The country's biggest energy utilities, such as AGL and Origin, are focusing on transitioning to renewables, with good execution and reliability but poor future investment outlook. The biggest aluminium smelter is transitioning to 100% renewables with government funds and Snowy providing electricity. The ISP demonstrates that the NEM can run without coal or nuclear, using a mix of renewable and traditional energy sources. Major energy companies in Australia, like AGL, are urged to decarbonize and adapt to structural changes in the market to support climate solutions. Snowy is highlighted as a key player in the market for firming generation, with a need to balance supply and demand to avoid volatility and rising consumer costs.
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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Fertiliser from thin air? How farmers can make their own fertiliser from air, water and on-site renewables
PlasmaLeap, an Australian company, is developing modular systems that use electricity, air, and water to produce nitrogen fertiliser on farms. This technology aims to give farmers greater control over fertiliser costs and supply while reducing emissions associated with conventional production. PlasmaLeap's approach is different from traditional fertiliser production, as it uses electricity to produce chemicals traditionally made using fossil fuels. The technology is designed to be containerised, deployed close to where fertiliser is used, and powered by renewable energy, offering farmers certainty in supply and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. PlasmaLeap has received significant funding for commercial deployment and is working on manufacturing at scale and at a competitive cost to compete with the global fertilizer industry, with features like kill switches and remote sensing for safety and autonomy. Amid geopolitical turmoil and fertilizer price volatility, the technology's pitch to farmers is becoming increasingly compelling.
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Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter gets $2.5 billion to help transition from coal to wind and solar
Tomago Aluminium, Australia's largest aluminium smelter, is transitioning to renewables with a $2.5 billion government package, aiming to meet international demand for low carbon products by adding 3,000 MW of new solar and wind capacity. The deal, managed through Snowy Hydro, will reduce power costs by $35/MWh and support Rio Tinto's goal of operating on 100% renewable energy by 2033. Similar agreements have been made for smelters in Queensland, with a focus on decarbonization activities and grid support. This transition is crucial for Australia to remain competitive globally, unlock new renewable investments, create jobs, and modernize the energy grid for a cleaner, more resilient future.
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Tesla files tax incentive application for $10.1 billion Texas solar cell plant
Tesla is seeking a ten-year property tax limitation in Texas to support the construction of a $10.1 billion solar cell manufacturing facility named Project Crystal Sun near Richmond in Fort Bend County. The facility aims to create over 9,700 permanent full-time jobs and over 1,100 peak construction jobs, contributing to the local economy. By being fully vertically integrated, the plant will bring cell and wafer fabrication directly onto domestic soil, supporting Tesla's goal of achieving 100 GW of annual domestic solar manufacturing capacity. This significant investment represents a major step towards advancing sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
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Environmental News Network – Corn Stalks. It’s What’s for Dinner … If You’re a Microbe.
Engineers at UC San Diego have developed a versatile strain of bacteria that can feed on the sugars in corn stalks, showing potential for utilizing low-cost feedstocks like agricultural waste in biomanufacturing. By evolving strains under specific sugar mixtures, the research team has demonstrated the potential of leveraging evolution to create novel microbes for sustainable production processes. This work highlights the implications for biomanufacturing and the possibility of using mixed plastics as feedstocks, offering new solutions for sustainable production.
https://www.enn.com/articles/78236-corn-stalks-it-s-what-s-for-dinner-if-you-re-a-microbe
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World’s Largest 12.8 GWh Battery Storage Cluster Activated in China
Envision Group has integrated artificial intelligence into their 12.8-gigawatt-hour battery storage network in northern China, potentially becoming the world's largest single-site energy storage facility. The AI system optimizes operational decisions, interfaces with local electricity markets, and boosts revenue by 20% compared to traditional storage assets. This facility, part of a larger network in Inner Mongolia, completed successful grid verification testing and helps absorb surplus renewable energy while stabilizing power grids. Envision's infrastructure also powers industrial and computing facilities, like the Galaxy Campus in Ulanqab, providing continuous, zero-carbon electricity from regional wind farms.
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R&D 100 Awards Honor 4 NLR Innovations
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) was recognized with four R&D 100 Awards for innovative technologies, bringing their total to 80 since 1982. The winning technologies, such as ALTRIOS for rail system optimization, ENDURING for energy storage using sand, Pele Suite for simulating reacting flows, and pBPM for converting CO2 to organic compounds, offer scalable solutions for energy systems and infrastructure. These technologies not only showcase the talent and ingenuity of NLR researchers but also have the potential to increase carbon utilization, reduce production costs, and contribute to Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Disruption efforts. Additionally, the NLR was acknowledged for its contribution to a technology converting PET waste into value-added aromatics, further highlighting their commitment to sustainable solutions for the future of American energy.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/07/rd-100-awards-honor-4-nlr-innovations/
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Apollo Power claims certification first for lightweight flexible module
Israeli company Apollo Power has achieved Class A fire certification for its new flexible solar module, Panda Plus, offering a power output of 320 W across a 2 m2 area. This certification, a first for flexible solar panels, was achieved through improved materials and manufacturing techniques. Apollo Power is also working on an integrated solar-roofing product with a US roofing company to target residential and commercial rooftops with weight or design constraints. Additionally, the company manufactures solar charging systems for various applications, including automotive, defense, and disaster relief, with exclusive distribution agreements and partnerships to deploy flexible solar energy solutions at gas stations and on trucks and buses in the US. Apollo Power manufactures all its panels in Israel and distributes through tier-one partners and direct sales to large end users like Amazon.
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Base Power raises $1B to get big batteries into more homes
Climate solutions experts should focus on implementing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to combat climate change. Additionally, investing in energy efficiency measures and transitioning away from fossil fuels are crucial steps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is essential in achieving a sustainable future. It is important to prioritize climate solutions that have a positive impact on both the environment and society as a whole.
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The Resilience Advantage: How AirPlantTM Is Building a New Model for Industry
Twelve's AirPlant introduces a new platform for producing synthetic hydrocarbon products like E-Jet fuel and E-Naphtha by converting CO2 into carbon monoxide using renewable electricity. AirPlant One in Washington demonstrates the viability of power-to-liquid manufacturing on a commercial scale, showcasing the potential of diversifying production pathways and anchoring costs to long-term power agreements for a more resilient and sustainable approach to industrial manufacturing. The facility serves as a template for future plants to establish a broader, more flexible manufacturing network, ultimately building a more resilient foundation for industry.