Seven Pacific island nations are advocating for heftier levies on global shipping emissions to be included in the International Maritime Organization's Net-Zero Framework. The United States and Saudi Arabia are leading efforts to make changes to the deal, with the US threatening sanctions on non-compliant governments. Liberia's proposal for transitional fuels like natural gas and biofuels has US support, while the Pacific countries are pushing for a universal levy on all ship emissions to fund a just transition to a greener shipping industry. Greece and Cyprus initially abstained from a vote on a new shipping emissions levy, but Greece later expressed support after meetings with the US and Saudi Arabia. The International Maritime Organization warns that without a universal levy, there could be a patchwork of regional levies on pollution, making a universal levy the most credible way to meet climate goals and distribute revenues for green investments globally.
Category: Other Energy
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Meet The Offshore Wind Project That Survived The Trump Chopper
Despite political challenges under the Trump administration, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project led by Dominion Energy has continued to advance with larger, more powerful turbines. Governor Youngkin in Virginia has supported the project's progress, although a federal judge's ruling temporarily halted work on multiple wind projects. Despite delays, Dominion is on track to deliver electricity from turbines this year, demonstrating the resilience of offshore wind energy. The project has added 2.6 gigawatts to the nation's clean power profile and is exploring the potential of piggybacking wave energy converters to increase power generation and reduce costs, highlighting the promising future of marine energy as a solution for increasing renewable energy generation.
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Solar Power Project Completed On Capped Landfill In Rhode Island
The Coventry Landfill Solar project in Rhode Island, featuring a 5.740 MW solar array, demonstrates the dual-purpose use of landfills for solar power, providing environmental and economic benefits to local communities. Completed by the end of 2025 after the landfill was capped in 2020 using WatershedGeo® ClosureTurf®, the project employed approximately 77 electrical and civil workers, along with 15 part-time support employees, generating an estimated economic benefit of $4.4 million for the town. The solar system can power approximately 600 homes and avoid 3,759 tons of CO2 in year one and 88,545 tons over 25 years.
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Chinese scientists build ‘ultra-stable’ polymer solar cell with 19.1% efficiency
Researchers from Wuhan University of Technology in China have developed a polymer solar cell with 19.1% efficiency and remarkable stability by blending small-molecule acceptors into polymeric matrices. The incorporation of linearly packed small molecule acceptors disentangled polymeric chains, creating efficient pathways for charge transport and reducing degradation. The resulting devices retained 97% efficiency after 2,000 hours of operation in air, with an extrapolated lifetime exceeding 100,000 hours. This work provides a practical pathway towards commercialization of flexible organic photovoltaics, with various layers including a molybdenum trioxide hole transport layer and a buckminsterfullerene electron transport layer contributing to the cell's success.
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Construction begins on Karangkates floating solar plant at Indonesian dam
Physical construction has begun on the 100MWac Karangkates Floating Solar Power Plant at Karangkates Dam in Indonesia, a joint initiative between PLN Nusantara Renewables, GD Power Hongkong, and PJT I. This project integrates renewable energy with water infrastructure to optimize dam assets without compromising safety and water management functions. By utilizing floating solar technology on reservoirs, the project helps avoid land acquisition and reduce surface water evaporation, contributing to Indonesia's renewable energy expansion under the national Net Zero Emissions target.
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Curbing methane is the fastest way to slow warming – but we’re off the pace
Scientists, policy makers, and leaders are gathering to discuss the urgent need to rapidly cut methane emissions, which are still rising due to human activities. The Global Methane Pledge aims for a 30% reduction in global emissions by 2030, with progress showing a potential 8% reduction if commitments are fully implemented. The key challenge lies in implementation rather than technology, with the energy sector holding the most potential for methane reduction. Immediate investment in improved landfills, circular waste systems, and new measurement tools is crucial to meet the global targets and combat climate change effectively. Leaders are urged to prioritize sustainability, implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and protect natural ecosystems for a more resilient and sustainable future for the planet.
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Bolivia creates net metering scheme for medium-voltage distributed generation
Bolivia's government has approved Supreme Decree 5549, establishing a medium-scale distributed generation category for renewable projects between 1 MW and 6 MW. This decree simplifies procedures for connecting to medium-voltage networks, sets a remuneration scheme for energy injected into the system, and aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity market. It promotes self-consumption, decentralization of generation, and the use of resources such as solar, hydropower, and biomass. Implementation will follow a phased approach, starting with the private sector and later extending to commercial and residential users.
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Wind plans for huge South Australia renewables precinct get federal green light
Neoen's Goyder wind and solar project in South Australia has received approval for stages 1 and 2 of the northern section, with plans for 99 turbines and a 600 MW capacity, including a 225 MW/900MWh battery energy storage system. The project aims to achieve over 2.6 GW of wind and solar generation, multiple batteries, and new transmission lines to connect to demand centers, with contracts signed with BHP for wind capacity to power mining operations. The urgent need for climate solutions is emphasized in light of the health and environmental issues related to climate change, including increased heat-related illnesses, the spread of diseases, extreme weather events, and habitat destruction.
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Competition Is Heating Up In The US Energy Storage Space
Form Energy, a startup from Massachusetts, has developed an iron-air battery for long duration energy storage, surpassing Tesla's Megapack 3 in terms of duration. The company secured a 300-megawatt, 100-hour energy storage deal with Xcel Energy and Google, aiming to provide cost-effective, safe, and reliable energy storage solutions for a grid saturated with wind and solar power. Xcel Energy is moving forward with plans to deploy a Form iron-air battery in its energy plan for a new Google data center in Minnesota, pending approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The technology involves iron pellets that rust when exposed to air, releasing energy, and can be recharged by applying electricity, with Form Energy receiving funding to establish a factory in West Virginia for mass production of their iron-air batteries.
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Google to deploy world’s largest iron-air battery for US data center
Google has partnered with Xcel Energy to implement a 300 MW/30 GWh iron-air battery system in Minnesota, alongside 1.6 GW of new wind and solar energy. Developed by Form Energy, this project aims to offer long-duration energy storage to stabilize intermittent renewables. The iron-air batteries have the capability to store renewables-generated electricity for up to 100 hours, making them a viable alternative to traditional power plants. This initiative is a key component of Google's commitment to decarbonization and meeting the energy needs of the AI era.