Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Germany

  • Plug-in solar gains momentum as states confront energy costs

    Several states in the U.S. are exploring legislation to support plug-in solar energy systems, also known as balcony solar, which have been successful in Germany. This green technology is being tested and certified for use in American homes, offering a cost-effective solution for rising electricity costs. The bipartisan opportunity for climate advocates in the U.S. comes at a time when subsidies for other renewable energy options have been repealed under the current administration. This shift towards plug-in solar could be a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/plug-in-solar-gains-momentum-as-states-confront-energy-costs/

  • Vattenfall firms FID on Germany’s largest offshore wind cluster

    Vattenfall has announced the final investment decision for the 1.6GW Nordlicht offshore wind cluster in the German North Sea, marking it as the largest offshore wind project in the country. This decision highlights the continued growth and investment in renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind, as a key solution to combatting climate change. The project is expected to significantly contribute to Germany's renewable energy goals and reduce carbon emissions, showcasing the importance of scaling up offshore wind projects as part of the transition to a more sustainable energy system. This development underscores the potential for offshore wind to play a crucial role in achieving climate targets and accelerating the shift towards a cleaner, greener future.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/markets-and-finance/vattenfall-firms-fid-on-germanys-largest-offshore-wind-cluster/2-1-1926856

  • Germany backs Moll Batterien sodium-ion battery plant with over €22 million

    Germany is investing over €22 million in public funding to support Moll Batterien's sodium-ion battery plant in Bavaria, part of a larger €103 million investment. Set to begin operations in 2026 with an initial capacity of 1 GWh per year, the project is expected to create 126 jobs and training positions. The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and the European Union's European Regional Development Fund are the primary sources of public funding for this initiative.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/22/germany-backs-moll-batterien-sodium-ion-battery-plant-with-over-e22-million/

  • Germany brings world’s first supercapacitor STATCOM online

    Siemens Energy and TenneT have successfully installed the world's first supercapacitor-based grid-stabilization system in Mehrum, Germany. The SVC Plus FS system utilizes supercapacitors to provide instantaneous reserve and reactive power, eliminating the need for large fossil-fuel power plant generators. After over a decade of development and three years of construction, the system now operates fully automatically and remotely controlled. This groundbreaking project sets a new standard for the global energy transition, showcasing the potential of supercapacitors to revolutionize traditional grid-stabilizing functions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/15/germany-brings-worlds-first-supercapacitor-statcom-online/

  • “Solar Glitter” Makes Its Mark On The Space Solar Race

    The space solar race is heating up, with innovators aiming to beam solar energy down to Earth by 2030. Efforts to improve efficiency and reduce weight in space solar technology continue, with Lockheed Martin Ventures recently investing in mPower to support the scaleup of their DragonSCALES modules for space applications. Various space industry stakeholders, including Airbus, Blue Origin/Honeybee, Firefly Aerospace, Lynk Global, and Gravitics, are deploying DragonSCALES technology. Ascent Solar Technologies has announced new developments in space solar innovation, with collaborations with the US Air Force, Germany's DLR, and Defiant Space to develop space solar opportunities for defense, security, and commercial initiatives. Aetherflux, a US space solar startup, has received significant funding and plans to demonstrate an orbiting system next year, while mPower has launched new photovoltaic technology for space solar applications.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/04/solar-glitter-makes-its-mark-on-the-space-solar-race/

  • Low Carbon gains $1.4bn from CVC DIF to drive renewable energy growth

    The Clean Power 2030 plan, which includes doubling onshore wind capacity and tripling solar PV, requires significant investment such as the one received by Low Carbon from CVC DIF to drive growth and support the delivery of several gigawatts of renewable energy. This investment will help Low Carbon transition into a diversified independent power producer, contributing to the energy transition in the UK and Europe. The UK government's plan requires £40bn of annual investment, while the EU has set a new renewable energy target of 42.5%. Low Carbon plans to bring a 3GW portfolio of renewable assets online in key markets such as the UK, Germany, and Poland, aligning with the goals of the Clean Power 2030 plan. Additionally, Hover Energy's innovative microgrid technology, recognized at the Power Technology Excellence Awards, is contributing to a more flexible and resilient energy future through their AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM and networked microgrids.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/low-carbon-cvc-dif/

  • The Hydrogen Stream: EWE begins work on 320 MW hydrogen plant in Germany

    Construction of hydrogen plants in Germany and Japan, along with research advancements in electrolysis technology, are key developments in the push for green hydrogen solutions. Moroccan researchers emphasize the importance of integrating desalination technologies to maximize green hydrogen potential. Additionally, a research team has made progress in decreasing the degradation rate in oxygen production, moving towards a commercially viable electrolyzer. NASA's selection of suppliers for liquid hydrogen highlights the growing demand for clean fuel sources, with contracts totaling approximately $147.2 million. These advancements signal a promising future for climate solutions experts working towards a more sustainable energy landscape.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/28/the-hydrogen-stream-ewe-starts-construction-of-320-mw-hydrogen-production-plant-in-north-west-germany/

  • The City That Turns Human Waste into Clean Fuel

    Innovative projects in Germany and Denmark are transforming sewage gases into valuable resources like methanol and green hydrogen, offering sustainable solutions for industries and rural communities. The Mannheim 001 pilot project in Germany is producing methanol from biogas at a wastewater treatment plant, with plans for upscaling production, while the Kassø e-methanol facility in Denmark showcases successful large-scale investment in this area. These initiatives not only aim to decarbonize industries and reduce energy consumption in sewage treatment plants but also have the potential to benefit rural communities by cutting waste disposal costs and generating renewable power. Despite obstacles such as regulations and lack of legal frameworks, the global potential of scaling sewage-to-methanol could have significant climate and air quality benefits, particularly in meeting the fuel demand of the global shipping sector striving for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    https://reasonstobecheerful.world/city-turning-human-waste-to-clean-fuel-germany/

  • COP30: Brazil leads a new global effort to accelerate multilevel climate action

    Brazil and Germany have been announced as the first co-chairs of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) until 2027, aiming to enhance collaboration between national and subnational governments in climate policy and finance. The Plan to Accelerate the Solution (PAS) on Multilevel Governance was launched to advance global climate cooperation and implement the Paris Agreement, with a goal to include multilevel governance structures in 100 national climate plans by 2028 and train 6,000 public officials and practitioners in CHAMP-endorsing countries by the same year. The implementation of the PAS will be led by Brazil's Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, supported by various global initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalizing multilevel governance as a cornerstone of climate implementation. Germany's significant investment in climate and biodiversity projects worldwide, including subnational initiatives, further supports the coalition's efforts to advance global implementation and highlights the importance of tangible climate action in cities like Belém, Brazil.

    https://www.c40.org/news/cop30-brazil-leads-a-new-global-effort-to-accelerate-multilevel-climate-action/

  • LEAG and Fluence to develop GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000 project in Germany

    LEAG Clean Power and Fluence Energy are collaborating on Europe's largest battery energy storage system project, the GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000 in Germany, with a capacity of 1GW. This project, utilizing Fluence's Smartstack technology, aims to address energy availability challenges during the transition to renewable energy by integrating solar, wind, and storage facilities. The focus is on enhancing system stability, supporting renewable energy integration, delivering grid services, enabling energy trading, strengthening energy security, and accelerating Germany's energy transition. The GigawattFactory approach combines renewable energies, storage facilities, and flexible power plants to achieve these goals.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/leag-fluence-gigabattery-janschwalde-project/