Poland’s Energy Transition: Overcoming the ‘Coal Myth’ and Embracing Nuclear Power

Poland’s government has announced a significant shift in its energy policy, committing to the construction of its first nuclear power plants to reduce reliance on coal. The planned capacity for these new plants is estimated between 6 and 9 GW. Significant investments have been made to ensure execution by 2028, with the first unit projected to be operational by 2036. In February 2025, the Polish parliament passed crucial legislation to fund these projects with PLN 60.2 billion. This initiative has broad support among the political elite, with 430 out of 431 parliamentary votes in favor.

Sunrun and PG&E Harness Home Storage and Solar to Alleviate Local Grid Constraints

The collaboration between Sunrun and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) aims to utilize the power stored in home batteries to alleviate local grid constraints in California. The program, known as Local PeakShift Power, will be activated up to 100 hours from June through October, involving approximately 600 Sunrun customers. Participants will receive a one-time payment of $150 per battery for sharing their stored solar energy with the community. This initiative reinforces the role of virtual power plants in enhancing grid reliability and meeting the California Energy Commission's load-shifting goals.

Strategic Supply Chain Management for Critical Minerals

The Union Cabinet of India approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025. This mission aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals. It focuses on increasing domestic critical mineral production and acquiring critical mineral assets overseas. The Ministry has established Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) for overseas acquisitions. KABIL signed an agreement with CAMYEN in Argentina for lithium exploration. Additionally, KABIL has an MoU with the Australian government for joint investment in mineral assets. The NCMM includes a budget of Rs. 500 Crore for processing parks and Rs. 1500 crore for recycling, along with provisions for skill development and R&D.

Initiatives Regarding National Electricity Plan

The Ministry of Power has outlined the National Electricity Plan-Transmission, targeting to enhance transmission capacity across India from 2023 to 2032. It aims to meet a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032 and includes plans for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines to optimize energy transfer from renewable-rich regions to load centers. The plan addresses existing disparities in energy resource distribution, proposing an increase in inter-regional transfer capacity and aiming to integrate renewable energy sources and support green hydrogen manufacturing hubs.

Artificial Intelligence Makes Energy Demand More Complex — And More Achievable

Carnegie Mellon University has spearheaded a significant initiative addressing the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and energy demand challenges. The university's Scott Institute for Energy Innovation is actively engaging in this dialogue during its annual Energy Week, which started on March 25, 2025. The institute focuses on innovative research and collaborative solutions to enhance energy resilience and sustainability. Directed by Costa Samaras, who has experience in executive policymaking, the institute seeks to leverage AI technologies to improve energy efficiency. Additionally, the Block Center's recent transition memorandum aids policymakers in navigating issues related to technological change and its demands.

A city empowered, a generation inspired

E.ON UK has launched a solutions-for-schools initiative in Coventry, which includes installing solar panels, heat pumps, and insulation to promote sustainability in energy consumption. The initiative is part of a 15-year strategic energy partnership with the City Council, aiming to educate students about renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. This project could potentially impact over 100 schools in Coventry, allowing them to generate clean energy and lower costs while inspiring a generation to embrace green energy practices.

Trinasolar Tackles South Africa’s Power Crisis with Innovative Solar and Storage Solutions at Solar & Storage Live Africa

Trinasolar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, participated in the Solar & Storage Live Africa exhibition in Johannesburg from 25-27 March 2025. The company is addressing South Africa's ongoing energy crisis by providing advanced PV modules and energy storage systems. Recent load shedding underscores the need for reliable energy solutions. Trinasolar has established itself as the largest solar equipment supplier in the country, delivering nearly a gigawatt of solar modules and 250MW of solar trackers over the past year. Their innovative solutions aim to support South Africa's renewable energy transition and tackle immediate energy needs.

Australia: Virtual tolls for battery energy storage explained

Modo Energy detailed the rise of virtual tolls for battery energy storage in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in Australia, with the first contracts expected to go live by the end of 2024. Virtual tolls are financial contracts offering asset owners a fixed fee while allowing them to maintain physical control of the system. The trend toward financial offtake agreements is expected to lead to virtual tolls surpassing 50% of long-term deals by 2026.

Melissa Le Blanc's Journey in Renewable Energy Networking

Melissa Le Blanc pursued a career in renewable energy and overcame early uncertainties with mentorship and networking, particularly through the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network. She completed her master’s degree in Renewable Energy Technology from the University of the West Indies, and now oversees renewable energy projects at Fortis TCI, including the installation of the first utility-scale solar and battery microgrid in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The microgrid will power 30 percent of electricity demand in North and Middle Caicos.

Trends in Solar Cables and Connectors

The Indian solar connectors and cables market is evolving rapidly as manufacturers respond to the growing demand for high-quality components needed for solar power systems. Indian manufacturers are focusing on creating solar cables that can withstand extreme weather and have improved insulation. There is a push for halogen-free and fire-resistant cables driven by safety concerns, while smart cables with onboard monitoring systems are becoming common. As a result of rising copper prices, aluminum cables are gaining popularity. The government is promoting local manufacturing through initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, further driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.

Preventing Explosions In Quasi Lithium Batteries

The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has developed a method to prevent explosions in quasi-lithium batteries by substituting certain transition metals that lower oxidation risk. Their innovative approach could significantly enhance energy storage density, allowing electric vehicles to reach ranges of up to 625 miles. However, challenges remain due to oxygen entrapment in the cathodes, which can lead to explosion risks if not managed properly.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to Provide Free Electricity via Rooftop Solar

The Indian government launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on February 15, 2024, to provide free electricity through subsidized rooftop solar installations for 10 million households. The scheme offers subsidies covering up to 40% of installation costs and aims to provide 300 free electricity units per month to participating households. The initiative is projected to add 30 GW of solar capacity and generate significant reductions in CO₂ emissions over 25 years.

LIBRTI Program Overview by Kyoto Fusioneering

Kyoto Fusioneering announced that they will work on the LIBRTI program under the UKAEA, focusing on tritium breeding technologies. They received contracts for three projects: TRI-PRISM, TRI-BREED, and a hydrogen isotope data provision project. The TRI-PRISM involves collaboration with Birmingham University, ENEA, and CNL while focusing on developing sensors for real-time detection of tritium in LiPb. The TRI-BREED project is led by Lancaster University to create a mock-up of the SCYLLA blanket and conduct neutron irradiation tests. The hydrogen isotope project will support computer simulations led by American research institutions.

Development of Pt/Pd@SOG Electrocatalyst for Green Hydrogen Production

A novel electrocatalyst, Pt/Pd@SOG, was developed from recycled automobile catalysts and graphite anodes, enhancing green hydrogen production through seawater electrolysis. The catalyst showed a low overpotential of 195 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², surpassing commercial Pt/C. It maintained stability for over 192 hours at a current density of 100 mA cm⁻². The research aims to valorize city mine wastes, addressing critical element cycling and promoting sustainable energy catalysts.

Polythiophenes enhance efficiency of organic solar cells through refined morphology

The research team constructed a refined fibril network structure in polythiophene:non-fullerene acceptor blends based on Classical Nucleation Theory. They screened solvents to optimize nucleation while preventing over-crystallization of the acceptor. This work led to an unprecedented power conversion efficiency of 18.12% and a fill factor of 79.17% for polythiophene-based organic solar cells (OSCs), utilizing environmentally friendly toluene as a solvent. The findings highlight the critical role of solvent quality in achieving optimal morphology within polythiophene systems, promising advancements towards high-efficiency OSC manufacturing.

Enhancing Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution through Sulfur Doping Strategy

The study from the China University of Petroleum focused on a sulfur doping strategy to enhance the performance of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution featuring ultra-small platinum nanoparticles encapsulated within nitrogen–sulfur co-doped carbon materials. It achieved improvements in hydrogen evolution reaction rates in both acidic and basic media, exhibiting an overpotential of 10.2 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4. The research demonstrated significant advancements over traditional platinum catalysts, marked by a lower Tafel slope and exceptional stability against corrosion in both environments, showing improved charge transfer efficiency.

Development of N-doped Carbon Coated Na2FePO4F Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

The Clean Nano Energy Center at Yanshan University has developed N-doped carbon coated Na2FePO4F cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, enhancing electrochemical properties significantly. After synthesizing Na2FePO4F via a sol–gel method and applying a carbon coating, they achieved a specific discharge capacity of 121 mA h g−1 at 0.1C. To improve the cycle stability, the team introduced an N-doped carbon layer, resulting in Na2FePO4F@C@NC which exhibits a retention rate of 98% after 5000 cycles at 40C.

GIZ's Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change and Promote Clean Energy

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has undertaken various projects worldwide to mitigate climate change and promote clean energy. It has been involved in financing new energy initiatives in Viet Nam, expanding renewable energy sources in Chile, and reducing CO2 emissions in Mexico. GIZ's climate projects helped lower greenhouse gas emissions in Asia by approximately 154 million tonnes from 2010 to 2015, as demonstrated by their advisory role in the Delhi metro project in India, which partially utilizes solar power. Additionally, GIZ is assisting in the relocation of a village in Fiji that is at risk due to rising sea levels, which may help over 100 communities.

VO2@C Composite Enhances Electrochemical Performance

The development of the VO2@C composite aims to enhance the performance of materials used in batteries by preventing the dissolution of vanadium ions and improving electronic conductivity and structural stability. This innovation signifies a step forward in electrochemical performance for potential use in energy storage applications.

Federal industrial carbon pricing supports clean technology projects in Canada

The Government of Canada announced investments of nearly $150 million from the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) Proceeds Fund for 38 Decarbonization Incentive Program projects across four provinces. These projects, aimed at replacing oil and gas systems with efficient electric alternatives, are expected to reduce an estimated 544,100 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Through this program, funding has supported total investments exceeding $874 million in clean energy projects that promote energy efficiency and drive innovation.