Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: China

  • World’s largest LFP grid-forming goes online in China

    China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has connected a 1 GW/4 GWh battery energy storage project, the DongSu project, to the grid, marking it as a major renewable energy region. This project, the world's largest single-site grid-forming LFP battery storage plant, is expected to discharge around 1 TWh of electricity annually. By deploying grid-forming technology at the gigawatt level, the project provides voltage and frequency support to improve grid stability with high penetrations of wind and solar generation. The combination of peak shifting and grid-support functions allows for the accommodation of variable renewable generation and reduces the reliance on conventional synchronous generation for stability services. China's renewable energy plan for 2026-2030 includes an acceleration of grid-forming technology deployment.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/08/13/worlds-largest-lfp-grid-forming-goes-online-in-china/

  • New Nuclear Gets Built When Governments Run Development & Taxpayers Take The Risk

    The section emphasizes the challenges of financing new nuclear power projects and the importance of government intervention in making them economically viable. It discusses the role of standardization in nuclear technology markets, using China as an example, and highlights the need for patient capital, standardized designs, controlled change, repeat construction, and durable supply chains in nuclear programs. Examples from Britain and Czechia illustrate how government support and ownership are necessary for new nuclear projects to attract investment. The conclusion stresses that new nuclear power becomes investable when governments reshape the risk profile through funding, regulation, and support, and suggests that countries should make visible commitments to nuclear energy and compare it with alternatives on a full basis.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/10/new-nuclear-financing-government-risk/

  • World’s Largest 12.8 GWh Battery Storage Cluster Activated in China

    Envision Group has integrated artificial intelligence into their 12.8-gigawatt-hour battery storage network in northern China, potentially becoming the world's largest single-site energy storage facility. The AI system optimizes operational decisions, interfaces with local electricity markets, and boosts revenue by 20% compared to traditional storage assets. This facility, part of a larger network in Inner Mongolia, completed successful grid verification testing and helps absorb surplus renewable energy while stabilizing power grids. Envision's infrastructure also powers industrial and computing facilities, like the Galaxy Campus in Ulanqab, providing continuous, zero-carbon electricity from regional wind farms.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/08/worlds-largest-12-8-gwh-battery-storage-cluster-activated-in-china/

  • Gas Stations are Changing Globally. How Has It Changed in Your Town? (Part 1: Asia)

    Major oil and power companies are adapting to the rapid electric vehicle adoption by converting traditional petrol stations into multi-modal power hubs globally, forming alliances to deploy ultra-fast charging hardware alongside fossil fuel pumps. In China, BYD signed an agreement with Sinopec to accelerate Flash Charging systems deployment, while in Southeast Asia, partnerships like Shell Pilipinas and Ayala Group are installing charging points nationwide. State utilities in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are also pursuing retail partnerships to expand charging infrastructure. Initiatives in the electric vehicle sector include the expansion of charging stations, commercial fleet solutions, and battery swapping operations, with Singapore implementing high-tech solutions like liquid-cooled rapid chargers and solar power generation to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/08/gas-stations-are-changing-globally-how-has-it-changed-in-your-town-part-1-asia/

  • Australian sodium battery start-up claims major milestones as storage industry starts to look beyond lithium

    Australian sodium battery startup PowerCap has achieved TÜV and PPP certification for its sodium-ion technology, positioning it as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The technology is gaining global attention due to its abundant raw materials and improved thermal stability, offering lower costs compared to other competing technologies. Major deals have been announced by companies in China and the US, with Australian utilities like AGL considering sodium-ion technology for future battery investments. Despite facing regulatory barriers, PowerCap has already achieved sales and is offering small modules for home systems and larger packs for grid-scale deployment. CEO Dane El Safty believes sodium-ion storage will gain momentum due to its safety and cost advantages. The company is looking to engage with distributors and partners globally, including in Australia, and sees promise in the EV market with sodium solid state technology, which could make batteries smaller and lighter. PowerCap predicts significant growth in the sodium-ion market within 5 to 10 years.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-sodium-battery-start-up-claims-major-milestones-as-storage-industry-starts-to-look-beyond-lithium/

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/29/china-gives-strong-signal-on-connected-autonomous-new-energy-vehicles/

  • New Underground Energy Storage System To Be Made In The US

    Renewable energy, particularly solar power, continues to rise in the US despite federal energy policy changes. The competition for space in the energy storage industry is heating up, with flywheels emerging as a long duration energy storage solution. Pumped hydropower currently dominates the market, but limitations in availability leave room for alternative technologies like flywheels, thermal storage, and compressed air storage. Qnetic, a startup with headquarters in the US and China, is aiming to enter the market with their Pulsar system for up to 12 hours of energy storage. Qnetic is developing a flywheel energy storage technology that uses a spinning rotor to store kinetic energy, offering long duration storage at a lower lifecycle cost than lithium-ion technology, with reduced fire risk and supply chain risks. Torus, another US startup, is working on a flywheel-battery combo for energy storage, while PNNL's flywheel program may contribute to flywheel-enhanced hydropower in the future. New flywheel energy storage systems can be located underground, offering aesthetic benefits, lower costs, longer duration, and less reliance on overseas supply chains.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/25/flywheel-energy-storage-us-qnetic-factory-wind-solar-power/

  • Delhi Launches Big New EV Policies

    Delhi, India has implemented a new EV Policy 2.0 to combat air pollution by mandating that only electric three-wheelers and commercial goods vehicles can be registered starting in 2027, and all new scooters and motorcycles must be electric by 2028. The city is offering financial incentives for buyers, including subsidies for electric vehicles and additional incentives for scrapping old ICE vehicles. Delhi's efforts to transition to electric vehicles and improve air quality could serve as a positive example for other cities facing similar challenges, reflecting the success of strong government mandates in driving EV adoption seen in China and Europe. This shift towards electric vehicles is crucial in combating air pollution in urban areas like Delhi.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/15/delhi-launches-big-new-ev-policies/

  • Renewables, Led By Solar, Were Largest Source of Energy Supply Growth Globally in 2025

    In 2025, the US accounted for 47% of the world's CO2 emissions growth due to fossil fuel-biased policies and AI infrastructure, while renewables, particularly solar power, saw significant growth in total energy supply. Despite fossil fuels dominating global energy supply, positive trends include the growth of solar and wind power, decline in China's oil and diesel use, and Europe's reduction in fossil fuel dependence through renewable energy expansion. The EU's accelerated deployment of wind and solar power has led to a decrease in coal and gas generation, with wind and solar generating more power than coal, gas, and oil combined by 2025. This shift has saved the region €72bn in fossil fuel imports between 2022 and 2025, driven by the cost-effectiveness, stability, and ability of solar power to reduce fossil fuel dependency globally.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/13/renewables-led-by-solar-were-largest-source-of-energy-supply-growth-globally-in-2025/