Navigating the Complex Landscape of Energy Storage Permitting

GenH2 Corp, a Path2 Hydrogen Company (FRA:PTHH.DE) and leader in liquid hydrogen infrastructure solutions, announced it will collaborate with the Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC) to develop a Mixed Refrigerant (MR) cryogenic refrigeration system for deployment at its Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub (KETH) R&D facility, with delivery targeted by the end of 2026.

The Mixed Refrigerant system will utilize a helium–neon refrigerant blend, enabling the examination of performance and behavior of mixed refrigerants deployed in a cryogenic cooling cycle relevant to hydrogen liquefaction. The system will support validation of thermodynamic models and process simulations developed by researchers within the FenEx CRC and determine the accuracy of predicted mixed refrigerant behavior under cryogenic operating conditions.

GenH2 will engineer the system to support a broad range of experimental scenarios, in various pressure and flow rate conditions, enabling the research team to conduct a wide variety of tests. The system will be skid-mounted, providing a compact footprint, efficient use of available space, and flexibility for transport, installation, and future reconfiguration within the R&D facility.

“This project represents another important milestone in our collaboration with FEnEx CRC to advance the efficiency of hydrogen liquefaction,” said Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2. “We are proud to apply our cryogenic expertise in support of research that will generate critical insights into mixed refrigerant performance and help enable scalable, cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure.”

The project builds upon the collaboration announced in November 2024, in which FEnEx CRC and GenH2 agreed to engineer and demonstrate a high-efficiency hydrogen liquefier with production capacity of up to 100 kg/day. The earlier initiative leverages GenH2’s proprietary reverse Brayton-cycle hydrogen liquefaction technology.

“This initiative is part of a project co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) that aims to demonstrate technologies and know-how that can lower the cost of hydrogen liquefaction. We will use this mixed refrigerant refrigeration system to further validate the process simulations and thermodynamic models that have been developed by researchers within the CRC,” said Eric May, CEO of FEnEx CRC. “By examining mixed refrigerant behavior under hydrogen-relevant cryogenic conditions, we will be better positioned to design improved, high-efficiency liquefaction cycles that can be scaled to much larger capacities.”

Together, the liquefier demonstration and the Mixed Refrigerant cryogenic refrigeration system form a complementary research platform at KETH, enabling deeper investigation of mixed refrigerant cooling cycles and supporting the development of more efficient and scalable hydrogen liquefaction technologies.

Delivery of the Mixed Refrigerant system in late 2026 will further strengthen the Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub’s role as a leading center for clean energy research and hydrogen export technology development.

FEnEx CRC | https://www.fenex.org.au

GenH2 | https://genh2.com/

Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) and Comstock Metals LLC (“Comstock Metals”), a leader in the responsible recycling of end-of-life solar panels with the only certified, North American, zero-landfill solution, announced that it has received its Written Determination Permit from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Sustainable Materials Management (NDEP-BSMM), for the processing of waste solar panels and photovoltaics for its industry-scale materials recovery facility located in Silver Springs, NV. This timely and final required approval results in a fully permitted operation and facility and keeps our scale up plans for commissioning this industry-first, large scale processing facility in Silver Springs, NV, right on schedule.

On January 5, 2026, Comstock Metals received a similar notification of approval for the associated Air Quality control permit. These last two permits, represent the complete scope of required regulatory approvals for commissioning the scale up of a facility designed for processing more than 3 million panels per year from one, continuous production line, representing up to 100,000 tons per year of waste materials being processed. This facility integrates technologies for efficiently crushing, conditioning, extracting, and recycling metal concentrates from photovoltaics. The Company previously ordered all of the equipment and received deliveries during Q4 2025 and remains on schedule for receiving the rest of the equipment, installing, testing, and commissioning this first of its kind industry-scale facility during the first quarter of 2026.

“We appreciate BSMM’s collaborative engagement in issuing the first industry-scale Written Determination permit for solar panel recycling, a key regulatory milestone that enables Nevada’s only zero-landfill, high-volume, end-of-life solar panel recycling solution serving the broader region,” said Dr. Fortunato Villamagna, President of Comstock Metals. “This authorization aligns with our original permitting timeline and reflects the effectiveness of our regulatory strategy, the strength of our relationships with regulators, and the successful execution of a complex, first-of-its-kind permitting process.”

Many of the U.S. solar panels have been deployed in the southwestern U.S., primarily California, Arizona, and Nevada, with decommissioning of these solar panels occurring now, accelerating supply and increasing the demand for environmentally responsible end-of-life solutions. Comstock has positioned itself to ensure the safe deconstruction and productive reuse of these important materials. Establishing our platform in Nevada establishes the leading solar recycling position over more than half the U.S. market for end-of-life panels and establishes a platform for rapid expansion across the rest of the United States.

“Comstock Metals is setting the global standard in solar panel recycling by creating a scalable, reliable, efficient, and optimized network of decommissioning, collecting, aggregating, storing and full-recovery processing (and ultimately refining) nodes designed and built for speed and scale,” said Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO of Comstock. “Most of the industry is still getting their heads around the magnitude of inevitable end of life panel dilemma, measured in the billions of panels, while we deploy and deliver a full end of life solution.”

Comstock I www.comstock.inc

GameChange Solar (GCS), a leading global supplier of single axis solar trackers announced the release of an updated version of its white paper "Reliable Hail Mitigation: Technical and Economic Optimization for Solar Trackers". The white paper provides a comprehensive overview of hail mitigation, including discussions on appropriate triggers for hail stow, hail stow tilt angles, wind coincident with hail, and a case study identifying the lowest LCOE based on different hail mitigation approaches.

The updated edition incorporates the results of a new study by CPP Wind Engineering Consultants regarding wind direction during hail events. The CPP study, which is summarized in the memo "Wind directionality during hail events" analyzes the wind direction within +/- 30 minutes of 137 hail events at a site in East Texas, USA and 48 hail events at a separate site in Queensland, Australia. CPP calculated that the vast majority of storms with hail, 75% or more, produce winds from both east as well as west sectors. The study concluded: "The storm direction of travel or the wind direction at ground level prior to the onset of hail are not reliable predictors of the hail direction as conditions change rapidly."

Based on this analysis, GameChange recommends that owners purchase trackers that are designed for wind loads acting on both the front face and rear side of the module. Furthermore, owners and insurers cannot assume that the modules are always facing away from the wind during a hail event, even for trackers that are able to stow to either the east or west on a storm-by-storm basis.

"We have a concern that some tracker OEMs in the industry are encouraging solar asset owners to put too much emphasis on the direction a tracker stows during a hail event," explains Scott Van Pelt, Chief Engineer at GameChange. "Our understanding, based on conversations with CPP and multiple insurers, is that it is far more important that the tracker be rotated to a steep tilt angle of at least 60 degrees and that the system be regularly tested to ensure the trackers reliably rotate to stow when there is a chance of hail in the forecast."

The white paper is available upon request from GameChange's website and was discussed at the Solar Insights event hosted by GameChange Solar in New York City last month.

GameChange Solar | www.gamechangesolar.com

Pacifico Energy Vietnam (“PEV”), the Vietnam-based development platform of Pacifico Energy Group (“PEG”), a leading global energy infrastructure developer, announced the commencement of commercial operations at its 30 MW Sunpro Wind Farm (“Sunpro”), adding new power capacity to Vietnam’s national grid, supporting the country’s transition to clean energy. Located in Thới Thuận Commune, Vĩnh Long Province in the Mekong Delta, Sunpro achieved commercial operations on December 19, 2025. PEG owns 100% of Sunpro, which is backed by a 20-year feed-in tariff with Vietnam Electricity Group (“EVN”), providing stable, long-term revenue.

“Sunpro’s commissioning represents a major milestone for Pacifico,” said Nate Franklin, Chairman of Pacifico Energy Group. “It underscores our long-term commitment to Vietnam’s energy security and sustainable growth, delivered through responsible project development, strict regulatory compliance, and close coordination with central and provincial authorities.”

Sunpro is PEG’s second operating power project in Vietnam, following the 40 MW Mũi Né Solar Power Plant. With Sunpro now operational, PEG continues to advance its 1GW energy development pipeline in partnership with local communities and stakeholders, supporting Vietnam’s long-term economic development and energy transition. Sunpro adds meaningful new generation capacity to Vietnam's regional power infrastructure, supplying power to 27,000 households.

“The achievement of commercial operations at Sunpro reflects disciplined execution and close coordination with government partners,” said Phạm Quốc Anh, Chief Executive Officer of Pacifico Energy Vietnam. “The project is now operating as planned and contributing reliably to Vietnam’s national grid.”

The project was financed with VND 750 billion ($28.5 million) in senior debt from Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank), one of Vietnam's four state-owned banks and the second-largest by total assets. VietinBank provided senior debt financing for engineering, procurement, and construction activities and the refinancing of existing shareholder loans.

Project Highlights:

• Gross Capacity: 30 MW
• Technology: Wind
• Wind Turbine Generator: Goldwind GW155-4.5MW
• Annual Generation: 89 GWh
• Total Investment: VND 1,600 billion

Pacifico Energy | www.pacificoenergy.com

CEBA, the Clean Energy Buyers Association, applauds Meta on its latest commitment to clean energy procurement — one of the largest corporate clean energy purchases in U.S. history. This investment of 6.6 GW of clean, reliable nuclear power onto the grid underscores how CEBA members are stepping up to meet rapidly growing electricity demand — supporting economic growth while strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the global technology race.

This announcement builds on the momentum of CEBA members' collective procurement of more than 24 GW of clean energy in 2025. Additionally, Meta's commitment to innovative advanced nuclear technology highlights a trend of corporate energy buyers driving solutions now and for the future. Last year, CEBA saw over 3 GW of corporate procurement of clean firm generation, such as nuclear, geothermal, and hydro.

While CEBA anticipates another banner year in 2026, CEBA and our members recognize that scaling these solutions will require continued progress on commonsense yet critical policies and market structures. Advancing these frameworks is essential to accelerating the deployment of low-cost, affordable, and carbon emissions–free power at the pace and scale the U.S. economy requires.

We commend Meta for its leadership and this important milestone, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive meaningful, durable progress toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

QUOTE FROM RICH POWELL, CEO, CEBA

"Meta's latest commitment — bringing 6.6 GW of reliable and advanced nuclear power to the grid — is one of the largest corporate purchases of clean energy in history and demonstrates the critical role energy buyers are playing in meeting growing electricity demand and supporting economic growth," said Rich Powell, CEBA CEO.

"This historic announcement builds on the more than 24 GW of clean energy procured by CEBA members last year and demonstrates how CEBA members are investing to meet growing electricity demand now and into the future. These investments support U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness, and we applaud Meta's leadership and look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver affordable, carbon emissions-free power that will strengthen grid reliability and accelerate clean energy deployment."

The Clean Energy Buyers Association | cebuyers.org 

The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) Education Fund has launched a new webinar series to expand its public education efforts on the benefits and opportunities of widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Titled the “Over-The-Air Update,” the series features regular 30-minute conversations with industry experts who explore timely topics and address common questions about EVs, batteries, and the supply chain.

The first webinar in the series is titled “Vehicle Economics: Trends, Costs, and Change” and will feature a conversation between Edmunds’ Head of Insights, Jessica Caldwell, and ZETA’s Research Director, Corey Cantor. The conversation will feature a data-driven discussion on how vehicle economics have changed in recent years and what those shifts mean for the future of the industry. Drawing on the latest industry data, the conversation will explore the forces influencing vehicle costs, including market dynamics, technology transitions, and growing global competition. 

The webinar will take place on Thursday, January 22 at 2:00 PM ET. Registration for this webinar is available here.

“The Over-The-Air Update series provides us with the opportunity to host conversations with experts from across the EV and battery ecosystem, and answer key questions that policymakers and the general public have about this advanced technology,” said Corey Cantor, Research Director at ZETA. “With a quarter of global new vehicle sales featuring electric drivetrains, it is more important than ever to discuss this industry and where it will go next.”

Previous webinars from the ZETA Education Fund have featured experts including: Ambassador Jayme White, Senior International Trade Advisor, and Josh Kagan, Special Counsel, at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP for a conversation on trade policy; Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive for a conversation on Q3 2024 sales data; and Dr. Andy Leach, Senior Associate, Energy Storage at BloombergNEF for a conversation on battery recycling.

ZETA Education Fund | https://www.zeta.org/education-fund

ContourGlobal celebrated the commissioning of one of the biggest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Eastern Europe in the Stara Zagora region, a major industrial and energy hub in central Bulgaria, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The event was attended by ContourGlobal’s CEO, Mr. Antonio Cammisecra, the Minister of Energy, Mr. Zhecho Stankov and the Deputy Mayor of Galabovo, Eng. Mr. Planen Barakova, as well as local authorities and representatives from the electricity sector, underscoring the strategic importance of the project for Bulgaria’s energy transition.

The 202 MW stand-alone BESS plant developed by ContourGlobal, one of the largest battery energy storage projects in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe with a total storage capacity of 500 MWh, has recently commenced operations. The facility is actively participating in both the day-ahead and intraday national electricity markets, supporting optimized power dispatch, improved balancing of electricity supply and demand, and the integration of renewable energy sources, while enhancing overall system stability and flexibility.

“ContourGlobal Maritsa BESS” project is funded by the European Union–NextGeneration EU through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Located on a 25,000 m² area inside the fence of the Maritsa East 3 (ME3 TPP) coal-fired power plant, the BESS facility leverages existing grid infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment and seamless integration into Bulgaria’s electricity network. The two remaining operational coal units of ME3 TPP continue to supply electricity during periods of peak demand, ensuring the country’s energy security. 

“The commercial operation of our 202 MW/500 MWh BESS plant represents a significant step forward for battery storage development in Bulgaria and underscores ContourGlobal’s ability to deliver large-scale storage solutions across different markets and technologies. We have built a sizeable presence in battery energy storage, with this project in Bulgaria representing a key contribution to our 3 GWh portfolio of operating BESS projects,” commented Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of ContourGlobal. “The successful commissioning of the plant in record time, led by local teams and supported by re-skilled personnel from the coal power plant, further strengthens our position as a leading operator in battery energy storage. Bulgaria has played a central role in achieving this milestone, and we look forward to continuing our growth in the country alongside local partners, while further investing in renewable energy and BESS projects”.

“The commissioning of this facility marks a decisive step in Bulgaria’s energy transformation,” said Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov, noting that such projects signify how innovation and existing industrial infrastructure can work together to strengthen grid stability, improve flexibility, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources. “By combining advanced storage technologies with a strategic location in one of our key energy regions, Bulgaria is sending a clear signal that is at the forefront of the energy transition in Southeast Europe,” Minister Stankov added. He emphasized that the investment enhances energy security, supports market-based operation, and creates a sustainable pathway for the evolution of traditional energy hubs such as Maritsa East. 

The BESS facility’s advanced technical features allow it to provide advanced grid services. It is equipped with the most recent battery technology, including 110 battery skids supplied by BYD and 28 combined Power Conversion System (PCS) and Transformer units, converting direct current (DC) from the batteries into alternating current (AC) for the grid. This represents BYD’s largest project in Eastern Europe to date.

The new BESS facility in the country also stands out for its exceptional execution timeline, having progressed from Final Investment Decision to COD in less than nine months, with construction and commissioning completed in just seven months and installation finalized in October 2025. This accelerated deployment reflects ContourGlobal’s ability to execute complex energy infrastructure projects at speed while maintaining high technical, health & safety, and operational standards, supported by the strength and expertise of its local BD and Engineering teams in Bulgaria, with a multi-contract approach with over 15 contractors and suppliers committed. 

Leveraging these same capabilities, the company is now developing a second 202 MW BESS on the same site as part of Phase II of a broader strategy to leverage on the thermal asset site to develop an integrated renewable energy hub. This approach enables ContourGlobal to further unlock the strategic potential of Stara Zagora’s major energy hub while advancing additional hybrid renewable projects, including photovoltaic generation combined with battery storage solutions, and reinforcing its long-term commitment with Bulgaria.

ContourGlobal | https://www.contourglobal.com/