Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity & Industry

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

  • Are long-promised solar perovskites finally hitting mass production?

    Perovskites have the potential to significantly improve solar panel efficiency by absorbing more light than conventional silicon cells. Startup Tandem PV is working to bring this technology to commercial manufacturing with a new factory in California, aiming to increase energy production by one-third in the same physical space as regular solar panels. Their innovative approach involves using a smaller lab to test and refine their perovskite formula before scaling up production, with plans to start producing full-size panels in 2028 pending successful real-world testing. The production process of perovskite solar panels involves depositing layers of chemicals on glass, crystallizing the perovskites, and adding additional layers for electron transport and protection, all done in a highly automated manner for faster and more precise manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to produce panels that outperform those created in the lab, offering a promising solution for more efficient and sustainable energy production.

    https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/perovskites-mass-production-tandem-fremont

  • WindEurope’s 10-point plan to boost wind power in face of Iran energy crisis

    WindEurope has released a 10-point plan to increase wind power deployment in Europe and reduce reliance on oil and gas, aiming to address the energy crisis caused by the conflict in Iran. The focus is on transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind power to mitigate the impact of geopolitical tensions on energy security. The plan outlines strategies to accelerate the growth of wind energy in Europe and promote sustainability in the face of global challenges, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy solutions in addressing current energy crises.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/policy/windeuropes-10-point-plan-to-boost-wind-power-in-face-of-iran-energy-crisis/2-1-1977103

  • Solar, wind meet 99 pct of new global demand as batteries help deliver “round-the-clock resource”

    In 2025, record amounts of new solar and wind generation capacity met 99% of global electricity demand growth, with Australia leading the charge in transforming solar into a "round-the-clock resource." Solar power saw a significant increase, meeting 75% of the net increase in global power demand and growing by 30% from the previous year. Wind energy also had a successful year, with the global industry installing a record-breaking 165 gigawatts in 2025. Together, wind and solar now contribute more than half of all global renewable generation, helping low-carbon sources reach 42.6% of total electricity generation in 2025. Battery storage saw significant growth, with prices dropping to $70/kWh and capacity additions increasing by 46%, surpassing natural gas additions. This shift towards clean energy signifies the beginning of a new era of clean growth, reducing reliance on expensive fossil generation and reshaping energy security by meeting increasing electricity demand.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-wind-meet-99-pct-of-new-global-demand-as-batteries-help-deliver-round-the-clock-resource/

  • Royal Enfield Launches The Flying Flea, Its First Electric Motorcycle

    Royal Enfield has launched the Flying Flea C6, its first electric model, featuring a lightweight design, powerful motor, and lithium-ion battery with air-cooled thermal management. The company plans to introduce more electric two-wheelers with a city-by-city rollout strategy and offers a Battery-as-a-Service model to reduce upfront costs. The C6 includes advanced features like lean-angle sensing traction control, cornering ABS, a touchscreen, and wireless phone charging, catering to tech-forward urban commuters. With a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, Royal Enfield aims to lead the premium electric two-wheeler segment in India and global markets, marking a shift towards sustainable urban mobility.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/20/royal-enfield-launches-the-flying-flea-its-first-electric-motorcycle/

  • Why the Future of Energy Storage is Spinning To Make a Comeback

    The resurgence of kinetic energy storage systems, particularly flywheels, is gaining traction as a reliable infrastructure for a renewable-heavy grid. Companies like Amber Kinetics are advancing the technology to allow for longer duration energy storage and the capturing of excess renewable generation, moving away from the current reliance on lithium and supply chains. By storing energy through spinning a solid steel rotor in a near-perfect vacuum using magnetic levitation, flywheels offer predictability, stability, and resilience to natural disasters, lasting up to 30 years. Their ability to reduce electricity costs, manage demand charges, and provide reliable, emission-free energy storage makes them a promising solution for regions with unique challenges like high altitudes. The future of energy storage may involve a combination of flywheels and batteries to address each other's limitations, offering a sustainable and efficient approach to meeting energy demands.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/18/why-the-future-of-energy-storage-is-spinning-to-make-a-comeback/

  • Perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells using zinc-doped tin oxide achieve comparable performance to indium tin oxide counterparts

    Researchers led by Fraunhofer ISE have demonstrated zinc-doped tin oxide (ZTO) as a promising indium-free alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) for recombination layers in fully textured perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. ZTO offers comparable device efficiencies of 27-28% under current-matching conditions, providing a scalable, indium-free pathway for high-performance tandem photovoltaics without efficiency loss. The study compared ZTO, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), and ITO transparent conductive oxides, with ZTO showing superior compatibility with hybrid-processed perovskite top cells on TOPCon-based perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The research emphasizes the importance of processing parameters such as sputter parameters and annealing in tuning the structural and electrical properties of the transparent conductive oxides.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/17/perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cells-using-zinc-doped-tin-oxide-achieve-comparable-performance-to-indium-tin-oxide-counterparts/

  • Inside the financing of Egypt’s largest solar‐plus‐storage project

    Norwegian developer Scatec ASA has commissioned the first phase of the 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and battery energy storage system project in Egypt, financed with multilateral development bank debt and equity from a Norwegian climate fund and a French energy company. The project, fully contracted with a power purchase agreement (PPA) to eliminate merchant exposure, includes 561 MW of solar and a 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage system in the first phase, with an additional 564 MW of solar to be added in the second phase. With the aim of accelerating the transition to renewable energy in emerging markets, the project is backed by a sovereign guarantee, highlighting a significant step towards climate solutions in the energy sector.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/17/the-financial-strategy-behind-egypts-largest-solar-plus-storage-project/

  • The U.S. Is Manufacturing a Ton of Grid Batteries

    The United States has made significant progress in producing its own energy storage systems, with batteries accounting for 28 percent of new power plant capacity this year. President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has incentivized domestic battery production, leading to self-sufficiency in grid battery enclosures and cells. By the end of 2025, the US is projected to have the capacity to produce 145 gigawatt-hours of finished grid storage systems annually. The industry now faces the challenge of potentially exporting surplus batteries to maintain manufacturing potential. LG Energy Solution Vertech is leading the rapid growth in grid-battery manufacturing, with plans to increase cell production capacity to 50 gigawatt-hours across North America this year. The Department of Energy is investing $500 million in funding to strengthen battery supply chains domestically, emphasizing the importance of a resilient and responsive supply chain for delivering power quickly. U.S. manufacturing can improve delivery certainty and shorten project timelines, with industrial reshoring seen as a way to protect against geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions caused by the White House. A local supply chain helps protect against U.S.-led disruptions in the global trade.

    https://reasonstobecheerful.world/us-grid-battery-storage/

  • Rivian EV Batteries To Be Used For Stationary Energy Storage At Rivian Factory

    Electric vehicle battery packs are being repurposed for a second life as stationary energy storage, showcasing the sustainability of EVs over traditional vehicles. Nissan Leaf batteries have already been utilized in a data center in France, and Rivian plans to create a 10 megawatt-hour energy storage system in Illinois using over 100 EV batteries. Despite common misconceptions, EV batteries can last up to 20 years and have potential for further use in energy storage systems. This innovative practice highlights the potential for EVs to contribute to a more sustainable energy future.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/17/rivian-ev-batteries-to-be-used-for-stationary-energy-storage-at-rivian-factory/

  • Largest US renewable project begins generating electricity

    The largest renewable energy project in the US, SunZia Wind, has begun generating electricity with 916 turbines in New Mexico. The 3.5-gigawatt wind development will deliver power to California over a 550-mile transmission line, crucial for meeting the state's clean energy goals. Despite facing delays and opposition, the project is seen as a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and meeting energy demands. SunZia's integration into the grid is helping to retire polluting natural gas plants in environmental justice communities and increase renewable energy generation, surpassing other major wind projects in the US in terms of size and operational progress.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/largest-us-renewable-project-begins-generating-electricity/