Articles tagged with "energy-innovation"
Slate Auto’s electric truck: See it here first at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Slate Auto will unveil its brand-new electric truck live on the main stage, marking the first public reveal of the vehicle. CEO Christine (Chris) Barman will provide an insider perspective on how Slate is transforming the commercial electric vehicle (EV) market, discussing challenges such as hardware innovation, supply chain complexities, and startup-scale production. The event promises an unfiltered conversation about building a next-generation EV company in a capital-intensive industry. Chris Barman, who leads Slate Auto, brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Chrysler, Eaton Corporation, and HCL Technologies, with a background in engineering and business. She is committed to creating affordable, customizable vehicles and mentoring future women engineers. The reveal at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held October 27–29 in San Francisco, is positioned as a key event for those involved in mobility, manufacturing, and hardware innovation. Attendees can register before October 17 to save up to $624, with additional
electric-vehiclesEV-trucksenergy-innovationautomotive-technologysustainable-transportationbattery-technologycommercial-electric-vehiclesSpace mirrors for solar power may threaten astronomy, experts warn
Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, proposes deploying a large constellation of satellites equipped with Mylar mirrors to reflect sunlight down to Earth, enabling solar farms to generate power even after sunset. The company plans to launch a test satellite, Earendil-1, in 2026, followed by up to 4,000 satellites by 2030, with potential expansion to 250,000 satellites featuring 54-meter mirrors. These satellites would orbit about 625 km above Earth and reflect light approximately 15,000 times dimmer than midday sun but still brighter than a full moon, aiming to provide “sunlight on demand” to targeted locations. However, astronomers and environmentalists warn that this project could severely impact astronomy and ecosystems. Unlike existing satellites that cause unintended light pollution, Reflect Orbital’s mirrors are designed to reflect light deliberately, potentially creating “blindingly bright” flashes that could damage sensitive astronomical instruments and even pose risks of eye damage to observers. The brightness could drown
solar-powerspace-mirrorsrenewable-energysatellite-technologylight-pollutionenergy-innovationspace-based-solar-energyNext-gen nuclear fuel from US firm gets green light for critical testing
US-based Lightbridge Corporation has reached a significant milestone in developing its next-generation nuclear fuel by completing the assembly of advanced fuel samples for critical irradiation testing. The proprietary fuel design uses an enriched uranium-zirconium metallic alloy, differing from the conventional ceramic uranium dioxide fuel used in most reactors. This metallic alloy is expected to improve heat transfer, allowing the fuel to operate at lower temperatures and thereby enhancing reactor safety margins. The assembled fuel samples are set for irradiation inside the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a key step toward gathering the empirical data needed for regulatory approval and commercial deployment. The preparation involved precise manufacturing and encapsulation of the fuel samples, conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and INL, exemplifying a public-private partnership to accelerate nuclear innovation. After irradiation in the ATR, the fuel will undergo detailed post-irradiation examination in shielded hot cells to assess structural changes and integrity. This testing aims to validate
nuclear-energyadvanced-nuclear-fueluranium-zirconium-alloyreactor-safetyirradiation-testingnuclear-materialsenergy-innovationUS Energy Storage Startup Makes Final Round Of Earthshot Prize
US energy storage startup Form Energy has been named a finalist in the prestigious Earthshot Prize, joining 14 other global innovators in the final round of the highly competitive program. Despite skepticism from some US officials about the existence and cost-effectiveness of energy storage, Form Energy’s iron-air battery technology has gained recognition for its potential to address long-duration energy storage challenges. The company’s battery can reportedly deliver electricity for up to 100 hours, significantly surpassing the typical four-hour duration of current lithium-ion batteries, which are mainly used for short-term peak demand management. Form Energy’s iron-air battery also offers advantages in supply chain resilience and fire safety, having passed the UL9540A safety standard at the cell level—a critical industry benchmark. The startup has attracted substantial investment, raising hundreds of millions of dollars across multiple funding rounds since its 2017 launch, and has secured contracts with utility partners. Its technology is based on the principle of reversible rusting, aiming to provide a more economical and scalable solution
energy-storageiron-air-batteryrenewable-energyclean-technologylong-duration-batteryenergy-innovationsustainable-energyClean Technology Innovation & Collaboration: Climate Week NYC Recap, Part 2.2 - CleanTechnica
The article recaps key clean technology innovations and collaborations showcased during Climate Week NYC, highlighting the convergence of global leaders, venture capitalists, engineers, and innovators focused on advancing sustainable solutions. A notable event was the 111th Hardware Meetup, which brought together creators of physical clean tech products, emphasizing the importance of connecting innovators with global manufacturing capabilities to accelerate prototype development and production. The event was hosted by Infinite Machine, a company specializing in electrified personal transportation, which unveiled its Olto vehicle designed for enhanced safety and compliance with bike lane regulations, priced at $3,495 with deliveries starting soon. Other highlighted innovations included Thea Energy’s novel approach to fusion energy, using an array of laptop-sized magnets controlled by software to create precise magnetic fields for plasma containment, aiming for net energy positive fusion in the coming years. Additionally, Atalanta Climate from Vancouver presented an indoor carbon capture system that converts CO2 into calcium carbonates, improving indoor air quality without significant energy loss, which is particularly relevant
clean-technologyenergy-innovationfusion-energyelectrified-transportatione-bikescarbon-captureclimate-technologyUS firm drills record 387 feet into granite with millimeter wave system
Massachusetts-based startup Quaise Energy has demonstrated a groundbreaking millimeter wave drilling system capable of boring 387 feet (118 meters) into solid granite without physical contact. The live demo, held at a granite quarry in Marble Falls, Texas, showcased the technology’s ability to vaporize rock using high-frequency electromagnetic waves, creating a smooth borehole and producing granite ash. This innovation, described as the first major drilling advancement in a century, aims to unlock access to superhot, deep geothermal energy—potentially providing a vast, clean, and renewable energy source comparable in scale to fossil fuels. The demonstration followed a series of successful tests progressing from drilling a few feet in lab granite cores to the current record depth achieved on the first attempt in the field. Quaise’s system reached drilling speeds up to 16 feet (5 meters) per hour, significantly faster than conventional granite drilling rates of about 0.3 meters per hour. The company plans to push the technology further by drilling up to a kilometer
energygeothermal-energymillimeter-wave-drillingrenewable-energyclean-energy-technologydeep-drillingenergy-innovationUS reviewing SOLO nuclear reactor design and safety submission
Terra Innovatum is advancing the development and regulatory approval of its SOLO micro-modular nuclear reactor, designed to deliver approximately one megawatt of electricity per unit. The company has partnered with ATB Riva Calzoni, a global nuclear component manufacturer, to scale production and accelerate commercialization. The SOLO reactor aims to form a scalable modular energy platform ranging from megawatt to gigawatt-class capacities. Terra Innovatum submitted key regulatory documents to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including the Principal Design Criteria (PDC) report, which outlines fundamental safety and design requirements. The NRC is currently reviewing the design, with an expected completion of the review by the end of 2025 and issuance of a Safety Evaluation by April 2026. The SOLO reactor features a solid heterogeneous composite moderator and is compatible with various fuels, including traditional low-enriched uranium (LEU), LEU+, and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). It uses helium gas
energynuclear-reactormicro-modular-reactorclean-energyenergy-innovationnuclear-safetyenergy-manufacturingSolar trees preserve 99% of forests, mimic nature to generate energy
A recent study published in Scientific Reports highlights the potential of vertically designed “solar trees” as an innovative renewable energy solution that can generate electricity comparable to conventional solar farms while preserving up to 99% of forest cover. Unlike traditional ground-mounted solar panels that require extensive forest clearing, solar trees are structured to allow sunlight to penetrate to the vegetation below, minimizing ecological disruption. The study modeled solar trees based on an installation in Seoul, with each tree holding multiple solar panels and standing about 15.7 feet tall. Simulations showed that 63 to 87 solar trees could produce 1 megawatt (MW) of power—matching the output of a 2014 flat-panel solar plant in South Korea—while maintaining nearly all of the original forest. The research utilized 3D geospatial data and satellite imagery to visualize and analyze the integration of solar trees into forested landscapes, demonstrating that these installations could be arranged with minimal impact on the ecosystem. Positioned along site boundaries and trails with appropriate spacing
solar-energyrenewable-energysolar-treesforest-conservationsustainable-powerenergy-innovation3D-geospatial-modelingAnother Sodium Energy Storage Startup Vows To Carry On After Natron Crashes - CleanTechnica
The article reports on the closure of Natron, a US-based "salt battery" startup that was developing sodium-based energy storage solutions, resulting in the loss of about 1,000 factory jobs and a setback for renewable energy storage efforts. Natron had been preparing to produce sodium batteries at a North Carolina facility with plans for significant capacity expansion, but recently wound down operations at both its Michigan headquarters and North Carolina site. While the company did not provide explicit reasons, the article attributes part of the failure to the negative impact of US tariffs and political opposition to domestic wind and solar industries under the Trump administration, including legislative actions that harmed factory jobs. Despite Natron’s closure, the article highlights ongoing progress in sodium energy storage through another US startup, Inlyte. Inlyte is advancing a sodium-iron battery technology that leverages the advantages of sodium—such as abundance, safety, and cost-effectiveness—especially for long-duration grid-scale storage exceeding 10 hours, which lithium-ion batteries typically
energy-storagesodium-batteriesrenewable-energygrid-scale-storagebattery-technologyclean-energyenergy-innovationSix oddball wind turbine designs that turn clean power into art
The article highlights six unconventional wind turbine designs that blend clean energy generation with artistic and architectural innovation, challenging the traditional image of large, three-bladed turbines. These designs range from New World Wind’s Aeroleaf, which mimics trees with vertical-axis micro-turbines suited for urban environments, to Norway’s Windcatcher, a floating offshore “wind skyscraper” composed of clustered smaller turbines that aim to outperform single large rotors in energy capture and maintenance efficiency. The X-Rotor project introduces an “X”-shaped vertical-axis rotor combined with horizontal-axis secondary rotors to reduce costs and balance power loads, while Atelier DNA’s Windstalk envisions a kinetic art installation of carbon-fiber reeds that generate electricity through motion without spinning blades. Further pushing the boundaries, China’s Windmill Airship (S1500) is a helium-filled airborne turbine designed to harness stable, high-altitude winds at 1,500 meters, potentially producing vastly more energy than ground-based turbines. This
energywind-energywind-turbinesrenewable-energyclean-energysustainable-technologyenergy-innovationSix 270,000-lb modules that can help power fusion at ITER developed
General Atomics (GA), a San Diego-based company, has completed the development of the Central Solenoid Modules, which constitute the largest and most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet ever built. These six modules, each weighing over 270,000 pounds, took more than two years each to fabricate and were produced at GA’s Magnet Technologies Center in Poway, California. Once shipped to the ITER fusion facility under construction in southern France, the modules will be stacked to form a massive system over 18 meters tall, weighing more than 1,000 tons. This milestone marks a significant technical achievement for the U.S. and positions GA at the forefront of global fusion innovation. The Central Solenoid will play a critical role in powering fusion reactions at ITER, an international fusion science project. GA’s successful completion of this 15-year-long project demonstrates the company’s advanced engineering capabilities and the strength of its specialized global supply chain. Beyond ITER, the expertise gained will support future fusion technologies and other applications involving
energyfusion-energysuperconducting-magnetsITERGeneral-Atomicsmagnetic-fusionenergy-innovationApplications Open for Collegiate Competitions Aimed at Inspiring Future Water Power Workforce - CleanTechnica
The article announces the opening of applications for two annual collegiate competitions—the Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC) and the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC)—both managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO). These competitions invite college teams to develop real-world solutions addressing challenges in hydropower and marine energy, offering hands-on experience, industry mentorship, and cash prizes. The submission deadline is September 19, 2025. The HCC focuses on hydropower innovation amid a workforce nearing retirement, encouraging students to engage with themes like in-conduit, non-powered dam, and pumped storage hydropower systems. Teams complete five required challenges—including site selection, design, community engagement, poster presentation, and a quick pitch—and an optional build-and-test challenge. Up to 15 teams will compete for a total prize pool exceeding $20,000, with awards for completing required and
energyhydropowermarine-energyrenewable-energycollegiate-competitionwater-powerenergy-innovationChina's Sungrow Flexes Its Green Hydrogen Muscles In Europe
Chinese company Sungrow Power Supply is advancing its green hydrogen ambitions in Europe by establishing a cutting-edge hydrogen research and development facility at Munich Airport Business Park, Germany. Launched on August 19 through its Sungrow Hydrogen branch, the new Sungrow Research Center aims to accelerate the commercialization of green hydrogen technologies globally, with a focus on water electrolysis and Power-to-X applications—using green hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier. The facility includes four specialized laboratories and is designed with ample space for future expansion, forming part of Sungrow’s comprehensive innovation chain alongside its existing hydrogen production platform and research centers. This move comes amid a dynamic and competitive global green hydrogen market, where China has emerged as a dominant player, supplying about half of the world’s green hydrogen as of 2022. While some legacy stakeholders have scaled back green hydrogen investments to focus on fossil fuels, Sungrow’s strategy reflects long-term confidence in the sector’s potential. One key application for green hydrogen is in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (
energygreen-hydrogenhydrogen-researchclean-energySungrowenergy-innovationhydrogen-electrolysisEnergy Storage Breakthroughs Enable a Strong & Secure Energy Landscape - CleanTechnica
The article highlights significant advancements in energy storage technologies led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, emphasizing their role in creating a resilient, secure, and domestically supported energy landscape. Argonne is pioneering breakthroughs across the entire energy storage lifecycle—from discovering alternatives to critical, scarce materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, to developing new battery chemistries such as sodium-ion and water-based batteries, and improving end-of-life recycling processes. These innovations aim to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, enhance grid reliability, and support American manufacturing competitiveness. Argonne’s contributions include the development of the nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (NMC) cathode widely used in electric vehicles and the integration of artificial intelligence to accelerate materials discovery and optimize battery performance. The laboratory’s approach combines fundamental science with practical applications to ensure future energy storage solutions are safe, efficient, long-lasting, and domestically produced. Additionally, Argonne leads collaborative efforts like the Energy Storage Research Alliance (ESRA
energy-storagebatterieslithium-ionsodium-ion-batteriesenergy-supply-chainArgonne-National-Laboratoryenergy-innovationUS firm's world-largest sodium phosphate battery offers record savings
Peak Energy, a New York-based company, has launched the world's largest grid-scale sodium-ion phosphate (NFPP) battery system in the United States. This innovative energy storage system (ESS) features a patent-pending passive cooling design that eliminates nearly all moving parts, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced reliability. The system offers at least $1 million in annual operational cost savings per gigawatt hour installed, reduces auxiliary power use by up to 90%, cuts lifetime costs by approximately 20% compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, and decreases battery degradation by 33% over a 20-year lifespan. The launch marks a major step toward onshoring battery manufacturing in the U.S., leveraging the country's abundant natural resources, including the world's largest reserves of soda ash—a key raw material for sodium-ion batteries. Peak Energy is currently piloting the system with nine utility and independent power producer customers, aiming to commercialize sodium-ion battery storage and secure nearly 1 GWh of
energybattery-storagesodium-ion-batterygrid-scale-energy-storageenergy-cost-savingsbattery-degradationenergy-innovationUS study finds lithium in reactor vessel could boost nuclear fusion
A recent US-led study involving nine institutions has found that using lithium as a wall material in tokamak fusion reactors could significantly enhance fusion performance. Lithium coatings on reactor walls help stabilize plasma by creating an even temperature gradient from the plasma core to its edge, which is crucial for maintaining stable plasma conditions needed for commercial fusion. Unlike pre-applied lithium coatings, injecting lithium powder during fusion operation proves more effective, as it forms a self-repairing molten layer that protects the vessel walls from the extreme heat—temperatures hotter than the sun’s core—by creating a gas or vapor shield. This protective mechanism reduces wall erosion and limits unwanted material entering the plasma, thereby improving plasma-facing surface durability. The study also addressed concerns about fuel trapping in lithium, finding that the thickness of lithium coatings before plasma shots does not significantly affect fuel retention. Lithium’s ability to absorb fuel atoms rather than reflect them helps stabilize the plasma edge, enhance plasma confinement, and enable higher power densities—key factors for developing compact and efficient
lithiumnuclear-fusionfusion-reactormaterials-scienceplasma-facing-componentstokamakenergy-innovationWest Gate’s 4th Cohort Innovators Pursue Advanced Energy Applications Throughout Energy Landscape - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the fourth cohort of West Gate, NREL’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, which supports innovators developing advanced energy technologies aimed at creating resilient, secure, and affordable energy systems. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, the program embeds entrepreneurs at NREL for two years, granting them access to research resources and entrepreneurial training to help de-risk their innovations. The current cohort includes James Clegern of KineticCore Solutions, Kian Lopez of OsmoPure Technologies, Ying Sun of Rare Flora, and Ian Brownstein of XFlow Energy, each working on diverse technologies from flywheel energy storage to water filtration and rare earth element extraction. A key innovation presented is KineticCore Solutions’ redesigned flywheel energy storage system. Traditional flywheels face limitations in energy capacity due to their cylindrical shape and mass requirements, which increase costs. Clegern’s team developed a carbon composite flywheel with an ovoid, flying saucer-like shape that can spin
energyenergy-storageflywheel-technologyadvanced-materialsclean-energyenergy-innovationcarbon-compositesBattery Storage System In The Philippines Fast-Tracked - CleanTechnica
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have launched ENABLE (Enhancing Access to Battery Energy Storage System for Low-carbon Economies), a platform aimed at accelerating the adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Asia and the Pacific. Backed by a combined grant of $750,000, ENABLE seeks to address key barriers to BESS deployment by providing technical expertise, project development support, and innovative financing solutions. This initiative is critical as the region anticipates a surge of 430 GW in renewable energy capacity by 2028, predominantly from solar power, which creates challenges in grid stability and energy reliability when renewable sources are intermittent. ENABLE’s multi-pronged strategy includes direct technical assistance to countries and developers, pilot project facilitation to demonstrate BESS viability, and capacity-building programs to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills for sustainable integration of battery storage. The platform also aims to reduce market risks through philanthropic capital, encouraging private investment and making
energybattery-storagerenewable-energyclean-energyenergy-infrastructureAsia-Pacific-energyenergy-innovationAvalanche Energy hits key milestone on the road to a desktop fusion reactor
Avalanche Energy has reached a significant milestone in developing a desktop fusion reactor by successfully operating its machine for hours at 300,000 volts. This voltage level is critical for their approach, which uses intense electrical currents rather than powerful magnets to accelerate ions into tight orbits around an electrode, causing them to collide and fuse, releasing energy. The company aims to build small reactors producing between 5 to several hundred kilowatts, with the high voltage density (6 million volts per meter) enabling efficient neutron generation for producing radioisotopes and testing fusion materials. The startup recently secured a $10 million grant from Washington State to build FusionWERX, a testing facility available to other fusion researchers that allows users to retain full intellectual property rights. Avalanche plans to become profitable by 2028 through radioisotope sales and FusionWERX rentals, forecasting revenues of $30 million to $50 million by 2029. The company is reportedly preparing for a Series A funding round to meet the 50%
energyfusion-reactordesktop-fusionclean-energynuclear-fusionenergy-innovationfusion-technologyJud Virden, Ph.D., Appointed Laboratory Director at NREL - CleanTechnica
Jud Virden, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and president of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, which manages NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He will assume the role on October 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Martin Keller. Virden was selected after a national search and brings extensive leadership experience from his tenure as associate laboratory director at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), where he oversaw about 1,700 staff working on DOE energy priorities including grid modernization and environmental management. His background includes a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and a strong record in public-private partnerships and advancing energy technologies. Dr. Virden’s appointment is seen as a strategic fit for NREL’s mission to accelerate energy innovation, with Alliance board co-chairs praising his scientific rigor, strategic vision, and collaborative approach. He expressed eagerness to build on NREL’s reputation and
energyrenewable-energyNRELenergy-innovationgrid-resilienceenergy-technologiesDepartment-of-EnergyMIT Spinoff Unleashes Geothermal Gyrotron On Fossil Fuels
The article discusses a shift in the U.S. energy landscape where geothermal energy is emerging as a promising baseload power source amid federal efforts to protect domestic fossil fuel industries by limiting wind and solar growth. While the administration emphasizes baseload power—constant 24/7 electricity generation—to favor coal and oil, it also supports other baseload resources including nuclear, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal. However, nuclear and biomass face challenges such as high costs and supply constraints, and hydropower is limited by siting opportunities. This leaves geothermal energy, traditionally confined to specific western U.S. locations due to natural geological requirements, as a key area of innovation. Recent advances in geothermal technology, particularly by companies like MIT spinoff Quaise Energy, are overcoming these limitations by using drilling techniques adapted from the oil and gas industry to create optimal geothermal conditions where none naturally exist. Quaise has secured $21 million in funding to develop its unique millimeter wave drilling system that uses a powerful gyrotron
energygeothermal-energyclean-energybaseload-powerrenewable-energyenergy-innovationMIT-spinoffFrench firm's fast neutron nuclear reactor gets $26 million boost
Stellaria, a French startup emerging from CEA and Schneider Electric, has secured €23 million (about $26.88 million) in new funding to develop the Stellarium, a fourth-generation fast neutron molten salt nuclear reactor. This reactor is designed to operate on a closed fuel cycle using chloride salt liquid fuel and aims to be the world’s first commercial reactor capable of destroying more long-lived nuclear waste than it produces. With total funding now at €33 million, including support from the France 2030 program, Stellaria plans to achieve its first fission reaction by 2029 and begin commercial deployment by 2035. The fresh capital will support technical, regulatory, and workforce expansion efforts, including filing for necessary nuclear installation authorizations and enhancing research collaborations. The Stellarium reactor emphasizes minimal innovation focused on proven principles to accelerate development and ensure safety and efficiency. Key features include passive cooling via natural convection, isogeneration to sustain its fuel cycle, and four physical containment barriers—one more
energynuclear-reactorfast-neutron-reactormolten-salt-reactorclean-energysustainable-energyenergy-innovationStorEn: Leading the Future of Home Energy Storage - CleanTechnica
The article highlights StorEn as a pioneering company in home energy storage, addressing significant limitations of current lithium-ion batteries like Tesla’s Powerwall. Unlike typical home batteries that degrade within 5–10 years, pose fire hazards, and contribute to environmental waste, StorEn offers a durable, non-flammable, and fully recyclable battery with a 20-year lifespan. Their compact design leverages industrial-grade technology adapted for residential use, providing a safer and more sustainable energy storage solution for homeowners. With the residential energy storage market projected to exceed $90 billion by 2033, driven by clean energy adoption and lithium supply constraints, StorEn is well-positioned to capture market share. While Tesla currently dominates with 62%, StorEn’s safer, longer-lasting batteries also serve telecom, microgrids, and remote communities, broadening their commercial potential. Backed by CEO Angelo D’Anzi’s extensive expertise and a strong investor base raising $12.5 million, StorEn is accelerating production and global
energyhome-energy-storagebattery-technologyclean-energyrenewable-energyenergy-innovationsustainable-energyDanish firm's 100 MW thorium molten salt reactors get funding boost
Danish company Copenhagen Atomics has received a significant funding boost from the European Innovation Council (EIC), securing a $3 million grant and access to $17 million in potential equity to advance its thorium molten salt reactor (MSR) technology. Their innovative "Onion Core" design features a compact, containerized reactor engineered for factory mass production, aiming to deliver scalable, clean energy globally. Operating at atmospheric pressure with thorium-based liquid fuel and heavy water moderation, each 100 MWth unit can also utilize recycled nuclear waste, addressing both energy production and long-term nuclear waste management challenges. The company has made notable progress, having built and tested two full-scale non-fission prototypes and key components that have accumulated over 10,000 operating days. The new funding will support the construction of a third prototype and preparation for the first nuclear fission test in partnership with Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute. Copenhagen Atomics plans to have its first commercial reactor operational by 2028, with a
energynuclear-energythorium-reactormolten-salt-reactorclean-energysustainable-energyenergy-innovationTidal energy breakthrough: Six years of nonstop power sets global record
The MeyGen tidal stream array off Scotland’s northern coast has set a global record by operating continuously for over six years without unplanned maintenance, demonstrating unprecedented reliability for tidal energy systems. This milestone was achieved through the collaboration of SKF, a global engineering firm, and Proteus Marine Renewables, which developed turbines equipped with specialized underwater components designed to withstand harsh subsea conditions. The success of this pilot project, commissioned in 2017 and running continuously since 2018, marks a significant step toward proving tidal energy as a dependable and scalable clean power source capable of diversifying the global energy mix and reducing carbon emissions. Building on this achievement, Proteus plans to deploy 30 new 3-MW AR3000 turbines starting in 2026 across sites in Scotland, France, and Japan, each capable of powering approximately 3,000 homes, with ambitions to expand to 300 turbines. The predictable nature of tidal energy, unlike solar or wind, offers a consistent renewable resource, and the UK
tidal-energyrenewable-energymarine-turbinesenergy-innovationclean-energysustainable-powerSKF-engineeringTrump-backed DOME facility clears path for microreactor testing
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has launched the world’s first nuclear microreactor test bed, known as the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME), aimed at accelerating the commercialization of advanced portable nuclear reactors. Backed by President Trump’s administration, which seeks to expand U.S. nuclear capabilities and global leadership, the DOME facility will enable private companies to conduct fueled reactor experiments as early as spring 2026. The Department of Energy (DOE) has conditionally selected Westinghouse and Radiant to test their innovative microreactor designs at DOME, leveraging streamlined regulatory processes introduced through recent NEPA reforms and an executive order to reduce bureaucratic delays. DOME repurposes the historic EBR-II dome at INL and benefits from priority status under the Defense Production Act, allowing experiments generating up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy. Westinghouse will test its eVinci Nuclear Test Reactor, a compact, transportable unit producing 5 meg
energynuclear-powermicroreactorIdaho-National-LaboratoryDepartment-of-Energyadvanced-reactor-technologyenergy-innovationGoogle inks its first fusion power deal with Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Google has entered into its first fusion power agreement by committing to purchase half the output—200 megawatts—of Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ (CFS) first commercial fusion power plant, called Arc, expected to be operational in the early 2030s. Alongside this power purchase agreement, Google is participating in a new funding round for CFS, comparable in size to the previous $1.8 billion Series B round closed in 2021. CFS is currently building a demonstration fusion reactor, Sparc, near Boston, slated for completion in 2026, which will pave the way for the commercial Arc plant. This deal marks only the second major corporate power purchase agreement from a fusion startup, following Microsoft’s 2023 agreement with Helion Energy. Google’s investment aligns with its broader energy strategy to meet growing electricity demand driven by AI and cloud services, which require reliable, 24/7 power. While Google continues to invest heavily in renewables like solar, wind, and
energyfusion-powerrenewable-energycommercial-power-plantGoogle-energy-investmentclean-energy-technologyenergy-innovation‘Wings’ on poles: Bill Gates-backed wind tech plant takes off in US
Airloom Energy, a Wyoming-based startup backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has begun construction on its first pilot facility in Rock River, aiming to revolutionize utility-scale wind energy. The company secured $13.75 million in funding last year to develop its innovative wind turbines, which are notably smaller and lighter than conventional models—standing at 82 feet compared to the typical 328 feet. Unlike traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs), Airloom’s proprietary design features compact, modular turbines with rectangular swept areas, enabling higher energy conversion efficiency in less space. This approach addresses growing US energy security concerns and the anticipated energy shortfalls forecasted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Gartner. Airloom Energy’s CEO Neal Rickner emphasizes the urgent need for affordable, flexible, and rapidly deployable energy systems to meet increasing electricity demand driven by factors such as AI and digital infrastructure growth. The company’s turbines, made with mass-manufacturable US components, can
energywind-energyrenewable-energywind-turbinesenergy-innovationAirloom-Energysustainable-energyNew solar reactor makes green hydrogen cheaper than electrolysis
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia has developed a novel "beam-down" solar reactor that uses concentrated sunlight to produce green hydrogen fuel more cost-effectively than traditional electrolysis. Unlike conventional solar thermal systems that focus sunlight atop a tower, this design uses heliostats to reflect sunlight downward onto a ground-level platform, where intense heat drives a thermochemical reaction to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This approach leverages doped ceria, a modified mineral that facilitates a two-step oxygen exchange process at reduced temperatures, enabling efficient and reusable hydrogen production. This innovation addresses the challenge of decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy industry and transport, which currently rely heavily on fuel-based energy sources. While electrolysis remains energy-intensive and costly, CSIRO’s beam-down reactor demonstrates strong reactivity under moderate conditions and has the potential to match electrolysis in both performance and cost with further refinement. The ground-level receiver design also offers greater flexibility for high-temperature
green-hydrogensolar-reactorrenewable-energyhydrogen-productionsolar-thermal-technologyclean-energyenergy-innovationGerman firm advances plan to build world's first nuclear fusion plant
Proxima Fusion, a Munich-based start-up spun out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in 2023, has secured €130 million ($150 million) in its Series A funding round, bringing total funding to over €185 million ($213 million). The company aims to build the world’s first commercial nuclear fusion power plant using a stellarator design, leveraging a simulation-driven engineering approach and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology. Key near-term milestones include completing the Stellarator Model Coil (SMC) by 2027 to demonstrate HTS application and selecting a site for its demonstration stellarator, “Alpha,” which is planned to begin operations by 2031. Alpha is intended to achieve net energy gain (Q>1), a critical step toward a functional fusion power plant. Proxima Fusion’s technical strategy centers on the “Stellaris” concept, the first peer-reviewed stellarator design integrating physics, engineering, and maintenance from inception. This quasi-isodynamic stellarator
energynuclear-fusionfusion-power-plantstellaratorhigh-temperature-superconductorsclean-energyenergy-innovationSam Altman thinks AI will have ‘novel insights’ next year
In a recent essay, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman outlined his vision for AI’s transformative impact over the next 15 years, emphasizing the company’s proximity to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) while tempering expectations about its imminent arrival. A key highlight from Altman’s essay is his prediction that by 2026, AI systems will likely begin generating “novel insights,” marking a shift toward AI models capable of producing new and interesting ideas about the world. This aligns with OpenAI’s recent focus on developing AI that can assist scientific discovery, a goal shared by competitors like Google, Anthropic, and startups such as FutureHouse, all aiming to automate hypothesis generation and accelerate breakthroughs in fields like drug discovery and material science. Despite this optimism, the scientific community remains cautious about AI’s ability to create genuinely original insights, a challenge that involves instilling AI with creativity and a sense of what is scientifically interesting. Experts like Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf and former OpenAI researcher Kenneth Stanley highlight the difficulty of this task, noting that current AI models struggle to generate novel hypotheses. Stanley’s new startup, Lila Sciences, is dedicated to overcoming this hurdle by building AI-powered laboratories focused on hypothesis generation. While it remains uncertain whether OpenAI will succeed in this endeavor, Altman’s essay offers a glimpse into the company’s strategic direction, signaling a potential next phase in AI development centered on creativity and scientific innovation.
AIartificial-intelligencescientific-discoverymaterial-scienceenergy-innovationAI-agentsnovel-insightsNREL Announces 2025 Executive Energy Leadership Cohort - CleanTechnica
energyrenewable-energyenergy-leadershipenergy-technologyNRELclean-energyenergy-innovationUS' largest SMR simulator to advance nuclear science for clean energy
clean-energynuclear-powersmall-modular-reactorsenergy-innovationVirginia-energyrenewable-energynuclear-engineeringWorld’s first mass-produced nuclear reactor to enter testing in US
nuclear-energymicroreactorsenergy-innovationmodular-reactorsportable-energy-solutionsadvanced-nuclear-technologyrenewable-energyWinners of Solar District Cup Class of 2024–2025 Announced
solar-energyrenewable-energyenergy-innovationenergy-managementsolar-storageclean-technologyenergy-competitionRealta Fusion taps $36M in fresh funds for its fusion-in-a-bottle reactor
energyfusionclean-energypower-plantsplasma-technologyrenewable-energyenergy-innovation