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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....
Energy Storage
Craig Tropea
Solar
Jonathan Lwowski
Solar
Steve Macshane, CESSWI
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will host the next editions of its flagship initiatives—the CEO Caucus and the International Solar Festival (ISF)—at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, from 3–4 July 2025. These platforms will bring together global leaders, innovators, policymakers, and community champions to advance the global solar transition and foster collaboration across regions.
Launched in 2024, the CEO Caucus and International Solar Festival (ISF) have emerged as key platforms shaping the future of solar energy deployment and innovation.
“The CEO Caucus and International Solar Festival are not just flagship initiatives of ISA—they are dynamic, global convenings for public-private collaboration, youth-led innovation, and transformative solar action. By hosting them at World Expo 2025 in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), ISA is deepening its commitment to transforming solar movement from Ambition to Action. While India’s progress offers a powerful role model for Global South — reaching 224 GW of renewable capacity as of April 2025, including 108 GW from solar— these platforms are about global momentum bringing together India, Japan and ISA’s 124 member countries by sharing stories, building partnerships, and enabling jobs led solar growth,” said Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General, International Solar Alliance.
The 2025 CEO Caucus, themed “Forging the Future of Solar: India-Japan Innovations for a Sustainable Asia’ will focus on unlocking new opportunities for cross-border investment, resilient supply chains, and clean energy innovation. A key highlight will be the India–Japan Solar Industry Roundtable, which will explore collaboration in battery storage, green hydrogen, and solar manufacturing—supporting India’s ambition of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. The Osaka edition builds on the first 2025 CEO Caucus roundtable held in Brussels in June, which explored Europe’s role in diversifying and strengthening global solar value chains.
International Solar Festival: Stories of Impact and Innovation — The second International Solar Festival will spotlight transformative solar stories from youth, entrepreneurs, and communities through:
• Young G Limitless: Leading the Solar Takeover – a spotlight session where young changemakers and technology influencers reimagine the solar future.
• Dastan-e-Aftaab (Story of the Sun) – a mesmerising cultural performance celebrating our shared solar heritage and the universal significance of the sun.
The Festival’s first edition in New Delhi (September 2024) attracted thousands and celebrated solar energy’s power to transform lives, fuel dreams, and empower communities. The Festival focused on four key themes: Youth Engagement, Gender Inclusion, Entrepreneurship G Private Sector Engagement, and Community Empowerment—amplifying underrepresented voices and harnessing the energy of youth and innovators to make solar both aspirational and accessible.
Scaling Up Global Solar Collaboration
Both platforms are now being positioned as annual global convenings for solar advocacy, policy dialogue, and investment mobilisation. CEO Caucus roundtables are also planned across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America C the Caribbean in 2025. Reflecting on these global platforms, Mr Khanna added: “The CEO Caucus and International Solar Festival are not just milestones—they are movements. They embody our belief that solar energy can unite nations, transform lives, and accelerate the sustainable future we all aspire to. Through leadership, innovation, and youth-led action, we are building the solar-powered tomorrow the world urgently needs. We invite stakeholders from across the ecosystem to join us in Osaka and be part of this shared journey.”
Event Details:
• CEO Caucus: Forging the Future of Solar: India-Japan Innovations for a Sustainable Asia:
3 July 2025 | Bharat Pavilion, World Expo 2025
• International Solar Festival: 4 July 2025 | Bharat Pavilion, World Expo 2025
ISA welcomes participation from government representatives, industry leaders, innovators, financiers, youth organisations, and civil society.
The World Expo 2025, organised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), is currently underway in Osaka, Japan, from April 13 to October 13, 2025. Themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Expo focuses on three sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. It serves as a global platform for innovation, collaboration, and transformative solutions to shape a better future. With 28 million visitors expected, the Expo is a landmark event driving conversations and action for tomorrow’s societies.
International Solar Alliance | https://isa.int/
Base Power, a fast-growing distributed energy company, and GVEC, a leading energy distribution cooperative in Texas, announced a partnership to deploy a utility-managed fleet of residential batteries, starting in communities built by Lennar, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders. The battery systems will be operated directly by GVEC using Base Power’s proprietary software platform. The agreement builds on Base’s ongoing collaboration with Lennar.
The partnership represents an innovative, utility-led model for utilizing residential battery systems to support the Texas grid. GVEC will dispatch the battery fleet using Base’s software platform to lower transmission and energy costs for GVEC members. Participating homeowners will get industry-leading whole-home backup and receive access to the Base app for insight into their system’s activity and backup performance.
“Today is an exciting milestone for Base as we expand our work with utilities across Texas,” said Zach Dell, CEO of Base Power. “Our model enables the rapid deployment of cost-effective distributed storage that is fully dispatchable for our utility partners. GVEC has been at the forefront of embracing technology to strengthen the grid, and we’re excited to partner with them to improve resiliency and reduce costs for their members.”
GVEC and Base will pursue qualification of the battery fleet for participation in ERCOT’s Aggregated Distributed Energy Resource (ADER) pilot program. This will allow the cooperative to unlock additional grid value while maintaining backup capabilities for participating members.
“GVEC is embracing new programs, technologies and partnerships that advance the growth of distributed energy-based solutions across our South-Central Texas service area,” said GVEC General Manager and CEO Darren Schauer. “We are excited to work with Base Power in offering our Lennar members the opportunity to build new homes equipped to incite long-term affordability and grid resiliency from the start. This is an inventive, modern way to meet the needs of our members and the energy industry.”
The pilot begun deployment in June 2025 and builds on Base’s growing momentum in partnering with forward-thinking utilities. This partnership with GVEC underscores the opportunity for distributed battery storage to be rapidly deployed to support grid operations. GVEC serves more than 100,000 members across a 3,200-square-mile region in South Central Texas.
Base Power | www.basepowercompany.com
GVEC | https://www.gvec.org/
The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to the release of the Senate reconciliation package:
“The legislation released today is a significant step backward from the progress made in the reconciliation process thus far toward providing some level of business and regulatory certainty for the companies that have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in new manufacturing capacity in the United States over the last several years. Members of Congress considering this bill should have no doubt that these dramatic changes will come at a cost to the communities across the battery belt, the southwest, and the industrial midwest that have received the majority of this investment and the 240,000 jobs that come with it.
“China now represents 40% of global automotive production. This year, China will make and sell more EVs than the total of all vehicle sales in the United States. To vote for this bill as written is to effectively abandon the goal we all share of making the United States globally competitive in the mineral, battery, and vehicle production markets of the future. The policies in current law that have been most effective in making progress towards this goal—most notably the stringently anti-China 30D credit, but also 45X, 30C, 45W, and the successful Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program—are either repealed outright or phased down so rapidly that China can see the goal line from here.
“These tax incentives have broad, bipartisan support, and we thank those Senators who have attempted to improve this bill. Most importantly, these credits have deep local community support in places that have suffered from disinvestment and offshoring of jobs for decades. Over the past year, we have seen momentum growing in the development of clean energy projects across the country that align with an all-of-the-above energy approach. The rapid elimination of these credits will not only create business uncertainty but will also disrupt the nation’s ability to attract future investment, innovate for the future in our energy and transportation sectors, reduce energy costs for Americans, and remain globally competitive for the next generation.
“Regardless of any prospective changes to law, ZETA and its member companies will continue to advocate for the undeniable benefits that a robust domestic EV and battery supply chain can generate for our nation. If America wants to maintain its global auto dominance, the Senate should hold firm against these dramatic changes and commit to pass legislation that supports investments in the U.S. economy and does not strip away new economic opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
Zero Emission Transportation Association | https://www.zeta.org/
The Senate unveiled its latest reconciliation text, which maintains dramatic cuts to key provisions of the Investment Reduction Act (IRA) designed to bolster American manufacturing, and additional technology-specific tax penalties. In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement:
“The proposed Senate package raises prices on everyday Americans, weakens our economy, and attacks American jobs in our shipbuilding, maritime and steel industries,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network.
“In an era where a diverse, ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy is widely acknowledged as the best path to mitigating skyrocketing electricity demand and matching Chinese AI ascendancy, the proposed legislation intentionally makes it harder to bring new power online.
“American mariners and skilled union laborers are actively installing 6 GW of new power generation – enough to power millions of homes – using components made in American factories aboard newly manufactured American vessels. Even more projects are ready to follow. This is what American energy dominance should be embracing. The Senate promised a course-correction; instead offered a bill that is overall just as harsh as the House counterpart, and will only stall needed energy generation, depress job creation, and raise electricity prices for American ratepayers.
Oceantic Network and its members—welders, engineers, mariners, and factory workers from 40 states—stand ready to power this nation. We call on Congress to stand with them, not against them.”
Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/
NEMA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Spencer Pederson issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Limiting Liability for Critical Infrastructure Manufacturers Act, which will protect electrical manufacturers and ensure the resilience of America’s electrical grid:
“At a time of skyrocketing electricity demand, this legislation will help ensure our nation’s manufacturers of critical grid components can continue to produce vital electrical equipment domestically that is essential to creating a resilient and connected power grid.
“The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires not only impact our nation’s power grid—they also pose legal challenges for manufacturers of critical grid components. Electrical manufacturers have already invested over $185 billion in domestic manufacturing since 2018. This legislation will provide much-needed liability protection from frivolous claims, greater risk management, and increased business certainty to American manufacturers that produce switchgears, transmission and distribution wires, transformers, and other critical grid infrastructure that is vital to providing on-demand energy to customers.
“NEMA thanks Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Thomas Tiffany (R-WI), and Robert Latta (R-OH) for their leadership and is proud to support this legislation at a time when the electrical industry most needs business certainty.
“The legislation is critical to maintaining domestic supply chain certainty for manufacturers to continue to provide equipment to utilities and further reduce dependence on unreliable and unfriendly foreign suppliers. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this bill into law and help ensure the reliability of the energy grid.”
National Electrical Manufacturers Association | makeitelectric.org
Sunergy Systems, an employee-owned residential solar and battery installation company, proudly announces its 20th anniversary. Since opening its doors in 2005, the company has remained a steadfast advocate for clean energy, helping thousands of homeowners and businesses harness the power of the sun across the Pacific Northwest.
For two decades, Sunergy Systems has led the regional solar movement with a reputation for exceptional service, cutting-edge solar technology, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. With nearly 3000 systems installed and more than 23.5 megawatts of solar power deployed, Sunergy has made a lasting impact on both the local community and the environment.
“Reaching 20 years is a milestone that speaks to our team’s dedication, our loyal customers, and the increasing importance of renewable energy,” said Howard Lamb, Founder of Sunergy Systems. “We’ve grown alongside a passionate community that values energy independence and environmental responsibility.”
A cornerstone of Sunergy’s longstanding success is its industry-leading SolarClad Warranty—one of Washington State’s most comprehensive solar warranties. This unique protection package offers 25 years on most system components, including manufacturer warranties for panels and inverters, 10-year workmanship coverage, and a 10-year Solar Production Guarantee. The SolarClad Warranty underscores Sunergy’s commitment to long-term customer satisfaction and peace of mind.
Sunergy is 100% employee-owned and locally operated, maintaining a people-first culture that values integrity, transparency, and technical excellence. The company has consistently earned top ratings and award-winning industry recognition for its craftsmanship, customer satisfaction, and sustainability leadership.
Sunergy Systems | https://sunergysystems.com/
Hubject, the global leader in EV interoperability, has partnered with Tritium, a pioneer in DC fast charging technology, to bring Plug&Charge functionality to Tritium's charging infrastructure worldwide. By combining Hubject's industry-leading Plug&Charge platform with Tritium's advanced DC fast charging solutions, this collaboration delivers the automated, seamless charging experience that will accelerate mass EV adoption by removing the complexity that can deter mainstream consumers.
The partnership combines Hubject's trusted intercharge platform and ISO15118 Plug&Charge expertise with Tritium's proven hardware and global footprint to simplify EV charging, making it as easy as fueling a traditional vehicle.
Unlocking a Frictionless Charging Experience
The partnership will focus on enabling:
The integration is being rolled out in phases, starting with key markets in North America, Europe, and APAC, before expanding worldwide. Tritium is also planning to enable Plug&Charge functionality on select existing charger models, extending the benefits to current installations across their global network
Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject, commented: "Tritium's fast charging technology and global reach, combined with Hubject's Plug&Charge infrastructure, is a powerful combination. As the EV industry continues to grow, we believe Plug&Charge will be a fundamental enabler of driver satisfaction and network efficiency. This collaboration is another important milestone in our mission to make Plug&Charge available everywhere.”
Arcady Sasinov, CEO of Tritium, added: "This partnership marks a significant step forward for the fast-charging ecosystem. Tritium's mission has always been to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles through superior charging infrastructure, and Plug&Charge is the next evolution of that commitment. By combining our field-proven DC fast chargers with Hubject's seamless authentication technology, we're eliminating barriers for drivers and delivering the intuitive, reliable charging experience the industry demands."
Hubject | https://www.hubject.com/
Tritium | https://tritiumcharging.com/
Energy Storage Jun 18, 2025
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