CATL has unveiled the TENER Sodium Energy Storage System, the world's first sodium-ion energy storage solution, which is expected to reach 1 GWh in shipments by 2026. The system offers better performance, safety, and cost potential compared to lithium, with modular architecture, configuration flexibility, and lower maintenance costs. CATL has invested heavily in sodium-ion battery R&D, accumulating patents and establishing end-to-end manufacturing processes to support large-scale deployment. The company is set to deliver its first systems in September, with international deliveries starting in June 2027, marking the official entry of sodium-ion energy storage into the GWh-scale deployment era and representing a new stage in energy storage infrastructure for a more stable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy future.
Author: Cleantechnica
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Octopus Energy Partners With DTEK To Bring Solar & Battery Storage To Ukraine
Octopus Energy and DTEK have formed a joint venture called Project RISE to invest €100 million in building rooftop solar and battery storage in Ukraine. This initiative aims to help Ukrainian businesses and public sector organizations generate and store electricity onsite, reducing the impact of power outages caused by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The partnership showcases a decentralized green energy system as a resilient solution against infrastructure attacks, with the goal of securing long-term financing for the project through negotiations with financial institutions. Octopus Energy's CEO, Greg Jackson, emphasizes the importance of distributed solar and batteries in building a secure future for Ukraine's energy system. The joint venture will provide equipment at no upfront cost, with financing from banks, investors, grants, and guarantees, aligning with Rinat Akhmetov's commitment to Ukraine's recovery and sustainable development.
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Sunrun, Renew Home, & Tesla Team Up to Deliver More Than 16 Gigawatts of Fast, Flexible Power for Data Centers and Large Loads
Sunrun, Renew Home, and Tesla have partnered to deliver over 16 GW of flexible energy capacity to meet growing electricity demand from data centers and AI growth, creating the largest distributed power plant in the country. This collaboration aims to provide cost-effective solutions for data centers, lower energy bills for American households, and unlock latent capacity in home batteries, HVAC systems, and EVs. The companies have capacity available in Virginia and plan to expand nationwide, urging hyperscalers to engage immediately to secure local energy resources. By utilizing existing resources in American homes, this joint framework can provide national coverage, support economic growth, and offer sustainable energy solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
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Global Solar Council Launches AgriPV Taskforce to Unlock the Next Frontier of Solar Growth
The Global Solar Council's AgriPV Task Force aims to accelerate the growth of agrivoltaics, unlocking nearly 33 TW of additional solar capacity worldwide by utilizing just 1% of agricultural land. This initiative supports rural communities, strengthens agricultural productivity, and improves climate resilience by bringing together industry leaders to advance policies and build a scalable global AgriPV market. The Task Force focuses on promoting understanding, sharing best practices, supporting policy development, and fostering collaboration between solar and agricultural sectors to position agrivoltaics as a critical pillar for the next phase of solar growth, delivering benefits for energy systems, farmers, food security, and climate resilience.
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Two Microgrids With Solar Power Being Developed For Tribal Community In California
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and OATI are partnering to develop two microgrids for the tribal community in Northern California, bringing renewable energy onto tribal lands for energy independence and cost reduction. The project includes a 4.5 MWac solar power array and 21 MWh battery energy storage system, with funding from the California Energy Commission and FEMA. The microgrid will power on-reservation facilities and sell excess electricity to the grid, providing resiliency and substantial energy cost savings for the Paskenta community. This initiative will allow Paskenta to self-generate a significant amount of electricity, leading to significant cost savings and a more sustainable energy future.
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Prototyping Data Tools With AI, A Case Study: Solar + Battery Atlas
Ember, an independent energy think tank, has utilized artificial intelligence to develop the Solar + Battery Atlas, showcasing the cost-effectiveness of 24/7 solar power in many regions worldwide. The tool analyzes 5,000 locations and demonstrates that solar and batteries can reliably supply over 80% of annual electricity demand for the majority of people, with costs competitive at under $100/MWh for most. This opportunity is particularly significant in areas with weak power systems, where solar and battery systems can already outcompete planned fossil generation. By leveraging AI to accelerate the creation of data tools, Ember aims to provide policymakers and investors with the necessary insights to advance the clean energy transition and make informed decisions in the energy sector.
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Southeast Asia Has 5 Proposed Subsea Power Cable Projects By 2040 — But The First Link It Needs Is Governance
The technical case for subsea power cables connecting Southeast Asia's electricity systems has been established, with a focus on governance arrangements evolving alongside regional electricity integration. ASEAN's cross-border electricity ambitions will require stronger regional planning, cost allocation approaches, and coordination across the maritime domain. The region aims to more than double its interconnector capacity by 2040, benefiting from abundant renewable energy resources and the potential to reduce fossil fuel imports through subsea cables. Addressing gaps in regional planning, cost allocation, and navigating territorial waters will be crucial for successful implementation of cross-border subsea interconnection projects in ASEAN. The article discusses the need for governance arrangements to support the development of cross-border energy infrastructure in the ASEAN region, particularly focusing on the ASEAN Power Grid Generation and Transmission Planning function. It highlights the importance of coordination in planning, regulation, financing, and maritime governance for the success of subsea power cable development, drawing lessons from Europe's experience in evolving governance frameworks for energy infrastructure. The ASEAN region already has foundational institutions in place, such as the ASEAN Centre for Energy, HAPUA, and the APGCC, but there is a need to strengthen governance arrangements to support regional electricity integration.
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The EV Battery Call Is Coming From Inside The House
The US energy storage startup QuantumScape is making strides in solid-state lithium-metal EV battery technology, partnering with companies like Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and Corning for advancements in battery manufacturing. Former Tesla Motors co-founder JB Straubel has joined QuantumScape to accelerate the transition to solid-state batteries, while Mark Marbury brings defense application experience to the company's Strategic Advisory Board. Despite setbacks in domestic EV battery manufacturing, companies like Anthro Energy, Dragonfly Energy, and Factorial Energy are pushing forward with their plans. QuantumScape's progress represents a significant step towards commercial-level production of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, aligning with the shift towards federal electrification technology.
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India Needs 10 GWh of Battery Storage Now to Stop Coal’s Inflexibility Wasting Clean Power
India's coal-based power plants are struggling to ramp down during midday solar surges, leading to renewable energy curtailment. Ember's analysis shows that around 10 GWh of battery storage is needed to absorb surplus energy and prevent curtailment. The lack of flexibility in the grid, with coal providing most of the reserves, is causing renewable curtailment to accommodate coal plants operating at their minimum technical loads. Without sufficient storage and flexibility, curtailment of clean electricity will continue to rise as solar capacity grows in India. The article discusses the increasing curtailment of solar and wind energy in India due to the lack of storage solutions, highlighting the need for battery storage projects to absorb surplus generation and provide downward reserves. It recommends allowing grid charging during solar surplus hours to reduce curtailment, lower system stress, and improve flexibility, emphasizing the importance of correcting the current framework to unlock the next phase of India's renewable energy growth. The Khavda project in Gujarat is cited as a successful and quick deployment model for battery storage projects.
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ComEd, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Honor 9 Communities Advancing EV Readiness Across Northern Illinois
ComEd, in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, recognized nine communities in northern Illinois for graduating from the 2026 EV Readiness Program, aimed at preparing municipalities for the growth of electric vehicles through improved policies, permitting, and first-responder readiness. The state of Illinois has a goal of having one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, with the EV Readiness Program supporting communities in updating zoning codes, streamlining processes, and training first responders to support EV adoption. ComEd has invested over $200M in EV incentive and rebate funding to support the transition to electric transportation, focusing on equity investment eligible communities and low-income customers to drive investment and promote long-term sustainability in the region.