LEXINGTON, Ky. — Old manufacturing facilities bite the dust every year in the U.S. Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have provided opportunities for newer “smart plants” to replace stodgy, old manufacturing systems that aren’t worth rebuilding.

Fuji Electric Corp. of America introduced its High Capacity Uninterruptible Power Supply System to the U.S. market. The 7400WX-T3U is designed for data centers in all industries and is available now for shipment.

The electric utility industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by new sources of energy generation (solar and wind power), consumer demand for faster and more affordable services, cybersecurity, and big data.

ABB is launching a new series of variable frequency drives (VFDs) that aim to enhance the performance of smart buildings and enable users to meet more stringent energy efficiency regulations. Company officials said the new ACH580 HVAC drives ensure that applications operate reliably and without costly unplanned outages, safeguarding the comfort and security of occupants in commercial buildings, including critical facilities such as hospitals and data centers.

Keeping fleet, machinery, and other assets working efficiently is a common challenge among equipment manufacturers; engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies; and power and process plant owners and operators.