Briefs: Facing the Future With EV Charging, Solar Power, and More

Companies are forging ahead in the energy and e-mobility industries as they navigate market challenges and policy changes. Tesla has expanded its vehicle-to-load capabilities, while Siemens has introduced a next-generation EV charging system. Honeywell and LS Electric are doubling down on data centers and battery storage systems. Finally, a French microreactor manufacturer is partnering with a university to educate the next generation of nuclear engineers.

News briefs this week include electric vehicles, solar energy, and nuclear power.

Tesla To Expand V2L to Model Y

The 2026 Tesla Model Y will have vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities with an outlet adapter. The outlet will use 120 V at 20 A AC, with a maximum power output of 2.4 KW. The power is sufficient to operate lights and small electronics when off-grid, but not enough to power a home.

Tesla wall charger. Image used courtesy of Tesla

The technology was originally intended for the Cybertruck Long Range, which has been canceled. The standard Cybertruck will continue to offer V2L and vehicle-to-home charging, using a more powerful 240 V, 40 A plug, with a 9.6 kW load.

Siemens Releases Megawatt Charging System

Siemens has developed Sicharge Flex, a next-generation EV charger that delivers from 480 kW to 1.68 MW DC, with a dynamic power distribution up to 1,500 A. Based on vehicle demand, the system routes power in 80 to 120 kW increments.

The compact chargers, with a power density of up to 656 kW per square meter, feature a front-in front-out cooling system for wall installation. However, the dispenser units can also be mounted on the floor or overhead. Units can be located up to 300 meters from the central power cabinet.

The Sicharge Flex system. Image used courtesy of Siemens

Siemens’s Sifinity Control cloud-based management platform is integrated for configuration and remote monitoring. It can connect with DepotFinity energy management software for fleet or depot charging.

The chargers support the Combined Charging System and Megawatt Charging System.

The Sicharge Flex will be piloted in Kufstein, Austria, along the A12 highway corridor in Germany and Italy. The first phase will include six charging points with plans to expand to 10 when the local distribution operator completes grid reinforcements.

Honeywell Partners with LS Electric for Data Centers, BESS

Honeywell and LS Electric will collaborate to develop hardware and software for power management in data centers and industrial buildings.

The joint project will include integrated switchgear and power management for uninterrupted operations of critical systems. They will also develop new monitoring systems based on Honeywell’s AI-enhanced Forge platform and LS Electric’s software expertise. These systems will intelligently regulate energy consumption and distribution. The AI capabilities will assist in predictive maintenance.

Power distribution system. Image used courtesy of LS Electric

Additionally, they will collaborate on a grid and building-aware battery energy storage systems (BESS) for microgrids at commercial and industrial buildings. The modular BESS will combine LS Electric’s energy storage capabilities and Honeywell’s dynamic energy control software. The systems will help forecast energy sources, utility data, costs, weather, and other risks.

Community Solar Begins Operations in New Mexico

A 30-acre community solar project has opened in Valencia County, New Mexico. The Cuidando Los Niños plant comprises more than 14,000 solar panels and will produce 5 MW of grid-connected power.

Affordable Solar developed the plant in partnership with GridWorks, an engineering, procurement, and construction firm. The project uses First Solar’s Series 6 solar modules, Solectria XGI 1500-250 Series DCG inverters, and Hardware’s Axone Ue Infinity single-axis trackers.

Cuidando Los Niños solar project. Image used courtesy of CCSA

The plant is one of seven community solar projects, totaling 35 MW, that Affordable Solar is planning in New Mexico per the state’s 2021 Community Solar Act. Residents can subscribe to the service to lower their electricity bills. Affordable Solar also donated $45,000 to the Cuidando Los Niños nonprofit organization.

Educating the Next Generation of Nuclear Engineers

A French nuclear microreactor manufacturer is partnering with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco to train workers in nuclear science.

Naarea, which is developing a molten salt fast neutron microreactor, will collaborate with UM6P for joint research, projects, seminars, conferences, academic programs, and online programs. The partnership will also include research funding, knowledge sharing, and initiatives for comparative analysis. UM6P’s nuclear engineering program will be implemented during the 2025-26 academic year.