Drafting vs. Engineering: Choosing the right partner for commercial projects

GridStrong, the all-in-one platform for automating electric grid compliance and operations, announced it has raised an oversubscribed seed funding round to transform how power asset owners navigate increasingly complex regulatory and reliability frameworks. GridStrong's solution automates costly and tedious interconnection and compliance processes—reducing time, improving quality, and enabling higher system reliability. The $10 million round was led by Congruent Ventures with participation from Energize Capital, along with strategic investments from Engie Renewables North America and other major utilities.

The grid faces unprecedented strain driven by load growth, interconnection bottlenecks, evolving generation mix, and underinvestment in new transmission. As capacity constraints intensify, regulators are introducing highly technical, time-critical requirements. As a result, owners and operators of generation, transmission, and large-load assets face mounting compliance pressures. But compliance is still managed through fragmented systems, spreadsheets, and labor-heavy processes that were never designed for the pace or sophistication required for the modern grid.

GridStrong's solution combines AI-native software with deep technical understanding to streamline complex workflows and give asset owners clarity, control, and confidence without the usual rework, delays, and audit risk. 

"Standards are evolving faster than ever, data is multiplying, and the stakes for noncompliance are high," said Tom Scaramellino, GridStrong Co-Founder and CEO. "GridStrong replaces the unscalable model of manual, consultant-heavy workflows with end-to-end automation built by engineers who helped write the very standards shaping our industry." 

Founded in February 2025 by Tom Scaramellino, an energy software industry veteran, and Ryan Quint, the former Director of Engineering at the NERC, the company already boasts more than half of the 25 largest renewable asset owners as customers, representing hundreds of gigawatts of power across North America. Strategic utility investors, including Engie, have been among GridStrong's early adopters and design partners. 

"Leading asset operators have seen that GridStrong combines deep domain expertise with proven software execution capability," said Kevin Kopczynski, Partner at Congruent Ventures. "Their unique insights are exactly what is required to unlock the potential of Vertical AI to  address today's challenges and achieve the speed and performance the grid demands."

"From the beginning of Energize, we have tracked how shifts in consumer behavior, industrial development, and digital technology are reshaping the grid," said John Tough, Managing Partner of Energize Capital. "Grid congestion, reliability, and rising demand have made compliance requirements more complex than ever — and platforms like GridStrong's are vital to deliver the operational scale to meet this need."

GridStrong takes a unique approach by seamlessly integrating dispersed plant information into intelligent workflows and clearly structured data frameworks. Their enterprise-class platform serves the complete asset lifecycle, from the initial interconnection request to post-COD operations across all AC plant functions.

GridStrong | gridstrong.ai

Sunnen Products Company, a global leader in high-precision bore finishing and measurement, highlights its innovative entry level HTA Tube Hone machine, setting a new standard in bore finishing for the energy industry. With over 375 sold to date, the HTA Tube Hone represents a significant advancement in honing technology over manual honing, offering a range of features that deliver superior performance, efficiency, safety, ergonomics, and precision perfect for modern energy production environments including gas metering tube finishing, steam turbine rotor refinishing, and numerous other low stock removal applications.

Its all-electric design ensures quieter operation and eliminates oil leaks and heat buildup over hydraulic machines. It also provides better control and greater accuracy during bore reversals, vital for producing precision components used in energy equipment. This lean design boasts a smaller footprint compared to traditional horizontal tube honing systems, saving valuable floor space and capital in OEM, job shop, and repair facilities.

At the heart of the HTA Tube Hone is a Siemens Servo Stroker Motor with steel reinforced Belt Drive, providing quiet and precise operation, ideal for maintaining strict tolerances in rebuilding critical energy sector parts such as pump liners and oil rig hydraulic cylinders. The 3 HP (2.24 kW) spindle unit, combined with a servo stroker capable of speeds from 5 to 90 ft/min (1.5 to 27.4 m/min), delivers ample power for resurfacing and repairing at speeds of 20–300 RPM. 

The HTA Tube Hone features a programmable auto tool feed system, increasing efficiency and consistency. A 55-gallon paper media coolant filtration unit with quick disconnects, casters, sight glass, and manual paper bed filter maintains clean coolant, improving honing performance and extending abrasive life and maintaining surface finish in energy facilities.

Ergonomics and safety are prioritized in the HTA Tube Hone’s design, reducing the risk of injury associated with manual honing that is often used for these components.

Operators benefit from the easy to use Siemens PLC with a color touch screen, which controls all machine functions such as stroke reversal, speeds, and a cross hatch calculation. The stroker joystick allows for precise positioning of the honing tool and stroke length adjustment during setup, while stroke control override enables short-stroking in any part of the bore for clean-up.

The HTA Tube Hone offers flexibility with its swiveling operator station that accommodates space constraints common in energy production environments. Multiple language options and metric/inch conversion are selectable from the touch screen, enhancing ease of use across global energy operations.

Additional energy-focused features include a load meter for quickly identifying tight bore spots in components like gas metering tubes, a universal chain vise work holding system to accommodate a range of part sizes, and an integral work tray for maintaining a clean, organized work area. 

The HTA Tube Hone is compatible with ANR-275 tooling, allowing energy sector machine shops to leverage existing stone supports, master holders, and abrasives, thereby reducing tooling costs.

Sunnen | https://www.sunnen.com

RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. (“RecycLiCo”) (TSX.V: AMY | OTCQB: AMYZF | FSE: ID4), a critical mineral refining and lithium-ion battery upcycling company, and Alaska Energy Metals Corp. (“AEMC”) (TSX.V: AEMC | OTCQB: AKEMF | FRA: V7F) are pleased to announce that RecycLiCo’s new wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, RecycLiCo US Mineral Recovery, Inc. (“RUMR”) and AEMC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), effective September 16, 2025, to assess the ways in which RecycLiCo’s hydrometallurgical processing technology could be used in the refining of metal concentrates derived from AEMC’s polymetallic Nikolai deposit in Alaska. The Nikolai deposit contains seven U.S. Government-designated Critical Minerals, including nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium, platinum, palladium, and gold (along with the non-critical mainstay metal iron).

As a first step in structuring the parties’ working relationship, AEMC will supply RUMR with metal concentrate samples derived from previously collected drill core samples from the Nikolai deposit, along with assay data, mineralogical data and metallurgical testing data. RUMR will test the amenability of recovering nickel and the other accessory metals from the concentrate samples, utilizing RecycLiCo’s expertise in hydrometallurgical refinement. Following the successful completion of testing, the partnership’s goal would be to advance to the development of a co-located hydrometallurgical processing facility at the Nikolai project site.

“This partnership perfectly aligns with RecycLiCo’s transition from a venture-stage battery recycler to an important contributor to North America’s domestic supply chain for the critical minerals underpinning 21st Century industrial needs and national security,” said Richard Sadowsky, Interim CEO, RecycLiCo, adding: “The U.S. is fortunate to have significant critical mineral deposits – like the Nikolai Deposit – but its supply chain’s missing link is the lack of domestic capacity in the mid-stream processing segment. We are confident that by partnering with AEMC, RecycLiCo US Mineral Recovery can help close that gap.”

Gregory Beischer, AEMC President & CEO, commented: “We are excited to partner with RecycLiCo to explore the opportunity of leveraging their hydrometallurgical expertise and proprietary processes. AEMC would like to produce refined metal products from our Nikolai deposit on-site rather than having to ship metal concentrate to Asian smelters for refining – particularly at a time when the United States is heavily reliant on countries officially designated Foreign Entities of Concern to meet U.S. demand for nickel and other critical minerals.”

The MOU announcement aligns with national objectives set forth in Executive Order  “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” (March 20, 2025) and  “Executive Order on Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” (January 20, 2025) and comes at a time when the Trump Administration is stepping up its efforts to work with stakeholders to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains against the backdrop of surging geopolitical and trade tensions.

RecycLiCo Battery Materials I https://recyclico.com/

Alaska Energy Metals | https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

Ascent Solar Technologies (Nasdaq: ASTI) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Defiant Space Corporation (“Defiant”), an emerging space company focused on scalable solutions for the defense and national security market.

Through this partnership, the companies will pursue opportunities in the U.S. defense and national security sectors, combining Ascent’s space-proven solar technology with Defiant’s ability to develop and integrate mission-focused space solutions. The collaboration is designed to address the growing demand for resilient, cost-effective capabilities supporting defense and security objectives.

In addition, Ascent and Defiant will collaborate to explore opportunities across allied and international space markets, including NATO and Five Eyes partner nations. By combining Defiant’s strategic relationships with Ascent’s proprietary thin-film solar technology, the companies aim to identify areas where advanced American solar solutions can contribute to shared defense, security, and commercial initiatives.

“Partnering with Defiant neatly aligns with Ascent’s mission to deliver lightweight, flexible and highly durable solar solutions to the most demanding markets,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. “By combining our technology with Defiant’s platforms, we are strengthening our role in U.S. national security initiatives and opening new commercial pathways for Ascent.”

“Defiant is focused on developing scalable solutions that strengthen the defense and national security market,” said Jeromy Grimmett, Chief Strategy Officer of Defiant Space. “By working with Ascent Solar, we can advance innovative technologies that align with critical mission needs while also creating new opportunities abroad for U.S.-developed space capabilities.”

This partnership reflects the growing importance of resilient, dual-use space technologies in both government and commercial domains. By aligning their capabilities, Ascent and Defiant are well positioned to serve the rapidly expanding $1 trillion global space economy projected by 2040.

Ascent Solar | https://www.ascentsolar.com

XL Batteries, an energy storage company that is building the lowest-cost, safest and most efficient form of long-duration energy storage (LDES), announced a $7.5 million investment from Merrin Investors, the mission-driven family office of entrepreneur and philanthropist Seth Merrin. This new funding accelerates XL Batteries’ ability to scale its operations, enhance grid resilience, and support energy independence by reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

As grids face rapidly rising stress from data centers, mass electrification and manufacturing, scalable, safe, and flexible LDES solutions are critical to maintaining resilience. Flow batteries offer a proven solution, but reliance on scarce, expensive materials has historically made them prohibitively costly and risky for mass deployment.

XL Batteries is addressing this challenge with its low-cost, safe, and efficient Organic Flow Battery. By utilizing proprietary, organic, low-cost electrolytes instead of scarce, corrosive and expensive vanadium, its technology reduces risk and costs and eliminates the need for specialized infrastructure or supply chains. This capital from Merrin Investors will help XL Batteries advance its pathway to commercialization and further solidify its position as an LDES leader addressing critical energy challenges at a time when many in the industry face headwinds.

“This investment from Merrin Investors underscores that XL Batteries is built to thrive in today’s environment,” said Tom Sisto, Co-Founder and CEO of XL Batteries. “Over the past several months, XL has hit several key milestones that prove our technology is effective. Now, with Merrin’s support, we are bringing the next generation of safe, cost-effective, long-duration batteries to market at a pace to meet growing demand.”

XL's capital-light approach and commercial readiness position the company for success in the LDES technology race. XL’s technology can meet virtually any power need, enabling utilities, data centers, and industrial users to maintain reliable access to power. The company recently announced several key deployment milestones, including a strategic partnership with Prometheus Hyperscale for large-scale deployments at data center campuses - a first for flow batteries in the United States - and a commercial-scale pilot project with Stolthaven Terminals in Houston, Texas.

“I’m thrilled to back XL Batteries because they are rewriting the rules of industrial-scale storage,” said Seth Merrin, Founder of Merrin Investors. “Its breakthrough, non-flammable technology delivers lower cost, longer life, and greater safety than anything else on the market. This investment will help accelerate the company’s ability to lead a trillion-dollar market while supporting the clean-energy transition — a perfect example of doing well by doing good.”

XL Batteries | www.xlbatteries.com

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has finalized SMART 3.0, the state’s updated solar incentive program. With the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) now on a phase-out schedule, businesses, property owners, and public entities that act quickly can maximize value by securing both state and federal incentives.

SMART 3.0, effective September 12, 2025, shifts the state’s incentive structure to an annually adjusted model and prioritizes rooftop, canopy, and brownfield projects. Enrollment for Program Year 2025 opens October 15 with 900 MW of statewide capacity, followed by a second enrollment period on January 2, 2026 for Program Year 2026. In parallel, the federal ITC phase-out sets clear deadlines: projects that start construction before July 4, 2026, have four calendar years to finish and still claim the credit, while projects starting later must be completed and operational by December 31, 2027.

“SMART 3.0 and the federal ITC together create one of the strongest opportunities Massachusetts has seen for solar and storage projects,” said Matt Shortsleeve, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Policy at Solect Energy. “Timing is critical to safe harbor ITC eligibility. At Solect, we’ve purchased and warehoused equipment to ensure customers can access qualifying, cost-effective equipment even as new federal requirements take effect. That investment along with our team's readiness gives organizations confidence to move forward now and capture the full stack of incentives available.”

To learn more about SMART 3.0, ITC eligibility deadlines, and how organizations can prepare, read Solect’s full blog post here: A New Era for Clean Energy: Inside Massachusetts’ SMART 3.0.

Solect Energy | www.solect.com

Indigenized Energy proudly announces the completion of the Off-Grid Buffalo Project, a groundbreaking renewable energy installation bringing power, sovereignty, and cultural revitalization to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The 36-kilowatt off-grid solar energy system, paired with a 58 Kilowatt-hour of battery storage, now powers critical ranch operations, supporting the tribe's buffalo program and broader food and energy sovereignty goals.

Located near Ashland, Montana, the solar and battery storage system replaces diesel generators and provides sustainable and reliable power in a location too remote for a traditional grid connection. The system now powers a conditioning pasture, hydraulic buffalo chute, operations building, and watering infrastructure—supporting a herd of more than 300 buffalo, which are central to the tribe's identity, cultural restoration, and land stewardship.

"This isn't just about electricity—it's about power in every sense of the word," said Cody Two Bears, Founder and CEO of Indigenized Energy. "Power to manage your land, feed your community, and decide your own future. That's what energy sovereignty looks like."

The project was made possible through a powerful collaboration among tribal leaders, nonprofit partners, and renewable energy companies. Indigenized Energy led development and coordination, with Freedom Forever serving as the project contractor, equipment and training from Jinko Solar, and major philanthropic funding from the Honnold Foundation and Empowered by Light.

"We are thrilled to support this collaborative effort, which provides an incredible opportunity for the Northern Cheyenne to reestablish their sovereignty, improve the health of their tribe and strengthen their connection to a culturally iconic species," said Moira Hanes, Executive Director and Co-founder of Empowered by Light.

"This project shows how clean energy can honor culture, protect the land, and strengthen community resilience, while advancing food sovereignty and creating a model for climate solutions rooted in equity," said Emily Teitsworth, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation.

For the Northern Cheyenne, the buffalo represent more than a food source—they are sacred relatives and ecological partners in regenerating prairie lands.

"Our buffalo are central to who we are as a people," said Brandon Small, Buffalo Program Manager for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. "Caring for them means caring for our culture, our health, and the land that sustains us."

A dedication ceremony is planned at a later date to honor the tribal members, funders, and partners who made the project possible.  

Indigenized Energy | www.4indigenized.energy