First ESS Iron Flow Battery To Go Online This Month
ESS is a manufacturer of iron flow batteries in the state of Oregon. At the present time, lithium-ion batteries account for about 85% of grid-scale energy storage. That technology is time-tested and reliable. Prices continue to fall, but lithium-ion batteries have some issues.
They use materials like lithium, cobalt, manganese, aluminum, and nickel that can be expensive, especially if they are in short supply. They can also catch fire and begin to degrade after thousands of charge/discharge cycles. But the biggest issue with lithium-ion batteries is they can only put stored electricity back into the grid for 2 to 4 hours.
Iron flow batteries use three of the most abundant elements on Earth — iron, salt, and water. They consist of two storage tanks with a membrane between them. The membrane allows electrons to flow back and forth between the tanks while keeping the liquids separate.
If that sounds easy, it’s not. Getting the right mix of iron, salt, and water is critical, and creating a membrane that lasts a long time is no easy thing. But ESS has products ready to go and has just signed a deal with SB Energy, a division of SoftBank, to provide 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of its iron flow batteries between now and 2026. The first of the batteries will be deployed at a solar power plant in Davis, California this month.
In a press release, Rich Hossfeld of SB Energy says, “ESS’s unique ability to manufacture and ship batteries using iron, salt, and water is a game-changer, enabling SB Energy to offer our customers safe, sustainable and low-cost energy storage today. Long duration storage is absolutely critical to providing flexible, affordable renewable energy at scale and aligns perfectly with the Biden administration’s ambitious clean energy initiatives. SB Energy is excited to continue its partnership with ESS and deploy the company’s domestically manufactured batteries into the vast and rapidly growing market for energy storage.”
Eric Dresselhuys, CEO of ESS CEO, agrees. “This agreement exemplifies the accelerating demand for long-duration energy storage and reinforces our strong partnership with SB Energy to supply safe and sustainable technology built in the US. The energy transition will require massive amounts of storage capacity in the coming years and we are focused on scaling up our manufacturing capacity to help meet that demand. We are fortunate to have such great partners as SB Energy and Breakthrough Energy Ventures and look forward to a long and expanding partnership.”
Dresselhuys adds, “This deal is really the culmination of years of work to show that there’s a better mousetrap out there that solves more problems and is better for where the grid is going. Once people see that we’ve been vetted and tested and approved by partners like SB, that provides a lot of confidence.”
Image credit: ESS Inc.
ESS claims its flow batteries last for more than 20,000 charge/discharge cycles and can provide energy for up to 12 hours. In addition, they have a life expectancy of 25 years and are easily recyclable when their useful life is over. The company says it uses the same electrolyte on both the negative and positive sides of the equation,which eliminates the cross-contamination and degradation that shortens the life of other flow batteries.
“Our patented electrode design and control system, coupled with our simple, yet elegant electrochemistry, allows you to operate longer, at higher efficiency and deeper discharge levels. Unlike typical batteries packaged as fixed cells or modules, a flow battery has significantly more energy storage capacity, which gives the user the flexibility to align both the power and amount of electricity stored precisely to a project’s requirements today and for the future.”
In addition to the deal with SB Energy, ESS has also been tapped by Enel to supply 17 of its shipping container-sized Energy Warehouse battery systems with a combined capacity of 8.5 megawatt-hours (MWh) to solar facilities in Spain.
Time-shifting is the operative concept when it comes to energy storage. Some people like to play to the grandstand and suggest smugly that the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine, and that’s why we need to keep thermal and nuclear generating plants functioning. But that blather misses the point.
As MIT noted in 2011,”The sunlight that reaches Earth every day dwarfs all the planet’s other energy sources. This solar energy is clearly sufficient in scale to meet all of mankind’s energy needs — if it can be harnessed and stored in a cost-effective way.” It says some 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strike the Earth every day — 10,000 times more energy than necessary to meet the energy needs of the entire human race. And it’s free, people! All we need to do is figure out how to harvest it, store it, and distribute it. That’s where time-shifting comes in. Generate it now, store, and use it later when the sun is over the horizon.
No one is suggesting the ESS iron flow batteries are the only solution to energy storage, but at a projected cost of around $25 per kilowatt-hour, they clearly should be part of the mix of available energy storage technologies.
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Environment
Betting on the nuclear renaissance: How investors are weighing risk amid surging clean energy demand
The Sizewell A and B nuclear power stations, operated by Electricite de France SA (EDF), in Sizewell, UK, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
LONDON — Surging power demand has reignited interest in nuclear energy, but vast capital requirements and an uncertain political and regulatory climate raise questions about the sector’s fiscal capacity.
Tech giants are pumping money into nuclear energy investments, looking to power energy-intensive data centers and realize their AI ambitions.
AI and data centers are the “canary in the coal mine,” World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León told CNBC ahead of the conference. “We are finally recognizing that the demand of electricity and energy in general is only going to increase. But the reality is that all sectors of the economy are going to need more electricity.”
In addition to AI, applications range from nuclear energy for the metallurgical industry, which is looking to electrify as fast as possible, to the chemical, maritime and shipping sectors, León said.
The question of how to meet the world’s growing power needs took center stage as chief executives of the world’s biggest uranium and nuclear energy firms, experts and investors gathered for the annual World Nuclear Association (WNA) symposium at the Royal Lancaster London hotel last week.
Opening remarks from Dr Sama Bilbao y León, director general of the World Nuclear Association, at the 2025 conference.
World Nuclear Association
Kicking off discussions at the conference, Leon told attendees in her welcoming speech that the event is a “working summit” looking to move past mere conversation.
Investments in the nuclear value chain through 2025 are projected to increase to $2.2 trillion, according to Morgan Stanley estimates, up from a 2024 forecast of $1.5 trillion. That level of investment raises questions over the role of government, banks and other financial players in providing sufficient fiscal capacity.
Investment challenges
Nuclear energy is said to provide a more reliable, 24/7 energy source compared to renewables, which can be more intermittent. The development of small modular reactors (SMRs) provides a more scalable power solution due to their size. According to the IEA, the payback period of a SMR investment is half the usual 20 to 30-year period for larger scale projects.
But SMRs have yet to reach the commercial stage, and most planned projects won’t come online until 2030. While a significant amount of money is being pledged, there have been no new large-scale nuclear projects in the U.S. in the last 15 years.
“The first positive story with respect to the financial sector with regards to nuclear, is that they are open to financing nuclear,” Mahesh Goenka, founder of market and commercial advisory firm Old Economy, told CNBC on the sidelines of WNA. “That was not the story a few years ago when a lot of banks didn’t want to touch nuclear projects. That has changed. The question now remains, do they have the risk appetite to finance nuclear projects?”
Challenges include over-running budgets, the late delivery of projects due to long construction lead times, the technical complexity of initiatives and difficulties obtaining licenses.
Goenka compared the West to China, where financial institutions are happy to finance nuclear projects because they can be delivered on time and on budget — leading to better margins than on other infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, the West has not built many new reactors in a very long time, so the learning rate is not quite there yet, he said.
Nearly all of the nuclear generating capacity in the U.S. comes from reactors built between 1967 and 1990, with no new constructions until 2013 when work started on the Vogtle units in Georgia. Meanwhile, the last plant to be built in the U.K. was Sizewell B, which started operating in 1995.
Nuclear investments are “inherently political projects,” said Mark Muldowney, managing director of energy, resources and infrastructure at BNP Paribas. He noted that, while clients are much more receptive to the investments, uncertainty over cost and build time remains.
“We are many years away from the situation in which techniques like project finance can be used by themselves to finance large nuclear [projects],” he said during a panel discussion.
“It’s not going to be the contractors, even if they were willing to, and by and large they aren’t, they will be bankrupted by some of the risks that sit with these projects. So it’s either going to be a government, or it’s going to be the electricity consumers of that country, and in some places that could be intermediated by utilities.”
Government backstop still required
Nuclear power plants are among the most capital intensive assets. The U.K., for example, has greenlit the construction of a massive two-reactor nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast that will generate 3.2 gigawatts of electricity — enough, the government says, to provide power for the equivalent of 6 million homes. But costs of the majority government-owned project have jumped to £38 billion, exceeding an initial target of £20 billion.
Other major projects have run into similar issues. The Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia, ran several years behind schedule and had a budget that more than doubled during development. The U.K.’s Hinkley Point nuclear power point faced many concerns around security risks during its initial stages, as well as a budget that swelled to an estimated £40 billion.
Trevor Myburgh, senior executive in corporate finance advisory at Eskom, stressed that the private sector cannot be a “silver bullet” and solve the problem of financing nuclear energy.
Public private partnerships are going to be “crucial” in the development of nuclear, particularly in any emerging economy, Myburgh said during a panel discussion on Wednesday.
While some European countries such as Switzerland — which currently has a ban on the construction of any new nuclear plants but has drafted legislation to lift this motion — and Germany remain adverse to nuclear energy, other governments such as those of the U.K., France, and the U.S. have leaned into the energy source.
Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders designed to fast track the development of nuclear reactors and quadruple nuclear generating capacity by 2025.
Such actions from Trump’s administration have put positive nuclear energy policies “on steroids,” said Uranium Royalty Corp CEO Scott Melbye.
“What we’re seeing are really concrete measures being taken by this administration to spur not only the building of small modular reactors, advanced reactors and large reactors, but [also] in the fuel cycle,” Melbye told WNA attendees.
Investor Arfa Karani noted the growing interest from the investor community to find opportunities with startups, particularly those that supply nuclear-adjacent tech.
The U.K. government, in particular has adopted a more “hands-on” approach in helping founders understand how to invest in clean tech, she said.
“The regulation has to figure itself out. It’s no longer a question of, where do we get the capital from? ….because now suddenly it’s become a matter of national security and global power and global dominance,” she told CNBC, adding that commitment Stateside to funding AI and nuclear has meant that “all the insolvable problems suddenly becomes solvable which is very exciting for nuclear.”
The US solar industry put nearly 18 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity on the grid in the first half of 2025. Even as the Trump administration rolled out anti-clean energy policies, solar and storage still made up 82% of all new power added to the grid in the first six months of the year. But the growth picture isn’t as sunny as it looks, according to the SEIA.
Trump’s big bill (HR1) and new administration actions targeting solar have dragged down deployment forecasts. The latest US Solar Market Insight Q3 2025 report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie warns that these policies could cut 44 GW of US solar growth by 2030 – an 18% decline. Compared with pre-HR1 forecasts, that’s a total loss of 55 GW, or 21% fewer solar projects by 2030.
“Solar and storage are the backbone of America’s energy future, delivering the majority of new power to the grid at the lowest cost to families and businesses,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. She added that the administration is “deliberately stifling investment, which is raising energy costs for families and businesses, and jeopardizing the reliability of our electric grid.” Still, Hopper stressed that demand will keep the industry growing because “the market is demanding what we’re delivering: reliable, affordable, American-made energy.”
Ironically, the report found that this year, 77% of new solar capacity has been built in states Trump won. Eight of the top 10 states for new installations — Texas, Indiana, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas — all went red in 2024.
On the manufacturing side, the US added 13 GW of new solar module capacity in the first half of the year, with factories ramping up in Texas, Indiana, and Minnesota. That brings total domestic capacity to 55 GW. But momentum stalled in Q2, with no new upstream manufacturing investment as federal policy uncertainty spooked private capital.
Looking ahead, SEIA and Wood Mackenzie expect solar deployment to land 4% lower than pre-HR1 projections by 2030. Near-term solar growth is buoyed by projects already underway, developers racing against tax credit deadlines, and surging electricity demand as new gas generation becomes pricier and less reliable.
The report also highlights the risk of federal permitting changes. A Department of the Interior order throws up obstructions for solar permits, threatening about 44 GW of planned projects. Arizona, California, and Nevada are expected to be hit hardest.
“There is considerable downside risk for the solar industry if the federal permitting environment creates more constraints for solar projects,” said Michelle Davis, head of solar research at Wood Mackenzie. “The solar industry is already navigating dramatic policy changes as a result of HR1. Further uncertainty from federal policy actions is making the business environment incredibly challenging.”
SEIA has urged Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse course, warning that the administration’s approach could mean lost jobs, higher power bills, and a weaker US economy.
The stakes stretch beyond energy: SEIA notes that if solar growth stalls as projected, the Trump administration will blow its chances at winning the global AI race – something it’s keen to do. Last week, the trade group rolled out a grid reliability policy agenda calling on leaders at all levels of government to shore up the grid with solar and storage to meet surging demand.
Read more: FERC: Solar + wind made up 91% of new US power generating capacity in H1 2025
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Inflation is back, with prices rising 2.7% compared to last year (and that doesn’t include food, fuel, or rent, which are up even more), which is objectively bad. But it’s not true that everything is getting more expensive. These inflation-busting EVs are heading into 2026 with prices that are lower than they were in 2025!
There’s plenty of reasons for prices to go up or down in a market – everything from tariffs and taxes and increased domestic production to changes in inflation or even just a manufacturerwillingness to take a smaller profit on per-unit sales in order to drive volume. There’s a little bit of all of that happening in the American EV market this year, especially in the face of the expiring Federal EV tax credit that kind of makes most EVs cost $7,500 more than they would have otherwise.
That said, as I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present these MY26 price cuts. “Best deals?” Too opinion-based. “Biggest discounts by percentage?” Too much math. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. Enjoy!
Cadillac OPTIQ
Cadillac is the industry’s luxury EV leader these days – and for good reason. Its electric crossovers are good-looking, have long range, great acceleration, and ultra-fast charging. Heck, they can even power your home in a pinch.
Even so, the powers that be at GM are worried about how their EV sales will fare in an American without a $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, so they’re offering a rear-wheel-drive version of the OPTIQ crossover with 300 miles of range for the 2026 model year with a starting price that’s nearly $2,000 lower than the least-expensive 2025.
Chevy Silverado EV
Chevy is crushing it right now. After setting EV range records and surpassing Ford in EV sales this semmer, Chevy is now the fastest-growing domestic EV brand in the US – and they’re seemingly intent on keeping that momentum into 2026 with a more affordable WT trim level that starts at $54,895, compared to $57,095 for the ’25 WT Standard Range.
The financial picture is looking rosier at the top of the Silverado EV model range, too. The range-topping model for 2026 is the $88,695 Trail Boss, while the $97,895 RST Max Range topped the 2025 lineup.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Despite being objectively capable, technologically-advanced, and supremely luxurious long-range electric vehicles, the Mercedes EQS and EQS SUVs were saddled with a somewhat anonymous, jellybean-like styling language that’s seen the flagship EVs struggle to find a foothold in the ultra-luxury segment they inhabit.
To that end, Mercedes kicked off its 2025 with big discounts on its in-stock EQS and EQS SUVs, and is responding to lower-than-expected market demand by reducing the cars’ MSRPs. In the case of the EQS SUV, by an inflation-busting $15,000 (!).
Toyota bZ
For 2026, Toyota has axed the bZ4X name and added a raft of both functional and cosmetic improvements to its five-passenger electric crossover, including body color fenders, up to 25% more range, and – thanks to a new thermal management system and battery preconditioning – a bigger battery that can charge from 10-80% capacity in about thirty minutes.
Even with those upgrades, the new and improved 2026 Toyota bZ is cheaper than the outgoing bZ4X, starting at $34,900 – or $2,170 less than the outgoing model.
Disclaimer: the prices above were sourced from CarsDirect, Motor1, and a number OEM websites. All offers were current as of 07SEP2025, and all links provided are from trusted affiliates. These prices may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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