Sineng Electric Supplies Energy Storage Solution to North Africa’s First Utility-Scale Energy Storage Project

Minnesota-based National Grid Renewables announced the start of operations at its Fillmore County Solar (Fillmore) and Louise Solar (Louise) projects, located in Southern Minnesota within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. Together, the Fillmore and Louise projects will deliver a combined 95 megawatts (MW) of clean, homegrown solar power.

"Our roots began and remain planted in Minnesota, so it's meaningful to see these two projects come to life in our own backyard," said Blake Nixon, President and CEO of National Grid Renewables. "We've partnered with Xcel Energy for over a decade, and we're incredibly proud to be continuing our longstanding relationship with them to deliver clean, sustainable energy solutions to residents across the state of Minnesota."

Xcel Energy has executed power purchase agreements with both Fillmore and Louise projects. A proven leader in reducing carbon emissions while still delivering reliable and affordable energy for customers across its large service territory, Xcel Energy has committed to delivering 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

"As we transition our electric grid to fully carbon-free sources, we must also ensure it has the capacity to meet unprecedented increases in demand from a more electrified economy, driven by the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, data centers and more," said Ryan Long, president of Xcel Energy–Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "The Fillmore and Louise installations bring us a step closer to that future, serving our customers both here and across the Upper Midwest with additional renewable energy."

In celebration of the addition of these new projects to their Midwest portfolio, National Grid Renewables hosted a "Homegrown Minnesolar" community event last summer with landowners, community members, and project partners, highlighting the many benefits of the projects for local and state communities.

Fillmore and Louise were constructed by Berry Construction Company, Inc. (Berry). Combined, Fillmore and Louise employed 300 workers during the construction process. Over the first 20 years of operations, the projects are anticipated to contribute more than $30 million in direct economic impact, including over $4 million in new tax revenue to be distributed to local townships and counties. Above and beyond these benefits, the projects will contribute a combined $380,000 through dedicated education funds over the same time period; these donations will support the Southland and LeRoy-Ostrander school districts. 

In addition to the economic benefits provided by the projects, Fillmore and Louise are anticipated to avoid more than 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the first 20 years of operation– the equivalent of removing roughly 568,000 cars from the road for one year. The projects will also generate enough clean energy to provide the equivalent electrical usage of 497,000 homes over the first 20 years of operations.

National Grid Renewables | www.nationalgridrenewables.com 

HNO International (OTC: HNOI) is excited to announce a hydrogen offtake agreement with a Texas-based company supporting zero-emission mobility. Under the agreement, HNO will supply hydrogen from its 1.25 MW Scalable Hydrogen Energy Platform (SHEP), which produces up to 500 kilograms of clean hydrogen daily.

This hydrogen will power the customer's fleet of Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), ensuring efficient and sustainable long-haul transportation. The agreement also integrates HNOI's Compact Hydrogen Refueling System (CHRS) for refueling support. With room for expansion, HNOI is projecting to reach nearly $10 million in multi-year contracts as HNOI rapidly scales hydrogen production within the first year of operation.

"This agreement highlights the growing demand for clean hydrogen fuel in heavy-duty transportation," said Don Owens, founder and CEO of HNO International. "Our SHEP system and CHRS refueling stations provide reliable, scalable solutions for long-haul operations, helping reduce the environmental impact of freight mobility. We're excited to support this effort and look forward to expanding our production capacity to meet rising demand."

The Texas-based company, a leader in zero-emission mobility, is at the forefront of using hydrogen to decarbonize transportation. Their adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology supports both environmental sustainability and business growth by offering a viable alternative to diesel without compromising operational efficiency.

HNO International | https://hnointl.com/

SolRiver Capital, a Denver-based renewable energy investment firm, proudly announces the successful completion of the Auburn Community Solar Project. The 3 MW solar facility commenced commercial operations, delivering affordable clean energy to hundreds of subscribers in the Portland metropolitan area and I-5 corridor. The Auburn project was one of the first projects to come online under Tier 2 of the Oregon Community Solar Program.

"We hit the ground running on Auburn once it was confirmed to be in Tier 2," said Brandon Conard, Managing Director at SolRiver. "We locked down the procurement and EPC contracting shortly after the announcement and went into 2023 with a safe-harbored project and a clear path to completion. Our success in completing this project ahead of nearly all others in Tier 2 is a testament to our construction execution ability."

As the second project to come online for Tier 2, the project has 600 subscribers, including 55 low-income households who now benefit from reduced energy rates and substantial monthly savings. "Tier 2 of the Program is quite different than how Tier 1 works because of the residential and low-income focus," added Riley Sullivan, Executive Vice President at SolRiver. "Having hundreds of subscribers adds some complexity. Our team worked closely with the program administrators to get each of those subscribers verified as efficiently as possible so we could bring the project online and generate bill savings."

The firm also completed the 4MW Sheridan Community Solar Project around the same time the Auburn project was completed.

SolRiver Capital | https://solrivercapital.com/

Lightstar Renewables announces the launch of a dedicated web page for the Tuytenbridge Road Community Solar Project in the Town of Ulster, NY. Designed to foster transparency and community engagement, this resource provides answers to frequently asked questions, refutes project misconceptions, and highlights the environmental and economic benefits of this transformative project.

Empowering a Greener Future
The Tuytenbridge Road Community Solar Project, a 4.1 MWac solar energy facility developed through Tuytenbridge PV LLC, embodies the promise of clean, accessible, and cost-effective energy for the local community. By subscribing to the Community Solar program, residents and businesses can enjoy reliable power at discounted rates compared to traditional utility providers—lightening energy costs while reducing the region's carbon footprint.

The project is uniquely designed to benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) residents with annual savings exceeding $56,000. Additionally, it will prevent over 3,100 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to conserving 3,110 acres of U.S. forests or planting over 51,000 tree seedlings every year for a decade.

Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
True to Lightstar's mission of sustainability and partnership, the project prioritizes responsible land use and environmental conservation. Key measures include:

• Minimized Land Impact: Only 35% of the 70-acre parcel will be used for the solar array, preserving sensitive areas such as wetlands and forests.
• Wildlife Protection: Comprehensive studies (found on the new project web page) in consultation with NYSDEC confirm that the project will have no impact on protected species, such as bald eagles and northern long-eared bats.
• Decommissioning Plan: At the end of its operational life, the solar equipment will be removed, and the site can return to its natural state or be repurposed as the landowner chooses, ensuring long-term ecological balance.

Collaboration as the Cornerstone
"We're committed to creating renewable energy solutions that truly resonate with the values of the communities we serve," said Olivia Feldman, Development Manager at Lightstar. "By collaborating with local authorities, environmental groups, and landowners, we've designed a project that bridges environmental stewardship with tangible economic benefits. We respect the town's rich history while eagerly looking toward the future."

The chosen site—privately owned land leased from DSC Sisters, Inc.—was selected with careful consideration to both strategic viability and community concerns. Extensive visual and environmental evaluations (found on the new project web page) demonstrate minimal public visibility and adherence to all Town of Ulster zoning regulations.

A Resource at Your Fingertips
The newly launched web page offers comprehensive, detailed insights to address frequently asked questions regarding the project. Visitors can explore topics including environmental assessments, project visuals, and the benefits of the Community Solar program. Access the web page here: www.lightstarsolar.info/tuytenbridge

Lightstar | www.lightstar.com

Vesper Energy is proud to announce that its Hornet Solar project installed its final module (more than 1.36 million). This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for Vesper Energy's flagship renewable energy project, which spans over six square miles in Swisher County, Texas.

Once fully operational, the Hornet Solar project will deliver 600 MWac of renewable energy—enough to power 160,000 homes annually.

"The seamless coordination between our team and our EPC partner, Blattner, has enabled us to remain ahead of schedule and on budget while ensuring quality throughout the process," said Juan Suarez, Co-CEO at Vesper Energy. "Most notably, the team accomplished this task with zero recordable injuries, underscoring a commitment to safety and excellence." 

The Hornet Solar project features bifacial photovoltaic modules mounted on a single-axis tracking system. The project is interconnected to Oncor Electric's transmission system within ERCOT and is contracted to provide power to four off-take partners through individual Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs).

The Hornet Solar project remains on track to reach full commercialization by the spring of 2025.

Vesper Energy | www.vesperenergy.com/about

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) (“Li-Cycle” or the “Company”), a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company, is pleased to partner with a major auto original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) to recycle lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap at its Germany Spoke.

This exclusive agreement is with a high-performance, luxury vehicle OEM and is focused on supplying Li-Cycle’s Germany Spoke with feedstock originating from within Germany.

“We are excited to continue strengthening our partnerships with leading global EV OEMs,” said Ajay Kochhar, Li-Cycle President and CEO. “This exclusive recycling agreement secures a further quality supply of recycling feedstock for our Germany Spoke. This is also indicative of our position as a preferred recycling partner who can process lithium-ion battery materials sustainably and efficiently. As we advance our work on establishing a financially accretive Spoke business, we will continue to provide top-tier service and support for our key partners and customers.”

Throughout 2024, Li-Cycle supported approximately 13 prominent EV OEMs and approximately 15 key battery cell and material producers with the Company’s sustainable recycling services. During 2024, the largest source of the Company’s global battery feedstock was a U.S.-headquartered, vertically integrated EV and battery manufacturer with substantial global EV market share.

Li-Cycle | https://li-cycle.com/

Enfinity Global Inc., a leader in renewable energy, announced the expansion of its battery energy storage systems (BESS) portfolio with two new projects in Texas, with a total power capacity of 425 MW. The projects are expected to start construction in the second and fourth quarters of 2025. These additions bring Enfinity's BESS pipeline in the U.S. to 6.6 GW, underscoring the company's dedication to deploying innovative energy solutions to meet the growing load demands in key markets and segments such as AI and manufacturing. Enfinity Global is expected to invest over $7 Billion and create over 5,000 construction jobs in this sector alone in the next few years.

The projects, with a combined storage capacity of 850 MWh and a two-hour duration, are strategically located in ERCOT's Houston and Dallas zones. ERCOT is experiencing unprecedented load growth, increasing the need for more renewables paired with BESS. Once operational, these projects are expected to help stabilize the ERCOT grid and support renewable energy expansion to meet Texas'rising electricity demand, largely driven by new AI-driven data centers.

Carlos Domenech, CEO of Enfinity Global, commented, "We are proud to invest, power, and enable technology at an unprecedented speed, cost, and functionality in the race for global competitiveness. All while creating new jobs and making substantial investments in the United States economy."

Enfinity Global is a rapidly expanding U.S.-based IPP. Its current portfolio in the U.S. includes 400 MW in operational assets, 19 GW of solar PV and energy storage under development, plus an additional 37 GW in negotiation. The company expects to have over 1 GW of solar and storage assets operational and under construction in the country this year.

Ricardo Díaz, CEO of Enfinity Global Americas, stated, "Enfinity's proven capabilities with in-house greenfield development has allowed us to expand into executing stand-alone BESS projects. This positions us to play a key role in strengthening and balancing ERCOT power grids and create value-accretive investment opportunities for Enfinity and our financial partners."

Enfinity | https://enfinity.global/