Learners Live

Why The ‘Redheaded Stepchild’ of Renewable Energy Is Poised to Rise Under Trump by Saul Elbein

Even as President Trump slashes support for wind and solar energy, another renewable energy source is finding unexpected favor under his second administration. In early February, newly confirmed Secretary of Energy Chris Wright named geothermal energy, which uses underground heat to generate clean heat and electricity, as one of the prime areas for department research and development. With bipartisan political support behind its efforts and skyrocketing energy demand from data centers bolstering the potential market for its offerings, the geothermal industry is getting excited. Geothermal energy finds favor under Trump administration

What to Know About AI Agents and Their Impact on Lighting by David Shiller

AI agents differ significantly from traditional AI systems in terms of functionality. AI agents possess higher autonomy, making independent decisions without constant human oversight. AI agents are poised to reshape the lighting industry, bringing next levels of intelligence, efficiency, and personalization to lighting systems. Here’s how AI agents will transform various aspects of the lighting industry:

    1. Intelligent Lighting Control
    2. Personalized Lighting Experiences
    3. Automated Commissioning and Maintenance
    4. Energy Optimization
    5. Enhanced Design and Planning
    6. Integration with Smart Building Systems
    7. Market Growth and Innovation

More information is available hereWhat To Know About AI Agents And Their Impact On Lighting | LightNOW

Lafayette College Partners with Sollum Technologies to Advance Precision Agriculture Research

Lafayette College, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Elliott, is embarking on a groundbreaking research initiative to measure the effects of advanced LED lightingon the growth and quality of various crops. The lab, based in Easton, Pennsylvania, uses Sollum Technologies’ dynamic LED lighting solution to tailor optimal growing conditions for each crop. The research area consists of 12 independent cells, each measuring 1m x 1m, equipped with advanced control and monitoring systems. These systems regulate temperature, humidity, vapour pressure deficit(VPD), light timing, CO₂ levels, irrigation volume, substrate electrical conductivity (EC), and more. This design allows precise replication of varied growing conditions, and tests of ecosystem responses along environmental gradients, setting a new standard for agricultural research.  [News] Lafayette College Partners with Sollum Technologies to Advance Precision Agriculture Research – LEDinside

Samsung Teases New Way to Interact with Mobile Through Hologram Experience Ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Samsung Electronics illuminated the cityscape of London with a live hologram showcase, transforming urban spaces into vibrant canvases in anticipation of Galaxy Unpacked 2025 and bringing the world a sneak peek into the next era of mobile AI. With live holographic activation and voice elements, The hologram projections showed a variety of images representing common memories users might capture and share through mobile devices, from marine life and exotic plants to sports highlights and a lantern-filled sky. These displays hint at the more intuitive mobile experience users around the globe can expect from Galaxy AI, while also giving a glimpse of the new features set to arrive with the next Galaxy S series lineup. The immersive experience debuted January 15, projecting the never-before-seen holographic installations and featuring large-format, scalable 65-foot by 50-foot visuals positioned 100 feet above the ground. In addition to the installation going live in London, on-site social posts have further amplified expectations worldwide.

Cooper Lighting Solutions Designs Ultra Efficient LED Track Luminaire

Cooper Lighting Solutions has developed a new track head light set to revolutionize general, accent, and display lighting applications across various industries. The HALO 808E Essential LED Track Luminairedelivers up to 2500 lumens and 120 lumens per watt, making it one of the most efficient options on the market. The l HALO 808E luminaire features field-interchangeable optics, which include 17° spot, 24° narrow flood, and 32° flood options. Compatibility with HALO Power and Lazer 120V track systems ensures seamless integration into existing lighting infrastructures. It offers smooth dimming capabilities down to 5% to provide unparalleled lighting control and ambiance management.  HALO 808E Essential LED Track Luminaire data sheet

Artificial intelligence: Tools & Tips for Lighting Professionals by Mark Lien

Thursday, February 27, 12:00pm (ET) | Register here Speaker: Mark Lien  Sponsored by ALUZ  Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in its power over our lives and accelerating into the marketplace at unprecedented speed. It can suck us into endless YouTube videos and social media engagement, often with nothing of value to show for our time. The lighting community needs to use AI for good while minimizing its negative impact on us.  Hundreds of new tools are available to us for marketing, design, manufacturing, collaboration, developing AI agents, consumer education and more. Attend this session to identify the best of them, what is coming and how we can help to safeguard ourselves and our businesses while utilizing these helpful new tools.  Educational Webinars – Illuminating Engineering Society

 

GE Vernova Outlines $600M US Expansion

GE Vernova Inc. outlined a capital investment program for U.S. manufacturing and development operations totaling close to $600 million through 2027. It projected the investments would address issues involving energy affordability, national security, and manufacturing growth, and would prompt the creation of more than 1,500 new jobs. GE Vernova, which is the former General Electric portfolio of businesses that manufacture industrial and alternative energy systems, pegged the new U.S. investments as part of its broader, $9-billion global capital investment and research program. Among the planned U.S. investments:

  • Greenville, SC ($160 million)
  • Niskayuna, NY ($100 million)
  • Parsippany, NJ, Bangor, ME, Schenectady, NY ($50 million each)
  • Clearwater, FL, Charleroi, PA ($20 million each)
  • Also Pensacola, Grand Forks, Amarillo, Wilmington, Pittsburgh

Energy Giant Outlines $600M US Expansion | GE Vernova | American Machinist

Bill Introduced to Prevent Supply Chain Disruptions, Protect American Producers

The bipartisan Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act would authorize the Department of Commerce to strengthen American supply chains for critical industries and emerging technologies by working with the private sector and U.S. government partners to anticipate and prevent future supply chain disruptions before they happen. In the process, it will also identify opportunities to grow manufacturing capacity and jobs, and reduce costs for American consumers. Geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters and the pandemic have highlighted the fragility of supply chains. These events have already caused significant delays and shortages, impacting everything from critical medical supplies and driving up the costs of consumer goods. The U.S. is heavily reliant on single countries for critical supply chain segments, including manufacturing components, critical minerals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. This concentration poses a significant risk of disruption. Bill Introduced to Prevent Supply Chain Disruptions, Protect American Producers – tEDmag

SATCO Guaranteed Price Protection

As we navigate the evolving global trade environment regarding the possible impact of new import tariffs, we want to assure you that we have taken proactive steps in our supply chain management to protect pricing and ensure product availability during this uncertain time. Through strategic diversification of our production across multiple countries of origin and an increase in our inventory levels, we have fortified our supply chain to maintain stability and reliability. Therefore, we are committed to holding our current pricing in place through May 31, 2025.  Should trade dynamics change because of new tariffs or regulatory changes, resulting in the need to adjust pricing, a minimum of 60-day notice would be provided and would not go into effect prior to May 31st https://www.satco.com/ 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Hire – While most of us have heard the term artificial intelligence, few could predict the explosion of GenAI technologies in the public sphere over the last two years. In the work setting alone, Microsoft and LinkedIn reported that “75% of knowledge workers use AI at work” and “66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills”.                 

So how did this all happen:

1956, August: At the Dartmouth Conference, researchers discuss creating machines capable of intelligent behavior and the term “Artificial Intelligence” is introduced.

2017, June: Google researchers introduce the Transformer architecture, the foundation for generative AI (GenAI) models. (GPT = Generative Pre-trained Transformer)

2022, November: OpenAI unveils ChatGPT, a conversational GenAI model, marking a tipping point in public access and accelerated adoption.

2024 NOW: Commercialization is accelerating. Globally, the GenAI solutions market is expected to exceed $50 billion by 2028 with over 60,000 GenAI companies already doing business (Horban, 2024).  The biggest tech/communications companies are all involved in a very big way to drive and influence our lives now and in the future with their GenAI models:

  • OpenAI’s ChatGPT
  • xAI’s Grok
  • Google’s Gemini
  • Microsoft’s Copilot
  • Anthropic’s Claude
  • Apple’s Apple Intelligence
  • Meta’s Llama
  • Coming: Orion by OpenAI 

Plan for your future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life. Mark Twain