Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Electricity

Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System

  • Environmental News Network – Climate-Friendly Metals From Deep-Sea Ores

    Manganese nodules found in the deep sea could provide critical metals needed for the energy transition with low CO2 emissions, as the demand for metals increases with the electrification of industrial processes, transport, and heat generation. Deep-sea mining of manganese nodules offers a more sustainable solution compared to land-based mining, which has negative environmental impacts. A new process developed by the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials utilizes hydrogen for reduction, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods. This innovative approach to sourcing critical metals could play a key role in advancing climate solutions and promoting a more sustainable energy transition.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77529-climate-friendly-metals-from-deep-sea-ores

  • “Solar Glitter” Makes Its Mark On The Space Solar Race

    The space solar race is heating up, with innovators aiming to beam solar energy down to Earth by 2030. Efforts to improve efficiency and reduce weight in space solar technology continue, with Lockheed Martin Ventures recently investing in mPower to support the scaleup of their DragonSCALES modules for space applications. Various space industry stakeholders, including Airbus, Blue Origin/Honeybee, Firefly Aerospace, Lynk Global, and Gravitics, are deploying DragonSCALES technology. Ascent Solar Technologies has announced new developments in space solar innovation, with collaborations with the US Air Force, Germany's DLR, and Defiant Space to develop space solar opportunities for defense, security, and commercial initiatives. Aetherflux, a US space solar startup, has received significant funding and plans to demonstrate an orbiting system next year, while mPower has launched new photovoltaic technology for space solar applications.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/04/solar-glitter-makes-its-mark-on-the-space-solar-race/

  • Army Of Meter Socket Adapters Is Coming For Your Fossil Fuels

    ConnectDER, a US startup, is retrofitting electricity meters to make clean tech like rooftop solar, home energy storage, and EV charging stations more affordable for older homes. Their meter socket adapters allow devices to plug directly into the meter socket, bypassing costly electrical upgrades. By creating virtual power plants that connect energy-producing and consuming devices, ConnectDER is helping to reduce peak demand on the grid and the need for new infrastructure. With approvals from utilities like ComEd and Ameren in Illinois, ConnectDER's products are streamlining the installation process for distributed energy resources, enabling homeowners to participate in the energy transition and sell stored energy back to the grid. This innovative approach by ConnectDER and other green businesses is accelerating the adoption of clean technology and making renewable energy more accessible and affordable for households across the US.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/04/an-army-of-meter-socket-adapters-is-coming-for-your-fossil-fuels/

  • Australian solar project offers blueprint for remote installations

    MyEnergy Engineering's award-winning 200 kW/280 kWh hybrid microgrid in remote William Creek, South Australia, showcases a sustainable and efficient solution for supplying energy to off-grid communities. The project, utilizing Trinasolar modules, Pylontech batteries, Victron Energy Quattro inverters, and Fronius International ECO inverters, has been running autonomously with minimal unplanned outages since commissioning. This microgrid serves as a blueprint for remote communities facing extreme heat and engineering constraints, demonstrating the feasibility of renewable energy solutions in challenging environments.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/04/australian-solar-project-offers-blueprint-for-remote-installations/

  • Australian solar innovator 5B wins biggest order yet to help power Kalgoorlie’s giant “super pit” gold mine

    Australian solar innovator 5B has secured its largest order yet to supply solar components for a major renewable energy and battery project in Western Australia's Goldfields region, led by Northern Star Resources. The project will combine wind, solar, and battery storage to power mining operations, with 5B's prefabricated Maverick PV units reducing installation time and costs. The company received funding from the Solar Sunshot program to scale up production and lower costs, making the project a blueprint for modern, cost-effective, and clean mining energy systems. Northern Star's Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations will be powered by a hybrid renewables project, with solar accounting for 70% of electricity demand, and a vanadium flow battery proposed to address the grid's vulnerability. Zenith Energy will build, own, and operate the project under a 25-year power purchase agreement, with AVESS Energy showing interest in delivering the battery system.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-solar-innovator-5b-wins-biggest-order-yet-to-help-power-kalgoorlies-giant-super-pit-gold-mine/

  • Memo to LNP: AEMC says slowing renewables, sweating coal, a recipe for 20 pct power price hike

    The latest report from the Australia Energy Market Commission (AEMC) shows that electricity prices are set to fall by 5% over the next five years due to the increase in renewable energy resources, but delays in wind generation and transmission projects could lead to a 20% increase in household electricity prices after 2030. The AEMC warns against prolonging the life of coal-fired power stations, as it could add up to 5% to prices. Transitioning to wind energy can lower costs and reduce reliance on expensive gas generation, with the potential to reduce electricity prices by 10% by 2035. The AEMC recommends better coordination of consumer energy resources, doubling rooftop solar by 2035, and a nationally consistent regulatory framework for renewable energy to lower costs and reduce network investment.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/memo-to-lnp-aemc-says-slowing-renewables-sweating-coal-a-recipe-for-20-pct-power-price-hike/

  • Sweden backs indoor solar cell technology

    The Swedish Energy Agency is investing SEK 130 million in Exeger's Powerfoyle solar cell technology, which aims to replace disposable batteries in electronics by generating electricity from indoor and outdoor light. The technology offers a flexible design, high conductivity, and the potential to reduce the need for critical raw materials. Exeger's CEO highlighted that the funding will support the industrialization of the technology. The agency sees investments in innovative solar cell technologies like Powerfoyle as crucial for transitioning to a sustainable energy system.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/03/sweden-backs-indoor-solar-cell-technology/

  • First of 800 new towers erected for Australia’s most expensive transmission project to date

    Construction has commenced on the $4.9 billion HumeLink transmission line in New South Wales, Australia's most expensive transmission project, connecting the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme and enabling the utilization of wind and solar capacity in the region. Upon completion, HumeLink will contribute an extra 2,200 MW of on-demand energy to the grid, delivering over $1 billion in net benefits to Australian households and businesses. The project is set to create up to 1,600 construction jobs and support local economies, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the fight against climate change.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/first-of-800-new-towers-erected-for-australias-most-expensive-transmission-project-to-date/

  • Energy Storage Exists, & It’s Coming For Your Fossil Fuels

    Energy storage, particularly in the form of concentrating solar power systems, is gaining traction in commercial and industrial applications. Startups like 247Solar are innovating in the CSP field, combining it with heat-storing batteries for longer-lasting energy storage solutions. 247Solar has developed a source-agnostic battery system that can run on alternate fuels in case of solar availability issues, offering round-the-clock electricity and a combined heat and power option for industrial processes. The company is focusing on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs, with estimates of up to a 95% reduction in carbon footprint and a 25% or more cut in energy costs. They offer an Energy-as-a-Service business model that allows businesses to upgrade their energy systems without upfront costs, and plan to deploy Series B funding to establish a new 3.5-megawatt module, expanding from their current size of 400 kilowatts. Solar power is highlighted as a fast, abundant, and economical way to increase the nation's power profile.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/02/energy-storage-exists-its-coming-for-your-fossil-fuels/

  • Virtual Power Plants Thwart Plot Against Renewable Energy

    The US renewable energy transition is unstoppable, with virtual power plants utilizing distributed energy resources like solar panels and home storage systems to manipulate load-shifting and avoid new gas peaker plants. EnergyHub's acquisition of Resideo Grid Service aims to integrate a DER Management system for utility companies. With over 2.5 million DERs in their management roster, VPPs are seen as a fast, cheap, and customer-centric solution to load growth. MIT's EUREICA concept utilizes solar panels, batteries, EVs, and other DERs to respond to grid disruptions, highlighting the shift towards a cyber-physical system in the electricity grid. The smart home of the future can connect to virtual power plants for incentives and protection against cyberattacks.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/02/virtual-power-plants-thwart-plot-against-renewable-energy/