The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Diamond Infrastructure Solutions ("Diamond") and Houston-based Third Pillar Solar ("Third Pillar") have entered into an agreement giving Third Pillar exclusive access to its Texasreservoirs to investigate its design, development, and deployment of utility-scale floating solar projects across the Diamond-owned reservoirs. This marks the first collaboration of its kind in North America. By utilizing previously unused surface area, the initiative will generate clean energy and help reduce water lost to evaporation.

The comprehensive floating solar initiative represents a potential investment exceeding $700 million and is expected to generate up to 500MW of clean energy — all while minimizing land development and helping conserve approximately 15% of freshwater currently lost to evaporation in a fast-growing, water-stressed region.

"Our agreement with Third Pillar marks a bold step forward in how we think about infrastructure and sustainability. By transforming underutilized water surfaces into clean energy assets, Diamond is advancing its commitment to innovation while delivering long-term value," shared Ed Noack, CEO of Diamond Infrastructure Solutions. "It's a win for industry, communities, and the environment."

The projects, planned to be constructed and in-service by the end of the decade, will support hundreds of local jobs during their multi-year construction and operation. Additionally, Diamond will collaborate with Third Pillar on local supply chain opportunities, leveraging their shared expertise to drive mutually beneficial innovation and community impact.

"This agreement demonstrates the growing appetite for utility-scale energy solutions and highlights how floating solar can enhance and transform the value of existing infrastructure, all while providing cost-competitive energy, preserving agricultural land, reducing evaporation losses, and existing out of public view," said Jaimeet Gulati, CEO of Third Pillar. "We're honored to be the chosen partner for such an innovative initiative."

These projects will be the largest floating solar installations of their kind in the Americas and represent the unique, multi-pronged value proposition that floating solar provides for energy production, land use and water conservation.

Diamond Infrastructure Solutions | diamondinfra.com

Third Pillar Solar | www.thirdpillarsolar.com

Shoreline Wind, the only dedicated AI-powered platform designed to manage the full lifecycle of wind farms, announced a new partnership with ENEOS Renewable Energy (ERE), a leading developer in Japan’s wind industry, aimed at boosting the efficiency of its offshore wind projects in Japan. ERE will deploy Shoreline’s digital platform across its current offshore developments, tackling key challenges such as complex logistics, unpredictable weather, and tight supply chains.  From initial project planning and simulation to long-term operations and maintenance, Shoreline’s platform will offer ERE a consolidated, streamlined approach to project development and management.

The partnership comes at a critical time for Japan’s energy transition. Under its 7th Strategic Energy Plan, Japan has announced plans to develop up to 10GW of offshore wind projects by 2030, with a longer-term target of 30–45GW by 2040. Achieving these targets will require more precise project planning and efficient coordination throughout industry and across the APAC region.

"Shoreline’s platform gives us a new level of insight and control to tackle the complexities of offshore development," said an ERE spokesperson. "Shoreline’s AI-powered solution will enable us to create more efficient and cost-effective strategies for construction and ongoing operations and maintenance across all of our projects. Shoreline’s technology will also help to accelerate Japan’s ambitious offshore wind targets" they continued. 

We’re excited to partner with ENEOS Renewable Energy as Japan drives forward to scale up its offshore wind sector," said Ole-Erik Endrerud, Founder and Chief Product Officer at Shoreline Wind. "The Shoreline platform simplifies offshore wind farm operations, mitigating risk and uncovering hidden efficiencies across the entire supply chain. By implementing our platform, hopefully we can help ERE deliver these benefits for Japan."

For Shoreline, the collaboration strengthens its position as the foremost partner for wind developers around the world. With more than 50 wind developers and OEMs that already rely on its platform to optimize project delivery and operations globally, Shoreline is the most trusted provider of dedicated SaaS solutions for wind businesses, worldwide.

Shoreline Wind | https://shoreline.no/ 

ENEOS Renewable Energy Corporation | https://www.eneos-re.com/english/

Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE American: SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium company, is announcing the appointment of Michael Lutgring as General Counsel, effective August 18, 2025.

“We are excited to have Michael join our senior leadership team,” said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. “Michael’s deep and wide-ranging experience will be critical as we strengthen our capabilities and bring further expertise in-house as we continue our growth and development as a public company.”

Mr. Lutgring brings over two decades of legal and strategic advisory experience across corporate law, regulatory compliance and commercial transactions. Prior to joining Standard Lithium, Mr. Lutgring served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Albemarle Corporation, where he led legal support for global supply chain operations, manufacturing, engineering and corporate functions including human resources, information technology and risk management. Mr. Lutgring played a pivotal role in major corporate initiatives, including the $6.2 billion acquisition of Rockwood Holdings to enter the lithium business, as well as the $3.2 billion divestiture of Chemetall Surface Treatment to BASF. Prior to Albemarle, Mr. Lutgring held senior legal roles at Amedisys, Inc., and practiced with respected law firms, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, securities and governance matters. He is recognized for his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and align legal strategy with business objectives.

Standard Lithium | www.standardlithium.com

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) issued the following statement from ACP CEO Jason Grumet in response to the Treasury guidance released for wind and solar projects: 

“The Treasury Department’s decision to accelerate the phase out of clean energy tax credits undermines the integrity of our energy grid and our legislative process. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress explicitly chose to provide energy companies with one year to phase out tax credits to keep energy prices low while meeting growing power demand. We acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of Senators who led the effort to elevate pragmatism over partisanship in the legislative process. Their continued advocacy to protect this legislative agreement was instrumental in avoiding greater impediments to energy deployment.”

American Clean Power Association | cleanpower.org

OCI Energy and Sabanci Renewables announced the successful closing of the sale of Project Lucky 7 Solar, a 100 MWac / 130MWdc project located in Hopkins County, Texas, within the ERCOT-North market. The project, which was developed by OCI Energy, will now move forward to construction and operation under the leadership of Sabanci Renewables. In July, OCI Energy sold Project Pepper to Sabanci Renewables, a 120 MWac / 156 MWdc solar project in McLennan County.

Spanning approximately 745 acres, Lucky 7 Solar will deliver clean, reliable energy to the electrical grid to meet increasing power demand in the region. The project is expected to reach commercial operation in 2027.

To commemorate the agreement, executives from both companies gathered for a signing ceremony at OCI Energy’s headquarters in San Antonio earlier this week. The event marked the second successful transaction between the companies in the last couple of months.  

“Our expanding collaboration with Sabanci Renewables reflects both companies’ commitment to delivering high-impact, long-lasting clean energy projects that strengthen grid security and support power market affordability” said Sabah Bayatli, President, OCI Energy. “We’re proud to hand off Project Lucky 7 and excited to see them carry it forward to construction and ultimately to commercial operation. Our shared vision makes Sabanci an ideal partner for advancing clean energy in Texas.”

“At Sabanci Renewables, we remain focused on creating long-term value in line with our Bridge to a Better Future vision while expanding our renewable energy investments in the United States. Project Lucky 7 marks another significant step in delivering clean and reliable energy,” said Tolga Kaan Doğancıoğlu, CEO, Sabanci Renewables. “The acquisition aligns with Sabanci Group’s 100-year legacy of responsible growth and long-term value creation. We sincerely appreciate the OCI Energy team’s professionalism and collaborative spirit throughout this process. Their dedication and shared vision have been important to the success of this transaction, and we look forward to continuing our partnership. The next step is to bring the project into commercial operation in 2027, contributing to the region’s energy needs."

In addition to the closing, OCI Energy and Sabanci Renewables agreed to explore future project opportunities together, with both companies expressing mutual interest in developing and delivering energy solutions that are secure, reliable, and affordable.

Sidley Austin LLP provided legal services to OCI Energy and Troutman Pepper Locke LLP provided legal services to for Sabanci Renewables.

Sabanci Renewables | sabanciclimatetech.com

OCI Energy | https://www.ocienergy.com/

Virtual Peaker, a leading virtual power plant software company, has partnered with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) and ICF (NASDAQ: ICFI), a global consulting and technology services provider, to launch the FlexHome Pilot, a demand response program for residential members in southern Maryland. This voluntary program is the first in the state to go beyond traditional thermostat-based demand response by leveraging Wi-Fi-connected water heaters to optimize energy usage.

The FlexHome Pilot is designed to reduce energy consumption during peak demand by adjusting water heater usage on weekdays for short periods, typically lasting just a few hours. By doing so, SMECO aims to lower reliance on more expensive and environmentally taxing power sources, helping keep energy costs low for all members while reducing the grids carbon footprint.

Participant Incentives
Residential participants in the program will receive significant financial benefits, including up to $96 in annual bill credits and a one-time enrollment payment of up to $800 if purchasing a new heat pump water heater compatible with pilot participation.

“SMECO is proud to lead the way in Maryland by introducing this innovative flexible load management program,” said Jennifer Raley, Energy & Technology Programs Manager, Demand Side Management. “The FlexHome Pilot is focused on advancing SMECO’s demand-side management capabilities by testing the coordination and participation of multiple grid-connected devices in residential homes—such as water heaters, in addition to thermostats and electric vehicles. This specific initiative also focuses on integrating smart technologies to lower energy use during times of peak energy demand, which can reduce the use of more expensive power sources. That’s good for the environment, and it helps keep energy costs low for everyone.”

Virtual Peaker’s virtual power plant software for the grid-edge powers the FlexHome Pilot, enabling SMECO to seamlessly enroll and manage the load-shedding capabilities of up to 500 grid-enabled water heaters over the span of the three-year pilot. Utilizing Virtual Peaker’s cutting-edge platform, SMECO can monitor and measure energy reduction performance while improving grid reliability and resilience.

“SMECO’s FlexHome Pilot is a milestone program that illustrates how technology can transform energy management into a powerful peak management asset for utilities and their customers,” said Dr. William Burke, Founder and CEO of Virtual Peaker. “This collaboration with SMECO and ICF is a testament to the power of partnerships in creating scalable solutions that support decarbonization and grid modernization while benefiting residential members directly. We’re thrilled to be part of this pioneering initiative.”

“Since the launch of the SMECO FlexHome Pilot in September 2024 through the end of May 2025, 70 events have been called. These adjustments typically last only a few hours, with little to no impact to members’ comfort. The pilot runs through the end of 2026, and SMECO is excited to share a full report detailing findings at the pilot’s conclusion,” said Katherine Jackson, Manager, Flexible Load Management at ICF.

To learn more about Virtual Peaker’s virtual power plant software for the grid-edge, visit virtual-peaker.com/platform.

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative | https://www.smeco.coop/

ICF | icf.com

Virtual Peaker | www.virtual-peaker.com

Virtual Peaker, a leading virtual power plant software company, announced an additional round of funding from Veriten, a research, investing, and strategy firm focused on the long-term energy outlook and its implications.

This strategic investment will support Virtual Peaker’s continued expansion as it brings grid-edge innovation to utilities navigating the complexities of a decentralized energy landscape. With this new capital, the company will accelerate market growth, advance product development, and scale its demand flexibility platform to help utilities dynamically manage distributed energy resources, including smart thermostats, batteries, EVs, and other devices. By orchestrating these assets into virtual power plants, Virtual Peaker delivers load flexibility at scale while empowering consumers to play an active role in building a more resilient and responsive energy future.

“We’re thrilled to have Veriten’s support as we advance our mission to build a more flexible, reliable grid,” said Dr. William “Bill” Burke, founder and CEO of Virtual Peaker. “Veriten’s deep understanding of the shifting dynamics in the energy sector and commitment to long-term value creation make them an ideal partner as we expand our platform and drive the next wave of demand-side innovation.”

“At Veriten, we focus on where the energy world is headed over the next ten years, evaluating the opportunities, challenges, and disruptive forces shaping the future,” said Maynard Holt, founder and CEO of Veriten. “We see Virtual Peaker’s software and leadership as central to enabling the transition to more resilient energy systems, and we’re excited to support their growth.”

Virtual Peaker | www.virtual-peaker.com 

Veriten | https://veriten.com/