The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Order 2023, directing grid operators to address delays in interconnection queues and add more clean energy to the grid, with 95 percent of projects being wind, solar, or battery related. Despite some grid operators favoring fossil fuels with "fast track" processes, the Sierra Club has been challenging these to promote clean energy access and affordability. The court ruling is a win for clean energy, addressing systemic barriers to technology that can lower emissions and improve grid reliability, ultimately advancing climate solutions.
Author: Cleantechnica
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What the Electrification Action Plan Means for Transport
The European Commission's Electrification Action Plan focuses on increasing direct electrification in transport and other sectors to reduce energy demand, increase competitiveness, and lower energy prices. The plan emphasizes increasing EV sales and implementing Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology to provide flexibility in the grid. Proposed amendments to the EU Electricity Market Design Regulation aim to incentivize grid operators to invest in innovative grid technologies like V2G and promote flexible consumption among consumers. Recommendations include setting binding electrification targets for large corporate fleets and protecting the 2035 100% zero-emission vehicle target. To further accelerate electrification in both the trucking and shipping sectors, the EU should set common requirements for depot charging, include semi-public charging in funding programs, uphold ambitious CO2 targets for heavy-duty vehicles, and introduce binding zero-emission procurement targets for large shippers. The focus is on transitioning to electric vehicles and infrastructure to achieve climate goals and promote energy sovereignty.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/31/what-the-electrification-action-plan-means-for-transport/
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China’s 15th Five-Year Plan For Solar & Wind Is Huge
China has published its 15th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development, which includes targets for renewable energy capacity, power generation, non-power applications, and supply security for 2026-2030. The plan focuses on desert solar PV, solar power plants on wasteland areas, and large-scale wind power, aiming to add at least 370GW of new installed capacity across seven major wind and solar bases. By 2030, China plans to have 3,500 GW of total installed renewable capacity, with wind and solar accounting for 50% of power capacity. Additionally, renewable energy will be used for heating, hydrogen production, industrial raw materials, and other non-power applications.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/30/chinas-15th-five-year-plan-for-solar-wind-is-huge/
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Energy Storage Startup Nails $550M To Chase Fossil Fuels Away
Antora Energy, a US energy storage startup, has received a $550 million Series C funding round for its long duration energy storage system using "hot blocks" thermal batteries. The Department of Energy's DAYS program supports technologies lasting at least 10 hours, with Antora's solid carbon blocks seen as a promising solution for storing excess wind and solar power. The company's focus on large-scale projects and expanding production, including a project in South Dakota, aims to accelerate the deployment of energy storage projects across the country. With a manufacturing campus in California, Antora Energy is creating new job opportunities and highlighting the importance of state and local officials in supporting renewable energy goals.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/30/energy-storage-factory-made-carbon-blocks-us-startup-antora/
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China Gives Strong Signal on Connected & Autonomous New Energy Vehicles
China is leading the way in promoting sustainable mobility systems through its focus on smart, connected NEVs and electric vehicles. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is accelerating the release of its 15th Five-Year Plan for connected vehicles, emphasizing key core technologies and international coordination. Chinese companies are advancing in autonomous driving models, vehicle-road-cloud integration, and human-machine interaction, creating a virtuous cycle of technology enhancement. The World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference serves as a platform for technological innovation, industrial practice, and international cooperation in the intelligent connected vehicle industry, reflecting China's push towards developing and adopting more connected, autonomous, high-tech, and electric vehicles to potentially reach 90% EV adoption in the country.
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Momenta Goes from Robotaxis to Robovans
Momenta has launched robovans for autonomous parcel delivery in Xiangcheng, Suzhou, as part of their driverless logistics system. Their R7 World Model technology enables map-free autonomous driving, leading to faster deployment and lower delivery costs. The company aims to expand this platform to support various autonomous vehicles and double logistics and mobility efficiency in the next decade. With the potential impact on jobs and the economy as companies like Amazon shift towards automated delivery services, the evolution of Momenta and the implications of using robovans for last-mile delivery are at the forefront of discussions in the industry.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/28/momenta-goes-from-robotaxis-to-robovans/
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Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 Initiative Strengthens Healthcare Resilience for Over 200,000 People in India
The Beyond2020 initiative, led by the SELCO Foundation, has deployed six solar-powered health facilities in Karnataka, India, to improve healthcare access for over 200,000 people in remote areas with unreliable energy sources. These facilities are equipped with solar photovoltaic systems, off-grid solutions, lithium-ion battery banks, and energy-efficient medical technologies to provide quality care closer to home. In collaboration with partners like Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and BNP Paribas, Beyond2020 has implemented 19 deployments across energy, health, water, and food-related solutions, benefiting over 429,800 people globally. Recognized by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, Beyond2020 focuses on providing innovative, life-changing solutions in health, food, energy, water, and climate action to positively impact over 400 million lives worldwide through technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
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Affordable Homes, Cooling Centers, and a Faster Grid? Yes, Please
The Innovation Incubator (IN2) program, coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies, is working with companies like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, National Grid, WinnCompanies, and Tucson Electric Power to bring new technologies to communities in need. These companies are receiving funding and collaborating with energy experts to refine their technologies for broader use, such as stress-testing new materials and simulating technology performance under specific conditions. Projects include using emergent automation tools to address affordable housing crises, implementing networked building controls to reduce energy waste, and building a microgrid-powered cooling center to provide relief from heat-related deaths. The Energy Champions Network within the IN2 program is helping startups and organizations access insights and expertise to move their technologies closer to commercial success, ultimately aiming to optimize energy consumption, improve resilience to heat waves and power outages, and demonstrate the benefits of investing in climate resilience.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/27/affordable-homes-cooling-centers-and-a-faster-grid-yes-please/
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Partnership with EnergyHub, Sunrun, & The Mobility House to Test Massachusetts Residential Vehicle-to-Grid Program for Eversource & National Grid Customers
Eversource, National Grid, EnergyHub, Sunrun, and The Mobility House are collaborating to test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities in Massachusetts, allowing EV drivers to earn incentives while supporting grid reliability and affordability. By enrolling V2G-capable EVs in the Connected Solutions program, drivers can help reduce grid strain and enhance stability, turning parked EVs into valuable tools for a more reliable energy system. National Grid is also using V2G for light-to-medium-duty fleets, while Eversource is exploring opportunities with school districts. The Mobility House focuses on shaping a zero emissions future by providing resilient EV charging technology that integrates flexible charging with energy systems to stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Altus Power Partners with New Leaf Energy on Development of 5 Community Solar Projects in Virginia
Altus Power has acquired five community solar projects in Virginia, totaling 32 MW, to participate in Appalachian Power Company's shared solar program, aiming to deliver clean power to approximately 5,000 homes and provide direct savings through solar bill credits. Collaborating with New Leaf Energy, Altus Power is expanding access to community solar in emerging markets, currently serving over 40,000 subscribers nationwide with Community Solar, offering clean energy savings without the need for installing solar panels. By building clean power generation assets in high-demand areas, Altus Power supports reliability, lowers energy costs, expands local power generation, and improves grid resilience, advancing a more affordable, reliable, and locally powered energy future through innovative financing.