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

  • NOA Group seals 401GWh-a-year renewable deal with Sibanye

    NOA Group has formalized a renewable energy supply agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater, providing around 401GWh annually through fixed allocations and an additional 100GWh per year through a flexible contract. This deal will help Sibanye-Stillwater reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 433,080t of CO2 equivalent starting in 2028. By 2028, renewable energy will make up approximately 56% of Sibanye-Stillwater's total energy demand in South Africa, with costs expected to be 20-30% lower than Eskom's wholesale tariffs. The agreement aims to support Sibanye-Stillwater's goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 and demonstrates a commitment to sustainable energy practices in the mining sector.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/noa-group-401gwh-a-year-deal-sibanye/

  • In The UK, “Power To The People” Is Latest Clean Energy Trend

    The UK government is investing up to £1 billion in community-owned green energy projects to democratize the energy system, increase local wealth, and potentially reduce energy bills. The initiative, administered by GB Energy, will support solar, wind, hydro, and biomass projects, allowing communities to own and control clean energy. Additionally, building taller towers for transmission lines in rural areas is aiding the growth of community energy projects, with a focus on keeping profits local to support public services. The shift towards community and publicly owned energy schemes is gaining political support in Scotland and the UK, highlighting the potential for transformative outcomes in the transition away from oil and gas.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/15/in-the-uk-power-to-the-people-is-latest-clean-energy-trend/

  • Illinois coalition proposes ambitious data center regulations

    Illinois lawmakers and environmental groups are working on legislation, known as the "POWER Act," to regulate data centers and require them to supply their own clean energy. The measure, supported by the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, aims to protect consumers from grid investments and help the state eliminate power sector carbon emissions. Data centers would need to submit clean energy plans and obtain at least 80 percent of their noninterruptible power supply from renewables, batteries, and demand reduction. This proposal is a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable energy system and reducing the carbon footprint of data centers in Illinois.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/illinois-coalition-proposes-ambitious-data-center-regulations/

  • SolarAfrica raises $94m for 114MW SunCentral 2 solar project

    SolarAfrica has secured financing for its SunCentral 2 solar project in South Africa, expected to deliver electricity by 2026 as part of a larger initiative to expand access to clean energy through utility-scale renewable generation and a flexible wheeling delivery system. SunCentral 2 is one of several projects aiming to reach a total capacity of 1GW, making it one of the largest solar initiatives in South Africa. The project includes community upliftment initiatives focused on job creation, education, and skills development, with SolarAfrica's overall wheeling pipeline spanning 3GW under development nationwide to enhance the strength of the national grid and support future renewable energy connections. This highlights the importance of industry leaders implementing sustainable practices to combat climate change, emphasizing the potential for renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and the need for companies to prioritize environmental responsibility in driving positive change towards a more sustainable future.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/solarafrica-raises-94m-suncentral-2-project/

  • New York City adopts 2025 energy codes with focus on electrification, efficiency

    New York City has enacted new building codes aimed at promoting energy efficiency, reliability, and long-term cost savings, with mandatory air-leakage testing, enhanced requirements for backup electric heating, and simplified regulatory structures to promote resilience during extreme weather events. The codes, aligned with state codes, will be enforced starting in 2027, with compliance software available in March 2022, expected to provide significant energy savings and improve building envelope performance. The nonprofit Urban Green Council is focused on decarbonizing buildings in NYC through the NYCECC, which includes restrictions on electric resistance heating systems and backup systems, as well as energy efficiency measures beyond the statewide baseline. The NYC Department of Buildings is expected to develop code improvements through performance-based compliance pathways, with building owners already required to meet greenhouse gas emission limits through Local Law 97 and the All-Electric Buildings Law.

    https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/new-york-city-adopts-2025-energy-codes-with-focus-on-smart-electrification/811111/

  • Adani secures Japanese funding for India’s green energy corridor

    Adani Energy Solutions (AESL) has secured funding from Japanese banks for a 950km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project in India, aimed at transporting renewable energy from Rajasthan to the national grid with an evacuation capacity of 6,000MW by 2029. This project will enhance grid stability, integrate renewable energy into major urban and industrial areas, and strengthen financial and industrial ties between India and Japan. Part of Adani Group's clean energy platform, the project aligns with India's Make in India initiative, focusing on developing resilient transmission infrastructure for India's energy transition.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/adani-japanese-funding-green-energy/

  • Vestas lands turbine order for landmark wind and green hydrogen refuelling network in New Zealand

    New Zealand's Kapuni green hydrogen project has reached financial close and ordered four 6.4 MW wind turbines from Vestas, integrating wind energy, renewable electricity supply, and green hydrogen production at scale. The project includes a 25.6 MW wind farm and a 5 MW hydrogen electrolyser, supporting a national green hydrogen refuelling network. Located in Taranaki, the project will supply renewable electricity to the national grid and create economic opportunities through decarbonizing industry and building low-emissions energy systems. This initiative showcases a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions and demonstrates the potential for green hydrogen to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a cleaner energy future.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/vestas-lands-turbine-order-for-landmark-wind-and-green-hydrogen-refuelling-network-in-new-zealand/

  • Australian state awards 12 GWh of long-duration storage contracts

    New South Wales has awarded long-term energy service agreements to six battery energy storage projects totaling 1.17 GW and nearly 12 GWh, increasing the state's contracted storage capacity to 30 GWh. These projects meet the state's legislated objective of delivering 2 GW of long-duration storage by 2030 and 28 GWh by 2034, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing price volatility. The New South Wales Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap aims to replace old coal-fired power stations with 12 GW of renewable energy and 2 GW of storage by 2030, with tenders being sought for additional projects to further strengthen competition in the market. The overall goal is to increase renewable energy capacity and transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner and more reliable sources.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/09/australian-state-awards-12-gwh-of-long-duration-storage-contracts/

  • Australian tech company unearthing new capacity on the grid lands $1.1bn valuation after new capital raise

    Neara, an Australian energy technology company, has raised $90 million to expand its AI and machine learning products, crucial for the green energy transition. The company's software builds 3D models of networks to identify new capacity and better plan for new generation and data centers, with a focus on addressing challenges faced by power grids in the face of rising electrification and demand from AI and data centers. Traditional methods are no longer sufficient for managing a modern grid, with challenges in grid access and planning affecting sectors like data centers and renewable energy. Data centers present an opportunity similar to renewable energy, with countries needing to address grid issues to benefit. The data center industry is seen as a "space race" with significant potential.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-tech-company-unearthing-new-capacity-on-the-grid-lands-1-1bn-valuation-after-new-capital-raise/

  • AI Startup That Does EV-Related Materials Science Discovery Raises $8M

    The section discusses the investment in clean, renewable technologies in countries outside the US, such as the UK-based startup Polaron raising $8 million. It highlights the importance of developing enhanced materials to improve electric vehicle efficiency, with examples like the electric MINI Countryman SUV increasing its range without increasing battery size. Polaron's CEO explains how early deployments have improved battery electrode energy density by more than 10% through manufacturing process optimization. The use of AI technology by EV makers and battery manufacturers for R&D and process engineering is also discussed, with AI being used for characterisation and design to improve performance and accelerate work on fast charging, energy density, and battery lifetime. The new funding will be used to scale the team, expand industrial deployment, and integrate with large industrial customers, with the approach being applicable to other EV components beyond battery electrodes to improve performance based on internal structure shaped by manufacturing.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/08/ai-startup-that-does-ev-related-materials-science-discovery-raises-8m/