Briefs: Moves in EV Batteries and Charging, VPPs, and Geothermal

Strategic advancements are in the works for electric vehicles, grid management, and alternative energy sources. Solid-state batteries could soon replace conventional lithium-ion batteries in EVs with moves from companies like Posco Future M, Factorial, Horizon Motor, and Chery Automotive. In the EV charging realm, Infineon is supplying its SiC technology to Electreon’s wireless electric road system. EnergyHub’s acquisition of Resideo Grid Services will strengthen its offerings in virtual power plants and grid management. Finally, federal funds will allow a utility-scale geothermal network in Massachusetts to double in size.

EVs, grid management, and geothermal. Images used courtesy of Canva

Two Partnerships To Boost Solid-State Batteries Prospects

Posco Future M will partner with Factorial to develop next-generation materials for all-solid-state batteries for EVs, energy storage systems, robotics, and other applications. The companies signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding after Factorial tested Posco’s cathode material samples.

Posco Future M, a division of the South Korean company Posco Group, has been researching and developing cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries and silicon anode materials. The company aims to build a portfolio of cathode and anode materials for EVs and other uses. Posco Group is developing lithium metal anodes and sulfide-based solid electrolytes.

Massachusetts-based Factorial has a pilot manufacturing operation in South Korea.

Factorial solid-state battery. Image used courtesy of Factorial

In a separate move, commercial EV developer Horizon Motor has partnered with Chinese automaker Chery Automotive for a 1 GWh supply of solid-state batteries. Horizon intends to use the batteries for its Class 3-8 electric trucks.

Horizon will switch to solid-state batteries, which could offer better range, faster charging, and increased safety. Its vehicles had been using swappable LFP battery packs. However, regulatory requirements will delay deployment until the beginning of 2027.

Electreon To Use Infineon’s SiC Tech for Wireless Electric Road System

Infineon Technologies will supply customized silicon carbide (SiC) power modules to Electreon for its wireless selectric road system. The dynamic, in-road inductive charging system is under development or demonstration in several cities, including Paris and Detroit.

Infineon’s EasyPack 3B CoolSic 2000 V modules will be integrated to convert energy from the power grid to the wireless charging system, which will deliver about 200 kW of power to traveling vehicles. Electreon is already using the technology in several wireless charging roads worldwide. The companies plan to expand the use to longer stretches of highway.

Infineon CoolSiC module. Image used courtesy of Infineon

Continuous wireless charging can keep batteries at higher charges longer, which may enable EVs to increase range and use smaller battery packs.

EnergyHub Acquires Resideo Grid Services for DERMS

EnergyHub has acquired Resideo Grid Services, a provider of demand response aggregation and program management. The move will allow EnergyHub to scale its virtual power plant technology through its Edge DERMS, enabling utility operators to manage distributed energy resources (DERs) through a single platform.

Example of EnergyHub’s EdgeDerms display. Image used courtesy of EnergyHub

Resideo Grid Services clients will also have access to DER resources, allowing them to scale virtual power plants and develop new programs using visibility and control. DERs span a wide range of energy sources and assets, including electric vehicles, batteries, and energy storage systems.

More than 120 utilities use EnergyHub’s platform.

Massachusetts Utility Receives $8.6M To Expand Geothermal

Eversource Energy will double its geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, Massachusetts, thanks to an $8.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Eversource completed the first phase as a pilot in 2024 as an alternative to natural gas or delivered fuels. The geothermal system uses wells, pumps, and piping to extract heat from the ground in winter and pump the heat back into the ground in summer for cooling. It serves about 140 residential and commercial users.

Geothermal heating and cooling. Image used courtesy of Eversource Energy

HEET, a nonprofit organization focusing on geothermal energy, is a project partner and co-recipient of the DOE grant. Construction will start in 2026, pending regulatory approval.