Google is commissioning the construction of CO2 batteries by Energy Dome in Italy to provide green, reliable backup power for its data centers. These batteries are expected to be 30% cheaper than lithium-ion batteries and have greater capacity and scalability, offering renewable power around the clock. The CO2 batteries can be built quickly and with small footprints, making them a promising solution for large-scale power storage. Energy Dome's expandable dome structure minimizes CO2 release in case of damage, with interest from companies like Alliant Energy in Wisconsin for residential power supply.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Scaling Solar Smarter: Innovation, Supply Chains, & the Future of Clean Energy
Marty Rogers, General Manager for SolarEdge North America, discusses the future of solar energy in terms of inverter and storage innovation, reshoring critical manufacturing to the US, and sustainability practices. SolarEdge is focusing on strengthening the domestic solar supply chain, practicing sustainability in its operations, and innovating in the inverters and storage space. The company is leading the way in developing intelligent, grid-connected devices that optimize performance and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Residential solar trends are shifting towards energy independence and resilience, with a growing demand for battery storage and backup capabilities. States prone to outages or high electricity rates are finding solar + storage more attractive due to sustainability mandates, rising utility costs, and new financing models. Grid services and virtual power plants are becoming essential for sharing and monetizing distributed energy while improving grid stability. CleanTechnica offers in-depth analyses and summaries on clean tech topics, with options to sign up for newsletters and follow on Google News.
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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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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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Smart Commercial to roll out prefab vertical rooftop PV system
Smart Commercial Energy and Over Easy Solar have collaborated to introduce a new prefabricated vertical rooftop solar system in the Australian market. The system features pre-assembled and pre-racked bifacial panels that can be easily installed on buildings where traditional rooftop solar is not feasible. The lightweight design and simple installation process make it suitable for commercial buildings with load-bearing limits or design constraints. Over Easy, a company founded in 2021, has installed over 1.3 MW of its VPUs in about 40 buildings across 13 countries, collecting crucial data on performance, installation efficiency, structural impact, and long-term suitability under Australian conditions. This innovative system can complement existing rooftop solar systems by shifting generation towards the morning and afternoon, improving overall system economics, and with Australia's high solar energy density, it is a relevant market for this technology in addressing climate change.
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Sodium-ion batteries gain momentum: Unigrid launches commercial deliveries as Altris, Draslovka forge Europe’s first supply chain
Unigrid, the first company outside of China to export sodium-ion batteries at scale, has launched commercial deliveries with a cost-efficient manufacturing model that enables rapid scaling without the need for building its own factory. With a tenfold expansion of global manufacturing capacity, Unigrid aims to reach 1 GWh in 2026, relying on Asian production facilities due to underutilization of local factories.
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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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UK secures 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity in Allocation Round 7
The UK Government's AR7 auction has secured 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, expected to power over 12 million homes with clean electricity, resulting in £3.4bn in private investment. The Clean Industry Bonus focuses on enhancing domestic supply chains and manufacturing facilities, creating up to 7,000 jobs across the UK, with significant employment opportunities in Scotland. RWE secured CfD for 6.9GW of offshore wind capacity, including projects like Norfolk Vanguard and Dogger Bank, with a strike price of £91.2 per megawatt-hour. RWE CEO Markus Krebber announced successful long-term offtake contracts for five projects in AR7 and a partnership with KKR to leverage their investment expertise for offshore wind projects.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/uk-8-4gw-offshore-wind-ar7/
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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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Jackery Brings Creativity & Design To Solar & Energy Storage
Jackery showcased their new solar-integrated home batteries and innovative solar products at CES, including the HomePower 3600 Plus, solar roof tiles, and the Solar Gazebo. The gazebo, with 2 kW of panels, offers roughly 10 kWh of energy production per day and can be combined with storage systems for backup power, priced in the $12-15,000 range. While not a replacement for utility-scale generation, these products offer creative solutions for specific consumer needs and drive mass adoption through innovation and design. The potential of electrification in products like solar garages and EV charging stations is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of catering to different needs to accelerate clean electrification adoption.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/16/jackery-brings-creativity-design-to-solar-energy-storage/