.png?r=2526)
The future of energy storage is rapidly evolving, fueled by the growing adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. These clean energy technologies, while essential for decarbonizing the grid, make effective energy storage solutions critical for ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply. As the energy sector transitions to a greener future, the energy storage sector will be shaped by rapid market expansion, groundbreaking....
Electricity demand in the U.S. has surged dramatically, with ICF projecting U.S. electricity demand to spike by an average of 9 percent by 2028, after two decades of stagnation. This sharp rise is largely driven by the rapid expansion of data centers — expected to grow to 9 percent of U.S. electricity generation annually by 2030, up from 4 percent today, according to EPRI — and the industrial onshoring and electrification of heating....
The anxiety and, let’s be honest, fear when your phone’s battery hits 20 percent charge is palpable. Perhaps it’s because we have all experienced that moment when a phone went from 20 percent to 0 percent in the blink of an eye. Conversely, many of us also know the joy of when your phone’s last 1 percent magically lasts way, way longer than expected. This happens because the percent charge, the State of Charge (SoC), is not a mea....
Anybody out there have a crystal ball? A tried-and-true way of forecasting the future? In the movies, the crystal ball and fortune-teller always see the future. With all the changes we see on the horizon, especially post-election, we also know there are changes we don’t see. The wind industry is watching carefully to see what our new president and his team do with renewables. One thing we do know is this: As organizations and as professionals, ....
Alternative Energies
Craig Kindleman
Solar
Sun Ballast
Alternative Energies
Howard Skidmore, P.E.
Treaty Oak Clean Energy, LLC of Austin, Texas, alongside local officials, economic development leaders, and community leaders, celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 100-megawatt Redfield Solar Project on Wednesday. The milestone marks a significant step toward advancing renewable energy and economic development in Grant County and Arkansas.
Spanning 1,033 acres in southeastern Grant County, the solar facility will create approximately 200 construction jobs and generate more than $10 million in property tax revenue over its lifespan. The project’s total energy output—enough to power about 18,000 homes—will be purchased by a single offtaker through a long-term power purchase agreement. Commercial operations are slated to begin in the first half of 2026.
Advancing Arkansas’ Energy Future
The Redfield Solar Project will expand Arkansas’ power generation capacity at a time when affordable, reliable electricity is more critical than ever for businesses and families. By diversifying the state’s energy mix, the project will provide cost-effective, dependable power while driving economic growth in the local community.
“This project is much more than a solar facility,” said Chris Elrod, co-founder and CEO of Treaty Oak Clean Energy. “It’s a significant investment in the people, businesses, and future of Grant County. From the beginning, our goal has been to be a good neighbor—working closely with county leaders, local businesses, and residents to ensure this project benefits the entire community.”
During construction, the Redfield Solar Project will provide jobs for heavy equipment operators, solar installers, electricians, and other skilled laborers. Primoris Services Corporation’s Renewable Energy business will lead construction, with high-voltage services provided by Dashiell Corp. Once operational, the project will provide two to three long-term, high-paying jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance.
Economic and Community Benefits
The Grant County government and local community services will see substantial benefits from the project’s tax revenue contributions.
“We’re glad to welcome Treaty Oak Clean Energy to Grant County for this important project,” said Grant County Judge Randy Pruitt. “Their investment will bring in steady tax revenue that will go toward fixing roads, strengthening our schools, and keeping essential services running for our community.”
As part of its commitment to the community, Treaty Oak presented a $100,000 donation to Grant County Library Director Jessica Reeves and Judge Pruitt to support the renovation of the Grant County Library.
Prioritizing Arkansas-Sourced Materials
The Redfield Solar Project will incorporate Arkansas-manufactured materials, strengthening local supply chains and maximizing economic benefits across the state. The steel for the advanced Nextracker NX Horizon-XTR terrain-following solar tracker systems will be sourced from U.S. Steel’s Big River Steel Mill in Osceola, while key components such as connectors and harnesses will be supplied by Premier PV in Crossett.
“By sourcing materials from right here in Arkansas, we are supporting the local industries and workforce that make projects like this possible,” said Chris Elrod, CEO of Treaty Oak Clean Energy. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to the state’s economy and the long-term benefits that clean energy development can bring to communities.”
“Nextracker is honored to partner with Treaty Oak for the Redfield Solar Project providing high-performing solar trackers with advanced NX Horizon Hail Pro and TrueCapture yield optimization software,” said Dan Shugar, founder and CEO, Nextracker. “By using Nextracker systems with locally sourced steel from Osceola, Arkansas, the Redfield project not only supports local jobs and economic growth in the region but also adds energy to the grid to support growing power demand.”
Project Financing and Technology
The Redfield Solar Project is being financed with a $123 million package, including a construction-to-term loan, a tax credit bridge loan, and a letter of credit facility, backed by CIBC, Crédit Agricole CIB, and ING Capital LLC. The facility will feature terrain-following solar tracker systems with Hail Pro technology, enhancing its efficiency and durability.
David Sorg, Vice President of Solar at Primoris Renewable Energy, underscored the project’s impact on job creation.
“The Redfield Solar Project represents a significant step forward for Arkansas’ clean energy industry,” Sorg said. “We’re proud to lead the construction effort, creating jobs for local workers and delivering a high-quality solar facility that will provide renewable, reliable power for years to come.”
Rob Martin, Senior Vice President of Dashiell Corp., emphasized the importance of high-voltage infrastructure in large-scale solar projects.
“A reliable grid is key to ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy reach homes and businesses,” Martin said. “Dashiell Corp. is proud to support the Redfield Solar Project with our expertise in high-voltage services, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable integration of solar power into the state’s energy system.”
“From job creation to increased tax revenue, the Redfield Solar Project will have a robust economic impact on Grant County for decades to come,” Elrod said. “We’re proud to be part of this community and look forward to seeing the long-term benefits this project will bring.”
Treaty Oak Clean Energy | treatyoakcleanenergy.com
Sinovoltaics, a Dutch-German Battery Energy Storage (BESS) and solar photovoltaic (PV) technical compliance and quality assurance service firm, has released an updated North America Solar Supply Chain Map, Edition 1. The map and listings are based on the latest fourth quarter of 2024.
The complimentary infographic and data pages reveal the existing and future PV manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In addition to showing existing and planned North American solar module assembly, cell, wafer, ingot, and polysilicon supply factories, the free PDF download also includes production capacity data, website, and contact information. At a glance, solar developers and PV procurement professionals will be able to see a comprehensive listing of North America’s PV supply factories and openings.
Since the last edition at the end of 2024, the updated directory includes:
With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives now under review by the U.S. administration, the PV supply chain landscape may quickly change in 2025.
“Timely, accurate module purchasing insights are essential for the solar industry,” said Dricus de Rooij, co-founder and CEO of Sinovoltaics. “With updates every four months, solar developers gain access to dynamic, data-driven intelligence—empowering them to stay ahead of emerging PV suppliers and global manufacturing trends.”
This information is particularly useful for the IRA’s domestic content bonus tax credit requirements, which specify that a certain percentage of module components must be domestically manufactured. By understanding which factories are producing solar cells, wafers, and polysilicon, developers can prioritize suppliers with production capabilities that meet the domestic content criteria.
Available as a complimentary download, Sinovoltaics’ series of solar supply chain maps are also provided for Europe, Southeast Asia, and India and updated every four months. In addition, Sinovoltaics publishes an annual Mainland China Transformer Factory Map.
The Edition 1 2025 North America Solar Supply Chain Map is available for free download at: https://sinovoltaics.com/sinovoltaics-supply-chain-maps/
Sinovoltaics | https://sinovoltaics.com/
ACCIONA has partnered with professional surfer Josh Kerr and his surfboard brand Draft Surf, to create the world’s first surfboards made from a retired wind turbine blade. Crafted from a decommissioned blade from ACCIONA’s Waubra wind farm in Victoria, an initial range of ten prototype boards have been made as part of ACCIONA’s Turbine Made initiative, which was launched in February as Australia’s first initiative dedicated to exploring innovative ways to transform decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials and products. It represents the next step in ACCIONA's efforts to advance circular economy in the renewable energy sector in Australia.
The surfboards, hand crafted on the Gold Coast, feature repurposed turbine blade strips built into the deck for strength and flex control. The fins of the board, made from recycled fiberglass, provide stability, drive and speed and the outer shell is further strengthened by incorporating recycled turbine blade particulate into the fiberglassing process.
Josh Kerr, Australian professional surfer and founder of Draft Surf said: “When ACCIONA approached us about being part of the solution and working together to create these surfboards, we jumped at the opportunity. At its core, our brand is about enabling the best surfing experience with quality products, in a sustainable way - which aligns with ACCIONA’s vision for Turbine Made”.
ACCIONA Energia’s Global Sustainability Director Mariola Domenech, said: “We know that in the next 10 to 15 years countries like Australia will have a large volume of decommissioned wind turbine blades, so we’re acting now to explore new ways to recycle and reuse the material they are built from.”
“The creation of a surfboard prototype, developed locally, is an example of how we're reimagining the materials from decommissioned turbine blades and pushing the envelope of innovation when it comes to the circular economy,” Ms. Domenech added.
The Turbine Made initiative builds on ACCIONA's previous work to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades, which has included a collaboration with European fashion brand El Ganso to create sneakers featuring recycled blade material in their soles, as well as the integration of recycled blade materials into the torsion beams of solar trackers at a solar plant in Extremadura, Spain.
ACCIONA is also advancing in end-of-life turbine recycling through a blade recycling plant in Navarra, Spain, which is set to become operational in 2026, creating 100 jobs and a processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes of material per year.
“Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about product stewardship, ensuring that what we build today doesn’t become tomorrow’s environmental challenge,” said Ms. Domenech. “By working with Australian manufacturers, designers, and innovators, we can encourage the creation of practical, high-performance applications that benefit both industry and the environment."
ACCIONA | https://www.acciona.com/
S-5!, the global leader in metal roof attachment solutions, announces an exciting new strategic joint venture with Sustainable Technologies, LLC, aimed at driving innovation while expanding its rooftop attachment portfolio. This collaboration will focus on the research, development and commercialization of the patented Facet Mount, a universal mounting solution designed for single-ply roofs, including TPO, PVC and KEE. The base component paired with the Facet Cover (of material matched to the roof) streamlines the installation of solar panels, fall protection systems, HVAC units and other rooftop accessories, providing an efficient and reliable attachment method for single-ply roof installations.
By supporting the commercialization of Facet Mount, S-5! strengthens its position as a one-stop shop for rooftop attachment solutions, meeting the growing demand in the market when metal roofing is not an option. This partnership will enhance S-5!’s product lineup, providing “best in class” solutions for a variety of roofing applications.
Made from high-pressure cast aluminum, Facet Mount features 12 vertical and 4 slanted mounting points for a total of 16 potential attachment points to meet highly engineered specifications. It utilizes a 3/8”-16 bolt attachment to allow max equipment attachment flexibility, Facet Mount boasts shear strengths up to 6,750 lbs., and an uplift resistance up to 12,750 lbs.,—making it a stand-out product in the membrane roof mount market.
“This joint venture represents a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class engineered products for architects, contractors, installers, EPCs and other trade professionals,” said Rob Haddock, CEO of S-5! “Our shared vision for a greener world is fundamental to this collaboration. By combining our expertise in solar technology, green building, and roofing systems, we are poised to deliver innovative products that set the bar for performance, reliability and sustainability.”
Haddock continued, “Our customers often ask if we have a mounting solution for their commercial single-ply roof projects. With 35 years as the global leader in metal roofing solutions, S-5! is now positioned to deliver top-tier attachment solutions for roofing systems beyond metal. This partnership will help shape the future of energy-efficient, sustainable construction, with high-performance products that exceed both industry standards and customer expectations.”
“After nearly 20 years of utilizing Facet Mount in internal construction projects and over 10 years of successfully selling it within the renewable energy sector, the management team at Sustainable Technologies sought a strategic partnership to further expand our footprint in the roofing industry,” said Todd Lindstrom of Sustainable Technologies. “Having worked alongside the S-5! team for many years and admiring their unwavering commitment to excellence, we are excited to join forces and be part of this promising collaboration.”
S-5! | www.s-5.com
Sustainable Technologies | www.facetmount.com
Reconstituted stone, brick and an expansive glazed curtain wall present a striking and welcoming exterior for the new 120,000 sq. ft. FirstHealth Cancer Center in Pinehurst, N.C.
The architect CPL selected Vistacool Azuria glasses and Vistacool Pacifica glasses, each with a third-surface Solarban 60 low-e coating to lend a beautiful aqua-blue and rich-blue aesthetic to the glass façade to deliver controlled daylight and reduced energy use.
Photography: Jim Cunningham
Patients, families and staff enter through an easy to navigate, two-story glass atrium decorated with a monumental stair, vertical wood slats and a DNA-like LED installation that can be programmed to display various colors, patterns or scenes. A visitor center is designed as a cozy “living room” and overflow waiting space, and features a fireplace, warm detailing and computers to provide access to online resources.
“Designed to both calm and lift the spirits of everyone here, they call it a gleaming compilation of glass, light and contemporary lines,” stated broadcast journalist Keith Eldridge.
Bridging the gaps in cancer treatment in central North Carolina, the new center consolidates services in one centralized four-story addition to the Moore Regional Hospital campus serving the state’s Sandhills region and its 15 counties.
The glazed and spandrel curtain wall comprises the majority of the façade with strategically placed reconstituted stone creating accents, visual depth and interest. To the right of the main entrance, red brick clads the curtain wall.
The architect describes the shifting form as mirroring the continuous progress of cancer care, capturing perpetual motion and advancement with a rich blue façade that is bright, welcoming and subtly reflective.
Vistacool Azuria glass combined with Solarban 60 glass shields 74% of the of the solar heat gain while allowing 42% visible light. Vistacool Pacifica glass paired with Solarban 60 glass shields 78% of the of the solar heat gain while allowing 26% visible light.
Facing the northwest, indirect sunlight enters the space most of the day while direct daylight comes in during the late afternoon and early evening. In addition to the glass tint, automatic window shades control glare when required.
Photography: Jim Cunningham
The state-of-the-art center offers chemotherapy infusion, gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, multidisciplinary clinics, palliative care, laboratories, clinical trials and radiation oncology.
A ground-level healing garden and rooftop garden offer beautiful outdoor environments. Interior glass walls in the infusion bays support privacy while enabling access to natural light and views of the garden. A fourth-floor wellness hub houses floor-to-ceiling glass rooms with fitness equipment and spaces for art therapy, music, yoga and meditation.
The overarching goal of the services, amenities and design is providing a facility to support patients throughout every phase of their treatment experiences.
“The goal was to create a nexus that offers the highest quality of holistic cancer care for patients, their families and caregivers,” stated CPL Project Manager Robin Washco, AIA.
Project credits include:
· Architect: CPL
· Glazier: Jacobs Glass Company, Inc
· Fabricator: Press Glass
· General Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
· Photographer: Jim Cunningham
Vitro Glass | www.vitroglazings.com
TotalEnergies made history by equipping a hybrid road car with an immersion-cooled battery with its “Cell-Shield” fluid technology. Today, the Company is going one step further with a unique prototype of a mass-market vehicle in Immersion Cooling.
In 2022, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants applied its groundbreaking technology to a road vehicle, replacing the battery cooling system on a Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid with an immersion system and its “Cell-Shield” fluid. In terms of performance, thanks to this special fluid, the results were immediate: faster charging, better cooling, increased safety and reduced cost and weight, without the need to modify the battery or vehicle design.
The first consumer car with immersion cooling technology
This time, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants has integrated an immersion-cooled battery in a mass-market vehicle, the 100% electric Renault Mégane E-Tech. Through this project on a widespread consumer vehicle, TotalEnergies demonstrated the relevance of this advanced cooling system thanks to the unique advantages of its “Cell-Shield” fluid and the feasibility of its large-scale integration at a limited cost.
A key technology of the future
Immersion cooling of lithium batteries is seen as the optimum solution to the demands of ultra-fast charging, as it meets the challenges of the next generation of electric cars, by enabling to reduce the size and weight of the battery while increasing its autonomy. On this demonstrator, it was possible to reduce the charge time by a factor of 2 and increase the autonomy of the vehicle by 6%. This demonstrated that immersion cooling frees the constraints associated with the heating of lithium cells. Finally, the “Cell-Shield” fluid with its outstanding properties enables to achieve unprecedented levels of safety by containing thermal runaway.
Pascal Correia, Director of Technology & Product Engineering at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants added: “We are very proud of the trust the car manufacturers have placed in us for this innovative project. Our work has demonstrated the immense potential of immersion cooling with the fluids developed by our Research & Development teams. The fact that we have succeeded in grafting our system onto a production vehicle demonstrates its potential on a large scale.”
TotalEnergies | https://totalenergies.com/
StormFisher Hydrogen, a leading developer of clean fuels, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to deliver the pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) for the methanation reactor of a large-scale Power-to-X plant. The 200 MW facility, to be built in North America, will produce green hydrogen and e-methane by utilizing a local biogenic CO₂ source. The plant is expected to generate 2.5 million MMBtu of e-methane annually, equivalent to approximately 50,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Advancing e-Fuel production capacity in North America
Judson Whiteside, Chief Executive Officer at StormFisher Hydrogen, said: “The planned facility is a major component in StormFisher Hydrogen’s plans to support increasing e-fuel production capacity in North America and reinforcing American leadership in the energy sector. MAN Energy Solutions has the expert knowledge in methanation required to deliver the pre-FEED study to keep the project moving forward on a successful track.”
Seamless integration with existing infrastructure
Once operational, the plant will convert 200 MW of renewable electricity − primarily from wind and solar − into green hydrogen via electrolysis and then into e-methane, meeting North American pipeline standards. This allows the fuel to seamlessly integrate into existing natural gas infrastructure, offering a cost-effective and scalable decarbonization solution.
Wagner Canelhas, Regional Sales Manager at MAN Energy Solutions Houston, said: “With this project, MAN Energy Solutions reinforces its position as a global leader in methanation for Power-to-X applications. Our technology enables the smooth integration of e-Methane into existing infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating its adoption worldwide.”
Enhancing methane purity
As part of the project, MAN Energy Solutions will conduct in-house tests at its Deggendorf, Germany, facility to validate a quality booster − an enhancement to its methanation technology designed to increase methane purity by reducing unreacted components in the e-methane output.
StormFisher Hydrogen | https://www.stormfisher.com/
Alternative Energies Feb 24, 2025
For fuel cell-powered transportation, the future hinges on investment in six key areas As a transportation mode that uses the universe’s most abundant element, one that’s renewable and yields zero tailpipe emissions other than water, hydrogen-....
As clean energy adoption continues to grow, the logistics of retrofitting existing buildings for solar energy have become an important topic for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and capitalize on financial incentives. Retrofitting,....
When you spend most of your time talking to farmers and folks in rural America, the biggest thing you’ll learn is this: It is harder than ever to be a farmer. In a business with already razor thin margins, equipment and supplies have significantly ....
Around 20-30 percent of solar installations are impacted by main panel limitations. NEC’s 120% rule often necessitates expensive main panel upgrades, potentially costing $2,000 to $5,000 or more with labor, permitting, and additional electrical wor....
The diversity of applications requiring ....
Anybody out there have a crystal ball? A....
As electrification expands around the gl....
Significant advancements in battery technology—including lithium-ion, solid-state, and other emerging technologies have occurred in recent years as was recently acknowledged by institutions such as the International Energy Agency and BloombergNEF([....
The move toward green, clean, sustainable energy will require a massive investment in research and development (R&D) to develop the innovations that will accelerate the modernization of North America’s electrical grids. Advancements in Battery ....
With the increase of electric vehicles on the road, there is growing demand for EV chargers. Drivers are left with a few different options: they can use a public charger, they can charge at work if they are lucky enough to have that option, or they c....
For fuel cell-powered transportation, the future hinges on investment in six key areas As a transportation mode that uses the universe’s most abundant element, one that’s renewable and yields zero tailpipe emissions other than water, hydrogen-....
As the global energy transition marches on, hydrogen remains a promising energy carrier for a decarbonized system. Demand for clean hydrogen is expected to increase two to four times by 2050, facilitating the shift to a carbon neutral grid and cleane....
For manufacturers looking to spearhead our sustainable energy future, electrolyzers represent an attractive — albeit elusive — solution to the need for efficient green energy production. Attractive because electrolyzers have been deemed by expert....
