Hithium and Solarpro partner to Launch Eastern Europe’s Largest Battery Energy Storage System

Hithium, a leading manufacturer of stationary battery storage solutions, and Solarpro, a prominent European energy generation and storage provider, today announced the successful deployment of the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Eastern Europe to date. Located in Razlog, Southwestern Bulgaria, the 55MWh solar plus storage project signifies a major milestone in the region’s transition towards renewable energy. Hithium supplied 16 of their Hithium ∞ Block 3.44MWh containers, each known for their liquid-cooled design, long lifespan, and commitment to safety and reliability. As Kelson Li, Hithium Senior Director of Sales of DACH, Northern & Eastern Europe said: “We are honored to partner with Solarpro. By providing comprehensive technical and after-sales support throughout the project lifecycle, we aim to foster local expertise and expand the network in Europe. We believe our collaboration with Solarpro will help to accelerate the renewable energy transition and make a positive impact in the region.” Krasen Mateev, CEO of Solarpro adds: “As strategic partners in this landmark project, we are excited to collaborate with Hithium in bringing this significant BESS utility to operation. This undertaking reflects Solarpro’s dedication to advance renewable energy infrastructure in Eastern Europe, ensuring a sustainable energy future for generations to…
Energy Management, Inc. (EMI) Sells 4.98 Megawatt Bent Bow Community Solar project in New Mexico to Standard Solar

Standard Solar, a leading commercial and community solar developer and asset owner, today announced the acquisition of a 4.98-megawatt (MW) solar project in Doña Ana County, New Mexico from developer Energy Management, Inc. (EMI). The Bent Bow project, which EMI began development of in 2021, was one of six in Doña Ana County selected as part of New Mexico’s Request for Proposals for Community Solar projects initiative. More than 50 applications were submitted for projects in Doña Ana County. Bent Bow contributes to the 30 MWs allocated to El Paso Electric under the act. The Community Solar Act, which caps the initial years’ total community solar deployment at 200 MWs across three investor-owned utilities, aims to facilitate energy access to low-income households and individuals in non-viable locations for rooftop solar. The act mandates that at least 30% of the energy from community solar arrays be dedicated to low-income subscribers, ensuring equitable benefits from New Mexico’s shift towards renewable energy. This project supports the state’s environmental objectives and enhances community involvement and energy independence, bringing tangible benefits to the local community. Jim Gordon, President of EMI, said, “As a first mover in this market we were able to secure an award…
Avangrid secures final federal approval for New England Wind Projects, paving the way for clean energy in the region

Avangrid has announced a significant milestone today with the receipt of full federal approval for the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for its New England Wind 1 and 2 offshore wind projects. This approval, following the favorable Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the Biden Administration in April 2024, represents a critical step forward, largely completing the federal permitting process for Avangrid’s 791-megawatt New England Wind 1 project. “Completing the federal permitting program for New England Wind is a remarkable achievement made possible by diligence of our team, the engagement of our stakeholders, and the thorough and rigorous review from our federal partners,” said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “Building offshore wind infrastructure is a complex and unique endeavor, and rightly held to a high regulatory standard. The approval of our COP reflects the depth of our expertise, our exhaustive and detailed planning, and our ability to deliver these critical projects. By securing all federal, state, regional, and local permits, New England Wind 1 has the potential to put shovels in the ground next year and deliver thousands of jobs, local investment, and needed clean energy before the end of the decade.” New England Wind 1 and 2 have the potential…
Ciel & Terre Leads Construction of Europe’s Largest Floating Solar Project

Ciel & Terre, a global leader in floating solar solutions, announces significant progress on the Ilots Blandin project – Europe’s largest floating solar power plant currently under construction. Located in Haute-Marne, France, the Ilots Blandin project is a testament to Ciel & Terre’s expertise and commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions. Initiated by Q ENERGY in 2019, the project will boast a combined capacity of 74.3 MWp – 72.3 MWp floating and 2 MWp ground-mounted (built by Perpetum Energy). Spread across a 127-hectare former gravel pit, the Ilots Blandin project cleverly utilizes a previously exploited site. This innovative approach optimizes land usage while maximizing solar energy production. Ciel & Terre acts as a single point of contact for developers and EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies, offering a comprehensive solution encompassing: For Ilots Blandin, Ciel & Terre has successfully completed the anchoring process using a hybrid bank and bottom anchor solution, ensuring optimal stability for the floating structure. Ciel & Terre’s efficient project management strategies are evident in their rapid progress. To meet tight deadlines, they: Vincent Pinchou, Ciel & Terre EMEA Project Manager, highlights a key benefit of standardization: “In terms of design, we have an electrical configuration of…
PFES Secures Top Spot in Engineering News-Record’s 2024 Program Management Rankings

PFES, a leading provider of strategic consulting services for the Energy and Utility sectors, continues its impressive growth trajectory. The firm has been recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as one of the Top 50 Program Management Firms for 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year of receiving this prestigious honor. PFES’ climb to #24 in the 2024 rankings signifies its continued rise within the industry. ENR also recognized PFES as a top US Construction Management / PM-for-Fee Firm, solidifying its position as a comprehensive solutions provider for the AEC industry. This comes at a time when the industry faces ongoing challenges, including labor shortages, rising construction costs, and heightened pressure to mitigate project risks. According to ENR, these factors are driving a trend toward increased reliance on firms like PFES. Clients are seeking expert guidance in navigating project complexities, identifying cost savings, and fostering collaboration across stakeholders. “We are incredibly proud to be acknowledged as a top program management firm by ENR,” said Tim Simmerly, CEO of PFES and President of its parent company, The Planet Group. “Our unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture and innovative consulting solutions allows us to deliver exceptional value to our clients’ capital programs. This recognition…
OWC and Bridge Wind join forces to bolster UK offshore wind investment landscape

Renewable energy consultancy OWC and Bridge Wind Management, a leader in renewable energy project management, have announced a strategic alliance to collaborate on offshore wind asset and operational management. This partnership aims to empower more informed decision-making for UK investors in the offshore wind sector. “We have been collaborating with Bridge to drive maximum value out of offshore wind and other offshore renewable technologies. says John MacAskill, Global Managing Director for Renewables, ABL Group. “As offshore wind reaches a new level of maturity, we wish to provide even more comprehensive support to the investment landscape together with Bridge’s specialist financial and commercial expertise.” OWC boasts a global reputation as a renewable energy consultancy, specialising in services like technical due diligence, owner’s engineering, technical studies, and independent engineering. This expertise supports the grid-scale development of onshore and offshore renewable energy technologies. Bridge Wind Management brings over 30 years of experience in renewable energy management. The firm has a proven track record serving some of the world’s largest investors, owners, and operators within the global renewable energy infrastructure sector. “We see this collaboration with OWC as an opportunity to leverage our respective areas of expertise and client bases, to maximise value from…
Vast and Mabanaft advance Port Augusta green methanol project to unlock Australia’s green fuels industry

Vast (Vast Renewables Limited) (Nasdaq: VSTE), a renewable energy company planning to power green fuels production with its concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) energy systems, has announced it has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with global energy company Mabanaft to advance Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), a CSP-powered green methanol reference plant. Located in South Australia at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub, SM1 will have the capacity to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol each year. Methanol is one of the most versatile hydrogen derivatives which, if produced using clean energy, has the potential to decarbonise several hard-to-abate industries, including shipping and aviation. SM1 will be supplied with baseload renewable heat from Vast’s 30 MW / 288 MWh CSP plant. Using CSP can potentially reduce green fuel production costs by up to 40 per cent according to a recent report by engineering group Fichtner. The project’s success could unlock green fuels production in Australia, with potential for exports to Germany and other global markets. The JDA sets out how the project will be developed and further underlines Vast and Mabanaft’s contribution to the energy transition by combining technological, business development and commercial expertise. This comes after Vast and Mabanaft…
Arizona Electric Co-Op Unveils Solar-Plus-Storage Project Powered by AI

Stem (NYSE: STEM), a leading global provider of AI-driven clean energy solutions, has partnered with Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) to deploy a groundbreaking solar-plus-storage project for a member cooperative. This project, located at Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-op (SSVEC), is the first of three similar deployments planned for AEPCO’s member cooperatives. It combines a 40-megawatt hour (MWh) energy storage system with an existing 20-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (solar) system. Stem’s award-winning AI software, Athena®, will be integrated to optimise performance and manage the entire system on a single platform. All three projects are expected to be operational by the end of 2024. “More than 900 electric co-ops across 48 states make up the largest electric utility network in the U.S. The segment is forecasted to be one of the fastest growing segments of the front-of-the-meter (FTM) market through the end of this decade and is projected to represent over 20% of all future storage deployments,” said John Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Stem. “Stem’s unique combination of AI-driven software, hardware, and services is enabling enhanced value and project returns at scale for co-ops and their members. We are excited to bring our proven capabilities and market experience to AEPCO and…
Canadian Firm to Lead Refurbishment of Romanian Nuclear Power Plant

Romania’s nuclear operator, SN Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), has signed a significant agreement with Canadian Nuclear Partners S.A. (CNPSA) to ensure the successful refurbishment of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The Framework Agreement, valued at approximately €240 million (£208 million), will see CNPSA establish a dedicated Project Management Organization (PMO) to oversee the entire refurbishment process. This includes providing expertise in project management, technical assistance, consulting, and training specific to CANDU reactors – the technology used at Cernavoda. The project aims to extend the operational lifespan of Unit 1 by 30 years, securing a reliable and clean energy source for Romania beyond 2029. This collaboration leverages Canada’s proven track record in delivering CANDU refurbishment projects on time and within budget. “The world is watching as Ontario continues to deliver multi-billion-dollar CANDU nuclear refurbishment projects on time and on budget” said Ontario Minister Todd Smith. “We’re ready to support our allies, leveraging all that experience and expertise to support the refurbishment of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 so it can continue to deliver reliable and clean energy for generations to come, and provide continued energy security.” “With increasing geopolitical volatility, it is clear that countries around the world are looking…
Jacobs and VolkerStevin Team Up for Major UK Water Infrastructure Project

A joint venture between Jacobs (NYSE:J) and VolkerStevin, known as C2V, has been appointed as the Construction Delivery Partner (CDP) for United Utilities, one of the UK’s largest water companies. This significant win marks the start of a major collaboration to deliver United Utilities’ most ambitious capital investment program to date. C2V will provide a comprehensive suite of services, encompassing project management, design, construction, and commissioning for complex capital projects. These projects will span various areas of water infrastructure, including water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs, bioresources, and energy solutions. The appointment of C2V forms part of a wider specialist framework established by United Utilities. All participating organisations will work collaboratively with United Utilities to deliver their planned £3 billion capital program from 2025 to 2030. An optional five-year extension is also possible, extending the program to 2035. “The water sector is facing unprecedented environmental challenges. This framework positions United Utilities to deliver its largest ever program to advance environmental performance and critical water services in North West England,” said Jacobs Senior Vice President Kate Kenny. “With our 20+ years’ experience working in the region, we can further contribute vital water and wastewater infrastructure solutions that deliver stronger, greener…