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Stories You May Have Missed This Week: EV, Charging & Intelligent Electrification Roundup (12/17/25 Edition)

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As 2025 closes, quiet signals point to maturing opportunities for commercial real estate owners and urban planners: scalable solar & storage deals stacking incentives, healthcare microgrids locking in long-term rates, and medium-duty EV trucks nudging depot upgrades—all amid hyperscaler power purchase agreements (PPAs) re-modeling clean electric procurement. These market moves offer tactical paths to hedge rising demand charges, monetize flexibility, and attract tenants without overcommitting capex.


Here's a curated set of fresh stories from the past week. We cover the value chain, from near-term NOI drivers (storage deals, incentives) to resilience plays (microgrids), EV policy quick-hits, load signals, connectivity, hardware shifts, AI software, and strategic M&A—each with practical angles for portfolios and their communities.


Storage & Distributed Renewables (High Near-Term NOI Potential)


NeoVolta advances non-binding framework with Luminia for up to 160 MWh California solar and storage: NeoVolta announced Dec. 11 a collaboration giving it right of first refusal on battery supply for Luminia's portfolio of over 40 MW solar and ~160 MWh storage across commercial, municipal, and community sites. For CRE owners, this highlights repeatable behind-the-meter models that leverage IRA and state rebates to offset peak charges, turning rooftops into predictable savings assets. Read more: NeoVolta Advances Strategic Collaboration with Luminia - GlobeNewswire


PowerBank executes lease on 5 MW AC upstate New York hybrid solar+storage project: PowerBank closed Dec. 9 a lease for the NY-Cloverdale Rd site, advancing New York's distributed renewables targets with community-scale arbitrage potential. Developers gain a leasing blueprint for front-of-meter assets that stabilize opex via energy sales while qualifying for state storage goals.


Beardstown solar project adds battery, becoming first in Ameren Illinois territory: The 3.5 MWac Beard Solar site integrated 11.9 MWh storage this week, extending output post-sunset for small-business subscribers. Secondary-market owners can replicate this for co-located charging without spiking demand, blending community solar with VPP eligibility. Read more: Beardstown solar project adds battery storage – My Journal Courier


Blue Current closes >$80M funding anchored by Amazon for silicon solid-state batteries: Blue Current raised over $80M Dec. 8 to commercialize safer, denser cells for stationary and mobility uses. Longer-horizon signal: Blurring EV/building battery lines could enable domestic V2G pilots, reducing risks for campus-scale backups.

Read more: Blue Current Closes More Than $80M Series D Extension – BusinessWire


Microgrids & Resilience (Medium-Term Stability)


NextNRG inks 28-year microgrid PPA with Topanga Terrace healthcare facility: NextNRG signed Dec. 11 a long-term deal blending solar, batteries, and gas backup for a California care center—no upfront capex for the site. Healthcare and eldercare owners: This utility-like concession locks rates while ensuring compliance-grade redundancy.

Read more: NextNRG Signs 28-Year Microgrid Power Purchase Agreement – GlobeNewswire



NextNRG targets food-chain resilience with AI microgrids: A Forbes profile this week spotlights NextNRG's EaaS approach for restaurants and cold-chain sites, integrating renewables and backups for substantial reliability gains. Logistics campuses: Fixed-rate models flip outage risks into operational edges amid electrification. Read more: This Company Says It Can Fix The Food System's Energy Problem – Forbes


EV Policy & Incentives (Quick Wins)


15 active Level 2 incentive programs remain open nationwide: SitelogIQ's latest roundup details ongoing rebates covering hardware and make-ready for workplaces and multifamily—scattered but meaningful offsets. Property managers: Navigate varying rules to cut install costs significantly for tenant amenities. Read more: 15 Active Level 2 EV Charging Incentive Programs – SitelogIQ



Oregon advances corridor charging with federal NEVI/CRP funds: Recent coverage highlights Oregon braiding ~$21M in grants for I-5 and I-84 fast chargers, persisting despite rebate pauses. Site hosts: Watch for RFPs stabilizing highway and community hubs. Read more: Oregon gets boost for EV charging infrastructure – Daily Journal of Commerce

Load Growth & Planning Signals


BNEF raises U.S. data center demand forecast to 106 GW by 2035 BloombergNEF's Dec. update projects 106 GW—a 36% upward revision—driven by suburban and larger projects. CRE pros: Flag edge hybrids with solar+storage to offset loads and capture green premiums. Read more: Power, energy demand for AI data centers is surging – Axios


San Jose confronts potential tripling of energy demand from AI data centers: PG&E and officials detailed Dec. 13 upgrade needs as forecasts eye 3x peaks. Municipalities: Push VPP mandates to monetize flexible building loads, sharing costs in AI-adjacent zones. Read more: Data centers for AI could nearly triple San José's energy use – Los Angeles Times

Over 200 groups urge Congress for data center moratorium over emissions, water risks A Dec. 8 letter calls for a nationwide pause, citing massive impacts. Planners: Advocate ordinances requiring recycled cooling and microgrids to attract sustainable hyperscalers. Read more: Environmental groups demand a nationwide freeze – News From The States


Connectivity & Hardware


Hybrid private 5G + Wi-Fi 7 emerges as enterprise campus default: theCube Research analysis Dec. 10 positions blended networks for low-latency IoT in logistics and manufacturing. Campuses: Coordinate with charging/microgrids for seamless tenant orchestration. Read more: Private 5G and Wi-Fi 7: Why Hybrid Wireless Is Becoming the New Enterprise Default – theCUBE Research


Kenworth and Peterbilt launch medium-duty battery-electric trucks: PACCAR brands unveiled Dec. 10 configurable BEVs with fast DC charging for regional hauls. Industrial landlords: Plan robust depot power as Class 6-7 loads shift footprints.


EVDANCE issues 2025 guidance on portable Level 1/2 chargers Fresh Dec. 14 recommendations treat portables as core, with dual NACS/J1772 and smart features. Multifamily operators: Offer flexible "loaners" to support tenants sans fixed ports per space. Read more: EVDANCE Expands 2025 Home Charging Guidance – GlobeNewswire

Strategic Consolidation

Constellation-Calpine merger clears final DOJ hurdle: Resolution Dec. 5 (with divestitures) creates a major nuclear+gas fleet. Institutional owners: Expect steadier wholesale pricing and faster VPP integrations for smart buildings. Read more: Constellation reaches agreement with US Department of Justice – Reuters


Global EV sales hold strong at 18.5M YTD despite U.S. softness Benchmark data shows 2M sold in November, +21% YTD, led by Europe/China. Temper "slump" views: Hybrids/PHEVs bridge for fleet planning amid policy shifts. Read more: Global EV sales reach 18.5 million units – Electric Cars Report

 
 
 
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