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

Caterpillar Inc. announced the results of a fuel flexibility project with District Energy St. Paul that successfully demonstrated a 2.0 MW combined heat and power (CHP) system with a Cat G3516 gas generator set using 100% hydrogen fuel. The CHP system demonstrated maximum efficiency consistent with high-performance generator sets operating entirely on natural gas.

Supported and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), the project was led by Caterpillar in collaboration with District Energy St. Paul and DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The project’s objective was to evaluate the solution’s impact on local air quality and highlight the reliability and durability of a hydrogen system. To fully assess every aspect of the hydrogen system under real-world operating conditions, power and heat from the demonstration project were fed into the Minnesota utility’s active distribution system. The system used 100% hydrogen fuel and 100% natural gas fuel for up to 200 hours with each fuel type.

“As technology in our industry continues to advance, we will need a range of fuels and energy sources to capture the optimal function and efficiencies of these energy systems,” said Luke Gaalswyk, president and CEO of District Energy St. Paul. “It has been exciting for our team to help advance the data on hydrogen use with a global leader like Caterpillar in partnership with the DOE and NREL.”

“The success of this CHP demonstration highlights our commitment to understanding our customers’ needs and delivering tailored energy solutions that help them achieve their energy goals,” said Melissa Busen, senior vice president for Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division. “This is a great example of our expertise and commitment to developing innovative solutions that help build a better, more sustainable world.”

District Energy St. Paul’s Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

District Energy St. Paul is a recognized leader in environmental and energy sustainability, earning a Global Sustainability award from the International Energy Agency and recognition from the United Nations Environment Programme.

District Energy St. Paul is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and has already made notable progress on carbon reduction targets over the years. The integration of renewable energy through CHP solutions using solar thermal and biomass has helped the system achieve nearly 50% renewable heat and reduced the system’s greenhouse gas emissions by 77% over two decades. These achievements were made possible in part through increased efficiency, enhanced customer building performance, improved data and controls management, and upgraded production with higher efficiency equipment.

Expanding Leadership in Hydrogen-Fueled Power Solutions

Caterpillar offers power solutions that help enterprises achieve their energy needs and sustainability initiatives. In addition to the G3516 fuel-flexible generator set used by District Energy St. Paul, Caterpillar’s hydrogen-fuel power technologies currently include a range of commercially available generator sets from 400 kW to 4.5 MW configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen by volume through factory-installed hardware and retrofit kits.

These solutions build on Caterpillar’s 35 years of enterprise experience in hydrogen fuels that support numerous power generation projects across multiple end industries, including gas turbines currently operating on natural gas blended with up to 80% hydrogen by volume.

Acknowledgement: This announcement is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), Award Number DEEE0009422.  The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.

District Energy St. Paul | districtenergy.com

Caterpillar I caterpillar.com

Leading renewable energy consultancy Natural Power has been appointed as the technical expert and client representative for Network Rail on the construction phase of the landmark Bloy’s Grove Solar Project - a first-of-its-kind initiative in which Network Rail will procure renewable power directly through a corporate power purchase agreement (CoPPA) with an independent power producer.

The project is now confirmed with EDF Renewables and has moved to the construction phase.

As part of its role, Natural Power is delivering comprehensive construction monitoring services, helping to ensure compliance with the technical and performance requirements defined under the CoPPA. These services include:

• Review of project design documentation including datasheets, single-line diagrams, and technical specifications.
• Ongoing construction oversight, with regular site visits to monitor progress and quality of works.
• Quarterly construction monitoring memoranda, benchmarking on-site progress against the final investment decision (FID) construction programme.
• Certification of milestones, including verification of construction and pre-commissioning requirements.
• Ad hoc site reports and risk assessments, as requested by the client, to provide agile support throughout the construction timeline.

William Delabre, Head of Solar at Natural Power, said: “We’re proud to support Network Rail on such a landmark project for UK infrastructure and the energy transition. Bloy’s Grove represents a model for future public-private partnerships driving sustainability at scale.

“This partnership underscores the growing task of technical consultancy support in securing reliable, long-term renewable energy supply across the UK's essential infrastructure network. Specifically, our role in this project ensures transparency, accountability, and technical rigour throughout construction.”

Natural Power has already provided technical support to Network Rail during the initial tender process which led to EDF’s Bloy’s Grove project being selected. The three phases of this work included helping to define technical specifications and evaluation criteria which aligned with Network Rail’s requirements, followed by undertaking technical evaluations of the submitted bids, and finally, providing support on technical matters during negotiations with the winning bidder.

The technical support provided included assessment of project development status, assessment of project construction timeline, review of technical interfaces with Network Rail and the energy supplier and providing input on performance guarantees.

Located in Swainsthorpe, Norfolk, the Bloy’s Grove Solar Project is a 49.9 MWac solar farm expected to generate 64 GWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power approximately 20,000 UK homes each year. The project marks a major step forward in Network Rail’s decarbonisation strategy, representing its first direct renewable energy procurement from an independent generator. The project is being developed by EDF Renewables.

Find out more about the project here: Going solar for a greener railway - Network Rail

With solar power being the largest renewable energy sector in the world, Natural Power has built a specialist team of solar energy experts that can look at the potential and development of new solar sites and deliver solar projects.  It offers support and advice on the successful development of solar and energy storage projects, from early-stage feasibility analysis to repowering and the optimisation of existing asset performance. www.naturalpower.com/uk/expertise/sector/solar

Natural Power | www.naturalpower.com   

In a strategic collaboration to accelerate the adoption of residential solar energy, EnergySage, the nation’s leading home electrification marketplace for clean energy solutions, announced its partnership with Third Act, a grassroots climate and democracy organization mobilizing older Americans as volunteers and activists, founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben. The partnership is designed to make rooftop solar more accessible, affordable, and understandable for homeowners across the country.

“We know local solar is smarter solar - but myths still persist,” said McKibben. “Solar power works—we now have states and countries proving every day that you can run modern economies on power from the sun and wind, and the batteries to store their power when the sun goes down or the wind drops. Solar power is now cheap—in fact, it’s the cheapest power we’ve ever seen on this earth, and getting cheaper by the month. But there’s a third reason to be excited about solar energy—it’s profoundly liberating, and enhances local democracy by decentralizing power and returning it to citizens.  It can stabilize the grid during climate disasters, lower energy bills, and cut pollution in the communities that need relief most. With this partnership, we’re making it easier than ever for people to take their power back - literally.”

To kick off the partnership, EnergySage and Third Act will host a free “Go Solar in 2025! Your Questions Answered” webinar designed to demystify the solar process and empower participants with knowledge about costs, savings, installation, and incentives. 

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 15 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT, and feature clean energy experts and a live Q&A to help you personally navigate the process and overcome obstacles to implementing solar energy at your own home. With Congress poised to eliminate the 30% solar tax credit in 2026, the best time to go solar is now. 

To register, visit this link. 

Through this partnership, homeowners can:

• Answer a few basic questions to determine if their home is suitable for solar.

• Receive multiple quotes from vetted local installers.

• Access personalized support from an EnergySage Energy Advisor—like a solar version of a healthcare navigator—to guide them through the process.

“Third Act has a unique and powerful voice in the climate movement, particularly among older Americans who want to leave a better world behind,” said Charlie Hadlow, President and COO of EnergySage. “We’re proud to support their mission by offering trustworthy tools and expert guidance to help people take real climate action at home—while also uplifting communities on the frontlines of the crisis.”

This initiative is part of Third Act’s larger movement leading up to Sun Day, a nationwide mobilization for renewable energy culminating in a dynamic day of action, art, culture, and public participation in towns and cities all over the country on September 21, 2025.

EnergySage | https://www.energysage.com/

Third Act | https://thirdact.org/

A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data belatedly released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reveals that the combination of solar and wind accounted for almost 96% of new U.S. electrical generating capacity added in the first third of 2025. In April, solar provided 87% of new capacity, making it the twentieth consecutive month in which solar has taken the lead.

Solar was 87% of new generating capacity in April and 78% year-to-date:

In its latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through April 30, 2025), FERC says 50 “units” of solar totaling 2,284 megawatts (MW) were placed into service in April, accounting for 86.7% of all new generating capacity added during the month.

In addition, the 9,451-MW of solar added during the first four months of 2025 was more than three-quarters (77.7%) of the new generation placed into service.

Solar has now been the largest source of new generating capacity added each month for twenty consecutive months: September 2023 – April 2025.

Solar + wind were almost 96% of new capacity added in the first third of 2025:

Between January and April, new wind has provided 2,183-MW of capacity additions, thereby accounting for 18.0% of new additions during the first four months of 2025.

For the first third of the year, the combination of solar and wind was 95.7% of new capacity while natural gas (511-MW) provided just 4.2%; the remaining 0.1% came from oil (11-MW).

Solar plus wind are almost a quarter of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity; all renewables combined are nearly a third:

The installed capacities of solar (11.0%) and wind (11.8%) are now each more than a tenth of the nation’s total. Taken together, they constitute almost one-fourth (22.8%) of the U.S.’s total available installed utility-scale generating capacity.

Moreover, at least 25-30% of U.S. solar capacity is in the form of small-scale (e.g., rooftop) systems that are not reflected in FERC’s data. [1] Including that additional solar capacity would bring the share provided by solar + wind to more than a quarter of the nation’s total.

With the inclusion of hydropower (7.7%), biomass (1.1%) and geothermal (0.3%), renewables currently claim a 31.8% share of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity. If small-scale solar capacity is included, renewables are now about one-third of total U.S. generating capacity.

Solar remains on track to become the second largest source of U.S. generating capacity:

FERC reports that net “high probability” additions of solar between May 2025 and April 2028 total 90,158-MW – an amount almost four times the forecast net “high probability” additions for wind (22,793-MW), the second fastest growing resource. Notably, both three-year projections are higher than provided just a month earlier.

FERC also foresees net growth for hydropower (596-MW) and geothermal (92-MW) but a decrease of 123-MW in biomass capacity.

Taken together, the net new “high probability” capacity additions by all renewable energy sources over the next three years – i.e., the bulk of the Trump Administration’s remaining time in office - would total 113,516-MW.  

On the other hand, there is no new nuclear capacity in FERC’s three-year forecast while coal and oil are projected to contract by 24,373-MW and 1,915-MW respectively. Natural gas capacity would expand by 5,730-MW.

Thus, adjusting for the different capacity factors of gas (59.7%), wind (34.3%), and utility-scale solar (23.4%), electricity generated by the projected new solar capacity to be added in the coming three years should be at least six times greater than that produced by the new natural gas capacity while the electrical output by new wind capacity would be more than double that by gas. [2]

If FERC’s current “high probability” additions materialize, by May 1, 2028, solar will account for one-sixth (16.6%) of the nation’s installed utility-scale generating capacity. Wind would provide an additional one-eighth (12.6%) of the total. Thus, each would be greater than coal (12.2%) and substantially more than either nuclear power or hydropower (7.3% and 7.2% respectively).

In fact, assuming current growth rates continue, the installed capacity of utility-scale solar is likely to surpass that of either coal or wind within two years, placing solar in second place for installed generating capacity – behind only natural gas.

The combined capacities of all renewables, including small-scale solar, may overtake natural gas within three years:

The mix of all utility-scale (i.e., >1-MW) renewables is now adding about two percentage points each year to its share of generating capacity. At that pace, by May 1, 2028, renewables would account for three-eighths (37.7%) of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity - rapidly approaching that of natural gas (40.1%). Solar and wind would constitute more than three-quarters of the installed renewable energy capacity. If those trendlines continue, utility-scale renewable energy capacity should surpass that of natural gas in 2029 or sooner.

However, as noted FERC’s data do not account for the capacity of small-scale solar systems. If that is factored in, within three years, total U.S. solar capacity (i.e., small-scale plus utility-scale) could exceed 300-GW. In turn, the mix of all renewables would then be about 40% of total installed capacity while natural gas’ share would drop to about 38%.

Moreover, FERC reports that there may actually be as much as 224,426-MW of net new solar additions in the current three-year pipeline in addition to 69,530-MW of new wind, 9,072-MW of new hydropower, 202-MW of new geothermal, and 39-MW of new biomass. By contrast, net new natural gas capacity potentially in the three-year pipeline totals just 26,818-MW. Consequently, renewables’ share could be even greater by mid-spring 2028.

"The Trump Administration’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ now being debated by the Republican-controlled Congress poses a clear threat to solar and wind in the years to come," noted the SUN DAY Campaign's executive director Ken Bossong. "Nonetheless, FERC’s latest data and forecasts suggest cleaner and lower-cost renewable energy sources may still dominate and surpass nuclear power, coal, and natural gas." 

FERC | https://www.ferc.gov/

FERC's 8-page "Energy Infrastructure Update for April 2025" was belatedly posted on July 1, 2025. It can be found at: https://cms.ferc.gov/media/energy-infrastructure-update-april-2025

For the information cited in this update, see the tables entitled "New Generation In-Service (New Build and Expansion)," "Total Available Installed Generating Capacity," and "Generation Capacity Additions and Retirements."

[1] In a September 12, 2023 news release, EIA stated: “More than one-third of U.S. solar power capacity is small-scale solar. … We expect small-scale solar capacity … will grow from 44-GW in June 2023 to 55-GW by the end of 2024.” See: https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/BTL/2023/09-smallscalesolar/article.php

[2] Generating capacity is not the same as actual generation. Fossil fuels and nuclear power generally have higher "capacity factors" than do wind and solar. EIA reports capacity factors in calendar year 2024 for nuclear power, combined-cycle natural gas plants and coal were 92.3%, 59.7%, and 42.6% respectively while those for wind and utility-scale solar PV were 34.3% and 23.4%. See Tables 6.07.A and 6.07.B in EIA's most recent "Electric Power Monthly" report. 

Western markets continue to suffer from a lack of positive signals in the short- term relying heavily on the success of upcoming auction rounds as they strive for net-zero targets, while China market creates a stable platform for investment says MSI. Total project cancellations, suspensions and delays in the offshore wind market have hit 300 GW as a combination of politics and economics take their toll on planned installations in the US and Europe according to new data published by Maritime Strategies International.

The US suffers from a vulnerable local supply chain but most damage to the industry will be done by the Presidential Executive Order to temporarily withdraw all offshore wind leasing within the Offshore Continental Shelf which will stop new offshore wind project development off the US coast.

To make matters worse for developers, projects that had already been awarded under the Biden administration are under scrutiny and threat of cancellation, such as the 1.5 GW Atlantic Shores project.

“Unfortunately for the US this is not a one-off with several wind farm developers re-evaluating or abandoning plans due to uncertainty around government support under the Trump administration,” said MSI Associate Director Todd Jensen. “This uncertainty will further undermine confidence of both wind farm developers and investors and looks set to remain whilst Trump is in office.”

High profile wind farm cancellations and delays have become a regular headline within the offshore wind industry. The latest coming from the US and Shell’s 1.5 GW Atlantic Shores project which was cancelled in June due to having its Air Permit revoked pending review, which pushed Shell to abandon the project.

In April Equinor also experienced difficulties in the US with its Empire Wind project being issued a stop-work order by the US Department of Interior. The order was later lifted in May, but such situations have seen some developers lose confidence in the US as a consequence.

All regions have been affected by cancellations and suspensions with 300 GW worth of projects having been cancelled, delayed or suspended, however, some of these have since been, or are due to be, re-evaluated and auctioned off in later rounds.

Europe accounts for 60% of cancelled or suspended capacity. In this case, Jensen points to the more advanced nature of Europe's offshore wind industry compared to other regions. “European governments and developers have learned harsh lessons from legislation, auction round strike pricing, cost inflation and supply chain constraints,” he adds.

Meanwhile China, as the world leader in offshore wind with over 40 GW of installed capacity, continues to show strong incentive for further growth with its government announcing it will be switching to new energy electricity prices based off market forces rather than government-set pricing. A benchmark will also be set and if prices vary too far from this level, settlements will be implemented to cover the gap, increasing stability and reducing risk for new investors.

Maritime Strategies International | https://www.msiltd.com/

Fronius USA is pleased to announce the release of the Remote Configuration and Configuration Report Features, using EPRI’s Common File Format (CFF), which can now be completed remotely via Fronius Solar.web. This new feature simplifies the DER interconnection approval process for solar installers by generating a professional, utility-ready document that includes all DER settings according to EPRI’s common file format.

Designed to reduce time on site, administrative headaches, and truck-rolls, this feature demonstrates Fronius’ commitment to providing solar professionals with innovative support for the setup and operation of the Fronius GEN24 and GEN24 Plus inverters.

Key Benefits of the Fronius Report Feature:

• Utility-Ready Documentation: Automatically compiles proof of DER settings typically requested by utilities for approval.
• Remote Configuration: Using Fronius Solar.web, you can now enter the user interface of  the inverter from virtually anywhere to change the DER settings and download the Configuration Report.
• Time-Saving for Installers: Reduces the complexity of proving DER settings via screenshots and spreadsheets.
• First in the Industry: Fronius is the first inverter manufacturer to offer such a feature built directly into its platform. Plus, there’s no cost to utilize this report.
• Instant Seamless Integration: The Configuration Report is available for instant download within the user interface of the Fronius GEN24 and GEN24 Plus inverters.

Fronius USA | https://www.fronius.com/en-us/usa

The 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow is coming to Opelika, Alabama, November 10-12, bringing together more than 200 local leaders from across the nation focused on rural resilience in energy, food, water, and healthy housing systems. Andrew Freear, Director of Auburn University’s acclaimed Rural Studio, will kick off the conference with an opening keynote address on resilience by design – the theme of this year’s Roadshow.

Based in Alabama’s Black Belt as a part of Auburn University’s Schools of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, Rural Studio has completed more than 220 community-centered projects and educated over 1,200 students. Its mission educating citizen architects combines hands-on student learning with research on sustainable and healthy rural living through projects focused on housing and infrastructure. “I’m honored to be part of this year’s Roadshow and to help highlight the creative, grounded work being done across rural America,” Freear said. “Research-based design is a powerful force for resilience in all ways—from residents’ health and stability to overall community well-being—especially when it grows from the people and places it’s meant to serve.”

“Rural towns and counties deliver the food, energy, water, and other resources America has needed to grow, but the contributions of rural people and communities to our nation’s success have been undervalued for generations,” added Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell. “The Rural Studio is a powerful demonstration of a different way to work by serving our neighbors through whatever we do.”

Auburn University’s Rural Studio will also lead a special field trip for Roadshow attendees, offering a firsthand look at both completed and in-progress projects. Highlights will include a new community library, an innovative wastewater treatment system, and housing research projects designed to enhance resilience to extreme weather and to support residents aging in place. Attendees will hear directly from the architects, researchers, and community partners bringing this transformative work to life. 

RURAL STUDIO TOURS DURING THE RURAL RENAISSANCE ROADSHOW

Tours of The Rural Studio locations will offer a tangible exploration of the Roadshow’s four thematic tracks: Energy Systems, Food Systems, Water Systems, and Healthy Housing. Each site visit will demonstrate how thoughtful, community-led design can strengthen resilience and improve quality of life in rural areas:

Energy Systems – Attendees will see how Rural Studio integrates both passive and active energy strategies into its designs, including a solar power array at the Rural Studio Farm and the use of earth tubes and solar chimneys in the Storehouse. These features reduce reliance on external energy sources and demonstrate how rural buildings can be designed to remain comfortable and functional while minimizing energy costs.

Food Systems – The Rural Studio Farm supports hands-on student learning and research into sustainable small-scale agriculture. Through food production on a farm designed for efficiency and resilience , the Farm helps meet their food needs while modeling how rural communities can increase food security through regenerative practices.

Water Systems – Roadshow attendees will learn about an alternative wastewater treatment system developed for Newbern, a solution to the lack of public sewer access in many rural communities. In addition, Rural Studio has experimented with water conservation strategies such as rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems at the Farm to illustrate how rural areas can manage water more sustainably and protect vital natural resources.

Housing & Health –Rural Studio’s research has long supported the design of  high-quality, efficient homes that are affordable for individuals with limited resources. These homes support aging in place, climate resilience, and financial well-being. 

Rural Renaissance Roadshow | ruralrenaissance.com

Groundswell | https://groundswell.org/