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

Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers navigate the energy transition, announced a collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to execute a $197 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) through the U.S. Army Engineering Support Center (USACE), Huntsville (Huntsville Center) ESPC III Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). This comprehensive initiative is designed to modernize critical infrastructure, strengthen utility resilience and generate substantial long-term cost savings across NRL’s Washington, D.C. campus and Chesapeake Bay Detachment.

As part of a broader strategy to bolster operational resilience, the ESPC will deliver comprehensive upgrades to energy infrastructure and water systems. Key improvements include modernization of steam generation and distribution, chilled water systems, and the deployment of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to ensure seamless, real-time infrastructure management. The project is expected to generate more than $362 million in savings over a 21-year performance period.

“This initiative reflects Ameresco’s deep commitment to supporting the operational integrity of our nation’s defense infrastructure,” said Nicole Bulgarino, President of Federal Solutions and Utility Infrastructure at Ameresco. “By integrating high-efficiency systems and SCADA-enabled technologies, we’re modernizing aging infrastructure and delivering significant cost savings. These upgrades are designed to ensure uninterrupted mission readiness while aligning with NRL’s long-term mission.”

Once fully implemented, the project is expected to yield $12.5 million in annual cost savings. The phased scope of work prioritizes critical infrastructure needs, including boiler and chiller plant upgrades, site-wide LED lighting and controls to reduce energy and maintenance costs, retrofits to steam distribution and plumbing systems for improved safety and efficiency, and advanced cooling tower optimization through enhanced water treatment and monitoring technologies.

The scope will also address urgent infrastructure needs, such as repairing and replacing the aging steam and condensate distribution system. Ameresco’s tailored approach ensures that the NRL’s mission-critical operations remain uninterrupted while maximizing long-term value, reliability and energy independence.

To learn more about ESPC and Energy Performance Contracting offered by Ameresco, visit www.ameresco.com/espc-energy-savings-performance-contract/.

Ameresco | www.ameresco.com

Deriva Energy, LLC, a leader in clean power generation, operations and development, along with their joint venture partner, Manulife Investment Management, announced that it reached an agreement to sell a 833MWdc (613MWac) operational solar portfolio to Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CWEN, CWEN.A). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This transaction represents an important step in advancing our strategy to optimize our asset portfolio and recycle capital into our next phase of growth," said John Clapp, Chief Executive Officer of Deriva Energy.

TD Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to Deriva Energy and Manulife Investment Management.

The transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2026.

About Deriva Energy

Deriva Energy | https://derivaenergy.com/

The latest design from Lux Wind Power uses a frame on the outside of the Vertical Axis Wind turbine (VAWT) instead of using guy cables or a mast fixed to the earth. Normally, long beams with a small cross section requires bracing from several directions for most applications, though this is not neccesarily the case.

The drawing above shows 2 separate turbines, one on top of the other. The 3 outside frames are cubic shapes and are also stacked on top of each other. The turbines are slightly smaller than the cubic frame to allow for movement in high winds. Most straight bladed VAWT have Height/Diameter ratio close to one — the cube shape is for simplicity. Each cube has 4 vertical beams, 4 horizontal beams and 5 pairs of diagonal beams crossing in the middle of each side. The diagonal beams are tensioned, which causes the other beams to be in compression, even under extreme wind loads. A turbine in the bottom cube may be added even if it is not the full height of the cube. The diameter of the lower turbines could be a bit smaller than the top turbine to accommodate wind shear. 

The diagonal beams/cables on the top face of each cube contain a bearing housing and bearing at the intersection. The bearings and housings are the only places where the outside frame experiences the thrust forces from the wind. 

The weight of all the masts, struts and blades is supported by the bearing at the bottom of the lowest mast. Therefore, the only major forces acting on the cubed frame are the thrust forces from the wind on each turbine and gravity from the frame above it.  The ends of the horizontal and vertical beams can be considered as pinned, which prevents bending moments, torsion or shear on these beams. All beams are in compression, so column buckling is the only mode of concern.

There are many ways to change the maximum allowable force on stayed columns. Adjusting any of the properties such as the cross section or lengths of the main beam, crosses or stays causes the Pcr to change. Making changes to the PSSC may increase Pcr but it may also increase the weight to the point where the change is not economically feasible. The PSSC was analyzed using a numerical procedure called the Stiffness Probe Method developed by German Gurfinkel and Sudarshan Krishnan.

Gravity becomes a bigger concern when the beams are in a horizontal position. However, the tension in the stays below the beam can be increased to overcome the gravity force and to keep the beams straight. These stays typically need to have a larger cross section due to the increased tension.

The crosses and stays on the beams do not interfere with the blades and the parasitic drag from the wind is minimal.  The horizontal diagonals are positioned between the upper and lower turbine blades, which require a clearance to allow for movement within the cubed frame. The frame is secured in position on the ground by 4 pillars/posts at each corner extending above the ground at a favourable height.

This is an excellent way to support a floating wind turbine for offshore energy. The four corners of the frame are a considerable distance apart, which helps to stabilize any structure floating on the ocean. The frame could be continued at and below water level, providing a base for the mechanical components while lowering the center of gravity.   

Lux Wind Power | https://www.luxwindpower.com/

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Lawyers for Good Government, and others filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island on behalf of beneficiaries of the Solar for All program to restore the program that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to terminate in July. 

Plaintiffs include the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, a statewide organization of trade unions representing more than 80,000 people, solar businesses, nonprofits, and an individual homeowner that had applied to participate in the Georgia Bright rooftop solar program launched last July. You can find the filing here, a statement from SELC here, and a New York Times article about it here. 

The Solar for All program was designed to provide a minimum of 20% savings to low-income American households on their utility bills using solar, the cheapest source of new electricity generation. Based on an analysis of all workplans done by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), Solar for All programs could provide utility bill savings up to 70 percent for single-family households for the next 20 years, from $495 to $1,400 in household savings per year. According to EPA’s own numbers, 900,000 households were slated to benefit throughout the country.

Less than two months ago, EPA sent letters of termination to all 60 Solar for All grantees in which it stated EPA no longer possessed (a) the substantive legal authority or (b) the financial appropriations needed to continue implementation of the program following passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (HR1) by Congress. 

CESA staff believe that both assertions are factually and legally incorrect. 

First, EPA not only still possesses the legal authority to administer the Solar for All program, but is required by Congress to do so. HR1 did not terminate the Solar for All program. Neither the language in the statute nor the congressional record support termination of the program. Further, HR1 did not retroactively repeal the authorizing statute (Section 134 of the Clean Air Act). 

Only if HR1 had been made retroactive could it have changed the legal status of a program that was already in its implementation phase and for which funds were obligated. Obligation in this context is a legal term referring to a firm commitment of funds by the federal government. All Solar for All funds have been obligated since September 2024, almost a year before HR1. 

In addition, Congress neither required nor instructed EPA to terminate the Solar for All program, a popular program aimed at lowering the cost of power and supported on both sides of the aisle, covering households in every state. In fact, EPA was required to obligate the funds before the end of September 2024 and to administer the programs by the Inflation Reduction Act. HR1 does not provide any express or implied legal authority for EPA to take any action on the Solar for All program other than to continue implementation in compliance with the law. 

Second, HR1 did not rescind any Solar for All program funds as Congress, specifically and unambiguously, only rescinded unobligated funds. According to Congress, the only unobligated funds under Section 134 of the Clean Air Act were $19 million of administrative funds, a far cry from $7 billion of program funds. 

“This lawsuit is a welcome step,” said CESA’s Deputy Director, Vero Bourg-Meyer. “We hope that EPA reverses course so that Solar for All grantees can all return to work, delivering savings to American households.” 

As this first lawsuit relevant to the Solar for All program is launched, EPA has not lifted its stop-work orders. States and other grantees are continuing to consider all legal options open to them.

To learn more about CESA’s work with Solar for All grantees nationwide, visit https://www.cesa.org/projects/scaling-up-solar-for-under-resourced-communities/solar-for-all/ 

Clean Energy States Alliance | www.cesa.org

Storion Energy LLC, a supplier with domestic production facilities for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) components, announced the appointment of Sue Ozdemir as Chief Executive Officer.

Ozdemir brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience in the electric motors and batteries industry. Her appointment marks a pivotal step in Storion Energy’s long-term growth strategy, as the company positions itself to rapidly scale up production of vanadium electrolyte and power assembly stacks used to deploy VRFBs to meet the increased long-duration energy storage needs of the data center and AI industries in the U.S.

“We are pleased to welcome Sue to the Storion Energy team,” said Mike Judd, Chairman of the Board for Storion Energy and Chief Executive Officer and President of Stryten Energy. “She has a unique combination of technical expertise and commercial leadership experience, both of which will contribute to her ability to successfully guide Storion through the commercialization of its VRFB components and the rapid adoption of VRFB technology for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) applications.”

“I am honored to join the Storion Energy team to lead its mission to establish a cost-competitive domestic manufacturing base for VRFB components, which is critical to ensuring the availability of utility-scale energy required to support the expansion of data centers, AI and other commercial and industrial needs for safe and reliable long-duration energy storage,” said Ozdemir.

Ozdemir recently served as the CEO of Exro Technologies, where she advanced EV motor control technology. Previously, she was CEO of Wolong Electric America, GE Motor Division, where she managed global operations spanning North and South America and Asia to rapidly expand market share and drive revenue growth. Sue also served as the CEO of GE Power Conversion, responsible for leading commercial strategies to achieve global distribution channels and increased market share for small industrial motors. Sue holds an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Fredericton and was a 2025 Canada Clean50 Honoree.

Storion Energy | https://storion.com/

Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world's leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, announced the launch of the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase for customers in India. The system provides reliable backup power and supports both single-phase and three-phase applications, serving India’s growing residential and small commercial solar markets.

Three-phase service is widely available in India, making it well suited for higher-load homes and small businesses. Each 5 kWh battery delivers continuous power of up to 1.28 kW per phase in three-phase configuration and 3.84 kW in single-phase configuration. The battery is designed to discharge up to two times the maximum continuous power for three seconds, enabling the operation of high-power devices during a grid outage when paired with the IQ System Controller 3 INT. It utilizes lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is known for its thermal stability and safety profile. The battery is modular and expandable, so customers can start with a single battery and scale up to 40 kWh of capacity as their energy needs grow.

“Many of our customers live in larger homes with three-phase wiring,” said Harsha Kuntur , founder and managing director at Ecosoch Solar, an installer of Enphase products in India. “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is exactly what we need to offer reliable backup and maximize self-consumption for these households.”

“In cities like Bengaluru, homes and small businesses are increasingly asking for battery solutions that can handle three-phase loads,” said Dijo MD, director and CTO at 3rd Eye Security Systems, an installer of Enphase products in India. “Enphase is giving us the flexibility to serve both commercial and residential customers with one system.”

“Reliability is critical when it comes to energy storage in India,” said Shivam D Rai, proprietor at Shivshakti Enterprises, an installer of Enphase products in India. “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase now addresses the three-phase segment with a high-performance product from a company we trust.”

The launch in India builds on Enphase’s rapid global rollout of FlexPhase technology, which is now available in 18 European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. This expansion demonstrates Enphase’s commitment to bringing flexible, high-quality energy storage to markets with diverse grid standards.

“India’s transition to clean, reliable energy requires storage solutions that are flexible and resilient,” said Ken Fong, senior vice president of sales at Enphase Energy. “With the IQ Battery 5P and FlexPhase technology, we are delivering a product that meets the needs of homes and small businesses in India, whether wired for single-phase or three-phase power. This launch expands on our success in other markets, and positions Enphase as a trusted partner in India’s energy transformation.”

The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase comes with a 15-year limited warranty in India. It can be paired with the IQ System Controller 3 INT, which together enable microgrid operation, remote monitoring, and efficient integration with IQ8 Microinverters. With Sunlight Jump Start, IQ8 Microinverters can restart the batteries using only sunlight after a prolonged grid outage that drains the battery. Enphase’s backup solution also supports load control and works with third-party inverters and generators for best-in-class resilience.

The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is now shipping to customers in India. To learn more about the Enphase IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase, visit the Enphase website for India.

Enphase Energy | https://enphase.com/

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: BWMN), a national engineering services and project management firm, announced it has acquired the assets of California-based Sierra Overhead Analytics (“SOA”) and its technology affiliate ORCaS, Inc., two companies under common control. The acquisition expands Bowman’s energy practice and extends its digital services portfolio.

SOA is an engineering firm providing technology-centric civil design, precision mapping and hydrology services to a wide range of energy and general infrastructure customers. ORCaS provides proprietary tools for SOA that enable the delivery of specialized design automation, location optimization and hydrological studies to its clients, who include data centers and energy developers and operators. The acquisition strengthens Bowman’s capabilities in high-growth, high-value markets such as data center development, climate resiliency, utilities, power and alternative energy, while expanding its digital services and delivery platform. Consistent with Bowman’s current business model, the acquired tools will be available as proprietary, value-add service enhancements and efficiency enablers to employees and customers exclusively.

“The acquisition reflects our continuing commitment to technology-enabled growth focused on lifecycle engineering,” said Gary Bowman, founder and CEO of Bowman. “Adding these new customers, digital offerings and optimization tools enhances our value proposition and positions Bowman for accelerated organic growth in markets where technology and sustainability are driving increasing demand.”

“Joining forces with Bowman unlocks tremendous opportunities to accelerate innovation and expand the reach of our technology,” said Owen Ransom, president of SOA and ORCaS. “Our teams share a common vision for how engineering and software can work together to solve complex infrastructure challenges, and I am excited to see our people, tools and expertise scale within Bowman's national platform.”

Bowman recently launched its Office of Innovation, which will oversee the integration of ORCaS technologies in the company’s operations and service lines. This acquisition complements Bowman’s long-term growth strategy and market positioning by expanding its digital and technology offerings, diversifying its presence in attractive, high-value end markets and enhancing client engagement and experience. The company expects to continue to focus on acquisitions oriented towards energy, transportation, natural resources and adjacent technology-enabled services.

Financed with a combination of cash, seller notes and a convertible note, the acquisition conforms with previously discussed target multiples and operating metrics. Bowman anticipates the acquisition will initially operate at a net service billing run rate of approximately $2.2 million and be immediately accretive. More detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline and guidance updates are provided in connection with quarterly and annual communications.

Sierra Overhead Analytics | https://www.sierraoverhead.com/

ORCaS | https://www.orcasinc.com/

Bowman Consulting Group | bowman.com