AI is playing a crucial role in supporting the clean energy transition by managing power grid operations, planning infrastructure investments, and guiding the development of novel materials. Despite concerns about increased energy demands, AI is also helping to reduce energy consumption and emissions in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. Furthermore, AI is optimizing the design and siting of new wind and solar installations and energy storage facilities, further aiding the transition to clean energy.
Category: Buildings
Cut Emissions:
– Shift Energy Sources
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SwitchedOn podcast: Renewable construction boom can help fix regional housing crisis
Australia is poised to construct more renewable infrastructure in the next decade than in the previous three combined, with the challenge of housing construction workers in towns already experiencing a housing crisis. RE-Alliance's report proposes that worker accommodation can serve as a community benefit, with developers considering options such as refurbishing aged-care homes and transforming workforce villages into suburbs. The energy transition offers a unique opportunity for positive change in regional communities, highlighting the potential for sustainable solutions to address both the housing crisis and the need for renewable infrastructure.
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Australia doesn’t have to choose between energy affordability and emission reductions
IEEFA has found that improving energy affordability in Australia does not have to be incompatible with emissions reduction targets. The country's aging coal fleet and network assets need to be replaced, with renewables backed by storage and transmission being the most cost-effective option. Gas-based generation has become increasingly uncompetitive, with high prices and declining consumption. Contrary to misconceptions, renewables have not been driving electricity prices up, with high gas and coal prices, coal outages, and network costs being the main factors. Faster approval processes and better market regulations are needed to ensure a smooth transition to cleaner energy sources. Reforms to improve competition, allow distributed energy resources to compete, and promote energy efficiency, electrification, and flexible demand are key to lowering household energy bills. Transitioning to modern electric alternatives, such as heaters and hot water systems, along with solar and battery systems, can significantly reduce costs. Industrial energy efficiency and electrification also offer major savings. The key pathways to improve energy affordability are aligned with net zero emissions goals, emphasizing the need for accelerated deployment of renewables, energy efficiency, and electrification. The narrative that lowering bills and cutting emissions are mutually exclusive is false.
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Longi achieves 33.35% efficiency for flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell
Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.35% for a 1 cm2 flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US Department of Energy's NREL. The tandem device utilized a dual-buffer layer strategy to enhance interfacial adhesion and charge extraction, with the top cell incorporating layers such as a perovskite absorber and a self-assembled monolayer hole transport layer. Testing showed the cell design's durability, retaining over 97% of its initial efficiency after bending and thermal cycling tests. These findings were detailed in a study published in Nature, showcasing advancements in flexible solar cell technology.
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Wind-PV-powered heat pump for low-energy residential buildings
Researchers from China have developed an optimized energy management strategy for a hybrid wind-PV heat pump system with thermal and electric energy storage. The study found that adopting seasonal interaction management strategies improved power-to-load interaction and enabled zero-energy performance. The optimal system configuration includes PV modules, wind turbines, batteries, and heat pumps. The research showed significant improvements in system performance and cost savings with the implementation of the optimized energy management strategy, resulting in a reduction in system integration factor, levelized cost of electricity, and carbon emissions, while increasing self-consumption ratio.
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All you need to know about the outcome of COP30
COP30 in Belém, Brazil saw a strong focus on transitioning from promises to action in the fight against climate change, with discussions on phasing out fossil fuels, climate finance, and transitioning to renewable energy. Indigenous and frontline communities pushed for justice, leading to the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism for a just transition. Momentum for a fossil fuel phase-out grew, with countries like Brazil and Colombia moving towards this goal. Despite delays in funding, progress was made towards a just transition and a global push to end fossil fuels, driven by people-powered leadership. The upcoming International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels aims to address the finance gap and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate impacts.
https://350.org/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-outcome-of-cop30/
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Environmental News Network – This UW-Madison Spinoff is Making Environmentally-Friendly Cement. The Secret Ingredient is Pollution
Alithic, a spinoff from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has developed a process that turns coal ash and excess carbon dioxide into a durable, environmentally friendly building material called supplementary cementitious material (SCM). This innovative material can replace traditional Portland cement, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By pulling carbon dioxide from the air and mixing it with industrial wastes, Alithic's process creates a carbon-negative product that has the potential to transform waste streams into profitable solutions for the construction industry.
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C40 cities are taking action
City leaders from C40 cities are sharing bold solutions to the climate crisis at the World Mayors Summit 2025, focusing on cutting emissions, redesigning public spaces, and creating fairer, more resilient communities. A joint assessment from GCoM and C40 Cities shows strong growth in local climate implementation, with companies like Amazon, DHL Supply Chain, and Scania taking action supported by initiatives like Laneshift. The overall goal is to secure a fair and livable future for all through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
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Cement Has a Serious Emissions Problem. This Startup is Solving It
Massachusetts startup Sublime Systems has developed a new cement production system, Sublime Cement, that eliminates the use of fossil fuels and carbon-heavy limestone, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of cement production. Meeting the ASTM Code C1157 standard, Sublime Cement has a lower global warming potential compared to Ordinary Portland Cement, gaining support from leading companies like Microsoft. The building industry is shifting towards sustainable products, with Sublime's distribution channel partner program connecting contractors with low-carbon materials. Despite challenges, new decarbonization pathways such as calcined clay and photosynthetic microalgae are emerging globally, indicating a growing trend towards sustainable cement production.
https://triplepundit.com/2025/sublime-systems-cement-carbon-dioxide-emissions/
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Read Post
The 1072 West Peachtree tower in Atlanta, now the tallest structure on the planet built with carbon-mineralized concrete supplied by Thomas Concrete, showcases the potential for lower embodied carbon in construction. This milestone demonstrates that carbon-mineralized concrete can deliver performance, reliability, and carbon reductions for large-scale projects, offering a pragmatic solution to reduce concrete's carbon footprint. The success of this project using CarbonCure technology validates the mission to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete on a large scale, highlighting the importance of sustainability and innovation in the construction industry. This development has the potential to revolutionize the industry's approach to sustainability in various construction projects worldwide.