Articles tagged with "sustainable-infrastructure"
Thousands More Ultrafast EV Chargers Planned For European Countries - CleanTechnica
Several Central and Eastern European countries—including Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czechia, and Estonia—are set to receive over 250 new ultrafast public EV charging hubs by 2028. Each hub will feature up to 12 charging ports, potentially totaling around 3,000 ultrafast 400 kW chargers across these eight nations. These chargers can replenish an EV battery to approximately 80% in under 40 minutes, significantly facilitating long-distance electric vehicle travel. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting this expansion by providing a €35 million loan to Eleport, an Estonian startup that already operates fast chargers in several of these countries. The initiative aims to accelerate the shift to electric mobility and reduce road transport emissions by scaling up fast-charging infrastructure. Eleport’s CEO, Jakub Miler, emphasized the importance of reliable, high-quality charging points located at major shopping and commercial centers, allowing EV drivers to conveniently charge during routine stops
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargersultrafast-chargingsustainable-infrastructureEuropean-Investment-Bankclean-energySunrun & HASI Form New $500 Million Joint Venture to Accelerate Distributed Power Development - CleanTechnica
HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (HASI) and Sunrun Inc., America’s largest provider of home battery storage and solar power systems, have formed a $500 million joint venture to accelerate the development of distributed energy assets. The partnership, finalized in December 2025, aims to finance over 300 megawatts of capacity across more than 40,000 home power plants nationwide. HASI will invest up to $500 million over 18 months through a structured equity investment that monetizes long-term customer cash flows while allowing Sunrun to maintain significant ownership and flexibility in project debt structuring. This innovative financing approach is expected to reduce the cost of capital and will be consolidated on Sunrun’s financial statements. The collaboration builds on a relationship dating back to 2018 and leverages HASI’s expertise in sustainable infrastructure investments and Sunrun’s proven track record in residential energy asset ownership and operation. Sunrun’s CFO highlighted that this financing structure is a first-of-its-kind for residential
energydistributed-energysolar-powerhome-battery-storagesustainable-infrastructureenergy-financingrenewable-energyOld tires get a second life in roads built to last longer, handle heat
Researchers at Charles Darwin University (CDU) in Australia’s Northern Territory are developing innovative road materials by recycling worn-out tires and plastics to create more durable and heat-resistant asphalt. The region faces unique climate challenges—extreme heat, UV exposure, and environmental stresses—that cause traditional roads to become brittle and damaged over time. By incorporating crumb rubber-modified binder (CRMB) and recycled plastic-modified binder (RPMB) into asphalt, the team aims to improve road longevity, reduce construction costs, and minimize environmental impact compared to conventional polymers. Initial findings show that CRMB offers strong resistance to oxidative, thermal, and UV aging, enhancing asphalt durability in harsh conditions. RPMB’s performance is more variable and depends on factors such as polymer type and dosage, requiring further study. Both materials demonstrate potential for moisture resistance, though challenges remain regarding the interaction of rubber particles and plastic properties within the asphalt mix. The project also supports a circular economy by encouraging investment in local recycling facilities, addressing the significant waste
materialsrecycled-rubberrecycled-plasticsasphaltsustainable-infrastructureroad-durabilityenvironmental-impact20 New EV Charging Ports Installed In Long Beach, CA - CleanTechnica
PowerFlex, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), has installed 20 new Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at the LACDA Carmelitos community in Long Beach, California. This installation is part of Los Angeles County’s broader initiative to deploy 15,000 EV chargers on county properties by 2035. Half of these new chargers are available to the public, while the other half serve LACDA fleet operations. The project emphasizes social equity by prioritizing sustainable infrastructure in historically underserved communities. The article highlights the severe air pollution challenges faced by the Long Beach and Los Angeles area, which consistently ranks as the nation’s most ozone-polluted metro region, leading to increased asthma rates and cancer risks. Transitioning to EVs powered by California’s predominantly clean electricity—which reached two-thirds clean energy in 2023—helps reduce harmful emissions. California is phasing out coal power entirely, further enhancing the
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargingclean-energydecarbonizationsustainable-infrastructureair-qualityUK: World’s first hydrogen-run digger marks carbon-neutral milestone
The UK’s £10 billion Lower Thames Crossing project has become the nation’s first major infrastructure development to commit to carbon-neutral construction, marked by the deployment of the world’s first hydrogen-powered digger on site in Kent. This British-made JCB backhoe loader, operated by Skanska and fueled by hydrogen supplied by Ryze, is the first hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine machine used outside a test environment. In its first month, the digger has already reduced CO₂ emissions by over 1.1 US tons, supporting National Highways’ broader goal to eliminate diesel machinery from worksites by 2027. This initiative is backed by the UK’s largest-ever purchase of green hydrogen for construction. The Lower Thames Crossing aims to reduce its construction carbon footprint by 70% through the use of low-carbon materials such as steel and concrete, alongside innovative building methods, with any remaining emissions to be offset by the early 2030s. The project, which received planning permission in March
energyhydrogen-fuelcarbon-neutral-constructiongreen-hydrogenlow-carbon-materialsconstruction-machinerysustainable-infrastructureClimate Week NYC Recap, Part 2.1: The Empire (State) Strikes Back - CleanTechnica
The article provides a detailed overview of Climate Week NYC with a focus on New York State and City’s proactive climate actions amid federal inaction. New York is positioning itself as a national leader in climate initiatives, exemplified by a $1 billion investment through the Sustainable Future Program aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in homes, schools, and communities while creating jobs and promoting environmental justice. Governor Hochul and other officials emphasized the state’s commitment to a just transition, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by climate change, and highlighted New York’s unique challenges such as extreme seasonal temperatures and aging building infrastructure that contribute significantly to emissions. Key strategies include implementing new building codes to electrify and decarbonize new constructions, upgrading over 50,000 large existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions, and leveraging efficiency improvements to facilitate electrification and lower energy costs. The state aims for 70% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% emission-free electricity by 2040, despite challenges from federal policies like the Trump administration
energyrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyclimate-actiongreen-economybuilding-electrificationsustainable-infrastructureNew smart fabric buried in asphalt lets roads self-report damage
Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) have developed an innovative smart fabric embedded with sensors that can be integrated directly into asphalt roads to monitor their internal condition in real time. Made from flax fibers reinforced with ultra-thin conductive wires, this bio-based fabric detects strain and stress within the asphalt’s base layer by measuring changes in electrical resistance. The data collected is analyzed by AI algorithms, enabling continuous, nondestructive monitoring of hidden cracks and damage beneath the road surface without the need for drilling or core sampling. This approach aims to improve maintenance planning by providing timely insights into road health, potentially reducing costly repairs and traffic disruptions. The lightweight flax-based fabric is designed for durability, resisting damage during weaving, installation, and heavy traffic loads. Manufactured on a double rapier loom, it can be produced in scalable widths and lengths suitable for real-world road construction. Initial tests involved embedding the fabric across the full width of roadbeds in industrial zones. While the technology does not extend
smart-fabricsensor-technologyIoTroad-monitoringmaterials-sciencesustainable-infrastructureAI-analyticsHow Can Local Knowledge & Culture Redefine Climate Adaptation Infrastructure? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights an innovative approach to climate adaptation infrastructure through the integration of local knowledge, culture, and art in Marou Village, a vulnerable coastal community in Fiji’s Yasawa archipelago. Facing severe climate threats such as cyclones, rising sea levels, and water scarcity, the village partnered with the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) to launch a design competition aimed at creating sustainable infrastructure that provides clean electricity and reliable freshwater. The competition required entries to include a solar photovoltaic mini-grid of at least 75 kW capacity, addressing both energy and water needs through regenerative systems adapted to the village’s environmental and cultural context. Out of 205 submissions from 45 countries, two winning designs were selected for their sensitivity to the land, climate, and community aspirations. One notable winning proposal, "The O" by Alberto Roncelli from Denmark, combines solar power and rainwater harvesting to generate 150 MWh of electricity and 1.2 million liters of filtered water
energyrenewable-energysolar-powersolar-photovoltaicclean-energywater-harvestingsustainable-infrastructure1,212 EV Chargers Installed In Richmond, British Columbia - CleanTechnica
The Cadillac Fairview Richmond Centre in Richmond, British Columbia, recently installed a large-scale electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure consisting of 1,212 smart Level 2 EV chargers in its parking area. This installation primarily serves residents of the adjacent 12-tower residential redevelopment, with an additional 20 to 40 chargers available for public use. The project, completed at no cost to homeowners, exemplifies the rapid deployment potential of EV charging hubs and supports the transition from gasoline and diesel vehicles to fully electric transportation. Enlightened Building Technologies estimates that this initiative could replace over 21 million kilometers of gas-powered driving and save approximately 2.2 million liters of fuel. British Columbia currently has over 150,000 electric vehicles, and a 2023 Canadian Automobile Association survey found high satisfaction among EV owners in the province: 87% enjoy driving their EVs more than their former gas-powered cars, and 96% plan to purchase another EV. The article emphasizes that widespread availability of EV
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargersrenewable-energyclean-transportationsmart-chargingsustainable-infrastructureUndersea Desalination Pods To Solve Water And Energy Woes
The article discusses an innovative solution to the high energy demands of seawater desalination, a process increasingly critical due to climate change and population growth. California startup OceanWell has developed undersea desalination "pods" that leverage the natural pressure found at depths of around 400 meters to reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%. Unlike conventional onshore desalination plants, which require significant energy to pressurize seawater for reverse osmosis, these pods operate underwater, using ambient ocean pressure to drive the process. This approach also offers logistical advantages, such as avoiding the crowded coastal zones where traditional plants face regulatory and environmental hurdles, exemplified by the decades-long, ultimately canceled Huntington Beach onshore project. OceanWell’s pods also address environmental concerns by enabling more effective diffusion of brine waste in the ocean, reducing the need for costly protective measures. The company has progressed from initial development to testing a single pod in an onshore reservoir designed to minimize ecological impacts. Supported by multiple California water districts and with interest
energydesalinationocean-technologywater-treatmentrenewable-energyenvironmental-technologysustainable-infrastructureV-Green Subsidiary Offers Charging Station Business To Filipinos - CleanTechnica
V-Green Global Charging Station Development JSC, founded by VinFast chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, has launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging station partnership model in the Philippines to accelerate EV adoption and support VinFast’s expanding electric vehicle ecosystem in Southeast Asia. The company offers Filipino landowners and business owners the opportunity to become franchisers of V-Green charging stations with no upfront investment or operational responsibilities, as V-Green fully funds, installs, and manages the stations. Partners benefit from revenue sharing and a minimum five-year lease, with ideal locations sought in Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Davao. V-Green aims to establish EV charging as a standard feature in Philippine real estate within five years, enhancing property value and supporting the country’s green transition. This expansion follows V-Green’s success in Vietnam, where it operates over 150,000 charging ports through a mix of self-operated and franchised stations. The franchising model is expected to accelerate network growth and market participation
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-charging-stationsgreen-technologyrenewable-energysustainable-infrastructureVinFast