Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: US

  • 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/

  • Committee OKs bill supporting new geothermal projects

    The House Science, Space and Technology Committee approved the Geo POWER Act, which aims to accelerate the commercialization of new geothermal projects in the US. This legislation requires the Department of Energy to support at least three geothermal demonstration projects with innovative financing, prioritizing regions with limited or no geothermal technologies. Geothermal technology has become a bipartisan priority to meet growing energy demand, with several geothermal bills already passing in Congress. This initiative is a significant step towards expanding renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/committee-oks-bill-supporting-new-geothermal-projects/

  • Google agrees to purchase 100% of power from largest solar-plus-storage project in U.S.

    Google has signed a VPPA for the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, the largest solar-plus-storage project in the US, with plans to scale up to 2.5 GW of solar PV and 2.9 GWh of energy storage. The project will help Google offset its grid-based emissions by paying a fixed price for clean energy output. Tech companies are turning to VPPAs to meet decarbonization targets and inject renewable capacity into local systems. The Steel River project is prioritizing domestic manufacturing to secure financing and navigate trade policies.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/15/google-agrees-to-purchase-100-of-power-from-largest-solar-plus-storage-project-in-u-s/

  • Indigenous Organizations And Tribal Nations Are Innovating Energy Solutions

    Indigenous-led organizations and tribal nations in the US are taking the lead in developing innovative clean energy solutions, with initiatives such as off-grid residential solar services and advanced tribal electrification projects. The Electric Innovation Initiative and Navajo Power are supporting projects led by Indigenous communities to advance electrification and create renewable energy projects that honor sovereignty and cultural values. By simplifying the process of building utility-scale projects on Tribal lands, they provide guidance, expertise, and reduced investment risks. These initiatives aim to enhance community energy sovereignty, reduce energy costs, and promote sustainability, showcasing the significant potential for renewable energy projects on indigenous lands.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/13/indigenous-organizations-and-tribal-nations-are-innovating-energy-solutions/

  • 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/

  • It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times For Electric Car Sales In America

    Despite a drop in EV sales post-federal incentive, the US market is rebounding with a 14.7% increase in Q2 2026 and a projected 17% growth by 2030. New product launches, state incentives, and consumer interest are driving this growth, with Tesla leading the market. The rise in EV charging infrastructure and hybrid car sales is also notable. Proposed legislation to ban foreign-connected components aims to protect national security but raises concerns about data privacy and consumer choice. The bill has garnered support from industry players but may impact the market dynamics and consumer rights.

    https://cleantechnica.com/?p=376445

  • Tesla energy storage rebounds as Musk backs growth prospects

    Tesla's storage deployments saw a significant rebound to 13.5GWh in Q2 of this year, a 40% increase from the same quarter last year, marking the second-largest quarterly result for the company. Despite a slow start to the year, Tesla is optimistic about the growth of solar and storage markets globally. The company has signed deals for its Megapack and Megablock storage products and is expanding its manufacturing footprint, including a $4.3bn LFP battery factory in Michigan, aiming to create a robust domestic battery supply chain in the US.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/energy-storage/tesla-energy-storage-rebounds-as-musk-backs-growth-prospects/2-1-2013025

  • New Lithium-Air Battery Makes Larger Electric Aircraft Possible

    The aviation industry is making progress in transitioning to cleaner alternatives with the development of battery-powered electric aircraft. US startup Air Energy has created a high-density battery solution using solid state lithium-air technology, funded by the Energy Department's JOULES 1K program. Research efforts at Argonne National Laboratory have led to advancements in lithium-air batteries, with a new solid electrolyte design expected to outperform conventional lithium-ion batteries. This technology has potential applications in electric passenger cars, aircraft, and long-haul trucks, contributing to climate solutions in the transportation sector.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/02/electric-aircraft-new-battery-lithium-air-solid-state/

  • The ‘Guerrilla Solar’ Era Has Arrived, and Here’s What to Know

    Germany leads in plug-in solar systems, with over 1 million installed, costing $500 to $1,000 and offering small financial benefits. Craig Morris advocates for EU adoption to make renewable energy more accessible. Payoff periods vary by region, with Kansas City at 4.99 years due to high electricity consumption. Plug-in solar offers energy cost control, clean energy participation, and land-use benefits, but faces utility opposition and concerns about savings overestimation. In the US, plug-in solar is gaining popularity, with some states passing laws to allow them, making clean energy more accessible. Tesla, Sunrun, and Renew Home are creating a 16-gigawatt virtual power plant, while developers in Philadelphia face a deadline for federal tax credits. The Trump Administration's $17.5 billion plan for 10 nuclear reactors aims to meet data center demand, despite cost concerns, with small modular reactors seen as the future. Inside Climate News provides free climate news to the public.

    https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25062026/inside-clean-energy-plug-in-solar-era-has-arrived/

  • The EV Battery Call Is Coming From Inside The House

    The US energy storage startup QuantumScape is making strides in solid-state lithium-metal EV battery technology, partnering with companies like Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and Corning for advancements in battery manufacturing. Former Tesla Motors co-founder JB Straubel has joined QuantumScape to accelerate the transition to solid-state batteries, while Mark Marbury brings defense application experience to the company's Strategic Advisory Board. Despite setbacks in domestic EV battery manufacturing, companies like Anthro Energy, Dragonfly Energy, and Factorial Energy are pushing forward with their plans. QuantumScape's progress represents a significant step towards commercial-level production of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, aligning with the shift towards federal electrification technology.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/21/ev-battery-solid-state-lithium-metal-quantumscape-manufacturing/