Michael Puttre

Contributing Writer at Discourse Magazine

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Articles

Propagation of lithium-ion fires is the real threat

2 weeks ago | pv-magazine.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

From pv magazine USAIf lithium-ion battery fires are near impossible to completely prevent, then containing thermal runaway events is crucial. Battery energy storage system (BESS) supplier Viridi recently hosted a live fire demonstration to show how properly engineered cell modules can prevent flame propagation. “The real problem is not the thermal runaway event,” Viridi CEO Jon Williams told pv magazine USA. “It’s the propagation of a fire from one cell to another.
Propagation of lithium-ion fires is the real threat

2 weeks ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

If lithium-ion battery fires are near impossible to completely prevent, then containing thermal runaway events is crucial. Battery energy storage system (BESS) provider Viridi recently hosted a live fire demonstration to show how properly engineered cell modules can prevent flame propagation. “The real problem is not the thermal runaway event,” Jon Williams, CEO Viridi told pv magazine USA. “It’s the propagation of a fire from one cell to another.
U.S. renewables developers face daunting grid interconnection queues

4 weeks ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

Despite any uncertainty caused by the change in U.S. administrations, funding and tax credits for renewable energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act and regulatory pressures to retire legacy fossil fuel generation have created interconnection backlogs for new solar, wind and battery storage facilities. A new report by Texas-based energy consultancy Enverus says grid operators interconnection queues are lengthening, leading to project delays and even suspensions.
Remote digital services enhance battery storage on site of decommissioned coal plant

1 month ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

Built on the site of a shuttered coal-fired power station in Victoria, Australia, the 150 MWh Hazelwood Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) supports solar energy installations in the region and provides grid stabilization services. Commissioned in 2023, the facility is a joint venture between Eku Energy and Engie, and is Australia’s largest battery storage site. U.S.-based Fluence operates Hazelwood and supplies its Gridstack batteries.
The Sunset of Screen Satire

1 month ago | discoursemagazine.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

If comedy is harder than dying, as somebody supposedly once said, satire is the hardest subspecies of screen comedy. Satirists not only take on the burden of moral authority in targeting aspects of society perceived as overweening—such as politicians, the military, high finance and Hollywood itself—they must do so with a scalpel rather than a chainsaw. There is nothing duller than broad satire. On the other hand, if a shibboleth is skewered in a theater and nobody buys a ticket, is it still funny?
Solar generation systems may open grids to cyberattacks

2 months ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

Photovoltaic solar power is now an essential element of grid infrastructure throughout the world. As the technology have moved from residential early adopters into the mainstream of utility generation resources that solar’s profile as a target for those who would damage or exploit the electric grids for criminal, political or opportunistic reasons has increased.
Utilities say existing customers key to meeting future demand

2 months ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

Virginia-based consulting company ICF released a report saying utility leaders are looking to energy efficiency programs to help manage existing and future demand. To meet new demand from data centers, EV charging and electrification efforts, utilities say they had to implement modern energy management systems and artificial intelligence (AI).
Data center boom may transfer electricity costs to ratepayers

2 months ago | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

The growth in data centers is creating significant new demands on power generation in the United States, perhaps accounting for 12% of all electricity demand by 2030. This represents a quintupling of annual demand growth. Utilities are eager to attract this business, which expected to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Data center demands spark reevaluation of energy generation sources

Mar 4, 2025 | pv-magazine-usa.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

The rapid growth in data center construction is complicating the energy transition, said a panel of energy specialists during a recent online event. The webinar, hosted by Roxana Bekemohammadi, founder and president of the U.S. Hydrogen Alliance, and presented by Reuters, featured three experts from Mitsubishi Power who addressed the demands that new data centers are putting on the grid and how to meet this demand while achieving decarbonization goals. What is that demand going to look like?
Modern War Tells Us To Get Used to Disappointment

Mar 3, 2025 | discoursemagazine.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

If it seems striking that a U.S. president would rebuff another national leader as overtly as Donald Trump did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Friday, really the oddness is mostly in the public nature of the encounter. This is because of what we expect from the ossified pageantry of the White House and the newsless encounters of the past, and the seriousness of the situation at present.