SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heron Power, a U.S.-based manufacturer of next-generation medium-voltage power electronics, today announced a pilot agreement with RWE Americas to deploy Heron Link, Heron Power’s solid-state, transformer-based power conversion system.
Under the pilot, Heron Link will replace low voltage inverters and 60 Hz transformers at RWE's battery storage facility co-located with the Pyron Wind Farm in Scurry County, Texas. Installation is targeted for April 2027. The pilot is being done with the intention to test the technology and enter into a supply agreement supporting solar and storage projects.
"This is the first utility-scale pilot agreement we have signed for Heron Link, and it is with one of the largest power solutions providers in the country," said Drew Baglino, CEO and Founder of Heron Power. "To build a better grid we need a fundamentally rethought equipment foundation, and Heron Link is that foundation. We’re manufacturing Link right here in America and deploying it in partnership with critical infrastructure developers like RWE.”
The agreement outlines a path for RWE to reserve at least 500 megawatts (MW) annually of additional capacity from Heron Power’s U.S. manufacturing facilities, subject to the parties finalizing definitive purchase agreements. If finalized, this would position RWE among the first utility-scale operators to adopt Heron’s solid-state transformer technology at scale.
“We are eager to work with Heron Power to deploy next-generation energy infrastructure and shape how emerging technologies are adopted and scaled,” said Andrea Hu-Bianco, senior vice president of engineering at RWE Americas. "Heron Power’s solid-state transformers will advance the future power electronics ecosystem, enabling the transition to 800V DC data center architectures and serving as a key building block for the integration of solar PV and battery energy storage systems.”
Why Heron Link
Today, utility-scale solar and storage projects use low-voltage inverters and medium-voltage transformers to convert DC into grid-ready, medium-voltage AC. Heron Link replaces both components with a modular 5 MW medium voltage inverter that delivers 98.6% DC-to-MV efficiency, 99.5% lifetime availability, and lower maintenance costs. Power plants that integrate Heron Link benefit from stronger economics, a domestic supply chain, and native grid-forming controls that support local grid stability.
Heron is headquartered in California and plans to manufacture in the state as well. In August 2026, the company announced Heron Factory One, a 286,000 square foot facility in Morgan Hill designed to produce up to 10,000 Heron Links a year, or over 40 gigawatts (GW) of annual capacity. The plant requires more than $100 million in investment and will add over 600 jobs, with mass production beginning in late 2027. Domestic manufacturers supply less than 10 percent of the utility-scale US solar inverter market today, and few of them can meet the demand of a large renewable energy portfolio.
With more than 13 GW of operating capacity in 27 states, RWE operates one of the nation's largest renewable energy portfolios, including approximately 6 GW of solar PV and 1.2 GW of battery energy storage assets. As the company continues to expand its generation and storage footprint, RWE is evaluating technologies that can improve system performance, simplify project architectures and enhance lifecycle economics. The Heron Link pilot represents an important opportunity to assess an innovative U.S.-manufactured solution within a utility-scale operating environment and support the advancement of next-generation grid infrastructure.
About Heron Power
Heron Power Electronics Company builds hardware for a better grid, helping the electricity sector grow faster with scalable, reliable and software-controlled infrastructure. Heron's first product, the Heron Link, enables renewable energy, battery storage, and data center developers to connect directly to medium voltage transmission without a transformer. Led by founder and CEO Drew Baglino, the company designs and manufactures its products in California, combining expertise in power electronics, software, and high-volume manufacturing.
About RWE Americas
RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE’s 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates over 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects, along with natural gas-powered generation, that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work. Learn more about how RWE Americas is generating impact at americas.rwe.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df27a26b-79e8-43da-95ce-784eaff6e1e8
Media Contact: Maxwell Philp, Director of Communications, Heron Power (650) 483-8926 press@heronpower.com
