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Equinix announces agreements with multiple alternative energy providers to support AI-ready data center growth.

• Main announcement: Equinix has signed or announced agreements and pre-orders with advanced energy providers including Oklo (procure 500MW from Aurora reactors), Radiant (preorder of 20 Kaleidos microreactors), ULC-Energy with Rolls-Royce SMR (Letter of Intent for a PPA up to 250 MWe for data centers in the Netherlands), Stellaria (pre-order power agreement for 500 MWe to expand data centers across Europe), and Bloom Energy (expand solid-oxide fuel cell deployment to more than 100MW at over 19 data centers in six states); these actions target on-site generation, PPAs and grid-strengthening investments to support data center and AI demand.
• Background and program details: Equinix is executing a diversified portfolio power strategy including funding advanced transmission upgrades and substations, emergency backup solutions, investments in fuel cells and natural gas, and supporting advanced nuclear technologies; the release cites IEA: electricity growth ~4% annually through 2027, Equinix’s target to source 100% clean and renewable energy by 2030, current 96% renewable coverage in 2024 (with 250 sites at 100% renewable), adoption of ASHRAE A1 Allowable standards since 2022, and plans to expand advanced liquid cooling to over 100 data centers across 45 metros.

CU Boulder engineer Nicole Xu has developed a method to fit moon jellyfish with microelectronic devices that stimulate their swim muscles so researchers can steer them into remote ocean areas for environmental data collection.

• Main action: Nicole Xu and her team have created biohybrid (cyborg) moon jellyfish equipped with microelectronic stimulators; the concept was co-created about five years ago, first field-tested in 2020 off Woods Hole, Mass., and Xu plans to add sensors for temperature and pH to gather environmental data.
• Background and details: The team published a study late last month using biodegradable tracer particles (e.g., corn starch) to visualize flow around jellies as a sustainable alternative to synthetic tracers; moon jellies can inhabit extreme depths (found as deep as the Mariana Trench ~36,000 feet) and the researchers emphasize ethical considerations for invertebrate welfare and minimizing harm.

Natural Resources Canada announced more than $25 million in funding for 33 projects to improve EV charging availability, decarbonize freight transportation, and develop innovative technologies for medium- and heavy-duty trucks (announcement date: August 13, 2025).

• Confirmed funding allocations: NRCan contributed more than $9.7 million to 23 projects under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to install more than 850 EV chargers across Canada; $8 million to 6 projects under the Energy Innovation Program (EIP) for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle innovation; and $7.9 million to 4 projects under the Green Freight Program (GFP) to support fleet modernization in the transportation, construction and public works sectors.
• Program scope and specifics: The ZEVIP funds deployment of EV chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations where Canadians live, work and travel; the EIP On-road Transportation Decarbonization call supports R&D and demonstration of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and enabling infrastructure; the GFP funding confirmed purchases by four Quebec businesses of trucks running on compressed and renewable natural gas. Since 2016 the Government of Canada has allocated more than $1 billion toward EV charger deployment (confirmed historical allocation).

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that Brazil will present an innovative financial mechanism (TFFF) at COP30 and urged rich countries to contribute to tropical forest preservation.

• Planned initiative: TFFF (tariff for tropical forest preservation) to be presented at COP30 in Belém, November; proposal seeks a tariff paid by rich countries to pay for forests that remain standing, citing target regions including South America (Amazon), Indonesia, and the Congo. This is presented as a policy proposal and request for international contributions.
• Confirmed actions and commitments: Since the start of the current federal administration, Amazon deforestation has decreased by 50%, and the government committed to reach zero deforestation by 2030. Additionally, the president expressed intent to include environmental education in school curricula (teaching selective waste collection) as a domestic policy initiative.