Toyota and Abdul Latif Jameel Motors Conduct Hydrogen Bus Trial in Saudi Arabia
Toyota and its Saudi distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors completed a public hydrogen‑fuel‑cell bus trial in Yanbu from April 19‑23, coinciding with the Yanbu Flower Festival. The trial used CaetanoBus’s H2.City Gold, equipped with Toyota’s second‑generation 60 kW fuel‑cell stack, five 37.5 kg hydrogen tanks and a 180 kW Siemens motor, delivering up to 400 km range and a nine‑minute refuel. The 7‑10 km route accommodated up to 95 passengers, building on feasibility phases conducted in September 2025 and January 2026. The effort aims to raise awareness of zero‑emission public transport in Saudi Arabia.
Energi.AI Acquires CEMAsys to Boost Data‑Driven Sustainability Consulting
Energi.AI announced the acquisition of Norway‑based sustainability advisory CEMAsys, a move that will expand its AI platform, quadruple its customer base and add advisory expertise. The deal signals a shift toward automated, decision‑grade climate data in the consulting market.
Topological Quantum Materials in Sustainable Energy Conversion: Catalysis and Thermoelectrics
The review surveys recent advances in topological quantum materials (TQMs) for sustainable energy conversion, emphasizing their symmetry‑protected surface states that boost carrier mobility. It highlights how Weyl and chiral semimetals excel in hydrogen and spin‑selective oxygen evolution catalysis. The paper...
Former Macquarie Bankers Plan One of Australia’s Biggest Six-Hour Batteries with 4,800 MWh of Storage
Former Macquarie bankers, now operating as BLT Energy, have filed a planning application for the Red Gully battery, an 800 MW, six‑hour (4,800 MWh) storage system near Gingin, Western Australia. The project will begin with a $1 billion first stage delivering 400 MW and...
Global Solar Sector Raises $11.1bn in Funding During First Quarter of 2026
The solar industry secured $11.1 billion in corporate funding during the first quarter of 2026, according to Mercom Capital Group. Debt financing reached its strongest level in more than ten years, reflecting abundant capital and low‑cost borrowing. The surge is attributed...
California Discharges 12,000 MW From Battery Arrays, Matching Output of 12 Nuclear Plants
California discharged just over 12,000 MW from its battery arrays—equivalent to 12 nuclear plants—covering more than 40% of the state's evening peak demand. The milestone underscores rapid battery deployment amid federal policy headwinds and a push to meet a 100% clean‑energy...
Dutch Regulator Plans Grid Fee for Large Solar Producers
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) plans to introduce a grid fee for large electricity producers, including solar farms, no earlier than January 2032. The fee is designed to fund grid maintenance and encourage more efficient use of the...
Week in Review: A Net-Zero Factory Takes Shape in India’s Temple City
Epic Group is constructing a net‑zero manufacturing campus in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, blending large‑scale production with aggressive sustainability targets. The facility will rely on solar power, water recycling, and carbon‑capture technologies to achieve zero operational emissions by 2030. Design elements incorporate...
As Costs Drop, Hydrogen Energy Options Are Being Grasped Globally
China is rapidly scaling its hydrogen ecosystem, targeting 100,000 fuel‑cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2030 and driving end‑user hydrogen prices below $3.50 per kilogram. Lhyfe reported delivering 700 hydrogen trucks and buses in December 2025, with 1,400 additional orders, while expanding...
Build Fast, Pay Your Way: Washington’s AI Infrastructure Doctrine
In early 2026 Washington re‑defined data‑center projects as strategic AI infrastructure, pairing fast‑track permitting and federal land access with strict cost‑allocation rules. The Ratepayer Protection Pledge obligates Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI, Oracle and xAI to finance new generation and...
‘Panthalassa Has Opened the Ocean Frontier’: Thiel-Backed Startup Secures $140 Million to Deploy Floating AI Data Centers
Peter Thiel led a $140 million Series B round for Oregon‑based Panthalassa, a startup developing autonomous wave‑powered floating data centers for AI inference. The funding will finish a pilot manufacturing plant near Portland and accelerate deployment of the Ocean‑3 node series in...
Statkraft to Market German Hybrid Portfolio
Statkraft and SUNCATCHER have signed an agreement to market three hybrid solar‑battery projects in Germany—Klötze II, Salzwedel and Seehausen. The portfolio totals 34.5 MWp of solar capacity, 12 MW of battery power and 24 MWh of storage, and will be transferred to Statkraft for...
Victoria Funds Hastings Offshore Wind Terminal
The Victorian government has committed more than $124 million to advance the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings. The funding will underwrite the Environmental Effects Statement and related community consultations for a heavy‑duty offshore wind port. The terminal...
Taiwan Sugar, U.S. Group Ink MOU on Biofuel Cooperation
Taiwan Sugar Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council to deepen bioethanol cooperation. The agreement tasks Taiwan Sugar with completing a feedstock assessment by the second quarter of 2027, laying groundwork for expanded production. The...
R.Power, Axpo Sign Poland BESS Deal
R.Power and Swiss utility Axpo have signed a multi‑year agreement to optimise a 300 MW/1,200 MWh battery energy storage system in Dzięgielewo, Poland. The contract, the largest of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, will run from commercial start‑up through 2038...
New Data Center Developments: May 2026
Aligned Data Centers announced Project Caprock, a 540 MW, 313‑acre data‑center campus in Hale County, Texas, slated for first delivery in Q1 2027 and projected to generate about $5 billion in economic impact. The rollout comes amid a wave of regulatory changes in the...
Peter Thiel Leads $140 Million Capital Raise for Panthalassa to Power AI Computing Using Ocean Waves
Panthalassa, an ocean‑technology firm, secured a $140 million Series B round led by Peter Thiel and PayPal to scale its wave‑powered AI computing nodes. The financing will fund a pilot manufacturing plant near Portland and the launch of the Ocean‑3 fleet in the...
California’s Battery Array Is as Powerful as 12 Nuclear Power Plants. Here’s What’s on the Horizon.
In late March, California’s grid discharged just over 12,000 MW from battery arrays—equivalent to the output of 12 large nuclear plants. The batteries covered more than 40% of the state’s peak‑hour demand, marking a rapid shift toward storage‑based capacity. Experts warn...
Solar Funding Hits $11.1bn in Q1
Solar companies secured over $11.1 bn in corporate funding across 53 deals in Q1 2026, a 131% year‑on‑year increase. Debt financing surged to $8.9 bn, the highest level in more than a decade, while venture‑capital funding fell 21% YoY but rose 74% quarter‑on‑quarter....
As PJM Reopens Interconnection Queue, Experts Warn Damage to Maryland’s Clean Energy Plans Is Already Done
PJM Interconnection reopened its generation queue after a four‑year shutdown, attracting 811 new projects that represent 220 GW of capacity. Natural‑gas proposals dominate with 105.8 GW, while storage leads in project count and solar and wind together account for less than 20 GW....
ST Unveils 100W VIPerGaN Converters for Energy-Efficient Appliances
STMicroelectronics announced two new 100 W VIPerGaN high‑voltage converters—VIPerGaN100W and VIPerGaN100WB—targeting energy‑efficient appliances and consumer electronics. The devices handle 3.5 A and 4.2 A drain currents respectively, support a universal 85‑265 V AC input, and can deliver up to 125 W peak power. Built on...
Global Renewables Alliance Unveils Partner Line-Up
The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) announced its 2026 corporate partner roster, adding ten heavyweight firms such as Fortescue, Iberdrola, Ørsted and Vestas. The coalition spans developers, utilities, technology providers, investors and energy buyers, aiming to triple global renewable capacity by...
South Africa Poised for Record IPP Deployments in 2026
South Africa’s utility‑scale renewable and battery‑storage market is set for a record year, with 34 independent power producer (IPP) deals expected to close in 2026, delivering roughly 5,252 MW of new capacity. By the end of April, eight projects totalling 1,932 MW...
Oman Seeks Consultant for Green Hydrogen Project
Oman’s state‑owned Nama Power and Water Procurement (PWP) has issued a tender for a consultancy to conduct a techno‑economic feasibility study of a green‑hydrogen‑fueled independent power plant sized between 800 MW and 1 GW. The tender documents cost OMR 150 (about $390) and...
New Technique Measures Water Ingress in PV Modules without Disconnecting Them
A German research team has unveiled a nondestructive, on‑site technique that quantifies water ingress in photovoltaic (PV) modules using near‑infrared absorption (NIRA) spectroscopy calibrated against Karl‑Fischer titration (KFT). The method delivers absolute moisture content without opening the sealed modules, enabling...
Recreate Project: Repairable Rotor Blades for Wind Turbines
The EU‑funded Recreate project is developing a modular wind‑turbine rotor blade that can be repaired and recycled, addressing the growing composite waste from decommissioned turbines. The demonstrator features detachable adhesive joints for a replaceable leading edge, a pultruded continuous spar...
Western Australia Backs Grid Buildout Ahead of Coal Exit
Western Australia announced a AUD 1.4 billion ($1 billion) clean‑energy fund to finance transmission and network projects as its state‑owned coal plants close by 2030. The fund will back the Clean Energy Link (CEL) – East and CEL – North projects, which together aim to...
Europe's Wind Firms Turn to Retrofits, Solar, Storage
European wind developers are pivoting from new projects to repowering old sites and adding solar/storage. Smarter grid use, better output. The future is retrofit. 🌬️⚡ RenewableEnergy
Deeptech Startup Reduciner Secures €3.6M to Convert Emissions Into Value
Espoo‑based deeptech startup Reduciner raised €3.6 million (approximately $3.9 million) from Voima Ventures, Lifeline Ventures and the Mikko Kodisoja Foundation, with VTT contributing the core technology as an in‑kind investment. The capital will accelerate commercialisation of its high‑temperature thermochemical process that converts...
Sponsored: From Backup to Built-In: Designing Power Systems for Continuous AI Performance
AI workloads are turning power from a backup function into a core operating system in data centers. Traditional designs that prioritize standby generation struggle under continuous high‑density loads, leading to efficiency losses and reliability concerns. Operators are adopting adaptive, hybrid...
Toyota and Hyroad Energy Launch Hydrogen Truck Deployment in California
Toyota Motor North America and Hyroad Energy have signed a definitive agreement to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel‑cell Class 8 trucks in Southern California. Hyroad will provide the vehicles, maintenance, data analytics and fleet‑management software, while Toyota will supply hydrogen from a...
EcoCeres to Invest HK$10 Billion in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plants in Greater Bay Area
EcoCeres, backed by Peter Lee Ka‑kit's family office, announced a HK$10 billion ($1.3 billion) investment to build sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in Dongguan, part of a broader Greater Bay Area green‑energy push. The project aims to produce 450,000 tonnes of SAF and...
Eucalyptus Bark a Natural Fit as a Filter
RMIT University researchers have demonstrated that eucalyptus bark can be transformed into a versatile filtration medium capable of cleaning polluted water, scrubbing airborne contaminants, and sequestering carbon dioxide. Using a single-step carbonisation process, the team produced a porous carbon material...
Thinking of Plug-In Solar? Expert Highlights a Key Reason some UK Homes May Not Be Ready for It
Plug‑in solar panels are gaining attention in the UK as a low‑cost entry to household renewable energy, but experts warn that electrical system readiness varies widely. Renewables Electrical Engineer Kian Milroy of Heatable stresses that a simple plug‑in does not...
Geothermal Power: Mars' Viable Renewable Energy Option
Can clean, renewable energy sources be used on Mars? Mars is a cold, barren planet far from the sun, and with little atmosphere and no flowing water. If people were to live there, could they obtain their energy from clean, renewable...
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
As Oil Prices Stay High, China Doubles Down on Wind Power
China is accelerating its wind‑power rollout as oil prices surge amid the Iran conflict, installing enough capacity last year to equal three times the rest of the world combined. Chinese turbine makers now dominate the global market, holding all six...
Peter Thiel Funds $1B Wave‑powered Ocean Data Centers
Get ready for an ocean full of....data centers?....Peter Thiel backs $1bn ocean data centre start-up powered by waves https://t.co/wZZ1Ll6grK via @ft
Renewables Ensure Energy Security Beyond Gulf Turmoil
Once renewables are built, they deliver power regardless of what happens in the Gulf. Energy security and clean energy are the same argument. 🎙️Was on Al Jazeera's Counting the Cost this week on how the Iran war is reshaping global energy. https://t.co/aCqud4oP8x
Duke Lags on Goals, Should Concern Climate Investors Ahead of Shareholder Meeting
The Sierra Club is urging climate‑focused investors to vote against Duke Energy directors Theodore F. Craver, Jr., and Robert M. Davis at the May 7, 2026 shareholder meeting, citing the utility’s backsliding on climate commitments. Duke received an F (11 %) on the Sierra Club’s 2025 Dirty...
Diversified Energy Mix Calms Europe's 2026 Power Market
COLUMN: Ruinously high electricity bills became the defining image of Europe's energy crisis in 2022. So what's different this time? Thanks to nuclear, hydropower, solar, and better grids, European lectricity markets are calmer in 2026. @Opinion https://t.co/Ve1F7kIrNc
Poland Cuts Coal Power to Half, Renewables Rise
Poland is often seen as Europe's coal stronghold. In 2000, coal generated 94% of its electricity. But something remarkable is happening: Coal's share has fallen to 50%. Wind+solar now generate 1/4 of electricity. More in my newsletter: https://t.co/In5lBaF2ox https://t.co/udhBwAzxTC
Why The Rest of The World Is NOT Buying Data Center Madness
Jim Calhoun argues that the United States is doubling down on massive hyperscale data centers while the rest of the G8 is pivoting toward distributed, sovereign AI architectures. He cites thermodynamic limits, escalating energy costs, and inefficient network topologies as...
EU Bans Chinese Inverters From Funded Clean‑energy Projects
SCMP: "The EU has taken its most direct step yet to cut Chinese clean energy hardware out of publicly funded projects, banning Chinese inverters from all EU-funded schemes in a move Brussels described as the first in a series of...
Verogy Finishes Seven Solar Projects for Connecticut Trade Schools
Verogy completes 7 solar projects for Connecticut trade school system #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/MrH2KsbGLi
2025 Truck Registrations Slip 16% as Fleets Turn to Mixed Powertrains
Class 8 tractor registrations dropped 16% in 2025, and registrations across diesel, natural‑gas, hydrogen and electric drivetrains all fell. Fleet managers responded by diversifying powertrains, mixing diesel, CNG, battery‑electric and emerging technologies to hedge against a freight recession, fuel price...
Virginia Approves Dominion's NEM 2.0, Mirrors NEM 1.0
Virginia corporation commission approves Dominion Energy NEM 2.0 that looks very similar to NEM 1.0 #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/dCdhV3RqEe
Tesla Earns Australia’s First Emissions Credits, Storage Profits Outpace EVs
Tesla pockets first emissions credits in Australia, as storage revenues trump EVs again #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/d7VIQBxoLI https://t.co/EYXB4ZI6Vi
ADB Commits $70 B to Power‑Grid and Broadband Projects Across Asia‑Pacific by 2035
The Asian Development Bank announced a $70 billion financing plan to build cross‑border power grids and expand broadband access across the Asia‑Pacific region by 2035. The package includes $50 billion for the Pan‑Asia Power Grid Initiative and a substantial, yet undisclosed, share...
Guangxi Steel Plant Cuts Coal Use by 60,000 Tonnes Using AI Model
Guangxi Iron & Steel, a Liuzhou Steel Group subsidiary, has fully embedded the Xuantie AI model across its blast‑furnace complex, delivering an 8.5% rise in production efficiency, saving roughly 60,000 tonnes of standard coal and cutting 262,000 tonnes of CO₂...