It’s no secret that California is the nucleus of the solar industry in the United States, with the country’s largest market generating over 30 percent of the state’s electricity, supporting tens of thousands of jobs. The state took an early and large lead in distributed solar compared to others. This was not by luck; policymakers in Sacramento have long been aggressive advocates of solar power. A significant driver of California�....
Power grids are fundamental to the energy supply for commercial and residential electricity. There is growing energy demand around the world, and more renewable energy sources are being built all the time. Unfortunately, many existing grids and transmission networks are not equipped to handle these changes. In this article, we’ll look at some of the challenges facing power grid systems today, and the importance of expanding and modernizing them....
The United States is racing towards an electric future, with its goal of 50 percent electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030 rapidly coming into view. This ambitious target has driven a dramatic expansion in public charging infrastructure, more than doubling since 2021 to over 192,000 stations nationwide. With the 2030 deadline looming, the pace of charger installations may not keep up with rising demand, posing an important questi....
At every recent energy industry event, the highlight reel echoes the same three themes: the clean energy transition is underway, climate change and weather volatility are now constants, and AI is reshaping how we live and work while increasing energy demand. Weather forecasting is at the intersection of these shifts, playing a pivotal role in the energy sector’s adaptation and evolution. In this article, we’ll explore how advanced forecast....
Solar
Daniel E. Chartock
Energy Storage
Emerson
Solar
Garth Schultz and Mark Cerasuolo
Salgenx, a division of Infinity Turbine LLC, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking saltwater redox flow battery, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale energy storage.
Key Advantages of Salgenx's Saltwater Redox Flow Battery:
Innovative Applications:
Beyond energy storage, the Salgenx saltwater redox flow battery offers multifunctional capabilities, including:
These unique features position the Salgenx battery as a versatile solution for various industrial applications, enhancing its value proposition in the energy storage market.
Grid-Scale Capacity:
The Salgenx system is engineered for large-scale energy storage, making it ideal for utility companies and renewable energy integration. Its modular design allows for seamless expansion, catering to diverse energy requirements and contributing to grid stability and resilience.
Salgenx | https://salgenx.com
Gov. Healey hosted a ceremonial signing of Massachusetts’ new climate bill (the actual signing took place Nov. 20). Sen. Mike Barrett is Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. He was chief architect of the bill for the Senate.
Sen. Barrett’s statement upon the ceremonial signing of An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers
This new legislation will transform Massachusetts’ approach to global warming. But so, too, in a dramatically different way, will the new U.S. Congress and the second presidency of Donald Trump.
It’s too early to predict the outcome of a head-on collision between our climate policies and Washington’s. There are multiple pathways to clean energy, and the superpower of the law we’re celebrating today is that it’s bulked up and versatile. If climate bills were tools, this one would be a Swiss Army Knife. When the fossil fuel interests lock up one clean energy tool, we’re going to flip open another and keep working.
We going to need to be strategic. Which means being flexible. At times we’ll need to scramble, to improvise.
A lot of finance professionals predict that electric power infrastructure will be a rare consensus favorite of blue states and Trump Republicans alike. If they’re right, Massachusetts will be in a strong position because we’ve got these siting and permitting reforms.
But what if Trump and his allies take the more drastic course of sandbagging federal improvements to the electric system? That could happen, too. Then we can lean into the language in the new law that authorizes cooperation with other northeastern states and with Canadian provinces. If we have to map out a distinctive approach for us and the region, we will.
Judging by the performance of Tesla stock since Trump’s electoral victory, death notices for the EV market are premature. Still, what if the Trump team stymies dispersal of federal funds for installing chargers on interstate highways? Then the dozen-plus EV provisions in this new state law enable chargers to go up nevertheless in spots where in-state residents need them most – on-street residential parking, condo developments, parking garages, and the like.
In a similar vein, if federal subsidies for EV purchases go away, in Massachusetts buyers will continue to get a break. Because, unlike California, we did not let our state incentives lapse; in fact, we extended them in the new law.
And if Trump’s team argues that, climate change notwithstanding, Americans must continue to pay for unneeded gas infrastructure alongside needed electric infrastructure, Massachusetts can ensure instead that the gas system contracts as the electric system expands (because building out both systems at once would do a number on family budgets).
The new legislation is no unadulterated win. We could have taken up the long-dormant effort to cut plastic container waste, but we did not. We could have curbed the rip-off of low-income households by so-called competitive suppliers, but we did not. These issues and others await in 2025.
Once you accept as a given the outcome of the 2024 national election, passage of this legislation could not have come at a better time for Massachusetts residents concerned about climate. It lets us focus on the things we can control. Also on planning for the post-Trump era, which will be here before you know it.
Gov. Healey of Massachussetts | https://www.mass.gov/
CE+T America, a global leader in power electronics solutions, announces the opening of its new manufacturing and operations factory in Duluth, Georgia. Located in the heart of Gwinnett County and at nearly three times the size of the company’s previous location, the state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot expansion is designed to support CE+T America’s continued growth and meet the increasing demand for efficient, innovative power solutions across North America. CE+T America will host a grand opening event on Dec. 3, 2024 to celebrate the milestone.
“The opening of this factory highlights our continued commitment to the North American market,” said Mario Barbaresso, President & CEO of CE+T America. “By growing our operations in this region, we are better positioned to address the evolving energy needs of our customers and contribute to the local economy in Georgia through job creation and community through partnerships with educational institutions.”
The new factory strengthens CE+T America’s ability to meet the needs of its growing customer base with faster, more efficient solutions. By streamlining manufacturing processes and increasing production capacity, CE+T American can implement quicker product delivery and enhanced support for customers with diverse energy needs. With a portfolio that includes industry leaders in telecommunications, data centers, commercial and industrial and renewable energy, CE+T America continues to support clients across sectors where reliable power solutions are essential.
The new factory features a training center and demonstration room where customers can experience the latest advancements in critical mission backup power and energy management technology.
In alignment with the U.S. government’s “Buy America” and “Build America” initiatives, the Duluth factory reinforces CE+T’s role in supporting domestic manufacturing and contributing to sustainable growth in the region. This investment reflects the company's long-term strategy to remain at the forefront of the power solutions industry while building strong community relationships.
CE+T America | cet-america.com
The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released its latest Clean Power Quarterly Market Report, detailing a surge in clean energy deployment during Q3 2024, with 10.2 GW of clean energy capacity coming online. This record-setting quarter positions the industry to achieve a historic year in 2024, underscoring the strength of American clean power.
Year-to-date installations now total 29.6 GW, representing an impressive 86 percent increase over the same period in 2023. This growth highlights how clean energy resources have solidified themselves as an affordable and reliable source of power for communities across the country. The U.S. has now deployed 294 GW of clean power capacity—enough energy to power 72 million American homes.
“American-made clean power is meeting the moment, providing the resources necessary to continue delivering affordable and reliable power to communities across the country. The record pace of clean power installations is delivering not only for the power grid but for the U.S. economy,” said John Hensley, ACP’s SVP of Markets and Policy Analysis. “The impacts of the industry’s investments are vast, keeping America competitive on the global economic stage and enhancing our energy and national security.”
Additional Key Highlights:
A scaled-down version of the report is available to the public, with the full Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q3 2024 available only to ACP members.
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is thrilled to announce the call for nominations for the 2025 SEPA Power Players Awards. These awards honor the trailblazers driving bold, innovative solutions that are shaping the path to a carbon-free energy future.
Building upon the extraordinary achievements celebrated at the 2024 Power Player Awards, SEPA invites the energy community to nominate the next group of leaders, projects, and initiatives that are transforming the industry. Nominations will be accepted through SEPA's website until January 20, 2025.
The 2025 award categories will once again highlight groundbreaking work aligned with SEPA's six focus areas:
Resilience Power Player of the Year
Transportation Electrification Power Player of the Year
Energy Storage Power Player of the Year
Emerging Technology Power Player of the Year
Policy Power Player of the Year
Equity Power Player of the Year
Last year's Power Player Awards showcased the incredible progress being made across the energy landscape, reminding us that the work of decarbonization is driven by collaboration, passion, and innovation. With nominations coming from across the country and around the world, the 2025 awards are an opportunity to celebrate the next wave of visionaries and their contributions to creating a cleaner, more equitable energy future.
Winners will be honored at the 2025 Power Player Awards ceremony on April 1, 2025, in San Diego, California at the Rancho Bernardo Inn as part of SEPA's Energy Evolution Summit.
"SEPA's mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free energy system by empowering collaboration, innovation, and bold leadership across the energy sector," said Sheri Givens, President and CEO of SEPA. "With over 1,000 members nationwide, we know that achieving a resilient and equitable energy future requires ingenuity, visionary guidance, and collective action. The SEPA Power Player Awards celebrate the exceptional contributions of utilities, corporations, and other energy stakeholders who are turning ambition into impact. This upcoming year, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking projects and initiatives advancing progress across SEPA's critical focus areas and honor those driving meaningful change in clean energy."
To submit a nomination or learn more about the awards, visit the 2025 Power Player Awards webpage here.
About the Awards:
The SEPA Power Player Awards celebrate the ingenuity and dedication of utilities, corporations, regulators, policymakers, and other energy stakeholders who are advancing the transition to a carbon-free energy system. An esteemed panel of judges-including SEPA's Research and Program Advisory Councils and internal subject matter experts-ensures a fair and transparent evaluation process.
Submit your nomination today to honor the innovators driving the future of the energy industry. Nominations are open to both SEPA members and non-members-everyone is encouraged to participate in recognizing extraordinary achievements.
Winners are required to have an executive representative present to accept their award at the 2025 Power Player Awards ceremony co-located with SEPA's Energy Evolution Summit.
For additional program information, please visit SEPA's Power Player Awards webpage.
Smart Electric Power Alliance | www.sepapower.org
EnerVenue, a company pioneering the commercial deployment of high-efficiency metal-hydrogen batteries capable of more than 30,000 cycles, announced that RWE, a leading global energy company, has purchased EnerVenue Energy Storage Vessels (ESVs) for performance testing in a renewable energy pilot project.
RWE is conducting the pilot project at its Milwaukee-area U.S. testing facility, where the company is now cycling EnerVenue’s ESVs to examine the batteries’ performance characteristics. The goals of this pilot project include validating ESV cycling flexibility, charge/discharge characteristics, duration, temperature performance, and efficiency validation. RWE will use the data collected to align EnerVenue’s technology for potential future RWE applications.
ESVs offer the prospect of ultra-long lifespans and efficient, flexible deployments via their highly configurable and scalable product architecture. The batteries are designed to exceed a 30,000-cycle life and cycle up to three times per day without rest. They offer improved safety without the thermal runaway or propagation risk exhibited by incumbent lithium-ion technologies—eliminating the need for expensive, auxiliary fire suppression solutions. ESVs are also more readily recyclable than lithium-ion, making the batteries especially sustainable and environmentally responsible.
“Grid-scale energy storage that promises to be safer, flexible, and more durable offers great potential for meeting our continuously growing demand for energy,” said Andrea Hu-Bianco, SVP of Engineering, RWE Clean Energy. “Meeting clean energy goals will necessitate several capable and scalable solutions, and we look forward to assessing the performance of EnerVenue’s metal-hydrogen technology as part of our pilot program at our testing facility in Milwaukee, led by Guy Moore, Director of BESS System Integration, that acts as our innovation incubator to test Lithium and beyond-Lithium battery technology, power conversion system and controls.”
“Energy Storage Vessels are built to meet the demands of even the most diverse and challenging clean energy applications, providing a reliable, long-lasting, and sustainable answer for large-scale renewable energy projects,” said Majid Keshavarz, CTO, EnerVenue. “Collaborating with a leader like RWE allows us to showcase the capabilities of our technology and demonstrate how it can drive the future of clean energy expansion and grid resilience.”
RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonization of the energy system. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. As a driver of the energy transition, RWE develops, builds and operates battery storage systems in the United States, Europe and Australia. Currently, the company operates battery storage systems with an overall capacity of 0.7 GW and approximately 1.4 GW of battery storage projects under construction worldwide. As an integral part of its Growing Green strategy, RWE plans to expand its battery storage capacity to 6 GW worldwide by 2030.
EnerVenue | https://enervenue.com/
A significant milestone has been achieved in New Jersey’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has granted the first-ever permit for solar panel recycling to Commercial Solar Panel Recycling, located in Phillipsburg’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).
New Jersey, as a national leader in renewable energy, has a responsibility to ensure the environmentally responsible development of the infrastructure that will help us reduce climate pollutants,” said New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “This Research and Development permit is the first step in ensuring that New Jersey will have the appropriate protocols in place to sustainably process end-of-life solar panels.”
This groundbreaking RD&D permit, Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) a Research, Development & Demonstration Project to Manage Non-Hazardous End-of-Life Solar Panels, issued by NJDEP’s Bureau of Recycling & Hazardous Waste, Division of Sustainable Waste Management will enable Commercial Solar Panel Recycling to process end-of-life solar panels, recovering valuable materials such as glass, aluminum and silicon. By recycling these materials, the company will help to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote a more circular economy.
"The NJDEP’s RD&D certification for solar panel recycling marks a critical step in advancing long-term solutions outlined in my newly introduced New Jersey Senate Bill 3399, which mandates end-of-life recycling for solar and photovoltaic energy facilities and structures. This milestone and CSPR’s initiative as the first solar panel recycling operation in New Jersey are an exciting start toward a greener, more sustainable future," affirmed New Jersey StateSenator Bob Smith, a key supporter of renewable energy initiatives in New Jersey.
“This permit represents a pivotal leadership moment in New Jersey’s sustainability journey, and we are proud to lead the charge in establishing a viable, scalable solution for solar panel recycling,” stated Glenn Laga, Co-Founder and CEO of Commercial Solar Panel Recycling. “By recovering and reintroducing valuable materials into the manufacturing process, we’re not only reducing New Jersey’s landfill waste but also creating new jobs in an emerging industry poised to manage the growing volume of end-of-life solar panels.”
Commercial Solar Panel Recycling is committed to reducing America’s growing landfill burden through responsible and sustainable PV array recycling practices. The company's facility, located in the historic McGinley Mills, is now moving forward to utilize advanced technologies to recover valuable materials from solar panels, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource efficiency.
Commercial Solar Panel Recycling | https://commercialsolarpanelrecycling.com/
Solar Dec 08, 2023
Factory start-ups in any industry are never “plug-and-play.” Start-ups in the solar panel manufacturing industry are no exception. Yet problems persist. From conducting haphazard start-up preparation to hiring unqualified technicians, these start....
As clean energy adoption continues to grow, the logistics of retrofitting existing buildings for solar energy have become an important topic for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and capitalize on financial incentives. Retrofitting,....
When you spend most of your time talking to farmers and folks in rural America, the biggest thing you’ll learn is this: It is harder than ever to be a farmer. In a business with already razor thin margins, equipment and supplies have significantly ....
Around 20-30 percent of solar installations are impacted by main panel limitations. NEC’s 120% rule often necessitates expensive main panel upgrades, potentially costing $2,000 to $5,000 or more with labor, permitting, and additional electrical wor....
In the quest for sustainable energy, win....
Picture this: You are sitting around a t....
Power grids are fundamental to the energy supply for commercial and residential electricity. There is growing energy demand around the world, and more renewable energy sources are being built all the time. Unfortunately, many existing grids and trans....
Diversified, safe, and domestically-produced energy storage is vital for a sustainable and secure future. North America must look beyond lithium and invest in alternate chemistries that complement existing batteries and provide alternatives for grid-....
Financing behind-the-meter (demand-side) battery projects has always been challenging for commercial and industrial customers. Projects are capital-intensive, which creates a very high hurdle for companies and facility owners to clear. Strategic inve....
It’s a fact of life in industrial processing that in order to accomplish “good” things you must sometimes have to work with potentially “bad” things. Such is the case with liquid hydrogen, or LH2. As the industrial world continues to look f....
Transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based society will drastically increase demand for metals used in clean energy technologies. As a result, many of these metals, including nickel, cobalt, graphite, lithium, copper, and the rare earth elements (RE....
The renewable energy landscape is changing rapidly. Advances in technology are powering a green energy renaissance in general, and many alternative power sources are being enhanced, developed, and promoted. These breakthroughs can be anticipated to h....
