Schneider Electric has been recognized for its strong sustainability performance in global benchmarks, including the World Benchmarking Alliance assessments, ranking first in the Social Benchmark and third in the Gender Benchmark. The company's sustainability strategy, guided by the Schneider Sustainability Impact program, has led to measurable results and recognition as a sustainable leader in the industry. With a focus on intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory, Schneider Electric has a large global presence with 160,000 employees and one million partners in over 100 countries. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, providing options to sign up for newsletters and podcasts for more information.
Author: Cleantechnica
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New Design For Data Center In Space, Like Beads On A String
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a design for orbiting data centers using tethers, which are cables made up of thousands of individual computer nodes. This design aims to address scalability issues faced by other orbiting data center designs, with passive tethers that maintain their orientation in space without constant adjustments. The system can support up to 20 megawatts of computing power and is resilient against micrometeoroids. Startups like OrbitAI and Aetherflux are already working on similar projects, leveraging solar power in space to address energy needs for artificial intelligence. This innovative approach could potentially help reduce the energy and water demands of data centers on Earth.
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India Poised To Become World’s First Electrostate?
China's economic growth was fueled by coal-fired thermal generating stations, leading to severe air pollution. Despite still relying on coal for electricity, China is now a leader in renewable energy technologies. In contrast, India is following a different path by embracing renewables to meet its growing energy needs. India aims to become the world's first electrostate, diverging from China's reliance on coal for industrial development. India is rapidly transitioning to a cleaner energy future with the help of cheap solar and batteries, avoiding the fossil fuel dependency seen in the West and China. Solar generation has increased significantly, with coal demand approaching its peak. The country is also leading in electric vehicle sales and reducing road oil demand. India's electrification rate is growing steadily, positioning the country to supply electrotech to the world. In contrast, the US is pushing for a more expensive and dirtier energy pathway. India is making significant progress in transitioning to clean electricity sources, outpacing China in electrification and reducing fossil fuel consumption per capita. The country is on track to achieve economic growth without relying heavily on coal generation. The availability of affordable solar panels and electric cars is driving this shift towards clean energy. India is moving towards becoming an "electrostate" that meets most of its energy needs through electricity generated from clean sources. Other developing countries are likely to follow suit as the cost of electricity technologies continues to decrease. Countries like Pakistan and South Africa are utilizing low-cost solar panels from China to transition away from fossil fuel electricity generation. China is also financing these transitions to expand its clean energy market. However, there are risks involved, such as India's reliance on Chinese equipment for lithium-ion battery production. The dominance of one country in clean energy industries, like China's control over rare earth materials, can impact the global transition to clean energy technologies. International trade dynamics play a significant role in the speed and success of electrification efforts.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/25/india-poised-to-become-worlds-first-electrostate/
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Over 20 Million EV Chargers Operating In China Now
China is leading in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and has the largest number of EV chargers, with over 20 million by the end of 2025. The country has built the world's largest EV charging network, supporting over 40 million new energy vehicles. China's motivation for switching to EVs is driven by the need to reduce toxic air pollution, which causes over one million premature deaths annually. Critics of EVs claiming they run on coal-generated electricity are refuted, as China is a leader in clean, renewable energy sources like solar power. China's advancements in solar power and battery manufacturing position it to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and reduce air pollution.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/25/over-20-million-ev-chargers-operating-in-china-now/
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CATL Wins World Economic Forum’s MINDS Award for AI-Driven Next-Generation Battery Design
CATL has been honored with the World Economic Forum's 2026 MINDS Award for their groundbreaking project on AI-driven lithium-ion battery design, which revolutionizes battery R&D by delivering virtual batteries with superior performance, reliability, and efficiency. The use of augmented intelligence transforms human design into co-design between AI and customers, aiming to accelerate the adoption of AI and data-driven technologies across industries. CATL emphasizes the importance of 'Augmented Intelligence' in battery production, combining human expertise with AI to ensure product quality and advance AI in the energy transition. The intelligent design platform combines physics-based electrochemical models with machine learning to speed up key steps in cell design, focusing on creating value and discovering new frontiers in technology.
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Major success from the Electric Home Show – 3 months before it even happens
CleanTechnica's Electric Home Show in Honolulu in April will feature earth-friendly technology like Quilt's heat pump HVAC system, aiming to educate industry professionals and consumers on climate-focused solutions. The event addresses contractor inertia by providing education, training, and support to promote mass market adoption of clean energy solutions. Quilt's partnership with AC contractors in Hawaii aligns with the state's goal of achieving 100% clean energy, reducing overall energy demand. The show, expanding to other cities, promotes local self-reliance in sustainable development through energy-efficient products and technologies. Companies are encouraged to sponsor CleanTechnica's shows to support the promotion of clean energy solutions and market movement.
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Op-Ed: XPENG’s New Extended-Range EVs Are Actually About Ultra-Fast Charging & AI
XPENG has unveiled new extended-range EV models, the P7+ sedan and G7 SUV, with impressive ranges and fast charging capabilities. The company is rethinking extended-range EVs as electric-first vehicles with gas backup, rather than relying on gas as the primary source of power. XPENG is normalizing advanced charging and computing capabilities across its lineup to address inconsistent charging infrastructure in regions like Southeast Asia. Extended-range configurations with substantial electric-only capability could increase EV adoption without immediate infrastructure upgrades. The company's growth and ambitious targets suggest they are thinking ahead about consumer needs in the evolving auto industry, positioning extended-range EVs as platforms for software-defined operation with charging parity to battery-only vehicles.
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Scaling Solar Smarter: Innovation, Supply Chains, & the Future of Clean Energy
Marty Rogers, General Manager for SolarEdge North America, discusses the future of solar energy in terms of inverter and storage innovation, reshoring critical manufacturing to the US, and sustainability practices. SolarEdge is focusing on strengthening the domestic solar supply chain, practicing sustainability in its operations, and innovating in the inverters and storage space. The company is leading the way in developing intelligent, grid-connected devices that optimize performance and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Residential solar trends are shifting towards energy independence and resilience, with a growing demand for battery storage and backup capabilities. States prone to outages or high electricity rates are finding solar + storage more attractive due to sustainability mandates, rising utility costs, and new financing models. Grid services and virtual power plants are becoming essential for sharing and monetizing distributed energy while improving grid stability. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, with options to sign up for newsletters and follow on Google News.
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Solar Power Generation Drives Electricity Generation Growth Over The Next Two Years
The U.S. electric power sector is projected to experience growth in electricity generation, with natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources decreasing to 72% by 2027, while solar and wind power are expected to increase to 21% of total generation. Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing source, with significant capacity additions in Texas, and battery storage capacity is expanding to support solar output fluctuations. Coal-fired generation increased in 2025 but is expected to decline by 5% annually over the next two years, resulting in coal's share in power generation falling to 15% by 2027. Wind generation growth is slowing in certain regions, while natural gas remains the largest source of electricity but its share is declining.
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Happy Hour Clean Technology Special: Pubinno Smart Tap at CES
Pubinno's smart beer tap system offers a resource-conserving way to serve draft beer, reducing waste and increasing keg yield. The system has saved over 1.4 billion liters of water and has received industry sustainability awards. It operates without special glassware, adjusts foam levels based on preference, and works well in self-service or with inexperienced bartenders. The system also works with nitrogenated beer and sodas, reducing emissions and water usage associated with packaging and transportation of beverages. Being eco-friendly can save venues money and make business sense, as incremental changes towards sustainability can have a significant positive impact on the environment.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/happy-hour-clean-technology-special-pubinno-smart-tap-at-ces/