The latest renewable energy news includes announcements from APsystems, Studsvik, GE Vernova Hitachi, Samsung C&T, and others.
APsystems 261 kWh Commercial Battery Passes UL 9540A Fire Propagation Test
APsystems’ APstorage 261L liquid-cooled commercial and industrial battery system has passed the UL 9540A fire-propagation test under the supervision of TÜV Rheinland, providing a significant safety certification for wider C&I storage deployments. Testing was conducted with the battery at 100 percent state of charge and with its fire-suppression system intentionally disabled. Thermal runaway remained confined to one cabinet without spreading to neighbouring equipment. Heat flux measured 0 kW/m², compared with the UL 9540A threshold of 1.3 kW/m², while maximum module-surface temperature reached 83.9°C and the adjacent-wall temperature reached only 30.6°C, or 3.1°C above ambient. The 261L requires approximately 1.3 square metres of footprint and supports modular parallel expansion for solar-storage and C&I installations.
Studsvik, GE Vernova Hitachi and Samsung C&T Advance 1.2 GW Swedish Nuclear Project
Studsvik, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, GE Vernova Financial Services, DS Investment Partners and Samsung C&T have agreed to advance a proposed 1.2 GW nuclear-power project in Sweden. The initiative is being evaluated for development at Studsvik’s existing industrial site and would use GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor technology. At 1.2 GW, the programme could involve multiple 300 MW reactor units, creating one of Europe’s larger proposed SMR developments. Samsung C&T brings engineering and construction capabilities, while GE Vernova Financial Services and DS Investment Partners add financing expertise. The agreement represents an early development-stage commitment rather than a final investment decision, but it establishes the industrial and financing consortium needed to evaluate permitting, project economics and construction. Nuclear is included here because PR Newswire categorises the announcement under Alternative Energies.
Foresight Acquires Blackhillock Grid Stability Asset in Scotland
Foresight Group has acquired the operational Blackhillock Synchronous Condenser in North-East Scotland from funds managed by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, marking Foresight’s entry into the long-term grid-stability market. The transaction value was not disclosed. Blackhillock operates under an availability-based contract with the National Energy System Operator through 2034, providing critical system-strength services as Britain integrates increasing volumes of intermittent wind and solar generation. Synchronous condensers supply inertia, voltage support and short-circuit strength without producing electricity, making them increasingly important as conventional thermal generators retire. The acquisition adds a contracted grid-infrastructure asset to Foresight’s energy-transition portfolio while demonstrating growing investor interest in technologies required to support higher renewable penetration on the UK electricity system.
