Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Transportation

Cut emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift to Alternatives
– Electrify Vehicles
– Switch Fuels

  • Solar microgrid brings energy security to White Earth Nation

    The White Earth Nation's Pine Point community in Minnesota is advancing a community-owned resilience project with a 500-kilowatt solar array and battery storage to provide energy security and emergency backup power. Despite facing obstacles, including frozen federal grant programs, the project received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's ES4SE Program and the Minnesota Solar for Schools program. Led by climate justice developer 10Power, the project aims to provide clean, reliable power while also incorporating an Ojibwe-language educational program and job fair. The Pine Point Resilience Hub is expected to come online in early 2026, serving as a model for community-owned energy in northern Minnesota and connecting energy technology with cultural identity and language revitalization.

    https://generation180.org/blog/solar-microgrid-brings-energy-security-to-white-earth-nation/

  • Huawei unveils next-generation solutions for C&I energy and e-mobility

    Huawei has unveiled its latest advancements in commercial and industrial (C&I) energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the versatile C&I One-Fits-All Solution and the ultra-fast FusionCharge solution capable of adding 200 km of range in 5 minutes. The LUNA2000-215 Series offers high system round-trip efficiency and extended battery life. Additionally, Huawei has introduced a new safety architecture for improved electrical and thermal safety, showcasing their commitment to innovative climate solutions in the energy and transportation sectors.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/20/huawei-unveils-next-generation-solutions-for-ci-energy-and-e-mobility/

  • How to balance power losses, cost effectiveness in PV-BESS-driven EV charging stations

    Scientists in India have developed a novel method for optimizing the placement and operation of EV charging stations with PV generation and battery storage, aiming to improve power flow efficiency, reduce emissions and expenses, and make EVs a practical choice for all drivers. The method includes an optimization component for station placement and sizing, a hierarchization component for determining the order in which EVs are charged, and uses a multi-objective optimization algorithm and analytical hierarchy process to allocate charging spots based on various parameters. Testing the method's effectiveness in a network with two EV charging stations showed promising results, with potential for further integration of AI for predictive EV traffic modeling and hybrid renewables like wind to optimize larger networks and drive down costs and emissions for a seamless transition to electrified transport worldwide.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/20/how-to-balance-power-losses-cost-effectiveness-in-pv-bess-driven-ev-charging-stations/

  • BYD Gets About Twenty Patents a Day, Adding up to 50,000 Technologies Already Authorized

    BYD Philippines is a vertically integrated conglomerate with a strong focus on electric vehicles, solar energy, and battery technology. The company's extensive patent portfolio and deep vertical integration allow for control over supply chain and costs, ensuring quality and value for customers. BYD's Blade Battery and e-Platform 3.0 showcase advancements in safety, performance, and integration of key components. Additionally, the company's involvement in solar energy and battery storage systems further solidifies its position as a leader in clean energy solutions, offering a comprehensive approach to zero-emission energy solutions across various sectors.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/20/byd-gets-about-twenty-patents-a-day-adding-up-to-50000-technologies-already-authorized/

  • SunCable secures Northern Territory land deal for Australian solar farm

    SunCable has reached a 70-year agreement with traditional owners to build a 12,000-hectare solar farm in the Northern Territory, aiming to deliver up to 6 GW of renewable electricity to industrial customers in Australia and Southeast Asia. The project includes economic benefits for the local community, strict environmental protection measures, and highlights the potential for large-scale energy projects developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, the company is proposing to build a large-scale solar and battery energy storage precinct on Muckaty Station, supporting the SunCable project and expanding clean energy infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/suncable-secures-northern-territory-land-deal-for-australian-solar-farm/

  • Kia Reveals New PV5 Chassis Cab

    Kia has unveiled its new PV5 Chassis Cab, part of its modular Platform Beyond Vehicle electric fleet lineup, at the SOLUTRANS 2025 event in Lyon, France. The model offers a modern, sleek design and is designed for electrification, efficiency, and conversion flexibility, supporting a range of professional conversions. With a range of up to 416 kilometers and fast charging capabilities, the PV5 Chassis Cab includes advanced driver assistance systems, a 7-year warranty, and an Android OS infotainment system. Kia also provides a comprehensive charging network and solutions for home and depot charging, aiming to help cities accelerate climate action by promoting zero-emissions transportation policies and meet the needs of businesses with flexibility for future demands.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/18/kia-reveals-new-pv5-chassis-cab/

  • Environmental News Network – Concordia Researchers Model a Sustainable, Solar-Powered 15-Minute City

    Researchers at Concordia have proposed a new model for urban development that integrates the 15-minute city concept, renewable energy generation, green transportation, and urban agriculture. By transporting urban agriculture with electric vehicles to local outlets, this model aims to revolutionize urban living, eating, and shopping while combatting rising greenhouse gas emissions and fuel prices. The goal is to reduce emissions, build urban agriculture infrastructure, and strengthen community bonds by bringing daily needs closer to residents and minimizing fossil-fuel-consuming trips.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77439-concordia-researchers-model-a-sustainable-solar-powered-15-minute-city

  • Sodium-ion battery storage for ultra-low temperatures

    Researchers from Purdue University have developed a sodium-ion battery pouch cell that can operate reliably at temperatures as low as -100 C, achieving specific energy levels of 96 Wh/kg at room temperature, 74 Wh/kg at -25 C, and 46 Wh/kg at -50 C. The battery was tested with renewable energy sources like wind and solar, showing stable performance in both laboratory and field conditions. This sodium-ion battery technology is considered a more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium compounds. The research paves the way for sustainable battery energy storage systems in harsh climates and space applications, with potential for solar energy storage in extreme conditions like deep-space missions or cold climates. Scientists are now exploring other solar cell and battery combinations for extreme environments, such as high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with sustainable battery chemistries.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/sodium-ion-battery-storage-for-ultra-low-temperatures/

  • RMI and Third Derivative Advance Cooling Innovations to Combat Global Heat Crisis

    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.

    https://rmi.org/press-release/rmi-and-third-derivative-advance-cooling-innovations-to-combat-global-heat-crisis/

  • 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.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/17/europes-affordable-car-project-needs-to-put-the-va-va-voom-into-small-evs/