GridCARE, a California-based startup, released an analysis showing that large data centers can help reduce electricity costs and improve grid reliability by incorporating flexibility into their operations. By partnering with utilities and using artificial intelligence in load management, data centers can potentially reduce costs by 5% across all customer classes or unlock over $1.35 billion in capital for the utility. Another analysis by Camus Energy, encoord, and Princeton University found that flexible data centers could connect to the grid sooner and eliminate incremental power supply costs, contributing $733 million per gigawatt towards the cost of its incremental load. Overall, these studies suggest that data centers can play a key role in improving grid efficiency and sustainability, leading to lower rates for customers and accelerating investment in grid assets.
Category: Industry, Materials & Waste
Cut Emissions:
– Improve Materials
– Improve Processes
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Use Waste as a Resource
– Shift Energy Sources
-
Landfill Covering and Methane Capture
Landfills are a significant source of methane emissions globally as waste decomposes, but they can be transformed into managed systems with gas-capture systems and biocovers to reduce emissions. Restoring vegetation can further enhance carbon uptake and ecosystem recovery. The success of the Jardim Gramacho landfill in Rio de Janeiro, which reduced methane emissions through gas-capture systems and mangrove restoration, demonstrates how legacy waste sites can be stabilized to curb emissions and provide ecological and community benefits. This solution involves covering landfills and capturing methane for combustion, effectively reducing emissions at the source.
https://climatetrace.org/news/landfill-covering-and-methane-capture
-
Hithium pushes into long-duration storage and AI data centres with 1,300Ah cell, 6.9 MW/55.2 MWh system, and lithium-sodium hybrid
Hithium Energy Storage has unveiled new 1300Ah cell and long-duration storage system, as well as a lithium-sodium hybrid solution for AI data centers, to tackle the issues of renewable energy intermittency and growing electricity demand in digital infrastructure. By positioning long-duration storage as a grid asset and foundation for energy-intensive AI infrastructure, the company is making a strategic shift towards more sustainable and efficient energy solutions in response to climate change.
-
From Plans to Progress: A Blueprint for Delivering 1.5°C Through the ‘Global Mutirão’
The Global Implementation Accelerator initiative is helping countries implement their NDCs and NAPs, with collaborative alignment already delivering tangible results. Private capital in Brazil supports forest restoration, while companies like Unilever adopt renewable energy and regenerative farming. In Taiwan, the European Outdoor Group aggregates renewable energy demand, and in Vietnam, companies like H&M and IKEA support grid modernization. These initiatives create win-win situations where countries advance climate goals and companies secure future access to renewable resources.
-
Environmental News Network – A New Approach to Carbon Capture Could Slash Costs
Chemical engineers at MIT have developed a more energy-efficient method for capturing carbon emissions from industrial plants by incorporating a common chemical compound into capture solutions. By using tris to stabilize the pH of the solution, the system can absorb more CO2 at lower temperatures, potentially allowing the technology to operate on waste heat or sunlight. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce costs and make carbon capture more efficient and affordable, ultimately aiding in the global effort to combat climate change.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77563-a-new-approach-to-carbon-capture-could-slash-costs
-
Five climate trailblazers: UNEP’S 2025 Champions of the Earth
The UN Environment Programme has named five new climate visionaries as its 2025 Champions of the Earth, recognizing their work on climate justice, sustainable cooling, forest protection, and methane emissions reductions. The laureates, including Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Supriya Sahu from Tamil Nadu, Mariam Issoufou Architects, and Imazon from Brazil, are driving real change for people and the planet with their innovative leadership in areas such as climate law, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and deforestation prediction models. Imazon's non-profit research institute, using science and AI-driven geospatial tools, is curbing deforestation in the Amazon and supporting legal cases. Cynthia Houniuhi is honored for pioneering forest monitoring systems, while Manfredi Caltagirone, posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, dedicated his career to addressing climate challenges, particularly methane emissions, and shaping global energy policy through his work at UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory.
-
Calefa Oy releases waste heat-powered steam heat pump
Finnish company Calefa Oy has introduced the AmbiSteam, a waste heat-powered steam heat pump that can produce process steam above 5 bar. CEO Petri Vuori claims that the efficiency of this system surpasses combustion-based technologies and electric steam generators. The AmbiSteam solution, based on the company's SteamLevel heat pump technology, is suitable for industries with steam demand between 300 kW to 5 MW and can be easily integrated into existing facilities without extensive construction. This innovation offers a promising climate solution for reducing carbon emissions in various industrial sectors.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/10/calefa-oy-releases-waste-heat-powered-steam-heat-pump/
-
European Commission launches $6.06bn clean transition funding opportunities
The European Commission has launched three new funding opportunities under the Innovation Fund, backed by €5.2bn sourced from EU Emissions Trading System revenues, focusing on net-zero technologies, low-carbon hydrogen, and decarbonising industrial process heat. The aim is to advance EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 while boosting industrial competitiveness and resilience. The funding supports projects that use innovative technologies with significant greenhouse gas reduction potential, including clean hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels in heavy industry and transport. Initiatives include the allocation of funds for renewable fuels production, decarbonisation of industrial process heat, and support for electrified and direct-renewable heat production in various industrial sectors. Hover Energy has won three 2025 Power Technology Excellence Awards for their innovative microgrid technology, including their AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM and networked microgrids, contributing to a more flexible and resilient energy grid for the future.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/european-commission-clean-transition-funding/
-
Vertical PV system at Japanese parking lot operating under PPA
As climate solutions experts, it is crucial to stay informed on the latest developments in addressing climate change. This includes advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, as well as initiatives to reduce carbon emissions from industries and transportation. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is key to implementing effective climate solutions and achieving global climate goals. It is important to prioritize sustainable practices and policies that will lead to a more resilient and environmentally-friendly future.
-
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