Energy storage and EV charging dominate, with AI and grid modernization emerging.
Grid Modernization and Emerging Technologies Address Future Needs
Focus on grid policy, microgrids, and advanced power electronics signals preparation for evolving energy demands.
New federal contracts are pushing microgrid infrastructure, while advancements in power electronics like GaN ICs are enabling higher efficiencies. Grid operators are also preparing for compliance deadlines and harmonic limits.
- Bloom Energy’s 1 Gigawatt AEP Fuel Cell Deal and Why Solid-State Transformers Are the Natural Interface
- How Insurance and Warranty Terms Shape Commercial Solid-State Transformer Adoption: The Risk-Underwriting Question
- Schneider Electric’s Solid-State Transformer Positioning: SF6-Free Switchgear, Premset Insulation Technology, and an Undeclared SST Roadmap
Energy Storage Boom: Gigawatt-Scale Projects and New Financing Fuel Growth
Massive project announcements and significant new financing highlight a booming energy storage market.
Multiple large-scale battery projects, including a 620 MW solar-storage facility and a 250MW/1,000MWh Cormorant project, were initiated. New financing rounds totaling over $1.35 billion are enabling significant expansion.
- Energy Vault Acquires 175 MW / 350 MWh Battery Project Near
- Sunraycer breaks ground on 620 MW Texas solar-storage project
- Banpu Buys 100 MW BESS in ERCOT Houston for \$90M
Megawatt EV Charging and Solid-State Transformers Gain Traction
Megawatt charging for EVs is becoming a reality, while solid-state transformers inch closer to wider adoption.
EV charging infrastructure is reaching megawatt scale, with validation of high-power charging systems. Solid-state transformers are seeing strategic positioning and roadmap development, though widespread adoption remains limited.
- eVerged and World4Solar Partner on Integrated Solar-Battery EV
- EV Realty, Kempower and Windrose Validate Megawatt Charging
- State of Power Electronics: Megawatt Charging Emerges as 2026 Infrastructure Threshold While Solid-State Transformers Remain Single-Digit Deployments
Innovative Energy Storage Materials and Long-Duration Solutions Emerge
Research into novel materials and long-duration storage technologies is advancing the energy storage landscape.
Form Energy is advancing its 12 GWh iron-air battery deal, while research explores transforming waste into energy storage materials. These developments point to a future with more diverse and longer-duration storage options.
AI and Data Centers Drive Demand for Dispatchable Power
The growing demand for AI computing is spurring new partnerships for reliable, dispatchable power sources.
NVIDIA is partnering with power producers to launch dispatchable AI initiatives, addressing the significant energy needs of data centers. This trend is expected to drive a shift towards onsite generation.
NVIDIA partnered with six US power producers to launch dispatchable AI power, a move that signals a growing trend toward onsite generation. This comes as a new report indicates 27% of US facilities will shift to onsite generation by 2030, highlighting mounting grid integration challenges.
State of Data Center Power: 27% of U.S. Facilities Shift to Onsite Generation by 2030 as Grid Integration Challenges MountEnergy Vault, Sunraycer, Banpu, esVolta, and Arevon announced new battery projects totaling over 1.1 GW and 1.7 GWh this week, with Energy Vault acquiring a 175 MW project and Banpu buying a 100 MW BESS for $90M. Form Energy also sealed a 12 GWh iron-air battery deal. These moves underscore a broader market trend, with over $1.35 billion in new financing and 20+ GWh in motion.
State of Battery & Energy Storage: $1.35 Billion in New Financing and 20+ GWh in MotionBloom Energy secured a 1 GW AEP fuel cell deal, signaling the growing importance of solid-state transformers as the natural interface for such large-scale onsite generation. This aligns with a broader push in microgrids and onsite generation, driven by federal contracts and infrastructure investment through mid-2026.
State of Microgrids & Onsite Generation: Federal Contracts Drive B+ Infrastructure Push Through Mid-2026Megawatt charging for EVs moved closer to reality this week with EV Realty, Kempower, and Windrose validating the technology. eVerged and World4Solar also partnered on integrated solar-battery EV charging solutions. This indicates a significant infrastructure threshold being crossed, with bidirectional power now reaching 750 kW.
State of EV Charging: Megawatt-Scale Infrastructure Arrives as Bidirectional Power Reaches 750 kWTSEA Energy invested $5 million in a North Carolina factory, a move that comes as grid operators face an October compliance deadline. The increasing adoption of AI and EV loads is pushing harmonic limits, making power quality and standards critical.
State of Power Quality & Standards: Grid Operators Face October Compliance Deadline as AI and EV Loads Push Harmonic LimitsThe grid saw 58 GW added this week as markets cleared lower and demand response rules stabilized, indicating a period of market maturation and regulatory consolidation.
State of Grid Policy & Markets: 58 GW Added as Markets Clear Lower and Demand Response Rules StabilizeMegawatt charging emerged as a key 2026 infrastructure threshold, with Power Integrations launching new high-power ICs. Meanwhile, solid-state transformers remain in single-digit deployments, with industry analysis focusing on insurance and warranty terms shaping commercial adoption, and Schneider Electric outlining its SF6-free switchgear strategy.
State of Power Electronics: Megawatt Charging Emerges as 2026 Infrastructure Threshold While Solid-State Transformers Remain Single-Digit Deployments