Technology

Solarplaza: Batteries solving grid problems indispensable for future European energy transition

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

PRAGUE, Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — To mitigate problems and increasing curtailment costs of wind and PV-parks in Europe, clean energy storage in batteries is essential, experts state. Batteries will become a vital part of the new European energy infrastructure, which will be a combination of solar, wind and storage, they say.

“We are developing, building and operating utility scale Solar PV projects in the UK and across Europe, and in the last twelve months we develop the majority of our projects to be either co-located or at least ‘storage ready’ from day one,” says Joshua Murphy, head of energy storage at Econergy, a renewable energy IPP that operates across 6 different regions with over 400MW of solar, and 102MWhs of battery storage projects in commercial operation and ready for connection. The international expert is one of the speaker at the Solarplaza Summit Asset Management Europe, taking place in Prague on 15 and 16 October.

2023 was a record year for the European solar industry, with 56 GW of new solar additions expanding the total PV capacity base towards 263 GW. As the full-year figure for 2024 is projected to reach 62 GW, the industry is set for another record year with 11% of market growth. The main questions are: where will all this renewable energy be used or stored without causing grid-related problems like imbalance or congestion, which are increasing in a lot of European countries? And how can the industry keep on growing while mitigating curtailment costs?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are one of the most important answers to these questions, experts state. “As a response to the increase of renewable penetration, we need to manage the energy efficiently across the network, to avoid throwing away lots of renewable energy,” Murphy says. Countries like Spain and Greece are producing large amounts of solar energy, but often not on peak demand time, causing the grid to step in to curtail production. That’s where batteries come in to store that energy for later use. If they don’t, new PV parks will be more difficult to connect to the grid. “Therefore it’s becoming more challenging in countries with high levels of curtailment to make a business case for solar without a battery,” he says.

To increase the BESS market, the biggest challenge for banks and investors is to calculate the risks and revenues of batteries. “No one can really give the proper answer to that,” says Stefan Müller, co-founder and shareholder of Enerparc AG, an international specialist in the whole value chain of large-scale photovoltaic power plants. Batteries can stabilize the grid with frequency response and balancing services, for which grid operators are willing to pay. Or they can trade on the free APEX market for electricity, charging when prices are low and selling when prices are high. “This is what we have to explain to banks and investors. The market is there, but it is a highly volatile market,” says Müller.

Enerparc currently owns 500 PV-plants in Europe with a total of 3 GW. New systems combine a 25-megawatt PV plant with 10 megawatts of storage. The company is handling the complete trading of this clean electricity on the energy markets, for itself and for other clients. For instance for wind farm owners. That allowed Enerparc to for the first time sign a baseload PPA last year, which guarantees to provide a consistent, fixed amount of green energy. To do so, the company has to balance its own utility power delivery, making storage more important. “PV is not a single business unit anymore. We are part of the new infrastructure. We have to find out how we can balance the grid, by mixing solar and wind, bio-energy and storage systems,” Müller says.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/solarplaza-batteries-solving-grid-problems-indispensable-for-future-european-energy-transition-302265475.html

Technology

GIGABYTE Named Official PC Monitor Sponsor of FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer company, today announced its role as the Official PC Monitor Sponsor of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026, taking place from April 24 to April 25 at Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA. As part of the sponsorship, GIGABYTE will power the event’s PvP tournament stage with its MO27Q2A OLED gaming monitors, delivering an immersive and competitive gameplay experience for both players and fans.

At the center of the showcase is the GIGABYTE MO27Q2A, the OLED gaming monitor engineered to elevate the experience of FINAL FANTASY XIV. From richly detailed environments and dramatic lighting effects to fast-paced raid mechanics and PvP encounters, the MO27Q2A enhances every aspect of gameplay with deep contrast, vibrant color accuracy, and ultra-fast 0.03ms response time. Its OLED panel brings Eorzea to life with true blacks and exceptional clarity, while 280Hz high refresh rates ensure smooth, responsive performance during intense battles, making it an ideal display for both competitive play and immersive exploration.

Beyond the MO27Q2A monitor, GIGABYTE’s expanding monitor lineup continues to deliver cutting-edge display technology for gamers and creators alike. Featured models include the MO27U2 and MO32U, offering high-resolution visuals and immersive performance for both competitive and cinematic experiences, as well as the GO27Q24G, designed for smooth, responsive gameplay with high refresh rates and versatile performance in the budget friendly segmentation.

To further celebrate the partnership, GIGABYTE will be hosting a special social media giveaway in collaboration with the FINAL FANTASY XIV team, featuring 30 exclusive merchandise prizes. Fans can participate via a Gleam-powered campaign by following GIGABYTE and FINAL FANTASY XIV social channels for a chance to win. The giveaway will run from April 23 to April 30, inviting the community to engage and celebrate the event together.

With its focus on OLED innovation, high refresh rates, and gamer-centric features, GIGABYTE continues to push the boundaries of display performance, empowering players to experience their favorite titles with unmatched precision and immersion.

For more information on GIGABYTE monitors and the giveaway experience, please visit the official event page to learn more.

Media Contact:
GIGABYTE USA PR Team
City of Industry, California
gbtusa_marketing@gigabyteusa.com

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SOURCE GIGABYTE

Technology

Fun Services Announces Full Integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements Operations Beginning 2026

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

TOTOWA, N.J., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fun Services is proud to announce the full transition and integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements operations under the Fun Services brand, effective January 1, 2026.

Following the acquisition of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements contracts in 2023, Fun Services has continued to operate and service events under the Cliffhanger name during a multi-year transition period. Beginning in 2026, all clients, events, and bookings will be managed directly through Fun Services.

This transition marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality amusement rentals, event services, and customer support across the region.

“Over the past few years, we’ve worked closely with Cliffhanger clients to ensure a seamless experience,” said Anthony Lombardi III, CEO of Fun Services. “As we move into 2026, we’re excited to officially bring all operations to Fun Services, allowing us to expand offerings, streamline service, and continue building strong relationships with our clients.”

Fun Services will continue to provide the same popular attractions and event equipment that clients have come to expect, including:

Mechanical ridesCarnival game trailersInflatablesFull-service event setups

Clients can expect enhanced booking processes, expanded inventory options, and continued reliability backed by the Fun Services team.

Anthony Lombardi, Owner of Fun Services, added, “This transition allows us to grow while maintaining the quality and consistency that Cliffhanger clients are used to. Our focus remains on making every event successful, safe, and memorable.”

All existing contracts and relationships will be honored, with no disruption to scheduled events. Clients will now work directly with Fun Services for all future bookings, inquiries, and event planning needs.

For more information or to book an event, please contact:

Fun Services
(973) 450-9610
info@njfunservices.com
https://eventsbyfunservices.com

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SOURCE Events by Fun Services

Technology

Alchemy Technology Group Acquires IOvations to Grow Its Northeast Presence

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

HOUSTON, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alchemy Technology Group, an IT advisory, consulting, and reseller firm and a portfolio company of Avance Investment Management, has acquired IOvations, a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solution provider.

The acquisition expands Alchemy’s cybersecurity portfolio and further extends its geographic reach into the Northeast, giving customers access to deeper expertise in cloud security, advanced threat detection, and Zero Trust architectures. IOvations brings long-standing customer relationships and proven experience helping organizations build modern security strategies.

“IOvations is a perfect fit in our acquisition strategy,” said Wes Davis, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Alchemy Technology Group. “They have a terrific, longstanding customer base in a dynamic growth market for us. We love quality businesses built on the same core principals as Alchemy: trusted relationships, elite domain expertise, and a history of execution.”

For IOvations’ customers and partners, joining Alchemy provides access to a broader set of capabilities while preserving the specialized security focus they rely on today.

“Becoming part of Alchemy strengthens our ability to support our clients and their evolving needs,” said Jim Sacco, CEO and Founder at IOvations. “Our clients will gain access to expanded expertise in cloud, data, digital workspace, AI, and application development, while continuing to work with the same IOvations team they know and trust. Culturally, there is a strong alignment around our client-first approach, focusing on positive outcomes, investing in technical talent, and building long-term relationships.”

This transaction marks Alchemy’s second acquisition in as many months. With the support of Avance, Alchemy intends to continue its strategy of building a national platform through targeted acquisitions that complement its strong organic growth.

About Alchemy Technology Group

Alchemy Technology Group is an award-winning reseller of next-generation technology solutions and a provider of high-touch consulting and advisory services. Focused on critical software solutions such as cybersecurity, digital workspace, data, cloud, application development, and AI, Alchemy was purpose-built to go beyond the offerings of a traditional VAR and take a truly client- and vendor-centric approach. For more information, visit www.alchemytechgroup.com.

About IOvations

IOvations is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solutions provider focused on helping customers protect critical systems, data, and users. The company specializes in modern security architectures with a focus on Zero Trust strategies and protecting critical infrastructure. IOvations works closely with customers to design and operate practical, resilient security programs that keep pace with evolving risks and regulatory requirements. For more information, please visit www.iovations.com.

About Avance Investment Management

Avance Investment Management is a private equity firm with a passion for building great businesses in partnership with talented founders and management teams. Avance focuses primarily on thematic investments within the Services, Technology, and Consumer areas in the U.S., seeking attractive opportunities with catalysts for growth and fragmented spaces with consolidation opportunities. Avance’s team has a long history of partnering with founder-owned businesses, industry executives, and management teams and aims to add value to each investment through the application of its STAGE™ value creation framework. Avance has offices in New York and Miami. For more information, please visit www.avanceinv.com.

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SOURCE Alchemy Technology Group, LLC