According to a recent report from the US Energy Information Administration, though 2024 saw record-setting levels of energy consumption, demand isn’t slowing down anytime soon. This comes less than six months after a separate reportestimated the US grid would need to increase its capacity to generate and deliver electricity by 16 percent in the next four years to keep pace with growing energy needs. Simply put, the count....
In an era marked by increasingly severe weather from Mother Nature, utilities face mounting pressure to enhance the resiliency and reliability of their power delivery systems. While icing of the wind turbine blades has been discussed extensively, the physical means of distributing that energy has been addressed far less. Just as wind farms components are adopting the latest technologies to modernize their fleets and extend life expectan....
Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of wind turbines requires a deep understanding of the fluids that keep them running smoothly. To that end, compatibility testing plays a critical role in preventing costly issues that arise from mixing incompatible lubricants. This article explores the significance of fluid compatibility testing in industries such as power generation, highlighting its ability to enhance equipment reliability, reduce mainten....
The wind industry takes pride in advancing a clean energy future while protecting species across the globe from the impacts of climate change. However, no energy solution is without challenges. Wind turbines, for instance, have been shown to cause direct mortality to bats. With bat populations already declining due to habitat loss, diminishing food sources, and disease, the wind industry has diligently sought solutions to mitigate this impact.&nb....
Energy Storage
Craig Tropea
Solar
Jonathan Lwowski
Solar
Steve Macshane, CESSWI
DNV, the global independent energy expert and assurance provider, has released a new service specification (DNV-SE-0696) for the verification and certification of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) facilities. The document provides a structured methodology to de-risk CCUS projects across design, construction, and operation—addressing a key industry need as carbon capture scales globally.
With CCS projected to grow from 41 MtCO2/yr today to 1,300 MtCO2/yr in 2050, mitigating 6% of global CO₂ emissions according to DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook: CCS to 2050 report, standardized verification is critical to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and investor confidence.
SE 0696 fills this gap by:
The new service specification ensures that CCUS projects are developed with rigour, safety, and transparency, supporting industry players as they scale up deployment.
"CCUS is no longer a niche technology - it’s a decarbonization imperative," said Lucy Craig Senior Vice President, Growth, Innovation & Digitalization, Energy Systems at DNV. "DNV-SE 0696 gives developers a clear roadmap to verify facility integrity, reducing uncertainties that could delay Final Investment Decisions. This is how we accelerate the energy transition pragmatically."
Up to the end of the decade, cumulative investments in CCS are expected to reach USD 80 billion (£60bn) and DNV forecasts that capture and storage capacity is expected to quadruple by 2030. CCS is crucial for reaching net-zero targets, especially in sectors that are challenging to decarbonize.
Key features of DNV-SE-0696
The specification covers all major CCUS subsystems, including:
DNV-SE-0696 complements DNV’s broader CCUS standards (e.g., DNV-SE-0473 for geological storage) and integrates with DNV’s risk-based verification philosophy (DNV-SE-0474).
"Early projects must be deployed successfully in order for this critical technology to be scaled," added Jamie Burrows, Global Segment Lead CCUS, Energy Systems at DNV. "By applying our decades of process facility expertise and deep knowledge of CCUS, we’re helping clients mitigate risks whether retrofitting Capture equipment at a cement plant or designing a new offshore injection facility."
DNV’s CCUS verification and certification services are grounded in its long-standing expertise in risk management, assurance, and energy infrastructure and build on DNV’s many joint industry projects focussed on CCUS. The release of DNV-SE-0696 reflects the company’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition and supporting the development of safe and bankable CCUS projects worldwide.
DNV | www.dnv.com
Ohmium International, a leading manufacturer of advanced PEM hydrogen electrolyzers, announced the appointment of Dr. Markus Tacke as its new CEO, effective July 1, 2025. With over 22 years of experience at Siemens and a proven track record in the renewable energy sector, Dr. Tacke will drive Ohmium's global expansion and commercialization of its next-generation green hydrogen solutions.
Dr. Tacke has a history of growing companies in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. His focus on customer centricity, operational efficiency, and strategic acquisitions has consistently driven growth and value. As CEO of Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, he achieved 8% annual growth and turned the company from break-even to 9% profitability through regional integration and new business exploration. At Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, he streamlined product lines, launched advanced platforms, and initiated a €2.5 billion cost savings program, stabilizing the wind business and launching a high-impact growth strategy.
“Dr. Markus Tacke possesses a rare blend of operational excellence and technical expertise, along with a strong history of scaling businesses,” said Ahmad Chatila, Board Chairman of Ohmium. “His unique combination of skills will be pivotal as we expand globally and deepen our commercial partnerships. We are confident he will help us meet and exceed our ambitious goals.”
Arne Ballantine, the former CEO and co-founder of Ohmium International, has steered the company through its formative years. Under his leadership, Ohmium developed a robust internal PEM supply chain capable of scaling to meet gigawatt-level demand and successfully deployed its products globally across multiple sites.
Ballantine expressed deep enthusiasm and excitement for the company’s future, stating, “Leading Ohmium through its early stages has been an incredible privilege. I am immensely proud of our team and their achievements, including securing numerous patents and gaining industry recognition for our high efficiency, rapidly scalable, and bankable PEM electrolyzer. I have full confidence that Dr. Tacke is the right leader to guide us into the future. I look forward to supporting the transition and seeing the company continue to grow.”
The company is focused on further commercial deployments, manufacturing scale-up, and international market expansion. With the rising global demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy, Ohmium is well-positioned to assist in the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors worldwide.
“I am honored to join Ohmium International at such an exciting inflection point,” said Dr. Tacke. “Ohmium’s technology, team, and culture are extraordinary. I look forward to working alongside our employees, clients, investors, and partners to accelerate the transition to a greener future on a global scale.”
Dr. Tacke earned a Mechanical Engineering degree and a PhD from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, and a Master’s degree in Engineering from Cornell University in New York, USA.
Ohmium | https://www.ohmium.com/
Global independent renewable energy consultancy, Natural Power, has provided technical due diligence on behalf of TerraForm Power for its acquisition of Sun Tribe Development, a mid-sized utility-scale solar and storage developer based in Virginia. TerraForm Power is a leading developer and operator of renewable projects and has more than doubled its development pipeline of solar and battery storage with this transaction. The Sun Tribe Development pipeline consisted of 4,100 MW across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S.
Jim Adams, President of North America Operations at Natural Power, said: “Natural Power is proud to have supported TerraForm Power on this acquisition. The purchase of Sun Tribe’s pipeline demonstrates TerraForm Power’s continued desire to invest heavily in the North American renewable energy industry. We are honored to continue to support their efforts to expand.”
Mark Noyes, CEO & President of TerraForm Power, said: “I’m excited by today’s news welcoming Sun Tribe Development into the fold to deliver on TerraForm Power’s new high-growth strategy in the U.S. market. Together, we’ll rapidly expand TerraForm Power’s footprint across the U.S. to meet this moment and deliver much-needed, domestically sourced power to support digitalization and reindustrialization in the country. Sun Tribe Development’s portfolio complements our existing development pipeline and enhances our position as a partner of choice to the largest buyers of clean power.”
From its three US offices in New York, Seattle, and the Denver area, the Natural Power team supports a range of clients including institutional investors and banks, developers, asset owners, power producers and utilities, as well as government organizations. Natural Power’s U.S. team has worked as Independent Engineer on technical diligence review of more than 1,700 unique PV projects and 570 unique wind projects in North America since 2020.
TerraForm Power | https://www.terraform.com/
Natural Power | https://www.naturalpower.com/us
Valtinson Bruner Financial Planning is a fiduciary, fee-based financial planning firm in New Brighton, Minnesota. The firm operates from two buildings; one serves as their office, while the other houses a private tennis and pickleball court. With both of their buildings constantly needing electricity and prime site conditions, the decision to switch to solar energy with All Energy Solar Inc was clear and definitive.
"We focus on guiding property owners toward the most efficient solar energy solution, then deliver a robust, long-term project that maximizes their needs with the utmost focus on quality and reliability," said Michael Thalhimer, Director of Business Development at All Energy Solar. "Occasionally, a project opportunity like this array at Valtinson Bruner can be unique, with solar installed on one building, but designed and interconnected to offset the property's energy usage across multiple services. We collaborated with the customer and utility to combine their two meters into one account, enabling the solar energy system generation on one rooftop to supplement power to both buildings."
Valtinson Bruner's optimal pitch on their south-facing tennis building was the perfect candidate for installing solar panels on its roof. With 105 Silfab black frame solar panels across the south slope, this 44.1 kW array is estimated to achieve an annual production of nearly 57,000 kWh. That is equivalent to 53.9 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), avoiding 54,323 pounds of coal burned annually.
The new solar installation showcases a commitment to environmental responsibility, ensuring more energy independence for the property and delivering significant long-term cost savings. By embracing this clean and renewable resource, Valtinson Bruner now contributes to a healthier planet while also providing innovative financial solutions that resonate with the company's environmentally conscious values.
"My breakeven point on this project is eight and a half years, so we have sixteen or seventeen years of potentially free energy costs (under warranty). That's a significant financial saving," said Larry Valtinson, ChFC, owner of Valtinson Bruner Financial Planning and Valtinson Tax Services. "This is really for our children and grandchildren. This is for the future."
All Energy Solar offers various services, including commercial and residential solar installations, energy storage solutions, electric vehicle chargers, smart electric panels, and roofing in specific locations. With a strong presence in Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin for residential installations, and a national and international reach for commercial projects, the company has installed over 308,000 solar panels, helping over 10,300 customers make the switch to solar. This collective effort has resulted in over 113,000 kW (113MW) of clean energy designed and installed by All Energy Solar's extensive in-house team.
All Energy Solar | www.allenergysolar.com
Comings and goings at the ALL Family of Companies have resulted in the retirement of a nearly 50-year man and promotions to two other familiar names. First, Rick Mikut, who began his ALL career as a teenager, is retiring after 49 years. Chad Rados will replace him as the new director of crawler crane operations. Brian Meek becomes project manager, Rados’ previous position.
Rados has his own longevity with the company, currently serving in his 30th year. Also, Rados’ father retired from ALL in 2022, and his brother remains with the company. Chad Rados is well-traveled within ALL, having begun as an oiler when he was 18 before moving into the cab as an operator out of the company’s flagship yard in Cleveland. After 10 years, he transferred to the Chicago branch, Central Contractors Service, where he served as a site supervisor. After seven years there, he returned to Cleveland and has served in a variety of capacities, most recently as project manager.
ALL’s project manager position is a diverse role that splits time in charge of training and continuing education for sales reps across the national footprint as well as stepping in to provide technical, logistical, and planning support for complex projects originating from any branch.
Brian Meek now takes on that role. Meek also has a long history with ALL, having been with the company for 21 years, where he also started out as an oiler before moving into the cab as an operator. In recent years, he was a sales representative and an equipment specialist, which saw him in charge of hundreds of bridge and urban construction projects. He also worked alongside Chad Rados to develop some of the training courses he will now be in charge of spearheading in his new role.
Mikut officially retired May 30. Both promotions are effective immediately.
ALL | https://www.allcrane.com/
Bellofram Elastomers has named Garnett Component Sales, Inc. (GCS) as its official manufacturer’s representative for the southeastern U.S. GCS will cover Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
GCS has more than 75 years of combined sales expertise and is renowned for its dedication to providing high-quality products to OEMs across a wide range of industries. Its strong customer relationships and industry knowledge make GCS an ideal partner in expanding the regional reach of Bellofram Elastomers and parent company Marsh Bellofram.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Garnett Component Sales, with their solid reputation for service and industry expertise,” said Matthew Wingertsahn, vice president of Bellofram Elastomers. “This collaboration will allow us to better serve our customers in these regions.”
Bellofram Elastomers is a unified entity created by joining together Bellofram Diaphragm, maker of the original rolling diaphragm, and Bellofram Silicones, two legendary names in the world of elastomer innovation.
Recent investment by Bellofram Elastomers includes a Fecken-Kirfel skiver and a CNC Digital Knife Cutting System to fabricate parts like silicone gaskets and silicone pads with clean edges and precise shapes. New product introductions include UL 94 V-0 listed flame-retardant closed cell silicone sponge sheet, and engineered foam in neoprene and EPDM that are highly resistant to UV rays, ozone, and weathering, while maintaining excellent elasticity in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
Bellofram Elastomers | https://belloframelastomers.com/
Fortress Power, a global leader in energy storage solutions, officially celebrated the inauguration of a new regional headquarters in Guadalajara, Jalisco. This strategic new facility strengthens the company’s presence in Mexico and includes technical support offices, customer service, national sales operations, and a regional training center designed to train strategic partners from across Latin America.
The event brought together key figures from the energy sector, including Jing Yu, CEO of Fortress Power; Alfredo Terán, Technical Director for Mexico; Rodrigo Aguirre, Director of C&I Projects; and Luisa Medel, Sales Director for Mexico. Also in attendance were representatives from authorized distributors such as WTS, Krannich Solar, and Corey Solar, along with distinguished guests from both the public and private sectors: Mario Hernández, Director of FIDE in Jalisco and Nayarit; Aldo Díaz, President of CPEF; Nallely Camarena, President of Mujeres CPEF; and Justo Torres, CPEF Delegate in Jalisco. Also, the sustainable artist Natalia Stopani (focused on the rescue and reuse of photovoltaic modules), whose artwork was showcased at the opening.
In her opening remarks, CEO Jing Yu stated, “This moment symbolizes growth, new beginnings, and meaningful partnerships. We are deeply excited to put down roots in a country known for its vibrant culture, rich history, hardworking people, and dynamic business environment. As we open our doors here in Guadalajara, we are not only bringing our products and services—we are also bringing our values, our commitment to excellence, and our belief in collaboration.”
The opening of this facility represents a significant step in Fortress Power’s expansion across Latin America, enabling closer, more agile, and personalized service to installers, distributors, and customers throughout Mexico. The new regional training center will become a cornerstone for ongoing technical training, promoting knowledge and the adoption of clean and sustainable energy solutions.
“Our mission has always been to work hand in hand with our distributor and installer partners to deliver clean and reliable energy to homes and businesses—while helping them reduce energy costs,” added Yu.
With this initiative, Fortress Power reinforces its commitment to Mexico’s economic and technological development by fostering job creation, knowledge transfer, and long-term partnerships within the local energy ecosystem.
“Let this new branch be a bridge—between our past and our future, between our global family and the local community, and most importantly, between our shared aspirations and the achievements to come,” concluded the CEO.
The company thus reaffirms its vision to lead a sustainable, inclusive, and collaborative energy transition in Mexico and throughout the region. At the same time, the artist Natalia Stopani presented the company with a personalized artwork on a disused MFV, featuring their logo and distinctive colors, forming a strategic alliance with them to promote this project.
Fortress Power | https://www.fortresspower.com/
Energy Storage Jun 11, 2025
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