Energy Digest

Hithium has completed a large-scale fire safety test of its 6.25 MWh battery energy storage system, with an open-door configuration supervised by UL Solutions to assess thermal runaway risk in 1175 Ah cells under maximum oxygen conditions. The testing was executed in compliance with upcoming requirements and aimed to create a higher combustion intensity than standard closed-enclosure tests. The results aim to provide valuable data for the company's long-duration energy storage system.

TotalEnergies has signed two 15-year power purchase agreements with Google, totaling 1 GW of new solar capacity for data centers in Texas. The agreements cover the 805 MW Wichita and 195 MW Mustang Creek projects, both set for construction this year. These deals will produce around 28 TWh of energy over their duration.

European businesses installed 20 GW of commercial and industrial solar in 2024, but only 1 GW/2 GWh of C&I battery storage, highlighting a significant gap between the two technologies. Batteries offer lower energy bills, improved resilience, and decarbonization, but their active asset nature and dependence on tariff structures make it difficult for decision-makers to grasp their value proposition. The lack of effective communication about the benefits of batteries in terms that resonate with customers' challenges will persist until this gap is addressed.

New South Wales has awarded long-term energy service agreements to six battery energy storage projects totaling 1.17 GW and nearly 12 GWh, increasing the state's contracted storage capacity to 30 GWh, meeting its Minimum Objective of delivering 2 GW by 2030. The largest project is Neoen Australia's 330 MW/3,500 MWh Great Western Battery in Wallerawang, with a nominal storage duration of 10.6 hours.

AI has the potential to make the grid more reliable by optimizing energy distribution and predicting power outages. It can also improve efficiency by analyzing energy usage patterns and making data-driven decisions. Additionally, AI-powered systems can enhance flexibility by adapting to changes in energy demand and supply in real-time.

EVE Energy is deploying a 36MWh solar-plus-storage system with 628Ah battery cells at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The system will provide energy storage capabilities for the airport. EVE Energy has secured a contract from the Malaysian government to implement the project.

KKR commits up to AU$603 million to HMC Capital's Energy Transition Platform in support of Australia's growing renewable energy and wind pipeline, valued at 5.7GW, aimed at accelerating the country's energy storage and grid modernization efforts.

Synergy has completed a 500MW/2,400MWh battery energy storage system at its Collie site in Western Australia. The project is powered by Chinese technology firm CATL and makes the Collie Battery Australia's largest operational BESS. The facility will provide energy stability for the Australian grid.

Italy has enacted EU RED III green hydrogen mandates for transport and industry, requiring electrolytic hydrogen production from renewable sources, with minimum quotas set for buses, heavy trucks, trains, steel mills, refineries, and chemical plants by 2030. The law also sets a target for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) in transport to reach 1% by the same year. Green hydrogen is now expected to become a mainstream energy source in Italy's efforts towards net-zero emissions.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded InterContinental Energy (ICE) AUD 21 million to support the development of a 26 GW renewable energy hub in Western Australia's Pilbara, with first power expected by 2030. The grant will be used for front-end engineering design, partner integration, and regulatory studies to reach a final investment decision (FID) by 2028. The project aims to create green hydrogen production and integrate large-scale renewable energy into the region, leveraging its ideal solar irradiance and coastal winds.