Articles from Electrical Business

Eaton and ChargePoint have introduced the ChargePoint Express Grid, a V2X solution offering ultrafast EV charging up to 600 kW for passenger vehicles and megawatt charging for heavy-duty commercial applications. This system integrates Eaton’s 'Everything as a grid' approach, synchronizing renewables, energy storage, and vehicle batteries to local energy markets, potentially reducing fleet charging costs. Each Express configuration will be custom-engineered by Eaton, with the option for skid-mounted solutions.

Many contractors, especially in electrical construction, are turning to equipment rental as a way to manage costs, risks, and stay competitive. Renting equipment offers access to the latest technology and reduced obligations compared to ownership, particularly beneficial for compliance-heavy and costly machinery like aerial lifts. Choosing the right rental partner requires careful consideration of maintenance records, contractual clarity, and transparency in pricing. Utilizing modern technology such as telematics can further optimize the rental experience.

In August 2025, the total value of investment in building construction in Canada slightly increased by 0.1% to $22.8 billion, led by a rise in residential investment by $10.5 million. Non-residential investment also saw growth, mainly in the commercial and institutional sectors despite a decline in the industrial component. Significant growth in single-family home construction was observed, particularly in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan, while investments in multi-unit construction decreased. The overall annual growth of investment in building construction was 8.7%.

The U.S. Department of Energy has terminated 321 financial awards totaling approximately $7.56 billion due to a lack of economic viability and poor return on taxpayer investment. Many of these awards were made during the final months of the Biden administration, and Democrats claim the terminations target Democratic-led states and districts. Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicates that the projects did not meet economic or national security standards. Affected parties have been given 30 days to appeal the decision.

In August 2025, the total value of building permits in Canada decreased by 1.2% to $11.6 billion. The residential sector saw a 2.4% decline primarily due to losses in Ontario and Alberta, while increases in British Columbia and Quebec mitigated the decline. Non-residential permits slightly increased by 0.8%, with significant growth in Ontario's institutional component due to hospital construction. Meanwhile, commercial permits decreased, also mainly affecting Ontario.

Canada is recognized as a leader in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electrification technologies according to an Export Development Canada report. The report highlights significant export potential in these sectors and emphasizes their role in the global energy transition. Canada has abundant critical minerals for EV battery manufacturing and is innovating in electrification, reinforcing its cleantech leadership. The report also points to challenges like geopolitical instability affecting investment in the sector.

Trystar LLC has acquired Asentria Corp., a company known for its remote site monitoring solutions such as SiteBoss. The acquisition aims to expand Trystar's offerings in monitoring and controls across telecom, commercial, and industrial markets. The collaboration is expected to enhance innovation and customer reach, focusing on power resiliency and intelligent site management. Both companies aim to leverage their combined strengths for quicker scalability and broader market penetration.

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.

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.

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.

The article discusses the increasing power demands in data centers driven by AI and high-density computing as outlined in Eaton's white paper. Data centers are facing challenges in optimizing space, energy, power, and cooling, while also achieving sustainability goals. The white paper projects a significant rise in energy consumption by data centers due to AI workloads, highlighting the need for renewable energy, improved energy storage, and grid upgrades. Electrical engineers and contractors are essential in designing power infrastructure to help meet these goals.

Legrand has introduced the Wattstopper i3 platform to integrate multiple building systems such as lighting, HVAC, and occupancy sensors under a single interface. By leveraging Kode Labs' OS, this platform enhances energy optimization and system control for both individual properties and large portfolios. It offers plug-and-play integration and provides predictive insights and occupancy-based automation for dynamic building management.