Rewriting the RFS Playbook: Final 2026-2027 RVOs for Biomass-Based Diesel
On March 27, 2024 the EPA issued its final Set 2 rule establishing Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026‑2027. The rule sets biomass‑based diesel obligations at 9.07 billion RIN gallons in 2026 and 9.20 billion in 2027, roughly a 70% jump from 2025. It re‑allocates 70% of the 2023‑2025 small refinery exemptions and delays the half‑RIN import penalty until 2028, while lowering renewable diesel’s equivalence factor to 1.5 RIN gallons. These numbers represent the largest RVOs ever for the category, reshaping market dynamics.
Data Centre Battery Storage Set to Surge in Australia
VIDEO: ‘It’s going to massively scale here’: Fluence chief predicts data centre battery storage slingshot in Australia #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/9QY8CG1q3S
RWE Secures 300 GWh Offshore Wind Deal with Network Rail, Covering 65% of Non‑Traction Power
RWE has signed a five‑year corporate power purchase agreement to deliver 300 GWh of offshore wind electricity each year to Network Rail, covering roughly 65% of the rail operator’s non‑traction demand. The deal, the first public‑sector CoPPA under the UK Government...
Sigenergy Technology Raises Capital in HKEX Debut, Backed by Global Investors
Sigenergy Technology Co., Ltd. listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on April 16, 2026, raising fresh capital with support from sovereign wealth fund Temasek and leading asset managers such as Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The IPO positions the AI‑powered...
U.S. West Hydropower Generation Projected to Rise 5% in 2026 After Snow Drought
The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects western hydropower generation to increase 5% in 2026, reaching 259 billion kWh and representing 6% of national electricity. The rebound follows a winter of snow drought and early melt that depressed output in 2024 and...
Fossil Fuel Conflict Spurs 54% Surge in UK Solar
Fossil fuel wars accelerate renewables deployment: In the UK, solar panel sales climbed 54% in the first 3 weeks of March vs same period in February. They’ll also be automatically fitted in most newly built homes in England, and “plug-in”...
Plugging Into Reality: The ASEAN Power Grid
Southeast Asia’s long‑standing ASEAN Power Grid (APG) vision remains hampered by limited interconnection capacity, fragmented institutions, and regulatory gaps. Indonesia has pledged roughly $38 billion to expand its transmission network, while the World Bank and ADB’s ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative...
Global Steelmaker POSCO Steps up Involvement in HILT CRC
POSCO Holdings has upgraded its relationship with Australia’s Heavy Industry Low‑carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) from International Trading Partner to Key Partner. The new status grants POSCO seats on research advisory committees, the ability to propose research priorities,...
Fast-Tracked Waitaha Hydro Project Aims to Strengthen West Coast Energy Resilience
The Waitaha Hydro scheme, a 23 MW run‑of‑river project on New Zealand’s West Coast, has secured fast‑track approval after two decades of planning. Developed by Westpower Limited with Poutini Ngāi Tahu, the plant will generate enough renewable electricity to power roughly 12,000...
Energy Shock Could Accelerate Global Renewable Adoption
Is this what Republican climate policy looks like? "Early signs are emerging that the energy shock could aid the global spread of renewable power, batteries, electric cars and other climate-friendly tech." https://t.co/aCmx1IcvPw
Amazon Secures Solar‑plus‑storage PPAs for Australian AI Growth
Amazon signs first solar-plus-storage PPAs in Australia to power AI expansion #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/UIJ2nW3cQw
Agrovoltaic Systems Can Save Water, Generating Energy and Making Tomato Cultivation More Sustainable at the Same Time
Researchers from the University of Seville and the Polytechnic University of Madrid demonstrated that tomatoes can be cultivated under photovoltaic panels while generating solar power, creating a dual‑use agrovoltaic system. By pairing regulated deficit irrigation with the shade of solar...
Amazon Pledges $200 Billion AI‑driven Data‑center Buildout, Reshaping Power Demand
Amazon announced a $200 billion investment in AI‑centric data‑center capacity, shifting to a supply‑led buildout that locks in power, land and silicon ahead of demand. The move raises questions about utilization, grid strain and the pace of sustainable energy procurement.
US BESS Degradation Optimism Collides With Real‑World Data
‘Unfettered optimism’ on US BESS degradation hits wall of operational reality #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/1hcRyBak6s
ERCOT Warns Texas Electricity Demand Could Hit 368,000 MW by 2032, but Doubts Forecast Accuracy
ERCOT released a preliminary projection that Texas peak electricity demand could climb to 367,790 MW by 2032 – more than four times the 2023 record. Grid officials, however, cautioned the forecast may be overstated and could be revised after further review...
Welcome RFS Rule Will Boost Iowa's Economy
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled the 2026‑2027 Final Renewable Fuel Standard rule during the White House Great American Agriculture Celebration. The rule raises the biodiesel mandate to 2.5 billion gallons, a significant increase from the previous year. Iowa’s...
Bowen Says Australia’s Small but Growing Fleet of EVs Is Saving 15 Million Litres of Petrol a Week
Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen highlighted that the nation’s modest electric‑vehicle fleet is already saving about 15 million litres of petrol each week. The saving stems from an estimated 410,000 EVs—less than 2 percent of the 22 million‑vehicle fleet—yet EVs accounted for...
DataCool Launches Next-Generation Data Center Cooling Platform Amid Surging AI-Driven Demand
DataCool, a JohnsonMarCraft HVAC division, unveiled three new cooling systems—Alpine, Glacier and Kodiak—designed for AI‑driven, high‑density data centers. The platform spans 2,000 to 100,000 CFM and up to 300 tons of capacity, offering modular, scalable architecture for edge to hyperscale sites....
Renewable Generation Records Fall Across the UK, as Imported Gas Consumption Tumbles
The UK’s electricity mix is now dominated by renewables, with renewable generation reaching a record 52.5 percent of total output in 2025. Imported primary energy fell to 46 percent, the lowest share since 2004, as North Sea gas production continues to decline....
Making Solar Truly Sustainable: The Case for Recycling End of Life Panels
Corporate sustainability drives rapid solar adoption, but a looming wave of end‑of‑life panels threatens waste management. The EPA estimates 0.17‑1 million metric tons of PV waste by 2030, rising to 10 million tons by 2050, with about 1.7 million tons of recoverable aluminum....
FERC Sets June Deadline to Rewrite Large-Load Grid Rules for AI-Era Power Demand
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) set a June 2026 deadline to rewrite rules governing the interconnection of large loads—defined as 20 MW or more—to the U.S. interstate transmission system. The move follows a Department of Energy advance notice that highlights the...
Rural Co-Ops Navigate a New Era of Load Growth, Rising Costs, and Policy Pressure
Rural electric cooperatives, which power 42 million customers across more than half of the United States, are confronting an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by heat‑pump adoption, electric‑vehicle charging, and AI‑powered data centers. At the same time, supply‑chain bottlenecks and...
Understanding Material Degradation in Solar Cells
A Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon team repurposed operando spectroscopic ellipsometry to monitor photoelectrode degradation in real time. The technique measures nanometer‑scale thickness changes across the entire surface while the cell operates under realistic illumination and electrochemical conditions. Testing ultrathin titanium‑dioxide layers revealed...
Rolls‑Royce Wins UK Approval for 470‑MW SMR Nuclear Reactors to Power 3 Million Homes
Rolls‑Royce SMR and Great British Energy – Nuclear received UK government approval on April 13 for three 470‑MW small modular reactors at Wylfa, Anglesey. The project, backed by a £2.5 bn partnership and a £599 m National Wealth Fund grant, aims to...
OpenAI Pulls Out of Second Stargate Data‑center Deal, Handing Norway Site to Microsoft
OpenAI has withdrawn from a second Stargate data‑center partnership, abandoning the UK project and allowing Microsoft to take over the Norway Narvik facility. The move underscores a strategic shift in OpenAI’s compute sourcing amid mounting costs and partner tensions.
FERC OKs Transmission Deal to Power 1 GW Data‑Center Campus in Greater Chicago
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a Transmission Security Agreement between Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and data‑center developer Tract, clearing the way for a 1 GW, 2.9 million‑sq‑ft campus at Morris Technology Park. The deal ties upgrade costs to the new load, protecting...
Trump List of Saved Projects Spares $5B Hydrogen Hubs
The U.S. Energy Department released a 39‑page list preserving roughly $5 billion in funding for five hydrogen hub projects across Texas, Appalachia, the mid‑Atlantic and the Midwest. The list also reinstates $1.2 billion for two direct‑air capture initiatives and retains $1 billion in...
BBC Inside Science
Marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, scientists like Professor Jim Smith of the University of Portsmouth continue to study the exclusion zone’s environmental recovery. Recent observations show pockets of lingering radiation but also robust wildlife populations thriving in...
U.S. Set to Reach 6 GW Offshore Wind by 2027
Despite Trump, the U.S. will have 6 GW of offshore wind operating by 2027 All 5 developers have won court victories to complete their projects. 72% (4.3 GW) of the 6 GW are already installed or operational https://www.offshorewindca.org/maps
The Data Center Transmission Brawls Are Just Getting Started
The data‑center boom is igniting a $500 billion transmission spending surge over the next five years, with roughly half of utility capital expenditures earmarked for grid upgrades. Yet large‑scale power lines face entrenched local opposition, especially from independent voters who rank...
Why Data Centers Need Battery Storage
Data center operators are grappling with how much battery storage to install as AI-driven workloads create sharp, unpredictable power spikes. Without a reliable load profile, they cannot accurately size battery‑energy‑storage systems (BESS), leading to uncertainty in procurement and grid‑connection planning....
Design That Powers Itself Redefines Home Living
What if your house powered itself? 👀 ⚡️ I’m doing something at my new project, Casa Mallorca, that I’ve NEVER done before - and it’s changing the way I think about design entirely. Good design isn’t just about how something looks....
New England’s Grid Batteries Finally Accelerating
Big grid batteries are finally on a roll in New England #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/gp9MRV65Yf
Mazda Hits the Road to Carbon-Neutral Motoring
Mazda is advancing algae‑derived biofuels that can run existing internal‑combustion engines with net‑zero or even carbon‑negative emissions. The company has demonstrated small‑batch production, using roughly 1,000 litres of water to yield one litre of fuel over two weeks, proving technical feasibility....
Solar PPA Prices Drop in Europe, Climb in North America
Solar PPA prices in Q1 2026 fall in Europe, rise in North America #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/JXT68e55VS
Australia's Rooftop Solar Surges Amid Battery Boom
Australia rooftop PV hits record as battery rush accelerates #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/HeRwktkBBJ
Loud, Power Hungry - Opposition Grows to Datacenters as Maine Passes Bit Barn Ban
Maine lawmakers approved the nation’s first statewide moratorium on new datacenters that draw 20 megawatts or more, pausing approvals until November 1, 2027 pending the governor’s signature. The pause gives regulators time to assess the facilities’ impact on power grids, water use, noise,...
Scale U.S. Grid Tech to Cut Bills 10%
This number has gone up 40% since last year. This is nothing to brag about when we could actually reduce bills 10% while growing load if we deployed American grid utilization technologies at scale.
Australian Solar Portfolio Sale Requires Battery Storage Upgrade
Australia solar portfolio marked for sale this year, but will likely need to add battery storage #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/tIR8zs9tcj https://t.co/a65FoB05Iq
Maine Moves to Pause Data Centers Before Demand Arrives
Maine lawmakers approved the nation’s first statewide moratorium on large data centers, banning permits for facilities of 20 MW or more until November 1 2027. The pause is enforced while a newly formed Maine Data Center Coordination Council evaluates the projects’ impact on...
Lightweight 8 kW/Kg Motor Powers Hydrogen Hybrid Aircraft
The 12.5kg gas cylinder-sized motor achieves 8 kW per kilogram with a fault-tolerant design, targeting hydrogen hybrid regional aircraft under Project AMBER. https://t.co/vk6CdOCVvD
Rye Development Pushes 2,128 MWh Pumped Hydro at Ex‑coal Site
Rye Development advances 2,128MWh pumped hydro project at former Kentucky coal mine #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/Nv3TOPGpLY
Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia Engine Gets a Power Rating Increase
Wärtsilä has boosted the output of its four‑stroke Wärtsilä 25 ammonia engine, delivering 315 kW per cylinder at 900 rpm and 345 kW at 1,000 rpm. The upgrade raises total power to 1.9‑3.1 MW, aligning the ammonia version with the LNG‑fuel Wärtsilä 25DF. Fewer cylinders are needed...
Hydropower Expected to Bounce Back From the West’s Snow Drought
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects hydropower generation to rise 5% in 2026, reaching 259 billion kilowatt‑hours (BkWh) and accounting for roughly 6% of total electricity. While output will still sit 1.8% below the ten‑year average because of lingering snow‑drought...
India’s Oil and Gas Crisis Is a Wake-Up Call for Transport Electrification
India’s oil and gas supply shock from the West Asia conflict highlighted the nation’s heavy reliance on imports and accelerated its push for transport electrification. The government responded by diversifying crude sources to 40 countries, boosting LPG output and rationing...
Suniva Announces 4.5-GW Solar Cell Facility in South Carolina
Suniva announced a $350 million investment to build a 4.5‑GW solar‑cell plant in Laurens, South Carolina, slated for operation in Q2 2027. The new facility will raise Suniva’s U.S. capacity to over 5.5 GW, making it the largest merchant solar‑cell manufacturer in the...
MP CM Yadav Reviews Renewable Energy Schemes, Stresses Affordable Power to Farmers
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reviewed renewable‑energy programmes, pledging affordable electricity for farmers and setting a goal to equip over 200,000 farms with solar pumps by the end of the fiscal year. He urged farmers to become self‑reliant energy...
Solar Rooftop Works to Be Accelerated Across Andhra Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme
Andhra Pradesh is speeding up rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, using a Utility‑Led Aggregation (ULA) model for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households. To date, 20,636 SC/ST homes have received solar systems,...
U.S. Grid‑Battery Output to Power All Renewables by 2026
U.S. grid-battery production has gone from 0 in 2024 to 145 GWh/year by the end of 2026, enough to provide batteries to support all wind and solar in the U.S. https://t.co/faeAUzMjZ8
POWERGRID Wins Green World Award 2026 for Climate Change Excellence
Power Grid Corp. of India (POWERGRID), a Maharatna public‑sector utility, won the Green World Award 2026 for climate‑change excellence at a ceremony in Cardiff Castle, Wales. The accolade recognises POWERGRID’s push for energy‑efficient transmission infrastructure and its integration of sustainability...