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Islandwide Blackout Hits Cuba As It Struggles with Deepening Energy Crisis by Milexsy Durán and Dánica Coto

William Attardi on March 17, 2026

Officials in Cuba reported an islandwide blackout Monday in the country of some 11 million people as its energy and economic crises deepen and its power grid continues to crumble. Cuba’s aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years, leading to daily outages and an increase in islandwide blackouts. But the government also has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade after U.S. President Donald Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The Trump administration is demanding that Cuba release political prisoners and move toward political and economic liberalization in return for a lifting of sanctions. Trump also has raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba.” The Trump administration is looking for Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to leave power as the United States continues to negotiate with the Cuban government about the island nation’s future. William LeoGrande, a professor at American University who has tracked Cuba for years said, “the economy could collapse just completely and then you would have social chaos and probably mass migration.” Islandwide blackout hits Cuba as it struggles with energy crisis | AP News

MicroLEDs: from Headlamps to the Data Center

William Attardi on March 16, 2026

When we think about the evolution of AI technology, developments in machine learning and large language models come readily to mind, as do the latest graphics processing units (GPUs), high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and exotic semiconductor technologies such as chiplets and heterogeneous integration.  But car headlamps? Automotive lighting is not usually seen as an inspiration for the next big thing in AI. Interestingly however, high-tech ‘adaptive beam’ front lights are proving the reliability and scalability of a valuable optical connectivity technology which could help data center operators to meet today’s challenges of increasing network bandwidth, efficiency and reliability. But let’s take a step back to understand how headlamps could possibly be relevant to the technology of AI data centers at: [News] MicroLEDs: from Headlamps to the Data Center – LEDinside

Light + Building 2026 Industry’s the Sector’s Pace of Innovation

William Attardi on March 16, 2026

Light + Building 2026 highlighted the remarkable pace at which innovation is currently advancing across the industry. From 8th to 13th March 2026, 1,927 exhibitors from 49 countries showcased a wide range of advanced technological solutions in Frankfurt – from the electrification and digital connectivity of buildings and urban spaces to sophisticated lighting and design concepts for architecture, urban development and interiors. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, bidirectional charging, multifunctional interfaces and connected lighting solutions featured prominently in many products, marking the next stage in the development of buildings, cities and lighting design. Light + Building 2026 industry’s the sector’s pace of innovation – A1 Lighting Magazine

U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices (dollars per gallon)

William Attardi on March 15, 2026

02/23/26 03/02/26 03/09/26 2 year ago year ago week ago
U.S. 2.937 3.015 3.502 0.126 0.433 0.487
East Coast
 2.834 2.882 3.363 0.098 0.418 0.481
New England
 2.852 2.878 3.352 0.170 0.391 0.474
CentralAtlantic
 2.962 2.967 3.419 0.087 0.348 0.452
Lower Atlantic
 2.748 2.830 3.330 0.089 0.467 0.500
Midwest
 2.675 2.794 3.276 -0.011 0.377 0.482
Gulf Coast
 2.532 2.644 3.109 0.164 0.429 0.465
RockyMountain
 2.662 2.758 3.258 0.181 0.298 0.500
West Coast
 4.111 4.160 4.690 0.394 0.591 0.530
West Coast
less California		 3.723 3.791 4.215 0.353 0.535 0.424

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Seeking Standardization: Open Systems Are Becoming More Relevant by Craig DiLouie

William Attardi on March 13, 2026

As lighting systems evolve from simple illumination devices into connected infrastructure, the industry is placing more emphasis on open, interoperable standards. While many control platforms still rely on proprietary hardware and software, open standards are becoming increasingly relevant. A significant player in standards is Zhaga-D4i (zD4i). It combines a standardized plug-in interface for sensors and communication modules with a common digital language for data exchange. For electrical contractors, this framework can simplify installation, improve upgradability and create new opportunities for offering connected lighting solutions. To address this, Zhaga introduced Book 18 in 2018. Now in its fourth edition (released in 2025), Book 18 defines how a smart node physically attaches to an outdoor LED luminaire, receives power and exchanges digital information with the driver. In effect, Book 18 serves as the socket standard for modern connected outdoor lighting. Around the same time, the DALI Alliance expanded its DALI-2 standard to better support internet of things (IoT) and luminaire-level control. With Zhaga’s Book 18 managing the physical and electrical interface and the DALI Alliance’s D4i managing the digital handshake, the two organizations partnered to create the zD4i product certification. Seeking Standardization: Open systems are becoming more relevant | Craig DiLouie – Electrical Contractor Magazine

The Electric Grid Needs Huge Upgrades by Katherine Blunt & Jennifer Hiller

William Attardi on March 13, 2026

The U.S. power industry is embarking on an AI-driven expansion of the electric grid, a build-out that promises to be one of the most expensive since World War II. Utilities around the country are planning to spend tens of billions of dollars to build new high-voltage transmission lines to carry electricity from power plants over long distances. Many companies this year announced plans to substantially increase capital expenditures to build the new capacity, in large part to serve demand from data centers. The White House this month announced that seven of the nation’s largest tech companies had agreed to pay for all the costs associated with powering new data centers. The Electric Grid Needs Huge Upgrades. No One Knows Who Will Pay for Them. – WSJ

New Vapor Tight Extruded Luminaires from LEDvance

William Attardi on March 11, 2026

These CCT and wattage selectable luminaires are tough enough for almost any wet or dusty location. Featuring a one-piece body, end-to-end wiring, and 0-10V dimming down to 10% for extra energy savings, they install in minutes. LEDVANCE Dual Selectable Extruded Vapor Tight combines modern scale design with ease of installation featuring end to end wiring and full mounting channel. Available in 3 sizes, 3 CCT, and up to 13,750 lumens, its perfect for outdoor canopies, tunnels, stairwells, and a variety of other wet or dusty applications. Every fixture is backed by rigorous testing, North‑American service teams and more than a century of lighting expertise. Contact LEDVANCE – Vapor Tight Extruded

EV Charger Rebate Trends for 2026 by BriteSwitch

William Attardi on March 11, 2026

2025 was a complicated year for the EV industry. EV sales fell sharply in Q4, and for those in the charging business, the headlines may have felt unsettling. But vehicle sales and the charging business are telling two very different stories. The US added 17% more charging ports, and utilization continues to climb. Electrek reported 141 million charging sessions in 2025, a 30% increase over the previous year. There are more EVs on the road than ever, and drivers are using public charging stations more frequently. Rebates still play a crucial role in building up the EV charging infrastructure in North America, and they’re as strong as ever. We break down the five biggest EV charger rebate trends shaping 2026:

Signify Launches Brighter Lives, Better World 2030

William Attardi on March 11, 2026

Signify launched Brighter Lives, Better World 2030, a new program designed to expand the reach of impactful, energy and resource-efficient lighting to improve lives, save energy, and preserve resources. The program is supported by new initiatives that support customer sustainability ambitions. Focusing on customers’ most pressing challenges, Brighter Lives, Better World 2030 responds to rising demand for efficient, connected and electrified solutions. Addressing increasing demand for electricity1 and volatile pricing, resource scarcity and the need for healthier, safer, more resilient and livable environments – the program transforms the potential of light into meaningful impact. Progress on Signify’s Brighter Lives, Better World 2030 program will be reported on a quarterly basis, in line with the company’s financial results. Signify Launches Brighter Lives, Better World 2030 – tEDmag

Senators Introduce Bill to Modernize America’s Electric Grid

William Attardi on March 9, 2026

A new bipartisan legislation to modernize the nation’s electric grid and meet America’s growing energy demand. This bill cuts permitting delays, incentivizes advanced transmission upgrades, strengthens state grid planning, and accelerates the deployment of innovative grid technologies to lower costs and improve grid reliability for American families and businesses. The REWIRE Act provides a commonsense path forward: rather than building new infrastructure from scratch, it upgrades existing transmission lines with advanced conductors that can double capacity (a process known as “reconductoring”). By reducing congestion and bypassing lengthy permitting requirements, reconductoring could reduce grid costs by $85 billion by 2035 and $180 billion by 2050. Senators Introduce Bill to Modernize America’s Electric Grid – electrifiED

Happy St. Patrick’s Day—whether you’re going fact or legend, it’s a great excuse to celebrate!

St. Patrick is a mix of solid historical fact and popular myth/legend that grew over centuries. He was a real historical figure—a British-born missionary (likely from what is now Scotland or northern England/Wales area) who lived in the 5th century (roughly 385–461 AD). His birth name was probably Maewyn Succat, and he became known as Patricius (Patrick) later. He wrote two surviving documents: his Confessio (Confession) and a letter to Coroticus, which are the main primary sources about his life. These confirm he was kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager, enslaved in Ireland for about six years (herding sheep), escaped, trained for the church, and returned as a missionary bishop to convert the Irish to Christianity. He wasn’t the first Christian in Ireland—some communities already existed—but he’s credited with major missionary work and is the patron saint of Ireland.

Many beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions and stories are myths or later embellishments: Myth: He drove the snakes out of Ireland. Completely legendary. Ireland has had no native snakes since the last Ice Age (about 10,000+ years ago)—the post-glacial island was isolated, and snakes never recolonized it. The “snakes” story symbolizes driving out paganism or “evil”  but it’s not historical. Myth: He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. This is a charming story, but it doesn’t show up in Patrick’s own writings or early biographies. While the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) became a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, the Trinity analogy is probably a later invention. Myth: St. Patrick was Irish by birth. No—he was Romano-British, captured and brought to Ireland against his will. Other common myths: Green wasn’t always the color associated with him or the holiday; massive parades and “wearing of the green” became big in America first; he didn’t drink green beer or eat corned beef and cabbage, those are more modern Irish-American traditions. In short: The man himself is fact—a brave, devout missionary who helped spread Christianity in Ireland. But many of the fun, magical tales attached to him are myths.

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