Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity & Industry

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

  • TotalEnergies to buy Shell renewables business

    TotalEnergies' acquisition of Shell's European wind and solar assets signals a shift towards renewable energy for the French supermajor, reflecting the growing trend of oil companies diversifying into clean energy sources. This move towards onshore wind and solar aligns with the global push for climate solutions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, marking a significant step towards transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.

    https://www.rechargenews.com/finance/totalenergies-to-buy-shell-renewables-business/2-1-2023846

  • Janus Battery Swap Trucks Show The Way

    CleanTechnica has highlighted CATL's joint venture to introduce electric truck swap infrastructure to Europe, with turnkey solutions for swap stations and batteries. Janus Electric in Australia has developed a method of converting overhaul-ready five-year-old diesels to electric propulsion, offering a cost-effective path to electrification for fleet owners. Converting a diesel to electric is much cheaper than manufacturing a new electric truck, about a quarter of the cost. Battery swap employing a Battery as a Service (BaaS) model reduces costs and risks for fleets, with old battery packs sold to the second use market as they age. Janus swap takes about four minutes and does not require grid upgrade, offering advantages over fixed battery electric trucks. The section discusses the advantages of slow-charged swap trucks compared to fixed battery trucks, including reduced grid demand, lower charging costs, extended battery life, and grid support. Janus Electric CEO Ben Hutt highlights the importance of their technology for immediate use cases without waiting for national charging infrastructure. The article mentions that swap trucks can use fast charge infrastructure, reducing the need for interoperability during infrastructure buildout. Janus Electric is rapidly expanding and offering an easy upgrade path to fleet owners looking to transition from diesel trucks.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/01/janus-battery-swap-trucks-show-the-way/

  • Zambia’s Government Delivers On Its Promise To Ramp Up Electricity Generation Capacity, With Solar Playing A Key Role

    Zambia has made significant progress in addressing its renewable energy challenges by rapidly increasing its solar generation capacity. The country aims to boost its generation capacity from 4.5 GW to 10 GW, with a focus on solar energy, through collaborations with local and international partners. Key reforms in the energy sector, such as the commissioning of the 200 MW Chisamba Solar Plant and the implementation of the Net Metering Programme, have contributed to increased electricity access and reduced fees for rural and peri-urban households. With the goal of transitioning from an electricity deficit to a surplus, Zambia is on track to achieve a diversified energy mix and reach 10,000 MW by 2031, showcasing its commitment to sustainable energy sources.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/01/zambias-government-delivers-on-its-promise-to-ramp-up-electricity-generation-capacity-with-solar-playing-a-key-role/

  • Sierra Leone switches on solar-storage project

    Sungrow has commissioned a solar-plus-storage project in Sierra Leone, the first national-scale power generation project connected to the country's grid in nearly a decade. The project, which includes a solar array and a 35 MWh energy storage system, aims to address the country's low electricity access rates and frequent power outages of up to 18 hours. Sungrow's PowerTitan Series ESS was utilized for emergency response strategies, supporting the government's initiative to increase national electricity access rates from 16% to 36%. This project highlights the potential of solar-plus-storage solutions in improving energy access and reliability in developing countries like Sierra Leone.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/31/sierra-leone-switches-on-first-solar-storage-project/

  • VICTORY: Courts Rule in Favor of Sierra Club, Approves FERC Order to Speed Up Clean Energy Projects

    The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Order 2023, directing grid operators to address delays in interconnection queues and add more clean energy to the grid, with 95 percent of projects being wind, solar, or battery related. Despite some grid operators favoring fossil fuels with "fast track" processes, the Sierra Club has been challenging these to promote clean energy access and affordability. The court ruling is a win for clean energy, addressing systemic barriers to technology that can lower emissions and improve grid reliability, ultimately advancing climate solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/31/victory-courts-rule-in-favor-of-sierra-club-approves-ferc-order-to-speed-up-clean-energy-projects/

  • China’s 15th Five-Year Plan For Solar & Wind Is Huge

    China has published its 15th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development, which includes targets for renewable energy capacity, power generation, non-power applications, and supply security for 2026-2030. The plan focuses on desert solar PV, solar power plants on wasteland areas, and large-scale wind power, aiming to add at least 370GW of new installed capacity across seven major wind and solar bases. By 2030, China plans to have 3,500 GW of total installed renewable capacity, with wind and solar accounting for 50% of power capacity. Additionally, renewable energy will be used for heating, hydrogen production, industrial raw materials, and other non-power applications.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/30/chinas-15th-five-year-plan-for-solar-wind-is-huge/

  • Chinese researchers build 29.71% perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cell based on sulfide

    Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a tandem solar cell combining a perovskite top cell and a CIGS bottom cell to improve stability and efficiency. Using a coordination-engineering approach with an organic sulfur-containing compound, the top cell achieved an efficiency of 22.21%, while the integrated tandem device reached 29.71% efficiency. The cells retained over 91% of their initial efficiency after 2000 hours of operation, making them among the most efficient perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells reported. This new method for creating stable wide-bandgap perovskites shows promise for improving optoelectronic properties and stability under various stressors, ultimately contributing to more reliable and cost-effective solar energy solutions in the fight against climate change.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/30/chinese-researchers-build-29-71-perovskite-cigs-tandem-solar-cell-based-on-sulfide/

  • A plug-in solar solution that utilities and lawmakers can agree on

    The momentum for plug-in solar systems is rapidly growing in the U.S. and Europe, with several states passing legislation to allow residents to use these systems in their homes. This legislation aims to help residents save money on energy bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while also potentially reducing or deferring future infrastructure upgrade costs for utilities. The need for a two-pronged approach in plug-in solar state legislation is emphasized, with a focus on establishing tiered wattage definitions and capping energy export to the grid at 400 watts to ensure safety and grid reliability. States like Utah, Colorado, and Maine are leading the way in creating regulations that support the safe and successful implementation of plug-in solar systems, promoting the widespread and safe adoption of solar energy as America's cost-saving energy future.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-plug-in-solar-solution-that-utilities-and-lawmakers-can-agree-on-2/826058/

  • From crisis to capability: Lessons from Denmark on how to quit fossil fuels

    Australia has strong wind and solar resources, investor interest, and a net zero ambition, but needs to accelerate its clean electricity transition. Denmark's energy transition, where renewable power generation rose from 3% to over 80% from 1990 to 2020, serves as a useful reference point. Australia can learn from Denmark's community participation in wind projects and policy durability to reduce risk for investors. The importance of reducing process risks in clean energy projects to attract investors is highlighted, with Denmark's streamlined permitting approach for offshore wind as a model for Australia to follow. Sustained investment in skills, research, manufacturing capability, and collaboration across industries is emphasized to create a domestic clean energy industry, with the suggestion that Australia can learn from Denmark's example of turning crisis into opportunity by making the transition to clean energy more investable and buildable through clearer project pipelines and better collaboration across the value chain.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/from-crisis-to-capability-lessons-from-denmark-on-how-to-quit-fossil-fuels/

  • Green iron is Australia’s largest opportunity for future economic prosperity. Green steel is the way in

    The iron and steel industry, a major contributor to global emissions, is facing challenges in decarbonization progress, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Government support is crucial for capital flows into decarbonization efforts, as seen in Australia's Future Made in Australia policy aiming to kickstart green iron and steel production. Australia has the opportunity to accelerate its ambition in low- and zero-emissions steel value chains by investing in electric arc furnaces and supporting renewable energy capacity. Coordinating a strategy for decarbonizing the steel industry and mobilizing private capital is essential for driving emissions reduction and safeguarding downstream jobs in a decarbonizing economy.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/green-iron-is-australias-largest-opportunity-for-future-economic-prosperity-green-steel-is-the-way-in/