Category: Industry, Materials & Waste

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

  • Backer of huge Australian green hydrogen projects lands funds to create “digital twin”

    Intercontinental Energy has received a $1.56 million federal grant to develop a digital twin simulation for its green hydrogen project, aiming to streamline design and construction processes for coastal and remote areas. The company believes digital twins could reduce costs by 10-20%. This initiative could help standardize plans in the green hydrogen industry, potentially accelerating large-scale projects. Intercontinental Energy is also involved in the Western Green Energy Hub and Australian Renewable Energy Hub projects, which aim to produce 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/backer-of-huge-australian-green-hydrogen-projects-lands-1-6m-to-create-digital-twin/

  • ‘Motherhood further shaped my leadership perspective’

    Margarita Licht, Product Manager at Goldbeck Solar, emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and cognitive styles in the solar and energy storage sector for smarter solutions and effective problem-solving. Energy storage within the solar sector requires multi-disciplinary thinking to address complex challenges like grid balancing and battery optimization. Inclusion and diversity in teams lead to better outcomes, as different backgrounds bring unique approaches to problem-solving. Licht's leadership perspective, shaped by motherhood, highlights the need for diversity in cognitive styles to enhance decision-making processes and drive meaningful impact in the industry. She focuses on creating inclusive environments that value individual strengths and enable different perspectives to contribute to valuable solutions. The article also discusses the importance of aligning technical and commercial decisions at all levels to deliver sustainable infrastructure and reliable energy solutions, with a focus on the participation of women industry leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe, including Margarita Licht.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/03/motherhood-further-shaped-my-leadership-perspective/

  • Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say

    Former steelworkers in Northwest Indiana are advocating for a shift towards cleaner steelmaking methods to save jobs, create economic opportunities, and reduce healthcare costs. The transition is crucial as outdated blast furnaces may become obsolete, leading to job losses and economic decline. Efforts are being made to modernize steel production, with the acquisition of U.S. Steel's Gary Works mill by Nippon Steel presenting an opportunity for investment in green steel production. The use of Direct Reduced Iron plants, electric furnaces, and green hydrogen could further reduce emissions in the steel industry, which is currently highly polluting. Without investments in clean steel, the city of Gary, Indiana could face worsening urban decay and competition with electric arc furnaces.

    https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/way-forward-indiana-steel

  • TNO unveils 12.4%-efficient perovksite solar tile

    The Dutch research institute TNO has developed the world's first perovskite-based roof tile, achieving up to 13.8% efficiency on standalone modules and 12.4% on curved surfaces. The flexible modules were produced using TNO's experimental roll-to-roll platform, with plans to commercialize the solar tile through its spinoff company Perovion Technologies. This building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) tile based on perovskite solar cell technology is a significant development in the renewable energy sector. The use of roll-to-roll manufacturing for perovskite solar cells is seen as a promising pathway to lower production costs and high-volume manufacturing for emerging thin-film technologies, offering potential solutions for climate change mitigation.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/02/tno-unveils-12-4-efficient-perovksite-solar-tile/

  • Giant copper project signs deal for Australia’s biggest off-grid hybrid renewables facility

    Harmony Gold and Aggreko have partnered to develop a renewable power facility at the Eva copper mine project in Queensland, Australia. The facility will consist of a 118 MWp solar farm, a 250 MWh battery, and a 104 MVA thermal power plant, with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2035. Future plans may involve incorporating wind energy and connecting to the grid through the Copperstring transmission project. This long-term commitment to renewable energy showcases a significant step towards sustainable practices in the mining industry.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/giant-copper-project-signs-deal-for-australias-biggest-off-grid-hybrid-renewables-facility/

  • Nigerians bet on solar power as global oil crisis hits wallets

    Africa, particularly Nigeria, is experiencing a surge in solar power installations as a response to soaring fuel prices and unreliable power supplies. The conflict in the Middle East has further accelerated the adoption of solar energy, with installations in Africa increasing by 54% in 2025. Businesses and consumers are recognizing the cost-saving benefits of transitioning to solar power, with calls for governments to adopt binding targets to phase out fossil fuels and invest in clean energy for a stable future. Lower-cost solar products are now available, making solar power a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources in Nigeria and across the continent.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/01/nigerians-bet-on-solar-as-global-oil-shock-hits-wallets-and-power-supplies/

  • Volvo, Toyota, & Daimler Truck Ink Memorandum For Fuel Cell Development

    Toyota Motor Corporation has joined cellcentric as an equal shareholder alongside Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG to develop fuel cell systems for heavy-duty transport, off-road machinery, and stationary uses. The collaboration aims to accelerate fuel cell technology and produce competitive solutions at scale, marking a significant step towards decarbonizing the transportation industry through hydrogen technology. Cellcentric is also focusing on industrializing fuel cell systems and building hydrogen infrastructure with industry partners, aiming to serve a broad customer base beyond shareholders. This move signifies a commitment to improving the entire value chain and advancing hydrogen technology in the transportation sector.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/31/volvo-toyota-daimler-truck-ink-memorandum-for-fuel-cell-development/

  • Major oil producers among 46 nations joining fossil fuel phase-out summit

    Forty-six countries, including major oil, coal, and gas producers such as Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Norway, will attend a conference in Santa Marta to accelerate the global shift from fossil fuels. The summit aims to create an international coalition committed to ending reliance on oil, coal, and natural gas, with a focus on prioritizing science and phasing out fossil fuel production and consumption. Notably absent are the United States and Saudi Arabia, while vulnerable nations like Palau and Sierra Leone are in attendance. The outcomes of the conference will inform discussions at COP31 and provide a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels, with campaigners seeing it as an opportunity to showcase credible transitions and build momentum for global action. Colombia views the current global energy shock as a chance to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/03/31/major-oil-producers-among-46-nations-joining-fossil-fuel-phase-out-summit/

  • DOE, Amazon team tap AI for mineral recycling effort

    The Department of Energy and Amazon are teaming up to utilize artificial intelligence in recovering and recycling minerals such as battery-grade graphite from discarded clothing and waste, with a focus on producing key ingredients for electric vehicle batteries. This partnership also includes exploring the recovery of critical minerals like gallium from used electronics hardware, aiming to transform the domestic critical materials supply chain and reduce reliance on China for raw materials. By tapping into waste streams, this initiative seeks to secure valuable minerals for sustainable solutions and advance towards a more environmentally friendly future.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/doe-amazon-team-tap-ai-for-mineral-recycling-effort/

  • Tongwei moves into hybrid heterojunction back contact solar cell technology

    Tongwei has partnered with GS-Solar and Golden Solar to establish a large-scale manufacturing facility for hybrid heterojunction back-contact (HBC) solar cells, focusing on technology development, manufacturing, and process optimization. The hybrid HBC technology aims to achieve high efficiency at lower production costs, streamlining processing. This collaboration could expedite the shift from laboratory-scale research to industrial production, broadening Tongwei's solar technology offerings. GS-Solar, positioning itself as a technology and equipment provider for hybrid HBC commercialization, has engaged in similar partnerships previously.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/30/tongwei-moves-into-hybrid-heterojunction-back-contact-solar-cell-technology/