AI is playing a crucial role in supporting the clean energy transition by managing power grid operations, planning infrastructure investments, and guiding the development of novel materials. Despite concerns about increased energy demands, AI is also helping to reduce energy consumption and emissions in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. Furthermore, AI is optimizing the design and siting of new wind and solar installations and energy storage facilities, further aiding the transition to clean energy.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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SwitchedOn podcast: Renewable construction boom can help fix regional housing crisis
Australia is poised to construct more renewable infrastructure in the next decade than in the previous three combined, with the challenge of housing construction workers in towns already experiencing a housing crisis. RE-Alliance's report proposes that worker accommodation can serve as a community benefit, with developers considering options such as refurbishing aged-care homes and transforming workforce villages into suburbs. The energy transition offers a unique opportunity for positive change in regional communities, highlighting the potential for sustainable solutions to address both the housing crisis and the need for renewable infrastructure.
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Vikram Solar commissions 5GW solar module manufacturing plant in India
Vikram Solar has expanded its manufacturing capacity in Tamil Nadu, India, with a new facility in Vallam that increases its advanced module production by 5GW, reaching a total of 9.5GW. The facility represents a technological advancement for India's clean energy sector, incorporating automation, robotics, and quality checks to produce modules that comply with Tier-1 and international standards. This expansion not only supports India's renewable energy targets but also strengthens Vikram Solar's position in automated solar module manufacturing, showcasing the company's commitment to shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and green technology innovation in the country.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/vikram-solar-5gw-solar-module/
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Photonic curing could accelerate transition to copper-metallized solar cells
Researchers in the United States have developed a photonic curing technique using laser sintering to improve the copper metallization of solar cells by reducing oxidation. This process produces dense, low-porosity copper layers with strong adhesion to indium tin oxide, achieving low bulk and contact resistivity. The technique allows for rapid, localized heating of copper pastes on temperature-sensitive substrates without causing thermal stress. The researchers aim to reduce copper consumption and improve the efficiency of solar cells through this innovative method, which is scalable and compatible with high-volume photovoltaic manufacturing. This new technique for solar cell manufacturing using photonic curing of copper inks could provide a pathway to scalable copper metallization for solar cells, as presented in a paper published in physica status solidi (PSS) by a research team including academics from the University of Delaware.
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Plenitude tests perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules in utility-scale installation pilot
Italian renewable energy company Plenitude is partnering with Swift Solar to test their 28% efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem technology in a utility-scale pilot project, aiming to validate its performance and durability. This technology is expected to offer up to 40% more power from the same footprint compared to conventional solar panels, making it valuable for meeting increasing electricity demand. Backed by exclusive IP from MIT, Stanford, and NREL, with over 40 patents and significant funding, the perovskite tandem technology shows promise for advancing renewable energy solutions.
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All 212,296 panels installed at state’s first 100 pct publicly owned hybrid solar and battery project
Victoria's first state-owned solar and battery hybrid project, the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham, has completed installation of all PV modules and accepted delivery of a transformer. The $370 million project includes a 119 MW solar farm and 100 MW, 200 MWh big battery, creating local jobs and renewable energy infrastructure. Once operational, it will generate enough power for around 51,000 homes and be one of Australia's first publicly owned utility-scale renewable energy projects.
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Celebrating Tribal Communities Leading the Clean Energy Transition
Generation180 and the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (ATCE) are empowering Tribal Nations to lead the way in clean energy projects and energy resilience. United Tribes Technical College and Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) are key players in promoting tribal ownership, workforce development, and hands-on learning opportunities in clean energy systems. TEA's Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund awarded $3.6 million to 26 Tribal Nations in 2025, supporting various clean energy initiatives. ATCE acts as a strategic partner, providing technical guidance and funding through philanthropic investments to support Tribal communities in shaping the future of clean energy and advancing energy sovereignty.
https://generation180.org/blog/celebrating-tribal-communities-leading-the-clean-energy-transition/
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Australia doesn’t have to choose between energy affordability and emission reductions
IEEFA has found that improving energy affordability in Australia does not have to be incompatible with emissions reduction targets. The country's aging coal fleet and network assets need to be replaced, with renewables backed by storage and transmission being the most cost-effective option. Gas-based generation has become increasingly uncompetitive, with high prices and declining consumption. Contrary to misconceptions, renewables have not been driving electricity prices up, with high gas and coal prices, coal outages, and network costs being the main factors. Faster approval processes and better market regulations are needed to ensure a smooth transition to cleaner energy sources. Reforms to improve competition, allow distributed energy resources to compete, and promote energy efficiency, electrification, and flexible demand are key to lowering household energy bills. Transitioning to modern electric alternatives, such as heaters and hot water systems, along with solar and battery systems, can significantly reduce costs. Industrial energy efficiency and electrification also offer major savings. The key pathways to improve energy affordability are aligned with net zero emissions goals, emphasizing the need for accelerated deployment of renewables, energy efficiency, and electrification. The narrative that lowering bills and cutting emissions are mutually exclusive is false.
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Community-based energy trading system for home solar-plus-storage
A cloud-based system developed by Washington State University allows for local energy trading and sharing within neighborhoods, resulting in potential cost savings of up to 12% over a five-day test period. The system, tested in collaboration with a local utility network, highlights the importance of coordinated operation at the distribution level in the changing electricity industry landscape. Published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, the research paper presents a community-based transactive coordination mechanism for enabling grid-edge systems, with the ability to reduce energy costs by up to 12% in communities with solar and battery energy storage systems.
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Longi achieves 33.35% efficiency for flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell
Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.35% for a 1 cm2 flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US Department of Energy's NREL. The tandem device utilized a dual-buffer layer strategy to enhance interfacial adhesion and charge extraction, with the top cell incorporating layers such as a perovskite absorber and a self-assembled monolayer hole transport layer. Testing showed the cell design's durability, retaining over 97% of its initial efficiency after bending and thermal cycling tests. These findings were detailed in a study published in Nature, showcasing advancements in flexible solar cell technology.