Fire risk tops the headlines, but short circuit events may be the more immediate threat on your next project. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are having a moment. After years of promise, the technology has reached an inflection point thanks to plummeting costs, utility-scale deployments, and continuing federal support. BESS has earned its reputation as the sector to watch by solving difficult grid problems. But momentum has a way of o....
In the North American power market, Demand Response (DR) is no longer confined to large industrial facilities turning off heavy machinery during peak hours. Driven by FERC Order 2222 and the rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs), behind-the-meter C&I solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are increasingly relied upon to provide active grid support. Modern utility programs and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) require C....
While not the world oldest profession, the reuse of products is a close second, dating back to when a caveman picked up a spear after his partner was eaten by a lion. Today, it is estimated that 45 percent of industries depend on it. Some examples are the auto industry relying on scrapyards for parts, heavy construction equipment, HVAC systems in buildings, utilities, plumbing, marine, military, aviation, and telecommunications — all rely on....
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most significant drivers of energy demand growth in modern history. As hyperscale data centers expand across North America to support AI processing, cloud infrastructure, and high-density computing, utilities and developers are accelerating investments in renewable energy projects at unprecedented speed. Much of the public conversation surrounding this transition has focused on solar photovol....
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Schaltbau North America
Energy Storage
Gary Lam
Energy Storage
Sequoya Cross
Researchers from North Carolina State University have demonstrated techniques that can improve day-ahead solar forecasts by up to 13% over the most consistently performing individual model. The work also emphasizes the importance of taking regional variables into account when creating forecast models.
“Solar power generation has expanded rapidly because it is both renewable and widely available,” says Yen-Hsi Chou, a postdoctoral research scholar at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the work. “But increasing use of solar can also make forecasting supply and demand more challenging because the availability of sunlight isn’t always consistent. Utilities need accurate day-ahead solar forecasts to be able to plan ahead.”
“As solar penetration continues to increase, forecasting uncertainty becomes a key consideration for energy planners and grid operators that need to balance supply and demand,” says Anderson De Queiroz, associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at NC State and paper co-author. “Our results demonstrate that combining multiple machine learning-based models can provide more robust predictions and help improve the reliability of solar integration into power systems.”
The research team first looked at two types of models – statistical models and artificial neural networks – to identify a single model to use as a baseline. Statistical models identify historical patterns, whereas artificial neural network-based approaches are better suited to understanding nonlinear temporal relationships. They selected seven models to test.
The models were tested using weather and power data from 2019 – 2022 from two California utilities: the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.148980
“We wanted to use the models to find the relationship between weather data and solar power generation,” Chou says. “But the most interesting result was that no single model performed best in every case. We chose the most consistently performing model, BiLSTM, as a baseline and saw that by combining the forecasts from different individual models, we could further improve forecasting performance by over 10% in some cases, which was pretty impressive.
The two ensemble approaches were weighted averaging, which combines forecasts from separately trained location-specific models and gives greater weight to better-performing models; and multi-input, which allows each model to use weather data from multiple locations.
The results showed that the effectiveness of each ensemble approach differed depending on the region. Weighted averaging provided improvements of up to 11% for IID, whereas multi-input yielded forecasting improvements up to 13% for LADWP.
“One of the key takeaways from this work is that there is no universal forecasting strategy that will perform equally well everywhere,” De Queiroz says. “Understanding the characteristics of each region and leveraging information from multiple models and locations is extremely important for developing forecasting tools that are both accurate and useful to support decision-making associated with real-world grid operations.”
“Overall, our findings indicate that ensemble methods do have the potential to further enhance predictions compared to an individual model, but the methods need to be tested and fine-tuned for the specific region where they will be used,” Chou says.
The work appears in the Journal of Cleaner Production and was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under award 2412711. Other NC State contributors were Arundhuti Haldar, a Ph.D. student in the department of electrical and computer engineering; and Shubh Nisar, a former graduate student in computer science.
North Carolina State University | https://www.ncsu.edu/
Logisticus (LG), a transport, engineering, and warehousing company, has expanded its industrial warehousing footprint to more than 6.2 million square feet across 10 states over the past 15 months - one of the most significant warehousing expansion stories in the U.S. industrial market.
The growth is driven by increasing demand for power plant developers and operators for reliable, scalable warehousing to store and stage equipment, components, and materials critical to renewable energy projects nationwide. As clean energy development accelerates across the country, Logisticus has rapidly scaled its warehousing capacity to ensure customers have the space they need, where and when they need it.
"Warehousing is often an overlooked piece of the renewable energy supply chain, but it's one of the most critical. Our customers need to know that when their power components arrive, there's space ready to receive, store, and stage them. Over the last 15 months, we've scaled that capacity faster than ever to keep pace with the growth of the industry we serve." said Mihir Patel, Logisticus COO.
The expansion supports the storage and staging needs of a wide range of renewable energy materials, including wind turbine components, solar modules, racking, and inverters; and battery energy storage system (BESS) components; and large main power transformers. By providing dedicated warehousing for these specialized materials, Logisticus helps developers and operators reduce delays, manage complex project logistics, and keep construction schedules on track.
"Logisticus’ expansion over the past 15 months has been remarkable. It’s rare to see an industrial occupier expand at this pace across multiple markets while maintaining a disciplined strategy and consistently executing at a high level. That approach has positioned the company well to continue supporting customers as the renewable energy industry evolves." said Kyle Berdugo, Director at Cushman & Wakefield.
As demand for renewable energy infrastructure continues to grow, Logisticus plans to continue expanding its warehousing capabilities to support the industry's pace of development.
Logisticus Group | www.logisticusgroup.com
Base Power is announcing a $1 billion Series D financing at a $13 billion post-money valuation, alongside the launch of Base Core: a home battery designed from the ground up to support the grid, now in production at Base Factory 1 in Austin.
The U.S. is undergoing a foundational shift in energy demand, and traditional power generation can't scale fast enough to meet it. Meeting demand this fast calls for new technology that works alongside the grid and adds capacity where it's needed most. Base Core does just that: one of the largest home batteries on the market at 39.2 kWh / 78.4 kWh, designed and built in America, and engineered for rapid deployment at scale.
"We brought together the best hardware and software engineers in the world to build Core - a battery designed to protect American homes while supporting the grid," said Zach Dell, CEO and co-founder of Base Power. "It installs in under an hour, switches over seamlessly, is built to handle extreme weather, and delivers extended outage protection at a price Americans can afford."
Core follows a year of rapid growth as Base has grown its battery fleet to over 500 MWh, expanded beyond Texas into Illinois, and launched partnerships with utilities including El Paso Electric, Austin Energy, and CoServ for over 200 MW of capacity.
“It is so important to bring manufacturing back to the US, especially for critical infrastructure,” said Justin Lopas, COO & Co-Founder. “Base’s Factory 1 is now producing thousands of systems a month, while our deployment team enables the safe, efficient installation of them on homes throughout Texas and beyond.”
The Series D is led by Ribbit, Addition, Valor Equity Partners, and JPMorganChase’s Strategic Investment Group, part of the firm’s Security and Resiliency Initiative, with participation from Altimeter, D1 Capital Partners, Sands Capital, Coatue, Layer Global, and Energy Impact Partners. Base’s major existing investors are re-investing, including Thrive Capital, a16z, Lightspeed, Trust Ventures, CapitalG, and more.
"Since our initial investment, the Base team has executed on an ambitious plan to become America's Power Company. Power demand has surged in that time, and Base has emerged as one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to add capacity to the grid. We're proud to continue backing this team and this mission so more Americans can enjoy the peace of mind of affordable & reliable power," said Antonio Gracias, Founder, CEO and CIO of Valor Equity Partners.
“Through the Strategic Investment Group, part of Security and Resiliency Initiative, we’re investing in companies that are strengthening the infrastructure underpinning our economy and advancing the technologies needed to meet growing energy demand,” said Todd Combs, Head of the Strategic Investment Group for JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative. “JPMorganChase is proud to support Base Power as it modernizes the grid through distributed energy solutions that enhance reliability, expand capacity and help build a more resilient and secure power system for the future.”
The company has raised over $2.5B capital to date. This new capital will go toward bringing Base Core to more homes, expanding nationally, and hiring exceptional talent.
Base Core | basepowercompany.com/core
Tandem PV, a U.S. developer and manufacturer of high-efficiency perovskite-silicon solar panels, announced that it has acquired nexTC Corporation, an Oregon-based developer of advanced thin-film metal oxide coating processes.
The acquisition brings nexTC’s coating technology, intellectual property, and technical expertise into Tandem PV, giving the company greater control over a critical coating process as it ramps its Fremont demonstration line and prepares for commercial-scale production.
nexTC specializes in solution-based transparent oxide coatings. In tandem solar panels, these ultrathin layers modify charge transport while allowing sunlight to reach the silicon cell below. Their performance is important to module efficiency, durability and manufacturability.
“We've worked with Cory for years and know firsthand the value of his expertise in oxide thin films, which are critical to building durable, high-performing perovskite modules,” said Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV. “Bringing Cory’s expertise and nexTC's technology into Tandem gives us greater control over a core part of the manufacturing process and allows us to optimize it directly on our production line as we scale.”
The acquisition follows the opening of Tandem PV's 65,000-square-foot commercial demonstration factory in Fremont. The facility houses a production line with approximately 40 MW of annual nameplate capacity and is producing large-format tandem solar panels for customer validation and market trials.
Founded in 2018 as a spinout from an NSF-funded research center at Oregon State University, nexTC draws on deep expertise in solution-based thin-film chemistry. Founder and CEO Cory Perkins, Ph.D., will join Tandem PV as part of the acquisition. His work has contributed to 17 peer-reviewed publications and six patent applications.
“After collaborating with Tandem PV on several projects, I saw a team that combines strong science with the ability to move technology onto a manufacturing line,” said Perkins. “Joining Tandem gives us the opportunity to integrate nexTC's coating technology directly into a manufacturing platform advancing toward commercial-scale production.”
Tandem PV’s technology combines a thin perovskite light-absorbing layer with conventional silicon so that each material captures a different part of the solar spectrum. The tandem design enables panels to generate more electricity from the same area, reducing the land, labor and infrastructure required to deploy each watt of solar power.
Tandem PV | https://www.tandempv.com/
Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) (“Tigo” or “Company”), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, announced that Stanton Solar has joined the top-ten list of the highest-volume Tigo installers in North America, and the top installer in Canada. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Stanton Solar specializes in installing Photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems for residential and commercial properties across Canada. With hundreds of residential and commercial sites under monitoring using Tigo products, Stanton Solar has deployed thousands of TS4 MLPE devices in the field, in addition to numerous homes with the complete Tigo residential solution with inverters and batteries.
“We have our design and installation processes fully dialed in with Tigo, and as a result we can deliver our customers high-performing and highly reliable solar energy systems that we can help keep an eye on over the long haul,” said Neil Stanton, Owner of Stanton Solar. “The Tigo Loyalty Program has given us a good bit more access to and collaboration with Tigo, which makes doing business and communicating feedback easy. We also appreciate the work done by the Tigo Green Glove team, which provided the kinds of insights and tips that make the engineering and installation side of the business run even smoother.”
The Tigo Installer Loyalty Program provides access to progressively more benefits, across three tiers, as installation companies grow with Tigo. The three program tiers, Certified, Advanced, and Elite, require installers to pass defined training and installation goals, and provide incremental levels of business and support benefits. The full range of Tigo Installer Loyalty Program benefits can be found here.
“We want to welcome Stanton Solar into the Advanced tier of the Installer Loyalty Program, and both congratulate and thank Neil and the entire team for the outstanding performance in Canada,” said Jing Tian, chief growth and revenue officer at Tigo Energy. “It’s always great to see installers take full advantage of module-level monitoring products as well as the service programs we’ve put in place for them. In the end, both of these allow Tigo to form closer bonds with our installation partners and allow installers to form long-lasting relationships with their residential and commercial solar customers. Together, these relationships all contribute to better quality systems and relationships, which is good for the entire industry.”
For more information about the Tigo Installer Loyalty Program, please visit the program website. For information about a Tigo Green Glove service program engagement for new installers of Tigo systems, please visit the Green Glove website. To inquire about purchasing Tigo TS4 family of MLPE devices for optimization, module-level monitoring, and rapid shutdown or the GO Optimized ESS (Energy Storage Solution), please contact Tigo here.
Tigo Energy | www.tigoenergy.com
Iberdrola, through its UK subsidiary ScottishPower, has announced plans to repower Whitelee, the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, aiming to increase installed capacity from the current 539 megawatts (MW) to 1,000 MW in the coming years. The initiative would replace the wind turbines currently in operation with more modern and higher-capacity units. Repowering is a well-established route for mature renewable assets to increase output and make better use of an existing site. The project is expected to involve an estimated €1.8 billion investment and would leverage existing infrastructure to extend the wind farm’s operational life while maximising its contribution to electrification and decarbonisation.
Once completed, Whitelee is expected to produce enough clean electricity to supply more than 1.5 million people. The plan is framed as part of ScottishPower’s track record of supporting the UK’s energy security and energy autonomy, at a time when renewable generation and electricity networks are increasingly central to reliable supply and reduced exposure to imported fossil fuels.
Beyond the rise in installed capacity, the repowering is expected to support economic activity and jobs. According to the figures communicated, the project would generate €380 million in gross value added for the Scottish economy over the next decade and support hundreds of roles across engineering, logistics, operations and maintenance, as well as the associated supply chain.
Whitelee is already the largest onshore wind farm in the UK and one of the three largest in Europe. Since it began operations in 2008, the site has supplied clean electricity to millions of homes and has become a strategic asset within the UK power system due to its scale and sustained renewable output.
Repowering also enables operators to apply more than a decade of operational learning. In comparable projects, turbine replacement can bring improved efficiency, higher availability and enhanced digital performance monitoring, helping increase annual generation and reduce operational incidents, subject to the relevant planning and permitting processes.
Investment and electrification
The announcement forms part of Iberdrola’s broader commitment to the UK as one of the group’s key investment markets. Through ScottishPower, the company plans to invest £28 billion through to 2028 to accelerate electrification, primarily by expanding electricity networks and developing renewable generation, supporting energy independence, industrial competitiveness and job creation.
Within that broader programme, repowering established wind assets is positioned as complementary to new-build capacity. By increasing output at an existing site, the company aims to accelerate renewable integration, optimise existing infrastructure and strengthen the pace of decarbonisation, while supporting security of supply.
With the planned expansion, Whitelee would reinforce its role as a strategic energy infrastructure asset in Scotland and a flagship reference for onshore wind in Europe. The combination of higher capacity, industrial investment and local economic value is intended to demonstrate how modernising renewable installations can deliver measurable outcomes for clean power, jobs and regional growth.
Iberdrola | https://www.iberdrola.com/home
RWE and Google announced a new power supply contract for RWE's first solar project in Oklahoma. The two companies signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the total output from the 155-megawatt (MWac) Crooked Creek Solar project in McCurtain County. RWE plans to begin onsite construction at Crooked Creek Solar later this year, and the project is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028. Once operational, Crooked Creek will deliver electricity to help power Google's operations in the Southwest Power Pool market (SPP), while providing long-term economic benefits to McCurtain County and surrounding communities.
Ingmar Ritzenhofen, Chief Commercial Officer, RWE Americas: "This agreement with Google marks an important milestone for RWE Americas and reflects the growing demand for affordable, reliable, domestically produced energy. Crooked Creek Solar demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate new energy development while creating jobs, generating local tax revenue and strengthening communities. We're proud to work with Google to help power its operations, while supporting Oklahoma's continued economic growth with affordable, American-made energy."
Will Conkling, Director of Energy and Power, Google: "Supporting a strong, stable, affordable grid is a top priority as we expand our infrastructure. Our agreement with RWE adds critical new generation to the local system, boosting the amount of affordable and reliable power supply for Oklahoma and the region."
Crooked Creek Solar expands RWE's commitment to safely deliver reliable and affordable power and support the local communities where it builds and operates projects. During construction, Crooked Creek is expected to generate an estimated $24.3 million in local economic activity and another $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue for McCurtain County while employing up to 250 workers onsite at peak construction. Once operational, the project will continue to generate substantial revenue for McCurtain County, totaling an estimated $25 million for county programs, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers.
RWE is deeply committed to Oklahoma communities and has provided more than $100,000 in donations, sponsorships and other community-driven partnerships to date. The company looks to further deepen its roots in the state through its support for local organizations in McCurtain County.
RWE is investing in powering Oklahoma's growing energy needs and expanding its presence in the Sooner State. In addition to the 155MW Crooked Creek Solar project under construction, RWE owns and operates the 148 MW Boiling Springs wind project in Woodward County and has another six power projects totaling 1.6 GW in development across the state.
RWE Americas | americas.rwe.com
Alternative Energies Jul 23, 2026
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