Handling cell imbalances, communications interoperability and other blockers to BESS asset success

energy-storage.news Aug 20, 2026

Handling cell imbalances, communications interoperability and other blockers to BESS asset success

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Emerson’s Ryan Franks discussed how battery energy storage system (BESS) operators can improve returns by integrating advanced software for real‑time asset management, revenue optimisation, and imbalance detection. He highlighted that safety standards now mitigate risk, shifting focus to performance and data‑driven tools. Franks explained the importance of balancing market participation with battery health, noting lithium‑iron‑phosphate cells’ resilience and the need to monitor long‑term capacity degradation for financing. The upcoming Battery Asset Management Summit will explore these trends further.

💡 Why It Matters

· By turning data into actionable insights, operators can extend BESS life and unlock higher revenue streams, directly addressing the industry’s tight margins and financing challenges.

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This New App Puts 200,000 EV Chargers Across North America in One…

Octopus Energy has released the Octopus Charge app, consolidating data from more than 200,000 EV charging points across the United States, Canada and Mexico into a single platform. The app aggregates information from over 10,000 stations operated by roughly 20 partners, including EVgo, ChargePoint, Blink and Shell Recharge, and displays real‑time availability, charger speed, compatibility, pricing and nearby amenities. Prices are passed through without markup, so a $0.50/kWh rate on a network appears unchanged in the app. Users can store a payment method for seamless billing and input their vehicle make and model to receive optimal charging settings. The service, already used in Europe, does not yet include major networks such as Tesla Superchargers, requiring drivers to keep additional apps for full coverage.

💡 By unifying fragmented charging networks, the app removes a major barrier to long‑distance EV travel, making cross‑border trips more practical.

energy-storage.news · Aug 20

Key Capture Energy raises US$300 million from Standard Chartered, with NY-ISO and…

Key Capture Energy (KCE) secured a US$300 million letter‑of‑credit facility from Standard Chartered to fund its battery energy storage system (BESS) development pipeline. The financing will enable KCE to advance projects in the New York Independent System Operator (NY‑ISO) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) markets, where the company has early‑mover advantages. KCE’s portfolio includes 623 MW of operating assets, largely in Texas, and the new capital supports expansion into NY‑ISO’s Bulk Energy Storage Program and MISO’s growing storage demand.

💡 The deal positions KCE to capitalize on NY‑ISO’s upcoming procurement program and MISO’s emerging storage targets, potentially accelerating grid‑scale storage deployment in key U.S. regions.

business-standard.com · Aug 20

Japan reports record exports, imports for July as energy costs climb

Japan recorded its highest monthly export and import values since 1979 in July, driven by a weak yen and soaring energy costs. Imports surged 27.8 percent to a record 12.15 trillion yen, largely due to expensive crude oil purchases necessitated by the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Exports rose 23.2 percent to 11.51 trillion yen, supported by robust shipments of automobiles and semiconductors to the United States and other markets. Consequently, the trade deficit widened to 634.5 billion yen, marking the third consecutive month of negative trade balance. While the depreciating currency has boosted earnings for major exporters like Toyota, it simultaneously increased the cost of essential raw materials and food. The Finance Ministry’s preliminary report highlights the ongoing economic pressure as Japan seeks alternative energy sources and contends with geopolitical disruptions affecting global supply chains.

💡 The closure of the Strait of Hormuz forces Japan to pay premium prices for energy, exposing the fragility of its supply chain despite export growth. This structural vulnerability limits the central bank's ability to use currency weakness as a long-term economic stimulus.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 20

NLR & North American Electric Reliability Corporation Launch Partnership To Advance North…

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) announced a partnership to enhance North American grid reliability. The collaboration will merge NERC’s high‑resolution data, including precise asset locations, with NLR’s advanced grid‑modeling tools. The goal is to produce more detailed system representations and sophisticated analyses of future reliability challenges. The partnership builds on years of joint research and aims to inform new planning approaches and reliability assessments across the industry.

💡 By combining NERC’s regulatory expertise with NLR’s research capabilities, the alliance creates a practical pathway to translate federal energy research into tools that directly strengthen grid resilience for millions of consumers.

247wallst.com · Aug 20

Tesla’s Biggest Opportunity May Have Nothing to Do With Cars

Tesla’s stock outlook is now anchored more in its non‑automotive ventures than in vehicle sales. 24/7 Wall St. projects a $364.24 target, about 8 % above the current $336.87 price, reflecting optimism about Megapack energy storage, robotaxi services and the Optimus humanoid robot. In Q2 2026, revenue rose 25.5 % to $28.24 billion and deliveries hit a record 480,126, yet non‑GAAP EPS missed forecasts as operating margin fell to 1.4 % amid heavy AI and R&D spending. Tesla’s cash surged 179 % to $43.5 billion, supporting plans for 50 GWh Megapack production, expansion of robotaxi miles and a 1 million‑unit annual Optimus output. Analysts compare Tesla’s AI valuation to NVIDIA’s, noting a stark P/E disparity that underscores the speculative nature of its AI‑related growth.

💡 Tesla’s future earnings will hinge on its ability to monetize energy storage and autonomous services, a shift that could redefine its core business model.

energy-storage.news · Aug 19

US capacity markets create ‘major disconnect’ for LDES financing, says Camelot’s Raafe…

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💡 The current market design throttles investment in the very storage needed to balance renewable growth, risking a supply gap as data‑center loads surge.