The United States' withdrawal from IRENA has raised concerns about funding, but discussions are ongoing to fill the potential financial gap. The global transition to clean energy is driven by economic, national security, and strategic reasons, with significant investments being made in renewable energy. However, more support is needed for African countries and small island developing states to access clean energy finance. IRENA aims to triple renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade and is working on a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, to be presented at COP31 in November. They are also considering a target for electrification consistent with this plan.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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New WindEurope CEO is ex-energy minister Van der Straeten: ‘industry being held back’
WindEurope has appointed Tinne Van der Straeten, former Belgian energy minister, as its new CEO at a critical moment for the wind industry in Europe. This leadership change signals a focus on advancing climate solutions and renewable energy initiatives within the region. Van der Straeten's experience in energy policy and commitment to sustainability will likely drive innovation and growth in the wind sector, contributing to Europe's transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. Climate solutions experts should keep a close eye on WindEurope's strategic direction under Van der Straeten's leadership to stay informed on key developments in the wind industry.
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Perovskite-Silicon Solar Cells Are Heading For The Mass Market
The article discusses the potential impact of perovskite solar cells on the global decarbonization movement, with utility-scale perovskites already achieving high efficiency levels. Tandem PV technology is also on the rise, with efforts to mass produce tandem solar panels and improve durability and efficiency in outdoor conditions. The increasing activity in perovskite solar cell technology poses a threat to the global oil industry, highlighting the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar power. Urgent action is needed to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on innovative solutions to drive down costs and increase efficiency in the renewable energy sector.
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Danish researchers develop color-tunable BIPV foil
Danish researchers have developed Colorfoil technology for building integrated PV modules, allowing for a wide range of colors with low iridescence and minimal efficiency loss. The Colorfoil is a polymer foil inserted between the encapsulation layer and c-Si solar cells in PV panels, created using nanoimprinting lithography and magnetron sputtering in a roll-to-roll process. Additionally, researchers have developed Solar RRL, a low iridescence optimization methodology for PV modules, aiming to create simple multilayer configurations that reflect specific colors with minimal angular variation. These advancements show promising results in maintaining PV performance and potential for large-scale manufacturing, with future research focusing on implementing the methodology on a larger scale and ensuring the durability of colored PV modules for aesthetically pleasing energy-producing facades.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/12/danish-researchers-develop-color-tunable-bipv-foil/
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Common Charge and Advancing Distributed Energy
Common Charge, a new energy coalition launched in September, is advocating for distributed energy resources in the United States to address energy challenges. Focused on delivering affordable energy and strengthening grid resilience, the organization aims to protect ratepayers from price hikes and provide energy security against blackouts or outages. With the increasing electrification, data centers, and AI, Common Charge sees distributed assets as a key solution for the future. Learn more about their goals and initiatives in a podcast discussion available on various platforms.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/11/common-charge-and-advancing-distributed-energy/
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Massive 2 GW wind, solar and battery project lands all state planning approvals in breathtaking four months
The Tathra project in Western Australia, consisting of 140 wind turbines and a 500 MW solar farm, has received state planning approval with minimal conditions. The environmental regulator waived the wind element through, recommending mitigation efforts to address impacts on threatened flora and fauna. Synergy, the developer, plans to refer the project to the federal environmental process before starting construction. Additionally, Synergy is adding a MWh battery at Collie, increasing their total big battery capacity to over 800 MW and nearly 3,200 MWh, contributing to clean energy solutions in their efforts to replace coal power stations with renewable energy sources.
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Australia’s most powerful turbines unveiled as fourth wind farm reaches financial close in Xmas flurry
The Palmer wind project in South Australia is set to feature the most powerful wind turbines in Australia, with a capacity of 288 MW, reducing the number of turbines needed while still generating the same amount of green energy. The project, financed by Vestas and set to be completed by 2027, is part of South Australia's goal to achieve 100 per cent "net" renewables. Located in a strong wind resource area on cleared farmland, the project will benefit local communities and First Nations people with over $13 million in community benefits planned. South Australia's renewable energy transition is being led by projects like Palmer, with a current wind and solar share of around 75 per cent.
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88 New Fast EV Charger Ports Coming To Brooklyn
A new EV charging hub with 88 fast charging ports backed by energy storage in the form of batteries is being launched in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, allowing for electricity to be stored during off-peak times and used to charge EVs during peak times. The chargers can deliver electricity at up to 300 kW and each charger has two ports. The comparison between the cost of EV charging and filling up a gas vehicle at a gas station is misleading, as it does not account for the full cost of fossil fuels, which includes health, environmental, and geopolitical costs. The article also discusses the social costs of road accidents and congestion, highlighting that the true cost of gasoline or diesel is higher than what is reflected in market prices. Tesla has also opened an EV charging hub powered by solar power and battery storage, with 164 charging stalls, showcasing the potential for clean energy solutions in the transportation sector.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/10/88-new-fast-ev-charger-ports-coming-to-brooklyn/
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Renewables create fewer jobs globally as energy transition enters “new phase”
The renewable energy sector experienced a slight increase in jobs in 2024, reaching 16.6 million worldwide with a 2.3% growth from the previous year. Factors such as Chinese solar manufacturers cutting costs, a shift to utility-scale systems, and increasing automation contributed to the slower growth. IRENA projects that with the right policies, the renewable energy workforce could expand to 30 million jobs by 2030, although reaching that level may be challenging. The need for greater diversity and inclusion in the clean energy sector, particularly for women and people with disabilities, is emphasized, with positive examples of proactive policies and training programs mentioned. The International Labour Organization stresses the importance of disability inclusion in the clean energy transition for resilient labor markets and sustainable development.
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China’s switches on world’s first GWh-scale supercapacitor-energy storage project
China has achieved a significant milestone by connecting the world's first GWh-scale supercapacitor-energy storage project to the grid in northwest China. The Jiayuguan NingSheng project, invested by China National Nuclear Corporation, utilizes a hybrid configuration of lithium batteries and supercapacitors to support grid stability, integrate renewables, and enable long-duration energy shifting and peak shaving. Located in a key renewable energy hub in Gansu province, this project showcases the potential for supercapacitors to provide millisecond-level response for frequency regulation and rapid grid stabilization, highlighting innovative solutions for the transition to a more sustainable energy system.