Our Connected World | TE Connectivity

On a global level, we are seeing increased demand for renewable energy sources.

In this intriguing episode of Our Connected World, podcast host Tyler Kern sat down with Dr. Thomas Schoepf, VP and CTO of Energy at TE Connectivity to discuss the current and future state of renewable energy, barriers to adopting renewable energy sources, and much more.

So, what is renewable energy actually? “When we say renewable energy sources, we mean mainly three available, primary energy sources – such as hydropower, wind, and solar. Those are naturally replenished so day after day the river flows, the sun shines, and the wind blows,” explained Dr. Schoepf.

These sources of energy are becoming more critical as climate change continues to negatively affect the world. The increase in weather-related disasters alone illustrates the human cost of ignoring global warming. Additionally, the crisis in Ukraine has the potential to further accelerate renewable energy trends as countries seek to eliminate its reliance on Russian gas.

Yet, although the need and demand are clearly present, we have a long way to go for full-scale implementation of renewables as the primary source of energy. One reason for this is that it took a while for the industry to get the costs of implementation down to a level where the return on investment became attractive to businesses.

As Dr. Schoepf mentions, “another challenge is the volatility of wind and solar as energy sources, when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing, which can lead to a decrease in energy output.” As such, renewable energy plants need a backup source or need to be paired with supplemental energy sources. Learn more on TE.com.

ATM machines, the internet, GPS maps, and weather reports all have one common denominator: outer space. Without space, these services would not be possible at the scale they are today. TE Connectivity’s leader of global engineering, Matt McAlonis joined Tyler Kern, host of Our Connected World, to highlight the trends in the space frontier.

Space holds massive potential as a domain for defensive and offensive mechanisms while still providing commercial viability. As one of the world’s largest connectivity suppliers, TE Connectivity recognizes the importance of the space arena through its aerospace, defense, and marine business.

There is widespread commercial interest in the future of outer space, including colonizing other planets, mining space minerals, building the next generation of the internet, and providing a lunar port for easier space travel.

McAlonis noted, “Space harvesting includes finding rich deposits on something like a large asteroid, and we’ve already identified some of those, so the question is: How do we identify what’s on them? What’s the value of those elements, and how do we use them?” Resource harvesting is particularly interesting as a form of conservation on Earth and the ability it could have in making more environmentally friendly batteries.

One must consider a variety of different factors when building connectivity in different environments; however, the biggest factor for commercialization is finance-related. “The commercialization of space comes down to a few important things and a big one is cost,” McAlonis said, noting that historically space flight has cost $10,000 per pound.

Despite the barriers, one thing is for certain: Commercial interest in space is on the rise, and it’s only a matter of time before these futuristic concepts become reality.

TE Connectivity is on the cutting edge of sensor technology. To discuss this innovation that’s disrupting many industries, Tyler Kern chatted with VP and Chief Technology Officer, Erin Byrne, of Sensor Solutions.

Byrne highlighted many examples of how sensors are already involved in people’s everyday use. “Sensors are ubiquitous…they’re ubiquitous in improving our lives, across our work or play. Examples that I think about that people are familiar with: You know, they’re following their sleep through using an aura ring for example, or maybe tracking their heart rhythms on their Apple watch. Or, you know, they’re getting driver assistance in new systems in cars that are being installed…” Byrne said.

There are other use cases that are shaping industries that aren’t quite as obvious, like efforts around sustainability. For instance, the sensor technology in electric vehicles helps people know when their battery is low, so they don’t waste hours charging their car because the battery died. There are also feedback sensors, room lighting, and heating monitors that help conserve energy when and where needed.

Additionally, sensors are positively impacting the healthcare industry with their remote capabilities, like doctors using finely tuned remote sensors to perform remote surgery and even patient-monitoring technologies.

“We are also doing things like developing piezoelectric films and devices, and these piezoelectric films can act as a dynamic stream gauge,” Byrne explained. These sensors, which are extremely sensitive, can help alleviate staffing pressure in healthcare by monitoring patients when nurses and doctors can’t.

Use cases for sensors continue to expand beyond the typical fashion, and there is certainly more revolutionary sensor technology to come.

Ralf Klaedtke, The Chief Technical Officer for Transportation Solutions at TE Connectivity, wrapped his three-part look at autonomous driving on Connected World with a focus on the future.

The present-day provides the answers to that future. New players entering the autonomous vehicle space are making their presence known, and their technology solutions can play a massive part in securing the drive to full autonomy with EVs.

“We’re entering an interesting time right now,” Klaedtke said. “We call it the new normal, and in the new normal, we see a huge amount of new players. All the traditional car companies are under pressure. We see electronic companies entering the game and software companies. We see the electrification of the cars, and that is opening totally new avenues for computers on wheels.”

Ralf Klaedtke, The Chief Technical Officer for Transportation Solutions at TE Connectivity, continued his discussion on autonomous driving with Connected World’s Tyler Kern. In this second episode, the conversation shifted to the human side of autonomous driving and people's trust issues with AI.

And, as with Klaedtke and Kern’s earlier conversation, safety is the leading concern for people when it comes to adopting this important technology. Klaedtke saw adoption occurring first in cities with robo taxis and driver-less buses before moving out into less populated areas. Ironing out safety issues and cost aspects are still two challenges that need to be addressed before expecting this type of autonomy to be reached.

There’s a lot to be excited about in the world of autonomous vehicles. Still, there are many challenges ahead, including misconceptions to clear up and technology hurdles to climb before EV’s go mainstream. Ralf Klaedtke, The Chief Technical Officer for Transportation Solutions at TE Connectivity, shared his insights on those challenges and the trends shaping the industry with a push towards full autonomy. With so much great content to cover, Klaedtke joined Connected World’s Tyler Kern for this first of three separate episodes on the topic.

Klaedtke told Kern it wasn’t long ago that people began dreaming of the day when autonomous driving was the norm. But that day isn’t here yet. So, what’s the hold-up?

The ecosystem of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly changing. With so many factors that impact the market, OEMs are evolving their models to meet consumer demand and infrastructure needs. Discussing the current state, Steven Merkt, President, Transportation Solutions at TE Connectivity, joined Our Connected World host Tyler Kern.

“There have been many barriers in the way. First, it was making a battery that would last long enough and be cost-effective. Then getting through these economically unviable times. The third was would people want to drive them,” Merkt explained.

Those challenges are in the rearview, but many remain. “There’s capability and capacity. Capability has had a natural progression of faster charging but scaling it out for capacity isn’t easy for the auto industry,” Merkt noted.

The near-term issue is the supply chain, which every manufacturer has experienced. As a result, OEMs are responding and adapting. Infrastructure is still in flux, with some areas having easy access to charging where others don’t. Further, the energy used in charging needs to be sustainable.

All this change and rapid acceleration have OEMs stepping back and viewing themselves differently. “Before a car company was a car company. Now some see themselves as transportation or service companies. Regardless of their model, they all need to advance battery technology and ensure the electrical infrastructure is there,” Merkt added.

Merkt stated that the disruption has been good for the industry, allowing new players to bring value while traditional ones become more innovative. OEMs need to continue to deliver reliability and performance. Users also need easy access to charging. Those are the priorities of all stakeholders in the EV market. Visit TE.com to read the full story on this topic: https://bit.ly/3zuf2oc