Category: Industry, Materials & Waste

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

  • Powering resilience: How Indonesia is building a more secure energy future

    In Indonesia, United Nations agencies are collaborating with the Government to modernize the electricity grid, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy-intensive industries. Efforts include identifying solar energy potential, conducting energy audits, and supporting eco-industrial parks. The UN is also assisting Indonesia in unlocking finance for renewable energy projects and supporting workers through the energy transition. Additionally, UNDP is bringing cleaner energy technologies to coastal communities to reduce fuel consumption and support livelihoods, while UN Women and UNEP are empowering women entrepreneurs to access green finance and adopt climate-smart technologies. These initiatives aim to empower women, expand economic opportunities, and ensure that the benefits of the energy transition reach more people in Indonesia.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/06/1167784

  • Australia’s hybrid projects serving as blueprint for global energy transition

    Fluence, a US-based energy storage specialist, highlights Australia as a test bed for hybrid projects combining solar and battery storage behind a shared grid connection. The country's first large-scale solar-battery hybrid facility in New South Wales is setting the standard for future clean power models in the National Electricity Market (NEM). Data shows that all utility-scale solar projects committed in the NEM for 2027 and 2028 are paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS). Co-locating BESS with renewable generation is essential in Australia to ensure grid stability and reliability as renewable penetration increases. The risks associated with integrating solar and battery energy storage systems in Australia are primarily related to meeting Generator Performance Standards (GPS) set by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Fluence offers advanced system modelling and AI bidding software to mitigate these risks and ensure maximum value for customers. Long-term financial viability of these hybrid systems depends on technological innovation, market design, and operational excellence. Australia is seen as a global pioneer in testing and implementing solar and BESS models due to high levels of rooftop solar, a dynamic energy market, and supportive government policies. The country serves as a blueprint for the energy transition and provides a fertile ground for testing and proving the value of these systems at scale. Investors in Australia's renewable energy sector are seeking long-term policy certainty, stable revenue streams, and confidence in technology and partners. A clear national energy policy supporting renewables and energy storage is crucial. BESS technology is expected to rapidly evolve in the next five years, with advancements in system intelligence and software controls. Integrated BESS and solar assets are seen as key in meeting the energy demand from AI and data centers, supporting the growth of new industries and unlocking the full potential of a renewable-powered grid.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/23/australias-hybrid-projects-serving-as-blueprint-for-global-energy-transition/

  • How massive subsidies helped drive a 90% collapse in solar costs

    China has heavily subsidized its solar power-related manufacturing industries, investing $17.4 billion from 2010 through 2024, while OECD countries have only invested $3.9 billion over the same period. The price of electricity generated by solar panels has dropped by more than 90% during this time. In 2024, China supported over 500 gigawatts of output, with the U.S. and Europe deploying nearly $150 billion worth of solar power. Solar was the most subsidized industry, with $21 billion representing almost a fifth of the total value over the 2010 to 2024 period. The article also emphasizes the urgent need to address the pressing challenge of managing a warming climate that poses significant harm to humanity, with Americans dying from coal and gas air pollution as a result of solar panel bans, contributing to a global death toll climbing to millions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/22/the-worlds-magical-21-billion-investment/

  • India Needs 10 GWh of Battery Storage Now to Stop Coal’s Inflexibility Wasting Clean Power

    India's coal-based power plants are struggling to ramp down during midday solar surges, leading to renewable energy curtailment. Ember's analysis shows that around 10 GWh of battery storage is needed to absorb surplus energy and prevent curtailment. The lack of flexibility in the grid, with coal providing most of the reserves, is causing renewable curtailment to accommodate coal plants operating at their minimum technical loads. Without sufficient storage and flexibility, curtailment of clean electricity will continue to rise as solar capacity grows in India. The article discusses the increasing curtailment of solar and wind energy in India due to the lack of storage solutions, highlighting the need for battery storage projects to absorb surplus generation and provide downward reserves. It recommends allowing grid charging during solar surplus hours to reduce curtailment, lower system stress, and improve flexibility, emphasizing the importance of correcting the current framework to unlock the next phase of India's renewable energy growth. The Khavda project in Gujarat is cited as a successful and quick deployment model for battery storage projects.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/20/india-needs-10-gwh-of-battery-storage-now-to-stop-coals-inflexibility-wasting-clean-power/

  • Chart of the Day: Farewell King Coal, long live King Solar (and wind and batteries)

    In 2025, the world saw a significant shift towards renewable energy with 814 GW of new solar and wind capacity installed, surpassing the 158 GW of gross fossil fuel capacity. This transition has resulted in renewables overtaking coal in global electricity production for the first time, marking the end of the era of King Coal. Solar energy is leading the fastest shift in electricity generation in history, signaling the arrival of the age of King Solar, Wind, and Batteries. The trend towards renewable energy is still accelerating, highlighting the importance of continued investment and innovation in climate solutions.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/chart-of-the-day-farewell-king-coal-long-live-king-solar-and-wind-and-batteries/

  • Clean energy just hit record investment

    The IEA's World Energy Investment 2026 report reveals that clean energy is outpacing fossil fuels in investment, with solar energy leading the way due to decreased costs. Countries like the Philippines, African nations, and India are rapidly adopting renewable solutions in response to energy crises. However, the money is not reaching the countries that need it most, as coal and gas investments are on the rise. The urgency for an energy transition is evident, as investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure locks in decades of emissions. Governments and individuals have the choice to combat the climate crisis by investing in renewables and stopping the enablement of polluters.

    https://350.org/clean-energy-just-hit-record-investment/

  • Carbon Clean’s growth in India boosts UK manufacturing

    Carbon Clean's expansion into India is creating jobs in the UK, with around 250 UK jobs expected to be supported. The company's technology captures carbon emissions in industries like cement, steel, and power generation, with its Global Innovation Centre in Navi Mumbai used for testing and refining its technology. Carbon Clean's international growth is expected to generate £83 million in economic value for the UK over the next five years, supported by the UK Government. The company works with various organizations to make carbon capture scalable, cost-effective, and accessible, aiming to advance industrial decarbonisation. For more information, visit www.carbonclean.com.

    https://www.carbonclean.com/en/press-releases/uk-manufacturing

  • Made from Air: A New Era for Industry

    AirPlant One is a new industrial facility that manufactures fuels and materials from air, water, and electricity, marking a shift towards a new manufacturing paradigm called eManufacturing. This approach converts carbon dioxide and water into hydrocarbons using renewable power, extending the promise of Power-to-X technology beyond energy production. The facility produces sustainable aviation fuel and E-Naphtha, showcasing the potential for a fundamentally different industrial architecture where hydrocarbons can be manufactured rather than extracted. This development represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly industrial system. eManufacturing offers a pathway to cleaner fuels, chemicals, and materials, showing that a world made from air is possible and marking the beginning of a transformation in industrial systems for the next century.

    https://www.twelve.co/post/made-from-air-a-new-era-for-industry

  • Power Summit 2026: AI, security and the road to European electrification

    European power industry leaders and policymakers gathered in Helsinki for Eurelectric's Power Summit 2026 to discuss challenges such as AI's impact on the power sector, industrial electrification, and supply and infrastructure security. The power sector is facing unprecedented threats due to a spike in power demand, geopolitical uncertainties, and the need to decarbonize and digitalize. The conversation highlighted the need for better orchestration of electrification technologies in industry and the importance of supply security and geopolitical resilience, with AI being discussed as both a burden and an opportunity for the power industry. Investment in AI is growing and seen as beneficial to revenue by executives, while Nordic energy systems have been successful in decarbonizing electricity production over the past 50 years, leading to optimism for the future of the energy sector.

    https://www.power-technology.com/analysis/power-summit-2026-ai-security-and-the-road-to-european-electrification/

  • Turkey, Australia to push for global electrification goal at UN climate summit

    Turkey, as the host of COP31, is pushing for a collective target to electrify 35% of global energy use by 2035 in order to shield families and businesses from volatile energy markets, exacerbated by rising fossil fuel costs due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The electrification of daily life, including transport, buildings, and industry, is a central theme of the conference, with Turkey seeking to rally a global coalition to back this objective during their COP31 presidency.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/turkey-australia-to-push-for-global-electrification-goal-at-un-climate-summit/