Acorn Energy (ACFN) 10-Q 12 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

DEI_Document

DEI Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ACORN ENERGY, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000880984	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	26,475,591
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,000	$17,279
Restricted deposits	525	306
Accounts receivable, net	4,657	5,710
Unbilled revenue	6,719	6,421
Inventory, net	6,480	4,540
Other current assets	1,972	1,695
Total current assets	24,353	35,951
Property and equipment, net	2,268	2,432
Severance assets	3,230	3,539
Restricted deposit	540	0
Intangible assets, net	3,390	3,735
Goodwill	4,352	4,429
Other assets	894	870
Total assets	39,027	50,956
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Short-term bank credit	4,808	2,303
Accounts payable	3,804	3,086
Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and social benefits	1,984	2,527
Deferred Revenue	2,564	2,764
Other current liabilities	2,776	3,191
Total current liabilities	15,936	13,871
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued severance	4,646	4,973
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	113	0
Other long-term liabilities	887	600
Total long-term liabilities	5,646	5,573
Equity:	'	'
Common stock - $0.01 par value per share: Authorized - 30,000,000 shares; Issued -22,957,859 and 22,991,797 shares at December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2014, respectively	229	229
Additional paid-in capital	94,605	93,943
Warrants	526	526
Accumulated deficit	-73,127	-59,447
Treasury stock, at cost - 801,920 shares at December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2014	-3,036	-3,036
Accumulated other comprehensive income	40	184
Total Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders’ equity	19,237	32,399
Non-controlling interests	-1,792	-887
Total equity	17,445	31,512
Total liabilities and equity	$39,027	$50,956
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,991,797	22,957,859
Treasury stock, shares	801,920	801,920

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Projects	$3,720	$3,278	$9,166	$10,519
Products	1,474	1,323	4,240	4,198
Services	445	381	1,410	1,214
Total revenues	5,639	4,982	14,816	15,931
Cost of sales:	'	'	'	'
Projects	3,035	2,972	7,591	8,535
Products	974	839	3,088	2,609
Services	125	112	356	331
Total cost of sales	4,134	3,923	11,035	11,475
Gross profit	1,505	1,059	3,781	4,456
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development expenses, net of credits	1,756	2,219	5,141	6,336
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	3,757	4,995	11,993	15,221
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0	5,615	0	6,731
Provision for Loan Losses	0	0	649	0
Restructuring Charges	184	772	382	1,366
Total Operating Expenses	5,697	13,601	18,165	29,654
Operating Loss	-4,192	-12,542	-14,384	-25,198
Finance income (expense), net	56	-9	-135	80
Loss before income taxes	-4,136	-12,551	-14,519	-25,118
Income tax expense, net	-12	-143	-125	-228
Net Loss	4,148	12,694	14,644	25,346
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	299	382	964	885
Net Loss Attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. Shareholders	($3,849)	($12,312)	($13,680)	($24,461)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders	($0.17)	($0.68)	($0.62)	($1.35)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders, Basic and Diluted	22,190	18,091	22,184	18,086
Dividends declared per common share	$0	$0	$0	$0.04

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Loss Attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. Shareholders	($3,849)	($12,312)	($13,680)	($24,461)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-325	1	-159	-391
Comprehensive loss	-4,174	-12,311	-13,839	-24,852
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	15	-2	15	-7
Comprehensive loss attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders	($4,159)	($12,313)	($13,824)	($24,859)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]		Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]		Warrants [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)[Member]	Parent [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$31,512	$229		$93,943		$526	($59,447)	($3,036)	$184	$32,399	($887)
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	22,958		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	1	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-14,644	0		0		0	-13,680	0	0	-13,680	-964
Differences from translation of subsidiaries' financial statements	'	0		0		0	0	0	-144	-144	-15
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-159	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends in common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan, value	'	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option compensation	662	0		662		0	0	0	0	662	0
Stock Option Compensation of Subsidiaries	74	0		0		0	0	0	0	0	74
Exercise of options	0	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	0	0	0	0	0
Exercised (number of options)	'	34		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$17,445	$229		$94,605		$526	($73,127)	($3,036)	$40	$19,237	($1,792)
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	22,992		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
[1]	Less than $1

Recovered_Sheet1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Net Loss	($14,644)	($25,346)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities (see Schedule A):	847	8,862
Net cash used in operating activities	-13,797	-16,484
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'
Acquisitions of property and equipment	-532	-2,670
Loan to channel partner	-640	0
Restricted deposits	-868	-267
Release of restricted deposits	96	282
Amounts funded for severance assets	-152	-76
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,096	-2,731
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'
Short-term bank credit, net	2,370	1,171
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	292	0
Repayments of long-term debt	-24	-117
Dividends paid	0	-517
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,638	537
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-24	-100
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-13,279	-18,778
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	17,279	26,147
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	4,000	7,369
A. Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	969	1,177
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0	6,731
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	0	573
Inventory Write-down	1,156	641
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	0	541
Provision for Loan Losses	649	0
Increase in accrued severance	191	106
Stock-based compensation	736	982
Deferred taxes	122	-2
Other	-79	66
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, other current assets and other assets	402	-111
Increase in inventory	-3,098	-847
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued payroll, payroll taxes and social benefits, deferred revenues, other current liabilities and other liabilities	-201	-995
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities (see Schedule A):	847	8,862
B. Non-cash items:	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan	'	117
Adjustment of Additional Paid In Capital and Noncontrolling Interests from Investment in Noncontrolling Interests	'	$202

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]	'
Business Description and Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Acorn Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. All dollar amounts in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are in thousands except for per share data.
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 to conform to the current period's condensed consolidated financial statement presentation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

RECENT_AUTHORITATIVE_GUIDANCE

RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE [Abstract]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	RECENT AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE
	Other than the announcement noted below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, that are of material significance, or have potential material significance, to the Company.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. This Update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The guidance in this Update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to illustrate the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also includes a cohesive set of dis-closure requirements that will provide users of financial statements with comprehensive information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a reporting organization’s contracts with customers. This ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016 for public companies and 2017 for non-public entities. Management is evaluating the effect, if any, on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
US SEISMIC SYSTEMS, INC. [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	'
	INVESTMENTS
	Investment in US Seismic Systems®, Inc. ("USSI®")
	The Company currently owns approximately 95.7% of USSI on an as converted basis (which amount would be diluted to approximately 88.4% if all options which could be awarded under USSI's 2012 Stock Purchase Plan were awarded and exercised). Through December 31, 2013, the Company invested $7,584 in USSI common shares (of which $5,355 was in cash and $2,229 was in Acorn common shares) and an additional $16,750 in USSI Preferred Stock. In addition, in 2013, the Company advanced USSI $1,355 in contemplation of a new investment agreement. During the first nine months of 2014, the Company advanced an additional $7,758 to USSI in contemplation of a new investment agreement.
	Loan to Channel Partner
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company lent a channel partner (“CP”) active in sourcing trials for USSI’s products a total of $640 under a secured promissory note ("the Note"). The loan bears interest at 8%. CP granted the Company, as security for the loans made pursuant to the Note, a first, secured lien on all of CP's receivables from customer accounts and all intellectual property used in its business. The loan and any accrued and unpaid interest was due and payable not later than the earlier of (i) the date CP collects customer receivables in the amount of the then-outstanding principal amount, or (ii) June 30, 2014. As of the date of this filing, the loan is in default. The Company has taken a full provision on the $640 of principal as well as the $9 of interest accrued through June 30, 2014. The Company has ceased accruing interest on the Note. The Company is evaluating its options and rights under the Note and accompanying security instruments.
	Investment in DSIT Solutions, Ltd. ("DSIT")
	In July 2013, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with DSIT (the "DSIT SPA") pursuant to which the Company converted a prior loan of approximately $800 into additional ordinary (common) shares of DSIT. The Company also converted $2,800 in advances and loans into DSIT's Participating Preferred Stock (the “DSIT Preferred Stock”). At the closing, Acorn purchased an additional $800 of DSIT Preferred Stock and committed to purchasing an additional $1,400 of DSIT Preferred Stock.
	The DSIT Preferred Stock provided that upon any future liquidation of DSIT, to the extent funds are available for distribution to DSIT's stockholders after the satisfaction of any DSIT liabilities at that time, DSIT would first repay the Company for the purchase price of its DSIT Preferred Stock (the “Liquidation Preference”). Thereafter, the Company would receive a further payment for such shares ratably with all other DSIT ordinary stock holders as though the Company's shares of DSIT Preferred Stock were the same number of DSIT ordinary shares.
	In September 2013, the Company informed DSIT that it did not plan to fund payment of the remaining $1,400 it had committed to invest in DSIT. In August 2014, the DSIT SPA was amended to release Acorn from the obligation to make the additional investment. Under the amended DSIT SPA, in consideration for amending the DSIT SPA, the Company agreed to waive the Liquidation Preference. The Company still would receive payment for such shares ratably with all other DSIT ordinary stock holders as though the Company's shares of DSIT Preferred Stock were the same number of DSIT ordinary shares.
	The Company currently owns approximately 88.3% of DSIT on an as converted basis. If all the options to purchase all shares of DSIT ordinary stock available under the DSIT Option Plan are granted and exercised, the Company would own approximately 77.4% of DSIT on a fully diluted as converted basis.

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	'
	RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES
	(a) GridSense®
	During the second quarter of 2013, following a change in its management, the Company's GridSense segment made a decision to restructure operations in both its USA and Australian entities. This action was taken primarily in order to improve efficiency based on GridSense's revenue mix and skills mix. In 2013, GridSense recorded a restructuring charge related to employee severance and termination benefits and additional restructuring charges of $594 of which $63 was unpaid at December 31, 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, GridSense decided to shut down its Australian offices in the third quarter of 2014 in an effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. GridSense will continue to sell all of its current products in Australia and the surrounding areas through a network of distributors. With respect to the decision to shut down its Australian offices and a further reduction of personnel in the US, GridSense recorded a restructuring charge of $198 in 2014.
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to GridSense's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Other costs			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	63		$	—		$	63
	Provision	119			79			198
	Cash payments	(78		)	(73		)	(151		)
	Non-cash settlements	(27		)	—			(27		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	77		$	6		$	83
	The $83 of remaining accrued restructuring charge is expected to be paid in full in the first half of 2015 and is included in Other current liabilities in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(b) OmniMetrixTM
	During the third quarter of 2013, OmniMetrix restructured its operations to better align expenses with revenues following a change in management. The restructuring involved employee severance and termination benefits ($178) as well as a charge for a significant reduction in the utilization of its leased facility in Buford, Georgia ($202 ), and a write-down of a majority of the remaining book value of leasehold improvements associated with the leased facility ($415). At December 31, 2013, $45 of the employee severance and termination benefits charge and $194 of the lease payments associated with the reduced utilization of the leased facility in Buford, Georgia remained unpaid. In 2014, OmniMetrix adjusted its estimated exit costs for its leased facility in Buford, Georgia and increased the provision by $96.
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to OmniMetrix's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	45		$	194		$	239
	Adjustments	—			96			96
	Cash payments	(45		)	(32		)	(77		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	—		$	258		$	258
	The total remaining accrued restructuring balance of $258 is expected to be paid in full by December 31, 2019 and is included in Other current liabilities ($42) and Other liabilities ($216) in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(c) USSI
	During the third quarter of 2014, USSI decided to restructure its operations to better align expenses with revenues following a change in its management. The restructuring involved employee severance and termination benefits ($88). The entire balance of the accrued restructuring balance at September 30, 2014 is expected to be paid in the next twelve months and accordingly is included in Other current liabilities in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure	'
	NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
	The composition of the net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (“NCI”) is as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
	Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	$	(25	)	$	(98	)	$	(47	)	$	40
	Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	(860		)	(866		)	(335		)	(339		)
	Net loss attributable to NCI	$	(885	)	$	(964	)	$	(382	)	$	(299	)

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure	'
	INVENTORY, NET
	The composition of inventory is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2013		As of September 30, 2014
	Raw materials	$	2,771	$	4,400
	Work-in-process	506		1,378
	Finished goods	1,263		702
		$	4,540	$	6,480
	At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, the Company's inventory reserve was $1,139 and $2,055, respectively.

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	(a) Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment			GridSense segment			Oil & Gas Sensor systems segment			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	581		$	2,446		$	1,402		$	4,429
	Translation adjustment	(35		)	(42		)	—			(77		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	546		$	2,404		$	1,402		$	4,352
	(b) Intangibles
	The changes in the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Energy &						GridSense segment						Oil & Gas Sensor systems segment
		Security Sonar
		Solutions
		segment
		Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost		A.A.*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	572		$	(482	)	$	2,271		$	(811	)	$	2,715	$	(530	)	$	3,735
	Amortization	—			(61		)	—			(152		)	—		(113		)	(326		)
	Translation adjustment	(35		)	27			(25		)	14			—		—			(19		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	537		$	(516	)	$	2,246		$	(949	)	$	2,715	$	(643	)	$	3,390
	Weighted average estimated useful lives in years	6						11.1						20
	*    Accumulated amortization
	The composition of intangibles in each of the Company's segments are as follows:
	Segment	Type of Intangible
	Energy & Security Sonar Solutions	Naval technologies
	GridSense	Software, customer relationships and trade name
	USSI	Sensor technologies and license
	Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 amounted to $733 and $326, respectively. Amortization expense with respect to intangible assets is estimated to be $368, $348, $348, $348 and $331 for each of the years ending September 30, 2015 through 2019.

EQUITY

EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure	'
	EQUITY
	(a)	Acorn Stock Options
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
			Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
			of Options		Average
			(in shares)		Exercise
					Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,401,658		$	5.49
	Granted		469,303		$	2.49
	Exercised		(33,938	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited or expired		(146,062	)	$	3.77
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		1,690,961		$	4.87		3.7 years		$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		1,150,577		$	5.49		3.7 years		$	—
	During 2014, 33,938 options were exercised and 76,062 options were forfeited in connection with the “net exercise” of 110,000 options. In a net exercise of an option, the Company does not require a payment of the exercise price of the option from the optionee, but reduces the number of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of the option by the smallest number of whole shares that has an aggregate fair market value equal to or in excess of the aggregate exercise price for the option shares covered by the option exercised. The 110,000 options which were exercised under this method had a weighted average exercise price exercise price of $2.51.
	The fair value of the options granted ($1.60 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014) was estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
	Risk-free interest rate		2.4	%
	Expected term of options		7.2 years
	Expected annual volatility		63	%
	Expected dividend yield		—	%
	(b)	Stock-based Compensation Expense
	Stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Operations for three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
			Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
			2013			2014			2013			2014
	Cost of sales		$	44		$	2		$	44		$	2
	Research and development expenses, net of credits		31			59			10			33
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		907			675			329			81
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	982		$	736		$	383		$	116
	(c)	Warrants
	The Company previously issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance.  A summary of warrant activity follows:
			Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
			of Warrants		Average
			(in shares)		Exercise
					Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		285,281		$	3.18
	Granted		—
	Exercised		—		—
	Forfeited or expired		—		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		285,281		$	3.18		3.8 years

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Financial items measured at fair value are classified in the table below in accordance with the hierarchy established in applicable accounting principles.
		As at September 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	1,065	$	—	$	—	$	1,065
	Total	$	1,065	$	—	$	—	$	1,065
		As at December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	306	$	—	$	—	$	306
	Total	$	306	$	—	$	—	$	306

SEGMENT_REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SEGMENT REPORTING
	The Company currently operates in four reportable operating segments:
	-1	The Company's Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment is focused on sonar and acoustic related solutions for energy, defense and commercial markets and includes other real-time and embedded hardware & software development and production. Energy & Security Sonar Solutions activities are provided through the Company’s DSIT Solutions Ltd. subsidiary.
	-2	The Company’s GridSense segment provides Smart Grid Distribution Automation products and services through its GridSense subsidiaries.
	-3	The Company’s Oil and Gas Sensor Systems segment's focus is to develop and produce fiber optic sensing systems for the energy and security markets.  These activities are performed through the Company's USSI subsidiary.
	-4	The Company's M2M Critical Asset Monitoring & Control ("M2M") (formerly Power Generation Monitoring) segment provides M2M (machine-to-machine) wireless remote monitoring and control systems and services for critical assets as well as Internet of Things applications. These activities are performed through the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary.
	Other operations include certain IT activities (protocol management software for cancer patients and billing software) and outsourced consulting activities performed by the Company's DSIT subsidiary as well as Cathodic Protection activities in the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary that do not meet the quantitative thresholds under applicable accounting principles.
			Energy &			GridSense			Oil & Gas Sensor Systems			M2M			Other			Total
			Security
			Sonar
			Solutions
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Revenues from external customers		$	8,112		$	3,362		$	471		$	1,587		$	1,284		$	14,816
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		2,189			942			(858		)	854			654			3,781
	Restructuring and related charges		—			198			88			77			19			382
	Depreciation and amortization		212			194			473			52			36			967
	Stock compensation expense		2			33			64			—			—			99
	Segment net loss before income taxes		(638		)	(2,443		)	(6,880		)	(1,209		)	(61		)	(11,231		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers		$	8,723		$	3,543		$	1,148		$	1,215		$	1,302		$	15,931
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			39			—			—			39
	Segment gross profit (loss)		3,187			1,498			(1,538		)	616			693			4,456
	Impairment of intangibles		—			—			—			5,341			1,390			6,731
	Restructuring and related charges		—			594			—			583			189			1,366
	Depreciation and amortization		182			266			275			311			140			1,174
	Stock compensation expense		44			—			101			—			—			145
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes		110			(3,549		)	(6,838		)	(8,720		)	(2,127		)	(21,124		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Revenues from external customers		$	3,075		$	1,153		$	471		$	531		$	409		$	5,639
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		1,044			391			(428		)	290			208			1,505
	Restructuring and related charges		—			96			88			—			—			184
	Depreciation and amortization		67			63			183			17			12			342
	Stock compensation expense		2			27			—			—			—			29
	Segment net loss before income taxes		140			(665		)	(2,686		)	(358		)	(1		)	(3,570		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers		$	2,537		$	1,069		$	513		$	411		$	452		$	4,982
	Intersegment revenues		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)		852			448			(688		)	177			270			1,059
	Impairment of intangibles		—			—			—			4,225			1,390			5,615
	Restructuring and related charges		—			—			—			583			189			772
	Depreciation and amortization		65			77			106			105			51			404
	Stock compensation expense		44			—			33			—			—			77
	Segment net loss before income taxes		(204		)	(812		)	(2,668		)	(5,844		)	(1,804		)	(11,332		)
	Reconciliation of Segment Loss to Consolidated Net Loss Before Income Taxes
			Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
			2013			2014			2013			2014
	Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments		$	(18,997	)	$	(11,170	)	$	(9,528	)	$	(3,569	)
	Other operational segment net loss before income taxes		(2,127		)	(61		)	(1,804		)	(1		)
	Total segment net loss before income taxes		(21,124		)	(11,231		)	(11,332		)	(3,570		)
	Unallocated cost of corporate headquarters*		(3,964		)	(2,678		)	(1,209		)	(693		)
	Provision for loss - channel partner		—			(649		)	—			—
	Unallocated benefit (cost) of DSIT headquarters		(30		)	39			(10		)	127
	Consolidated loss before income taxes		$	(25,118	)	$	(14,519	)	$	(12,551	)	$	(4,136	)
	* Includes stock compensation expense of $190 and $79 for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively and $721 and $629 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Notes

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Acorn Private Placement
	On November 5, 2014, the Company closed on a private placement of unregistered shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. The Company received gross proceeds of $4,500 ($4,042 net of transaction costs) and issued 4,285,714 unregistered shares of common stock at a price per share of $1.05 and warrants to purchase up to 2,142,857 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.30 per share. The warrants are non-exercisable for six months from the date of the closing and have a term of five years, six months. At the closing, pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agent Agreement, in addition to its cash fee (included in the transaction costs), the placement agent received warrants to purchase 214,285 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.26 per share. The placement agent's warrants are non-exercisable for six months from the date of the closing and have a term of five years.

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR1

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	(a) GridSense®
	During the second quarter of 2013, following a change in its management, the Company's GridSense segment made a decision to restructure operations in both its USA and Australian entities. This action was taken primarily in order to improve efficiency based on GridSense's revenue mix and skills mix. In 2013, GridSense recorded a restructuring charge related to employee severance and termination benefits and additional restructuring charges of $594 of which $63 was unpaid at December 31, 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, GridSense decided to shut down its Australian offices in the third quarter of 2014 in an effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. GridSense will continue to sell all of its current products in Australia and the surrounding areas through a network of distributors. With respect to the decision to shut down its Australian offices and a further reduction of personnel in the US, GridSense recorded a restructuring charge of $198 in 2014.
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to GridSense's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Other costs			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	63		$	—		$	63
	Provision	119			79			198
	Cash payments	(78		)	(73		)	(151		)
	Non-cash settlements	(27		)	—			(27		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	77		$	6		$	83
	The $83 of remaining accrued restructuring charge is expected to be paid in full in the first half of 2015 and is included in Other current liabilities in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(b) OmniMetrixTM
	During the third quarter of 2013, OmniMetrix restructured its operations to better align expenses with revenues following a change in management. The restructuring involved employee severance and termination benefits ($178) as well as a charge for a significant reduction in the utilization of its leased facility in Buford, Georgia ($202 ), and a write-down of a majority of the remaining book value of leasehold improvements associated with the leased facility ($415). At December 31, 2013, $45 of the employee severance and termination benefits charge and $194 of the lease payments associated with the reduced utilization of the leased facility in Buford, Georgia remained unpaid. In 2014, OmniMetrix adjusted its estimated exit costs for its leased facility in Buford, Georgia and increased the provision by $96.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table presents activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to OmniMetrix's restructuring:
		Employee severance and termination benefits			Facilities			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	45		$	194		$	239
	Adjustments	—			96			96
	Cash payments	(45		)	(32		)	(77		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	—		$	258		$	258

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS_Table

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'
Non-controlling interests share in income (loss)	'
	The composition of the net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (“NCI”) is as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
	Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	$	(25	)	$	(98	)	$	(47	)	$	40
	Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	(860		)	(866		)	(335		)	(339		)
	Net loss attributable to NCI	$	(885	)	$	(964	)	$	(382	)	$	(299	)

INVENTORY_Tables

INVENTORY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current	'
	The composition of inventory is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2013		As of September 30, 2014
	Raw materials	$	2,771	$	4,400
	Work-in-process	506		1,378
	Finished goods	1,263		702
		$	4,540	$	6,480

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Energy & Security Sonar Solutions segment			GridSense segment			Oil & Gas Sensor systems segment			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	581		$	2,446		$	1,402		$	4,429
	Translation adjustment	(35		)	(42		)	—			(77		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	546		$	2,404		$	1,402		$	4,352
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Energy &						GridSense segment						Oil & Gas Sensor systems segment
		Security Sonar
		Solutions
		segment
		Cost			A.A.*			Cost			A.A.*			Cost		A.A.*			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	572		$	(482	)	$	2,271		$	(811	)	$	2,715	$	(530	)	$	3,735
	Amortization	—			(61		)	—			(152		)	—		(113		)	(326		)
	Translation adjustment	(35		)	27			(25		)	14			—		—			(19		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	537		$	(516	)	$	2,246		$	(949	)	$	2,715	$	(643	)	$	3,390
	Weighted average estimated useful lives in years	6						11.1						20
Composition of finite lived intangibles by class	'
	The composition of intangibles in each of the Company's segments are as follows:
	Segment	Type of Intangible
	Energy & Security Sonar Solutions	Naval technologies
	GridSense	Software, customer relationships and trade name
	USSI	Sensor technologies and license

EQUITY_Tables

EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		of Options		Average
		(in shares)		Exercise
				Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,401,658		$	5.49
	Granted	469,303		$	2.49
	Exercised	(33,938	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited or expired	(146,062	)	$	3.77
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,690,961		$	4.87		3.7 years		$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	1,150,577		$	5.49		3.7 years		$	—
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	'
	The fair value of the options granted ($1.60 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014) was estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
	Risk-free interest rate	2.4	%
	Expected term of options	7.2 years
	Expected annual volatility	63	%
	Expected dividend yield	—	%
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	'
	Stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Operations for three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
	Cost of sales	$	44		$	2		$	44		$	2
	Research and development expenses, net of credits	31			59			10			33
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	907			675			329			81
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	982		$	736		$	383		$	116
Changes in outstanding warrants to purchase common stock	'
	The Company previously issued warrants at exercise prices equal to or greater than market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance.  A summary of warrant activity follows:
		Number		Weighted			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
		of Warrants		Average
		(in shares)		Exercise
				Price Per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	285,281		$	3.18
	Granted	—
	Exercised	—		—
	Forfeited or expired	—		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	285,281		$	3.18		3.8 years

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure	'
	Financial items measured at fair value are classified in the table below in accordance with the hierarchy established in applicable accounting principles.
		As at September 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	1,065	$	—	$	—	$	1,065
	Total	$	1,065	$	—	$	—	$	1,065
		As at December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Restricted deposits – current and non-current	$	306	$	—	$	—	$	306
	Total	$	306	$	—	$	—	$	306

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Tables

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Other operations include certain IT activities (protocol management software for cancer patients and billing software) and outsourced consulting activities performed by the Company's DSIT subsidiary as well as Cathodic Protection activities in the Company's OmniMetrix subsidiary that do not meet the quantitative thresholds under applicable accounting principles.
		Energy &			GridSense			Oil & Gas Sensor Systems			M2M			Other			Total
		Security
		Sonar
		Solutions
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Revenues from external customers	$	8,112		$	3,362		$	471		$	1,587		$	1,284		$	14,816
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	2,189			942			(858		)	854			654			3,781
	Restructuring and related charges	—			198			88			77			19			382
	Depreciation and amortization	212			194			473			52			36			967
	Stock compensation expense	2			33			64			—			—			99
	Segment net loss before income taxes	(638		)	(2,443		)	(6,880		)	(1,209		)	(61		)	(11,231		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	8,723		$	3,543		$	1,148		$	1,215		$	1,302		$	15,931
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			39			—			—			39
	Segment gross profit (loss)	3,187			1,498			(1,538		)	616			693			4,456
	Impairment of intangibles	—			—			—			5,341			1,390			6,731
	Restructuring and related charges	—			594			—			583			189			1,366
	Depreciation and amortization	182			266			275			311			140			1,174
	Stock compensation expense	44			—			101			—			—			145
	Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	110			(3,549		)	(6,838		)	(8,720		)	(2,127		)	(21,124		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Revenues from external customers	$	3,075		$	1,153		$	471		$	531		$	409		$	5,639
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	1,044			391			(428		)	290			208			1,505
	Restructuring and related charges	—			96			88			—			—			184
	Depreciation and amortization	67			63			183			17			12			342
	Stock compensation expense	2			27			—			—			—			29
	Segment net loss before income taxes	140			(665		)	(2,686		)	(358		)	(1		)	(3,570		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,537		$	1,069		$	513		$	411		$	452		$	4,982
	Intersegment revenues	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Segment gross profit (loss)	852			448			(688		)	177			270			1,059
	Impairment of intangibles	—			—			—			4,225			1,390			5,615
	Restructuring and related charges	—			—			—			583			189			772
	Depreciation and amortization	65			77			106			105			51			404
	Stock compensation expense	44			—			33			—			—			77
	Segment net loss before income taxes	(204		)	(812		)	(2,668		)	(5,844		)	(1,804		)	(11,332		)
Reconciliation of Segment Loss from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Reconciliation of Segment Loss to Consolidated Net Loss Before Income Taxes
		Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
	Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments	$	(18,997	)	$	(11,170	)	$	(9,528	)	$	(3,569	)
	Other operational segment net loss before income taxes	(2,127		)	(61		)	(1,804		)	(1		)
	Total segment net loss before income taxes	(21,124		)	(11,231		)	(11,332		)	(3,570		)
	Unallocated cost of corporate headquarters*	(3,964		)	(2,678		)	(1,209		)	(693		)
	Provision for loss - channel partner	—			(649		)	—			—
	Unallocated benefit (cost) of DSIT headquarters	(30		)	39			(10		)	127
	Consolidated loss before income taxes	$	(25,118	)	$	(14,519	)	$	(12,551	)	$	(4,136	)

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
			DSIT - Legal Entity [Member]	DSIT - Legal Entity [Member]	USSI - Legal Entity [Member]	USSI - Legal Entity [Member]	Channel Partner - Legal Entity [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions	'	'	88.30%	'	95.70%	'	'
Fully diluted ownership	'	'	77.40%	'	88.40%	'	'
Total investment in USSI common shares	'	'	'	'	'	$7,584,000	'
Cash investment in USSI common shares	'	'	'	'	'	5,355,000	'
Value of the common stock used to acquire shares of a subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	2,229,000	'
Total investment in USSI Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	16,750,000	'
Advances in contemplation of new investment agreement	'	'	'	'	7,758,000	1,355,000	'
Loan to channel partner	640,000	0	'	'	'	'	640,000
Interest rate on loan to channel partner	'	'	'	'	'	'	8.00%
Provision of loan principal due from channel partner	'	'	'	'	'	'	640,000
Provision of loan interest due from channel partner	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,000
Conversion of previous debt into common stock - DSIT	'	'	'	800,000	'	'	'
Conversion of previous advances and loans into DSIT Preferred Stock	'	'	'	2,800,000	'	'	'
Purchase of DSIT Preferred Stock at closing	'	'	'	800,000	'	'	'
Commitment to further purchases of DSIT Preferred Stock	'	'	'	$1,400,000	'	'	'

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR2

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Restructuring Narrative (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$178

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Restructuring Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96

202

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets

'

'

0

573

'

'

'

'

415

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

83

'

63

258

239

77

63

0

45

6

0

258

194

Restructuring Provisions

'

'

'

'

198

'

'

'

'

119

'

'

'

79

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash

'

'

'

'

-151

'

'

-77

'

-78

'

-45

'

-73

'

-32

'

Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash

'

'

'

'

-27

'

'

'

'

-27

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

216

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve, Current

'

'

'

'

83

'

'

42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges

$184

$772

$382

$1,366

$198

$594

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR3

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Summary of restructuring charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
					GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Employee severance and termination benefits	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$178
Facilities costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	96	202
Restructuring costs - abandonment of fixed assets	'	'	0	573	'	'	'	415
Total	$184	$772	$382	$1,366	$198	$594	'	'

RESTRUCTURING_AND_RELATED_CHAR4

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Schedule of Restructuring Reserves by Type (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	$63	'
Restructuring Provisions	198	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-151	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-27	'
Restructuring Reserve	83	'
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	63	'
Restructuring Provisions	119	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-78	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	-27	'
Restructuring Reserve	77	'
GridSense - Legal Entity [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	0	'
Restructuring Provisions	79	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-73	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	0	'
Restructuring Reserve	6	'
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Severance Costs	'	178
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	239	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	96	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-77	'
Restructuring Reserve	258	239
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	45	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-45	'
Restructuring Reserve	0	'
OmniMetrix - Legal Entity [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	194	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	96	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-32	'
Restructuring Reserve	258	'
USSI - Legal Entity [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Severance Costs	$88	'

NONCONTROLLING_INTERESTS_Detai

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to NCI in DSIT	$40	($47)	($98)	($25)
Net loss attributable to NCI in USSI	-339	-335	-866	-860
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	($299)	($382)	($964)	($885)

INVENTORY_Details

INVENTORY (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of components of inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$4,400	$2,771
Work-in-process	1,378	506
Finished goods	702	1,263
Inventory, Net	$6,480	$4,540

INVENTORY_Inventory_provisions

INVENTORY Inventory provisions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory provision by company [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$2,055	$1,139

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	$4,429,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-77,000
Goodwill	4,352,000
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	581,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-35,000
Goodwill	546,000
GridSense segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	2,446,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-42,000
Goodwill	2,404,000
USSI segment [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill	1,402,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Goodwill	$1,402,000

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Schedule of Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	$3,390	'	$3,390	'	$3,735
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0	5,615	0	6,731	'
Amortization	'	'	-326	-733	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	-19	'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'	'	'6 years	'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	537	'	537	'	572
Amortization	'	'	0	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	-35	'	'
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	-516	'	-516	'	-482
Amortization	'	'	-61	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	27	'	'
GridSense segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'	'	'11 years 1 month 10 days	'	'
GridSense segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	2,246	'	2,246	'	2,271
Amortization	'	'	0	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	-25	'	'
GridSense segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	-949	'	-949	'	-811
Amortization	'	'	-152	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	14	'	'
USSI segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life	'	'	'20 years	'	'
USSI segment [Member] | Gross cost intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	2,715	'	2,715	'	2,715
Amortization	'	'	0	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	0	'	'
USSI segment [Member] | Accumulated amortization intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	-643	'	-643	'	-530
Amortization	'	'	-113	'	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	0	'	'
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	4,225	'	5,341	'
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	$1,390	'	$1,390	'

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortization expense - current period and prior period (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$326	$733

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Future year's amortization expense (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	$368
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	348
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	348
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	348
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	$331

EQUITY_Dividends_Details

EQUITY Dividends (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0	$0	$0	$0.04
Dividends paid	'	'	$0	$517
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan	'	'	'	$117

EQUITY_Stock_option_activity_D

EQUITY Stock option activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Shares Issued for Net Exercises in Period	33,938	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Shares Forfeited in Net Exercise in Period	76,062	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Net Exercise in Period	110,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Net Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$2.51	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,401,658	'
Granted	469,303	'
Exercised	-33,938	'
Forfeited or expired	-146,062	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,690,961	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	1,150,577	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share - Outstanding	'	$5.49
Weighted average exercise price of options or warrants granted	$2.49	'
Weighted average exercise price exercised options	$2.51	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share - Forfeited or Expired	$3.77	'
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.87	'
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 8 months 12 days	'
Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$0	'
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.49	'
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 30 days	'
Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$0	'
Risk-free interest rate	2.40%	'
Expected term of options, in years	'7 years 2 months 5 days	'
Expected annual volatility	63.00%	'
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	'

EQUITY_Number_of_options_grant

EQUITY Number of options granted (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Net Exercise in Period	110,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	469,303
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$1.60

EQUITY_Sharebased_compensation

EQUITY Share-based compensation option-pricing model assumptions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share based compensation - assumptions for fair value [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$1.60
Risk-free interest rate	2.40%
Expected term of options, in years	'7 years 2 months 5 days
Expected annual volatility	63.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%

EQUITY_Sharebased_compensation1

EQUITY Share-based compensation expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense in cost of sales	$2	$44	$2	$44
Share based compensation expense in research and development expense	33	10	59	31
Share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expense	81	329	675	907
Share-based Compensation	$116	$383	$736	$982

EQUITY_Warrants_Details

EQUITY Warrants (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding, Roll Forward [Roll Forward]	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	285
Warrants Issued	0
Exercised	0
Weighted average exercise price of warrants exercised	$0
Forfeited or expired	0
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	285
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	3.18
Average exercise price warrants expired or forfeited	$0
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	3.18
Remaining contractual term warrants	'3 years 9 months 27 days

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	$1,065	$306
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,065	306
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	1,065	306
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,065	306
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Deposits - current and non-current	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	$5,639	$4,982	$14,816	$15,931
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	39
Segment gross profit (loss)	1,505	1,059	3,781	4,456
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	0	5,615	0	6,731
Restructuring Charges	184	772	382	1,366
Segment depreciation and amortization	342	404	967	1,174
Segment share based compensation expense	29	77	99	145
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-3,570	-11,332	-11,231	-21,124
Energy & Security Sonar Solutions Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	3,075	2,537	8,112	8,723
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	1,044	852	2,189	3,187
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0
Restructuring Charges	0	0	0	0
Segment depreciation and amortization	67	65	212	182
Segment share based compensation expense	2	44	2	44
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	140	-204	-638	110
GridSense segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	1,153	1,069	3,362	3,543
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	391	448	942	1,498
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0
Restructuring Charges	96	0	198	594
Segment depreciation and amortization	63	77	194	266
Segment share based compensation expense	27	0	33	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-665	-812	-2,443	-3,549
USSI segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	471	513	471	1,148
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	39
Segment gross profit (loss)	-428	-688	-858	-1,538
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	0	'	0
Restructuring Charges	88	0	88	0
Segment depreciation and amortization	183	106	473	275
Segment share based compensation expense	0	33	64	101
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-2,686	-2,668	-6,880	-6,838
Power Generation Monitoring segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	531	411	1,587	1,215
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	290	177	854	616
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	4,225	'	5,341
Restructuring Charges	0	583	77	583
Segment depreciation and amortization	17	105	52	311
Segment share based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-358	-5,844	-1,209	-8,720
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customers	409	452	1,284	1,302
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0
Segment gross profit (loss)	208	270	654	693
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	1,390	'	1,390
Restructuring Charges	0	189	19	189
Segment depreciation and amortization	12	51	36	140
Segment share based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Segment net income (loss) before income taxes	($1)	($1,804)	($61)	($2,127)

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Reconciliati

SEGMENT REPORTING Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments	($3,569)	($9,528)	($11,170)	($18,997)
Other operational segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-1	-1,804	-61	-2,127
Total segment net income (loss) before income taxes	-3,570	-11,332	-11,231	-21,124
Unallocated corporate segment costs	-693	-1,209	-2,678	-3,964
Provision for Loan Losses	0	0	-649	0
Unallocated DSIT segment costs	127	-10	39	-30
Consolidated loss before income taxes	-4,136	-12,551	-14,519	-25,118
Share based compensation in unallocated costs	$79	$190	$629	$721

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014
			Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	Placement Agent [Member]	Placement Agent [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'	$4,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'	$4,042,000	'	'	'	'	'
Unregistered shares of common stock issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,285,714	'
Stock price per share (in usd per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.05
Number of shares warrants can purchase up to	'	'	'	2,142,857	'	214,285	'	'
Warrant exercise price (in usd per share)	3.18	3.18	'	1.3	'	1.26	'	'
Warrants non-exercisable period	'	'	'6 months	'	'6 months	'	'	'
Warrant term	'	'	'5 years 6 months	'	'5 years	'	'	'