Securing Vehicle‑to‑Grid Tech

Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA), the U.S. solar and storage trade event series, unveiled the conference program for IESNA Midwest, taking place June 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. 

The program focuses on the defining forces shaping the Midwest solar and storage market: state-level initiatives amid shifting federal policies, AI-driven data center demand, and the operational realities of scaling projects across MISO and PJM. Through 13 conference sessions and six workshops, IESNA Midwest 2026 brings together project developers, EPCs, installers, asset owners, clean energy investors, and more for market intelligence, peer strategies, and hands-on training.

“Midwest solar and storage professionals are navigating real uncertainty, executing complex projects in demanding environments, and making long-term capital decisions without a clear view of what’s next,” said Sarah Rudman, Conference Project Manager, Intersolar & Energy Storage North America. “We designed every session in the IESNA Midwest educational program to deliver specific, actionable intelligence that attendees can apply immediately."

Session Highlights on June 16 and 17

• Storage at Scale: MISO and PJM's Evolving Market in 2026 and Beyond explores capacity accreditation shifts, revenue stacking, supply chain constraints, and how the CRGA Act is creating new procurement pathways for developers and capital allocators.
• Navigating the New Normal: U.S. and Illinois Solar Policy in 2026 delivers a concise, actionable update—from the 25D homeowner credit expiration and upcoming 48E commercial ITC milestone to ongoing FEOC and domestic content uncertainty. The session also explores the impact of Solar IV, Section 232, and IEEPA tariffs on project economics.
• Powering the AI Boom: How Data Centers Are Reshaping Midwest Grid Planning and Renewable Procurementexamines how data center development is rewriting utility resource plans and covers flexible load strategies, behind-the-meter solutions, and creative interconnection approaches.
• Financing the Energy Transition: Closing Deals in a Post-OBBBA Market examines what it takes to get utility-scale and C&I projects financed, including structuring tax credit transfers and navigating due diligence.
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain Reset: Onshoring, Offshore Reality, and the Race to Scale: With billions committed to onshoring solar and battery supply chains, this session analyzes the gap between ambition and execution, covering component bottlenecks, cost pressures, and bankability timelines for a fragmented global market.

Hands-On Workshops on June 15

• Post-ITC Playbook: Structuring Viable Projects After 2027 is a collaborative workshop where attendees will build frameworks for viable project development after the ITC phase-down. Key findings will be shared in a corresponding conference session.
• Executive Forum: Workforce Strategy in a Volatile Market unpacks how clean energy executives are navigating regional recruitment, retainment, and workforce development amid volatility. 
• Offered through the Midwest Renewable Energy Foundation:
  • (PV 425) PV System O&M Fundamentals uncovers common causes of PV system failures and underperformance issues, sharing remedies and strategies for minimizing unscheduled downtime through regular inspections. 
  • (PV 130) Cybersecurity: Securing Energy Systems details how to secure energy management systems, monitoring equipment, and network access. 
• Offered through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners:
  • Boosting PV Reliability: Top 10 Common Challenges and Proven Prevention Strategies delivers real-world insights into common PV challenges and shares prevention tactics to ensure system success. 
  • Rethinking Residential Solar: Stop Selling Systems - Start Designing Energy offers strategies for expanding addressable market, reducing sales friction, and creating long-term customer relationships.

Access to workshops included with each conference pass. Click here to register.

Quick Links

• Attending Overview
• Exhibiting Overview
• Conference Program
• Speakers

Intersolar & Energy Storage North America | www.iesna.com

Diversified | www.divcom.com

Global DC fast charging manufacturer Kempower has this week introduced the latest addition to its portfolio of high-power charging solutions. The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex is the company’s newest solution and its first dispenser to support charging with either high-power CCS (up to 560 kW) or MCS (up to 1.2 megawatts). High-power charging leads to shorter charging times and higher fleet uptimes which in turn lower the total cost of ownership (TCO). 

The flexible set-up of the Kempower Mega Satellite Flex is intended to support fleet and charge point operators to serve both CCS vehicles and MCS vehicles and simplify the transition to higher powered charging, while enabling high charging site utilization from the beginning. Higher utilization of the site supports faster return of investment and lowered TCO. The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex supports multimodal use of charging sites for both commercial and passenger vehicles as it is compatible with new 800V electric cars and vans designed for rapid high-power charging. 

The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex was exclusively unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas, NV, during Kempower’s Unplug & Recharge customer and partner event, and is being exhibited at the event today at booth 2916. 

Key features of Kempower Mega Satellite Flex: 

• Up to 1,500 A MCS and 700 A CCS 
• Equipped with both MCS and CCS connectors 
• Cable reach of 5 meters/ 16.4 feet CCS and 2.7 meters / 8.86 feet MCS 
• Can be equipped with a payment terminal 
• Compatible with Kempower’s new and existing distributed charging systems. 

“As the industry accelerates toward heavy-duty electrification, Kempower understands the urgent need for reliable, flexible, and user-friendly MCS solutions,” said Kempower North America President Monil Malhotra. “At ACT Expo, we’re giving a first look at the Kempower Mega Satellite Flex and showcasing how its flexibility helps charge point and logistic operators power their fleets without disruption while improving site utilization and increasing revenue.” 

The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex will be available for sales in North America and Europe in July 2026 and will be showcased at events across Europe this summer. 

Kempower | https://kempower.com

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) (“Vertical,” “we,” “our” or the “Company”), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, will provide a Business & Strategy Update for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting continued progress across flight testing, certification, and financing.

The Company’s Q1 2026 financial results filing is available on its investor relations website.

Stuart Simpson, CEO at Vertical, said: “This quarter represents a clear inflection point for Vertical. The successful completion of two-way piloted transition flight demonstrates our aircraft’s performance in real-world conditions and validates the core architecture required for certification. With this milestone achieved, our focus now shifts to executing Critical Design Review and advancing toward certification. Combined with our recent financing, we believe we are well positioned to deliver against our roadmap and progress Valo toward commercialization.”

Recent Highlights

Completion of Two-way Piloted Transition

• Successfully completed the fourth and final phase of the prototype aircraft piloted flight test campaign under the direct oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), validating core technology and supporting the certification pathway.
• 2026 milestones to date include completion of both thrustborne transition flight and two-way piloted transition flight, a critical technical validator achieved by a limited number of global peers.
• Completion of the piloted flight test campaign marks the transition from technology demonstration into certification-focused development.
• The Company plans a series of upcoming public flight demonstrations

Advancing Toward Critical Design Review

• Progressing towards the Critical Design Review (CDR), which establishes the certifiable design baseline and enables the build and test of certification-conforming aircraft.
• Represents a key gating milestone ahead of full-scale certification testing, locking aircraft design elements, key supply chain configuration, and the certification partner ecosystem.
• Significant progress achieved across all major workstreams, including supplier alignment and validation of key structural and system elements.
• After CDR is achieved, preparation for assembly of the first pre-production aircraft begins, supporting continued progression toward certification.

Financial Outlook & Clear Path to Certification

• Strengthened balance sheet with a financing package of up to $850 million, providing access to a flexible suite of capital.
• Financing package is aligned to support key technical and operational milestones and progress towards certification.
• Ended the quarter with approximately $96 million (£73 million) of cash and cash equivalents.
• Short-term liquidity includes cash of approximately $103 million (£76 million) and anticipated near-term receipts from R&D tax reliefs (approximately $23 million / £17 million) and government grants & VAT (approximately $7 million / £6 million).
• Expected net cash outflows of between approximately $180 million and $200 million (£135 million to £145 million) over the next 12 months, reflecting continued investment in public flight demonstrations and key certification activities.
• Short-term liquidity, together with anticipated draws under available facilities, expected to provide at least 12 months runway.

Positioned for Next Phase

With the completion of transition flight and continued progress toward CDR, Vertical is entering a phase defined by disciplined execution against its certification roadmap.

The Company’s third prototype aircraft is expected to commence flight testing shortly, supporting further validation and certification activities.

Joining the Q1 Webcast

Vertical will host a webcast at 08:30 am ET (13:30 GMT) today to discuss the first quarter’s results. The call will be hosted by Vertical Chair, Dómhnal Slattery and Stuart Simpson, Vertical’s CEO. They will be joined by Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, and David King, Vertical’s Chief Engineer.

To access the webcast, visit Vertical’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.vertical-aerospace.com/events-and-presentations/events/. A replay will be available on the Company’s website following the event.

Annual Report

Vertical filed its 2025 Annual Report, including FY25 financial results on March 24, 2026. A copy of the Annual Report is available on the Company’s Investor Relations website and at www.sec.gov. Vertical will provide a hard copy of the Annual Report containing its audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed in writing by email to [email protected], or by post to Vertical Aerospace Ltd., Unit 1 Camwal Court, Chapel Street, Bristol BS2 0UW, United Kingdom.

Vertical Aerospace | vertical-aerospace.com

UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, announced the launch of new safety testing services for hydrogen fueling station valves and dispenser hoses, helping manufacturers protect against risks such as hydrogen leaks and explosions as global adoption of hydrogen power accelerates, including for commercial vehicles and public transportation.

“Hydrogen is emerging as a key source in meeting global energy needs,” said Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions. “Manufacturers can now demonstrate compliance with key standards through a clear, trusted path that we are providing to help integrate safety as a foundational aspect in the world’s growing hydrogen infrastructure.”

The new UL Type Examination Certification is a voluntary, third‑party conformity assessment that entails evaluating whether hydrogen components meet the ISO 19880 series of standards. These include:

• ISO 19880-3:2018 which covers safety and performance requirements for valves used in hydrogen fueling stations, including check, excess flow, manual, shut-off, pressure safety and flow control valves as well as hose breakaway devices.
• ISO 19880-5:2025 which covers dispenser hoses and hose assemblies for hydrogen fueling at pressures up to 70 MPa.

These assessments help confirm that safety standards are incorporated into the principal design elements of hydrogen infrastructure as governments, industry and energy providers expand hydrogen fueling networks worldwide.

According to the International Energy Agency’s Global Hydrogen Review 2025 report, global hydrogen demand increased to almost 100 million tonnes in 2024.1Hydrogen is emerging as an essential energy source in the diversified energy mix necessary for meeting rising global consumption. There is a growing need for reliable, safe and scalable energy solutions across a wide range of applications, including heavy-duty commercial trucks, passenger cars, public transit buses, trains, and forklifts.

As hydrogen infrastructure rapidly expands, manufacturers face an increasingly complex regulatory and safety landscape. UL Type Examination Certification services help streamline pathways to market access while enabling companies to demonstrate a commitment to quality and safety.

UL Solutions offers hydrogen fueling station component testing, as well as witnessed testing at other qualified laboratories. In addition to these new services, UL Solutions offers a range of safety testing capabilities for hydrogen-related products at its hydrogen testing facilities in Canada and Germany.

UL Solutions | https://www.ul.com/hydrogen

ESS Tech, Inc. (NYSE: GWH) ("ESS" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of long-duration iron flow energy storage systems (“LDES”) for commercial and utility-scale applications, highlighted the findings of a final report issued in connection with Burbank Water and Power for the American Public Power Association (APPA) to evaluate the application of ESS’ Iron Flow Battery technology in a real-world utility environment.

The report, prepared under the APPA’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments program, documented the installation, operation, and evaluation of an ESS Energy Warehouse system. According to the report, the system was successfully installed, energized, and operated through the 21-month project evaluation period co-located with a solar resource, with Burbank Water and Power concluding that ESS’ Iron Flow Battery technology works and there is a place for this battery in a utility’s overall energy storage strategy.

“This project provides another example of how ESS iron flow technology can perform in an operating utility environment,” said Drew Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of ESS. “Third-party demonstration projects like this are important because they show how the technology performs in real-world utility applications. The project helps validate the underlying strengths of our core technology, which carry through to our next generation Energy Base product: long-duration performance, a safe and non-flammable chemistry based on iron, salt and water, and the value of a solution manufactured in America as utilities look for durable energy storage alternatives to lithium-ion.”

The Burbank Water and Power final report noted several attributes of the system and underlying chemistry, including the use of iron, salt, and water, non-flammable and sustainable, easily sourced components, domestic manufacturing, and a projected long operating life. The report also stated that utility personnel were successfully trained on operation and maintenance of the system and that the project supported broader education and engagement around iron flow battery technology.

“We collaborated with APPA to understand the potential for long duration energy storage to support our future energy and zero carbon energy generation requirements,” said Mandip Samra, General Manager of Burbank Water and Power. “The project with ESS and APPA demonstrated that safe, long duration battery alternatives are viable, and can benefit our grid. We appreciate APPA’s leadership.”

The findings align with ESS’ focus on delivering long-duration energy storage solutions designed to support grid reliability, renewable integration, and energy resilience for utilities, independent power producers, and commercial and industrial customers. That focus is reflected in the Company’s broader commercial momentum, including Project New Horizon with Salt River Project in Arizona, which includes Google participation, ESS’ contract supporting a large-capacity energy storage deployment with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, and ongoing collaboration with key partners to advance the commercialization of iron flow battery systems.

ESS | www.essinc.com

Bimergen Energy Corporation (NYSE American: BESS, BESS.WS), a developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale and distributed battery energy storage systems, announced the selection of SMA as the inverter supplier for eight recently acquired 9.9 MW BESS projects in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market. The portfolio represents approximately 80 MW of total energy storage capacity and marks a key step in the Company’s continued expansion in one of the nation’s most dynamic power markets.

Bimergen selected SMA’s technology and supply chain to align with Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act, supporting eligibility for applicable tax incentives and enhancing overall project financeability.

The Company utilized strategic capital partnerships and non-dilutive, project-level financing to fund the acquisitions and secure long-lead equipment while preserving shareholder value. The projects are expected to be put in service between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.

“We are excited to advance these projects with SMA as a key technology partner,” said Cole Johnson, Co-CEO of Bimergen Energy. “Selecting a proven, high-performance inverter solution is critical as we scale deployment across our ERCOT footprint. This milestone reflects strong execution and positions us to deliver reliable, grid-supporting storage capacity to meet Texas’s growing energy demand.”

“The selection of SMA represents another meaningful step in executing our ERCOT strategy,” said Bob Brilon, Co-CEO of Bimergen Energy. “We remain focused on building a high-quality, scalable platform in key U.S. power markets, supported by strong partners and disciplined project development.”

The 80 MW portfolio is expected to provide critical grid stability, support renewable integration, and deliver ancillary services within ERCOT. With these projects advancing toward construction and commissioning, Bimergen continues to strengthen its position as an independent owner and operator of utility-scale BESS in strategic U.S. markets.

This development adds to Bimergen’s active pipeline of approximately 2 GW of BESS projects nationwide, underscoring the Company’s disciplined approach to growth, technology selection, and execution.

Bimergen Energy | www.bimergen.com

PV & BESS Quality assurance specialist Sinovoltaics has announced the launch of Sinovoltaics’ PV Lab Test Advisor v1.0, a web-based assessment tool designed to build project-specific reliability testing scopes for utility-scale solar PV projects.

As the solar industry continues to evolve, reliability testing is increasingly shifting toward project-specific risk engineering. Utility-scale PV projects require testing strategies tailored to the actual climate conditions, technology selection, and site-specific risks of each project. This means reliability testing scopes cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach.

Sinovoltaics’ PV Lab Test Advisor addresses this challenge by enabling developers, IPPs, and EPCs to generate customised reliability testing recommendations based on project-specific inputs. The tool reflects Sinovoltaics’ position that tailored reliability testing is essential to preventing long-term underperformance and reducing project risk.

“The industry trend of copy-pasting the same reliability testing scope from project to project does not adequately address the unique risks of each utility-scale PV installation,” said Arthur Claire, Director of Technology at Sinovoltaics. “Context-aware reliability testing is key to preventing underperformance of utility-scale PV projects.”

The PV Lab Test Advisor is part of Sinovoltaics’ Zero Risk Solar® testing framework. While on-site factory quality assurance remains central to defect prevention, external laboratory reliability testing provides an additional layer of protection for utility-scale solar projects.

The tool is currently available free of charge for developers, independent power producers (IPPs), and EPCs involved in utility-scale solar PV projects. Based on project-specific information, the platform generates a recommended testing scope that can be downloaded as a PDF report.

The PV Lab Test Advisor is accessible at: labadvisor.sinovoltaics.com

“This first version of the PV Lab Test Advisor captures the core testing strategies in reliability testing,” said Pedro Octavio Quintana Ceres, PV Expert at Sinovoltaics. “Our development team will continue to release regular updates and further refine the assessment tool based on expert input from our laboratory testing partners and clients.”

Sinovoltaics | sinovoltaics.com