Electrek: Tesla’s New Patent for Its Powerpack Explains How Its Energy Storage Stations Can Go Up to 1 GWh

Tesla’s energy division is about to ramp up quickly with the deployment of another 50 MW/200 MWh of Powerpack projects.

In a new and updated patent application, Tesla explains how these grid-tied projects are using its Powerpacks and inverters for what the company describes as a scalable “turnkey” solution.

Tesla first applied for this patent back in September 2015, a few months after it launched "Tesla Energy," and it updated it and applied again a year later when it was working on the second generation of its Powerpack. In the background of the application, Tesla explains why it focused on making the system “scalable and flexible."

Mashable: EPA Chief Is Tongue-Tied When Asked About His Climate-Change Denial

America's top environmental official was in the hot seat on Sunday over his dubious views on climate change.

But Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt wasn't a guest on CNN or MSNBC, stations that President Donald Trump might accuse of being "fake news."

Instead, Pruitt was treading on what should've been more favorable turf: Fox News.

Futurism: An American EV Manufacturer Is Poised to Give Tesla Some Serious Competition in China

When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), it’s hard to beat what Tesla has to offer. But Lucid Motors is evidently up to the challenge.

On March 15, the company unveiled its latest model, the Lucid Air -- a 1,000-horsepower luxury EV with a 507-km (315-mile) range that will cost upwards of $100,000. A lower-end model, with a 400 horsepower output and a range of 386 km (240 miles) starting at $52,500, will also be available. In contrast, Tesla’s Model S is priced at $71,200.

The EV also features automated driving systems designed to increase the safety and comfort of the driver. The Lucid Air is just one of the many self-driving cars in production as car manufacturers seek to change the way we drive.

CB Insights: 5 Companies Working on Driverless Shuttles and Buses

Momentum in auto tech is at an all-time high, with investors funding private startups in the field at a record pace. Of course, much of the buzz has revolved around autonomous driving software, with startups like Zoox seeing $200M funding rounds, tech corporates looking to capitalize, and major automakers working feverishly to catch up.

Validating the reliability of fully autonomous vehicles will be no small feat, with RAND estimating that tens or hundreds of billions of test miles might have to be driven to properly gauge their safety. While many players are meeting this challenge head-on, a number of other startups are also developing autonomous tech for more focused applications.

Using the CB Insights company comparison tool, we compared five such private companies that are working to field different types of autonomous shuttles or buses.

Springfield News-Leader: Solar Industry Alarmed by Net Metering Bill Supported by Utilities

Depending on how the Missouri House votes this week, utility companies could begin charging customers with solar panels an additional monthly fee.

This change, which its sponsor calls important for fairness, has the support of city utilities but has riled a local businessman who runs a solar energy firm.

House Bill 340, sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, was given initial approval by the House Thursday evening after a debate that involved numerous amendments.