TORONTO, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) (“Aecon” or the “Company”) announced today that its subsidiary, Aecon Utilities Group Inc. (“Aecon Utilities”), has completed the previously announced acquisition of K.P.C. Power Electrical Ltd. and K.P.C. Energy Metering Solutions Ltd. (collectively, “KPC”). “With the expanded expertise and capacity of the KPC team, we are well positioned to harness significant grid modernization, electrification and infrastructure upgrade opportunities ...

Core Insights - Microgrids are increasingly recognized as essential systems for maintaining power reliability and reducing costs, especially in the face of extreme weather events and rising energy costs [1][2] - Despite their potential, microgrids have not been widely deployed by utilities, which remain largely in the pilot phase of testing individual projects [1] Group 1: Importance of Microgrids - Microgrids provide utilities with strategic and operational advantages beyond just backup power, enhancing overall system reliability and resilience [2] - They can operate independently during service disruptions, ensuring critical facilities remain powered and facilitating quicker service restoration [2] Group 2: Utility Deployment Examples - Pacific Gas and Electric has implemented microgrids in wildfire-prone areas of California to maintain power during safety shutoffs [2] - Duke Energy has utilized microgrids in hurricane-prone regions of the Southeast U.S. to mitigate the need for extensive power line rebuilds [2] - San Diego Gas & Electric operates a microgrid in Borrego Springs, California, serving approximately 3,000 customers with backup solar, battery, and generator power [2] Group 3: Advantages for Utilities - Utilities possess unique advantages in planning and optimizing microgrids due to access to comprehensive data on outages, customer consumption, and power costs [2] - By incorporating microgrids into capital planning, utilities can transition these projects from isolated initiatives to integral components of grid modernization [2]

Continue Reading As part of this project, dozens of new poles and lines were recently installed along Fleetwood Lyons Road in Richmond Township, Berks County. Built to Handle What's Ahead The Allentown-Lyons-South Hamburg 69-kilovolt (kV) Line Rebuild Project, led by Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), a FirstEnergy Transmission company, will replace aging infrastructure with stronger poles and modern wires that can better withstand severe weather, falling trees and other hazards that commonly caus ...

Core Viewpoint - Preformed Line Products (NASDAQ: PLPC) is identified as a mispriced beneficiary of the ongoing trend towards grid modernization and the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers, with the market currently undervaluing its growth potential [1] Group 1: Market Themes - The research focuses on key market themes to identify setups that offer asymmetrical risk/reward profiles within specific niches [1] - The investment portfolio is centered around five key themes: (1) Semiconductor Supply Chain, (2) Grid / Power / Energy Transition, (3) Critical Materials, (4) Biotechnology, and (5) Artificial Intelligence / Cloud Computing [1] Group 2: Investment Style - The investment style combines deep value investing principles with a forward-looking perspective to uncover highly asymmetric market opportunities [1] - The aim is to provide valuable insights and foster a community of investors who can share knowledge and benefit from each other's expertise [1]

Core Insights - Leidos is continuing its partnership with Hawai'i's Public Utilities Commission to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve energy resiliency in the state [1][4] Contract Details - A new three-year contract worth $127 million has been established for Leidos to manage the Hawai'i Energy program and the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate program, along with market solutions and educational initiatives [2] Achievements and Impact - Since 2009, Leidos has administered the Hawai'i Energy program, resulting in over $7 billion in energy savings statewide. In the last program year, it provided more than 18,000 rebates totaling approximately $20 million [3] Strategic Alignment - The partnership aligns with Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategic focus on energy infrastructure and reflects its commitment to advancing energy efficiency and grid modernization across the nation [4] Company Overview - Leidos is a leader in industry and technology, serving government and commercial customers, with annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ending January 3, 2025 [5]

Core Insights - Duke Energy (DUK) is focusing on energy storage technologies as a key component of its grid modernization strategy, aiming to optimize fuel savings and reduce emissions by storing power during low-demand periods and deploying it during peak times [1][4]. Energy Storage Strategy - Battery storage is essential for integrating renewable energy by storing excess energy during low-demand periods and supplying it during high-demand times, enhancing grid performance and operational efficiency [2][5]. - Duke Energy also operates pumped-storage hydro plants, which serve as large-scale energy reservoirs, providing substantial flexibility and efficiency in energy storage [3]. Capacity and Growth Plans - Duke Energy currently operates over 300 megawatts (MW) of grid-tied battery storage, with another 300 MW in development. The company plans to exceed 6,000 MW of energy storage capacity by 2035 and anticipates around 30,000 MW by 2050 [4][8]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year increase in earnings per share (EPS) of 7.29% for 2025 and 6.07% for 2026 [7]. Stock Performance - Duke Energy is trading at a premium to the industry, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.55X compared to the industry average of 15.76X. The company's shares have increased by 3.4% over the past six months, while the industry has seen a growth of 14.2% [10][12].

Core Insights - FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA) is investing $368 million in infrastructure upgrades to enhance the reliability and resilience of its power grid in Westmoreland County, benefiting nearly 5,000 customers [1][5][6] Investment and Infrastructure Upgrades - The upgrades include the installation of stronger equipment and smart technology, aimed at reducing outages and improving service restoration times [1][4] - Specific improvements involve upgrading two local power lines with larger-diameter wire, which can transport more electricity and withstand severe weather conditions [2][5] - The project is part of FE PA's Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP) III, which focuses on enhancing electric system reliability [5][6] Technological Enhancements - New equipment being installed includes over 50 wooden utility poles, 97 crossarms, 10 transformers, 22 fuses, and 38 lightning-protection devices [8] - Remote-controlled switches are being added to improve outage response times and facilitate quicker service restoration [4][8] Community Impact - The upgrades are expected to provide more reliable service to residents and businesses in New Kensington, Arnold, and Lower Burrell, with fewer outages anticipated [1][5] - FirstEnergy's broader investment strategy, Energize365, plans to allocate $28 billion from 2025 to 2029 to modernize the electric grid across its service areas [6]

Core Insights - GE Vernova (GEV) is positioned for significant growth as utilities are projected to invest over $1.1 trillion in new infrastructure and grid modernization to meet increasing power demands [1] Company Overview - GE Vernova is focusing on creating a robust foundation for future growth in the energy sector [1] Industry Context - The investment of over $1.1 trillion by utilities indicates a strong trend towards infrastructure development and modernization within the energy industry [1]

Core Insights - Nuvve Holding Corp. is a leader in grid modernization and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, planning to create a crypto treasury and introduce Bitcoin payments [1] - The company will report its third-quarter earnings on November 13, with a plan to allocate up to 30% of excess cash for Bitcoin purchases [1] - Nuvve aims to introduce Bitcoin as a payment option for customers and suppliers [2] Cryptocurrency Strategy - Nuvve announced the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary, Nuvve-DigitalAssets, focused on digital treasury operations, with at least 50% of its crypto portfolio allocated to Bitcoin [3] - The remaining allocation will include other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Chainlink, and Avalanche [3] - James Altucher, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, will lead the Nuvve-DigitalAssets committee, supported by veteran financial commentator Tim Collins [4][5][6] Recent Developments - On November 12, NUUVE Japan Corporation secured an agreement targeting existing stationary storage batteries in Japan, leading to a significant stock price increase [7] - Following the Japan agreement, Nuvve's stock surged over 400%, reaching an intraday high of $0.6450 on November 13, with the stock currently trading at $0.5251 [8]

Core Insights - GE Vernova Inc.'s shares have increased by 38.3% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Alternate Energy – Other industry's growth of 29.2% [1] - The company is benefiting from the growing demand for energy infrastructure driven by the expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence [4][21] Performance Comparison - Other alternative energy stocks, such as Constellation Energy Corporation and Crescent Energy Company, have underperformed, with CEG shares rising 23.3% and CRGY shares gaining 6.5% in the same period [2] Factors Contributing to Growth - GE Vernova's focus on improving profitability in the wind division and strong performance in gas and power services are key growth drivers [4] - The company has started operations at the Jafurah Cogeneration ISPP in Saudi Arabia, enhancing its position for future projects [4] - A contract to provide grid-stabilizing technology for Transgrid in Australia expands GE Vernova's business into renewables integration [5] - The acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in Prolec GE is expected to increase scale and margins [8] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, GE Vernova reported orders worth $14.6 billion, reflecting a 55% organic increase, with a backlog increase of $6.6 billion [9] - The Gas Power equipment backlog expanded from 55 GW to 62 GW, indicating rising customer commitments [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS indicates a decrease of 6.04% and 2.89%, respectively, over the past 60 days [10] - The company's trailing 12-month return on equity is 17.07%, higher than the industry average of 7.99% [17] Valuation - GE Vernova is currently trading at a forward P/E of 47.93X, a premium compared to the industry's 24.15X [19] - Constellation Energy is trading at 31.61X, while Crescent Energy Company is at a discount of 6.21X compared to the industry [20] Strategic Positioning - GE Vernova's diversified business across Power, Wind, and Electrification allows it to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, appealing to a broad range of customers [21] - Despite the positive aspects, the company faces challenges such as supply-chain issues and declining earnings estimates [12][10]