Latest news with #JorgenChristensen
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
After kill switches in Chinese solar panels in U.S, Denmark finds suspicious parts in East Asian circuit boards
Denmark has issued an alert, only days after the United States identified "kill switches" in Chinese solar equipment . Suspicious materials have been found in East Asian circuit boards destined for Denmark's green power grid. The findings have evoked concerns of spying, sabotage, and overdependence on overseas technology. What exactly was found in Denmark's energy components Danish power firms found unlisted parts on East Asian circuit boards meant for green infrastructure. The episode illustrates increasing distrust of foreign technology in key energy systems, according to an industry group. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranger Sees Strange Creature On Riverbank. He Says, 'Oh My God,' When He Realizes What It Really Is Cleverst Undo Technology companies, which had planned to use the parts in green power infrastructure, say the discovery raises questions about energy security and espionage. A week after the US claimed to have found "kill switches" in a shipment of solar panels and batteries from China, it has sparked worries about the possibility of remote power outages or digital espionage, as quoted in a report by The Sunday Times. Live Events ALSO READ: Will Trump deport Belgium's future queen? She's caught up in Harvard foreign student ban and situation is uncertain The issue has gained more attention since the massive blackout that struck parts of Portugal and Spain two weeks ago. Both countries rely significantly on solar energy infrastructure manufactured in China. The Danish government has not yet disclosed the type of electronics, their apparent function, or the nation from which they originated. The components from "the East" were discovered during routine inspections of a "development project" that had never been connected to the grid, according to Green Power Denmark , an umbrella organization for 1,500 Danish renewable technology companies. The organization stated, "It's a clear warning: threats to energy security can hide in plain sight." "Sabotage isn't always the true threat. Unlisted components are another possibility. hidden features. Danish energy companies disassemble and inspect before anything goes online,' as per the report. Could this be a new form of digital sabotage? Green Power Denmark's technical director, Jorgen Christensen, stated that there was no evidence of wrongdoing and that the enigmatic electronics might have been added to the circuit boards to serve an innocent purpose. He told Reuters that it's possible the supplier didn't mean any harm. However, that doesn't alter the fact that these elements shouldn't exist. The head of the lobby group SolarPower Europe , Walburga Hemetsberger, called for an investigation and described the discovery as extremely alarming. The Danish government has not yet stated if it will get involved in the case, though. Experts have warned more forcefully in recent years about the security threat posed by China's monopoly on the supply of numerous types of renewable energy components in Europe, including batteries, turbines, and inverters that balance power voltage as it enters the grid. FAQs What did Denmark find on imported circuit boards? Unlisted electronic components were discovered during routine checks on East Asian-made parts for green energy usage. Do you have proof of sabotage? Not yet, experts say the parts may be harmless, but their undocumented presence remains a major concern.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Unexplained components found in Denmark's energy equipment imports, industry group says
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Unexplained electronic components have been found in imported equipment for Denmark's energy supply network, industry group Green Power Denmark said on Wednesday, adding that an investigation was underway to learn more. The findings coincide with an increased focus internationally on potential security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure such as energy grids. "It concerns printed circuit boards that were supposed to be part of components for the energy supply," Jorgen Christensen, technical director at Green Power Denmark, told Reuters. "We don't know how critical it is or whether there are bad intentions behind it," he said. The Danish ministry for preparedness and resilience declined to comment on whether an investigation had been started. The justice ministry, energy ministry and the intelligence service did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Christensen declined to specify which country the equipment originated from, who was conducting the investigation or to elaborate on the components' capabilities, including whether they were meant for solar power equipment. "This is highly concerning. It is important that an investigation is underway," Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of solar lobby SolarPower Europe, told Reuters on Wednesday. Christensen said the components were discovered recently during a routine examination of circuit boards that were due to be installed in energy supply equipment. The circuit boards might have been designed for multiple purposes, which could explain the presence of additional components, but Christensen emphasised they should not be included in equipment destined for energy infrastructure. "It's possible the supplier had no malicious intent. We can't say at this point, but that doesn't change the fact that these components shouldn't be there," he said. The findings were first reported by Danish news outlet Berlingske earlier on Wednesday. Reuters last week reported that U.S. energy officials found rogue communication devices in Chinese-made solar inverters and batteries that could potentially bypass firewalls and destabilise power grids.
