Atlas Renewable Energy has launched the Shangri-La solar project in Colombia, boasting a capacity of 201 MW and ranking as one of the country's largest solar facilities. This project can power over 214,000 Colombian families annually while offsetting nearly 161,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The 18-month construction phase created over 2,100 jobs, with 22% of the workforce being women, showcasing a commitment to inclusive growth. This investment in solar power aligns with Colombia's growing emphasis on renewable energy solutions.
Author: Cleantechnica
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New Sodium-Ion Batteries Threaten The US Coal Recovery Plan
Peak Energy, a US startup, is leading the way in sodium-ion battery technology, offering advantages over lithium-ion systems in terms of cost, supply chain security, scale, and safety. Partnering with Jupiter Power, they are set to build the world's largest sodium-ion battery energy storage system, delivering a 720-megawatt system in 2027. This development comes as coal power plants in the US face challenges from falling costs of renewable energy and energy storage systems, leading to scheduled retirements. The shift towards cleaner energy sources is driven by factors such as grid conditions, rising electricity demand, and the need for more reliable and cost-effective energy solutions, highlighting the potential for reliable and economical energy storage systems to support the transition to renewable energy in the US.
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Used EVs Pull New Duty As Guardians Of The Grid
The article discusses the benefits of purchasing used EVs, highlighting potential savings, grid balancing opportunities, and revenue generation through bidirectional charging. Newer EV models with higher driving ranges are retaining their value better than older models, debunking concerns over battery degradation. The inclusion of bidirectional charging technology in more EVs is expanding possibilities for using them as power generation stations to support local grids. A microgrid pilot project at Redwood Coast Airport in California is utilizing older Nissan Leafs to increase renewable energy, cut electricity costs, and participate in California's Emergency Load Reduction Program. The growing appeal of used EVs in the market is helping fortify US automakers and promote grid resiliency and mobility.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/14/used-evs-pull-new-duty-as-guardians-of-the-grid/
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Sunbolt Is Leading On Solar Power Workstations At Educational Campuses
Sunbolt is a company specializing in solar-powered workstations and charging stations, providing reliable off-grid power solutions for vulnerable communities. Their products, including solar tables, seating areas, and charging hubs, run entirely on clean solar energy and have been installed in multiple states and countries. Each workstation generates between 700 watts and 1.4 kilowatts of solar power, helping organizations meet sustainability goals and cut carbon footprints. The units are easy to set up, self-ballasted, and require a flat surface with good sunlight. Overall, Sunbolt's workstations contribute to sustainability certifications and offer a practical solution for clean energy needs.
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Crocodile Economics Comes to Africa: Trade, Solar, and the New Energy Map
The global economy is showing signs of decoupling economic growth from emissions, with many countries experiencing a decrease in emissions while GDP rises. China is on the verge of shifting to absolute decoupling, with African countries importing solar hardware on an unprecedented scale. Chinese companies are investing in onshore capacity for solar panels and battery packs in Africa, following the model of industrial migration seen in East Asia. The development of grid-detached microgrids using Chinese solar panels and batteries is accelerating in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside plans for a high-voltage direct-current super-grid to meet the region's growing electricity demand with interconnected renewable grids. Overall, clean-energy investment and the African Continental Free Trade Area are building markets that reward predictability, transparency, and stability, positioning Africa as a more unified major economy on the global stage.
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Cows, Jamaica, & Solar — Winning The Clean Energy Revolution
Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar and farming, is a beneficial practice that can provide financial benefits for farmers. Solar farms using sheep for vegetation control have been successful, with the sheep's excrement serving as fertilizer. Silicon Ranch is pioneering the combination of cattle and solar energy, introducing a system called CattleTracker to ensure the safety of both the animals and the solar panels. Solar grazing, a practice where livestock graze on land underneath solar panels, is being implemented by companies like Silicon Ranch to address greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming. In the Caribbean, solar energy and battery storage systems are being increasingly used to provide electricity during and after hurricanes, with Jamaica aiming to reach 50 percent solar power by 2030.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/11/cows-jamaica-solar-winning-the-clean-energy-revolution/
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New Carbon “Heat Batteries” Aim To Decarbonize US Industries
The US Department of Energy's DAYS program is aiming to stimulate investor interest in new long duration energy storage systems, with startups like Antora Energy working on innovative solutions like thermophotovoltaic devices. Antora, a company focused on renewable energy solutions, uses renewable electricity to heat solid carbon blocks for energy storage and delivery, achieving high conversion efficiency and receiving significant funding for commercial scaleup. They are working on partnerships with companies like POET and Shell for various applications, and have received awards for energy storage partnerships, including one with Con Edison in New York. Con Edison has selected thermal energy storage, electric boilers, and industrial heat pumps as technologies to drive its steam decarbonization efforts, with the potential to electrify up to one third of total steam capacity by 2035. Antora's thermophotovoltaic "heat batteries" have the capability to store renewable energy for transfer into electricity or heat, powering industrial operations and contributing to the overall decarbonization journey.
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BasiGo Opens 3 New Electric Bus Charging Hubs In Nairobi Capable of Charging 100 Buses A Day!
BasiGo is expanding its operations in Nairobi by providing locally assembled electric buses to bus operators through their Pay-As-You-Drive model, with plans to launch three new depots featuring DC fast chargers capable of charging up to 100 buses daily. Kenya Power is partnering with BasiGo to increase electric vehicle charging stations in Nairobi, aiming to accelerate the adoption of electric buses and reduce emissions from the transport sector. The article emphasizes the importance of African governments creating supportive environments for electric mobility companies to thrive, promoting sustainable transportation solutions and clean energy practices to reduce carbon emissions in the region. By utilizing renewable electricity to power electric vehicles, Kenya can significantly reduce its fuel imports and trade deficit, while advancements in solar and battery technology make it feasible to set up solar- and battery-powered charging hubs to complement the grid supply and lower costs.
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Hydrogen, Measured Properly: What 2,000 Projects Reveal About Its Climate Value
A study in Nature Energy has found that hydrogen makes sense in a few industrial applications but little else, with most of today's hydrogen being used for fertilizer, refining, and methanol. The study examined about 2,000 existing and planned hydrogen projects and found that if all were built, they would produce about 110 million tons of hydrogen per year with significant emissions. The researchers suggest that hydrogen should replace dirty hydrogen in existing markets rather than creating new applications. Sectors like steel, biofuels, and ammonia have the best climate returns per kilogram of hydrogen used, but alternatives like electric arc furnaces and biomethane based DRI may be cheaper and easier to scale. Ammonia fertilizer produced with green hydrogen can support the generation of biofuel through increased crop yields, while carbon capture has a narrow role in low-carbon options, with the focus shifting towards more efficient use of renewable energy.
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How Will Boston And Other Coastal Cities Fight Sea Level Rise?
The Seaport District in Boston is facing increasing threats from sea level rise and flooding, with nearly all built structures at risk by 2050. Boston is collaborating with communities, nonprofits, government, scientists, and philanthropists through the Climate Ready Boston initiative to invest in coastal resilience projects. The city's Office of Climate Resilience is designing infrastructure to protect vulnerable areas like the Mario Umana Academy in East Boston. A proposed "Make Polluters Pay" bill in Massachusetts aims to hold major emitters accountable for climate damage costs, with bipartisan support for the idea of oil and gas companies paying into a superfund for climate adaptation projects. The increasing frequency of disasters is driving up costs for average people, leading to a belief that oil and gas companies should pay their fair share.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/09/how-will-boston-and-other-coastal-cities-fight-sea-level-rise/