A recently released WEF report points to the convergence of technologies redefining competitive advantage for companies, organisations and governments. The report, Technology Convergence: The New Logic for Competitive AdvantageTechnology Convergence: The New Logic for Competitive Advantage, produced in collaboration with Capgemini, suggests that the next wave of competitive advantage will come not from individual breakthrough technologies but from the ability to combine and scale multiple technologies across entire operating systems. As artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced materials, spatial computing and next-generation energy systems mature simultaneously, the organisations and countries moving fastest to apply these technologies together in intelligent systems are already pulling ahead.
We see steps towards this kind of convergence of technologies – and collaboration across industry sectors – reflected in this issue of Electricity + Control.
In Industry 4.0 + IIoT Siemens Smart Infrastructure outlines its collaboration with allied industry players to scale next generation AI infrastructure.
Vertiv reports on its participation (alongside other leading industry players) in advancing converged physical infrastructure designs for the NVIDIA Vera Rubin DSX AI factory reference design and the NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint.
And there are examples from other companies too, sharing their expertise and the work that they do to serve industry more broadly.
In Drives, motors + switchgear, we feature a case study on the Vyeboom irrigation pump station upgrade by ElectroMechanica. It illustrates the value of collaboration in engineering projects like this. As EM puts it: What turned a complex upgrade into a workable plan was not a single specification but a coalition that knew where its responsibilities overlapped: the Vyeboom Irrigation Board, the consulting engineer, the system integrator, EM as the supplier of the new VSD drives, and Delta Electronics supplying the control systems, each brought their perspectives to the project for its success.
In other stories too, from Marthinsen and Coutts and Referro Systems, we see the benefits of collaboration when specialists share their insights and expertise in different aspects of industry.
Sensors + switches are key in monitoring and sharing process and production data, enabling digitally automated processes to run smoothly, consistently and efficiently. VEGA sets out its range of level switches and how they are designed to suit different applications.
Valmet introduces its IQ Virtual Sensor, which gives paper and board producers real-time visibility into critical end-product strength properties. And we share news from Ametek LMS and Vaisala.
In Plant maintenance, test + measurement, condition monitoring specialist WearCheck points to the importance of continuous training to enable on-site teams to keep up with advances in technologies and maintain increasing complex machines and asset fleets efficiently.
Mohamed Hosseiny of Hitachi Energy Africa highlights the need for resilience in Africa’s power networks and the technologies that are emerging to meet that need.
Ian Loudon of Omniflex explains the value of remote monitoring of cathodic protection systems on fuel and other storage tanks, particularly in hazardous and often hard-to-reach oil and gas infrastructure, to ensure they are performing and the assets are protected effectively.
And looking to South Africa’s energy future, we share some highlights from Eskom’s Winter Outlook 2026 in our column Write @ the back, and in Engineering the future, Stuart Heather-Clark of SLR Consulting points out the importance of conducting environmental and social impact assessments early on in the planning of potential green hydrogen plants for South Africa.
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