LGCY Power Expands Residential Solar Business Through National Homebuilder Partnerships

Hecate Grid, a leading independent power producer (IPP) focused exclusively on energy storage, announced it has rebranded to Fullmark Energy. The rebranding coincides with the completion of several key milestones, including the company's expanding portfolio of energy storage projects in California, collectively known as the Redwood Projects.

This strategic rebrand reflects the company's evolution from an organization focused primarily on project development to a fully integrated energy storage company that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across the United States.

"The transition to Fullmark Energy represents a significant milestone in our company's journey," said Chris McKissack, Chief Executive Officer of Fullmark Energy. "While our name is changing, our commitment remains the same: unlocking energy storage's potential to enhance grid reliability and benefit the communities we serve. This rebrand is not simply a name change—it's a reflection of our growth and the increasing MARK we plan to make in Americas’ burgeoning energy markets."

Founded in 2018 and backed by InfraRed Capital Partners, an infrastructure asset manager with $13 billion equity under management, Fullmark Energy has established itself as an industry pioneer in the rapidly evolving energy storage sector. The company currently manages 300 MWh of operating and in-construction projects, with a robust 4 GW development pipeline strategically positioned across multiple U.S. markets.

"As Fullmark Energy, we're building on our track record of success while focusing on what sets us apart—our operational excellence and commitment to safety and reliability," added McKissack. "The energy storage industry faces complex challenges, from supply chain uncertainties to the operational requirements necessary to keep the lights on. Our hands-on approach of developing, owning, and operating projects allows us to overcome these challenges while delivering long-term value to our partners, communities, and investors."

The Fullmark Energy rebrand coincides with significant progress on the company's Redwood Projects, a portfolio of energy storage facilities in Southern California that exemplifies the company's strategic approach to risk management. These include:

• Johanna Project: A fully operational 20MW/80MWh facility in Santa Ana, CA

• Carris + Desert Project: A 20MW facility in Palm Springs, CA currently in commissioning

• Ortega Project: A 20MW facility in Lake Elsinore, CA in the final stages of construction

• San Jacinto Project: A 65MW facility in Banning, CA nearing completion

The Redwood Projects showcase Fullmark Energy's portfolio approach to project development, reducing single points of failure through geographic distribution while strengthening revenue profiles through diversified offtake agreements.

Looking ahead, Fullmark Energy will continue to expand its operations, with planned growth in Texas and other strategic markets. The company remains committed to its partnerships with cooperatives and public power companies, offering customized energy storage solutions that address their unique needs.

More details are available in the rebrand fact sheet.

Fullmark Energy | www.fullmarkenergy.com

The 4th BEV (battery electric vehicle) In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference will take place on May 28 and 29, 2025, in Greater Sudbury, Ontario.

Join leaders from mining, automotive, mineral processing, battery technology, clean energy, government and more as they collaborate on ideas and solutions for a truly integrated 'mines to mobility' battery electric supply chain.

This conference will continue the dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of establishing a sustainable and ethical supply of domestic critical minerals. Given the current geopolitical landscape, this year's program will also address the urgent need to develop our battery materials processing infrastructure, exploring what this looks like and how we can achieve it for Ontario and the entire country. 

"Our city is at the forefront of building a secure and sustainable battery materials supply chain," said City of Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. "With our world-class expertise in mining and mineral processing, Greater Sudbury plays a critical role in advancing Canada's economic sovereignty and powering the global shift to clean energy. The BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference is a catalyst for innovation and collaboration—bringing together industry leaders to shape the future of mining, electrification, and battery technology."

The conference will commence with an opening dinner in the Vale Cavern at Science North on Wednesday, May 28, featuring an opening talk by Dr. Michael Pope from the Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre at the University of Waterloo on Demystifying EV Battery Technology Innovation and Future Adoption.

A full-day conference will follow on Thursday, May 29 at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology with an opening address by Priya Tandon, newly installed President of the Ontario Mining Association, and more than 30 contributors throughout the day. This year, the conference will also feature a live recording of a new The Unlikely Innovators podcast episode, focused on tackling Trade, Tariffs, and Fortress Canada. There will also be a robust display of consumer electric vehicles, accessible to both conference delegates and the public, including the return of battery electric mining vehicles. 

"As we gear up for the 4th year of the BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference, we recognize the significance it has had in advancing our goals of sustainable development, innovation and a secure battery materials supply chain," said Shari Lichterman, the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Greater Sudbury. "By fostering collaboration among industry leaders, we aim to drive the progress that will both benefit our community, the mining sector and support Ontario's clean energy future."

The conference will feature a wide range of speakers, including representatives from:

• Adamas Intelligence
• Auto Part Manufacturer Association (APMA)
• Battery Metals Association of Canada
• Clean Energy Canada
• First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC)
• Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Mineral Development
• Ministry of Energy and Mines
• Ontario Mining Association (OMA)
• RBC Capital Markets
• Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing

More speakers will be announced closer to the conference.

There is also an optional pre-conference tour that will begin with a tour of the world's first test mine, the NORCAT Underground Centre.

The 4^th BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility conference is presented by Cambrian College, the City of Greater Sudbury, the Electric Vehicle Society, Frontier Lithium, and Laurentian University, in cooperation with the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), Electric Autonomy Canada and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

4^th BEV In-Depth | bevindepth.ca

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q1 2025 edition of the 50 States of Power Decarbonization. The quarterly series provides updates on state and utility actions pertaining to clean energy targets, emission reduction targets and carbon policies, generation planning and procurement rules, integrated resource plans, and electric generation capacity changes (RFPs, green tariffs, power plant retirements, etc.). New this quarter is the addition of a section on actions pertaining to data centers and other large load customers, including resource procurement, interconnection, and tariff development for new large load customers.

The Q1 2025 report finds that 48 states, as well as Puerto Rico, took a total of 293 actions related to electric power decarbonization and resource planning during the quarter (see figure below), in addition to 429 introduced bills that had not yet passed a legislative chamber as of the end of March. Note that beginning this quarter, action counts include only regulatory activities and legislation that has passed at least one chamber, with all introduced bills available in an appendix to the report.

Among integrated resource plans recently filed or under review by regulators in Q1 2025, planned capacity additions totaled 92,592 MW for natural gas, 88,858 MW for solar, 49,367 MW for wind, and 34,861 MW for storage, while planned coal retirements totaled 41,921 MW.

2025 Action on Power Decarbonization and Resource Planning

 The report discusses three trends in power decarbonization actions taken in Q1 2025: (1) policymakers seeking repeals of energy and emission targets; (2) utilities proposing tariffs for data centers and other large customers; and (3) legislators and utilities pursuing development of new natural gas capacity.

“This is the first quarter since we began this report in 2023 that natural gas generation has led planned capacity additions in utility IRPs,” observed Autumn Proudlove, Managing Director – Policy & Markets at NCCETC. “This comes as we see utilities revising their load forecasts in response to expected data center and other large customer load growth.”

The report notes the top five policy developments of Q1 2025 were:

• Indiana and Nevada regulators approving data center tariffs;
• Georgia Power filing its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan;
• The Governor of Hawaii signing an executive order for county-level decarbonization;
• Missouri lawmakers establishing statutory resource planning requirements; and
• The Maine Governor’s Energy Office releasing the Maine Energy Plan and an associated technical report.

“Following last year’s surge in projected data center demand, utilities are responding with updated or entirely new large load tariffs,” noted Justin Lindemann, Senior Policy Analyst at NCCETC. “These efforts aim to address the digital elephant in the room by adopting innovative contractual terms that support clean energy development, enhance grid reliability, and protect other customer classes from cost shifting.”

NC Clean Energy Technology Center | http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu

REN21 announced the launch of its groundbreaking Renewable Energy Champions Initiative (RECI) at the 7^th session of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami. This bold new initiative is designed to accelerate the global energy transition by pairing national-level decision makers with a powerful network of former ministers and senior officials from the Global South—leaders who have already driven successful renewable energy transformations in their own countries.

“These champions have lived the transition to renewables. They’ve overcome obstacles, implemented bold policies, and delivered real results,” said Rana Adib, REN21’s Executive Director. “Now they’re stepping forward to help others do the same—through trust-based, peer-to-peer collaboration that supports countries in building resilient, inclusive and renewables-based economies.”

This first of its kind initiative comes at a crucial moment where greater regional and international cooperation is urgently needed to overcome rising fragmentation and build energy security. At the first Summit on the Future of Energy Security, held in the UK in April 2025, more than 60 countries reaffirmed the need to strengthen collaboration on supply chains, technologies, energy generation, and grid infrastructure, to accelerate the energy transition and to ensure energy security and economic development. The Renewable Energy Champions Initiative can enhance cooperation by connecting countries and stakeholders to reach shared solutions to shared challenges.

In today’s energy security era, more countries are turning to locally available renewables to safeguard and build their economies and reduce dependence on external sources. More than 77 countries now get over 10% of the total energy they use from renewables, and over 104 countries exceed 5%. At least 35 countries have already surpassed 30%—and these numbers are likely even higher, as many countries lack complete data. Former ministers and senior officials of the Renewable Energy Champions Initiative—who have achieved energy security and economic resilience through renewables in their own countries—are uniquely positioned to inspire and support their peers, helping other governments go further, faster, and with greater confidence.

A Strategic Network of Trailblazers

The Renewable Energy Champions Initiative connects ministers of energy, economy, and finance with trusted peers who bring:

• Compelling narratives that make the socio-economic case for renewables
• Proven track record and experience, transforming national energy systems
• Connections to international institutions, financial partners, and technical experts
• Confidence in renewables to build political will and unlock strategic partnerships
• Access to resources such as financing, technical expertise and capacity-building opportunities 

Meet the First Champions

The initiative launches with two high-profile champions from Latin America and the Caribbean:

• James Fletcher, Former Minister for Public Service, Information, Broadcasting, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Saint Lucia.
  Led a comprehensive overhaul of Saint Lucia’s energy sector, introducing modern regulation, international partnerships, and inclusive policy reform to drive renewable energy development.
• Ramón Méndez Galain, Former Energy Secretary, Uruguay.
  Spearheaded Uruguay’s transformation to 98% renewable electricity, halving generation costs, boosting resilience, creating 50,000 jobs, and securing near-universal electricity access.

The initiative will be expanded to include other visionary leaders from across the Global South, ensuring regional diversity and deepening collaboration across continents.

REN21 | https://www.ren21.net/

BaxEnergy, a Yokogawa company and full-service partner of renewable energy power companies, has expanded its portfolio to introduce a comprehensive product suite for Renewable Energy Management Solutions (REMS). Yokogawa is also supporting BaxEnergy’s transition in the US market, co-locating in its office in Houston, Texas, as the company looks to grow internationally and support its customers with assets in North America. 

New freemium APM solution to the market 

BaxEnergy launches Farsight, a cloud-native, freemium Asset Performance Management (APM) solution designed for independent power producers (IPPs) and renewable energy operators. The latest innovation in BaxEnergy’s product suite, Farsight enables real time monitoring and reporting, providing users with easy access to asset performance data, customizable dashboards, and integration with third-party systems. It provides a scalable solution for companies of all sizes and simplifies the management of diverse renewable assets.  

A core set of features is available under the FREE plan, ideal for small-scale renewable projects or evaluating the platform. This plan supports portfolios of up to 50 MW, with a limit of 3 power plants and up to 10 users. For growing operators managing diverse renewable assets, the PRO plan unlocks advanced features through a paid subscription. Meanwhile, the ENTERPRISE plan offers tailored services and pricing for large-scale utilities and IPPs.   

A Smart, Fast, and Scalable Platform Tailored for Renewable Energy Operators and IPPs 

Farsight provides the flexibility to handle diverse portfolios, enabling Operators and IPPs that require a unified platform to oversee projects spanning wind, solar and hybrid systems, including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Users can onboard assets within minutes, significantly reducing the time and complexity of customizing dashboards. With Farsight, users can also maintain full control over their portfolios and can easily add new features on-demand. 

“Farsight marks a new era in BaxEnergy’s REMS product offering — an easy-to-use, scalable APM solution,” said Roberto Tundo, Executive Vice President, BaxEnergy. “As the renewable energy landscape continues to evolve, we developed this solution to offer power plant operators a robust, yet hassle-free platform to maximize asset performance. We understand the importance of a simple, independent APM solution, and Farsight is an all-in-one platform that delivers exactly that.” 

Shifting Power for Greater Returns with Power Plant Controller  

BaxEnergy has incorporated the PXiSE micro-grid, PPC and smart energy shifting solutions into its product family, as an integral part of the Yokogawa acquisition of PXiSE, Inc. With this, the company now offers smart energy shifting, introducing its new Power Plant Controller (PPC) solution to optimize power plant performance by precisely controlling voltage, frequency, power, and power factor. The PPC ensures grid compliance, efficiently managing energy flow between Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and renewable sources, maintaining stability and maximizing output in response to grid operator commands. 

Completing BaxEnergy’s product suite  

BaxEnergy’s existing products and services include ESPx, BaxEnergy’s flagship Enterprise APM solution, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) Assetstack, EMS, Predictive Analytics and Cybersecurity Services. All solutions are built with a security-by-design approach, ensuring that cyber security is integrated at every stage of development. 

BaxEnergy | www.baxenergy.com

SolarKal, the leading commercial solar advisory firm, has partnered with EPR Properties (NYSE: EPR), a premier experiential real estate investment trust, to develop a major community solar project atop EPR’s 230,000-square-foot New Roc City building in New Rochelle, New York. EPR Properties is introducing a source of renewable solar power that will be directly reinvested into the community.

The 1.4 MW solar installation is designed to generate over 1.8 million kWh of clean energy annually, cutting 1,236 metric tons of carbon emissions. As the anchor subscriber, EPR Properties will power the building’s common areas with renewable energy—while also providing nearby residents and businesses with access to discounted community solar subscriptions.

Home to a variety of entertainment venues, the New Roc City complex serves as a key gathering place for the local area. “We’re excited to see our solar project with SolarKal and G&S near completion, bringing a sustainable energy solution that will have a meaningful local impact,” said Cassie Lane, Director of Asset Management at EPR Properties.

Through its full-service solar advisory model, SolarKal conducted a feasibility analysis across EPR’s portfolio, identifying the New Roc City location as an ideal candidate for community solar. The team then facilitated a competitive RFP through SolarKal’s proprietary vendor marketplace, helping select G&S Solar, a developer with deep expertise in the New York market.

“SolarKal is proud to help EPR Properties unlock financial value from their rooftop while advancing their sustainability goals,” said Neil Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer at SolarKal. “This project lowers operating costs, generates long-term lease revenue, and delivers real energy savings to the community. As someone who grew up playing hockey in New Roc City, it’s especially rewarding to see this building become a model for positive impact.”

“This project is a great example of how solar can deliver benefits beyond the rooftop,” said Abe Naparstek, Chief Operating Officer at G&S Solar. “We’re proud to work with SolarKal and EPR Properties to bring clean, affordable energy to New Rochelle while helping meet the state’s ambitious climate goals.”

Final construction is underway, with SolarKal providing ongoing project management to ensure a seamless execution. Approximately 150 community solar subscribers will benefit from utility bill savings through the project.

EPR Properties | https://eprkc.com/

SolarKal | https://www.solarkal.com/

G&S Solar | https://gssolar.com/

SPATCO and ChargerHelp have announced a partnership to enhance the reliability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, as the industry faces growing scrutiny over charger uptime and serviceability. The collaboration comes at a critical moment, with federal funding uncertainties and new state-level regulations in California proposing penalties for prolonged charger downtime.

Industry reports highlight persistent reliability issues across public EV charging networks. In the fourth quarter of 2024, one in five EV drivers who visited a public charging station could not complete a charge due to station outages, malfunctioning equipment, or payment system failures. [J.D. Power]

At the same time, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program—a $5 billion federal initiative—has been paused, creating uncertainty for public and private charging operators. [The Guardian] Meanwhile, California's AB 1423 proposes new requirements for uptime reporting and penalties of up to $2,500 per violation for charging stations that fail to meet reliability standards. This shift signals growing regulatory pressure on charging providers to ensure consistent station uptime and performance. [California Legislative Information]

"Charger uptime is no longer just a convenience issue—it's a regulatory priority," said Kameale Terry, Co-Founder & CEO of ChargerHelp. "Our partnership with SPATCO is about scaling a structured, data-driven approach to charger maintenance, ensuring that as the industry grows, reliability keeps pace."

Scaling EV Charger Maintenance with Workforce and Technology

In response to these challenges, ChargerHelp and SPATCO are partnering to increase overall workforce capacity and improve field service coordination. ChargerHelp has developed the EMPWR Technician App to streamline charger troubleshooting, enhance coordination between stakeholders, and reduce repair times. SPATCO will be the first field service partner to integrate the platform, joining ChargerHelp's existing technicians.

The EMPWR Technician App enables SPATCO's 150 electricians across their 15-state footprint to respond to EC charger service calls by standardizing processes and guiding service personnel in the field through the most challenging work orders in a matter of hours, and drives preventive maintenance for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers. This breakthrough proprietary software platform also includes real-time technician support, improving both time and costs associated with resolving EC charger problems in the field.

"As the EV industry faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasing demand for reliable charging infrastructure, SPATCO is committed to delivering innovative service solutions that keep chargers operational. Now our charging operators can continue providing critical services to EV drivers with the confidence they need to meet evolving compliance standards. Together, we are ensuring that the future of EV charging is not only accessible but also dependable," said John Force, CEO & President, SPATCO Energy Solutions. "With uptime requirements becoming more stringent, we see a real need for modernized, scalable field service operations. Our collaboration with ChargerHelp will help meet that demand."

Industry Accountability and Future of EV Charging Reliability

The partnership comes as states and federal agencies increase focus on charger reliability metrics. In addition to uptime penalties, policymakers are pushing for standardized definitions of charger operability, ensuring networks report consistent data on performance. The California Energy Commission is expected to introduce new uptime assessment standards, aligning state and federal regulations to hold operators accountable for long-term reliability.

Beyond regulatory requirements, investors and infrastructure operators are also prioritizing reliability metrics. As uptime standards become key in securing state and federal funding, fleet operators, utilities, and charging network providers will need verifiable maintenance strategies to remain competitive.

With EV retail share growth projections reaching a total of 9.1% of the total automobile marketplace, or a total of 1.2 million vehicles sold, [J.D. Power] it's more important than ever to provide EV drivers with the same consistent fueling experience as traditional fueling at the pump.

Next Steps for the Partnership

"Leveraging technology to support our service techs in the field to expedite EV charger trouble-shooting will be key to this industry's success at keeping optimal charger uptimes" said Miguel Payan, VP & General Manager, SPATCO EV Solutions. ChargerHelp and SPATCO will begin deploying integrated workforce solutions in key markets over the next quarter, with additional service partners expected to join the initiative. The EMPWR Technician App will be available to select industry partners, helping streamline compliance and improve service response times.

SPATCO | https://spatco.com/

ChargerHelp | https://www.chargerhelp.com/