Looking Ahead to 2026

Enabling connected devices in homes across Europe to enter standby mode will potentially save enough energy to power up to seventy new small data centers across the continent or the equivalent of a mid-size city, the Broadband Forum predicts.

The outcome of new power management standardization efforts will mean devices such as home gateways, repeaters, and set-top boxes, will be able to enter low-power, energy-saving or deep standby modes resulting in energy savings of up to 1.3 TWh (Terrawatt-hour)* in energy usage from homes across Europe, which is equivalent to powering the annual residential needs of cities, such as Athens, Copenhagen, or Lisbon.

“As connected homes grow increasingly sophisticated, energy efficiency is becoming a defining design consideration for broadband equipment,” said SoftAtHome Chief HGW Standardization Architect David Cluytens. “This work from the Broadband Forum reflects a collective global industry effort to align broadband technologies with sustainability objectives, such as those outlined in the French Energy Transition Law for Green Growth”, he continued.

The latest extensions embedded in the Broadband Forum’s TR-181 Issue 2 Amendment 20 Data Modelwill allow broadband service providers (BSPs) and manufacturers to design and introduce even smarter and more environmentally friendly products, while maintaining a high level of performance and service for customers.

The BBF’s TR-181 device data model, when used over a User Services Platform (USP/TR-369)-enabled network, introduces standardized mechanisms for controlling and monitoring power consumption of embedded network technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, xPON, and Thread. The TR-181 device data model allows BSPs to manage connected devices and ensures interoperability between devices and management software from different vendors.

“The latest power saving efforts highlight how the Broadband Forum’s members continue to look for ways to improve economic and environmental sustainability for the industry,” said Broadband Forum CEO Craig Thomas. “The TR-181 update represents a huge step forward for hitting sustainability targets in the years ahead.”

Significantly, remote power consumption monitoring for individual hardware components is enabled thanks to the update. The power management capability can be installed as a containerized solution in hardware from different vendors remotely.

The TR-181 update includes features such as Ethernet Energy Detect Power Down (EDPD), LED brightness management, CPU frequency scaling, and the ability to dynamically control the number of active Wi-Fi Rx/Tx antenna chains.

Read the latest blog article on the TR-181 update here.

Broadband Forum | https://www.broadband-forum.org/

Continental Battery Systems, North America’s leading wholly-owned distributor of aftermarket batteries serving automotive, commercial, and specialty markets, announced the appointment of Mike Harris as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Harris succeeds Chris Alberta, who will transition to Executive Chairman of the Board, where he will continue to support the company’s strategic path forward. Harris brings more than two decades of leadership experience in large-scale distribution, operations, and commercial growth. Most recently, he served as President of FleetPride, the nation’s largest independent distributor of heavy-duty aftermarket parts and service solutions. During his tenure, Harris led multiple functions of the business focused on operational excellence, enhancing the customer experience, supply chain optimization, and cultural alignment across a complex national footprint.

“Mike is a proven operator with deep experience scaling distribution platforms in the aftermarket space,” said Chris Alberta, Executive Chairman of the Board. “He is the ideal leader to guide CBS through its next phase of growth.”

CBS is backed by H.I.G. Capital and over the past two years has completed key integration and stabilization efforts — now focused on driving operational excellence, commercial execution, and leveraging its wholly owned and fully integrated national footprint to provide unique solutions to support customers across a broad range of end markets.

“I’m honored to join Continental Battery Systems and build on the progress the team has made,” said Harris. “CBS has a strong heritage, a differentiated national platform, and tremendous opportunity ahead. My focus will be on disciplined execution and empowering our teams to provide a best-in-class customer experience that delivers long-term sustainable growth.”

Continental Battery Systems | www.gocbs.com

Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), a leader in dry-type transformers and power quality solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Xavier Biot as Vice President, Strategic Accounts. 

In this role, he will lead HPS’s strategic account teams. He will partner with customers to align transformer and power quality solutions with evolving electrification, sustainability, and operational needs. His focus will be on helping customers improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term value in their energy infrastructure. 

Bringing more than 25 years of global leadership experience, Biot has held senior roles in sales, operations, and strategic market development. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Digital Energy & Power Products at Schneider Electric, overseeing P&L and delivering innovative solutions across homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industrial markets. 

“Xavier’s extensive experience and customer-focused approach make him an ideal leader for our strategic account teams,” said Dave Kinsella, Chief Commercial Officer at HPS. “His ability to translate strategy into action and build strong partnerships will directly benefit our customers as they navigate electrification and energy transition challenges.” 

Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles across Latin America, Pacific, Europe, and Canada, giving him a broad perspective on global markets and customer needs. Biot is recognized for building diverse, high-performing teams and fostering collaboration to deliver measurable results for customers. 

“I am excited to join Hammond Power Solutions at a time when electrification and decarbonization are critical,” said Xavier Biot. “HPS helps customers achieve their reliability, efficiency, and sustainability objectives, and I look forward to supporting them through outcome-based delivery that creates measurable value.” 

Hammond Power Solutions | https://americas.hammondpowersolutions.com/

Oceantic Network announced Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), as a keynote speaker for its annual International Partnering Forum (IPF), taking place February 9-12, in New York City. Ms. Harris will address attendees during the offshore energy conference’s Opening Plenary on Tuesday, February 10. She will be joined throughout IPF Week by more than 100 speakers across state government, academia and research, finance and law, emerging technology, and supply chain sectors. 

“Successful industry-government partnerships emphasize the critical role offshore wind plays in not only meeting state energy demands affordably and reliably but driving a host of economic benefits for local communities,” said Liz Burdock, President and CEO of Oceantic Network. “States continue to be steadfast partners to Oceantic and bring undeniable value to the industry now and into the future.” 

Doreen M. Harris, NYSERDA President and CEO, said, “I look forward to setting the stage for IPF’s dynamic lineup of speakers and kicking off valuable discussions around the offshore wind ecosystem––from ports and projects to supply chain and innovative technology solutions. New York is working to advance an affordable, abundant, reliable, and diverse clean energy future––as demonstrated through New York’s recent announcement of port infrastructure funding and by participating in events like this that provide a crucial forum to share and learn as we collectively chart a path forward.” 

A powerhouse lineup of state leaders and industry champions will also be present at IPF, representing a broad contingent of states that are driving the demand for offshore wind, collaborating to advance local supply chains, creating jobs, and accelerating American energy deployment. They include; Will Cox, Vice President Business Development and Investments at Rhode Island Commerce; Celina Cunningham, Deputy Director of the Maine Department of Energy Resources; Katie Dykes, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner; and Elizabeth Mahony, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resource. 

IPF is the premier technical and business conference for offshore wind and marine renewable energy, and this year’s program will feature an expanded focus on emerging ocean-based energy technologies and their alignment with the global offshore wind supply chain. Premier Tim Houston will also address attendees during the offshore energy conference’s Closing Plenary on Thursday, February 12, sharing Nova Scotia’s bold offshore energy vision and the province’s commitment to international collaboration. Notable industry players are sponsoring and attending the conference, including Clarksons, DEME, Flanders Investment & Trade, Latham & Watkins, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, McAllister Towing, National Grid Ventures, Port of Long Beach, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Turn Forward, Waterson Terminal Services, and WindServe Marine.   

“I’m excited for IPF because it’s where the ideas, partners, and momentum that shape the future of the ocean economy all come together,” said Will Cox, Vice President Business Development and Investments at Rhode Island Commerce. “Rhode Island has an incredible story to tell in offshore wind and marine innovation, and I’m looking forward to sharing how we’re building the next generation of ocean-tech leadership.” 

“I am looking forward to discussing Maine’s offshore wind research and collaborating with neighboring states and partners at IPF,” said Celina Cunningham, Deputy Director of the Maine Department of Energy Resources. “By sharing knowledge through forums like this, we can advance responsible offshore wind development, strengthen energy reliability, and deliver long-term benefits for Maine and the region.” 

“Offshore wind remains an important component of grid reliability in New England, and our efforts to make energy more affordable for our ratepayers,” said Katie Dykes, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner. “It strengthens America’s energy security, grows our economy, and supports local good-paying union jobs. I look forward to this important discussion of best practices, challenges, and possible solutions.”  

“IPF brings state policymakers and industry together for meaningful collaboration, and I look forward to the exchange of ideas and discussion around the future of our blue economy,” said Elizabeth Mahony, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. “Massachusetts helped lay the groundwork for U.S offshore wind, and the projects that developers want to build can lower costs for our ratepayers and create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic benefits for states.” 

2026 IPF - Energy at Sea will convene global leaders, developers, suppliers, and policymakers in New York City, expanding the conversation to include grid and transmission and the broad spectrum of ocean economy sectors, including tidal, wave, and floating solar energy technologies, networking and business development, and strategic dialogue. Exclusive sessions will spotlight state leadership, technical deep dives, and opportunities for collaboration across the offshore wind supply chain. Proceeds from IPF directly fund Oceantic Network’s work to expand the U.S. supply chain and deliver industry-leading, accredited education and collaboration platforms. 

For more information about 2026 IPF, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, visit the conference website. Hotel reservations can be made online under the official room block while availability lasts. 

Additional Information: 

• 2026 IPF Information 

• 2026 IPF Sponsorship 

• 2026 IPF Speaker List 

Attending journalists will have unique access to influential voices right in the heart of New York City. Members of the press can request a complementary pass to IPF here. 

 Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/

A U.S. judge for the Eastern District of Virginia has allowed the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project to resume work after granting their injunction request against the administration’s lease suspension and construction pause issued December 22, 2025. Judge Walker granted the injunction because the order was too broad to address the specific project and noted that the risks cited by the government pertained to wind farm operations, not construction. The Administration referenced undisclosed “national security concerns” that arose from a recent classified Department of War study alleging that turbine structures cause interference with military radar systems.

CVOW-Commercial, the largest commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S., is currently 67% complete and set to provide 2,587 MW of power generation to Virginia. The project’s supply chain stretches across more than 27 states and has driven more than $2 billion in domestic supply chain investments. More than 30 vessels, including newbuilds and retrofits from more than a dozen shipyards in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are supporting the project, including the delivery of the first U.S.-built Wind Turbine Installation Vessel assembled in Brownsville, Texas. The Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia underwent a $250 million conversion to become one of the largest offshore wind ports in that nation. Additionally, CVOW has created more than 2,000 direct and indirect American jobs to date.

In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement from CEO Liz Burdock: 

“The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is critical to securing not only Virginia’s electric grid, but the regional grid serving 67 million residents that depend on the continued, reliable delivery of electricity. Offshore wind stabilizes rising energy costs for local communities, creating jobs and strengthening our energy independence, underscoring the importance of building America’s energy infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand. The U.S. offshore wind industry has always worked closely with the federal government to ensure national security interests were prioritized in the siting and permitting of every project in federal waters. Oceantic applauds this result to get the project moving again to deliver reliable, affordable power and good-paying jobs to communities across the region that desperately need it.”

There are significant economic consequences associated with pausing the construction of the five U.S. projects during installation:

• Once operational, the five projects are expected to bring 8 GW of much-needed power generation online, enough for 2.5 million homes, and to help the states keep rising power costs in check.
• Stopping these projects means $30 billion of fully permitted economic activity has been paused and threatens more than $11 billion in supply chain assets that have spun up to support construction.
• Stopping these projects threatens at least 12,000 American jobs directly supporting their buildout.
• Construction of these projects has sparked more than 1,000 supply chain contracts to 675 unique American businesses across 41 states, spanning domestic shipyards, upgraded ports, and a massive resurgence in American steel. More than 24% are coming from Gulf suppliers.
• Building and maintaining these projects has initiated at least 40 new vessel orders or specialized retrofits, totaling nearly $2 billion in activity at American steel mills and shipyards.

This latest ruling follows recent industry court victories against the administration’s attempts to slow down offshore wind. This week, Empire Wind and Revolution Wind were allowed to resume work after injunction requests were granted against the administration’s lease suspension and stop construction order issued December 22, 2025. In December, a federal judge vacated the Administration’s previous permitting pause, ruling it unlawful. Sunrise Wind (924 MW) and Vineyard Wind 1 (800 MW) are still subject to the construction pause and lease suspension. Both have filed complaints to challenge the Order and await court hearings.

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/

The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to the news that Canada has reached an agreement with China to lower tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles:

“One in four new passenger vehicles sold in 2025 were electric. Today’s announcement that our friends in Canada have reached an agreement with China to lower tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, along with the previous announcement of a similar deal between China and the European Union, shows that the global automotive market’s interest in electric transportation remains strong. While each entity is entitled to negotiate trade deals in its own interest, this dramatic shift in policy shows that the United States’ auto policies are out of step with the global market and risk harming future American technological dominance and American jobs. 

“Electric vehicles are great products and popular with drivers. If the United States does not invest in them, our global competitors will. This is why it is so critical that we continue to invest in the electric vehicle and battery supply chain here at home.”

ZETA | https://www.zeta.org/

Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) (“Tigo” or “Company”), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, announced the Company has signed a certificate of compatibility with Weco S.r.l., documenting the compatibility between Tigo Flex MLPE products and hybrid solar inverters from Weco. The certification covers certain single-phase and three-phase Weco products and members of the Tigo TS4-A and TS4-X product families, when properly designed and installed. Together, these products are designed to deliver high-quality, enhanced value through a system that generates and manages solar energy more efficiently and delivers the features residential energy customers demand.

“The compatibility between our inverter solutions and Tigo optimizers represents a significant step forward for the entire industry, and confirms our commitment to simplifying the work of solar professionals,” said Federico Cusumano, R&D manager at Weco S.r.l. “Thanks to this certification, designers and installers can now benefit from greater sizing flexibility to optimize system configurations according to the precise requirements of each customer site. Together, Weco and Tigo are delivering a more integrated, intelligent energy ecosystem focused on long-term value for the end customer.”

The use of Tigo MLPE technology with hybrid inverters, such as those provided by Weco, enhances overall solar performance, particularly in installations that include partial shading, module mismatch, or constraints inherent to residential rooftop architecture and layout. With optimization from Tigo, solar systems become more efficient, versatile, and capable of delivering stable energy production even under non-ideal conditions. Tigo and Weco will host a joint webinar where installers can gain deeper insight into the two companies' product portfolios and explore real-world case studies that demonstrate how the technologies work together.

“For Tigo, this announcement is first and foremost about giving installers greater control at the module level without adding complexity to system design,” said Gal Bauer, senior director of validation, growth, and product management at Tigo Energy. “Certified compatibility with Weco inverters ensures that Tigo Flex MLPE technology can be deployed exactly where it delivers the most value, while maintaining a smooth commissioning process and predictable system behavior. This is yet another concrete example of how Tigo continues to build an open ecosystem that prioritizes safety, flexibility, and long-term system performance.”

A complete list of Weco products certified for use with Tigo MLPE products is available at the Tigo MLPE compatibility page, here. Installers are invited to sign up for the joint technical webinar with Tigo and Weco representatives here, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5 at 4:30 p.m. CET. Information about the Tigo TS4 range of Flex MLPE can be found on the Tigo product page, and commercial inquiries can be made via the sales contact form, here.

Weco | https://wecobatteries.com/

Tigo Energy | www.tigoenergy.com