How the Reuse Market Can Solve Supply Chain Delays

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/

NovaSource Power Services, the leading provider of renewable energy operations and maintenance (O&M) services, is proud to announce its certification as a Tesla Certified Service Provider (CSP) for Megapack 2 XL battery systems.

As one of the first third-party Tesla CSPs in the industry, this milestone expands NovaSource’s ability to support advanced energy storage systems with faster response times, reduced downtime, and stronger overall system performance for customers.

“With energy storage accelerating at an unprecedented pace, our certification as a Tesla CSP positions us at the forefront of the industry” said Irfan Bharde, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at NovaSource. “We are uniquely equipped to provide comprehensive, high-quality service that ensures our customers’ assets operate at peak performance.”

Through Tesla’s CSP program, Novasource can deliver onsite support, ensuring customers have access to qualified technicians and engineers. NovaSource demonstrated its service capabilities as a CSP on an operating site, meeting availability targets for over a year.

By achieving this CSP milestone, NovaSource can now serve as the single, fully integrated O&M provider for Megapack 2 XL utility-scale power plants. Novasource provides services across the project, serving as a single point of contact, which enables seamless operations, rapid response times, and personalized service with simplified coordination.

NovaSource provides service capabilities, including:

• Preventative and corrective maintenance
• Advanced monitoring and alerting at the Battery Management System (BMS) level
• Direct data integration with Megapack controllers  
• Remote operations, including remote interventions, resets, and troubleshooting
• End-to-end warranty management and component replacement through Tesla’s warranty process

As energy storage continues to play a critical role in the global energy transition, NovaSource remains committed to delivering innovative, reliable, and scalable service solutions that empower customers and support the future of clean energy.

NovaSource Power Services | https://www.novasourcepower.com/

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and SMU are developing an AI-driven controller for hybrid microgrid systems that integrate multiple energy sources and storage systems to function. The project is funded by a $129,842 grant from the Seed Projects Aligning Research, Knowledge and Skills (SPARKS) joint program, which aims to strengthen and cultivate long-term research between SwRI and the Lyle School of Engineering at SMU.

Battery systems are effective for short-term energy storage. Hydrogen storage systems, on the other hand, offer the potential to extend energy storage duration from hours to days. This can potentially enable greater system resilience and efficiency during periods of prolonged outages or renewable energy shortfalls, as energy demands rise due to the proliferation of AI computing and data centers.

The SwRI and SMU project will develop an AI controller for a microgrid configuration that integrates a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a long-duration hydrogen energy storage system (HESS). The application will integrate fuel cells, advanced solid-state storage technologies, renewable energy generation and the local energy grid for power. The grid will use electrolyzer devices to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis for storage.

The controller will be designed to manage and coordinate the available grid’s energy sources in real time to ensure optimal reliability, reduce operational costs, improve renewable energy utilization, and enhance system sustainability for critical systems, such as data centers, and other facilities that require continuous power and low-carbon backup sources. 

“The rapid expansion of AI computing is creating unprecedented electricity demand, challenging both utilities and data center operators to find reliable and scalable power solutions,” said Dr. Richard Fu, a research engineer in SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division and one of the project’s principal investigators. “Hybrid microgrids are one way that industry could tackle this energy challenge. We are working to create a control system that helps them integrate long-duration energy storage and renewable power resources without sacrificing reliability.” 

Dr. Jianhui Wang, Mary and Richard Templeton Centennial Chair of Electrical Engineering and a professor in SMU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will develop the AI controller. It will be designed to regulate the microgrid’s performance efficiently. The system will use a digital twin, a virtual replica of the system continuously updated with data from its physical counterpart, to emulate realistic operational conditions and workloads, such as those needed to run data centers, and provide algorithms, modeling and data to help the AI controller effectively manage energy allocation. 

“By leveraging a digital twin, our AI controller can learn optimal energy dispatch strategies under realistic data center workloads,” said Wang. “This physics-informed AI approach enables intelligent coordination between short- and long-duration storage while respecting equipment constraints. Ultimately, we aim to deliver more resilient and sustainable microgrid operations.”

SwRI’s on-campus infrastructure, including its 250-kilowatt to 500-kilowatt-hour grid-connected BESS and local grid, will provide the AI controller with a safe platform to rigorously test the technology using real hardware.

“SwRI has extensive experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing using a real controller in an emulated environment to validate effectiveness,” said Stas Gankov, manager of SwRI’s Advanced Algorithms Section and a member of the project’s development team. “Our HIL platform lets us push the AI controller to its limits. We can emulate fast changes in load, renewable volatility and grid events, all without risking customers or the grid. We have spent years building real-time control and HIL expertise. Plugging this controller into that framework is a powerful way to mitigate risks of technology innovation while still accelerating deployment.”

The controller will employ a physics-informed artificial intelligence to coordinate battery and hydrogen storage resources in real time while respecting operational constraints that affect equipment performance and lifetime. The project is part of a broader effort to show how SwRI can deliver solutions – such as advanced algorithms, advanced technology and performance validation – for next-generation, energy-intensive facilities. 

“This work demonstrates how SwRI can contribute to the effective development of next generation data centers or other critical facilities by designing, controlling, and validating resilient, low-carbon power systems from concept through deployment,” Fu said. 

This project was funded (fully or in part) by SMU Lyle School of Engineering and Southwest Research Institute. 

SRI | https://www.swri.org/