battery storage sector

EDF and Renault are joining forces to turn electric vehicles into smart energy storage units, allowing car batteries to feed power back into the grid. The partnership, reported by Le Figaro, positions the electric car as a flexible battery for homes and the electricity network. The idea of the 'intelligent electric vehicle' is attracting attention in France as energy storage becomes a bigger policy and industry topic.

Croatian electric technology firm Rimac Technology has announced a partnership with Ecoblox to adapt its battery and power electronics systems for AI data centres. The deal brings hypercar-derived energy technology into the infrastructure sector, where surging AI demand is driving a need for high-density power delivery and storage. The move marks a diversification for Rimac beyond vehicles into energy solutions.

Sumitomo Corporation has invested in Hero Future Energies' hybrid renewable energy project in Karnataka, India, which combines solar, wind and battery storage. The deal gives the Japanese trading house a stake in India's growing clean energy sector, as developers increasingly pair storage with solar and wind to deliver steadier power to the grid.

Lightstar is expanding its community solar and battery-storage operations across Illinois, deepening its investment in the state's clean energy market. The move adds solar capacity paired with battery storage, allowing local residents and businesses to subscribe to shared renewable power. Observers see it as part of the broader build-out of distributed energy across the Midwest.

A new SolarPower Europe report puts the number of people working in the EU's solar and battery storage sectors at 982,000 in 2025. The figures underline how quickly clean energy employment has grown across the bloc, with manufacturing, installation and storage roles driving much of the expansion in the renewables workforce.

Maxwell Power is moving its headquarters from California to Utah and has raised another $800 million to fund solar and battery projects. The company's expansion signals continued strong investment in energy storage and renewables, and the funding will support new project development as it establishes itself in its new home state.

Europe's battery storage capacity is projected to grow from 34 GWh in 2025 to 65 GWh in 2026, an increase of nearly 90% in a single year. The expansion is driven mainly by utility-scale projects and the growing need to integrate renewable energy into power grids. Energy sector observers point to the surge as evidence that storage is becoming central to Europe's energy transition.

Spanish renewables developer Zelestra and Portuguese utility EDP have expanded their collaboration on hybrid solar and battery storage projects in Spain. The deepened partnership signals continued momentum in combining solar generation with storage to firm up renewable supply in the Spanish market.

Indian battery company Pointo is expanding into three growth areas: e-auto rickshaws, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and second-life batteries repurposed from electric vehicles. The company says these segments will drive its next phase of growth, tapping into India's accelerating shift toward electric mobility and grid-scale storage demand.

Norwegian energy company Energeia's board has given the green light to what is described as Norway's largest combined solar and battery storage project. The decision marks a significant step for large-scale solar development in a country whose power system has traditionally been dominated by hydropower. Details on capacity, cost and timeline have not yet been released.