necessary to install duck channels with 4-5% dripping rates, as opposed to more usual 12.
5. Floor Plan Layout Bonus Tip: Layout your floor plan for the site’s direction. Don’t forget to orient the building to benefit from natural daylight and free solar heating system during the cold months. The key benefits of natural lights have already been well-documented; students learn better, people work better, and are healthier generally. And developing a daylit building doesn’t have to add expense to the projects.
a plan to place all windows in a single row in the south walls for winter gain. Make sure the size of roof overhangs is enough to block the summer heat but let in sunlight and heat from the winter sun. Skylights are vigor hogs that can certainly make your space irritatingly hot. Try to make use of tubular skylights or even sun tubes to let the light enter dark spaces, basement rooms, or the interior rooms so you can avoid the use of electricity more often to light up the dark corners of rooms.
In most but the hottest southern locations, orienting the building can run the long axis from east to west. Try to create 59
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Hassle Free Ways to Help You to Determine Car Problems Remember that tires, brakes, and engine are the most critical systems When something seems wrong with your car, the first thing to determine is whether the vehicle is safe to drive. Remember that tires, brakes, and engine are the most critical systems. Auto repair problems can be scary, especially for the ‘mechanically challenged’. That noise you hear at high speeds? Is it the tires, brakes, or engine? Is the noise a harbinger of worse things to come? Is it simply just that – a noise? The following can help determine the seriousness of the problem and help explain the issue to a mechanic. Most issues relating to safety are very recognizable:
Tires This is where the rubber meets the road. Poorly inflated tires can negatively affect gas mileage, cause the car to pull to one side and cause premature wear. At worst, a tire can suddenly blow out or go flat with disastrous consequences. Checking pressure regularly will prevent future issues and possibly avoid an accident. Rotate tires every other oil change. This practice will help the tires wear evenly. Inspect tires for damage during the rotation. Also, be aware of objects such as nails or metal embedded in the tread or sidewall. Repair as soon as possible.
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Brakes The brake system is an extremely important safety feature. Pay attention to how the car slows under braking. Does the car pull to one side when pressing the pedal? If the car only pulls under braking, tires are not the problem. Do the brakes produce a squealing sound? Some brake pads are designed to make noise when worn. When braking, do you hear a sound like driving over gravel? This is a sign of extreme wear.
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Engine If the engine will not run continuously or seems to stall for no apparent reason, do not take the car on the road. The car may cease to run in a dangerous location, exposing you and other drivers to danger. Most engines that stall are experiencing fuel starvation. Ensure your tank has sufficient fuel before starting your trip. Electrical and fuel pump issues can cause engines to stall. Engines that stall can catch fire if the cause is a fuel leak.
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Summary Any issue with tires, brakes, or engine should be corrected as soon as possible. Make notes of what is wrong, detailing the conditions of the malfunction such as warning lights, noises, visual cues such as smoke or steam, high/low speed, vibrations, etc. Check Engine Light on? You can find the source of the problem easily without a trip to the shop. Code Readers are available at most auto parts stores. The device plugs into a port under the steering wheel. A malfunction code that begins with the letter ‘P’ will read out on the display. Simply type the code into a search engine to determine what the code means. The device will also allow you to reset the light. Remember, safety first. Do not drive a car that is having critical issues. When something goes wrong, write down the malfunction conditions along with any previous actions to correct the problem. Plenty of resources exist on the Internet that help troubleshoot common issues. Enter the year, make, and model of the vehicle plus a simple description of the issue. The results will provide discussion board entries, videos, and articles that may identify a solution or, at a minimum, a starting point for the mechanic even if the mechanic is you. 64