Know What's Happening in ClimateTech

On‑site Fossil Power Becomes Liability; Choose Clean Grid Solutions
SocialFeb 19, 2026

On‑site Fossil Power Becomes Liability; Choose Clean Grid Solutions

On-site fossil generation is quickly becoming a big liability for data center developers. At Firma Power, we're supplying clean power solutions for grid connected data centers and a real alternative to this polluting path to power.

By Jesse D. Jenkins
Octopus Expands US Portfolio with California Solar-Storage Acquisition
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Octopus Expands US Portfolio with California Solar-Storage Acquisition

Octopus acquires California solar-plus-storage project as part of US$1 billion investment #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/Cv3DZMxKvt

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Thai Capital Market Aligns with Climate Vows
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Thai Capital Market Aligns with Climate Vows

Thailand’s leading capital‑market players – the Government Pension Fund, the Association of Investment Management Companies and the Stock Exchange of Thailand – have launched a coordinated strategy to align listed firms with the country’s nationally determined contributions under the Paris...

By Bangkok Post – Investment (subset within Business)
Battery Storage Ushers in European Energy Resilience
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Battery Storage Ushers in European Energy Resilience

Battery storage can help establish a new era of European energy resilience #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/H4SPIjSkjN

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
NREL Measures UV Degradation in TOPCon Solar Cells
SocialFeb 19, 2026

NREL Measures UV Degradation in TOPCon Solar Cells

NREL researchers quantify UV-induced degradation levels in TOPCon solar cells #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/xLGnfYrybS

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
E.P.A. Plans to Loosen Mercury Rules for Coal Plants, Documents Show
NewsFeb 18, 2026

E.P.A. Plans to Loosen Mercury Rules for Coal Plants, Documents Show

The Environmental Protection Agency is set to loosen federal mercury limits for coal‑burning power plants, permitting higher emissions of the neurotoxic metal. Agency officials argue the change will cut "unwarranted costs" for utilities, estimating up to $670 million in savings between...

By The New York Times – Climate
States Sue Trump Over Blocked Renewable Funding
SocialFeb 19, 2026

States Sue Trump Over Blocked Renewable Funding

States sue Trump administration for blocking funded renewable projects Congress approved the money. The White House froze it. Now states are daring the courts to decide if the Constitution still stands. https://t.co/rYIh7fS9kw #ClimatePolicy #Federalism #EnergyPolitics #IRA #USPolitics

By Art Berman Blog
Australia Adds 4.9 GWh Batteries in 2025, Equalling 2017
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Australia Adds 4.9 GWh Batteries in 2025, Equalling 2017

Australia commissions 4.9GWh of grid-scale batteries in 2025, matching entire 2017-2024 output #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/xEhWE79UGs

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Utah ‘Gigasite’ Data Center Contemplates Solar-Storage Baseload Addition
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Utah ‘Gigasite’ Data Center Contemplates Solar-Storage Baseload Addition

Zeo Energy Corp. has signed a non‑binding MOU with Creekstone Energy to evaluate a 280 MW solar‑plus‑storage system for the Delta Gigasite data‑center campus in Utah. The study will focus on photovoltaic generation paired with long‑duration thermal, chemical or electrochemical storage,...

By POWER Magazine
Winter Storm Leaves Solar Power Completely Ineffective
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Winter Storm Leaves Solar Power Completely Ineffective

As badly as wind performed during recent winter weather, solar performed far, far worse. As often happens during winter storms, solar was mostly or totally useless during the times of highest demand (evening and early morning). In Florida, which was hit later...

By Alex Epstein
FirstEnergy Subsidiaries Select Site for New 1.2 GW Natural Gas Plant in West Virginia
NewsFeb 18, 2026

FirstEnergy Subsidiaries Select Site for New 1.2 GW Natural Gas Plant in West Virginia

FirstEnergy subsidiaries have identified a West Virginia site for a 1.2 GW natural‑gas power plant, adding to a wave of large‑scale energy projects highlighted this week. Parallel announcements include a 9.2 GW Ohio gas mega‑plant tied to a U.S.–Japan $550 B investment pledge,...

By Power Engineering
INL Enlists NVIDIA on ‘PROMETHEUS’ AI Effort to Halve Nuclear Deployment Timelines Under DOE Genesis Mission
NewsFeb 18, 2026

INL Enlists NVIDIA on ‘PROMETHEUS’ AI Effort to Halve Nuclear Deployment Timelines Under DOE Genesis Mission

Idaho National Laboratory has teamed with NVIDIA to launch PROMETHEUS, an AI‑driven autonomous reactor demonstration under the DOE Genesis Mission. The partnership targets a 50% reduction in nuclear deployment timelines and multi‑billion‑dollar cost savings by embedding AI across design, licensing,...

By POWER Magazine
Google Teams Up with CTC Global for Grid Intelligence
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Google Teams Up with CTC Global for Grid Intelligence

Google Cloud and Alphabet’s moonshot project Tapestry have deepened their partnership with CTC Global to launch GridVista, an observability platform that embeds optical‑fiber sensors in transmission conductors. The system delivers real‑time strain, temperature and vibration data, feeding it into Google...

By Data Center Knowledge
Balcony Solar in the UK
BlogFeb 18, 2026

Balcony Solar in the UK

Plug‑in or balcony solar lets households connect small PV arrays directly to a wall socket, bypassing traditional wiring and electrician costs. The UK currently bans this approach, unlike 25 of 27 EU states that have deregulated it after safety certifications....

By Carbon Commentary
The Energy Transition Has a Price
NewsFeb 18, 2026

The Energy Transition Has a Price

Ernest Scheyder’s book *The War Below* chronicles the hidden battle over lithium, copper and other critical minerals needed for the global energy transition. The author travels from Nevada to Bolivia, interviewing miners, activists, investors and Indigenous communities to illustrate the...

By Engineering & Mining Journal (E&MJ)
ECL Targets AI Data Centers with Fuel-Agnostic Power Platform
NewsFeb 18, 2026

ECL Targets AI Data Centers with Fuel-Agnostic Power Platform

ECL unveiled FlexGrid, a power‑agnostic platform that lets modular data centers draw electricity from hydrogen, natural gas, renewables or diesel. The system is designed for AI training and inferencing workloads, allowing operators to start with modest 2‑10 MW grid connections and...

By Network World
Luxembourg Launches New Tender for C&I Solar
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Luxembourg Launches New Tender for C&I Solar

Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy has opened a €3 million tender to fund commercial and industrial solar projects between 30 kW and 200 kW. Applications are accepted until April 17 and are split into three lots covering rooftop, façade and car‑port installations. Projects that...

By pv magazine
First Gen Powers Lyceum Satellite Campuses
NewsFeb 18, 2026

First Gen Powers Lyceum Satellite Campuses

First Gen Corp. will supply over 1,150 kW of geothermal electricity to Lyceum of the Philippines University’s satellite campuses in Batangas and Laguna. The deal, enabled by the retail aggregation program, lets the campuses pool demand to meet the 500‑kW threshold...

By Philstar – Business
CleanChoice Energy Triples Capacity with Solar Acquisitions in North Carolina
NewsFeb 18, 2026

CleanChoice Energy Triples Capacity with Solar Acquisitions in North Carolina

CleanChoice Energy announced the acquisition of two utility‑scale solar projects in North Carolina—Sumac (103.92 MW) and Sweetleaf (118.3 MW)—adding 222.2 MW of capacity and tripling its portfolio. Construction is slated to start early 2027 with grid interconnection to the PJM market expected in...

By POWER Magazine
Plaid Promises Welsh Communities Share of Renewable Energy Profits
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Plaid Promises Welsh Communities Share of Renewable Energy Profits

Plaid Cymru announced that a future Welsh government would require renewable projects larger than 10 MW to allocate a 15‑25% community‑ownership stake, ensuring locals share in profits. The party also plans to create a national energy body to manage large‑scale wind...

By BBC News – Science & Environment
From UAV Spraying to Climate Intelligence: What Research Reveals About Sustainable Agri-UAS Deployment
NewsFeb 18, 2026

From UAV Spraying to Climate Intelligence: What Research Reveals About Sustainable Agri-UAS Deployment

Recent research on agricultural UAVs in India shows that drones can deliver genuine sustainability gains, but only when design, flight parameters, and data‑driven decisions are optimized. Life‑cycle assessments reveal reductions in water use, chemical load, and operator exposure under ideal...

By Commercial UAV News (if feed accessible)
As Trump Obliterates Climate Efforts, States Try to Fill the Gap
NewsFeb 18, 2026

As Trump Obliterates Climate Efforts, States Try to Fill the Gap

Democratic‑led states are accelerating climate initiatives as the Trump administration moves to roll back federal greenhouse‑gas regulations. Colorado proposes a $2,000 tax credit for new electric vehicles, Virginia is streamlining approvals for large solar farms, and California aims to make...

By The New York Times – Climate
IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability

Net zero & climate analysis are fully compatible with the IEA’s mission of promoting energy security, economic stability & cooperation among member states @AzizSapphire @SecretaryWright is right that IEA went too far but wrong saying that net zero was all it...

By Art Berman Blog
High‑Voltage DC Cuts AI Data Center Costs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

High‑Voltage DC Cuts AI Data Center Costs

High-voltage DC design targets AI data center costs #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/xe594PCmhP

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
UK Trial Shows Potential of Hydrogen Powered Ground Handling Equipment
NewsFeb 18, 2026

UK Trial Shows Potential of Hydrogen Powered Ground Handling Equipment

A successful trial at Exeter Airport demonstrated that hydrogen‑powered ground handling equipment—including a hydrogen internal‑combustion tug, a fuel‑cell baggage tractor and a hybrid hydrogen‑diesel GPU—can be safely integrated into live airport operations. The Zero Carbon Turn project, backed by the...

By Airport World
Solid‑state Batteries Outshine Li‑ion, Na‑ion Safety
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Solid‑state Batteries Outshine Li‑ion, Na‑ion Safety

Comparing safety profiles of lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state batteries #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/2EDdejzvGR

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Fortescue's Repeating Solar Tracker Model Boosts Pilbara Innovation
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Fortescue's Repeating Solar Tracker Model Boosts Pilbara Innovation

“Tracker, panel, rinse, repeat:” How Fortescue is driving solar innovation in the Pilbara #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/t0Jovxaw7c https://t.co/NwSYabiAHC

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Volkswagen Launches The All-New Caravelle PHEV In South Africa
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Volkswagen Launches The All-New Caravelle PHEV In South Africa

Volkswagen is set to launch the all‑new Caravelle plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) in South Africa mid‑2026, joining a market where PHEV sales surged 280% year‑over‑year to 2,808 units, representing a 0.47% share of new‑vehicle sales. The Caravelle rides on VW’s MQB...

By CleanTechnica
Quinbrook Activates 619 MWh Supernode BESS in Queensland
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Quinbrook Activates 619 MWh Supernode BESS in Queensland

Quinbrook powers up 619MWh Supernode Stage One BESS in Queensland, Australia #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/ImIlFzLmCY

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Four Decades of Tracking Sun‑Earth Energy Balance
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Four Decades of Tracking Sun‑Earth Energy Balance

42 Years of Measuring the Sun, the Earth and the Energy in Between https://t.co/uZalndm6yv 5 min read 42 Years of Measuring the Sun, the Earth and the Energy in Between By Denise Lineberry NASA’s Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), a part of th…...

By Stage Zero Studio
DG Matrix, Which Builds Solid-State Transformers to Handle up to 2.4 MW and Boost Data Center Power Efficiency, Raised a...
NewsFeb 18, 2026

DG Matrix, Which Builds Solid-State Transformers to Handle up to 2.4 MW and Boost Data Center Power Efficiency, Raised a...

DG Matrix, a startup developing solid‑state transformers (SSTs) for data centers, announced a $60 million Series A round led by Engine Ventures. The company’s SSTs can handle up to 2.4 MW, promising higher efficiency and reduced footprint compared with legacy transformer technology....

By Techmeme
Farmland Protection Concerns Stall Renewable Energy Projects
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Farmland Protection Concerns Stall Renewable Energy Projects

Fear of farmland loss slows solar and wind development #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/wVWoSEYkxG

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Solar Needs High‑resolution Data to Curb Weather‑related Curtailments
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Solar Needs High‑resolution Data to Curb Weather‑related Curtailments

Solar needs ‘high-resolution data’ to manage weather and grid curtailments, says expert #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/WT0iWKJmc7

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
What It Takes to Thrive in Residential Solar for 20 Years
NewsFeb 18, 2026

What It Takes to Thrive in Residential Solar for 20 Years

Residential solar has shifted from simple ownership to complex financing, inflating soft costs despite falling panel prices. Companies that prioritize operational discipline, lean processes, and transparent pricing are better equipped to survive policy volatility. Reducing soft costs through workflow consolidation...

By Solar Power World
Solar and Wind Capacity Is an Illusion, Storm Proves
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Solar and Wind Capacity Is an Illusion, Storm Proves

For solar and wind, “capacity” is the maximum potential electricity it can generate when there are perfect weather conditions. Storm Fern showed how in real-world conditions, solar and wind’s “capacity” is an illusion.

By Alex Epstein
Brazil Finalizes Battery Auction Rules, 20 GW Ready
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Brazil Finalizes Battery Auction Rules, 20 GW Ready

Brazil reserve battery auction rules near finalization with 20 GW lined up #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/tJ8et2sYH3

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Slow Start to Global 2026 BESS Deployments in January, China Continues to Dominate
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Slow Start to Global 2026 BESS Deployments in January, China Continues to Dominate

Global grid‑scale battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments slowed sharply in January 2026, with only 3.5 GW/10.5 GWh coming online – a 25 % drop from the same month last year. China, still the dominant market, added 1.9 GW/6.2 GWh, reflecting a 30‑50 % decline amid...

By Energy Storage News
Chris Wright Threatens to Quit Global Energy Watchdog
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Chris Wright Threatens to Quit Global Energy Watchdog

Chris Wright Threatens to Withdraw from Global Energy Watchdog #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/8MEj9rfplc https://t.co/TYy0FLuuf8

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Philippines Launches World's Largest Solar‑battery Hybrid Plant
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Philippines Launches World's Largest Solar‑battery Hybrid Plant

World’s largest solar-battery hybrid project powers up in the Philippines #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/ApvTRwFUhX https://t.co/LFEa9eVMSQ

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
1606 Corp to Acquire Plot of Land in Texas for AI Data Center Development
NewsFeb 18, 2026

1606 Corp to Acquire Plot of Land in Texas for AI Data Center Development

1606 Corp signed a non‑binding term sheet to acquire roughly 132 acres in Lufkin, Texas, including a 55 MW natural‑gas power plant and a 50,000 sq ft warehouse for an AI‑focused data center. The transaction is priced at about $11.67 million, combining $7.5 million in...

By Data Center Dynamics
IEA Shifts Priorities to Security, Clean Energy, Affordability
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Shifts Priorities to Security, Clean Energy, Affordability

IEA executive director Fatih Birol proposes focusing the agency's work in three areas during the next few years: 1) energy security -- "first and foremost" mission 2) new energy uptake (wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear) 3) afordability of energy "IEA 3.0" may well be...

By Javier Blas
Large Battery Begins Commercial Run Beside Unreliable Queensland Coal Plant
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Large Battery Begins Commercial Run Beside Unreliable Queensland Coal Plant

New big battery kicks off commercial operations next to outage-prone Queensland coal plant #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/Boj0IYDx6P https://t.co/8NeEaPuvqv

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Illinois Governor Pritzker to Call for Two-Year Suspension of Data Center Tax Incentives – Report
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Illinois Governor Pritzker to Call for Two-Year Suspension of Data Center Tax Incentives – Report

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker plans to request a two‑year suspension of tax incentives for new data centers, pending a study of the sector’s impact on the state’s electricity grid and residential bills. Current incentives grant up to 20 years of...

By Data Center Dynamics
Italy Cuts Carbon Charge on Electricity, Rattles Markets
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Italy Cuts Carbon Charge on Electricity, Rattles Markets

Italy’s plan to strip carbon cost from power bills jolts markets https://t.co/RZ9Dw7uUKq via @E_Krukowska @Al_Brambilla https://t.co/aVgbxP1Rxm

By Zöe Schneeweiss
IEA Ministerial Unites 50 Nations on Energy Security
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Ministerial Unites 50 Nations on Energy Security

Delighted to bring together over 50 countries at the #IEAMinisterial in Paris to discuss major issues of energy security, access, affordability & sustainability Thank you to the Ministers for the rich discussions, confirming the IEA is at the heart of the...

By Fatih Birol
IEA Backs Ukraine’s Energy Resilience Amid Infrastructure Attacks
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Backs Ukraine’s Energy Resilience Amid Infrastructure Attacks

Important exchange with Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister @Denys_Shmyhal We discussed 🇺🇦's efforts to ensure energy security this heating season and beyond – amid ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure @IEA will continue to closely support 🇺🇦's energy sector resilience https://t.co/tQQpcbUtpO

By Fatih Birol
Critical Minerals and Energy Drive Global Economic Competitiveness
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Critical Minerals and Energy Drive Global Economic Competitiveness

Very good meeting with 🇺🇸 US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy & Business Affairs @CalebOrr__ We discussed developments in global energy markets, the importance of critical minerals for energy & economic security and energy’s role in boosting competitiveness https://t.co/Z4YDq3jEJG

By Fatih Birol
Austria to Host 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Austria to Host 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum

Pleased to meet with Austrian State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zehetner at the #IEAMinisterial I thanked the State Secretary for Austria’s offer to host the 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum – we look forward to working together to build on the...

By Fatih Birol
Thoughtful Electricity Growth Talk Leaves Key Questions Unanswered
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Thoughtful Electricity Growth Talk Leaves Key Questions Unanswered

Good to see my friends have a thoughtful conversation on how we meet our electricity growth needs. I think the talking points were a bit thick and many questions remained unanswered.

By Jigar Shah