Summary
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a permit for the Grain Belt Express transmission line, a crucial wind power transport route from Kansas to Indiana. The ruling allows the project to proceed, providing a significant boost to the state's renewable energy infrastructure. This development will help increase the amount of wind-generated electricity transmitted across the country.
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Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Supreme Court ruled 6-0 in favor of upholding the permit for the Grain Belt Express transmission line, indicating that the court sees no issues with the project's environmental and social impact assessments.
- The project is a vital component of the US renewable energy landscape, facilitating the transportation of wind-generated electricity from Kansas to Indiana and contributing to the country's transition to cleaner energy sources.
- The ruling paves the way for the construction of the transmission line, which will help meet increasing demand for wind power and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Summary
The article discusses how grid operators and planners are working together to improve the resilience of power grids by combining measurement data with advanced modeling techniques. This collaboration aims to better understand and predict the dynamic behavior of modern power systems, which are increasingly being integrated with renewable energy sources. The goal is to enhance grid stability and reliability in the face of growing demand for clean energy.
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Key Takeaways
- Grid operators and planners are using a combination of measurement data and modeling techniques to improve the resilience of power grids.
- Advanced modeling allows for better prediction and understanding of dynamic power system behavior, particularly with the integration of renewable energy sources.
- This collaboration aims to enhance grid stability and reliability, which is crucial for maintaining a secure supply of electricity in the face of increasing demand for clean energy.
Summary
RheEnergise, a UK startup, has commissioned the first "high-density hydro" long-duration energy storage project in the UK, Cornwood, Plymouth. This pilot project uses a low-viscosity, denser-than-water fluid to reduce vertical elevation requirements for pumped hydro storage plants, potentially expanding viable sites for such installations. The company aims to secure commercial-scale projects within three years and is seeking funding support from various innovation funds.
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Key Takeaways
- RheEnergise's "high-density hydro" technology uses a low-viscosity, denser-than-water fluid to reduce vertical elevation requirements for pumped hydro storage plants, potentially expanding viable sites for such installations.
- The Cornwood project is the first of its kind in the UK and marks a significant step towards commercial-scale deployments of this innovative energy storage system.
- RheEnergise has secured £8.25 million ($11.3 million) from the UK government and other innovation funds to support development of commercial-scale projects within the next three years.
Summary
The global energy storage market has reached a milestone with annual installations passing 100 GW for the first time, despite policy shifts in China and the US. The industry is expected to continue growing, driven by trends such as supply chain restructuring and the rise of non-lithium batteries. These changes will shape the industry's future in 2026.
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Key Takeaways
- Supply Chain Restructuring: Chinese manufacturers are expected to announce new ownership structures in 2026 to maintain market access in the US, with many reducing their ownership stakes below 25%.
- Rise of Non-Lithium Batteries: The report identifies non-lithium batteries as a key trend, suggesting that the industry will move away from traditional lithium-ion battery technology.
- Uncertainty for Future Revenue: China's removal of its mandate to pair storage with new renewable energy projects creates uncertainty for future revenue streams in the US and other markets.
Summary
Scientists at the City University of Hong Kong have developed a hybrid-energy heat pump system that combines absorption and compression cycles, eliminating crystallization constraints and improving efficiency across varying solar conditions. The system uses refrigerant/ionic liquids as working fluids, making it adaptable to different cooling demands and maximizing energy efficiency. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce electricity use and cooling costs in sustainable building applications.
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Key Takeaways
- The hybrid-energy heat pump system combines absorption and compression cycles, allowing for seamless transitions between the two types and maximizing energy efficiency.
- The use of crystallization-free ionic liquids as working fluids eliminates crystallization constraints associated with traditional absorption cycles, enhancing the system's flexibility across a broader temperature range.
- The system has the potential to significantly reduce electricity use and cooling costs in sustainable building applications, making it promising for commercial scaling and addressing issues with thermally driven absorption heat pumps.
Summary
The article discusses the importance of distributed energy resources (DER) in power and energy systems, particularly in light of the growing trend towards AI data centers. While large-scale generation is gaining attention, advocates argue that flexible DERs remain a crucial aspect of utilities' strategies to meet increasing demand. The 2026 DER outlook highlights the need for utilities to adapt and prioritize DERs to avoid being left behind.
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Key Takeaways
- Flexible distributed energy resources (DER) still provide the biggest bang for the buck in utilities' strategies.
- The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities' focus towards large-scale generation, but DERs remain a crucial aspect of power and energy systems.
- Utilities must adapt and prioritize DERs to meet increasing demand and avoid being left behind by 2026.
Summary
The Indian government has released a draft energy policy aimed at transforming the country's power sector in line with its development strategy and nuclear energy goals. The policy is expected to align with the Viksit Bharat development strategy and the recently enacted SHANTI bill, which sets out goals for India's energy sector. The release of the draft policy marks an important step towards India's energy future.
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Key Takeaways
- The draft energy policy aims to transform India's power sector in line with its development strategy and nuclear energy goals.
- The policy is expected to align with the Viksit Bharat development strategy, which sets out overall development goals for the country.
- The release of the draft policy marks an important step towards India's energy future, following the recently enacted SHANTI bill.
Summary
Pumped hydro, high-temperature thermal storage, and geothermal projects have made significant advancements in the US energy storage market. These innovations aim to increase the efficiency and capacity of existing energy storage systems. The progress in these technologies is expected to contribute to a more stable and sustainable energy grid.
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Key Takeaways
- Several pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) projects have reached commercial operation, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology for large-scale energy storage.
- High-temperature thermal storage systems are being developed to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of existing BESS technologies, offering a promising alternative to traditional battery storage.
- Geothermal LDES (Low-Density Ejected Storage) projects are gaining traction as a potentially more efficient and sustainable option compared to traditional pumped hydro or BESS systems.
Summary
The RWTH Aachen University's five-year SeLv project has developed a modular powertrain kit for 41-tonne trucks, replacing diesel engines with a lithium-ion battery and hydrogen fuel cell range extender. The kit reduces integration headaches through a pre-assembled, bolt-on design and features smart energy management, predictive navigation, and various charging options. This innovation aims to bring zero-emission technology to the long-haul trucking industry.
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Key Takeaways
- The SeLv project has developed a modular powertrain kit with a lithium-ion battery and hydrogen fuel cell range extender, reducing integration headaches through a pre-assembled, bolt-on design.
- The kit features smart energy management that optimizes energy usage between the battery and fuel cell, allowing for up to 1,000 km of driving on a single charge.
- The system includes various charging options (up to 470 kW peak), three-speed automatic gearboxes, and predictive navigation with real-time hydrogen infrastructure data.
Summary
North Carolina once led the country in solar power production, but many of its old solar farms are nearing the end of their lifespan. The state is now exploring ways to give new life to these aging facilities by repurposing them for energy storage using batteries.
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Key Takeaways
- North Carolina's shift away from clean energy policies has led to a decline in its solar power production, with many old solar farms no longer generating electricity.
- The state is considering repurposing these aging facilities as battery storage systems to provide additional energy storage capacity.
- This approach could help address the intermittency of solar power and ensure a more stable energy supply for North Carolina's residents.
Summary
Sigenergy has secured the top position for multiple storage markets in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, according to recent market data from SunWiz. The company's integrated system approach and modular designs have contributed to its widespread adoption by installers across these regions. Sigenergy's systems, including SigenStor and SigenStack, offer flexibility and scalability, making them suitable for various applications.
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Key Takeaways
- Sigenergy has emerged as the number one energy storage supplier in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, according to market data from SunWiz.
- The company's modular designs, such as SigenStor and SigenStack, offer flexibility and scalability, making them suitable for various applications across residential, small commercial, and larger commercial/industrial segments.
- Sigenergy's top position in blended battery capacity is partly due to its integrated system approach, which combines multiple components into a single modular architecture.
Summary
Cellcentric, a joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, has partnered with Brusa HyPower to develop the Fuel Cell Interface (FCI) for its next-gen hydrogen fuel cell technology. The FCI is a crucial component that will enable the system to provide a dependable high-voltage supply for traction and auxiliary gear while keeping things safe and efficient. This partnership highlights the growing push to industrialize hydrogen fuel cells for commercial fleets.
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Key Takeaways
- Cellcentric's next-gen fuel cell technology aims to address the limitations of battery-electric setups in heavy-duty trucks, where batteries struggle to provide sufficient power over long hauls.
- The development of a robust Fuel Cell Interface (FCI) is crucial in smoothing out raw fuel cell voltage and providing a dependable high-voltage supply for traction and auxiliary gear.
- By partnering with Brusa HyPower, Cellcentric aims to industrialize hydrogen fuel cells and speed up the adoption of zero-emission technology in commercial fleets, potentially cutting downtime and increasing efficiency.
Summary
The article discusses the shift in utility-scale solar inspections as margins tighten. Traditional drone inspections are no longer sufficient due to their slow data turnaround time, which can lead to significant losses in revenue. To counter this, the industry is adopting multi-drone technology and forming in-house inspection teams to improve operational efficiency.
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Key Takeaways
- The traditional "drone-in-a-box" (DIAB) solutions have limitations in terms of cost and economics for large-scale portfolios, with stationary hardware units requiring significant upfront investment.
- Multi-drone technology has revolutionized the industry by allowing operators to achieve 100+ MW daily inspection rates, slashing the total cost of ownership and eliminating traditional data-to-insight lags.
- The shift from maintenance to core revenue strategy highlights the importance of operational efficiency in utility-scale solar operations, as growing portfolios and tightening margins make it essential to prioritize speed and accuracy.
Summary
A new compressed-air storage plant, the Guoxin Suyan Huai’an Salt Cavern Compressed Air Energy Storage Demonstration Project, has been activated in China's Jiangsu province. The plant features two 300 MW units with high efficiency and utilizes molten salt and pressurized thermal water storage to achieve long-duration energy storage capacity. This project is considered the world’s largest compressed-air storage plant.
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Key Takeaways
- The Guoxin Suyan Huai’an Salt Cavern Compressed Air Energy Storage Demonstration Project is the world's largest compressed-air storage plant, operating in China's Jiangsu province.
- The plant achieves high efficiency of 71% conversion rate through advanced molten salt and pressurized thermal water storage systems.
- The two 300 MW units store electricity without burning fuel using air compression and heat management processes.
Summary
Lunar Energy's Ed Gunn reflects on the challenges and opportunities faced by the US home energy storage market in 2025, with a focus on virtual power plants (VPPs). The market has experienced turbulence, but Gunn sees potential for growth and innovation. He shares insights into Lunar Energy's progress and future prospects.
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Key Takeaways
- The US home energy storage market is expected to experience continued growth, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy sources and decreasing costs.
- Virtual power plants (VPPs) are gaining traction as a way to optimize energy distribution and provide grid resilience, with companies like Lunar Energy at the forefront of this technology.
- Despite challenges, the market has shown potential for innovation and expansion, with advancements in battery technology, smart grids, and IoT connectivity enabling more efficient and secure energy management.
Summary
Researchers from the University of Pretoria in South Africa have conducted a study to combine commercial and industrial (C&I) solar systems with compressed air energy storage (CAES) to power a commercial building. The study aims to minimize total system investment and operational costs while improving reliability and maximizing renewable energy penetration under South African conditions. A co-optimized system was found to lower total capital costs by 15–20% compared to traditional sequential sizing approaches.
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Key Takeaways
- Combining C&I solar with CAES can reduce total capital costs by 15–20% compared to traditional sequential sizing approaches.
- The study developed a multi-objective framework that optimizes the PV system and CAES components in real-time, balancing energy capacity, power output, thermodynamic efficiency, and economic constraints.
- The co-optimized system effectively bridges a critical gap between theoretical CAES design and practical, cost-effective deployment alongside solar PV, making it suitable for microgrid applications.
Summary
Global Power Solutions Corp. has partnered with Northern Hydrogen and Energy Ltd. to deploy a Modular H2 Reactor platform, which converts water into clean, dispatchable power. The modular design allows for scalability from small backyard operations to large industrial uses. This partnership brings together technology licensors ModeOne Manpower Systems Corp. and MVP Systems to fast-track deployments of proven, off-the-shelf tech.
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Key Takeaways
- The Modular H2 Reactor platform offers a scalable solution for clean energy production, ranging from 80 kW for small-scale operations to gigawatt-sized units for heavy-duty industrial use.
- The partnership between Global Power Solutions Corp., Northern Hydrogen and Energy Ltd., ModeOne Manpower Systems Corp., and MVP Systems aims to bring proven, off-the-shelf technology to the market, reducing deployment time and costs.
- This development is part of a larger trend towards modular H2 reactors, which have evolved from bench-scale setups to containerized, scalable units that can meet growing energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Summary
Germany's four transmission system operators (TSOs) have started procuring inertia services from battery energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance grid stability as the share of renewable energy increases. The long-term contracts aim to ensure a reliable power supply and mitigate the impact of increasing wind and solar power variability on the grid. This move is part of Germany's efforts to maintain grid stability in the face of growing shares of intermittent renewable energy sources.
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Key Takeaways
- Germany's TSOs are procuring inertia services from BESS to stabilize the grid, highlighting the importance of energy storage in mitigating the impact of variable renewable energy sources.
- The use of long-term contracts for BESS-based inertia services suggests a commitment to maintaining grid stability and reliability in the face of increasing shares of intermittent renewables.
- This move is significant, as it underscores the growing recognition of the need for energy storage solutions to ensure grid stability in countries with high shares of renewable energy.
Summary
A new wireless rooftop PV solution has been installed at the Saint Columba Anglican School in Australia, allowing for dynamic balancing of solar generation across distribution boards without traditional data cables. The system features three Sungrow inverters connected to the school's existing wireless network, enabling "intelligent load sharing" across multiple buildings. This technology is expected to significantly offset grid electricity use.
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Key Takeaways
- A 310 kW rooftop solar installation has been installed at the Saint Columba Anglican School, featuring 708 Canadian Solar panels and three Sungrow inverters.
- The system employs wireless cascading technology, allowing for intelligent load sharing across multiple buildings without traditional cabling or data cable connection limitations.
- The technology uses a logger-based approach, connecting master and slave inverters and loggers to the school's existing local network via Modbus TCP protocol.
Summary
The Volta Foundation's 2025 Battery Report reveals that battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments have surpassed 100 GW for the first time, driven by falling turnkey system costs and evolving long-duration storage and service agreements. The report showcases a massive effort from over 120 experts across 90 institutions, covering various aspects of the global battery industry. This milestone marks a significant increase in BESS capacity.
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Key Takeaways
- Battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments have exceeded 100 GW for the first time, driven by declining costs and growing demand.
- The global BESS capacity has increased to 267 GW / 610 GWh, up from 163 GW / 364 GWh in 2020, indicating a significant growth in the industry.
- Falling turnkey system costs have played a crucial role in driving the growth of BESS deployments, making energy storage more competitive and accessible.
Summary
The global energy storage market is expected to continue its growth in 2026, driven by the integration of new technologies and materials. Grid-forming batteries, hybrids, and alternative chemistries are predicted to play a significant role in shaping the market's future. The trend predictions also highlight the impact of supply chain constraints, regulatory evolution, and emerging applications on the industry.
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Key Takeaways
- Grid-forming batteries are expected to become more prominent in 2026, enabling greater integration with the grid and facilitating wider adoption.
- Alternative chemistries, such as solid-state and other advanced materials, will play a crucial role in improving energy storage efficiency and reducing costs.
- Supply chain constraints and regulatory evolution are likely to have a significant impact on the market's growth and development, requiring industry players to adapt and innovate.
Summary
The article discusses the misconception that wind turbines and solar panels displace landfills, often cited as a flaw in clean energy. However, the reality is that these renewable energy systems actually displace other types of waste, such as coal ash from power plants or hazardous materials from industrial facilities.
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Key Takeaways
- Wind turbine blades and solar panels can indeed be disposed of at the end of their lives, but they do not necessarily displace landfills.
- The article suggests that wind turbines often displace coal ash from power plants, rather than traditional landfill waste.
- Solar panels contain recyclable materials such as glass and metals, which can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their life cycle.
Summary
Wisconsin is grappling with how to fund the increased power demands of data centers, which are expected to experience a significant growth due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The state's largest utility, We Energies, has proposed a solution that could impact data center operators. The proposal is currently open for public comment.
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Key Takeaways
- Data centers in Wisconsin will be required to pay a higher rate for power under the proposed plan, which aims to offset the increased energy demands of these massive infrastructure users.
- The exact cost of the new power infrastructure needed by data centers remains unclear, but it is expected to have significant financial implications for operators.
- We Energies' proposal marks a major step forward in addressing the issue, and public comment will be an essential part of the regulatory process.
Summary
A winter storm affected the power grid in Texas and the Eastern Interconnection, causing hundreds of thousands of power outages. The storm stressed the bulk power system but did not create major disruptions like previous storms. PJM is expecting higher demand due to lower temperatures, which could break its winter peak record.
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Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of thousands of people were affected by power outages during the winter storm, with most customers in Entergy Louisiana's territory expected to be restored by January 28.
- Wholesale power prices briefly hit quadruple digits at NYISO and above $1,000/MWh in the Dominion Zone for much of the day, indicating significant stress on the grid.
- PJM is expecting peak demand to reach 147.2 GW on January 27, which could break its winter peak record and would also cause low voltage alerts due to the high demand.