Solid-state transformers, energy storage, and data center power dominate this week's energy news.
Energy Storage Expansion Continues Amidst Market and Regulatory Shifts
Significant new deals and financing underscore the critical role of storage in grid modernization.
TVA and Plus Power signed major battery deals, while Noon Energy targets AI data centers with massive storage capacity. New financing and acquisitions also signal continued investment in the sector.
- Tenaska Signs 20-Year Storage Deal With TVA for 225 MW/900 MWh
- Noon Energy’s 1 GW/100 GWh Storage for AI Data Centers
- TVA, Plus Power Sign 200 MW/800 MWh Battery Deal for Alabama
Solid-State Transformers Poised to Disrupt Power Electronics Landscape
New technologies and supply chain issues highlight the growing potential and challenges for SSTs.
Articles discuss the fundamental differences between SSTs and traditional converters, the critical role of silicon carbide wafer capacity, and long lead times for conventional transformers creating a commercial opportunity for SSTs.
- Solid-State Transformers and HVDC Voltage Source Converters Are Different Beasts: Why the Same SiC Devices Build Different Products
- 1500 V DC vs 800 V DC: The Voltage Standardization Debate Shaping Every Solid-State Transformer Product Design
- Wolfspeed’s 200mm Silicon Carbide Wafer Capacity Is the Single Biggest 2026 Bottleneck on Solid-State Transformer Production
Policy and Market Dynamics Shape Grid Modernization and Supply Chains
Policy decisions and market trends are influencing grid infrastructure, supply chains, and energy markets.
FERC's interconnection rule delays and DOE's coal plant orders show regulatory impact, while discussions around transformer supply chains and grid operator compliance deadlines are critical.
- FERC Delays DOE Data Center Interconnection Rulemaking to June
- DOE Renews 202(c) Order Keeping JH Campbell and Schahfer Coal
- Trump’s Defense Act: Rebuilding Transformer, Grid Supply Chain
Data Center Power Demands Drive Grid Integration and Onsite Generation
The rapid growth of data centers presents significant challenges for grid stability and power supply.
FERC delays on data center interconnection rules and the increasing shift to onsite generation by facilities highlight the strain. GE Vernova's growing backlog also reflects this demand.
- FERC Delays DOE Data Center Interconnection Rulemaking to June
- Wartsila Books 1,202 MW of US Data Center Engine Orders
- GE Vernova Gas Turbine Backlog Reaches 100 GW, Driven by Data
Renewable Development Accelerates with Major Portfolio Acquisitions
Large-scale renewable energy projects are expanding, driven by developer acquisitions and policy support.
NextEra Energy Resources and BrightNight have added significant gigawatts of renewable capacity through new additions and portfolio acquisitions, signaling continued growth in the sector.
Wartsila booked 1,202 MW of US data center engine orders, while GE Vernova saw its gas turbine backlog hit 100 GW, both driven by data center demand. Noon Energy announced a 1 GW/100 GWh storage project for AI data centers. Meanwhile, FERC delayed the DOE's data center interconnection rulemaking to June. The sector faces a shift, with 27% of US facilities projected to move to onsite generation by 2030 due to grid integration challenges.
State of Data Center Power: 27% of U.S. Facilities Shift to Onsite Generation by 2030 as Grid Integration Challenges MountTesla's Q1 storage deployments fell 38% to 8.8 GWh, contrasting with significant new project announcements. Tenaska and TVA signed a 225 MW/900 MWh deal, and Plus Power secured a 200 MW/800 MWh project with TVA. Lightshift Energy deployed 25 MW in Virginia. Trina Storage tested its 5 MWh BESS against a new fire standard, and SolarEdge launched a commercial battery. Headwater Energy acquired a 1 GW solar and storage pipeline, indicating continued development despite Tesla's dip.
State of Battery & Energy Storage: $1.35 Billion in New Financing and 20+ GWh in MotionFederal contracts are driving a B+ infrastructure push in microgrids and onsite generation through mid-2026, signaling continued investment in distributed energy solutions.
State of Microgrids & Onsite Generation: Federal Contracts Drive B+ Infrastructure Push Through Mid-2026Megawatt-scale infrastructure is arriving for EV charging, with bidirectional power capabilities reaching 750 kW, marking a significant upgrade in charging speed and grid interaction.
State of EV Charging: Megawatt-Scale Infrastructure Arrives as Bidirectional Power Reaches 750 kWGrid operators face an October compliance deadline as AI and EV loads push harmonic limits, highlighting the growing strain on power quality and the need for updated standards.
State of Power Quality & Standards: Grid Operators Face October Compliance Deadline as AI and EV Loads Push Harmonic LimitsNextEra Energy Resources added a record 4 GW of renewables, and BrightNight acquired a 6 GW development portfolio, underscoring significant growth. The DOE renewed an order keeping coal plants operational. Meanwhile, a defense act aims to rebuild the transformer and grid supply chain. Overall, 58 GW was added to the grid, with markets clearing lower and demand response rules stabilizing.
State of Grid Policy & Markets: 58 GW Added as Markets Clear Lower and Demand Response Rules StabilizeWolfspeed's 200mm SiC wafer capacity is the primary bottleneck for solid-state transformer (SST) production in 2026, with lead times for traditional power transformers stretching to 128 weeks. The US Navy is advancing shipboard MVDC power using SSTs. Debates continue over 1500 V vs. 800 V DC for SST designs. While megawatt charging emerges as an infrastructure threshold, SST deployments remain in single digits.
State of Power Electronics: Megawatt Charging Emerges as 2026 Infrastructure Threshold While Solid-State Transformers Remain Single-Digit Deployments