Technology and R&D

The project by Sierra Northern Railway will integrate hydrogen fuel cell, storage, battery, and systems control technologies.

Also on the rise: GE Renewables is supplying technology to a solar+storage facility, and NREL researchers are rethinking cell design to help integrate solar on building facades.

Solar inverters are increasingly smart, but their sophisticated power electronics expose potential cyber security gaps. Work is underway to harden the devices from intruders who may be out to cripple the electric grid.

The latest part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better pledge, the funding will go to grid modernization, carbon removal, renewable energy and energy storage, among other technologies.

In a U.S. study of the added renewables capacity made possible by grid-enhancing technologies, Brattle Group found that both solar and wind power would benefit in Kansas and Oklahoma through 2025.

Also on the rise: Volta Energy fund nets $72.6 million for battery and storage startups, and Brooklyn libraries add rooftop solar to power safe-haven emergency services.

The Biden administration and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are moving quickly to advance energy and climate initiatives. To sweeten the pot, ARPA-E is offering $100 million in funding.

Also on the rise: ARPA-E offers $100 million in R&D funding, California hunts for generation resources for this summer, and CIT Group helps arrange financing for a handful of BESS capacity.

Also on the rise: Enevate and Highview Power fuel growth plans with additional investors, and a new venture targets Li-ion battery recycling for fleet vehicles.

From panel coatings to power line monitoring and a meter collar that could save homeowners up to $2,000 on a solar installation, Daniel Goldman of Clean Energy Ventures highlights companies that he thinks will break through in 2021.