Michael Puttré

Correspondent at pv magazine USA

Contributing Writer and Editor at Discourse Magazine

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Articles

At 250, the U.S. Army Remains the Indispensable Service

2 weeks ago | discoursemagazine.com | Michael Puttre |Michael Puttré

In a few days, June 14th to be exact, the U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday since its founding amid the first fires of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. Two and a half centuries later, the United States stands athwart the world, if precariously, very much like the 18th century British colossus that it first faced off against.
Element Resources to build hydrogen plant with solar, storage in California

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

From pv magazine USAElement Resources is investing $1.85 billion in what is planned to be North America’s largest hydrogen production facility. Construction on the Lancaster Clean Energy Center (LCEC), north of Los Angeles, is scheduled to begin later this year. Steve Meheen, CEO of Element Resources, told pv magazine USA that the LCEC will be a fully integrated green hydrogen power plant that is not reliant on off-site grid electricity nor any outside water source.
Largest hydrogen plant in North America slated for California

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

Element Resources is investing $1.85 billion in what is planned to be North America’s largest hydrogen production facility. Construction on the Lancaster Clean Energy Center (LCEC), located in that city about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, is scheduled to begin later this year. Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced the company would be among the beneficiaries of a $30.5 million in tax credits as part of the state’s California Jobs First initiative.
Propagation of lithium-ion fires is the real threat

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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

2 months 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

Mar 19, 2025 | 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).