The National Laboratory of the Rockies' Kestrel supercomputer has supported over 500 energy modeling and simulation projects in 2025, with upgrades enhancing its AI capabilities. These projects cover materials science, energy systems, manufacturing, and fluid dynamics, enabling research on cost-effective alternatives for battery metals, optimized bioreactor designs, and improved electricity load forecasting. NLR's advanced computing capabilities are crucial for tackling complex energy challenges and facilitating scientific discovery in applied energy research, providing valuable insights for climate solutions experts.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Geothermal emerges as scalable energy source for India
A new study on geothermal energy in India highlights its potential to meet future power, industrial heat, and cooling demand. The technical potential for geothermal energy in India is estimated at 450GW of electricity generation, 1.5TW of cooling capacity, and 11TW of industrial heat. Geothermal systems could reduce pressure on India's electricity network and provide continuous baseload energy independent of weather conditions. The report emphasizes the opportunities for direct-use applications like industrial process heat and district cooling systems, which could reduce electricity consumption by 30-40%. Improved drilling technologies and policy support are improving the prospects for commercial-scale geothermal development in India.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/geothermal-emerges-as-scalable-energy-source-for-india/
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A new mega-utility is at ground zero for AI. Here’s what could happen.
NextEra Energy, a Florida-based power giant, is embracing renewables, batteries, and gas facilities as key solutions to meet energy demands and accelerate the transition to a greener power system. Their proposed merger with Dominion Energy in Virginia has the potential to lower utility bills, increase deployment of cheaper resources, and bring new resources online faster and more efficiently. NextEra's focus on battery storage development under Virginia's new legislation could help them gain support in the state and form a coalition of stakeholders critical of Dominion's reliance on fossil fuels. The success of the merger will depend on winning over utility regulators, especially in Virginia where Dominion is influential.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/a-new-mega-utility-is-at-ground-zero-for-ai-heres-what-could-happen/
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AmpereHour and IndiGrid start up 180MW BESS in Gujarat
AmpereHour Energy and IndiGrid have launched a 180MW/360MWh battery energy storage system in Gujarat, India, the largest standalone utility-scale BESS in the country and one of the largest in Asia. The project aims to store excess renewable energy to enhance grid stability and reduce energy curtailment, supporting India's goal of achieving 500GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. AmpereHour provided technological support for the project, which was implemented under a build, own, and operate model, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/amperehour-indigrid-start-180mw-360mwh-bess-gujarat/
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Australia installs 400,000 home batteries in 10 months for 11.2 GWh
Australia has seen a surge in consumer-led energy storage with over 400,000 batteries installed in the past 10 months, totaling 11.2 GWh of storage capacity. The Cheaper Home Batteries program by the Australian government has been successful in promoting the adoption of rooftop solar and cleaner energy systems. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted the positive impact of the program on reducing energy bills and supporting the grid. The initiative offers up to 30% discount on battery installation costs, with a tiered scheme based on battery size to encourage households to choose the right-sized battery. The program aims to deploy over 2 million batteries by 2030, contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy system in Australia.
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Australia’s biggest solar battery hybrid projects lock in finance in landmark deal to power heavy industry
Two of the biggest solar and battery hybrid projects in Australia, Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap, have reached financial close with the backing of 14 lenders. These projects will provide 600 MW of solar and 600 MW and 2,400 MWh of battery storage to help power aluminium smelters and refineries in Queensland as part of Rio Tinto's plan to transition to green energy and storage by 2029. The federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme is supporting the projects, which are crucial for reaching renewable energy targets and improving reliability as aging thermal generation retires. Edify is also developing the Hill wind farm in South Australia and the Jinbi solar farm in Western Australia, with strong community support and a focus on creating up to 800 jobs during construction, local procurement, and skills training. The financing package for these projects is a first for Australia and will set a foundation for future renewable energy projects, leaving a positive legacy in the region through a community benefits program.
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Solar will be largest power generator in “much changed” world by 2032, but battery storage is the big mover
Solar energy is projected to become the world's largest generator of electricity by 2032, driven by falling prices, battery storage, and electrification. The BloombergNEF New Energy Outlook for 2026 highlights the shift towards renewable energy and electricity-led era, emphasizing the importance of electrification, particularly in the transportation sector. BNEF forecasts that solar will become the largest zero-carbon source by the end of the decade and the single largest source of power generation by 2032. The report also underscores the need for significant global low-carbon investment to transition to cleaner energy systems, with a focus on achieving a Net Zero Scenario by 2050 through the deployment of viable technologies at scale and at a lower cost than fossil fuel alternatives.
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EVs equipped with vehicle-integrated PV could cover up to 80% of their electricity needs
A research project led by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has shown that vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) can significantly reduce strain on power grids, especially in the logistics sector with high electricity demands. Passenger cars in Central Europe could generate up to 55% of their electricity needs through onboard solar generation, while in Southern Europe, this could rise to 80%. VIPV systems have the potential to reduce charging costs, decrease the need for external charging infrastructure, and lower electricity demand from the European grid by 15.6 TWh by 2030 if all new vehicles sold between 2024 and 2030 were equipped with VIPV.
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Spain, France set benchmark in renewables expansion without biodiversity loss
Swiss researchers conducted a comparative analysis of national policies in France, Italy, and Spain on integrating biodiversity into renewable energy planning and ecological impact monitoring under the European Green Deal framework. France and Spain have more advanced frameworks, with Spain prioritizing renewable energy projects in low environmental value areas and France leading in national coordination with specialized observatories. Italy remains regionally fragmented with gaps in cumulative impact assessment, depending on regional authorities for environmental integration of renewable energy. The study highlights the challenges and progress in aligning energy, environmental, and spatial planning policies for successful renewable deployment, emphasizing the need for assessing indirect, cumulative, and long-term effects on habitats and species.
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DATA DIVE: Germany, UK lead European wind resurgence as capacity growth boosts clean energy prospects
In early 2026, Germany and the UK have experienced a resurgence in wind electricity generation, defying predictions of a coal rebound. Despite surging gas prices, there has not been an increase in coal usage, signaling a positive shift towards wind energy in Europe. This development is a promising advancement for climate solutions experts, highlighting the potential for renewable energy to play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.