Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Transportation

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

  • A Coal Town Reborn

    The town of Loos-en-Gohelle in France has successfully transitioned from a coal mining economy to a sustainable one, with solar panels powering 90% of public energy needs by 2021. The town embraced its mining heritage and involved locals in the transformation process, leading to a diverse range of projects in clean energy, agriculture, biodiversity protection, and more. Citizen participation was key in this transition, which took decades and involved breaking away from the control of mining companies. The success of Loos-en-Gohelle has inspired others to replicate its citizen-powered transition model, with the founding of La Fabrique des Transitions to spread its methods nationwide, potentially impacting France's climate transition efforts.

    https://reasonstobecheerful.world/france-coal-town-reborn-loos-en-gohelle/

  • India installs more than 2.08 million rooftop solar systems under PM scheme

    Since early 2024, India has installed over 2.08 million rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana program, with INR 147.7 billion in central subsidies disbursed. The initiative has benefited over 2.6 million households nationwide, with Gujarat leading in implementation. The program provides upfront subsidies for residential consumers to install rooftop solar systems, aiming to generate renewable electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Deployment of rooftop solar systems across 10 million households could generate up to 1,000 billion units of renewable electricity and reduce emissions by 720 million metric tons over 25 years.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/04/india-installs-more-than-2-08-million-rooftop-solar-systems-under-pm-scheme/

  • German researchers develop sodium-ion battery based on lignin

    German researchers have developed a sodium-ion battery technology using lignin-based hard carbon as the negative electrode, showing no significant degradation after 100 cycles. Lignin, a by-product of the wood and pulp industry, was chosen for its conductivity and electron storage capabilities. The goal is to achieve 200 cycles for the 1-Ah full cell, targeting stationary or mobile storage applications. This project supports independence from critical raw materials and aims to transition to cheaper, more sustainable batteries.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/05/german-researchers-develop-sodium-ion-battery-based-on-lignin/

  • Onyx Solar BIPV solution turns skyscraper skin into power source

    Onyx Solar is installing a custom building integrated PV system at Atlassian's new headquarters in Sydney, featuring 1,794 solar glass 'louvres' that act as a self-shading system to reduce heat gain and enhance energy efficiency. This PV glazed facade allows natural light to enter, reducing the need for artificial lighting and lowering energy consumption. The BIPV system enables the building to generate its own energy while maintaining comfort and aesthetics, with Atlassian aiming for 100% renewable energy operation by 2027.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/03/onyx-solar-bipv-solution-turns-skyscraper-skin-into-power-source/

  • Systems Stewardship: How investors are responding to systemic risks

    The Net Zero Investment Framework emphasizes systems stewardship to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and policy fragmentation by advocating for policy changes and influencing systems, rules, norms, and policies to promote decarbonization. This approach extends beyond company-level engagement to tackle systemic risks that can impact entire markets and economies, such as the transition of hard-to-abate sectors like the steel industry towards net zero emissions. Challenges in decarbonizing steel companies can be overcome with advancements, policy support, and demand for green steel, while enablers for systems stewardship include collaboration and collective action through platforms like IIGCC. Investors are increasingly focusing on systems stewardship, as demonstrated by initiatives like the Asset Owner Statement on Climate Stewardship and Aviva Investors' holistic approach to engaging at micro and macro levels, highlighting the importance of effective policy engagement and building relationships with policymakers to drive economic growth opportunities.

    https://www.iigcc.org/insights/systems-stewardship-how-investors-are-responding-to-systemic-risk

  • Environmental News Network – Hydrogen Power Gets a Spark, Thanks to SDSC’s Expanse

    Researchers at the University of California San Diego are using simulations to study hydrogen combustion for safer industrial applications, focusing on creating stable "lifted flames" in gas-turbine combustors. This research is crucial as hydrogen burns clean but can be unstable if not carefully managed. By utilizing supercomputers for precise simulations, the design of zero-carbon gas turbines could be reshaped in the future.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77748-hydrogen-power-gets-a-spark-thanks-to-sdsc-s-expanse

  • Why Waiting on Grid Batteries Will Cost Ontario More Than Acting Now

    The discussion in Ottawa highlighted the rapid growth of grid batteries globally, emphasizing the need for different solutions for seasonal peaks and the importance of balancing supply and demand in electricity systems. Automated systems are increasingly managing grid operations, with a focus on renewable energy integration and energy storage solutions like batteries and electric vehicles. The conversation also touched on the reliability of different energy sources, the impact of falling battery prices on the energy landscape, and the potential for software and batteries to replace traditional infrastructure upgrades. Overall, the focus is on the evolving dynamics of the energy sector towards more sustainable and efficient solutions, with batteries playing a crucial role in cost-effective flexibility options when paired with new generation and thoughtful system planning.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/02/why-waiting-on-grid-batteries-will-cost-ontario-more-than-acting-now/

  • The impact of microclimate effects on floating PV plants

    French researchers have developed a high-resolution computational framework to model microclimate effects of large floating solar PV systems, ground-mounted installations, and agrivoltaic systems. The model can inform thermal performance, environmental impacts, and optimize designs for utility-scale floating PV. It allows for accurate predictions of heat transfer, ambient temperatures, and water evaporation based on panel configuration and wind conditions. Additionally, researchers are developing CFD models to predict energy output and environmental trade-offs of dual-use photovoltaic systems and FPV evaporation research, as well as an agrivoltaics CFD-plant model to predict crop response below PV canopies. The study involves Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussees, Electricité de France RD, and Université Claude Bernard.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/the-impact-of-microclimate-effects-on-floating-pv-plants/

  • BYD’s Turquois T-Shaped Second-Generation Flash Chargers Seen At Dealers Ahead Of Launch

    BYD has revealed the next generation of "Flash Chargers" with up to 1200 kW of charging power, an upgrade from the previous model, aiming to make electric vehicle charging faster and more convenient. The company is introducing new electric vehicles with 1000V architecture and flash charging capabilities, expanding rapidly in China and Europe. A new flash charging ecosystem is emerging at "China speed," potentially changing how people use EVs and making traditional ICE vehicles less relevant. Overall, BYD is focusing on improving power and design aspects of their chargers to enable smooth and efficient usage, with 5-minute charging potentially becoming standard globally.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/02/byds-turquois-t-shaped-second-generation-flash-chargers-seen-at-dealers-ahead-of-launch/

  • SpaceX Proposes One Million Solar Powered Data Centers In Earth Orbit

    The demand for artificial intelligence is driving the need for more electricity, with predictions of up to 20% of global electricity generation being required. Fossil fuel advocates and nuclear power supporters see opportunities for new power stations, but the lack of renewable energy to power data centers remains an issue. Some countries, like Ireland, are mandating that new data centers source 80% of their power from renewables, while the US continues to operate older coal plants despite higher costs and pollution. SpaceX has proposed launching solar-powered satellites to serve as data centers, aiming to reduce environmental impact and energy costs. The section also discusses the Kardashev Scale, which categorizes civilizations based on their energy consumption capabilities, and highlights concerns about satellite pollution and debris in Earth's orbit, as well as the potential power and influence of Elon Musk in controlling global data.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/01/spacex-proposes-one-million-solar-powered-data-centers-in-earth-orbit/