In August, for the 2nd Month in a Row, Solar Surpasses Wind & Takes the Lead Among Renewable Sources of Electrical Generation as Utility-Scale Solar Expands by 35%.

Lithium ION Energy Limited (TSXV: ION) (FSE: ZA4) ("ION" or the "Company") is pleased to share that it has entered into an LOI Agreement to progress a business combination with United Rare Earths Ltd. ("UnitedRE"), a US-based rare earths recycling and refining company. UnitedRE secured a strategic location to develop and has significantly advanced discussions with a federal agency for grant opportunities which includes non-recourse, non-dilutive funding. UnitedRE has support at the highest levels of the government and an instrumental MOU with a national laboratory that will advance rare earth recycling and refining technologies in the U.S.

Highlights:

• Cutting edge technology with a clear path to creating a low-carbon, domestic supply of rare earths to the US, leveraging non-recourse funding;

• Rare earth elements required for military applications and essential in the production of motors needed for the energy transition related to electrification - a complementary strategic transaction;

• Lithium continues to play an irreplaceable role in the energy transition and ION's assets will be at the ready to fill this requirement; and

• Strong combined management teams with deep relationships across government, technology, capital markets and mining.

"I am delighted to announce this major development with respect to becoming an integral player in the critical metals space. We believe completion of the proposed business combination will catapult ION Energy into a diversified battery and critical metals player on the global market. We believe strongly in our Lithium assets and the sheer scale and potential UnitedRE brings is compelling to achieve the vital objective of a cleaner, secure, traceable future for humanity," said Ali Haji, CEO & Director - Lithium ION Energy Ltd.

Jeffrey Willis, Chairman of UnitedRE, commented, "We are excited to announce this strategic step forward with ION Energy, marking a pivotal moment for both organizations. By aligning our resources and expertise with ION Energy, we are creating a foundation for accelerated growth and innovation. This partnership enhances our capability to deliver on our shared mission to establish a sustainable, resilient supply chain to power renewable technologies and the electrification movement. Our collective efforts, grounded in a shared vision, will empower us to meet the growing demand for rare earth materials, securing the supply chain for America's future."

Convertible Debentures:

To support this new development for the Company, ION Energy is also pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering of convertible debentures of the Company ("Debentures") at a price of US$1,000 per Debenture for aggregate gross proceeds of US$ 2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Debentures will mature 24 months from the date of issue (the "Maturity Date"), carry an interest rate of 8% per year and will be convertible to common shares at a conversion price of $0.10 per share. In the event the 10-day volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company exceeds $0.15 or more on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Company will have the right to accelerate the conversion of the shares. 

Proceeds of the Offering will be used to complete the business combination with UnitedRE and develop its rare earth recycling and refining technology, for the continued advancement and exploration of the Company's lithium assets, as well as working capital. 

ION Energy expects the proposed business combination will constitute an "expedited acquisition" under the policies of the TSXV. Completion of each of the proposed business combination and the Offering remains subject to the approval of the TSXV.

Lithium ION Energy | www.ionenergy.ca

Fred. Olsen 1848 is pleased to announce that BRUNEL Floating Foundation, a leading initiative in the floating offshore wind market, has completed its comprehensive basic design phase according to DNV’s recently updated certification scheme for floating wind, DNV-SE-0422, and was subsequently awarded a DNV Basic Design Certification as one of few foundation designs in the industry.

The DNV certificate symbolizes trust in our floating offshore wind technology representing safety, quality, and compliance in the design. With the finalization of the Basic Design, BRUNEL Floating Foundation has taken a substantial leap towards a final site-specific design as part of project certification. 

Sille Grjotheim, Global Segment Director for Floating Offshore Wind at DNV, says: 

“Floating offshore wind capacity is projected to 217 GW by 2050, as per DNV's 2024 Energy Transition Outlook. To make this happen, the qualification of new technology like BRUNEL, based on state-of-the-art methods linked to leading industry standards, is key in bringing early confidence to stakeholders in the market. “ 

Anne Lene Haukanes Hopstad, DNV’s Project Manager, concludes:

“Achieving the Statement of Compliance for Basic Design is an important step for BRUNEL. This certification module has been a follow up from the concept certification performed in 2022 and has shown that Brunel has matured. We are looking forward to continued certification of Brunel in the next development phases. As designs and technologies develop, ensuring safety is paramount for floating offshore wind projects in securing project finance and demonstrating operational applications.”

Completing the basic design phase and receiving the DNV certification signifies the achievement of numerous significant milestones: 

1. Acquired acceptance for our comprehensive design methodologies and development for primary steel design, secondary steel, mooring, manufacturing, assembly and integration, logistics, transportation, and installation, as well as operations and maintenance philosophies. 
2. By securing acceptance for these methodologies, BRUNEL is now positioned for execution of site-specific detail design endeavors. As critical items have already been reviewed, the Basic Design phase considerably eases the later Projects certification process, as the subsequent detailed design builds upon an approved Basic Design 
3. Cutting-edge analysis workflow for primary steel design, and documentation of an extensive scope of work of fully coupled analysis of the complete system including floating foundation, turbine, control system, moorings, and environment. 

Additionally, the completion is a symbol of the project’s progressing journey toward commercialization.

Kimon Argyriadis, Director Floating Wind Energy, DNV.

Sille Grjotheim, Global Segment Director Floating Offshore Wind, DNV. Geir Grimsrud. CTO, Fred. Olsen 1848. Anne Lene Haukanes Hopstad, Project Manager, DNV.

Geir Grimsrud, Chief Technical Officer of Fred. Olsen 1848, has commented: 

“Through thorough design methodologies and collaboration, we've attained a pivotal moment in our journey. Achieving DNV certification not only marks the culmination of our basic design phase but also underscores our commitment to quality in meeting regulatory standards and project requirements” 

The BRUNEL design is characterized by flexibility in secondary steel and outfitting concepts for installation and hook-up procedures offshore to fulfill the needs set forth by legislative bodies and project developers. Fred. Olsen 1848 has close interface collaboration with tubular manufacturers, turret specialists, and high-voltage swivel developers, underscoring our dedication to project integration and optimization. 

Throughout the design process, we have collaborated with industry experts who has leveraged their extensive expertise in the energy sector. Ramboll has been the main contractor working as an independent engineering consultant for BRUNEL Floating Foundation and has been responsible for performing the engineering of the basic design certification. Seasystems has been the provider of mooring- and turret technologies alongside MOOG Focal providing high-voltage swivels, both of which have played a vital role in the developments. 7Waves has contributed with expertise on the primary steel design. 

Dr. Denis Matha, Ramboll’s Global Head of Floating Wind, has commented: 

"We are pleased that FO1848 has selected Ramboll as an independent engineering consultant to be part of this journey and that we have been able to provide key engineering services that contributed to the completion of the project. It also marks a milestone for Ramboll, as this project is among the first to successfully pass through the novel DNV Basic Design Certification scheme with DNV, and for Ramboll, it marks the first project successfully applying our latest advanced Detailed Design methodology based on the GIS."

Andreas Buvarp Aardal, Principal Engineer, Per Arvid Holth, CEO & Geir Grimsrud, CTO, Fred. Olsen 1848.

Key Features of BRUNEL Floating Foundation:

• The dual towers with a forward-leaning-angle can optimize rotor tilt angle for increased annual energy production and better utilization of the structural capacity in the towers. 
• Semi-submersible structure designed for north-sea conditions. 
• BRUNEL is designed to comply with the global existing fabrication capacity of offshore wind towers and monopiles offering great flexibility in the supply chain. 
• The BRUNEL floating foundation features a single-point mooring through a turret. The weathevaning function allows for a passive ballast system and a structure that continuously optimizes its position towards the wind thrust force. 

Fred. Olsen 1848 | https://www.fredolsen1848.com/

Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) ("Tigo"), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, announced that solar development company, Apollo Flutuantes, will deploy 97,200 Tigo optimizers, including the Tigo TS4-X-O MLPE line, in Brazil's largest floating solar plant. The project, scheduled for completion in December 2025, will be located on the Lajeado Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir in Tocantins, Brazil. The floating solar project marks a milestone in Brazil’s renewable energy landscape, which ranks eighth globally for solar electricity generation, with projections for continued growth.

The project, designed and installed by Apollo Flutuantes, includes innovations like novel, high-albedo platforms that optimize light reflection to maximize backside energy output of the system’s bifacial modules. The project will feature the recently released Tigo TS4-X-O MLPE devices, with plug-and-play support for solar modules up to 800W at 25A. This allows the eighteen solar islands to demonstrate the potential of floating solar to leverage Brazil's vast rivers and water resources for solar energy generation while minimizing land use and maximizing energy production. As AE Power, Apollo Flutuantes, and Tigo Energy come together to bring this ambitious vision to life, the Lajeado floating solar plant sets a new standard in innovation for clean energy projects, paving the way for the growth of solar energy in Brazil.

“The optimization technology from Tigo is crucial to this project because we need electrical safety on the water because it allows us to get the absolute most energy production out of the bifacial modules and because we can see exactly what is happening on each of the modules,” said José Alves Teixeira Filho, CEO at Apollo Flutuantes. “With rapid shutdown through optimizer technology, we can isolate specific portions of the system to safely address issues without having to shut the entire operation down. This project serves as an important example to replicate across Brazil as our solar installations and ambitions get bigger and bigger.”

The Tigo TS4-X line empowers installers with the flexibility to deploy high-power modules up to 800W. Designed for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects, these solutions feature Tigo patented technology with wireless and PLC communications and pair with a wide range of third-party inverters. With safety, monitoring, and optimization features, the TS4-X series provides both versatility and efficiency, ensuring optimal performance for energy-critical sectors.

“This project brings yet another large-scale Tigo system into our portfolio, joining hundreds of monitored systems between 500kW and 5MW for which customers get the highest resolution insights,” said Jing Tian, chief growth officer at Tigo Energy. “As both the size and number of solar systems increase, the amount of data they produce requires advanced monitoring and analysis software from Tigo. We are honored to serve AE Power, Apollo Flutuantes, and the entire Brazilian market in this capacity.”

The Apollo Flutuantes project joins hundreds of MW-plus Tigo module-level monitoring customers. To learn more about Apollo Flutuantes and the Lajeado reservoir project, please read the case study here, and watch this video. To learn more about the Tigo TS4-X family of high-power MLPE devices, please visit www.tigoenergy.com/ts4-x.

Tigo Energy | www.tigoenergy.com

Attentive Energy Two, an awarded offshore wind project in New Jersey’s third offshore wind solicitation, is proud to announce its sponsorship and participation in American Clean Power’s Offshore WINDPOWER conference, taking place in Atlantic City. This premier event brings together top developers, public officials, and key stakeholders from across the industry, underscoring New Jersey's leadership in the offshore wind sector.

As a highlight of the conference, Attentive Energy Two convened a unique gathering on October 30th for New Jersey community college students, in partnership with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC). Attentive Energy Two has sponsored day passes for 50 students and administrators from all 18 community colleges in New Jersey, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage with industry professionals at Offshore WINDPOWER. The event featured an overview of the Attentive Energy Two project, a career roundtable with offshore wind industry experts, and invaluable networking opportunities with industry and supply chain providers. This initiative aims to give community college students and faculty from all 21 counties a firsthand understanding of the industry and facilitate direct interactions with experts in their fields of interest.

“In New Jersey, we’re building the future of America’s offshore wind industry, with businesses like Attentive Energy bringing family-sustaining, good-paying jobs to our state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “New Jersey is proud to host the American Clean Power Conference and provide next generation opportunities that will lead our nation’s transition away from toxic fossil fuels and toward securing energy independence.”

“Offshore wind is a rapidly growing industry in the state and our next generation of workers must be equipped with the skills to take on the good-paying jobs it’s poised to create,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “I applaud Attentive Energy for its proactive engagement of college students and its commitment to offering high-quality workforce development opportunities to help ensure residents across the state can reap the economic benefits of the industry.”

“Attentive Energy is committed to leveraging New Jersey’s position to foster inclusivity, growth and innovation in the local offshore wind industry. One such example is our partnership with the NJ Council of County Colleges which exemplifies our commitment to supporting the local workforce, reaching across all 21 counties and providing the most up to date information on opportunities in this sector and creating early pathways to participation,” said Damian Bednarz, Managing Director, Attentive Energy.

“Attentive Energy’s dedication to New Jersey’s community college students underscores the need to build a robust offshore wind workforce as this industry grows. By connecting students with industry leaders at the Offshore WINDPOWER conference, we are actively shaping the future of clean energy and solidifying New Jersey's leadership in this growing and vital sector,” said Anne Reynolds, Vice President of Offshore Wind for the American Clean Power Association.

Attentive Energy Two’s collaboration with the NJ Council of County Colleges runs far deeper than the ACP conference. As part of the project’s commitments to New Jersey, Attentive Energy Two will launch the OSW Workforce Pathways and Skills Collaborative with NJCCC aimed at establishing a robust offshore wind network for community colleges. This partnership will provide funds for the development of offshore wind-related workforce and academic programs. It will also foster partnerships between higher education institutions and local high schools to integrate them into the offshore wind industry. Attentive Energy’s funding will enable NJCCC to position coordinated workforce resources within the county college network.

“We are thrilled to partner with Attentive Energy Two on this unprecedented opportunity to bring students to a national conference and engage with industry professionals in one of the most dynamic and burgeoning fields in this State,” said Catherine Starghill, Vice President of NJCCC. “This collaboration will significantly enhance our ability to prepare students for careers in the offshore wind industry, ensuring that New Jersey remains a leader in this vital sector.”

Through these efforts, Attentive Energy Two continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to advancing renewable energy and providing invaluable opportunities for education and career development in New Jersey.

Attentive Energy Two | www.attentiveenergy.com/attentiveenergytwo

Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of Canadian-based Stoney Creek Hydraulics. The transaction is expected to close at the end of October, subject to customary closing conditions.

Founded in 1998, Stoney Creek Hydraulics specializes in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder manufacture/repair. Cylinders are built according to customer blueprints or designed by the engineering team to meet a customer application’s specific requirements. Repair services include cylinder inspection, machining and testing with precision. The company is named for its location in Stoney Creek, Ontario. 

“We are excited to begin a new chapter as part of the Motion team,” said Patrick Gauthier, 

Owner of Stoney Creek Hydraulics. “It is a great fit—both companies are customer-focused and share the same high values and service standards. The future is very bright for us and our customers as we combine resources and deepen our offerings.” 

James Howe, President of Motion, added, “As we continue to execute our acquisition strategy to grow our services, we are pleased to welcome Stoney Creek Hydraulics employees to Motion. Their skills and capabilities will bolster our hydraulic offering in Canada and complement our mechanical repair services in the region.” 

Motion | www.motion.com

Ørsted (CPH: ORSTED) has signed a partnership agreement with Brookfield (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM), its institutional partners, and its listed affiliate Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP, BEPC; TSX: BEP.UN, BEPC), who will acquire 12.45 % minority stakes in four of Ørsted’s operational UK offshore wind farms: Hornsea 1, Hornsea 2, Walney Extension, and Burbo Bank Extension, which have a combined total capacity of approximately 3.5 GW. 

The value of the transaction is GBP 1.745 billion (approx. DKK 15.7 billion). Brookfield is pursuing this transaction through Brookfield Infrastructure Fund V, the world’s largest closed-end infrastructure fund. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

With this transaction, Ørsted makes significant progress on the farm-down programme announced as part of the February business plan update while ensuring a high level of value retention within the transaction. For Brookfield, the investment provides the opportunity to partner with Ørsted, the world’s largest and leading offshore wind player, to invest in a scaled, fully operational offshore wind portfolio. This marks another step in Brookfield’s expansion into the offshore wind sector, which is a mature technology with a generation profile complementary to solar PV and onshore wind. 

Ørsted will retain a 37.55 % ownership interest in the four assets and will continue to exercise a similar level of control and governance as before the transaction. Ørsted will also continue to oversee the operations and maintenance of the wind farms, according to the current service agreements. All four assets are fully operational under long-term inflation-linked contracts for difference (CfDs). 

Mads Nipper, Group President and CEO of Ørsted, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Brookfield, a leading renewable energy investor with proven investment and operational expertise, as a partner in four UK offshore wind farms in one of Ørsted’s core strategic markets. Today’s transaction is an important milestone in the farm-down programme as part of our business plan, supporting our significant re-investment in new assets.”

Connor Teskey, CEO of Brookfield Renewable and President of Brookfield Asset Management, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Ørsted to invest in four high-quality assets that are critical to supplying the UK with renewable power and supporting the country’s decarbonization objectives. This is Brookfield’s first investment in UK offshore wind, which will continue to be a critical part of the energy mix and to support the growing demand we see for clean energy.” 

The agreement includes a call option, providing Ørsted with the opportunity, but no obligation to, repurchase the assets from Brookfield between two and seven years after the closing of the transaction at a pre-agreed price.

As the leading offshore wind developer in the UK, Ørsted currently operates more than 5 GW of offshore wind capacity and has an additional 5 GW under construction or in development, including the Hornsea 3 and Hornsea 4 projects, both of which have secured CfDs. Globally, Ørsted has installed 15.4 GW renewable energy across offshore wind, onshore wind, solar PV, and battery storage, and has another 7.7 GW under construction.

Ørsted | orsted.com 

Brookfield Asset Management | brookfield.com

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President Offshore Wind after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Department of Defense (DOD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the coordinated development of offshore wind energy generation on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The MOU was signed today at ACP’s Offshore WINDPOWER conference in Atlantic City:

“Today’s MOU between BOEM and DOD fosters interagency collaboration that the offshore wind industry needs for efficient and smart permitting. This agreement ensures that renewable energy projects can be developed in harmony with military operations and U.S national security.”

“The clear framework for communication and interagency collaboration enhances project planning and development. This strategic partnership will help pave the way for a sustainable future while creating good-paying jobs and strengthening U.S. energy independence. Together, BOEM and DOD are demonstrating a good government approach to growing U.S. energy independence.”