Protect Your Yield

U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) led 54 of his colleagues in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the Department of Defense’s halt of its review process for wind energy projects which has led to an effective halt on all wind development. 

In the letter, the members cite reports that Department of Defense (DoD) reviews for wind energy projects have inexplicably halted at all stages of the approval process, delaying the construction of affordable, reliable domestic energy projects. 

The lawmakers requested answers as well as immediate corrective action for the delays. They also requested a briefing from the DoD to better understand the basis for the delays and the impact they could have on energy costs, domestic energy production, and ongoing development projects.

These delays come as Americans face rising energy costs and there is increased demand for affordable, reliable energy.

The letter is signed by Gabe Amo (RI-01), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sean Casten (IL-06), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jim Himes (CT-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), William R. Keating (MA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Marc A. Veasey (TX-33).

You can read the full text of the letter here and below. 

Dear Secretary Hegseth and Assistant Secretary Marks:

We write to express our deep concerns that the Department of Defense’s (Department’s) process for wind energy projects has effectively resulted in a de facto moratorium on new development. Developers report that the process has stalled at all stages of the Department’s review process, including initial determinations of whether there is a presumed risk, mitigation negotiations for projects determined to present such a risk, execution of mitigation agreements, countersignature by the Assistant Secretary on final agreements, and the issuance and transmittal of those determinations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Delaying the construction of new energy projects threatens both American energy independence and national security, and it is critical for mitigation agreements to be completed in an efficient manner.

Because all land-based wind energy projects are referred by the FAA to the Department—and the FAA will not issue a final determination absent a transmittal back from the Department—these breakdowns effectively halt all new projects. Developers cannot proceed to construction without an FAA determination of no hazard, as doing so creates unacceptable liability risk. The continued functioning of this process is essential to safeguarding national and energy security by enabling wind energy Development.

Congress directed the Department to create a Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse (SCH) to evaluate the impacts of proposed energy projects, including wind, on military operations and readiness. The expectation was that any identified risks would be addressed through mitigation—not by halting projects outright unless mitigation is not possible, which has occurred only in exceedingly rare instances. Historically, this process functioned in a routine, expedited, and predictable manner. Many projects quickly determined to present ‘no hazard,’ and where potential impacts were identified, developers worked with the Department to implement mitigation measures, typically through standardized agreements. These agreements were then transmitted to the FAA to inform its determination regarding construction in the national airspace, enabling the safe and efficient development of wind energy.

That process has effectively ceased functioning. Developers report that mitigation discussions are not being scheduled or are being canceled without rescheduling; draft mitigation agreements are no longer being issued even after successful negotiations; and executed agreements are not being countersigned or transmitted to FAA. Even where projects pose no identified risk and determinations would typically be routine administrative clearances by the Department in the FAA system, there are reports that such determinations are not being provided to the FAA.

Taken together, these actions have effectively brought the entire Departmental review process for wind energy projects, and other energy infrastructure like transmission towers, to a standstill. Nearly 200 projects are currently stalled in the Department’s review pipeline, including at least 35 that are just waiting on a Department countersignature on a fully negotiated mitigation agreement, at least 30 that have successfully completed verbal mitigation negotiations with career uniformed personnel in the affected service but are waiting on the Department to send the draft agreement, and the balance of which are impacted by the cancellation of mitigation response team meetings and the failure to process any Department clearances in the FAA system. As a result, the Department’s process is not only affecting projects requiring mitigation, but also preventing advancement of the many projects that present no risk to military operations and readiness.

Bringing these projects online would enhance American energy independence and support national security through helping to meet rising energy demand, which would lower energy costs for consumers while supporting grid reliability. American Clean Power Association (ACP), a trade organization of energy developers, estimates that preventing the construction of new wind energy would cost the U.S. electricity system an additional $361 billion over the next 25 years. These stalled projects represent at least 30 gigawatts of wind energy capacity at risk, approximately $54 billion in capital investment, and roughly 150,000 jobs. At a time when energy prices are rising, we need to be working across the federal government to ensure we are building energy generation efficiently and safely. We urge the Department to join us in this effort and complete the mitigation agreements.

While we recognize that the Department’s review of potential impacts on military operations and readiness is an important and complex responsibility, the current situation represents an unexplained and significant departure from longstanding practice. We request a prompt classified briefing to understand the basis for these developments, including any new policies, guidance, or review frameworks contributing to this outcome, as well as the steps and timeline for restoring the review process. Given the breadth and impact of these disruptions, timely clarification and corrective action are critical.

Office of Seth Magaziner | https://magaziner.house.gov/

Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, and EDF power solutions North America, an entity of the EDF Group, announced the signing of a five-year framework agreement under which EDF power solutions will have the ability to procure up to 4 gigawatt hours (GWh) of DC Block battery energy storage systems (BESS) annually, representing a total potential volume of up to 20 GWh over the term of the agreement.

The framework agreement positions Ford Energy as a key BESS supplier for EDF power solutions’ growing portfolio of grid-scale energy storage projects across the United States. Deliveries under the agreement are expected to begin in 2028.

The agreement underscores the scale of demand emerging for domestically supplied, utility-grade energy storage and reflects both companies’ commitment to accelerating the deployment of reliable, long-duration storage infrastructure that strengthens the U.S. power grid.

“This agreement with EDF power solutions validates the market’s need for a BESS supplier that combines industrial-scale manufacturing discipline with full lifecycle accountability,” said Lisa Drake, president, Ford Energy. “We are not simply delivering hardware. We are delivering the kind of predictable quality and long-term operational confidence that grid operators and large-scale developers require. Ford Energy was purpose-built to serve customers who cannot afford uncertainty in their energy storage supply chain.”

“As we continue to expand our energy storage portfolio, supply chain reliability and product quality are paramount,” said Tristan Grimbert, CEO, EDF power solutions North America. “Ford Energy’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and its rigorous approach to traceability and lifecycle support align with the standards we hold across our portfolio. This framework agreement gives us the supply visibility and product confidence we need to execute at the pace the energy transition demands.”

The Ford Energy DC Block is a standardized, 20-foot containerized energy storage system with a rated capacity of 5.45 MWh per unit. The system utilizes 512 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic cells and is available in 2-hour and 4-hour discharge configurations, with an operating voltage range of 1,040–1,500 VDC and integrated liquid-cooled thermal management. The DC Block is designed for utility-scale applications including frequency regulation, voltage support, energy arbitrage, peak load shifting, demand response, backup power, and microgrid integration.

Ford Energy | https://www.fordenergy.com/

EDF power solutions | www.edf-re.com

ZX Lidars welcomes the release of a positioning statement from Nordex Group confirming acceptance of ZX ground-based Lidars for standalone use in wind turbine site suitability assessments across a wide range of terrains. The positioning statement represents a significant milestone in the wider acceptance of Lidar technology by a turbine manufacturer and marks another major step forward in the adoption of Lidar across the wind industry.

For more than a decade, the wind industry has worked to establish Lidar as a bankable alternative to traditional meteorological masts. Independent engineers, lenders and technical advisors now widely support the use of Lidar-based measurements for wind energy assessment and project financing. OEM acceptance for turbine site suitability and loading assessments has, until recent announcements, also been a required further step for wider adoption of standalone Lidar deployments.

Nordex’s statement confirms that ZX Lidar products, using ZX’s free-to-use METICE (Multi-Site Ensemble Turbulence Intensity Cup Equivalent) turbulence intensity conversion methodology, are accepted for use in flat, hilly and slightly complex terrain. The ZX METICE approach uses readily available data already collected on ZX 300 and ZX 300e to provide cup-equivalent turbulence intensity derived from the Lidar measurements. The approach has been developed through extensive collaborative validation work between ZX Lidars and the wind community across a broad range of countries and terrain conditions.

“This is a hugely important step for the industry,” said Alex Woodward, Managing Director at ZX Lidars. “For years, the sector has been proving that Lidar can deliver bankable wind measurements. The next challenge has been ensuring turbine OEMs can also accept Lidar data, specifically turbulence intensity. Nordex’s announcement demonstrates the progress that has been made through deep technical efforts across the industry, through collaboration. It is another step forward in Lidar being a fully mainstream measurement technology throughout the wind energy sector.”

Read Nordex Positioning statement here.  

ZX Lidars | https://www.zxlidars.com/

NoMIS Power Corporation, a leader in advanced Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductor technology, announced its participation as an industry partner in a three-year, $2.5 million project led by Michigan State University (PI: Dr. Omid Beik) to develop high-voltage SiC-based Neutral Point Clamped Power Electronics Building Blocks (NPC-PEBBs) as vendor-agnostic, plug-and-play submodules for modular valves in multiport multiterminal HVDC (MT-HVDC) converters. The project was selected under the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) Disruptive DC Converters for Grid Resilient Infrastructure to Deliver Sustainable energy (DC-GRIDS) program and will leverage NoMIS Power's 3.3 kV SiC MOSFET portfolio, including its upcoming 25 mΩ 3.3 kV device.

The project consortium includes NoMIS Power, EPRI, OPAL-RT Technologies, GE Grid Solutions, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Salt River Project, and Minnesota Power. The DC-GRIDS program targets transformative HVDC technologies that could substantially expand U.S. transmission capacity to support electrification, surging demand from data centers, and integration of resources such as offshore wind. MT-HVDC converters are the backbone of long-distance, high-capacity power transmission and the leading architecture for high-capacity data center power delivery, cross-region grid links, and offshore wind interconnection.

NoMIS Power's 3.3 kV SiC portfolio at the heart of the NPC-PEBB 

The NPC-PEBB submodules at the core of this project — rated 6.6 kV / 2.5 kA — will be built using NoMIS Power's U.S.-designed 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs and power modules. The architecture is designed to capitalize directly on NoMIS' expanding 3.3 kV roadmap, anchored by the previously released NoMIS N3PT080MP330 (3.3 kV, 80 mΩ, 34 A) and extending through the forthcoming 50 mΩ and 25 mΩ 3.3 kV MOSFETs that will complete the suite. The 25 mΩ 3.3 kV device is expected to be a particularly strong fit for HVDC submodule applications, where the lowest possible on-resistance translates directly into reduced conduction losses, higher converter efficiency, and improved thermal headroom at MT-HVDC valve current levels.

NoMIS Power's role in the project 

NoMIS Power will lead the program's SiC device-level packaging, coordinating all packaging tasks and supporting NPC-PEBB assembly. NoMIS engineers will also lead electrical testing, screening, and performance characterization of SiC devices and power modules feeding into NPC-PEBB assembly and demonstration. The work will be performed at NoMIS Power's facility within the Albany Nanotech Complex in Albany, NY.

The NPC-PEBB approach delivers a step-change over conventional Si IGBT-based half-bridge submodules, including a 3-level 6.6 kV output (versus 2-level 4.5 kV), full DC fault current blocking, a 60% reduction in submodule capacitor size via an advanced multilevel space vector modulation strategy, and improved efficiency, power density, and reliability across the valve and converter.

3.3 kV SiC supply available to other DC-GRIDS teams and global power electronics developers 

Beyond this consortium, NoMIS Power's 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs and power modules are available as supply to other DC-GRIDS teams, as well as to broader medium- and high-voltage power electronics developers. NoMIS supports evaluation, design-in, and custom packaging engagements, including guidance on transitioning from legacy IGBT-based platforms to SiC.

"MT-HVDC is foundational to the future of the U.S. grid, and our 3.3 kV SiC portfolio — culminating with the upcoming 25 mΩ device — is purpose-built for exactly this class of application," said Dr. Adam Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO of NoMIS Power. "We're proud to support Dr. Beik and the Michigan State-led team with U.S.-designed SiC MOSFETs, modules, and packaging expertise, and we welcome the opportunity to supply other DC-GRIDS teams advancing modular valves and converter substation technologies for multiterminal HVDC."

NoMIS Power | https://nomispower.com/ 

Siemens unveiled its advanced on-site microgrid at its Wendell, North Carolina facility with an official “power on” ceremony. Integrated into the company’s U.S. Electrification and Automation headquarters, the 1.25-megawatt microgrid combines a solar photovoltaic carport array paired with a 3.9-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. The microgrid, together with other campus-wide energy saving initiatives, enabled the Wendell site to achieve fully carbon-neutral operations while reducing the overall grid energy consumption by 2.5 MWh annually. The project underscores Siemens' unwavering commitment to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 and represents a significant advancement for sustainable manufacturing in the United States. 

The Wendell microgrid significantly improves operational resilience, helping protect the factory from grid outages that threaten production of vital medium-voltage power equipment. As one of the largest solar + storage industrial microgrids interconnected with Duke Energy’s distribution network in the Carolinas, the system can participate in net energy metering, exporting excess electricity back to the grid to support other customers. This capability not only strengthens energy reliability at the Wendell campus but also contributes to broader grid stability for the surrounding community.

“There is no question that we must do more to lower energy costs for North Carolinians and strengthen the resilience of our electric grid,” said Congresswoman Ross. “I’m grateful to see Siemens stepping up in Wendell with innovative investments that will expand clean, reliable energy. In Congress, I will keep working to advance commonsense solutions that drive down costs and accelerate North Carolina’s clean energy future.”

Built using Siemens products, the microgrid solution consists of the company’s SICAM A8000 Microgrid Controller, fire protection solutions, low-voltage switchboards, low-voltage bolted pressure switches, KACO string inverters, SIPROTEC universal relays, among other hardware solutions. From the software side, Siemens’ Desigo building management system and Electrification X cloud analytics enable seamless communication between the microgrid and the facility’s building management systems. On-site Siemens VersiCharge electric vehicle chargers are also connected into the microgrid, enabling EVs to be charged via self-generated solar energy while showcasing real-time charging statuses and dynamic load management as part of the site’s Customer Experience Center. 

“The microgrid that we’ve integrated here at our Wendell campus is one of the more advanced microgrids installed in the market today,” said Brian Dula, Siemens USA’s President of Electrification and Automation. “It’s a true showcase of Siemens’ end-to-end portfolio of products, from generation to consumption and demonstrates not only how we’re making our own operations more efficient but also displays what we can do for our customers.”

Siemens is advancing energy resilience and sustainability not only within its own operations, but for industry and infrastructure customers across the U.S., and alongside partners like Wake Technical Community College. Together, Siemens and Wake Tech are developing a future on-campus microgrid that will support reliable, efficient energy while creating new opportunities for students and workforce training.

“Given the strong growth we’re experiencing across the regions we serve, protecting customer reliability in a cost-effective manner is a core focus of Duke Energy’s grid modernization efforts,” said Venu Ghanta, Duke Energy’s vice president of North Carolina regulatory affairs and policy. “We’ve had a tremendous partnership for decades with Siemens, and we appreciate their focus on delivering solutions that improve grid resiliency.” 

In addition to the on-site microgrid, the Wendell headquarters recently opened its interactive Customer Experience Center, workforce training Power Academy classrooms, conference center, and expanded manufacturing lines. The facility has added hundreds of new roles over the past several years and plans to continue expanding its workforce through 2028 and beyond.

Siemens | https://www.siemens.com/en-us

On the shores of Sydney, the Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal (ACBT) was built for the rugged, predictable world of coal and bulk commodities. But as the offshore wind industry began eyeing the eastern seaboard, it brought with it a new kind of cargo: turbine blades 100 meters long, roughly the length of a football field, that are as fragile as they are immense.

For Robert Eykhout, Project Sales Manager at Sarens, the challenge wasn't just moving these "frangible giants." It was proving that Sydney’s existing, privately-funded infrastructure could handle them without crumbling under the pressure. As the commercial and technical lead responsible for developing offshore wind customers' logistics solution, Eykhout had to convince offshore wind clients that engineered solutions could bridge the gap between legacy docks and next-generation logistics.

The Architecture of the Quayside

In the heavy-lift world, the greatest enemy isn't the weight of the load; it’s the capacity of the ground to push back. Modern offshore wind components require massive crawler cranes, but the quayside at a legacy port isn't always prepared for the concentrated force of a 660-tonne machine.

Eykhout and his engineering teams arrived in May 2025 with a plan to "re-engineer" the site's physics. They deployed a 660 ton capacity crawler crane, rigged with a massive "Superlift" tray to balance the weight. By implementing sophisticated load-bearing mitigation, a surgical distribution of weight across the pier, the team allowed this titan to live on the water’s edge for ten months. This crane became the permanent anchor for the project, waiting for the arrival of the specialized installation vessels that would carry these blades to their final home at sea.

The Midnight Hand-Off

When an installation vessel finally docks, the clock becomes the most expensive variable in the equation. These vessels are marvels of maritime engineering, but their efficiency is entirely dependent on the speed of the shore-side operation.

The load-out was a synchronized dance. A tandem lift coordinated Sarens’ land-based crane with the vessel’s own lifting systems. It required a level of communication that left no room for error: two cranes, one 100-tonne blade, and a narrow window of time to meet tight delivery schedules.

The Economics of the Shore

Beyond the steel and the cranes, the project breathed a different kind of life into Cape Breton. Offshore wind is often discussed in terms of megawatts, but in the local diners and hotels, it was discussed in terms of people.

An installation vessel is a floating village, often housing a crew of up to 150 specialists. When the vessel docked, that village moved ashore. These crews, alongside Sarens’ own specialized teams, filled local hotels and frequented restaurants, creating a consistent surge in the local service economy. From the local procurement of technical consumables to the mobilization of port labor, the project integrated the town of Sydney into the global green energy supply chain.

A New Blueprint

By the time the project wrapped up in February 2026, the narrative around Atlantic Canada’s ports had shifted. The success in Sydney demonstrated that the region doesn't need to wait for multi-billion dollar "super-ports" to be built from scratch.

"The pieces for offshore wind success are already here," Eykhout notes. Through early engineering involvement and a willingness to solve for local constraints, Sarens showed that legacy infrastructure can be transformed into a strategic asset.

As the crawler was finally dismantled, it left behind more than just an empty pier; it left a proven blueprint for how specialized logistics can support the weight of the future.

Sarens | https://www.sarens.com/