During these tough economic times, it’s important to acknowledge how far sparkies have come not only in the industry, but in their business. This year, Master Electricians Australia (MEA) recognised important contributions to our industry at the recent North Queensland Excellence Awards and the National Apprentice Awards presentation. [ + ]

Mouser Electronics and Maxim Integrated have joined forces to create a comprehensive control and automation solution repository, which will feature the latest product selection for industrial system design. [ + ]

The automation and control systems market in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand is predicted to reach US$427.9 million in 2018, new analysis from Frost & Sullivan shows. [ + ]

An energy-efficient building project has secured Glenview Electrical Services one of the top prizes at the ECANZ awards. The Hamilton-based company won the EECA Energy Efficiency Award for its work on the University of Waikato Student Centre. [ + ]

MPower Solar Systems has won the $50,000 first prize for developing a low-cost energy generation management unit which can be fitted to most renewable energy inverters. [ + ]

Still not sure which party has the best sustainability policies? Check out the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia's (SEA's) 2013 Policy Scorecard, which evaluates the leading parties' policies on sustainable energy. [ + ]

The Global Lighting Association (GLA) has announced a partnership with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) in order to coordinate knowledge and action in the field of global lighting. [ + ]

Lighting control company Organic Response is among the eight finalists for the Australian Cleantech Competition 2013. Organic Response's revolutionary lighting control system uses ‘distributed intelligence’ to deliver maximum energy savings with optimal occupancy comfort. [ + ]

OzRoll Industries has officially launched its 100 kW commercial solar system and demonstration site, which was developed in partnership with Schneider Electric. [ + ]

The University of Queensland has officially opened the Global Change Institute, a $32 million building which will operate as a zero-energy and zero-carbon workplace. [ + ]

KNX Association is accepting applications for the KNX Award 2014. The awards will be granted during the light+building fair on 1 April 2014 in Frankfurt. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a new LED driver that powers LED light bulbs with an innovative approach called multilevel PWM (pulse-width modulation). [ + ]

A Brisbane electrical apprentice has taken out the National Apprentice of the Year Award. Dalton Pike from Tradesmen on Time, an Accredited Master Electrician, was presented the award at a presentation hosted by Master Electricians Australia. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has licensed Australian-owned and operated Mayfield Industries to locally manufacture Schneider's Okken low-voltage switchboards, for distribution to mining, water, and oil and gas sites across Australia. [ + ]

CiSRA, the Australian research and development centre for Canon, has appointed Keiji Ishizuka as the new managing director. [ + ]