A device called a variable frequency drive (VFD) can free up gigawatts of grid power by making motors run more efficiently, utilizing an estimated third of total U.S. power demand that is currently wasted. Companies can install VFDs to optimize motor performance, with only 16% of industrial facilities and 4% of commercial-sector motors currently using this technology. Widespread adoption of VFDs could provide a significant boost to the energy supply.
Westinghouse Electric Co. has been commissioned to begin procuring long-lead items for Poland's first nuclear power plant, with the project targeting the first AP1000 unit at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino nuclear power plant. The procurement process is an essential step in preparing for the start of construction and ensuring the project is completed on schedule. This marks a significant milestone in the development of Poland's nuclear energy sector.
Dan Taylor, director of engineering at Arenko, discusses the importance of standardisation in building energy storage systems, citing third-party choices and analytics as key factors in determining outcomes, particularly in the context of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
International collaboration and government support enabled the development of floating wind turbines, a technology that has been tested under the Trump Administration without significant issues, with partnerships surviving despite changes in government.
A 12 MW solar power plant in Algeria experienced a significant decline in performance in 2020 due to reduced maintenance activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that regular maintenance is crucial in minimizing energy losses and sustaining optimal system performance. The plant's performance assessment, conducted over six years, revealed the impact of reduced maintenance on the plant's yield.
US energy storage developer Flatiron Energy has closed on approximately US$850 million financing for its 1,200MWh energy storage project in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The project is known as Energizar.
ASEAN's rising electricity demand and decarbonisation goals are driving interest in small modular reactors, but fragmented national regulatory frameworks, limited expertise and financing uncertainty could delay their deployment. ASEAN's regional approach to nuclear energy is focused on regulatory convergence for small modular reactors. Fragmentation of national regulatory frameworks may hinder the deployment of small modular reactors in ASEAN.
The Dutch regulator warns of a cyber gap in EU cloud-controlled home batteries, citing the risk of a single point of entry controlling many devices, which could destabilize the grid with a sudden imbalance of 3 GW or more. The regulator argues that existing EU regulations, such as the Cyber Resilience Act and NIS2 directive, only partly cover companies behind platform backend systems and cloud platforms. A faulty update or cyberattack on these systems could have severe consequences, particularly with the rapid growth of heat pumps and EV chargers in the Netherlands.
Qcells plans to launch U.S.-made aluminum frames for its residential solar panel lineup by the end of 2026, in partnership with supplier Aluko Group, to help residential installers qualify for the Investment Tax Credit domestic content bonus adder. The domestic frame offering is aimed at increasing domestic manufacturing and supporting clean energy. The manufacturing plant in Tennessee is expected to reach full commercial production by the end of 2026 with an annual capacity to manufacture enough frames to support 4 GW of solar modules.
Women in solar are drawn to the industry by its purpose, contributing to climate action and the energy transition, but stay due to everyday workplace experiences such as career growth, flexibility, and fair pay, rather than just the mission itself. Purpose alone does not replace a supportive employer, which is crucial for retention. The industry cannot ignore the retention risk posed by women's decision to leave or stay for their employer.