$140 Million in Funding Secured For Flotilla of Ocean-Powered Data Centers
Peter Thiel has secured $140 million to launch Panthalassa’s fleet of ocean‑powered data centers, the first commercial effort to run servers directly off wave energy. The venture, backed by the billionaire’s venture capital network, aims to place modular data pods in open water, using Ocean Power Technologies’ wave‑conversion systems for electricity. Proponents argue the sea‑based model can slash cooling costs and carbon footprints compared with land‑based facilities. The project is still in prototype stage, with regulatory and environmental questions looming.
Renewables Cut Driving Costs Fourfold, Ending Gas Price Spike
High gas prices are simply a result of the energy insecurity brought about by fossil fuels, which are limited resources that must be drilled for daily. Eliminate this insecurity and lower the cost of driving your car by a factor of...
As Turbine Queues Tighten, Babcock & Wilcox Sees Opening for Boiler-Steam Packages in Data Center Power Race
Babcock & Wilcox secured a $2.4 billion design‑build deal to deliver 1.2 GW of natural‑gas‑fired boiler‑steam packages for AI‑focused data‑center campuses. The contract highlights how tight turbine lead times are pushing developers toward steam‑cycle solutions that can be built faster. B&W emphasizes the...
U.S. Data Center Boom Pushes Electrical Equipment Market to $65B, Sparks Power Supply Strain
Wood Mackenzie projects the U.S. data‑center electrical equipment market will swell to $65 billion by 2030, with transformer demand climbing to over 9,000 units. The surge, driven by hyperscalers’ AI‑fuelled expansion, is forcing utilities, cities and regulators to confront unprecedented power‑supply...
PJM Reopens Queue, 811 Projects Add 220 GW, Gas Dominates and Maryland’s Clean‑Energy Goals at Risk
PJM Interconnection reopened its interconnection queue, receiving 811 new generation projects that total 220 GW of capacity. Natural‑gas projects account for more than half of the capacity, raising alarms that Maryland’s legally binding clean‑energy targets could be jeopardized by the shift...
Panthalassa Raises $140 Million Series B to Deploy Ocean‑Based AI Compute Nodes
Panthalassa announced a $140 million Series B round led by Peter Thiel, aimed at completing a pilot factory near Portland and launching its Ocean‑3 AI inference nodes at sea. The financing brings together a roster of high‑profile investors and targets the...
Persefoni Launches Agentic AI to Help Companies Analyze Carbon Footprint
Persefoni, a sustainability‑software firm, unveiled the Persefoni Analytics Agent, an agentic AI feature that lets users query emissions data with plain‑language prompts. The tool instantly creates charts, tables, and visual explanations, streamlining carbon‑footprint analysis for corporations and financial institutions. By...
Schneider, AMS Partnership Aims for Faster, More Impactful Microgrid Deployment
Schneider Electric is expanding its partnership with American Microgrid Solutions (AMS) to accelerate end‑to‑end microgrid deployments using the EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex platform. The collaboration targets sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, multifamily housing, utilities and public facilities, offering integrated design, commissioning...
The POWER Interview: Electrification, Decarbonization, and Optimizing Infrastructure
ABB President Khalid Mandri emphasized that electrification is central to global decarbonization, noting the International Energy Agency’s estimate that over 80 million km of grid upgrades are required by 2040. He highlighted ABB’s portfolio—digital twins, high‑efficiency drives, battery storage, microgrids, and...
Philippine Pension Fund for Gov’t Retirees Powers Solar Rooftops
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has launched the Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan, earmarking ₱12.5 billion ($223 million) to fund rooftop solar installations for its members. Eligible retirees and employees can borrow up to ₱500,000 ($8,900) at a fixed 5% annual rate...
NERC Issues Level 3 Alert, Mandates Action to Address Data Center Load Losses
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) issued a rare Level 3 alert on May 5, citing immediate risks from data‑center computational loads that can abruptly drop or oscillate demand. The alert mandates seven specific actions—such as detailed load modeling, commissioning processes,...
Renewables Firm Rivington Energy Plans Lincolnshire Solar-Powered Data Centre
Rivington Energy, a UK renewables specialist, announced plans to develop a solar‑powered data centre in Lincolnshire. The facility will generate electricity on‑site from photovoltaic panels and use it to run high‑density computing hardware, aiming to slash the carbon intensity typical...
America’s Load Growth Moment Is a Chance to Scale Distributed Energy
U.S. electricity demand is projected to increase by about 128 GW over the next five years, creating one of the steepest load‑growth curves in recent memory. Traditional utility planning that targets only 50 hours of peak capacity would over‑invest in under‑utilized infrastructure,...
The Infrastructure Investment Case for Solar and Storage
Electricity demand in the U.S. is accelerating, driven by hyperscale data centers, advanced manufacturing and broader electrification, pushing load forecasts well beyond the flat growth of the past two decades. In 2025, more than 30 GW of solar and 12.6 GW of...
California Subpoenas Golden State Wind over Trump Lease Deal
California’s Energy Commission has issued a subpoena to Golden State Wind, demanding full details of its recent lease‑buyout with the U.S. Interior Department that paid roughly $120 million to terminate a 2 GW offshore wind lease. The deal, also mirrored in other...
Over 800 New EV Chargers May Be Coming To Philadelphia
Philadelphia announced a public‑private partnership, ChargePHL, to install over 800 electric‑vehicle charging stations citywide within a decade, with some estimates reaching 1,000. The rollout averages about 80 new chargers per year and awaits City Council approval in June. Officials highlight...
The $4.75 Billion Vertical: Why Google’s Intersect Acquisition Kills the PPA Era
Alphabet completed a $4.75 billion acquisition of Intersect Power in March 2026, marking a decisive move away from traditional power purchase agreements (PPAs). By bringing a leading clean‑energy developer in‑house, Google plans to build private “Energy Parks” that co‑locate solar, storage, and...
7 Ways Cities Are Hardwiring Climate Action
Mayors of Boise, Cleveland and Miami outlined seven practical ways cities can embed climate resilience into everyday governance, a push that gains urgency as federal climate support wanes under the Trump administration. Boise voters approved a $570 million clean‑water and climate...
Beyond Carbon: How Emerging Fuels and Technologies Can Help
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) released a report that evaluates hydrogen, ammonia, e‑fuels, renewable diesel, renewable natural gas and carbon‑capture technologies for value beyond carbon reduction. It argues that these pathways can enhance energy security, grid resilience, and public‑health...
Germany Invests €5 Billion to Decarbonize Energy Intensive Industries
Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy launched the 2026 round of its contracts‑for‑difference (CCfD) scheme, earmarking up to €5 billion (about $5.45 billion) to subsidize decarbonisation projects in energy‑intensive industries. The auction‑based program offers variable subsidies that bridge the cost...
Meta’s Space Solar Bet Highlights AI Data Center Power Gap
Meta has teamed with Overview Energy and Noon Energy to explore space‑based solar power (SBSP) with demonstration projects slated for 2028. The initiative is positioned as a long‑term capacity solution rather than an immediate fix for the soaring electricity needs...
Eco‑trained Data‑center Developer Blends Air‑cooled, Renewable Power
I’m the only developer of data centers on earth that graduated from environmental studies. I'm pretty aware of what these concerns are. They are around air, water use, heat, noise pollution. So sustainability is at the heart of what we...
Japan Funds South Africa Ammonia‑coal Tech to Cut Emissions
Japan is seeking to boost its presennce in South Africa by offering an energy transition loan and a technology that allows ammonia to be blended with coal to reduce power plant emissions https://t.co/BC6XVYmL82
Rooftop Solar Additions Surge 2x in FY26, Led by Maha, UP, Gujarat
India’s rooftop solar programme under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana doubled installations in FY26, reaching 21.2 lakh households and pushing the cumulative base above 32 lakh. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat together accounted for 60% of the new additions, with Maharashtra topping the list at 5.15 lakh homes....
Expanding Small Modular Reactors Risks Global Nuclear Weapon Spread
Yes, but so long as you keep pushing nuclear electricity (especially small modular reactors), you will eventually have nuclear weapons in another country because nuclear electricity and weapons go hand in hand.
Countries Advancing to Smart Grid Phases 4‑6 in Renewable Integration
6 phases of renewable energy integration: @iea.org lays out typical challenges and how countries are solving them. Several are already in the high phases (4–6), where grids go from "building enough" to "operating smarter". A useful mental map to understand where countries...
May 2026 Issue: The Future of Solar
Barcelona’s municipal government is accelerating its renewable transition by targeting 381 solar PV installations on public buildings in 2027. The initiative places panels on historic façades, bus shelters and other urban infrastructure, blending modern clean‑energy tech with the city’s centuries‑old...
EU Funding Block Threatens Solar Supply, Risks Blackouts
EU blocks funds for key Chinese solar energy parts “In practice, this could mean a remote shutdown of member states’ networks leading to countrywide blackouts." Anything is possible...but.... https://t.co/FDkl759Yjg via @ft
Montgomery County Completes Transit Depot Microgrid Project
Montgomery County, Maryland, completed a 6.8‑MW transit‑depot microgrid at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center. The system includes 9,800 solar panels, 2 MW/6.9 MWh of battery storage and 2.38 MW of charging capacity to serve 200 Ride On buses and...
Nissan's New Solar Tech Adds 11 Miles of Free Range Every Day
Nissan unveiled solar‑enhanced versions of its Ariya crossover and the kei‑car Sakura, showing that integrated photovoltaics can add measurable range each day. In sunny Barcelona the Ariya gains an average of 11 miles, with lower but still notable boosts in...
PV Inverter Manufacturers Reshape Strategies as Policy Shifts Drive Regional Production
PV inverter makers are reshaping their manufacturing footprints as tariffs, the U.S. Foreign Entity of Concern rule and the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits push developers toward domestic, non‑Chinese supply chains. In the United States, inverter capacity is projected to...
Solar‑Powered ‘Sun Trip Morocco’ Race Launches 2,000‑km Challenge From Laayoune to Rabat
The Sun Trip Morocco solar‑bike race started today in Laayoune, sending 15 riders on a 2,000‑kilometer trek to Rabat. Organized by the Sun Trip association with regional and French diplomatic support, the event showcases solar‑powered electric bicycles, daily ranges of...
Funding Agreed for Melbourne Commuter Electrification
The Australian federal and Victorian state governments have each pledged $A152.7 million (about $US 109.6 million) to fund the design and planning phase of electrifying the 37.3 km Melton commuter line in Melbourne. The money will cover detailed engineering, environmental assessments, planning approvals and...
AI's Energy Hunger Outpaces Searches, Threatens Power Grid
A single ChatGPT query uses 10x the energy of a Google search (2.9Wh vs 0.3Wh). AI data centers will soon consume as much power as two-thirds of all American homes. This is why I keep saying: energy is the bottleneck....
Thai Cabinet OKs $12.2 Billion Emergency Loan to Tackle Energy Shock and Boost Green Transition
Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft emergency decree authorising up to 400 billion baht ($12.2 billion) in borrowing to offset the global energy crisis and accelerate the country’s clean‑energy shift. The loan will be split between immediate relief for farmers, SMEs and low‑income...
Skyview Ventures Integrates Monitoring Program for Beekeeping on Solar Project Sites
Renewable‑energy investor Skyview Ventures is rolling out an environmental‑monitoring program on eight of its utility‑scale solar sites in New York, West Virginia, Tennessee and Connecticut. The initiative uses the HiveTracks platform, which equips local beekeepers with sensors to track hive health, plant...
Indonesia Tenders 1.2 GW of Solar
Indonesia’s state‑owned utility PLN has opened a 1,225 MW solar tender, dubbed Mentari Nusantara I, spanning six regions including Java and Sumatra. The projects are bundled under the new ‘Giga One’ procurement scheme, which aims to deliver economies of scale and...
Chanani Launches New Venture to Develop EV Charging Hubs Across Southern California
Chanani Group has launched CM EV Services to develop electric‑vehicle charging hubs across Southern California. The venture partners with Motive Energy’s Sustainable Solutions division, which will act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) provider for the initial sites. The first three...
40 Years of Solar Scar Tissue. 95 Bets on What's Next.
Bruce Anderson, a 40‑year solar veteran, warns that pairing solar PV with batteries does not deliver true 24/7 baseload power for industrial users, emphasizing the need for reliable fallback options. He advises startups to focus on narrow beachheads, modularity, and...
Startup's Squeezable Solid Could Upend Cooling and Refrigeration
Barocal, a Cambridge‑spun startup, has secured $10 million to advance its solid‑state refrigerant based on plastic crystals that absorb heat at rest and release it when compressed. The material exploits the barocaloric effect, shifting temperature up to 90 °F (50 °C) under pressure,...
Fervo Energy (FRVO) IPO Deck
Fervo Energy, a developer of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), released its IPO deck in early May 2026. The company positions its technology as a low‑carbon, baseload power solution that can be deployed in regions lacking conventional geothermal resources. The deck...
America’s Grid Watchdog Just Issued a Dire New Warning
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a rare Level 3 alert on Monday, marking only the third such warning in its 58‑year history. The alert follows sudden data‑center outages in Virginia and Texas that raised fears of cascading blackouts....
We’re Drowning in Data
IDC predicts the U.S. will generate an astonishing 394 trillion zettabytes of data each year by 2028, overwhelming current storage models. Roughly 20% of that data is "hot" and must be instantly accessible, while the remaining 80% is "cold" and stored...
Toyota Stays Course on Fuel Cell Trucks with Hyroad Tie-Up
Toyota announced a partnership with Hyroad Energy to deploy 40 Class 8 fuel‑cell trucks in Southern California, using a bundled lease that includes vehicle, maintenance and hydrogen fueling. The trucks, acquired from Nikola’s 2025 bankruptcy auction, were purchased by Hyroad for...
Manchester City Expand Sustainability Push with AMPYR Distributed Energy Deal
Manchester City has partnered with AMPYR Distributed Energy to install and operate over 5,000 solar panels at its City Football Academy and Joie Stadium. The arrangement is a long‑term power purchase agreement in which AMPYR funds, builds and manages the...
Clean Energy’s Winning Argument Is the One It Refuses to Make
The U.S. government recently paid a French oil company roughly $1 billion to forgo adding offshore wind capacity, a move that surprised many in the renewable sector. The article argues that the climate movement has shifted away from emphasizing moral imperatives...
Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd Opens Power Lab in Chandaka
Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art power system simulation laboratory at its Chandaka training centre. The lab, opened by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, equips engineers with real‑time modeling, load‑flow analysis and fault‑simulation tools. It aims...
Germany Launches €5 Bn Auction for Industrial Decarbonisation
Germany kicks off an auction to offer up to €5 billion to help heavy industries cut their carbon emissions https://t.co/2MKA0UuXtz
Calcom Vision Forays Into Solar Street Lighting, Targets ₹100 Crore by FY30
Calcom Vision, a Greater Noida LED lighting maker, announced entry into solar‑powered street lighting and aims to generate roughly $12 million (₹100 crore) in revenue by FY30. The new segment is projected to account for up to 20% of the firm’s total...
SEforALL Board Aligns Strategy Amid Shifting Geopolitics
Last week, the @SEforALLorg Board, leadership and partners met to reflect, assess the evolving geopolitical landscape, and align on the path forward in advancing #energyaccess for all and a global #energytransition. https://t.co/sMaYH08NPs