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Industry

U.S. power grid key equipment \'transformer\' in short supply; import reliance 80 percent, lead times up to 5 years

The U.S. hydropower industry is struggling to replace and upgrade equipment due to difficulties procuring large power transformers, a report said. The analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified nine key issues, including about 80 percent import reliance for critical raw materials and limited global capacity for ultra-high-voltage transformers. Lead times range from 2.5 to 3 years and can reach 5 years, while prices have risen about 80 percent since 2021.

AI & Enterprise

KAIST develops quadruped robot technology that changes walking strategy on its own

KAIST said a mechanical engineering team has developed core control technology that allows a quadruped robot to choose and switch in real time among walking, running and jumping. The team used simulation to generate 15.5 hours of training data in 8 minutes and applied reinforcement learning so the robot could select gaits on complex terrain. Tests on the KAIST Hound included indoor courses, campus areas and forest paths, with a peak speed of 6 metres per second on rough ground.

AI & Enterprise

Transformer shortage pushes lead times to up to 4 years as AI data centre, EV demand surges

Europe and North American power grids could see new power connections delayed for years due to shortages of power transformers, a key piece of equipment. Demand is rising as AI data centres, electric vehicles and industrial electrification expand. Lead times that were typically 6 to 12 months before 2020 now run 24 to 48 months, with large units taking more than 36 months. Prices are up 50 to 80 percent, while material, labour and testing constraints limit supply.