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

  • Adani launches 1GW HVDC link in Mumbai, India

    Adani Energy Solutions has launched a 1GW HVDC transmission link in Mumbai, India, to bolster grid stability and energy security. The project features a 30km overhead line and a 50km underground corridor, along with compact HVDC substations tailored for urban areas. By enabling higher electricity intake from external sources, the link reduces dependence on local generation and lowers the risk of outages. Utilizing VSC-based HVDC technology allows for precise power flow control and enhanced voltage stability, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources into urban grids and enhancing grid resilience. This initiative represents a significant stride towards a cleaner and more robust energy future for Mumbai.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/adani-launches-1gw-hvdc-link-mumbai/

  • Span and Nvidia to develop AI data centers in your backyard, lowering electric bills

    Span has partnered with Nvidia to develop XFRA, a network of devices that convert unused electric capacity in homes and businesses into a distributed compute cloud. The nodes are placed at customer locations and connected to a smart service panel to manage energy usage, aiming to utilize untapped power capacity in residential homes and increase grid utilization. Homeowners and small businesses hosting the nodes will receive benefits such as discounted rates for electricity and internet, with the potential for optional solar installations to improve economics in high-cost markets. The XFRA program aims to create a synergistic, virtuous cycle that improves grid utilization and drives down per kilowatt hour electricity prices, offering significant opportunities for Span and broader benefits to all utility ratepayers in the long term.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/15/span-and-nvidia-to-develop-ai-data-centers-in-your-backyard-lowering-electric-bills/

  • Batteries included: Amazon makes record haul of hybrid renewable PPAs to power Australian AI push

    Amazon has made its largest ever renewables investment in Australia, signing nine new wind, solar, and battery storage power purchase agreements, including utility-scale solar-battery hybrids. The projects will have a combined capacity of 990 MW, enough to power over half a million households a year. Amazon's focus on projects with storage reflects the market's interest in hybrid solar and batteries, with plans to continue investing in solar and wind projects to support its expanding data centre infrastructure. The company is expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure powered by carbon-free energy and battery storage, aiming to reach net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040 as part of the Climate Pledge goal. Amazon is committed to not contracting fossil fuels and has become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Australia, focusing on reaching power offtake deals with partners to accelerate the clean energy transition.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/batteries-included-amazon-makes-record-haul-of-hybrid-renewable-ppas-to-power-australian-ai-push/

  • Stegra lands funding to complete world’s first major green-steel mill

    Stegra has secured 1.4 billion euros in funding to complete its green-steel mill in northern Sweden, utilizing green hydrogen to significantly decrease carbon emissions. The project's goal is to decarbonize Europe's industrial sector and pioneer lower-emissions technology. The facility will initially produce 2.5 million metric tons of steel annually, with intentions to double production in the future. Despite previous financial challenges and delays, Stegra is now accelerating construction activities and anticipates commencing steel production within 18 to 24 months.

    https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/stegra-funding-complete-mill

  • Australian company says its magnetic technology could be key to its green steel ambitions

    DryFlow Magnetics, an Australian company, is launching a commercial pilot at an iron ore mine in South Australia using magnetic technology to extract higher-grade iron ore for green steel production. This technology aims to reduce water usage by 95% and cut emissions by 90% compared to traditional steelmaking processes. With government support and investment in the industry, the company plans to scale up its technology to process 200 tonnes of material per hour, making Australia a dominant supplier of high-purity iron for green steel production.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-company-says-its-magnetic-technology-could-be-key-to-its-green-steel-ambitions/

  • Find The Lego: How Indonesia Can Turn Diesel Generator Retirement Into A Scalable Program

    Indonesia is strategically shifting towards replacing remote diesel generation with solar and batteries to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. The estimated capital cost for this transition is around $2.5 billion to $3.4 billion, with a payback period of 3 to 6 years. The country's challenge lies in the complexity of institutional economics and the geographical spread of its population across 17,000 islands. The focus is on creating repeatable infrastructure systems for diesel replacement, rather than custom engineering solutions, to drive down costs and increase efficiency in the renewable energy transition. The goal is to establish a durable and scalable deployment system that will lead to measurable reductions in diesel usage and improved performance across the board.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/14/find-the-lego-how-indonesia-can-turn-diesel-generator-retirement-into-a-scalable-program/

  • RWE installs CO2-reduced steel tower and recyclable blades

    RWE's Thor wind farm in the Danish North Sea is set to be fully operational by the end of 2027, featuring 72 turbines with up to 15MW capacity each. The project incorporates reduced-CO2 steel towers, recyclable rotor blades, and GreenerTower technology on 36 turbines, with 120 recyclable blades. Offshore construction is on track, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of offshore wind energy production. The project not only creates local job opportunities but also promotes a more sustainable approach to wind energy production.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/rwe-installs-co2-reduced-tower/

  • 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