MANUCLOUD Brings Solar Cell

Global demand for renewable energy sources has created a burgeoning manufacturing sector for bespoke light-emitting diodes and solar cells. Europe needs to capitalise on this transition from mass production to more personalised, customer-oriented and eco-efficient manufacturing if it is to remain a leader in this field.

The EU-funded Distributed Cloud product specification and supply chain manufacturing execution infrastructure (MANUCLOUD) project, which was completed in July 2013, sought to boost European competitiveness by establishing a functioning online marketplace that would benefit manufacturers, suppliers, and customers. The project involved industrial partners from the organic photovoltaic, organic lighting and automotive supply industries, and aimed to integrate the whole supply chain.

The project, which began in 2010, began by assessing the requirements for establishing a functioning marketplace. It then developed cloud-enabled infrastructure capable of supporting on-demand manufacturing. Cloud computing is a concept which describes the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server.

MANUCLOUD connects all interested stakeholders together, providing open access to a global network of suppliers and customers. Through logging onto a web-based platform, entrepreneurs will be able to search for potential suppliers and negotiate contracts. They will then be able to create a customer website and release their new product.

In addition, customers will be able to use the platform to customise products to suit their requirements. Through the MANUCLOUD marketplace, product configurations will be sent to suppliers, the parts manufactured and the finished product assembled and delivered to the customer. A public demonstrator is now available for testing on request.

Two innovative technologies were selected to demonstrate the MANUCLOUD concept. These were organic photovoltaic (OPV) and organic LED (OLED) technologies. Each of these is driven by specific market needs, though both markets are currently at an early stage.

The potential of these two technologies however is huge, and has barely been tapped. Numerous new applications--with a substantial share being customised solutions--are expected to hit the market in the next few years. The manufacturing cloud infrastructure established by MANUCLOUD should help ensure that manufacturers, suppliers and customers are able to fully take advantage of the opportunities presented.

The MANUCLOUD project received EUR 3,593,964 in EU funding.

Green’s the word this year as the commercial building industry begins to see a significant move toward greater transparency, higher energy efficiency standards, increased sustainability and a more responsible use of building resources, according to Lennox Commercial, which offers products to help your customers achieve their green building goals.

According to Lux Research, an independent research firm specializing in emerging technology,RGB LED Color-changing led grow light headlight accent light system for headlight halo effect. the green building sector is expected to grow by $280 billion globally by 2020. Plus, with the new LEEDv4 standards set to take effect later this year, it’s time to help your customers start greening their business.

Increased visibility
The recent release of publicly disclosed building use in New York City is likely to set up a trend for other U.S. cities, making businesses more accountable for their utility use. Building product manufacturers are catching on, too, offering increased transparency with environmental product declarations.

Net zero
While a net-zero building status once seemed impossible to obtain, it’s now becoming more common as the industry moves past LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications that no longer offer a competitive advantage for businesses. Now, commercial building developers and architects are starting to showcase Zero Net Energy designs as a means of differentiation from competitors.

Alternative energy sources
More businesses are turning to alternative energy sources in efforts to lower utility costs, meet green building standards and generate their own electricity. One increasingly popular choice is solar power, which allows them to harvest the sun’s free, clean energy to power their building’s HVAC, lighting and more—all while substantially lowering electric costs and impact to the environment. Lennox’ SunSource Commercial Energy System,The world’s most efficient and cost effective hid lights? for example, is a commercial HVAC system that integrates directly with solar power, providing up to 34 SEER and beyond.Wholesale hid kit and xenon bulbs at low price factory direct.

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