24M Technologies Secures $87M Series H Funding, Boosting Valuation to $1.3B, Strengthening Global Battery Tech Leadership

Bloomberg and local media in Arkansas reported on August 31 local time that LG Energy Solution signed a USD 1.5 billion contract with Smackover Lithium to receive 8,000 mt/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate over 10 years starting in 2029. Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor and Canada’s Standard Lithium.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal hosted the Second Annual Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Safety Symposium on August 20, 2026, in Orange County, California, in conjunction with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) Fire Prevention and Safety Symposium. The event brought together fire service leaders, code officials, and industry experts to share insights and best practices in the rapidly evolving BESS landscape. As California leads the nation in battery storage deployment, with gigawatts of capacity operational and under construction, fire safety and emergency response protocols have become critical priorities.

On August 18, 2026, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) held a public meeting to consider Portland General Electric's waiver of competitive bidding rules for the acquisition of the Nottingham BESS project. OPUC staff supported the waiver request, which would allow the utility to proceed with the battery storage asset outside standard procurement procedures. The Nottingham project is part of Portland General Electric's broader strategy to integrate storage into its resource portfolio as Oregon advances its clean energy targets. The Commission's consideration of the waiver reflects the practical challenges utilities face in procuring storage through traditional competitive processes.