Fire risk tops the headlines, but short circuit events may be the more immediate threat on your next project. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are having a moment. After years of promise, the technology has reached an inflection point thanks to plummeting costs, utility-scale deployments, and continuing federal support. BESS has earned its reputation as the sector to watch by solving difficult grid problems. But momentum has a way of o....
In the North American power market, Demand Response (DR) is no longer confined to large industrial facilities turning off heavy machinery during peak hours. Driven by FERC Order 2222 and the rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs), behind-the-meter C&I solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are increasingly relied upon to provide active grid support. Modern utility programs and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) require C....
While not the world oldest profession, the reuse of products is a close second, dating back to when a caveman picked up a spear after his partner was eaten by a lion. Today, it is estimated that 45 percent of industries depend on it. Some examples are the auto industry relying on scrapyards for parts, heavy construction equipment, HVAC systems in buildings, utilities, plumbing, marine, military, aviation, and telecommunications — all rely on....
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most significant drivers of energy demand growth in modern history. As hyperscale data centers expand across North America to support AI processing, cloud infrastructure, and high-density computing, utilities and developers are accelerating investments in renewable energy projects at unprecedented speed. Much of the public conversation surrounding this transition has focused on solar photovol....
Energy Storage
Schaltbau North America
Energy Storage
Gary Lam
Energy Storage
Sequoya Cross
Pure Lithium Corporation, a vertically integrated next-generation lithium metal battery company and developer of the patented Brine to Battery technology, announced the appointment of Dr. Tobias Glossmann as Chief Product Officer. In this role, Dr. Glossmann will lead product and technology strategy, guiding the translation of Pure Lithium’s battery science into engineered products and directing the company’s product engineering efforts.
Dr. Glossmann joins Pure Lithium after a 25-year career across Mercedes-Benz companies, most recently serving as Principal Systems Engineer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. His work spanned advanced battery technology development, from materials through complete battery systems, and he held companywide responsibility for high voltage safety. His career began in 2001 with battery systems development at DaimlerChrysler in Ulm, Germany, and later in Michigan, giving him more than two decades of experience across cell chemistry, thermal modeling, scientific computing, and battery systems engineering.
A recognized voice in the lithium metal battery field, Dr. Glossmann co-founded the annual Lithium Metal Battery Workshop, which brings together academia and industry to surface and address the technical challenges of commercializing lithium metal batteries. He serves as an industry advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Battery500 consortium, Chair of the Detroit Section of the Electrochemical Society, and on advisory bodies at the University of Michigan’s EV Center, Cornell University’s Center for Alkaline-Based Energy Solutions, and Stony Brook University’s College of Engineering. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and holds several granted U.S. patents in energy storage.
Dr. Glossmann holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri–Columbia, an M.S. in Chemistry from Oakland University, and a B.S./M.S. in Electronic/Mechatronic Engineering from Esslingen University, Germany.
“Tobias brings a rare combination of commercial experience, deep electrochemistry, hands-on battery systems engineering, and a genuine commitment to the scientific community. He understands what it takes to get a battery into the most demanding applications, such as electric vehicles, and his grasp of lithium metal batteries, including the hard problems the field too often overlooks, makes him the perfect addition to our team,” said Emilie Bodoin, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Pure Lithium Corporation.
“I have spent my career working on the science and engineering of advanced batteries, and I have long believed that lithium metal is one of the most important frontiers in energy storage. I am excited to join Pure Lithium and bring this technology to market,” said Dr. Tobias Glossmann.
Pure Lithium | www.purelithium.io
EVelution Energy LLC ("EVelution Energy"), a U.S. critical minerals company developing the first solar-powered commercial-scale cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility in the United States, announced the confirmation of substantial groundwater resources sufficient to support the planned operating requirements of its proposed facility in Yuma County, Arizona.
These findings remove another significant project-development risk and further advance the project's engineering, permitting, financing and construction readiness. The groundwater characterization program also supports potential future expansion of the facility beyond its initial planned production capacity.
"The successful confirmation of substantial groundwater resources beneath the project site removes another critical development risk and brings us one step closer to construction of the first solar-powered commercial-scale cobalt processing facility in the United States," said Navaid Alam, President & CEO of EVelution Energy. "From the outset, we have designed this project to combine domestic critical minerals processing with responsible environmental stewardship through advanced water treatment, extensive water recycling, closed-loop operations and modern environmental controls. This milestone further strengthens the technical foundation of the project as we continue advancing toward construction."
Hydrogeological Program Confirms Substantial Groundwater Resources
The exploratory boring, drilled to a depth of approximately 1,500 feet under the supervision of BasinWells Associates PLC, EVelution Energy's hydrogeological consultant, included comprehensive hydrogeological testing, groundwater sampling and aquifer characterization.
Based on the results of the drilling and testing program, BasinWells has confirmed to the Company the presence of aquifer zones beneath the project site with hydrogeological characteristics indicating substantial groundwater-bearing capacity capable of supporting the planned operating requirements of the proposed facility.
The data supports the conclusion that groundwater resources underlying the property are sufficient to support the anticipated operating requirements of the planned facility throughout its expected operating life, including potential future increases in production capacity. These findings represent an important independent technical validation of one of the project's most critical operating requirements and further support the continued advancement of engineering, permitting and project financing activities.
Water-quality testing also indicates that groundwater encountered within the target aquifer zones contains elevated salinity levels and would generally require treatment prior to conventional agricultural use. EVelution Energy's planned processing operations are expected to incorporate water-treatment systems capable of utilizing this resource, allowing productive use of groundwater that would otherwise have limited agricultural value in its untreated state.
The groundwater characterization program will also support detailed engineering of the project's water treatment, water recycling and production well systems during completion of the ongoing Bankable Feasibility Study.
The project site is located outside an Active Management Area (AMA) designated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Accordingly, groundwater withdrawals at the site are not subject to volumetric pumping limits, although the project's groundwater wells will remain subject to applicable Arizona well registration and reporting requirements.
The confirmation of substantial groundwater resources represents another significant milestone in the development of EVelution Energy's approximately $450 million project, which is intended to strengthen domestic critical minerals supply chains while creating significant economic opportunities in rural Yuma County.
Water-Efficient Closed-Loop Process Design
EVelution Energy's facility is being engineered to minimize water consumption while eliminating on-site process-water discharge. Unlike many traditional hydrometallurgical processing facilities, the project is designed around a closed-loop water management strategy intended to maximize water recycling and minimize freshwater demand.
The facility is expected to incorporate:
As a result of this design, the facility is expected to operate with substantially lower net freshwater requirements than its total process-water demand.
Net freshwater consumption is expected to average approximately 34 acre-feet per month, or approximately 408 acre-feet annually. Based on average irrigation water-use rates in Yuma County, this is roughly equivalent to the annual water requirements of approximately 70 acres of irrigated farmland.
Combined with enclosed material handling systems, modern air-filtration and emissions-control technologies, and the elimination of process-water discharge and on-site tailings storage, these design features are intended to make the project rank among the most environmentally responsible critical minerals processing facilities under development in North America.
Major Project De-Risking Milestone
Reliable long-term access to groundwater resources is a critical prerequisite for large-scale hydrometallurgical processing and an important consideration for permitting, engineering, financing and construction planning.
Prior to completion of the groundwater program, the project had already achieved several significant development milestones, including:
The confirmation of substantial groundwater resources further strengthens the project's technical foundation and systematically reduces another key project-development risk as EVelution Energy advances toward construction of its cobalt processing facility.
According to an independent economic impact analysis, the project is expected to support more than 6,200 direct, indirect and induced jobs, generate approximately $1.2 billion in annual economic activity and contribute approximately $326 million in annual household earnings, with the majority of these benefits expected to accrue within Arizona, particularly rural Yuma County.
Although construction of the project's solar energy facility commenced in June 2026, construction of the cobalt processing facility is expected to begin in early 2027, with commercial operations targeted for 2029.
EVelution Energy | www.evelutionenergy.com
e2Companies, a leading provider of integrated solutions for power generation and distribution, announced it has been selected by Wayne County to develop a comprehensive microgrid and energy resiliency solution for the Wayne County Campus in Lyons, New York. Under the agreement, e2Companies will lead the delivery of a turnkey microgrid solution, providing system design, engineering, construction, commissioning, monitoring, and long-term operational support. Supporting the project are 34 Group, serving as construction manager, and ZoKa Solutions, providing project management and delivery oversight. Together, the project team will deliver a resilient energy solution designed to maintain uninterrupted power to critical county facilities and facilitate seamless transitions between utility and onsite resources.
"Reliable power is fundamental to delivering essential public services," said James Richmond, CEO at e2Companies. "Wayne County is taking a proactive approach to infrastructure resilience by investing in a solution that helps safeguard critical operations, improves energy reliability, and positions the county to respond effectively during grid disruptions. We are proud to partner with Wayne County on this important initiative."
As part of the project, e2Companies will evaluate the campus's current and future energy requirements and deploy its Virtual Utility platform to enhance resiliency and energy management. The on-site R3Di system will provide 24/7 conditioned power, enable seamless transitions between utility and onsite energy resources, and optimize campus energy performance through peak demand reduction, load shifting, utility and grid services participation, and real-time analytics powered by the Grove365 optimization network.
Wayne County Superintendent of Public Works Kevin Rooney said they are committed to maintaining reliable services for residents and ensuring our facilities are prepared for a range of operating conditions.
"The e2Companies microgrid and resiliency solution will help strengthen the county's energy infrastructure while providing a flexible foundation for future growth, modernization, and expanded capabilities," Rooney said.
Together, the initiatives underscore a growing focus among local governments on strengthening critical state and energy infrastructure, enhancing energy security, and ensuring continuity of essential public services while preparing for future energy needs. As public-sector organizations face growing demands on aging infrastructure, projects like these are helping redefine how local governments approach energy preparedness and continuity planning.
“Our partnership with Wayne County builds on the momentum we've established across Western New York,” said Jeffrey Bonerb, Vice President of Strategic Business Partnerships at e2Companies. “Following the commissioning of our Microgrid and Resiliency Solutions Project with Erie County, it's exciting to see the success continue across the region. Together with 34 Group, we've built a strong local team focused on delivering tailored energy solutions that help communities strengthen resilience and prepare for the future.”
e2Companies | www.e2companies.com
Wayne County | www.waynecountyny.gov
34 Group | www.34group.com
ZoKa Solutions | www.zokasolutions.com
Sunlight Batteries USA, a manufacturer of lead acid and lithium-ion battery solutions for industrial mobility applications and a member of Sunlight Group, is helping industrial customers reduce downtime and keep material handling operations running smoothly through its Quick Ship Program, which provides faster access to eligible lead acid batteries for forklifts and other industrial equipment.
The Quick Ship Program supports customers facing equipment failures, replacement needs, or urgent operational demands. Eligible lead acid batteries can ship within 24 to 72 hours, helping warehouses, distribution centers, logistics operations, and manufacturing facilities better manage availability, lead times, and fleet uptime.
“Industrial customers need battery partners that can move at the speed of their operations and know they can perform from day one,” said Chris Scott, CEO, Sunlight Batteries USA. “The Quick Ship Program is one example of how Sunlight is strengthening customer support in the U.S. by helping them access eligible products faster, plan around availability, and keep critical equipment moving.”
The program currently includes select lead acid Tubular Flex batteries engineered for demanding industrial applications. Designed to deliver reliable, high-performance power with minimal maintenance, Tubular Flex batteries help customers achieve longer service life, reduce service needs, and lower the total cost of keeping critical equipment running.
For 24-hour orders, the cutoff is 11:00 a.m. EST, with eligible orders shipping the next day. Orders received after 11:00 a.m. EST ship the following day, while all other eligible products ship within 72 business hours of order receipt.
The Quick Ship Program builds on Sunlight Batteries USA’s broader commitment to supporting America’s industrial mobility market with reliable battery solutions for forklifts, pallet trucks, automated guided vehicles, and other material handling equipment. With operations in North Carolina, Sunlight Batteries USA combines global energy storage expertise with a growing U.S. presence to support OEM dealers, logistics managers, and industrial customers. Our state-of-the-art facilities use advanced automation to build custom Sunlight battery modules with ISO-certified systems that ensure consistent quality, safety, and performance.
Sunlight | sunlight-group.com/en/companies/sunlight-batteries-usa
Janta Power, a leading developer of patented three-dimensional solar tower energy systems, announced a milestone for rapidly deployable infrastructure in support of one of the world’s largest sporting events. At Fan Festival sites in Dallas and Houston, Janta’s innovative solar towers generated power quietly and concurrently, demonstrating a new model for energy installations that simplify sourcing logistics and align with compressed operational timelines.
The Dallas installation at Fair Park consists of four JP5K solar towers with integrated 28 kWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) and served as a temporary power source for the duration of the Fan Festival. The East Downtown Houston tower and associated BESS served the Fan Festival and will remain as a permanent fixture, purchased to benefit the community and provide power for public amenities over a 25-year life span.
Both tower systems were deployed and fully operational within days, generating up to 275 KWh per day to support event infrastructure for thousands of visitors throughout the Fan Festivals. In addition, the towers feature a small footprint and visually appealing, fully functional body panels with graphic designs representing the energetic spirit of the host cities.
"The World Cup is more than a sporting event – it's a proving ground for the future of energy infrastructure," said Mohammed Njie, Founder and CEO of Janta Power. "By providing clean, quiet power in days instead of months, we're demonstrating that renewable energy can be delivered where it's needed most, without sacrificing speed, reliability, or performance. Whether it's powering a global event, an AI data center, an airport, or a community, our mission is the same: to make clean, affordable, and reliable energy quickly available wherever people need it.”
“Reliable power is a constant logistical consideration across festivals and large-scale events, so solutions that simplify deployment can have a real operational impact,” said Skye Fabrizio, Sustainability Manager at C3 Presents. “Janta’s towers were installed quickly, required minimal space compared to standard solar installations, and provided quiet, reliable power directly on-site. After seeing the technology in action, I see meaningful potential for its use across a much wider range of live events and temporary installations."
Janta’s vertical solar towers are designed to generate approximately 50% more energy than traditional flat-panel systems while using one-third of the land area, overcoming energy-density and siting constraints that limit conventional solar. Each tower’s stacked vertical design and integrated tracking system capture both low-angle morning and evening light, producing a dual-peak power curve that better aligns with real energy demand.
The Fan Festival installations build on Janta’s growing commercial applications. Pilot programs are underway with major global airports, including Munich International Airport, Aena (operator of over 70 airports worldwide), and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), as part of the Airports for Innovation (A4I) initiative. The momentum reflects a broader shift already under way: as power-hungry industries from AI to telecommunications race to secure more capacity, the ability to stand up clean, quiet power sources on limited square footage is a competitive advantage.
Janta Power | www.jantaus.com
Factorial Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: FAC) ("Factorial"), a leading American solid-state battery innovator, announced its first commercial drone battery order. The order marks Factorial’s entry into commercial aerospace applications.
The order marks Factorial’s first commercial order in the aerospace sector and follows successful battery integration and drone flight testing. Factorial will supply high-energy-density lithium-metal cells for integration into battery packs by a U.S.-based pack integrator, creating a battery cell and pack supply chain designed to support demanding drone applications.
Factorial provides a foundation built to scale across the full breadth of physical AI — drones, autonomous aviation, space, defense, and robotics — and to power a generation of autonomous machines that must carry both their own intelligence and their own energy.
Unlike artificial intelligence operating inside centralized data centers, physical AI is embedded in machines that operate in the real world. Drones, autonomous aircraft, mobile robots, spacecraft, defense platforms, and other intelligent systems must carry both their own computing capability and their own energy. These applications require more than batteries that simply store energy: they require systems that deliver high power, manage heat, operate safely near people and sensitive electronics, and maintain reliability under demanding environmental and mission conditions.
“We are thrilled about this commercial order from the aerospace sector, on the heels of our successful integration and drone flight test that demonstrated a more than 30% increase in flight range,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial. “It’s a validation that the same rigorous qualification standards behind last year’s 1,200 km record drive and our first vehicle production program now extend into an entirely new field. In only six months, we designed a new product, built integration partnerships on three continents, completed flight testing, and secured a first purchase order. That is the strategy working as designed. We are committed to building the foundational energy layer that will underpin the next era of mobility and artificial intelligence. Humanity deserves better batteries, and delivering them is our mission.”
As batteries become critical infrastructure for autonomous and intelligent systems over the next decade, Factorial is positioning its technology to serve a broad and rapidly expanding marketplace. According to a March 2026 report by the strategy consulting business unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the global Physical AI market is projected to reach approximately €430 billion by 2030, with significant upside potential as systems that operate in the real, physical world continue to scale and mature.
Factorial Energy | www.factorialenergy.com
CS PowerTech Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) and the largest silicon PV solar manufacturer in the U.S., today announced the official opening of the first phase of its flagship PV cell manufacturing facility at the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Jeffersonville PVCells facility is a cornerstone of CS PowerTech's U.S. manufacturing platform, reshoring critical advanced manufacturing, strengthening U.S. supply-chain resilience, and supporting America's energy security.
Jeffersonville PVCells is the first American PV cell facility designed to produce industry-leading heterojunction (HJT) bifacial N-type solar cells. Together with CS PowerTech's module manufacturing plant in Mesquite, Texas, the Jeffersonville facility creates a more localized, vertically integrated supply chain to serve its customers and to strengthen critical U.S. energy infrastructure.
At full capacity, the facility is expected to produce more than 6 GWp annually, support more than 1,200 skilled manufacturing, engineering, and technical jobs in Southern Indiana, and represent nearly $1 billion in local investment.
Rusty Schmit, President of CS PowerTech Inc., said, "Jeffersonville is a cornerstone of our strategy to build one of North America's most advanced energy manufacturing supply chains. This facility will produce next-generation HJT solar cells, support domestic manufacturing, and ultimately strengthen grid reliability as our customers deploy the products. We are proud to invest in Indiana's workforce and work with regional partners to build a long-term center of excellence for solar technology and advanced manufacturing."
Colin Parkin, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc., added, "The Jeffersonville facility demonstrates our commitment to scaling one of the world's most advanced solar cell technologies in the United States. HJT technology is critical for the next generation of high-efficiency, high-performance solar modules, and this plant gives CS PowerTech the ability to deliver leading technology, improved energy yield, and long-term value for customers while strengthening domestic advanced manufacturing."
Governor Mike Braun, stated, "CS PowerTech's investment strengthens Indiana's position in advanced manufacturing, creates good-paying jobs for Hoosiers in the area, and reinforces our role in building the technologies that will continue to power America's future."
Indiana State Senator Chris Garten, stated, "CS PowerTech's investment in Jeffersonville is a major win for Southern Indiana. This facility will create over a thousand high-quality jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base, and help position our region as a leader in the technologies that will power America's future."
Indiana State House Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, said, "Indiana's manufacturing workforce is second to none. We welcome CS PowerTech's investment at River Ridge and are excited to launch Southern Indiana into the lead for advanced energy manufacturing and technology."
Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, stated, "CS PowerTech is an important part of Jeffersonville's growth story. This investment reflects the strength of our workforce and our city's position as a premier destination for advanced manufacturing."
Marc Hildenbrand, Executive Director of the River Ridge Development Authority, said, "CS PowerTech's investment validates River Ridge's long-term vision as a destination for transformational growth. This facility shows how infrastructure, talent, and strong public-private partnerships can attract world-class advanced manufacturing to Southern Indiana."
The Jeffersonville facility will ramp production to full capacity for phase one over the next few months and CS PowerTech expects to begin work on phase two expansion before the end of the year.
Canadian Solar | www.canadiansolar.com
Alternative Energies Jul 23, 2026
Every industrial revolution comes with its own infrastructure, which must scale rapidly in order to fuel the innovation and associated disruption that comes in its wake. Data centers are the factories of the AI revolution, and their rapid growth — ....
Energy systems are undergoing rapid transformation, reshaping how power is generated, delivered, and used across the economy. The growth of renewable energy is introducing new variability to the grid, while electrification is expanding across the sec....
Electric demand growth is outpacing infrastructure readiness. Across North America, utilities are simultaneously facing the rapid expansion of electric vehicle charging, large-scale data center development, electrified HVAC adoption, manufacturing re....
The utility-scale and commercial solar sectors are scaling at an unprecedented rate across the United States. Driven by sustained capital inflows, state-level mandates, and evolving federal tax frameworks, total installed capacity continues to hit hi....
Texas leads the United States in install....
Data centers — driven by rapid AI adop....
The offshore wind industry is scaling fa....
The American electric grid was designed around a principle that made sense for its time: generate power far away, move it long distances, and deliver it to homes and businesses that had no role in the system beyond paying the bill. For more than a ce....
Over the years, utilities have had a complicated relationship with renewable energy. As homeowners and businesses adopt energy sources like solar and battery storage for self-generated power, the impact on utilities may be reduced revenue and oversup....
While not the world oldest profession, the reuse of products is a close second, dating back to when a caveman picked up a spear after his partner was eaten by a lion. Today, it is estimated that 45 percent of industries depend on it. Some examples....
Every industrial revolution comes with its own infrastructure, which must scale rapidly in order to fuel the innovation and associated disruption that comes in its wake. Data centers are the factories of the AI revolution, and their rapid growth — ....
Environmental review and permitting requirements are changing faster than many infrastructure projects can adapt. Utilities, independent power producers, and commercial developers now operate in a more complex environment shaped by shifting federal p....
From extreme ice in the Midwest to the high winds in the Southeast, extreme weather is becoming more frequent and consequential for utilities and the communities they impact. For decades, choosing a conductor often centered on ampacity, cost, and sta....
