Articles from Electrical Business

German Technology Day 2025 showcased advanced manufacturing and automation solutions from German companies at the Toronto Congress Centre. Attendees experienced innovations like Jumo's Aquis Touch P/S and Siemens' Simatic S7-1200 G2 PLCs, alongside Rittal's RiLineX busbar system. A variety of companies including Rittal, EPlan, and Weidmuller demonstrated their cutting-edge technology, focusing on efficiency, safety, and automation. The event was attended by industry professionals, including Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Victor Fedeli.

ABB Installation Products has launched the Microlectric EM Series EV energy management system to facilitate residential electric vehicle charging by optimizing power distribution. This system allows for scalable application across various residential settings and integrates with existing electrical infrastructures ranging from 60 A to 200 A. It helps to prevent system overloads by balancing power demand and can also manage other non-essential electrical loads. The product is manufactured in Canada at facilities in Quebec and Calgary.

The latest housing report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reveals that housing starts in Calgary and Edmonton are growing, contrary to a national slump. Although Vancouver and Toronto are experiencing significant slowdowns, other cities like Montreal, Ottawa, and Halifax are maintaining housing start rates. A decline in condominium starts and high development charges are hindering the market, posing risks to future supply and affordability. Government interventions and policy changes are deemed necessary to address these challenges, especially in high-cost markets.

Balzer Canada Inc., based in Saskatchewan, plans to achieve net-zero energy operations by fall 2025 using Mechatron Solar's M18KD gearless dual-axis tracker. The company has begun constructing solar arrays at its Emerald Park facility, which will be powered by these advanced trackers, promising 35-40% more output than traditional fixed systems. Balzer, an early adopter and exclusive Canadian distributor of the technology, aims to set a standard for sustainable industrial construction in Canada.

BC Hydro, the City of Victoria, and the District of Saanich have received funding from the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install 495 electric vehicle chargers across British Columbia. BC Hydro will receive $21.8 million to install nearly 400 chargers across various locations, while Victoria and Saanich will receive smaller amounts for municipal and community installations. This funding aims to enhance the province's EV charging infrastructure despite public opposition to new-car EV sales mandates. The initiative targets increasing accessibility in main travel routes, public locations, and residential areas.

The Wicehtowak solar project, a 32-MW Indigenous-owned solar farm near Regina, Saskatchewan, has secured $33 million in federal funding and a $7 million loan guarantee through the Smart Renewables & Electrification Pathways program. Owned by the George Gordon First Nation, the project aims to enhance its influence in the renewable energy sector and promote economic sustainability for the community. It includes a 30-year power purchase agreement with K+S Potash, facilitated by SaskPower’s Renewable Access Service. Additional funding from Indigenous Services Canada supports the project's goals of energy development and Indigenous economic leadership.

Kevin Ritzmann has joined Northern Sun Energy as vice-president and managing partner. He aims to enhance the company's electrical field delivery services to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Ritzmann will focus on scaling solar and BESS deployments in the eastern U.S. and strengthening partnerships with developers and suppliers. Northern Sun's president highlights Ritzmann's strategic insight as vital for meeting energy demands.

Manitoba Hydro is actively repairing infrastructure damaged by wildfires that have impacted numerous communities this year. Over 1,200 wood poles and related equipment, including powerlines and transformers, have been damaged or destroyed. The utility has repaired around 500 poles to date and is implementing protective measures such as vegetation clearing and installing outdoor sprinkler systems. The challenging conditions include fire risk, difficult terrain, and limited accessibility to remote areas.

The Canadian government has allocated over $13 million to support Ontario projects focused on modernizing the electricity grid. This funding, part of the Energy Innovation Program, aims to enhance access to electricity markets by integrating customer-owned devices into the grid. Numerous projects, including those by Alectra Utilities Corp. and Peak Power Inc., will use this funding to advance Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), improve power quality, and foster a cleaner and more resilient energy grid. These initiatives will enable local energy procurement and defer traditional infrastructure investments, benefiting ratepayers.

In June 2025, investment in building construction in Canada reached $22.7 billion, an 8.0% increase year-over-year, driven by growth in the residential sector. The residential sector saw a 3.1% rise primarily due to multi-unit projects, especially in Quebec and British Columbia. The non-residential sector experienced a slight decline of 0.5%, largely due to reductions in the industrial and institutional components. Overall, investment for the second quarter of 2025 remained steady compared to the previous quarter, with residential growth balancing out declines in non-residential investments.

In June 2025, the value of building permits in Canada decreased by $1.2 billion to $12 billion, largely due to a decline in Ontario's institutional component. Non-residential permits fell by $863.8 million, with significant impacts in the institutional and commercial sectors. The residential construction sector also saw a decline, primarily in multi-family housing in British Columbia. Despite these declines, certain areas, such as industrial construction in Quebec and Ontario, experienced increases.

ABB is investing $130 million to consolidate its Iberville and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu facilities into a new 340,000-sf manufacturing and R&D hub in the South Shore of Montreal. This will be the company's largest investment in Canada, focusing on advanced power protection and grid resilience technologies. The new facility will employ over 600 people and incorporate modern technologies for sustainable production. Supported by Investissement Québec, it is expected to open in 2027, significantly reducing emissions and increasing job opportunities.