XPENG has unveiled new extended-range EV models, the P7+ sedan and G7 SUV, with impressive ranges and fast charging capabilities. The company is rethinking extended-range EVs as electric-first vehicles with gas backup, rather than relying on gas as the primary source of power. XPENG is normalizing advanced charging and computing capabilities across its lineup to address inconsistent charging infrastructure in regions like Southeast Asia. Extended-range configurations with substantial electric-only capability could increase EV adoption without immediate infrastructure upgrades. The company's growth and ambitious targets suggest they are thinking ahead about consumer needs in the evolving auto industry, positioning extended-range EVs as platforms for software-defined operation with charging parity to battery-only vehicles.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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Solar Power Generation Drives Electricity Generation Growth Over The Next Two Years
The U.S. electric power sector is projected to experience growth in electricity generation, with natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources decreasing to 72% by 2027, while solar and wind power are expected to increase to 21% of total generation. Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing source, with significant capacity additions in Texas, and battery storage capacity is expanding to support solar output fluctuations. Coal-fired generation increased in 2025 but is expected to decline by 5% annually over the next two years, resulting in coal's share in power generation falling to 15% by 2027. Wind generation growth is slowing in certain regions, while natural gas remains the largest source of electricity but its share is declining.
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Masdar achieves financial close for Ibri III power project in Oman
Masdar, in partnership with consortium partners, has achieved financial close for the Ibri III Solar Independent Power Project in Oman, which includes a 500MW solar PV plant and a 100MWh battery energy storage system. The project aims to power 33,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by 505,000 tonnes annually, aligning with Oman's goal of sourcing 30% of electricity from renewables by 2030. Major institutions have provided financing for a significant portion of the project costs, marking Oman's first large-scale solar and battery storage project. Masdar's CEO emphasizes the potential of battery energy storage to further expand renewable energy deployment.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/masdar-ibri-iii-power-project/
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Chinese scientists build 31.13%-efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell via 2D seeding agent
Researchers in China have developed a novel 2D seeding agent, CsPb2Br5, to regulate crystallization in wide-bandgap perovskite films, achieving an efficiency of 31.13% in perovskite-silicon tandem devices. This seeding agent addresses issues of uncontrollable crystallization and phase separation, promoting top-down vertical crystal growth to enhance charge transport and suppress phase separation. The optimized wide-bandgap perovskite also shows high power conversion efficiency and stability compared to control devices, with potential for use in large area devices. Co-corresponding author Wei Huang emphasized the focus on optimizing long-term stability for future applications.
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SoftBank pilots solar-wind-powered AI-controlled base station
SoftBank Group is piloting AI-controlled cellular base stations powered by solar panels and a 3 kW wind turbine in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. The system reduces energy use while maintaining service quality by storing excess power in batteries and switching to the grid when needed. AI manages the station's "sleep" mode to lower power consumption during low communication traffic, making it suitable for deployment in remote areas. The compact design and AI analysis allow for a broader selection of cells without compromising communication quality. SoftBank plans to expand testing of the wind- and solar-powered base stations in the future.
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Offshore wind halt would do ‘irreparable harm’ to 67 million Americans: grid operator
The US' largest grid operator is pushing for a swift resumption of work on the country's largest offshore wind project. This project is crucial for advancing renewable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions. Climate solutions experts should prioritize supporting and accelerating the development of offshore wind arrays to help combat climate change and transition to a more sustainable energy system. The success of this project could serve as a model for future offshore wind initiatives in the US. It is imperative that stakeholders work together to overcome any obstacles and ensure the timely completion of this important renewable energy project.
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Trump’s offshore wind blockade suffers a third legal blow
A federal judge in Virginia has blocked the Interior Department's order halting construction of offshore wind projects along the Eastern Seaboard, including one off the coast of Virginia, due to lack of sufficient reasoning and emerging national security concerns. The preliminary injunction allows construction to restart while litigation continues, as delays have already led to significant costs and will impact energy delivery to the region, including military facilities and data centers. Dominion, an energy company, is challenging the pause in court, but the government is withholding classified information. This decision follows similar rulings in favor of offshore wind projects in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, highlighting the ongoing legal battles surrounding renewable energy development.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/trumps-offshore-wind-blockade-suffers-a-third-legal-blow/
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GES rolls out manganese-hydrogen battery with significant cost edge over lithium-ion
Italian company Green Energy Storage (GES) has developed a manganese-hydrogen flow battery for long-duration energy storage, targeting industrial-scale applications and large renewable energy plants. The battery boasts an efficiency exceeding 75%, a service life of over 10,000 cycles, and a low levelized cost of storage (LCOS). The cost is competitive at €0.02 per kWh per cycle compared to lithium batteries. The battery is expected to be commercially available in 2027 and is based on a flow architecture that decouples energy and power for independent sizing. Manganese was chosen for its abundance, established production chain, cost-effectiveness, and low environmental impact.
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Researchers achieve record perovskite solar module stability under light, heat, and UV stress
An international research team has developed a groundbreaking compound for perovskite solar cells, utilizing a new two-dimensional perovskite interlayer through co-crystal engineering. This technology has shown over 95% efficiency retention after 5,000 hours of exposure to light, heat, and UV stress, with improved stability due to the use of neutral triazine-based molecules. The industry-compatible co-crystal engineering method can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing workflows, addressing a major barrier to commercialization. The research, led by a team from Iritaly Trading Company and EPFL, has been detailed in a publication in Nature Energy, showcasing the potential for industrial adoption and scale-up of this innovative approach.
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America’s new power barons: Who will rule the AI-grade megawatt megasector?
The article discusses the shift towards using a combination of nuclear, natural gas, and solar energy to power data centers in the U.S. as demand for electricity from AI and data centers is expected to triple by 2030. The Department of Energy is scaling back wind and solar grant programs, favoring natural gas as a reliable energy source for these facilities. Developers are reviving natural gas projects and pairing them with solar and storage to meet the demand for reliable and clean energy. The article also highlights the practical obstacles facing the energy transition, such as transmission bottlenecks and permitting delays, emphasizing the importance of delivering firm, scalable, low-carbon power. Private capital is seen as a catalyst for building micro-grids at hyperscale, with a focus on hybrid-power models combining gas, renewables, and storage, as companies aim to master the integration of different energy sources to become the new power leaders in the AI age.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ai-data-center-power-novus/805494/