The Energy Market Authority of Singapore and the Swedish government have established a bilateral energy forum to enhance clean energy cooperation, focusing on areas such as hydrogen supply chains, grid technologies, energy efficiency, and cross-border electricity trading. The partnership includes the deployment of HVDC transmission technology to integrate into the ASEAN Power Grid architecture. Challenges include significant financial commitments for HVDC interconnection and hydrogen infrastructure development, with success measured by tangible outcomes like project finance commitments and operational hydrogen supply chains. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch emphasize the strategic significance of the forum in advancing innovation and accelerating the green transition towards a sustainable energy future.
Author: Cleantechnica
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BMW Closes In On The Solid State EV Battery Of The Future
BMW, in collaboration with Solid Power and Samsung SDI, is working on developing a solid state EV battery that replaces the conventional liquid electrolyte with solid materials, offering benefits such as increased safety, lighter weight, longer lifespan, and improved performance for electric vehicles. Other companies like QuantumScape and Toyota are also making advancements in this area, with a focus on using earth-abundant materials like sulfides as an alternative to ceramics in solid state batteries. The US is working on securing its EV battery supply chain, including extracting critical materials like lithium from oil and gas drilling wastewater, with ARPA-E launching a $25 million funding round for new extraction technologies. Columbia University has received funding to recover lithium and magnesium from wastewater, highlighting the importance of sustainable energy storage solutions. Solid Power's contribution of a sulfide-based electrolyte to the new solid state EV battery demonstrates ongoing efforts towards more efficient and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions.
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Illinois Passes Clean Energy Bill Expected to Save Residents $13 Billion
Illinois legislators have passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which is expected to lead to the buildout of 3 gigawatts of battery storage and the creation of a Virtual Pilot Program. The bill aims to save Illinois families and businesses $13 billion on their electricity bills over the next 20 years. The Solar Energy Industries Association praised the bill for its focus on solar, storage, and a Virtual Power Plant program, which will create jobs and empower Illinois residents. Governor Pritzker is expected to sign the bill into law, showcasing Illinois as a leader in clean energy policy.
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EVChaja Looks To Scale Its Electric Corporate Shuttle & B2B Electric Van Service In Kenya
Kenyan company EVChaja is expanding its electric van operations and charging network to establish a 100% electric staff transport network, integrating solar-powered charging and AI-based route optimization. The country's electric vehicle market is growing, with a 300% rise in electric mobility consumption and a goal of 100% renewable energy generation by 2030. By accelerating the adoption of electric mobility, Kenya can reduce CO2 emissions, decrease its fuel import bill, and decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports through utilizing excess energy from geothermal plants for overnight charging of electric vehicles. This shift towards locally generated renewable electricity could significantly advance Kenya's electric mobility sector and decrease its trade deficit.
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Small Agrivoltaic Project, Big Impact
US farmers are facing challenges from tariffs, inflation, worker shortages, and climate impacts, leading to an increase in bankruptcies. A new agrivoltaic project in Virginia, led by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), aims to show how solar energy can help farmers and local communities by combining solar panels with agriculture. The Roundabout Meadows project in Aldie, Virginia, has been recognized for its innovative agrivoltaic approach, including an energy storage system to allow for continued use of solar energy after sunset. This new approach could provide a lifeline for farmers facing multiple challenges, demonstrating that solar panels and crops can coexist on a small plot of land and generate more energy than the farm currently needs.
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As Renewables In China Surge, Some Questions Are Raised
China is leading the world in renewable energy, with President Xi Jinping committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy sixfold. The country has developed a massive renewable energy development in Tibet, including the Talatan Solar Park providing 16,930 megawatts of power. China is rapidly expanding its clean energy infrastructure, utilizing smart ideas to address excess renewable energy and reducing air pollution by 41 percent since 2014. Despite concerns about the impact of ultra-high-voltage power lines on nearby residents, the benefits of breathing cleaner air from renewable energy sources far outweigh the drawbacks. Renewable energy advocates should emphasize these benefits more strongly in discussions about their impact on homes and the economy.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/11/as-renewables-in-china-surge-some-questions-are-raised/