The Republican-controlled US Congress rescinded a $7,500 federal EV tax credit, causing an initial drop in EV sales, but the US/Israel war against Iran has reignited demand for electric vehicles. Innovations in the EV battery sector, such as BYD's cell-to-body architecture, are driving rising consumer interest in EVs. Forecasts predict plummeting battery prices will make battery EVs cheaper than traditional vehicles in Europe within two to four years. Automakers are shifting to LFP batteries to avoid supply chain complexities and improve performance, while research is ongoing for massless and solid-state EV batteries. There is a growing market for used EV batteries to be repurposed for energy storage, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for new mining of key minerals. Recycling EV batteries is crucial for a sustainable transportation system, with a focus on high mineral recovery rates and low environmental impact. Misinformation about EVs can hinder the transition to electric mobility, but advancements in battery technology and management systems are improving the longevity and performance of EV batteries. Real-world driving habits can significantly impact the lifespan of EV batteries, with proper use potentially extending their longevity by about a third. Researchers have found that actual driving situations can help extend the life of electric vehicle batteries, such as frequent acceleration, braking, and letting the batteries rest for hours at a time. Charging the vehicle with a low to medium charge level for long parking periods also decreases battery aging rates. The US Department of Energy is focusing on a Made-in-the-USA solution called DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) using geothermal brine. In July 2023, the agency awarded funds to 10 innovators in the DLE field, including EnergyX, with a $5 million award.
Category: Industry, Materials & Waste
Cut Emissions:
– Improve Materials
– Improve Processes
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Use Waste as a Resource
– Shift Energy Sources
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Industry 4.0 technologies raise cyber risks for smart renewables grids
An international research team has developed a novel AI-enhanced intrusion detection system (MSIDS) to detect and mitigate cyber threats in smart renewable energy grids. The system outperforms traditional intrusion detection models by achieving high accuracy, precision, and recall rates, while maintaining a low false positive rate. It utilizes supervised and unsupervised learning for threat detection, addressing known and unknown attacks, and features a multi-layer architecture with automated feature extraction and decision fusion. MSIDS's ability to provide low-latency detection allows for swift response to potential threats, ensuring uninterrupted energy distribution and enhancing decentralized security within the grid when deployed on edge computing nodes and smart meters.
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Judge upholds DC gas hookup ban
A court ruling in Washington D.C. has upheld building code amendments that prohibit new gas hookups, allowing for new and modified buildings to be constructed to a net-zero energy standard by 2027. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act does not prevent local governments from regulating energy consumption in specific locations, supporting the city's environmental goals and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This decision sets a precedent for other cities looking to implement similar climate solutions and demonstrates the legal authority of local governments to address energy consumption and emissions.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/judge-upholds-dc-gas-hookup-ban-3/
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Iran Conflict Costing Shipping Industry €340 Million A Day
Efficiency measures, electrification, and e-fuels are key solutions to reduce the shipping industry's exposure to fuel price shocks and supply disruptions. The cost gap between fossil fuels and e-fuels has narrowed, making alternative fuels more competitive. T&E's analysis shows that investing in European e-fuels and energy efficiency measures can help avoid future fossil fuel shocks. Scaling up domestic e-fuel production and electrifying ships like ferries can reduce pressure on the fuel market and strengthen energy security. T&E calls on European policymakers to accelerate the transition towards a more resilient and competitive maritime industry, with a focus on promoting green e-fuels in the maritime sector through financial aid and strengthened targets in FuelEU Maritime.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/27/iran-conflict-costing-shipping-industry-e340-million-a-day/
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Ultra-low-cost solar could enable 2,000 GW market in Australia
Researchers from the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics have quantified the potential of ultra-low-cost solar to deliver 1,000 TWh per year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh per year for exports in Australia. The ARENA 30-30-30 vision aims for 30% solar module efficiency and an installed cost of $0.30 per watt by 2030, creating a 2,000 GW-scale solar market in Australia. This could support a fully decarbonized economy and large-scale production of green metals for global markets, changing the economics of Australia's energy transition. Cost reductions in heavy industry and closer cost parity with conventional production for green commodity production are expected as a result of ULC solar implementation.
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GridMarket to secure 5GW zero-emission power from Arbor Energy
Arbor Energy has partnered with GridMarket to provide up to 5GW of zero-emission baseload power for infrastructure projects starting in 2029. The power supply will support data centres, manufacturers, and logistics providers facing increasing energy demands from AI applications and industrial expansion. Arbor's HALCYON turbine, a fuel-flexible system capable of producing zero-emission power from natural gas, will be used in the agreement. The company plans to expand production to deliver more than 100 turbines per year by 2030 to help strengthen grid resilience through distributed power solutions. GridMarket will facilitate access to Arbor's power for clients, including data centre owners and land developers.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/gridmarket-to-secure-power-arbor-energy/
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Microsoft, NVIDIA team up to boost nuclear power with AI
Microsoft and NVIDIA are partnering to utilize artificial intelligence to enhance the entire lifecycle of nuclear power, focusing on addressing bottlenecks in design and regulatory review processes to streamline permitting, construction, and operation of reactors for increased construction of nuclear power plants. This initiative aims to make processes more efficient and repeatable, showcasing how AI can accelerate energy planning and enhance power generation. The partnership highlights the potential for AI to revolutionize the energy sector, with other companies like Google also leveraging AI to streamline processes in the industry.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/microsoft-nvidia-team-up-to-boost-nuclear-power-with-ai/
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Tesla advances plan to build 100 GW of U.S. PV manufacturing capacity by 2028
Tesla is making strides towards deploying 100 GW of solar manufacturing in the U.S. by 2028, with a focus on developing new equipment and processes for energy products at a large scale. The company is in discussions with Chinese firms to purchase $2.9 billion worth of solar equipment, including screen-printing production lines. CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to achieve the 100 GW solar power target in the U.S. within three years, showcasing a commitment to expanding renewable energy solutions.
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Entso-E report finds systemic failures behind 2025 Iberian blackout
Entso-E's final root cause report on the April 28, 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal identified systemic failures in voltage control, reactive power management, and regulatory frameworks, with manual disconnections and lack of real-time monitoring contributing to the blackout. The investigation was hindered by incomplete data, particularly from generators below 1 MW. Entso-E issued 22 recommendations to strengthen European grid resilience, focusing on voltage control, oscillatory stability, disconnection behavior, and defense and restoration, including improving reactive power resources, real-time visibility, and harmonizing operating voltage ranges. The article also discusses recommendations for improving small-scale generation, defense, and restoration in the context of climate-related incidents, suggesting adaptive load shedding schemes, better coordination among operators, and standardized data collection frameworks for future investigations.
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Google boosts grid flexibility in South and Midwest
Google is integrating 1 gigawatt of "demand response" into its utility contracts in the South and Midwest to make the U.S. power grid more stable and affordable. Demand response involves energy customers adjusting their operations based on the needs of the power grid, offering a potential solution to rapidly growing energy load forecasts. Google's data centers can help balance supply and demand, making electricity systems more affordable and reliable.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/google-boosts-grid-flexibility-in-south-and-midwest/