Third Derivative and RMI are collaborating to advance passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) solutions to address the increasing cooling demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from traditional air conditioning. These technologies have the potential to lower indoor temperatures sustainably and affordably without electricity. Pilot projects in the US and India, supported by partners like the Autodesk Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund, will test the performance, affordability, and scalability of PDRC products. RMI's Global Cooling Initiative focuses on sustainable cooling solutions, while Third Derivative's Global Cooling Innovations page offers more information on innovative cooling solutions. Together, these efforts are crucial for expanding access to zero-energy cooling solutions in heat-vulnerable regions and advancing towards a more equitable climate future.
Category: Transportation
Cut emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift to Alternatives
– Electrify Vehicles
– Switch Fuels
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Europe’s Affordable Car Project Needs to Put the Va Va Voom into Small EVs
The EU is considering a "small affordable car initiative" to benefit consumers and the domestic car industry by focusing on small, affordable electric vehicles. The initiative aims to address the challenges of consumer affordability and industry competitiveness in the EV transition. Demand for small electric cars is high but uptake remains low due to limited options and higher upfront costs. European carmakers are preparing to launch new small BEV models to meet this demand and potentially boost production volumes back to pre-Covid levels. The initiative could lead to the sale of up to 1.5 million additional small EVs in the EU annually and create around 120,000 new jobs. The Small Affordable Electric Vehicle (SAEV) strategy aims to make clean mobility more accessible by producing compact electric cars in Europe with European-made batteries, targeting a price range of €15,000–€20,000 to put electric vehicles on par with small combustion cars. The strategy involves launching an Affordable EV Platform using ETS2 revenues to support the production of small electric cars in Europe, emphasizing the need for reforms in car labelling, favorable tax treatment, and targeted purchase support to make small EVs more affordable for low and middle-income drivers.
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America’s EVs are a $30B grid asset. Let’s not lock it away.
The article highlights the potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce electricity rates and provide grid benefits through managed charging technology. Pioneering programs in states like California and New York are proving the effectiveness of managed charging for thousands of drivers. The key question is how industry leaders will implement this technology – whether through an open, competitive marketplace or closed, proprietary systems. The focus is on building an open, interoperable system that accelerates innovation and maximizes the potential for growth in demand flexibility, leading to increased EV adoption, improved grid reliability, and reduced energy costs for consumers.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-vehicle-ev-grid-asset-charging-dr/805642/
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Australian battery innovator lands federal grant to scope out giga-scale local lithium-sulfur cell factory
Australian battery company Li-S Energy has received $7.86 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to build a giga-scale lithium-sulfur cell manufacturing facility with a production capacity of 1 gigawatt-hour per year. Their third-generation lithium sulfur technology offers 45% more energy density and is safer than lithium-ion batteries, potentially revolutionizing industries like drones and e-aviation. The funding will support fine-tuning manufacturing processes, expanding the workforce, and fast-tracking the commercialization of breakthrough battery technologies to aid in the clean energy transition for energy storage and transport. Innovations are being pursued to improve performance, increase energy density, and reduce costs in the battery sector, with support from Arena CEO Darren Miller.
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Spain allocates €2 billion to expand clean energy and industry programs
Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition has announced a €2 billion funding package to accelerate industrial capacity, expand renewable deployment, and enhance energy resilience. The program, funded through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Facility, focuses on industrial value chain development, renewable energy integration, electric mobility, and innovative thermal solutions. The package extends implementation deadlines and targets initiatives such as manufacturing renewable energy equipment, supporting renewable hydrogen projects, modernizing port infrastructure for offshore wind, and promoting electric mobility. The aim is to advance Spain's transition to a resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced energy landscape in line with European energy and industrial objectives.
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COP30 draft text includes energy transition minerals in UN climate first
Countries attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil are discussing the implications of extracting minerals for clean energy technologies, with a focus on the social and environmental risks of scaling up supply chains. The UN panel report emphasizes the importance of putting human rights at the core of mineral value chains, particularly for minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium that are in high demand. Developing countries, including African nations, are advocating for fair and sustainable mineral supply chains for the energy transition, highlighting the need for strong social and environmental safeguards, sustainable consumption patterns, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is debate over the inclusion of language on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with developing countries calling for technical assistance and international cooperation for a just energy transition, while developed countries are exploring alternatives to creating a new institution.
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Used EVs Pull New Duty As Guardians Of The Grid
The article discusses the benefits of purchasing used EVs, highlighting potential savings, grid balancing opportunities, and revenue generation through bidirectional charging. Newer EV models with higher driving ranges are retaining their value better than older models, debunking concerns over battery degradation. The inclusion of bidirectional charging technology in more EVs is expanding possibilities for using them as power generation stations to support local grids. A microgrid pilot project at Redwood Coast Airport in California is utilizing older Nissan Leafs to increase renewable energy, cut electricity costs, and participate in California's Emergency Load Reduction Program. The growing appeal of used EVs in the market is helping fortify US automakers and promote grid resiliency and mobility.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/14/used-evs-pull-new-duty-as-guardians-of-the-grid/
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C40 Cities calls for COP30 to raise ambition and progress plan to phase out fossil fuels
C40 member cities are leading the way in the fossil-free transition by committing to halving fossil fuel use by 2030 and implementing measures such as electrifying transport fleets and creating clean energy utilities. They are taking concrete actions to drive down fossil fuel use, scale renewable energy production, and ensure a fair and inclusive transition away from fossil fuels. Cities around the world are already implementing ambitious climate actions like solar minigrids and clean cooking solutions, with a focus on just and inclusive transitions. National governments must collaborate with cities to create a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels across various sectors and mobilizing finance at scale, ensuring a fair process that includes input from cities, workers, unions, and civil society.
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Sunbolt Is Leading On Solar Power Workstations At Educational Campuses
Sunbolt is a company specializing in solar-powered workstations and charging stations, providing reliable off-grid power solutions for vulnerable communities. Their products, including solar tables, seating areas, and charging hubs, run entirely on clean solar energy and have been installed in multiple states and countries. Each workstation generates between 700 watts and 1.4 kilowatts of solar power, helping organizations meet sustainability goals and cut carbon footprints. The units are easy to set up, self-ballasted, and require a flat surface with good sunlight. Overall, Sunbolt's workstations contribute to sustainability certifications and offer a practical solution for clean energy needs.
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The Death (and Life) of the Electric Car
The evolution of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. market has seen significant advancements, from the failure of the EV-1 to the rise of Tesla producing more affordable mass-market EVs. Public policies, advancements in battery technology, and improvements in EV chargers have made EVs more cost-effective and popular. EVs are now viewed as mobile energy storage devices that can provide backup power and interact with the grid for stability. Despite changes in government support, Ford and GM are investing in vehicle electrification, and innovations in battery recycling and energy storage systems are driving the persistence of electrification innovation. Plug In America, Tesla, and B2U Storage Solutions are credited for their contributions to clean energy technologies.
https://triplepundit.com/2025/the-death-and-life-of-the-electric-car/