Energy Storage: 2025 and Beyond

ES Foundry, an American company advancing U.S. solar by onshoring crystalline solar cell production, announced a multi-year agreement to supply 300 megawatts (MWs) of high-performance, U.S.-made solar cells to Bila Solar, a domestic solar module manufacturer.

The solar cells will be made in Greenwood, South Carolina. This strategic partnership between ES Foundry and Bila Solar highlights the growing demand for domestically produced solar technology and the ongoing shift toward onshoring critical manufacturing. By producing their solar cells and modules entirely in the United States, both companies strengthen the domestic supply chain and advance American energy dominance, economic stability and security.

“This agreement with Bila Solar underscores the increasing market confidence in American-made solar cells,” said Ken Johnston, Vice President of Sales at ES Foundry. “By partnering with a forward-thinking module manufacturer like Bila Solar, we’re expanding access to high-efficiency solar products and driving domestic manufacturing growth. This reduces reliance on imports and reinforces the U.S. as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing.”

ES Foundry’s state-of-the-art solar cell manufacturing facility in South Carolina began production in early 2025, delivering high-efficiency monocrystalline bifacial PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) solar cells. This partnership with Bila Solar reflects the increasing demand for scalable, U.S.-produced solar technology and reinforces ES Foundry’s ability to deliver at commercial volumes.

Bila Solar is a new solar panel manufacturer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company recently completed retrofitting a former Eli Lilly factory, and its patented ultra-lightweight solar panels are already in production. In addition, the company announced in January that it would expand its product lines to include conventional 550W glass and aluminum frame modules, which incorporate domestically produced solar cells. 

These modules can help solar developers access the ITC’s 10% domestic content bonus credit, particularly on ground-mount projects such as fixed-tilt and carport solar applications. Production of Bila Solar’s new line of domestic cell modules will start in May.

Both companies will exhibit at the upcoming Intersolar North America & Energy Storage North America conference, Feb. 25-27, at the San Diego Convention Center, California, where they will each showcase their commitment to strengthening U.S. solar manufacturing.

“With 100% of our products manufactured in Indianapolis, Bila Solar is committed to delivering high-performance, domestically sourced solar modules,” said Mick McDaniel, General Manager at Bila Solar. “Ever since the U.S. Treasury published its Safe Harbor guidelines regarding the 10% domestic content bonus credit, we’ve seen greater interest in a U.S.-produced module that incorporates a U.S.-made solar cell. Bila Solar is excited to be one of the first companies to offer this product into the marketplace.”

ES Foundry | https://esfoundrycorp.com/

Bila Solar | bilasolar.com

The N05-A platform is the first offshore gas platform in the Dutch North Sea to be powered entirely by wind power – harnessing electricity via cable from the nearby 113.4 MW Riffgat offshore wind farm. The platform is part of the GEMS (‘Gateway to the Ems’) project, whose focus is the development of field N05-A and other fields in the area, situated in the waters on the border of Netherlands and Germany. The electrification of the N05-A platform is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 85% throughout the project's duration. 

Mammoet was approached by HSM Offshore to support the load-out of the 3,050t N05-A topside, and 3,150t jacket, at HSM’s quayside fabrication facility in Schiedam, Rotterdam.

Mammoet’s scope for the project was to successfully load-out both components onto a barge for shipping to sea. Offshore sailing and installation were managed by ONE-Dyas, the owner of the platform.

Mammoet’s engineering approach allowed the jacket to be assembled more efficiently, close to its installation location, and reduced the lead time for construction.   

Assembly and weighing of the jacket and topside realized with mobile cranes, conventional trailers and SPMTs 

The first operational phase of the project was to support the movement and assembly of the jacket, which was fabricated and assembled in two parts.

Mammoet supported the heavy transport and upending of the jacket’s rows with four mobile cranes carrying out the lifts: two LTM 1650 (650t) cranes and two LTM 1450 (450t) cranes. The installation of its pile sleeves was completed using a 750t mobile crane. 

Once in the correct position, the top section of the jacket was moved to the quayside where heavy lifting was performed by two sheerlegs. This created the space for the bottom section to be driven underneath so the two parts could be joined.

Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) were driven underneath the topside. These SPMTs drove the structure outside the fabrication facility and onto the quay. Mammoet then supported the installation of a pedestal crane onto it using conventional trailers and mobile cranes. 

With both the jacket and topside complete, both were picked up by SPMTs and their final weights were determined by using Mammoet load cells. The load-out operation could begin after the weighing of both structures.   

Shipping together both parts of the offshore gas platform to meet the schedule  

One of the biggest challenges of the project was the load-out phase. Normally, for loadouts of this type, a barge would receive either  a topside or a jacket; not both together. However, for this project both structures needed to be loaded-out onto the same vessel, to shorten the overall schedule.

This created space and engineering challenges, as the team had to also allow room to install pumps and winches onto the transport vessel. The combined loads also meant conventional mooring methods couldn’t be applied. 

“The mooring was quite critical, and we had to do a lot of engineering,” explains Sven Segeren, Project Manager at Mammoet. “Normally, we would use a configuration of winches to moor and stabilize the vessel, but that wasn’t possible because of the force of the considerable loads. 

The loads on the winches were too high and the bollards not strong enough, so a small spud leg barge was used to secure the vessel and keep it in position prior to, during and after load-out”.

It took five days to prepare the main barge – to install the ballast equipment, perform the pre-ballasting, and check the sailing conditions to the final location. 

The load-out operation of the jacket foundation and topside was completed in just two days. Four trains of 32 axle line SPMT trailer were used for the movements.

Due to factors beyond the project’s control, the date of execution was unknown for a significant period of time. Therefore, Mammoet was asked if it could prepare a temporary load-in venue, so the next project at the HSM Offshore yard could continue unimpeded.

The team prepared Mammoet’s own yard in Schiedam, next door to HSM Offshore, to perform a load-in of the topside and jacket. An area was prepared to temporarily house the components, equipment was reserved, and necessary engineering plans made.

This space was ultimately not required. However, Mammoet was able to react and adapt to a changing operational environment.

“We work a lot with HSM Offshore. They always involve us at the beginning of projects, so we can help them with smart solutions for assembly,” adds Segeren. 

“Through strong cooperation and our early involvement, we were able to help them come up with a smart approach for the assembly of the jacket and reduce the lead time for construction”.

Mammoet | www.mammoet.com

Fennex, an expert in AI-driven technology, has introduced Predictive Safety, an advanced AI solution that is set to transform safety management and reduce incidents, following a successful initial pilot deployment with Noble Corporation.

Developed in collaboration with data scientists from University College London (UCL) and Robert Gordon University (RGU), Predictive Safety applies AI-driven algorithms to analyse key risk indicators, such as observations and reports. This enables organisations to anticipate hazards and take preventative action before incidents occur.

Deployed across Noble Corporation’s global offshore fleet, the technology has demonstrated its ability to translate operational data into actionable intelligence, enhancing decision-making, reinforcing safety culture, and driving efficiency improvements.

Adrian Brown, managing director at Fennex, introduced the latest solution alongside Noble Corporation at the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Health, Safety & Environment Conference, in Houston on Thursday, 20 February, 2025. 

He commented: “There can be no compromise on safety, and through our collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry safety experts, we have developed an AI-powered predictive intelligence engine that fully unlocks the potential of safety observation data. 

“By analysing millions of real-world safety observations, we have clearly demonstrated that Predictive Safety is an essential, transformational operational tool.” 

Dustin Stringer, global HSE director at Noble Corporation, added: "Systematically analysing leading safety data, observations, reported risks, and near misses, identifies patterns that were previously undetectable and allows us to drive actions that identify high-risk areas and mitigate hazards before they escalate. The ability to anticipate potential safety issues through AI-driven insights is a game-changer for operational safety.

"This isn’t just about technology - it’s about saving lives, reducing incidents, and building a safety culture that is predictive, not reactive. AI isn’t the future - it’s already here. The question is: will we embrace it?"

Fennex’s suite of technology enables organisations to unlock unseen indicators and drive proactive safety interventions. Seamlessly integrating into existing safety management systems, Fennex’s solutions align with industry standards such as OSHA’s Leading Indicators framework and ISO 45001’s proactive risk-based approach.

Fennex | https://fennex.net/ 

Pexapark, the trusted provider of price data, market intelligence and advisory services for renewable energy, announced the acquisition of RenewaFi, the leading platform for renewable energy and battery storage in ERCOT, the grid covering most of Texas. The deal marks Pexapark’s entry into the US, accelerating its mission to bring transparency to the rapidly evolving global renewable energy market.

For renewable energy market participants, changing market dynamics – including the continued penetration of solar and wind, higher expected load growth, and regulatory uncertainty – have led to increasingly complex contract structures. As a result, the industry needs trusted benchmarks for renewable energy pricing as well as actionable market intelligence. This strategic acquisition positions Pexapark to meet this critical demand in both Europe and the US.

By acquiring RenewaFi, Pexapark will deliver more pricing data and more insights across more markets, enabling unmatched price transparency into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Battery Tolls on both sides of the Atlantic. Combining RenewaFi’s strength in ERCOT with Pexapark’s scale and experience, the company will rapidly expand across the US power grids, with a PJM launch planned in the coming months.

“We are thrilled to welcome RenewaFi to Pexapark,” said Luca Pedretti, Co-Founder & COO of Pexapark. “This is a game-changer for our mission to create the world’s leading renewable energy intelligence platform. RenewaFi brings a highly complementary business, a strong US network of nearly 200 energy companies, vast amounts of high-quality price data, and a trusted marketplace for PPAs and BESS Tolls. Together, we will deliver the most comprehensive data and analytics offering in our industry.”

Founded by former power originator Noam Yaffe, RenewaFi has quickly established itself as the leader in ERCOT PPA and BESS Toll market intelligence. RenewaFi’s price tracking solution – which was introduced in April 2024 – has experienced rapid growth, including widespread adoption among the industry’s largest and most reputable companies.

“I founded RenewaFi to combat climate change and make renewable energy markets more efficient,” said Noam Yaffe, Founder & CEO of RenewaFi. “Over the last couple of years, RenewaFi has built a trusted platform for renewables and battery offtake pricing in Texas. Joining Pexapark – the dominant provider of renewables intelligence in Europe – will enhance our customers’ experience and accelerate our expansion across US power markets. I couldn’t be prouder of this transaction and the global platform that we will build together.”

"From our first meeting with Noam and the RenewaFi team, it was clear how well RenewaFi complements Pexapark," said Michael Waldner, Co-Founder & CEO of Pexapark. "This acquisition is about delivering impact for our customers, giving them access to the best pricing intelligence, market insights, and transaction opportunities in renewables. The RenewaFi team has built a truly impressive platform with market-leading US pricing data, and a unique marketplace model – the only true offtake marketplace out there. With this acquisition, Pexapark strengthens its leadership in renewable energy pricing and market intelligence, with significant opportunities for expansion across the US and Europe. As we integrate, our customers can expect exciting new developments and an expanding offering.”

Pexapark | www.pexapark.com 

RenewaFi | www.renewafi.com 

POWER Engineers, Incorporated (POWER) created Meerkat (patent pending), an innovative and powerful physical security analysis tool, to help electrical substation owners and operators safeguard their assets and protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from damaging or crippling physical attacks. Highly customizable, Meerkat can save utilities time, identify the most effective solutions for their budgets and protect against service disruptions. It’s also saving utilities on their bottom lines.  

"In our experience, traditional security analysis and design can take up to three months to accurately identify sight-line threats and design threat mitigation,” said Chief Innovation Officer Jason Pfaff, “but with Meerkat, we’ve been able to reduce that timeframe to around three weeks, depending on the client’s availability.” 

In recent years, the power delivery industry has faced a surge in physical threats to its substations. Malicious actors have used firearms and other methods to target power facilities, inflicting damage and causing widespread outages that can affect entire communities. In response, regulatory bodies, such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, have established standards requiring utility owners and operators to protect their assets against such attacks.  

Meerkat uses high-quality data and interactive models to help substation owners and operators test their assumptions and make informed decisions about security solutions in real time. For every location, the team behind Meerkat uses the most accurate and up-to-date data to create a realistic 3D model of the study area, including all buildings, topography and vegetation. 

POWER’s Physical Substation Security Expert, Chris Ott, said, “We’ve been hearing from auditors and regulators about the need for more objective vulnerability and mitigation assessments, but many of them had a difficult time explaining what that process might look like. We took on that challenge. Moving from a subjective approach to a more objective assessment was the driving force behind Meerkat.” 

Meerkat digitally reconstructs the site in an interactive 3D model that can highlight the vulnerability of critical assets and test the effectiveness of proposed security solutions. Moving a wall, planting a tree or shifting terrain is as easy as clicking and dragging on screen, providing visible results almost immediately. Managers can test scenarios to determine effective security solutions without overbuilding and driving up costs.  

Any entity interested in learning if Meerkat is right for their facility can request a demonstration from our experts at [email protected] or explore more on our website at https://meerkat.powereng.com

POWER Engineers | www.powereng.com

Duke Energy Florida submitted its 2025 Solar Base Rate Adjustment (SoBRA) filing to the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC), outlining plans for four solar energy sites the company is pursuing this year in order to deliver on its commitment to continue providing reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy for its customers.

In accordance with Duke Energy Florida's settlement agreement – which was approved by the FPSC in August 2024 – the company is investing over $521 million to establish solar sites in Madison County (Sundance Renewable Energy Center), Sumter County (Half Moon Renewable Energy Center), Hernando County (Rattler Renewable Energy Center) and Jefferson County (Bailey Mill Renewable Energy Center). All together, these sites are expected to save customers $843 million over their service lifetimes.

To date, the company has broken ground on the Sundance, Half Moon and Rattler renewable energy centers, all of which will be in service by January 2026. Bailey Mill Renewable Energy Center is continuing through the permitting process with the goal of starting construction in the summer of 2025, allowing for it to come online by the summer of 2026. During construction, each solar site will create an average of 150 temporary jobs, and when completed, they will add nearly 300 megawatts of quiet, carbon-free energy to the electric grid.

At peak output, each of the four 74.9-megawatt solar sites will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 23,000 homes, while displacing 1.2 million cubic feet of natural gas, 15,000 barrels of fuel oil and 12,000 tons of coal annually.

"At Duke Energy Florida, we work every day to modernize and strengthen our generation fleet," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "Solar energy is an innovative, cost-effective and clean solution we continue to implement on behalf of our customers all across the Sunshine State."

Duke Energy Florida currently owns, operates and maintains a portfolio of more than 25 solar sites across the state that produce approximately 1,500 megawatts of energy. Between 2025 and 2027, the company plans to build 12 new solar sites – including these four – adding an additional 900 megawatts of energy to the electric grid. In fact, by the end of 2033, the company projects to have over 6,100 megawatts of utility scale solar generating capacity online.

Duke Energy | duke-energy.com 

Solis, one of the third largest solar string inverter manufacturers in the world, recently announced its partnership with Derapi, a leading cloud-based API platform for Distributed Energy Resources. This partnership is intended to better enable Solis solar energy storage customers to participate in and take advantage of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs across the United States and Canada. 

“The distributed energy landscape is ripe for innovation,” said James Qiao, General Manager of Solis. “Our collaboration with Derapi represents a significant step toward enabling homeowners to access programs in which they may not have the ability to in the past. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver sustainable and efficient energy solutions globally.” 

Key benefits of the Derapi and Solis partnership include: 

• Effortless Enrollment: Residential and business battery storage owners can easily join VPP programs for which they are eligible, streamlining the process of accessing energy savings. 
• Enhanced Savings: Participants can access additional utility incentives and VPP revenue. 
• Energy Resilience: By joining VPP programs that dispatch distributed energy resources during times of stress on the grid, participants strengthen grid reliability and support the transition to a sustainable energy future. 

“Smart energy storage inverters from Solis are an important part of the distributed energy ecosystem,” said Thomas Lee, Founder and President of Derapi. “Our partnership gives owners of Solis energy storage inverters access to market- and utility-based programs offered by VPP and Demand Response providers using the Derapi platform. These programs can immediately add Solis to their supported vendor lists with no additional integration work. We are excited to be working with Solis to make the benefits of VPP participation accessible to a broad range of users.”

Derapi | https://derapi.com/

Solis Inverters | https://www.solisinverters.com/us