Ford is working on developing electric vehicles in Southern California with a team led by Doug Field, aiming to design vehicles that outperform Chinese offerings and are price competitive. The Universal EV Platform will be used for a new midsize electric pickup truck, offering impressive range and the ability to power a home during a grid outage. Ford is focusing on efficiency, fewer components, and democratizing technology to make it accessible to a wider audience. The company is prioritizing technology that solves real problems and is attainable for more customers, aiming for a more capable and affordable EV future.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
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Scatec secures PPA for Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project
Norwegian renewables developer Scatec ASA has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company for a 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery energy storage project in Egypt. This project, Scatec's largest investment to date, will provide sustainable, around-the-clock power and grid stabilizing services, supporting Egypt's energy transition and economic development. The integrated solar-plus-storage system is expected to deliver 6 TWh of energy annually, making it the largest solar and battery energy storage installation in Africa. Scatec plans to act as the lead developer and is seeking additional equity partners for the project, which is anticipated to reach financial close in the second half of the year.
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BLUETTI Targets Circular Economy & High-Speed Mobile Charging — CES 2026 Launch
BLUETTI is making strides in hardware decarbonization and slow-charging issues for road trips through material science and deep vehicle integration. The Charger 2, powered by alternator and solar energy, offers universal compatibility and bi-directional utility. The Bio-Based Elite 100 V2 power station reduces CO2 emissions with bio-circular plastics, while the Elite 300 and Elite 320 models provide high energy density and home resilience capabilities. With a focus on sustainable material sourcing and efficiency, BLUETTI is leading a positive shift towards clean energy solutions in the industry.
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Masdar secures PPA for Quipungo Solar PV project in Angola
Masdar has signed a power purchase agreement for a 150MW solar project in Angola, as part of a larger 500MW renewable energy initiative. The project aims to increase generation capacity, provide electricity to 300,000 homes, and create over 2,000 jobs, aligning with Angola's national energy plans. The agreement was finalized during the IRENA General Assembly, showcasing a commitment to translating energy goals into tangible projects. Masdar's ambitious target is to reach a portfolio capacity of 100GW by the end of the decade, contributing significantly to global efforts in advancing renewable energy solutions.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/masdar-ppa-quipungo-solar-pv/
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Governments defend energy transition as US snubs renewables agency
The United States' withdrawal from IRENA has raised concerns about funding, but discussions are ongoing to fill the potential financial gap. The global transition to clean energy is driven by economic, national security, and strategic reasons, with significant investments being made in renewable energy. However, more support is needed for African countries and small island developing states to access clean energy finance. IRENA aims to triple renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade and is working on a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, to be presented at COP31 in November. They are also considering a target for electrification consistent with this plan.
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Perovskite-Silicon Solar Cells Are Heading For The Mass Market
The article discusses the potential impact of perovskite solar cells on the global decarbonization movement, with utility-scale perovskites already achieving high efficiency levels. Tandem PV technology is also on the rise, with efforts to mass produce tandem solar panels and improve durability and efficiency in outdoor conditions. The increasing activity in perovskite solar cell technology poses a threat to the global oil industry, highlighting the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar power. Urgent action is needed to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on innovative solutions to drive down costs and increase efficiency in the renewable energy sector.
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Danish researchers develop color-tunable BIPV foil
Danish researchers have developed Colorfoil technology for building integrated PV modules, allowing for a wide range of colors with low iridescence and minimal efficiency loss. The Colorfoil is a polymer foil inserted between the encapsulation layer and c-Si solar cells in PV panels, created using nanoimprinting lithography and magnetron sputtering in a roll-to-roll process. Additionally, researchers have developed Solar RRL, a low iridescence optimization methodology for PV modules, aiming to create simple multilayer configurations that reflect specific colors with minimal angular variation. These advancements show promising results in maintaining PV performance and potential for large-scale manufacturing, with future research focusing on implementing the methodology on a larger scale and ensuring the durability of colored PV modules for aesthetically pleasing energy-producing facades.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/12/danish-researchers-develop-color-tunable-bipv-foil/
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India’s smart metering boom reshapes grid through decentralized IoT
India's power system in India is rapidly decentralizing through the expansion of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and distributed generation, driven by the smart metering rollout under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The focus is on achieving financial sustainability for distribution companies, reliability for consumers, and supporting renewable energy ambitions. Decentralized RF mesh networks are crucial in connecting millions of devices reliably and affordably, while the ecosystem model promotes collaboration among multiple vendors, making the system more resilient and responsive. India's approach to smart metering, focusing on interoperability and transparent performance validation, sets global benchmarks and shows that decentralization is a practical path towards a resilient grid in the transition to a high-renewables grid.
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Tata Power unit plans 10GW ingot and wafer facility in southern India
Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) is investing $742.17m to establish a 10GW greenfield manufacturing facility for ingots and wafers in Andhra Pradesh, aiming to enhance India's domestic manufacturing of solar and semiconductor components. The project will generate around 1,000 direct jobs and will be powered by a 200MW captive green power plant. TPREL's subsidiary, TP Solar, has already made substantial progress in producing solar cells and modules, supporting their larger renewable energy expansion efforts in the area.
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Maldives microgrid project with floating solar becomes model for island renewables projects
The Soneva Secret resort project in the Maldives, designed by Canopy Power, features a 2 MWp floating solar PV plant and a 3 MWh battery storage system, aiming to increase renewable energy penetration to 75-80% on the island and reduce diesel reliance. This sustainable energy solution, utilizing Ocean Sun's floating solar technology, is projected to save 900,000 to 1,000,000 liters of diesel per year and cut over 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions. With a focus on longevity and minimal maintenance, the system is built to last two decades and offers affordable and reliable power for islands, fostering economic growth and improving the lives of island communities worldwide.