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The future of energy storage is rapidly evolving, fueled by the growing adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. These clean energy technologies, while essential for decarbonizing the grid, make effective energy storage solutions critical for ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply. As the energy sector transitions to a greener future, the energy storage sector will be shaped by rapid market expansion, groundbreaking....
Electricity demand in the U.S. has surged dramatically, with ICF projecting U.S. electricity demand to spike by an average of 9 percent by 2028, after two decades of stagnation. This sharp rise is largely driven by the rapid expansion of data centers — expected to grow to 9 percent of U.S. electricity generation annually by 2030, up from 4 percent today, according to EPRI — and the industrial onshoring and electrification of heating....
The anxiety and, let’s be honest, fear when your phone’s battery hits 20 percent charge is palpable. Perhaps it’s because we have all experienced that moment when a phone went from 20 percent to 0 percent in the blink of an eye. Conversely, many of us also know the joy of when your phone’s last 1 percent magically lasts way, way longer than expected. This happens because the percent charge, the State of Charge (SoC), is not a mea....
Anybody out there have a crystal ball? A tried-and-true way of forecasting the future? In the movies, the crystal ball and fortune-teller always see the future. With all the changes we see on the horizon, especially post-election, we also know there are changes we don’t see. The wind industry is watching carefully to see what our new president and his team do with renewables. One thing we do know is this: As organizations and as professionals, ....
Alternative Energies
Craig Kindleman
Solar
Sun Ballast
Alternative Energies
Howard Skidmore, P.E.
S-5!, the global leader in metal roof attachment solutions, announces an exciting new strategic joint venture with Sustainable Technologies, LLC, aimed at driving innovation while expanding its rooftop attachment portfolio. This collaboration will focus on the research, development and commercialization of the patented Facet Mount, a universal mounting solution designed for single-ply roofs, including TPO, PVC and KEE. The base component paired with the Facet Cover (of material matched to the roof) streamlines the installation of solar panels, fall protection systems, HVAC units and other rooftop accessories, providing an efficient and reliable attachment method for single-ply roof installations.
By supporting the commercialization of Facet Mount, S-5! strengthens its position as a one-stop shop for rooftop attachment solutions, meeting the growing demand in the market when metal roofing is not an option. This partnership will enhance S-5!’s product lineup, providing “best in class” solutions for a variety of roofing applications.
Made from high-pressure cast aluminum, Facet Mount features 12 vertical and 4 slanted mounting points for a total of 16 potential attachment points to meet highly engineered specifications. It utilizes a 3/8”-16 bolt attachment to allow max equipment attachment flexibility, Facet Mount boasts shear strengths up to 6,750 lbs., and an uplift resistance up to 12,750 lbs.,—making it a stand-out product in the membrane roof mount market.
“This joint venture represents a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class engineered products for architects, contractors, installers, EPCs and other trade professionals,” said Rob Haddock, CEO of S-5! “Our shared vision for a greener world is fundamental to this collaboration. By combining our expertise in solar technology, green building, and roofing systems, we are poised to deliver innovative products that set the bar for performance, reliability and sustainability.”
Haddock continued, “Our customers often ask if we have a mounting solution for their commercial single-ply roof projects. With 35 years as the global leader in metal roofing solutions, S-5! is now positioned to deliver top-tier attachment solutions for roofing systems beyond metal. This partnership will help shape the future of energy-efficient, sustainable construction, with high-performance products that exceed both industry standards and customer expectations.”
“After nearly 20 years of utilizing Facet Mount in internal construction projects and over 10 years of successfully selling it within the renewable energy sector, the management team at Sustainable Technologies sought a strategic partnership to further expand our footprint in the roofing industry,” said Todd Lindstrom of Sustainable Technologies. “Having worked alongside the S-5! team for many years and admiring their unwavering commitment to excellence, we are excited to join forces and be part of this promising collaboration.”
S-5! | www.s-5.com
Sustainable Technologies | www.facetmount.com
Reconstituted stone, brick and an expansive glazed curtain wall present a striking and welcoming exterior for the new 120,000 sq. ft. FirstHealth Cancer Center in Pinehurst, N.C.
The architect CPL selected Vistacool Azuria glasses and Vistacool Pacifica glasses, each with a third-surface Solarban 60 low-e coating to lend a beautiful aqua-blue and rich-blue aesthetic to the glass façade to deliver controlled daylight and reduced energy use.
Photography: Jim Cunningham
Patients, families and staff enter through an easy to navigate, two-story glass atrium decorated with a monumental stair, vertical wood slats and a DNA-like LED installation that can be programmed to display various colors, patterns or scenes. A visitor center is designed as a cozy “living room” and overflow waiting space, and features a fireplace, warm detailing and computers to provide access to online resources.
“Designed to both calm and lift the spirits of everyone here, they call it a gleaming compilation of glass, light and contemporary lines,” stated broadcast journalist Keith Eldridge.
Bridging the gaps in cancer treatment in central North Carolina, the new center consolidates services in one centralized four-story addition to the Moore Regional Hospital campus serving the state’s Sandhills region and its 15 counties.
The glazed and spandrel curtain wall comprises the majority of the façade with strategically placed reconstituted stone creating accents, visual depth and interest. To the right of the main entrance, red brick clads the curtain wall.
The architect describes the shifting form as mirroring the continuous progress of cancer care, capturing perpetual motion and advancement with a rich blue façade that is bright, welcoming and subtly reflective.
Vistacool Azuria glass combined with Solarban 60 glass shields 74% of the of the solar heat gain while allowing 42% visible light. Vistacool Pacifica glass paired with Solarban 60 glass shields 78% of the of the solar heat gain while allowing 26% visible light.
Facing the northwest, indirect sunlight enters the space most of the day while direct daylight comes in during the late afternoon and early evening. In addition to the glass tint, automatic window shades control glare when required.
Photography: Jim Cunningham
The state-of-the-art center offers chemotherapy infusion, gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, multidisciplinary clinics, palliative care, laboratories, clinical trials and radiation oncology.
A ground-level healing garden and rooftop garden offer beautiful outdoor environments. Interior glass walls in the infusion bays support privacy while enabling access to natural light and views of the garden. A fourth-floor wellness hub houses floor-to-ceiling glass rooms with fitness equipment and spaces for art therapy, music, yoga and meditation.
The overarching goal of the services, amenities and design is providing a facility to support patients throughout every phase of their treatment experiences.
“The goal was to create a nexus that offers the highest quality of holistic cancer care for patients, their families and caregivers,” stated CPL Project Manager Robin Washco, AIA.
Project credits include:
· Architect: CPL
· Glazier: Jacobs Glass Company, Inc
· Fabricator: Press Glass
· General Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
· Photographer: Jim Cunningham
Vitro Glass | www.vitroglazings.com
TotalEnergies made history by equipping a hybrid road car with an immersion-cooled battery with its “Cell-Shield” fluid technology. Today, the Company is going one step further with a unique prototype of a mass-market vehicle in Immersion Cooling.
In 2022, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants applied its groundbreaking technology to a road vehicle, replacing the battery cooling system on a Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid with an immersion system and its “Cell-Shield” fluid. In terms of performance, thanks to this special fluid, the results were immediate: faster charging, better cooling, increased safety and reduced cost and weight, without the need to modify the battery or vehicle design.
The first consumer car with immersion cooling technology
This time, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants has integrated an immersion-cooled battery in a mass-market vehicle, the 100% electric Renault Mégane E-Tech. Through this project on a widespread consumer vehicle, TotalEnergies demonstrated the relevance of this advanced cooling system thanks to the unique advantages of its “Cell-Shield” fluid and the feasibility of its large-scale integration at a limited cost.
A key technology of the future
Immersion cooling of lithium batteries is seen as the optimum solution to the demands of ultra-fast charging, as it meets the challenges of the next generation of electric cars, by enabling to reduce the size and weight of the battery while increasing its autonomy. On this demonstrator, it was possible to reduce the charge time by a factor of 2 and increase the autonomy of the vehicle by 6%. This demonstrated that immersion cooling frees the constraints associated with the heating of lithium cells. Finally, the “Cell-Shield” fluid with its outstanding properties enables to achieve unprecedented levels of safety by containing thermal runaway.
Pascal Correia, Director of Technology & Product Engineering at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants added: “We are very proud of the trust the car manufacturers have placed in us for this innovative project. Our work has demonstrated the immense potential of immersion cooling with the fluids developed by our Research & Development teams. The fact that we have succeeded in grafting our system onto a production vehicle demonstrates its potential on a large scale.”
TotalEnergies | https://totalenergies.com/
StormFisher Hydrogen, a leading developer of clean fuels, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to deliver the pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) for the methanation reactor of a large-scale Power-to-X plant. The 200 MW facility, to be built in North America, will produce green hydrogen and e-methane by utilizing a local biogenic CO₂ source. The plant is expected to generate 2.5 million MMBtu of e-methane annually, equivalent to approximately 50,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Advancing e-Fuel production capacity in North America
Judson Whiteside, Chief Executive Officer at StormFisher Hydrogen, said: “The planned facility is a major component in StormFisher Hydrogen’s plans to support increasing e-fuel production capacity in North America and reinforcing American leadership in the energy sector. MAN Energy Solutions has the expert knowledge in methanation required to deliver the pre-FEED study to keep the project moving forward on a successful track.”
Seamless integration with existing infrastructure
Once operational, the plant will convert 200 MW of renewable electricity − primarily from wind and solar − into green hydrogen via electrolysis and then into e-methane, meeting North American pipeline standards. This allows the fuel to seamlessly integrate into existing natural gas infrastructure, offering a cost-effective and scalable decarbonization solution.
Wagner Canelhas, Regional Sales Manager at MAN Energy Solutions Houston, said: “With this project, MAN Energy Solutions reinforces its position as a global leader in methanation for Power-to-X applications. Our technology enables the smooth integration of e-Methane into existing infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating its adoption worldwide.”
Enhancing methane purity
As part of the project, MAN Energy Solutions will conduct in-house tests at its Deggendorf, Germany, facility to validate a quality booster − an enhancement to its methanation technology designed to increase methane purity by reducing unreacted components in the e-methane output.
StormFisher Hydrogen | https://www.stormfisher.com/
TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced that subsidiary TDK Ventures, Inc. is investing, through its Fund EX1, in battery quality management company Glimpse’s $10M Series A Round. Glimpse will use this investment to propel scanning throughput and serve new lighthouse customers in the battery and non-battery segments. Glimpse’s mission to drive high-yield battery manufacturing while preventing failures and recalls in battery-powered products aligns perfectly with TDK Ventures’ Fund EX1 mandate to enable safe energy transformation. The $150 million (USD) Fund EX1 focuses on both European and North American-based electrification and decarbonization startups in Seed through Series B stages. It is part of TDK Ventures’ commitment to advance cleantech and sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
The battery storage market for mobility and stationary applications has grown nearly sixfold since 2020, and is projected to grow another fivefold by 2030, reaching over 3 TWh for mobility and 0.5–1.5 TWh for stationary storage. This market size represents over $400B in battery revenue. Despite this momentum, maintaining high and consistent quality has proven challenging for battery manufacturers. High profile EV recalls, which can effect hundreds of thousands of vehicles and incur costs up to $1.9B, threaten to slow down global energy transformation by harming consumer confidence; battery recalls also affect consumer devices, industrial goods, and mobility. These recalls rose 533% between 2018 and 2023 and could slow down energy transformation in US/Europe. Furthermore, faulty lithium-ion batteries are well-documented as a cause of fires, posing significant dangers in certain environments. From a commercial perspective, low yields can greatly increase the cost of battery cell production, with each additional percentage point of yield loss costing millions of dollars per year.
TDK Ventures has been searching for a company with the right combination of team, technology, and business model to tackle this enormous battery quality challenge. The three cofounders of Somerville, MA-based Glimpse bring 30 years of experience in various aspects of battery technology, allowing them to build a solution tailor-made for battery quality control. This impressive team has built a quality management solution that seamlessly integrates into battery quality control workflows, while also creating previously inaccessible insights. Their software suite is compatible with a wide range of existing industrial CT scanning hardware, making it suitable for deployment in any gigafactory, most of which are already equipped with several CT scanners.
Less than a year since launching its X-ray powered quality management solution, Glimpse is proud to include some of the world's leading producers of battery cells and battery-powered products among its customers, including Lucid Motors and NASA. Over the course of this year, Glimpse has drastically improved battery cell CT images’ throughput by a factor of 30 and has set its sights on achieving sub-second scans while maintaining high image quality. While increasing the amount of data available to quality control (QC) teams, Glimpse is also innovating on the way QC teams share and review data. The Glimpse PortalTM, an end-to-end encrypted web application, allows teams to analyze and share 3D CT scans collaboratively from any standard company-issued laptop. Glimpse has unveiled a free 1000-cell demo to help users understand the power of accessible 3D CT scan data.
“The battery quality challenge is underappreciated given its criticality to global electrification efforts,” said Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures. “Glimpse’s 3D CT scanning inspection provides exceptionally rich insights into battery quality while providing a clear pathway for high scalability. Their goal to enable quality throughout the battery value chain is in perfect alignment with TDK Ventures’ mission to invest in companies that bring positive impact to the world. With TDK’s historic strength in battery development and production, we are uniquely positioned to support innovations like Glimpse’s that drive industry advancement. Glimpse is a small company with large ambitions. We are excited to support them and be a part of their journey. I am personally thrilled to join the board of Glimpse and contribute to their continued success.”
“Glimpse was founded on the premise that the battery industry has spent the last two decades focusing on scaling up cell production facilities and rapidly improving cell performance, while relying on an insufficient set of quality control tools,” said Glimpse Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Eric Moch. “Our goal at Glimpse is to ensure that every cell in any battery-powered product is free of manufacturing defects. We're excited to welcome TDK Ventures as a sophisticated partner with a proven track record of early investment in high-growth deep-technology ventures.”
TDK Ventures I www.tdk-ventures.com
Glimpse | https://glimp.se
Scanifly, the solar industry's leader in PV design and field operations software, announced an integration with K2 Systems, a pioneer in PV mounting solutions. The new partnership enables solar contractors to access the K2 Quote tool without leaving Scanifly—eliminating duplicate work and potential revisions on install day.
The direct API integration lets PV designers select the optimal racking equipment for their layout and generate a comprehensive bill of materials (BOM) in one unified workflow.
"Moving between platforms to complete designs wastes time and creates opportunity for errors," said Jason Steinberg, CEO of Scanifly. "Our K2 Quote integration keeps everything in one place, so contractors can design and specify the racking solutions needed without switching between tools."
Scanifly + K2 delivers key advantages:
"Scanifly's 3D models give us the precision needed for accurate solar designs," said Todd Lindquist, Key Account Technical Supervisor at Eagle Point Solar. "Now, with the K2 Quote integration, that same level of accuracy automatically extends to our bill of materials, which removes duplicate work and ensures our teams have the exact equipment they need on site. This is our ideal workflow—pairing our preferred flush mount racking system with our favorite solar design software."
The integration leverages Scanifly's drone-based design technology, which produces a to-scale 3D model of the property with exact measurements and structural details that flow directly into K2 Quote, eliminating errors from manual data entry or outdated remote imagery. This direct connection ensures that K2 Quote receives only the highest quality inputs for building the desired racking system and BOM.
"Accurate installs require precise equipment specifications," said Andrew Neshat, CEO at K2 Systems. "This integration provides more precise site data, optimized racking design, and improved engineering, empowering our customers to achieve greater success."
Solar contractors can access Scanifly + K2 Quote starting today. Visit scanifly.com/product/integrations/k2-systems/ to learn more.
Scanifly | https://scanifly.com/
K2 Systems | https://k2-systems.com/en-us/
Energy Toolbase has expanded its ability to model and deploy grid services in the Northeast. ConnectedSolutions and Clean Peak Standard (CPS) are now available for commercial and industrial (C&I) developers to seamlessly model program revenues and utility bill savings in ETB Developer while maximizing value streams and performance using Energy Toolbase's energy storage control software, ETB Controller.
Energy Toolbase is the first in the industry to provide a fully integrated solution combining grid services modeling with utility bill savings analysis. ETB Developer and ETB Controller with Acumen AI™ have been refined to address industry challenges and simplify the modeling, enrollment, participation, measurement and verification (M&V), and revenue dispersal for several programs, including ConnectedSolutions and CPS.
The ConnectedSolutions program supports C&I customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island by reducing peak demand during the summer months. Fully automated through ETB Controller with Acumen AI, participants receive day-ahead notifications to prepare their energy storage systems (ESS) for demand response events. Energy Toolbase has successfully managed this process across multiple sites, delivering significant financial savings over several seasons.
The Clean Peak Standard program in Massachusetts incentivizes renewable energy generation during seasonal peak demand periods through Clean Peak Energy Credits (CPECs). Participants earn credits for producing renewable energy during designated high-demand hours, with credits generated during these hours offering up to 25 times more value. For every 1 MWh of renewable energy generated, one CPEC is awarded, with additional value for energy produced during critical peak hours.
ETB Developer streamlines modeling these programs by forecasting savings, incentives, and credit generation. Once projects are deployed, ETB Controller fine-tunes performance by dispatching energy during scheduled events and maximizing credit generation. Acumen AI co-optimizes demand response participation, utility bill savings, and CPEC generation, helping users achieve the highest possible economic outcomes.
"Energy Toolbase is dedicated to equipping our users with the best tools to optimize complex C&I solar and energy storage projects," said Nathan Gutzmann, Product Manager of ETB Controller at Energy Toolbase. "Adding ConnectedSolutions and Clean Peak Standard to our platform is another way we can deliver innovative solutions that will enhance project economics and unlock new revenue opportunities for our customers in the Northeast region."
Learn more about how Energy Toolbase supports these lucrative programs by scheduling a call or signing up for a 14-day free trial of the ETB Developer platform.
Energy Toolbase | https://www.energytoolbase.com
Alternative Energies Feb 24, 2025
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