Why the West Needs to Secure Heavy Rare Earths for the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

Quidnet Energy (“Quidnet”), a pioneer in long-duration energy storage solutions for delivering baseload power, announced that the company has completed 35 MWh discharge after storing the energy for six months without loss at its Texas project site for CPS Energy. The successful test provides further demonstration of the capability of the company’s Geomechanical Energy Storage (GES) technology following the MWh-scale test announced earlier this year.

Having already proven the GES technology at the MWh scale, this successful operation by Quidnet offers continued validation of the GES technology to deliver scalable and dependable grid energy storage to meet the fast-growing demand for reliable power. Along with 35 MWh energy delivery, holding a charge with no discernible energy loss for six months proves that Quidnet’s technology can be relied upon to provide energy when needed by utilities for meeting firm power demands of the growing AI data center sector.

At a time when a substantial backlog of large-scale generation projects threatens the country’s grid, Quidnet’s GES technology leverages a uniquely unconstrained supply chain to meet hyperscale power demand with rapidly deployable and reliable power capacity.

“During our previous round of accelerated cycle testing, we put considerable strain on the storage system,” said Bunker Hill, Vice President of Engineering at Quidnet Energy. “To then see the system hold charge for 6 months, with no loss, and deliver energy at a substantial duration and scale is a strong validation of the robustness and scalability of our GES technology.”

Quidnet completed the 35 MWh test at their Greater Houston project site which is under construction for CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States. The project for CPS Energy is part of a 15-year commercial agreement between the utility and Quidnet, and the site is supported by the ARPA-E grant Quidnet received through the 2021 SCALEUP initiative. This test underscores how Quidnet will be able to confidently meet the project’s target storage capacity with their technology, which is rapidly deployable and easily scaled to meet the urgent demand for firm power.

Quidnet Energy | www.quidnetenergy.com 

The Spanish company Celsos has launched the Inspection Kit, a complete and innovative solution that allows electroluminescence inspections of photovoltaic plants to be performed autonomously. This represents a significant advance in terms of accessibility, as it enables a technology—electroluminescence—that until now was reserved exclusively for specialized operators.

With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, the process is summarized in three steps: on-site inspection, sending images, and receiving the diagnosis.

This way, maintenance teams or plant owners can quickly and efficiently know the exact status of their facilities without relying on third parties.

Everything you need, in one kit

The Inspection Kit includes all the components needed to perform an autonomous electroluminescence inspection: an InGaAs camera, a gimbal stabilizer, a tablet with the Celsos app installed, batteries, and all the accessories needed to work without interruptions. It requires no prior training, tripods, external power supplies, or cables for image capture. It is designed to work from day one.

Furthermore, the system is fully compatible with Ingeteam inverters from the Ingecon Sun Power Series B and C range, facilitating the module polarization process and further streamlining plant inspection.

Electroluminescence inspection, now accessible to everyone

With this launch, Celsos responds to a market need in the photovoltaic sector: tools that allow owners and maintainers to respond autonomously, quickly, and accurately to potential incidents or maintenance tasks, without sacrificing diagnostic reliability. 

The solution is completed with the use of Celsos' artificial intelligence-based software platform, which analyzes images and generates a highly accurate diagnosis in record time. 

Celsos | www.celsospv.com

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (“SolarEdge” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: SEDG), a global leader in smart energy technology, announced the ramp up of its new manufacturing site in Salt Lake City, Utah. The site started manufacturing and shipping the SolarEdge ‘USA Edition’ Home Battery in Q1, marking a key milestone in the company’s commitment to strengthening its domestic supply chain and supporting U.S. energy independence.

This new manufacturing site reflects SolarEdge’s long-term strategy to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint, fulfill the rising demand for American-made energy storage solutions, and help customers meet domestic content requirements. The Salt Lake City site joins previously announced facilities in Florida and Texas, contributing to over 2,000 newly created jobs. SolarEdge will now produce its full U.S. residential inverter, Power Optimizer, and battery product suite on American soil, supporting high-skill, local manufacturing jobs while bolstering America’s clean energy infrastructure with domestically produced technology.

“In Utah, we are eager to be a part of our nation’s energy solutions,” said U.S. Representative Celeste Maloy (R-Utah-2). “It’s time to build again in America, and this new manufacturing of battery storage solutions right here in Utah’s 2nd Congressional district is evidence that our state is leading the charge.”

The SolarEdge Home Battery is a high-capacity energy storage system that integrates seamlessly with the Company’s optimized inverters and power optimizers. Manufactured in the Salt Lake City facility, the battery features a dedicated SKU for simplified tracking and is designed to support compliance with domestic content requirements across a wide range of solar-plus-storage installations. The SolarEdge Home Battery is part of SolarEdge’s advanced lineup of solar products that deliver smart, reliable, and incentive-ready solar-plus-storage solutions that help homeowners, TPOs, and commercial operators maximize energy savings, particularly during peak rate periods.

“We’re proud to be part of the manufacturing resurgence in America, as our investments represent a strategic commitment to the domestic market,” said Marty Rogers, General Manager, SolarEdge. “This expansion not only supports our growth objectives, but reinforces our promise to customers: reliable, high-quality technology with shorter lead times and greater supply chain stability. The American energy tax credits have enabled the company to onshore its manufacturing and add to the critical energy infrastructure needed to meet growing U.S. energy demand. As Congress considers changes to clean energy tax credits, we encourage lawmakers to recognize how vital these incentives are for businesses to continue investing in domestic manufacturing and drive America’s future energy dominance.”

SolarEdge | solaredge.com

Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading American energy developer, owner, and operator, is pleased to announce the start of commercial operations at its Peregrine Energy Storage Project in San Diego, California. The 200 megawatt (MW)/400 megawatt-hour battery storage project is located in the Barrio Logan community and marks Arevon's fifth utility-scale energy storage facility in operation in California.

The $300 million Peregrine Energy Storage Project was developed and is owned and operated by Arevon. Peregrine Energy Storage employed more than 90 full-time equivalent personnel at the height of construction and will disburse long-term property tax benefits estimated to total more than $28 million over the life of the project. The facility features modern lithium iron phosphate batteries which are the best in class regarding safety in operations. Arevon's top priority is the safety of those who live and work in its project areas, and the company is proud to have operated its energy storage facilities in U.S. communities since 2021 without a single thermal or recordable safety incident.

"The successful completion of Peregrine Energy Storage is a result of the collaborative efforts of the project's stakeholders and the local community who collectively support California's renewable energy goals," said Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Arevon. "Peregrine signifies Arevon's ongoing commitment to energy storage, and its importance in ensuring a reliable, stable energy system, as well as to advancing domestically made energy in the state and throughout the country."

Utility-scale battery systems allow electricity to be stored and then efficiently discharged into the grid. Peregrine Energy Storage enhances grid stability and will reduce the risk of brownouts and blackouts by storing electricity and providing it during high demand intervals to prevent power outages. Energy storage projects like Peregrine also facilitate the addition of further renewable energy projects on the grid by directing energy to storage generated during low demand periods to meet peak demand later in the day. During peak electricity demand, Peregrine can power up to 200,000 homes for two hours per day. The delivery of more electricity supply to the grid during peak periods can also moderate peak electricity prices paid by consumers.

Arevon is a nationwide renewable energy developer and a leader in California with more than 3.2 gigawatts in operation and more than 800 MW under construction in the state. The company recently issued other announcements celebrating achievements at several of its California projects, including the start of operations at its Eland 1 Solar-plus-Storage Project, its Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project, and its Condor Energy Storage Project. Arevon also announced offtake agreements for its Cormorant Energy Storage Project and its Avocet Energy Storage Project and closed financing on its Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project. Condor Energy Storage in Grand Terrace received the North America Storage Deal of the Year Award, and Vikings Solar-plus-Storage in Imperial County was the recipient of IJGlobal's Renewables Deal of the Year – Energy Storage Award.

Arevon Energy | arevonenergy.com

GenH2, a leader in hydrogen infrastructure technology, is teaming up with cryogenic equipment leader Taylor-Wharton, a subsidiary of Air Water America Inc., to showcase its groundbreaking zero-loss liquid hydrogen storage system. The joint solution will be featured at Booth #901 during the Hydrogen Technology Expo North America, taking place June 25-26 at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas.

The Hydrogen Technology Expo is the largest hydrogen-focused event in North America, bringing together industry leaders and innovators to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen for both stationary and mobile applications.

A major barrier to the widespread use of hydrogen is the loss that occurs during transfer and storage. Traditional bulk systems routinely vent hydrogen gas due to rising pressure—leading to financial waste, operational inefficiencies, and increased emissions. GenH2’s Controlled Storage system, based on NASA’s Integrated Refrigeration and Storage (IRaS) technology, solves this challenge by keeping liquid hydrogen in a sub-cooled state and recirculating any evaporated gas—resulting in true zero-loss performance.

GenH2 and Taylor-Wharton, who first announced their partnership in February 2025, have co-developed the RS1500 Controlled Storage Tank System, which features a bulk tank with GenH2’s patented Heat Lift Assembly and Smart Tank technology. The solution is designed to eliminate both transfer and daily boil-off losses, thereby reducing operational costs, extending shelf life, and maximizing ROI. This revolutionary design is also set to power the world’s first Zero Loss hydrogen fueling station, launching in Dallas in 2026.

“The financial and environmental impact of vented hydrogen is significant—up to 40% annual loss with conventional systems,” said Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2. “Our zero-loss solution redefines what’s possible, making hydrogen a more viable, scalable clean energy source. We're excited to partner with Taylor-Wharton to bring this breakthrough to market.”

To learn more or speak with Chris Wallington, Vice President at GenH2, visit Booth #901 during the Expo or contact [email protected].

GenH2 | www.genh2.com

Taylor-Wharton | https://twcryo.com

Hydrogen Technology Expo North America | www.hydrogen-expo.com

According to the new U.S. Energy Storage Monitor developed by Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association (ACP), the American energy storage market experienced record growth in Q1 2025—amidst current policy uncertainty.

The U.S. energy storage market added more than 2 GW across all segments in Q1 2025, marking the highest Q1 on record. The utility-scale segment led the way with more than 1.5 GW of new capacity, representing a significant 57% increase compared to Q1 2024.

“Surging energy demand is putting the electric grid under strain. The energy storage market is responding to help keep the lights on and support this unprecedented growth in an affordable and reliable way,” said John Hensley, ACP SVP of Markets and Policy Analysis. “Policy uncertainty is now one of the most significant risks that remains on the horizon as we tackle a balanced approach to allowing our economy to expand while maintaining the energy reliability that Americans deserve.”

New horizons in the market

The report shows there is a growing appetite across the country for deployment of grid-scale energy storage, as utilities, regulators, and communities further integrate the technology into their resource planning. In Q1 of 2025, states such as Indiana highlighted the geographic diversification that continues to take place as the market expands beyond early adopters such as Texas and California.

The growing market in Indiana is made possible due to factors such as land availability and clear state permitting guidelines.

• Indiana added 256 MW of new storage to the grid in Q1 2025, effectively quadrupling its operational storage capacity.

• Indiana has more than 10 GW of new storage active in the interconnection queue—the fifth largest storage queue in the country.

“We're now seeing significant deployment of energy storage resources in emerging markets like Indiana, while states across the Southwest like Nevada and Arizona continue to expand their energy storage portfolio,” said ACP Vice President of Energy Storage, Noah Roberts. “Energy storage was the second most deployed resource in Q1 2025, demonstrating its unique ability to be quickly built to address critical reliability needs."

The residential storage market also saw significant year-over-year (YoY) growth, installing a record-breaking 458 MW in Q1. California and Puerto Rico accounted for 74% of this growth, while new markets like Illinois are beginning to emerge.

A moment of policy uncertainty

The total 5-year utility-scale capacity forecast remains strong. However, the segment is at risk for a potential 29% contraction in 2026 due to policy uncertainty.

The community-scale, commercial, and industrial (CCI) segment has seen a 42% reduction in its five-year outlook, struggling with tariff uncertainty and slower-than-anticipated transition to NEM 3.0 projects in California.

The report cautions that potential changes to current tax credits could significantly impact the industry’s overall growth. If access to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is severely reduced as proposed in the reconciliation bill passed by the House, it could lead to a 27% reduction in buildout over the forecast period. (Note: this report was developed before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released its version of the reconciliation bill on June 16.)

Distributed storage would be the most impacted segment, with a potential 46% drop from the base case over the next 5 years. Utility-scale installations would decrease by 16 GW over the next 5 years if the tax provisions are changed.

In the near term, the report projects that 15 GW/49 GWh of energy storage capacity will be installed across all segments in 2025. The utility-scale segment is expected to grow 22% YoY in 2025.

As the market evolves, continued innovation, supportive policies, and strategic planning will be crucial to navigate the changing landscape and capitalize on the immense potential of energy storage in the U.S. energy transformation.

“The Q1 2025 results demonstrate the demand for energy storage in the US to serve a grid with both growing renewables and growing load. However, the industry stands at a crossroads, with potential policy changes threatening to disrupt this momentum,” said Allison Weis, Global Head of Energy Storage at Wood Mackenzie. “It's crucial that policymakers understand the importance of stable, supportive policies for the continued expansion of energy storage.

Purchase the full report at ACP’s website.

American Clean Power Association | cleanpower.org

Wood Mackenzie | woodmac.com

esVolta, LP ("esVolta") announced the hiring of Marci J. Palmstrom as Vice President of Asset Management. Palmstrom will lead operations and asset management for esVolta's nearly 1.4 GWh fleet of front-of-meter, utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the United States.

Responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of asset management, Palmstrom will develop and execute strategies that maximize asset performance, reliability, safety, and financial returns while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. In her leadership role, she will focus on fostering a positive culture and driving growth and development in pursuit of esVolta’s vision of pioneering the grid of the future through innovative, reliable energy storage solutions.“It’s a pleasure to welcome Marci to lead our Asset Management team, especially now, at a time when the safe and reliable operation of BESS has never been more important. Her comprehensive experience across all aspects of asset management will be instrumental in safeguarding our assets, delivering value through on-budget performance to stakeholders, and driving progress toward our strategic goals,” said Randolph Mann, CEO, esVolta.

With over 25 years of experience in the energy and utility sector, Palmstrom contributes deep expertise in wholesale operations, contract management, and energy efficiency. Prior to joining esVolta, she was an executive at Southern California Edison working in operations to maximize revenue on both the market and customer side. Palmstrom holds a degree in Business and Communications from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.

esVolta | www.esvolta.com