Category: Electricity & Industry

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

  • ‘World’s largest’ wind plus solar plant now pumping power

    China's Loess Plateau is now home to the world's largest renewable energy project, combining 4.5GW of wind and 1.5GW of PV to produce a 12TWh annual output. Envision Energy provided the turbines for this expansive project, spanning 640,000 sq km across four Chinese provinces. The goal is to send power to industrial demand centers on China's eastern coast, as part of China's broader efforts to connect wind- and sun-rich remote areas to renewable energy projects through new transmission links.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/onshore-wind/worlds-largest-wind-plus-solar-plant-now-pumping-power/2-1-1973187

  • “Boots on the ground:” Site works begin at Neoen’s first 6-hour big battery

    Construction has commenced on Neoen Australia's Muchea Battery project in Western Australia, incorporating 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units to create a 164 MW, 905 MWh battery connected to the South-West Interconnected System grid. This marks Neoen's third storage asset in WA, generating 70 new jobs during construction. The six-hour battery will enhance grid stability and supply power during evening peaks, showcasing a notable progression in battery technology for climate solutions experts to consider.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/boots-on-the-ground-site-works-begin-at-neoens-first-6-hour-big-battery/

  • California ocean wind power that floats is forcing engineering firsts

    California is moving forward with plans for offshore wind development in Humboldt Bay, with hopes of reaching 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045. The project involves the construction of floating turbines in deep waters off the coast, with challenges such as objections from local residents and opposition from the Trump administration. The state is focusing on onshore preparations and seeking partnerships with the federal government and private sector to secure funding for the project. Concerns about potential harm to the ecosystem and impacts on local communities are being debated, highlighting the need to balance the benefits of clean energy with the protection of cultural and natural resources in the area.

    https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-09/california-ocean-wind-power-that-floats-is-forcing-engineering-firsts

  • Ontario backs 12 solar projects totaling 915 MW

    Ontario has approved 12 solar projects and 2 wind projects, totaling over 1.3 GW of capacity and adding 3 TWh of new annual capacity to the grid. These projects, with at least 50% Indigenous equity ownership, will power over 350,000 homes and are awarded 20-year agreements. The procurement exercise highlights the readiness of renewable energy to meet rapid growth challenges, with solar capacity in Canada expected to reach 21 GW by the mid-2020s. Commercial operations for these projects are set to begin by May 2030.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/10/ontario-backs-12-solar-projects-totaling-915-mw/

  • Backer of huge Australian green hydrogen projects lands funds to create “digital twin”

    Intercontinental Energy has received a $1.56 million federal grant to develop a digital twin simulation for its green hydrogen project, aiming to streamline design and construction processes for coastal and remote areas. The company believes digital twins could reduce costs by 10-20%. This initiative could help standardize plans in the green hydrogen industry, potentially accelerating large-scale projects. Intercontinental Energy is also involved in the Western Green Energy Hub and Australian Renewable Energy Hub projects, which aim to produce 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/backer-of-huge-australian-green-hydrogen-projects-lands-1-6m-to-create-digital-twin/

  • ‘Motherhood further shaped my leadership perspective’

    Margarita Licht, Product Manager at Goldbeck Solar, emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and cognitive styles in the solar and energy storage sector for smarter solutions and effective problem-solving. Energy storage within the solar sector requires multi-disciplinary thinking to address complex challenges like grid balancing and battery optimization. Inclusion and diversity in teams lead to better outcomes, as different backgrounds bring unique approaches to problem-solving. Licht's leadership perspective, shaped by motherhood, highlights the need for diversity in cognitive styles to enhance decision-making processes and drive meaningful impact in the industry. She focuses on creating inclusive environments that value individual strengths and enable different perspectives to contribute to valuable solutions. The article also discusses the importance of aligning technical and commercial decisions at all levels to deliver sustainable infrastructure and reliable energy solutions, with a focus on the participation of women industry leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe, including Margarita Licht.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/03/motherhood-further-shaped-my-leadership-perspective/

  • Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say

    Former steelworkers in Northwest Indiana are advocating for a shift towards cleaner steelmaking methods to save jobs, create economic opportunities, and reduce healthcare costs. The transition is crucial as outdated blast furnaces may become obsolete, leading to job losses and economic decline. Efforts are being made to modernize steel production, with the acquisition of U.S. Steel's Gary Works mill by Nippon Steel presenting an opportunity for investment in green steel production. The use of Direct Reduced Iron plants, electric furnaces, and green hydrogen could further reduce emissions in the steel industry, which is currently highly polluting. Without investments in clean steel, the city of Gary, Indiana could face worsening urban decay and competition with electric arc furnaces.

    https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/way-forward-indiana-steel

  • Rooftop solar reaches 20% of Puerto Rico’s generation mix

    In 2025, rooftop solar capacity in Puerto Rico reached 1.5 GW, surpassing natural gas as the second-largest generation source, driven by electricity reliability issues. Distributed generation resources, particularly rooftop solar with battery systems, have seen significant growth. LUMA Energy, the island's grid operator, is working to transform and stabilize the grid. Distributed battery storage has also increased, reaching a total energy capacity of 2,864 megawatt hours. Despite setbacks like Hurricane Maria, rooftop solar generation has steadily increased, contributing to Puerto Rico's total generation capacity exceeding 7 GW.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rooftop-solar-puerto-rico-generation-mix-eia/816499/

  • What If The US Redirected The Money From The Iran War To Clean Energy?

    The section discusses the potential benefits of redirecting $200 billion from the Iran War efforts towards clean energy projects in the US, emphasizing the importance of investing in renewables for energy security, economic stability, and reduced emissions. It contrasts wasteful war spending with the potential for a Just Transition to clean energy, decentralized grids, and incentives for electric vehicles. The article also highlights the low operating costs and stability of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, stressing the need for government intervention in funding research and innovation for electrification. Innovations in the EV battery sector, shared charging hubs for heavy-duty trucks, and submersible hydropower in the Great Lakes region are discussed as key solutions for climate action, along with grid enhancements and free training for clean energy installers. The focus is on the importance of shifting towards a clean energy paradigm for a more sustainable and secure future, showcasing the positive trend towards sustainable energy solutions in the US.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/02/what-if-the-us-redirected-the-money-from-the-iran-war-to-clean-energy/

  • Finnish delight: how the world’s happiest country decarbonized its power sector

    Finland has been ranked as the world's happiest country for the ninth year in a row and has also achieved a significant decline in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the power sector. The country has seen a nearly 80% reduction in emissions from electricity generation between 2016 and 2025, with structural changes such as the phaseout of fossil-fueled electricity generation and increased use of nuclear and wind power leading to a nearly 95% carbon-neutral electricity mix. Finland has ended Russian gas imports, expanded its nuclear and wind power capacity, and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The enactment of the Climate Change Act in 2022, the opening of Europe's largest nuclear reactor, increased wind generation, and the closure of the last active coal plant in 2025 have all contributed to significant emission declines, making Finland a global example of effective decarbonization despite a growing economy and population.

    https://climatetrace.org/news/finnish-delight-how-the-world-s-happiest-country-decarbonized-its-power-sector