Articles tagged with "clean-energy-transition"
Wind & Solar Surpassed Fossil Fuels In EU In 2025 - CleanTechnica
In 2025, wind and solar energy collectively surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation across the European Union (EU) for the first time, providing 30% of the continent’s power compared to 29% from fossil fuels. This milestone marks a significant shift toward a cleaner energy system, driven by record-breaking solar output working alongside wind power. While coal usage reached historic lows, the EU remains heavily dependent on fossil gas, which increased in 2025 due to a decline in hydroelectric power, causing a 16% rise in fossil gas import costs and electricity price spikes. The EU’s energy strategy emphasizes reducing reliance on costly imported fossil fuels, with legislation in place to ban Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, though new dependencies on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) have emerged. The report highlights the geopolitical risks tied to fossil fuel dependence, underscoring the importance of investing in domestic renewables, grid enhancements, battery storage, and demand flexibility to
energyrenewable-energywind-powersolar-powerEuropean-Union-energyclean-energy-transitionfossil-fuel-phase-outSierra Club Nebraska Reacts to OPPD Extending Life of Aging Coal Plant - CleanTechnica
The Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) board has voted to extend the operation of the aging North Omaha Station, a coal-fired power plant with a history of reliability problems and significant health impacts on the North Omaha community. This decision reverses a 2014 commitment to retire the plant and move away from coal. The plant’s continued operation disproportionately affects North Omaha, a historically Black neighborhood, exposing residents to harmful air pollution linked to high asthma rates and other health issues. Health experts, including Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse, have highlighted the detrimental health consequences and environmental injustices caused by ongoing coal burning. In response, Ken Winston, director of Sierra Club Nebraska, condemned OPPD’s decision as a violation of its environmental justice policy and a threat to vulnerable communities. The Sierra Club has actively campaigned for nearly 15 years to retire the plant and transition to clean energy alternatives such as demand-side management and distributed energy resources. Winston emphasized that the only beneficiaries of keeping the coal plant operational
energycoal-powerclean-energy-transitionenvironmental-justiceair-pollutionrenewable-energypower-plant-retirementLargest Utah Coal Plant Goes Quiet as Los Angeles Goes Coal-Free - CleanTechnica
Utah’s largest coal-fired power plant, the Intermountain Power Project (IPP), which primarily serves southern California, has ceased operations as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power quietly shut it down just before Thanksgiving. This shutdown occurred without any disruption to customers, despite the Utah Legislature’s decision to block the full retirement of the plant’s fossil fuel units and mandate that these units remain connected and not be decommissioned. However, no buyers have emerged to keep the aging coal facility operational, leaving it idled but legally required to stay on standby, raising questions about who will bear the costs of maintaining an obsolete plant. Environmental advocates, such as Zack Waterman from the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, highlight that the seamless shutdown demonstrates that communities can maintain reliable power without relying on outdated coal plants. The move aligns with California’s broader transition toward cleaner energy sources. The Sierra Club, a prominent grassroots environmental organization, continues to promote clean energy and environmental protection through activism, education, and legal efforts
energycoal-plant-shutdownclean-energy-transitionrenewable-energypower-grid-reliabilityfossil-fuel-phase-outenvironmental-activismTrillions Of Dollars Committed To Fossil Fuel Divestment - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the significant global movement toward fossil fuel divestment, with over 1,660 institutions collectively managing $40.76 trillion in assets committed to reducing or eliminating investments in fossil fuels. These institutions span various sectors, including education, faith, health, government, and private organizations. The divestment effort is driven by both financial and ethical considerations: fossil fuel investments have underperformed over the past decade due to sector volatility, and fossil fuels are the primary contributors to climate change and related environmental disasters. Stand.earth, a global advocacy organization featured in the article, plays a key role in promoting fossil fuel divestment by challenging corporations and governments to adopt climate-safe and equitable policies. Their mission focuses on fostering environmental and climate justice at a scale commensurate with the global crisis. The organization encourages continued momentum in divestment as a form of accessible climate action aimed at building a sustainable economy that benefits all people, not just wealthy elites. Additionally, individuals are
energyfossil-fuelsclimate-changedivestmentsustainabilityenvironmental-advocacyclean-energy-transitionUS DOE to Loan West Virginia Utilities $1.44B to Extend Life of 6 High-Cost Coal Plants - CleanTechnica
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a $1.44 billion loan to West Virginia utility companies to refurbish six coal-fired power plants, extending their operational lives by up to 20 years. This funding, part of a broader initiative that includes expanding fossil fuel infrastructure with new and upgraded gas plants, will ultimately be paid for by West Virginia residents through increased electric bills over decades. The refurbishment aims to sustain coal power despite its declining competitiveness and significant public health impacts. Critics, including the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, argue that these investments are short-sighted and financially burdensome for ratepayers, as many of the coal plants operate less than half the time due to competition from cheaper energy sources. The Sierra Club highlights the health consequences of coal plants, which currently cause hundreds of hospital visits and dozens of deaths annually within West Virginia, as well as hundreds of deaths in neighboring states. They advocate for a transition to cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective energy
energycoal-power-plantsUS-Department-of-Energyutility-loansfossil-fuelsenergy-policyclean-energy-transitionElectric Jeepneys Needed As Phase-Out Plan for Old Units Looms - CleanTechnica
The Philippine jeepney, a vital mode of last-mile urban transport, is undergoing a major transformation with efforts to electrify the fleet as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, which mandates phasing out jeepneys older than 15 years by 2027. Despite the large fleet of 220,000 units, only about 5% have been electrified so far, though deployment accelerated in 2025 with over 1,000 electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys) introduced. E-jeepneys address critical last-mile connectivity challenges by linking residential areas to major transport hubs, serving routes unsuitable for buses but too long for walking. The main barrier to widespread e-jeepney adoption is economic, as the cost of an electric unit (around PHP 2.5 million or $44,000) far exceeds the current P300,000 ($5,000) zero-interest loans available to operators. Experts recommend expanding these loans to cover 80% of the cost with zero
energyelectric-vehiclespublic-transportationclean-energy-transitioncharging-infrastructuresustainable-transportelectric-jeepneysCenterPoint Energy Announces Costly Intention to Backtrack on Coal Retirements, Keeping Expensive Culley Plant Online Past 2027 - CleanTechnica
CenterPoint Energy has announced plans to reverse its previous commitment to retire all coal plants by 2027, specifically intending to keep the aging Culley Unit 3 coal plant operational beyond that date. The utility acknowledged that coal plants, including Culley, struggle to compete with renewable and gas energy on short-term costs and suffer from increased maintenance and frequent outages due to their outdated design. Despite studies indicating that retiring Culley Unit 3 would be the lowest-cost option, CenterPoint did not consider retirement before 2032, raising concerns about higher costs and reliability risks for customers. Environmental advocates, including Nicole Chandler of Southwest Indiana Beyond Coal, criticized CenterPoint’s decision, highlighting the plant’s age, unreliability, and high maintenance costs. They argue that extending Culley’s operation contradicts the promise to transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources like solar and wind. The Sierra Club, a prominent environmental organization, supports efforts to move away from coal to protect community health and promote sustainable energy solutions.
energycoal-powerrenewable-energypower-plant-maintenanceenergy-policyclean-energy-transitionutility-billsRenewables Drive A Stake Through The Cold, Dark Heart Of King Coal - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights a significant shift in the global energy landscape during the first half of 2025, where renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, outpaced the growth in global electricity demand. According to data from Ember covering 88 countries, solar power alone accounted for 83% of the increase in electricity generation, with solar output rising by 31% and wind by 7.7%. This surge in renewables led to renewables overtaking coal in the global electricity mix for the first time, with renewables’ share increasing to 34.3% while coal’s share declined to 33.1%. China, the US, the EU, and India were the leading contributors to solar growth, and many countries have now reached significant milestones in solar energy penetration. Despite this progress, the article cautions that the transition is not complete. The decline in coal use in some regions, such as India, was partly due to cooler weather rather than solely a structural shift
renewable-energysolar-powerwind-energycoal-phase-outclean-energy-transitionglobal-electricity-demandsustainable-energyClimate Activists Should Use Antitrust Laws Against Big Oil - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the legal challenges faced by climate activists in holding Big Oil companies accountable for their role in climate change. A notable lawsuit filed by Puerto Rico against major fossil fuel companies such as ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Shell, and ConocoPhillips accused them of misleading the public about climate change and delaying the transition to clean energy despite internal scientific knowledge of their products' harmful effects. However, this lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, which typically allows only three years to file such claims, and Puerto Rico's suit was filed too late following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Despite this setback, the article highlights a new legal strategy proposed by Aaron Regunberg and Zephyr Teachout, who suggest using antitrust laws to challenge Big Oil. They argue that antitrust laws, which are designed to prevent collusion and protect market competition, could effectively address the fossil fuel industry's coordinated efforts to block renewable energy development and maintain market dominance. The article cites internal Exxon memos acknowledging the
energyfossil-fuelsclimate-changeclean-energy-transitionantitrust-lawsBig-Oilenvironmental-lawThe engineers turning waste salt into the energy transition's missing link
The article highlights how two engineers, Bilen Aküzüm and Lukas Hackl, co-founders of Aepnus Technology, identified a significant but overlooked bottleneck in the battery supply chain: the chemical waste generated during mineral processing. Specifically, lithium extraction and battery recycling plants produce large amounts of sodium sulfate waste while simultaneously importing costly reagents like caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and sulfuric acid. This linear chemical use results in high operating expenses—up to 30-40% of costs—and environmental burdens due to waste disposal. Motivated by this paradox, the engineers developed an innovative electrolyzer system that converts waste sodium sulfate back into valuable reagents, effectively closing the loop on industrial chemistry. After five years of research, pilot projects, and material science advances, Aepnus Technology’s electrolyzer has demonstrated reliable, energy-efficient conversion of sodium sulfate into high-purity caustic soda and sulfuric acid without relying on rare catalysts. This breakthrough addresses a critical but under
energybattery-technologychemical-recyclingelectrochemistrysustainable-materialsclean-energy-transitionindustrial-chemistryPhilippine Telco Provider Shifts More Than 3000 Cellsites To Renewable Energy - CleanTechnica
Philippine telecommunications company Globe is transitioning over 3,000 of its cell sites and low-energy facilities in Metro Manila and the CALABARZON region to 100% renewable energy by 2028. This initiative, enabled by the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), allows Globe to bundle the power demands of multiple small sites to procure clean electricity from a single retail supplier. The move is expected to source 80 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually and reduce Globe’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5,500 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent each year. This transition supports Globe’s commitments under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aiming for a 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 and a 90% reduction across all scopes by 2050, using 2021 as the baseline. The collaboration with energy supplier ACEN RES, part of the Ayala Group, reinforces a
energyrenewable-energysolar-powertelecommunicationsclean-energy-transitiongreenhouse-gas-reductionsustainabilityIEA: Renewables Will Be World’s Top Power Source "by 2026" - CleanTechnica
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that renewable energy will surpass coal as the world’s leading source of electricity by 2026 at the latest, driven primarily by rapid growth in wind and solar power. In 2024, wind and solar output exceeded 4,000 terawatt hours (TWh) and is expected to surpass 6,000 TWh by 2026. Together, wind and solar will account for over 90% of the increase in global electricity demand through 2026, supplemented by modest growth in hydropower. Despite political opposition from some right-wing figures in countries like the US and UK, renewables are set to make up 36% of global power supply by 2026, compared to coal’s 32%, marking coal’s lowest share in a century. The decline in coal-fired electricity generation is mainly due to reductions in China and the EU, partially offset by increases in the US, India, and other Asian nations. This shift is
energyrenewable-energywind-powersolar-powerelectricity-generationInternational-Energy-Agencyclean-energy-transitionCriminalize Fossil Fuel Disinformation, Says UN Rapporteur - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a significant report by Elisa Morgera, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, which calls for urgent and transformative action to phase out fossil fuels due to their severe, widespread, and intergenerational human rights impacts. Morgera frames the fossil fuel crisis as a fundamental right to life issue, emphasizing that continued reliance on oil, gas, and coal threatens the existence of humanity. The report asserts that wealthy fossil fuel-producing nations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia have a legal obligation under international law to fully phase out fossil fuels by 2030 and to compensate affected communities. It also demands bans on fracking, oil sands, gas flaring, fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and misleading technological solutions that perpetuate fossil fuel dependency. A particularly radical aspect of the report is its call to criminalize fossil fuel disinformation, proposing prohibitions on fossil fuel companies lobbying or advertising to prevent the spread of misleading information that undermines climate action. Mor
energyfossil-fuelsclimate-changeenvironmental-lawhuman-rightsclean-energy-transitionsustainability200MW US battery to power 200,000 homes during grid stress
The Peregrine Energy Storage Project, launched by Arevon Energy in San Diego’s Barrio Logan community, is one of the largest battery storage facilities in the region, featuring a 200 MW/400 MWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system. This $300 million project can supply power to 200,000 homes for two hours during peak demand periods, helping to stabilize California’s grid amid increasing challenges from hot summers and fluctuating renewable energy generation. The system stores excess energy generated during low-demand periods, particularly from solar and wind sources, and discharges it during peak hours to reduce blackout risks and price spikes. The use of LFP batteries enhances safety and durability due to their thermal stability and slower degradation compared to other lithium-ion chemistries, ensuring long-term reliability. The Peregrine project not only supports California’s renewable energy goals by facilitating smoother integration of intermittent green power but also contributes economically by creating over 90 local construction jobs and generating more than $28 million in property
energybattery-storagelithium-iron-phosphaterenewable-energygrid-stabilityenergy-storage-systemsclean-energy-transition