Controlled Liquid Hydrogen Storage: The backbone of decentralized energy

Renewable power costs remain low, making renewables the cheapest source of new electricity in most markets and further strengthening their cost advantage over fossil fuels.

Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2025, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), estimates that more than 90% of the utility-scale renewable capacity added in 2025 was cheaper than the lowest-cost new fossil alternative. 

The cost advantage of renewables over fossil fuels continued to widen. In 2025, Solar PV remained at its 2024 level of USD 44 per megawatt hour (MWh), while wind continued to improve, with onshore wind falling by 4% to USD 33/MWh and offshore wind by 3% to USD 78/MWh. 

Conversely, for new gas-fired generation, a turbine shortage roughly doubled the capital cost of a new combined-cycle plant in the United States, while costs climbed towards USD 100/MWh in higher gas price markets such as Italy, Germany and Japan. Furthermore, persistent uncertainty surrounding the crisis in the Middle East is likely to keep gas prices elevated throughout the year.

In total, installed renewables helped avoid an estimated USD 480 billion in fossil-fuel costs in 2025, turning renewables into a geopolitical shock absorber against fossil-volatile systems in energy crisis. 

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA said: “The decline in renewable energy costs is delivering a powerful economic dividend. For countries that still rely heavily on fossil fuels, every additional megawatt of renewables strengthens economic protection against fuel-price volatility, shielding consumers, businesses and public finances from higher costs. Savings generated by existing renewable assets grow, providing a built-in hedge against future shocks. This energy crisis has shown yet again: expanding renewable capacity is a strategic investment in resilience and competitiveness.”

When the Strait of Hormuz closed in early 2026, causing import prices to spike across Asia and Europe, existing renewable electricity generation provided a crucial financial buffer. 

Across the three import-exposed Southeast Asian economies Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines for example, the existing renewable fleet avoided around USD 5.7 billion in coal and gas purchases in 2025. Valued at the higher fuel prices during the peak of the crisis in March-May 2026, those same volumes would have been worth USD 6.5 billion. 

The economic benefits of renewable power go well beyond generation costs. Across 20 major economies assessed, accounting for about four-fifths of world’s renewable generation, renewable power in 2025 avoided an estimated USD 377 billion in fossil-fuel purchases.

The geographic distribution of economic benefits closely mirrors the global distribution of renewable energy capacity. China alone accounted for USD 177 billion or around half of all cost savings, reflecting the scale of its renewable fleet. The USA placed second in avoided fossil fuel costs with USD 35 billion, followed by Brazil with USD 32 billion, India with USD 18 billion, Germany with USD 18 billion and Japan with USD 15 billion.

Since 2010, the cost of solar PV has fallen by 89%, concentrating solar by 72%, onshore wind by 71% and offshore wind by 63%. The massive expansion of manufacturing, especially in China, resulted in a highly competitive landscape characterised by thin margins and prices approaching production cost. 

This phase of intense competition is shifting. Clean-tech manufacturing investment has halved, from a quarterly peak of USD 70 billion in 2023 to USD 35 billion by the end of 2025. And while China is reorganising its renewable industry, commodity and component prices are rising globally in parallel.

These developments, combined with a shifting trade and tariff landscape, are likely to exert upward pressure on total installed costs throughout this year. Over the longer term, however, IRENA's outlook suggests that costs will continue to decline to 2035, though far more slowly than before. 

More information in Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2025

IRENA | https://www.irena.org/

Grid Connected Infrastructure, LLC (GCI) announced the execution of a 20-year site lease with the 100MW Megamouth Energy Storage Project, owned by Banpu Power US Corporation (BPPUS).

The Megamouth site sits on industrial land adjacent to a recently constructed substation owned by CenterPoint Energy, serving a growing load pocket in the Houston load zone – a highly congested region in ERCOT, the largest battery storage market in North America.

“Only a small fraction of U.S. land will successfully become grid connected, and that subset can be identified in advance.” said Mitchell Bauer, President of GCI. “Megamouth is the exact type of real estate we built GCI to capture, we identified an industrial site based on future grid interconnection capacity, secured it prior to any development taking place, converted it to a powered use case, including completing generator interconnection, and will now monetize it over a long-term site lease.”

GCI’s real estate team utilizes best in class analytical tools, AI, and decades of successful energy project development expertise to identify future grid connected land. GCI performs comprehensive due diligence to ensure sites are positioned for success and have marketable title, and are permittable and constructable. After gaining site control, GCI leases parcels to large, stable infrastructure operators to construct, own and operate grid connected energy projects. GCI monetizes the value of grid connected real estate through long-term leases and site ownership.

Grid Connected Infrastructure | https://gci.energy/

Intelligent power management company Eaton announces a collaboration with FranklinWH to make intelligent, flexible home energy systems easier to buy, install and scale across North America. The integration of Eaton’s AbleEdge smart breakers with the FranklinWH System helps improve energy affordability by enabling more flexible, intelligent and simplified energy management at home. The companies will help make it easier for contractors and homeowners to integrate solar and energy storage, manage loads, expedite installation and extend backup duration during a grid outage. The joint solution is now available, with Eaton as FranklinWH’s preferred supplier for load management.

Eaton’s AbleEdge smart breakers will add intelligent load management and support virtual power plant (VPP) functionality for the FranklinWH System in retrofit and new construction projects. The collaboration aligns with Eaton’s Home as a Grid strategy that supports flexible power systems that enable customers to do more with the power they have. Eaton’s work with leading home energy management, solar and energy storage providers such as FranklinWH is transforming what is possible for the home as an energy source.

“This collaboration raises the bar for home electrification,” said Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of energy transition at Eaton. “We’re bringing intelligence to residential circuit breakers—so homeowners can control the loads that matter most, extend backup power and reduce wasted energy. AbleEdge smart breakers integrate with multiple storage systems, work right out of the box and are available through Eaton’s established distributor network—making it easy for contractors to install at scale.”

“FranklinWH is committed to enabling more resiliency and energy freedom for homeowners looking to add storage to their home," said Gary Lam, CEO and Co-Founder of FranklinWH. “By integrating Eaton’s AbleEdge smart breakers with our FranklinWH System, homeowners will gain new visibility and control over their energy use. Through the FranklinWH App, these insights enable smarter home energy management system, saving money and increasing energy security in the home.”

The Eaton smart breakers can be retrofitted into existing load centers and added to the FranklinWH Meter Adapter Controller to support both retrofit and new construction projects. Homeowners and electrical contractors will be able to use the FranklinWH App to install, commission, manage and monitor both companies’ technologies.

When deployed with participating utilities, the joint solution enables homes to operate as virtual power plants (VPPs). By utilizing intelligent load management, homeowners can shift or shed demand during peak times, store and discharge energy from onsite distributed energy resources, and support grid stability and resilience. Homeowners can use the functionality to participate in utility VPP programs that generate revenue or credits by exporting excess power back onto the local electric grid.

Eaton technologies are backed by the company’s secure-by-design philosophy that ensures its products meet rigorous cybersecurity and safety design standards.

Learn more about Eaton’s Home as a Grid approach.

Eaton | www.eaton.com

 FranklinWH | https://www.franklinwh.com/

LibertyStream Infrastructure Partners Inc. (TSXV: LIB | OTCQB: VLTLF | FSE: I2D) (“LibertyStream” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive lithium carbonate offtake agreement with its previously announced U.S. industrial customer.

The definitive agreement follows the term sheet announced on June 8, 2026, and formalizes a multi-year supply relationship for U.S.-produced lithium carbonate from Freedom 1, LibertyStream’s first 1,000 tonne-per-annum commercial-scale facility being developed at Select Water Solutions’ Howard County site.

Under the initial delivery schedule, LibertyStream will supply 600 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate beginning in 2027, delivered in quarterly shipments of 150 tonnes. Pricing has been set for the first two years of planned supply.

At Freedom 1’s 1,000 tonne-per-annum design basis, the agreement represents 60% of planned annual output.

“Finalizing this agreement turns customer qualification into a contracted delivery schedule,” said Alex Wylie, President & CEO of LibertyStream. “For Freedom 1, 600 tonnes per year with two years of pricing provides a clear demand anchor as we move toward customer delivery planning. It matters for customers, shareholders, and potential capital partners because it links planned production to a definitive commercial contract.”

Demand Anchor for Freedom 1

The agreement connects planned Freedom 1 production to a defined customer delivery schedule and provides pricing visibility for the first two years of supply.

The contracted volume, delivery timing, and initial pricing framework are expected to be useful inputs as LibertyStream evaluates capital options and advances Freedom 1.

Customer and Delivery Coordination

The agreement provides a framework for continued coordination with the customer on product specifications, quality control, packaging, logistics, and delivery planning ahead of expected 2027 supply. LibertyStream expects to provide further updates as Freedom 1 preparation, customer delivery planning, and capital activities advance.

LibertyStream | https://libertystream.com/

Pattern Energy, a leader in clean energy and transmission infrastructure, and Salt River Project (SRP), a not-for profit public power utility serving more than 2 million people in central Arizona, announced they have signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 600 megawatts (MW) of SunZia. This agreement will help SRP meet growing energy demand across the Phoenix metropolitan area while maintaining affordability, reliability and sustainability for customers.

SRP will receive 400 MW of energy beginning this fall and will increase its allocation to 600 MW by summer of 2027.

“This PPA highlights SRP’s leadership and our partnership, showing how a diverse and cost‑effective energy portfolio can meet Arizona’s needs today while supporting a reliable and resilient grid for the future,” said Pattern Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Hunter Armistead.

SunZia is set to deliver enough energy to power approximately one million American homes annually, representing an $11 billion energy investment across the Southwest. Backed by a 3,650 MW wind resource and a 550‑mile HVDC transmission line that efficiently moves large amounts of electricity across long distances, it adds a new, clean resource that contributes to SRP’s diverse portfolio of energy resources, which includes hydro, wind, natural gas, solar, battery storage and other generation.

SRP currently has 288 MW of wind energy serving its customers. The energy from SunZia supports SRP’s plan to more than double the capacity of its power system by 2035 through the addition of thousands of megawatts of renewable energy, as well as natural gas and battery energy storage resources.

“This agreement with Pattern Energy plays a key role in SRP’s all-of-the-above approach to meeting the growing energy needs of the Phoenix metropolitan area reliably, affordably and sustainably,” said Bobby Olsen, Associate General Manager and Chief Power System Executive.  “This project will triple the amount of wind energy on SRP’s grid, helping us make progress toward our carbon reduction goals.”

Pattern Energy | www.patternenergy.com

SRP | www.srpnet.com

Statkraft has decided to invest in Gran Sul, a 280 MW onshore wind project in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The investment strengthens Statkraft’s renewable energy portfolio in one of the company’s key international growth markets.

The Gran Sul project is located in Santa Vitória do Palmar, an area with strong wind resources in southern Brazil. The project will add new renewable power generation to the Brazilian electricity system and strengthen Statkraft’s position as a significant player in hydropower, wind power and solar power in Brazil. 

“Brazil is an important market for Statkraft. Gran Sul fits well with our strategy to build scale in selected markets and develop a competitive renewable energy portfolio. In Brazil, we combine hydropower, wind power and solar power to deliver reliable and competitive energy solutions that support the energy transition,” says Fernando de Lapuerta, Executive Vice President International at Statkraft. 

The project has been developed over several years and has completed the necessary technical, environmental and regulatory processes. With the investment decision, Gran Sul now moves into the execution phase, construction scheduled to begin in January 2027. 

“Gran Sul is an important step in Statkraft’s growth strategy in Brazil. The investment decision reflects our confidence in the Brazilian market and helps utilize the good wind resources in the country. The project will contribute to a more secure, competitive and sustainable power system,” says Thiago Tomazzoli, Country Manager Brazil at Statkraft. 

The development will strengthen Statkraft’s presence in Rio Grande do Sul and contribute to regional value creation through jobs, local suppliers and long-term investments.

Statkraft | https://www.statkraft.com/

Peak Energy, a U.S. leader in low-cost, giga-scale grid storage, announced it has selected Sacramento, California as the home of its new manufacturing facility, becoming America's first dedicated to grid-scale sodium-ion energy storage systems. The 183,000-square-foot facility will produce up to 4 GWh of battery systems annually, enough to power nearly four million homes per year. Peak announced the milestone alongside regional and state leaders, marking a major investment in California manufacturing and America's energy future.

With more than 6 GWh of customer commitments already in place, Peak's Sacramento facility will help the United States meet the rapidly increasing energy storage demand, fueled by the expansion of AI and data centers, while advancing energy security and domestic manufacturing. Peak's passively cooled sodium-ion battery energy storage systems, which reduce the cost of energy storage by 20% and have a 99% guaranteed uptime, are expected to enter production and begin shipments in Q1 2027.

"America needs energy storage that is lower cost, more affordable, more reliable and purpose-built to meet the demand coming onto the grid," said Landon Mossburg, CEO and Co-Founder of Peak Energy. "This facility is proof that America can lead not only in inventing the technology, but in building it at scale. With our manufacturing facility in Sacramento, we're enabling American energy innovation to lower electric bills while creating high quality jobs."

Advancing California's Energy Economy

Located in Sacramento's Metro Air Park, the new facility represents up to $71 million in capital investment and will create 239 new local jobs over the next 18 months, with an average annual wage of more than $90,000. The project is also expected to generate additional economic activity for local suppliers, contractors, logistics providers and service businesses throughout the Sacramento region, while expanding the local tax base and supporting long-term community investment. Together with Peak's broader growth in California, the company is expected to create 348 net new jobs across Sacramento and Burlingame, where it is headquartered, by 2030.

Peak chose Sacramento following a competitive nationwide site selection process, citing the region's manufacturing talent, proximity to California's growing energy storage market, strong state and local support, and the Greater Sacramento Economic Council's leadership in bringing together workforce, utility and economic development partners. Peak's growth in California is supported by a $10.5 million CalCompetes tax credit, which was awarded in May 2026.

"The future of energy is being built in California," said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). "This state has always been the country's center of energy innovation, and Peak's investment in Sacramento is proof that we're also the best place to manufacture those new technologies at scale, bringing good jobs, economic opportunity and critical infrastructure to our state. With the help of CalCompetes' investment in this project, we are making sure that California's energy transition is made in California by California workers."

"Peak Energy's decision to select Sacramento is exactly the kind of advanced manufacturing investment that reflects the strengths of our region," said Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. "Sacramento has become a destination for innovative companies looking to grow, manufacture and invest for the long term. This project will create opportunities for our local businesses, working families and communities while ensuring the benefits of California's energy transformation are felt right here in Sacramento for generations to come."

Delivering the Next Generation of Grid Storage Systems

Peak is commercializing the world's first fully passive grid-scale energy storage system, engineered to operate for more than 20 years without scheduled maintenance and designed as a drop-in replacement for today's battery energy storage systems. In California alone, eliminating battery refrigeration costs could save ratepayers an average of $100 million annually while helping lower the overall cost of energy storage and deliver more affordable electricity.

To date, Peak has secured customer agreements with Jupiter Power, Energy Vault and RWE Americas and recently announced a strategic partnership with General Motors, including an investment from GM Ventures, to pair GM's next-generation sodium-ion cell technology with Peak's proprietary energy storage platform. Together, these milestones underscore growing confidence in Peak's sodium-ion technology as a scalable solution for grid storage.

Peak Energy | www.peakenergy.com