Energy Digest

The article discusses a new technique developed by Talgat Kopzhanov to increase the supply of electricity in the United States. The technique, called generator replacement interconnection process, links renewable energy sources to the grid connections of shuttered or underutilized power facilities and coal plants. This approach eliminates the need for years-long approval processes for constructing new power facilities, making it a faster and more affordable solution.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has received approval from its board of trustees to develop an additional 1.2GW of energy storage as part of its renewed Strategic Plan for New Renewable Energy Generation. This move comes in response to "strong federal headwinds" and aims to diversify the state's energy mix. The development will support NYPA's efforts to increase renewable energy production.

NV Energy has confirmed that extensive talks have been held among utilities participating in the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) to develop an alternative to the Western Power Pool's Western Resource Adequacy Program. These discussions began as early as spring 2025 and involved a smaller group of utilities, which later expanded to include more participants. The goal of these talks is to create a resource adequacy program aligned with EDAM.

The article discusses the evolution of energy systems in relation to an AI-powered world, emphasizing the importance of human expertise paired with AI-driven insights to create a reliable and affordable energy ecosystem. It suggests that collaborations across industries can help achieve this goal. No specific technologies or solutions are mentioned.

The article discusses a record year for new energy storage installations, with Ford entering the market and expected continued growth despite some challenges. The industry is shaping up to be another successful year in terms of energy storage installations. However, no specific numbers are provided in this summary.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has ordered the PJM Interconnection to develop large load colocation rules, which are seen as a win for independent power producers operating gas-fired and nuclear power plants in the region. This decision aims to address potential issues with electricity pricing and capacity margins. The outcome is expected to benefit these power producers.

The article features a selection of power and energy systems deals, including the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X Portable Power Station at an exclusive $1,300 savings, bringing its price down to $6,999. Additionally, there are discounts on Anker's eufyCam S3 Pro Solar Security Camera multi-pack kits starting from $400, and Anker's SOLIX 72-hour weekend flash sale offering up to $4,398 off power stations and bundles. Other deals include Autel's latest 80A level 2 EV charging station, Schumacher's level 1 portable EV charger, and Birdfy smart solar bird feeders.

The article discusses New Jersey's shift towards solar power, highlighting the need for state leadership to support and promote renewable energy. This move is seen as a positive step forward in addressing the challenges faced by solar power in the US, particularly under the Trump administration's attacks on the sector. However, the article emphasizes that more state-level leadership is needed to ensure continued progress.

A study has found that rooftop bifacial PV systems in high-latitude areas can generate up to 9-13% more electricity than monofacial panels under snow conditions, particularly in winter. This is due to the increased absorption of sunlight by the dual-sided design when it is snowing outside but still sunny on the underside. The research developed a techno-economic optimization model to analyze the performance of bifacial PV systems.

The article discusses how hydrogen fuel cell forklifts in US distribution centers are being used to counter a critique of hydrogen transport, but are instead seen as a "rounding error" that doesn't provide sufficient evidence to support the broader use of hydrogen. This implies that while hydrogen may be viable for certain applications, it is not yet suitable for widespread adoption. The article suggests that these examples are misleading and don't necessarily prove the feasibility of hydrogen transport.

Sunrun, a leading provider of distributed energy solutions, has partnered with NRG Energy to expand its presence in the Texas market. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of distributed energy and home battery storage in Texas, addressing the state's growing energy demand. This partnership is expected to deliver dispatchable capacity to meet the increasing energy needs.

**SUMMARY** The article highlights various holiday deals on electric vehicles and power stations, including the Navee XT5 Pro Long-Range Off-Road Electric Scooter at $1,400, Anker's SOLIX C200 DC Compact Power Station starting from $108, and Lectric's e-bike series with up to $500 price cuts. These deals are part of a Christmas flash sale that will end on December 18. Additionally, other deals such as the Velotric Christmas e-bike Gift Season Sale and Heybike's dual-battery Hauler cargo e-bike are also available. **KEY TAKEAWAYS** • The Navee XT5 Pro Long-Range Off-Road Electric Scooter is now available at $1,400, offering premium upgrades. • Anker's SOLIX C200 DC Compact Power Station starts at $108, with larger counterparts available, and can be used as a backup power source on-the-go. • Lectric's e-bike series is experiencing price cuts, with some models starting from $1399, providing an opportunity for customers to save up to $500.

A new program by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) through the Exelon Foundation is offering free rooftop solar installations to low- and moderate-income homeowners in Baltimore, courtesy of Civic Works' Baltimore Shines initiative.

Renewable energy companies Akuo Energy and Voltalia have initiated projects in the French overseas territories of New Caledonia and French Guiana, marking a significant expansion into the region. The move is part of their broader efforts to develop sustainable energy solutions in French Polynesia. This development is expected to contribute to the growth of renewable energy in the Pacific.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a special contract with DTE Energy to supply approximately 1.4 GW of power to a $7 billion data center in Saline Township, amidst criticism from the state's attorney general. The approval process was deemed expedited and came with several conditions, including DTE absorbing costs associated with serving the data center. This deal is expected to add over 10% to DTE's peak demand.

The Polish government has allocated subsidies to 172 large-scale battery storage projects, totaling 14.5 GWh of energy storage capacity, which will be completed by the end of 2028. These projects are expected to deliver a total power output of approximately 3,900 MW and help reduce Poland's reliance on fossil fuels. The subsidy program aims to support the development of renewable energy sources in the country.

**SUMMARY** FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers have discovered a way to optimize PFSA membranes from hydrogen fuel cells for use in various clean-energy applications, including energy storage and mineral harvesting. By briefly boiling the membranes, they can enhance water uptake and proton conductivity while sacrificing selectivity. This innovation has potential applications in flow batteries, electrochemical CO2-to-fuel reactors, and lithium extraction. **KEY TAKEAWAYS** * Briefly boiling PFSA membranes from hydrogen fuel cells can increase water uptake and proton conductivity, making them suitable for a range of clean-energy applications. * The optimized membranes have the potential to be used in flow batteries, redox flow batteries, and electrochemical CO2-to-fuel reactors for energy storage. * The researchers found that by adjusting the boil time and temperature, they can tailor the properties of the membrane to suit specific applications, such as lithium extraction from salty brine.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has secured funding for a massive 1GW solar PV power plant paired with energy storage in Egypt, making it Africa's largest single-site renewables and battery project. The project aims to support Egypt's renewable energy goals and provide a reliable source of clean energy. The IFC's investment is expected to play a crucial role in the project's development.

Australia's rapid expansion of solar and wind energy has led to stable wholesale electricity prices, which have remained unchanged since 2016. This is a result of rooftop solar providing resilient and low-emission power, making all-electric homes increasingly independent from the grid. Australia is now tracking towards 82% renewable electricity in 2030, with solar and wind being the primary sources.

SPIE, a France-based engineering and energy services company, has signed a three-year framework agreement with Tesla to deploy Megapack technology across various European battery energy storage projects. The partnership includes several ongoing projects in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium, which will feature Tesla's Megapack technology. This collaboration aims to support the growth of renewable energy storage in Europe.

Canon IT Solutions has started testing a solar PV system to power its Tier 4 data center in Nishitokyo, Japan. The system aims to boost renewable energy use and reduce costs by generating approximately 69 MWh of electricity annually. This initiative is part of Canon's efforts to diversify its power supplies and enhance power resilience during emergencies.

Rute SunTracker has deployed its first commercial solar photovoltaic project on an Angus ranch in Oregon, marking a breakthrough in agrivoltaics. The 120 kW solar array, with a 13-ft clearance, is designed to accommodate cattle grazing while generating clean energy. This innovative solution is set to benefit both farmers and the solar sector by opening up suitable sites for solar power.

The article discusses how clean energy has remained dominant in the US, despite President Trump's efforts to halt its transition away from fossil fuels. The data shows that solar and wind energy have continued to grow, while fossil fuel-based energy has declined. This suggests that Trump's policies may not have had a significant impact on the growth of clean energy.

The article reports on the recent decision by the Republican Party to cut support for solar and wind power, despite its long-standing endorsement by voters from both parties. This move is seen as a negative development for renewable energy in the US. Solar and wind power have been gaining popularity over the years.

US researchers have developed a self-supervised machine-learning algorithm that can identify long-term physical defects in solar arrays, potentially reducing operations and maintenance costs. The algorithm uses historical datasets and integrates inverter performance with weather data to predict and diagnose issues weeks or years in advance. This technology aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of O&M practices.

Clivet, an Italian heat pump manufacturer, has released a new residential air-to-air heat pump system called Fullness. The system is designed to replace traditional multi-component systems with a single compact indoor unit, offering improved efficiency and reduced noise levels. With a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.8 and a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 3.79, the Fullness heat pump is designed for high-performance heating and cooling applications.

The Maine Office of the Public Advocate has requested a hearing from FERC to investigate the prudency of investments by New England transmission owners in asset condition projects placed in service in 2022. The advocate has "serious doubts" about whether the decision-making process for these projects was prudent, citing significant increases in spending on asset condition projects over recent years. This request comes after a previous FERC ruling required transmission companies to provide more information about their investment decisions.