The Hidden Risk in Your Battery Storage System: Why cable cleats belong in every BESS specification

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to decrease the solar export rate by 10%. Customers of Arizona Public Service (APS) and Unisource Energy Service (UNS) who install solar will now receive just 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity they export to the grid. The ACC will consider a similar decrease for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) customers next month.

The ACC’s decision undervalues the electricity solar provides, discouraging solar adoption during a time of growing energy demand in the state. Energy costs are on the rise, and installing rooftop solar is one of the few ways Arizona households can take control of their energy bills. Unfortunately, by approving the maximum reduction to the solar export rate, the ACC’s decision will make rooftop solar harder to pencil out for families across the state. During summer evening hours, when there is a high demand for electricity, households served by APS pay 34 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity and UNS customers pay 19 cents, but families with solar who export power to the grid are compensated at the solar export rate of just 5.5 cents for electricity they supply to the grid.

Vote Solar, SUN, and AriSEIA issued the following statements: 

Vote Solar’s Senior West Regulatory Director, Kate Bowman: 

“As Arizona’s energy demand continues to grow, the ACC should be turning to affordable clean energy solutions like solar, not keeping them out of reach for communities across the state. We are disappointed by the ACC’s decision to discourage solar adoption, keeping meaningful relief for customers and communities out of reach while missing an opportunity to build a more resilient and affordable energy system for Arizona.” 

SUN’s Arizona Program Director, Adrian Keller:

“By continuing to approve lowered export rates that undervalue distributed energy as a resource this Commission is sending a signal to consumers and the industry that Arizona is not a friendly place for individuals and businesses to invest in solar. In the sunniest state in the nation this decision by the ACC is yet another self inflected wound that will result in less solar coming online precisely at a time when our state would most benefit from an increased rollout of new distributed resources like solar that strengthen our grid.”

AriSEIA’s Executive Director, Autumn Johnson:

“There are really only two ways to save money on your electric bill. You can adopt energy efficiency and demand response measures or you can install rooftop solar and storage. The Commission has taken numerous actions recently to undermine both options at a time of rising power bills; today is one such example. Utility rates are rising and while the Commission is supposed to protect you from monopoly utilities, instead it is constraining your options to mitigate those increases.”

Vote Solar | https://votesolar.org/

BinMaster Sensors and Technologies (BST) has announced the addition of Ben Smith to its sales team as Regional Sales Manager for the western United States and Canada.

Ben Smith

With previous experience in field sales, day-to-day operations, and sales management, Smith brings a fresh perspective to the inventory management market. His new role will drive further adaptation and awareness of BinMaster’s level sensing, flow detection, and aeration devices, in addition to its innovative software options for remote and on-premise bulk material monitoring.

As a Nebraska native, Smith joins the Midwest-based company to collaborate with end users and distributors across industries, including agricultural bulk storage, cement production, plastics manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and general inventory management applications.

Whether communicating with clients online, visiting on-site locations for installation and training purposes, or driving brand visibility at trade shows, Smith’s role involves specifying custom inventory systems to meet customers’ safety, operational, and budgetary requirements.

“Ben’s industry experience, operational knowledge, and customer-centered mentality are incredibly valuable—not only for our team, but also for end users seeking honest, skilled support,” said Scott Hudson, CEO of BinMaster Sensors and Technologies. “We have the utmost confidence that he will help to nurture customer and vendor relationships and drive further growth for BST’s solutions.”

As a representative of BST, Smith’s responsibilities will also include promotion of the Senix liquid level and BinTrac bin weighing brands, including the incorporation of multiple sensor technologies into one holistic inventory system.

BinMaster | https://binmaster.com/

Layered oxide cathodes are among the most promising materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but their internal grains can crack as sodium ions repeatedly move in and out during cycling. A new study shows that this failure can be reduced by reshaping the crystal grains rather than only changing chemical composition. By tailoring the c-axis dimension of P2-Na0.75Ni0.25Mn0.75O2, the researchers created thinner prism-like grains that release lattice strain more efficiently, reduce stress concentration, and suppress intragranular cracking. The optimized cathode retained 96.7% of its capacity after 300 cycles at 5 C, pointing to a practical design route for more durable sodium-ion battery materials.

Sodium-ion batteries are attracting growing interest for large-scale energy storage because sodium is abundant, widely distributed, and compatible with low-cost battery chemistry. Layered transition-metal oxides offer high capacity and good scalability as positive electrode materials, but their mechanical stability remains a major barrier. During sodium-ion intercalation and deintercalation, the crystal lattice expands and contracts unevenly, especially along the c-axis. This non-uniform lattice strain can concentrate stress inside the grains, causing cracks, exposing fresh surfaces to the electrolyte, and accelerating side reactions and capacity loss. Based on these challenges, there is a need to develop microstructure-level strategies that can relieve internal stress before it damages the cathode.

A team led by Wuhan University of Technology, with collaborators from Xi’an Jiaotong University, published (DOI: 10.1016/j.esen.2026.100070) the study online on May 20, 2026, in eScience Energy. The researchers investigated how c-axis dimension tailoring affects stress evolution in layered P2-type Na0.75Ni0.25Mn0.75O2 cathodes, showing that thinner grains can reduce strain build-up, improve stress dissipation, prevent internal cracking, and extend sodium-ion battery cycling stability.

The team prepared morphology-tailored NaNMO (MT-NaNMO) and comparison NaNMO (C-NaNMO) samples with the same chemical composition, allowing the effect of grain geometry to be isolated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron microscopy analyses confirmed that both materials kept the P2 layered structure, but MT-NaNMO formed thinner prism-like primary grains of about 200 nm along the c-axis, compared with about 800 nm in C-NaNMO. In situ XRD showed that both samples had similar unit-cell-level lattice changes during charging and discharging, indicating that the key difference lay in how strain accumulated across the grain. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) combined with geometric phase analysis (GPA) revealed stable lattice fringes and uniform strain fields in MT-NaNMO, while C-NaNMO showed lattice distortion and localized strain. Finite element analysis (FEA) further confirmed that reducing the c-axis dimension produced a more even stress distribution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cycling tests showed faster sodium-ion transport, lower resistance, and much stronger long-term stability in MT-NaNMO.

The authors said the study offers a way to think about battery failure before visible damage appears. They said sodium-ion storage creates a repeated “breathing” motion in layered oxides, and thick grains allow this strain to build up until cracks form. By shortening the most vulnerable direction, the material can release stress earlier and more evenly. They said this principle could help guide cathode design beyond composition tuning, giving researchers a clearer mechanical strategy for building sodium-ion batteries that remain stable over prolonged cycling.

The findings have practical implications for next-generation energy storage. Simply reducing overall particle size can improve stress release, but it may also increase surface side reactions and reduce tap density. In contrast, c-axis tailoring focuses on the direction most closely linked to tensile stress and intragranular cracking. The optimized MT-NaNMO cathode also performed well in a full cell paired with a hard carbon (HC) negative electrode, achieving an energy density of about 218.3 Wh kg−1 and retaining 92.6% capacity after 300 cycles at 2 C. This directional microstructure strategy could support more reliable, lower-cost sodium-ion batteries for renewable-energy storage and grid-scale applications.

Wuhan University of Technology | https://english.whut.edu.cn/

As artificial intelligence (AI) fuels unprecedented demand for data centers and resilient electrical infrastructure, Rubicon Professional Services (RPS), a leading provider of engineering, procurement, and construction services for data centers and critical facilities, today announced it has surpassed one gigawatt (1 GW) of installed battery energy storage capacity across projects nationwide, reinforcing the company's role as one of the infrastructure firms quietly enabling America's rapidly expanding AI economy.

The one-gigawatt milestone represents battery energy storage capacity comparable to the output of a large utility-scale power plant. Distributed across projects nationwide, these systems help customers improve power resilience, enhance price certainty, reduce stress on the electrical grid during periods of peak demand, accelerate deployment of mission-critical facilities, and support the reliable operation of data centers, healthcare facilities, telecommunications networks, and other critical infrastructure. As AI applications continue driving unprecedented growth in electricity demand, battery energy storage has become an increasingly important component of the nation's energy infrastructure strategy.

"Surpassing one gigawatt of installed battery energy storage capacity represents more than a company milestone—it reflects years of helping customers solve increasingly complex power challenges," said William J. Pirrone, Founding Principal. "Today, and into the foreseeable future, the rapid growth of AI compute will place unprecedented demand on our nation's electrical grid. Organizations need experienced partners who can deliver resilient, scalable power alternatives, efficiently and on schedule."

The one-gigawatt milestone includes battery energy storage and related energy infrastructure projects supporting healthcare systems, retail operations, data centers, telecommunications providers, manufacturers, educational institutions, housing developments and utilities throughout the United States.

Backed by two decades of experience delivering complex electrical infrastructure projects, Rubicon brings proven expertise to the rapidly growing data center market. As Rubicon celebrates its 20th anniversary, the company continues to apply its experience to meeting the growing power demands of AI-driven development. Since 2019, the company has completed numerous energy infrastructure projects nationwide, and approximately 95 percent of its business comes from repeat customers, a testament to its reliability, performance, and long-term client relationships.

Rubicon Professional Services | www.rubiconps.com

Leap, the leading platform for building and scaling virtual power plants (VPPs), announced its expanded offering to monetize battery storage systems within California’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), a grid reliability program that incentivizes lower energy usage during peak summer hours.

Leap’s new ELRP A.4 offering, now available to eligible customers in Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) service area, creates an additional revenue opportunity for battery storage providers by compensating participating systems for exporting energy back to the grid. In the past, battery exports were not widely eligible for compensation across California grid reliability programs, leaving a significant portion of their flexible capacity – and value – untapped.

The offering also removes a major barrier to demand response participation: customer enrollment. Conventional opt-in models routinely see participation rates in the single digits, in part because customers must complete multi-step utility authorization processes before they can enroll. ELRP A.4 addresses this challenge by enabling providers to directly enroll their eligible battery storage customer portfolios. Customers are notified of their participation and retain the ability to opt out at any time through a straightforward process.

"California's grid needs flexible capacity now, and that means prioritizing programs designed to take full advantage of what behind-the-meter storage can provide," said Trevor McManamon, VP of Markets at Leap. "Leap has been advocating for years to unlock the full potential of batteries. By compensating battery exports and simplifying enrollment, this offering gives our partners a new way to generate revenue while helping grid operators access more of the flexible capacity already available across California."

As California’s grid reliability program landscape continues to evolve, Leap’s ELRP A.4 offering provides storage providers with an additional monetization pathway and helps prevent valuable battery capacity from remaining on the sidelines. With electricity demand rising and extreme heat placing greater pressure on the grid, Leap continues to expand opportunities for its partners to rapidly activate the distributed energy resources already deployed across homes and businesses.

Leap | leap.energy

Tech Safety Lines, Inc. (TSL), a U.S.-based provider of specialized rescue equipment, fall-protection solutions, and technical training, has named WindTree Co., Ltd. an authorized distributor in South Korea.

Through the partnership, WindTree will distribute TSL’s specialized rescue and fall-protection equipment for the South Korean wind industry and other industrial markets, with personal rescue-from-height solutions as a key area of focus.

WindTree will introduce TSL products to organizations seeking practical equipment for self-rescue, assisted rescue, emergency evacuation, firefighter escape, fall protection, and technical rescue operations. The company will also serve as a local resource for South Korean customers interested in TSL’s equipment and rescue solutions.

“South Korea is an important market with sophisticated industries and a strong commitment to worker safety,” said Diane Waghorne, CEO of Tech Safety Lines. “WindTree understands the local market and shares our commitment to providing practical, field-tested rescue solutions. We believe this partnership will expand access to critical equipment while helping organizations build stronger internal rescue capabilities.”

Supporting Rescue Readiness Across South Korean Industries

The partnership will support organizations operating in the wind industry and other industrial markets where personnel may encounter complex rescue hazards.

The South Korean wind industry will be a key market for the partnership. Wind turbine technicians frequently work hundreds of feet above ground, often in locations where outside emergency responders cannot immediately reach them. Personal rescue-from-height equipment gives properly trained workers the ability to begin an evacuation or rescue at the point of need.

WindTree Will represent a portfolio of TSL rescue, fall-protection and emergecy-escape solutions:

•SRK-15 Micro Self-Rescue and Assisted Rescue Kit: A compact rescue system designed to support immediate self-evacuation, assisted rescue, and hands-free ladder rescue from elevated work environments.

• SPARK Rescue System: A lightweight mechanical-advantage system that integrates with the SRK-15 to help trained workers raise, lower, or reposition a person during a rescue.

• StepWise® Fall-Arrest Lanyard: A fall-protection lanyard with an integrated web ladder that can help a suspended worker relieve pressure, improve positioning, and participate in their own recovery following a fall.

• MCD® Fire Escape System: A compact personal escape system certified by UL to the NFPA 1983 requirements within NFPA 2500. The system is designed to provide firefighters and emergency responders with a controlled means of emergency egress from elevated environments.

• Additional TSL rescue and fall-protection equipment: Specialized solutions that can be selected and configured to address an organization’s hazards, work environments, and rescue requirements.

More than 55,000 SRK-15 rescue kits have been deployed worldwide. Originally developed for military applications, the system has since been adopted by organizations operating in wind energy, utilities, telecommunications, construction, industrial operations, mining, defense, government, and emergency response.

Expanding Local Access to Specialized Rescue Solutions

The partnership combines WindTree’s knowledge of the South Korean market with TSL’s more than two decades of experience in rescue equipment, technical rescue training, and rescue system design.

By establishing an authorized distributor in South Korea, TSL will make it easier for organizations to learn about its equipment, evaluate solutions for their specific work environments, and access rescue, fall-protection, and emergency-escape products through a local partner.

"Recently, South Korea's wind industry experienced a tragic accident in which three wind turbine technicians lost their lives in a turbine fire. It was a heartbreaking reminder that safety is not only about preventing accidents, but also about ensuring workers have a way to survive when the unexpected happens. In my view, asking technicians to climb wind turbines more than 80 meters high without reliable personal emergency escape equipment is asking them to put their lives at risk." and "At WindTree, we believe that every technician should have lightweight, always-carried emergency escape equipment as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE). Rescue systems installed on a turbine are important, but they may not always be available or accessible in every situation. Personal escape

equipment provides an additional layer of protection that can make the critical difference in an emergency." said CEO of WindTree. "We selected Tech Safety Lines after evaluating the products firsthand in Germany and seeing how practical and well-designed they are for real working environments. Combined with TSL's more than 20 years of experience in rescue technologies, we are confident these solutions offer one of the best options available for the wind industry. Through this partnership, we hope to help raise safety standards across South Korea and ensure that more technicians return home safely to their families every day."

“This partnership represents an important step in expanding access to TSL’s rescue solutions in South Korea,” Waghorne added. “We look forward to working with WindTree to support organizations seeking practical ways to strengthen worker protection and rescue readiness.”

Tech Safety Lines | www.techsafetylines.com

WindTree | https://windtreeeng.com

PVFARM launched the commercial version of its platform for utility-scale battery energy storage (BESS) layout exploration, RE STACK. Together with PVFARM, RE STACK forms an expanding suite of tools for utility-scale renewable energy design that enable teams to explore a wide range of layout options before progressing into detailed engineering.

RE STACK enables engineers to configure utility-scale BESS projects from manufacturer specifications and rapidly explore site layouts, road concepts, and medium-voltage collection topologies before detailed engineering begins.

Key features include

• Battery recommendation
• Equipment configuration
• BESS layout generation
• Road strategy planning
• Medium-voltage collection topology planning

Collaboration with over 80 companies during RE STACK and RE PILOT's beta testing directly shaped the platforms' capabilities. Throughout the beta testing process, participants provided feedback on critical design considerations, ranging from equipment selection to power conversion system (PCS) architecture, augmentation planning, fire safety access, and site topology. Beyond ensuring that the platforms solve real-world project challenges, this extensive collaboration also provided the insight needed to shape RE STACK and RE PILOT so they could deliver intuitive, informed decision-making while reflecting the latest technology and market dynamics.

"A lot of software takes forever to make even small changes, but RE STACK stands out from the competition. At Sun2O, we've received a lot of value and saved a lot of time from the platform. RE STACK is a highly useful tool for evaluating our sites, understanding the challenges we face, and being able to leverage PVFARM's existing grading capabilities alongside it," said Vatan Kumar, Vice President, Development Engineering at Sun2O. "Overall, PVFARM's drive to capture all the detailed project inputs and challenge the norm is what impresses me most about RE STACK."

"The future of engineering isn't just designing faster. It's exploring more before you design," said Maksim Markevich, Chief Technology Officer of PVFARM. "With RE STACK and RE PILOT, we're giving engineering teams the ability to evaluate far more possibilities before committing to detailed engineering. The result is better-informed decisions, greater confidence, and a workflow that keeps pace with the growing complexity of utility-scale renewable energy projects."

The International Energy Agency has called energy storage the "fastest-growing power technology today," and the response to RE STACK's beta test program underscores that: 45 organizations enrolled in under a month. Yet, BESS projects often need repeated manual layout concepts before a workable site plan emerges. Stuck between increasing design work and widening applications, developer and EPC teams can rely on RE STACK to generate, evaluate, and compare alternatives earlier by generating BESS layouts automatically, exploring thousands of layout alternatives, testing different road configurations, and MV collection strategies.

RE STACK | restack.pvfarm.io

PVFARM | pvfarm.io