Propane to Electric: Sizing the battery for your forklift fleet

Gov. Whitmer joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) to announce $1.5 million in grant funding awarded through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to 10 mobility projects that will help companies bring new technologies to market, advance clean energy and transportation solutions and strengthen industries supporting Michigan jobs and economic growth.

The latest round of funding will help companies test and deploy technologies in real-world Michigan environments, reducing barriers to commercialization and creating new opportunities for businesses to develop, validate and scale their solutions in the state. Projects receiving funding span hydrogen production and fueling, electric vehicle charging, autonomous systems, accessible transportation, infrastructure inspection and other emerging mobility technologies.

“Michigan is the best place to invest in clean energy innovation,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to supporting good-paying jobs, advancing clean energy solutions and helping Michigan businesses grow and compete on a global scale. This grant will help entrepreneurs create and test new mobility technology, making advancements in electric vehicles, accessible transportation options, infrastructure and more. Let’s keep working together to build the future right here in Michigan.”

Launched by OFME in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform focuses on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions across air, land, space and water. 

“Michigan continues to serve as the place where mobility innovation moves from concept to reality,” said OFME Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson. “Through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, we are helping innovators deploy, test and scale technologies while accelerating commercialization and supporting business growth. That gives companies more opportunities to validate new solutions and bring transformative technologies to market right here in Michigan, helping our state compete for the technologies, investment and jobs shaping the future of transportation.” 

This latest round of funding supports projects through both Real-World Deployment Grants and Test Site Grants, helping companies validate technologies, accelerate commercialization and create stronger pathways from pilot to deployment. By connecting businesses with Michigan communities, infrastructure and testing facilities, the platform helps companies demonstrate solutions in real-world environments while bringing new investment and innovation into the state.

Real World Deployment Grant Recipients

Boston Dynamics — $150,000 [Detroit] 

Boston Dynamics and Bedrock will deploy Spot robots to map and patrol challenging environments, develop reliable localization and inspection routines and define system requirements for enhanced mobility and anomaly response.  

Detroit Hydrogen Exchange — $250,000 [Detroit] 

This project will convert and deploy a hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 refuse truck under real municipal operating conditions in Detroit to validate performance readiness.   

Neology — $250,000 [Detroit] 

Neology will launch a mobility-grade hydrogen production and refueling site in Detroit to support real-world medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fueling.  

Connected Traffic Intelligence – $150,000 [Oakland and Macomb counties]

Connected Traffic Intelligence will pilot their traffic signal optimization platform at intersections across Oakland and Macomb counties with the aim to reduce congestion, lower public infrastructure costs, and modernize transportation operations without requiring expensive roadside hardware investments.

Motmot – $75,000 [East Lansing, Meridian Township, Kalamazoo, Marshall]

Motmot will partner with municipal water infrastructure operators to conduct underground water infrastructure inspection pilots with their underwater robotics platform.

Test Site Grant Recipients

Cargility, Inc. — $75,000 [Detroit Smart Parking Lab] 

Cargility is testing their portable, weight-bearing stabilization system aimed at enabling safer and more accessible entry and exit from passenger vehicles for people with mobility challenges.  

Retrospect Autonomous Systems — $150,000 [American Center for Mobility]

Retrospect is testing real-time safety monitoring software for autonomous vehicle validation and fleet management.

Kodiak Technologies – $180,000 [Michigan Tech and American Center for Mobility]

Kodiak Technologies will pilot their plug-in hybrid diesel-electric heavy-duty snow blower aimed at supporting airport snow removal operations. 

AmHyTech – $115,000 [Detroit Smart Parking Lab]

AmHyTech will deploy a modular ammonia-to-hydrogen refueling station to validate their hydrogen storage and generation solutions. This station will then be used to power a hydrogen bike or moped in a controlled test site environment. 

OpenRoad Technologies – $135,000 [Kettering Mobility Research Center]

OpenRoad will validate its scalable, battery-buffered Level 3 charging solution aimed at deploying fast charging at electrically constrained sites.

“This grant opportunity enabled Cargility to engage community members experiencing challenges with balance and mobility in real-world testing of our assistive mobility device at the Detroit Smart Parking Lab. Testing the engineering behind the product was important, but the response from the people using it was the real validation,” said Meera Ramaswami, Founder, Inventor, and Chief Technology Officer of Cargility. “Hearing older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers tell us this could make a meaningful difference gives us the confidence to move from development to commercialization. Their experiences and feedback helped shape the final product every step of the way.”

“The Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grant is supporting AmHyTech as we take our ammonia-to-hydrogen technology into a real-world mobility demonstration,” said Morteza Sarp, CEO and Founder of AmHyTech. “This is an important milestone that moves both the technology and our company closer to commercialization while contributing to Michigan’s growing hydrogen ecosystem.”

Collectively, these projects represent a diverse portfolio of mobility technologies spanning autonomous systems, infrastructure innovation, safety solutions, logistics applications and emerging transportation technologies. Together, they demonstrate how targeted grant funding can help companies prove new technologies, reach commercialization and expand the range of clean energy and mobility solutions being developed and deployed in Michigan.

Gov. Whitmer | https://www.michigan.gov/

Excelsior Energy Capital ("Excelsior"), a leading independent North American clean energy investor, announced it has completed the sale of the firm’s Faraday and Skyhawk solar plants to subsidiaries of Enel S.p.A., a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power and renewables markets, present in 27 countries worldwide. The total consideration is approximately $760 million1. The sale follows the signing of a purchase and sale agreement in February 2026, with the proposed transaction subsequently clearing required regulatory reviews.

Through this transaction, Excelsior Renewable Energy Intermediate Fund I LP, the firm's $504 million inaugural fund, which closed in 2020, is selling its full interest in both plants. Excelsior Renewable Energy Investment Fund II LP, a $1 billion fund that closed in April 2025 that co-invested in Faraday, is selling its full interest in that project.

"The sale of Faraday and Skyhawk marks an important milestone for Excelsior," said Alex Ellis, Co-Founder and Partner, Excelsior Energy Capital. "This transaction reflects our continued progress in realizing value and returning capital to our investors and it underscores the strength of the contracted renewable infrastructure we build, with a focus on assets backed by strong counterparties and long-term power purchase agreements. This is our largest exit to date, and it positions us well as we continue to grow the Excelsior Energy Capital portfolio."

Faraday, a 525 MWAC plant located in Utah County, Utah, is one of the largest utility-scale solar investments in the United States. The plant reached commercial operation in September 2025 and is backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement with PacifiCorp under Rocky Mountain Power's Schedule 34 green energy tariff.

Skyhawk, a 100 MWAC solar plant located in Obion County, Tennessee, has been in commercial operation since 2023. The plant is backed by a long-term power purchase agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Morgan Stanley, KeyBanc Capital Markets, and Akin Gump advised Excelsior throughout the competitive sale process.

Excelsior Energy Capital | www.excelsiorcapital.com

1 Approximately 655 million euros (exchange rate at September 10, 2026).

Georgia Power has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for 1,137 megawatts (MW) of new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) through the CARES 2023 and CARES 2025 request for proposals (RFP) programs, expanding the company's renewable energy portfolio for customers across the state. Procurement under the 2023 program period represents the largest single solar procurement in Georgia Power's history. The CARES program has been developed with the Georgia PSC and allows eligible subscribers to support their sustainability initiatives by purchasing a subscription for a pro-rata share of the production of renewable resources.

Customer demand for such subscriptions continues to grow from customers. Georgia Power, which is recognized as a national leader in cost-effective solar development, seeks renewable resources to enhance its diverse generation portfolio through competitive RFP processes, a process which helps maintain flexibility amid changing market conditions and enables the company to continue to provide more carbon-free energy to customers.

"These new solar resources will deliver affordable and reliable energy at a fixed price for the benefit of all Georgia Power customers for years to come," said Wilson Mallard, director of renewable development for Georgia Power. "The approval of these agreements by the Georgia PSC helps advance cost-effective renewable energy in our state and adds more than 1,100 megawatts of renewable energy resources to our diverse generation portfolio. Renewable energy plays an important role in how we are meeting Georgia's continued growth and expanding access to carbon-free energy for customers through the CARES subscription program."

Approved Solar Power Purchase Agreements
The Georgia PSC approved seven solar PPAs totaling 1,137 MW through the CARES 2025 RFP, which was approved in the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and additional CARES 2023 procurements. The projects are expected to begin commercial operation as early as 2029.

• Appling County: 78 MW
• Decatur County: 130 MW
• Jefferson County: 194 MW
• Sumter County: 200 MW
• Warren County: 150 MW
• Emanuel County: 185 MW
• Irwin County: 200 MW

The recent approval of additional procurements follows 1,068 MW of projects approved for the CARES 2023 program in September 2025. Projects approved at that time include Coffee County, Jefferson County, Laurens County, Mitchell County and Wilkinson County PPAs.

Expanding Renewable Energy Options 
Georgia Power's renewable energy strategy continues to evolve through customer-driven programs and competitive renewable procurements. The company recently opened enrollment for the new CARES Customer Identified Resource (CARES CIR) program, which allows eligible commercial and industrial customers to identify renewable energy projects for potential participation in the CARES program at prices designed to create value for all Georgia Power customers.

CARES CIR, which is approved for up to 3,000 additional MW of renewable energy projects, divides projects into two distinct programs:

• CARES CIR Utility-Scale allows eligible metered customers with annual energy demands above 3 MW to subscribe to renewable projects larger than 6 MW.
• CARES CIR Distributed Generation allows eligible metered commercial and industrial customers with smaller annual energy demands between 1 MW and 3 MW to subscribe to locally sourced solar projects in Georgia ranging from 250 kilowatts to 6 MW in size.

Georgia Power CARES | www.GeorgiaPower.com/CARES

Catalyst Power Holdings LLC ("Catalyst Power"), an independent provider of retail power and cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, announced the closing of a $15 million revolving credit facility with East West Bank. Running through 2029, the facility will be used to develop and execute the initial phase of the Company's pipeline of distributed Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and solar projects. 

"Energy costs are rising, the grid is under real strain, and onsite generation has gone from a nice-to-have to a central part of the answer," said Gabriel Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power. "Smart businesses aren't waiting for the grid to catch up. We appreciate East-West Bank recognizing the opportunity. This financing lets us greatly expand distributed CHP and deliver cost savings, greater efficiency, and lower emissions to commercial and industrial customers."  

The facility is the first of its kind for commercial-scale CHP and reflects a broader shift in how capital markets view distributed generation. Meeting the country's growing power demand will take an all-hands-on-deck approach, and lenders increasingly see onsite generation as a scalable, financeable part of the solution rather than a niche or unproven asset class. 

Catalyst’s commercial-scale CHP systems achieve ultra efficiency through utilizing the waste heat from onsite electricity generation to heat and cool buildings and water, raising thermal efficiency to 70–80%.  

Catalyst Power | https://catalystpower.com 

Noria Energy announced the launch of Airon, a U.S.-made floating solar tracker designed to deliver up to 20% more energy than conventional fixed-tilt floating solar systems – at the same installed cost. By enabling floating solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day, Airon is designed to generate more electricity without increasing a project’s nameplate capacity. Noria plans to install its first commercial pilot in late 2026, in addition to its existing demonstration project, with shipments of its certified commercial product to customer sites beginning in mid-2027.

The launch marks Noria’s emergence as an independent product company focused on commercializing Airon. Sunrock Distributed Generation will remain a strategic investor and development partner for its pipeline of solar and storage projects. AccuSolar also joins as a strategic investor and manufacturing partner with U.S. manufacturing capabilities.

Bringing Solar Tracking to the Water

Airon arrives as rising U.S. electricity demand collides with growing constraints on land, grid capacity and community support for new energy projects. Floating solar enables developers to deploy new generation on reservoirs, industrial ponds, water-treatment basins and other managed water bodies, without requiring additional land. Projects may also benefit from proximity to electrical infrastructure and, in some cases, reduce water evaporation.

“Floating solar can turn underused water surfaces into productive energy assets without competing for valuable land,” said Alex Mayer, CEO of Noria Energy. “With Airon, we are bringing the energy-production advantages of solar tracking to the water – giving customers up to 20% more energy at the same installed cost as a fixed-tilt system. This makes floating solar more productive, scalable and commercially attractive.”

Most floating solar systems use panels installed at a fixed angle. Airon introduces horizontal single-axis tracking to the water, enabling panels to follow the sun throughout the day and generate more electricity from the same installed capacity. This additional production can be particularly valuable for projects constrained by available water surface or grid interconnection capacity.

Airon builds on established ground-mounted PV-tracker principles, but has been engineered specifically for conditions on water, where equipment must withstand wind, waves, changing water levels and anchoring loads. The tracker uses a low-profile design, passive stabilizers and automatic stowing during severe weather. With fewer components and connection points, Airon is designed to simplify installation and reduce potential points of failure. Contractors can install the system using equipment and construction methods already familiar to solar engineering, procurement and construction companies, without specialized tools.

Airon is being developed for both utility-scale installations and distributed projects supplying electricity to nearby commercial, industrial, agricultural and public-sector customers.

From Field Testing to Commercial Deployment

Noria has worked in floating solar since 2018, developing and testing its technology through progressively larger pilot projects. In 2025, Noria and its partners launched a 50-kilowatt Aurea Solar project at Fairmount Reservoir in Golden, Colorado. The project was designed to power water-utility operations while testing floating solar tracking under real-world conditions.

Airon is the next step: translating the engineering and operational experience gained through these projects into a standardized product that developers, EPCs, insurers and financing partners can evaluate using established solar-industry processes. The commercial demonstration planned for late 2026 will enable Noria to further validate Airon’s energy performance, storm response, and reliability and maintenance requirements ahead of commercial shipments.

U.S. Manufacturing from the Start

Noria is developing Airon around a domestic supply chain and regional U.S. manufacturing network. This approach is intended to shorten lead times, reduce transportation requirements, and give customers easier access to replacement components.

Domestic sourcing is also designed to help support customers seeking to comply with applicable U.S. domestic content and foreign entity-of-concern requirements.

Backed by Sunrock and AccuSolar

Airon’s commercialization is supported by Sunrock Distributed Generation and AccuSolar. Sunrock will co-develop and provide financing for future floating solar projects using Airon, alongside its continuing role as a strategic investor in Noria. AccuSolar and its affiliate AccuDock bring experience from thousands of floating-structure installations worldwide, adding manufacturing and marine engineering expertise to Noria’s floating solar and product development capabilities.

“Noria has developed a practical solution to one of floating solar’s biggest opportunities: generating more power from a limited project footprint,”said Wilson Chang, CEO of Sunrock Distributed Generation.  “Sunrock is proud to continue supporting Noria’s innovations to solar technology as a strategic partner as Airon progresses from field testing into commercial deployment.”

Jason Harrison, Founder and CEO of AccuSolar, comments, “We’re excited to partner with Noria to expand the options available for floating solar across the U.S. and we look forward to bringing our manufacturing and marine expertise to help scale this technology.”

Floating solar remains an emerging U.S. sector, with permitting, insurance and operating standards still developing. But the potential market is significant. Research led by the National Laboratory of the Rockies found that global floating solar capacity surpassed 13 gigawatts by 2022. NLR also estimates that federally controlled U.S. reservoirs alone could technically support hundreds of gigawatts of floating solar.

As data centers, manufacturers, water utilities and other large energy users seek new sources of electricity close to their operations, managed water bodies offer a largely untapped opportunity. Noria’s goal with Airon is to unlock more of that opportunity by helping every floating solar panel produce more power at the same installed cost as fixed-tilt systems.

Noria Energy | www.noriaenergy.com

Sunrock Distributed Generation | www.sunrockdg.com

AccuSolar | https://www.accusolar.com/

The Transport Project (TTP) released an important safety resource for inclusion in commercial vehicles fueled by compressed hydrogen (CH2). The downloadable two-sided safety guide contains detailed “Vehicle Crash and/or Leak Response” instructions on one side with “Vehicle Thermal Response” instructions on the reverse.

The card is meant to be digitally downloaded and/or physically provided in CH2 vehicle cabs for quick reference use during traffic accidents or vehicle fires. Both sides include seven basic steps with graphics and concise language for vehicle drivers to follow to advance the safest possible incident outcome; once emergency services arrive, the card can be shared with first responders.

“TTP’s Technology and Development Committee produced this resource to reduce risk for drivers and improve emergency response outcomes in the immediate aftermath of vehicle collisions or thermal events involving fuel-cell-electric trucks and buses or any heavy-duty vehicle powered by a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine,” said Paul Sandsted, The Transport Project’s Director of Technology and Sustainability. “This card is meant to provide clear, easy-to-read reminder guidance on the most critical steps to undertake during such events when stress levels are likely elevated.”

The resource was developed by TTP’s Technology and Development Committee in consultation with CH2 vehicle experts, fuel system providers, emergency response professionals, and stakeholder partner associations including the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS). Access the downloadable resource HERE.

“As hydrogen-powered trucks and buses continue to enter commercial service, practical safety resources like these are important for helping drivers and first responders recognize hydrogen-specific considerations and respond appropriately during an incident. FCHEA was pleased to support The Transport Project’s development of this resource and appreciates its focus on providing clear, accessible instructions that can be readily available in the vehicle when they are needed most.” Frank Wolak, President and CEO of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA).

“These cards turn hydrogen safety knowledge into practical, at-a-glance guidance for the people making decisions during the critical first minutes of an incident. By helping emergency responders understand hydrogen’s unique behavior and take informed action, this resource strengthens preparedness, supports safer response, and builds confidence in communities where hydrogen technologies are being deployed.” Nick Barilo, Executive Director, Center for Hydrogen Safety

Additional first responder resources
The Transport Project and its member companies also advance first responder safety through regional training sessions and promotion of a variety of training services and materials for incident first responders:

• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) offers an online training course that provides the essential information on CH2 vehicles, fuel system operation, and safety factors for vehicle personnel and emergency responders to be familiar with.
• The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training for fire professionals.
• The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) offers Firefighter Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training.
• Kenworth’s Class-8 FCEV First Responders Guide.

The Transport Project | https://transportproject.org/

Greenskies Clean Energy ("Greenskies"), a national leader in commercial renewable energy development, today announced the appointment of Darryl Tishler as Chief Financial Officer. Tishler brings more than 20 years of finance leadership experience and will oversee the company's financial strategy, capital markets activities, and financial operations as Greenskies continues to scale its national platform.

The appointment reflects Greenskies' ongoing investment in executive leadership. Following the appointments of Chief Executive Officer Vijay Singh and Chief Commercial Officer Dan O'Brien earlier this year, Tishler's addition further strengthens the company's leadership team and supports its continued evolution as a mature, long-term renewable energy infrastructure platform.

"Darryl brings the financial expertise, transaction experience, and strategic perspective to support the next phase of our growth," said Vijay Singh, CEO of Greenskies Clean Energy. "His deep background in renewable energy finance and capital formation strengthens our ability to fund and scale our platform while maintaining the discipline and long-term focus that define how we
operate. Darryl will be an important partner as we continue to build on our momentum."

Tishler brings more than 20 years of strategic finance leadership across the renewable energy, infrastructure, and clean technology sectors. Over the course of his career, he has led more than 100 financings and acquisitions representing over $10 billion in transaction value across 40 countries, with deep expertise in project finance, tax equity, capital formation, and mergers and
acquisitions. Prior to joining Greenskies, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Ionic Blue and held senior finance and investment leadership roles with CVE (Changing Visions of Energy) and Safari Energy, where he focused on the acquisition, financing, and development of renewable energy portfolios. His experience working with institutional investors and private equity-backed businesses further supports Greenskies' long-term ownership platform.

"Greenskies has built an impressive platform grounded in disciplined execution and long-term ownership," said Darryl Tishler, CFO of Greenskies Clean Energy. "I'm excited to join a company and a leadership team focused on building something sustainable and valuable, and welcome the challenges that come with such ambition. I look forward to helping strengthen our financial foundation and support the company's continued growth across the markets we serve."

Tishler earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Greenskies Clean Energy | www.greenskies.com