Transformers News

Financial pressures in South Africa and across Africa have led to a surge in demand for cheaper products, creating a lucrative market for counterfeiters. This has even extended to electrical goods, which have infiltrated between 40% and 80% of markets on the continent, posing a potentially lethal risk to millions of consumers.  At best, they simply might not operate, but in the worst case, these products may result in unprotected installations, with burns or electrical shocks being inflict...

South Africa has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, but the country’s power crisis is putting achieving this in jeopardy. Consequently, the cabinet has recently approved the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET IP), which will purportedly guide South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy through the scaling up of renewable energy sources while also meeting the country’s energy needs and ensuring inclusive economic growth and employment. However, a balanc...

Smart Energy Water (SEW.AI), the pioneer in AI-powered digital platforms for the energy and utilities sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael O’Donnell as Co-CEO. Michael will bring his extensive experience in digital transformation and deep understanding of utility industry needs to further accelerate SEW’s innovation and AI-driven platforms for the energy, water, and gas sectors. His strategic leadership will catalyze SEW’s next chapter of expansion an...

Comau invites them to preview its latest products, which are being launched under the claim "Next is Automated". This concept takes shape within the exhibition space (Hall B5, Stand 331), where intelligent, mobile, and collaborative solutions bring to life an idea of automation capable of adapting to the pace and challenges of contemporary industry. Of particular interest are compact industrial robots that are easy to integrate, new autonomous mobile platforms designed for agile logistics witho...

Emerson was recognized with the 2025 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at the Better Plants Summit on May 1 in Washington D.C. The award highlights Emerson’s success in achieving significant heating and energy savings with a new building management system (BMS) at its South Milwaukee foundry. Reduce natural gas consumption Emerson was able to reduce natural gas consumption by 20%, nearly 13,000 MMBtu The foundry, which manufactures electrical fittings, enclo...

As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to surge, the need for reliable and efficient EV charging infrastructure becomes increasingly critical.  NOARK Electric, a pioneering supplier of low-voltage electrical components, is at the forefront of this transformation, offering cutting-edge solutions that optimize EV charging systems. Among these solutions, the M2G Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) works in tandem with the Ex9C300 Contactor to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliab...

SEW, a pioneer in Energy & Water AI Cloud Platform, is proud to announce the inauguration of its Global Energy Tech AI Innovation Hub in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This milestone marks a significant leap forward in scaling operations and demonstrates SEW's commitment to driving innovation, powered by AI in energy efficiency, sustainability, eMobility, and digital transformation. SEW's innovative cloud platforms The new SEW Tech AI and Innovation Hub will serve as a centre for researc...

From 1 April 2024, prepaid electricity prices increased by 12.7%, raising the average electricity tariff from around R1.84 per kWh to approximately R2.07. With households averaging 350 kWh per month, South Africans will now pay in the region of R724.50 monthly–up from R644. This does not take into account municipal increases which typically come into effect from 1 July and range from 14% in eThekwini to 18% in Johannesburg. Worse still, the amount could be even higher depending not only o...

Home automation is on the rise across the globe and South Africa is swiftly following suit. It’s easy to see why, as tomorrow’s tech savvy consumers can easily control energy efficiency, ensure safety, and reduce their carbon footprint, conveniently from the palm of their hands thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT). “The world has embraced the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which has changed the way people manage their daily lives,” explains Charl Osborne, Organizational...

Solar energy is a hot topic these days, but can it really help them save money? The answer is yes. Especially, if they partner with a locally owned, experienced solar panel installer like Harmon Solar that can help they make sense of what it is to use solar energy. Solar energy is produced by solar panels or modules mounted on the roof of the home. The solar array then transforms the electricity into a form usable by the power company. The electric company monitors that energy and red...

Renewable energy capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to nearly double by 2027, with the addition of over 40 GW from alternative power sources. More than 60% of this growth will be derived from South Africa, largely due to its Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). However, as the world's attention increasingly focuses on optimizing energy consumption and minimizing CO₂ emissions, the sustainability of the components used in renewable energy projects becomes p...

With a projected annual growth rate of 13.28%, the South African IoT market is set to reach a staggering US$11.32 billion by 2028. This rise is largely credited to the commercial, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors, which are already harnessing intelligent water and energy management solutions. Dr Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, says that while IoT is a catalyst for the country's development across various sectors, more needs to be done to pr...

Between March 2022 and June 2023, there has been a 349% increase in solar rooftop PV installations. With households and businesses now producing over 4,400 MW, electricity generated from the private sector is predicted to exceed the output from Eskom’s generation fleet by 2025. But if those who have invested in these systems aren’t careful about how they use them, they could end up back in the dark. Grid to electricity This is according to Dr Andrew Dickson, enginee...

The World Economic Forum says that the carbon footprint of homes represents around 20% of all global CO2 emissions, with the residential sector expected to become the most prominent electricity consumer by 2050. This renders households key actors in reaching the 1.5°C goal laid out under the Paris Agreement which was reaffirmed as part of the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan discussed at COP27. As the globe experienced its fifth-warmest September–November period in a 143-year...

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Automation) has announced the hiring of Edgar Romero as the new Managing Director for Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s Mexico and Latin America branch located in Mexico City. Extensive experience With over 23 years of experience within the automation and motion sectors, including executive positions at ABB Group, Honeywell Inc., and Hexagon AB Group, MI, Edgar Romero brings experience and a proven record of success to help him mee...

To say it's been a pleasure attending InstallerSHOW 2022 is an understatement! They had an amazing time at the UK’s largest heating, plumbing and renewables trade show and didn’t want it to end! Their commercial team: Bruce MacPherson (CCO), Robert Illsley (Sales Director), Elisa Alexieva (Brand Marketing Manager), Kiren Matharu (Marketing Assistant) as well as their co-founder & CTO, Carlton Cummins got to network with people in the industry, learn more about customers’ c...

Comau and Roboze have announced a collaboration focused on meeting the market need for affordable automation in advanced, on-demand manufacturing applications. The cooperation targets a range of sectors, from automotive and aerospace to energy, racing, and beyond. The joint effort accelerates the availability of automation for advanced manufacturing everywhere, enabling true just-in-time production whenever and wherever it is needed.  This directly supports reshoring strategies and sustai...

Allient Inc., a global designer and manufacturer of precision and speciality Motion, Controls and Power products and system solutions for targeted industries and applications, has announced the expansion of its Allied Motion SA Series Axial Flux Motors with a new 63.5 mm O.D. size variant. SA Axial Flux Motors are designed for low-profile applications such as camera systems, gimbals, scanners, and imaging equipment. As slotless motors, they have zero cogging torque for smooth, precise motion. T...

Delta, a pioneer in power and smart green solutions, will showcase its latest innovations in Smart Energy Solutions at the 38th International Electric Vehicle Symposium, taking place from June 15–18, 2025. Delta’s comprehensive portfolio features cutting-edge EV charging technologies, advanced energy storage systems, and the intelligent DeltaGrid® Energy Management Solution. Delta’s integrated offerings are designed to meet evolving customer needs with flexible, scalable,...

The International Energy Agency convened the Global Commission on People-Centered Clean Energy Transitions in Brussels for the release of the Blueprint for Action on Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions, a major new guide for governments worldwide on translating the G20 Principles for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions into real-world policy and practice. Co-chaired by Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition of the European Commission, and Alexandr...

Illegal connections are one of the pioneering causes of electricity-related injuries and deaths in South Africa, as reported by Eskom. Not only is there danger involved for those who connect their electricity illegally, but also for the rest of the community due to the fires and electrocutions that can be caused. Along with these devastating tolls, Dr. Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage notes that there are also costs to the power utility and the municipalities i...

The IEA’s 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency opens in Brussels, bringing together ministers, CEOs, experts, and civil society representatives from close to 100 countries to advance international progress on one of the most important tools for making energy more secure, affordable, and sustainable. Co-hosted by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, the two-day event will explore how to implement effective e...

More than 50 senior representatives from government, industry and financial institutions recently gathered at the IEA’s headquarters in Paris to discuss how to leverage lending and investment from the private sector for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects. Organized as a special thematic event on the margins of the regular meeting of the IEA’s Committee on Energy Research and Technology (CERT), the workshop convened major banks, project developers and policy make...

In the wake of South Africa’s longest uninterrupted period without load shedding, the rooftop solar market has experienced a slowdown, with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) reporting a 60-80% decline in project volumes between 2023 and 2024. However, as 2025 progresses, interest in solar energy installations is expected to rebound. This is according to Dr. Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBi-electric: low voltage, who explains that several fa...

When considering solar for the home or business, it’s beneficial to explore the options to find the installer that best meets the needs. Over the past twenty years, the industry has exploded with solar companies due to increased public awareness of the advantages of renewable energy and the lowering cost of solar power. Most solar installers specialize in different types of solar, whether it be commercial, residential, on or off-grid, or for heating. It is important to...

Obtaining a solar system can definitely help to save money on utility bills and additionally, it is a great clean energy solution for the environment. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous companies are jumping into the solar energy market to sell solar, and make a quick buck, meaning scams are prevalent. Avoiding solar panel scams does not need to be difficult. Read through the strategies to avoid these scams, and make sure the solar system performs at high quality for years to come. Ask for licen...

Upwards of 10 million South Africans holidayed domestically during the 2023/2024 festive season, while 620,600 ventured abroad. With recent economic boosts like lower inflation, interest rate cuts, and cheaper fuel, even more South Africans are set to spend their time away this holiday. “But before they set off, they should ensure their property is protected from unexpected power cuts which can occur due to factors such as load reduction, severe weather conditions, and increased...

The withdrawal of funding from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) is a setback for South Africa’s move to a low-carbon economy. This initiative was designed to mobilize public and private investment to help developing nations transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and accelerate the decarbonization of key sectors. However, the funding cut threatens to delay critical programs already hampered by slow financial inflows and resistance from the Department of Mineral...

Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Cadolto Datacenter GmbH (Munich, Germany), and Legrand Data Center Solutions (Baiersdorf, Germany) are jointly unveiling a next-generation modular edge data center – a turnkey solution engineered for speed, scalability, and sustainability. The innovative system will debut at Data Center World Frankfurt 2025, taking place on June 4–5, 2025. New modular solution As demand for reliable, high-performance computing accelerates–driven by AI, edge proc...

By 2026, 573.7 million households worldwide will have smart home devices, 19 million of which will be South African. To help make more South African homes smarter, sooner, CBI-electric: low voltage has recently launched its IoT (internet-of-things) home automation range, called the Astute Range. New Astute Range Established in 1949 in South Africa, CBI-electric: low voltage is a designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipme...