The cost of grid-scale battery storage has significantly decreased in the last 24 months, making solar and wind projects more bankable by allowing them to store excess energy. Brookfield Renewables has seen a dramatic decrease in the long-term cost of energy for batteries and aims to be a leading procurer of utility-scale energy storage equipment globally. They are actively investing in battery storage projects, with 30% of their project pipeline dedicated to batteries. Despite setbacks, Origin Energy is focusing on building battery storage while closing its coal generator. Subscribe to a clean energy newsletter for more updates on the renewable energy industry.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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Colorado has provided the blueprint for integrating community power
Colorado is leading the way in deploying distributed solar and storage resources through its Dispatchable Distributed Generation program, which prioritizes community scale projects to address rising energy demand and prices. By requiring utilities to purchase community scale solar co-located with mid-scale batteries, the program evaluates projects based on their value to the electric system, considering geographical benefits and impact on the grid. Developed with speed in mind to remove barriers that slow project deployment, this program serves as a guide for other states to utilize distributed energy resources to address grid needs, keep costs low for consumers, and ensure power reliability. Emphasizing the importance of competition, planning, and collaboration among utilities, developers, regulators, and consumers, Colorado aims to fill capacity gaps, reduce peak demand pressures, and tap into private investment and competitive market forces.
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Chinese scientists achieve record-breaking 24.0% efficieny for meter scale perovskite solar modules
Researchers have developed a perovskite solar module with a record-breaking power conversion efficiency of 24.0% using lead carboxylate passivators, achieving a champion efficiency of 24.2% and demonstrating enhanced resistance to environmental stressors. The use of LCP passivators resulted in improved charge extraction and reduced carrier trapping, leading to high durability under standardized testing that surpassed the reliability requirements of IEC 61215. A new manufacturing process combining high-saturated-vapor-pressure processing with chemically stable LCP passivation has been developed for efficient, durable, and scalable meter-scale perovskite photovoltaics, offering a promising industry-ready route for the production of perovskite solar modules.
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After Disaster Strikes, Footprint Project in New Orleans Brings Clean Power – and Stays to Build Community Resilience
Footprint Project, founded by Nate and Will Heegaard, deploys portable solar power systems to disaster-affected communities, aiming to provide sustainable power to key facilities like health clinics and emergency operations. They work towards transitioning from diesel generators to cleaner energy solutions, installing permanent solar-and-battery microgrids to enhance resilience and reduce electricity costs. By partnering with local companies and engaging with community members, they prioritize building sustainable energy infrastructure for future disasters, ensuring reliable power sources and supporting local economies in the process. Their focus on ongoing learning and planning aims to create a more resilient energy system for communities in need.
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World’s largest battery-electric aircraft completes first flight – for the price of a coffee
Heart Aerospace's X1, the world's largest battery-electric aircraft, recently completed its first flight in upstate New York, demonstrating the potential for electric commercial aircraft to revolutionize airline economics and reduce air travel costs. The X1 serves as a full-scale demonstrator for Heart's ES-30 production aircraft, which is a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner set to be operational by 2031. With an all-electric range of 200 kilometers and a hybrid range of 800 kilometers, the ES-30 has already secured commitments from major airlines and boasts quick charging times of around 30 minutes, showcasing a promising future for sustainable aviation solutions.
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Sunrun to Supply Voltus with Energy Capacity for AI Hyperscaler Agreements
Sunrun and Voltus have partnered to support Voltus's Bring Your Own CapacityTM programs for AI hyperscalers, utilizing energy capacity from residential storage-plus-solar systems in PJM and MISO grid regions to meet growing electricity demand. This collaboration aims to maximize distributed resources like home batteries, solar, smart thermostats, and EVs to strengthen grid reliability, affordability, and growth as demand increases. Voltus and DER partners generate cash by maximizing the value of flexible load, distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle resources in various markets. For more information, visit the Voltus website and sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for in-depth analyses on climate solutions.
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Autonomous Electric Freight Trucks Scaling Up In Europe
Einride and DAF Trucks are partnering to integrate Einride's autonomous driving system into DAF's premium vehicle platform for autonomous long-distance trucking, aiming to commercialize SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight transportation. This collaboration addresses industry challenges such as driver shortages and rising operating costs, with experts defining and testing the integration of the autonomous drive system within DAF's electric truck platform. The initiative reflects the rapid evolution of scalable autonomy solutions for heavy-duty transport, showcasing a commitment to innovation and future-proofing the logistics sector for a more efficient, safer, and sustainable freight ecosystem.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/17/autonomous-electric-freight-trucks-scaling-up-in-europe/
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Saatvik Solar to add 3.6 GW of cell manufacturing capacity in India
Saatvik Solar Industries is expanding their solar cell manufacturing capacity by 3.6 GW at Gopalpur in Odisha, with Phase II set to begin commercial production by fiscal year 2028. This expansion is in response to the increasing demand for domestically manufactured solar products and aims to strengthen the company's position in the solar value chain. Additionally, Saatvik Green Energy is moving forward with ramping up production in Phase I and preparing for further growth in Phase II.
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More Renewables Lead To Lower Demand For Methane In Europe
Europe is undergoing a significant shift towards renewable energy sources, moving away from gas as a bridge fuel. The surge in renewable energy capacity has surpassed methane-fired capacity, leading to a decrease in Europe's demand for methane. Policymakers are focusing on reducing fossil fuel dependence and increasing energy security through renewables, with a push for a genuine Fossil Gas Exit Strategy. The emphasis is on developing a roadmap to phase out LNG import dependency and reducing methane emissions as a climate imperative and energy security measure, highlighting the importance of controlling one's own energy supply. The focus is on utilizing abundant, locally produced clean energy sources like solar and wind to transition towards a more sustainable energy future.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/14/more-renewables-lead-to-lower-demand-for-methane-in-europe/
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Global South Utilities completes 50 MW solar, 15 MWh BESS project in Central African Republic
Global South Utilities has completed the construction of a 50 MW solar project with 15 MWh of battery energy storage in the Central African Republic, marking the largest infrastructure project in the country's history and increasing electricity generation capacity by over 60%. This facility will provide electricity to more than 300,000 households through connection to the Central African Energy Network, supporting healthcare, education, public services, businesses, industries, and attracting new investment in the Central African Republic. The Africa Solar Industry Association has tracked a total of 92.1 MW of operational solar projects and 43.1 MWh of battery storage capacity in the country, highlighting the growing trend towards renewable energy solutions in the region.