The article delves into the rapid expansion of battery storage for electric vehicles and the grid, emphasizing their role in maintaining energy security. It explores different battery chemistries and highlights Fortescue's push towards achieving true zero emissions, including the development of large-scale wind projects. The discussion, part of the Energy Insiders series hosted by Giles Parkinson and David Leitch, also touches on potential actions by Albanese in the current climate landscape. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights for climate solutions experts looking to stay informed on key developments in renewable energy and emissions reduction efforts.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Huge wind component of massive hybrid renewables project joins queue for federal green tick
A 2 gigawatt hybrid wind, solar, and battery storage project in Western Australia's Mid West region, the Tathra wind farm, is undergoing federal environmental assessment after securing state approvals. Developer SynergyRED aims to combine up to 1,000 MW of wind, 500 MW of solar, and 500 MW of battery energy storage to maintain affordable and reliable electricity supply. Efforts are being made to minimize impacts on fauna habitat in the mainly agricultural project area. Additionally, Synergy is expanding its battery capacity with the Collie battery, increasing total big battery capacity to over 800 MW and nearly 3,200 MWh, marking a significant step towards clean energy solutions.
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Maryland regulators weigh investor-owned utilities’ flexible load proposals
Maryland utilities are working to aggregate up to 440 MW of flexible load resources, such as residential thermostats, distributed batteries, and electric vehicles, to support state-mandated virtual power plants and load management programs. The Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act requires utilities to develop vehicle-to-grid charging and VPP plans. Utilities like BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, and Potomac Edison are implementing time-of-use tariff proposals and pilot programs to increase customer participation in grid flexibility initiatives. The Maryland Public Service Commission has accepted modified time-of-use tariffs but rejected pilot proposals, ordering utilities to refile them for further clarity. The goal is to integrate customer-owned devices into utility operations while providing incentives and maintaining customer control, ensuring the success of demand-side management programs and distributed energy resource integration efforts in reducing peak load in a locationally relevant manner.
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Construction starts on biggest battery in Australia’s most advanced renewable grid
Alinta is building South Australia's largest battery, the Reeves Plains project, with a first stage sized at 250MW and 1,000MWh, aiming to reach gigawatt scale storage with a second stage planned to double its size. This project is part of South Australia's push towards 100% net renewables by next year, powered by wind and solar, displacing plans for a gas-fired power station at Reeves Plains. The focus on battery storage is a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions. Climate change experts, including science and business journalists specializing in climate change-related health and environmental issues, play a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting solutions to address climate-related challenges.
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Togo opens solar minigrid tender
The government of Togo has launched a tender for the construction of solar minigrids in 27 rural localities as part of the Rural Electrification Project funded by the Islamic Development Bank. The project aims to electrify a total of 317 localities through solar minigrids, with interested bidders able to purchase tender documents and submit bids by May 26. The tender is split into two lots with specific solar and storage capacities, highlighting Togo's commitment to expanding access to clean energy solutions in rural areas.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/15/togo-opens-solar-minigrid-tender/
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Adani launches 1GW HVDC link in Mumbai, India
Adani Energy Solutions has launched a 1GW HVDC transmission link in Mumbai, India, to bolster grid stability and energy security. The project features a 30km overhead line and a 50km underground corridor, along with compact HVDC substations tailored for urban areas. By enabling higher electricity intake from external sources, the link reduces dependence on local generation and lowers the risk of outages. Utilizing VSC-based HVDC technology allows for precise power flow control and enhanced voltage stability, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources into urban grids and enhancing grid resilience. This initiative represents a significant stride towards a cleaner and more robust energy future for Mumbai.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/adani-launches-1gw-hvdc-link-mumbai/
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Span and Nvidia to develop AI data centers in your backyard, lowering electric bills
Span has partnered with Nvidia to develop XFRA, a network of devices that convert unused electric capacity in homes and businesses into a distributed compute cloud. The nodes are placed at customer locations and connected to a smart service panel to manage energy usage, aiming to utilize untapped power capacity in residential homes and increase grid utilization. Homeowners and small businesses hosting the nodes will receive benefits such as discounted rates for electricity and internet, with the potential for optional solar installations to improve economics in high-cost markets. The XFRA program aims to create a synergistic, virtuous cycle that improves grid utilization and drives down per kilowatt hour electricity prices, offering significant opportunities for Span and broader benefits to all utility ratepayers in the long term.
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Colorado Legislature sends ‘advanced transmission technology’ bill to governor
Colorado lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring regulated utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies to improve grid efficiency, with a focus on increasing the state's ability to import/export electricity, speeding up new generation/load hookup, and reducing wildfire risk. The bill mandates utilities to include analysis of these technologies in their 10-year transmission plans, as research shows they can save customers money and free up capacity. Similar requirements are being implemented in other states like Virginia to enhance their grids. The organization released a report on October 24, likely discussing climate-related issues.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/colorado-advanced-transmission-technology-gets-bill/817545/
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Batteries included: Amazon makes record haul of hybrid renewable PPAs to power Australian AI push
Amazon has made its largest ever renewables investment in Australia, signing nine new wind, solar, and battery storage power purchase agreements, including utility-scale solar-battery hybrids. The projects will have a combined capacity of 990 MW, enough to power over half a million households a year. Amazon's focus on projects with storage reflects the market's interest in hybrid solar and batteries, with plans to continue investing in solar and wind projects to support its expanding data centre infrastructure. The company is expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure powered by carbon-free energy and battery storage, aiming to reach net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040 as part of the Climate Pledge goal. Amazon is committed to not contracting fossil fuels and has become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Australia, focusing on reaching power offtake deals with partners to accelerate the clean energy transition.
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How to generate hydrogen at home with recycled solar panels
A Chilean research team has developed a residential-scale system to produce green hydrogen using discarded photovoltaic modules, combining them with a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer to reduce system complexity. The system achieves an annual energy yield equal to 88% of power electronics-based optimization, with daily hydrogen production exceeding basic household demand. With a levelized cost of hydrogen of approximately $5.8/kg, representing an 18% reduction compared to more complex systems, this low-cost solution could help address the growing volume of photovoltaic waste and the high cost of green hydrogen.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/14/how-to-generate-hydrogen-at-home-with-recycled-solar-panels/