The Ministry of Energy of Romania has reopened a competitive solicitation for battery storage for the grid integration of renewable energy, seeking “at least” 240MW and 480MWh of resources.

US utility Xcel Energy has revealed energy deployment plans for the Upper Midwest region, including 3.6GW of renewables and 600MW of energy storage by 2030.

The New York State Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group has recommended changing the state fire code to better manage risks associated with battery storage systems installed in the US state.

A bill aimed at creating a pilot programme to incentivise energy storage deployment in New Jersey has advanced through the US state’s legislature after senators voted in its favour.

Attorney Seth Hilton discusses “a new dynamic for energy storage resources” around resource adequacy in California’s CAISO market.

Another roundup of news in brief from the UK’s busy energy storage market with project and financial news from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund, and a tax break for home batteries.

This Friday Briefing focuses on New York’s fight to get rid of dangerous peaker plants, and getting battery storage manufacturing right.

The European Commission is targeting 90% renewable electricity by 2040 in the EU and sees energy storage as one of several key areas of investment to get there, according to a leaked draft.

The energy regulator in France has ordered a reopening of a postponed auction for secondary reserve/aFRR services, citing an increase in the number of BESS certified to provide it.

Utility-scale BESS market action in Australia, with developers Akaysha Energy, Firm Power and ACE Power receiving key project approvals.