Why the West Needs to Secure Heavy Rare Earths for the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, signed a contract on May 28, 2025 with Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A. (HEDNO), the sole electricity Distribution System Operator in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, to lay the foundation for grid edge intelligence. Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio will enable HEDNO to improve its customers’ experience with enhanced energy consumption insights and modernize its electric grid to advance its long-term goals, which include integrating more distributed energy resources and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. 

HEDNO will deploy Itron’s Enterprise Edition (IEE) Meter Data Management (MDM) system, which will manage 7.7 million meters, and Itron’s Utility IQ headend system to manage nearly 1 million new intelligent narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) cellular smart meters designed and manufactured by Itron technology partner ZIV Automation, a provider of advanced digital solutions for power grids. These solutions will enable HEDNO to improve operational efficiency while enhancing customer service through increased visibility into energy consumption, faster resolution of issues and flexible billing options.  

Once deployed, HEDNO will gain immediate access to entire meter datasets, enabling more accurate detection and measurement of technical and non-technical losses, improved revenue collection, powerful asset management, secure data sharing and predictive maintenance capabilities. Itron’s IEE MDM system will connect with HEDNO’s multiple headend and customer information systems, allowing the utility to collect, process, store and analyze smart device data, device events and alarms. As a hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, Itron’s system ensures reliable availability, allowing HEDNO to focus on business operations while realizing operational and cost-saving benefits more quickly.  

The future-proof solution will enable HEDNO to easily adopt new grid edge use cases over time. IEE MDM is pre-integrated with Itron’s Intelligent Edge Operating System (IEOS), a platform-as-a-service that simplifies integration and establishes a strong foundation for advanced grid capabilities like distributed intelligence, energy forecasting, distributed energy resource management, advanced analytics and more. HEDNO, already utilizing the Azure cloud, can also benefit from Itron’s strategic collaboration with Microsoft to integrate generative AI technologies – starting with Microsoft Azure OpenAI, part of Azure AI Foundry – into Itron’s IEOS, further future proofing Itron’s solution. 

“Smart Metering is the most important project for the modernisation of the Greek electricity market. For the scope of this project, Itron has been assigned the supply of the Meter Data Management System, which will serve as the central system for the collection, storage, processing and advanced analysis of data from all meters. This system, the most widely used globally for meter data management, will enable us to offer significantly enhanced digital service capabilities to electricity suppliers, consumers and prosumers. At HEDNO, we remain committed to our promise of modernizing the Greek electricity energy market.” said Anastasios Manos, HEDNO CEO. 

“Itron is proud to be a part of this project to enable a modernized electric grid in Greece with our proven MDM and headend systems, which each manage more than 50 million endpoints globally. Together with HEDNO and ZIV, we’re creating a scalable foundation to meet HEDNO’s evolving operational needs,” said Don Reeves, senior vice president of Outcomes at Itron. “With Itron’s pre-integrated solution and deep industry expertise, we’ll help reduce project complexity, accelerate deployment and lower total cost of ownership. We’re excited to support HEDNO in realizing the benefits of a smart, reliable and future-ready grid.”  

Itron | www.itron.com

Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and resource recovery, announced that its lithium business, alkaLi, will design, build, own, and operate a commercial lithium production facility in the Marcellus Shale Formation of Pennsylvania. This site is the world’s first to Extract, Concentrate, and Convert (EC²) lithium in a fully integrated, end-to-end process from oilfield produced water. This announcement builds on last year’s launch of alkaLi’s EC² platform, which guarantees a minimum 95% lithium recovery at customer sites—empowering producers to deliver battery-grade lithium carbonate faster, cheaper, and more sustainably.

Gradiant’s alkaLi owns and operates the Pennsylvania facility—including equipment, land, water and mineral rights, and permits. This vertically integrated model secures long-term U.S. lithium supply while avoiding the permitting and ownership delays that often stall critical mineral projects.

Currently in testing, the system has already proven key benchmarks: 97% lithium recovery from produced water and 99.5% purity for battery-grade lithium carbonate. Full commercial operations are on track for early 2026.

In a major commercial achievement, alkaLi has signed a multi-year offtake agreement to supply up to 5,000 metric tonnes annually of battery-grade lithium carbonate to a U.S. lithium-ion battery manufacturer for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS). The deal affirms strong market demand and the commercial readiness of alkaLi’s solution.

alkaLi offers multiple models for partners and customers:

• Deploy the EC² solution to lithium producers
• Design, build and operate integrated systems for partners
• Produce and sell lithium from alkaLi-owned assets

“We now have a fully operational lithium production asset in the U.S. that proves what EC² can deliver,” said Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant. “This isn’t a concept—it’s a live facility demonstrating that clean, domestic lithium production is both viable and scalable. Our goal isn’t to compete with customers, but to empower them—and the broader industry—to meet surging demand for battery-grade lithium and accelerate the clean energy transition. This strategic investment in the Marcellus Shale, which could supply 50% of U.S. lithium demand, validates the maturity of alkaLi’s technology and secures a long-term domestic supply.”

alkaLi’s patented EC² process combines Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), concentration, and final conversion into a single streamlined system. Compared to conventional methods, EC² offers:

• Up to 50% lower capital and operating costs
• Modular, pre-engineered systems for rapid global deployment
• AI-optimized performance for real-time control and predictive maintenance
• Reduced environmental footprint and streamlined permitting
• Feedwater flexibility – including geothermal brines, battery recycling, and produced water sources

Gradiant invites prospective customers, partners, and investors to connect with alkaLi to explore how this breakthrough platform can accelerate the global transition to clean energy.

alkaLi | alkaLi3.com

Gradiant | gradiant.com

An overwhelming 91% of combined homeowners polled in California, Texas and Florida worry about the impacts of extreme weather, rising energy costs and power grid instability, and majorities are interested in power backup solutions and reducing grid reliance, according to a new Horowitz Research survey.

A majority also expressed dissatisfaction with current home solar energy solutions from entrenched players on the market. While Tesla Powerwall remains the most recognized name in the space, nearly 24% of those familiar with the brand say they would not consider it. According to the poll, they cited shifting public sentiment and a desire for a less polarizing and more trustworthy solution. 

The survey, commissioned by EcoFlow, found 60% of respondents wish to become less dependent on grid power and 70% said having a power backup solution is important. It also found 70% currently own or are interested in owning a solar battery solution in the future. 

Solar and home backup batteries can offset utility costs and provide a source of household backup power during blackouts caused by natural disasters or other grid issues. Energy concerns have become top of mind in the U.S. due to an increasing number of natural disasters, rising electricity costs and more frequent power outages. These issues can be particularly acute for residents of California, Texas and Florida, who are often disproportionately impacted.

“America's energy landscape is rapidly changing. In states hit hardest by climate volatility and aging infrastructure, homeowners are done waiting for outdated systems and overhyped solutions to catch up,” said Jenny Zhang, President of North America Residential Energy Business at EcoFlow. “With the U.S. solar battery market primed for explosive growth — especially in key Sunbelt states — EcoFlow is stepping in as the challenger brand the industry needs, offering a better path forward. No gimmicks, no grid anxiety — just powerful, intelligent, 24/7 whole-home backup that makes true home energy freedom a reality.”

Additional survey findings include:

• California leads the way, with 79% of homeowners expressing strong interest in battery storage.

• 60% of homeowners think their electric bill is too high, while 74% anticipate electricity costs will increase in the near future, and 75% are always looking for ways to lower it.

• 46% of homeowners anticipate increased power outages in the coming years.

These insights come as EcoFlow, a leading provider of eco-friendly energy solutions, prepares to enter the solar battery market this summer with its first-ever grid-tied energy storage solution designed for U.S. homes. EcoFlow OCEAN Pro is a fully integrated home energy offering unlimited backup power, AI-driven energy savings and engineering that outperforms traditional systems like Tesla Powerwall on performance and reliability. OCEAN Pro is compatible with existing home rooftop solar installations and as a grid-tied system, homeowners can feed electricity back to utility providers for additional savings. 

The system builds upon EcoFlow’s proven success in Europe, where its PowerOcean series has already seen over 17,000 installations and adoption by 1,150 installers. Over 5,300 units were installed in this year's first quarter — a 720% year-over-year increase versus Q1 2024. 

“The data from this study clearly shows that American consumers are not taking the challenges of climate change, grid instability and rising energy prices lightly. They are ready for a more competitive market for solar battery systems with more choice from trustworthy players in the space," said Adriana Waterston, Insights and Strategy Lead EVP at Horowitz Research.

Methodology
The online survey was conducted in April among 1,000 homeowners aged 18 and older in California, Florida and Texas. Approximately 330 respondents were surveyed in each state. The sample was designed to reflect a broad mix of demographic and household characteristics representative of each region.

Horowitz Research | www.horowitzresearch.com

EcoFlow | https://www.ecoflow.com/us

Fast Lane Transportation Inc., a Southern California-based provider of intermodal and logistics services, is expanding its fleet of Orange EV electric yard trucks after years of consistent performance, low maintenance, and standout customer service. The company currently operates nine Orange EV trucks and plans to grow its fleet over the next 18 months to meet rising demand and strengthen market share. 

What began as a cautious first step into electric trucks in 2019 has now become a core part of Fast Lane's operations. According to Operations Manager Henry Wilson, Orange EV's reliability and responsive support turned early uncertainty into long-term confidence.

"We were hesitant at first. It was a big shift and there were a lot of unknowns," said Wilson. "But Orange EV delivered. The performance has been incredible, and when we've needed service, our Orange EV technician arrived quickly and completed the service onsite. That kind of support is a big reason we're expanding."

Fast Lane's fleet includes Orange EV trucks that are now five to six years old and still running strong. The trucks operate daily in harsh yard environments - including mud, dirt, potholes, and more - without any drop in performance. 

"Our trucks take a beating," Wilson added. "But they keep running. That kind of durability matters to us and our customers." 

Key reasons Fast Lane continues to invest in Orange EV include:

• Exceptional customer service with fast, dependable support 
• Reliable performance in high-demand conditions across multiple years of use 
• Less downtime leading to higher operational efficiency
• Ease of earning ongoing WAIRE credits to meet regulatory requirements 

"It's been a privilege to work with Fast Lane and to help keep their operations running smoothly," said Wayne Mathisen, Co-Founder and CEO of Orange EV. "Our onsite, we-come-to-you mobile service is designed to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. We look forward to expanding our relationship and continuing to deliver the reliable support they count on."

Given the proven value from these yard trucks, Fast Lane Transportation is building on its success and positioning for continued growth using Orange EV's turnkey electric truck solutions.

Fast Lane Transportation | https://www.fastlanetrans.com/

Orange EV | https://orangeev.com/

BrightNight, the next-generation power and digital infrastructure company built to deliver clean and dispatchable solutions, its joint venture partner Cordelio Power, and the Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA), Inc., announced the commercial operation of the Box Canyon Solar Project.

The 300-megawatt utility-scale project, located in Pinal County, Arizona, about six miles north of the Town of Florence, represents the largest renewable energy procurement in SPPA's history. It is the first project in the 2.5 GW Arizona portfolio owned by BrightNight and Cordelio Power to reach commercial operation. BrightNight led the development of the Box Canyon project as part of its joint venture with Cordelio Power.

Concurrently with achieving commercial operations, BrightNight and Cordelio Power completed the previously announced tax equity investment with J.P. Morgan, through one of its affiliates, and Capital One, N.A. and converted the construction debt financing into a term loan.

The Box Canyon Solar Project exemplifies BrightNight's ability to deliver utility-scale clean energy solutions in high-demand regions while maximizing beneficial community impact. According to an economic impact study by Elliott Pollack and Associates, the project generated $47 million in economic impact in Pinal County during the construction period and created more than 300 American jobs. During operations, the Box Canyon Solar Project is expected to generate an estimated $134 million in local economic benefits - through property taxes, wages, and more - bringing the total county-level economic contribution to over $180 million.

In addition, the project is projected to generate more than $65 million in land lease payments to be allocated to the State of Arizona Land Trust over the lifetime of the project. The trust's beneficiaries include K–12 and university education, state hospitals, and other critical public services.  In separate community investment program, Box Canyon is donating a portion of the project's proceeds to fund scholarships for 50 students to complete Central Arizona College's electrician program over the next five years.

"SPPA is thrilled to now be suppling its members with safe, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity from the Box Canyon Solar Project.  From the very beginning, BrightNight worked to understand our long-term goals and successfully delivered a solution that meets the needs of our members and their customers, all on time and on budget," said SPPA Project Manager Dennis Delaney.

"We are delighted to partner with SPPA to help meet their power needs in a vibrant region undergoing rapid industrial growth and digital infrastructure expansion. At over 915,000 MWh of projected annual production, the Box Canyon Solar Project will provide reliable, clean and affordable energy for more than 40 years - generating local revenue, enabling continued economic growth in the region, and creating skilled American jobs," said BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann. "The project is a perfect example of BrightNight's 35-gigawatt portfolio across the United States, designed to meet urgent demand for reliable power in high-growth markets driven by industrialization, AI data centers, and electrification.  Built in just 15 months, the Box Canyon project demonstrates BrightNight's ability to deliver best-in-class, utility-scale projects with quality and speed to market."

BrightNight | www.brightnightpower.com

Cordelio Power | https://cordeliopower.com/

Greenskies Clean Focus (Greenskies), a national leader in renewable energy solutions, is proud to announce the successful completion of a 1.62 MW portfolio of solar energy projects for the Hackensack Public Schools (HPS) in New Jersey. The portfolio includes eight solar systems installed across seven sites, including all four elementary schools, the middle school, the high school, and the board of education administration building. While most systems were installed on rooftops, Hackensack High School features a combination of rooftop and carport solar arrays. Together, these systems encompass more than 3,600 solar panels.

Installed Solar Systems:

• Hackensack High School – 1 MW combined

• Hackensack Middle School – 303 kW

• Nellie K. Parker School (Elementary) – 113 kW

• Jackson Avenue School (Elementary) – 70 kW

• Fanny Meyer Hillers School (Elementary) – 41 kW

• Fairmount School (Elementary) – 24 kW

• Padovano Center (BOE Administration Building) – 65 kW

Collectively, these solar installations are expected to offset approximately 1,353 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually—the equivalent of:

• 150,000+ gallons of gasoline burned

• 475+ tons of waste added to landfills

• 22,000+ trees planted each year

 (Source: US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator)

Greenskies served as the solar developer, EPC, financer, and owner for the projects and will manage long-term operations and maintenance. The installations were funded through a 15-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA), allowing HPS to benefit from clean energy with no upfront investment.

“This project exemplifies how school districts can harness solar energy to achieve both financial and environmental goals,” said Bryant Bernhardt, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Greenskies. “We’re proud to support Hackensack Public Schools in creating a more sustainable future for their students, staff, and community.”

“By transitioning to renewable energy, we're reducing our environmental footprint and creating long-term cost savings that can be reinvested directly into our classrooms,” Assistant Superintendent Andrea Parchment said. “We're also providing our students with real-world examples of innovation and sustainability in action. Every day they walk into school, they'll see firsthand how smart energy choices can power both education and environmental responsibility."

The HPS’s adoption of solar power demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility, creating lasting benefits for students and the broader community.

Greenskies Clean Focus | www.greenskies.com

Hackensack Public School District | www.hackensackschools.org

Prevalon Energy LLC, a Mitsubishi Power Americas and EES joint venture, announced that its Prevalon Battery Energy Storage Platform has officially entered commercial operation at Idaho Power's Happy Valley project. The facility represents a significant milestone in Idaho Power's long-term strategy to continue serving customers reliably and cost-effectively.

The Happy Valley site features an 80 MW four-hour duration battery energy storage system (BESS) with a total capacity of up to 320 MWh. This installation will ensure that energy generated by intermittent renewable sources can be stored and dispatched when it is needed most, providing greater reliability and stability to Idaho Power's growing energy portfolio.

Notably, the project was completed ahead of schedule, underscoring Prevalon's commitment to delivery excellence and operational reliability. The system provides Idaho Power with added flexibility to manage growing customer demand, helping offset peak load growth and reducing strain on existing grid infrastructure.

Idaho Power selected this project through a competitive RFP process that determined it to be a low-cost resource and ideally suited to serve the company’s rapidly growing resource needs.

At the heart of the project is Prevalon's fully integrated modular AC energy storage platform, which includes advanced battery enclosures, inverters, medium voltage transformers, and its proprietary U.S.-designed and built insightOS Energy Management System. Purpose-built for utility-scale operations, insightOS delivers real-time control, secure network segmentation, and advanced diagnostics to optimize performance and safeguard critical infrastructure.

"This project reflects the kind of trusted partnership Prevalon is built for," said Tom Cornell, CEO of Prevalon Energy. "By combining our expertise with Idaho Power's commitment to a sustainable energy future, we’re delivering reliable, flexible, and secure energy storage solutions that will serve this region for decades to come."

Prevalon Energy | https://prevalonenergy.com/

Idaho Power | https://www.idahopower.com/