Google has signed a VPPA for the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, the largest solar-plus-storage project in the US, with plans to scale up to 2.5 GW of solar PV and 2.9 GWh of energy storage. The project will help Google offset its grid-based emissions by paying a fixed price for clean energy output. Tech companies are turning to VPPAs to meet decarbonization targets and inject renewable capacity into local systems. The Steel River project is prioritizing domestic manufacturing to secure financing and navigate trade policies.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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TotalEnergies’ floating turbine hits the water in boost to big oil’s green ambitions
TotalEnergies' floating turbine, developed by Ocergy, is set to be deployed in the North Sea off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland, aiming to boost big oil companies' green ambitions with a faster-to-build offshore wind solution. The successful integration of the hull, tower, and turbine on the Culzean floating offshore wind platform in Norway highlights advancements in offshore wind technology and its potential to contribute to climate solutions. This development showcases the growing importance of innovative offshore wind solutions in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
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Cypress Creek & Google Break Ground on America’s Largest Solar Project
Google and Cypress Creek are collaborating on the Steel River Energy Center, the largest solar energy project in the US, which will include 2.5 GWdc of solar and 2.9 GWh of battery storage. The project aims to provide clean energy to power Arkansas's growing industrial economy and meet the state's increasing demand for power. Solar and battery storage accounted for 91% of new electricity-generating capacity in the first quarter of 2026, supporting over 1.4 million jobs in the clean power industry. The project is using 100% U.S.-made components, benefiting the local economy and creating jobs, while Cypress Creek has committed $3 million to community initiatives in Mississippi County to support sustainable energy infrastructure and create lasting value through responsible development and community partnerships.
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Insane “Gigascale” 5.2GW, 19GWh Solar + Storage Project Moves Forward
Masdar has achieved financial close on the world's first gigascale Round-the-Clock renewable energy project, with a 5.2 GW solar power installation and a 19 GWh battery storage installation, providing 1 GW of continuous clean power supply 24/7. The $6.1 billion investment, with Masdar funding $1 billion of equity, sets a new benchmark for financing reliable, utility-scale clean energy projects. Additionally, Masdar is on track to reach 100GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on delivering reliable and affordable clean power through energy storage and hybrid solutions, despite being funded by the oil industry. This project showcases Masdar's foresight in investing in renewable energy projects to meet growing electricity demand globally.
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Indigenous Organizations And Tribal Nations Are Innovating Energy Solutions
Indigenous-led organizations and tribal nations in the US are taking the lead in developing innovative clean energy solutions, with initiatives such as off-grid residential solar services and advanced tribal electrification projects. The Electric Innovation Initiative and Navajo Power are supporting projects led by Indigenous communities to advance electrification and create renewable energy projects that honor sovereignty and cultural values. By simplifying the process of building utility-scale projects on Tribal lands, they provide guidance, expertise, and reduced investment risks. These initiatives aim to enhance community energy sovereignty, reduce energy costs, and promote sustainability, showcasing the significant potential for renewable energy projects on indigenous lands.
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Triple-junction all-perovskite solar cell based on graphene oxide bilayer achieves 27.3% efficiency
An international research team has developed a novel triple-junction all-perovskite solar cell technology using a graphene oxide-SAM bilayer contact strategy to enhance performance and stability. By integrating graphene oxide, they improved interfacial passivation and buried interface morphology, leading to an increase in cell efficiency from 23.6% to 25.1%, with further optimization reaching a champion efficiency of 27.3%. This technology has the potential to achieve efficiencies beyond 30% by reducing charge-transport resistance and improving perovskite quality and energy-level alignment, making it a promising solution for higher industrial readiness levels. The study, published in Joule, was conducted by a group of academics from Germany and Switzerland.
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Renewables, Led By Solar, Were Largest Source of Energy Supply Growth Globally in 2025
In 2025, the US accounted for 47% of the world's CO2 emissions growth due to fossil fuel-biased policies and AI infrastructure, while renewables, particularly solar power, saw significant growth in total energy supply. Despite fossil fuels dominating global energy supply, positive trends include the growth of solar and wind power, decline in China's oil and diesel use, and Europe's reduction in fossil fuel dependence through renewable energy expansion. The EU's accelerated deployment of wind and solar power has led to a decrease in coal and gas generation, with wind and solar generating more power than coal, gas, and oil combined by 2025. This shift has saved the region €72bn in fossil fuel imports between 2022 and 2025, driven by the cost-effectiveness, stability, and ability of solar power to reduce fossil fuel dependency globally.
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Passive mooring system enables floating PV to track water-level changes
Researchers from Morocco have developed a novel mooring system for floating PV systems that automatically adjusts to water-level changes, reducing platform motion without the need for active control or external energy. The system, based on a counterweight-and-pulley mechanism, showed significant reduction in horizontal displacement and achieved a high tracking efficiency of 75%. This passive mooring system offers a mechanically simple design for stable FPV installations in remote, low-maintenance environments. Future research will focus on scaling up, testing with real hydrodynamic loading, and field pilot deployment after the system's proof of concept was presented in a study published in Scientific Reports.
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‘Australian first’ compressed CO2 battery project takes shape
Victoria's State Electricity Commission (SEC) is partnering with Energy Dome to deploy a 10-hour duration compressed CO2 battery energy storage system near Morwell in the Latrobe Valley, marking Victoria's first long-duration energy storage facility and Australia's first commercial compressed CO2 battery. This technology aims to ensure around-the-clock reliability of supply for renewable energy generation from wind and solar, supporting Victoria's transition to clean energy and helping meet its 2030 clean energy targets. Additionally, stakeholder and community consultation has begun for the new SEC Energy Works energy innovation precinct in the Latrobe Valley, which will focus on developing new energy infrastructure and storage technologies to further support the state's future energy system. Projects at SEC Energy Works will contribute to the government-owned renewable energy company's portfolio, including the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub and the SEC Renewable Energy Park, emphasizing the importance of energy innovation, early investment, and confidence building for new energy technologies.
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Orlen and Northland send historic first offshore power to Polish grid
Orlen and Northland have successfully sent the first offshore power to the Polish grid from their Baltic Power array, a historic moment for Poland's renewable energy sector. The 1.2GW array, expected to be fully commissioned in the autumn, will play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. This achievement highlights the progress being made towards sustainable energy solutions in Poland.