ICONICS is extremely pleased and honored to have been selected for this prestigious global award from Microsoft,” said Russ Agrusa, President and CEO of ICONICS. “This award recognizes innovation and success at providing software solutions that help customers reduce consumption and environmental impact. Our CityNext involvement reinforces the strength of our relationship with Microsoft, as well as our commitment to providing our customers and partners with cutting edge energy and sustainability solutions the world over.”

Awards were presented in multiple categories, with winners chosen from a set of more than 2,800 entrants from 117 different countries worldwide. ICONICS was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Microsoft’s CityNext initiative including services pertaining to building automation and energy efficiency.

The Microsoft CityNext Partner of the Year Award recognizes the partner who best exemplifies how their solutions, built on Microsoft technology, address the most pressing challenges for cities and help them do “more with less”. The Microsoft platform provides a connected foundation for cities to build on, utilizing solutions and apps across core city functional solution areas and scenarios that present opportunities for cities to address challenges, spur economic growth and transform where they work and live.

“Microsoft’s success as a company depends on great partners, and ICONICS is a shining example of the kind of innovation our partner ecosystem drives year after year,” said Phil Sorgen, corporate vice president, Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Corp. “We are honored to recognize ICONICS as this year’s winner of the 2014 Microsoft CityNext Partner of the Year award, and we applaud ICONICS’ dedication to providing innovative solutions that drive results for our mutual customers.” The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions during the past year.

ICONICS looks forward to being an ambassador of the global CityNext initiative as more and more countries catch the vision of developing smart cities that will conserve energy, protect environmental resources, and inspire the rest of the world to follow in their footsteps.

This recent award highlights the continued partnership between Microsoft and ICONICS. In 2013, ICONICS was named the Application Development Partner of the Year Finalist. In 2012, ICONICS was recognized as Microsoft's Sustainability Partner of the Year. In 2010, ICONICS was honored as the US Windows Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Partner of the Year.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its subsidiary, Yokogawa India Ltd., has won an order from NTPC Ltd. to supply control systems for the first two 800 MW power generating units of the Lara supercritical coal-fired thermal power plant. The Lara plant is being constructed in two phases in Chhattisgarh, India. The two 800 MW units that are being built in the first phase are scheduled to start operation in 2016.

For each of these two units, Yokogawa will supply a CENTUM® VP integrated production control system to control boilers and auxiliary facilities, DPharp EJA series differential pressure/pressure transmitters, oxygen and liquid analyzers, a closed circuit television system, a battery-powered UPS system, and a paging system. All of these products will be delivered by September 2015. Yokogawa India will be responsible for executing the project, including engineering, installation, and commissioning.

To satisfy the growing demand for electricity, the construction of many large coal-fired power plants and refurbishment of aging power plants is planned in India. NTPC is currently erecting several power plants to expand its power generation capacity. Yokogawa received an order from NTPC last year to supply control systems for the Kudgi supercritical thermal power plant; with this order for the Lara plant, Yokogawa has now won two consecutive orders for large NTPC power plant projects. Including orders from other power companies, this is our fifth control system order for a supercritical coal-fired thermal power plant in India, bringing to 12 the total number of systems provided for such facilities in the country.

In line with the Evolution 2015 mid-term business plan, which targets the power industry, Yokogawa is strengthening its power plant control business. Leveraging its project experience, Yokogawa will expand its power plant control business in India and other emerging markets where the demand for electricity is growing.

SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (TSX: SNC) (SNC-Lavalin) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Kentz Corporation Limited (Kentz), approved by the boards of directors of both companies, on the terms of a cash acquisition by which the entire ordinary share capital of Kentz--issued and to be issued--will be acquired by SNC-Lavalin. Kentz is a global oil & gas services company, with 14,500 employees operating in 36 countries who provide engineering, construction and technical support services to clients in the oil & gas sector. The full announcement was issued earlier publicly and may be viewed on SNC-Lavalin’s website.

The proposed acquisition of Kentz is fully aligned with SNC-Lavalin’s strategy of becoming a global Tier-1 engineering and construction (E&C) services firm. The addition of Kentz’s capabilities will make SNC-Lavalin a leading global E&C player in the oil & gas sector, with a greater presence in key growth regions, including the Middle East, North America and Asia Pacific, with a significant presence in Australia. The acquisition also meets the strategic priority of balancing the Company’s risk profile by significantly raising the percentage of revenues it derives from services. This has been supported by discussions between both parties and a robust due diligence process.

“We look forward to adding Kentz to our group and significantly strengthening our capabilities in the oil & gas sector,” said Robert G. Card, President and CEO, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “We are excited by the prospect of merging the excellent capabilities of our two oil & gas teams under the leadership of Christian Brown, Kentz’s CEO, which will create a world-class team inside of SNC-Lavalin to better serve our combined clients worldwide. This proposed acquisition and the agreement to sell AltaLink are important milestones in our stated strategy for growth. Together, they give us confidence to increase our focus on the disposition of other mature assets. ” he added.

“On behalf of our Board I am pleased to announce SNC-Lavalin’s recommended cash offer to our shareholders, which has received unanimous support from our Board members. We feel that the Offer recognizes the value of our future prospects, world-class client base, and our excellent people; the ultimate assets of our business. It also offers certainty, in cash, to Kentz Shareholders today,” said Christian Brown, CEO, Kentz. “Our track record in providing complex engineering and construction solutions to the energy sector globally, has evolved considerably from our first international projects in the 1970s, and many of the people instrumental to our growth remain with us today. We have a bright future and I believe that SNC-Lavalin’s technical abilities and scale can support our continued success and bring further benefits to our employees, clients, and partners. I would like to extend my personal gratitude to all of the people that make Kentz what it is and look forward to continuing our success together.”

Honeywell Process Solutions recently announced that it was selected by Suncor Energy to provide automation systems for a new multi-billion dollar Fort Hills Oil Sands project in Alberta, Canada. Honeywell will supply technology to integrate the site’s control and safety systems, manage alarms, and provide advanced simulation software that enables critical operations planning and operator training.

As the Main Automation Contractor (MAC), Honeywell will play a key role in helping the facility achieve its future productivity and operational efficiency goals. The facility is expected to be operational in late 2017.

“Choosing an automation provider is a critical decision, one that you will live with for years to come,” said Frank Whitsura, vice president, Honeywell Process Solutions. “Honeywell has a proven track record of reducing risk on projects of this magnitude, delivering on-time and on-budget, and contributing to the ongoing safety, reliability and efficiency of the operation and lowering overall lifecycle costs.”

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers forecasts production from the Canadian oil sands to exceed five million barrels a day by 2030, up from 1.8 million barrels a day in 2012.

“As energy demand continues to grow, the Canadian oil sands have become an important resource,” said Whitsura. “Honeywell has the expertise to fully integrate this project’s assets, from monitors and sensors in the field, to system controls, to planning and logistics. Suncor will also be able to use our innovative technology to run a wide range of simulations that will help maximize the efficiency of the operations.”