The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that by 2050, renewables will account for 27 percent of primary energy consumption, thanks to new technologies that will make renewable energy more cost-effective. According to The American Clean Power Association, nearly 16 percent of all electricity produced in the United States originated from wind, solar, and energy storage plants; in 2025, solar power generation will grow 75 percent, ....
Cyberattackers love renewables. This is because they meet many of the key characteristics that make them prime targets. First, renewables pioneer and employ new technology. Threat actors feed off new technology because it allows them to target vulnerabilities that have not yet been discovered. Second, renewable operations are spread out over large distances, often in remote locations. This drives a dependency on renewables for remote connectivity....
Community solar brings clean energy to all people. It enables anyone to support and benefit from solar, even if they can’t or don’t want to install rooftop panels. The democratizing potential of community solar uniquely enables energy equity in, while also driving towards, a renewable energy future. But in many states, the community solar customer experience includes unnecessary complications. These pitfalls hinder access for the low- and ....
In March of this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) provided new data to show just how significant the increase in renewable energy has been across the world. Not only are solar, wind, and other forms of clean energy dominating the options available, but they are reducing and eliminating polluting forms of energy generation as well. The environmental benefits of this rise in the deployment of renewables are creati....
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Energy Storage
Accure Battery Intelligence
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GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) announced the launch of its latest innovation, FACTSFLEX GFMe, an advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) solution aimed at strengthening power grids and facilitating the increased use of renewable energy sources.
FACTSFLEX GFMe combines GE Vernova’s proven STATCOM technology with advanced supercapacitors to stabilize the grid more effectively by enabling active power via energy storage.This combination allows rapid response to grid disturbances on the grid, which is especially important in areas with weaker infrastructure or high levels of renewable energy. By improving grid stability, FACTSFLEX GFMe supports the reliable operation of power systems and helps drive the global shift toward cleaner energy. The solution is now available globally.
“Our grid is undergoing its most significant transformation in over a century, driven by the rise of renewable energy sources like solar and wind,” said Johan Bindele, Leader of Grid Systems Integration business at GE Vernova. “This transformation brings new challenges, particularly the intermittent nature of renewables, which can lead to voltage fluctuations and grid instability. With FACTSFLEX GFMe, we are introducing a solution that leverages supercapacitor technology alongside our proven STATCOM systems to re-create the inertia which is being lost through the retirement of traditional thermal power generation, ensuring stable and reliable grid operations as we transition to a cleaner energy future.”
How FACTFLEX GFMe works?
Beyond its reactive power compensation capabilities, FACTSFLEX GFMe employs supercapacitor-based energy storage to emulate inertia by injecting or absorbing active power. This allows grid operators more advanced options to automatically and instantly support the stability of the grid. The system is based on a double star configuration, enabling high voltage energy storage integration. This modular and scalable solution is adaptable to meet the varied needs of different projects.
FACTSFLEX GFMe offers superior voltage and active power performance compared to battery-based options. Active power is scalable, with a typical rating of 150 MW for several seconds. Reactive power capabilities can be tailored to customer requirements, with continuous ratings of typically around 300 Mvar.
In addition to FACTSFLEX GFMe, GE Vernova’s STATCOM portfolio, recently rebranded FACTSFLEX STATCOM, also includes
FACTSFLEX Classic, GE Vernova’s original STATCOM solution with an extensive and proven install base
and FACTSFLEX GFM, a grid-forming STATCOM that provides instantaneous natural reactive power injection for grid disturbances for advanced grid stability.
Complete portfolio of FACTFLEX can be found here.
GE Vernova | https://www.gevernova.com/
Nearly half of senior energy professionals plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven applications into their operations in the coming year, according to a new report from DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider. Published today, DNV’s latest Energy Industry Insights special report, “Leading a data-driven transition,” draws on the 14th annual survey of nearly 1,300 senior professionals, alongside in-depth interviews with industry leaders and experts.
Among other things, the survey highlights digitalization’s crucial role in transforming the energy sector, impacting generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. AI-driven technologies like smart grids, predictive maintenance, and real-time data analytics are already taking hold in the energy sector and promise to revolutionize it further in the coming years. However, success in digitalization requires innovation, strategic vision, and leadership, making it as urgent as decarbonization, especially given that a timely and effective energy transition will be impossible without it.
Digital Leaders vs. Digital Laggards
The survey reveals a stark contrast between ‘Digital Leaders’ and ‘Digital Laggards.’ While 28% of respondents identified their organizations are excelling in digitalization and showing greater optimism about achieving revenue, profit, and decarbonization goals, 37% reported the opposite. DNV has called the former Digital Leaders, and the latter Digital Laggards.
Leaders are significantly ahead in using digital technologies for decarbonization and energy transition, with 68% having quality data and 80% already benefiting from digital technologies, compared to 21% and 33% of Laggards respectively.
On emerging technologies in general — like AI (27%) and digital twins (34%) — around one-third of Leaders say they are live or advanced, compared to just single-digit percentages for Laggards. In fact, most Laggards report being in the early development stages (planning or piloting) of all the key technologies DNV asked about.
AI and Data: Driving the Future
Almost 50% of the 1,300 senior professionals that responded to DNV’s survey said they plan to integrate AI-driven applications into their operations in the coming year, with Digital Leaders leading the charge.
The top three most impactful data-driven applications for Digital Leaders are optimizing processes, integrating systems and databases, and automating operations. However, 50%-to-60% of Leaders also report major or massive impacts from a wide range of other data-driven innovations, from predictive maintenance to supply chain management. Laggards trail across the board, with the largest shortfalls in key areas, such as the integration of systems and databases, automating operations, and empowering consumers or customers.
The value of applications is often diluted by problems involving the integration of systems and databases. Paula Doyle, Chief Digital Officer at Aker BP describes that : "typically, companies have a lot of legacy systems where data is locked into the application” and explains that it’s necessary to “liberate and contextualize data from industrial systems to make it accessible to both humans and machines [for] better and faster decisions."
AI and advanced data analytics are pivotal in this transformation. The report estimates that by 2050, AI will support a $1.3 trillion decrease in clean energy generation costs and reduce grid equipment costs by $188 billion. Overall, power system costs will be reduced by 6% to13%. AI is now an indispensable building block of energy systems, with 47% of respondents saying their organization will use AI-driven applications in their operations in the year ahead — a figure climbing to as high as 69% for Digital Leaders.
Paula Doyle highlights the challenge of becoming more data-driven, emphasizing the need for a specialized workforce to effectively track and manage data. She notes, "the efficient automation of data delivery becomes extremely important, and this is where AI can play a key role."
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Resistance to change is a major barrier for both Leaders and Laggards, compounded by the need to balance safety and agility in an industry where failure is not an option.
Digital Leaders stand out from the rest by placing digitalization at the centre of their organization’s strategy and using this to improve business performance. Almost all (90%) said that digitalization is central to their organization’s strategy, compared to just 39% of Laggards.
The Path Forward
Lucy Craig, Director of Growth, Innovation and Digitalization, Energy Systems at DNV, added: “As the energy sector navigates the twin challenges of digitalization and decarbonization, the ability to adapt and innovate will define success. DNV’s survey identifies the key challenges facing organizations in harnessing the power of digital technologies and also highlights the opportunities that come with change.. Digital Leaders distinguish themselves by embedding digitalization at the core of their strategy, fostering a culture of innovation, and investing in the right technologies. Over the next year, these organizations are poised to build on their progress and maintain their advantage by focusing on further digitalization and cyber-resilience. “
DNV | www.dnv.com
Nissan has approved an enhanced Fermata Energy bidirectional charger for use with Nissan LEAF. As the first mass-produced bidirectional-enabled electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF is the only fully electric passenger vehicle in the U.S. able to supply energy to the grid.[i]
The next-generation Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger received the required UL and CHAdeMO standards approval, passed key Nissan requirements and is approved for use with the Nissan LEAF. The FE-20 charger can charge a Nissan LEAF’s battery or can send energy stored in the parked vehicle back to a building or power grid to help offset peak energy demand, potentially helping save money with the electric utility.1
In a proof-of-concept trial of Fermata Energy’s bidirectional Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology at Nissan Americas Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, the FE-20’s predecessor, the FE-15, helped reduce electricity bills by more than $9,450 over four years – or nearly $2,000 annually on average.
Given the positive results of the FE-15 trial, it is anticipated the next-generation Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger and latest generation Fermata Energy intelligent V2X software platform will build on its earlier success with these enhancements:
These enhancements will help support improved access to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology for Nissan dealers and Nissan fleet customers aiming to help them optimize their energy usage and potentially reduce charging and utility usage costs.
“The FE-20 is the latest generation Fermata Energy bidirectional charger and advanced, intelligent V2X software bringing enhanced technology and features that optimize the full bidirectional charger capabilities of Nissan LEAF,” said Kent O’Hara, president of Nissan’s 4R battery business. “In 2013, Nissan LEAF became the first fully bidirectional-capable electric vehicle launched in the U.S. with a proven track record in the advanced area of Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI). The FE-20 offers valuable energy cost reduction capability to Nissan LEAF fleet customers.”
Use of the Fermata Energy FE-20 charger and V2X software platform does not impact the vehicle’s warranty.
Fermata Energy’s V2X software platform monitors a building’s electrical usage and can elect to draw power from the Nissan LEAF’s battery during high-demand, high-cost periods; in certain states, parked Nissan LEAF vehicles compatible with bidirectional charging (model year 2013 and later) may send energy stored in the battery to the electrical grid during high-demand times.1
There are currently over 30 proven V2G installations in the U.S. using Fermata Energy chargers and its V2X software platform with Nissan LEAF vehicles, aimed at helping fleets and dealerships optimize their energy usage and reduce costs.
Fermata Energy | fermataenergy.com
Nissan | nissanusa.com
[i] The ability to sell or send energy back to the grid may vary based on location and is referenced for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute legal advice. All persons considering selling or sending energy back to the grid should consult with their own legal professional to determine availability of services, eligibility, cost, if any, and further details. The ability to sell or send energy back to the grid is not within Nissan’s control and is subject to change without notice. Interested parties should confirm the accuracy of the information before relying on it to make a purchase. [Residency restrictions may apply].
Researchers at the University of Toronto are using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in the search for sustainable energy. They used the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to confirm that an AI-generated “recipe” for a new catalyst offered a more efficient way to make hydrogen fuel.
To create green hydrogen, you pass electricity that’s been generated from renewable resources between two pieces of metal in water. This causes oxygen and hydrogen gases to be released. The problem with this process is that it currently requires a lot of electricity and the metals used are rare and expensive.
Researchers are searching for the right alloy, or combination of metals, that would act as a catalyst to make this reaction more efficient and affordable. Traditionally, this search would involve trial and error in the lab, but when you are trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack, this approach takes too much time.
“We’re talking about hundreds of millions or billions of alloy candidates, and one of them could be the right answer,” said Jehad Abed. He was part of a team that developed a computer program to significantly speed up this search. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. At the time of this project, Abed was a PhD student under the supervision of Edward Sargent at the University of Toronto working alongside scientists at Carnegie Mellon University.
The AI program the team developed took over 36,000 different metal oxide combinations and ran virtual simulations to assess which combination of ingredients might work the best. Abed then tested the program’s top candidate in the lab to see if its predictions were accurate.
The team used the CLS’s ultra-bright X-rays to analyze the catalyst’s performance during a reaction. “What we needed to do is use that very bright light at the Canadian Light Source to shine it on our material and see how the atomic arrangements would change and respond to the amount of electricity that we put in,” said Abed. The researchers also used the Advanced Photon Source at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago.
The alloy, a combination of the metals ruthenium, chromium, and titanium in specific proportions, was a clear winner, according to Abed. “The computer’s recommended alloy performed 20 times better than our benchmark metal in terms of stability and durability,” said Abed. “It lasted a long time and worked efficiently.”
While the AI program Jehad and colleagues developed shows great promise, the material itself still needs to undergo lots of testing to ensure it will last under “real world” conditions.
“The computer was right about this alloy being more effective and stable. That was a breakthrough because it shows that this method for finding better catalysts is working,” said Abed. “What would take a person years to test, the computer can simulate in a matter of days.”
The researchers are hopeful that AI will offer a faster route to finding the answers we need to make green energy practical for widespread use.
Canadian Light Source | https://www.lightsource.ca/
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Abed, Jehad, Javier Heras-Domingo, Rohan Yuri Sanspeur, Mingchuan Luo, Wajdi Alnoush, Debora Motta Meira, Hsiaotsu Wang et al. "Pourbaix Machine Learning Framework Identifies Acidic Water Oxidation Catalysts Exhibiting Suppressed Ruthenium Dissolution." Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c01353
Summit Ridge Energy, the nation’s leading commercial solar company, and Trajectory Energy Partners, the leading Illinois-based community solar developer, broke ground at the Rock Cut Solar project in Rockford, Illinois. The project, owned and operated by Summit Ridge, is a 6.2 MW Community-Driven Community Solar (CDCS) project developed by Trajectory Energy Partners and expected to be operational by Q3 2025.
As a CDCS project, Rock Cut Solar aims to establish a direct and enduring partnership with Rockford and Winnebago County, fostering a stronger connection between the community and solar energy. Unique to Rock Cut Solar is the Rock Cut Solar Partnership, a team of local community members who were engaged in the development of the project from its earliest days, and who continue to be involved today, helping to ensure project benefits are focused on Rockford and Winnebago County.
Included in the Rock Cut Solar Partnership are two organizations that will act as long-term collaborators on the project: Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and Get Connected 815, both of whom address critical housing and employment issues in Rockford and Winnebago County. Rock Cut Solar will continue to support these two organizations once in operation.
The project will be constructed using union labor, further contributing to the area’s economy. Once the project is energized, Winnebago County community solar subscribers to the project can expect significant savings on their monthly utility bills.
"It's gratifying to see bills we pass in the State Legislature translate into real-world projects that not only reduce our carbon footprint but provide cost savings for local energy consumers," said Steve Stadelman, Illinois State Senator. "State investment in solar technology and resulting community solar projects like this produce green jobs that contribute to local economic growth and environmental sustainability."
Summit Ridge is committed to expanding access to clean and affordable energy while stimulating local economies. As a leading developer of community solar projects, the company ensures that its initiatives drive both sustainability and economic growth by employing local contractors, utilizing domestically manufactured steel, and providing tax benefits to communities.
This collaboration between Summit Ridge and Trajectory Energy Partners marks their thirteenth project together, all aimed at delivering utility savings to communities across Illinois. By leveraging their expertise and resources, the two companies are making substantial progress in their missions to bring clean energy solutions to the state.
"We’re thrilled to break ground on the Rock Cut Solar project. It’s a unique project that shows how transformative sustainable energy solutions can be, especially when its community is united in a shared vision and goal," said Mark Raeder, Summit Ridge Energy Principal. "This project is a perfect example of Summit Ridge’s commitment to community-driven solar initiatives, which provide clean energy to communities that could otherwise be left out of the clean energy revolution. Equally important, we’re able to create local jobs and reduce utility costs for residents through projects like these. It’s a win-win for everyone involved."
“Trajectory Energy Partners has been working in the Rockford area since 2017, when we first developed a community solar project in the City of Rockford. In 2022, we assembled a small project team of community members and organizations to assist with our community engagement efforts for Rock Cut Solar. Trajectory is proud to work with such dedicated Rockford residents who exemplify the ‘community-driven’ aspect of community solar, and we’re excited to be breaking ground today,” shared Jon Carson, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Energy Partners. “In addition to bringing cost savings to Winnebago County residents who subscribe to the project, the project will bring jobs to the Rockford area and more clean energy to the ComEd grid. Rock Cut Solar is a great example of how impactful community solar is in Illinois.”
Summit Ridge Energy | srenergy.com
Lhyfe, a global leader in green hydrogen production, OX2, one of Europe’s largest onshore wind developers, and Velarion, an innovative company within green fertilizer sector founded in Ånge, are joining forces to create a hydrogen-based industrial cluster in Ånge municipality (Sweden). This project, situated in Grönsta just north of Torpshammar, will combine wind power with large-scale green hydrogen production to generate carbon-negative neutral products.
OX2 is developing a wind farm in Marktjärn, Torpshammar, with a planned annual production capacity of 1.4 TWh. According to the project, this green electricity will power the hydrogen production unit that Lhyfe plans to install in Torpshammar with a capacity of up to 100 tonnes of green hydrogen per day (electrolysis capacity of approximately 300 MW). Lhyfe produces green and renewable hydrogen through the electrolysis of water, at production units powered by renewable energy.
"We are excited about the potential of this project, which will utilize electricity from wind farm Marktjärn to power a green industrial cluster, enabling sustainable local industry and enhance the attractiveness for further industrial establishments in Ånge," said Anders Nilsson, Head of Onshore Wind, OX2.
“Due to the large potential production capacity, we are in dialogue with several companies that aim to refine hydrogen and its by-products. These collaborations will help build a local ecosystem that contributes to the region’s economy and job creation”, said Sara Wihlborg, Country Manager Sweden at Lhyfe.
Velarion, a key partner in this initiative, would build one of the world’s first carbon-neutral fertilizer plants within this cluster. According to the project, this state-of-the-art facility would utilize green hydrogen to produce green ammonia, significantly reducing carbon emissions in fertilizer production. The green ammonia will cater to the increasing market demand for sustainable products.
The project is now entering the conceptual phase. Implementation of the project will be subject to the conclusions of this study, the granting of operating licenses and environmental permits, and financial investment decisions.
Together, Lhyfe, OX2, and Velarion are making this industrial cluster possible, leveraging advanced technology to establish Ånge as the region's green hub. The long-term positive effects are set to position the municipality as a leading player in the sustainable industrial sector, attracting more companies.
Lhyfe | https://www.lhyfe.com/
Ingeteam increases its participation in photovoltaic plants on American soil. On this occasion, it has supplied its technology for two Acciona Energía projects located in Wharton and Fort Bend counties, both in the vicinity of Houston, Texas. The two new generation plants will produce clean energy equivalent to the consumption of 110,000 households, preventing the emission of more than 650,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere per year.
The first project, with a capacity of 317 MW AC, consists of 48 transformer stations equipped with 185 Ingeteam central inverters. Notably, this is the first large-scale project to be installed and commissioned by Ingeteam for Acciona Energía in the USA. The second project has a capacity of 458 MW AC and is equipped with 71 medium voltage Full Skid type transformer stations, fully integrated with 131 INGECON SUN 3Power C Series liquid cooling central inverters. The contract signed between the two companies also includes commissioning works and the supply of its Power Plant Controller for both plants.
A third photovoltaic project, also with Acciona Energía, involving 325 MW AC of solar power for the state of Ohio, is in the final commissioning phase. Here Ingeteam supplied 62 Full Skid transformer stations equipped with 124 central inverters and the PPC control system.
Ingeteam thereby contributes more than one gigawatt of new solar capacity in the US, once again working as Acciona Energía's technology partner.
In the words of Nohra Nasr, Ingeteam's VP and General Manaqer of the solar PV, energy storage and green hydrogen business unit: “It is most rewarding to continue to work together with leaders in the US market such as Acciona Energía and help contribute to their plans to electrify a sustainable future. Without a doubt, these projects reaffirm their confidence in our technology and service support as a reliable partner. It also motivates us to continue to do things right which ultimately strengthens our leading position in the United States”.
Ingeteam continues to demonstrate its global role as a technology partner for power generation from sustainable and renewable sources. These new projects exemplify our commitment to a clean and sustainable energy future in USA.
To date, Ingeteam has supplied over 5 GW of its technology mostly for utility-scale photovoltaic and energy storage plants in the US, with majority projects sizes ranging between 100MW and 500MW AC.
Ingeteam | www.ingeteam.com
Wind Sep 15, 2023
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