Smart energy stadium.

Open, scalable systems integrate with the stadium's existing infrastructure – avoiding a costly rebuild while supporting more than 81,000 fans on matchday.

ABB becoming Borussia Dortmund (BVB) Energy Management Partner, building on years of continued technological collaboration at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Together, the two organisations are transforming Germany's largest football stadium into a showcase for smart energy management, resilient electrification and intelligent building automation – developing a scalable approach in one of the world's most complex and operationally demanding venues.

Every matchday, more than 81,000 fans transform SIGNAL IDUNA PARK into one of football's most electrifying venues. Home to Borussia Dortmund's famous 'Yellow Wall' – Europe's largest standing terrace – SIGNAL IDUNA PARK has hosted Bundesliga, Champions League, World Cup and European Championship matches, making it one of the most iconic stadiums in world football. Behind the scenes, another kind of performance makes that experience possible: the intelligent management of energy, electrical infrastructure and building systems.

Few environments test infrastructure more intensely than a football stadium. Within hours, SIGNAL IDUNA PARK shifts from everyday operation to serving supporters, broadcasters, hospitality areas, security systems and other critical services. Energy demand can rise sharply from near-zero to peak megawatt levels while operational continuity remains non-negotiable.

LtoR: Carsten Cramer, Benedikt Scholz, BVD; Mark Zwerner, ABB; Dr. Stefan Rohrmoser, ABB; Dr. Frederic Nimmermann, ABB; Thomas Baltzer, ABB and Dr. Christian Hockenjos, BVD.

"Thousands of people come together to create something extraordinary at Signal Iduna Park," Dr. Christian Hockenjos, Director of Organisation & Managing Director BVB Stadium Management GmbH, said. "With ABB, we have a partner that shares our ambition to continuously improve performance – not only on the pitch, but throughout the infrastructure behind it. Building on our existing collaboration, we want to set new standards for efficient and future-ready stadium operations."

Unlike a new-build stadium designed from scratch, SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is an established venue whose infrastructure has grown and evolved over decades. Originally opened in 1974, the stadium demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be retrofitted through electrification – a challenge relevant across many building types, industries and public infrastructure.

Borussia Dortmund was the first Bundesliga club with climate goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The club also operates the world's most powerful photovoltaic system on a football stadium roof, with an installed capacity of up to 5 MWp – a commitment advancing further with a 3.75 MWh battery storage system planned before year-end.

Over the past years, Borussia Dortmund and ABB have worked together to modernise the stadium’s electrical infrastructure, KNX-based building automation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management systems. This work builds on SIGNAL IDUNA PARK's ISO 50001-certified energy management system, which provides a structured and independently validated framework for monitoring, measuring and continuously improving energy performance. As “Energy Management Partner,” ABB will now build on this foundation to further optimise energy use, increase operational transparency, and support Borussia Dortmund's continuous improvement of energy performance.

Central to the approach is an open, scalable architecture that integrates with existing systems and can expand across the wider BVB portfolio, from the Dortmund-Brackel training ground and academy to BVB FanWelt and future EV charging infrastructure. What is being developed at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is not just relevant for the world’s most demanding live venues, but for the modernisation of complex existing buildings everywhere.

"Our partnership with ABB demonstrates how a long-standing collaboration can lead to concrete solutions that deliver strategic value for both sides. Together, we are making Signal Iduna Park more efficient and future-proof," says Benedikt Scholz, Director Internationalisation & Commercial Partnerships at BVB.

"Signal Iduna Park combines the demands of critical infrastructure with the complexity of a building that has evolved over decades,” said Mark Zwerner, VP Strategic Partnerships at ABB. “By bringing together electrification, energy management and building automation through an open, scalable architecture, we can help Borussia Dortmund improve performance while maintaining reliable operations. What we prove here can provide a blueprint for complex buildings far beyond football."

This partnership brings together two organisations committed to demonstrating that energy efficiency, operational performance and long-term resilience go hand in hand. ABB's mission to help buildings become more energy-efficient, connected and future-ready – combined with Borussia Dortmund's SBTi-validated climate targets and experience operating one of Europe's most complex and most visited properties – sets a new standard for what's possible in demanding, real-world environments.

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@ABBgroupnews @abb_automation @ABBelec @BVB  @admiralpr #BMS  #Energy #Germany

Pharmaceutical traceability.

Enterprise traceability, operational intelligence and AI-assisted investigations helping manufacturers prevent disruptions, accelerate exception resolution and improve product availability.

The launch of Systech TraceIQ™, an intelligent, easy-to-use enterprise traceability platform created for a new operational reality in pharmaceutical supply chains has been announced. 

An industry in transition.
The first generation of enterprise traceability platforms were developed primarily to meet serialisation mandates, exchange data with trading partners and report to regulators. Those systems established the compliance foundation the industry depends on today. But while compliance remains essential, it is no longer sufficient.

As regulations evolve and supply chains grow more complex—across sites, CMOs, logistics providers and regulators—teams are expected to resolve issues faster and keep product moving with limited resources. Traditional traceability solutions serve as systems of record, capturing events and maintaining compliance. However, when operational issues occur, teams often struggle to quickly determine root causes, coordinate across partners and take corrective action. The result can be investigation delays, shipment holds and avoidable operational inefficiencies.

The evolution from system of record to system of intelligence.
Backed by Systech’s four decades of packaging execution and serialisation expertise, TraceIQ combines core compliance capabilities with an operational intelligence layer—enhanced by AI-assisted analytics and insights—designed for how pharmaceutical supply chains function today.

Fast to deploy and intuitive to use, TraceIQ transforms traceability data from a passive record of transactions into an active source of insight, enabling teams to identify patterns, investigate root causes and collaborate across partners.

"Serialization created unprecedented visibility into pharmaceutical supply chains, but visibility alone does not solve operational issues," said Sreedhar Patnala, General Manager, Systech. "Organizations need to quickly understand what happened, why it happened and what action to take next. TraceIQ helps teams move beyond compliance reporting toward proactive operational decision-making that keeps products moving throughout the supply chain safely and in a timely manner.”

Built around three operational outcomes:

• Prevent issues before they stop product: Built-in validation and guardrails help identify bad data and avoidable errors before they create downstream exceptions, rework or shipment delays.
• Resolve exceptions before they become disruptions: Centralised traceability data and AI-assisted investigation help teams determine what happened, identify likely causes and take corrective action faster across internal operations and external partners.
• Turn traceability data into operational decisions: Intuitive search, analytics and intelligent assistance provide supply chain, quality and compliance teams with the insights they need to make faster decisions, improve partner collaboration and optimise performance.

From emerging biopharmaceutical companies preparing for commercial launch to global manufacturers and contract organisations managing complex partner ecosystems, TraceIQ helps organisations unlock greater value from their serialisation and traceability investments. The result is improved operational visibility, increased productivity and more informed decision-making.

Traceability for today’s operational demands.
As global supply chains become more interconnected and regulatory expectations continue to expand, manufacturers require traceability systems that not only ensure compliance but also drive operational performance. TraceIQ was designed to support this next phase of traceability.

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@SystechOne #PAuto #Pharma #Ai @ramarketingpr

VP of Industrial & Process Automation appointment.

Focused on driving industrial efficiency through combination of automation, software, AI and electrification; strengthening collaboration with customers and ecosystem partners to maximise impact.

Alex Richards

Schneider Electric has appointed Alex Richards as Business Vice President of Industrial & Process Automation for Britain & Ireland.

David Hall, Zone President UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, commented: “Alex’s appointment will help us advance innovation and deliver meaningful automation, digitalisation and decarbonisation initiatives across the UK and Ireland, helping customers turn ambition into practical outcomes.”

In his new role, Alex will lead Schneider Electric’s Industrial & Process Automation business across the territories, helping customers across key industrial sectors modernise operations by combining software-defined automation, AI, robotics, electrification and digital intelligence. This enables organisations to use energy and resources more efficiently, accelerate decarbonisation initiatives, and build more resilient and competitive operations.

Having joined Schneider Electric in 2008, Alex brings extensive experience across Energy and Sustainability Services, Global Field Services, Digital Services and Segments & Strategic Accounts. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Segments & Strategic Accounts for Europe Operations and prior to that Vice President, EMEA, for Mining, Minerals and Metals.

Commenting on his appointment, Alex Richards shared: “Industry is entering a defining period in which the convergence of automation, digitalisation and electrification will be essential to driving productivity, resilience and long-term sustainability. Schneider Electric has the technology, expertise and partner ecosystem to help organisations translate this opportunity into practical progress.”

“I am excited to lead our Industrial & Process Automation business and to work alongside customers and partners across the UK and Ireland. Together, we can accelerate industrial transformation, unlock greater efficiency and agility, and build more competitive and sustainable operations.”

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@SchneiderElec #PAuto #Ireland #Britain

Rugged display.

Sets benchmark for visual performance in harsh environments

A new 13.3-inch 4K2K Rugged Plus TFT display which delivers exceptional visual clarity, high resolution, high brightness and increased pixel density has been introduced by JDIT-K. The new LPM133N320A display module is designed to operate reliably in harsh environments and combines ultra-high resolution with Rugged Plus engineering to meet the application requirements for operational resilience and precise image representation.

The 13.3-inch display module has been developed specifically to provide robust durability and advanced performance while maintaining low power consumption for mission‑critical applications across rugged industrial, scientific and medical sectors. The LTPS (low-temperature poly silicon) LCD features a 4K2K resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels, offering outstanding image clarity supported by a 331 pixels per inch (PPI) pixel density. Offering 10‑bit RGB data which enables a colour palette of over 1.073 billion colours, users benefit from exceptional colour accuracy and depth. Exceptional optical performance is further enhanced by an 80% NTSC (typical) colour gamut, a contrast ratio of 1300:1 and brightness levels of up to 1200 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in challenging lighting conditions.

Engineered to withstand extreme operational environments, the Rugged Plus display delivers a wide operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C, making it suitable for field‑deployed systems and outdoor applications. Its mechanical construction and electrical design are highly resistant to ESD, mechanical shock, and vibration, ensuring dependable operation in demanding applications such as fully rugged laptops, aerospace instrumentation and advanced industrial systems. The display also supports Zero Bright Dot Defect standards, guaranteeing a flawless display image.

Available in two configurations, the standard 13.3-inch 4K2K module (LPM133N320A) and the 4K2K module with fully integrated projected capacitive touchscreen (LPM133N321A). The display module offers flexibility for embedded, open‑frame and mobile diagnostic equipment. Both versions implement IPS (in-plane switching) wide viewing angle technology, and a 4‑channel 5.4Gbps eDP 1.4 interface, enabling seamless integration into modern system architectures.

With a 70,000‑hour LED lifetime, robust structural design and power‑efficient operation, the new 13.3-inch 4K2K Rugged Plus display sets a new standard for high‑resolution rugged visual solutions. It is purpose‑built for applications requiring uncompromising performance, reliability and clarity in a wide range of user environments.

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#JDIT#PAuto #Medical@KOE_Europe

5G test verification.

Verification and support of 3GPP RAN5 Rel-17 NR Coverage Enhancement (CovEnh) testcases in collaboration with MediaTek using the M60 UE has been announced. This verification was conducted using Anritsu’s 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR.

As 5G services continue to expand across a wide variety of devices and deployment scenarios, maintaining reliable communication in challenging radio environments has become increasingly important, particularly where uplink coverage is the limiting factor. Release 17 Coverage Enhancements were introduced to address these conditions, enabling devices to maintain connectivity and transfer data more reliably at the cell edge, deep indoors, and in other weak-signal conditions without requiring increased transmit power or additional network infrastructure.

The solution introduces a number of mechanisms employing enhanced radio coverage procedures such as Msg3 repetition, enhanced PUSCH Repetition Type A, and Transport Block processing over Multiple Slots (TBoMS) to improve uplink robustness and extend effective 5G coverage, from initial access through to sustained data transfer at the cell edge.

Through this collaboration, Anritsu and MediaTek, Inc. are supporting the industry’s validation of Coverage Enhancement conformance and interoperability, helping accelerate commercial implementation of 3GPP Release 17 features.

“By enabling accurate verification of coverage-oriented functionality, Anritsu supports operators and device vendors in improving connection reliability and overall network efficiency, particularly in scenarios where radio conditions are poor,” said Yokoo Daizaburo, General Manager of Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu. “We are proud that our collaboration with MediaTek supports the industry’s implementation and validation of new 5G features such as Release 17 Coverage Enhancements quickly and with confidence.” The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 38.523-1. These tests have been submitted by Anritsu to 3GPP’s Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5). They are available on 3GPP RAN5 portal.

Product outline.
The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered as Test Platform 251 with both the GCF and PTCRB.

This platform supports 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It covers 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone modes, along with LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, W-CDMA and NTN. When paired with Anritsu’s OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR supports testing in sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.

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 @Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR   #TandM #TeleComms

Train monitoring.

EMC-immune FBG sensor technology to extend railway asset life, reduce false alarms and eliminate track-possession installation bottlenecks.

ARGOS® NewLight is a revolutionary fibre-optic sensor layer designed to modernise wayside train monitoring launched by Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK). It combines advanced Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) optical technology with HBK’s industry-trusted analytics.

As railway infrastructure managers and operators face growing traffic volumes, ageing networks and tighter operational budgets, the pressure to transition from reactive to predictive maintenance has never been higher. ARGOS® NewLight addresses these challenges head-on by introducing high-precision fibre-optic sensors that integrate directly into the existing ARGOS® software and reporting backend. The solution gives operators “new eyes” to measure track and wheel conditions with absolute accuracy and eliminates the high costs and disruptions of rail replacement.

Breaking the limits of traditional monitoring.
Unlike traditional inspection methods or ageing competitor technologies that rely on complex, glued strain gauges or high-cost sleeper replacements, ARGOS® NewLight introduces a robust, easy-to-install fibre-optic sensor layer. Designed to withstand the harshest rail environments, the system offers:

• Complete electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity: Because the sensors utilise optical technology rather than electricity, they are completely immune to traction currents, lightning strikes and electromagnetic interference (EMI), eliminating the false alarms and surge protection hardware common with older technologies
• 
  Rapid, POS-free installation: Sensors are bonded directly (either flat or contoured) to the existing rail web. With no rail replacement or welding required, infrastructure managers can bypass costly track possession requirements, drastically reducing installation time and complexity
• Flexible, long-distance architecture: ARGOS® NewLight supports distances of up to 1 km between trackside FBG sensors and equipment cabinets, offering unmatched deployment flexibility
• No operator retraining: The hardware upgrade works seamlessly with the existing ARGOS® database, analytics, and user interfaces, ensuring immediate return on investment and a zero-friction adoption curve.

Measurable business value.
ARGOS® NewLight supports a comprehensive range of certified applications, including Weigh-in-Motion (WIM), Wheel Impact Load Detection (WILD), Out-of-Roundness (OOR) monitoring and Running Behaviour Measurement (RBM).

When paired with the AI-assisted diagnostics of HBK Monitor360, the system transforms real-world physical measurements into highly actionable predictive insights. In real-world customer applications, this predictive capability has extended wheel lifespans by over 50%, increasing wheel mileage from approximately 1 million to 1.5 million kilometres, while drastically minimising unexpected service disruptions.

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@HBMmeasurement @BruelKjaerUK #Automation  #Transport

Power-to-heat plant with heat storage.

Leonhard Kurx and EnergyWest have successfully commissioned their joint power-to-heat plant with integrated thermal storage at the Sulzbach-Rosenberg site (D). Now that all installation and commissioning work has been completed, the system is supplying industrial process heat based on renewable electricity, marking an important milestone on the path to decarbonizing energy-intensive production processes.

The plant combines a 3 MW electric heater with an ENERGYNEST ThermalBattery™ featuring a storage capacity of 12 MWhth. The system is directly integrated into the site’s existing thermal oil infrastructure and primarily uses electricity from the directly connected ground-mounted photovoltaic system to provide high-temperature process heat on demand.

Once operational, KURZ will generate more than 3 GWhth of clean heat annually, covering over 70 percent of the heat demand for a production line at the site. More than 40 percent of the heat demand will be met by stored heat. At the same time, natural gas consumption will be reduced by more than 3.5 GWh per year, resulting in annual CO₂ savings of over 700 metric tons.

With this project, KURZ is advancing its sustainability strategy and consistently pursuing the goal of climate-neutral production. The company already exclusively uses electricity from renewable energy sources at its German sites. The successful commissioning of the power-to-heat plant now marks another important step toward the decarbonization of industrial heat supply.

“Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA and shapes every aspect of our business operations and innovation. With the successful commissioning of this plant, we are taking another important step on our path toward climate-neutral production. The project demonstrates how innovative energy solutions and industrial competitiveness can go hand in hand,” said Ralph Hopfensitz, Executive Senior Vice President of Global Technology at LEONHARD KURZ.

“With this successful commissioning, we are proving that the decarbonization of industrial process heat is no longer a concept for the future, but can be implemented economically today," said Alex Robertson, CEO of ENERGYNEST "Together with KURZ, we have implemented a solution that enables the flexible use of renewable electricity and replaces fossil fuels. This project demonstrates how the industrial energy transition can succeed in practice - with immediately measurable results in terms of emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and security of supply.”

The solution is one of the first industrial power-to-heat projects in Germany to combine high-temperature heat with integrated thermal energy storage. It demonstrates how companies can flexibly utilize renewable electricity, increase energy efficiency, and economically replace fossil-fuel-based process heat.

The project was funded by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and serves as a model for scaling up electrified heat supply in industry. Its successful implementation underscores the potential of power-to-heat and heat storage as key building blocks of a climate-neutral industry.

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@LEONHARD_KURZ @KURZUSA @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #PAuto #Storage #Germany