About Delta-X Research
Providing advanced decision-support tools to help electrical utilities and industrial operations assess and track the health of their high-voltage electrical apparatus, since 1992.
What we do
Delta-X Research develops software, performs scientific research, and provides technical support focused on power transformer health assessment. Our Transformer Oil Analyst™ (TOA™) decision-support tool uses innovative Reliability-based DGA to detect incipient faults, assess risk, and prioritise transformer fleets for repair-or-replace decisions.
Scientific
We challenge the status quo by applying the scientific method and building on first principles. We invest in research to provide high-quality information so you can make high-quality decisions.
Easy
Quality information presented simply and conveniently makes critical decision-making easier. And knowing the team behind the information is always available to assist provides confidence in making those hard choices.
Independent
Leading with science demands objectivity. And by providing decision-support tools without associated services or hardware, we can work with any other vendor. By us being independent, you are independent.
Our history
Delta-X Research was founded in Victoria, British Columbia in 1992 by Dr. Jim Dukarm, a mathematician who saw an opportunity to apply rigorous statistical methods to transformer dissolved gas analysis at a time when the field relied almost entirely on expert opinion and empirical rules of thumb. Over 30 years, that commitment to getting the science right has built a company that now serves more than half of the top US utilities, with customers across North America, Europe, and internationally.
Our team
John Brett, P.Eng.
President & CEO
John directs corporate strategy, business development, operations, and finance at Delta-X Research. With 25+ years in leadership roles in the technology sector, John was an early principal at Tantalus Systems, a Victoria-based utility communications company, before joining Delta-X Research. He holds an electrical engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Jim Dukarm, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist & Founder
Jim founded Delta-X Research in 1992 and has been at the forefront of transformer dissolved gas analysis research ever since. A PhD mathematician (Simon Fraser University, 1980), Jim has been active in the power industry since 1988, contributed to IEEE and IEC standards development, and is a CIGRE member and IEEE Life Member. His published research underpins the Reliability-based DGA methodology at the core of TOA.
Nicole Nelson
Director of Corporate Operations
Nicole oversees corporate operations at Delta-X Research, driving efficiency across company processes, security, and compliance. She brings over six years of senior leadership experience from Regroove Solutions, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development, scaling operations and building high-performing teams. Nicole holds a degree from York University and is passionate about creating strong organisational foundations that let teams do their best work.
Kayla Whitesel
Sales Director
Kayla leads sales at Delta-X Research, bringing decision-support tools to utilities worldwide so customers can manage risk, optimise maintenance, and increase the reliability of assets that keep the lights on. A former Signals Officer in the Canadian Army Reserve, Kayla served in communications, cyber security, and cyber warfare, and is a passionate advocate for women in sports and STEM careers.
Sean Casey
Marketing Director
Sean leads marketing at Delta-X Research, drawing on a career spanning software engineering, systems integration, and business development. Before joining Delta-X Research, he spent nearly nine years at FLIR Systems as a Project Manager and Sales Engineer, followed by five years as Director of Business Development at Foundry Spatial. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Victoria (Dean's List).
Recognised for innovation
Frost & Sullivan
2022 North American Enabling Technology Leadership Award
Recognising TOA with Reliability-based DGA for its impact on transformer asset management.
VIATEC
2022 Growth Company of the Year Finalist
Recognised among Victoria’s fastest-growing technology companies.
Utilities Tech Outlook
2019 Company of the Year
Recognised as a leading innovator in utility technology solutions.
The TOA Community
When you become a TOA user, you join a community of peers dedicated to providing safe, reliable electricity. As a TOA user, you indirectly compare your transformer fleet with those across our industry. By participating in Delta-X Research events, you network with transformer engineers committed to sharing knowledge, advancing science, and helping one another. Together, we keep the power on and the world moving forward.
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