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

We Energies announced that construction is underway on three Wisconsin energy projects that will provide customers with reliable energy as power demand continues to grow. The new solar, wind and battery storage projects will produce enough energy to power about 100,000 homes and support the grid during peak demand.

The projects are part of We Energies “all of the above” power generation approach to serve customers with safe and reliable energy every second of every day.

The new projects are:

• Darien Battery Storage — a 75-megawatt energy storage facility in Walworth County. Construction broke ground last week. The facility is part of the Darien Solar and Battery Park, where a 250-megawatt solar project went online in 2025.
• Dawn Harvest Solar and Battery Park — a 150-megawatt solar project with
  50 megawatts of battery storage in Rock County. Construction broke ground in June.
• Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center — a 110-megawatt wind project in Iowa and Grant counties. Construction broke ground in July.

All three projects were previously approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

“These renewable energy projects are part of our strategy to strengthen reliability through a balanced mix of Wisconsin-based energy sources, including renewables and state-of-the-art natural gas plants,” said Mike Hooper, president — We Energies. “In addition to helping meet growing electricity demand, the three projects will employ hundreds of workers with good-paying, union-first jobs.”

In total, We Energies has more than 3,000 megawatts of solar and wind energy and 600 megawatts of battery storage projects in service, under construction or filed for regulatory approval.

We Energies will be the majority owner of the new projects, with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) as co-owners.

“Bringing these projects into construction is an important milestone for Wisconsin’s energy future, especially in a moment when electricity demand is growing and all energy sources are needed to meet it,” said Daniel Litchfield, senior vice president of development — Invenergy. “We’re proud to help We Energies, WPS and MGE deliver these solar, wind and battery storage projects and continue our record of investment in Wisconsin. These projects not only deliver needed energy — they invest directly in local communities with new, good-paying jobs and consistent revenue.”

The projects were developed and are being constructed by Invenergy, North America’s largest privately held developer, owner and operator of innovative, reliable power infrastructure. Invenergy has developed 17 projects in Wisconsin, with 1,500 MW of solar, wind, and battery storage currently under construction in the state.

We Energies | https://www.we-energies.com/

Syntropic Power and UNIGRID Inc. announced a strategic partnership to commercialize UNIGRID’s sodium chromium oxide, NaCrO₂ (NCO), battery technology in North America and establish a pathway to U.S. production. The companies plan to deploy 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of NCO-based energy storage in 2027, with initial launches including Tenet, Syntropic’s distributed residential solution, and GridSpan, its flagship platform for large-scale stationary applications. Syntropic will design, manufacture and deploy battery energy storage systems based on UNIGRID’s independently validated cell chemistry.

A Differentiated Sodium-Ion Chemistry

Sodium-ion includes several distinct cathode chemistries. UNIGRID’s technology uses NCO, a chromium-based technology  distinct from other conventional chemistries such as the sodium nickel iron manganese oxide (NFM) or the sodium iron pyrophosphate (NFPP) featured prominently by Chinese manufacturers. 

Syntropic commissioned the Rochester Institute of Technology Battery Development Center, an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, to independently characterize UNIGRID’s 70Ah and 210Ah NCO prismatic cells.

Initial RIT testing of the 210Ah cells measured 216–218Ah of discharge capacity against a 210Ah nameplate rating, greater than or equal to 97.9% cell-level round-trip energy efficiency, only 2.3% capacity loss between C/10 and 1C rates, and highly beneficial endothermic behavior during charging. Cycle life testing at full depth of discharge from UNIGRID has achieved >1,000 cycles with >99% capacity retained. The RIT results ensure Syntropic's products, including GridSpan, take full advantage of the chemistry's measured strengths — informing the electrical architecture, operating controls and passive thermal-management design that allow the platform to be engineered for operation without mechanical cooling, even at grid-scale charge and discharge rates.

RIT abuse testing further demonstrated that UNIGRID’s NCO cells remained thermally stable under extreme test conditions. The cells have also passed UN 38.3 transport testing, completed cell-level UL 9540A testing and achieved IEC 62619 certification, supporting transportation qualification and downstream system-certification activities. 

“The RIT program gives us independent data on the performance characteristics that matter for stationary energy storage,” said Matt Huber, Chief Technology Officer of Syntropic Power. “UNIGRID’s NCO chemistry combines high round trip efficiency, high power capability, strong cycle life performance and distinctive thermal safety behavior, providing the foundation for a GridSpan platform designed to operate without active cooling.”

From Cell Supply to Commercial Deployment

The first shipment of UNIGRID NCO cells has been delivered to Syntropic for product development, testing and integration across its stationary energy storage portfolio.

Near-term commercialization will begin with Tenet, a wall-mounted system prioritizing safety in close-proximity environments and designed for residential, light-commercial and virtual power plant applications.

GridSpan, Syntropic’s flagship modular DC platform, extends the same NCO technology into large-scale stationary applications. Its purpose-built power and energy configurations support applications ranging from fast-response power and ride-through to energy storage durations of approximately 20 minutes to 20 hours.

“As surging power demand from AI and electrification collides with extreme weather and rising energy costs, the modern grid requires unmatched reliability and thermal resilience,” said Darren H. S. Tan, Chief Executive Officer of UNIGRID. “The inherent stability and high power capability of the NCO chemistry make it exceptionally well-suited for these demanding conditions. Partnering with Syntropic allows us to scale this robust technology to deliver the dependable power infrastructure North America urgently needs.” 

Establishing a U.S. Production Pathway

Syntropic is partnering with UNIGRID to establish a pathway for Syntropic to manufacture NCO cells in the United States. Syntropic will lead system development, certification, U.S. module assembly and integration, with a priority on establishing a non-FEOC-aligned supply pathway by the end of 2027.

“Syntropic makes safe, accessible and sustainable energy practical at scale,” said Phillip Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Syntropic Power. “By pairing independently validated chemistry with U.S. manufacturing and purpose-built system design, this partnership creates a credible path to produce and deploy sodium-ion storage in North America.”

Syntropic Power | www.syntropicpower.com

UNIGRID | unigridbattery.com

GreenRock Energy, an energy transition infrastructure company, has joined the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council as a start-up member. The LDES Council connects organizations across 20 countries working to accelerate the deployment of long duration energy storage.

GreenRock's platform is technology-agnostic, built to support industrial decarbonization, grid-scale storage, renewable infrastructure development, and long-term energy resilience, with each project designed around the solution best suited to its market. At the core of that platform is CHESS, a thermal storage technology capable of discharging stored energy as either electricity or industrial process heat across storage durations of 8 to 100-plus hours, well beyond what conventional battery storage can support economically.

The company applies this technology across a range of high-impact applications, including solar and storage integration, grid firming, industrial decarbonization, and waste heat recovery.

Membership in the LDES Council gives GreenRock a direct line into the policy advocacy, market research, and cross-industry collaboration shaping how long duration storage gets deployed at scale. It extends the company's existing role in shaping the conversation around thermal storage and grid reliability.

"Joining the LDES Council allows us to work alongside leading organizations to advance practical, scalable energy storage solutions that strengthen grid reliability and support continued growth in clean energy," said Matthew James, Co-Founder & President of GreenRock Energy.

GreenRock Energy joins the LDES Council in the same member cohort as AirTrunk, a hyperscale data center provider joining as an anchor member, and Sinergy Flow, a developer of redox flow batteries.

"AirTrunk, GreenRock Energy and Sinergy Flow joining the LDES Council further strengthens the diverse ecosystem needed to accelerate long duration energy storage deployment," said Julia Souder, Chief Executive Officer of the LDES Council. "As electricity demand grows and energy systems become more complex, collaboration across the value chain will be increasingly important. We look forward to working with our new members to help advance the technologies, partnerships and market frameworks needed to scale long duration energy storage worldwide."

GreenRock Energy | https://gr.energy

Long Duration Energy Storage Council | https://www.ldescouncil.com

The Rockfield Plaza Association, a commercial mixed-use office building HOA, has energized a 310-kilowatt (kW) rooftop and carport solar system, located at 23882 Rockfield Boulevard, transforming an active commercial plaza into a long-term clean energy asset. Developed by WattHub Renewables, financed through a power purchase agreement (PPA) provided by Sunrock Distributed Generation, and built by SunRenu Solar, the project gives Rockfield Plaza Association the benefits of solar with no upfront capital investment and an estimated 20% discount compared to prevailing Southern California Edison (SCE)’s retail electricity rates. This is WattHub’s first domestic content project, exceeding the U.S. Treasury’s 45% Domestic Content threshold through the use of U.S.-made cells, inverters, and racking.

The 310 kW system is forecast to generate approximately 500,000 kWh of clean, renewable electricity each year, offsetting 100% of Rockfield Plaza’s annual electricity consumption. This is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 355 metric tons annually, equivalent to taking about 77 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road each year, or growing nearly 5,860 tree seedlings for a decade[1]. The system has received PTO and is currently operational.

Built in America, Built for Savings 

Rockfield Plaza is WattHub’s first project built to meet the U.S. Treasury’s Domestic Content bonus requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act – and it hits that mark with room to spare:

• Longi solar modules featuring U.S.-manufactured solar cells
• SolarEdge domestic inverters and DC Power Optimizers
• Unirac RM10 domestic-manufactured racking system

Combined, these components push the project’s domestic content above the 45% threshold, qualifying the asset for stacked federal tax credits. Combined with the project’s Energy Community location and other bonus adders, the project may be eligible for an investment tax credit of 50%, subject to final review and confirmation by the project tax counsel.

The system is also grandfathered under NEM 2.0, preserving materially stronger interconnection economics than would be available to a comparable project permitted today.

More than Solar: A New Amenity for Tenants, Patients, and Staff

Beyond the energy economics, the Rockfield Plaza array also adds a visitor-facing amenity: a new solar parking canopy that provides shaded, all-weather parking for patients, tenants, and staff at the mixed-use office complex. The result is a long-term energy asset and a practical daily amenity. The canopy is architecturally integrated with the site and was engineered to meet The City of Lake Forest’s building and stormwater management requirements.

Statements from the Project Team

“Rockfield Plaza is a template for what commercial solar should look like in 2026 – American-made hardware, meaningful tax credits, new roof paper, and a customer who pays nothing upfront. Getting our first domestic content project through construction has been a company milestone for WattHub, and we are proud to have done it on a mixed-use office building that directly serves the community,” says Chris Leonard, CRO of WattHub Renewables.

“Sunrock structured this PPA to deliver a roughly 20% discount on the Association’s electricity costs from day one, without capital outlay or equipment maintenance responsibilities. Pairing that financial outcome with a domestic-content system created the right solution for the client and a strong model for the broader commercial solar market,” says Claire Broido-Johnson, President of Sunrock Distributed Generation.

“Permitting a 310 kW rooftop-and-carport system on an active medical plaza required careful coordination with The City of Lake Forest on building and stormwater requirements, and our field crews executed the entire scope, including the solar canopy structure, without disrupting the owners and tenants or their patients. We are extremely pleased with how the project turned out,” says Barry Coe, Principal of SunRenu Solar.

“Our members are both professional office owners and medical practitioners running busy offices – they don’t have time to manage an energy project or absorb big assessments. WattHub and Sunrock Distributed Generation delivered a structure that gives us immediate savings, a permanent parking amenity for our owners, their staff and patients, and no unexpected utility cost increases. It was the right decision for the Association,” says Ashley Cardo, Real Estate Manager with Pacific Coast Commercial Real Estate, agent for Rockfield Plaza Association.

Project Snapshot

• Site: Rockfield Plaza Association — 23882 Rockfield Boulevard, Lake Forest, CA 92630
• System size: 310 kW (DC) rooftop and carport solar PV
• Estimated annual production: ~502,000 kWh
• Utility: Southern California Edison (SCE)
• Modules: Longi with U.S.-manufactured cells
• Inverters / optimizers: SolarEdge
• Racking: Unirac RM10 (domestic)
• Domestic content: >45%
• Interconnection: Grandfathered NEM 2.0
• Tax credit eligibility: Up to 50% ITC (base + domestic content + applicable adders; subject to tax counsel confirmation)
• Structure: Power Purchase Agreement — zero upfront cost; ~20% discount to prevailing retail rates
• PPA provider / financier: Sunrock Distributed Generation
• Developer: WattHub Renewables
• EPC / builder: SunRenu Solar
• Status: Install complete; Permission to Operate (PTO) received; final commissioning underway

[1] U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

WattHub Renewables | https://watthub.com/

Sunrock Distributed Generation | https://www.sunrockdg.com/

SunRenu Solar | https://sunrenu.com/

Weidmuller USA, a leading provider of smart industrial connectivity and automation products and solutions headquartered in Richmond, Va., proudly announces that Weidmüller Group and the company’s SNAP IN technology achieved an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS listing and created a completely new record title that had not existed before: Fastest Time To Connect 500 Terminal Blocks Into A Single Chain By A Team. 

Using SNAP IN connection technology, invented by Weidmüller, a team at the global headquarters in Detmold, Germany, wired 500 terminal blocks with a total of 1,000 connection points in a verified time of 2 minutes 55 seconds. The record was achieved by employees from Development, Product Management and other specialist departments who were directly involved in developing the groundbreaking technology.

The record attempt was overseen by official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator Lena Kuhlmann, who evaluates and certifies record attempts worldwide. Drawing on her experience from numerous national and international record projects, she monitored compliance with all requirements and officially confirmed the result.

“This record category was defined for the first time for this attempt and was successfully completed,” Kuhlmann said. “The team fulfilled the requirements with precision and thereby set an officially recognized record. What is particularly remarkable is that the task was accomplished by the very people who developed and implemented this technology.”

“For us, this record is far more than a measured time,” said Frank Polley, Vice President Business Unit Terminals at Weidmüller. “It demonstrates what is possible when technological innovation, experience and teamwork come together. With SNAP IN, we have developed a technology that fundamentally simplifies industrial wiring.”

“This achievement sends a powerful message to the market: the future of industrial wiring is faster, simpler and more productive,” said Randy Sadler, President & CEO of Weidmuller USA. “SNAP IN technology can reduce wiring time by up to 75%, helping customers gain valuable time, improve efficiency and stay competitive. Congratulations to our colleagues in Germany for turning breakthrough engineering into a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement.”

The SNAP IN connection technology developed by Weidmüller represents a new generation of electrical connection technology. It enables the direct, tool-free connection of conductors without requiring any additional action from a clamping mechanism, resulting in fast, safe and convenient wiring processes. The connection is confirmed visually by the green pusher popping out and audibly by a clear clicking sound.  

The record attempt took place during a celebration marking Weidmüller Group’s 175^th anniversary. 

With this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement, Weidmüller underscores its expertise in electrical connection technology and its commitment to translating technological innovation into practical applications. 

Weidmuller USA | www.weidmuller.com

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASTI), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, emphasized its continued commitment to providing durable, reliable solar solutions to the space market, and expanded on its entry into the unmanned systems market as global demand rapidly grows. This objective underscores the Company’s strategy of expanding the spectrum of commercial opportunities for its thin-film offerings while maintaining its paramount focus on space applications.

The Company’s commitment to the rapidly growing space economy is demonstrated by its participation in new orbital missions, such as the recent integration of its thin-film solar products into Reditus Space’s ENOS spacecraft, which is scheduled for launch this fall. In addition, Ascent received an order for 100 modules for a satellite which will manufacture components in space. Both of these could lead to annual recurring business of 10 to 25 KW.

With respect to the drone market, Ascent is currently experiencing accelerated demand from unmanned aerial and marine systems industries, as its technology’s uniquely high power-to-weight ratio offers major operational advantages. Ascent is also working with a European organization to supply its products for integration into a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) project, expecting to deliver an initial 250-watt sub-array by the end of the summer. These endeavors represent additional customer adoption milestones in Ascent’s ongoing work to provide lightweight, resilient solar power solutions at high altitudes. The Company has received orders from two Eastern European drone manufacturers that will integrate Ascent’s products into aircraft wing designs. These initial orders have the potential to become recurring business, reaching between 200KW-300KW of product demand annually. Company leadership is also actively engaged in discussions with two US-based drone manufacturers around future opportunities to supply its solar products.

Additionally, Ascent has secured product orders from two unmanned marine vehicle (UMV) companies; one global manufacturer and the other US-based. This expansion into applying its solar products to UMVs illustrates the versatility of the Company’s technology across many drone market verticals. These initial orders have the potential to become recurring business, reaching between 125KW-200KW of product demand annually.

“As defense departments across the globe increasingly prioritize unmanned systems, lightweight power generation has become mission critical. Our thin-film PV boasts an exceptional power-to-weight ratio achieving as light as 500-600 watts per kilogram and features an advanced encapsulation design that is well-suited for demanding drone applications. Those advantages allow drones to stay in the air longer without adding weight that compromises their performance or aerodynamics,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. “Space remains a priority market, but we are excited by the increasing opportunities from the drone industry, as many of the same performance advantages that make our products ideal for space vehicles also deliver substantial benefits for unmanned applications.”

Ascent Solar | https://www.ascentsolar.com

Aternium, Inc. announced that it has selected Dover, Delaware, as the location for its first commercial heavy water and electrolytic hydrogen production facility. The company has finalized a definitive agreement of sale for a site at Garrison Oak Technical Park and expects to close in mid-fourth quarter 2026. 

The facility will serve as Aternium’s flagship U.S. deployment and represents a major step toward establishing a secure domestic supply of heavy water—also known as deuterium oxide—and high purity hydrogen for strategic U.S. industries. The project is expected to bring at least $226 million in capital investment to Dover, create dozens of direct and support jobs, and generate hundreds of additional construction jobs.

"Delaware has long been home to some of the most innovative companies in American history, and Aternium is building on that legacy by choosing Dover for its first hydrogen facility," said Governor Matt Meyer. "This investment puts Delaware at the forefront of the next generation of energy and advanced manufacturing. By producing deuterium, one of the world's most critical materials for semiconductors, nuclear reactors, fusion energy, and pharmaceuticals, Aternium will become one of, if not the only, domestic producer of this essential resource. We're proud of the work Andrew Cottone and the Aternium team are doing, and even prouder that they're building the future right here in Delaware."

“Delaware is a place where innovation and ideas become steel in the ground and jobs that you can build a good life with,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “Aternium is continuing that legacy, bringing their cutting-edge technology to Dover that will grow our economy and create good-paying jobs. I’m grateful for their partnership and the leadership of the City of Dover in bringing this exciting project to life.”

"Delaware has long been a place where innovation and manufacturing go hand in hand, and Aternium's decision to invest in Dover is a testament to our state’s leadership in both," said U.S. Representative Sarah McBride. "This project will help create good-paying jobs in our state, strengthen critical domestic supply chains, and help continue Delaware's leadership in the industries driving America's future. I'm excited to welcome Aternium to the First State."

The project is designed to strengthen U.S. supply-chain resilience for deuterium, a strategic material used in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, advanced electronics, nuclear energy, defense and emerging fusion technologies. Today, the United States lacks commercial-scale domestic heavy water production, leaving key sectors dependent on adversarial foreign sources for a material increasingly relevant to energy security, advanced manufacturing, and national competitiveness.

"Aternium's decision to establish its first U.S. production facility in Dover is a defining moment for our city," said Dover Mayor Robin R. Christiansen. "This project reflects the confidence innovative companies have in Dover and reinforces our city's growing role in advanced manufacturing. We are proud to welcome Aternium and look forward to the positive impact this project will have on our community for years to come."

“Dover is the right location to launch Aternium’s vision for rebuilding a critical American supply chain,” said Dr. Andrew Cottone, Founder and CEO of Aternium. “This facility will help secure domestic access to an essential strategic material, create high-quality careers, support advanced manufacturing, and reinforce America’s leadership in energy, technology, and national security.”

The Dover facility is expected to be the first in a planned network of production sites across the Mid-Atlantic region, enabling a reliable, resilient, and scalable supply platform for customers as demand grows. Aternium’s broader development strategy includes additional facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

"Aternium's decision to locate its first production facility in Dover is a major win for Central Delaware," said Linda Parkowski, Executive Director of Kent Economic Partnership. "This project is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong collaboration between the private sector and our local and state partners. We are proud to have supported Aternium throughout this process and look forward to the creation of high-quality, well-paying jobs and the positive economic impact this investment will bring to our community."

Aternium is advancing engineering, permitting, and stakeholder engagement activities as the project moves toward execution. The company’s development program aligns with national priorities around energy security, domestic manufacturing capacity, critical materials independence, and the growth of next-generation industrial infrastructure.

Aternium | https://aternium.com/

Kent Economic Partnership | https://www.choosecentraldelaware.com/