Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity & Industry

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production

  • World Bank backs Morocco pumped storage project

    The World Bank has approved $265m in financing for the Ifahsa pumped storage hydropower project in Morocco, which will support the integration of additional renewable generation into the country's electricity system. This project will enable the addition of at least 1GW of solar and wind capacity to the national grid, displacing approximately three terawatt-hours of fossil fuel generation annually and avoiding an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The construction of the project is expected to create around 820 direct jobs annually, with additional employment linked to the renewable energy capacity enabled by the project. The financing package includes lending from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, concessional funding from the Clean Technology Fund, and a grant from the Livable Planet Fund, with co-financing from the African Development Bank and implementation by Morocco's Office National de l'Électricité et de l'Eau potable (ONEE).

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/world-bank-backs-morocco-pumped-storage-project/

  • Final Energy Is Official. Useful Energy Steers The Transition.

    The COP31 proposal aims to increase electricity's share in global final energy demand to 35% by 2035, emphasizing the importance of electrification beyond power generation. The distinction between primary, final, and useful energy is crucial in understanding the transition to a decarbonized economy, with a focus on electro-efficiency to reduce energy consumption. The article highlights the need for a useful-energy companion to final-energy targets for accurate measurement of electrification progress, calling for transparency in measuring useful energy to drive efficient climate solutions. Accurate data on all three types of energy is essential for assessing progress towards efficient energy services and tracking the transition from combustion to electricity effectively.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/05/final-energy-is-official-useful-energy-steers-the-transition/

  • 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

  • GCL Plans To Integrate AI Data Centers Directly with the Grid — CleanTechnica Field Trip

    GCL, the largest private energy producer in China, is advancing the country's strategy to upgrade its energy generation systems to zero-emissions technologies. They are expanding their clean energy solutions overseas, focusing on increasing battery energy storage, offshore wind deployments, and virtual power plants in Southeast Asia. By integrating AI data centers into their energy strategy, GCL aims to increase flexibility, revenue, and stability in the grid. China's comprehensive energy strategy includes transitioning to locally sourced, zero-emissions technologies to support economic growth and reduce overall emissions. The integration of AI data centers with the grid is seen as a way to lower costs, balance the grid, and create the right pricing signals for customers, driving the clean energy transition and reducing emissions in Southeast Asia.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/03/gcl-plans-to-integrate-ai-data-centers-directly-with-the-grid-cleantechnica-field-trip/

  • Chinese scientists build 27.3%-efficient inverted perovskite solar cell based on dual-molecule interface

    Researchers from China's Soochow University and other scientists have developed innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. One team created a dual-molecule interface layer that enhances charge extraction and stability, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. Another group modified perovskite solar cells with CzOTf, resulting in cells with an efficiency of 26.20% and excellent stability. The scaled-up cells maintained a power conversion efficiency of 21.54% and operated outdoors for 35 days without degradation. These advancements in solar cell technology offer promising solutions for increasing renewable energy production.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/03/chinese-scientists-build-27-3-efficient-inverted-perovskite-solar-cell-based-on-dual-molecule-interface/

  • 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/

  • A Home Battery Revolution Is Reshaping the Power Grid

    Australia has seen a surge in home and commercial solar arrays, with one in three homes now equipped with panels. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has led to a significant increase in battery installations, aiming to reach over 2 million by 2030. The use of virtual power plants and advanced software is transforming the energy sector, allowing decentralized energy sources to contribute back to the grid. Battery prices have dropped, making them more accessible for households and reducing the need for gas peaker plants. Australia's policies have set an example for other countries to accelerate the clean energy transition, marking the beginning of a battery revolution reshaping electricity markets.

    https://e360.yale.edu/features/home-battery-vpps

  • Solar can outcompete grid power in rural India

    A new study in rural India shows that solar-based distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems can generate electricity at a lower cost than conventional grid supply. Careful planning around local demand, storage, grid conditions, financing, and long-term operations is crucial for cost savings. Village Energy Plans (VEPs) are recommended for reliable, scalable deployment, emphasizing site-specific planning and integration with distribution companies. Rajiv Shukla highlights the importance of aggregation, virtual net metering, efficient surplus power management, and increased utility participation for the evolution of DRE into a scalable and sustainable rural energy solution.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/01/solar-can-outcompete-grid-power-in-rural-india-with-the-right-planning-study/

  • Masdar begins construction of 1GW wind farm in Kazakhstan

    Masdar, in partnership with W Solar and others, has begun construction on a 1GW wind farm in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl region, along with a 600MWh battery energy storage system to stabilize the local power grid. This project is one of the largest in Central Asia to combine wind power with battery storage and is expected to power around 880,000 homes while avoiding 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Additionally, Masdar has signed a road map agreement with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development for the country's first round-the-clock clean energy project.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/masdar-construction-1gw-wind-farm-kazakhstan/

  • Can giant batteries unlock Africa’s green industrial future?

    Tropical Storm Ana's impact on Malawi's electricity system underscores the importance of grid stability, prompting the construction of a battery energy storage system in the country's capital to enhance reliability and reduce carbon emissions. BESS technology is being recognized as crucial for integrating renewables into Africa's power grid, with South Africa and Egypt leading the way in deploying utility-scale systems. Falling battery prices are driving rapid deployment of energy storage, offering opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet climate goals. Despite challenges like limited awareness and financing concerns, a BESS Consortium is working to de-risk the sector and scale up battery storage projects in African nations.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/07/01/can-giant-batteries-unlock-africas-green-industrial-future/