Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity & Industry

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

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/15/ges-rolls-out-manganese-hydrogen-battery-with-significant-cost-edge-over-lithium-ion/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/15/researchers-achieve-record-perovskite-solar-module-stability-under-light-heat-and-uv-stress/

  • 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/

  • Q&A: What UK’s record auction for offshore wind means for bills and clean power by 2030

    The UK's latest auction for renewable energy projects saw a record-breaking amount of new offshore wind capacity secured, with 8.4GW of projects winning contracts. Prices for offshore wind rose by around 10% since the previous round, but analysis suggests it will be "cost neutral" for consumers due to lower wholesale costs. The government welcomed the results, stating it puts the country on track to reach its 2030 clean power targets and create jobs. The auction results were split into two parts, with fixed-foundation and floating offshore wind projects securing contracts. This marks the biggest ever offshore wind auction in Europe, with enough capacity to power over 12 million homes. The recent auction results for offshore wind projects are seen as positive for meeting clean power targets by 2030, with the government taking steps to support the expansion of renewable energy as part of a larger strategy to achieve ambitious clean power goals.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-uks-record-auction-for-offshore-wind-means-for-bills-and-clean-power-by-2030/

  • India deploys 37.9 GW of solar in 2025

    In 2025, India achieved its highest annual renewable energy additions with a record 37.9 GW of solar and 6.3 GW of wind capacity. Solar installations saw a significant increase of 54.7%, mainly driven by utility-scale projects. The growth was fueled by the commissioning of delayed projects, accelerated construction efforts, and a rise in domestic manufacturing capacity. Additionally, government initiatives played a key role in driving rooftop solar installations. These developments highlight India's progress towards achieving its renewable energy goals and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/14/india-deploys-37-9-gw-of-solar-in-2025/

  • Chinese scientists push selenium solar cells beyond 10% efficiency

    Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have achieved a world record for selenium solar cells, reaching 10.3% efficiency, surpassing the 10% threshold for the first time. This milestone was made possible through optimized charge-selective contacts, light-driven crystallization, and post-deposition annealing, resulting in stable devices with a 1.03 V open-circuit voltage. The breakthrough in selenium solar cells, known for their wider bandgap and high efficiency potential, demonstrates the success of careful optimization and strategic combinations by the research team. The device also exhibited minimal efficiency loss after 1,000 hours of testing, highlighting its promising future in the development of efficient solar energy solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/13/chinese-scientists-push-selenium-solar-cells-beyond-10-efficiency/

  • Ford’s $30,000 Midsize Electric Pickup Truck Will Offer Level 3 Autonomy

    Ford is working on developing electric vehicles in Southern California with a team led by Doug Field, aiming to design vehicles that outperform Chinese offerings and are price competitive. The Universal EV Platform will be used for a new midsize electric pickup truck, offering impressive range and the ability to power a home during a grid outage. Ford is focusing on efficiency, fewer components, and democratizing technology to make it accessible to a wider audience. The company is prioritizing technology that solves real problems and is attainable for more customers, aiming for a more capable and affordable EV future.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/12/fords-30000-midsize-electric-pickup-truck-will-offer-level-3-autonomy/

  • Scatec secures PPA for Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project

    Norwegian renewables developer Scatec ASA has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company for a 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery energy storage project in Egypt. This project, Scatec's largest investment to date, will provide sustainable, around-the-clock power and grid stabilizing services, supporting Egypt's energy transition and economic development. The integrated solar-plus-storage system is expected to deliver 6 TWh of energy annually, making it the largest solar and battery energy storage installation in Africa. Scatec plans to act as the lead developer and is seeking additional equity partners for the project, which is anticipated to reach financial close in the second half of the year.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/12/scatec-secures-ppa-for-africas-largest-solar-plus-storage-project/

  • Masdar secures PPA for Quipungo Solar PV project in Angola

    Masdar has signed a power purchase agreement for a 150MW solar project in Angola, as part of a larger 500MW renewable energy initiative. The project aims to increase generation capacity, provide electricity to 300,000 homes, and create over 2,000 jobs, aligning with Angola's national energy plans. The agreement was finalized during the IRENA General Assembly, showcasing a commitment to translating energy goals into tangible projects. Masdar's ambitious target is to reach a portfolio capacity of 100GW by the end of the decade, contributing significantly to global efforts in advancing renewable energy solutions.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/masdar-ppa-quipungo-solar-pv/