Protecting Our Grid Lines

Cargostore Worldwide, a leading global supplier of DNV and ISO certified shipping containers for onshore and offshore projects, has signed an exclusive global distribution agreement with Griffin Special Projects Ltd. to introduce the LiftaLoo, the next evolution in portable welfare units to the offshore market.

The partnership addresses a long-standing challenge in offshore operations; the lack of safe, hygienic and inclusive toilet facilities on structures like wind turbines and floating platforms. Despite industry efforts, this issue has continued to compromise crew well-being and site efficiency with personnel either having to wait for CTVs to return to the worksites before boarding and using the onboard facilities or making use of lower standard chemical flush solutions.

Now part of Cargostore’s global offshore product offering, the LiftaLoo enables a practical ‘one crew, one loo’ model, allowing teams to take welfare with them as they move from structure to structure. Weighing just 212 kg and measuring 2200mm x 1092mm, the unit features a LOLER-certified single lifting point and is constructed from recyclable Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). This eliminates the need for external aluminium framing, reducing weight and corrosion risk, and removes 8 out of 9 certification hurdles. The shatterproof LLDPE body is designed to withstand high-impact drops, ensuring durability in demanding offshore environments.

Engineered for the Ocean. Built for the Crew.

The LiftaLoo is the first of its kind to feature hot water handwashing powered by a patented low voltage rechargeable  battery system; enabling up to 224 hot washes per full charge at the UK Carehome Standard of 40 degrees. Each unit includes a full suite of welfare features designed to meet the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) strictest guidelines as standard.

Compliant features include an HSE-compliant sink, towel and biodegradable sanitary bin provision, patented magnetic-sealed toilet lid, raised toilet seat height with ergonomic heel step, emergency-releasable lock, ventilation, coat hooks, solar powered lighting (≥100 lux) and an optional water purification system to prevent stagnation and Legionella in the event the unit is to be left offshore for longer periods. There is also an 87-litre sealed discharge tank fitted as standard with anti-leak technology (DIN 16194-compliant), which is removable without the need for certified lifting equipment. Each 87-litre DIN 16194-compliant sealed tank accommodates as many as 72 uses*.

The patented single lifting point mechanism reduces lifting height by 80cm and eliminates the need for complex rigging and lifting making the unit quick and easy to deploy from vessel to platform and ensuring good ease of clearance over the rail. It is a rapid and easy to deploy solution which can be used alongside teams from CTV to platform and back to CTV as teams move around offshore assets. This ensures reliable access to high-quality sanitation wherever the job takes them.

Tangible Gains for Operators and Technicians.

Cargostore has estimated that offshore technicians can currently spend up to 45 minutes per  toilet break; owing to the time it takes for a safe ladder descent from the asset, vessel transfer, and PPE removal and redress. This costs operators an estimated 1.4 hours of downtime per technician per shift which equates to a 17.5% productivity loss.

By enabling safe, hygienic and immediate access to on-site facilities, operators gain not only efficiency by eliminating the need to transfer crew back to a vessel for toilet breaks, but also improved staff well-being, reducing stress and physical strain such as the risk of infection resulting in personnel sick leave.

With demand rising across both onshore and offshore wind, this innovation supports a growing need for fit-for-purpose infrastructure that matches the sector’s expansion. The Global Wind Energy Council forecasts[1] over 500,000 new technicians will be needed by 2028 to meet net zero goals, while only[2] 21% of offshore wind workers are currently women.

The LiftaLoo supports industry-wide efforts to create safer, more inclusive environments and improves retention in challenging offshore roles.

Ekaterina Burge, Global Business Development Manager at Cargostore Worldwide, said: “It’s well-recognised that working offshore places high physical and mental demands on personnel. Operators are committed to improving the working environment offshore, not only because of their duty of care but also due to the need to attract and retain a diverse new generation of talent to accelerate clean energy projects. A truly fit-for-purpose welfare solution simply did not exist - until now.

“Our new partnership with Griffin represents a strategic step forward allowing operators to continue to raise the bar for offshore working standards worldwide. This innovation redefines what’s possible; delivering the dignity, comfort and hygiene offshore technicians deserve with the flexibility, productivity performance, emission reduction and cost savings operators demand.

“The availability of such a unit for the first time at scale marks meaningful change for both personnel well-being and operational efficiency in the global offshore sector.”

Cargostore Worldwide | https://cargostore.com/

[1] https://www.gwec.net/gwec-news/global-wind-workforce-outlook-2024-2028-report-released#:~:text=27%20November%202024%2C%20Incheon%2C%20South,Council%20and%20Global%20Wind%20Organisation

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/industry-survey-women-in-the-offshore-wind-sector

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, announced that a consortium headed by APG Asset Management N.V. (APG), on behalf of the largest Dutch pension fund, ABP, and Australian Retirement Trust (ART) closed on Riverstone Holdings LLC’s (Riverstone) equity stake in the company. The previously announced investment has received all required approvals, and the consortium is now an owner in Pattern Energy alongside Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Pattern management. Financial details were not disclosed.

“Pattern is significantly strengthened by APG’s and ART’s financial backing and their supplemental growth capital, further positioning the company to meet critical and rapidly growing energy demand across North America,” said Hunter Armistead, CEO at Pattern Energy. “Our new partners value Pattern’s commitment to building reliable energy infrastructure while creating jobs and investing in rural communities as we advance our vision to Power the Future.”

“This investment in Pattern supports our client’s ambition to realize attractive, stable returns while making progress toward cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructure," said Steven Hason, Head of Americas Real Assets at APG Asset Management US Inc. “Partnering with Pattern and our new stakeholders reinforces our strategy to deliver long-term value while making a real difference day after day.”

“Our partnership with Pattern demonstrates our efforts to advance renewable energy infrastructure,” said Michael Weaver, General Manager, Mid Risk Assets & UK at ART. “This investment strengthens our expanding sustainable energy portfolio, aligning with our responsibility as a leading global investor. We are confident it will deliver lasting value for our 2.4 million members while supporting our Net Zero 2050 Roadmap.”

“As one of the founding equity partners in Pattern, we take pride in fostering the tremendous growth and innovation at the company over the past 16 years, and we are confident that Pattern is well-positioned for continued success,” said Yakov Tsveig, Principal of Riverstone.

Founded in 2009 by Riverstone, its affiliates, and current and former members of the Pattern management team, Pattern Energy has become one of the world’s largest privately-owned developers and operators of some of the most sophisticated clean energy and transmission projects in North America.

Evercore Group L.L.C. served as exclusive financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins served as legal counsel to Riverstone in connection with this transaction. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to the buyer consortium.

Pattern Energy | www.patternenergy.com

APG | www.apg.nl

A new insurance loss adjusting business, Green Partners Adjusting, has launched to provide specialist services to the renewable energy industry.  Green Partners Adjusting will work with Insurance Underwriters in the London markets and their Insured clients across the globe, to find common ground between insurance contracts and the need for rapid repair and replacement of renewable energy equipment.  

Founded by a team with over 50 years of collective experience in renewable energy loss adjusting and risk surveying, Green Partners Adjusting is led by industry veteran George Pooley, who brings over two decades of expertise from some of the market’s most high-profile claims in wind, solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and natural catastrophe (Nat Cat) events.  Green Partners Adjusting will sit within the VRS Vering group, leveraging the geographical reach and efficient administrative support of the global loss adjusting network.

As the renewable energy markets continue to rapidly evolve – with equipment increasing in scale, components passing into obsolescence as technology is replaced, and inflation continuing to impact broader supply chains – the cost of renewable energy insurance claims has continued to rise.

Coupled with increasing impact of natural catastrophe, with losses to onshore wind and solar from severe convective storms rising significantly, developers, asset owners and their insurance partners need the support of knowledgeable, responsive loss adjustors to expedite often arduous processes in testing for damage and auditing.

By providing a specialist clean energy loss adjusting expertise, rather than broader energy loss adjusting teams typically found in the larger firms, Green Partners Adjusting aims to better support Insurers facing a softer market under tighter premiums by saving time on the understanding and rectification of common issues through its extensive familiarity with varying equipment types. 

Additionally, by providing forensic accountancy services as part of its offering, Green Partners Adjusting can support Insurers in the complex modelling of delay in start up, business interruption and liquidated damages, ensuring Underwriters receive fair recompense for liquidated damages claimed under other warranties or contracts.

“We’ve launched Green Partners Adjusting because we believe the renewable energy sector deserves a specialist response,” said George Pooley, Managing Partner. “This is not a side offering for us, it’s our entire focus. We understand the commercial pressures, the evolving technology, and the critical importance of fast, confident decisions in high-value claims.  Our specialist understanding and experience in the sector means we can provide extensive support to Insurers and Reinsurers to help refine policy wordings, improve reserving accuracy, and support predictive loss mitigation strategies.”

“From understanding the precise cause of failure to mapping out cost-effective resolution pathways, including sourcing parts from the secondaries market, we aim to protect liquidity, shorten downtime, and deliver certainty to renewable energy stakeholders within the framework of the Insurance contract.” added Pooley.

Green Partners Adjusting | https://greenpartnersadjusting.com/

A groundbreaking innovation initiative led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is set to revolutionise battery electric truck charging. The project features real-life demonstrations of charging hubs to accelerate the electrification of heavy-duty transport. The aim is to establish a comprehensive European charging network for electric trucks by 2030. This pioneering project brings together a consortium of 19 leading European companies, universities, and research centres to address the critical challenges of sustainable heavy-duty transport.

Yancho Todorov, Senior Scientist at VTT, and coordinator of the MACBETH project at VTT’s heavy-duty automotive lab

Funded by the European Commission, the project aims to develop and demonstrate cutting-edge solutions for megawatt charging systems (MCS) in multi-user charging hubs. Availability of MCS will fundamentally transform how long-haul and high-utilisation heavy-duty electric trucks are operated. The strategic objective is to create a robust and efficient charging network in Europe that can support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the logistics sector.

“To create a functional charging infrastructure, we need to investigate many aspects, including various charging hub designs, hardware systems, plug standards, safety-enabling robot technologies, as well as practical experiences of logistics companies in operating electric trucks. The project will also explore new business models for charging infrastructure,” said Yancho Todorov, Senior Scientist and coordinator of the project at VTT.

Two large-scale demonstration pilots will test hybrid charging stations serving multiple users, including heavy and medium-duty vehicles in professional transport, as well as light-duty private vehicles, and conduct comprehensive research into the charging hub design, safety, and operational efficiency.

One of the project partners is the Finnish company Kempower, which designs and manufactures fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles.

"We're bringing crucial equipment and expertise to the table. Currently, megawatt charging infrastructure is very rare in Europe, and our technologies will be key to bridging this critical gap,” noted Ville Naumanen, Research Director from Kempower.

The innovation project aims to find new practical solutions through real-life piloting to ensure that electric charging meets the needs of heavy-duty logistics companies. One of the technologies under study is the testing of a robotised charging arm that could revolutionise the charging process by increasing safety in high-power charging systems. The Netherlands-based Rocsys’s goal is to create a solution where drivers can rest while the robot handles the charging, potentially improving overall logistics efficiency.

"The robotised charging arm will not only free drivers’ time and increase productivity but also enhance safety. Currently, drivers must exit their vehicles, handle heavy charging cables, and interrupt their break time. By automating the charging process, we're addressing critical ergonomic, operational, and safety challenges in electric heavy-duty transport,” said Joost van der Weijde from Rocsys.

With a budget of €10 million and a project duration from February 2025 to January 2029, the MACBETH (Multipoint megAwatt Charging for Battery Electric Truck Hubs) project represents a significant investment in Europe's sustainable transport future. The initiative also supports the European Union's European Green Deal objective of reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050. 

"The MACBETH project is not just about technological innovation; rather, it prepares new charging solutions towards large-scale deployment," said Research Professor Mikko Pihlatie from VTT. "It is an important step towards reimagining the entire ecosystem of electric transport, from charging infrastructure to logistics operations. Innovation projects that combine research and piloting like this are essential for scaling and commercialising solutions. They help advance climate goals, create new business opportunities, and drive growth across Europe."

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland | https://www.vttresearch.com/en

Castillo Engineering, a leading national solar and energy storage engineering firm, announces the appointment of Brett Beattie, PE as its new Director of Civil Engineering. Beattie brings more than a decade of experience in utility-scale solar and civil design and construction, including his most recent role at Moss, one of the largest EPCs in the U.S.

In his new role, Beattie will lead Castillo’s civil engineering operations and oversee the integration of a proprietary toolset that optimizes site grading to reduce costs, cut timelines, and improve field execution. Since grading often represents the most significant and most variable cost in civil construction, Beattie’s work will directly enhance project viability for EPCs and developers operating on complex sites.

As a senior subject matter expert at Moss, Brett collaborated with many major Engineering of Record (EOR) firms in the utility-scale solar space. Brett’s experience optimizing EOR designs, reducing earthwork, and identifying cost-saving opportunities for clients showed him a clear industry need for higher-quality designs – ones that are not only technically sound, but also more constructible and cost-effective in the field.

“Civil costs can make or break a project, and the difference often comes down to how intelligently we grade,” says Beattie. “Castillo’s thoughtful, pragmatic approach to engineering aligns with mine: we’re dedicated to solving real field challenges, including tight timelines and budgets, by thinking practically and intentionally about how these projects are built.”

Beattie’s proprietary Array Grading and Pile Optimization Tool, now being integrated into Castillo’s internal Design IQ platform, dramatically reduces unnecessary earthwork and associated labor costs. This system delivers faster, field-friendly outputs that streamline equipment operations and labor needs, delivering immediate ROI for EPCs and developers. In one recent utility-scale project, the system lowered costs by $1 million while shortening the construction schedule by nearly two months. 

“Brett’s civil expertise, particularly his ability to engineer with both the field team and the long-term end user in mind, is a perfect match for Castillo’s practical customer-first approach,” says Christopher Castillo, CEO of Castillo Engineering. “He shares our commitment to bringing pragmatic, impactful innovation to the utility-scale market.”

Castillo Engineering | castillope.com

Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling, announced the successful completion of the sale of its European battery distribution business to Endless LLP, a UK-based private equity firm.

The battery distribution division has been a meaningful part of Ecobat’s European portfolio, supplying a comprehensive range of batteries for various applications, including automotive, commercial vehicles, marine, leisure, and industrial uses. The distribution business has been instrumental in delivering high-quality energy storage solutions across Europe, featuring renowned brands such as Lucas, Exide, Varta, and Rolls.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of the European battery distribution sale to Endless,” said Tom Slabe, Ecobat President & CEO. “This transaction marks another step in our strategy to divest non-core assets and sharpen our focus on our core mission of sustainable battery recycling. Ecobat will continue to explore additional opportunities to maximize value for shareholders beyond the sale of the battery distribution division.” Mr. Slabe added, “We are confident that Endless’s experience and strategic approach will support the ongoing success of the battery distribution business for our employees, customers, and suppliers.”

Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisor and White & Case acted as legal advisor to Ecobat on the transaction.

Ecobat | https://ecobat.com/

Endless LLP | https://endlessllp.com/

Gray, an integrated design-builder, specializing in end-to-end solutions in Construction, Professional Services, Specialty Equipment, and Real Estate segments, joined HiTHIUM to celebrate a first look inside the company's new U.S. manufacturing facility.

HiTHIUM, a global leader in stationary energy storage systems, welcomed customers and prospective partners to tour its nearly 500,000 s.f. operation just outside Dallas, marking a significant step in the company's U.S. expansion.

HiTHIUM selected Gray to design and build its first U.S. manufacturing facility. The project reflects HiTHIUM's commitment to providing high-quality energy storage products for utility, commercial, and industrial customers across North America.

"Helping innovative companies like HiTHIUM grow in the U.S. market is exactly what we're built for," said Brian Jones, president & CEO of Gray Construction. "We're proud to play a role in bringing clean energy technology to life through world-class manufacturing facilities like this one."

The retrofit project transforms an existing industrial facility into a cutting-edge production site for battery energy storage systems (BESS). The facility will support HiTHIUM's mission to deliver safer, more efficient, and more reliable energy solutions to customers across North America.

Gray | gray.com 

HiTHIUM | https://www.hithium.com/