Energy Storage: 2025 and Beyond

QuickBOLT is proud to announce that its #17612 - 90° Stone Coated Steel Roof Hook has received Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance), a significant milestone demonstrating the ability of its stone coated steel solar mounts to perform in severe weather conditions. The approval confirms QuickBOLT’s dedication to engineering solutions that endure the toughest elements, ensuring reliability for solar installers across hurricane-prone regions.

Known for its stainless steel construction and ease of installation, this mount is now verified to offer exceptional durability and leak protection for stone coated steel roofs. The Miami-Dade NOA is a hallmark of quality, indicating that the #17612 Roof Hook meets stringent standards set by the Florida Building Code, including the High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements.

"Our focus has always been on making mounts that are simple to install, minimize roof disruptions, and offer unmatched durability. It’s a tough balance, but this approval proves we’re on the right track," said Rick Gentry, Head of New Products at QuickBOLT.

The approval, effective immediately, allows QuickBOLT to expand its market reach and provide installers with even greater confidence in the performance of its mounting solutions. This accomplishment underscores QuickBOLT's mission to deliver secure, fast, and leak-proof installations that provide a rock-solid foundation for renewable energy platforms.

QuickBOLT | www.quickbolt.com

Draslovka a.s, (“Draslovka” or the “Company”) a global provider of sustainability-led technologies, reagents and services for mining and the energy transition, is pleased to announce it has agreed to a research and development (“R&D”) partnership with Natron Energy, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries, as its core partner in the development, commercialisation and large-scale production of high-quality Prussian blue material required for its proprietary sodium-ion battery technologies. 

The partnership agreement envisages a layered scope of co-operation across Draslovka’s areas of expertise, fully utilising the Company’s leading research, production and logistics capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Taking advantage of the immediately available infrastructure offered by its world-class chemical plant in Kolin, Czech Republic, Draslovka has obtained the necessary permits and is well on its way to designing and constructing a new reference production facility for the project. The partnership will leverage Draslovka’s deep expertise in proprietary chemistry manufacturing to supply high-quality Prussian blue materials that are crucial for Natron’s advanced sodium-ion battery design, which is ideal for short-term energy storage applications, such as data centres. The facility will serve as a blueprint to expand Draslovka’s operations in the U.S. and enable Natron’s mission of scaling sodium-ion battery production to meet soaring demand, with the development of a large-scale facility expected to begin prior to the completion of the reference facility in Kolin. 

Starting in 2026, the new Kolin facility is expected to supply Natron with Prussian blue materials to double Natron’s battery manufacturing capacity. The construction of the new plant in Kolin marks another positive milestone in Draslovka’s business strategy, which focuses on value-add proprietary technologies and top-quality product offerings. 

Using sustainable solutions to address the shortage of critical raw materials is an integral part of Draslovka’s business model. Through its exclusive partnership with Natron, Draslovka’s chemistry will directly assist in the development of Natron’s supply chain without reliance on critical minerals from high-risk or potentially unstable jurisdictions. This collaboration with Natron to advance an economically competitive and sustainable industry of the future represents an important new direction for Draslovka as it seeks to bolster global battery supply chain security. 

Pavel Bruzek, CEO of Draslovka, commented: “We are excited to partner with Natron on this project which aims to promote greater standards for sustainability and help pioneer sodium-ion batteries as a real, economically viable option for energy storage, especially short-term energy reserves and data centres. The commercial agreement with Natron is an endorsement of Draslovka’s chemical expertise which makes this project possible. This partnership represents the latest step in the transformation of our revenue streams towards value-add proprietary technologies and sustainable solutions for global industry. 

While today we are announcing a new plant at our EU location, we are already considering concrete options to build capability in the U.S. Additionally, we are evaluating opportunities for new production plants elsewhere in the U.S. to fully capitalise on the home-grown technological expertise we have at our flagship plant and as further demand for sodium-ion batteries is unlocked. 

This agreement marks the beginning of a long-term global partnership with Natron that will enable a shorter and more resilient supply chain for large scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the US and Europe.” 

Martin Viecha, Draslovka Advisory Board Member and former Vice President of Investor Relations at Tesla, commented: “I believe a full transition to sustainable energy is both critical and irreversible. This shift will necessitate a global increase in battery production by more than tenfold, potentially much more, as worldwide energy demands continue to rise. For such a dramatic change, lithium-ion batteries should not remain the sole option; sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a valid alternative for specific applications. Draslovka's expertise and experience align perfectly with the future development of sodium-ion batteries.” 

Wendell Brooks, CEO of Natron, added: “We are pleased to be joining forces with Draslovka on this exciting venture in order to pursue our shared interest of developing sustainable and safe technologies that outperform current solutions. 

The battery industry is growing rapidly, and we are scaling our solutions as sodium-ion offers many advantages relative to lithium-ion technology for a wide range of customer use-cases, including data centres to support the explosive growth of AI. As we benefit from increasing market demand, we look forward to pioneering our technology with the support of Draslovka’s unique and specialised expertise.” 

Draslovka | https://www.draslovka.com/

Natron Energy | https://natron.energy/

PureWave Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: PWH) ("PureWave" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,000,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $750,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share, ("Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (the "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering at an exercise price of $0.25 per share. 

The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month plus one day hold period from the date of closing. Closing of the Offering is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. 

Proceeds from the Offering will be used for the evaluation and technical review of strategic and prospective acquisitions of oil weighted properties in conjunction with the requisite due diligence that is expected to generate revenue and cashflow for the Company as well as for general working capital purposes. The Company will also be reviewing certain properties for enhanced oil recovery schemes that have the potential of providing an increase in existing production from wells that have be shut-in for mechanical reasons and/or other field related issues. 

PureWave Hydrogen | www.purewavehydrogen.com

Libra Group announced Camilo Patrignani's promotion to Head of Infrastructure. Previously Executive Vice President of Energy, Patrignani will now oversee the Group’s three renewable energy subsidiaries, which together manage in excess of 10 gigawatts (GW) of projects owned, developed, or pending development across 12 countries, including solar, wind, battery storage, and waste-to-energy.

With operations in North America, Latin America, and Europe, Libra Group’s renewable energy subsidiaries work with multiple governments and employ close to 175 professionals. These experts develop, finance, and operate clean energy projects that deliver environmental and social benefits. In addition to overseeing Libra Group’s global renewable energy portfolio, Camilo’s remit will also include oversight of the Group’s growing portfolio of sustainable critical minerals for use in North America.  

Since joining Libra Group in 2008, Camilo has played a crucial role in shaping Libra Group’s renewable energy operations, holding senior leadership roles at the parent company as well as at its subsidiaries. Before joining Libra Group as Executive Vice President of Energy, Camilo served as founding CEO of Greenwood Energy, Libra Group’s Latin American renewable energy subsidiary, and later as CEO of Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure, Libra Group’s North American renewable energy subsidiary. Before joining Libra Group, Camilo was a vice president at Fortress Investment Group, after serving as a director at UBS Investment Bank. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“Camilo has been instrumental in growing Libra Group’s renewable energy portfolio, including overseeing innovative partnerships of our subsidiaries with Indigenous peoples, including Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure’s collaboration with the Ocean Man First Nation on the 132 MW Iyuhána Solar Project and Greenwood Energy’s partnership on the 150 MW TERRA Initiative solar project with the Arhuaco Indigenous tribe of Colombia. We are proud of Camilo’s journey within Libra Group, which reflects our ethos of empowering our people to grow and take on new challenges,” said Libra Group CEO Manos Kouligkas.

“I am both honored and grateful to be taking on an enhanced role as Libra Group and its three renewable energy subsidiaries continue to seek out innovative partnerships and projects to support renewable energy worldwide,” said Camilo Patrignani. “Libra Group has been at the forefront of this sector and investing in renewable energy for nearly two decades. I look forward to continuing to support Libra Group’s mission and working with a seasoned team of energy professionals across our subsidiaries.”

Libra Group has continued to expand its global energy holdings through its three renewable energy subsidiaries. These include EuroEnergy, a pan-European renewable energy company with over 159 projects completed and a footprint that includes Greece, Romania, Croatia, Poland, and Latvia; GSI, the Group’s North American renewable energy subsidiary with over 100 projects currently under development in the U.S. and Canada, and 71 completed projects; and Greenwood Energy, the Group’s Latin American renewable energy subsidiary with over 50 projects completed and under construction across Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. In 2022, the Group first invested in critical minerals with a U.S. company developing a sustainable supply chain for rare earth minerals.

Libra Group | www.libra.com

First Citizens Bank announced that its Energy Finance business has served as lead agent on a $74 million financing of GridStor’s Hidden Lakes Reliability Project, a 220 MW / 440 MWh battery storage project in Galveston County, Texas.

GridStor is a developer and operator of utility-scale, standalone battery storage projects and is owned by funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The financing will support the remaining construction of the Hidden Lakes project, which is expected to enter into commercial operation this summer.

"The Hidden Lakes Reliability Project adds dependable, dispatchable capacity to the Texas power system that is needed to sustain the state’s historic economic expansion," stated Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor. "We appreciated the expertise of the First Citizens Energy Finance team in crafting a financial solution that supports enhancement of grid resilience with energy storage." 

"At First Citizens, we are dedicated to backing innovative energy initiatives that strengthen grid dependability and foster a more sustainable energy future," remarked Mike Lorusso, head of First Citizens' Energy Finance. "We are excited to work with GridStor on this project, which reflects our commitment to financing essential energy infrastructure that addresses evolving market needs."

First Citizens Energy Finance leverages its deep industry knowledge and expertise to offer comprehensive financing solutions for renewable and conventional power generation. The unit manages a large, diverse portfolio that includes investments in all asset classes across the energy sector.

First Citizens Bank | firstcitizens.com

GridStor | www.gridstor.com

Stable Auto, a pioneer in pricing optimization for EV charging, announced a strategic partnership with EV Connect, a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging management solutions, to deliver AI-powered Adaptive Pricing capabilities via the EV Connect platform. The integration will give EV Connect customers new adaptive pricing tools to maximize utilization, boost net revenue, and build more profitable charging networks. As government funding for EV infrastructure faces uncertainty, EV Connect and Stable seek to provide their customers with stability, certainty, and confidence in their charging deployments.

"By teaming up with Stable Auto, we're giving our customers the tools to turn EV charging into a stronger, more sustainable revenue stream. At the end of the day, if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense," said Bassem Ammouri, COO of EV Connect. "Adaptive Pricing ensures that site operators stay profitable, even as energy costs and demand fluctuate, all while maintaining a seamless experience for drivers."

EV Connect customers are able to access Adaptive Pricing today directly with Stable, and in the coming months, this will roll out globally for use by EV Connect customers natively as an additional capability of the EV Connect platform. Importantly, sites will be able to set rates that adjust based on station usage, energy cost, and driver demand. This always-up-to-date approach balances driver satisfaction with the need for consistent, predictable returns on charging infrastructure investments.

"We're excited to partner with EV Connect to bring our AI-powered Adaptive Pricing platform to charging networks worldwide," said Rohan Puri, CEO of Stable Auto. "Public EV chargers need 15% utilization to be profitable—a threshold U.S. fast-charging networks surpassed in 2023 when usage hit 18%. Building on this momentum, we're empowering operators with transparent, data-driven tools that align pricing with true operating costs, ensuring the EV charging market thrives amid shifting regulations."

To see how Adaptive Pricing can improve your EV charging operations, sign up for early access.

EV Connect | www.evconnect.com 

Stable Auto | www.stable.auto

At an in-person announcement ceremony joined by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, TS Conductor (TS) announced it will open its second US manufacturing facility near the Port of Savannah in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Production is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025 to meet growing demand for the company's advanced conductor technology that enables utilities to double or triple transmission capacity while cutting costs for customers.

The announcement adds momentum to the record growth of South Carolina's manufacturing sector. The three-phase project represents a total investment of $134 million and is expected to create approximately 462 advanced manufacturing jobs with above-average wages. Phase one is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2025. TS plans to make major investments in local workforce development in partnership with SouthernCarolina Alliance and the Hardeeville Career Advancement & Workforce Training Program. "South Carolina's business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and strong support made it the perfect choice for our expansion. We plan to invest over $134 million in the state, and we look forward to being a long-term partner in South Carolina's economic growth and creating opportunities for local families and communities," says TS Conductor CEO Jason Huang, PhD.

"Once again, South Carolina is proving itself to be an ideal location for innovative companies to establish operations. We are delighted to welcome TS Conductor to our impressive portfolio of energy-related companies and celebrate the tremendous impact this investment will have in Jasper County and South Carolina," said Governor McMaster.

"TS Conductor's announcement showcases that cutting-edge energy companies recognize the many advantages of doing business in South Carolina. We are grateful for this remarkable $134 million investment in Jasper County and are proud to support TS Conductor as it continues working to modernize the power grid," said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.

The new facility comes at a critical time as the US faces substantial growth in electricity demand for the first time in decades. The rapid expansion of AI data centers is straining an aging grid that still largely relies on century-old technology. Meanwhile, the grid needs to integrate an unprecedented queue of new domestic energy projects, from solar and wind to nuclear and geothermal. TS Conductor's technology enables utilities to rapidly upgrade transmission capacity while improving reliability and resilience against extreme weather events to prevent blackouts.

"Next-generation advanced conductors allow us to connect more of America's domestic energy to the grid faster," said Huang, who recently gave a TED talk about grid modernization. "This gives us a faster, more cost-effective path to modernize our grid and meet the challenges of the 21st century with technology that is made right here at home in the USA."

Phase one of the three-phase expansion is supported in part by funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) through its Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, whose goal is to support domestic manufacturing for critical energy supply chain needs. In October 2024, the DOE announced funding for 14 different advanced energy manufacturing projects, including TS. A major goal of the project is to ensure sufficient domestic supply of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines as massive grid expansion is planned nationwide.

For the first phase of the expansion, TS will move into a 301,275-square-foot building in the new Clarius Park Hardeeville at the Port of Savannah, a master-planned industrial park developed via a joint venture between Clarius Partners and Peakline Real Estate Funds consisting of more than 2.7 million square feet of Class A industrial warehouse space and a power substation with capacity up to 90 megawatts within the park boundary. TS plans to expand within Clarius Park Hardeeville an additional 1 million square feet in future phases. The location is within 10 miles of the Georgia Ports Authority's Garden City Terminal, the nation's third-largest port of entry and fastest growing container terminal, which will support TS's international expansion.

"We're proud to welcome TS Conductor as the first anchor tenant at Clarius Park Hardeeville," said Craig Dannegger, principal at Clarius Partners. "Their selection of this location validates our vision for a world-class industrial park that leverages the strategic advantages of the Port of Savannah while creating economic opportunities for the Hardeeville community."

In July 2024, TS raised $60 million in an oversubscribed growth round to fund the expansion. Industry-leading investors in the company include Blue Earth Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Energy & Environment Investment, Inc., Edison International, Gates Frontier, National Grid Partners, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, Quanta Services, and Wellington Management.

"TS Conductor is poised to fuel economic growth by enabling power grids to support the rise of artificial intelligence — and by creating hundreds of manufacturing jobs right here in America," said Pradeep Tagare, head of investments at National Grid Partners.

TS Conductor | tsconductor.com/contact