Articles tagged with "infrastructure-development"
The Data Center Resistance Has Arrived
A recent report from Data Center Watch, a project by AI security firm 10a Labs, reveals a sharp rise in local opposition to data center developments across the United States, particularly in red states like Georgia and Indiana. This surge in resistance coincides with a boom in data center construction, fueled partly by generous tax incentives, making Georgia one of the fastest-growing markets for these facilities. The report highlights that between March and June 2025 alone, opposition blocked or delayed $98 billion worth of data center projects, including a notable $17 billion development near Atlanta that was halted after a local moratorium was imposed due to community pushback. The increase in opposition reflects growing concerns among residents about data centers consuming large amounts of water, electricity, and land while contributing little in taxes. This issue emerged as a significant campaign topic for Peter Hubbard, who won a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission, signaling a political shift influenced by these local concerns. Although the report acknowledges some methodological limitations—such as increased
energydata-centerselectricity-consumptionutility-regulationinfrastructure-developmentcommunity-oppositionenergy-policyTrump Lost The EV Charging Battle, Bigly
The article "Trump Lost The EV Charging Battle, Bigly" outlines how former President Donald Trump’s policies and political maneuvers negatively impacted the growth of the US electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and EV sales. Despite some temporary setbacks during his administration—such as job losses and a drop in EV sales following the elimination of certain tax credits—Trump ultimately failed to halt the broader momentum toward vehicle electrification. The article highlights that EV adoption and charging infrastructure development continue to advance, driven by state initiatives and private sector innovation, regardless of federal-level challenges. A key development is the increasing role of state governments in supporting EV infrastructure, exemplified by Illinois’ recent launch of a $20 million program to expand EV charging stations statewide. This program, part of Illinois’ “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan and authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, prioritizes locations that fill gaps in public charging availability and serve public transit or equity-focused communities. Additionally, organizations like the Transportation Energy Institute and
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-charging-stationsclean-energytransportation-electrificationrenewable-energyinfrastructure-development192 New EV Fast Charging Ports To Be Installed In Ireland - CleanTechnica
Ireland’s Department of Transport has announced the installation of 90 new electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs featuring 192 fast charging ports, each averaging about 250 kW. This initiative marks the final major phase of Ireland’s Light Duty Vehicle program, aiming to create a national EV charging network with charging hubs spaced no more than 30 kilometers (approximately 18 miles) apart. The goal is to alleviate range anxiety by ensuring convenient and reliable access to high-powered chargers across both urban and rural areas, thereby supporting local economies, tourism, and regional development. The plan aligns with Ireland’s broader climate goals, including achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and increasing renewable electricity generation to 80% by 2030. The government emphasizes that expanding charging infrastructure is key to encouraging EV adoption, noting that average daily travel distances in Ireland are relatively short, making frequent fast charging more practical than ultra-long-range EVs. Comparisons are drawn to places like California and the Netherlands, where dense charging networks have successfully
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargingfast-charging-portsrenewable-energyclimate-actioninfrastructure-developmentLaos Wind Farm Begins Power Exports to Vietnam in Regional First - CleanTechnica
The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Power Project in southern Laos began exporting electricity to Vietnam’s national grid on August 22, marking Asia’s first cross-border renewable energy initiative. Spanning 68,000 hectares across Dak Cheung and Sanxay districts, the wind farm comprises 133 turbines connected via a 71-kilometer transmission line crossing the Lao–Vietnam border. Power is collected at substations in Laos, stepped up for transmission, and delivered through Vietnam’s grid to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) under a 25-year power purchase agreement. The $950 million project took 14 years to develop and is operated by Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited, backed by international shareholders including Impact Electrons Siam, ACEN, BCPG, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Lao’s SMP Consultation. Financing was provided by a consortium led by the Asian Development Bank and included multiple international banks and agencies. Construction, led by China’s PowerChina with turbines supplied by Envision Energy
energyrenewable-energywind-powercross-border-energy-tradepower-gridsustainable-energyinfrastructure-developmentQatar turns desert sand into the world’s largest 3D printed structure
Qatar has embarked on constructing the world’s largest 3D-printed buildings—two public schools each covering 20,000 square meters—using massive custom-built printers from Denmark’s COBOD. This project, part of a larger plan to build 14 schools totaling 40,000 square meters, represents a 40-fold increase in scale compared to the previous largest 3D-printed structure, a 10,000-square-foot equestrian facility in Florida. The printers, each the size of a Boeing 737 hangar, extrude specialized concrete layer by layer to create walls with flowing, dune-like curves inspired by Qatar’s desert landscape. Over the past eight months, a multidisciplinary team in Doha has conducted more than 100 full-scale test prints, optimizing concrete mixes and printer technology to withstand Qatar’s harsh climate. Printing primarily occurs at night to enhance material performance and reduce environmental impacts such as dust, noise, and energy use. The project not only pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive
3D-printingconstruction-technologymaterials-scienceadditive-manufacturingconcrete-innovationdigital-constructioninfrastructure-developmentReassessing Steel: How Falling Cement Use Alters Future Projections - CleanTechnica
The article "Reassessing Steel: How Falling Cement Use Alters Future Projections" explores a revised outlook on global steel demand, prompted by insights from Scott Norris, a structural steel expert. Initially, the author anticipated steady steel demand growth driven by ongoing infrastructure expansion in developing countries. However, after examining cement industry trends and their close link to steel consumption—since about half of steel demand is tied to construction—the author now believes previous steel growth projections were overly optimistic. The World Cement Association’s forecast that global cement demand will peak and then decline by mid-century, due to completed urbanization in developed economies and changing building methods, significantly impacts steel demand expectations. China’s massive past infrastructure build-out, which accounted for half of global steel and cement demand, is winding down, and other regions like India and Southeast Asia are unlikely to replicate China’s scale of growth. Despite this, Norris highlights that developing regions, particularly India and parts of Southeast Asia, will see near-term steel demand increases due to ongoing infrastructure projects and new blast furnace steel plants, which have long operational lifespans extending into the late 21st century. India aims to double steel production by 2030, with potential further growth by mid-century, while Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia also anticipate rising demand. Nonetheless, the author remains skeptical that these regional increases will offset the broader global decline driven by cement displacement and decarbonization trends, suggesting a more cautious long-term outlook for steel demand than previously assumed.
materialssteel-industrycement-demandconstruction-materialsinfrastructure-developmentdecarbonizationglobal-steel-demandUBND tỉnh Đồng Nai phê duyệt cho EVN thuê đất mở rộng dự án Thủy điện Trị An
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyelectricity-generationclimate-changeenergy-efficiencyinfrastructure-developmentWebinar: Why clean construction doesn’t equal costly construction
clean-constructionlow-carbon-materialssustainable-buildingenergy-efficiencycarbon-emissionsCanadian-industriesinfrastructure-developmentEVNHANOI đẩy mạnh tiếp nhận tài sản công trình nâng cao tỷ lệ bán lẻ điện trực tiếp
energyelectricitypower-distributioncustomer-serviceinfrastructure-developmentrenewable-energysmart-gridĐóng điện Trạm biến áp 110kV Nam Cấm dự án sử dụng vốn ưu đãi từ Chính phủ Đức
energypower-gridrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyinfrastructure-developmentelectricity-supplysmart-gridLào khởi công dự án thủy điện 124 MW đối nối hệ thống điện Việt Nam
energyhydroelectric-powerrenewable-energyelectricity-generationLaosinfrastructure-developmentclean-energy