EWSETA Launches Renewable Energy Training Centre And Microgrid To Advance South Africa’s Just Energy Transition
EWSETA, together with Vhembe TVET College and China’s CCIEEC, launched a state‑of‑the‑art Renewable Energy Training Centre and microgrid at the Makwarela Campus in Thohoyandou. The facility provides live solar PV, battery storage and energy‑management training while supplying clean power to the campus. Phase One of the South Africa‑China Just Energy Transition TVET programme has already equipped five colleges and sent 50 learners to China, showing early employment gains. Phase Two will replicate the model across all nine provinces, linking skills development to the country’s low‑carbon goals.
Independent Panel Approves Another Big Battery Sent for Review by Long-Distance Haters
The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission approved Foresight Australia’s Hume North battery, a 75 MW/150 MWh storage system near the Hume Hydro Power Station, despite 72 objections largely from distant anti‑renewable groups. The commission highlighted the project’s role in improving grid...
Australia’s Bellevue Gold Achieves 90% Renewable Energy at Off-Grid Mine in March
Bellevue Gold announced that its off‑grid mine ran on 90% renewable energy in March, cutting diesel to just 1.3% of total project costs. The hybrid power plant—27 MW solar, 24 MW wind and a 15 MW/30 MWh battery—enabled the company to claim net‑zero Scope 1‑2...
Fortescue Steps up Its War on Diesel
Fortescue Metals Group announced an accelerated rollout of a fully integrated green energy grid to power its Pilbara mining assets, aiming to eliminate diesel use. The initiative, part of its Real Zero carbon‑neutral strategy, will combine solar, wind, battery storage...
Energy Insiders Podcast: Why Wind Projects Are Stalled at the Gate
Large‑scale wind projects are hitting a financing wall, leaving many proposals stalled before construction. Richie Merzian of CEIG points to a looming carbon‑price (CGT) risk and structural flaws in the Clean Energy Incentive Scheme (CIS) as key deterrents. The episode...
Fortescue Accelerates ‘World’s First’ Green Grid
Fortescue Metals Group is fast‑tracking what it calls the world’s first fully integrated industrial green grid in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The off‑grid high‑voltage network will combine roughly 1.2 GW of solar, over 600 MW of wind and 4–5 GWh of battery storage...
EV Realty Opens Major Truck Charging Hub in San Bernardino
EV Realty launched its flagship multi‑fleet truck charging hub in San Bernardino, installing 76 high‑power ports with 9.9 MW of grid capacity. The facility can service more than 200 medium‑ and heavy‑duty electric trucks daily under the company’s Powered Properties model,...
Mining Giant Vale Orders World's First Ethanol-Powered Giant Bulkers
Vale has signed a 25‑year agreement with China’s Shandong Shipping to build two 325,000‑dwt Guaibamax‑class bulk carriers that will run primarily on ethanol. The vessels, 340 m long, are part of Vale’s multi‑fuel strategy and can also burn methanol, heavy fuel...
Made in the Shade: How Electric Vehicles Could Be the Perfect Partner to Rooftop Solar in Tropical Cities
Researchers from Columbia University and the Singapore‑ETH Centre published a Nature paper showing that electric‑vehicle batteries can act as distributed storage for rooftop solar in tropical cities. When thunderstorms temporarily dim solar output, parked EVs discharge to the local grid,...
Carbon Removal Lessons From Denmark: A Reality Check for the UK
The UK aims to embed durable carbon‑dioxide removal (CDR) credits into its Emissions Trading Scheme by 2029, relying on a Carbon Contract for Difference (CCfD) to bridge the cost gap with allowance prices. Denmark’s earlier CDR tender collapsed when cost...
Greener and More British: How the UK Is Slowly Future-Proofing Itself From Further Energy Cost Spikes
New analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows the UK’s electricity mix is shifting away from imported fossil fuels toward domestically generated clean power. Over the past two decades the country has expanded solar farms, onshore wind and...
Van Oord Completes Low-Noise Monopile Installation
Van Oord successfully installed three monopile foundations at the Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm using GBM Works' VibroJet® jetting solution together with CAPE Holland's vibro‑lifting tool. The low‑noise method, deployed from Van Oord's new installation vessel Boreas, fluidises dense...
From Reactor Designs to Real Projects: SMRs Enter the Execution Era as AI Power Demand Accelerates
The small‑modular reactor (SMR) sector is shifting from design hype to concrete execution, with vendors securing licensing approvals, fuel contracts, supply‑chain partners and financing. In Q1 2026, companies such as X‑energy, GE Hitachi, NuScale, Oklo, Holtec and Rolls‑Royce moved beyond announcements...
Unlocking the Hidden Metabolism of Algae to Advance the Promise of Renewable Fuels and Sustainable Biomass
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center used isotope‑assisted metabolic flux analysis to map how the green microalga *Chlamydomonas* rewires its central metabolism when supplied with both light and acetate. The mixotrophic cells activate carbon‑conserving pathways, suppress costly processes,...
Solar Firm to Tackle High Electricity Costs
South Africa’s rising electricity tariffs have spurred the launch of Ipeleng Power Solutions (IPS) in Johannesburg. IPS uses community‑based stokvel pools and broader crowdfunding to finance solar installations for households, small businesses and underserved communities. The models spread costs over...
BYD Teams up with One of the World’s Largest Fast Food Chains to Offer 9 Minute EV Charging
BYD has teamed up with KFC’s parent Yum China to install its Flash‑charging stations at drive‑thru locations, offering a 9‑minute charge that fills an EV from 10% to 97% while customers eat. The service launches with BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao...
Renewables Reenvisioned: How Linea Energy Built a 7-GW Renewable Pipeline in Under Two Years
Linea Energy, founded by veteran developer Cassidy DeLine, has assembled a renewable pipeline exceeding 7 GW in under two years. The company leverages proprietary data simulations to front‑load site analysis, acquires mid‑stage projects, and advances projects without early PPAs, reducing risk....
Mortenson Acquires Energy Management Controls Firm
Mortenson, the Minneapolis‑based construction giant, has acquired California‑based Nor‑Cal Controls, a specialist in control systems for solar, battery storage and microgrid projects. The deal adds in‑house expertise for interfacing energy assets with the grid, complementing Mortenson’s portfolio of nearly 60...
Oncor, LCRA TSC File Application to Build 765kV Transmission Line From Schleicher to Bell Counties
Oncor and the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation have submitted a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for a new 765 kV transmission line spanning Schleicher to Bell counties. The line is one...
Scientists Are Turning Bread Into Fuel. It Could Revolutionize Manufacturing.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have shown that feeding ordinary bread crumbs to unmodified Escherichia coli, together with a biocompatible catalyst, produces hydrogen gas at yields higher than traditional fossil‑fuel hydrogenation. The hybrid chemo‑microbial process demonstrated carbon‑negative life‑cycle emissions,...
Gendome 3,072Wh Home3000 Power Station at Exclusive New $748 Low, Autel 4-Cam Solar Security Kit New $180 Low, EGO, More
The Thursday Green Deals spotlight a deep discount on Gendome’s 3,072 Wh Home3000 portable power station, now $748—a 67% price cut. Autel’s 4‑camera outdoor solar security kit drops to $180, while EGO’s 52‑inch Z6 zero‑turn electric riding mower is offered at...
EG4 and Outback Power Advantage Programs Bring DIY-Friendly Pre-Paid Battery Leases to Homeowners
Texas‑based EG4 and Outback Power have launched “Advantage” programs that provide homeowners with pre‑paid battery leases. The offerings bundle a hybrid inverter with standardized battery packs and allow either DIY or installer‑led installation to keep costs low. Eligible participants receive...
UMass Study Finds States Approve Most Solar Projects in Under 1 Year
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study of 460 wind and solar projects in 19 states finds most receive permits within roughly a year, with a 90% overall approval rate. Kentucky and Mississippi process applications about five months faster than the...
Alternatives Standing on Their Own
Conservative critics who once demanded subsidies for renewable energy now observe that solar, wind and other alternatives are becoming financially self‑sufficient. Declining technology costs and improved capacity factors have allowed clean power to compete with fossil fuels on pure market...
Why Are Communities Pushing Back Against Data Centers?
The United States is witnessing a rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers, with over 4,000 already operating and another 3,000 planned, driven by AI demand and state tax incentives. Communities are pushing back as these facilities consume massive electricity—up to...
Agratas Gigafactory Project Secures £380m in UK Government Funding
Agratas has secured £380 million of UK government funding for its planned gigafactory in Somerset, part of a broader £470 million package aimed at decarbonising road transport. The investment will fund the construction of an EV battery cell plant designed to supply...
UK to Give £380m Grant to Tata Battery Factory in Somerset
The UK government is providing a £380 million (≈$483 million) grant to Tata’s Agratas subsidiary for its Somerset gigafactory, which will supply batteries to Jaguar Land Rover. The plant is slated to create 4,200 jobs long‑term and aims for 40 GWh annual capacity, though production...
As EV Load Grows, Utilities Use Managed Charging to Harness Flexibility, Lower Costs
U.S. utilities are scaling active managed‑charging (V1G) programs to spread electric‑vehicle load and defer costly grid upgrades. Automakers such as GM, Ford and Rivian are partnering with aggregators like EnergyHub, WeaveGrid and Chargescape to automate charging based on real‑time system...
Orsted: Middle East Energy Crunch Rejuvenates Europe Offshore Wind Push
Ørsted CEO Rasmus Errboe told Reuters that the Middle East war is accelerating Europe’s drive for energy independence, reviving offshore wind development. Soaring oil and gas prices from the U.S.–Israeli conflict and the Strait of Hormuz blockage have heightened demand...
Inside AMPERA’s Bet on Subcritical Thorium Microreactors
Florida startup AMPERA is developing a factory‑built, subcritical thorium microreactor that fits in a 40‑foot shipping container and can run for 30 years without refueling. The design uses an external neutron generator to keep the core subcritical, TRISO‑encapsulated thorium fuel, and...
E-Storage Delivers Battery Storage Solutions: Canadian Solar Subsidiary E-Storage Secures Large-Scale Battery Projects in the UK
Canadian Solar’s energy‑storage arm E‑Storage has secured a £420 MWh battery contract with the UK’s Drax Group, split between a 60 MW/120 MWh system at Marfleet, England and a 150 MW/300 MWh system at Neilston, Scotland. The projects, developed by Apatura, will be built starting...
Government Eyes P60 Billion Fiscal Support for EVs
The Philippine government is drafting a P60 billion (≈$1.1 billion) fiscal incentive package under the new Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS), slated for an executive order before the July State of the Nation Address. EVIS will allocate four slots, each offering P15 billion...
If only We Didn't Need so Much Petrol... The Electrification Plans NZ Has Dreamed up, and Abandoned
Rising diesel prices—now about $4 per litre and up 33 % for households—have revived New Zealand’s stalled electrification agenda. The Clean Car Discount, which collected roughly $71 million USD in levies and paid $173 million USD in subsidies, was terminated in 2023, yet EV...
Voters in Wisconsin City Pass Nation's First Data Center Referendum
Port Washington, Wisconsin voters approved a referendum that forces city leaders to obtain voter consent before granting tax incentives to data‑center developers, making it the nation’s first voter‑approved data‑center restriction. The measure does not halt the $15 billion Vantage Data Centers...
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SA Startup Refiant Raises $5M to Advance Sustainable AI
South African‑founded AI startup Refiant secured a $5 million seed round, led by climate‑tech investor VoLo Earth Ventures, to accelerate its nature‑inspired compression technology. The platform claims to shrink massive AI models—such as a 120‑billion‑parameter network—so they can run on a...
ACEN Sees 2026 a Better Year Despite Middle East War
ACEN Corp., the Ayala‑Group renewable energy arm, says 2026 will be a stronger year despite the Middle East war, citing stable operations at its overseas plants and the activation of larger power facilities. CEO Eric Francia noted that fuel‑price spikes...
Gas Turbine Supply Crunch Set to Raise Prices 195% by 2027: WoodMac
Wood Mackenzie forecasts gas turbine prices to soar to $600 per kilowatt by the end of 2027, a 195% jump from 2019 levels. The surge is driven by specialized labor shortages, hot‑section component bottlenecks, and trade‑related cost pressures, compounded by...
The Rise of Data Centers Brings Environmental Permitting Challenges and Litigation Risk
Data centers are booming as generative AI drives an estimated $7 trillion in global capital spending by 2030. The Trump administration’s Executive Order 14318 and related federal permits aim to accelerate construction, but state and local governments are pushing back over...
Novar Acquires 100MW Solar PV Plant in Germany, Potential to Co-Locate 160MWh BESS
Novar, the Dutch solar developer, has purchased a 100 MW photovoltaic plant in Baden‑Württemberg from German firm Stromernte. The acquisition includes a prospective 160 MWh battery‑energy‑storage system that could be co‑located with the solar assets. Stromernte will stay on board under a...
New Edie Extra Podcast: Will the UK’s Accelerated Energy Transition Be Climate-Resilient?
The latest edie Extra podcast features a live panel from the edie 26 conference discussing the UK’s accelerated Clean Power 2030 transition and its climate‑resilience challenges. Zurich Resilience Solutions’ Sean Grundy and Daniel Keir argue that insufficient adaptation—26% of outcomes rated inadequate—poses financial risks if...
Framatome Joins Four Utilities to Advance VVER 440 Nuclear Fuel Design
Framatome and four European utilities—ČEZ, Fortum, MVM Paks NPP, and Slovenské elektrárne—have signed a contract to develop a 100% European VVER 440 fuel design called VERA‑440. The first phase focuses on fuel‑assembly design and transport containers, followed by a Lead Test Assembly program to...
A. O. Smith Announces Voltex X Outdoor Split Heat Pump Water Heater
A. O. Smith, in partnership with Panasonic, launched the Voltex X Outdoor Split Heat Pump Water Heater, a cold‑climate capable HPWH that can operate at temperatures as low as 25°F. The split‑system design places the compressor outdoors, freeing indoor space,...
Electrofuels Are Slipping Through The Trump Chopper
Electrofuels are emerging as a viable alternative to conventional jet fuel, and Boston‑based startup Sora Fuel announced a $14.6 million financing round to accelerate its low‑cost direct‑air‑capture (DAC) technology. The company claims it can capture CO₂ for under $50 a ton—about...
Anker Solix Launches 7 kWh Plug-In Battery Targeting Rooftop Solar Retrofits
Anker Solix introduced the Solarbank Max AC, a 7 kWh plug‑in home battery with a 3.5 kW bidirectional inverter that can be expanded to 42 kWh. Priced from €2,229 ($2,657) in Germany, it targets retrofitting existing rooftop PV systems without replacing the whole...
Rehlko, INNIO Have Deal For 1.25 GW of Gas Engine Capacity
Rehlko has signed a multi‑year strategic framework with INNIO Group to secure roughly 1.25 GW of gas‑engine capacity over the next three years. The agreement, executed through Rehlko’s Clarke Energy platform, is aimed at powering hyperscale, colocation and enterprise data‑center projects...
£86.5m Hydrogen Project Planned for South Yorkshire
ITM Power announced a £86.5 million investment to expand its Sheffield site, funded by £40 million from Great British Energy and a £46.5 million grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The expansion will install an automated line to manufacture...
Norway’s Boreal AS Orders 20 Candela Electric Foiling Ferries
Norwegian transport operator Boreal AS has placed the world’s largest order for electric hydrofoiling ferries, purchasing 20 Candela P-12 vessels. Each boat costs roughly US$3.1 million and will be delivered between 2027 and 2030, offering 25‑knot speeds and a 40‑nautical‑mile range....
KwaZulu-Natal Mineral Sands Mine Powered by New Limpopo Solar Plant
A 148 MW Bolobedu Solar Farm, built by Voltia and local empowerment partners, has begun feeding green electricity into South Africa’s grid to power Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in KwaZulu‑Natal. The plant will slash RBM’s baseline emissions by at...
Entergy, Xcel, Others Seek to Upend Competitive Transmission Bidding in MISO, SPP
Entergy, Xcel Energy and seven other utilities have petitioned FERC to suspend competitive bidding for regional transmission projects in the MISO and SPP markets, arguing the process adds 16‑20 months to completion. The utilities seek a decision by July 16 and...
40 New EV Chargers & Solar Power Launched In LA Area
Rove has opened a new EV charging hub in Costa Mesa, California, featuring 40 fast chargers powered partially by 400 on‑site solar panels. The facility offers amenities such as free Wi‑Fi, a lounge, and proximity to a beach and Orange...