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Hitachi Energy Commits $250M to Address Transformer Shortage

William Attardi on March 10, 2025

Electricity demand associated with artificial intelligence and data center development mean “the need for transformers has surged beyond initial projections,” Hitachi Energy said. Hitachi Energy on Monday announced a $250 million investment to expand global production of critical components for electrical transformers, including “enhancing production capacity at the company’s transformer factories in Virginia, Missouri, and Mississippi.” Power management company Eaton announced in February that it will invest $340 million to increase U.S. production of its three-phase transformers. Production and hiring is expected to begin in 2027 at the company’s production facility in Jonesville, South Carolina. Hitachi Energy commits $250M to address transformer shortage | Utility Dive

States in a Race Against Big Tech for Power Plants by Marc Levy, Associated Press

William Attardi on March 10, 2025

Facing projections of spiking energy demand, U.S. states are pressing for ways to build new power plants faster as policymakers increasingly worry about protecting their residents and economies from rising electric bills, power outages, and other consequences of falling behind Big Tech in a race for electricity. Some states are dangling financial incentives. Others are undoing decades of regulatory structures in what they frame as a race to serve the basic needs of residents, avoid a catastrophe and keep their economies on track in a fast-electrifying society. The spike in demand for electricity is being driven, in large part, by the artificial intelligence race as tech companies are snapping up real estate and seeking power to feed their energy-hungry data centers. Federal incentives to rebuild the manufacturing sector also are helping drive demand. States in a Race Against Big Tech for Power Plants – electrifiED

The Creator of Baby Ruth Actually Sued Babe Ruth –The Baby Ruth candy bar was created by the Curtiss Candy Company in 1920 — the same year that baseball legend Babe Ruth hit a then-record 54 home runs. But the Great Bambino was irked that the company was selling a candy bar with such a similar name to his own without offering him any royalties. Rather than take the Curtiss Candy Company to court, the Sultan of Swat decided to make his own candy bar, and in 1926 he debuted Ruth’s Home Run bar. The Curtiss Candy Company responded by turning the tables and taking Ruth to court. They accused the slugger of trying to steal their trademark and capitalize on the success of their brand. In a 1931 deposition, Curtiss founder Otto Schnering insisted the candy was named after “Baby Ruth” Cleveland — the daughter of President Grover Cleveland.  He also attested that the company came up with the name in 1919 before the baseball player had become a household name and that the name was merely coincidental. While the validity of those claims is disputed to this day, the court nonetheless ruled in favor of the candy company, forcing Ruth to end his foray into the world of candy.