This Week's Top 5 Stories in Energy
Why Tesla, BYD & CATL are Making Batteries for Solar Power
29 July
Tesla, BYD & CATL are some of the businesses capitalising on the intermittent nature of solar power with storage systems set to grow to support renewables.
Solar PV and wind have constituted the majority of new global power capacity for several years according to the United Nations 2025 Energy Transition Report.
“Despite this, renewable energy is not replacing fossil fuels in energy systems at the pace and scale needed,” the report says.
Growth of enabling energy infrastructure like storage could make a big difference in meeting the level of renewable energy needed.
“The electricity and transport sectors are two key pillars for bringing down emissions quickly enough to meet the targets agreed at COP28 and keep open the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol on the release of the 2024 Batteries and Secure Energy Transitions report.
29 July
Google has partnered with Energy Dome to scale CO₂ battery technology, enabling 24/7 carbon-free electricity through long-duration energy storage.
As intermittent renewable energy sources grow, the ability to store and dispatch energy is crucial.
From advanced geothermal and nuclear to emerging fusion technologies, clean energy innovation is advancing rapidly.
Now, a new partnership is set to fast-track another crucial piece of the clean energy puzzle: long-duration energy storage (LDES).
28 July
Intel aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its global operations by 2040, investing in renewables, energy efficiency and greener supply chains.
Aside from being a global leader in semiconductor innovation, Intel says it is deeply committed to energy sustainability.
In April 2022, Intel announced a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, covering its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, by 2040.
Since then, the company has already reduced emissions by 43% from its 2019 baseline.
Intel’s global sustainability strategy not only affirms its dedication but also spearheads a transformation within the technology sector towards sustainable practices.
31 July
InnoEnergy's 2024 Impact Report shows how clean tech and ecosystem innovation are accelerating net zero, saving €13.5bn (US$15.4bn) in energy costs.
InnoEnergy's Impact Report offers insights on how Europe can reach net zero through changing energy use.
The report offers a case for how clean energy ambitions are being realised through ecosystem-led innovation.
InnoEnergy, backed by the European Commission, has become one of the continent’s most active clean tech investors, propelling industrial decarbonisation efforts.
Over the past 14 years, InnoEnergy has supported more than 540 clean tech startups, generating €34bn (US$38.8bn) in investment and avoiding 2.3 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2030 through its expansive portfolio.
31 July
Meta and Enbridge join forces on a 600MW solar initiative to enhance data centre sustainability in Texas, furthering Meta's shift to 100% renewable energy.
Meta has entered into a strategic power purchase agreement (PPA) with Enbridge, acquiring the total output from a substantial 600MW solar farm in Texas.
This collaboration signifies a momentous step in Meta’s commitment to powering its data centre operations exclusively with renewable energy, while simultaneously supporting Enbridge's expansion into lower-carbon energy solutions.
Located near San Antonio, the Clear Fork solar project is on track to commence operations by the summer of 2027. Enbridge projects the cost of this undertaking to be US$900m, with plans to retain ownership.
Through this agreement, Meta secures all generated electricity to sustain its burgeoning data centre facilities in the area.
