How the Reuse Market Can Solve Supply Chain Delays

The Griff Network has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 12,662,819 for its innovative Grip N Strip technology, a breakthrough split-release liner designed to make self-adhered roofing membranes faster, easier, and more efficient to install.

The newly patented technology introduces an integrally formed folded pull tab within a split-release liner, allowing installers to quickly locate, grip, and remove the second release liner without the frustration commonly associated with traditional split-liner systems. By eliminating the need for additional pull strips or separate components, Grip N Strip simplifies manufacturing while delivering a superior installation experience in the field.

The patent covers a unique release liner configuration that incorporates a folded pull tab into the liner itself, improving accessibility and reducing the likelihood of liner tearing or difficulty removing it during installation.

"Grip N Strip was developed with one goal in mind—to make installation easier for contractors," said Alex Phinn, company President. "By integrating the pull tab directly into the release liner, we've created a solution that helps installers work faster, reduces frustration on the jobsite, and improves the overall application process."

Traditional split release liners can be difficult to separate, particularly when installers are wearing gloves or working in demanding outdoor conditions. Grip N Strip addresses this challenge by incorporating a folded pull tab that naturally presents itself for easy gripping after the first liner section is removed. The design enables installers to remove the second liner quickly while maintaining accurate membrane placement.

In addition to improving installation, the patented design streamlines manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate pull strips or added components traditionally used to facilitate release liner removal. The result is an elegant, cost-effective solution that benefits both manufacturers and contractors.

Although initially developed for self-adhered roofing membranes, the patented Grip N Strip technology has broad potential across numerous pressure-sensitive adhesive applications, including waterproofing membranes, flashing products, tapes, building envelope materials, vehicle wraps, graphics, labels, and other adhesive-backed products.

In addition to the manufactured membranes, the patented release liner folding process is available for licensing.

This patent strengthens The Griff Network's commitment to developing innovative products and technologies that solve real-world installation challenges and deliver greater value to customers across the building products industry.

The Griff Network | www.thegriffnetwork.com

Principle Power has been awarded the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support contract for the 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) project in the French Mediterranean operated by Ocean Winds (OW) in partnership with la Banque des Territoires. The agreement with EFGL covers the three WindFloat foundations, which host three Vestas V164-10 MW turbines, the most powerful turbines operating on floating foundations to date. 

The contract covers integrated O&M services for the floating foundations, including inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR), remote monitoring, data analytics, and engineering support to the project owner. Principle Power will leverage its newly developed Asset Hub application to enable remote, real-time monitoring and automated insights, to strength the client’s operational decision-making. 

Day-to-day operations will be handled at the project’s O&M base located at the Port-La Nouvelle in Occitanie, Southern France. Ocean Winds employs six local workers for the maintenance of the platforms and ancillary equipment (e.g., anchor lines, inter-array cables) alongside with Vestas for the turbines inspection and maintenance. Principle Power has extended its O&M team to support the project locally, strengthening its presence in France, which represents nearly 30% of its global workforce. 

Jeremy de Barbarin, Project Director of EFGL at Ocean Winds, said: 

“This contract constitutes a strategic asset for EFGL and strengthens the long-standing relationship between Ocean Winds and Principle Power, which began over 15 years ago, with a 6 year long operating expertise build on Ocean Winds’ first floating windfarm 25 MW WindFloat Atlantic. Principle Power will deploy their proven expertise in floating foundation technologies to assist the Ocean Winds team in maximizing system availability, reliability, and efficiency. This close collaboration in Operations & Maintenance builds on the work Principle Power has already accomplished during the project’s design, construction, and commissioning phases.” 

Clara de Moura Santos, Vice President of Operation & Maintenance at Principle Power, said: 

“This award builds on Principle Power’s operating track record in floating wind and reinforces our role as a provider of integrated O&M support and services. Working with the client, with Vestas, and with project partners, we applied our operational experience from the earliest design stages to address day-to-day asset management requirements and support long-term reliability. 

During the design phase, Principle Power’s experience across our operating WindFloat® projects informed numerical predictions, maintenance strategies, and operational methodologies. Now, the UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL JULY 15 project’s operational learnings will help inform the fourth generation, fully industrialized WindFloat technologies.” 

Principle Power has developed its operating experience across three floating wind projects: the 2 MW WindFloat 1, the 25 MW WindFloat Atlantic, and the 50 MW Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm. With the 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) project, Ocean Winds’ second operating floating wind farm, Principle Power holds 105 MW of deployed capacity using WindFloat® foundations that have shown reliable performance in demanding Atlantic and North Sea metocean conditions, withstanding waves of 20 meters and winds up to 214 km/h, while delivering more than 1 TWh of energy to the grid. 

The EFGL contract marks the latest deployment of WindFloat® technology in France and supports the transition of floating wind toward commercial scale in France and other international markets like the United Kingdom, or South Korea. 

Principle Power | https://www.principlepower.com/

The new Vermeer MT500 material transporter consistently and precisely delivers and places 10 ft to 25 ft (3.05 m to 7.6 m) W-beam piles on ground-mount, utility-scale solar jobsites with minimal labor. Operated by one person with the push of a button, the MT500 eliminates manual pile lifting.

“Solar contractors are looking for ways to do more with the crews they have, and accuracy matters on every pile,” said Ed Savage, product manager, Vermeer. “The MT500 brings a level of consistency to the layout process that is hard to achieve manually, and it does it with minimal user inputs and one person running the machine.”

Reduces manual handling on solar construction jobsites

On most ground-mount solar jobsites, pile layout involves a crew operating skid steers or telehandlers to move pile bundles from the staging area to the required pile positions. It is labor-intensive work, and consistent, accurate placement is difficult to achieve at scale. 

The automated arm on the MT500 picks each pile and places it on the correct pile plan position with the push of a button, handling piles up to 400 lb (181.44 kg). Compatible with third-party GPS systems, the MT500 uses point-to-point and row-to-row automation to move accurately across the solar field.

An amber beacon notifies others on the site when the machine is in remote control or automation mode, and the object detection system and bump bars slow or stop the machine when an object is detected in specific travel zones. An emergency stop is standard. All machine functions are controlled via a full-function wireless remote.

Built for solar jobsite flexibility

The adjustable pile rack is configurable on the jobsite to hold 10 ft to 25 ft (3.05 m to 7.6 m) piles up to a 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) payload, giving contractors the flexibility to work with different pile sizes on the same site. 

Rubber tracks keep ground pressure at 6.4 psi (44 kPa) reducing ground disturbance and allowing the machine to work in wet conditions. With 12 in (30 cm) of ground clearance, the MT500 handles uneven terrain across a range of jobsite conditions. A 74-hp (55 kW) Tier 4 Final/Stage V Rehlko engine powers the machine without requiring DEF fluid. The machine has a 35-gal (132 L) fuel capacity.

No major disassembly is required to move between sites. Stow the pile rack and arm and the MT500 is ready to go, measuring 88 in (224 cm) wide and 187 in (475 cm) long in transport mode.

Shortened training curve for solar construction crews

On-rig diagnostics deliver specific diagnostic explanations and prescriptive troubleshooting steps to the operator, helping crews of all skill levels keep the machine running. The MT500 shares the same on-machine display as the Vermeer PD25R pile driver, so crews already familiar with the pile driver lineup can get up to speed quickly.

“Solar contractors need a machine that can move to the next site and get back to work without a lot of setup time or retraining,” Savage said. “The MT500 fits into an existing Vermeer pile driver operation in a way that makes sense for the crew and for the dealer supporting them.”

The MT500 integrates with the VermeerOne™ platform, delivering real-time machine data to help operators and fleet managers proactively manage maintenance and performance. The machine is backed by the Vermeer dealer network, with localized service and support available wherever jobs take contractors. 

For more information about the Vermeer MT500 material transporter, contact your local Vermeer dealer

Vermeer | vermeer.com

Terra-Gen, one of the largest independent, integrated renewable energy producers in the United States, jointly owned by Masdar and Igneo Infrastructure Partners, announced that its Lockhart Solar PV IV project has reached commercial operations.

The 80-megawatt (MW) solar project in San Bernardino County expands Terra-Gen's renewable energy portfolio in California and will provide enough electricity to power approximately 40,000 homes and businesses annually through a long-term power purchase agreement with a California load-serving entity.

"We are excited to bring the Lockhart IV project online and continue investing in projects that help meet the growing electricity demand and create economic, social and environmental positive impact," said John O'Connor, chief executive officer of Terra-Gen. "With more than 15 GW of projects in our development pipeline, we are well positioned to continue delivering reliable, sustainable energy at scale that can help satisfy the energy needs of today and tomorrow."

Construction of the Lockhart IV project created more than 220 jobs at peak activity, and crews completed over 122,000 work hours with no lost-time incidents. Cupertino Electric served as the project's engineering, procurement and construction contractor.

The Lockhart IV project is the final phase of the Lockhart Solar and Storage facility. With all four phases now operational, the facility has a total capacity of 365 MW of solar generation and 173.7 MW of battery storage, enough to meet the annual needs of more than 350,000 homes and businesses.

Situated on approximately 4,000 acres of private land, the complete Lockhart Solar and Storage operational facility includes nearly 1 million solar modules and 248 battery enclosures. The project utilizes the existing gen-tie line connecting to Southern California Edison's Kramer Junction Substation.

Terra-Gen | www.terra-gen.com

Masdar | https://www.masdar.ae 

Igneo | igneoip.com

ClearGen Holdings, LLC announced the acquisition of a 19-megawatt (MW) portfolio of operating commercial and industrial (C&I) solar assets from affiliates of Tortoise Capital Advisors.

The acquisition consists of 10 operating behind-the-meter solar projects located across California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. ClearGen acquired 100% of the equity interests in the portfolio and will assume asset management responsibilities for the projects.

The transaction advances ClearGen's strategy of investing in distributed energy infrastructure and reinforces the company's role as a long-term owner and active asset manager.

"This acquisition is directly aligned with our strategy of acquiring and actively managing distributed energy assets that deliver long-term value," said Rob Howard, Chief Executive Officer of ClearGen. "ClearGen is committed to owning assets like these for the long run."

ClearGen Holdings | https://clear-gen.com/

Siemens and FuelCell Energy, Inc. have announced a collaboration to accelerate the growth of fuel cell-based power generation. The agreement aligns electrical design and supply with fuel cell technologies to support deployment of distributed energy systems.

As part of the collaboration, formalized in a memorandum of understanding, Siemens will design and supply electrical balance of plant (EBOP) systems for fuel cell installations, supporting the rapid deployment of 100+ MW commercial projects. 

Siemens’ expertise in EBOP design and integration supports its position as a premier provider of electrical infrastructure for fuel cell-based power solutions. A leading turnkey fuel cell power producer, FuelCell Energy designs, manufactures, operates, and services fuel cell power plants for a range of mission-critical applications globally, including data centers, industrial facilities, utilities, and other distributed generation customers. 

The work includes joint project development spanning engineering, integration, and delivery of distributed energy systems incorporating fuel cells, battery energy storage, microgrid controls, and medium-voltage electrical equipment. The companies will evaluate opportunities to scale and deploy solutions that improve timelines, reduce costs, and increase deployments.

“The rapid growth of electrification and distributed energy is redefining how power must be delivered at scale,” said Kevin Brown, Head of Sustainability Solutions, Electrification and Automation, at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. “By combining FuelCell Energy’s fuel cell technology with Siemens’ electrical infrastructure, service, and integration expertise, we can deliver scalable, on-site power solutions for energy-intensive applications – helping customers deploy power faster, scale with confidence, and advance their transition to lower-emission, more resilient energy systems.”

FuelCell Energy’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, Shankar Achanta, said, “This collaboration with Siemens enables us to deliver what the market has been asking for—bringing generation and electrical infrastructure together into a single, scalable solution. For customers, that means reliable, on-site power that is faster to deploy and built to scale, beginning with the data centers driving today’s demand.”

Additional efforts include pilot projects and solution development initiatives to assess new applications for fuel cell systems and electrical infrastructure, including medium-voltage DC power delivery and modular electrical systems. The agreement defines a path to transition successful pilot outcomes into full-scale commercial deployments, including the identification of target markets and deployment approaches.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure | www.siemens.com

FuelCell Energy | www.fuelcellenergy.com

Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), a leading manufacturer of dry-type transformers and power quality solutions, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as an independent public company, marking a quarter-century of growth, innovation, and customer partnership. 

Twenty-five years ago, HPS began a new chapter in the 100-year legacy of the Hammond name. Established as an independent public company in 2001, the organization set out with a clear focus: working side-by-side with customers to solve increasingly complex power challenges and helping shape how electrical systems are designed, built, and delivered. 

That customer-focused approach has transformed HPS from its foundational roots into one of North America’s largest manufacturers of dry-type transformers. Today, HPS solutions support critical infrastructure projects around the world, helping power facilities where reliability, performance, and uptime are essential. 

Over the past 25 years, HPS has expanded its global footprint, manufacturing capacity, and technical capabilities while broadening its portfolio beyond transformers to include power quality solutions and other specialized technologies. Key milestones along that journey include the establishment and expansion of manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico, growth into India and Latin America, the addition of transformer core manufacturing capabilities, and the expansion of its power quality, transformer, and electrical infrastructure offerings through a series of strategic acquisitions. Throughout that time, HPS continued to innovate alongside evolving industry requirements by developing increasingly efficient and sustainable solutions that help customers meet changing energy performance standards. In 2024, HPS was recognized as the top-performing business in the TSX30 ranking, reflecting the company's sustained growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. 

Today, HPS employs more than 2,000 people globally and serves customers across a diverse range of industries, including data centers, renewable energy, water and wastewater treatment, transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. The company continues to invest in innovation and engineering excellence, helping customers improve system reliability, power quality, energy efficiency, and long-term performance. 

“When HPS became an independent company in 2001, we had a vision of building a customer-focused organization capable of solving increasingly complex power challenges,” said Adrian Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Hammond Power Solutions. “Twenty-five years later, we have expanded our global footprint, strengthened our manufacturing capabilities, broadened our portfolio, and built lasting relationships with customers around the world. These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our employees and the trust of our customers, partners, suppliers, and shareholders. We are proud of what we have achieved together and excited about the opportunities ahead as electrification continues to transform industries around the world.” 

From the start, it has been HPS’s people who set the organization apart. The company’s creative thinkers combine deep technical expertise with a personal commitment to quality, accountability, and doing what is right. This dedication continues to drive the corporate mission: We simplify electrification by shaping power solutions with our customers. 

As demand for resilient, efficient, and sustainable power systems continues to grow, HPS remains focused on helping customers navigate an evolving electrical landscape. With a strong foundation, expanded capabilities, and a clear vision for the future, HPS is ready to keep powering progress alongside the customers and communities it serves. 

Hammond Power Solutions I https://americas.hammondpowersolutions.com/