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....
Community solar is on a hot streak. The industry is expected to hit 14GW in existing U.S. markets by 2028, with a projected 8 percent average annual growth, at least one community solar project now exists in 41 states and D.C., and at least 19 states and D.C. have officially affirmed the value of these projects through enacted policies and programs. But this level of growth is not without its challenges. Community solar as an i....
Wind
B.D. Erickson
Energy Storage
Accure Battery Intelligence
Energy Storage
Colin Gault
Peak Energy, a U.S.-based company developing low-cost, giga-scale energy storage technology for the grid, announced it has secured its $55M Series A to launch full-scale production of its proven sodium-ion battery technology. Xora Innovation, an Early-Stage deep tech investing platform of Temasek, led the round, with significant participation from existing investor Eclipse, strategic partner TDK Ventures, and new investors Lachy Groom, Tishman Speyer, TechEnergy Ventures, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures and DETV-Scania Invest.
U.S. energy demand is skyrocketing. With the rise of AI and increased EV adoption, electricity demand in the U.S. is forecasted to grow as much as 20% by 2030. This represents a massive jump after a decade of flat growth — and as a result, electric utilities are almost doubling their forecasts for how much additional power they'll need to produce by 2028. Without access to affordable, reliable clean energy, the U.S. will likely rely on gas-powered peaker plants or, even worse, keep old, polluting coal power plants running, undoing progress on reducing carbon emissions. Renewables can produce great amounts of energy at extremely low cost under ideal conditions, but high variance in power generation renders them incapable of meeting 24-hour demand alone. Utility-scale storage with highly cost-effective technologies like sodium-ion is the only way for the U.S. to reap the maximum benefits of clean energy sources to power the grid and avoid a disastrous return to fossil fuel-burning power plants.
"AI should represent a step forward, not a step backward," said Landon Mossburg, co-founder and CEO of Peak Energy. "As energy demand grows, we must capitalize on the potential of renewables to provide dependable, inexpensive energy to fuel a new era of technological advancement. Utility-scale storage powered by sodium-ion is the answer to securing this future on a resilient, decarbonized grid."
Sodium-ion is a stable and proven battery chemistry that offers advantages in cost, supply chain security, scale, and safety over lithium-ion, the industry's current default battery storage choice. With the shift to sodium-ion technology underway worldwide at giga-scale, Peak Energy has emerged as the company best suited to deliver utility-scale sodium-ion storage in the U.S. The Series A financing from Xora Innovation, Eclipse, TDK Ventures, and other new strategic investors marks a pivotal inflection point in the clean energy transition and secures the future of the U.S. grid with domestically produced storage.
"The need for a new utility-scale storage standard is not a decade away, it's right now," said Phil Inagaki, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer at Xora Innovation. "Peak Energy has assembled a world-class team with unrivaled experience and reputation for delivering clean energy technology at scale, quickly. The timing for this market is exceptional, with Peak Energy poised to become a global leader in sodium-ion storage production and deployment. The team at Peak Energy has been moving at a truly exceptional pace, and Xora looks forward to supporting the company's ambitious growth plans."
"Peak Energy's work is paramount to the quality of life for everyone on our planet," said Greg Reichow, partner at Eclipse. "The team at Peak Energy not only has the deep industry experience to bring this company to scale, but also has the appropriate sense of urgency, as evidenced by this latest funding round. The time is now to build an American battery company to compete with the international giants at scale, and Eclipse believes this is the team to do it."
As Peak Energy moves fast to industrialize sodium-ion, the company is already experiencing significant demand for its battery systems. With access to meaningful new capital, Peak Energy enters the next phase of growth, launching the first full-scale production of sodium-ion storage in the U.S. The company's sodium-ion batteries will deploy to a select group of six premier customers participating in its pilot program as early as next year. The roster includes three of the top five largest Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and electric utility companies in the country.
In addition to Xora Innovation, Peak Energy welcomes new strategic investors including global real estate developer, owner, operator and investor Tishman Speyer, venture capitalist Lachy Groom, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures and DETV-Scania Invest, and TechEnergy Ventures, CVC of Techint, one of the largest LATAM industrial groups. This collective of leading innovators across renewables, real estate development, and AI reflects Peak Energy's wide-ranging capabilities to revolutionize clean energy for everything from powering commercial buildings in dense urban cities to supplying datacenters with abundant, low-cost energy needed to unlock the future of AI.
"Reinvesting in our future means embracing innovations like Peak Energy's sodium-ion technology, paving the way for a sustainable and secure energy landscape," said Anil Achyuta, Managing Director at TDK Ventures. "By supporting Peak Energy, we're not just investing in a company; we're investing in a transformative solution that addresses critical challenges in energy storage, enhances national energy security, and propels environmental sustainability forward."
The latest investment comes on the heels of Peak Energy's launch from stealth less than a year ago with a $10M seed round and the addition of Apple and Tesla veteran Liam O'Connor as co-founder and COO. In addition to seeding full-scale deployments of its sodium-ion systems to pilot program customers next year, Peak Energy is on track to break ground on building the first domestic, giga-scale sodium-ion battery factory slated to open in 2027.
Peak Energy | www.peakenergy.com
Bluestar Energy Capital (‘BEC or ‘the Company’) announced the launch of Noveria Energy, a project development platform focused on European battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.
Noveria Energy will initially focus on the German market, where it has assembled a project pipeline of over 2GWh which is progressing through interconnection and permitting processes. The platform has an experienced team led by Ben Brooks, based in Germany. Prior to joining Noveria Energy, Ben held portfolio management and engineering roles at Schroders Greencoat and DNV respectively.
“Well-located energy storage projects are a key enabler of the energy transition in Europe,” commented Neil O’Donovan, Chair of Noveria Energy and President of BEC. “An increasing demand for grid system services this decade coupled with increasingly volatile energy pricing across Germany and other regions underscore the need to rapidly scale battery storage capacity. Benefiting from BEC’s development experience in the U.S. and Australia, Noveria Energy’s vision is to be a leading developer and operator of large-scale energy storage projects in Germany and other select European markets.”
Bluestar Energy Capital has been successfully scaling its global presence since its initial $100 million formation capital raise in 2022 led by founders Declan Flanagan & Neil O’Donovan with investment from S2G Ventures and Great Bay Renewables. The company is actively building development platforms in the US, Australia and now Europe and has built up a global pipeline of over 10 GW of wind, solar, and storage projects.
Noveria Energy | https://www.noveriaenergy.com/
Bluestar Energy Capital | https://www.bluestarenergycapital.com/
The World Bank Group has released a study on “Scenarios for Offshore Wind Development in Brazil” conducted by DNV, the global independent energy expert and assurance provider. This report is one of a series of offshore wind roadmap studies commissioned by the World Bank Group (WBG) under its Offshore Wind Development Program, funded and led by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation . The study upon which the World Bank's Latin America and Caribbean Energy and Extractives Practice developed the report was executed by DNV and written in partnership with Vieira Rezende Advogados and Magalhães Reis Figueiró Advogados.”
Brazil's offshore wind energy potential exceeds 1,200 GW, with 480 GW from fixed foundations and 748 GW from floating foundations. This abundant resource, strategically located near demand centers, positions offshore wind as a pivotal player in Brazil's future energy landscape.The report, prepared in collaboration with the World Bank, Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and the Energy Research Office (EPE), provides a thorough analysis for policymakers and stakeholders, active in Brazil. The findings emphasize the need for a clear energy strategy, significant infrastructure investment, and prompt action to harness the growing interest in offshore wind in Brazil
The report provides a vision for a future under three different Growth Scenarios:
Offshore wind development in Brazil offers a promising complement to hydroelectric power, reducing interannual variability and providing a buffer during dry periods. It also supports Brazil's green hydrogen targets and can drive economic growth and job creation, potentially generating up to 516,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contributing $168 billion in national gross value added under the Ambitious scenario. Additionally, it can streamline local electricity generation, reducing transmission losses by aligning resources with demand centers, including major cities.
However, several challenges exist, including high initial costs that require concessional finance and strategic seabed rights allocation. Despite projections of significant long-term cost reductions, financing and procurement complexities remain. Substantial investments are also needed for transmission upgrades and grid flexibility to integrate offshore wind effectively. Environmental and social considerations further complicate development, necessitating meticulous planning and community consultations. Upgrading regional ports, logistics infrastructure, and the offshore wind supply chain to support larger turbine production adds to the overall costs.
Strategic planning, collaboration, and targeted investments can help overcome these obstacles and unlock the full potential of offshore wind energy in Brazil's renewable energy transition.
Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice-President and Regional Director for Latin America, Energy Systems at DNV, commented, "This report highlights the immense potential of offshore wind in Brazil and provides guidelines for its development. The country's choice to embrace offshore wind power hinges on balancing energy demands, climate goals, and economic growth. Our research offers insights, not directives, outlining the challenges and opportunities to inform strategic decisions."
The success of Brazil's offshore wind sector depends on establishing a long-term energy strategy, as emphasized in the World Bank Group's report on “Key Factors for Successful Development of Offshore Wind in Emerging Markets”. The chosen path will shape the role of wind power in Brazil's future, from a marginal role under the Base Case to significant economic transformation in the Ambitious scenario.
Tchiarles Coutinho Hilbig, Market Area Manager for South America, highlighted that “the report comes at a pivotal moment, anticipating regulatory approval for offshore wind in the country. It provides valuable insights on technological, environmental, economic, and policy factors influencing the sector's growth. Using DNV's advanced design models with real data on resources, site conditions, and key projects, it’ll equip stakeholders to make informed decisions and strategies for sustainable industry expansion.”
Whatever course policymakers and stakeholders choose to chart, they must act swiftly to capitalize on current interest, particularly amid waning investor enthusiasm for emerging markets. Updates in transmission networks, port infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities, along with Environmental & Social sensitivity mapping – all prerequisites for offshore wind development –, have lengthy timelines. Providing a clear market entry pathway, including seabed exclusivity and offtake arrangements in initial offshore wind auctions, is essential.
For detailed recommendations and further insights, the comprehensive report and an executive summary are available at Scenarios for offshore wind development in Brazil (dnv.com).
DNV | www.dnv.com
Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) is marking 60 years of evolution and innovation of Solarban glass, the flagship brand for one of the industry’s most environmentally advanced lines of solar control, low-emissivity (low-e) glasses. Solarban glass, one of the earliest coated energy-efficient glass brands, has driven the sustainable building movement with significant energy savings and transparency. This has enabled architects and designers to achieve and exceed eco-friendly design goals.
Introduced in 1964, Solarban glass was a pioneer among coated glasses designed to deflect heat from buildings. Its innovative design improved occupant comfort, reduced utility expenses related to HVAC systems and laid the foundation for sustainable design and construction.
Over the past six decades, Solarban glass and its precursors have been at the forefront of multiple groundbreaking advancements, continuously reshaping architectural glass performance. In the 1980s and early 1990s, single-silver and double-silver glasses were introduced, which helped enhance year-round comfort in homes and buildings while saving on heating and cooling costs. In 2000, the world was introduced to the first double-silver vacuum temperable low-e glass that allowed for post-manufacturing fabrication, Solarban 60 glass.
The world’s first triple-silver low-e glass, Solarban 70 glass (formerly Solarban 70XL glass), was introduced at Greenbuild in 2005 and rapidly became the most commonly specified triple-silver low-e coated glass in the industry, with more than 700 million square feet shipped since its inception. In 2015, the first-ever quad-silver low-e glass, Solarban 90 glass, was introduced as Vitro’s highest-performing solar control low-e coating.
“Solarban glass has continually pushed the limits of energy capabilities and clarity, achieving advancements never before seen and becoming one of the industry’s most advanced, proven and trusted solar control low-e glasses specified for countless projects worldwide,” said Martin Bracamonte, Vitro Architectural Glass Senior Vice President of Innovation. “With Solarban glass, building owners can confidently expect significant savings on their energy bills while providing a comfortable and visually appealing environment for occupants.”
Since its inception, the Solarban family of products has been continually expanded and refined to meet the aesthetic and energy efficiency demands of architects and building owners. Today, the Solarban glass family includes many high-performance solar control low-e options that increase energy efficiency, reduce building operating costs and elevate aesthetics.
Solarban glass products feature some of the highest light-to-solar gain (LSG) ratios in the industry. They can be combined with other Vitro glass options like VacuMax Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG), Sungate ThermL glass, Starphire Ultra Clear glass, Acuity glass, Optiblue glass and a range of tinted glasses for even better performance and aesthetic effects.
Vitro Architectural Glass | www.vitroglazings.com
Pacific Green, a global battery energy storage company, has achieved planning consent from the South Australian Government for its first two grid-scale battery energy parks in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia.
The Limestone Coast Energy Park assets will consist of a 0.5GW / 1.5 GWh battery energy storage system developed and constructed in two phases over the next 36 months. Once operational they will significantly strengthen the region’s grid stability.
As part of the approval process and to minimise local impacts, Pacific Green engaged with numerous independent specialists to assess a wide range of environmental, technical and heritage aspects as well as undertaking targeted stakeholder and community consultation. Construction of the energy parks will commence towards the end of this year, with the first phase expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.
Pacific Green is committed to working with local suppliers and with a local workforce throughout the construction phase, wherever possible. The company has launched a supplier portal and will host a local supplier networking morning in the coming weeks. Interested parties are encouraged to visit: www.pacificgreen.com/aus/community/supplier for more information.
The Limestone Coast Energy Parks mark the first set of assets of an 8.5GWh development pipeline of battery energy parks Pacific Green is rolling out throughout Australia. Leveraging its significant experience building out battery energy parks in the UK and Europe, the company is aiming to be one of Australia’s leading developers, and to help accelerate the country’s transition to renewables by building a multi-gigawatt platform nationwide.
Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Energy and Mining, Government of South Australia commented: “It's encouraging to see more private sector investment in energy storage. An increase in storage will provide greater capacity at peak times, extending the availability of electricity generated by cheap renewables. It's also particularly pleasing that Pacific Green has chosen the South East of South Australia for its project - greater diversity of storage locations will strengthen our security of supply and reliability.”
Joel Alexander, Managing Director & CEO, Pacific Green Australia commented: “This is a major milestone for the Limestone Coast Energy Park assets, and we are pleased that the South Australian Government has recognised the rigorous assessment and community consultation work we have undertaken to date. We look forward to re-engaging with the local community to maximise the tangible economic benefits of the Limestone Coast Energy Parks and to ensure funding and local contracting opportunities are open to all relevant groups. This is a positive and exciting start to an exceptional pipeline of Australian projects to come.”
Scott Poulter, Chairman & Group CEO, Pacific Green commented: “We are very pleased to begin our first development at Limestone Coast in South Australia. With so much local and Government support, this milestone announcement will be one of many to come over the next years as we build out our 8.5GWh pipeline, across Australia.”
Poulter added: “Australia is witnessing one of the world’s fastest growth renewable energy markets, so it is critical that battery energy storage grows at the same pace to support the grid network’s expansion of renewable generation.”
Pacific Green | www.pacificgreen.com
The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q2 2024 edition of The 50 States of Solar. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on distributed solar policy, with a focus on net metering, distributed solar valuation, community solar, residential fixed charges, residential demand and solar charges, third-party ownership, and utility-led rooftop solar programs.
The report finds that 44 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, took some type of distributed solar policy action during Q2 2024 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions continuing to address net metering policies (64), and residential fixed charge or minimum bill increases (48), and community solar policies (42). A total of 182 distributed solar policy actions were taken during Q2 2024, with the most actions taken in California, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Q2 2024 Policy Action on Net Metering, Rate Design, and Solar Ownership
The report identifies three trends in solar policy activity taken in Q2 2024: (1) states examining the interplay of Inflation Reduction Act funding and solar programs, (2) states utilizing formal studies to inform net metering successor efforts, and (3) states modifying existing community solar programs.
“Following several quarters of states launching net metering successor tariffs, a number of states are now initiating their own studies of net metering and alternatives to net metering,” noted Brian Lips, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC.
The report notes the top five distributed solar policy actions of Q2 2024:
“States are beginning — or rather, re-beginning — to study net metering programs, outside of the valuation of distributed solar,” said Rebekah de la Mora, Senior Policy Analyst at NCCETC. “These investigations focus on program redesigns and successors, looking at the policies, economics, results, and future projections of net metering programs. Some of these investigations are already baked into law, like in Puerto Rico, while others were proposed by newly-passed bills, such as those in Delaware and Washington.”
View the 50 States of Solar Q2 2024 Quarterly Report Executive Summary
View and Purchase the 50 States of Solar Q2 2024 Quarterly Report
NC Clean Energy Technology Center | http://www.nccleantech.
Emerson recognized the 150th anniversary of its Crosby line of pressure relief valves (PRVs), marking a significant milestone in the history of PRVs and overpressure protection products. Crosby technologies are field-proven and engineered to meet the latest regulatory standards with improved performance, greater reliability, and enhanced safety.
Current Crosby offerings include:
Emerson is continuously developing new valve technologies based on the company’s deep experience in critical service applications. For example, Crosby Balanced Diaphragm technology eliminates bellows in PRVs, ensuring reliable, balanced operation against backpressure. This innovation reduces maintenance costs, improves performance, and enhances safety with its robust design. In a related development, the world’s first Bellows Leak Detection solution provides instant notification of ruptures to enable prompt maintenance, reduce fugitive emissions, and provide event logging for intelligent root cause failure analysis—enhancing productivity and environmental protection.
All these overpressure protection products are field-proven technologies, engineered to meet the latest user demands.
Emerson’s recent valve innovation milestones include:
“Emerson remains committed to innovation and excellence, continuously enhancing its range of overpressure products to meet and exceed the evolving needs of end users,” said Judson Duncan, the president of Emerson’s pressure management business. “With a steadfast dedication to regulatory compliance, safety, and customer satisfaction, Crosby is positioned to lead a safer, more sustainable industry over the next 150 years.”
To learn more, please go to https://www.emerson.com/en-us/automation/brands/crosby.
Emerson | https://www.emerson.com/global
Wind Sep 15, 2023
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