Taisei Corporation has successfully operated a building entirely on solar power by combining photovoltaic generation with a hybrid energy storage system integrating batteries and low-pressure hydrogen. Their energy management system balances short- and long-term energy supply and demand, allowing for year-round renewable operation. The pilot project in Yokohama stored surplus PV power in batteries or converted it into hydrogen for later use, ensuring energy availability even during periods of low solar generation. Taisei plans to enhance the efficiency of their system to achieve fully optimized year-round renewable energy operation in buildings, aligning with their commitment to decarbonizing Japan's energy system.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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California powers its massive water pumps with 105 solar project
California has successfully launched the 105 MW Pastoria Solar Project in Kern County to power the Edmonston Pumping Plant, a key water supply infrastructure for Southern California. Equipped with tracking technology, this project is the largest renewable energy procurement in the history of the State Water Project. By utilizing renewable energy, officials hope to stabilize water delivery costs and move towards carbon neutrality by 2035. The project also incorporates a natural gas facility and a battery storage system, and was completed with union labor, showcasing the integration of climate goals with local economic development.
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Solar, EVs soared globally as oil fell in 2025
In 2025, solar emerged as the world's fastest growing energy source, playing a significant role in the growth of clean technologies and preventing 3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This milestone marked the first time in modern history that a renewable energy technology supplied the largest share of global energy demand increase. Natural gas also saw growth in meeting demand, while the rise of electric vehicles and renewables contributed to shifts in the economy, including flat coal demand in China.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/solar-evs-soared-globally-as-oil-fell-in-2025/
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NT orders another two big batteries to back solar and gas after “success” of first project in Darwin
The Northern Territory government is investing $82.1 million in two new big battery projects in Katherine and Alice Springs to balance increasing solar energy and reduce reliance on gas generators. These projects aim to strengthen energy security, stabilize the grid, and support more solar integration, creating a modern, reliable, and secure energy system for the future. Territory Generation and Pacific Energy are key players in the development of these battery projects, which are expected to be completed by early 2028. The construction of these batteries will not only meet energy performance targets in isolated systems but also stimulate the economy and create local jobs.
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“The scores are going off the charts”: Iran conflict boosts support for renewables and energy independence
Renewable energy messages of sovereignty and independence are gaining traction due to rising fuel prices and the Iran war, with solar and home battery retailers promoting energy independence. Politicians like federal energy minister Chris Bowen emphasize the affordability and reliability of renewable energy, despite some negativity towards renewables. A recent survey shows steady positivity towards the transition, with one third of respondents considering purchasing an electric vehicle. Cope warns against complacency in the industry and emphasizes the importance of policy settings and overcoming barriers to clean energy adoption to achieve the energy transition quickly and efficiently.
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Why the Future of Energy Storage is Spinning To Make a Comeback
The resurgence of kinetic energy storage systems, particularly flywheels, is gaining traction as a reliable infrastructure for a renewable-heavy grid. Companies like Amber Kinetics are advancing the technology to allow for longer duration energy storage and the capturing of excess renewable generation, moving away from the current reliance on lithium and supply chains. By storing energy through spinning a solid steel rotor in a near-perfect vacuum using magnetic levitation, flywheels offer predictability, stability, and resilience to natural disasters, lasting up to 30 years. Their ability to reduce electricity costs, manage demand charges, and provide reliable, emission-free energy storage makes them a promising solution for regions with unique challenges like high altitudes. The future of energy storage may involve a combination of flywheels and batteries to address each other's limitations, offering a sustainable and efficient approach to meeting energy demands.
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Temukan Legonya: Bagaimana Indonesia Dapat Mengubah Pensiun Dini Generator Diesel Menjadi Program yang Dapat Diskalakan
Indonesia is making significant progress in replacing diesel generators with solar power and batteries, not just as a clean energy concept but as an economic and strategic proposition. The recent announcement by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) is crucial in reducing dependence on imported fuel and lowering diesel generation costs. The de-dieselization program is seen as a short-term hedge against fuel import risks, price spikes, and maritime vulnerabilities. The estimated cost of transitioning to solar and battery power is around $2.5 billion to $3.4 billion, with a simple payback period of 3 to 5 years in optimistic scenarios and 4 to 6 years in more practical planning. Experts in Indonesia have outlined a structured path for replacing diesel with hybrid energy systems on small islands and isolated networks, focusing on a phased approach, standardized procurement, and modular components for efficient and cost-effective deployment of sustainable energy solutions.
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Perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells using zinc-doped tin oxide achieve comparable performance to indium tin oxide counterparts
Researchers led by Fraunhofer ISE have demonstrated zinc-doped tin oxide (ZTO) as a promising indium-free alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) for recombination layers in fully textured perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. ZTO offers comparable device efficiencies of 27-28% under current-matching conditions, providing a scalable, indium-free pathway for high-performance tandem photovoltaics without efficiency loss. The study compared ZTO, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), and ITO transparent conductive oxides, with ZTO showing superior compatibility with hybrid-processed perovskite top cells on TOPCon-based perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The research emphasizes the importance of processing parameters such as sputter parameters and annealing in tuning the structural and electrical properties of the transparent conductive oxides.
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Inside the financing of Egypt’s largest solar‐plus‐storage project
Norwegian developer Scatec ASA has commissioned the first phase of the 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and battery energy storage system project in Egypt, financed with multilateral development bank debt and equity from a Norwegian climate fund and a French energy company. The project, fully contracted with a power purchase agreement (PPA) to eliminate merchant exposure, includes 561 MW of solar and a 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage system in the first phase, with an additional 564 MW of solar to be added in the second phase. With the aim of accelerating the transition to renewable energy in emerging markets, the project is backed by a sovereign guarantee, highlighting a significant step towards climate solutions in the energy sector.
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The U.S. Is Manufacturing a Ton of Grid Batteries
The United States has made significant progress in producing its own energy storage systems, with batteries accounting for 28 percent of new power plant capacity this year. President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has incentivized domestic battery production, leading to self-sufficiency in grid battery enclosures and cells. By the end of 2025, the US is projected to have the capacity to produce 145 gigawatt-hours of finished grid storage systems annually. The industry now faces the challenge of potentially exporting surplus batteries to maintain manufacturing potential. LG Energy Solution Vertech is leading the rapid growth in grid-battery manufacturing, with plans to increase cell production capacity to 50 gigawatt-hours across North America this year. The Department of Energy is investing $500 million in funding to strengthen battery supply chains domestically, emphasizing the importance of a resilient and responsive supply chain for delivering power quickly. U.S. manufacturing can improve delivery certainty and shorten project timelines, with industrial reshoring seen as a way to protect against geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions caused by the White House. A local supply chain helps protect against U.S.-led disruptions in the global trade.