European Commission approves scheme to support 370MWh of battery storage in Slovenia

energy-storage.news Aug 3, 2026

European Commission approves scheme to support 370MWh of battery storage in Slovenia

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 3, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The European Commission has approved a €59 million State aid scheme to support the deployment of 370MWh of battery energy storage system capacity in Slovenia. Approved on July 31, the initiative aligns with the EU Clean Industrial Deal and the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework, which remains in force until 2030. The funding, sourced from the EU Just Transition Fund and ETS Modernisation Fund, will provide direct grants for constructing new standalone battery assets. Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera stated that increased storage will enhance grid stability, reliability, and efficiency while ensuring electricity supply security. This approval follows similar recent measures, including a €150 million scheme for Romania. The Slovenian plan aims to accelerate clean energy rollout and integrate renewable sources, marking a significant step in the region’s decarbonization efforts under the new regulatory framework designed to boost European industrial growth and sustainability.

💡 Why It Matters

· This approval validates the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework as a functional mechanism for financing grid-scale storage in Central Europe.
· It demonstrates how EU funds are shifting from crisis-response measures to long-term industrial decarbonization strategies.

Read full article on energy-storage.news

Blocking New Imported Inverters Will Cost America

The FCC on August 2 added foreign‑produced solar inverters to its “Covered List,” barring import of any new models regardless of the manufacturer’s country, including allies such as Germany’s SMA. The rule cites “unacceptable risks” to U.S. national security and personal safety, but exempts previously approved units and those already in service. Critics argue the ban blocks advanced, grid‑interactive inverters that use solid‑state silicon‑carbide technology, improve efficiency, reduce copper use, and enable functions such as battery integration, vehicle‑to‑grid and real‑time load management. Without these capabilities, utilities may rely more on fossil‑fuel peaker plants and curtail excess rooftop solar, raising overall electricity costs and slowing the transition to distributed renewable energy. Domestic manufacturers lack R&D pipelines, forcing prices for U.S. installers.

💡 By shutting out the most efficient, smart inverters, the ban forces utilities to keep fossil‑fuel generators online, directly inflating electricity rates for American consumers.

energy-storage.news · Aug 3

Concerns over lack of clarity, transparency as US bans foreign power inverters

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💡 The opaque rule could create an immediate inverter shortage, forcing developers to redesign projects or adopt costly work‑arounds and slowing renewable‑energy storage deployment.

energy-storage.news · Aug 3

Grid-forming BESS not yet confirmed for minimum system strength in Australia as…

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💡 With synchronous condenser costs surging to AU$1.13 billion, validating grid-forming BESS as a viable alternative is essential to prevent further budget overruns in Australia’s grid modernization. Success in this trial could redefine infrastructure procurement strategies, allowing operators to bypass expensive mechanical solutions in favor of scalable, inverter-based technologies.

energy-storage.news · Aug 3

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💡 Australia’s heavy reliance on solar and storage creates a structural vulnerability that threatens grid stability as coal exits. Without policy reforms to attract capital for diverse technologies, the country risks inefficient infrastructure expansion and increased costs for consumers.

energy-storage.news · Aug 3

Samsung SDI on track with US LFP cell production, expects demand to…

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💡 The shift to domestic LFP production allows Samsung SDI to bypass new trade barriers that exclude Chinese cells from US tax credits. This strategic pivot secures a competitive advantage in the rapidly expanding American energy storage sector.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 3

Fuel Cell Trucks And Buses Are Still Coming, And They Still Need…

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💡 Seaweed and plastic waste offer untapped, land-free resources for hydrogen production, bypassing freshwater constraints that limit electrolysis scalability. These methods simultaneously address critical waste management crises while supplying fuel for heavy transport sectors where batteries fall short.