Energy Storage: 2025 and Beyond

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted by EnergyAustralia to deliver 350 MW / 1474 MWh of capacity to the Wooreen Energy Storage System (WESS) in Victoria, Australia. This pivotal project is set to enhance Australia’s infrastructure by providing essential grid stability and supporting the integration of renewable energy, aligning with the country’s ambitious decarbonisation goals. The scope of the contract includes engineering design, supply, commissioning, and a 15-year service agreement. The deal was booked in Q4, 2024.

The project was successful in the first round of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), an Australian Government initiative to encourage new investment seeking to deliver 32 GW of renewable generation and dispatchable capacity by 2030. The site will be built adjacent to EnergyAustralia's Jeeralang Power Station and become operational before the shut-down of the coal-fired Yallourn Power Station planned to retire in 2028. Construction will begin in 2025 and the WESS will be completed in 2027. Once operational, the system will provide energy to more than 230,000 homes for up to four hours at a time.

Recently, spot prices have surged due to colder weather, increased energy demand, and reduced renewable generation. This volatility in the energy market poses challenges for both consumers and providers. The energy storage project will provide EnergyAustralia with a natural hedge against such market fluctuations and help stabilise energy prices and ensure a more resilient energy supply.

“At EnergyAustralia, our purpose is to lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation for all,” said EnergyAustralia Managing Director, Mark Collette. “The Wooreen Energy Storage System is the largest single project investment made by EnergyAustralia. Wooreen will provide capacity to meet demand peaks while enabling more renewable energy to enter the electricity market, contributing to better customer energy outcomes.”  

“This project is a landmark step for EnergyAustralia as they continue to decarbonise their asset portfolio while maintaining reliability for their customers,” said Andrew Tang, Vice President of Energy Storage & Optimisation at Wärtsilä Energy. “We are excited to partner on this significant project and help support their long-term energy goals. This project is Wärtsilä’s first in the state of Victoria and expands our footprint in Australia to 4.8 GWh across seven projects. Australia has already made great strides towards its decarbonisation targets, and this project will further boost its renewable energy capacity.”

The Wooreen energy storage system will utilise Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy technology and GEMS Digital Energy Platform, helping to secure Victoria’s energy supply and enabling more renewable energy to enter the electricity network while providing crucial grid services. The project is designed to switch to grid-forming mode, offering operational flexibility with faster response times to increase system stability and grid reliability while keeping energy prices low for consumers.

Wärtsilä | www.wartsila.com

Hoymiles, a global leader in solar and storage solutions for DIY, residential, C&I, and utility-scale applications, launched its highly anticipated MiS series microinverters at Intersolar North America 2025 (February 25–27), underscoring its commitment to driving innovation in the solar industry.

MiS Microinverter: Setting a New Standard in Efficiency and Performance
As the world’s tier-1 microinverter manufacturer, Hoymiles showcased its MiS microinverter, which boasts the lightest weight and highest efficiency in its class. Designed to deliver unparalleled quality and reliability, the MiS series is engineered to maximize power generation across a wide range of applications and enhance ROI. With a weight of just 2.43 lbs, the MiS 1-in-1 model is lighter than most laptops, offering a compact, easy-to-install design that cuts installation time by 70% compared to traditional systems.

Strengthening North American Market Leadership
The rapid growth of the North American solar and energy storage market, driven by supportive policies, has positioned Hoymiles to further expand its footprint in the region. The debut of the MiS series at Intersolar North America signifies the company’s deepening commitment to this market. Hoymiles also showcased its low-voltage residential energy storage solutions in response to rising market demand for energy storage.

At the exhibition, Hoymiles welcomed top North American distributors and installers, with strategic discussions taking place around the latest products, market trends, and long-term partnerships. These conversations laid a strong foundation for Hoymiles’ continued growth in the region.

A Complete Solar Solution: Microinverters and Energy Storage
Hoymiles used Intersolar North America 2025 as the perfect platform to showcase its cutting-edge solar and energy storage solutions. Along with the MiS microinverter, Hoymiles also presented its renowned HMS and HMT microinverters, offering tailored solutions for a variety of energy needs. The HMS series includes single-phase microinverters ranging from 350 to 2000 VA, available in 1-in-1, 2-in-1, and 4-in-1 models. The HMT series, designed for high-powered PV modules, supports up to 2000 VA output and four input channels, ensuring optimal energy production with independent MPPTs.

Additionally, Hoymiles’ comprehensive energy storage solutions—including hybrid inverters (HYS) and the new low-voltage LB-10D-G2 battery—help users store excess solar energy during the day for use at night, making it easier for homeowners and businesses to integrate solar and storage.

Global Strategy and Continued Innovation
Hoymiles’ participation in Intersolar 2025 is part of its ongoing efforts to lead the charge toward a clean energy future. Following this North American launch, Hoymiles will continue its “Open Energy” global tour, showcasing its innovations at upcoming events in Italy and Mexico. With a focus on sustainable, high-efficiency solutions, Hoymiles remains committed to meeting the evolving needs of customers worldwide.

Hoymiles | https://www.hoymiles.com/us/

Sineng Electric has successfully provided a customized energy storage solution for the 75MW/300MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) project in Xinjiang, China, which has been operating reliably since its commissioning. The project exemplifies the effective integration of energy storage systems, aimed at enhancing grid stability and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy in challenging environments.

The project utilizes VRFB technology, which is known for its scalability, longevity, and safety. Given the unique demands of the VRFB system, Sineng Electric offered a tailored energy storage solution featuring its 1375kW central Power Conversion System (PCS). This PCS is specifically engineered to operate across a wide DC voltage range of 700–1500V at rated power, ensuring high efficiency, stability, and reliability even under challenging conditions such as high altitude and extreme cold weather typical of the region.

Designed for a 4-hour duration, this energy storage power station has proven instrumental in peak shaving and frequency regulation, thereby mitigating the impact of demand spikes and ensuring a continuous power supply. Furthermore, the project facilitates the seamless integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, making a significant contribution to the region’s energy transition by providing stable, dispatchable power.

Sineng Electric’s diverse portfolio of energy storage solutions continues to showcase superior adaptability and resilience across a broad spectrum of battery technologies and applications. Whether deploying lithium-ion, sodium-ion, vanadium redox flow batteries or other battery types, Sineng Electric consistently provides tailored solutions that meet the evolving energy needs of its customers while supporting large-scale decarbonization efforts.

Sineng Electric | https://en.si-neng.com/

Solops LLC (“Solops”), a distributed generation platform with the mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization, announced that one of its subsidiaries has acquired 4 ground-mounted solar projects in New York State from Solar Site Developers, LLC (“SSD”). The acquired sites total more than 79 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) projects.

The projects have been acquired from SSD who will co-develop them with Solops under a development agreement. They are currently in the engineering design stage, with construction expected to begin in 2025. The projects will provide bill credits to utility customers via the Value of Distributed Energy Resources program in the state of New York.

Solops often works with early-stage developers to bring more clean, renewable energy online while providing a source of recurring revenues to landowners. Our development partners benefit from reliable project funding, streamlined implementation, and access to a broader pool of resources.

These types of projects also support New York’s and the country's renewable energy goals by increasing renewable energy production, promoting clean energy jobs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Solops | https://www.solops.com/

Solar Site Developers | http://www.solarsitedev.com/

The electroindustry is playing a pivotal role in building a resilient and innovative electrical system. The key policies, technologies, and steps to achieving that were timely topics of discussion during a recent NEMA-Axios discussion on “Powering the Electric Future”. The conversation featured bipartisan insights from Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-5) during a time of skyrocketing energy demand.

The discussion with key lawmakers comes at a pivotal moment as the U.S. electroindustry navigates working with a new Administration and Congress to advance policy priorities and shape a reconciliation package to bolster our nation’s energy security, build a resilient grid, and boost domestic manufacturing and innovation, as illuminated in NEMA’s recently released policy roadmap.

Debra Phillips, President and CEO, NEMA addresses crowd at Axios.

Photo credits to Kristoffer Triplaar on behalf of Axios.

“NEMA is laser focused on delivering on the key priorities we discussed that will be integral in driving the electroindustry forward,” said Debra Phillips, President and CEO, NEMA. “We look forward to working with our partners in Congress and the Administration to expand our electrical grid to meet unprecedented growth in demand through harnessing U.S. manufacturing, innovation and resources.”

Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) speaks with Andrew Freedman of Axios.

“The United States must be a world leader in the clean energy transition, which is creating jobs and shrinking costs for families,” said Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). “Improving and expanding our electric grid infrastructure is key to this transformation. If we don’t act now, climate change will cause an unmanageable economic and environmental crisis. Investing in a clean and modern electricity system means energy independence, lower prices, and reduced pollution.”

Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-5) speaks with Daniel Moore of Axios. 

“I’ve long said we need more power in this country, not less. And to keep up with Americans’ growing energy demands, we must continue to promote policies that expand our all-of-the-above energy strategy. As Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee and co-chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus, I’m going to continue tackling the challenges that face our electric grid, including producing common sense legislation that fortifies and strengthens our grid to make sure our communities never have to worry about keeping the lights on,” said Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-5).

A full video of the discussion can be found here. 

NEMA | www.nema.org

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) welcomed four new manufacturing companies and one associate member company into its expanding membership and announced three new appointees to the Board of Directors. NEMA’s ongoing and rapid growth underscores the association’s continued commitment to building a resilient grid and enhancing our nation’s critical infrastructure to support the electric future.

These five new companies will join NEMA’s over 300 member companies representing electrical manufacturing and leading electroindustry service providers that collectively contribute to a modern, electrified economy.  

NEMA’s new Manufacturing member companies are:

• Maverick Power: helping meet growing energy demand by creating reliable power distribution and data center cooling systems.
• Turck: pioneering products that make automation technology and systems more interconnected, digital, and efficient. 
• Wieland Electric, Inc.: building safe and reliable electrical system solutions to create a more connected and reliable built environment.
• Winnie Industries: creating innovative support solutions including electrical boxes, magnetics and low-voltage accessories that are resilient and boost connection.

NEMA’s new Associate member companies are:

• Mill Industries Inc.: creating smart, energy efficient food recycling products that are fueling the next generation of electrical household appliances.

NEMA’s Board of Directors additions:

• Wade Sheffer, Vice President, General Motors Energy LLC
• Tom Lawton, President and Owner, TESCO Metering
• Sach Sankpal, President, Acuity Brands, Inc.

“I am proud to welcome the newest members of NEMA’s Board of Directors and these new companies into our growing NEMA membership,” said Debra Phillips, NEMA’s President and CEO. “Together, we will work to power the electric future for our nation through building connected and resilient infrastructure and ensuring our grid can withstand our current and future challenges.”

NEMA | www.nema.org

Camber, a pioneering force in commercial fleet electrification with over 1,500 DC fast chargers deployed across North America, unveiled an expansion of its partnership with CapMetro, successfully delivering 2.9 megawatts (MW) of power to the public transit agency’s primary bus depot in Austin, Texas. With the ability to charge up to 48 EV buses simultaneously, this installation supports CapMetro’s ongoing efforts to transition its bus fleet to zero-emissions vehicles.

As part of the project, Camber supplied and installed two 1440 kW Camber Charging Systems and 48 Camber Industrial Dispensers. Camber is currently supporting CapMetro with proactive and ongoing maintenance to ensure reliable operations. Camber expects to provide CapMetro with its proprietary charger and energy management software, and remote diagnostic tools to manage energy costs and lower the public fleet’s total cost of ownership.

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with CapMetro and help electrify its bus fleet, ensuring more Texans have access to clean, reliable, and affordable public transit options," said Camber President, Brendan Harney. "Our partnership with CapMetro represents a significant step forward in the electrification of public transit, showcasing how charging solutions at scale can empower communities to embrace a more sustainable future without sacrificing reliability. At Camber, we’re proud to play a role in supporting CapMetro's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship."

“With support from Camber, we have made tremendous strides toward achieving our vision to expand and improve the public transit system in Central Texas, allowing us to open up new, entirely electric routes,” said Dave Kubicek, Executive Vice President of CapMetro. “Austin has long been at the forefront of EV adoption, and we’re committed to sustaining that leadership while ensuring our citizens reach their destinations reliably and efficiently.”

“We commend the Camber team for their incredible work in this project, a testament to the tenacity and expertise of the talented individuals who established the largest network of DC-fast chargers for fleets,” said Ewa Kozicz, Co-Founder of Anthelion Capital. “We believe in the viability of fleet electrification and it’s clear that overcoming the biggest challenge – creating reliable charging infrastructure – is key in making widespread adoption a reality. Camber’s streamlined installation process, advanced software diagnostic tools, and commitment to hands-on maintenance are paving the way for this transformation.”

In addition to dispensing power at CapMetro’s primary bus depot, Camber’s EV chargers will also deliver on-route power and range extension, so that buses return to the depot with a higher state of charge to reduce peak power demand at the central site. With on-route charging, fleet operators benefit from higher vehicle availability and reduced downtime, ensuring consistent service for travelers.

Camber’s EV charging system is interoperable with different vehicles–charging New Flyer vehicles as well as light-duty EVs–allowing one depot to support a mixed fleet with varying charging demands and power requirements. This capability not only simplifies depot management but also future-proofs operations against evolving fleet compositions and technology advancements. As the city continues to electrify its fleets, investing in building out a tailored, resilient infrastructure is paramount in establishing seamless fleet operations, reducing downtime, and a smoother road to an electrified future.

Camber | https://getcamber.com/

CapMetro | capmetro.org