Energy Transition in Motion (Week of April 25, 2025)

Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. has developed molten salt electrolysis technology that it calls a “revolutionary breakthrough in cobalt refinement.”

The proprietary DirectPlate Molten Salt Electrolysis technology creates a one-step metal refining technique from impure mined raw materials and select recycling streams. Among the strengths of the technology, compared to legacy refining methods, are unit economics, supply chain security and environmental impact, according to Xerion.

“Unlike existing methods that require multiple plants and extensive processing, Xerion’s innovative DirectPlate Molten Salt Electrolysis (MSE) approach can transform crude cobalt hydroxide directly into high-purity cobalt metal with unprecedented efficiency,” the company said in an April 23 news release.

Like lithium, nickel and other rare earth elements, cobalt is considered a critical mineral in the U.S. It is mainly used in rechargeable battery electrodes. However, cobalt is also a component of automobile airbags and is a catalyst for the petroleum and chemical industries among other uses, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Minerals Information Center.

The U.S. is heavily reliant on foreign countries for critical minerals; however, efforts are underway to grow domestic supplies.

Xerion said its technology can transform crude cobalt hydroxide directly into high-purity cobalt metal. The company said it achieved nearly 100% pure cobalt metal output with greater than 98% yields, producing over 100 kilos, during lab unit testing.

Xerion also announced April 23 the launch of a pilot-scale production line at its Dayton, Ohio, manufacturing facility. Here, the company will focus on process optimization as it eyes commercial-scale production.

“Our technology is not just an incremental improvement—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how we produce critical minerals,” said Xerion CEO and Co-Founder John Busbee. “At Xerion, we are passionate about the advancement of a domestic battery materials supply chain, and we are proud to be addressing a critical national security challenge by presenting a solution that can significantly reduce our dependence on foreign mineral supplies.”

Here’s a roundup of other renewable energy news.

Energy storage

Arkansas Approves Smackover Lithium’s Brine Production Unit

Smackover Lithium’s brine production unit for the first phase of the joint venture’s South West Arkansas direct lithium extraction project has been approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission, according to a news release.

Standard Lithium, which is developing the project with partner Equinor, on April 24 said the unit was approved by the commission with no objections or opposition during a public hearing.

The project’s 20,854-acre brine production unit, formally called the Reynolds Unit, is expected to produce 22,500 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate.

“The establishment of the Reynolds brine unit is another key milestone our team has now successfully completed as we march towards a final investment decision for the SWA Project, and also a necessary statutory requirement as we look to set a royalty for the unit in late May,” Standard Lithium President and COO Andy Robinson said.

The unit is scheduled to begin full commercial production in 2028, according to the release.

Lightshift Energy, Danville Utilities Partner for Second Battery Project in Virginia

Energy storage developer Lightshift Energy has teamed up with Danville Utilities for another battery energy storage project to help stabilize the grid and energize data centers in the region.

The 11-megawatt (MW) Danville II in Virginia will follow the 10.5-MW Danville I, Lightshift said April 23 in a news release.

The company also announced that Danville II secured $1.5 million in funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s Energy Ingenuity Fund.

“Battery storage offers municipal utilities like Danville a valuable tool to stabilize energy costs, support large electric loads like data centers, and enhance grid reliability,” said Michael Herbert, co-founder and managing partner of Lightshift Energy. “We deeply value our ongoing partnership with Danville and are committed to bringing economic development and energy cost savings to the region.”

Danville II is expected to come online in second-quarter 2026.

Premier African Minerals Seeks Lithium Offtake Deal with Glencore

(Reuters) Premier African Minerals is pursuing a lithium concentrate supply deal with commodities giant Glencore Plc, the company said on April 23, as it seeks to clear debt from an inconclusive offtake agreement.

The London-listed Premier operates the Zulu lithium mine in Zimbabwe, where it has missed several production deadlines because of technical problems to bring online a spodumene concentrator.

As a result, it owes major shareholder Canmax Technologies $35 million plus interest under an offtake prepayment deal.

“Premier has entered into a non-binding letter of interest with Glencore International regarding the possible purchase of spodumene concentrate,” Premier said in a statement.

Glencore declined to comment.

If the deal is concluded, Glencore would assist Premier to manage and repay the debt owed to Canmax and other creditors, Premier said.

Under the 2022 offtake deal, Canmax, the single largest shareholder in Premier with a 13% stake, would get 50,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate from Zulu annually, starting before the end of May 2023.

Premier said it had agreed with Canmax to secure a binding spodumene purchase agreement with Glencore within the next three months.

BESS Developer Viridi Takes Over Former Moxion Power Facility

Viridi, a New York-based fail-safe battery energy storage system developer, has established its presence on the West Coast with the acquisition of the former production facility of Moxion Power in Richmond, California.

The more than 40,000-sq-foot facility was put on the auction block after energy storage company Moxion Power filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2024. Viridi said it plans to expand its service, manufacturing, R&D and sales operations from New York to California.

The company on April 21 also announced it received a $9.3 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC).

“This grant from the CEC is a testament to the urgent need for advancing energy storage solutions that are both safe and scalable,” said Viridi CEO Jon M. Williams. “Our expansion to the West Coast represents more than just growth—it’s a pivotal step toward transforming California’s energy landscape.”

RELATED

Smackover Lithium Designated as Priority Critical Mineral Project

EXIM Considers $300MM Funding Package for Pure Lithium Project

Solar

Danfoss Taps Axpo for Texas Solar Power

Engineering technologies company Danfoss inked a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with Axpo to power its facilities with electricity from a Texas solar farm.

Switzerland-based Axpo on April 22 said Danfoss agreed to purchase 185,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually through 2032.

“The solar facility produces all the green electricity needed to power our 24 factories and 36 locations in the region,” said Danfoss Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Global Services Torben Christensen. “The agreement is the result of great team efforts across the Danfoss organization.”

Axpo said it originally purchased the renewable energy under a long-term PPA with the Cypress Creek Renewables-developed Shakes Solar farm in Dimmit County, Texas.

Catalyze Acquires Solar Projects in New York

Independent power producer Catalyze has acquired 48 MW of community solar projects in New York from German solar developer Hep Solar, according to an April 24 news release.

The portfolio consists of eight projects in National Grid’s Load Zone A in upstate New York. The projects are expected to begin commercial operation in 2026, Catalyze said in the release.

“These projects represent a significant step forward in our mission to expand access to renewable energy in New York,” said Catalyze CEO Jared Haines. “Community solar empowers residents—including renters and those without access to rooftop solar—to participate in and benefit from the clean energy transition.”

The eight projects are located in Ashville, Corfu, Brockport, Portland and Dunkirk.

Zelestra Secures $113MM in Financing for Meta-Backed Solar Farm

Renewable energy developer Zelestra closed on $113 million in financing for an 81-MW solar farm in Indiana, the company said April 24.

The Jasper County Solar project, which has long-term environmental attributes purchase agreement in place with Meta, is expected to start operations in the fourth quarter.

Banco Santander acted as the sole arranger of the project financing credit facility.

Zelestra’s U.S. CFO Sybil Milo Cioffi called the close of financing an important milestone as the company grows in the U.S. “The backing from Banco Santander demonstrates confidence in our strategy and our team,” Cioffi said.

Zelestra has about 7 GW of solar and battery energy storage projects in its U.S. project pipeline, the company said.

Recurrent Powers Up 127-MW Solar Farm in Louisiana

Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy marked the start of operations for the 127-megawatt Bayou Galion Solar farm in northeast Louisiana, the company said April 21.

The solar farm, which began operations in November 2024, generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 20,500 homes annually, the company said in a news release.

“The successful completion of Bayou Galion Solar marks a significant milestone for Recurrent Energy—our first project in Louisiana,” said Recurrent Energy CEO Ismael Guerrero. “This $160 million investment not only brings clean, reliable power to the region, but also drives local economic development, creates jobs and strengthens the state’s energy infrastructure.”

The solar farm is located on more than 1,000 acres in Morehouse Parish.

US Finalizes Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Imports

(Reuters) U.S. trade officials finalized steep tariff levels on most solar cells from Southeast Asia, a key step toward wrapping up a year-old trade case in which American manufacturers accused Chinese companies of flooding the market with unfairly cheap goods.

The case was brought last year by Korea’s Hanwha Qcells, Arizona-based First Solar Inc. and several smaller producers seeking to protect billions of dollars in investments in U.S. solar manufacturing.

The petitioner group, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, accused big Chinese solar panel makers with factories in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam of shipping panels priced below their cost of production and of receiving unfair subsidies that make American goods uncompetitive.

The tariffs unveiled on April 21 vary widely depending on the company and country, but were broadly higher than the preliminary duties announced late last year.

Combined dumping and countervailing duties on Jinko Solar products from Malaysia were among the lowest at 41.56%. Rival Trina Solar’s products from its operations in Thailand face tariffs of 375.19%.

Products from Cambodia would face duties of more than 3,500% because its producers elected not to cooperate with the U.S. probe.

For the tariffs to be finalized, the International Trade Commission must vote in June on whether the industry was materially harmed by the dumped and subsidized imports.

UK Bans State Investment in Solar Panels Linked to Forced Labor

(Reuters) Britain will ensure its new state-owned energy company, Great British Energy, avoids the use of solar panels linked to suspected forced labor in China, the energy department said on April 23.

China produces over 80% of the world’s solar panels. Research from the U.K.’s Sheffield Hallam University says forced labor from among the country’s Uyghurs is used to produce polysilicon, one of the panels’ core components.

China denies any abuses and a foreign ministry spokesperson said in February that allegations of forced labor were among the “lies of the century.” The Chinese Embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment on April 23.

Britain has a target to largely decarbonize its electricity sector by 2030 which will require a huge increase in renewable electricity, including an estimated tripling of solar power capacity. GB Energy was launched in July with the aim of boosting investment in renewables to help meet those goals.

Following criticism from some lawmakers about the origin of many solar panels, the commitment on forced labor will be written into legislation currently going through parliament that fully establishes the state-backed company.

RELATED

Standard Solar Acquires 39-MW Solar Portfolio in Illinois

Wind

Cerulean Wraps Up Ecological Surveys for Floating Wind Project

U.K.-based floating offshore wind developer Cerulean Winds said 72 digital aerial surveys for its Aspen, Beech and Cedar developments were completed.

As part of the project, HiDef Surveying used fixed-wing aircraft equipped with ultra-high-resolution digital surveying technology to collect ecological data across a 2,784-sq-km area between April 2023 and March 2025, Cerulean said in an April 24 news release.

“The data will be used in environmental assessments for the project’s consenting phase and to ensure compliance with U.K. and European environmental legislation,” the release said. “The findings will also help optimize sustainable project planning, including turbine placement and infrastructure planning.”

With the surveys complete, the company said it is set to submit its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the 1-GW Aspen project, the first of the three to be developed. Located in the Central North Sea, the Aspen, Beech and Cedar projects together will comprise up to 300 turbines.

Tata Power Renewables, Tata Motors to Co-Develop Wind, Solar Hybrid Project

India-headquartered Tata Motors and Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL) will work together to develop a 131-MW wind and solar hybrid project, Tata Power said in a news release April 21.

Power produced will be used at Tata Motors’ six commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India. The deal is also expected to help move the Tata Motors closer to its net-zero emissions target.

“Under its Group Captive portfolio, TPREL currently operates approximately 478 MW of renewable energy capacity,” Tata Power said in the release. “In addition, nearly 1.1 GW of capacity are at various stages of implementation and will be completed in next 6-24 months. With this order, the total Group Captive capacity will be over 1.5 GW.”

Hart Energy Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.