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SMT Energy and Axpo Partner on Seven-Year Battery Storage Swap Agreement
Jul 08, 2026

SMT Energy and Axpo Partner on Seven-Year Battery Storage Swap Agreement

SMT Energy and Axpo have signed a 120 MW, seven-year battery storage swap agreement tied to SMT Energy's Houston IV BESS, a newly operational 160 MW/320 MWh battery energy storage system in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market. The agreement supports long-term revenue visibility for Houston IV and highlights SMT Energy's ability to develop, commercialize and operate utility-scale battery storage assets in Texas.

In brief:

  • SMT Energy has executed a 120 MW, seven-year battery storage swap agreement with Axpo in the ERCOT market.
  • The transaction provides SMT Energy with long-term revenue visibility, reinforces Axpo's role in the market, and allows it to better serve customers seeking flexibility.
  • Houston IV demonstrates SMT Energy's ability to originate, finance, construct, operate and commercialize utility-scale BESS assets in ERCOT.

The bespoke agreement provides SMT Energy with predictable, long-term contracted revenue for its Houston IV battery project while supporting SMT Energy's ability to advance additional battery storage assets in Texas.

Luke Tosheff, Origination Director at Axpo in the U.S., said: "Our focus at Axpo is to provide structured products that help developers like SMT Energy navigate market complexity. This seven-year swap is an example of how we can create long-term revenue certainty for battery storage projects. We're proud to support SMT's growth and help bring critical flexibility and reliability to the Texas grid." 

Miguel Garcia, Head of Commercial Strategy at SMT Energy, said: "Houston IV represents the type of large-scale, grid-critical battery storage asset SMT Energy was built to deliver. Pairing a 160 MW operating BESS with a seven-year structured swap agreement is an important commercial milestone for SMT Energy and provides durable revenue visibility for the project. Axpo was a constructive partner in tailoring a solution that supports Houston IV and strengthens SMT Energy's ability to advance additional battery storage and power infrastructure assets across Texas."

Axpo Group | https://www.axpo.com/us/en.html

SMT Energy | https://smtenergy.com/

 

 

Explosion Prevention and Protection for BESS Enclosures
Jul 08, 2026

Explosion Prevention and Protection for BESS Enclosures

Containerized battery energy storage systems (BESS) have expanded rapidly in North America as utilities, businesses, and communities integrate batteries for grid stability, backup power, renewable energy integration, microgrid support, and hybrid energy systems. 

This widespread adoption is one reason safety standards such as NFPA 855 have become more significant, as regulators and industry stakeholders seek consistent guidelines for safely installing and operating the expanding number of battery energy storage systems.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 855, formally titled “Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems,” is the primary fire-safety and installation standard in the United States for BESS and other stationary energy storage technologies. The document establishes minimum safety requirements governing how these systems must be designed, installed, operated, and protected in residential, commercial, and utility-scale settings.

The standard exists because large battery installations introduce unique hazards, particularly with lithium-ion batteries, including thermal runaway, flammable gas generation, and potential fire propagation between battery modules or containers.

NFPA 855 addresses these hazards by requiring a “layers of protection” approach to hazard mitigation and fire protection. Rather than relying on a single safeguard, the standard expects systems to incorporate several independent protections that collectively reduce the likelihood and severity of failures. 

In practice, this means installations typically include combinations of monitoring, detection, containment, and suppression measures. These can involve early fire detection, gas detection, ventilation to address buildup of flammable gases, fire-suppression systems, explosion prevention and control, and design features intended to prevent or limit thermal runaway propagation between battery cells or modules.

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Containerized BESS

The use of standardized container formats has become the dominant architecture in large scale battery storage because it simplifies manufacturing, transportation, and installation. It also allows systems to be scaled easily by adding additional containers to meet the desired energy demand. 

This approach allows manufacturers to package batteries, cooling systems, power electronics, and safety equipment into a modular unit that can be transported by truck, rail, or ship and installed quickly at a site.

However, most utility-scale battery projects do not consist of just one container. Instead, many containerized units are deployed together in rows across a site, connected through power conversion systems and transformers to form a much larger energy storage plant. 

A single project might include dozens or even hundreds of containers arranged in arrays. The combined capacity of these installations can range from tens of megawatt-hours for small grid support projects to hundreds or even thousands of megawatt-hours at the largest facilities.

Hydrogen Accumulation

According to Geof Brazier, Managing Director of BS&B Safety Systems Explosion Protection Division, in the most recent 2026 edition of NFPA 855, several new requirements were introduced related to battery system hazards and protection strategies, including expanded hazard-mitigation analysis, additional testing expectations, and stronger provisions related to fire and explosion risk management in large battery installations.

“One of the recognized safety concerns was the buildup of hydrogen and other combustible gases in containerized BESS, because hydrogen is highly flammable and can accumulate to a combustible concentration in enclosed spaces if not properly ventilated or monitored and controlled,” says Brazier.

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Hydrogen rich gas can be generated during certain battery failure modes or abnormal operating conditions. In some battery chemistries, even traditional lead-acid batteries, hydrogen is produced as a normal byproduct during charging through electrolysis of water in the electrolyte and typically in small, easily ventilated quantities.

In BESS installations that use lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen and other combustible gases can be generated during thermal runaway or internal battery damage. When lithium-ion cells overheat or fail, chemical decomposition of the electrolyte and other cell components can produce a mixture of gases that may include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and other flammable compounds. 

The danger arises when hydrogen or other flammable gases accumulate in an enclosed space and are then ignited by electrical equipment, static discharge, or other ignition sources. 

Hydrogen has a very wide flammability range and a low minimum ignition energy. In air under typical conditions, it is flammable at concentrations of approximately 4% to 75% by volume; the lower end of this range, about 4%, is known as the lower flammability limit. Because it is lighter than air, hydrogen tends to accumulate near the ceiling or the upper portions of a container if ventilation is inadequate. This can further increase hydrogen concentrations in those upper areas.

In the lower ranges when hydrogen comprises less than 20% of the mixture in air by volume, an ignition can cause a deflagration event.

Unlike a detonation, which produces a supersonic shock wave of great destructive force, a deflagration is slower moving but still produces unacceptably high pressures in a confined structure. The expanding combustion gases press outward rapidly at high temperature and pressure and, if not intentionally relieved, the structure can suffer significant damage, and occupants or nearby individuals may be seriously injured. 

When the percentage of hydrogen in the air is around 20%, detonation events can generate powerful shock waves that travel faster than the speed of sound. 

“When you get into the higher percentages, you are dealing with explosions that can transition to an unprotectable detonation, so it is important to do the utmost to reduce the level of hydrogen accumulation in the container so the conditions for an explosion do not arise,” says Brazier. 

The resulting deflagration or explosion may not only damage the container but may propagate fire driven overheating to adjacent BESS modules.

Because of these risks, Brazier says modern BESS designs emphasize early detection and layered protection strategies. These include monitoring battery temperature and voltage to detect failures early, detecting flammable gases before they reach hazardous concentrations, and providing controlled ventilation or explosion relief to prevent pressure buildup.

BS&B Safety Systems’ VSP Actuated Ventilation System is an NFPA 69 explosion prevention device designed to protect BESS enclosures by actively releasing combustible hydrogen and other accumulated gases before an explosive concentration arises.

Sensors continuously monitor combustible gas concentrations inside the enclosure. When elevated gas levels are detected, an actuator opens the vent flap to safely discharge the gases. Once concentrations return to acceptable levels, the actuator closes the flap, and normal operating conditions are restored. This automated cycle repeats as needed whenever elevated gas levels are detected, providing continuous protection for the enclosure.

“An explosion prevention device doesn’t necessarily have to respond to an explosion,” explains Brazier. “In this case, it responds before an explosion would occur to let the hydrogen out before it builds up into a combustible range.”

Containerized BESS are also increasingly fitted with explosion vents to control the pressure spikes and direct flame and gas when a thermal-runaway event causes a flammable atmosphere to ignite and a low concentration of combustible gas results in a deflagration. 

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Brazier says BS&B specifically designed its BESS-Saf as a family of explosion and pressure relief vents with BESS enclosure dynamics in mind. The vents support controlled pressure relief to help mitigate explosion risk resulting from thermal runaway and gas generation.

The low-burst-pressure explosion vent panels can be mounted on the container roof or upper exterior walls. In the event of a deflagration or explosion, the panel opens and vents to the open atmosphere, directing the discharge away with attention to avoidance of discharge across egress paths being essential.

The BS&B explosion vent type VSP-A is a breathable construction that permits combustible gases to pass through the device under normal operating conditions while providing a barrier from rain, snow and other climatic influences. 

Flame-Free versions incorporate a flame arrester rated for hydrogen and other gas deflagration conditions with an explosion vent. This combination provides a reliable layer of protection for enclosures exposed to deflagration and overpressure risks. 

“If hydrogen or other gases accumulate and a deflagration arises, the explosion vent opens to relieve overpressure while the integrated flame arrester quenches the flame front to mitigate the release of flame to the atmosphere,” says Brazier.

Pressure relief vents of this kind are often combined with gas detection and forced ventilation systems to keep concentrations below the lower flammable limit. 

“Explosion venting is not mandatory [in NFPA 855], but it is one of the permitted methods for achieving explosion control,” explains Brazier. “Because venting is often a comparatively economical solution, it receives significant attention and is frequently viewed as the preferred cost-effective approach.”

According to Brazier, vent selection is determined through an evaluation of the enclosure’s size and structural capacity, the design strength, and the total vent area necessary to maintain internal forces within allowable limits. 

Companies like BS&B Safety Systems are able to provide technical guidance throughout the specification process to help identify the appropriate explosion vent configurations, and materials to support an effective venting strategy aligned with applicable codes and standards. 

“By working methodically through these parameters, the correct design approach can be established with confidence, aligning performance, safety, and compliance objectives,” says Brazier.

BS&B Safety Systems | https://bsbsystems.com/

 

The Mobility House Powers Porterville Unified School District's Fleet Electrification with Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Technology
Jul 08, 2026

The Mobility House Powers Porterville Unified School District's Fleet Electrification with Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Technology

Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) is set to develop a comprehensive solar, battery energy storage, microgrid, and electric vehicle (EV) fleet charging project to meet the District’s intersecting energy, transportation, and resilience needs with clean, renewable, lower-cost electricity.  To develop the project, PUSD has partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale renewable energy solutions, as well as The Mobility House (TMH), an independent charge management provider. The project is being funded in part via a U.S. EPA Clean School Bus (CSB) Program grant, which the District secured with support from CALSTART, a nonprofit organization that connects businesses, government agencies, and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of clean transportation technologies.

The PUSD Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid will include a 763 kW solar array mounted on existing shade structures at the District’s north and south parking lots, along with a 408 kW / 1632 kWh battery storage system to store solar energy, provide resiliency, and discharge power to shave peak demand. A microgrid controller will enable the facility to disconnect from Southern California Edison’s electrical grid when needed, drawing power directly from the District’s on-site solar energy and battery storage assets. 

The solar-plus-storage system will support 35 DC fast charger ports to serve the District’s planned fleet of electric school buses. These fast chargers will be connected to The Mobility House’s charge management system, ChargePilot®, which will enable the fleet to draw power directly from PUSD’s on-site energy systems in tandem with grid electricity. The EV charging infrastructure will also include eight charging ports in the north parking lot that will serve the District’s “white fleet.” Two of the eight chargers will feature bi-directional charging capability, which enables an EV to function as a “battery on wheels,” storing and discharging power back to the grid with vehicle-to-grid services (V2G). V2G technology will help the District support grid resilience, offset energy expenses, and extend an additional clean energy resource to students, staff, and the broader community. 

Both V2G and microgrid technologies are integral to Porterville’s resiliency strategy, which includes protecting the broader community in the event of emergencies and power outages, such as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.

“We are excited to advance this important infrastructure project, which supports the District’s long-term goals for sustainability, energy resiliency, and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said Brad Rohrbach, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Porterville Unified School District. “This project represents a significant investment in our students, schools, and community, while helping position the District for a more efficient and sustainable future. We are grateful to CALSTART for their critical support in helping the District secure this grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We also appreciate the partnership and expertise provided by ForeFront Power and The Mobility House.”  

Upgrading the District Fleet, A Community Lifeline 

Located in Tulare County in California’s Central Valley, the Porterville region experiences some of the nation’s worst air quality, which disproportionately affects student respiratory health. PUSD serves more than 14,000 TK–12 students across 22 campuses, 88.9% of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged households, making the District’s transportation fleet a critical lifeline for many students who rely on school buses for access to education and extracurricular activities. In response to these conditions and rising energy costs, the District launched its PUSD Energy & Sustainability Program in 2019, aiming to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions by 80% by 2030, and is pursuing this EV infrastructure project as a key pillar of the program.

Once complete, the 1,171‑kW solar, battery storage, and microgrid system is expected to produce nearly 1,425,000 kWh of clean, renewable electricity annually. This onsite generation, combined with smart dispatch of the battery and V2G resources, is designed to offset approximately 80% of the District facilities’ electricity consumption—including the anticipated annual SCE utility bill for electric bus charging—and avoid an estimated 21,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions over the 30‑year project lifecycle. The District’s plan to transition all school buses to electric by 2035 will save an additional 15,000 metric tons in avoided CO₂ emissions from reduced tailpipe pollution, bringing their total expected CO₂ emissions reduction over the same 30-year period to approximately 37,000 metric tons. This is equivalent to the GHG emissions from over 3.6 million gallons of diesel fuel burned.

Public-Private Partnership Enables Long-Term Budget Certainty and Savings on Electricity and Fuel 

Designed, engineered, and developed by ForeFront Power, the future project is designed for an expected lifetime of 30 years. During this period, PUSD will partner with ForeFront Power for ongoing Asset Management services. This project will provide PUSD with budget certainty while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to power its fleet. The transition to electric buses will lower fuel and maintenance costs and provide long-term savings over the project’s lifetime, protecting PUSD’s budget from increasing diesel and utility rates.

“We applaud Porterville USD for pursuing this innovative project for zero-emission infrastructure,” said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO at ForeFront Power. “When complete, this clean energy portfolio will serve as a national model for how vulnerable communities can mitigate rising energy and fuel costs, improve public health, meet ambitious climate goals, and protect themselves from climate emergencies.”

"We are glad to be a part of such an innovative and ambitious project to benefit the school district and community of Porterville,” said Greg Hintler, CEO of The Mobility House North America. “Clean energy technologies such as solar microgrids, electric school buses, and V2G have enormous potential to provide clean and affordable energy and transportation solutions for school districts and communities across the country.”

U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Delivers for Porterville 

The upcoming project is anchored by a major federal investment through the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Porterville Unified School District has secured federal grant funding to replace diesel buses with zero‑emission buses and install fast charging and clean energy infrastructure. As part of this award, the EPA funds Porterville USD directly, and CALSTART serves as the District’s technical and project management partner—handling implementation support, monitoring and reporting, workforce and community programs, and positioning the District for future federal and state grant opportunities. PUSD has also pursued other funding opportunities including California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission’s Zero Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) incentive project.

“PUSD’s commitment to decarbonize their fleet is transformational for the San Joaquin Valley, for the broader Porterville community, and for school districts that are navigating similar transitions. Funding programs that reduce capital costs are critical to make these school electrification projects possible.” said Valerie Thorsen, P.E., Regional Director at CALSTART. “PUSD is not only transitioning their fleet, but they have also provided EV internships in partnership with Climate Action Pathways for Schools and are actively enabling clean energy jobs through their Academy of Energy and Resource Occupations (AERO) Pathways Program.”

Procurement Assisted by Joint Power Authority SPURR and the PAVE Program 

PUSD procured its Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid by leveraging the Procurement Assistance for Vehicle Electrification (“PAVE”) Program. The PAVE Program is managed by SPURR, a joint powers authority dedicated to helping the California public sector control and reduce utility expenses. PAVE is designed to help public agencies streamline the procurement process for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure through an easy infrastructure roadmap and a single source for planning, installation, and management of complicated multi-phase EV charging infrastructure projects. Through PAVE’s integrated RFP process, the District selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its EV charging infrastructure project, and The Mobility House (TMH) as its charge management technology provider.

Advancing PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) Student Initiative 

This upcoming project will also advance PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) initiative by linking classroom learning, career pathways, and real-world clean energy infrastructure. Through CAPS-aligned project-based units, energy audits, and analysis of the District’s solar, energy storage, and EV charging systems, students will use the campus as a living lab to build skills in renewable energy, sustainability, and conservation. Porterville USD, ForeFront Power, CALSTART, and The Mobility House have also developed a community outreach program to educate local residents on the clean transportation and air quality benefits of the microgrid and EV transportation infrastructure, along with hands-on CAPS internships that provide experience in zero-emission fleet operations while advancing district climate and sustainability goals.

Porterville Unified School District | https://www.portervilleschools.org/

ForeFront Power | www.forefrontpower.com

The Mobility House | https://www.mobilityhouse.com/usa_en/

 

 

New York Surpasses 8 GW of Distributed Solar, Leads Nation in Community Solar
Jul 08, 2026

New York Surpasses 8 GW of Distributed Solar, Leads Nation in Community Solar

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that New York State has installed 8 gigawatts (GW) of distributed solar, putting the state ahead of schedule for its goal of reaching 10 GW by 2030. The milestone has generated approximately $12.2 billion in private investment and supported more than 16,000 jobs statewide. The 8 GW of distributed solar, supported by community solar and the state’s NY-Sun Program, is enough to power more than 1.3 million homes and businesses across the state. More than 276,000 projects are currently operating, with another 2.7 GW in development.

New York holds 35% of the nation’s community solar capacity, making it the top community solar market in the country.

“New York continues to set the bar high as we mark another milestone for solar within our communities across the state,” said Governor Kathy Hochul, in a statement. “This is low-cost, reliable clean energy that is delivering cost savings for families and businesses while expanding the availability of renewable energy which benefits our environment, our economy and contributes to New York’s diverse energy resource mix.”

After achieving its original 6 GW target a year ahead of schedule in 2024, New York installed a record-breaking 1.28 GW of solar in 2025 alone. Last summer, solar generation helped save New Yorkers an estimated $90 million by lowering demand on the grid during peak periods.

On June 3, 2026, New York set a new solar generation record when solar supplied approximately 29% of statewide electricity demand during the noon hour.

New York’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget includes $200 million to further expand the state’s solar programs and continue improving energy affordability for all residents.

Read more here.

Office of Governor of NY | https://www.governor.ny.gov/

Stardust Solar Expands Ontario Franchise Network with New Kitchener-Waterloo Location Led by Master Electricians
Jul 08, 2026

Stardust Solar Expands Ontario Franchise Network with New Kitchener-Waterloo Location Led by Master Electricians

Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) (OTCQB: SUNXF) (FSE: 6330) ("Stardust Solar" or the "Company"), a leading North American renewable energy company and franchisor, announces the launch of a new franchise serving the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario, led by Master Electricians Corey Hakkers and Dallas Roth.

Corey Hakkers and Dallas Roth are the co-founders and owners of ROHR Electric, a well-established electrical contracting company serving residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers throughout the Waterloo Region and surrounding communities. The combination of their electrical expertise and Stardust Solar's proven solar platform positions the new franchise to capitalize on growing demand for solar energy solutions in one of Canada's most dynamic economic regions. 

"We are excited to welcome Corey and Dallas to the Stardust Solar family," said Mark Tadros, Founder and CEO of Stardust Solar. "Their strong reputation, technical expertise, and deep roots within the Kitchener-Waterloo business community make them an ideal fit for our growing franchise network. "As demand for energy independence and commercial solar solutions continues to grow, Corey and Dallas bring the expertise, reputation, and local market knowledge needed to serve the region effectively."

Founded in 2017, ROHR Electric was built on a commitment to quality workmanship, safety, reliability, and long-term customer relationships. Both Corey and Dallas are Master Electricians who have successfully grown the business while serving a diverse range of residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial clients throughout Southwestern Ontario. 

"Joining Stardust Solar is a natural extension of what we already do," said Corey Hakkers, Co-Owner of the new Stardust Solar Kitchener-Waterloo franchise. "Our customers are increasingly interested in reducing energy costs and gaining greater control over their energy future. By combining ROHR Electric's electrical expertise with Stardust Solar's training, systems, and renewable energy platform, we can deliver a complete solution that helps homeowners and businesses achieve their energy goals." 

"The solar industry continues to present significant opportunities, particularly as electricity costs rise and more organizations look for sustainable energy solutions," added Dallas Roth, Co-Owner of the franchise. "We are excited to bring Stardust Solar's offerings to the Kitchener-Waterloo market and help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the region while continuing to provide the high-quality service our customers have come to expect." 

The new franchise will provide residential and commercial solar solutions, battery storage systems, EV charging infrastructure, and related renewable energy services throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding communities. The addition of Kitchener-Waterloo further strengthens Stardust Solar's growing North American franchise network as the Company continues executing its strategy of expanding through experienced local operators while generating recurring royalty revenue and supporting the transition to clean energy.

Stardust Solar Energy | www.stardustsolar.com

UNIGRID Ships First Sodium-Ion Residential Batteries
Jul 08, 2026

UNIGRID Ships First Sodium-Ion Residential Batteries

UNIGRID Inc., the ultra-safe sodium-ion battery company, announced the first deliveries of its first-generation sodium-ion residential energy storage systems (RESS), Na+Casa. The initial units have been installed in homes across Europe, with U.S. residential installations expected by the end of 2026, pending completion of additional compliance requirements for sodium-ion batteries in North America. This marks a major step in bringing safe, reliable, affordable, and lithium-free battery storage to both the European and U.S. residential markets. 

Today, battery adoption rates are climbing, and more homeowners are choosing solar-plus-storage systems for backup power and greater energy independence. Designed for a 25-year operational lifespan, UNIGRID’s advanced sodium-ion technology gives a safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting option for backup power, solar self-consumption, and long-term energy resilience that matches the durability of solar installations. Engineered for compatibility with most existing hybrid inverters, Na+Casa is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of residential solar retrofits. 

Built on UNIGRID’s proprietary NCO sodium-ion chemistry, the battery also supports a broader shift toward more resilient energy storage supply chains by reducing dependence on cobalt, nickel, and volatile lithium markets in favor of abundant, responsibly sourced sodium. Na+Casa is rated at 9.25kWh capacity and is already priced competitively with lithium-ion systems today. 

“As residential energy bills rise — especially during extreme weather events such as the record heatwave we are seeing around the world — homeowners need storage that is safe, reliable, and financially sound,” said Darren H. S. Tan, CEO and co-founder of UNIGRID. “With Na+Casa, UNIGRID is moving NCO sodium-ion from just a promising technology to a tangible residential storage product, giving installers and integrators a lucrative alternative to lithium-ion.”

UNIGRID’s Na+Casa is designed to give installers and integrators the option for:

  • Enhanced safety: Built on UNIGRID’s proprietary NCO sodium-ion chemistry, the system eliminates any possibility of thermal propagation due to its inherent safety.
  • Long-term value: Built to align with the expected life of most residential solar panel installations (about 25 years), Na+Casa is designed to become part of a home’s long-term energy infrastructure rather than a short-term add-on.
  • Extreme climate resilience: The battery operates across temperatures ranging from -40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F), supporting use in regions facing freezing winters, intense heat, or increasingly volatile weather.
  • Lower total cost of ownership: By combining an accessible price point, long lifespan, and simplified installation, UNIGRID aims to help homeowners avoid a mid-life battery replacement and make home storage a more durable investment.

UNIGRID | https://unigridbattery.com/

Energy Department Closes Loan to AEP Texas, Delivering Millions in Electricity Cost Savings for Texans
Jul 08, 2026

Energy Department Closes Loan to AEP Texas, Delivering Millions in Electricity Cost Savings for Texans

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) announced it has closed a loan up to $3.26 billion to AEP Texas to lower electricity costs and strengthen and modernize the Texas grid. Thanks to President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the investment will save more than one million Texas households and businesses approximately $685 million in electricity costs over the next 30 years, improve grid reliability, create thousands of jobs, and help ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

“President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act is driving investments that strengthen America’s energy infrastructure while lowering costs for hardworking families,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “This investment will modernize Texas’ electric grid, support the energy needed for AI, advanced manufacturing, the Permian Basin, and help keep electricity costs down for Texans.” 

In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, the loan will finance approximately 100 transmission projects across Texas, including rebuilding or reconductoring existing transmission lines, and constructing new transmission infrastructure spanning roughly 2,800 miles. 

These projects will double the power-carrying capacity of upgraded transmission infrastructure, reduce power interruptions, and connect new sources of reliable baseload generation to the grid. By expanding transmission capacity, the projects will help meet rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers, advanced manufacturing, and oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin. 

This loan marks the Trump Administration’s third concurrent conditional commitment and financial close, and the third utility financing completed through the Energy Dominance Financing Program.  

Under President Trump’s leadership, EDF is committed to financing American energy and manufacturing projects that meaningfully contribute to U.S. energy security, grid reliability, and lowering costs for all Americans. EDF empowers the private sector to invest in the future, win the AI race, strengthen American industry, and restore American Energy Dominance.  

EDF | https://www.energy.gov/EDF

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Protecting Components from Snow, Wind, and Seismic Loads

Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and blizzards have increased over the past several years. Alongside this trend, the need to protect critical onsite energy storage equipment has grown in order to maintain grid reliabi....

John Whalen

Jul 08, 2026

SMT Energy and Axpo Partner on Seven-Year Battery Storage Swap Agreement

Jul 08, 2026

Explosion Prevention and Protection for BESS Enclosures

Jul 08, 2026

The Mobility House Powers Porterville Unified School District's Fleet Electrification with Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Technology

Jul 08, 2026

UNIGRID Ships First Sodium-Ion Residential Batteries

Jul 08, 2026

Energy Procurement is More Important than Ever: TruGrid Releases New Article on How Sourcing Decisions Impact Project Bankability

Jul 08, 2026

ESS Introduces Bridge, a Modular Sodium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System for Grid-Scale, Data Center, and Commercial Applications

Jul 08, 2026

ChargeHub Expands Relationship with Nissan, Extending Passport Hub Integration to U.S. Market

Jul 07, 2026

Peak Power Brings 3.6 MW Battery Energy Storage Project Online at Vuteq Canada’s Woodstock Manufacturing Facility

Jul 06, 2026
Balancing Strength, Stability, and Resilience: Choosing the right conductor for the weather

From extreme ice in the Midwest to the high winds in the Southeast, extreme weather is becoming more frequent and consequential for utilities and the communities they impact. For decades, choosing a conductor often centered on ampacity, cost, and sta....

Alternative Energies Jul 03, 2026
5 min read
Understanding the Gap Between Monitoring Platforms Vs. Investment-Grade Asset Management

Monitoring platforms tell you how an asset performs. Investment-grade asset management tells you whether the investment is working, and what to do about it when it isn't. Most renewable energy monitoring platforms have the same basic architecture:....

Eric Baller

Alternative Energies Jun 27, 2026
5 min read
Controlled Liquid Hydrogen Storage: The backbone of decentralized energy

Energy transition is entering a new phase, defined less by how energy is generated and more by how it is stored, managed, and delivered. As energy systems become increasingly decentralized, the ability to provide reliable, high-density, long-duration....

Greg Gosnell

Jul 08, 2026

Energy Department Closes Loan to AEP Texas, Delivering Millions in Electricity Cost Savings for Texans

Jul 08, 2026

GameChange Energy Transformers Receive Independent Technical Validation from Black & Veatch

Jul 07, 2026

Vema Hydrogen and SAF+ International Group Partner to Produce Synthetic Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Canada’s Aviation Industry

Jul 07, 2026

EverLine Names Infrastructure Veteran Ed Wiegele Chief Executive Officer to Accelerate Growth Across Critical Infrastructure Markets

Jul 07, 2026

Yokogawa Awarded Main Automation Contractor Role for Commonwealth LNG Project

Jul 07, 2026

Capstone Energy+ Announces Nasdaq Listing as Company Continues Strategic Transformation

Jul 07, 2026

With 84 Next-Generation Containers, Lhyfe Continues to Strengthen the Operational Capacity of its Green Hydrogen Supply Chain in Europe

Jul 06, 2026

BBA Consultants Strengthens its U.S. Power and Renewables Presence with a New Office in Tucson, Arizona