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

North America’s fastest growing electric vehicle DC charging manufacturer, Kempower, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center, one of two National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers led by North Carolina State University. With three active university partnerships in Europe, the FREEDM Center at NC State will be Kempower’s first university partnership in North America.

Through this collaboration, Kempower and FREEDM will conduct research in electric system reliability, energy management, and charging energy systems to expand market and industry knowledge. This partnership will inform Kempower about the next generation’s DC charging technologies and how Kempower solutions can meet those needs. The collaboration will especiallyfocus on multi-megawatt charging station technology for heavy-duty and off-highway vehicles. 

“We’re excited to embark on this partnership with the strong research talent at the FREEDM Systems Center and NC State to continue innovating groundbreaking technology,” said Kempower North America President Monil Malhotra. “As the need for power continues to grow and evolve in the DC charging market, research partnerships with top universities are essential to develop new, state-of-the-art solutions that support our customers' needs.”

The location of Kempower’s North American headquarters in Durham, North Carolina, was selected due to the Triangle’s robust talent pipeline and partnership opportunities with local universities. By establishing its presence and collaborating with the FREEDM Center at NC State, Kempower is able to tap into a large pool of emerging talent and advance the next generation of industry leaders. 

“The FREEDM Center collaboration with Kempower is the beginning of an innovative and strategic relationship,” said FREEDM Systems Center Executive Director, Dr. Iqbal Husain. “As one of the few US universities with a Medium Voltage lab, our research will support Kempower as they continue to build impactful solutions for high power charging. We are excited to leverage our expertise with all of our industry partners to advance electrification technologies."

Kempower’s university research partnerships in both Europe and North America are essential to identifying technology and energy needs as well as supporting the workforce pipeline. As the industry continues to expand, it will require more researchers, engineers, and solutions to power and energize the EV movement around the globe.

Kempower | kempower.com

FREEDM | freedm.ncsu.edu

Avaada Group, a leading diversified energy conglomerate, marked a significant milestone in its journey towards sustainable energy transformation with the inauguration of its 280 MW solar power project at Surendranagar, Gujarat. The project was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, underscoring the government's commitment to accelerating India’s clean energy transition and strengthening the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Developed under the Gujarat State Solar Policy, the project spans over 1,170 acres in the villages of Tavi and Varsani in Surendranagar district and entails a total investment of ₹1,500 crore. It is equipped with Avaada Electro’s ALMM-certified, Make in India TOPCon N-Type bifacial solar PV modules, reflecting a strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing and technological innovation. The electricity generated will be supplied to GUVNL (Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited), contributing significantly to the state’s renewable energy mix and ensuring cleaner and more affordable power for the region’s citizens, particularly farmers.

On the same occasion, the Hon’ble Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Avaada’s 100 MW solar power project in Vadodara district. Spread across 350 acres and with a planned investment of ₹400 crore, the project is being implemented by Avaada GJ Solar and is expected to be commissioned by April 2026. 

The Vadodara project is designed to reduce approximately 212,806 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and will conserve nearly 40 lakh liters of water every year through the deployment of advanced robotic module cleaning technology — a step forward in integrating sustainability at all levels of project execution.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vineet Mittal, Chairman of Avaada Group, said, “At Avaada, our mission goes beyond generating energy—it is about contributing to India’s growth story and empowering communities. The inauguration of this project by the Hon’ble Prime Minister is a proud moment for us and reinforces our commitment to delivering clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to every Indian.”

The Surendranagar project is expected to significantly enhance energy access and agricultural productivity in the region by providing reliable, daytime power for irrigation. This will reduce farmers’ dependence on nighttime power supply, which is often affected by load shedding, and will improve operational efficiency. The project also plays a crucial role in grid stabilization, reducing the subsidy burden on the state and cutting reliance on costlier conventional power sources during peak demand hours.

From an environmental perspective, the Surendranagar project is expected to offset around 595,857 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and conserve approximately 112 lakh liters of water per year using robotic module cleaning systems, thereby minimizing the project’s ecological footprint.

In line with its commitment to community development, Avaada has initiated several CSR programs as part of the project, including free tuition classes for local students, establishment of computer labs, cybersecurity awareness workshops, healthcare camps, and skill development initiatives aimed at empowering women in the region.

Avaada Group continues to lead India’s clean energy transition through its integrated approach across the energy value chain. With a robust portfolio covering renewable power generation, solar PV manufacturing, green hydrogen and derivatives, green data centers, battery storage, and pumped hydro projects, Avaada remains committed to creating a sustainable and self-reliant energy ecosystem for India.

Avaada Group | www.avaada.com

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces that it has signed agreements with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) for research and development activities that will include prototype measurement and control equipment for a manned pressurized rover (nicknamed “Lunar Cruiser” by Toyota) that is being developed by Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

 In recent years, there has been significant progress made with initiatives to explore the lunar surface, not only by government-funded space agencies but also by commercial enterprises, a number of which have attempted lunar landings. The manned pressurized rover will be Japan's first standalone manned space system, and is expected to dramatically expand the scope of exploration activities on the lunar surface. It will also have the ability to be remotely controlled and operate without a crew, enabling continuous exploration of the lunar surface.

For decades, Yokogawa has been providing highly reliable control systems and measurement instruments to companies in a wide range of industries. With its extensive track record and proactive approach to research and development for the space industry, the company was invited by Toyota to participate in its manned pressurized rover project. The agreements cover the design and procurement for the development of prototypes, advancing the conceptional studies undertaken by Yokogawa and Toyota for the control platform and the battery measurement components of the manned pressurized rover. Yokogawa will continue to work on development with Toyota in preparation for launch in 2031 or later. Over the long term, Yokogawa will explore opportunities for new applications that will leverage the technologies refined through the development of the manned pressurized rover. 

Hidehito Shiratsu, head of the Space Business Development Office at Yokogawa Electric, commented, “We are very excited to collaborate with Toyota Motor Corporation on the R&D of measurement and control equipment for the manned pressurized rover, which will play a crucial role in enabling continuous lunar exploration. Yokogawa has positioned space as a key area for exploration in our medium-term business plan, Growth for Sustainability 2028, and we are developing opportunities in this field. In so doing we are leveraging our strengths in measurement, control, and information technologies that have withstood the most extreme environments on Earth, including in the polar regions and the deep sea. The technologies and insights gained through the development of products for the most extreme environment, outer space, will also be utilized to enhance the reliability of our existing products and services for earth-based industries.”

Yokogawa | https://www.yokogawa.com/industries/space/  

Verogy, a leading solar energy developer based in Connecticut, is proud to announce the start of construction on its sixth project under the state’s Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) program in 2025. These projects, totaling more than 30 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, enable Verogy to advance equal access to solar power and drive meaningful economic impact across Connecticut.

The SCEF program, overseen by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), was designed to expand access to solar power, particularly for low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Participating residents can subscribe to a portion of the electricity generated by a SCEF project and receive credits on their electricity bills, which results in long-term savings without installing any equipment on their own property.

“Verogy is committed to ensuring the benefits of renewable energy are felt across all communities - not just those with access to on-site solar,” said William Herchel, CEO of Verogy. “The SCEF program makes it possible for more Connecticut consumers than ever to participate in and benefit from the solar economy.”

In addition to environmental and equal access benefits, Verogy’s SCEF projects generate well-paying, local construction jobs thanks to Connecticut’s prevailing wage requirements. The company estimates that its 2025 SCEF portfolio will create approximately 100 direct and indirect jobs across the state. From engineering and site work to electrical installation and maintenance, these jobs provide crucial workforce opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Verogy’s 2025 SCEF portfolio is also made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which enables developers to leverage domestic content adders in the form of federal tax incentives. These adders reward the use of American-made components - such as solar modules, inverters, and structural hardware - and have helped drive Verogy’s commitment to using US-produced materials wherever feasible.

As part of its commitment to using domestically sourced materials and power generation technologies, Verogy continues to partner with Arizona-headquartered First Solar, Inc., the leading US-based solar module manufacturer. First Solar’s uniquely American technology was invented in Ohio, and the company is the largest solar manufacturer in the United States with four manufacturing plants in Ohio and Alabama, and a fifth expected to begin commercial operations in Louisiana later this year. The company operates one of the most extensive domestic supply chains in the country. 

First Solar’s modules offer strong performance in diverse weather conditions and are optimized for utility-scale solar power plants. This partnership further aligns Verogy’s mission of delivering sustainable energy solutions with meaningful economic benefits for American workers and manufacturers.

“Verogy is working to reliably deliver energy that supports communities and helps power prosperity, and we are proud that our American-made technology enables their mission,” said Dr. Mounir El Asmar, Head of Business Development at First Solar. “This is an example of how American solar can deliver - creating local jobs, keeping electricity rates low, and enabling the aspirations of American communities.”

Verogy’s ongoing investment in SCEF projects reflects a broader commitment to sustainability, energy equity, and local economic development. Upon completion of these six SCEF projects, Verogy anticipates delivering enough clean energy to power more than 3,600 average homes every year. In addition, these projects will generate an estimated $975,000 in annual savings for LMI households and other utility customers for the next 20 years.

Verogy | https://www.verogy.com/

TerraWise earned the title of 2025 Start-Up of the Year during the annual pitch competition for early-stage companies hosted by Mercom Capital Group at RE+, North America’s largest clean energy conference. The recognition highlights TerraWise’s groundbreaking autonomous rovers and AI-driven platform, which are redefining how utility-scale solar farms are inspected and maintained. By enabling continuous, ground-level visibility into panel health and electrical integrity, TerraWise is helping asset owners and operators dramatically improve reliability, reduce downtime, and scale operations in step with the industry’s rapid growth.

TerraWise is introducing the industry’s first physical agentic AI for solar operations and management, moving beyond annual drone flyovers or periodic truck rolls that deliver only intermittent snapshots and reports. The system remains at the plant around the clock, self-charges, and drives the process from perception to diagnosis to action. TerraPV rovers operate as AI assistants to field teams, running full shifts in demanding conditions to capture consistent ground-level thermal and visual data across panels, connectors, cables, combiner boxes, and trackers. Using this data, Photon, TerraWise’s PV-native agent, translates faults into operator terms, prioritizes severity, and automatically creates and routes work orders into existing CMMS platforms. Meanwhile, remote teleoperation enables immediate re-inspections without requiring truck rolls. These combined capabilities deliver continuous, high-fidelity ground truth, empowering even small teams to manage gigawatt-scale farms with greater safety, faster response times, improved efficiency, and higher uptime.

“Being recognized as Start-Up of the Year at RE+ is an incredible honor for our team,” said Dhruva Sankhe, CEO of TerraWise. “Our vision is to make solar field operations as automated, scalable, and resilient as possible. TerraWise rovers are not just inspection tools—they are partners to technicians, helping them do more with less and making it possible to operate gigawatt-scale assets with unprecedented efficiency. This award validates the importance of our mission and strengthens our commitment to supporting the global clean energy transition with technology that is rugged, practical, and built for the future.”

Sankhe represented the company in the pitch competition, which drew more than 40 applicants. TerraWise was one of 10 finalists presenting to a live audience and judging panel that included Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group; Stephanie Annerose, Director of Investment at HASI; and Alexander Carbone, Vice President at Clairvest. 

The company received a marketing and communications package from Mercom, valued at $15,000, along with a booth at RE+ 2026, scheduled to return to Las Vegas.

“This year’s Start-Up Live Pitch Competition featured some of the strongest pitches we’ve seen, with several of the companies tackling a wide range of critical clean energy challenges,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. “TerraWise impressed us with a clear vision, practical innovation, and ability to address a major pain point in solar operations. Their approach shows real potential for industry-wide impact, which is why we selected them as the winner.”

Other finalists included the following:

• Bert Thin Films 
• ContractPower 
• Dili 
• Fordje 
• Grid8 
• Noble Carbon 
• REplace 
• Rocking Solar 
• Wind Pulse Energy

“Congratulations to TerraWise for their victory at the 2025 RE+ Start-Up Live Competition,” said Gary Thuro, Chief Business Officer, RE+ Events. “This competition is always a highlight of RE+, bringing fresh ideas and bold innovators to the stage. Special thanks to Mercom Capital Group for their continued leadership and commitment in making this event such a success each year.”

Mercom Capital Group | http://www.mercomcapital.com

Joe Kiskunas marked his approaching 10-year anniversary with the ALL Family of Companies in a big way: he was promoted to branch manager of the Kaukauna, Wis., branch of Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental. He fills the large shoes of Scott Jerome, who retired after a more than four-decade career with ALL.

Kiskunas most recently served as the branch’s operations manager after spending his career in dispatch and logistics. “I’m excited to continue the tradition of Dawes and the Kaukauna branch,” said Kiskunas. “Dawes has a rich history of excellence throughout the Midwest. My job, and the job of everyone here, is to keep that story alive while adding our own chapters to it.”

The four branches of Dawes (in Kaukauna, Madison, Milwaukee, and Elk Mound) have experienced a flood of personnel changes in recent years, as a generation that came up through the ranks together also reached retirement age at about the same time. The result? Dawes: The Next Generation. Kiskunas believes Kaukauna, and all the Dawes branches, are well positioned to navigate growing markets and a changing economy.

“For years, the Kaukauna branch has had a reputation as the home of the crawlers. We’re well known for working in wind energy. We’ve been in fields all over Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Dakotas,” said Kiskunas. “Now, we’re seeing opportunities open in other energy sectors. We’re seeing a lot of work in the construction of corporate campuses and the data centers that have been sweeping this part of the country.”

In recent years, Kiskunas worked closely with outgoing branch manager Jerome to prepare for an eventual ascendance to his new role. “Scott was extremely focused and detail-oriented,” said Kiskunas. “I learned by his side, plus he left me voluminous notes from throughout his career. It will all contribute to a continuity of service for our customers.”

ALL | https://www.allcrane.com/

Russelectric, A Siemens Business, a leading manufacturer of power control systems and automatic transfer switches, highlights the value of centralized paralleling systems for applications requiring maximum control precision, system resilience, and operational visibility.

Unlike onboard paralleling, where synchronization and control components are mounted directly on or near each generator, centralized architectures consolidate all control functionality in a dedicated switchgear environment. This approach enables hot-standby PLCs, manual backup control, discrete analog metering, and detailed event logging. These are all essential features for providing uninterrupted power to critical infrastructure like hospitals, data centers, and industrial campuses.

Centralized systems provide superior redundancy and scalability, allowing operators to monitor and manage all generators from a clean, climate-controlled location away from engine rooms that are often harsh, hot, and contaminated by diesel particulates. Real-time synchronization logic, configured for tighter parameters and faster resolution, reduces mechanical stress on generator breakers and improves performance during complex transitions or load variations.

In contrast, onboard solutions, though suitable for small-scale, non-critical systems, can lack necessary redundancy and manual control capabilities, often relying on proprietary vendor logic and shared communications between generator controllers. This can hinder troubleshooting, limit customization, and complicate system expansion, particularly when integrating generators from multiple manufacturers.

Russelectric’s centralized control solutions are available for both low and medium voltage applications and built to robust industry standards, including UL 1558 and DLAH listings. Their systems incorporate dual PLC architectures, discrete analog controls, and programmable load demand functions, ensuring unmatched reliability and flexibility across all project types.

Whether powering an advanced healthcare facility or a large data center, Russelectric’s centralized power control systems offer future-ready infrastructure for organizations that cannot afford downtime.

Russelectric | www.russelectric.com