Grid-forming inverters are being increasingly relied upon to maintain grid stability, particularly as intermittent renewables grow, by providing virtual synchronous machines that mimic the behavior of spinning generators. The UK's initial studies showed that if non-synchronous generation exceeded 65% of total capacity, transmission systems could not be secured against potential faults. Grid-forming technology is now deployed in northeast Scotland to provide synthetic inertia and stability services to the grid.
Genex is reconfiguring its 2.5 GW Bulli Creek solar farm in Australia from 775 MW to 300 MW, adding a 425 MW/1.7 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The first stage of the project, BC1, is scheduled for construction kickoff in 2028 and will be a blueprint for the following three stages. The development aims to provide clean energy and community funding benefits to the Millmerran community.
A machine learning model using cloud type and cover has been developed to predict rapid changes in surface solar irradiance, including short-term "ramp" events affecting grid stability. The model was tested across 15 global sites, showing strong generalizability, although extreme climates performed less consistently. The model's predictive performance matched or exceeded that of its original training location at most locations.
ACME Solar and IndiGrid have commissioned several battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Rajasthan and Gujarat. GE Vernova has won a contract to provide technology for a pumped hydro energy project in India. This follows a period of significant investment in energy storage and renewable energy infrastructure in the country.
Global solar PV capacity reached approximately 2,974 GW by the end of 2025, with nearly 698 GW added in 2025. The industry has shifted from rapid deployment to integration challenges driven by high penetration rates, storage demand, grid constraints, and evolving policy and market designs. China remains dominant but growth rates are slowing, with the EU, India, and USA experiencing changes in their rankings due to various factors.
India's battery energy storage system market is shifting from aggressive tendering to large-scale project execution as the country prioritizes grid integration, transmission readiness, and long-term supply resilience, driven by ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030. The next phase of growth in the renewable sector will depend on coordinated optimization, land acquisition, tenancy frameworks, and forest clearances. Transmission readiness is a key bottleneck, with delays in network build-out impacting parts of the renewable pipeline.
Datang International Power Generation Co., Ltd plans a massive 14.6 GW renewable energy cluster in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, featuring 8 GW of solar, 4 GW of wind, and 2.64 GW of coal-fired power, with energy storage capabilities. The project is part of a larger cross-provincial power base linking generation resources with electricity demand in Jiangsu province. Total planned investment is approximately CNY 58.1 billion.
Akaysha Energy has received EPBC Act approval for its 400MW/1,600MWh battery energy storage system in Victoria, Australia, classifying the project as "not a controlled action". The Glenrowan BESS was deemed environmentally acceptable by federal authorities. The project is now cleared to proceed under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum plans to appeal a judge's pause on the administration's restrictive review framework for renewable energy proposals, which requires staff review and approval by high-level Interior officials before final review by the secretary. The directive, issued in July 2025, applies to both public and private land projects requiring federal approval, causing a paralyzing effect on the wind and solar industries. The decision is part of the administration's effort to shift the nation's energy sector back towards fossil fuels.
Wave energy's hardest problem is not the technical challenge of harnessing waves, but rather maintaining and repairing the devices over time due to harsh marine environments. This maintenance issue can significantly impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wave energy projects. Proper maintenance strategies are crucial for the success of wave energy technologies.
PV Magazine