The Critical Role of Silicon Metal in America's EV Market

Exus Renewables, a global leader in renewable energy, has announced the acquisition of the 130MWp ready-to-build Cibele solar farm, located in the municipalities of Rio Maior and Cadaval in Portugal, from Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development and management of utility-scale onshore renewable  energy projects.

The project represents another substantial addition to Exus’ expanding renewable energy footprint in Iberia, following the acquisition of the Cascante 51MW Spanish wind farm earlier this year, which is under construction and will become operational in 2025. 

Construction is slated to begin in the coming months, and the facility is scheduled to enter operation in 2026. The strategic location of the solar farm means a wind component can be added at a later date, further enhancing Exus’ hybridisation capabilities and ambitions.

“This acquisition marks a significant step forward in Exus’ journey to becoming a leading global independent power producer and further enhances our renewable energy asset portfolio in Europe,” said Victor López, Head of M&A at Exus Renewables. “Lightsource bp has done an impressive job of laying the initial groundwork for the development of the Cibele solar farm, and we’re excited to be taking on its construction and subsequent operation. The project will enable us to continue making smart investment decisions, while delivering on our mission to create a greener and more sustainable future for all.” 

Miguel Lobo, Country Head for Portugal at Lightsource bp said: “We are pleased with the outcome of this operation in collaboration with Exus, as transactions of this kind are a clear demonstration of how partnerships between renewable energy developers and investors can play a vital role in advancing the energy transition. This operation will allow Lightsource bp to continue to grow, further expanding our investment reach to a greater number of projects.”

He also added: “Lightsource bp is committed to driving the growth of renewable energy in Portugal, with a robust portfolio of projects at different stages of development and currently exceeding 2.5 GW of capacity. Many of these projects are in advanced licensing stages and we aim to start construction on a few of them in the near future.  Portugal is a priority market for Lightsource bp and a key contributor to the expansion of the company in Europe”.

Exus has extensive experience and expertise in developing, constructing, and operating both owned and third-party assets in Portugal. The team in Portugal is currently developing 200MW of wind and solar assets, with additional 70MW under construction, and 130MW already operational. Across Europe, Exus currently manages over 6GW of renewable energy assets and plans to continue expanding its portfolio over the coming years by acquiring, developing, and managing additional projects.

Solar is a key part of Portugal’s renewable energy strategy, which aims to increase capacity to 20GW by 2030. The development of Exus’ latest solar facility will help drive Portugal’s solar ambitions in meeting its 2030 renewable energy targets. 

Cuatrecasas acted as legal advisor on the deal, while Mott MacDonald acted as technical advisor. Lightsource bp was advised on financial matters by Capcora, with PLMJ as its legal advisor and Enertis on technical aspects.

Exus Renewables | www.exuspartners.com

Lightsource bp | lightsourcebp.com

As demand for renewable energy generation continues to grow, many local decision makers are responding by creating ordinances that govern how projects will be built, managed, and decommissioned.

The Center for Rural Affairs has released a new wind and solar decommissioning resource to its Clean Energy Siting Library, a database intended to assist local zoning officials and decision makers in crafting ordinances.

While most renewable energy projects are expected to have a lifetime between 25 and 40 years, communities that host projects may have concerns over what happens to the infrastructure at the end of operation.

“As counties look to enact standards for renewable energy, planning for decommissioning is an important component,” said Cora Hoffer, senior policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “Decommissioning plans can help spell out expectations around timelines for decommissioning, identify roles and responsibilities, and include detailed cost estimates.”

Once wind and solar projects reach the end of their operational lifespan, project owners may seek to decommission the system and several alternatives to decommissioning are available. It is often possible to extend an energy system’s performance period through repowering, refurbishment, and reuse.

“These options can offer counties cost savings and ongoing revenue opportunities as well as the benefit of maintaining current land use and utilizing existing infrastructure at the site,” said Hoffer.

The new decommissioning resource is intended to be short, digestible, and easy to use. It combines research and recommendations from reports on wind and solar energy guidance previously published by the Center.

To read and download a copy of the Center’s “Decommissioning Wind and Solar Energy Systems Fact Sheet,” visit the Clean Energy Siting Library at cfra.org/cleanenergysiting.

Center for Rural Affairs | www.cfra.org

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has, through its flagship fund CI IV, taken Financial Investment Decision (FID) and issued Notice to Proceed (NTP) to commence construction of two further Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Scotland.

Coalburn 2 is situated in South Lanarkshire, adjacent to CIP’s existing Coalburn 1 BESS project, and Devilla is situated in Fife, near the town of Kincardine. Each project is sized at 500MW and, once commissioned, will be the largest battery storage projects in Europe.

These two projects represent an investment of approximately £800 million. They expand CIP’s UK BESS construction portfolio from one to three projects and make CIP the largest battery storage investor in the United Kingdom.

The CIP BESS portfolio (Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2, and Devilla) will have total power capacity of 1.5GW and will be able to store and supply the grid with a total of 3GWh of electricity, equivalent to the electricity demand of over 4.5 million households, across a 2-hour period.

To mark the commencement of construction for the Coalburn 2 project, CIP welcomed Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Gillian Martin, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, to the Coalburn site for a tour of ongoing construction works and to discuss CIP’s future energy infrastructure investment plans for Scotland and the UK.

Nischal Agarwal, partner at CIP, said: “CIP’s latest investments in Scottish battery energy storage will support the UK’s pursuit of a clean power system by 2030 and delivering a net zero carbon economy by 2050. Battery storage, which is well located, like our Coalburn and Devilla projects, enhances energy security, provides the grid with much needed flexibility and enables low cost renewables to be deployed faster. CIP is fully committed to a vibrant Scottish renewable sector, and we are thrilled to welcome the First Minister John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin, to our Coalburn sites to mark our recent investment decisions and start of construction of Coalburn 2.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The construction of the two largest battery systems in Europe, in South Lanarkshire and Fife, delivered by international investment, is to be welcomed as a significant contribution to the growth of Scotland’s energy transition infrastructure. By helping to supply reliable and secure power to our homes and businesses, well-located storage systems, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, can move us closer to net zero and directly support the communities around them. Scotland is open for business when it comes to new investments in the technologies and systems that will play a role in our just energy transition.”

UK Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson said: “This £800 million commitment is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment and supports our mission to become a clean energy superpower. With energy being identified as a growth sector in our upcoming Industrial Strategy, we’re not only helping to attract and secure investment, but providing affordable, reliable renewable energy for people across the country.”

James Forster, Development Director of Alcemi, commented: “The partnership between CIP and Alcemi has gone from strength to strength and has grown into what both companies envisioned. We’re proud to be a significant part of CIPs growth to becoming the UK’s largest battery storage investor. We look forward to continuing to work together, delivering more strategic projects that will enable a clean power system by 2030.”

Colin Parkin, President of e-STORAGE, commented, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with CIP, as they solidify their position as the UK’s largest battery storage investor, leading the way with these groundbreaking projects, the largest of their kind in Europe. e-STORAGE will deliver 2 GWh of energy storage capacity to the Coalburn 2 and Devilla batteries, marking a transformative milestone for Scotland and the UK.”

In February 2022, CIP’s CI IV fund entered a partnership with Alcemi, a large-scale BESS developer, to develop a UK wide portfolio of BESS projects to FID. CIP’s FID for Coalburn 2 and Devilla comes approximately one year after an equivalent decision for Coalburn 1. Battery technology provider e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar and a Tier 1 global energy storage solutions provider, will supply all three projects. H&MV Engineering and the OCU Group have been contracted to supply Balance of Plant and electrical engineering services for Coalburn 2 and Devilla respectively. Wood Group is providing construction management services for both Coalburn 2 and Devilla sites.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners | www.cip.com

The Detroit 2030 District has announced the beneficiaries of its EV Charging Station program, which rolled out last November. The program is installing ten electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at member buildings, including several houses of worship in underserved Detroit neighborhoods. This initiative marks a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions from transportation in the city.

"We are proud to be able to provide this benefit to our Detroit 2030 District building owners and expand access to EV charging in the city of Detroit, especially to six of our house of worship members located in neighborhoods where access to transportation may be difficult," said Peggy Matta, Detroit 2030 District EV Charging Program Manager.

The program is designed to address Detroit's growing demand for reliable and accessible EV charging solutions. The Detroit 2030 District has partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to bring this program to its members.

"Pastor Isaiah Pettway and the congregation of Beth Eden are elated to be chosen to receive a Level 2 EV charger at no cost for our congregation," said Sonya Bennett, Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church. "It is our prayer to offer this green initiative to anyone who may need its utilization at a fair rate for the community."

The Detroit 2030 District is also partnering with other like-minded Detroit-based nonprofits, including NextEnergy, Powering Michigan, Michigan Clean Cities and DTE Energy, to make this program a reality.

"Michigan Clean Cities and NextEnergy are elated to see additional EV charging infrastructure installed across the city. The heart of our work is rooted in equity, so as EV use and accessibility continue to grow for Detroiters, doubts about range and access to close, reliable charging can begin to subside," said Lauren Mixon, Community Engagement Liaison, with Michigan Clean Cities and NextEnergy. "We're proud to provide technical support to this program through the national EMPOWER project. Initiatives like this ensure the growth of EV charging and manufacturing and create equitable benefits for communities across our state."

The Detroit 2030 District program aims to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment. With over 500 buildings enrolled, totaling more than 67 million square feet, the program is making headway toward its mission of reducing carbon from the built environment at a large scale. 

Detroit 2030 District offers its members free education, resources, and assistance with benchmarking their buildings' energy and water usage. Benchmarking helps building owners and managers manage energy, water consumption, and transportation emissions and comply with the City of Detroit Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance. The ordinance was adopted in November 2023 and took effect October 1, 2024.

For more information about Detroit 2030 District and tickets to the Annual Kickoff Party & Fundraiser on January 30, 2025, at the historic Roostertail, visit 2030districts.org/Detroit.

A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) outlines recommendations that could increase the recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind energy equipment and materials to create a more circular economy and sustainable supply chain. Among other findings, the research reveals that existing U.S. infrastructure could process 90% of the mass of decommissioned wind turbines. However, the remaining 10% will need new strategies and innovative recycling methods to achieve a more sustainable wind energy industry. This research will help guide over $20 million in investments previously announced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance technologies that address this gap.

 “The U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Innovation is key to closing the loop, and this research will help guide national investments and strategies aimed at advancing technologies that can solve the remaining challenges and provide more affordable, equitable, and accessible clean energy options to the American people.”

The Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States Part 1: Providing a Baseline for America’s Wind Energy Recycling Infrastructure for Wind Turbines and Systems report provides an assessment of research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) needs and gaps in existing wind energy-related supply chains to support the transition to a more sustainable and circular U.S. wind energy industry. 

A team of researchers, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with support from Oak Ridge National Laboratoryand Sandia National Laboratories, developed the report. The first of a suite of reports, this part provides DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) with short-, medium-, and long-term RD&D priorities along the life cycle of wind energy systems. 

The effective reuse and recycling of wind system components, parts, and materials will rely on a combination of measures, including: 

• Improved end-of-life decommissioning collection and scrap sorting practices. 
• Strategic siting of recycling facilities. 
• Expanded and improved recovery and recycling infrastructure. 
• Substitution of hard-to-recycle and critical materials with more easily separable and affordable materials, improved component designs and manufacturing techniques, or the development of modular system components. 
• Optimized properties of recovered materials for second-life applications. 
• Greater access to wind energy waste streams and the equipment required to disassemble wind energy components. 

Towers, foundations, and steel-based subcomponents in drivetrains offer the greatest potential currently to be successfully recycled, whereas blades, generators, and nacelle covers are likely to prove more difficult. Recovering critical materials and alloying elements from generators and power electronics, such as nickel, cobalt, and zinc, will be crucial in establishing a circular economy for wind systems. 

Short-term strategies for decommissioning include promoting blade production using more easily recyclable thermoplastic resins and reusing these resins in cement production. Thermoplastic-based blade recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis and chemical dissolution, could be viable medium- and long-term options. Other medium- and long-term solutions include high-yield techniques for separating compounds found in power electronics and hybrid methods for recycling permanent magnets. 

Regional factors—such as material demand, disposal fees, transportation distances, and an available skilled workforce—will play vital roles in ensuring the success and cost-competitiveness of recycling wind energy components

DOE | https://www.energy.gov/wind

Orange EV, the leading manufacturer of 100% electric terminal trucks, announced the addition of Olivier Roubi as Vice President of Rental and Leasing and Dr. Zouhair Lazreq as Vice President of Engineering. These appointments underscore Orange EV's commitment to strengthening its leadership team as it continues to drive innovation and growth in the zero-emission electric vehicle market. 

Olivier Roubi, Vice President of Rental and Leasing 

Roubi brings over 25 years of experience in automotive and commercial vehicle fleet management across the United States and Europe. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sales at B-ON, a manufacturer of fully electric delivery trucks, where he successfully led teams supporting logistics operators transitioning to electric fleets. 

In his new role, Roubi will focus on expanding Orange EV’s short-term rental and long-term lease programs. These initiatives will include customized rental solutions that allow customers to experience pure-electric terminal trucks before committing to long-term ownership, while simplifying the process and enhancing the customer experience. By advancing these offerings, Roubi aims to provide flexible solutions that better serve Orange EV’s growing customer base and strengthen its market leadership. 

“I’m very excited to join Orange EV and help customers accelerate their CO2 footprint reduction and reduce operational cost by providing them with flexible and competitive short-term rental and long-term lease offers for their yard truck operations,” said Roubi. 

Dr. Zouhair Lazreq, Vice President of Engineering 

Dr. Lazreq joins Orange EV with a distinguished career spanning aerospace, consulting, and automotive industries. He previously served as Vice President, Global Engineering for Bridgestone Americas, leading the engineering function for Firestone Airide. His career also includes leadership roles at Ford Motor Company and Dana, overseeing engineering and operations for more than 120 facilities, in 26 countries. 

Dr. Lazreq holds a Ph.D. in Acoustics and Vibrations from the University of Technology of Compiègne, France, and a master's in engineering management from Wayne State University. He combines deep technical expertise with a passion for empowering teams and fostering innovation. 

“Joining Orange EV felt natural because of its technical leadership and commitment to sustainability,” said Dr. Lazreq. “I’m excited to build on the team’s strengths, enhance internal processes, and support a thriving team that drives our mission forward.” 

With the added expertise of Olivier Roubi and Dr. Zouhair Lazreq, Orange EV will continue to deliver the industry’s best-engineered terminal trucks, offering a turnkey solution that simplifies deployment and maximizes customer success. 

Orange EV | https://orangeev.com/