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Energy Vault and NV Energy commission 440MWh Nevada BESS in 'compressed schedule'

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Energy Vault and NV Energy commission 440MWh Nevada BESS in 'compressed schedule'


The BESS will help NV Energy manage peak demand periods on the grid. The utility, the largest public one in the state, will operate the project which utilises Energy Vault’s BESS hardware and software including its energy management system (EMS) Vault-OS.

Energy Vault described the construction process as a ‘compressed schedule’ while Jimmy Daghlian, VP renewables, NV Energy commented:

“The overall construction process moved very quickly – which allowed us to bring the project in service for our customers ahead of schedule and ahead of the hot summer months. We appreciate Energy Vault’s problem-solving spirit, commitment, and partnership in bringing this project to life.”

NV Energy was revealed as the owner of the project in December 2022 and construction started in Q2 2023. It is owned by investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, and readers may be familiar with it as one of the main offtakers for the Gemini solar-plus-storage project, one of the world’s largest.

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Energy Vault is primarily known for its gravity-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology EVx, for which it is close to commissioning its first commercial project in China. The company moved into short-duration with BESS and multi-day LDES with green hydrogen because of a slow take-up of LDES technologies, CEO Rob Piconi explained in an interview last year (Premium access).



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Planetary parade this weekend — when to see it in Northern Nevada

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Planetary parade this weekend — when to see it in Northern Nevada


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Skywatchers across the U.S. are about to be treated to a dazzling weekend filled with not only two active meteor showers, but a celestial alignment starring the moon.

For two nights, Earth’s only natural satellite will host a cosmic party with three planets — Mars, Saturn and Uranus.

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The phenomenon, often called a planet parade, presents spectators with a rare opportunity to see not only multiple planets, but also the moon, appear close together in the night sky — at least, from Earth’s vantage.

The best part of the show? Most of the striking spectacle — with the exception of Uranus — will be visible to the naked eye.

Here’s everything to know about the rare sight, as well as when, how and where you can see it across the United States.

Moon to appear in sky with Mars, Saturn, Uranus

The moon will appear in the night sky before sunrise on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, NASA said in a monthly skywatching guide.

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What is a planet parade?

While the term “planet parade” is not an official astronomy term, it is an unofficial way for astronomers and stargazers to refer to certain celestial events.

The planets in our solar system orbit the sun essentially along a line across the sky in a flat disc-shaped plane called the ecliptic.

Another term for a certain kind of planetary alignment, planet parades are what happens when planets line up along the ecliptic in a straight line and appear to us on Earth to be marching across the night sky, according to NASA. So, while planetary alignments themselves aren’t special, it is notable to have an opportunity to observe multiple planets at once.

How full will the moon be? What to know about lunar phase

During the celestial alignment, the moon will be entering a waning crescent phase before we have a new moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. That means Earth’s only natural satellite is getting less and less full and bright each night as its crescent gets thinner and thinner, NASA explains.

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That’s good news for stargazers, as the moon will still be visible without outshining the planets nearby.

Where to see the planet parade in Nevada

Look toward the eastern sky to catch the cosmic lineup in the early morning.

While the moon will of course be the easiest to locate, Mars will look like a small reddish point of light, while Saturn is also bright and easy to spot, NASA explained in a video.

For the clearest views, there are several places that are an easy drive from Reno where you can get a clear view of the stars, including:

  • Lake Tahoe: Multiple locations around the lake are excellent for stargazing that are less than an hour from Reno.
  • Fort Churchill State Park The park on Alt. 95 south of Silver Springs provides a dark night sky ideal for evening astronomical events among the ruins of Fort Churchill. Park entrance costs $5 for Nevada residents and $10 for non-residents.
  • Pyramid Lake: A popular spot for Renoites seeking a night of stargazing, the lake is less than an hour from The Biggest Little City. It offers beautiful natural wonders and dark skies that give a clear view of lunar eclipses, meteor showers and full moons.

Northwestern Nevada weather forecast for planetary parade

Cloudy conditions may bring relief from the recent heat wave, but they could spoil the early-morning view of the planetary parade in much of northwestern Nevada.

Reno, Carson City and Minden

  • Friday: Clear and breezy overnight; lows 56-66.
  • Saturday: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy overnight; lows 60-70.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy overnight; lows 61-71.

Lake Tahoe and the central Sierra

  • Friday: Clear and breezy overnight; lows 45-55.
  • Saturday: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy overnight; lows 48-58.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy overnight; lows 49-59.

Do you need a telescope to see celestial alignment?

Mars and Saturn are among the five planets in our solar system visible without optical aid — along with Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. Telescopes certainly will enhance the view but spectators don’t need any equipment to spot those planets joining the moon in the pre-dawn sky.

As for Uranus, the planet is typically not as bright — despite being the third largest in our solar system — and will require a telescope to see, NASA said.

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Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com. The Reno Gazette Journal’s Carly Sauvageau and Brett McGinness contributed to this report.



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Nevada climber dies after fall while climbing in Oregon

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Nevada climber dies after fall while climbing in Oregon


A Nevada man is believed to have suffered a deadly fall while climbing in Oregon.

He’s been identified as 77-year-old Robert Pickering.

Search and rescue crews say they found his body along Mount Washington, northwest of Bend, according to a social media post from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

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A climbing guide reported hearing a rockslide near the summit after Pickering passed his group.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was one of several groups that assisted in the search.



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Murder suspect from Montana takes own life when surrounded by police in Nevada

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Murder suspect from Montana takes own life when surrounded by police in Nevada


RENO, Nev. – A homicide suspect from Montana took their own life on Thursday night after police surrounded their car in northwest Reno, reports KTVN 2 News Nevada.

The incident happened in the area of Sharlands Avenue around 9 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the Reno Police Department.

Officers located the suspect and surrounded their car, blocking them in. They then heard a single gunshot and backed away.

Reinforcements were called, and a drone was brought in by UNRPD. It was then confirmed the suspect was in their car, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the news agency reports.

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The suspect has not been identified pending the notification of next of kin, and no additional information has been released at this time.

In addition to the Reno Police Department, the Regional Narcotics Unit and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office also responded.

The investigation is ongoing.





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