Articles from Electrical Business

Siemens Energy and Eaton have formed a partnership to enhance the construction and deployment of data centers by providing grid-independent energy supplies and modular systems. Their collaboration involves developing scalable solutions to supply electricity to data centers, even in areas lacking grid infrastructure. Siemens Energy will offer a modular power plant featuring gas turbines and battery storage, while Eaton will supply electrical equipment. This partnership aims to reduce time-to-market and decrease CO2 emissions associated with backup generators.

Generac has teamed up with Ecobee to launch a smart thermostat that integrates with Generac's home standby generators and PWRcell 2 solar battery storage, aiming to enhance home energy management. This collaboration is designed to reduce energy costs, increase efficiency, and provide improved control for homeowners by optimizing HVAC systems and coordinating electrical loads during outages. The smart thermostat is set to offer up to 26% savings on annual heating and cooling bills by adapting to homeowners' habits. The product will be available through Generac’s dealer network, with the PWRcell 2 shipping soon.

In March 2025, investment in building construction in Canada decreased by 0.9% to $22.2 billion, primarily due to a 1.8% decline in the residential sector, despite a 1.3% increase in the non-residential sector. The residential decline was driven by a significant drop in multi-unit construction, while single-family home investments saw a minor increase. Non-residential investment grew in all subsectors, with notable gains in institutional, commercial, and industrial projects. Throughout the first quarter of 2025, overall construction investment rose by 3.3%, with the residential sector leading this growth, especially in multi-unit constructions.

ChargePoint and Eaton have partnered to simplify and expedite the rollout of electric vehicle supply equipment in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. They aim to create a one-stop shop for EV charging solutions, combining chargers, electrical infrastructure, and engineering services. This collaboration intends to streamline processes for purchasing, designing, and deploying EV equipment, addressing barriers to electrified transportation.

The recorded education session, 'Rewiring the Future,' hosted by Electrical Business Magazine, explores the role of direct current (DC) power in modern building designs. Led by Bolis Ibrahim, the session highlights the shift towards DC power usage, covering topics like low-voltage distribution, centralized versus decentralized power conversion, and fault-managed power systems. The discussion emphasizes the growing percentage of DC power consumption and its application in various sectors to improve energy efficiency and safety.

In March 2025, the total value of building permits in Canada fell by 4.1% to $12.9 billion, led by declines in the non-residential sector. Saskatchewan significantly contributed to the drop with a decrease in institutional permits, while Ontario experienced declines in commercial construction. Although the industrial sector saw minor declines, residential permits increased by 2.0%, largely due to gains in multi-family constructions in British Columbia. The first quarter of 2025 showed an overall growth in building permits, particularly in the residential sector.

Google has announced its support for workforce development in the electrical sector through the Electrical Training Alliance, a collaboration between the National Electrical Contractors Association and IBEW. The initiative aims to train over 100,000 electrical workers and 30,000 apprentices across the United States, integrating AI into the training curriculum. This effort is part of Google's strategy to support infrastructure growth critical for advancing AI technologies, highlighting the need to address the shortage of electricians. NECA claims this partnership could increase the electrical workforce by 70% over the next five years.

The article discusses the importance of corrosion prevention for wind and solar energy installations to ensure they last their expected service life. It highlights measures to mitigate corrosion risks during the design, shipping, and operational phases, such as using anti-corrosion packaging and protective coatings. Emphasizing the sustainability of renewable energy, the article suggests incorporating corrosion inhibitors into control panels and routine maintenance to extend the installations' durability. These steps are critical for maintaining the integrity and sustainability of wind and solar energy systems.

The article discusses the challenges faced by electrical estimators in keeping up with rapidly changing technologies and products, such as electric vehicle supply equipment and renewable energy systems. It emphasizes the difficulties in finding labor units for new products and the importance of leveraging the expertise of labor manual writers. The article highlights the need for adaptability and creativity in the industry to effectively manage technological advancements. It also provides a framework for estimating labor units for unfamiliar products based on their characteristics.