Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Industry, Materials & Waste

Cut Emissions:
– Improve Materials
– Improve Processes
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Use Waste as a Resource
– Shift Energy Sources

  • Philadelphia clean energy campaign turned millions invested into billions saved. Here’s how.

    The Philadelphia Energy Campaign has successfully created over 11,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic investment since 2016, while also generating $1.4 billion in energy savings for the city and its residents. Programs like Built to Last and Solarize Greater Philadelphia have provided low-income homeowners with access to housing-repair and solar installation programs. Funding mechanisms such as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp have supported energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, blending public and private financing. Despite the loss of federal funding, the campaign remains resilient and focused on advancing climate solutions through collaboration and political support.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/philadelphia-energy-campaign-economic-impact-report/821584/

  • “Just as common as solar-hybrids:” Most developers now including batteries in plans for wind

    Wind developers in Australia are increasingly incorporating battery storage into their projects to address the challenge of low prices in the energy market. Battery manufacturers are offering longer warranties to support wind and solar hybrids, with some warranties extending up to 30 years. Turbine manufacturers like Goldwind and Envision are already testing wind and battery storage systems to better understand their potential in modern grids. The trend towards wind and battery hybrids is expected to become as common as solar-based hybrids in the future. Battery sizing for wind farms is complex, with considerations for revenue cannibalization and the timing of power generation influencing storage needs. Hybrid configurations offer benefits such as utilizing existing sites and monetizing curtailed energy, with considerations for turbine level power limits being important in modeling DC-coupled hybrids.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/just-as-common-as-solar-hybrids-most-developers-now-including-batteries-in-plans-for-wind/

  • Large-load customers can help commercialize new clean energy technology: CEBA

    Large-load customers are turning to clean firm technologies like advanced geothermal and small modular nuclear reactors to power their operations, with the help of clean energy tariffs and bilateral customer-utility arrangements. Hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft are investing in clean energy power purchase agreements, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal, to drive the development of new technologies and protect ratepayers. Small modular reactors are attracting investments for future data center operations due to their smaller footprint, and durable clean energy tariff designs are crucial for supporting these initiatives. Partnerships between customers and utilities are leading to innovative solutions, such as in Minnesota where Google and Xcel Energy utilized a green energy tariff to bring online a portfolio of resources including solar, wind, and long duration energy storage, resulting in the largest long duration energy storage system seen so far.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/innovative-customer-utility-agreements-derisk-new-technology-ceba/821402/

  • Battery storage key to solar project bankability in Africa

    Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for solar project bankability in Africa, focusing on delivering flexible, dispatchable power for long-term value creation in the energy transition. Key factors for successful projects include credible counterparties, clear dispatch frameworks, and robust engineering structures. Strategies for scaling commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage projects in Africa involve long-term financing, standardized contracts, and risk mitigation techniques to attract private capital. Challenges include financing constraints, currency risks, and the need for innovative financing models like power support agreements. The African storage market is growing, with over 31.8 GWh of projects under development, emphasizing the importance of credible partners, bank guarantees, and effective project management to address collection risks.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/28/battery-storage-key-to-solar-project-bankability-in-africa/

  • Environmental News Network – New Method Turns Ocean Water Into Drinking Water, Without Waste

    A new energy-efficient desalination system developed at the University of Rochester produces fresh water without chemical additives and transforms leftover salts into useful materials. The solar-thermal desalination process overcomes the drawbacks of traditional techniques by producing fresh water in an energy-efficient way that does not leave behind harmful brine. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to the global water crisis and reduces the negative impact on sea life caused by traditional desalination methods.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78036-new-method-turns-ocean-water-into-drinking-water-without-waste

  • Elemental Impact Launches the Data Center Innovation Initiative with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft

    Elemental Impact, supported by leading technology companies and philanthropic partners, has launched the Data Center Innovation Initiative (DCII) to accelerate the deployment of next-generation energy and materials technologies in data center environments. With investments ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per project, the DCII will focus on technologies such as energy storage, advanced electrical systems, industrial cooling solutions, and low-carbon materials to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. The goal is to scale these solutions to improve local energy availability, reduce emissions, and accelerate integration into new data center builds and retrofits, with the support of partners like Salesforce and Wilson Sonsini. Through collaboration with companies, local stakeholders, and investors, Elemental aims to de-risk projects and accelerate the path to deployment, ultimately creating environmental and economic benefits while supporting local communities in the face of increasing demand for power.

    https://elementalimpact.com/dcii-press-release/

  • 15-Year SAF Deal For UK’s Largest Regional Carrier

    Loganair has entered into a 15-year agreement with ClimaHtech Green Flight to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using advanced technology pathways like BioSAF and eSAF. The focus is on decentralized production using waste biomass and intermittent renewable power sources like wind and solar. The project aims to utilize excess wind power to produce SAF, making it a scalable and resilient approach to reducing carbon footprint in the aviation industry. ClimaHtech Green Flight highlights the advantages of smaller, modular systems for SAF production, which can lead to regional energy independence, greater energy security, and economic resilience. Infinium Energy's e-fuels projects in Texas, including the Project Atlas facility, are also contributing to reducing jet fuel consumption and supporting sustainable aviation solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/27/saf-sustainable-aviation-fuel-uk-modular-localized/

  • Assessing Elon Musk’s massive 100 GW solar ambitions

    Elon Musk's ambitious plan for Tesla to build 100 GW of annual PV manufacturing capacity in the US, double the current capacity, highlights the potential for the company to lead in renewable energy solutions. Despite challenges such as significant investment, expertise, and space requirements, Tesla's track record of rapid factory construction and cash reserves position it as a strong candidate for success. By importing Chinese-built equipment and navigating interconnection processes with local utilities, Tesla aims to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy in the country. The plan could also impact the workforce and international trade policies in the solar manufacturing industry, providing a larger market for domestic companies like Tesla. Overall, Tesla's goal of expanding solar manufacturing capacity showcases its potential to drive new power generation and grid-scale battery storage in the US.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/27/assessing-elon-musks-massive-100-gw-solar-ambitions/

  • Environmental News Network – A New Method to Unlock Vast Lithium Stores

    Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly way to extract lithium, a critical mineral in high demand for electric vehicles and clean energy sources. The new method uses a temperature-sensitive solvent to extract lithium directly from brines found in deposits worldwide, allowing for more efficient extraction even from low concentrations and contaminated sources. This innovation could shorten processing time, unlock untapped reserves, and reduce environmental impact in the production of lithium for clean energy technologies.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78019-a-new-method-to-unlock-vast-lithium-stores

  • EU awards €400 million to 65 industrial heat projects in auction

    The European Commission has awarded €400 million to 65 industrial heat decarbonization projects in 10 European countries under the Innovation Fund's first heat auction. These projects aim to deploy electrified and renewable heat technologies in energy-intensive industries such as pulp and paper, glass, and steel, with the goal of avoiding over 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and producing 16.3 TWh of decarbonized heat in their first five years of operation. The funding, sourced from EU Emissions Trading System revenues, requires projects to reach financial close within two years of signing grant agreements. This initiative is considered a pilot for the future Industrial Decarbonization Bank under the Clean Industrial Deal.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/25/eu-awards-e400-million-to-65-industrial-heat-projects-in-auction/