Energy Digest

BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) is gaining popularity in data centers due to its speed-to-power benefits and cheaper power per megawatt-hour compared to traditional gas-based systems. However, Volta Foundation's 2025 report highlights areas where BESS needs improvement, including higher upfront costs and less favorable performance in certain applications such as long-duration energy storage. Despite this, AI hyperscalers like Alibaba, Tencent, and Google are investing heavily in BESS, driving its increasing adoption in the data center market.

Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory (NLR) and the University of Hawaii have deployed a wave energy device, the SURF-WEC, which converts wave motion into electricity. The system captures and shares data for the marine energy industry, marking a new kind of surfing that produces power rather than riding waves for recreation. The WEC recently demonstrated its capabilities in capturing and generating electricity from ocean waves.

Noria Energy has introduced Airon, a U.S.-made single-axis floating solar tracker system that aims to generate more electricity within the same project footprint and nameplate energy as a fixed-tilt floating system. The company plans to install its first commercial pilot Airon project in late 2026, along with an existing demonstration project. Shipment of Airon systems is expected to begin shortly after the commercial pilot project's completion.

Solar power is outpacing all other forms of domestic energy in the US grid despite political challenges, and new solar materials are emerging that will further accelerate its growth. Solar power additions to the US grid have surpassed those of coal and gas despite obstacles such as politics. This trend is expected to continue with new advancements in solar technology.

Latvenergo is evaluating the acquisition of up to 250 MW of wind or hybrid power projects as part of its strategy to expand renewable generation and diversify its power mix in Latvia and the Baltic region. The company already owns a 265 MW solar park, a growing pipeline of battery storage assets, and a smaller hybrid project with wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems. Latvenergo aims to reach 600 MW of new wind and solar capacity by 2026 as part of its medium-term strategy.

Metlen Energy & Metals is selling a 165MW/725MWh solar-plus-storage project, known as Tamarico II, in Chile's Atacama region. The project will be sold to utility Copec. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Utility companies Axpo and energieUri have commissioned two large-scale battery energy storage system facilities in Gurtnellen, Canton Uri, marking Switzerland's largest operational BESS project. The projects aim to stabilize the grid and provide energy storage capabilities.

Four new community solar projects in Delaware are moving forward, with expected total capacity to generate over 16 MW of solar energy. The projects were accepted into the state's JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator Program, supporting efforts to expand clean energy and strengthen the electric grid. These initiatives aim to improve energy affordability for Delaware households.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is considering ratemaking, revenue on equity (ROE), and curtailment policies as data centers continue to grow in the state. The decisions come amid growing concern about balancing rapidly increasing electricity demand with available resources in PJM territory. This comes in response to the rapidly increasing growth of data centers in Pennsylvania.

Unplanned power plant outages fell sharply during the 2025/26 winter storms due to improved preparations. Interregional power transfers also helped avoid planned blackouts, thanks to better coordination among utilities and grid operators. The FERC-NERC report attributes the success to enhanced preparedness measures.