Energy Digest

Batteries are becoming a more attractive option for home energy storage as net metering rules change and electricity prices rise, making it less viable to sell excess power back to the grid. Homeowners are increasingly opting to hold onto their excess energy for personal use instead of selling it, leading batteries to take on the role of "new home solar." This shift is driven by the desire for greater control over energy usage and potential cost savings from storing excess power for later use.

ComEd has established a new TCE Lab at its facility in Chicago, Illinois, for advanced substation training and grid expansion efforts. The lab aims to enhance the utility's skills and knowledge in operating and maintaining modern substations, with a focus on improving reliability and efficiency. ComEd's goal is to expand its network while ensuring a secure and resilient grid for customers.

Great British Energy - Nuclear has been granted a licence to generate electricity by the UK's gas and electricity markets regulator Ofgem, allowing it to operate as an electricity generator in the UK. The licence is required by all electricity generating companies.

Sungrow and Delta Capacity have signed a 1GWh framework supply agreement for European energy storage projects, with the deal expected to support various renewable energy initiatives across Europe. The agreement was announced at the Energy Storage Summit 2023 in London. The partnership aims to provide energy storage solutions to European projects valued at over €500 million.

Energy regulators in Arizona have approved conversions to burn natural gas at two coal-fired power plants. The conversions are expected to occur at the Springerville Power Plant and another facility owned by Tucon Electric Power, a subsidiary of Salt River Project.

Qcells has resumed solar panel assembly at its Cartersville, Georgia facility after customs clearance delays. The factory plans to expand its production capacity from 3.3 GW annually by integrating ingot, wafer, and cell production this year. This expansion will increase the facility's output, marking a significant step forward for the company.

Cold functional tests have been completed at unit 3 of the Haiyang nuclear power plant in China's Shandong province.

Rad Power Bikes' brand, intellectual property, inventory, and certain operating assets have been acquired by Life Electric Vehicles Holdings in a court-approved deal. The new owner plans to build e-bikes in the US under the Rad Power Bikes name. This marks the end of an era for Rad Power Bikes as its dominant force in North America's direct-to-consumer e-bike market has come to a close.

Solis has launched a new residential energy storage system portfolio with three series, featuring long-lasting LiFePO₄ chemistry that supports a depth of discharge of 90% or more and delivers over 6,000 cycles, with battery capacities ranging from 5-16 kWh. The systems are designed for indoor and outdoor use cases, offering maximum flexibility, safety, and durability through natural cooling, CAN/RS485 communication protocols, and parallel unit capabilities. Each battery pack operates within a nominal voltage range of 44.8 V to 57.6 V.

Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to build a new nuclear power plant in Schuyler County, NY, aimed at meeting the state's rising electricity demand, but residents are concerned about its environmental impact. The project could also lead to increased costs for consumers and create economic uncertainty in rural areas like Schuyler County. Critics worry about the safety risks associated with nuclear power.