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

ADS-TEC Energy PLC (NASDAQ: ADSE) (the “Company”), a global leader in battery-based energy storage and fast-charging systems, announced plans to implement one of the world’s largest battery energy storage projects (BESS). Located in southern Germany, the project is designed to deliver 1 GW of output with a storage capacity of approximately 2 GWh, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and strengthening the foundation for a stable and sustainable energy system.

Breaking New Ground in Large-Scale Energy Storage

Development of the large-scale BESS project began nine months ago. With a planned capacity of nearly 2 GWh, the facility when completed will have the ability to cover the daily energy consumption of approximately 250,000 single-family homes. The project has already received unanimous approval from the local city council, while the transmission system operator (TSO) has provided the positive assessment for the extra-high voltage grid connection.

Project development and financing are expected to be finalized by mid-2026, with commissioning scheduled for 2029, subject to receipt of regulatory approval. Once operational, the facility is expected to operate for several decades. The BESS will be supplemented by double-digit megawatt peak (MWp) large-scale solar panel installations for on-site consumption. The combination of BESS and photovoltaics (PV) not only advances the energy transition but also enhances the economic performance of the entire project.

Expanding ADS-TEC Energy’s Role

ADS-TEC Energy will oversee the entire project lifecycle – including planning, financing, implementation, operation, and maintenance. With more than 15 years’ expertise in lithium-ion storage technologies and a proven track record of building frequency regulation plants successfully connected to the grid for over a decade, the company is well-positioned to ensure successful delivery.

“This project represents a turning point for our company. Beyond implementing one of the world’s largest BESS projects, we are laying the groundwork for an energy system that unites security of supply with sustainability. With extensive experience, a highly capable team, and the right partners, we are exceptionally well-prepared to seize this opportunity, This is an incredible flagship project for critical infrastructure, developed and operated by ADS-TEC Energy,” said Thomas Speidel, CEO and Founder of ADS-TEC Energy.

Financial outlook

The Company believes that the project provides substantial potential from both an operational and investor standpoint. It expects to generate significant revenues. The operation and commercialization of this large-scale storage facility will give ADS-TEC Energy access to both the European wholesale energy market, the capacity market and all of the physical grid services.

Based on 2024 market data, a comparable storage facility would have generated revenues exceeding €230 million in 2024 (see chart below, annual revenue per MW), benefiting strongly from participation across both markets. The Company believes this underscores the attractive yield potential of the project and its importance in supporting Europe’s energy transition.

ADS-TEC Energy | www.ads-tec-energy.com

Spruce Power Holding Corporation (NYSE: SPRU) (“Spruce” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of distributed solar energy assets across the United States, announced a multi-year backup servicing agreement with Sunvida, a premier Puerto Rico-based solar financing options platform. The Spruce PRO backup servicing partnership will initially include data storage, data validity and reporting, with the potential for an expanded relationship over time.

“Many financial organizations supporting residential solar development are taking action to require backup servicing. Spruce’s proven and highly efficient service offering positions us well to reduce project risk and win new business,” said Chris Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of Spruce. “This agreement enables Spruce to establish relationships with great new partners like Sunvida that maintain operations both in Puerto Rico and the continental United States. It also underscores our ability to serve asset owners and financial partners of all types from regional investors to Third Party Owners and Fortune Global 50 companies.”

“Sunvida is dedicated to making solar and energy storage accessible in Puerto Rico given our year-round sunshine, the high cost of power from traditional sources and grid availability challenges. We understand the needs of this community, and are entirely committed to providing our customers with exceptional quality, availability and continuity,” said Frank Lopez, President & CEO at Sunvida. “We are pleased to secure Spruce as a backup service provider given its experience and capabilities as we take the steps needed to ensure resilience and quality assurance for our platform.”

Puerto Rico is among the leading U.S. states and territories for residential solar energy adoption on a per capita basis.

Spruce PRO offers a suite of services that can be tailored for third-party owners of distributed generation assets, including financial and asset management operations, customer service support, and environmental commodities trading. For more information on Spruce PRO, please visit https://sprucepower.com/pro/.

Spruce Power | www.sprucepower.com

SunVida | www.sunvida.com

Maryland’s Baltimore region has a new 2.9-megawatt direct current (MWdc) solar farm. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Clarksville (Howard County), Maryland solar site on Sept. 25 to celebrate the energization of the new community solar farm. Distinguished guests, as well as employees from TurningPoint Energy (TPE) and Pivot Energy, joined community members to mark the completion of the solar project.

The solar farm was developed by TPE, a leading greenfield developer in Maryland, and is owned and operated by Pivot, a national renewable energy provider and independent power producer. This solar farm is the first to go online in a six-project,16.6 MWdc, portfolio developed by TPE, and built, operated, and owned by Pivot.

“We are committed to being the best-in-class developer and steward of the communities we serve, and this project is a testament to that commitment. By delivering clean energy and meaningful community investment, we’re proud to help Maryland move closer to its renewable energy goals while directly benefiting local residents,” said Salar Naini, President of TPE.

With construction completed this summer, this project represents a significant addition to the state’s solar generating capacity and will play a role in helping Maryland achieve its 50% renewable electricity goal by 2030. It will generate approximately 4.25 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of affordable renewable energy annually, enough to power the equivalent of up to 370 Maryland homes. The solar array is made up of nearly 5,500 solar modules, enough to fill nearly 10 football fields.

This project is part of Maryland’s innovative Community Solar Energy Generating System (“CSEGS”) Pilot Program, which expands access to clean, affordable energy. Community solar enables Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) customers to gain access to lower-cost, renewable energy generated locally. Subscribers to this community solar farm will save an average of 10% off their electricity bill each year. Reflecting strong community engagement, the project is now fully subscribed, with 11 unique participants – including a local church – demonstrating local interest in shared renewable energy solutions.

“In addition to renewable energy benefits, this solar farm will support dual-use solar – sheep grazing, native pollinator planting, and other efforts to ensure the long-term productivity of this land,” said Samantha Frick, Director of Community Relations and Impact, Pivot. “We are bringing real benefits to Howard County.”

“Our BGE bills have been clear that we need to ramp up and diversify energy production right here in our own County. I’m thankful that the County Council was able to align its votes with its values and adopt zoning regulations that are among the most solar friendly in the State. We might not be a big County, but we are mighty when it comes to climate-forward solutions,” said Councilmember Deb Jung for Howard County, District 4.

TPE and its partners are committed to making meaningful charitable community investments in every community where their solar projects are developed. Local organizations that are recipients of this Project’s community investment include: Autism Society of Maryland, Bryant Woods Elementary School PTA, Community Action Council of Howard County, Harpers Choice Middle School PTA, Howard County Conservancy, Maryland Fuel Fund, Neighbor Ride, and Wilde Lake Middle School PTA. These investments are designed to create lasting social value by supporting local nonprofits, educational initiatives, and essential services. As part of this broader portfolio’s commitment, TPE and Pivot are jointly investing $120,000 in community donations, reinforcing their dedication to strengthening the communities they serve.

“The Fuel Fund of Maryland is thrilled to partner with organizations that expand access to energy solutions like solar that may help households save on their utility bills," said Debbie Brown, Executive Director of the Fuel Fund of Maryland. "In 2025, we are especially grateful to Pivot for their generous support, contributing a total of $18,000, which will help keep 72 Maryland households connected and empowered."

TurningPoint Energy | https://turningpoint-energy.com/

Pivot Energy | pivotenergy.net

Energy Vault Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) ("Energy Vault"), a leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), announced the successful completion and commercial operation of the Calistoga Resiliency Center (CRC), a state-of-the-art hybrid microgrid energy storage facility, located in Calistoga, Calif., that integrates advanced hydrogen fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries. This landmark project provides a unique, fully sustainable solution to address power resiliency amidst the growing challenges of wildfire risk in California.

Serving approximately 1,600 PG&E customers in and around downtown Calistoga, the CRC represents a transformative step forward in addressing the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) due to wildfires and extreme weather events. The 293 megawatt hour (MWh) microgrid system enables the isolated Calistogacommunity microgrid to maintain power during these necessary safety shutoffs, delivering at least 48 hours of continuous energy supply with a peak power output of 8.5 megawatts (MW) during PSPS events. This zero-emission system aligns with California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) while meeting PG&E's multi-day, long-duration energy storage requirements. The system is orchestrated by Energy Vault's technology-agnostic VaultOS™ Energy Management System, enabling black-start, grid forming and coordinated performance orchestration across all subsystems while communicating with PG&E's Distribution Control Center.

"This project is a major milestone in our mission to deliver sustainable, resilient energy solutions to communities most vulnerable to climate-driven grid disruptions," said Craig Horne, Senior Vice President, Advanced Energy Solutions, Energy Vault. "The Calistoga Resiliency Center exemplifies the power of innovation and partnership, and it marks a significant step forward in the execution of our 'Own & Operate' strategy, which enables us to deliver long-term value through recurring revenue and community impact."

When operating in island mode, the CRC utilizes hydrogen fuel cells for electricity generation, providing essential power to the community. After supporting black-start and grid forming requirements of the microgrid, Energy Vault's B-VAULT™ DC battery technology works in concert with the fuel cells, ensuring instantaneous response and maintaining grid stability throughout operation. The use of liquid hydrogen enables extending run time through delivery and transfer into the onsite storage tank without interrupting power supply to the City of Calistoga while also reducing the cost of resiliency services. The CRC serves as a model for Energy Vault's future utility-scale hybrid microgrid system deployments as the only existing zero-emission solution to address PSPS events that is scalable, bankable, and ready to be deployed across California and other regions prone to wildfires as well as locations where improved grid-resiliency is needed.

The project, facilitated by the recent close of $28 million in financing, inclusive of the completed sale of the Investment Tax Credit associated with the project, is owned and operated by Energy Vault in collaboration with PG&E as the utility partner and distribution system operator under a long-term energy services agreement. The project's completion marks a significant milestone related to Energy Vault's "Own & Operate" strategy, demonstrating the Company's ability to execute on its strategic vision while maximizing capital efficiency. Today's announcement comes on the heels of the recent completion of the Cross Trails BESS, the first project to be placed in service under Energy Vault's growing portfolio of "Owned & Operated" projects.

The Calistoga Resiliency Center is now fully operational and stands as a blueprint for other high-risk communities across California and beyond.

"PG&E is committed to continually delivering innovations that enhance electric system safety and reliability while driving costs down for our customers," said Mike Delaney, Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation, PG&E. "The Calistoga Resiliency Center is another step toward fulfilling that commitment. It is the right solution for PG&E, for Calistoga, and for the planet."

PG&E's Comprehensive Microgrid Solutions
PG&E has deployed 13 distribution microgrids since 2021 to support communities affected by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), with Calistoga being the largest and first fully renewable system. These microgrids help keep communities and essential services—like fire stations, medical facilities, and grocery stores—powered during outages. These microgrids can power areas where the power lines are underground, or outside of high fire-threat areas or a PSPS weather footprint.

In addition to distribution microgrids, through its Community Microgrid Enablement Program (CMEP) and Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP), PG&E supports the development of community-driven multi-customer microgrids. In March 2025, PG&E committed up to $43 million to fund nine new community microgrids in the North Coast region.

Additionally, PG&E offers Remote Grid services for customers in high fire-risk areas at the end of long distribution lines. These off-grid systems allow PG&E to remove overhead lines in rugged terrain, reducing wildfire risk.

Energy Vault | www.energyvault.com 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company | pge.com/innovation

Freedom Forever, one of the nation's largest residential solar installers, announced a retail partnership with Costello's Ace Hardware, one of the largest independently owned Ace retailers in the country. The program will debut in select stores across Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, giving homeowners a convenient new way to explore solar and battery storage solutions right in their local communities.

Freedom Forever solar professionals will be available inside participating Costello's Ace Hardware to provide in-person expertise on system design, financing options and installation timelines. Customers will also be able to learn about solar-plus-storage plans supported by Freedom Forever's trusted 25-year production guarantee.

"Partnering with Costello's Ace Hardware allows us to meet homeowners where they already shop and provide clear, practical guidance on clean energy solutions," said Chad Towner, CRO of Freedom Forever. "Bringing solar expertise into familiar retail settings makes it easier for families to explore the switch to solar and battery storage."

Costello's Ace Hardware, known for its deep community roots and customer-first service, is a strong fit for Freedom Forever's mission to deliver long-term energy solutions with transparency and integrity. Together, the companies aim to give homeowners reliable access to solar knowledge in a setting they already trust.

"Our focus has always been on serving our communities and helping customers find solutions that make their homes better. Partnering with Freedom Forever extends that commitment into the energy space, giving homeowners trusted, expert guidance on solar and storage. Together, we're making it easier for families to explore clean energy options in a setting they already know and trust," said Joey Costello, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Costello's Ace Hardware.

Freedom Forever | www.freedomforever.com

Costello's Ace Hardware | www.costellosace.com

Anode, a provider of on-demand power from battery-native, mobile microgrids, emerged from stealth with $9 million in seed funding led by Eclipse. The funding will accelerate deployments of Anode's mobile battery energy storage system (mBESS) technology with initial customers and strategic partners.

Anode's mBESS technology and microgrid solutions offer a superior alternative to power rental services that rely on generators and fuel delivery. With a vertically integrated business model that combines purpose-built hardware, proprietary software, and AI-powered services, Anode delivers flexible, high-performance solutions to the largest customers that rely on temporary power, including utilities, data center owners, general contractors, and EV/AV fleet operators.

"U.S. electricity consumption is growing 5 times faster than recent historical averages, and our electric grid is struggling to keep up. The rapid electrification of our economy is creating transmission bottlenecks and electricity shortfalls, increasing demands for flexible, cost-competitive, grid-independent power," said Paul Huelskamp, co-founder and CEO of Anode. "Anode's AI-orchestrated microgrid solutions create a new model for large electricity users who can't wait on the grid or be held back by legacy technologies to scale their operations."

A Critical Inflection Point for Grid-Dependent Electricity

The profound increase in electricity demand – driven by AI data center growth, EV adoption, and industrial automation – is straining an already-aging electrical grid. Climate change magnifies the risks of business disruption to an electrifying economy. Historically, the temporary power industry has offered a stopgap in the form of generators and mobile refueling services, but these analog solutions are polluting, inefficient, and expensive.

Anode's technology and business model create a new paradigm in the form of mobile batteries and on-demand energy delivery. Capitalizing on declining battery costs and advancements in AI, Anode can deliver energy at prices that are competitive with grid electricity and a fraction of the cost of fossil-fuel powered solutions.

A Team Built for Scale

Anode's founding team brings together expertise in autonomous vehicle development, EV powertrain engineering, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy project finance. With a proven track record in scaling disruptive technologies, the team is uniquely positioned to reimagine the temporary power value chain, while creating a new economy for on-demand power from mobile microgrids.

"Anode is solving one of the most urgent challenges in the energy transition: Access to reliable, clean, and on-demand power," said Jiten Behl, partner at Eclipse. "Their vertically integrated model and world-class team enable them to scale rapidly and electrify some of the most critical industries of the future. Anode is uniquely positioned to bridge the gaps in existing electrical infrastructure by delivering scalable energy solutions that will unlock growth across transportation, manufacturing, and beyond."

Anode | https://anode.tech/

Eclipse | www.eclipse.capital

Intelligent power management company Eaton is providing engineering services and electrical solutions for Penn State’s $700 million Beaver Stadium Revitalization project. Eaton is helping make significant updates to the stadium’s electrical system to drive energy efficiency and support the university’s commitment to sustainability.

The revitalized electrical system will serve as a reliable foundation for the transformation of the stadium’s west side, which includes a new press box, upper deck and multiple new ground-level structures. Eaton’s advanced energy monitoring solutions will help the university optimize energy usage by providing the actionable insights needed to improve efficiency, simplify maintenance and maximize long-term cost savings. 

“Eaton and Penn State have a strong history built on more than 25 years of collaboration,” said Justin Carron, director of buildings and campuses at Eaton. “With our proven equipment and one of the most capable engineering services teams in the industry, we’re delivering a reliable, safe electrical system to keep Beaver Stadium operating efficiently for decades to come.”

Eaton will support the Penn State project with a comprehensive range of power distribution solutions such as substation, switchboards, panelboards, transformers and disconnects. The company’s engineering services team will provide short circuit, coordination, arc flash studies and startup services to ensure optimal electrical system performance, safety and reliability.

Learn more about how Eaton is helping electrify the buildings of the future.   

Eaton | www.eaton.com