Energy Digest

Texas data center developers claim significant reductions in water usage ahead of next year's legislative session. Lawmakers are questioning regulators and industry leaders about the actual water usage of data centers as the state faces growing demands for electricity. The Public Utility Commission Chairman is advocating for a clearer picture of water usage among data centers to address concerns over water mismanagement.

Zohran Mamdani, a climate-conscious candidate who promised to expand green spaces in public schools and equip them with renewable energy, is now facing scrutiny over his handling of the parks budget. He had also vowed to meet the demands of the city's building electrification laws and increase investments in city parks. Environmentalists are questioning whether he has forgotten his environmental promises.

The University of Hawaii–West Oahu plans to spend $14 million on a solar and storage project featuring solar carports over existing parking areas, with construction expected to begin in August 2026. The project is anticipated to produce approximately 2.38 million kWh annually. The installation will replace traditional parking structures with sustainable solar-powered spaces.

The 18th SolarEx Istanbul exhibition showcased Türkiye's expanding solar ecosystem, featuring over 1,000 global brands and a record-breaking scale of around 400 exhibitors. The event reinforced Türkiye's position as an emerging "global hub" for the solar industry, with attendees including high-ranking diplomats from countries such as Ghana, Egypt, and Cambodia. Strong growth in distributed solar and battery storage highlights both the market's potential and its key challenges, including regulatory constraints and increasing global competition.

A Turkish manufacturer has introduced a photovoltaic water heater that operates without an inverter, using direct DC solar input and supporting hybrid operation with an AC backup. The system delivers around 3 kWh/day of thermal energy, heating water to 65-85 C for residential and small commercial use, and features an extra-low voltage level below 50 V for enhanced safety. The system can be scaled by adding more panels and is compatible with conventional PV panels meeting the required voltage level.

Renewable energy developers are swarming around the Power Pathway transmission line in Colorado, which will loop through 12 counties. The new transmission line is expected to support a huge pile of renewable energy projects across the state. Colorado is poised for a significant expansion of its renewable energy infrastructure.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved a 200MW expansion of Xcel Energy's Capacity*Connect virtual power plant programme. This is an expansion of the utility-owned virtual power plant, which allows customers to sell excess energy back to the grid and receive compensation for it. The programme aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources in Minnesota.

Terra-Gen has agreed to pay $5.6M to settle charges of market manipulation by failing to follow CAISO orders to store electricity in a battery system when power prices were high. The company allegedly disregarded regulatory orders due to technical issues and lack of operational readiness. Terra-Gen is a renewable energy company operating in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

The cost of building large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is expected to decrease due to a combination of regulatory, supply chain, and market pressures. According to industry experts, this downward trend is likely to continue in 2026, with some estimates suggesting a potential 10-20% reduction in capital expenditures. This decrease is driven by advances in technology, economies of scale, and increased competition in the energy storage market.

Kingspan Insulation North America has commissioned its third rooftop solar project, a 881-kW array at its factory in Mendota, Illinois. The project is part of the company's goal to achieve 60% direct renewable use by 2030. The system spans 50,000 sq ft.