Energy Digest

NV Energy, a leading energy provider in Nevada, is facing challenges in meeting the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) due to rising electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. The company expects to struggle in meeting the RPS target for several years, citing federal policy changes and increasing energy needs as major concerns. NV Energy may need to request a compliance waiver if it fails to meet the RPS requirement.

The article discusses the challenges of sizing a home solar system for rural homes with wells, where keeping the well pump running is essential to maintaining water supply. It highlights that traditional advice on sizing solar systems assumes suburban homes with city water and various loads. Instead, the article provides insights into the specific requirements for rural homes.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the Southwestern Power Pool's (SPP) tariff additions, allowing for a streamlined process to review requests for "high-impact" large loads seeking to interconnect with SPP's system. The new attachments to the tariff incorporate transmission, generation, and load interconnection services into a single framework, effective January 15. This move aims to address operational challenges posed by unprecedented growth in large loads in SPP's footprint.

The Trump administration has requested that PJM hold an "emergency" auction to supply data centers with power and energy. The proposal is seen as policy signaling rather than a binding market reform, according to Capstone analysts. This suggests that the move may be intended to influence the energy market rather than making a significant change.

Tesla has introduced a new all-black solar module for residential applications, featuring sleek aesthetics and high-powered engineering. The module is available in two power output versions and comes with a 25-year product warranty and performance warranty. This launch may signal a renewed focus on Tesla's residential solar business.

Researchers from UNSW University have investigated the impact of different encapsulants on the corrosion-induced degradation of TOPCon solar modules and found that some POE encapsulants can trigger severe corrosion, leading to up to 55% power loss under damp-heat conditions. The study highlights the importance of the exact encapsulant formulation in determining module reliability, rather than just the polymer type. This suggests that not all POE encapsulants are safe for TOPCon modules.

Scientists have analyzed the competition between photovoltaics and agriculture for land use in Spain, finding that falling solar PV costs and high irradiance could make solar more profitable than farming by the mid-2040s. This is due to the increasing demand for solar power, with global installations projected to reach 1 TW per year by 2025. The study highlights growing land-use competition between photovoltaics and agriculture in Spain.

A team at Korea University has developed a new ternary Pt3(Co,Mn)1 catalyst that significantly improves the performance of hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst, which uses tiny interfacial oxygen vacancies to line up atoms in a flawless lattice, achieves over ten times the mass activity of traditional Pt/C catalysts and retains 96% of its performance after 150,000 cycles. This breakthrough could revolutionize the economics of fuel cell technology for various applications.

The Sylvan Group has invested $270 million in SK Hyverse Liquefied H₂ Network, acquiring a majority stake and expanding the company's hydrogen infrastructure. The investment aims to build 29 cryogenic hubs across Asia, serving approximately 6,000 fuel-cell buses by 2029. This move marks a shift from building gigafactories to focusing on rolling out real-world network growth.

Here is the requested analysis: Ammobia Inc., a clean energy startup, has raised $7.5 million in seed funding to scale their modular Haber-Bosch 2.0 technology, which aims to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from traditional ammonia production methods by half. The new process uses sorbent-assisted ammonia capture and explores non-iron catalysts to achieve milder operating conditions. This technology has the potential to transform the way ammonia is produced.

Hyundai appears to have a solution to Waymo's door-closing problem, which has been causing issues with robotaxis. The exact details of the solution are not mentioned in the article, but it suggests that future vehicle models will address this issue. The problem of passengers not closing doors fully was previously being addressed by towing companies.

The article highlights several exclusive new low prices for various products, including power stations and e-bikes. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station is available at $1,219, while the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Portable Power Station can be purchased at its second-best price of $749. These deals are part of a larger flash sale that includes discounts on other products.

The article discusses how geospatial data is transforming the utility landscape, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital twins, and other emerging technologies. Experts from various companies, including NV5, Denver Water, and Cyient, are exploring how these innovations are changing expectations across different sectors. The discussion highlights the growing importance of geospatial data in shaping the future of utilities.

The gas turbine industry is facing significant supply chain challenges, resulting in backlogs that will last for years to come, and utilities are struggling to secure dispatchable capacity. This shortage could lead to a reshaping of the generation mix in the next decade. The impact on the energy sector will be far-reaching.

The PJM Interconnection has revised its near-term load forecast due to stricter data center vetting and a more favorable economic outlook, which is expected to lead to increased electricity demand. The updated forecast assumes higher electricity consumption in the coming years. Despite this, long-term load growth is still projected to exceed previous estimates.

The US government has issued a new plan to force data centers to pay for the electricity they need, which may undermine renewable energy sources. This move aims to address growing demand for electricity from data centers, but its impact on the country's transition to cleaner energy is uncertain. The plan's specifics are not yet clear.

Talen Energy has agreed to purchase 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of gas plants in the PJM market for $3.5 billion. This deal is part of a larger trend in power sector consolidation, driven by increasing demand from data centers and electrification efforts. The acquisition will likely impact the competitive landscape in the PJM region.

Axinar, a Greek startup, has launched SolBox, a direct PV water heating system that powers electric resistance accumulators without thermal collectors. The system is designed for homes and businesses, offering real-time monitoring, MPPT optimization, and automatic grid backup. SolBox can be purchased in various versions with different panel configurations and prices.

The University of Oregon has increased its use of fossil fuels by over fifty percent, with a new pilot project using natural methane gas to generate electricity and sell it to the local utility. This move has been met with criticism from students and community groups who are concerned about the environmental impact. The exact details of the project's implementation and goals are not immediately clear.

Two large-scale pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) projects have been submitted for approval in Australia, with the first project seeking 550 MW of capacity and the second project seeking 1.65 GW of capacity. These proposals bring the total pipeline of PHES projects in Australia to over 2.15 GW, highlighting the country's growing focus on renewable energy storage. The projects aim to support the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the national grid.

Qatar's main energy and water group has awarded contracts for a major natural gas-fired power plant that will support both power generation and desalination efforts. The project is part of the country's ongoing efforts to expand its energy infrastructure and meet growing demand for electricity and water. The plant is expected to play a significant role in Qatar's energy sector.

Tesla and Sungrow have maintained their top positions in the Battery StorageTech Bankability Ratings Report, indicating strong bankability ratings for the companies. The report also highlights trends in revenue, profitability, and shipments in the industry. Integrators are emerging as a significant threat to cell suppliers.

The U.S. benchmark natural gas spot price at the Henry Hub is expected to decrease by about 2% in 2026, reaching just under $3.50 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), before rising sharply in 2027 to reach just under $4.60/MMBtu. The decrease in 2026 is attributed to a balance between supply and demand growth, while the increase in 2027 is driven by higher feed gas demand from U.S. liquefied natural gas export facilities. This forecast is based on the EIA's January Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).

The article highlights several power and energy systems deals, including a pre-order launch of Anker's SOLIX E10 Smart Hybrid Whole-Home Backup System with up to $3,000 in savings, a sale on Lectric e-bikes starting from $999, and EcoFlow's flash sale offering discounted products like the RIVER 2 Pro Power Station. These deals are part of various sales events and promotions, including a New Year Sale and exclusive discounts on power stations and e-bikes. The article also mentions other hangover deals and green energy solutions.

Noveria Energy's managing director discusses the successes and challenges of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) industry, highlighting that community acceptance is generally good. The BESS market continues to grow, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy sources. Noveria Energy has established a successful European BESS platform.

A study commissioned by the Province of Zeeland in the Netherlands suggests that Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could complement offshore wind and proposed large-scale nuclear power units. SMRs are seen as a potential solution to enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study aims to explore the feasibility of integrating SMRs into the Dutch energy mix.

A new business model for electric ships aims to reduce the total cost of ownership by deploying battery swapping and smaller vessels, targeting a global impact in the shipping industry. The innovative approach seeks to cut costs below those of conventional cargo ships. This development has the potential to make electric ships more competitive and accessible.

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction allowing construction to resume on the US's largest offshore wind farm, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, in a setback to former President Trump's anti-offshore wind policies. The 2.6-gigawatt project has faced numerous delays and setbacks since its inception, but this latest decision marks a significant milestone in its development. The ruling is seen as a victory for renewable energy advocates.

A 100-megawatt green hydrogen production project led by Scatec in Egypt's Ain Sokhna Industrial Zone has begun partial operations, with the aim of targeting European markets. The project is part of a larger initiative to promote renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in Egypt. Meanwhile, Brazil's Federal Court has suspended construction activities on a competing project due to concerns over water usage.