Author: sHq_LoGiNz

ESPOO, Finland, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recent results on automated driving show substantial benefits by reducing fatal accidents and raising travel quality. A small decrease in CO₂ emissions is also expected. A minor disadvantage is a small increase in travel time through rerouting. VTT played a key role in the impact assessments.

The impacts of automated driving of passenger cars were studied in an EU Flagship project. The results were based on data simulations that were set using data collected with real automated vehicles in real traffic on motorways, urban and rural areas, and on proving grounds. Automated driving was assumed to be available on urban streets and motorways in good driving conditions – not yet everywhere or in all conditions.

“To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive impact assessment so far for the future use of automated vehicles in European traffic. For VTT, working with the European OEMs and other stakeholders developing automated driving was a great opportunity to be part of shaping the future of transport,” says Satu Innamaa, Principal Scientist at VTT.

According to the results, 20% of fatal accidents on motorways today would be avoided if 30% of passenger cars in the traffic flow were automated. In urban settings, the corresponding reduction in accidents would be 22%. The number of accidents with severe and slight injuries would decrease even more. A minor negative impact would be an increase of 0-4% in travel times due to changes in target speed and rerouting, but technical solutions were found to reduce this increase.

“Overall, the benefits of automated driving are expected to outweigh societal costs and potential negative consequences by a great margin. From a socio-economic perspective, the safety impact and increased travel comfort form the main monetary benefits, whereas the increase in travel time brings monetary disadvantage,” says Satu Innamaa.

Automated driving is likely to increase travel quality and produce significant impacts on mobility. By enabling users to engage in non-driving-related activities, enhanced travel quality can lead to more frequent and longer trips.

Manifold impacts on the transport system

The project addressed EU-level impacts covering the entire traffic flow, i.e. automated and non-automated light and heavy vehicles, across all driving scenarios. The results on traffic efficiency and environment revealed that, with automated vehicles in the traffic flow, the average tractive energy use per vehicle-kilometre travelled decreases under most conditions. The impacts on CO₂ emissions at the network level were small (between -1% and 0%).

“While automated vehicles tend to be electric, the project was agnostic to the motor type. It was important to limit the scope of research strictly to the impact of the changes in driving behaviour caused by automation – and not to mix it with impact of the electrification of the fleet,” Innamaa explains the impact on CO₂ emissions.

In addition to the reduction in current traffic accidents due to the introduction of automated driving, it may lead to new types of accidents. The study estimated these to account for 0.3% on motorways at a 30% penetration rate, resulting from situations where the automated vehicle cannot continue driving and needs to slow down or even stop before the human driver takes over control. Thus, this share of new accidents is estimated to be very small in comparison to the reduction in current accidents that automated driving will bring.

Key impacts of automated driving (assuming a 30% adoption of passenger cars):

• Fatal accidents reduced by 20% on motorways, and by 22% in urban traffic
• Average travel-time increased by 0-4% for all vehicles in traffic
• Tractive energy use per vehicle-kilometre decreased
• Small decrease in CO₂ emissions
• Increased travel comfort

EU Flagship project

The €60 million project was coordinated by Volkswagen AG, but most leading car manufacturers with production in Europe, as well as other relevant stakeholders, were represented in the consortium. VTT was responsible for multiple work packages, including the project’s methodology and the impact assessment. The four-year project was completed in November 2025.

“It was inspiring to work with a consortium, testing real automated cars that are being developed for the market, and to explore the diverse impacts of automated driving on the transport system. The project was extremely interesting but also very challenging. We had to consider a multitude of aspects when developing the methodology and then bring all the pieces together to execute the evaluation. Leading a multinational team across organisational boundaries brought its own added dimension,” says Satu Innamaa.

Key facts of the Hi-Drive project

• Duration 53 months, starting from 1 July 2021
• Total budget €60 million, EC funding €30 million
• Coordinator Volkswagen AG
• Included 53 organisations
• www.hi-drive.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hi-drive/

The Hi-Drive project was an Innovation Action, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 programme with the grant agreement number 101006664.

For further information:
Satu Innamaa, Principal Scientist, VTT, Tel. +358 20 722 6112

Further information on VTT:

Pepita Wakkola
Manager, Communications
+358 50 360 7242, pepita.wakkola@vtt.fi  
www.vtt.fi

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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SOURCE VTT Info

SHANGHAI, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the commissioning of its 136,000-square-meter Smart Energy Center, Sigenergy has officially launched its inaugural utility-scale PV inverter. By integrating high-density hardware with millisecond-level control algorithms and AI-driven analytics, the solution addresses the industry’s shift toward simplified system architectures and granular management for large-scale projects.

Sigenergy’s utility solution leverages Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to optimize thermal management and power conversion efficiency. Delivering a maximum output of 506kW, the unit enables a structural reduction in the number of inverters required per site, streamlining overall project scale.

• Cost Optimization: The platform supports a 1000V AC output, which lowers current levels and significantly reduces cabling expenses compared to traditional 800V systems. For 9.2MW block configurations, this design slashes BOS and installation costs by over 10% while simplifying field execution.
• Maximum Energy Harvest: While traditional high-power solutions often force a single MPPT to manage over 600 panels , Sigenergy’s 18 MPPT Design ensures each channel manages only approximately 60 panels (two strings per MPPT). This granular control minimizes mismatch losses from shading or varying orientations, increasing annual energy yield by 1.5% to 2%.

Safety is the cornerstone of the Sigenergy platform, which utilizes a comprehensive protection suite to safeguard every critical electrical node.

• Comprehensive Safeguards: The system features utility-grade AFCI technology with an industry-leading 500m detection distance for rapid arc-fault and fire risk identification. Enhanced safety features also include on-board terminal temperature monitoring, reverse polarity protection, and Type I+II DC-side lightning protection to ensure maximum plant uptime and prevent reverse current damage.
• Industrial-Grade Durability & Thermal Mastery: To ensure 25-year operational reliability, the inverter features an IP66 rating and C5-H anti-corrosion coating for long-term stability in harsh coastal or industrial environments. Internal thermal management is driven by directed airflow to eliminate interference, paired with zigzag heat exchange technology to maintain peak performance under high-load conditions.

Sigenergy transforms maintenance from a reactive task to a prescriptive strategy through the integration of intelligent hardware and software.

• Precision Diagnostics: By refining control to just two strings per MPPT, the system isolates faults instantly, making troubleshooting 15 times faster than traditional systems where one MPPT manages dozens of strings.
• Millisecond-Level Intelligence: The proprietary MPPT algorithm utilizes multi-factor prediction to adjust at the millisecond level, ensuring the system remains locked onto the highest possible output during rapid weather fluctuations.
• Rapid Scanning: During partial shading events, the multi-peak scanning identifies the true global maximum in just 10 seconds—up to 6 times faster than the 40–60 seconds required by conventional solutions.

Embracing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) philosophy, Sigenergy optimizes value throughout the project’s lifespan. High power density reduces raw material consumption per kilowatt during manufacturing. In the operational phase, precision MPPT management and intelligent O&M reduce both the carbon footprint and the resource demands of onsite services. By focusing on lowering LCOE through precise engineering, Sigenergy provides the global market with a robust foundation for the clean energy transition.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sigenergy-enters-utility-scale-market-with-506kw-inverter-delivering-optimized-lcoe-and-lifecycle-value-302736486.html

SOURCE Sigenergy

SHANGHAI, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the commissioning of its 136,000-square-meter Smart Energy Center, Sigenergy has officially launched its inaugural utility-scale PV inverter. By integrating high-density hardware with millisecond-level control algorithms and AI-driven analytics, the solution addresses the industry’s shift toward simplified system architectures and granular management for large-scale projects.

Sigenergy’s utility solution leverages Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to optimize thermal management and power conversion efficiency. Delivering a maximum output of 506kW, the unit enables a structural reduction in the number of inverters required per site, streamlining overall project scale.

• Cost Optimization: The platform supports a 1000V AC output, which lowers current levels and significantly reduces cabling expenses compared to traditional 800V systems. For 9.2MW block configurations, this design slashes BOS and installation costs by over 10% while simplifying field execution.
• Maximum Energy Harvest: While traditional high-power solutions often force a single MPPT to manage over 600 panels , Sigenergy’s 18 MPPT Design ensures each channel manages only approximately 60 panels (two strings per MPPT). This granular control minimizes mismatch losses from shading or varying orientations, increasing annual energy yield by 1.5% to 2%.

Safety is the cornerstone of the Sigenergy platform, which utilizes a comprehensive protection suite to safeguard every critical electrical node.

• Comprehensive Safeguards: The system features utility-grade AFCI technology with an industry-leading 500m detection distance for rapid arc-fault and fire risk identification. Enhanced safety features also include on-board terminal temperature monitoring, reverse polarity protection, and Type I+II DC-side lightning protection to ensure maximum plant uptime and prevent reverse current damage.
• Industrial-Grade Durability & Thermal Mastery: To ensure 25-year operational reliability, the inverter features an IP66 rating and C5-H anti-corrosion coating for long-term stability in harsh coastal or industrial environments. Internal thermal management is driven by directed airflow to eliminate interference, paired with zigzag heat exchange technology to maintain peak performance under high-load conditions.

Sigenergy transforms maintenance from a reactive task to a prescriptive strategy through the integration of intelligent hardware and software.

• Precision Diagnostics: By refining control to just two strings per MPPT, the system isolates faults instantly, making troubleshooting 15 times faster than traditional systems where one MPPT manages dozens of strings.
• Millisecond-Level Intelligence: The proprietary MPPT algorithm utilizes multi-factor prediction to adjust at the millisecond level, ensuring the system remains locked onto the highest possible output during rapid weather fluctuations.
• Rapid Scanning: During partial shading events, the multi-peak scanning identifies the true global maximum in just 10 seconds—up to 6 times faster than the 40–60 seconds required by conventional solutions.

Embracing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) philosophy, Sigenergy optimizes value throughout the project’s lifespan. High power density reduces raw material consumption per kilowatt during manufacturing. In the operational phase, precision MPPT management and intelligent O&M reduce both the carbon footprint and the resource demands of onsite services. By focusing on lowering LCOE through precise engineering, Sigenergy provides the global market with a robust foundation for the clean energy transition.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sigenergy-enters-utility-scale-market-with-506kw-inverter-delivering-optimized-lcoe-and-lifecycle-value-302736486.html

SOURCE Sigenergy

SHANGHAI, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the commissioning of its 136,000-square-meter Smart Energy Center, Sigenergy has officially launched its inaugural utility-scale PV inverter. By integrating high-density hardware with millisecond-level control algorithms and AI-driven analytics, the solution addresses the industry’s shift toward simplified system architectures and granular management for large-scale projects.

Sigenergy’s utility solution leverages Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to optimize thermal management and power conversion efficiency. Delivering a maximum output of 506kW, the unit enables a structural reduction in the number of inverters required per site, streamlining overall project scale.

• Cost Optimization: The platform supports a 1000V AC output, which lowers current levels and significantly reduces cabling expenses compared to traditional 800V systems. For 9.2MW block configurations, this design slashes BOS and installation costs by over 10% while simplifying field execution.
• Maximum Energy Harvest: While traditional high-power solutions often force a single MPPT to manage over 600 panels , Sigenergy’s 18 MPPT Design ensures each channel manages only approximately 60 panels (two strings per MPPT). This granular control minimizes mismatch losses from shading or varying orientations, increasing annual energy yield by 1.5% to 2%.

Safety is the cornerstone of the Sigenergy platform, which utilizes a comprehensive protection suite to safeguard every critical electrical node.

• Comprehensive Safeguards: The system features utility-grade AFCI technology with an industry-leading 500m detection distance for rapid arc-fault and fire risk identification. Enhanced safety features also include on-board terminal temperature monitoring, reverse polarity protection, and Type I+II DC-side lightning protection to ensure maximum plant uptime and prevent reverse current damage.
• Industrial-Grade Durability & Thermal Mastery: To ensure 25-year operational reliability, the inverter features an IP66 rating and C5-H anti-corrosion coating for long-term stability in harsh coastal or industrial environments. Internal thermal management is driven by directed airflow to eliminate interference, paired with zigzag heat exchange technology to maintain peak performance under high-load conditions.

Sigenergy transforms maintenance from a reactive task to a prescriptive strategy through the integration of intelligent hardware and software.

• Precision Diagnostics: By refining control to just two strings per MPPT, the system isolates faults instantly, making troubleshooting 15 times faster than traditional systems where one MPPT manages dozens of strings.
• Millisecond-Level Intelligence: The proprietary MPPT algorithm utilizes multi-factor prediction to adjust at the millisecond level, ensuring the system remains locked onto the highest possible output during rapid weather fluctuations.
• Rapid Scanning: During partial shading events, the multi-peak scanning identifies the true global maximum in just 10 seconds—up to 6 times faster than the 40–60 seconds required by conventional solutions.

Embracing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) philosophy, Sigenergy optimizes value throughout the project’s lifespan. High power density reduces raw material consumption per kilowatt during manufacturing. In the operational phase, precision MPPT management and intelligent O&M reduce both the carbon footprint and the resource demands of onsite services. By focusing on lowering LCOE through precise engineering, Sigenergy provides the global market with a robust foundation for the clean energy transition.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sigenergy-enters-utility-scale-market-with-506kw-inverter-delivering-optimized-lcoe-and-lifecycle-value-302736486.html

SOURCE Sigenergy

TAIPEI, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the 4th “2026 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference” (2026 TIGC) opened on March 26. In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Chien-hsin Lai emphasized that the MOEA will be committed to developing geothermal energy with the advantages of being a local resource and providing a “stable supply.” He also invited international experts to focus their discussions and propose solutions for the specific challenges faced by Taiwan’s geothermal generation, aiming to develop Taiwan’s geothermal energy and strengthen national energy resilience.

Vice Minister Lai stated that conflicts in the Middle East have affected the stability of energy supplies, and CPC Corporation has long implemented a diversified supply strategy for oil and natural gas. Amidst ongoing global changes, the government remains on top of the situation and is handling it with appropriate measures. Every year, the Energy Administration of the MOEA forecasts electricity demand over the next decade, and the power development progress planned by Taipower shows that supply exceeds future demand. The Administration also continues to strengthen power stability and resilience, moving toward the national vision of carbon reduction. Since coming into office, President Lai has declared the “Second Energy Transition,” actively promoting various renewable energy policies to provide sustainable green energy and achieve Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal. Especially as Taiwan is a vital link in the global AI supply chain, geothermal energy plays a key role in green energy supply.

The MOEA stated that Taiwan possesses massive potential and advantages for geothermal development. To accelerate promotion, the MOEA has launched numerous measures ranging from early-stage exploration to subsequent development to achieve de-risking while balancing environmental protection. These include providing demonstration incentive grants and conducting the central government geothermal investment selection process later this year.

The Energy Administration explained that this “2026 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference” hosted by the MOEA has invited over 700 domestic and international experts and industry leaders from more than 10 countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Iceland, Denmark, and Italy, making it the largest-scale event in recent years. By providing an international exchange platform to share geothermal technology and practical experience, it is hoped that experts from around the world will take this opportunity to exchange ideas and provide valuable suggestions to promote Taiwan’s geothermal development.

The core of this conference focuses on “Next-Generation Geothermal Technologies”, including international experience sharing on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) and Supercritical Geothermal Systems (SGS). Experts from various countries, the state-owned CPC Corporation, and the Geological Survey and Mining Management Agency (GSMMA) have been invited to engage in in-depth dialogues on geothermal exploration and drilling decisions under Taiwan’s specific geological environment. The conference also highlights Taiwan’s introduction of more efficient exploration techniques and high-temperature resistant sensing technologies to reduce development risks and shorten development timelines.

The Energy Administration mentioned that a “Geothermal Technology and Solutions Exhibition” is being held concurrently at the venue, which has invited leading geothermal developers, engineering firms, and precision drilling equipment manufacturers from home and abroad, and offers a technical matchmaking platform for domestic and international vendors.

The Energy Administration also emphasized that the success of geothermal development depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also often on mutual prosperity with local communities. Therefore, this conference has specially invited the Council of Indigenous Peoples to give a keynote presentation on “The Role of Indigenous Peoples and Collaborative Visions in Advancing Geothermal Development within the Energy Transition”, emphasizing the importance of establishing a sound benefit-sharing mechanism and giving concrete suggestions.

On the second day of the conference (the 27th), professional workshops will be held on three major themes: “Elements of Drilling Team”, “Geothermal Power Plant Engineering Planning” and “Geothermal Power Plant Operations.” The workshops welcome participants from all sectors and hopes to inspire developers for breakthroughs in geothermal generation. The Energy Administration also hopes that this conference will serve as an exchange platform-through deep cooperation with experienced international partners, Taiwan looks forward to jointly creating a geothermal power generation model that prospers with the local community, enhances industrial competitiveness, and moves toward the sustainable goal of net-zero emissions.

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SOURCE Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs