Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: UK

  • UK’s first community-owned solar battery seeks investors

    Low Carbon Hub is seeking investors for a 12 MWh battery energy storage system to be added to the Ray Valley Solar project in the UK, making it the first community-owned co-located battery in the country. The developer has raised over GBP 10 million in community investment and is now looking for GBP 500,000 to fund the battery. Shares in the project are available for purchase starting at GBP 100, providing an opportunity for individuals to invest in a sustainable energy solution that will contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the UK.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/27/uks-first-community-owned-solar-battery-seeks-investors/

  • UK grid software cuts MV solar connection quotes to 15 minutes

    VisNet, a UK-based network monitoring company, has launched an automated platform that allows commercial and industrial rooftop solar developers to receive medium-voltage connection assessments in just 15 minutes. This tool enables project owners to determine online whether connection requests are likely to be approved by network service providers, generating cost estimates and connection offers based on customer-submitted data. Supporting new demand connections of up to 2.5 MVA, the platform aims to reduce engineering and development costs for contractors, developers, and installers. Additionally, the system supports low-voltage applications such as residential rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicle chargers, as network operators face increasing volumes of grid connection requests due to electrification.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/uk-grid-software-cuts-mv-solar-connection-quotes-to-15-minutes/

  • The UK has just thrown its weight behind community energy. Australia should too

    The shift to renewable energy in regional Australia is met with opposition, but community energy projects like the Manilla Solar Project offer a different approach by involving locals in governance and financing. These projects can bridge polarized communities and provide agency and benefits to residents, filling the "missing middle" in Australia's renewable energy transition. The importance of community energy projects is highlighted, with success stories in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the United States. The UK's Local Power Plan serves as a model for supporting community and local energy projects, emphasizing the need for community participation in energy projects to be embedded in policy and system planning for trust and resilience. Eleanor Buckley advocates for Australia to adopt a similar approach to support mid-scale community energy projects.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/the-uk-has-just-thrown-its-weight-behind-community-energy-australia-should-too/

  • Vestas seals deal for huge offshore wind order

    Vestas, a Danish company, has secured a major order for its 15MW turbines for a UK offshore wind project, highlighting the growing importance of offshore wind energy in the transition to renewable sources. The use of large turbines like these can significantly increase the efficiency and capacity of wind farms, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Denmark's success in this sector showcases the potential for other countries to invest in clean energy solutions, emphasizing the role of offshore wind in combating climate change.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/suppliers/vestas-seals-deal-for-huge-offshore-wind-order/2-1-1947282

  • In The UK, “Power To The People” Is Latest Clean Energy Trend

    The UK government is investing up to £1 billion in community-owned green energy projects to democratize the energy system, increase local wealth, and potentially reduce energy bills. The initiative, administered by GB Energy, will support solar, wind, hydro, and biomass projects, allowing communities to own and control clean energy. Additionally, building taller towers for transmission lines in rural areas is aiding the growth of community energy projects, with a focus on keeping profits local to support public services. The shift towards community and publicly owned energy schemes is gaining political support in Scotland and the UK, highlighting the potential for transformative outcomes in the transition away from oil and gas.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/15/in-the-uk-power-to-the-people-is-latest-clean-energy-trend/

  • Q&A: New UK onshore wind and solar is ‘50% cheaper’ than new gas

    The UK government's latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction has secured a record 7.4GW of solar, onshore wind, and tidal power, making it the largest auction round to date. Contracts were agreed at competitive prices of £65/MWh for solar and £72/MWh for onshore wind, below recent wholesale power prices. These projects will help cut consumer bills, reduce gas imports, and lower gas demand by 95TWh per year. The auction results highlight the economic viability of renewable energy sources, with onshore wind and solar projects seen as more cost-effective than new gas-fired power stations. These investments in renewable energy will strengthen the UK's energy security and help the country move towards meeting its 2030 clean power targets.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-new-uk-onshore-wind-and-solar-is-50-cheaper-than-new-gas/

  • AI Startup That Does EV-Related Materials Science Discovery Raises $8M

    The section discusses the investment in clean, renewable technologies in countries outside the US, such as the UK-based startup Polaron raising $8 million. It highlights the importance of developing enhanced materials to improve electric vehicle efficiency, with examples like the electric MINI Countryman SUV increasing its range without increasing battery size. Polaron's CEO explains how early deployments have improved battery electrode energy density by more than 10% through manufacturing process optimization. The use of AI technology by EV makers and battery manufacturers for R&D and process engineering is also discussed, with AI being used for characterisation and design to improve performance and accelerate work on fast charging, energy density, and battery lifetime. The new funding will be used to scale the team, expand industrial deployment, and integrate with large industrial customers, with the approach being applicable to other EV components beyond battery electrodes to improve performance based on internal structure shaped by manufacturing.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/08/ai-startup-that-does-ev-related-materials-science-discovery-raises-8m/

  • International collaboration is essential to tackle floating wind cost

    The UK's AR7 auction results show progress in commercializing floating wind technology, but questions remain about whether this step is enough to advance the industry. Climate solutions experts should take note of this development as it indicates a positive shift towards renewable energy sources. Continued support and investment in floating wind technology will be crucial for further advancements in the industry. This progress highlights the potential for floating wind to play a significant role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/opinion/international-collaboration-is-essential-to-tackle-floating-wind-cost/2-1-1936500

  • Carbon Clean ranked among Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies in The Sunday Times 100 Tech

    Carbon Clean, a UK technology company, has achieved significant revenue growth of 86.35% over three years, driven by global demand for their CycloneCC technology designed for mass production and deployment at scale. Their success underscores the importance of carbon capture technologies in enabling decarbonisation in hard-to-abate industries like cement, steel, and refineries. Being included in The Sunday Times 100 Tech highlights the maturity of innovative carbon capture solutions in the UK's clean energy economy, positioning Carbon Clean as a leader in revolutionising carbon capture technologies for industrial applications.

    https://www.carbonclean.com/en/press-releases/sunday-times-100-tech

  • UK secures 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity in Allocation Round 7

    The UK Government's AR7 auction has secured 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, expected to power over 12 million homes with clean electricity, resulting in £3.4bn in private investment. The Clean Industry Bonus focuses on enhancing domestic supply chains and manufacturing facilities, creating up to 7,000 jobs across the UK, with significant employment opportunities in Scotland. RWE secured CfD for 6.9GW of offshore wind capacity, including projects like Norfolk Vanguard and Dogger Bank, with a strike price of £91.2 per megawatt-hour. RWE CEO Markus Krebber announced successful long-term offtake contracts for five projects in AR7 and a partnership with KKR to leverage their investment expertise for offshore wind projects.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/uk-8-4gw-offshore-wind-ar7/