Energy Storage: 2025 and Beyond

NeoVolta Inc. (NASDAQ: NEOV) ("NeoVolta"), a leading innovator in energy storage solutions, announced that it has completed phase two of its loan application for $300M from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Title 17 Loan Program (LPO) and has been approved to proceed the conditional commitment phase, which will include negotiating a term sheet and a site visit with the U.S. Department of Energy.

NeoVolta will produce residential and commercial BESS products across the country, creating over 200 jobs and securing the American supply chain by onshoring battery cells and inverters. The company has shortlisted two states for its new headquarters, manufacturing facility, and regional offices from 23 state economic development offers.

 "In order to 'Unleash American Energy,' battery storage is essential, as well as grid strengthening," stated the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  Although there have been recent pauses on federal funding, the DOE has clarified that it will "continue to follow the law and allocate monies in a way that supports the initiatives of the Administration."

"We appreciate the DOE's focus on developing a robust domestic energy storage supply chain. NeoVolta will provide products and services to strengthen the grid and offer resilient domestic solutions, fostering research and development for future technologies in America," explained NeoVolta Chief Executive Officer, Ardes Johnson.  "With electricity consumption expected to grow 80% by 2050 and renewable energy meeting much of this demand, NeoVolta is acting at the right time."

Under the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program, projects must be able to feasibly and financially support energy development, transmission, storage, and deployment across the United States.  The Trump Administration is also focusing on U.S. manufacturing, strengthening the supply chain, and onshoring jobs, all components of this project led by NeoVolta.

"We are confident in our application to the DOE," added Johnson, "We believe we are well positioned and ready to execute on our factory strategy here in the U.S."

NeoVolta | https://neovolta.com/

Vestas, a leading global wind turbine manufacturer, is pleased to announce the opening of a new corporate office in Houston, Texas – the energy capital of the U.S. Vestas currently employs over 500 people in the state of Texas and looks forward to welcoming more colleagues across its business units to the new Houston office location. 

“Houston is the ideal location to expand our office operations in the U.S. due to its central proximity to many of our wind projects, customers, and suppliers. Producing homegrown energy, powered by the hard work of Americans nationwide, is critically important and we look forward to increasing our presence in Texas and continuing to provide generational jobs to Americans across the state,” said Laura Beane, President of Vestas North America. 

Houston Mayor John Whitmire welcomed Vestas with a statement on behalf of the City. "Today marks an important achievement for the City of Houston as we welcome Vestas,” Whitmire said. “The company's decision to establish a new corporate office underscores our city's commitment to sustainable energy and promises to provide quality jobs and economic growth. We are excited to support Vestas' mission to drive innovation in renewable energy. We look forward to a prosperous partnership that benefits our community." 

Texas is the leading state in the U.S. for wind energy capacity and energy production, representing 28% of all U.S. wind-sourced electricity in 2024. Vestas has installed over 3,500 turbines in Texas which help power nearly 7 million homes. 

"The announcement of Vestas, a global leader in wind energy, opening a new office in Houston is a significant and exciting development for the region. This decision underscores Houston’s position as a premier energy hub and desirable location for businesses, bolstered by our talent, world-class infrastructure, and a pro-business environment," said Steve Kean, Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO. 

With this expansion, Vestas’ U.S. office spaces will span across 4 time zones between Portland, Oregon – Brighton and Windsor, Colorado where our nacelles and blades factories are located – Houston, Texas – and Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. Vestas also services 315 wind farms across 31 states.

Vestas | https://www.vestas.com/en

GO OPV, a leading printed semiconductor zero emission power generation company delivering ORENgE power solutions, and MechoShade Systems (Mecho), the global leader in commercial window coverings including the Mecho ElectroShade, introduce an ORENgE powered ElectroShade (ORENgE x ElectroShade) a revolutionary new design for zero emission power production and superior solar heat gain reduction. ORENgE x ElectroShade is the first motorized rolling printed semiconductor shade that incorporates commercial National Electric Code (NEC) industry standards for delivering Class 2 direct DC zero emission power and light absorption to reduce carbon footprint from heat gain reduction.

The innovative ORENgE x ElectroShade allows users to operate the shades (and potentially other accessories) with self-powering ORENgE printed semiconductor films. The energy generated by the film can leverage 24/7 DC battery storage solutions either standalone or coupled with low voltage DC Power over Ethernet (PoE) for low voltage power and data distribution. The self-powering shade employs Mecho’s award winning ElectroShade hardware, supporting multi-banded rollers up to 72” wide and 120” tall and producing up to 100 watts of Class 2 zero emission power per shade – power not only for the motorized roller shades, but for the broader facility e.g., lighting and other peripherals.

ORENgE x ElectroShade semi-transparent design enhances the aesthetic of a buildings’ façade as the ORENgE film is symmetrical with window glazing from the outside view; and allows for reduced glare and reduction of solar gain from the absorption of visible and near infrared light, transforming the excess heat into zero emission power from the inside of the building.

ORENgE x ElectroShade can be equipped with SolarTrac, Mecho’s state-of-the-art, scalable solution for window shade automation. Mecho's shading automation solutions are ideal for use in a wide range of applications, including large commercial offices, higher education buildings and healthcare facilities, to optimize the application of natural daylight for occupant and building performance.

ORENgE x ElectroShade is eligible under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for tax credits and other incentives that allow companies and institutions to continuously make advances to meet zero emission goals and mandates.

GO OPV | https://www.orengepower.com/

MechoShade Systems | https://www.mechoshade.com/

XCF Global Capital, Inc. ("XCF" or the "Company"), a key player in decarbonizing the aviation industry through Sustainable Aviation Fuel ("SAF"), announced the commencement of commercial production of neat SAF at New Rise Renewables, LLC ("New Rise"). In addition, New Rise has entered into an irrevocable corporate purchase order ("ICPO") for the sale of over 3 million gallons of neat SAF with an unaffiliated third-party buyer. The first shipments of neat SAF are expected to begin in February 2025, with delivery anticipated to begin in early March.

"Reaching commercial production at New Rise is an exciting milestone, reflecting years of dedication, engineering excellence, and our commitment to innovation," said Mihir Dange, Chief Executive Officer of XCF. "We are proud to begin customer deliveries and provide high-quality SAF that supports the decarbonization of the aviation industry."

This achievement marks the beginning of XCF's commercial ramp-up as the Company accelerates SAF production to meet growing demand for clean energy solutions. With New Rise reaching commercial production, XCF is advancing its goal of becoming a leader in the decarbonization of the aviation industry.

XCF Global Capital | www.xcf.global

Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) ("Energy Vault"), a leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, announced the start of construction of a 200 MW/2 hour battery energy storage system being deployed at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project. Energy Vault leaders were joined by representatives from ACEN Australia, elected officials and local Anaiwan First Nations leaders at a welcome ceremony to mark the start of construction.

Construction has begun on the first of two previously announced Energy Vault deployments at ACEN Australia’s 720 MW New England Solar project near Uralla, New South Wales, with a total planned capacity of 200 MW/2 hours. Once the initial BESS deployment is operational it will be the first large-scale BESS of its kind in the New England Region of New South Wales. The BESS will be charged and discharged on a daily basis and designed to dispatch stored renewable energy at peak consumption hours to help meet the high demand during New South Wales’ peak load hours while reducing the region’s reliance on coal-fired power generation. It is the first large-scale battery storage project to begin construction with the support of the NSW Government’s Emerging Energy Program.

The welcome event, held on-site, featured remarks from Energy Vault and ACEN Australia representatives, including Energy Vault Chief Executive Officer & Chairman Robert Piconi and ACEN Australia’s Head of Construction and Engineering, Tim Greenaway, as well as welcome speeches and storytelling from local Anaiwan First Nations leaders. In addition to remarks and storytelling, Anaiwan First Nations representatives conducted a traditional sweating ceremony to commemorate the groundbreaking, which was followed by Mr. Piconi officially breaking ground on the site. New England Solar is being built with the strong partnership of the Anaiwan First Nations.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone for Energy Vault’s rapidly growing commercial footprint in Australia, and we’re very pleased to be working with ACEN Australia, its First Nations partners and the Uralla community on the project,” said Lucas Sadler, Vice President of Sales Asia, Energy Vault. “New England Solar will serve as a critical source of renewable energy for the NSW region, and Energy Vault’s involvement is reflective of the company’s truly global approach to meeting the growing demand for reliable and cost-effective energy storage solutions.”

“As New England Solar progresses toward completion, we are fortunate to not only have the opportunity to partner with the Energy Vault team in the development of energy storage systems, but to have the strong support and partnership of the Anaiwan First Nations and local community,” said Tim Greenaway, Head of Construction, ACEN Australia. “It is our goal to reliably provide clean power in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, and today we are one step close to achieving that mission.”

The BESS deployments, developed under Energy Vault’s B-VAULT suite of fully integrated battery energy storage solutions, will be coupled with a special inverter, which enables advanced grid support functionalities such as voltage and frequency ride-through, grid support during disturbances, and reactive power control. The use of the special inverter, combined with Energy Vault’s proprietary X-Vault integration platform and Vault-OS Energy Management System to control, manage and optimize the BESS operations, will allow for superior energy management capabilities.

The mobilization of this BESS deployment represents a critical milestone for Energy Vault’s growing commercial footprint in the Australian market, following a series of recent agreements, including with Enervest and the Victorian government-owned State Electricity Commission (SEC). To date, Energy Vault’s B-VAULT portfolio in the Australian market consists of 1.9GWh in previously announced projects.

Energy Vault | www.energyvault.com 

ACEN Australia | www.acenrenewables.com.au

Louth Callan Renewables, a leading renewable energy construction company, is proud to announce its continued geographical expansion into the Midwest with the recent awarding of 121 megawatts (MW) of solar across three projects in Illinois. This achievement represents a major step in the company's strategic growth and reinforces its commitment to developing and constructing high-quality renewable energy infrastructure across the United States.

The awarded projects, which include multiple solar farms across Illinois, will support the state's aggressive renewable energy targets by generating clean, sustainable electricity for thousands of homes and businesses. These solar developments will collectively offset thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, furthering Illinois' efforts to transition to a greener energy future while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

"Expanding into the Midwest represents a significant milestone for Louth Callan Renewables as we continue to extend our national footprint," said Nicholas Sylvestre, Managing Member of Louth Callan Renewables. "Illinois' commitment to clean energy makes it an ideal market for our expertise in solar and renewable construction. These new projects underscore our mission to provide resilient, reliable, and cost-effective renewable energy solutions while fostering local economic growth."

The construction and development of these solar projects will bring substantial economic benefits to the region, including the creation of more than 400 direct and indirect jobs during the planning, construction, and operational phases. Additionally, the projects will generate long-term tax revenues and land lease payments, providing financial support to local communities, landowners, and municipal infrastructure initiatives.

Louth Callan Renewables remains dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions through innovative design, strong industry partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. The company continues to collaborate with local stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to ensure the successful deployment of these projects, reinforcing its role as a trusted leader in renewable energy development.

Louth Callan Renewables | www.louthcallanrenewables.com

R.T. Casey, LLC (RTC), a leader in offshore construction and subsea engineering, proudly announces its key role in advancing Oregon State University’s (OSU) PacWave South project. As the first utility-scale, grid-connected wave energy test facility in the United States, PacWave South is a groundbreaking initiative in the pursuit of harnessing renewable energy from ocean waves.

With a strong commitment to supporting all energy initiatives, RTC specializes in developing, installing, and maintaining cutting-edge subsea and terrestrial infrastructure. Whether in offshore renewables, telecommunications, or other critical energy sectors, RTC’s expertise ensures seamless and sustainable power solutions.

RTC’s Contributions to PacWave South: Driving Innovation Below and Beyond the Surface

RTC played a pivotal role in the design, procurement, installation, and integration of essential infrastructure to ensure efficient and reliable energy transmission. The company’s expertise was instrumental in:

• Subsea Cable Engineering – Designed and deployed high-performance cables built to endure the unique challenges of the Pacific Ocean.
• Precision Installation – Executed complex offshore and terrestrial operations to establish reliable energy connectivity.
• Industry Collaboration – Partnered with OSU and various contractors from the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Louisiana to execute this ambitious project.
• Safety-Focused Execution – Maintained rigorous Incident-Free Operations (IFO) standards, ensuring operational excellence.

Leadership Perspective: The Future of Energy Lies Offshore

“The success of PacWave South is a testament to innovation, strategic execution, and the power of collaboration,” said Zachary Casey, Project Executive and Owner at RTC. “We are proud to be at the forefront of advancing offshore renewable energy, demonstrating the critical role that high-performance subsea infrastructure plays in shaping the future of sustainable power solutions.”

Rachel Cambre, Senior Electrical Project Manager at RTC, emphasized the growing importance of reliable energy transmission in renewable initiatives: “As global demand for sustainable energy solutions increases, robust submarine and terrestrial cable systems will serve as the backbone of future offshore projects. PacWave South is a key step forward in proving the viability of wave-generated power, and we are committed to driving industry-leading innovations that enable its success.”

R.T. Casey | www.rtcasey.com