Market Research
PR Newswire | January 12, 2024
New Project Media (NPM), a rapidly growing renewable energy market data, intelligence, and events company, announced today its acquisition of Energy Rev, a London-based proprietary news service focused on renewable energy financing and M&A. The move will expand NPM's reach into Europe and provide a more comprehensive global offering to its development, finance, advisory & corporate clients.
Since 2019, NPM has seen rapid growth in the U.S. across its market research offerings and its successful conference series. Post acquisition, NPM's global footprint is expanding to 35 employees and boasting a management team with over 70 years of combined experience in media, data and market research businesses including acquiring, integrating, and scaling top research and intelligence companies.
"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Energy Rev both from a growth and expansion perspective, and a strategic one. Peter Kneller has built a robust business as an ahead-of-the-curve resource in the European renewables space," said Ken Meehan, founder and CEO of NPM. "As NPM continues to lead in the renewable energy market research space, we will have quite a bit to roll out in 2024. European markets and partnering with Peter's team are significant pieces of that puzzle and we can't wait to get going together."
NPM plans to expand its European content and commercial teams and integrate market data and research solutions specific to European clients, affording them access to new products that drive additional efficiencies and business development value.
"Our acquisition of Energy Rev and expansion into the European market marks a significant opportunity for our customers and prospective customers. NPM has clients working across Europe, and similarly, many Energy Rev clients are interested in US opportunities so this promises to be a win-win for everyone," said NPM Chief Commercial Officer, Brett Birman. "Bringing Energy Rev in under the NPM umbrella marks a pivotal moment in the growth and sustainability of our business."
Energy Rev founder & editor Peter Kneller has nearly fifteen years' experience covering European renewable energy financing and M&A. Co-editor Jon McNair has worked alongside Kneller for the past eight years with the duo sourcing and reporting solar, wind, storage & energy transition news across the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and other European countries.
"We found the right partner at the right time to further build on the actionable intelligence we're providing to our client base," said Energy Rev Founder, Peter Kneller. "I've seen data and intel companies come and go, but NPM's entrepreneurial spirit and client-centered focus are unmatched in the space. We are excited to continue building out European market solutions for our loyal clients and to provide them with exposure to best-in-class U.S. renewables data, market research and events to inform their businesses in broader and more meaningful ways."
Fox Williams advised on the transaction, which officially closed on December 22, 2023. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
About New Project Media
New Project Media (NPM) is leading market data, intelligence & events company serving developers, capital providers, advisors and corporates with exclusive coverage of utility-scale, distributed generation, and energy transition markets. NPM provides full lifecycle coverage and a unique view of the pre-NTP, development and interconnection queue landscape, helping clients identify new business development opportunities earlier and gain a competitive advantage, while also providing significant time savings & efficiencies through its market data. NPM also hosts industry events each year and produces industry podcasts.
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Energy
PR Newswire | January 25, 2024
Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure LLC (GSI), one of the renewable energy subsidiaries of Libra Group, announced that Iyuhána Solar (Iyuhána), a GSI-led partnership with Saturn Power Inc. and Ocean Man First Nation, has been awarded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to construct and operate a 100-megawatt (MWac) utility-scale solar facility in Saskatchewan, Canada. Developed in partnership with Ocean Man First Nation, the project will be one of Canada's top 10 solar facilities by size.
Under an exclusive PPA, the largest with a utility in Canada since 2015, Iyuhána plans to invest approximately $200 million (CDN) to construct the solar facility, which it will operate, supplying generated power to the principal municipal utility company, SaskPower, for 25 years. Located in the Rural Municipality of Estevan in southeast Saskatchewan, this emissions-free solar facility will produce enough power for the equivalent of approximately 25,000 homes.
"We are proud to bring the transformative power of solar energy to Saskatchewan by working with partners such as Ocean Man First Nation," said Mazen Turk, CEO of GSI. "This unique collaboration shows the power of renewable energy to harness resources and empower communities responsibly. This work is core to our ethos as a Libra company, and we look forward to continuing to help support a clean energy future across Canada and beyond."
As a founding partner, Ocean Man First Nation will have an ownership stake in Iyuhána Solar. Band members will also receive specialized training to maintain the solar facilities and employment opportunities with the project. Additionally, partnering with two of Saskatchewan's leading post-secondary academic institutions, Iyuhána will provide scholarships, internships, and direct research projects in clean energy to benefit the community.
"Our partnership with GSI and SaskPower will bring great opportunities for Ocean Man First Nation, including employment and revenue that will provide stability and sustainability for our Band," said Chief Connie Big Eagle, Ocean Man First Nation. "We are proud that this project, which is able to generate clean power, will be known as Iyuhána Solar, which, in Nakotah translates to 'everyone' or 'all of us.' This is derived from our Nakotah belief that everyone and everything is related and therefore we must care for each other."
While investment in renewable energy grows across Canada, Saskatchewan's clean power supply mix has predominantly consisted of hydro and wind. This is the first of many planned solar projects in the province; by 2035, SaskPower plans to support approximately 3000 MW of new renewable energy capacity in the region.
"This new solar facility will play an important role in our path to net-zero by 2050 or sooner," said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. "We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with Indigenous peoples and the critical role they are playing in the successful expansion of renewable energy in our province."
GSI is one of four renewable energy subsidiaries of Libra Group, a privately owned, global business group that encompasses 20 businesses in six sectors, including renewable energy, maritime, aerospace and more. The Group's renewable energy portfolio encompasses approximately 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of projects owned, developed, or pending development in 10 countries, including solar, wind, battery storage, and waste-to energy projects. This is the second partnership with an indigenous community led by a Libra Group subsidiary.
"Libra Group is proud of this novel partnership, which has come together through shared values and a commitment to driving economic growth and positive outcomes for communities," said Libra Group's CEO Manos Kouligkas. "Sustainability is core to our global business, and we look forward to continuing to leverage synergies across our six sectors in 60 countries with agility and impact."
Last year, GSI acquired Saturn Power Inc.'s solar and battery development portfolios, including its team of seasoned developers and an approximate 1.4-gigawatt (GW) pipeline of early- to late-stage solar and energy storage projects. Today, GSI has a footprint across Canada and in 12 U.S. states.
About Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure
Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI) is one of the clean energy subsidiaries of Libra Group. GSI is a renewable energy company focused on the development, construction, and operation of distributed generation and utility-scale solar energy and battery storage projects in North America. As of January 2024, the company developed approximately 388 MW DC across 71 renewable energy projects, many of which are still owned or operated by GSI and have an additional project pipeline of 1.6 GW. GSI's seasoned team has a proven track record of investing in power assets and partnering with multiple top-tiered investors. For more information on Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI), visit: http://www.greenwoodinfra.com/
About Ocean Man First Nation
The Ocean Man First Nation is a Nakota, Cree, and Saulteaux Band Government in southeast Saskatchewan. OMFN is led by Chief Connie Big Eagle & Council and features a population of 565 members. Ocean Man First Nation created a renewable energy company in 2019 called Second Wind Power. The name Second Wind Power reflects Ocean Man First Nation's history of relocating, re-establishing and starting over as a new community since 1989.
About Libra Group
Libra Group is a privately owned, global business group encompassing 20 businesses predominately focused on aerospace, renewable energy, maritime, real estate, hospitality, and diversified investments. With assets and operations in nearly 60 countries, the Group applies the strength of its global network and capabilities to deliver cross-sector insights and growth at scale.
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Sustainability
PR Newswire | January 08, 2024
Clarios, a global leader in advanced low-voltage battery solutions, and Altris, a pioneer in sustainable sodium-ion battery technology, announced they have created an innovative partnership aimed at developing low-voltage sodium-ion batteries for the automotive industry.
Every vehicle, including hybrid electric and electric vehicles, requires a low-voltage energy source to power critical systems and functions. As hybrid and electric vehicles continue to evolve, the low-voltage network is being asked to support an increased number of software-based functions such as steer-by-wire, break-by-wire, autonomous functions, and enhanced in cabin experiences.
This transformation is leading automakers to explore multi-battery solutions that include lithium-ion, absorbent glass mat (AGM) lead-acid batteries, and other chemistries for some of the world's most iconic vehicles. While lead-acid batteries represent the best example of a circular economy in the world, and lithium-based products continue to evolve, Clarios chemistry agnostic and circular approach has become of strategic importance.
Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries are inherently sustainable and easy to recycle, made from salt, wood, iron, and air. The materials used to produce Na-ion cells are abundant and available – free from conflict minerals and toxic elements. The new joint collaboration program aims to develop an Na-ion battery with a potential of up to 60 volts to support automotive applications in both new vehicles and for aftermarket replacements, that also can complement a multi-battery low-voltage system configuration.
"Clarios brings extensive experience with low-voltage systems within the automotive sector and will play a leading role in defining and optimizing the specifications for the sodium-ion cells," said Federico Morales Zimmermann, vice president and GM, Global Customers, Products and Engineering at Clarios.
Altris, a leader in sodium-ion cathode material and battery cell technology, will focus on the development of Na-ion cells specifically adapted to the needs of the low-voltage automotive battery market.
"Altris wants to bring the world better, safer and truly sustainable sodium-ion batteries. We're continuously investigating new applications where our technology can make significant impact at massive scale. As such, we're very excited to team up with Clarios who share our strong ESG focus, to develop low-voltage cells for the automotive industry. With this partnership, we're able to access every third vehicle driven globally and accelerate the green transition", said Björn Mårlid, CEO of Altris.
The long-term goal is to develop a detailed production plan for low-voltage battery systems using these Na-ion cells. The companies believe the mass production of Na-ion batteries would represent an important advancement in automotive battery technology and an important step in supporting the circularity goals of the automotive industry.
About Clarios
Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. We power progress through ever-smarter solutions for virtually every kind of vehicle. With 16,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous ESG focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. Clarios is committed to sustainability and operational excellence. We work to ensure up to 99% of battery materials are recovered, recycled and reused. Clarios is a Brookfield portfolio company.
About Altris
Altris is a Swedish sodium-ion battery developer. We develop cathodes, electrolytes, battery cells and factory blueprints to create market-leading sodium-ion batteries. Sprung out of the Ångström Laboratory at Uppsala University, we are taking our patented innovation from conception to commercialization. Our long-term goal is to become the primary supplier of sodium-ion batteries in Europe, making a real impact on the world by enabling a better battery at scale.
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