Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Transportation

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

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-battery-innovator-lands-federal-grant-to-scope-out-giga-scale-local-lithium-sulfur-cell-factory/

  • African Nations Promote Locally Produced Solar Panels

    African countries, including Nigeria, are taking steps to lead the renewable energy revolution by investing in local clean energy design labs, research hubs, and manufacturing facilities. Nigeria has signed deals with Chinese manufacturers to build solar panel production factories and is aiming to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by generating 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Companies like Salpha Energy in Nigeria are already manufacturing solar systems and electric products, showcasing Africa's ability to produce and export green technologies. With the help of expertise transfer from Chinese companies, African nations are ramping up production and moving towards a future powered by renewable energy.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/17/african-nations-promote-locally-produced-solar-panels/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/14/spain-allocates-e2-billion-to-expand-clean-energy-and-industry-programs/

  • 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.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/14/cop30-draft-text-includes-energy-transition-minerals-in-un-climate-first/

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://www.c40.org/news/c40-cities-calls-for-cop30-to-raise-ambition-and-progress-plan-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels/

  • 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.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/14/sunbolt-is-leading-on-solar-power-workstations-at-educational-campuses/

  • 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/

  • Data centers can stack sustainability, energy innovations

    State laws are reshaping how data centers are built in the US, with a focus on fast-tracking power build-out and microgrids to address increasing electricity use that is putting pressure on grids and water resources. Communities are raising concerns over noise, water draw, and job creation related to new data centers, highlighting the need for creativity in planning to address sustainability, efficiency, and community benefits. Some data centers are exploring innovative solutions, such as using server heat and CO2 to fuel nearby greenhouses for food production. Emerging technologies can convert emissions into clean hydrogen, while integrating data centers with agriculture and carbon-utilization operations can create durable jobs and deeper community roots, prioritizing energy and water sustainability and community resilience for a win-win solution.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/data-centers-can-stack-sustainability-energy-innovations/805193/