Europe's Ascent

Breathing new life into rivers. Rob Kleinjans

Today's Top Climate Stories

What's getting the most trade & popular press coverage today

1. Science: US brain drain: Nature’s guide to the initiatives drawing scientists abroad (Nature)

• Also covered well in Foreign Policy "Trump’s Brain Drain Will Be Europe’s Gain"

• In context: Researchers are increasingly leaving the US for opportunities abroad due to political instability, visa restrictions, and uncertain funding, potentially undermining America's scientific leadership despite booming private investment in AI.

2. Energy: Labour-Led Parliament Clears Great British Energy Bill. GB Energy gets legal powers & £8.3 billion in funds to make the UK a clean energy ‘superpower’ (Taiyang News)

• In context: Establishing a well-funded clean energy initiative at a time when other major economies (like the US) are struggling with political deadlock and conflicting priorities, could give Britain a competitive advantage in the global energy transition.

3. Rivers: Dam removal in Europe goes from strength to strength (Rewilding Europe)

• "542 barriers were removed across 23 European countries in 2024, up 11% on the year before. These removals led to the reconnection of over 2900 kilometres of rivers, boosting biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing climate resilience."

• Also well covered by EcoWatch 

• In context: While political gridlock and tech controversies dominate global headlines, Europe's removal of 542 river barriers in one year shows successful environmental cooperation.

Good news of the day: A New Job For Wave Energy: Water Desalination (CleanTechnica)

From the Editor

Sometimes, maybe all the time, it takes a crisis to motivate big change.

Even a great new opportunity isn't always motivation enough for people, organization, and societies to change.

As Dr. Elizabeth Sawin of the Multisolving Institute recently said on a call with RegenIntel: all the best examples of communities bringing together all stakeholders to kick off big projects that built resilience and solved a long list of ecological and social problems - like the Japanese community she studied that rapidly transformed their energy infrastructure after the Fukishima nuclear disaster - all the examples her team could find came about in response to a crisis.

The politics of sustainability in the United States right now is certainly a crisis, at least on the federal level. Globally, that crisis could end up motivating some great work in transformation. May Europe, and the rest of the world, rise to the opportunity. Today's top stories just happen to all point in that direction.

Today's Full Collection

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (7 stories) - Fishmeal/oil factory map; Palm oil inequity; Monarch MK-V tractor at Gamble Estates; Brazil COP30 food focus; Irish oyster benefits; Danone methane reduction; IdeeLab biologicals.

  
  

•  🪨Carbon (8 stories) - French study finds gender emissions gap; China CO2 emissions drop amid clean energy growth; IMO approves shipping carbon pricing; Climeworks struggles; JPMorgan backs Mati Carbon; Trinasolar achieves low carbon footprint.

  
  

•  ♻️Circular (7 stories) - SYNCRAFT, MCI Innsbruck win award; recycling lags; right-to-repair gains; sargassum biofuel; bagasse napkins; eco-friendly purchases up; shoe deconstruction aids mental health.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (18 stories) - ResilientSea Project in Miami, fire science in US Southwest, Oregon coast protections, Amazon dieback risk, solar storms & whale strandings, Chang'e-5 moon samples, giant sea bass recovery, flamingo feeding, tiger salamander tracking, endangered species recovery, Oregon safari park raid, wildlife photo gallery, house finch adaptability, 'Orbital' book, Danish coastal festival, heavy metal tap water contamination, Australia cold front.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (6 stories) - SEEED net-zero homes, Energy Star defense, EU sustainable cooling, data center innovation, and Texas water metering.

  
  

• 💰Finance (12 stories) - Solar Landscape secures $175M, Biowave initiative addresses India's VC gap, Chubb exits Calcasieu Pass LNG, and Triodos/STOXX launch SDG index.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (23 stories) - PJM faces renewable backlog; Seraphim, CRRC, ESSO collaborate; Iberian blackout spurs AI grid monitoring; Victoria plans renewable zones; Amsterdam pilots Deftpower EV charging; Verrus reduces data center load; CBRE invests in battery storage; MISO capacity auction hits record; KACO unveils inverter; Waratah battery delayed; Beacon AI plans data centers; Oklo drills at Idaho lab.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (9 stories) - Indonesia's Mentawai Islands conservation, India's "Hargila Army," Australia clean energy funding, Petroperú's Block 64, Ontario Power Generation, Mexico's Mixtec snail dye, Kenya carbon market disputes, Indigenous Youth Fellowship, and Peru's Sacred Valley.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (21 stories) - Anthology's bio-manufacturing platform, Living Future Conference decarbonization plans, rectangular solar cell production boom (Canadian Solar, TOPCon), SkyTruth oil spill report, BASF renewable ammonia, Stanford gas stove study, Solestial funding, Nextracker acquires Bentek, NuScale Power SMR approval target.

  
  

• 📜Policy (66 stories) - EPA budget cuts face bipartisan opposition, cities adopt standardized data, Pope Leo XVII addresses AI and labor, UN targets environmental crimes, and states challenge wind energy ban.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (15 stories) - Bali mandates rooftop solar; TerraForm acquires Sun Tribe; Google & energyRe in SC; TPSolar & AIKO in Noordenveld; AIKO's 815MW deals; Orsted wind projects face challenges; Ocean Oasis wave desalination; Google funds Fervo geothermal; Qcells, Trinasolar, LONGi tandem cell breakthroughs; Barzaei Halwan & Seraphim agreement; DAH Solar unveils hybrid inverter.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (11 stories) - LONGi solar cells for Innoptus solar car, Archer Aviation's eVTOLs for LA Olympics, Uruguay's EV leadership, California's megawatt charging, OPES Solar's vehicle modules, Toyota's bZ Woodland SUV, Ride1Up's Prodigy V2 e-bike, Heybike's ALPHA e-bike.

Agriculture

Fishmeal/oil factory map; Palm oil inequity; Monarch MK-V tractor at Gamble Estates; Brazil COP30 food focus; Irish oyster benefits; Danone methane reduction; IdeeLab biologicals.

• New study maps the fishmeal factories that supply the world’s fish farms (Mongabay) - First global open-source map reveals 506 fishmeal and fish oil factories across 60 countries, highlighting environmental and social impacts of aquaculture feed production.

• Profit imbalance in palm oil industry risks environmental compliance, report says (Mongabay) - New report reveals palm oil industry profit inequity threatens environmental compliance as smallholder farmers receive disproportionately small share despite producing one-third of global supply.

• Gamble Estates Featured on KPIX | CBS News Bay Area (CBS News) - Napa Valley's Gamble Estates showcases AI-powered electric Monarch MK-V tractor, reporting 40-50 tons carbon emission reduction and $12K annual fuel savings.

• Less talk, more action: It’s time to deliver on food, nature and climate (Food and Land Use Coalition) - Brazil to host COP30 in Belém, focusing on transforming global food systems from promises to implementation with five key action priorities for climate and agriculture.

• Oysters have a rare environmental distinction among foods. They are net positive. (Anthropocene) - New Irish study shows oyster farms remove 228% more nutrients than produced, sequester significant carbon, and provide $2M worth of coastal cleanup benefits annually.

• Companies behind dairy industry’s first methane targets show early success (Trellis) - Danone and dairy industry alliance report 25% methane reduction since 2020 through improved cattle feed and manure management, on track for 30% cut by 2030.

• IdeeLab achieves CDMO status with new industrial-scale facility for ag biological production (AgFunderNews) - Brazilian biotech startup IdeeLab opens industrial-scale facility capable of producing 1 million liters of agricultural biologicals annually as full-service CDMO.

Carbon

French study finds gender emissions gap; China CO2 emissions drop amid clean energy growth; IMO approves shipping carbon pricing; Climeworks struggles; JPMorgan backs Mati Carbon; Trinasolar achieves low carbon footprint.

• Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests (Climate Desk) - Study of 15,000 French citizens reveals men generate 26% higher emissions than women due to greater car usage and red meat consumption.

• DeBriefed 16 May 2025: Has China’s CO2 peaked?; US bill ‘would kill IRA’; Poland’s coal collapse (Carbon Brief) - China's CO2 emissions fall for first time due to clean energy expansion rather than weak electricity demand, marking potential peak in March 2024.

• China Briefing 15 May 2025: CO2 emissions fall; Drought affects food production; Climate diplomacy at CELAC (Carbon Brief) - China reports 1.6% drop in CO2 emissions amid clean energy growth, severe drought impacts agriculture, and strengthens climate diplomacy with Global South nations.

• IMO’s history-making carbon emission levy is a step forward; Pacific Environment argues more steps are needed (Pacific Environment) - IMO approves first-ever global carbon pricing scheme for shipping industry with $100-380/tonne emissions fees, though targets fall short of Paris Agreement goals.

• Clean Energy Shifts China’s CO₂ Emissions From Growth To Decline (CleanTechnica) - China's CO₂ emissions show first-ever decline driven by clean energy expansion, with power sector emissions falling 6% despite 2.5% electricity demand growth.

• Climeworks’ DAC & Fiscal Collapse & The Brutal Reality Of Pulling Carbon From The Sky (CleanTechnica) - Climeworks' direct air capture plant in Iceland captures only 105 tonnes of CO2 in 2024, leading to layoffs and raising doubts about DAC technology's viability for large-scale carbon removal.

• JPMorgan Backs Mati Carbon to Scale ERW Carbon Removal Business (ESG Today) - JPMorgan provides blended finance facility to Mati Carbon for scaling enhanced rock weathering technology that removes CO2 while benefiting smallholder farmers in Global South.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Certisolis Carbon Footprint Certification For Trinasolar & More (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar achieves industry-lowest carbon footprint certification of 300 kg CO₂/kWc for crystalline silicon modules from France's Certisolis.

Circular

SYNCRAFT, MCI Innsbruck win award; recycling lags; right-to-repair gains; sargassum biofuel; bagasse napkins; eco-friendly purchases up; shoe deconstruction aids mental health.

• SYNCRAFT Wins Energy Globe Award For Breakthrough In Activated Carbon Usage (CleanTechnica) - SYNCRAFT and MCI Innsbruck win Energy Globe Award for developing biochar-based activated carbon water filtration system that removes pharmaceutical and microplastic pollutants.

• Global recycling rates have fallen for eighth year running, report finds (The Guardian) - Global recycling rates drop to 6.9% of materials used as consumption growth outpaces recycling efforts for eighth consecutive year.

• Reclaiming Control: How You Can Join the Right to Repair Movement (Earth.org) - Global right-to-repair movement gains momentum as consumers push for legislation requiring manufacturers to make electronics more repairable amid rising e-waste concerns.

• How a toxic seaweed choking Caribbean beaches could become a valuable resource (The Conversation) - Caribbean nations explore economic opportunities from invasive sargassum seaweed through biofuel production, plant tonics, and harvesting technologies despite environmental and health challenges.

• The Best Natural Napkins for Weddings, Baby Showers, and Gatherings (EcoSoul Home) - Bagasse-based compostable napkins offer sustainable, tree-free alternative for events with 90-180 day decomposition timeframe.

• Survey: Nearly half of U.S. consumers say they buy sustainable products (Trellis) - New survey shows 49% of US consumers purchased eco-friendly products in past month, up 6% since pre-election, with only 15% expressing no interest.

• Who knew taking shoes apart could put your mind back together? 🤯👟♻️ #blacksustainability #atl (YouTube) - Shoe deconstruction, involving tearing apart and repurposing shoes, has been found to improve mental health and promote sustainability.

Ecosystems

ResilientSea Project in Miami, fire science in US Southwest, Oregon coast protections, Amazon dieback risk, solar storms & whale strandings, Chang'e-5 moon samples, giant sea bass recovery, flamingo feeding, tiger salamander tracking, endangered species recovery, Oregon safari park raid, wildlife photo gallery, house finch adaptability, 'Orbital' book, Danish coastal festival, heavy metal tap water contamination, Australia cold front.

• Miami Community ResilientSea Project launches to strengthen coastal resilience and empower communities (CLEO Institute) - Miami launches three-year ResilientSea Project combining ecosystem restoration and community engagement to strengthen coastal resilience through partnerships between scientific organizations and local residents.

• Southwest Fire Science Consortium (Southwest Fire Science Consortium) - Organization connects scientists, land managers, and public to implement cutting-edge fire science for protecting communities and natural resources in US Southwest.

• Oregon students advocate for a healthy ocean (Environment Oregon) - University students lobby state legislators to support bills protecting rocky habitats and eelgrass meadows along Oregon coast.

• ‘Significant’ risk of Amazon forest dieback if global warming overshoots 1.5C (Carbon Brief) - New study shows Amazon rainforest faces significant dieback risk if global temperatures temporarily exceed 1.5C, with 37% of scenarios showing forest loss by 2100.

• Summer-like slug of heat pushes across much of North America (Yale Climate Connections) - Record-breaking May heat wave triggers wildfires and evacuations across North America, with temperatures up to 30°F above normal from Mexico to Manitoba.

• Whales Run Aground by the Sun (Nautilus) - Solar storms linked to four-fold increase in gray whale strandings, suggesting sun's magnetic activity disrupts whale navigation systems.

• Moon Marbles Hint at Lunar Depths (Nautilus) - Analysis of glass beads from China's Chang'e-5 moon samples reveals high magnesium content, suggesting deep mantle origins from ancient asteroid impacts.

• Enlisting Paparazzi to Save a Gigantic Fish (Nautilus) - Scientists use 1,600 diver photos to estimate 1,221 giant sea bass remain off Southern California coast, suggesting population recovery from endangered status.

• Vortex predator: Study reveals the fluid dynamics of flamingo feeding (Mongabay) - Scientists discover flamingos create complex vortices with feet and beaks to efficiently trap and consume microscopic prey in breakthrough fluid dynamics study.

• Radio tags help reveal the secret lives of tiger salamanders (Mongabay) - Scientists use radio telemetry to track underground movements of tiger salamanders in New York, revealing longer travel distances and unexpected habitat use in fields.

• Endangered Species Day: Three animals on the path to recovery (Mongabay) - Three endangered species - okapi, Cape vulture, and brush-tailed bettong - show population recovery through targeted conservation efforts across Africa and Australia.

• Police raid Oregon safari park amid reports of starving lions and dead tiger left for months (The Guardian) - Oregon police raid safari park following reports of severe animal neglect, including starving big cats and multiple USDA violations at facility housing 450 animals.

• Week in wildlife: hitchhiking cygnets, a criminal duck and hopping hares (The Guardian) - Wildlife photo gallery showcases diverse species including hitchhiking cygnets, speeding ducks, and endangered species across global habitats, highlighting conservation successes and challenges.

• House Finches: Endearing Birds, Creative Nesters (Bluedot Living) - House finches demonstrate remarkable adaptability in urban environments, creatively nesting in human structures while protected under federal law.

• No Place Like Home (REVOLVE) - New book 'Orbital' offers astronauts' perspective on Earth's beauty and environmental fragility during 24-hour space station orbit.

• How Denmark’s oysters are transforming foodies into citizen scientists (The Conversation) - Danish coastal festival combines oyster foraging and citizen science to track invasive species' impact while educating public through gastronomy.

• Harmful heavy metals: Why they’re in tap water and how to reduce your exposure (EWG) - Heavy metals like arsenic, chromium-6, manganese, mercury and lead contaminate US tap water at concerning levels, with some regions exceeding EPA safety limits by over 1900%.

• ‘Rough end to the weekend’: wintry weather on the way for south-east Australia (The Guardian) - South-east Australia braces for weekend cold front bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and potential snow at higher elevations across multiple states.

Efficiency

SEEED net-zero homes, Energy Star defense, EU sustainable cooling, data center innovation, and Texas water metering.

• East Tennessee nonprofit welcomes first-time homebuyers into affordable, energy-efficient home (Appalachian Voices) - Tennessee nonprofit SEEED builds and sells third net-zero solar home to first-time buyers, featuring advanced energy efficiency technologies and community-focused construction program.

• Why Everyone Will Miss Energy Star — Even Trump — According to One of Its Architects (Heatmap) - Energy Star program architect warns elimination would harm grid stability, consumer savings, and data center growth while increasing costs for low-income families and critical facilities.

• Keep Your Cool: Sustainable Solutions for a Warming Continent (Revolve Media) - European Parliament to host high-level session addressing sustainable cooling solutions amid rising heatwaves and energy poverty concerns in Europe.

• Solving for sustainability in the era of gigawatt-scale data centers (Latitude Media) - Startups innovating across sustainable data center solutions see rapid funding growth, from nuclear power to cooling efficiency and waste management, as AI drives unprecedented energy demand.

• Ameresco to Modernize Water Infrastructure, Drive Cost-Savings and Resource Efficiency in Texas (Ameresco) - Texas city implements advanced water metering infrastructure projected to recover $6.8M in revenue and boost efficiency through automated meter reading and customer monitoring system.

• Rapid Readout: Benefits of ENERGY STAR (EPA.gov) - ENERGY STAR program, a bipartisan EPA initiative, helps consumers identify energy-efficient products while supporting businesses and utilities in implementing widespread energy efficiency measures.

Finance

Solar Landscape secures $175M, Biowave initiative addresses India's VC gap, Chubb exits Calcasieu Pass LNG, and Triodos/STOXX launch SDG index.

• Investment in India’s life sciences crawls behind US and China. A new initiative could change that (AgFunderNews) - India's life sciences sector lags behind US and China in venture capital investment despite $2.5B agrifoodtech funding in 2024, prompting new Biowave initiative to boost investor awareness and funding.

• PGIM Private Capital Backs Solar Landscape with $175 Million Private Placement to Fund Distributed Rooftop Solar Projects (PGIM Private Capital) - $175 million private placement backs Solar Landscape to develop 74 commercial rooftop solar projects across Maryland and Illinois, creating 43 megawatts of distributed grid capacity.

• Is Wall Street Wrong About the IRA? (Heatmap News) - House Republicans' proposed IRA cuts spark mixed Wall Street reactions, with energy storage sector facing severe risks from China-related restrictions.

• Revealed: UK development body still has $700m invested overseas in fossil-fuel assets (Carbon Brief) - UK government's development body British International Investment maintains $700m in overseas fossil-fuel investments despite 2020 Paris Agreement pledge.

• Chubb No Longer Insuring Gulf Coast LNG Project That Faces Sustained Opposition Over Health Concerns (InsideClimateNews) - Insurance giant Chubb drops property coverage for Louisiana's Calcasieu Pass LNG export terminal amid environmental and health concerns.

• Triodos, STOXX Launch New Impact Investing Index (ESG Today) - Triodos Investment Management and STOXX launch new impact investing index enabling institutional investors to construct sustainability-aligned portfolios with SDG focus.

• The Week in AgriFoodTech: Xoople secures $129m, Farmley raises $40m, Foodiq bags $11m (AgFunderNews) - Multiple agrifoodtech startups secure major funding rounds, including Xoople ($129m), Farmley ($40m), and Foodiq ($11m), while Danone plans Kate Farms acquisition.

• Trump’s UK Ambassador Has Investments in Industries Set to Benefit from Trade Deal (DeSmog) - Trump's UK Ambassador Warren Stephens holds $250M+ in agriculture investments poised to benefit from new US-UK trade deal he helped negotiate.

• Algoma, led by Harvard alumni, grabs $2.3M to become the AI engine behind every real estate deal (SOSV) - Harvard alumni-led startup Algoma raises $2.3M to develop AI platform for automating real estate development analysis and decision-making.

• Is finance standardization the missing link for scaling renewable projects? (Latitude Media) - Survey reveals two-thirds of renewable energy borrowers lack specialized finance software, hindering industry growth and standardization efforts.

• Datamaran Launches Networking & Resources Platform for Sustainability Professionals (ESGToday) - Datamaran launches Harbor networking platform for sustainability professionals to share insights and navigate regulatory changes amid growing ESG scrutiny.

• Resetting net zero: What next? (Utility Dive) - Global net zero investments slow amid geopolitical tensions and shifting priorities, with clean energy spending growth halving despite $2.1 trillion total in 2024.

Grid

PJM faces renewable backlog; Seraphim, CRRC, ESSO collaborate; Iberian blackout spurs AI grid monitoring; Victoria plans renewable zones; Amsterdam pilots Deftpower EV charging; Verrus reduces data center load; CBRE invests in battery storage; MISO capacity auction hits record; KACO unveils inverter; Waratah battery delayed; Beacon AI plans data centers; Oklo drills at Idaho lab.

• It’s Official: Renewable & Storage Assets Must Participate in PJM’s Capacity Market – Are You On The List? (SYSO Technologies) - FERC mandates renewable and storage assets must participate in PJM's capacity market starting 2026/27, eliminating previous exemptions.

• PJM Explainer 2: PJM Fails (Center for Coalfield Justice) - PJM Interconnection faces criticism for failing to clear 2,000+ renewable energy project backlog while favoring natural gas projects in latest reliability initiative.

• Seraphim, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, and ESSO Forge Long-Term Strategic Alliance at Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Seraphim, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, and ESSO form strategic alliance to develop integrated PV and energy storage solutions for EMEA markets at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• Powin’s New SOC Algorithm Taps Hidden Energy (Powin) - New battery management algorithm reduces state-of-charge estimation error to 3%, unlocking more usable energy and improving revenue potential in grid-scale storage systems.

• Could the Iberian Peninsula blackout have been avoided? What it tells us about grid reliability (eSmart Systems) - Iberian Peninsula blackout highlights urgent need for AI-powered grid monitoring and predictive maintenance to prevent future widespread power failures.

• Georgia Power is planning to update the power grid. Are its customers getting a good deal? (Clean Energy) - Georgia Power's proposed grid upgrade plan faces scrutiny over speculative load forecasts, coal plant retirements, and transmission planning assumptions.

• Victoria lays out plan for seven renewable zones, and four new transmission lines to replace coal (RenewEconomy) - Victoria unveils comprehensive plan for seven renewable energy zones and four transmission lines to facilitate state's transition from coal to 65% renewables by 2030.

• Energy Insiders Podcast: “I just want energy to be boring.” (RenewEconomy) - NSW energy minister discusses challenges of transitioning Australia's largest coal grid to renewables within 15-year timeframe in Energy Insiders podcast.

• Amsterdam Begins Deftpower Smart Charging Trial (CleanTechnica) - Amsterdam pilots Deftpower's AI-driven smart charging system to optimize EV charging schedules, enabling both housing development and EV infrastructure expansion while offering drivers financial incentives.

• Verrus successfully demos its flexible data center technology (Latitude Media) - Verrus demonstrates data center technology that can reduce grid load by 100% within one minute using utility-scale batteries and flexible distribution networks.

• The POWER Interview: Microgrids Include a Long List of Technologies—and Benefits (POWER Magazine) - Microgrid expert details comprehensive list of technologies, benefits, and applications including solar, storage, and smart controls for enhanced grid reliability and cost savings.

• NERC’s Summer Grid Outlook Shows Progress, But Elevated Risks Persist as Load Growth Outpaces Flexibility (Power Magazine) - NERC's summer grid assessment shows adequate peak demand coverage under normal conditions but warns of potential shortfalls in six regions due to extreme heat and surging demand outpacing flexibility.

• CBRE IM Invests in Large-Scale Battery Storage Portfolio in Texas and California (ESG Today) - CBRE Investment Management invests in 2.4 GW battery storage portfolio across Texas and California, marking one of the largest battery storage financing deals to date.

• Texas swelters as record-breaking heatwave sweeps across state (The Guardian) - Texas faces unprecedented May heatwave with temperatures exceeding 100F, surpassing Death Valley and straining state power grid with record electricity demand.

• MISO’s 2025/26 Capacity Auction: New Curve, Higher Prices, Shrinking Surplus (SYSO) - MISO's 2025/26 capacity auction hits record $666.50/MW/day clearing price amid tightening supply margins and new reliability-based demand curve implementation.

• KACO’s Latest Utility-Scale 360 kW String Inverter (TaiyangNews) - KACO unveils 360kW utility-scale string inverter with 99.01% efficiency and enhanced safety features for commercial launch in early 2026.

• Your questions about Demand Response (GridBeyond) - Demand response programs enable businesses to earn payments by reducing electricity usage during grid constraints while supporting grid reliability and sustainability goals.

• Australia’s most powerful battery charged up quickly and helped keep lights on, but progress has slowed (RenewEconomy) - Australia's largest 850MW Waratah Super Battery faces commissioning delays and missed revenue targets despite early success in grid stabilization.

• The complex truth about gas and renewables (RenewEconomy) - Australian energy experts confirm small gas capacity needed alongside massive renewable expansion through 2050, while storage solutions will play increasingly dominant role in grid stability.

• This data center developer is betting on Alberta to solve the power backlog (Latitude Media) - Beacon AI plans 4.5GW of data centers in Alberta, Canada, leveraging region's abundant gas resources and rare excess grid capacity for AI computing infrastructure.

• ‘Rogue’ communication devices found on Chinese-made solar power inverters (Utility Dive) - U.S. officials discover hidden communication devices in Chinese-made solar power inverters that could enable remote grid disruption and blackouts.

• A fraction of proposed data centers will get built. Utilities are wising up. (Utility Dive) - Utilities grapple with flood of speculative data center power requests, with experts estimating only 10-20% will materialize while causing grid planning challenges.

• Oklo Completes Key Siting Milestone for First Commercial Nuclear Fast Reactor at INL (POWER Magazine) - Oklo completes borehole drilling at Idaho National Laboratory site, marking key milestone toward building first commercial sodium-cooled fast reactor planned for 2027-2028 operation.

Indigenous

Indonesia's Mentawai Islands conservation, India's "Hargila Army," Australia clean energy funding, Petroperú's Block 64, Ontario Power Generation, Mexico's Mixtec snail dye, Kenya carbon market disputes, Indigenous Youth Fellowship, and Peru's Sacred Valley.

• Indigenous conservationists lead the fight to save Mentawai’s endangered primates (Mongabay) - Indigenous-led conservation group in Indonesia's Mentawai Islands works to protect six endangered primate species through traditional customs and community engagement.

• In India, folklore is a tool that helps women save the greater adjutant stork (Mongabay) - Women-led "Hargila Army" in India's Assam state uses folklore, weaving and cultural integration to save endangered greater adjutant stork, boosting population from 800 to over 1,300.

• Action your clean energy journey with these funding opportunities closing soon (First Nations Clean Energy Network) - Multiple clean energy funding opportunities closing in May-June 2025 target Indigenous communities across Australia for renewable energy transition projects.

• Petroperú’s Oil Gamble Fails: Block 64 Auction Flops Amid Indigenous Opposition (Amazon Watch) - Petroperú fails to attract any bids for controversial Amazon oil Block 64 following decades of Indigenous resistance from Achuar, Wampís, and Chapra nations.

• OPG plans 430 MW of new greenfield hydro development in Moose River Basin (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Ontario Power Generation partners with Indigenous nations to develop 430MW hydroelectric projects in Moose River Basin, promising decades of clean power and economic benefits.

• ‘We sometimes milked 3,000 snails a day!’: the dying art of milking molluscs (The Guardian) - Mexico's indigenous Mixtec people fight to preserve 1,500-year-old tradition of extracting purple dye from endangered purpura snails as species faces extinction from poaching and climate threats.

• Indigenous land disputes cloud Kenya’s carbon market ambitions (Climate Change News) - Kenya's carbon market ambitions face setbacks as Indigenous land disputes lead to suspension of major carbon credit projects and local protests.

• Meet Our 2025 Cohort of Indigenous Youth Fellows (Cultural Survival) - Organization announces 2025 Indigenous Youth Fellowship cohort supporting 18-28 year old leaders in projects spanning climate change, food sovereignty, and cultural preservation.

• The Wisdom of Rivers (Atmos) - Indigenous wisdom and river ecosystems offer profound lessons about natural cycles, community interconnection, and ecological balance in Peru's Sacred Valley.

Industry

Anthology's bio-manufacturing platform, Living Future Conference decarbonization plans, rectangular solar cell production boom (Canadian Solar, TOPCon), SkyTruth oil spill report, BASF renewable ammonia, Stanford gas stove study, Solestial funding, Nextracker acquires Bentek, NuScale Power SMR approval target.

• From jumping genes to designer genomes: Anthology’s blueprint for smarter bioproduction strains (AgFunderNews) - Boston startup Anthology develops platform combining genome engineering, hardware, and AI to accelerate evolution of microorganisms for more efficient and diverse biomanufacturing capabilities.

• The Living Future Community Steps Up Collective Action for Regenerative Practices (Living Future) - Built environment leaders gather in Portland for 19th Annual Living Future Conference, announcing plans to decarbonize supply chains despite federal funding cuts.

• The Essential Steps of the Mine Reclamation Process: Ensuring a Greener Future (KETOS) - Mining industry adopts comprehensive land reclamation processes including soil restoration, water treatment, and vegetation management to reverse environmental damage from mining operations.

• To Compete in International Low-Carbon Markets, Chemical Companies Need Transparent Emissions Accounting (WRI) - U.S. chemical companies must adopt standardized carbon emissions accounting to remain competitive in international markets requiring low-carbon products.

• High-Efficiency TOPCon Modules Built On Rectangular Wafers (TaiyangNews) - Global rectangular solar cell production capacity hits 84GW in 2023, expected to reach 420GW in 2024 as manufacturers transition to more efficient TOPCon modules using rectangular wafers.

• Fifteen Years After Largest U.S. Offshore Oil Spill, Researchers Reveal Most-Polluting Rigs (Inside Climate News) - SkyTruth report reveals 20 offshore oil facilities released 300,000 gallons of oil between 2023-2024, with worst polluters in Indonesia, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

• The Hype Returns: Joe Romm & Michael Barnard Revisit Hydrogen, 20 Years Later (CleanTechnica) - Two decades after his prescient book "The Hype About Hydrogen," Joe Romm and Michael Barnard discuss how hydrogen remains an inefficient and costly detour from direct electrification solutions.

• How 'forever chemicals' have seeped into almost everything – video (The Guardian) - Investigation reveals widespread contamination of 'forever chemicals' (PFAS) in everyday products, water systems, and environment, raising health and ecological concerns.

• BASF becomes first producer of renewable ammonia in Central Europe (Energy Central) - BASF launches first renewable ammonia production facility in Central Europe at Ludwigshafen site, expanding sustainable product portfolio.

• Gas stoves increase cancer risk, especially for kids, new study finds (Canary Media) - New Stanford study finds gas stoves emit benzene and increase cancer risk up to 1.85 times higher for children compared to adults, even when turned off.

• Europe’s lithium rush leaves mineral-rich communities in the dark (Climate Change News) - European lithium mining projects face local opposition over environmental concerns and lack of community consultation as EU rushes to secure domestic mineral supplies.

• May Newsletter 2025 (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Japanese fusion energy firm partners with Nagoya University and Starlight Engine for collaborative research initiative.

• Solestial Appoints New CEO; Raises $17 Million In Funding (TaiyangNews) - Space solar tech company Solestial appoints ex-Astra executive Margo de Naray as CEO and secures $17M Series A funding to scale up 1MW/year manufacturing capacity.

• TaiyangNews PV Price Index – 2025 - CW20 (TaiyangNews) - All solar component prices decline for first time in 2025, with TOPCon modules down 2.8-2.9% and polysilicon dropping 2.7% week-over-week in China.

• Canadian Solar Hits Q1 Revenue Target, Posts Net Loss (TaiyangNews) - Canadian Solar reports Q1 2025 net loss of $34M despite $1.2B revenue, lowers annual module shipment guidance to 25-30GW amid market challenges.

• Dragonfly Energy Reports First Quarter 2025 Results (Dragonfly Energy) - Battery tech company reports 6.8% Q1 revenue growth to $13.4M, driven by 11% increase in OEM sales despite ongoing RV market challenges.

• US EIA Forecasts World Oil Consumption Growth to Slow Amid Less Economic Activity (CleanTechnica) - EIA forecasts global oil consumption growth to fall below 1 million barrels per day through 2026 due to economic slowdown, particularly in Asia.

• Procurement and logistics from a single source? Nextracker acquires Bentek (Renewable Energy World) - Solar tech leader Nextracker acquires electrical infrastructure manufacturer Bentek for $78M to streamline solar project logistics and procurement.

• NuScale expects 77-MWe design approval in July, first SMR order by end of 2025 (Utility Dive) - NuScale Power expects regulatory approval for 77-MWe small modular reactor design in July and aims to secure first commercial order by end of 2025.

• Introducing Dennis Segers, QS Chairman of the Board (QuantumScape) - Battery tech firm appoints semiconductor industry veteran Dennis Segers as Chairman to guide solid-state battery development and commercialization strategy.

• Payne Institute | May 2025 Monthly Update (Payne Institute) - Monthly update highlights AI energy demands, illicit mineral supply chains, carbon capture permitting, and nuclear safety in space exploration, alongside satellite tracking of global conflicts.

Policy

EPA budget cuts face bipartisan opposition, cities adopt standardized data, Pope Leo XVII addresses AI and labor, UN targets environmental crimes, and states challenge wind energy ban.

• Bipartisan Consensus Emerges Against Trump’s Proposed 55% Cut to EPA Budget (Environmental Protection Network) - Bipartisan opposition emerges to Trump's proposed 55% EPA budget cut as Congressional hearings reveal widespread concern over agency's ability to fulfill environmental protection duties.

• Cities Unite for Data-Driven Urban Resilience: UNDRR & WCCD Host Workshops in Vaughan, Canada, and Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UNDRR) - Global cities workshops in Canada and UAE demonstrate how standardized data drives urban resilience planning and attracts infrastructure investment.

• Caribbean education Ministers reaffirm commitment to safer and more resilient schools (UNDRR) - Caribbean education ministers meet in Saint Lucia to strengthen regional school safety initiatives and disaster resilience through expanded monitoring and youth engagement.

• Pope Leo’s Warnings About AI Have Promising Implications For Climate Justice (Atmos) - New Pope Leo XVII's AI-focused labor protection stance draws parallels to climate justice and worker protection during energy transition, echoing predecessor's environmental legacy.

• Urgent Appeal: Global Action Against the Use of Starvation as Genocide in Palestine (Via Campesina) - Palestinian agricultural workers launch global fasting campaign from May 19-30 to protest Israel's blockade causing severe food insecurity in Gaza.

• Groups File Brief in Support of Lawsuit Against Ban on Wind Power (EDF) - Environmental groups file legal brief supporting states' lawsuit to overturn federal ban on wind energy projects, citing economic and environmental impacts.

• The world needs a new UN protocol to fight environmental crime (commentary) (Mongabay) - UN launches intergovernmental process to create new protocol targeting transnational environmental crimes under UNTOC convention, aiming to harmonize fragmented global enforcement efforts.

• Governor Kotek signs bill to ban firefighting foam containing PFAS (Environment America) - Oregon becomes 16th state to ban PFAS-containing firefighting foam as Governor Kotek signs Senate Bill 91 into law.

• Greenpeace Pictures of the Week (Greenpeace International) - Environmental activists stage global protests including pig farm demonstrations in Berlin, Palestinian support in Madrid, and glyphosate concerns in New Zealand.

• Greenpeace activists send message after court hearing: We took direct action for a strong plastics treaty (Greenpeace) - Five activists face trial in South Korea after boarding tanker during UN plastics treaty negotiations to protest for reduced plastic production.

• Greenpeace organisations challenge perverse damages in Energy Transfer lawsuit (Greenpeace.org) - Environmental groups contest $660 million damages awarded to Energy Transfer in legal battle over protest rights.

• New tax bill repealing clean energy incentives will raise costs, surrender jobs and increase pollution (EDF) - House tax plan to end clean energy incentives threatens $600B investment boom, 700,000 jobs and would increase household energy costs by $32B over next decade.

• How to Buy “Green Electricity” for Your Maryland Home After SB1 (Chesapeake Climate) - Maryland's new SB1 law requires energy suppliers to match regulated rates while allowing consumers to access green electricity through community solar or direct REC purchases.

• The Endangered Species Act is at Risk. Submit Your Public Comment Today! (Prairie Rivers Network) - US Fish and Wildlife Service proposes rule change to remove habitat protection definition from Endangered Species Act, threatening species conservation efforts nationwide.

• Canadian Mining Company’s SLAPP Lawsuit Against Amazon Defenders Dismissed in Brazil (Amazon Watch) - Brazilian court dismisses Canadian mining company Belo Sun's criminal lawsuit against Amazon land defenders and environmental activists in Pará state.

• A Summary of CEBA Connect Spring Summit 2025 (Cleartrace) - CEBA's Spring Summit 2025 highlights 100GW clean energy milestone, growing corporate participation, and concerns over GHG Protocol updates amid market uncertainties.

• Meet the Team: Arielle Etienne, Climate Justice Fellow (NYC Climate Exchange) - Climate Justice Fellow Arielle Etienne leads youth education initiatives and climate sensor data projects while focusing on equity and community engagement in New York City.

• Climate Innovation Forum (Climate Action) - London's Climate Innovation Forum 2025 to convene 2,000 global leaders for accelerating climate action and Paris Agreement goals at Guildhall during London Climate Action Week.

• Comment: NSAC Responds to House Agriculture Committee Budget Reconciliation Approval (NSAC) - House Agriculture Committee approves $290 billion farm bill budget cuts along party lines, drawing criticism for impacts on nutrition programs and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

• CEBA Report: Repeal of Technology-Neutral Federal Energy Tax Credits Would Bring Adverse Economic Impacts (CEBA) - Study finds repealing federal energy tax credits would increase electricity prices up to 20% and eliminate thousands of jobs across 19 US states by 2032.

• Wood Mackenzie: Tax Credit Phaseout May Hinder US Solar Growth (TaiyangNews) - Wood Mackenzie warns US solar growth faces setback as House bill proposes early phase-out of solar tax credits and stricter foreign entity restrictions.

• Labour-Led Parliament Clears Great British Energy Bill (TaiyangNews) - UK Parliament passes Great British Energy Bill, granting £8.3 billion to state-owned clean energy investment body for nationwide renewable projects.

• Republicans Waver Over Cost, Energy Ahead of Budget Vote (Heatmap) - House Republicans face tight margins in budget committee vote over clean energy tax credit cuts and Medicaid scoring delays.

• How the GOP Tax Bill Would Supercharge Renewable Energy NIMBYs (Heatmap News) - House GOP tax bill threatens renewable energy projects by phasing out IRA tax credits before 2028, empowering NIMBY opposition and increasing investment risks.

• If you want to claim the solar tax credit, install now (Grist) - House proposal to end solar tax credits by 2024 threatens residential solar adoption and industry growth, potentially making installations financially unfeasible for millions.

• Multisolving in the UK – reflections from ‘Multisolving’ book club’s journey so far (Multisolving Institute) - UK book club of 30 senior leaders explores integrated approaches to tackle social and environmental challenges simultaneously, highlighting need for cross-sector collaboration and systemic change.

• Fire Doesn’t Care About Fences, But Congress Keeps Building Them (John Muir Project) - House Natural Resources Committee hearing on "Fix Our Forests Act" criticized for prioritizing logging industry interests over evidence-based community wildfire protection measures.

• Moms Raise Our Voices to Stop Industrial Polluters From Releasing Seven Most Dangerous Pollutants Ever Created (Moms Clean Air Force) - 52 Senators vote to repeal Clean Air Act protections against seven major toxic pollutants, threatening to allow 1,800 industrial facilities to disable pollution controls.

• Global Newsletter #95: REBEL EARTH MONTH: WE ARE THE FIRE (Extinction Rebellion) - Global climate activists escalate direct actions worldwide against fossil fuel expansion, highlighting indigenous rights and ecosystem protection through protests at mines, pipelines, and corporate facilities.

• Republicans Attack Rules Designed to Keep Workers Safe From Heat (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans attack OSHA's proposed heat safety standards for workers, claiming regulatory overreach while Democrats cite chronic underfunding of worker protection agencies.

• Researchers Wanted to Understand Concerns With Batteries in Moss Landing, California. Their Funding Just Got Yanked (Inside Climate News) - Federal government cancels two research grants studying community impacts of battery storage fires at California's Moss Landing facility, forcing layoffs of graduate students.

• “In 2035 I’d like people to wonder what all the fuss was about:” Penny Sharpe on the transition from coal (RenewEconomy) - NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe envisions seamless transition from coal to renewables by 2035, focusing on distributed energy and community engagement in state's largest grid transformation.

• New Greens leader says party’s focus is to “get shit done” on climate and environment (RenewEconomy) - New Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters pledges to prioritize climate action and environmental protection while working with Labor government in Senate.

• The climate wars won’t end anytime soon – and they shouldn’t (RenewEconomy) - Australia's climate policy conflicts persist as political parties debate net-zero targets while environmental groups push for stronger action on fossil fuel expansion.

• Solar & Storage Industry Statement on Proposed Reconciliation Legislation in U.S. House Committee Markups (CleanTechnica) - SEIA warns proposed House reconciliation bill threatens U.S. solar manufacturing growth, jobs, and energy independence by dismantling clean energy tax credits.

• The government just killed an essential way to assess climate risk (Grist) - Trump administration discontinues NOAA's Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, eliminating crucial tool for tracking climate-related economic impacts.

• The US buried millions of gallons of wartime nuclear waste – Doge cuts could wreck the cleanup (The Guardian) - US nuclear waste cleanup at Washington's Hanford site faces setbacks as staff exodus follows Musk-led government cuts, raising safety and oversight concerns.

• Trump officials want to cut limits of Pfas in drinking water – what will the impact be? (The Guardian) - Trump administration moves to weaken EPA drinking water limits on four types of PFAS "forever chemicals," while maintaining restrictions on PFOA and PFOS compounds.

• Federal EPA a ‘very high and immediate’ priority of Albanese government, environment minister says (The Guardian) - Australia's Labor government prioritizes federal Environmental Protection Agency legislation as new minister Murray Watt signals swift action on nature laws despite industry opposition.

• The Guardian view on green homes: solar panels and heat pumps should be a bare minimum | Editorial (The Guardian) - UK government faces pressure to mandate solar panels and heat pumps as minimum requirements for new homes amid concerns over environmental standards in housing construction plans.

• Can NIH-funded research on racism and health survive Trump’s cuts? (Nature) - Trump administration terminates NIH research grants studying health disparities and racism, citing DEI concerns, sparking fears about future of health equity research.

• Air quality project in Buffalo, New York, could one day help residents breathe easier (Yale Climate Connections) - Buffalo launches comprehensive air quality monitoring project targeting pollution exposure in historically disadvantaged Black neighborhoods.

• EWG statement on bill to ban toxic weedkiller paraquat in Pennsylvania (EWG) - Pennsylvania legislature considers bill to ban toxic herbicide paraquat, already prohibited in 70 countries, due to Parkinson's disease and cancer risks.

• Chart: Republicans take aim at clean energy boom benefiting GOP most (Canary Media) - Republican-led House proposal to gut Inflation Reduction Act threatens $500B in clean energy investments primarily benefiting GOP districts.

• GOP budget plan contains a massive poison pill for clean energy (Canary Media) - House GOP tax bill proposes strict China-linked restrictions that could effectively kill clean energy tax credits and halt domestic manufacturing investments.

• Trump’s USDA tried to erase climate data. This lawsuit forced it back online. (Grist) - USDA agrees to restore climate data and resources on its websites following lawsuit by agricultural and environmental groups.

• EU Parliament Committee Proposes Much Deeper Cuts than Omnibus to Sustainability Reporting Laws (ESGToday) - EU Parliament committee proposes raising employee and revenue thresholds for sustainability reporting requirements, potentially excluding more companies from CSRD and CSDDD regulations.

• Public lands for housing in Nevada and Utah called ‘giveaway’ (High Country News) - Republican lawmakers propose controversial amendment to sell 500,000+ acres of Nevada and Utah public lands for housing development, drawing opposition over tribal rights and environmental concerns.

• Repealing energy tax credits would raise electricity costs, study says (Utility Dive) - Study finds repealing clean energy tax credits would increase electricity costs across 19 states and harm energy-intensive industries between 2026-2032.

• Honoring Environmental Heroes in 2025 (Climate One) - Goldman Environmental Prize honors three grassroots activists fighting toxic water pollution, diesel emissions, and marine habitat destruction in their local communities.

• America’s Energy Dominance at Risk (Advanced Energy United) - Proposed tax changes threaten US energy dominance, while California's budget revision stalls progress on customer-driven energy solutions.

• Sign Up Now! Prep Your Climate Coverage: Summer Heat & Hurricanes (Covering Climate Now) - Journalism initiative announces May 21 webinar to help reporters cover climate impacts on summer heat waves and hurricanes.

• The future of remote sensing and EUDR (CTrees) - New remote sensing technologies and advanced monitoring systems proposed to help companies comply with EU's Deforestation Regulation requirements for tracking deforestation-free commodities.

• Dancing birds in danger (Center for Biological Diversity) - The Trump administration is weakening protections for lesser prairie chickens, sacred Apache land, painted woolly bats, and rare Oregon peavine, while the Center fights back.

• Dominion proposes net-metering cuts in Virginia (Canary Media) - Dominion Energy proposes 33% cut to rooftop solar net-metering credits in Virginia, setting up regulatory battle with solar advocates.

• China drops pangolin formulas from approved TCM list, but concerns remain (Mongabay) - China removes pangolin-based formulas from official medicine list effective October 2025, though legal production may continue under existing quotas.

• The Retail Reckoning: Why New York has too much ground floor commercial space — and what to do with it (HR&A Advisors) - Manhattan faces 25% ground-floor retail vacancy crisis due to post-pandemic work patterns, prompting calls for policy reforms to enable mixed-use conversions and cultural programming.

• New Jersey Lawmakers Advance Bill to Shine Light on Utility Votes at PJM (Advanced Energy United) - New Jersey Assembly committee advances bill requiring utilities to disclose their voting records at PJM Interconnection grid operator meetings.

• Delivering positive action in our communities (Drax) - Energy company invests £3.6m in community initiatives across UK, US, and Canada, focusing on STEM education, green spaces, and fuel poverty support.

• NYC Homeowners Could Lose the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit After 2025 (Brooklyn SolarWorks) - NYC homeowners risk losing 30% federal solar tax credit after 2025 deadline, potentially increasing installation costs by thousands.

• Experts warn of “significant new hurdles” for renewables, as LNP ends funding for EDO (RenewEconomy) - Queensland LNP government breaks election promise by ending Environmental Defenders Office funding while implementing stricter regulations for renewable energy projects.

• Regulations for Louisiana solar farms fizzle, leaving locals in the dark (Renewable Energy World) - Louisiana lawmakers fail to pass first-ever statewide solar farm regulations, leaving local jurisdictions to create their own rules amid concerns over defunct projects.

• US brain drain: Nature’s guide to the initiatives drawing scientists abroad (Nature) - Global research institutions launch multi-million dollar initiatives to attract US scientists amid Trump administration's cuts to research funding and dismantling of science agencies.

• Surfer, first lady and former PM among Brazil’s COP30 envoys (Climate Change News) - Brazil appoints 30 high-profile voluntary envoys including surfer Maya Gabeira, first lady Janja da Silva, and ex-PM Jacinda Ardern to represent key sectors ahead of UN climate summit COP30.

• Water Policy Announcement with EPA & Arizona Congressional Delegation (EPA) - Agency proposes to grant Arizona full control over underground injection wells, marking shift toward state-level environmental management and water resource control.

• GOP lawmakers push back on IRA cuts (E&E News) - House Republicans oppose budget proposal to repeal IRA, calling for revisions to foreign entity rules while preserving tax credit transferability.

Renewables

Bali mandates rooftop solar; TerraForm acquires Sun Tribe; Google & energyRe in SC; TPSolar & AIKO in Noordenveld; AIKO's 815MW deals; Orsted wind projects face challenges; Ocean Oasis wave desalination; Google funds Fervo geothermal; Qcells, Trinasolar, LONGi tandem cell breakthroughs; Barzaei Halwan & Seraphim agreement; DAH Solar unveils hybrid inverter.

• Bali Launches Rooftop Solar Power Acceleration Scheme (TaiyangNews) - Bali mandates rooftop solar installations for government buildings, hotels, and businesses as part of ambitious 22 GW solar potential plan targeting energy independence.

• Sun Tribe, With Over 4 GW Pipeline, Joins TerraForm Power (TaiyangNews) - TerraForm Power acquires Sun Tribe Development, gaining over 4 GW solar and storage project pipeline across Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US.

• Google To Invest In 600 MW Solar Energy In The US (TaiyangNews) - Google partners with energyRe to develop 600MW of solar and storage projects in South Carolina, supporting its 2030 net-zero emissions goal.

• TPSolar and AIKO Partner on 50MW Solar Project in the Netherlands (TaiyangNews) - Dutch developer TPSolar partners with AIKO to build 50MW solar park in Noordenveld municipality, powering 14,000 households while incorporating biodiversity features.

• AIKO Signs Landmark Utility Agreements at Intersolar Europe 2025, Driving Global Momentum for N-Type BC Modules (TaiyangNews) - Solar manufacturer AIKO signs multiple utility-scale agreements totaling 815MW for N-Type back-contact modules across Europe and Africa at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• It’s Hard Out Here for a Tiny Solar Farm in Upstate New York (Heatmap News) - Small 2-megawatt solar project in Madrid, New York faces local opposition and moratorium over fire safety concerns.

• Offshore Wind Opponents Zero in on Their Next Two Targets (Heatmap News) - Anti-wind groups target Orsted's Sunrise Wind and Revolution Wind projects with EPA permit challenges amid Trump administration's broader offshore wind review.

• Tallest energy monitoring mast in southern hemisphere to test the winds in Victoria (RenewEconomy) - Australia's first National Remote Sensing Validation Facility to feature Southern Hemisphere's tallest 200m+ wind monitoring mast for testing next-generation wind measurement technology.

• A New Job For Wave Energy: Water Desalination (CleanTechnica) - Norwegian startup Ocean Oasis develops wave-powered offshore desalination system that converts seawater to freshwater while avoiding coastal degradation and fossil fuel use.

• PGE opens applications for funding distributed energy projects (Renewable Energy World) - Portland General Electric opens applications for 2025 Green Future Fund to support small-scale renewable energy projects and battery storage across Oregon communities.

• Community solar is catching on in New Mexico (Renewable Energy World) - New Mexico's community solar program expands to 300MW capacity with over 1,000 households enrolled, requiring 30% allocation to income-qualified subscribers.

• The ‘clean transition tariff’ won approval in Nevada. What’s next for Fervo? (Latitude Media) - Nevada approves novel 'clean transition tariff' enabling Google to fund Fervo Energy's 115MW geothermal project, with potential for gigawatt-scale expansion amid surging data center demand.

• Solar companies compete to advance tandem cell technology (Utility Dive) - Major solar companies achieve breakthroughs in tandem cell technology combining silicon and perovskite, with Qcells, Trinasolar, and LONGi reporting improved efficiency and stability milestones.

• Seraphim and Barzaei Halwan Sign 250MW Framework Agreement at Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Iraqi renewable energy firm Barzaei Halwan signs 250MW solar module supply agreement with Seraphim at Intersolar Europe 2025, supporting Iraq's goal of 20% renewable electricity by 2030.

• DAH Solar releases New Inverter & Battery at Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - DAH Solar unveils new hybrid inverter with AI-powered safety features and lithium-ion battery storage system at Intersolar Europe 2025, earning PVEL certification.

Transport

LONGi solar cells for Innoptus solar car, Archer Aviation's eVTOLs for LA Olympics, Uruguay's EV leadership, California's megawatt charging, OPES Solar's vehicle modules, Toyota's bZ Woodland SUV, Ride1Up's Prodigy V2 e-bike, Heybike's ALPHA e-bike.

• Europe Solar PV News Snippets: LONGi Joins Solar Car Team With BC Technology & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi partners with Belgium's Innoptus Solar Team to provide BC cell technology for solar racing car competing in 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

• Archer: Official Air Taxi Provider of the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games & Team USA in Exclusive Deal (CleanTechnica) - Archer Aviation selected as exclusive air taxi provider for 2028 LA Olympics, deploying electric Midnight eVTOL aircraft to transport VIPs and spectators between venues.

• Uruguay EV Sales Report: At 17.6% BEV Market Share in April, We Have a New Leader in Latin America! (CleanTechnica) - Uruguay becomes Latin America's EV leader with 17.6% battery-electric vehicle market share in April 2025, surpassing Costa Rica amid strong growth in electric car adoption.

• New California testing facility aims to scale heavy-duty electric truck charging (Renewable Energy World) - California launches Advanced Transportation Research Center to test megawatt-level charging systems for heavy-duty electric trucks, aiming to accelerate zero-emission freight adoption.

• OPES Solar Mobility Launches VIPV Module (TaiyangNews) - German firm OPES Solar Mobility unveils 500W CIGS flexible solar module designed specifically for vehicle integration, featuring matrix cell technology for improved partial shading performance.

• Oversize turbine tower part gets jammed under bridge en route to wind project (RenewEconomy) - Wind turbine tower section becomes wedged under Brisbane bridge during overnight transport to Wambo wind farm project, causing highway closures.

• New Toyota bZ Woodland for US Market (CleanTechnica) - Toyota unveils bZ Woodland electric SUV for US market with 260-mile range, NACS charging, and enhanced AWD capabilities for spring 2026 launch.

• Mid-Drive Muscle Under $2.5K? Ride1Up’s Prodigy V2 E-Bike Just Got Even Cheaper (CleanTechnica) - Ride1Up's Prodigy V2 e-bike with Brose mid-drive motor and premium components now available under $2,500 after price reduction, offering high-end features at entry-level pricing.

• Thoughts On Smaller Cars, Sustainability, & Technology (CleanTechnica) - European automakers call for revised regulations as safety requirements make smaller, more sustainable cars increasingly unprofitable to produce while SUV sales dominate market.

• A Desert Journey With Heybike’s ALPHA Mid-Drive Fat Tire E-Bike (CleanTechnica) - Heybike's new ALPHA mid-drive fat tire e-bike demonstrates exceptional climbing ability and versatility during desert testing in Moab and New Mexico, offering premium features at sub-$1700 price point.

• Tesla’s fork in the road (Latitude Media) - Tesla abandons affordable Model 2 to focus on Robotaxis as CEO Musk's political transformation and BYD competition threaten company's EV dominance.