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

Flender is excited to announce a significant upgrade to its Cambridge, Canada service center. The drive manufacturer is merging the Industry and Wind repair businesses at this location, equipping the facility with additional optimized tools, and increasing output capacity. This integration will streamline the company’s operations in Canada, enhance efficiency, and enable for better serving the customers across both sectors.

With the extension of the Cambridge location, Flender is increasing its assembly capacity for the Canadian market. Located close to Toronto, Cambridge is becoming the hub for the Canadian Wind and Industry service business. The layout changes will provide additional floor space and crane capacity, as well as upgraded equipment and tooling. This includes overhead and free-standing cranes, a high-performance press, a state-of-the-art power washing station, and precision surface grinding equipment.

Previously, some service repairs in the industry business were handled offsite. By bringing these repairs in-house, Flender can streamline processes and offer a more integrated service to customers.

The new layout and added capacity will enable for handling significantly more assemblies and disassembles per month for both Wind and Industry.

Benefits of the Cambridge facility expansion:

• Increased capacity: Expanded floor space and equipment allow for handling more assemblies and disassembles each month.
• Maximized efficiency: Streamlined workflows and unified operations reduce turnaround times and improve service quality.
• Better use of space: Optimized facility layout ensures every square foot is used effectively.
• Improved tools and equipment: Upgraded tools and crane capacity enhance technical capabilities.
• Unified operations: Bringing previously outsourced repairs in-house enables a more integrated and consistent service.
• More storage space: Additional floor area provides room for parts, tools, and completed units.

This expansion is a major step forward for the Cambridge service center. By consolidating operations, investing in better equipment, and adopting efficient workflows, Flender is positioned for future growth and success. The company looks forward to the positive impact this project will have on customers, employees, and partners.

Flender | https://www.flender.com/

GenH2 Corp., a Path2 Hydrogen Company (PTHH) and leader in liquid hydrogen infrastructure solutions, announced that Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2, will be a featured speaker at Hydrogen Day 2025, presented by the Energy Institute at The University of Texas in Austin. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 8, at 5 p.m.

Celebrated annually on October 8 (10/08) to align with hydrogen’s atomic weight (1.008 amu), Hydrogen Day shines a national spotlight on hydrogen as a critical energy carrier. Hydrogen Day 2025 at The University of Texas will bring together leaders from industry, government, and academia to advance dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in the hydrogen sector.

Gosnell will join Brian Korgel, Director of the Energy Institute and Rashid Engineering Regents Chair Professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, for a fireside conversation titled “Between Two Cacti: The Emerging Global Hydrogen Market.”

“Between two Cacti” is part of a robust agenda of expert panels, fireside chats, and technical talks, all focused on hydrogen’s role in advancing decarbonization, ensuring energy security, and fueling innovation.

“I look forward to sitting down with Brian to discuss the big ideas that are shaping the future of clean energy, the potential of hydrogen, and the roadmap to large-scale adoption,” said Gosnell.

GenH2 | www.genh2.com

The Energy Institute | https://energy.utexas.edu/

The NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, announced the launch of GUARDIAN (Global Unified Assessment for Risk Detection, Intelligence and Awareness Navigator), a free and publicly available supply chain risk management self-assessment tool developed with MITRE to help energy storage companies strengthen operations, protect growth, and advance U.S. national security. GUARDIAN translates U.S., European, and global supply chain risk management practices into concise, actionable guidance. Companies answer a brief series of questions about current practices; the tool then prioritizes recommended next steps and generates a downloadable checklist so teams can move quickly on the highest-impact items.

Built for real-world decision points from lab to market, GUARDIAN is available in two tracks: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-5 (R&D/early prototyping) and TRL 6-9 (pilot/scale-up) so founders, spinouts, and scaling manufacturers receive guidance matched to their maturity. The result is a practical roadmap companies can execute and revisit as they grow to strengthen compliance, meet customer and investor expectations, and document risk mitigations across their supplier base.

The launch comes at a time when global battery supply chains face heightened geopolitical and market-concentration risk. Export controls, reciprocal tariffs, and single-source dependencies can strand startups mid-scale and deter investment. GUARDIAN points companies, and academic teams preparing to spin out, to resources to start identifying chokepoints, diversifying sourcing, and tackling the process disciplines that enable the resilience necessary to succeed in the critical infrastructure and defense markets.

“Our mission at the Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York is to drive leap-frog innovations for American-made batteries and to help build a secure, self-reliant U.S. battery industry”, said Meera Sampath, CEO of the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York. “Batteries are not just the backbone of modern technology, they support U.S. energy dominance, enable AI leadership, and are vital for our military and defense sector. GUARDIAN is a great example of how the Engine is driving U.S. competitiveness and national security in collaboration with industry-academia and government partners from around the country.”

“National security is inseparable from supply chain security,” said Fernando Gómez-Baquero, Translation Director of the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York. “GUARDIAN turns complex frameworks into a clear, prioritized to-do list that founders and executives can use immediately to build more resilient, U.S.-controlled energy storage supply chains that increase investor confidence.”

“GUARDIAN is designed to empower innovative start-ups, equipping them to scale effectively while strengthening U.S. industry and its supply chains,” said Charles Clancy, Senior Vice President, General Manager of MITRE Labs, and Chief Technology Officer at MITRE. “By leveraging industry expertise and publicly sourced content, this free tool delivers tailored best practices for supply chain risk management to the user. As an independent and objective partner dedicated to the national interest, MITRE is excited to partner with the Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York to address complex supply chain challenges and provide actionable guidance that enhances both industry resilience and national security. GUARDIAN unites industry and the federal government to tackle a shared challenge at the intersection of national and economic security.”

GUARDIAN is available today. To explore the tool and complete the self-assessment, visit: https://upstatenyengine.org/guardian-tool 

MITRE | https://www.mitre.org/

NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York | https://upstatenyengine.org/

Grenzebach Corporation, a manufacturing and engineering center of the multinational Grenzebach Group and the headquarters of Grenzebach North America, is now supporting operations at its Newnan, GA facility with solar energy. The industrial automation solution provider for the American glass and building materials markets entered into an energy agreement with Atlanta-based power company, Cherry Street Energy, which owns the system and sells the electricity it produces to Grenzebach. 

“For us, sustainability is not a buzzword—it’s a responsibility we embrace. Therefore, partnering with Cherry Street Energy to power our Newnan facility with solar energy is a natural step forward. We see our impact, not just in the industries we serve, but in the environment we share. This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to reducing emissions, driving innovation, and shaping a future where clean energy supports reliable operations,” emphasizes John Fluker, CEO Grenzebach Corporation.

The agreement allows Grenzebach to reduce its Scope 2 emissions and create an energy hedge as power rates continue to increase. Cherry Street Energy financed the $400,000 to construct the system, and will own, operate and maintain it for the next 25 years, selling the electricity it produces to Grenzebach. The system will offset approximately 30 percent of the facility’s daytime energy use. “Large energy users in Georgia face a balancing act of maintaining reliable operations and managing energy spend,” says Michael Chanin, CEO of Cherry Street Energy. “Our customers have taken the innovative approach of adding solar power to their energy mix, counting on Cherry Street to support their operations with reliable, affordable electricity.” 

The 378-panel system will produce enough energy annually equivalent to the electricity use of 30 homes, and offset over 170 metric tons of Grenzebach’s Scope 2 emissions. 

Grenzebach Corporation | https://www.grenzebach.com/en-us/

Cherry Street Energy | https://www.cherrystreet.com/

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the acquisition of ALLETE, Inc., the company that operates Minnesota Power. As part of the acquisition, the Commission ordered a comprehensive set of conditions that will provide substantial benefits for customers – including more than $200 million in quantifiable savings, protections and benefits.

Through this agreement, Minnesota Power customers remain protected under the full oversight and authority of the Minnesota PUC.

The acquiring entities, Global Infrastructure Partners and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (the Partners), along with ALLETE, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and a broad coalition of organizations including labor, clean energy groups, and consumer advocates have agreed to the conditions imposed by the Commission.

“This decision underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring reliable utility service at reasonable rates and protecting the public interest,” said Commission Chair Katie Sieben. “Importantly, ratepayers will not pay for this acquisition. We required stronger terms to make sure Minnesota Power customers continue to benefit from some of the lowest bills in the nation. We know how important affordable electricity is – not only for families, but also for the industries that drive Northern Minnesota’s economy – and we only approved this sale after adding strong provisions to safeguard those priorities.”

The conditions that the Commission ordered will provide immediate financial relief for customers, ensure long-term stability to the utility and its customers, and direct critical investments in the state’s energy transition.

Financial relief and cost protections

• $50 million in bill credits: The Partners must pay $50 million in bill credits to Minnesota Power customers. Minnesota Power will distribute these credits by 2032 based on a future PUC-approved schedule.

• $20 monthly discount and $3.5 million in arrearage forgiveness: Eligible low-income residential customers will receive a $20 monthly bill discount, and arrearages will be reduced to pre-COVID-19 balances or lower.

• Caps on utility profitability: The Commission imposed caps on financial metrics to limit the utility’s profitability and help reduce potential rate increases. Minnesota Power’s Return on Equity is capped at 9.78% until December 31, 2030, and Minnesota Power’s equity ratio in its capital structure will be capped at 53.0% until December 31, 2030.

“Freezing the Return on Equity is a vital tool to ensure customer stability,” said Commissioner Hwikwon Ham. “By capping this, we are preventing the acquisition from being used as a justification for excessive profit-seeking at the expense of Minnesota Power ratepayers, guaranteeing that the utility focuses on necessary, prudent investments rather than maximizing returns from the change in ownership.”

Clean energy and customer investments

Minnesota Power is required to meet the state’s Carbon-Free Standard Law. The Commission is ensuring savings by requiring future planning to be done in a cost-effective manner.

• $10 Million for a long-term residential energy bill mitigation fund: The Partners will fund a $10 million program to support weatherization and electrification for Minnesota Power’s low- and moderate-income customers. Funding for this program will come from the Partners, not Minnesota Power customers.

• Clean-Firm Energy Plan: Minnesota Power will file a new “Clean Firm Plan” in its resource planning docket, that considers changes from the acquisition. The new plan will use $50 million in new funding from the Partners and will be developed in consultation with stakeholders representing consumer groups, labor and environmental organizations.

“The $10 million dedicated to home energy efficiency upgrades is critical because it will build upon temporary bill relief and provide a permanent solution to energy affordability for hundreds of families,” said Commissioner Audrey Partridge. “Home energy efficiency upgrades lower household bills month after month, and improve the health and safety of homes, which is especially important for our most vulnerable citizens who are disproportionately impacted by high heating costs.”

Long-term oversight and worker protections

The decision also ensures robust long-term regulatory oversight and mandates specific protections for Minnesota Power employees and operations.

• Service quality and reliability: The PUC has a new way to hold Minnesota Power accountable for customer service and reliability. If the company fails to meet specific benchmarks, such as service reliability, complaint levels, Cold Weather Rule protections, or timely call response, it will face $250,000 under-performance payments per violation, with half of the funds going back to customers as bill credits and half reinvested to fix the underlying issue.

• Workforce and community stability: Extension of employee protections from two to five years, a continued Duluth headquarters, requirements to maintain local staff levels, and Minnesota Power must continue to prioritize local, union labor and require contractors to pay prevailing wages.

• Oversight and accountability: Majority-independent Board governance with Minnesota representation, expanded reporting and transparency, and compliance tools.

The comprehensive conditions imposed by the Commission demonstrate a deep commitment to ensuring the Partners' responsibilities are strictly enforced, that ratepayers are protected, and that the acquisition results in meaningful benefits to customers, workers and the community served by Minnesota Power.

For further details and to view the full discussion, visit the PUC’s website: September 25 meeting, October 3 meeting.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission | mn.gov/puc

Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, announced a landmark collaboration in Kazakhstan's 1 GW Mirny Wind Farm, Kazakhstan's first and most ambitious renewable energy project to date, signing a Letter of Award (LOA) to supply 124 of its advanced 6.5 MW wind turbines. The agreement was signed during Kazakhstan Energy Week in Astana, in the presence of project partners TotalEnergies, Samruk-Energo JSC, and KazMunayGas.

Developed by Aktas Energy, a partnership between TotalEnergies, Samruk-Energo JSC, and KazMunayGas, the Mirny project exemplifies how strategic investment, technological innovation, and international cooperation can transform a nation's energy landscape. With an estimated annual output of 4 billion kWh, the project will power over one million households while preventing 3.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually. With an integrated 300 MW / 600 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, it will also enhance grid reliability and energy security for the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Envision Energy was selected for its global leadership, cost-efficient solutions that make clean energy more accessible, and its strong commitment to local content and community engagement. The first turbines are expected to arrive in Kazakhstan by late 2026, with construction scheduled to begin the same year. Once completed, the project will not only reinforce Kazakhstan's energy security but also support the nation's pathway toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

"Kazakhstan is not only a vital partner of Envision Energy in the global energy transition, but also a nation with extraordinary potential to lead Central Asia toward a net-zero future," said John Lee, General Manager of Asia & Africa Markets at Envision Energy, "The Mirny wind project stands as a landmark example of how innovation and cross-border collaboration can come together to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. With our advanced 6.5 MW turbines, localized capabilities, and renewable-powered global supply chain, we are proud to support Kazakhstan's ambition to achieve 15% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Together with our partners, we are turning this vision into reality- bringing lasting benefits to Kazakhstan, the region, and the world."

"No nation or company can tackle climate change alone; it requires cross-border collaboration, technological excellence, and a shared vision," said Thierry Plaisant, Managing Director for TotalEnergies Renewables Kazakhstan, "With the advanced turbine technology, global expertise, and strong commitment to local content development, Envision Energy is the partner of choice for Kazakhstan's landmark wind energy project. Together with Envision, we are confident that the Mirny project will play a pivotal role in helping Kazakhstan achieve 15% renewable energy in its national energy mix by 2030, delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable clean energy while creating lasting economic and social benefits for local communities."

Envision Energy | https://www.envision-group.com/

On September 25th, Terrasmart hosted members from the Coalition of Community Solar Access, Solar United Neighbors, Nexamp, and the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati at its office in Cincinnati, Ohio. The goal of the event was to share how Terrasmart and the solar industry are supporting job growth across Ohio. Terrasmart is proud to be one of the 222 solar companies in Ohio, 83 of which are also manufacturers. 

 (left to right): Jessica Collingsworth (Nexamp), Ed McKiernan (Terrasmart), Carlo Cavallaro (Coalition of Community Solar Access)

As a key solar partner within Ohio, Terrasmart shared how they are helping to drive jobs within the state, including its new ground screw manufacturing capability, for which it added 19 new pieces of equipment and new skilled jobs in Cincinnati. During the event, the teams discussed how to best support community solar programs, like through House Bill 303, to ensure Ohio can drive towards energy independence. 

(left to right): Front: Christ Lantz, John Goetz, James Gross, Dustin Dulebohn, Ed McKiernan (Terrasmart) Back: Leslie Erion (Terrasmart), Myyia Williams (Solar United Neighbors), Pam Rincones (Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati), Greta Urbanek (Terrasmart), Carlo Cavallaro (Coalition of Community Solar Access), Jessica Collingsworth (Nexamp), Ben Urbanek, Ameer Abuhamdeh (Terrasmart)

In Ohio, the solar industry supports 7,788 jobs and deploys enough solar energy to power 724,122 homes annually (SEIA, 2025). Terrasmart purchases a majority of its steel from Ohio-based steel suppliers in Cleveland, Mansfield, Toledo, and Columbus. In addition, it partners with 14 Ohio-based companies for steel, tubes, fasteners, galvanization, shipping, and installation services. This supports jobs across the state including Columbus, Cleveland, Mansfield, Toledo, Ashland, Warren, Fairfield, Lebanon, Wooster, Sabina, Youngstown, and Aurora. 

Terrasmart looks forward to its continued partnership with Ohio leaders to drive the growth of solar programs across the state.

Terrasmart | https://www.terrasmart.com/