Higher Power PV Modules Drive Up BOS Costs

LF Energy, the open source foundation accelerating the energy transition, announced the release of a new standardized battery dataset to the LF Energy Battery Data Alliance (BDA) contributed by Microsoft’s Surface Battery Development team. The dataset is aligned with the Battery Data Format (BDF), a growing open standard designed to improve interoperability and usability of battery data across research and industry.

This contribution represents a significant step forward in enabling open, standardized battery datasets that can be easily shared, compared, and used across tools, labs, and organizations.

Advancing Open Battery Data Standards

Battery development today is often hindered by fragmented data formats and inconsistent testing methodologies across labs and equipment vendors. The Battery Data Format (BDF) addresses these challenges by introducing a standardized structure for battery data.

BDF is designed to solve two critical industry problems:

• Data Consistency – enabling seamless integration of datasets across laboratories, test equipment, and organizations
• Model Compatibility – allowing battery models and analytics workflows to be reused, compared, and confirmed for cross-vendor verification without costly data reformatting

By aligning datasets to BDF, organizations can accelerate research, improve collaboration, and unlock more reliable insights from battery testing and development.

New Dataset: Cell Architecture Comparisons

The newly released dataset focuses on cell architecture design variations, enabling direct comparison across multiple lithium-ion configurations, including:

• End Tab
• Middle Tab
• Multi Tab

In addition, the dataset includes:

• T₀ (initial performance) comparisons
• Cycle aging data across configurations

This provides researchers and engineers with a structured foundation for analyzing how design choices impact battery performance and longevity.

Availability

The dataset is now available to the community and can be accessed through BDF Datastore.

Organizations interested in contributing to or adopting the Battery Data Format (BDF) are encouraged to engage with the Battery Data Alliance.

Driving Industry Collaboration

“Standardization is foundational to accelerating battery innovation,” said Phil Hamilton, Sr. Manager of Battery Characterization at Microsoft. “By contributing this dataset in alignment with BDF, Microsoft is helping establish a common language for battery data that enables collaboration across the ecosystem.”

The contribution also reinforces growing momentum behind the Battery Data Alliance, which brings together industry leaders, research institutions, and technology providers to define open standards for battery data.

LF Energy | https://www.lfenergy.org

Linux Foundation | linuxfoundation.org

Pulsenics, a Toronto-based developer of electrochemical diagnostic equipment, announced an agreement for a collaborative R&D project with the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Critical Battery Materials Initiative (CBMI). 

As part of the project, Pulsenics’ electrochemical test solution will be integrated into the NRC’s Battery Materials Acceleration Platform (BattMAP), a self-driving lab that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to accelerate the discovery of new battery materials that are safer, perform better and are more sustainable.

Pulsenics’ solutions use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to non-invasively scan batteries that contain experimental cathode formulations. The integration into BattMAP will be tested as a proof of concept to establish the technological foundation for future deployments in industrial settings. AI models use the collected data to predict lifetime performance of batteries, select the most promising formulas, and direct robotic synthesis of the next novel chemistries. It is conceptually similar to the way that medical researchers use AI to develop proteins, molecules, or vaccines. Comprehensive spectroscopy data from Pulsenics will help BattMAP test new battery materials faster and more efficiently.

“The NRC’s Critical Battery Materials Initiative aims to connect our country’s mineral and energy technology industries with automated, AI-enabled platforms that can discover new critical battery materials and critical mineral conversion processes faster than ever before,” said Zoya Sadighi, the NRC’s project lead. “Collaborating with Canadian companies allows us to support growth in the Canadian technology ecosystem on the cutting edge of the energy industry.”

If successful, Pulsenics’ EIS technology could empower the NRC’s CBMI self-driving lab to conduct in-line characterization of key battery properties for numerous new cathode formulations at a pace that matches BattMAP’s existing high-throughput synthesis. By eliminating characterization as a bottleneck, this integration should enable a seamless, end-to-end workflow – from synthesis to characterization – making a significant leap from the previous approach of testing each formulation individually and unlocking true high-throughput materials discovery.

“Automated laboratories like the NRC’s BattMAP are the future of industrial research,” said Pulsenics Co-Founder and COO Mariam Awara. “We’re proud to be a key enabler in helping the NRC realize its vision for the self-driving lab and high-throughput experimentation. Together, we can find new battery chemistries that create jobs right here in Canada.”

Pulsenics l www.pulsenics.com

 

Altus Power, a leading commercial-scale power company, announced the completion and activation of a rooftop solar project at San Manuel Landing, a newly-built 1.1 million square foot Class-A industrial logistics center located in San Bernardino, Calif. Altus Power originated the project with Trammell Crow Company, which developed San Manuel Landing with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (YSMN).

Under long-term agreements, Altus Power leases the roof of the building from the YSMN and delivers clean electric power directly to Flexport, the global logistics company and tenant of the property. The system will reduce Flexport's operational profile at the facility by lowering its total energy costs.

“In a time of rising energy prices, this project demonstrates how Altus Power and its solar energy solutions can deliver low-cost electricity to businesses with no requirement for the customer to own or maintain the system,” said Brett Phillips, Director, Investment and Structured Finance, Altus Power. “By working with Trammell Crow Company and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Altus Power delivered a turnkey solution that generates immediate energy savings without Flexport incurring upfront capital investment. Altus Power is committed to expanding our footprint in California's industrial real estate market to give tenants and real estate owners a smarter, more cost-effective way to power their businesses.”

“Controlling costs across our facility network is critical to an efficient operation, but doing so in a way that aligns with our environmental goals is what truly defines a modern supply chain,” said Cody Moreland, Sr. Director of Fulfillment Ops at Flexport. “At San Manuel Landing, we’re merging efficiency with sustainability. This solar system allows us to lower electricity costs while making tangible progress on our commitment to decarbonize our footprint across our global network. It’s a clear example of how we're building a more resilient, green supply chain for our merchants.”

The completion of this project adds to Altus Power’s California footprint of more than 154 MWs across nearly 100 projects. Altus Power’s portfolio across 30 states and the District of Columbia serves enterprises looking to reduce operating costs and protect against energy price volatility, anchored by the company’s distributed solar power plants.

Altus Power | https://www.altuspower.com/

Amprius Technologies (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in silicon anode lithium-ion batteries, announced it has secured a purchase order totaling $21 million for its SiCore cylindrical cells from a new premier electric mobility customer in China. Amprius cells were chosen for the company’s suite of light electric vehicles, including scooters, three-wheelers, and motorcycles.

Amprius’ SiCore cells deliver high energy density and long cycle life for electric mobility applications. The 30 Ah-capacity cells increase energy density by up to 100% compared to conventional graphite-anode cells. Cycle life is rated at more than 2,000 cycles.

“Current conventional batteries used in two and three-wheelers are constrained by their inherently low energy density,” said Tom Stepien, CEO of Amprius. “Our silicon anode technology addresses this shortcoming by delivering higher energy density while maintaining the cycle life that these applications require. This purchase order underscores the increasing demand for higher-performance batteries in high-volume mobility markets and marks an important step in expanding our global business.”

The battery market for light electric vehicles – e-scooters, e-bikes, three-wheelers, and electric motorcycles – is growing at a 15% compound annual growth rate and is projected to reach 26 GWh by 2030, according to a market study completed by Ratel Consulting. Growth is driven by urban mobility needs and increasing electrification. Amprius believes its battery technology is well-positioned to meet this growing demand by delivering longer range and improved performance.

Amprius Technologies | amprius.com 

Hydrogen heating technology company HYTING has commissioned its second customer installation, deploying two air-heating units delivering a combined heat output of 80 kW (2 x 40 kW) at a production facility in Markkleeberg, in the German state of Saxony. This represents a significant step forward in the company’s commercial rollout, with capacity eight times higher than in HYTING's first installation. It also marks the customer debut of HYTING’s 50 kW heat generator platform, which features a 10:1 turndown ratio for continuous modulated heat output. 

The facility in Markkleeberg is shared by two companies: BURO GmbH, which uses it to manufacture sheet-metal components on laser cutting and punching systems, and Südmetall Schließsysteme GmbH, which assembles electronic locking systems. Each of the two HYTING air-heating units serves one of these production areas, enabling tailored temperature distribution throughout the building. 

The system operates in a hybrid configuration alongside a heat pump. The heat pump manages the base heating load, while HYTING's units cover peak demand during periods of high heat requirement or low ambient temperatures. This strategy significantly reduces grid connection capacity and demand charges – in this case by 70% – and enables smaller sizing of the heat pump, reducing both capital expenditure and operating costs, as the heat pump runs continuously at its optimal operating point. Customers can reduce operating costs from day one and achieve a return on investment within approximately three years. 

In the first phase of the installation, hydrogen is sourced from a nearby supplier. However, a further milestone is planned for later this year when BURO's subsidiary H2 Green Planet GmbH – which develops and manufactures electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen – intends to install an on-site electrolyser. This would make the site one of the first commercial buildings to generate and consume its own green hydrogen for heating, at a target production cost of €4-6/kg. 

Tim Hannig, Founder and CEO of HYTING, said: “Our second installation marks a significant step up for us, in terms of scale and as proof-of-concept of what hydrogen air-heating can do for commercial and industrial buildings. At 80 kW, this is not only our most powerful installation so far, but it also demonstrates the effectiveness of our modular design by delivering that total heating capacity with two units. And with H2 Green Planet planning to bring on-site hydrogen production to the facility later this year, we are seeing the full picture coming together: clean heating, powered by locally produced green hydrogen, with a compelling business case from day one.” 

“As a company with more than 50 years of engineering expertise, we know that the clean energy transition will only succeed if it’s affordable and cost-efficient. HYTING's technology shows that it’s already possible today by covering our peak heating demand without adding to our electricity load or our carbon footprint. And through H2 Green Planet, we are taking the next logical step: producing our own green hydrogen on site. This is what a practical, commercially-grounded approach to decarbonisation looks like,” said Jürgen Burger, CEO, BURO. 

Market-ready technology 

The Markkleeberg installation follows another milestone for HYTING, with its 50 kW heat generator receiving Gas Appliance Regulation (GAR) certification. GAR-certification is mandatory and must be issued by an independent accredited laboratory: HYTING once again chose Kiwa to perform the stringent evaluation and subsequent approval of its technology. Kiwa is one of the sector’s longest-established test houses, has a worldwide network of laboratories, and also performed the GAR-certification of the 10kW heat generator. 

Additionally, HYTING has proven the exceptional reliability of its technology by successfully passing 2,500 hours of durability testing conducted by one of the world’s leading engineering service providers. The test simulated the thermal loading imposed by 10 years of normal operation, and was completed without any problems or failures, or any wear to safety-critical components. This ably demonstrates how effectively HYTING’s technology can supersede incumbent fossil fuel heating systems. 

HYTING's technology is based on a proprietary flameless catalytic process in which hydrogen reacts with oxygen from ambient air to generate heat. There are no CO2, NOx, or particulate emissions – the only by-product is water vapour. The technology does not use flammable concentrations of hydrogen at any operating point, making it inherently safe. Its compact, modular design means units can be combined to meet higher heating demands, and the technology is suitable for both new installations and retrofits. 

The urgency of decarbonising commercial and industrial heating has never been greater. European Commission figures show that buildings account for 40% of all energy consumed in the EU and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions, with heating accounting for a large proportion of that. Yet despite this, the EU Buildings Climate Tracker finds that the sector is more than 40% behind the pace of decarbonisation required to meet 2030 climate targets. The EU's Hydrogen Strategy explicitly identifies heating in commercial and residential buildings as a key application for hydrogen infrastructure, and recognises that for many buildings, hydrogen offers a viable and complementary pathway alongside electrification to replace fossil fuels. 

The broader hydrogen market is growing rapidly, providing an encouraging backdrop for technologies such as HYTING's. The International Energy Agency’s Global Hydrogen Review 2025 report shows that worldwide hydrogen demand reached almost 100 million tonnes in 2024 – and that low-emissions hydrogen production is set to increase more than fivefold by 2030 compared to 2024 levels, as committed projects come online. As costs continue to fall and infrastructure develops, the expanding supply of blue and green hydrogen will make it increasingly accessible to commercial and industrial building operators – strengthening and supporting the wider rollout of HYTING’s heating technology. 

HYTING | https://www.hyting.com/en

DNV has launched RuleAgent, an AI-powered tool that helps maritime professionals access DNV’s rules and standards faster and with greater clarity. Designed to reduce the time customers spend navigating regulatory material, it enables users to ask natural‑language questions and receive targeted results. Fully connected to DNV’s rules and standards database, RuleAgent provides complete traceability to DNV’s official sources.

Maritime regulations are continuously evolving. Navigating the more than 30,000 pages of DNV’s rules across multiple documents, chapters, and editions can be complex and time consuming. By presenting content in real time, RuleAgent enables users to identify the relevant rule paragraphs quickly, reducing the time spent searching across multiple documents.

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Interim CEO Maritime at DNV said: “Digitalization continues to reshape maritime operations, and DNV is committed to leading this development in a responsible and practical way. By applying advanced AI to our rule framework, we are strengthening how our customers access trusted technical knowledge. This supports more efficient decision making and helps the industry navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.”

RuleAgent works by searching directly in DNV’s rules and standards database and highlighting relevant paragraphs for the user. It then provides short summaries and links to the official sources so that users can verify the content and apply their professional judgement to the results. When customer vessel information is available, the tool uses the specific vessel’s ship type and class notations to narrow the search and present more targeted regulatory guidance.

Martin Borge Heir, Project Manager for RuleAgent at DNV said: “Whether you are an experienced professional or a new user, you can now leverage AI to explore DNV’s regulatory framework and become familiar with the requirements applicable to your business. Our aim is to provide a trusted reference for rule‑related questions, with faster navigation, targeted results, and clear traceability to official sources.”

RuleAgent covers Rules for Ships (RU SHIP), Rules for Offshore Units (RU OU), and reference documents such as Class Guidelines (CG), Class Programs (CP), Statutory Interpretations (SI), Standards (ST), Offshore Standards (OS), and Recommended Practices (RP), with further expansion planned. It has been piloted with selected customers to validate performance and refine the user experience.

DNV | https://www.dnv.com/

Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) (OTCQB: SUNXF) (FSE: 6330) ("Stardust Solar" or the "Company"), a globally expanding renewable energy company supporting the installation, development, training, and deployment of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar solutions across international markets, announced the launch of a new franchise territory serving the Greater Halifax and Dartmouth region of Nova Scotia.

The new territory will be operated by Sheldon Bixby of Pevco Electric Inc., a well-established electrical contractor in the region. Operating as Stardust Solar Halifax, the new franchise expands Stardust Solar's presence in Atlantic Canada while strengthening the Company's growing North American installation network.

The Halifax Regional Municipality is the largest population centre in Atlantic Canada, with more than 480,000 residents across the Halifax-Dartmouth metropolitan area. The region's growing population, rising electricity costs, and strong solar fundamentals make it an increasingly attractive market for renewable energy adoption.

Nova Scotia receives approximately 1,800-2,000 hours of sunshine annually, while solar installations in the Halifax region can generate approximately 1,073 kWh of electricity per kilowatt of installed solar capacity each year, making solar energy both practical and economically viable for homeowners and businesses. Combined with electricity rates around $0.18/kWh and full retail net-metering programs, solar systems in the region can achieve payback periods of approximately 8-11 years, positioning Halifax as one of the stronger solar return-on-investment markets in Canada.

"Expanding into the Halifax-Dartmouth market represents another step forward in Stardust Solar's strategy to scale renewable energy solutions across North America," said Mark Tadros, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Solar Energy Inc. "Atlantic Canada offers a strong opportunity for solar adoption, supported by rising electricity costs, favorable net-metering frameworks, and growing demand for energy independence."

"Our franchise model combines experienced local operators with Stardust Solar's national training, brand, and operational platform," Tadros added. "This approach allows us to scale solar deployment efficiently while building recurring revenue through franchise royalties, equipment supply relationships, and long-term customer engagement. Expanding into markets like Halifax supports our strategy to grow a distributed network of solar installation partners as we continue our global expansion."

Sheldon Bixby, Owner of Pevco Electric Inc. and new operator of Stardust Solar Halifax, highlighted the opportunity for solar growth in Nova Scotia.

"The Halifax and Dartmouth region is experiencing steady population growth and increasing energy demand, and more homeowners and businesses are looking for ways to control their electricity costs and transition to clean energy," said Bixby. "Partnering with Stardust Solar allows us to combine our local electrical expertise with a nationally recognized solar brand, accredited training programs, and proven installation systems. With Nova Scotia's strong net-metering policies and rising electricity prices, we are confident solar adoption will continue to accelerate across the region."

The Halifax territory marks another step in Stardust Solar's strategy to expand its installation network and build a diversified renewable energy platform. As electrification and digital infrastructure drive rising global electricity demand, distributed solar will play an increasingly important role in strengthening energy resilience. Through expansion into markets with strong solar fundamentals, Stardust Solar continues to scale its installation network, training programs, and solar infrastructure development platform.

Stardust Solar Energy I www.stardustsolar.com