Solmar Capital, Author at Solmar Capital

Grid Operations and Technology

UT researchers unveil live-line grid sensor for early fault detection

A new live-line sensor system from University of Texas researchers offers real-time fault detection and power line monitoring, shortening inspection times and enabling quicker response to grid threats.

July 31, 2026

Policy and Regulation

Senate hears need for accelerated fiber permitting to support AI demand

A Senate subcommittee session highlights urgency in broadband and fiber deployment, as AI adoption tests current infrastructure and network permitting processes.

July 31, 2026

Data Centers and AI Infrastructure

FirstEnergy data center contracts surge, driving $2.7B power build

FirstEnergy’s contracted data center load climbed 50% in Q2 to 6.4 GW, spurring a $2.7 billion new generation plan in West Virginia targeting hyperscale and AI operators.

July 31, 2026

Data Centers and AI Infrastructure

Eolian to deliver 1 GWh battery storage near Ohio data center

Eolian is advancing a 1 GWh, 200 MW battery energy storage project near Columbus, Ohio, targeting grid support for data centers and regional industrial load by the 2027 to 2028 PJM capacity year.

July 31, 2026

Policy and Regulation

Land use found to drive solar permitting speed in California

A new study shows that the type of land chosen for utility-scale solar in California is the primary driver of permitting timelines, with developed sites receiving approvals much faster than those on open space.

July 30, 2026

Policy and Regulation

DTE Energy seeks 800 MW of renewables across MISO states

DTE Energy has issued an RFP targeting 800 MW of new wind and solar capacity from projects in select MISO states and zones, in support of Michigan’s Voluntary Green Pricing program, with projects required to reach commercial operation by the end of 2030.

July 30, 2026

Grid Operations and Technology

PJM plans backstop auction, sets data center curtailment measures

PJM Interconnection proposes a backstop capacity auction to cover a 6.8 GW shortfall and new curtailment protocols for data centers without dedicated power, reshaping reliability and cost structures for utilities and digital infrastructure stakeholders.

July 30, 2026

Finance and Transactions

Tesla inks PPA for 1TWh solar and storage project in Arizona

Tesla will procure 1TWh per year of renewable energy from ContourGlobal’s Sterling Project in Arizona, marking one of the largest US solar-plus-storage corporate PPAs.

July 30, 2026

Policy and Regulation

FCC ban on foreign inverters freezes US solar grid interconnections

The FCC has imposed an immediate ban on foreign-produced solar inverters, halting new approvals and stalling projects that account for over 93% of the US inverter supply.

July 29, 2026

Grid Operations and Technology

Zinc battery storage expands Lincoln microgrid for critical load support

Lincoln Electric System adds a 3-MW/12-MWh zinc-based battery to its 30-MW microgrid, supporting the Nebraska state Capitol and key infrastructure.

July 29, 2026