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

Turbo Energy S.A. (Nasdaq: TURB) (“Turbo Energy” or the “Company”), a global provider of leading-edge, AI-optimized solar energy storage technologies and solutions, announced that it has been selected to supply and implement energy storage projects in Spain with a total capacity of 366 MWh. The projects, valued at approximately $53 million, are scheduled to be executed over the next two years.

This large-scale initiative will be developed for a major industrial group in the construction industry. Turbo Energy will provide turnkey integration of the systems, along with its AI-driven energy management platform, for deployment across more than ten industrial facilities with varying technical requirements. These systems will help the factories optimize electricity consumption, enhance operational efficiency, reduce exposure to volatile energy prices and significantly advance the electrification of its operations.

“This landmark project underscores Turbo Energy’s position as a trusted partner in delivering cost-efficient energy solutions, highlighting our unique ability to integrate advanced solar storage solutions with an AI-driven digital platform,” said Mariano Soria, CEO of Turbo Energy. “By entrusting us with the deployment of our C&I systems across multiple industrial facilities, this project is not only validating our competitively differentiated storage technology but also enabling substantial operational cost savings. With this project, Turbo Energy is helping companies manage energy more efficiently and redefining how industrial energy is optimized across Europe.”

The SUNBOX Industry solar battery storage solution, introduced in 2024, is a patent-pending, highly scalable energy storage and management system designed for commercial and industrial facilities. It supports new solar PV deployments, expansions of existing systems, or direct rooftop connections to expand energy capacity with smart storage. Each system integrates with Turbo Energy’s cloud-based AI energy management platform, which automatically mitigates electricity market volatility by purchasing energy at optimal times and prices. SUNBOX Industry also provides configurable backup power during outages or periods of peak demand. With scalability ranging from 30 kW to 2,000 kW in power and 30 kWh to 4,000 kWh in storage capacity, the solution offers unmatched flexibility for both isolated and grid-connected projects. Notably, Turbo Energy’s brand-agnostic design allows SUNBOX Industry to be deployed seamlessly in existing facilities, while also enabling photovoltaic expansions to connect in direct current and share surpluses in parallel with legacy systems.

Through deployments of its proprietary SUNBOX Industry, Turbo Energy is helping industrial and utility-scale customers accelerate their decarbonization pathways, while strengthening resilience and competitiveness in an evolving energy landscape. Moreover, these major projects reinforce Turbo Energy’s strategic roadmap to expand its presence in large-scale storage solutions, providing value-added services that support customers in meeting their sustainability objectives and advancing Europe’s broader energy transition.

Turbo Energy | www.turbo-e.com

Ascent Solar Technologies (“Ascent” or the “Company”), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, announced the signing of a teaming agreement with Emtel Energy USA (“Emtel Energy”), a provider of graphene-based electrostatic long duration energy storage (ELDES). The agreement is intended to achieve mutually beneficial goals that would advance Emtel Energy’s energy storage capabilities and aid the proliferation of thin-film PV solutions in space environments.

Emtel Energy has developed a high-agility solid-state graphene battery alternative that circumvents the low energy density and swift degradation concerns that plague flow batteries. This durable power storage technology, paired with Ascent’s thin-film PV, will be instrumental in powering satellites, spacecraft and other space architecture.

“The Department of Defense and Space Force are in great need of durable, reliable energy production and storage technologies that can withstand the punishing elements of space,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. “Our lightweight, flexible thin-film PV, combined with Emtel Energy’s long-lasting energy storage technology, creates an ideal offering for these organizations as they seek out solutions that will stick around for the long haul while they continue to build out their space vehicle infrastructure.”

Ascent Solar | https://www.ascentsolar.com

Emtel Energy USA | www.emtelenergyusa.com

As utilities face surging demand from electrification and the advancement of artificial intelligence, Fourth Power, a flexible-duration energy storage provider, has secured $20 million in Series A Plus funding. Led by Munich Re Ventures, with follow-on investments from DCVC and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the funding will accelerate the commercial deployment of Fourth Power’s modular, utility-scale thermal energy storage system. The funding will support commissioning of an integrated 1 MWh-e demonstration using full-scale commercial components and is the company’s final step before customer deployments. Additionally, this capital will be used to deepen partnerships with suppliers and customers further and grow the customer pipeline.

“We’re in a race between the growing need for reliable electricity and the grid's ability to provide it quickly and affordably. Existing solutions are too slow to deploy, too expensive for customers, and oftentimes both,” said Arvin Ganesan, CEO of Fourth Power. “Fourth Power offers a new path forward: scalable, flexible-duration energy storage built from abundant domestic materials. It’s how we deliver reliability at a price point that works—for energy providers, their customers, and the future of the grid.”

Since its $19 million Series A in 2023, Fourth Power has doubled its team size and achieved breakthrough engineering milestones that validate its commercial readiness. The company constructed three large-scale, accelerated life test rigs to validate the durability, safety, and lifetime performance of its subsystems at temperatures up to 2400°C. Further advances include demonstrating a self-lubricating graphite pump for moving molten tin, high-pressure-rated graphite fittings for liquid metal containment, and a scalable inert gas enclosure system.

“Fourth Power is solving a grid problem that’s very real and very near-term, and they’re doing it with a system that’s safer, cheaper, and dramatically more scalable than anything we’ve seen in this category,” shares Peter Ortez, principal at Munich Re Ventures. "We focus on companies tackling the biggest risks facing society. And we believe Fourth Power’s approach represents exactly the kind of resilient infrastructure investment the energy transition demands.”

A principal breakthrough of Fourth Power’s technology lies in its architecture. The thermal energy storage system converts electricity into heat using 2400°C liquid metal as a heat transfer fluid. It then stores that energy in carbon blocks and converts it back to electricity using proprietary thermophotovoltaics (TPVs). The company’s use of very high-temperature liquid metal for heat transfer achieves unprecedented power density, dramatically reducing overall system costs. Fourth Power's modular design separates power and energy, allowing utilities to add storage duration over time as needs change at just a fraction of the initial installation cost. This flexibility, enabled by storage costs of less than $25/kWh-e, allows Fourth Power's customers to grow with the grid, a key differentiator from lithium-ion batteries, where adding duration means duplicating the entire system.

“Fourth Power’s modular approach solves the fundamental challenge utilities face: how to build storage infrastructure that adapts as grid conditions evolve,” said Rachel Slaybaugh, partner at DCVC. “What excites us about the next phase is seeing their technology move from laboratory validation to commercial readiness.”

“This technology doesn’t just incrementally improve on existing solutions, but completely reimagines how we approach the problem,” said Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures. “With energy demand rising rapidly, we need storage technologies that can scale cost-effectively alongside that growth. Fourth Power’s flexible-duration approach is that kind of infrastructure-grade solution.”

With utilities across the country facing capacity shortfalls and aging infrastructure, Fourth Power's commercial timing aligns with urgent grid modernization needs. The company expects to announce its first commercial partnerships by 2027.

Fourth Power | gofourth.com

Munich Re | https://www.munichre.com/mrv/en.html

DCVC | www.dcvc.com

Breakthrough Energy | www.breakthroughenergy.org 

SolarKal, the nation’s leading commercial solar marketplace, released a visual guide breaking down the Treasury’s updated Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Safe Harbor rules. With the goal of helping CRE owners, developers, and investors quickly grasp key deadlines and requirements that could impact millions in tax credits, the graphic highlights the two compliance paths for small-scale projects (≤1.5 MW AC) and large-scale projects (>1.5 MW AC). 

(credit to SolarKal)

Key Highlights 

● Small-scale projects (≤1.5 MW AC): Either 5% safe harbor or physical work test; must start before July 4, 2026, with service deadline Dec 31, 2030. 

● Large-scale projects (>1.5 MW AC): Physical work test only; must start construction before July 4, 2026. 

● Continuity safe harbor: All projects must be in service within four years of start (unless excused). 

“After the Treasury’s update, CRE owners and developers are asking what qualifies, and by when. By translating policy into a simple visual, we’re helping the market see the two paths available and the deadlines that can’t be missed,” said Neil Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer at SolarKal. 

Key Highlights 

● Small-scale projects (≤1.5 MW AC): Either 5% safe harbor or physical work test; must start before July 4, 2026, with service deadline Dec 31, 2030. 

● Large-scale projects (>1.5 MW AC): Physical work test only; must start construction before July 4, 2026. 

● Continuity safe harbor: All projects must be in service within four years of start (unless excused). 

“After the Treasury’s update, CRE owners and developers are asking what qualifies, and by when. By translating policy into a simple visual, we’re helping the market see the two paths available and the deadlines that can’t be missed,” said Neil Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer at SolarKal. 

“This tool helps to visualize how project timelines will impact tax credit benefits, so CRE owners and developers can optimize the NOI delivered from any given solar project,” he added. 

For additional insights from the webinar or to understand how these rules impact CRE portfolios, contact [email protected]. 

SolarKal | https://www.solarkal.com/

Amprius Technologies, Inc. (“Amprius” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, announced it has secured a purchase order totaling over $35 million for its SiCore cells from a leading Unmanned Aerial Systems (“UAS”) manufacturer. This follows a $15 million purchase order placed in February 2025, underscoring the accelerating adoption of Amprius’ high energy density batteries.

Produced at scale while maintaining breakthrough performance, Amprius’ SiCore cells are engineered for the rigorous demands of UAS missions, from take-off through sustained flight to landing. With industry-leading energy-to-power performance, SiCore extends flight times and mission ranges beyond the limits of conventional lithium-ion batteries, enabling next-generation aircraft to achieve the endurance required for critical operations.

“This follow-on order of more than $35 million from an existing customer highlights both the trust we’ve built with leading drone manufacturers and the strong momentum behind our revenue and market share growth,” said Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies. “As a leading supplier of silicon anode batteries, we are delivering the performance that enables our customers to meet their most demanding mission profiles. We believe the next phase of UAS growth will be powered by advanced high-performance batteries, and Amprius’ technology, products, and manufacturing capabilities uniquely position us to capture a growing share of this rapidly expanding market.”

Amprius supports large-scale orders through its global contract manufacturing network, which now exceeds 1.8 GWh of secured capacity. This includes a strategic agreement in South Korea, that supports adoption across aerospace, defense, and electric mobility markets.

The global unmanned systems market was valued at $26.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $48.3 billion by 2030 at a 10.5% CAGR. Growth is primarily driven by defense, commercial, and industrial adoption, with UAS accounting for more than 57% of the market and North America contributing over 45% of global revenue in 2024. By combining industry-leading silicon anode batteries with established global manufacturing partners, we believe Amprius is solidifying its leadership in the future of electric aviation.

Amprius | amprius.com

Two New England leaders in the development of sustainable energy solutions – Veolia and Nautilus Solar Energy (Nautilus) - unveiled a 6.5 megawatt (MW) solar installation in Exeter, Rhode Island, named: “Exeter Mail.” The installation is one of three that supplies renewable energy to the Rhode Island electric grid, in exchange for utility bill credits for regional housing authorities, lowering their operating costs and ultimately lowering energy prices for public housing residents. Announced in 2021, the construction of the project is now complete, and all three solar installations are supplying green energy to the Rhode Island electric grid.

The collaboration between PHARI, Nautilus and Veolia is a first of its kind in the nation encompassing multiple public housing authorities under a single renewable energy contract. The Exeter Mail installation is the largest of three contracted by the housing authorities. 

Combined, the three sites exceed 13 MW, removing approximately 4,800 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, the equivalent of taking more than 1,000 cars off the road. The market value of the generation from the three projects will be distributed among nine housing authorities in Rhode Island (Providence, North Providence, Newport, Cranston, Smithfield, Warwick, Warren, Bristol and Lincoln) in the form of utility bill credits. The credits will generate a discount against prevailing electricity supply rates, which lowers the operating budgets of the housing authorities in a region with some of the highest energy costs in the U.S.^[1], benefiting both taxpayers and public housing families.

Located primarily in the towns of Exeter and Smithfield, the solar fields provide approximately 20 million kilowatt hours annually. The projects are estimated to save over $35 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

Nautilus has overseen the development, permitting and construction of the solar installation. The company will now look after the ongoing management, maintenance and performance for the life of the projects, estimated at 25 to 30 years. Leveraging its deep knowledge of decarbonization, power optimization, and solar generation, Veolia was selected by PHARI to serve as a buy-side agent for the collaboration of housing authorities to manage the procurement effort, advise technically and manage the complexity of the vendor selection process. 

The energy generated from the projects now feeds into the electric utility territory of Rhode Island Energy, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation. The completion of the Exeter Mail 6.5 MW field, the third of three that were contracted, marks the conclusion of this project. 

Karin Hamel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia’s Sustainable Industries and Buildings business said: “Veolia is proud to contribute to this transformative solar installation, which not only harnesses the power of renewable energy but also directly supports the well-being of thousands of low-income families in Rhode Island. This project aligns with Veolia’s GreenUp strategy. Producing local, low-carbon energy is a critical growth booster for accelerating ecological transformation. This project is a perfect example of how green energy can be used for good.”

Jeffrey Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Nautilus Solar said: “This solar installation marks an important milestone in our mission to make clean energy more accessible. By delivering the benefits of community solar directly to public housing residents, we’re pioneering a model that supports renewable energy goals while delivering long-term economic benefits to the local community. Rhode Island continues to be a key state for innovation in clean energy access, and we’re proud to continue growing our investment in the state while building stronger, more resilient communities.”

Robert Coupe, PHARI Co-President and Executive Director of Cranston Housing Authority said: “Every housing authority in Rhode Island is working to provide the highest quality affordable housing possible with limited budgets. Our partnership with Veolia and Nautilus dramatically reduces utility costs, freeing up valuable resources to invest in property maintenance, facility improvements and operational support. By supporting the growth of renewable energy projects, we are improving the quality of life for future generations while enhancing our ability to serve current residents.”

Veolia in North America | www.veolianorthamerica.com

Nautilus Solar | nautilussolar.com

Sion Power is making significant strides in the anode manufacturing process, addressing one of the key barriers to lithium-metal battery performance and scalability. By replacing conventional mechanical rolling with a proprietary vacuum deposition process, the company produces lithium-metal anodes with unprecedented control, efficiency and performance. 

Traditional anode manufacturing relies on mechanical rolling, which limits the lithium thickness to 30–50 microns and requires the use of lubricants and additives during production. This process is restrictive and inefficient, creating cost and performance challenges for next-generation batteries.

Sion Power has developed a vacuum deposition method that overcomes these limitations. The roll-to-roll thermal evaporation process deposits lithium directly onto copper foil at controlled speeds, allowing for the formation of ultra-thin and uniform films as thin as 2–3 microns. This flexibility allows for the precise tailoring of lithium thickness for various applications, thereby reducing material usage and enhancing cost efficiency.

Beyond thickness control, the process enables engineered surface coatings that enhance lithium stability and performance. In customer testing, Sion Power’s 5-micron films delivered twice the cycle life of comparable competitor materials, demonstrating a clear performance edge.

“Our ability to deposit lithium in films from 2 to 50 microns with custom surface treatments positions us as the leader in lithium-metal anode technology,” said Tracy Kelley, president and chief science officer of Sion Power. “This innovation provides a true scalable path to high-performance batteries.”

While other companies, including equipment providers, are exploring lithium-metal deposition, Sion Power’s approach is unique in its focus and maturity. Rather than adapting tools designed for multiple industries, Sion Power has spent decades developing and refining a process optimized specifically for battery anodes. 

The company has validated the scalability of its vacuum deposition process through customer engagements, including detailed throughput and cost analyses. The process is currently in use for producing anodes in Sion Power’s Licerion® large-format battery cells manufactured in Tucson, Arizona.

“With decades of expertise in lithium-metal, we believe our vacuum deposition method is the gold standard for thin lithium films,” said Kelley. “It is a U.S.-based solution ready to support commercial demand at gigawatt scale.”

Sion Power | www.sionpower.com