.png?r=2503)
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.
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
Women in Construction Week will be held March 2-8, to celebrate and promote the role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) held the first WIC Week in 1998, and it has grown each year since.
Brass Knuckle, maker of PPE including eyewear, gloves, and ergonomic support, celebrates alongside these women. The construction industry is vital to the nation’s economic and structural growth, and these talented women in construction bring fresh perspectives and crucial development to the industry.
Brass Knuckle’s protective eyewear is engineered to protect all workers – in construction and many other types of hard, physical work – from debris, fog, UV rays, and moisture. However, two types are specifically geared toward the needs of women.
Brass Knuckle Pink Grasshopper (BKDST-1010PN) has a soft EVA foam dust filter with built-in air channels that fill the gap between the glasses and the face to keep dust out. This dust gasket is easily removed to quickly transform Pink Grasshopper into standard protective eyewear. It’s also fully dielectric (no metal anywhere) for an extra measure of safety. The super-flex temples hug the face in a European-inspired, sporty design, and Brass Knuckle’s proprietary BK-Anti-FOG protection meets or exceeds the most stringent anti-fog standard.
Brass Knuckle Dawn (BKFIX-3080) eyewear features a lens precision-cut to accent the cheekbone, with a universally flattering clear frost temple. But the delicate styling and sunrise-pink accents in the temple tips and nosepiece are the only things soft about this eye protection. This is sturdy, strong, and rugged ANSI-rated protective eyewear sized and styled distinctly for women. It includes standard anti-fog protection plus abrasion, chemical, and UV resistance. Its ultra-light weight makes Dawn an ideal choice for all-comfort, all-day protection.
Brass Knuckle | https://www.brassknuckleprotection.com/
Omnidian (“the Company”), a leading provider of performance assurance for renewable energy assets, announced its acquisition of Solar Service Guys Pty Ltd (“Solar Service Guys” or “SSG”), headquartered in Brisbane, Australia and one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of system lifecycle service and support for residential and commercial solar investors. This strategic acquisition strengthens Omnidian’s presence in the Australian market—the world's leading solar market per capita—and expands its service offerings and coverage to better serve clients and partners across the region.
Under the terms of the agreement, SSG will join Omnidian as a fully integrated subsidiary, operating within Omnidian’s Australian arm. This partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise, resources, and customer bases of both organizations to deliver enhanced service solutions, improved support, and innovative developments in renewable energy asset lifecycle management. Omnidian brings their purpose-built machine learning technology solution and AI-enabled analytics to deliver actionable business insights to renewable energy investors in the Australian market.
“We are thrilled to welcome the talented team at Solar Service Guys into the Omnidian group,” said Mark Liffmann, CEO of Omnidian. “This acquisition marks a major milestone in our international growth, and in our commitment to investing in the Australian market and providing best-in-class solar support and services to our customers. Together, we will drive growth, innovation, and new opportunities for clients and employees alike.”
The newly combined organization will focus on delivering comprehensive services and solutions to customers across the residential, commercial, and utility solar markets, ensuring rapid remediation of any potential asset issues. With SSG’s local market expertise and deep industry knowledge, Omnidian is poised to broaden its portfolio and offer enhanced capabilities to meet evolving customer demands.
“As we join forces, we look forward to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration to deliver on an amazing customer experience,” said Peter Matthews, Founder & CEO of Solar Service Guys. “By integrating our knowledge of the Australian market and our nationwide service platform with Omnidian’s global reach and innovative technology—trained on over 380,000 asset years of data—we will create a powerful platform that benefits our existing clients and drives new growth opportunities.”
The acquisition underscores Omnidian’s ongoing commitment to international expansion and solidifies its position as a key player in the renewable energy asset lifecycle management marketplace.
“From the beginning, Omnidian’s goal was to become the worldwide leader in performance assurance for IoT-enabled distributed clean energy assets,” said Raymond Szylko, Chief Strategy Officer at Omnidian. “This acquisition is a precursor to our continued expansion into new geographies over the next few years, with research in the EU, LATAM, and other markets ongoing.”
Immediate next steps for both parties moving forward is working together to ensure a smooth transition for employees, partners, and clients. With a strong belief in the importance of local expertise and leadership, David Pethick will transition from General Manager of Omnidian Australia, into the role of President of the combined Australia entity.
Omnidian | https://www.omnidian.com/
Solar Service Guys | https://www.solarserviceguys.com.au/
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America (AGP-North America), an operating business of Ardagh Group, celebrated the completion of the 13 megawatt (MW) DC solar project that will soon supply its Madera, Calif. facility with clean energy. The Madera solar field, built, owned and operated by Longroad Energy, will deliver renewable energy to Ardagh's glass manufacturing facility, accounting for approximately 20 percent of the facility's electricity demand.
In collaboration with Longroad, partners that made the solar facility a success include First Solar, Valta Energy, McCarthy Building Companies, Nevados and A-C Electric Company.
"Longroad Energy is pleased that our solar project will help AGP-North America to meet its impressive sustainability goals," said Eric Barnhart, VP, Corporate Development at Longroad Energy. "We are proud to collaborate with AGP-North America and contribute to a clean and more resilient future."
Ardagh hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the solar facility.
Leticia Gonzalez, Chairwoman, Supervisor District 4, and Nick Salinas, Chief of Staff, from the Madera County Board of Supervisors, presented Ardagh with a Certificate of Recognition for completion of the solar field.
Watch the drone footage of the impressive 55-acre solar field.
"This renewable electricity project in Madera is a testament to Ardagh's commitment to sustainability," said Brian Brandstatter, President and CEO of AGP-North America. "Beyond protecting the environment, we are investing in our local community and our customers. By enhancing our sustainability efforts, we are ensuring long-term value, reliability and cost-effective solutions for the brands that rely on us. This initiative underscores our dedication to being a responsible and forward-thinking glass container manufacturer in California."
Ardagh is committed to adding renewable energy in the regions in which we operate to further reduce our carbon footprint. In 2019, Ardagh partnered with KDC Solar on a state-of-the-art solar field at Ardagh's Bridgeton, N.J., glass production facility.
Ardagh Glass Packaging | https://www.ardaghgroup.com/glass/americas/our-markets/
Longroad Energy | https://www.longroadenergy.com/
Fortress Power, a global leader in energy storage solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its newest product, eForce—a modular, stackable and VPP ready energy storage system designed to meet the evolving needs of homeowners and businesses seeking advanced and reliable power solutions.
The eForce is built to deliver unmatched performance and flexibility. With its robust all-weather design and user-friendly features, eForce ensures a seamless energy experience while optimizing storage efficiency. Each 9.6kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery module offers unparalleled durability and fast charging capabilities, delivering 8,000+ cycles.
“Fortress Power is renowned for delivering durable and reliable energy storage solutions to both off-grid and grid-tied customers across North and Latin America,” said Matthew Daniel, Product Manager for eForce. “eForce represents a major step forward for Fortress Power and for the energy storage market as a whole.”
eForce seamlessly integrates key components to enhance efficiency and streamline installation. At the heart of the system is the eWay—a specialized wireway equipped with built-in busbars, conduit ports, and an emergency switch, simplifying system connectivity. For even greater functionality, the Fortress Power Envy True 12kW inverter bolts directly onto the eWay, creating a sleek and efficient energy storage tower that optimizes space and performance. Each battery module is connected through two Wireless Quick Plugs, making adding battery capacity effortless.
Key Features of the eForce:
“We’ve designed it to not only deliver superior performance and safety but to also simplify installation and operation for dealers and installers,” added Daniel. “eForce will help our partners reduce installation times and boost their productivity, through Wireless Quick Plug and Integrated Design concept.”
For dealers and installers, eForce is a game-changer. Its intuitive design reduces installation times, allowing for increased job bookings and better overall efficiency.
Homeowners and businesses can monitor and control their eForce systems anytime and anywhere using the Fortress Power Guardian Monitor, paired with the Guardian App available on both the App Store and Google Play.
Fortress Power | www.fortresspower.com
Alternative Energies Feb 24, 2025
For fuel cell-powered transportation, the future hinges on investment in six key areas As a transportation mode that uses the universe’s most abundant element, one that’s renewable and yields zero tailpipe emissions other than water, hydrogen-....
As clean energy adoption continues to grow, the logistics of retrofitting existing buildings for solar energy have become an important topic for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and capitalize on financial incentives. Retrofitting,....
When you spend most of your time talking to farmers and folks in rural America, the biggest thing you’ll learn is this: It is harder than ever to be a farmer. In a business with already razor thin margins, equipment and supplies have significantly ....
Around 20-30 percent of solar installations are impacted by main panel limitations. NEC’s 120% rule often necessitates expensive main panel upgrades, potentially costing $2,000 to $5,000 or more with labor, permitting, and additional electrical wor....
The diversity of applications requiring ....
Anybody out there have a crystal ball? A....
As electrification expands around the gl....
Significant advancements in battery technology—including lithium-ion, solid-state, and other emerging technologies have occurred in recent years as was recently acknowledged by institutions such as the International Energy Agency and BloombergNEF([....
The move toward green, clean, sustainable energy will require a massive investment in research and development (R&D) to develop the innovations that will accelerate the modernization of North America’s electrical grids. Advancements in Battery ....
With the increase of electric vehicles on the road, there is growing demand for EV chargers. Drivers are left with a few different options: they can use a public charger, they can charge at work if they are lucky enough to have that option, or they c....
For fuel cell-powered transportation, the future hinges on investment in six key areas As a transportation mode that uses the universe’s most abundant element, one that’s renewable and yields zero tailpipe emissions other than water, hydrogen-....
As the global energy transition marches on, hydrogen remains a promising energy carrier for a decarbonized system. Demand for clean hydrogen is expected to increase two to four times by 2050, facilitating the shift to a carbon neutral grid and cleane....
For manufacturers looking to spearhead our sustainable energy future, electrolyzers represent an attractive — albeit elusive — solution to the need for efficient green energy production. Attractive because electrolyzers have been deemed by expert....
