AI Rewrites the Rules of Power Resilience

Bureau Veritas announced the acquisition of Aligned Incentives, an innovative provider of AI-powered sustainability planning solutions. This strategic move enhances Bureau Veritas' capabilities in Scope 3 emissions analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA). Aligned Incentives is recognized for its top tier AI technology and deep expertise in sustainability metrics, positioning it at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of sustainability impact assessment. This acquisition represents a pivotal step in Bureau Veritas' LEAP | 28 strategy, establishing a new stronghold in sustainability transition services. 

The acquisition of Aligned Incentives augments Bureau Veritas’ capabilities to build trust with global, granular sustainability data, designed to support its clients as they monitor their Scope 3 impact. Aligned Incentives' system, which combines top-tier life cycle assessment (LCA) expertise, an extensive database, and AI-powered AITrack software, will enable custom process-based LCA for every product across a corporate portfolio. The company’s expertise in areas like greenhouse gas accounting, climate risk assessment, sustainable finance, traceability and ESG data management will strengthen Bureau Veritas' capabilities, allowing the company to accompany its customers throughout their sustainability journey. These new services will also address the growing demand for transparent, data-driven sustainability reporting. The company is headquartered in Middleton, Massachusetts, and delivered €3.5 million revenue in 2023. 

"The acquisition of Aligned Incentives is Bureau Veritas’ first investment in the fast-growing strategic sector of AI-powered solutions for product Life Cycle Assessment and is a pivotal moment for the Group as we continue to execute on our LEAP | 28 strategy,” said Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas. “By integrating Aligned Incentives’ market-leading, AI-powered sustainability planning solutions with the rest of our Transition Services, Bureau Veritas will create differentiated solutions. This comprehensive portfolio will help our global clients build trust in their products and corporate practices, enabling them to measure, manage, and report on their environmental, social and governance impact with unprecedented accuracy and speed, regardless of their geographical footprint.” 

"We are excited to join forces with Bureau Veritas and extend our AI-powered enterprise sustainability planning solution to deliver far-reaching global impact, including to Bureau Veritas’ 400,000 customers," added Yann Risz, CEO and Co-founder of Aligned Incentives. “Together, we will equip organizations with trustworthy, granular product and corporate footprints and mitigation strategies at scale, including best-in-class Scope 3 insights, to accelerate their transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Bureau Veritas | https://group.bureauveritas.com/

Aligned Incentives | https://alignedincentives.com/

The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to today’s final rule implementing the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X) by the Treasury Department:

“Today’s announcement marks a critical step forward as we look to bolster American economic and supply chain security, while supporting our nation’s manufacturing competitiveness. For America’s electric vehicle industry, this new rule supports robust and reliable supply chains right here at home, from the production of critical minerals and materials, to advancing innovative battery technologies, to building advanced components. The final rule will ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed by American workers in American factories. 

“ZETA appreciates the certainty offered by this final rule, and that the administration was responsive to input from the private sector. The 45X credit is a powerful tool to support American manufacturing competitiveness, and is designed to create jobs and spur economic growth around the country. We look forward to continued partnerships with the public and private sectors to support this program as it lowers costs for producers and consumers, creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and supports domestic output in the critical sectors that will continue to play an increasingly important role in our nation’s future.”

Zero Emission Transportation Association | https://www.zeta.org/

Recurrent Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. (“Canadian Solar”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ) and a global developer, owner, and operator of solar and energy storage assets, announced that Liberty Solar, a 134 MW (100 MWac) solar project near Houston, Texas, has reached commercial operation.

To recognize this milestone, Recurrent Energy hosted project customers at Liberty Solar yesterday for a guided tour and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Liberty Solar is in Liberty County, Texas, about 50 miles northeast of Houston. Customers for the project include Autodesk, Inc., Biogen Inc., EMD Electronics (the U.S. and Canada electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), and Wayfair Inc. Liberty Solar expands solar energy capacity in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market and will produce enough energy to power approximately 15,000 homes annually. 

Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Recurrent Energy, said, “Liberty Solar is a fantastic project that expands Recurrent Energy’s project ownership in MISO. We are thrilled to complete this project on time and on budget in support of the renewable energy goals of our customers.”

Mark Stover, Executive Director of Texas Solar Power Association, said, “Projects like Liberty Solar are instrumental to meeting the soaring demand for electricity in Texas. We commend Recurrent Energy for pushing through the development process and working with corporate buyers to deliver new, predictable, clean power to the MISO region of Texas.”

Kai Beckmann, CEO Electronics of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, said, “As a supplier of materials and solutions for the semiconductor industry, energy is a crucial aspect of progress in the industry for us. We aim not only to contribute through our research and development to make new technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced chips more energy-efficient, but also to reduce our own footprint in the value chain. Liberty Solar is an important project that demonstrates our commitment to putting our ambitions into action.”

Kathleen Woodward, Interim Head of Sustainability at Biogen, said, “As a company that has maintained 100% renewable electricity since 2014, Biogen has long recognized the importance of building a cleaner, more resilient energy grid. We’re delighted to celebrate this milestone in a project designed to provide the sustainable energy communities need to advance economic growth and public health. Biogen’s support of Liberty Solar is part of our broader ambition to foster a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”

Joe Speicher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Autodesk, said, “Investment in additional renewable capacity on the grid is essential to delivering more sustainable outcomes, and we believe that the Liberty Solar project will help make renewable energy more accessible in North America. Autodesk is committed to 100% renewable energy sourcing for our facilities, cloud services and hybrid workforce, and we are committed to leveraging our climate commitments to drive transformational change in our energy generation and deployment.”

Recurrent Energy plans to remain the long-term owner and operator of the project. Recurrent Energy previously announced that Rabobank, Nord LB and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank, provided the construction loan for the project. U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance is also providing the tax equity totaling $80 million.

Recurrent Energy | https://recurrentenergy.com/

Canadian Solar | www.canadiansolar.com

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP Chief Advocacy Officer JC Sandberg after the U.S. Department of Treasury issued a final rule for the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X MPTC), which applies to clean energy components made in the United States: 

“ACP commends the Treasury Department and IRS for finalizing the advanced manufacturing tax credits that are driving historic levels of investment in domestic clean energy manufacturing.  

“The finalization of the 45X regulations provides American businesses with the certainty they need to continue building domestic supply chains that strengthen the country’s energy independence, create tens of thousands good paying American jobs, and boost the nation’s economy.” 

According to ACP’s Clean Energy Investing in America report, since August 2022 federal tax credits have helped drive:  

• More than 160 new or expanded utility-scale clean energy manufacturing facilities announced in the U.S. 

• More than one-quarter (44) of these facilities are already operational, creating 20,000 new American manufacturing jobs. 

• More than $60 billion in new private sector capital investment directed toward domestic clean energy manufacturing. 

ACP | cleanpower.org

As the world moves toward widespread electrification, one area of growing focus is the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into our energy systems. With EV adoption accelerating, utilities are facing new challenges and opportunities. AES Indiana, serving over 500,000 customers in the Indianapolis area, partnered with Camus to study when and how to optimize investments in EV visibility and coordination. Their research identified a crucial tipping point: when 5% of customers have installed residential EV chargers. This moment presents significant potential for grid optimization, delivering both cost savings and improved grid flexibility.

Understanding the EV tipping point

AES Indiana expects to reach the 5% EV adoption mark by early 2029. At this stage, the benefits of managing EV charging and grid visibility outweigh the associated costs. By preparing for this tipping point, AES Indiana can capture an impressive $8 million in net savings from 2025 to 2035, with an additional $92 million per year in capital flexibility unlocked through deferred equipment upgrades.

Key findings

1. The 5% EV adoption threshold: At this level, managing EV charging brings substantial benefits. AES Indiana found that proactive management defers grid upgrades in neighborhoods with high EV penetration, reducing the need for immediate infrastructure investments.
2. Data-driven planning delivers results: With accurate EV visibility, AES Indiana can defer 90% of expected feeder upgrades for an average of 3.8 years and 66% of transformer upgrades for 8.4 years. This allows the utility to reinvest in grid reliability and affordability.
3. Managed charging beats time-of-use (TOU) rates: While TOU rates help reduce system-wide peaks, they can create new challenges by driving localized peaks on transformers and feeders. Grid-optimized managed charging, however, provides more comprehensive solutions by adjusting charging patterns based on real-time grid needs, extending equipment life and reducing costs.
4. Capital flexibility: The deferral of equipment upgrades unlocks $92 million per year in capital flexibility. For each new EV added to the grid, AES Indiana gains $1,500 annually to reinvest in broader grid improvements.

Preparing for the tipping point

By investing in EV visibility and managed charging programs before the 5% adoption threshold is reached, AES Indiana can minimize upgrade costs and unlock the flexibility needed to enhance the grid for all customers. Proactive preparation means being ready to manage EV load growth without overburdening the system, ensuring that the grid remains reliable, affordable, and efficient.

The case for flexibility in a changing energy landscape

The grid is undergoing rapid transformation. Rising electrification, load growth, aging infrastructure, and extreme weather events are straining traditional grid operations. AES Indiana’s experience highlights that flexibility, not just infrastructure expansion, is the key to managing these changes. Utilities must shift from the “business-as-usual” approach of investing heavily in infrastructure to more innovative, data-driven solutions.

In regions like California, where EV adoption is moving faster than the national average, the need for flexible grid management is even more critical. A recent study estimated that California may need to invest $25 to $50 billion in grid upgrades by 2035 unless flexible, real-time grid management solutions are implemented. This reinforces the importance of early investment in EV visibility and managed charging programs.

Recommendations for utilities

For utilities looking to prepare for the inevitable rise in EV adoption, AES Indiana’s experience offers several key lessons:

1. Invest in EV visibility: By understanding where and when EV charging occurs, utilities can avoid unnecessary infrastructure investments and manage local grid constraints more effectively.
2. Deploy managed charging solutions: TOU rates are a start, but grid-optimized managed charging offers far more precise control over EV loads, helping to extend the life of critical equipment and defer costly upgrades.
3. Unlock capital flexibility: Deferred equipment upgrades free up capital that can be reinvested in grid-wide improvements, ensuring reliability and affordability for all customers.

Ensuring preparation for the growing EV adoption rate

AES Indiana’s proactive approach to managing the EV tipping point demonstrates the significant benefits that come with early investment in grid visibility and managed charging programs. By acting now, utilities can avoid costly infrastructure expansions while optimizing their grids for the future of electrification. The key takeaway? Flexibility is essential for navigating the evolving energy landscape, and preparing for the EV tipping point is the first step toward a more resilient, cost-effective grid.

This analysis from AES Indiana and Camus provides a valuable framework for utilities across the country to follow, ensuring they are ready for the coming wave of EV adoption .

AES Indiana | https://www.aesindiana.com/

Camus Energy | https://www.camus.energy/

Cyware, the leading provider of threat intelligence management, low-code/no-code automation, and cyber fusion solutions, and ECS, a leader in advanced technology solutions for U.S. public sector customers, including defense and intelligence organizations, announce their design partnership which will serve to enhance Cyware’s Intel Exchange product enabling government entities to improve their security posture. This partnership aims to leverage ECS’s deep public-sector knowledge and cybersecurity expertise to tailor Cyware’s Intel Exchange to address the unique needs of government entities, with a focus on strengthening collective defense and securing the nation's critical infrastructure.

To address the security challenges that impact federal entities, Cyware and ECS are working together to:

• Enhance Intel Exchange’s automated Threat Intel Risk Score engine to bring flexibility and advancement in the algorithm to accommodate time sensitive government CTI operations and workflows. The new risk score is customizable based on the weightage given to the quality, credibility, relevance, and confidence level of the threat data sources, enrichment sources, and attributes of threat objects.
• Introduce a custom scoring module in addition to the above Risk Score engine that will allow CTI teams to design scoring parameters tailored for government use cases for any threat data ingested into the platform and enable them to prioritize relevant threats for actioning.
• Simplify triaging and operationalization of the large volume of threat data in the platform with automated rules leveraging the newly introduced scoring modules. CTI analysts can now create custom rules to score threat data depending on different priorities and perspectives.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ECS in co-designing a tailored solution for government entities,” said Sachin Jade, Chief Product Officer at Cyware. “Working with ECS on this design project allows us to enhance Intel Exchange with bespoke capabilities that meet the stringent requirements of federal agencies, fostering a more proactive approach to threat intelligence sharing and collective defense.”

Greg Adams, Senior Vice President of Justice and Homeland Solutions at ECS commented, “Our collaboration with Cyware on Intel Exchange is a crucial step towards enabling government entities to build a more resilient cybersecurity posture. Together, we’re delivering solutions that are aligned with federal government standards, and helping agencies to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

The full range of enhanced capabilities for Intel Exchange are expected to be unveiled for the public sector in early November 2024. Cyware and ECS remain committed to supporting federal agencies through innovative and tailored cybersecurity solutions that promote collective defense and protect the nation’s most critical infrastructure.

Cyware | https://www.cyware.com/

ECS | https://ecstech.com/

Torus, a leader in advanced energy storage and management, unveiled a suite of innovative commercial solutions designed to revolutionize grid stability, enhance cybersecurity, and address critical national security challenges at the 47G Zero Gravity Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new product lineup tackles the growing concerns of grid instability and cyber threats in the energy sector, with recent studies showing that cyberattacks on energy infrastructure have nearly doubled over the past year.

"Our new product lineup answers urgent and complex energy challenges faced by utilities, businesses, and government entities," said Nate Walkingshaw, co-founder and CEO of Torus. "We're not just offering products; we're providing vertically integrated solutions that enhance reliability, safety, and security in an increasingly volatile energy landscape."

By designing, engineering, and manufacturing products in the United States, Torus directly addresses critical national security concerns. This approach ensures that vital energy technologies remain under domestic control, reducing vulnerabilities in the supply chain and reinforcing the integrity of America's energy infrastructure.

The groundbreaking Torus commercial product lineup includes:

1. Torus Nova Spin: An advanced Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) offering rapid response capabilities for grid stability and backup power, with twice the lifespan of traditional batteries and a response time of less than 250 milliseconds.
2. Torus Nova Pulse: A state-of-the-art Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed for long-duration energy storage and grid support, scalable from four to eight-hour charge and discharge capabilities.
3. Torus Nova Shield: A robust energy security appliance specifically engineered to protect energy infrastructure from emerging threats, utilizing AI-driven threat detection.
4. Torus Overwatch: A comprehensive cybersecurity and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) platform that ensures the safety, security, and optimal performance of energy assets through multi-layered security measures and predictive maintenance.
5. Torus Lasso: Energy asset management software that maximizes efficiency and performance across diverse energy portfolios, potentially reducing operational costs by up to 30%.

Torus's solutions address critical needs across various sectors:

• Utilities: Reduce grid congestion, maintain frequency and voltage stability, and expand capacity with energy storage integration
• Data Centers: Bring new facilities online with integrated energy generation, storage, management, maintenance, and security solutions
• Commercial & Industrial Buildings: Lower operating costs by 30%, provide emergency backup, and reduce GHG emissions by up to 90%
• Defense & Government: Power facilities with secure, reliable microgrid solutions, capable of operating independently from the utility grid
• Residential Communities: Provide every home in your community with reliable, affordable, green power

"The Zero Gravity Summit is the perfect platform to showcase how Torus is tackling energy challenges that directly impact national resilience and security," added Walkingshaw. "As geopolitical tensions rise and climate challenges intensify, the need for robust, secure energy solutions has never been more critical."

Looking ahead, Torus plans to expand its research into next-generation energy storage technologies and further enhance its AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities. The company aims to play a pivotal role in shaping a more resilient and sustainable global energy ecosystem.

Torus invites all Zero Gravity Summit attendees to connect with the Torus team for live demonstrations of their new product lineup. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience firsthand how Torus's integrated solutions can transform their energy infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

47G | https://www.47g.org/ 

Zero Gravity Summit | https://www.zerogravitysummit.com

Torus | www.torus.co