Controlled Liquid Hydrogen Storage: The backbone of decentralized energy

Exus Renewables (Exus), the pan-European Energy Solutions Provider, has signed a strategic commercial partnership with pure.energy GmbH (Pure Energy), a major German energy management company with approximately 8 GW of renewable assets under management across European power markets.

Initially focused on Germany and Poland, the two companies unite complementary core strengths: Exus' full-cycle asset management capabilities across technical, financial and commercial operations, alongside Pure Energy's real-time dispatch and intraday execution, forged and tested in Germany, and other key European markets. By combining these offerings, the collaboration delivers a single route to market, introducing Pure Energy's trading precision while consolidating comprehensive asset services across these two core regions. The partnership is designed to grow, with both companies sharing a clear ambition to extend the collaboration into additional European markets, including Spain.

Bringing these capabilities together removes the silo effect that has long separated asset operations from market execution, giving owners of renewable and BESS assets seamless access to the full value chain: from hedging, structured offtake and intraday optimisation to ancillary service management, all coordinated across asset management and energy trading through a unified approach.

The agreement comes at a pivotal moment for European power markets. As renewable penetration grows and market dynamics become increasingly volatile, asset owners face operational and commercial challenges that demand more sophisticated energy services. Across Europe, energy systems are undergoing rapid transformation. Germany is targeting 80% renewable electricity by 2030 alongside 100–170 GWh of storage capacity, while Poland’s BESS pipeline has surged to 12.5 GW. Both markets are investing heavily in renewables and grid flexibility and are urgently seeking solutions that bridge asset operations with market performance. 

As the partnership looks to expand beyond its initial markets, Spain stands out as a strong candidate. With the country targeting 81% renewable electricity generation by 2030 alongside 22.5 GW of energy storage, it offers a compelling environment for the integrated model that both companies are building together. 

“In this environment, maximising portfolio value increasingly depends on integrated solutions," saidAlfonso Cebrián, Managing Director of Energy Services at Exus. "This agreement is a significant step in strengthening our Energy Services pillar and reflects our broader ambition to position Exus as a pan-European integrated Energy Solutions Provider. Pure Energy's footprint and proven credentials in Germany and Poland align directly with our expansion priorities in Europe, and we look forward to delivering enhanced value to our clients across both markets."

"Asset owners no longer want to choose between best-in-class operations and market access, as they want both, working as one," said Anduvap Servet Akgün, Managing Director of Pure Energy. "By combining Exus' lifecycle asset management with our energy management, forecasting and balancing capabilities, we give renewable energy owners an end-to-end offering: technical decisions and market actions that reinforce each other, full transparency through a single interface, and measurable revenue uplift. Germany and Poland, and Spain as a potential market, are exactly where that integrated value matters most, and this partnership lets us deliver it at scale while each owner keeps full control of their assets."

For both companies, this marks the start of a broader commercial commitment, with a shared ambition to expand their combined offering and deliver greater value to clients as the European energy market continues to evolve.

Exus Renewables | www.exusrenewables.com

Pure Energy | www.pureenergy.de

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has published an updated edition of its recommended practice DNV-RP-0585 Seismic design of wind power plants, providing enhanced guidance for the design of onshore and offshore wind assets exposed to earthquake loading.

As wind power deployment expands into seismically active markets, particularly across Asia-Pacific, earthquake loading is increasingly becoming a key design consideration. Seismic events can significantly affect wind turbines, foundations, offshore substations, power cables and installation vessels, creating engineering challenges beyond those addressed by conventional wind and wave design approaches.

The updated recommended practice provides harmonized guidance for assessing and managing seismic risks throughout the design process. It complements existing DNV standards for wind turbines, support structures and offshore substations, while supporting projects designed in accordance with the IEC 61400 series.

"Wind power projects are increasingly being developed in regions where earthquake loading is a primary design driver rather than a secondary consideration," says Mette Redanz, Vice President for Renewables Certification at DNV. "The updated recommended practice provides the industry with consistent and transparent methodologies for seismic design, enabling safer and more reliable wind power projects in some of the world's most demanding environments."

The 2026 edition incorporates lessons learned from recent projects and from the ACE 2-EVOLUTION joint industry project (JIP), which brings together more than 20 companies from across the offshore wind value chain.

Key updates in the new edition include:

• Enhanced guidance on seismic analysis methodologies and modelling requirements
• Updated recommendations for soil-structure interaction and foundation damping
• Clarifications on seismic loading, ground motion selection and post-processing requirements
• Guidance for identifying critical design positions within large wind power plants
• New recommendations for installation vessels operating in seismic regions
• An informative appendix summarizing local seismic design requirements in Japan

"Effective seismic design requires close alignment between turbine, foundation and geotechnical disciplines," explains Marcus Klose, Project manager for the ACE joint industry project and Head of Section Offshore Technology and Innovation at DNV. "This update reflects insights gained through international collaboration and practical project experience, providing engineers with clearer guidance while supporting consistency and confidence across the industry."

Applicable to both onshore and offshore projects, DNV-RP-0585 provides guidance on seismic hazard assessment, design load cases, geotechnical considerations, analysis methods and post-earthquake actions. The recommended practice supports designers, developers, suppliers, purchasers, regulators and certification bodies involved in wind projects in seismically active regions worldwide.

Access the document: DNV-RP-0585 Seismic design of wind power

DNV | www.dnv.com  

Following the delivery of the bus fleet and the securing of a green hydrogen supply, Weser-Ems-Bus has commissioned a mobile hydrogen refuelling station in Lower Saxony, enabling the rapid deployment of its hydrogen buses while awaiting the completion of a permanent refuelling station.

A mobile station: a practical answer to a major operational challenge

As many local authorities transition their fleets to hydrogen mobility, synchronising the deployment schedules of vehicles, refuelling infrastructure and associated equipment can prove challenging. Mobile refuelling stations provide an immediately available solution to secure the start-up phase of hydrogen mobility projects. 

Partners join forces to accelerate the deployment of a hydrogen bus fleet

In December 2025, Weser-Ems-Bus, a subsidiary of DB Regio AG, deployed six fuel cell buses to provide regular public transport services from Jever in the East Frisia region of Lower Saxony. The project was developed in close collaboration with the Friesland district, the authority responsible for public transport. 

Pending completion of the permanent hydrogen refuelling station, Weser-Ems-Bus quickly established a partnership with the independent research institute Technologie-Transfer-Zentrum Bremerhaven (ttz Bremerhaven), station operator MoviaTec and green hydrogen producer and supplier Lhyfe.

-  ttz Bremerhaven provided its own mobile refuelling station and is carrying out scientific monitoring of the buses’ deployment, allowing the institute to collect valuable operational data and insights on the performance of hydrogen buses in daily service. 

-  MoviaTec operates the entire refuelling station at the Jever site and ensures safe and reliable operation in line with applicable safety requirements. Its role includes preparing the explosion protection documentation, coordinating regular visual inspections and operational checks, and supporting commissioning as well as the resolution of technical challenges during operation.

-  Lhyfe supplies RFNBO^]-certified and green hydrogen, meeting the highest sustainability requirements currently defined by the European Union. With four RFNBO-certified green hydrogen production sites, a fleet of more than 80 Type IV hydrogen containers – one of the largest and most modern bulk hydrogen transport fleets in Europe – and around fifteen storage locations, Lhyfe is one of Europe’s pioneering producers and suppliers of green hydrogen. 

This solution enabled Weser-Ems-Bus to immediately launch its fleet in December 2025, and to ensure a continuous supply of green hydrogen in line with its sustainability commitments.

Faster-than-expected refuelling: a practical and replicable solution 

The mobile refuelling station operates at 350 bar, the pressure level commonly used for hydrogen-powered buses and commercial vehicles.

Before the station came on line, several refuelling scenarios were modelled based on the anticipated hydrogen demand of the buses. These assumptions are now being validated under real operating conditions. Actual refuelling operations have shown that buses can be refuelled more quickly than anticipated in the original simulations. As a result, the station has met — and in some cases exceeded — the expectations of the project partners.

This project demonstrates that vehicle deployment and infrastructure commissioning do not necessarily need to follow the same timeline, offering a practical solution to accelerate the transition to zero-emission public transport.

The next steps will focus on further optimising refuelling operations and analysing vehicle consumption data until the permanent station in Schortens, within the JadeWeserPark industrial area, enters service later in 2026.

Daniel Marx, Managing Director, Weser-Ems-Bus, a subsidiary of DB Regio AG: “We are actively shaping the future of mobility and take our responsibility for climate protection seriously. With the help of funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport, around 10% of DB Regio Bus Nord's fleet runs emissions-free, mostly on battery-electric. In close cooperation with the Friesland district, we were able to test the use case of hydrogen mobility and gained important experience for the future.”

Günther Schumacher, Project manager, ttz Bremerhaven: “From our previous projects, we are familiar with the challenges involved in introducing hydrogen buses. By analysing the routes and the needs of the bus operator, we were able to develop suitable scenarios for on-demand refuelling of the hydrogen buses introduced in Jever and to implement our hydrogen refuelling system there. Under everyday operating conditions, the refuelling station worked very well and has even exceeded expectations.”

Frank Rößler, Managing Director of MoviaTec GmbH: “This project demonstrates that hydrogen mobility can be implemented quickly and reliably when infrastructure, supply and operation are closely coordinated. As operator of the mobile refuelling station, MoviaTec ensures safe day-to-day operation and supports the project with its practical experience in hydrogen infrastructure, commissioning and technical operations.”

Pascal Louvet, Sales Director Germany at Lhyfe: “Across Europe, we are seeing increasing maturity within hydrogen mobility ecosystems and a strong determination to accelerate deployment. The technologies are available, initial use cases are proving successful, and local stakeholders are progressively organising around operational projects. The challenge today is to enable these projects to move forward quickly through efficient solutions adapted to real-world conditions. Mobile refuelling stations really hit this nail on the head.”

MoviaTec GmbH | www.moviatec.com

Lhyfe | https://www.lhyfe.com/

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) President and CEO Debra Phillips issued the following response to the announcement that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will not be renewed for a 16-year term. 

"While a full renewal of the USMCA was not achieved yesterday, NEMA is encouraged that the three countries will continue negotiating toward a stronger trade agreement, while keeping the current terms in force.

"Since USMCA entered into force in 2020, the U.S. electrical manufacturing industry has invested more than $200 billion in domestic production, cut dependence on Chinese materials by nearly 50%, and helped build the regional electrical supply chain that America's energy dominance and AI leadership now depend on.  

"NEMA looks forward to working with the Administration to achieve a strengthened, durable, trilateral agreement, with a focus on enforcement, preventing transshipment, and North American standards harmonization." 

National Electrical Manufacturers Association | makeitelectric.org

Containerized battery energy storage systems (BESS) have expanded rapidly in North America as utilities, businesses, and communities integrate batteries for grid stability, backup power, renewable energy integration, microgrid support, and hybrid energy systems. 

This widespread adoption is one reason safety standards such as NFPA 855 have become more significant, as regulators and industry stakeholders seek consistent guidelines for safely installing and operating the expanding number of battery energy storage systems.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 855, formally titled “Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems,” is the primary fire-safety and installation standard in the United States for BESS and other stationary energy storage technologies. The document establishes minimum safety requirements governing how these systems must be designed, installed, operated, and protected in residential, commercial, and utility-scale settings.

The standard exists because large battery installations introduce unique hazards, particularly with lithium-ion batteries, including thermal runaway, flammable gas generation, and potential fire propagation between battery modules or containers.

NFPA 855 addresses these hazards by requiring a “layers of protection” approach to hazard mitigation and fire protection. Rather than relying on a single safeguard, the standard expects systems to incorporate several independent protections that collectively reduce the likelihood and severity of failures. 

In practice, this means installations typically include combinations of monitoring, detection, containment, and suppression measures. These can involve early fire detection, gas detection, ventilation to address buildup of flammable gases, fire-suppression systems, explosion prevention and control, and design features intended to prevent or limit thermal runaway propagation between battery cells or modules.

Containerized BESS

The use of standardized container formats has become the dominant architecture in large scale battery storage because it simplifies manufacturing, transportation, and installation. It also allows systems to be scaled easily by adding additional containers to meet the desired energy demand. 

This approach allows manufacturers to package batteries, cooling systems, power electronics, and safety equipment into a modular unit that can be transported by truck, rail, or ship and installed quickly at a site.

However, most utility-scale battery projects do not consist of just one container. Instead, many containerized units are deployed together in rows across a site, connected through power conversion systems and transformers to form a much larger energy storage plant. 

A single project might include dozens or even hundreds of containers arranged in arrays. The combined capacity of these installations can range from tens of megawatt-hours for small grid support projects to hundreds or even thousands of megawatt-hours at the largest facilities.

Hydrogen Accumulation

According to Geof Brazier, Managing Director of BS&B Safety Systems Explosion Protection Division, in the most recent 2026 edition of NFPA 855, several new requirements were introduced related to battery system hazards and protection strategies, including expanded hazard-mitigation analysis, additional testing expectations, and stronger provisions related to fire and explosion risk management in large battery installations.

“One of the recognized safety concerns was the buildup of hydrogen and other combustible gases in containerized BESS, because hydrogen is highly flammable and can accumulate to a combustible concentration in enclosed spaces if not properly ventilated or monitored and controlled,” says Brazier.

Hydrogen rich gas can be generated during certain battery failure modes or abnormal operating conditions. In some battery chemistries, even traditional lead-acid batteries, hydrogen is produced as a normal byproduct during charging through electrolysis of water in the electrolyte and typically in small, easily ventilated quantities.

In BESS installations that use lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen and other combustible gases can be generated during thermal runaway or internal battery damage. When lithium-ion cells overheat or fail, chemical decomposition of the electrolyte and other cell components can produce a mixture of gases that may include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and other flammable compounds. 

The danger arises when hydrogen or other flammable gases accumulate in an enclosed space and are then ignited by electrical equipment, static discharge, or other ignition sources. 

Hydrogen has a very wide flammability range and a low minimum ignition energy. In air under typical conditions, it is flammable at concentrations of approximately 4% to 75% by volume; the lower end of this range, about 4%, is known as the lower flammability limit. Because it is lighter than air, hydrogen tends to accumulate near the ceiling or the upper portions of a container if ventilation is inadequate. This can further increase hydrogen concentrations in those upper areas.

In the lower ranges when hydrogen comprises less than 20% of the mixture in air by volume, an ignition can cause a deflagration event.

Unlike a detonation, which produces a supersonic shock wave of great destructive force, a deflagration is slower moving but still produces unacceptably high pressures in a confined structure. The expanding combustion gases press outward rapidly at high temperature and pressure and, if not intentionally relieved, the structure can suffer significant damage, and occupants or nearby individuals may be seriously injured. 

When the percentage of hydrogen in the air is around 20%, detonation events can generate powerful shock waves that travel faster than the speed of sound. 

“When you get into the higher percentages, you are dealing with explosions that can transition to an unprotectable detonation, so it is important to do the utmost to reduce the level of hydrogen accumulation in the container so the conditions for an explosion do not arise,” says Brazier. 

The resulting deflagration or explosion may not only damage the container but may propagate fire driven overheating to adjacent BESS modules.

Because of these risks, Brazier says modern BESS designs emphasize early detection and layered protection strategies. These include monitoring battery temperature and voltage to detect failures early, detecting flammable gases before they reach hazardous concentrations, and providing controlled ventilation or explosion relief to prevent pressure buildup.

BS&B Safety Systems’ VSP Actuated Ventilation System is an NFPA 69 explosion prevention device designed to protect BESS enclosures by actively releasing combustible hydrogen and other accumulated gases before an explosive concentration arises.

Sensors continuously monitor combustible gas concentrations inside the enclosure. When elevated gas levels are detected, an actuator opens the vent flap to safely discharge the gases. Once concentrations return to acceptable levels, the actuator closes the flap, and normal operating conditions are restored. This automated cycle repeats as needed whenever elevated gas levels are detected, providing continuous protection for the enclosure.

“An explosion prevention device doesn’t necessarily have to respond to an explosion,” explains Brazier. “In this case, it responds before an explosion would occur to let the hydrogen out before it builds up into a combustible range.”

Containerized BESS are also increasingly fitted with explosion vents to control the pressure spikes and direct flame and gas when a thermal-runaway event causes a flammable atmosphere to ignite and a low concentration of combustible gas results in a deflagration. 

Brazier says BS&B specifically designed its BESS-Saf™ as a family of explosion and pressure relief vents with BESS enclosure dynamics in mind. The vents support controlled pressure relief to help mitigate explosion risk resulting from thermal runaway and gas generation.

The low-burst-pressure explosion vent panels can be mounted on the container roof or upper exterior walls. In the event of a deflagration or explosion, the panel opens and vents to the open atmosphere, directing the discharge away with attention to avoidance of discharge across egress paths being essential.

The BS&B explosion vent type VSP-A is a breathable construction that permits combustible gases to pass through the device under normal operating conditions while providing a barrier from rain, snow and other climatic influences. 

Flame-Free versions incorporate a flame arrester rated for hydrogen and other gas deflagration conditions with an explosion vent. This combination provides a reliable layer of protection for enclosures exposed to deflagration and overpressure risks. 

“If hydrogen or other gases accumulate and a deflagration arises, the explosion vent opens to relieve overpressure while the integrated flame arrester quenches the flame front to mitigate the release of flame to the atmosphere,” says Brazier.

Pressure relief vents of this kind are often combined with gas detection and forced ventilation systems to keep concentrations below the lower flammable limit. 

“Explosion venting is not mandatory [in NFPA 855], but it is one of the permitted methods for achieving explosion control,” explains Brazier. “Because venting is often a comparatively economical solution, it receives significant attention and is frequently viewed as the preferred cost-effective approach.”

According to Brazier, vent selection is determined through an evaluation of the enclosure’s size and structural capacity, the design strength, and the total vent area necessary to maintain internal forces within allowable limits. 

Companies like BS&B Safety Systems are able to provide technical guidance throughout the specification process to help identify the appropriate explosion vent configurations, and materials to support an effective venting strategy aligned with applicable codes and standards. 

“By working methodically through these parameters, the correct design approach can be established with confidence, aligning performance, safety, and compliance objectives,” says Brazier.

BS&B Safety Systems | https://bsbsystems.com/

New Jersey lawmakers passed landmark legislation to expand access to affordable, easy-to-install “plug-in solar” systems to all, including renters and apartment-dwellers, yesterday by a unanimous vote. The Garden State Plug-In Solar Act (S2368/A4836) removes outdated restrictions that have historically blocked plug-in solar, and gives households a practical way to save on energy bills and take part in the clean energy transition.

Plug-in solar panels, which fit on a balcony, patio, or porch, provide a low-cost, accessible option for households to reduce electricity costs and reliance on expensive utility power. The technology is widely popular. An April FDU poll found nearly 80 percent of New Jerseyans support plug-in solar.

“New Jersey must ensure that our energy policies are able to lower costs for our residents, and this law is a direct step toward that goal,” said Senator John McKeon. “Plug-in solar puts clean, affordable energy within reach of every household in the state.”

"The Garden State Balcony Solar Act is a smart, practical step toward expanding access to affordable solar technology for residents who have historically been locked out of solar energy because access was largely limited to those with private rooftops,” said Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese. “Every New Jerseyan deserves the opportunity to choose cost-saving energy solutions."

“Generating clean energy at home is the fastest and most reliable way to protect NJ families from rising energy costs,” said Vote Solar Action Fund’s Senior Regional Director and convener of the NJ Shines Coalition, Elowyn Corby. “Plug-in solar is a simple way to protect families against rising bills, and against the impossible decisions that come with them, like whether to pay for energy or buy groceries. While there’s more work to be done to ensure that all families have access, this is a major step forward for clean energy and affordability in New Jersey.” 

"New Jerseyans pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country, but until today the roughly 40 percent of households who rent or live in apartments had no way to do anything about it," said Permit Power Co-Founder and Chief of Advocacy Hannah Birnbaum. "This nation-leading legislation tears down those barriers and is critical to ensure that anyone with an electric bill can plug in solar and start saving.”

“New Jersey has been a national leader on solar for more than 20 years. But as solar has spread across the state, there are still hundreds of thousands of residents who don’t have a way to go solar. Plug-in solar is a simple concept – solar small enough to plug in but big enough to provide real environmental and bill benefits. Plug-in solar has rapidly expanded across Europe and it’s time to make it as easy as possible for all residents to go green by literally plugging into clean energy,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey.

“New Jersey families deserve every opportunity to lower their energy bills while building a cleaner, healthier future. By expanding access to plug-in solar, this legislation makes clean energy more affordable and accessible for renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners alike. It's a commonsense step that puts more power in the hands of New Jersey residents while strengthening our clean energy future," said Allison McLeod, Interim Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

“Today’s passage of The Garden State Plug-In Solar Act is a great step forward toward expanding access to clean, affordable energy in New Jersey,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director for the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. “With this legislation, renters and apartment-dwellers can now plug-in to lower their electric bills and generate more clean power for their surrounding community."

“At a time when New Jersey families are already facing high costs of living and increasing health risks within an unstable energy supply chain, access to reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions like plug-in solar are more important than ever,” said Ben Haygood, Director, Johnson Center for Learning and Policy at Isles. “This is especially critical for families in overburdened communities like Trenton, who have historically been left out of efforts to expand clean energy access.”

"Waterspirit is proud that NJ's leadership is taking a step in the right direction toward peace through justice via solar energy for all.” said Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Waterspirit. “Plug-in solar will reduce water waste, increase energy affordability and access to the sun’s energy for every NJ resident. We look forward to timely implementation!"

NJ Shines Coalition | https://www.njshines.org/

Vote Solar | https://votesolar.org/

Yaskawa America, Inc. has earned Interaction Metrics' Outstanding CX Award for its 2025 customer experience, based on a third-party survey of their Distributors, OEMs, and End Users in the United States and Canada. 

The survey, conducted by customer experience research firm Interaction Metrics, evaluated Yaskawa across 112 distinct performance dimensions, resulting in an overall score of 90 out of 100. Yaskawa's Net Promoter Score (NPS), the standard measure of customer likelihood to recommend, created by Bain & Company, came in at 66, climbing over 4 points from the prior year and well into the "excellent" tier on Bain's benchmark scale. 

Several areas stood out not only for scoring well, but for being the dimensions most strongly correlated with overall satisfaction: Product Quality, Product Performance, Tech Support Problem Resolution, Application Engineering Technical Skills, and Training Instructors. In other words, Yaskawa scored highest on the things customers cared most about. 

"I am delighted with the progress we've made, and clearly our customers are pleased as well," said Dennis Fitzgerald, Vice President of Customer Satisfaction at Yaskawa America. 

That sentiment was echoed by customers themselves. "The fact that Yaskawa has invested in finding out how to help their customers speaks volumes about the company and the direction in which they are heading," said a large Distributor from the Northeast. “

In fact, an overall score of 90 with a rising NPS is rare in B2B," said Martha Brooke, Founder of Interaction Metrics. "But the number matters less than what sits behind it. Our TrueData model tells Yaskawa exactly where they're winning, and where to focus next. Most companies never get that clarity. “ 

The survey also identified specific areas where experience varied across customer segments, giving Yaskawa a concrete map of where to focus in 2026. The company plans to act on those findings throughout the year. 

Yaskawa | https://www.yaskawa.com