J1. Green Tech Industry & Utilities

Data centers, competition in the transmission sector and PJM Interconnection governance reform were other key topics at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

Headline News:

• “Global Oil Prices Rise To Highest Level In A Month Amid Iran War Escalation” • Oil prices climbed to their highest level in more than a month as fighting in the Middle East escalated and a top US official voiced pessimism about peace talks. Brent crude futures, the benchmark index for worldwide trading, rose to $94.10 a barrel. [ABC News]

Pumpjack (David Thielen, Unsplash, cropped)

• “US Says It Reaches Nuclear Power Deal With Saudi Arabia” • The US and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on civil nuclear power, the US DOE said, a deal that allows the kingdom to build nuclear reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium. A civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia has been in the works for years. [MSN]
• “Heat Rather Than Lack Of Rain Is To Blame For Europe’s Droughts” • France expects its worst maize harvest in 50 years. The EU’s rivers are so low that shipping is disrupted. Scientists say Europe’s droughts are increasingly driven more by heat than a lack of rain, and soil moisture is vanishing “faster than it would in a world without climate change.” [Euronews]
• “Europe Can Unlock 25 GW of Clean Power By Using Existing Grid Connections” • Europe could add 25 GW of wind and solar to existing hydropower sites across seven EU countries without needing extra grid capacity, according to a new Ember report. In Europe, hydropower plants are particularly well suited for hybridisation. [CleanTechnica]
• “Florida Researchers Bring Endangered Elkhorn Coral Ashore To Protect Them” • Scientists working to save a coral species from extinction transported thirty pieces from nurseries off the Florida coast to a hatchery on land, fearing that warming waters could trigger a mass bleaching event this summer that could wipe them out. [ABC News]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

World’s first commercial factory to manufacture wooden wind turbine blades takes important step closer to realisation, after being awarded funding.

The post “First of a kind” factory to mass produce wooden wind turbine blades wins critical EU backing appeared first on Renew Economy.

More than 800 electric utilities have approved GPP’s GenerLink transfer switch, which provides backup power for outlets and hardwired appliances at significantly lower cost than a standby generator, Ford says.

Cutting utility returns won't lower electric bills and will leave us with a more fragile power grid, writes Scott Aaronson, former secretary of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council.

Integrated resource planning would give regulators a clearer long-term picture of electricity needs before major energy investments are approved, advocates say.

Headline News:

• “Amazon Forest Fires Fell To All-Time Low In 2025, But Could A Super El Niño Halt Progress?” • Forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a historic low in 2025 after peaking the previous year, according to a report. MapBiomas found that 3.1 million hectares were burned last year – the smallest area since records began in 1985. [Euronews]

Brazilian Amazon forest (Ian Talmacs, Unsplash)

• “35.5%! LONGi Again Breaks World Record For Crystalline Silicon-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell Efficiency” • LONGi has announced that its independently developed crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell achieved a conversion efficiency of 35.5%. Certified by the European Solar Test Installation, this sets a new world record. [CleanTechnica]
• “Germany Adds 1.1 GW Of Offshore Wind In H1” • Germany added 1.1 GW of offshore wind capacity in the first six months of 2026, taking its installed offshore wind fleet above the 10-GW mark to 10.8 GW, industry data showed. A total of 84 turbines with a combined capacity of 1,077 MW were commissioned between January and June. [reNews]
• “RWE Notches First Power At Nordseecluster A” • Electricity has been fed into the German grid for the first time from RWE’s 660-MW Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm, a milestone that came just weeks after installation of the first turbine. RWE said installation of Vestas 15-MW turbines is well underway. Full grid connection is scheduled for early 2027. [reNews]
• “Groups Take First Step Toward Lawsuit Against TVA Over Clean Air Act Violations” • The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sent a notice of intent to sue to the TVA, warning it that construction of a new methane gas plant near the site of its 70-year-old coal plant violates the Clean Air Act. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Initiative Will Reduce Emissions in Hard-to-Electrify Sectors Including Transportation and Industry

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced $8 million is now available to advance innovative alternative fuel solutions in New York through the State’s Advanced Fuels & Thermal Energy program. This initiative supports the development of resources and infrastructure for low-carbon fuels, such as clean hydrogen or ammonia, which can reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy, such as heavy-duty transportation and industry, or provide zero-emission backup power.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Investing in emerging fuels shows promise to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in transportation, manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries. NYSERDA is doing its due diligence by exploring the best concepts and designs to integrate clean hydrogen, ammonia and other fuels to provide zero-emission energy to reach areas of our economy that are hard to electrify.”

Public Service Commission Chair and CEO Rory M. Christian said, “This funding recognizes that advancing the deployment of alternative fuels can address a critical technological gap and strengthen the state’s economy. Supporting innovation which targets hard-to-electrify uses and sectors is in line with Governor Hochul’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy.”

NYSERDA’s competitive Large-Scale Non-Drop-In Alternative Fuel-Based Resources and Infrastructure solicitation seeks eligible proposals from individuals or teams of developers, firms, manufacturers and researchers to develop, pilot, or demonstrate clean fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, or other alternative fuel projects requiring new or upgraded equipment or infrastructure for production, distribution and storage.

NYSERDA will accept proposals in two technical areas: (1) Large Scale Alternative Fuel-Based Resources, such as multi-megawatt fuel cells and (2) Alternative Fuel Cell Infrastructure, including fuel production, storage, and distribution systems. Funding is available in two categories: (1) Product Development or (2) Pilot and Demonstration.

Proposals must be submitted with the selection of one primary technical area and one funding area to be considered, and will be evaluated based on technical innovation, project plan, budget, risks, market plan, team capability, and benefits to New York State, including to disadvantaged communities as identified by the Climate Justice Working Group. Projects must demonstrate compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and industry standards and have a minimum of 50% cost-share from non-NYSERDA funding sources.

Proposals are due by September 28, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET.  A complete list of all eligibility rules and evaluation criteria can be found in the solicitation summary on NYSERDA’s website.

Additionally, all applicants have the option of submitting a Letter of Intent to NYSERDA to receive feedback on the eligibility, not merits, of their proposal prior to submitting a final version. Proposers interested in submitting the optional Letter of Intent must do so any time prior to September 7, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET.

Today’s announcement supports NYSERDA’s Innovation and Research (I&R) program, which invests over $96 million per year to attract world-class energy innovators, reduce risk for private investors and remove barriers to clean energy adoption in New York State, leveraging $15 in additional investment for every $1 spent. NYSERDA has partnered with over 900 companies that have helped make more than 300 products commercially available for consumers, businesses and utilities.

Funding for this program is provided through the New York State Public Service Commission’s 2025 Innovation and Research Order, which funds statewide clean energy innovation and research programs from 2026 through 2030.

New York State’s Climate Agenda
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 40 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs, and spur green job growth.

NYSERDA
Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York’s energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov.

TORONTO— ADAM THORN, clean growth director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the latest U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods: “Recent U.S. trade actions are another reminder that Canada's economy and auto sector are...

This summer, the Government of Canada launched its National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy, highlighting the need to double Canada’s electricity capacity and accelerate electrification over the next two decades. The Government of...

The Marigold Energy Center, about 45 miles south of Phoenix, would include 400 MW of battery storage, 600 MW of solar generation, up to 675 MW of gas generation and a new substation.

Headline News:

• “Construction Surge Pushes US Wind Outlook Higher” • The US wind industry is on track to connect more than 50 GW of capacity through 2030, Wood Mackenzie said in its US Wind Energy Monitor Q2 2026 report. The research group raised its five-year outlook, noting that construction starts increased 8% from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026. [reNews]

Wind farm (Ørsted image)

• “Deal Sealed To Unlock 3.56 GW Capacity In NSW Renewable Energy Zone” • The New South Wales government’s planned South West Renewable Energy Zone is closer to delivery after EnergyCo signed a Project Development Deed with Transgrid to upgrade a key section of the grid to support 3.56 GW of new renewable energy capacity. [pv magazine Australia]
• “Oil Prices Rise As Fighting Between US And Iran Intensifies” • Oil prices rose as fighting between the US and Iran intensified. Oil prices jumped in early trading as the US announced attacks for a ninth consecutive night. Iran responded to the strikes by targeting US allies across the Middle East. Benchmark Brent crude rose 3.2% to $90.95 per barrel. [Euronews]
• “Court Orders EPA To Implement National Soot Standard” • The US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the US EPA must follow the law and implement the strengthened health-based 2024 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, commonly called soot. [CleanTechnica]
• “The US Needs 5,000 Miles Of New High-Voltage Lines Every Year. It Only Built 392” • Some transmission experts say the grid needs about 5,000 miles of new lines. The additions reached almost 4,000 miles in 2013. In 2025, the industry added 402 miles. Before we supply AI with electricity, we have to know where it will come from. [OilPrice.com]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

The new solar sites include the retailer’s first store with a rooftop “community solar garden” as it looks to a 2040 net-zero target.

Headline News:

• “Heading For The North Pole On Tara Polar Station’s First Expedition” • The Tara Polar Station, a scientific research station designed to drift with the sea ice, left the port of Lorient on its first expedition to the North Pole. The objective is a better understanding of the biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean and the effects of global warming in the region. [Euronews]

Tara Polar Station (Tara Station Foundation image)

• “Geely Unveils New EV Powertrain That Is 93.8% Efficient” • Observers like Bill McKibben note that, considering well head to engine efficiency, only about 15% of the energy that comes out of the ground actually goes to moving our cars and trucks forward. By comparison, this week Geely announced a new EV powertrain that is 93.8% efficient. [CleanTechnica]
• “Serentica Renewables Secures 58-MW Round-The-Clock Power PPA With DCM Shriram” • Serentica Renewables signed a PPA to supply 58 MW of round-the-clock renewable power to DCM Shriram’s chemicals manufacturing plant in Gujarat. A subsidiary will combine solar power from Rajasthan and wind power from Karnataka. [pv magazine India]
• “European Energy Secures Oz Hybrid Financing” • European Energy reached financial close on the Mokoan Hybrid solar and battery project in Victoria. Deutsche Bank is providing a non-recourse financing package to refinance the operational 58-MW Mokoan Solar Farm and support construction and operation of a co-located 40-MW, 80-MWh battery system. [reNews]
• “Offshore Wind Shines During Summer Heat” • America’s offshore wind farms have already shown their ability to keep electricity flowing during brutal winter storms. Now, the clean energy resource has proved it can also bolster the grid during major heat waves, as dangerously hot and humid temperatures settled over the eastern US. [Sierra Club]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Canada needs more electricity — fast. In part, this is due to the projected growth of data centres that can power artificial intelligence and the increasing demands of our digital services. Both the federal and Alberta governments see data centre...

"Flexibility works. The real bottleneck is scaling participation fast enough to matter."

Headline News:

• “India’s Solar And Wind Power Hits Record 42.79% Of Grid Load” • India’s power sector achieved a landmark on July 13 as variable renewable energy sources accounted for 42.79% of the total electricity generation in the country. Wind and solar output combined to peak at 103.7 GW. India is accelerating its transition toward cleaner energy sources. [Whalesbook]

Wind farm in India (Thangaraj Kumaravel, CC BY-SA 2.0)

• “US Reaches Solar Power Milestone Amid Fossil Fuel Decline” • While gas and nuclear plants still lead the country’s energy mix, solar generated 12.8% of the nation’s electricity in May, according to an analysis of government data by Ember. Coal provided less, just 12.2%. Five years ago, solar was less than half of its current levels and coal was at 20%. [Kiowa County Press]
• “Spain Faces Hottest Week Of Summer With Temperatures Up To 45°C Next Week” • Spain’s State Meteorological Agency set out a timetable for its next heatwave: Climbing temperatures will intensify by Tuesday, July 22, at the latest, and last until at least Thursday, July 23. Readings that could locally be as high as 45°C (113°F) in the south-eastern third of the country. [Euronews]
• “Every Day In Every Way, Attribution Science Is Getting Better And Better” • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a report on attribution science. It backs a large body of scientific knowledge that could help governments hold oil, gas, and coal companies responsible for damage caused by extreme weather. [CleanTechnica]
• “Climate Scientists Have Predicted Greater Flooding In Texas For Decades. It’s Happening Now” • One of the shocking things about the storms that hit Texas this week is that a similar rainfall event struck almost exactly a year ago in many of the same areas. That tragic repetition may not be surprising to those who follow climate science. [Texas Public Radio]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “International Flights Set To Pay Carbon Costs Under EU’s Carbon Market Review From 2029” • The EU’s revised its carbon market rules to accelerate progress toward its climate goals. The new rules say international flights coming to the EU from origins within 5,000 km (3,100 miles) will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions starting in 2029. [Euronews]

Plane landing in Zurich (Pascal Meier, Unsplash)

• “East Coast States Will Sue Trump for Illegal Payoffs” • Eight Attorneys General filed a notice of intent that they will challenge two unlawful payoffs from the Trump administration to energy companies. The administration paid energy companies nearly $2 billion in exchange for the companies to abandon offshore wind projects. [CleanTechnica]
• “Severe Storms In France Leave At Least Two Dead And Over 50,000 Homes Without Power” • Thirty départements in central and eastern France were put on orange alert for thunderstorms on Thursday, with a risk of large hail. Power grid operator Enedis said nearly 53,000 households were affected by power outages following the severe storms. [Euronews]
• “India Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Train Built In The Country” • India rolled out its first indigenously built, hydrogen-powered train, a move aimed at expanding use of clean energy in its vast rail network. The train has two driving cars powered by hydrogen and eight passenger coaches. It will operate in the northern state of Haryana. [ABC News]
• “Ocean Winds Secures Go-Ahead For The 2-GW Caledonia Offshore Wind” • Ocean Winds has secured planning approval from Scottish ministers for the 2-GW Caledonia wind farm in the Moray Firth. The developer submitted separate applications for the 77-turbine Caledonia North and 78-turbine Caledonia South sites in November 2024. [reNews]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

TORONTO — “Build Canada Strong” is a central mantra of the federal government’s plans to bolster Canada’s economy in a rapidly changing world, with new housing and infrastructure key to Canada’s nation-building efforts. But all this construction poses a problem: the production of building materials can be a huge source of emissions. 

Thankfully, there are solutions that can reduce this downside, at little or no extra cost—while also supporting Canadian industry, as a new report, Build Canada Clean, from Clean Energy Canada reveals.

The report, which features case studies from across the country—from apartment buildings to roads to wastewater facilities—finds that lower-carbon construction materials can generally be procured at no or marginal cost increases, while simple design changes can further minimize cost and emissions. One case study of an apartment building in Quebec, for example, found that design changes and lower-carbon materials could cut construction emissions by 30% while reducing overall construction costs by 12%.

What’s more, Canadian manufacturers are already producing many of the lower-carbon alternatives required, such as steel produced in electric arc furnaces, concrete that uses industrial byproducts to replace cement, and reclaimed asphalt. Supporting this kind of construction presents a unique opportunity for Canada to build its market at a time when our key trade partners, like the EU, are actively seeking cleaner products.

Governments are key to ensuring we seize this opportunity. They are big builders and by requiring lower-carbon materials and design—an approach known as “Buy Clean”—they can create a strong demand signal. The federal government has already taken some steps to reduce carbon in its building projects, and has also recently introduced a “Buy Canadian” approach. Expanded Buy Clean policies sitting alongside Buy Canadian ones would allow us to support domestic producers while also incentivizing our industries to become more climate-competitive in a global trade environment increasingly prioritizing or requiring cleaner materials.

Beyond “Buy Clean,” some simple regulatory changes can make a big difference, as the report elaborates. There are many different codes and standards for infrastructure construction across the country, some of which needlessly restrict the use of lower-carbon materials or design practices. Where flexibility does exist to use more recycled or other lower-carbon materials, it isn’t always made use of—something that could be addressed with better procurement guidance.

As we build more projects, we have the opportunity to avoid locking in huge amounts of damaging emissions—all while cutting costs for developers and taxpayers alike. So while we “Build Canada Strong,” let’s also “Build Canada Clean.”

KEY FACTS

• The construction sector contributed over 8% of Canada’s total emissions in 2018. And that was at less than a third of the housing starts Canada actually needs. 
• For efficient, electrified buildings, the emissions associated with material production and construction, known as “embodied carbon,” usually accounts for a larger portion of lifecycle carbon emissions than those from operation, like heating and cooling.
• The global low-carbon construction materials market is expected to be worth US$579 billion in 2032, with trade partners, including the EU, increasingly looking for clean materials. 
• Through nine roadway case studies, we show that lifetime emissions reductions of between 17% and 31% could be achieved while reducing the per-metre cost of the roads by up to 16%. 
• A study of an apartment building in Quebec found that making just two changes to the building design and replacing materials with lower-carbon equivalents would reduce embodied emissions by 30% while reducing overall construction costs by 12%.
• Choosing lower-carbon material options for water infrastructure can reduce the emissions of stormwater and wastewater infrastructure with marginal cost impacts.

RESOURCES

Report | Build Canada Clean

The post Amid Canada’s massive housing and infrastructure build-out, a few changes can limit climate impact at little or no cost: report appeared first on Clean Energy Canada.

VICTORIA — Evan Pivnick, associate director of public affairs at Clean Energy Canada, released a statement in response to BC Hydro’s release of its new energy efficiency strategy, Power Smart 2.0:

“BC Hydro has a strong history of using energy conservation to reduce electricity use in B.C. as well as prepare for the growing demands for electrification. However, while this new plan makes meaningful investments and continues in this tradition, it falls short of fully harnessing the opportunities that household technologies have to save families—and BC Hydro—money.

“A recent study from Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors found that distributed energy resources (electric technologies that can generate or store energy or control demand) could meet more than 10% of B.C.’s total peak electricity demand by 2040, saving ratepayers money by avoiding more expensive infrastructure build-outs while improving grid reliability. 

“As such, it’s good to see support for consumers to adopt clean solutions, from energy-efficient appliances to battery storage, that help realize this potential. But this is only a first step. B.C needs to follow the lead of other jurisdictions across North America that are going much further in advancing changes to their electricity systems and standing up new programs that can help households save on their energy bills.

“Beyond energy-efficient appliances, new technologies have unlocked much greater opportunities to save, like managed EV charging, smart panels, controllable water heaters, and household batteries that work in harmony with the grid. The new plan lays out a vision for using these technologies, but more should be done to encourage British Columbians to make the switch. The Dunsky study found that greater financial incentives, like rebates, and other ambitious installation programs, were key to realizing the full potential of distributed energy resources for reducing both household bills and costs to the utility. 

“What’s more, heat pumps will be vital to reducing power demand, offering the ability to displace power-hungry baseboard heating and air conditioning. With another hot summer around the corner, the provincial government should introduce regulations that ensure new permanent air conditioning systems are heat pumps. Our analysis shows that a province-wide switch to heat pumps could save a cumulative $675 million in annual energy bills: that translates to average savings of approximately $170 a year for those currently using natural gas with A/C.

“Already, B.C. has some of the lowest electricity rates in North America, making the switch to EVs and household electrification especially enticing for British Columbians. And while today represents a positive step, at a moment when the cost of living is top of mind for most families, there is much more we could be doing to lower electricity bills across the province—while simultaneously building a smarter, more cost-efficient electricity system.” 

The post Response: New BC Hydro plan maintains key programs, but the province and utility are leaving larger household savings on the table appeared first on Clean Energy Canada.