Putting things in context

My niece photographed this web weaver on the river last week.

Putting things in context makes everything more meaningful and honestly, it is something AI is pretty good at. AI can analyze a much larger number of details than a human mind alone in order to find those that are relevant.

Last week I was experimenting with the news aggregation function you see below in the Top 3 Stories section of this newsletter and I wanted to know "do people really want this? Do they need it?"

I'm going to do my best to ask real people over the coming weeks - but it took me just a few minutes to convene a circle of 10 relevant synthetic personas using Claude and ask those personas if they thought such aggregation is valuable. It came up with personas like an environmental policy analyst, a cleantech startup founder, a corporate sustainability director, etc. And then it thought, step by step, about whether a person in that position would find a top 3 collection useful to them. LLMs are context machines, to a fault.

In the product development world there's a saying: fast, cheap, good - pick two.

This was a B2B focus group that was fast, cheap, and good enough to start with. The #1 piece of feedback that most of the personas gave me was that while the narrowing function of news aggregation was useful - it would be much more useful if there was more than just headlines; If each story was put in context.

I think that's a great idea. So I'll be experimenting with that over the coming weeks. I hope it makes these newsletters even more valuable for you.

Today's Top Climate Stories

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

1. EVs: VW confirms upgraded MEB+ electric platform for 2026: "The move to LFPs (lithium-iron-phosphate) away from current-gen NMCs (nickel-manganese-cobalt) is a significant shift for Volkswagen and is considered necessary to reduce the costs of entry-level EVs." (New Mobility News)

• Also covered with more technical details in Clean Technica

• In context: Reducing costs for entry-level EVs is a critical move as Chinese competitors develop new technologies twice as fast. It should contribute to the viability of EVs at a time of great global economic uncertainty.

2. EVs: Chinese autonomous electric mining trucks get to work in Mongolia (New Atlas) 100 AI-driven electric trucks operating on a 5G network will deliver an estimated 20% efficiency boost to...coal mining.

• See a short video at South China Morning Press. Just be prepared to see a guy give thumbs up to a camera standing in front of an autonomous EV truck filled with coal! Also well covered in Inside EVs, Xatakaon

3. Carbon Markets: EU, UK to Work on Linking Carbon Markets (ESG Today)

• Also picked up in OilPrice.com.

• In context: The EU and UK agreeing to merge their carbon markets, creates a single system that will make climate policies more effective while improving their post-Brexit relationship. This cooperation on emissions trading stands in stark contrast to the United States, where the Federal government is taking steps to try to stop California's work to cut emissions.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (7 stories) - Aflasafe biocontrol for African crops, drought in Southern Australia, Santander food system roadmap, wildfire risks for California farmworkers, sustainable winemaking, Nigeria-IITA digital agriculture, and Bioflow's breeding analytics.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (7 stories) - Svalbard glacier data loss; Australian coal mine methane reduction; EnergyAustralia offset abandonment; SilverLining geoengineering criticism; Hurricane and wildfire hazard increases.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (2 stories) - Circular economy film; Compostable tableware disposal.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (8 stories) - Nepal's Lumbini gardens see Sarus crane decline; Amazon droughts imperil fish; Svalbard glaciers retreat; Microbes and innovators offer hope; Wildfires worsen in Europe; Nature livestreams boost wellbeing; AI aids biodiversity.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (2 stories) - India slum heat risks; Oracle digital tools aid energy assistance.

  
  

• 💰Finance (7 stories) - JBS faces shareholder pushback; Masdar raises $1B in green bonds; JinkoSolar listed in S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook; EU "green" funds invest in oil and gas.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (12 stories) - Renewable energy growth persists despite disinformation; XL Batteries, Ontario BWRX-300, Voltify, Fraunhofer, SPML Infra, Jinko ESS, Origin Energy, DOE address grid challenges.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (5 stories) - Sundarbans Eco Village project, West Bank water access, Atlanta nature preserve, Indigenous rights org, Pilbara region mining.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (9 stories) - FAST Project, US Tariffs, Infinium, Electric Hydrogen, DAS Solar, CRISPR Therapy.

  
  

• 📜Policy (18 stories) - EU Deforestation Regulation enforcement, Australia rejects nuclear, France mandates green hydrogen, US states propose climate Superfund laws.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (10 stories) - JinkoSolar in Azerbaijan, JA Solar's 20th Anniversary, ReNew Energy in India, Forrest's Nabrawind Turbines, China Rooftop Solar, Summerville Solar Farm, Wongalee Wind Farm, Google & energyRe, UK Solar Record, Moonwatt Launched.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (7 stories) - Shore-power electrification at major ports, UK's relaxed EV rules, and electric truck benefits in India.

Agriculture

Aflasafe biocontrol for African crops, drought in Southern Australia, Santander food system roadmap, wildfire risks for California farmworkers, sustainable winemaking, Nigeria-IITA digital agriculture, and Bioflow's breeding analytics.

• Long-lasting biocontrol products empower Africans in the fight against aflatoxins (CGIAR) - African scientists develop long-lasting biocontrol product 'Aflasafe' using non-toxic fungal strains to protect staple crops from dangerous aflatoxin contamination.

• Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end? (The Conversation) - Southern Australia faces severe drought with record-low rainfall affecting multiple states, prompting water restrictions and threatening agriculture, as climate projections suggest more frequent droughts ahead.

• In Colombia, the department of Santander charts a new course to transform its food systems (Food and Land Use Coalition) - Colombia's Santander department launches comprehensive food system transformation roadmap targeting agricultural sustainability, food security, and nutrition access by 2035.

• In California, Flawed Air Rules Threaten Farmworkers as Wildfires Pump More Smoke Onto Fields (Inside Climate News) - California farmworkers face increased injury risks from wildfire smoke exposure at levels currently deemed safe by state regulations, UC Davis study finds.

• Why Winemakers Must Embrace Sustainable Growing Practices (CleanTechnica) - Climate change forces winemakers to adopt sustainable practices as rising temperatures disrupt traditional grape growing cycles and wine production methods.

• Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy explores strategic partnership opportunities with IITA in agriculture (CGIAR) - Nigeria's Communications Minister explores digital innovation partnership with IITA to transform agricultural outcomes through technology integration and digital tools.

• Bioflow gets smarter with new modules and cloud features (CGIAR) - Open-source breeding analytics platform Bioflow adds cloud storage, advanced environmental modeling, and genomic prediction features to enhance crop breeding capabilities worldwide.

Carbon

Svalbard glacier data loss; Australian coal mine methane reduction; EnergyAustralia offset abandonment; SilverLining geoengineering criticism; Hurricane and wildfire hazard increases.

• Svalbard: Can scientists salvage climate data from rapidly melting glaciers? (Carbon Brief) - Scientists race to salvage climate data from Svalbard's rapidly melting glaciers as Arctic warming threatens to erase crucial historical atmospheric records.

• Coal mine methane is a big problem for Australia, but technology exists to help cut it (RenewEconomy) - New report shows existing technologies could cut Australian coal mine methane emissions by half for under $30/tCO2e through state-level policy measures.

• Offsets dumped as energy giant admits they don’t undo harms from fossil fuels in “landmark” moment (RenewEconomy) - EnergyAustralia abandons carbon offset program, admits offsets don't prevent or undo fossil fuel environmental damage in landmark legal settlement.

• SilverLining’s Geoengineering Techno-Optimism Is Distracting From Real Climate Solutions (CleanTechnica) - SilverLining nonprofit's promotion of geoengineering technologies criticized as dangerous distraction from proven climate solutions like renewables and electrification.

• Energy Australia apologises to 400,000 customers and settles greenwashing legal action (The Guardian) - Energy Australia settles greenwashing lawsuit, apologizes to 400,000 customers and admits carbon offsets don't prevent emissions damage.

• Hurricane risk in a changing climate — the role of uncertainty (Nature) - New research reveals increasing hurricane hazards in US due to climate change effects on rainfall, sea levels, and wind speeds, with significant economic impacts and regional variations.

• How climate change contributed to the Los Angeles fires (Yale Climate Connections) - Climate change increased likelihood of devastating Los Angeles wildfires by 35%, scientists find, as warming temperatures and intense droughts create more dangerous fire conditions.

Circular

Circular economy film; Compostable tableware disposal.

• We can still turn things around (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) - New film demonstrates how circular economy solutions can help reverse crossed planetary boundaries and redesign current 'take-make-waste' economic system.

• How to Dispose of Compostable Tableware Properly? (EcoSoul Home) - Compostable tableware requires specific disposal methods including composting, recycling, or upcycling to prevent environmental contamination and maximize biodegradability benefits.

Ecosystems

Nepal's Lumbini gardens see Sarus crane decline; Amazon droughts imperil fish; Svalbard glaciers retreat; Microbes and innovators offer hope; Wildfires worsen in Europe; Nature livestreams boost wellbeing; AI aids biodiversity.

• Concrete sprawl in Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal threatens sarus cranes (Mongabay) - Rapid urbanization and wetland destruction in Nepal's Lumbini gardens reduces sarus crane population to just four pairs in Buddha's birthplace.

• How extreme droughts could redefine the future of Amazonian fish (Mongabay) - Historic Amazon droughts in 2023-2024 threaten fish biodiversity and food security through habitat loss, warming waters, and disrupted reproduction cycles.

• Svalbard: How it feels to be a climate scientist in the fastest-warming place on Earth (Carbon Brief) - Scientists at Arctic research station in Svalbard document rapid glacier retreat, warming temperatures, and ecosystem changes in Earth's fastest-warming region.

• Mighty microbes — the invisible forces that can save the world (Nature) - New book argues microorganisms are crucial allies in fighting climate change and ecological collapse through carbon capture, plastic degradation, and sustainable agriculture.

• New book ‘Hope Dies Last’ tackles humanity’s existential questions (Yale Climate Connections) - New book "Hope Dies Last" explores global innovators tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable agriculture and population challenges through stories of environmental restoration and technological breakthroughs.

• Can we learn to live with wildfires? (DW) - European scientists warn wildfires will become larger and more severe across continent due to climate change, with Mediterranean countries most at risk despite improved firefighting capacity.

• ‘I was watching osprey for five hours a day’: how the world fell in love with nature live streams (The Guardian) - Nature livestreams gain global popularity as research shows watching wildlife cameras improves wellbeing, helps process grief, and connects urban viewers to nature.

• IA et solutions innovantes : les outils du futur au service de la nature (Fondation François Sommer) - Leading researchers to discuss AI, bioacoustics, and genomic sequencing applications for biodiversity management and wildlife conservation in upcoming May 2025 conference.

Efficiency

India slum heat risks; Oracle digital tools aid energy assistance.

• ‘The fans just circulate hot air’: how indoor heat is making life unbearable in India’s sweltering cities (The Guardian) - Rising indoor temperatures in India's urban slums create severe health risks for residents lacking proper ventilation, cooling systems, and reliable utilities, with women particularly vulnerable.

• Technology helps utilities serve their most vulnerable customers (Utility Dive) - Oracle's digital tools help utilities identify and enroll vulnerable customers in energy assistance programs, achieving 3.8% conversion rate versus 1.23% industry average.

Finance

JBS faces shareholder pushback; Masdar raises $1B in green bonds; JinkoSolar listed in S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook; EU "green" funds invest in oil and gas.

• An open letter from Greenpeace International to JBS minority shareholders (Greenpeace International) - Environmental group warns JBS minority shareholders about risks of company's planned Dutch incorporation and NYSE listing, urging "no" vote at upcoming EGM.

• Adaptation Finance: 10 Key Questions, Answered (WRI) - Global adaptation finance gap reaches $187-359 billion annually as climate impacts intensify, with developing nations receiving less than 10% of available funds despite highest vulnerability.

• Masdar Secures $1 Billion In Green Bonds For Renewable Energy (TaiyangNews) - Abu Dhabi's Masdar raises $1 billion in oversubscribed green bonds for renewable energy projects, bringing total green bond portfolio to $2.75 billion.

• First PV Module Company to Be Listed in Both Global and China Editions of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025 (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar becomes first solar module manufacturer listed in both global and China editions of S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, scoring in top 10% of Chinese companies for sustainability performance.

• “Green” EU Investment Funds Full of Fossil Fuel Companies (CleanTechnica) - Investigation reveals EU "green" investment funds contain $33 billion in major oil and gas company holdings, including investments in fracking and tar sands firms.

• La Banque Postale Launches ESG-Focused Offerings Across its Entire Savings Portfolio (ESG Today) - French bank La Banque Postale introduces three-tiered ESG investment options across entire savings portfolio, enabling customers to align investments with sustainability preferences.

• How Chinese companies are using data to reduce their environmental impacts (CDP) - Chinese companies increasingly use environmental data disclosure to attract global investors and meet supply chain requirements, with 3,651 firms reporting in 2023.

Grid

Renewable energy growth persists despite disinformation; XL Batteries, Ontario BWRX-300, Voltify, Fraunhofer, SPML Infra, Jinko ESS, Origin Energy, DOE address grid challenges.

• From South Australia to Spain: Does blackout disinformation kill climate progress? (RenewEconomy) - Analysis of major grid blackouts in South Australia, UK, California, Texas and Spain shows renewable energy growth continues despite coordinated disinformation campaigns blaming wind and solar.

• A New Flow Battery Takes On The Data Center Energy “Crisis” (CleanTechnica) - XL Batteries deploys organic flow battery technology for data centers, securing deals with Prometheus Hyperscale for 25MW total capacity by 2029 to enable renewable energy storage.

• GEH BWRX-300 SMR Approved for Construction at OPG’s Darlingtion Site (Energy Central) - Ontario approves construction of first BWRX-300 small modular reactor at Darlington site with $7.7B cost for initial 300MW unit.

• Hauling Renewable Energy Around By Freight Train — Not A Prank! (CleanTechnica) - US startup Voltify develops system to transport renewable energy via battery-equipped freight trains, using solar-powered microgrids and dynamic charging to address grid bottlenecks.

• Harnessing the Deep Sea: Fraunhofer’s StEnSea Project Revolutionizes Renewable Energy Storage (Energy Central) - Fraunhofer Institute develops underwater concrete sphere system for renewable energy storage using deep-sea pressure, with pilot planned off California coast.

• Why we need to move to self-healing energy systems (Utility Dive) - AI-powered self-healing energy grids with distributed renewable assets and battery storage could prevent major power outages like recent failures in Spain and UK.

• We aim to make SPML a key player in the energy storage space (Energy Vault) - SPML Infra partners with US firm to enter India's battery energy storage market, expanding beyond infrastructure and utilities.

• Jinko ESS Obtains CSA Group WMTC Laboratory Qualification (TaiyangNews) - Jinko ESS's testing center achieves CSA Group WMTC Laboratory Qualification, enabling faster certification processes for energy storage systems in North American markets.

• Jinko ESS Partners with Filkab to Launch Dual-Track Energy Storage Strategy in Bulgaria (TaiyangNews) - Jinko ESS and Bulgarian firm Filkab partner to deploy grid-scale and commercial energy storage systems to stabilize power grid and boost renewable energy integration.

• Energy hub moved to site of Origin wind project to avoid private landowners in New England REZ (RenewEconomy) - Origin Energy and EnergyCo relocate major energy hub to Origin's wind farm site to minimize impact on private landowners in New England Renewable Energy Zone.

• Two New Renewable Energy Technologies That Just Might Work (CleanTechnica) - Fraunhofer develops underwater concrete sphere system for energy storage at 60% cost of batteries, while O-Wind creates omnidirectional urban wind turbine.

• DOE Orders Fossil Units Online After Puerto Rico Blackouts, Citing Dispatchable Capacity Need (Power Magazine) - DOE invokes emergency powers to restart Puerto Rico's fossil fuel plants and clear transmission lines after two major blackouts, citing critical grid reliability concerns.

Indigenous

Sundarbans Eco Village project, West Bank water access, Atlanta nature preserve, Indigenous rights org, Pilbara region mining.

• ENGLISH – Sundarbans Eco Village in Bangladesh (BEDS) - Bangladesh's Sundarbans Eco Village project combines indigenous knowledge with ecosystem conservation, providing renewable energy to 3,100 families while restoring 150 hectares of mangrove forests.

• Surviving Occupation in a Climate-Changed West Bank (Atmos) - Palestinians in West Bank's Aida refugee camp face severe water access restrictions under Israeli control while climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, compounding survival challenges.

• What Does It Mean to Do Community Driven Planning? (WAWA-online) - Environmental justice organization details community-driven planning approach for 26-acre Atlanta nature preserve amid gentrification challenges and historic preservation efforts.

• We need your help to reach our goal! (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous rights organization marks 53 years of supporting Indigenous communities worldwide through advocacy, media initiatives, and grassroots partnerships.

• Travels in the Pilbara, the land of ‘Aunty Gina’ – in pictures (The Guardian) - Photo essay documents indigenous perspectives, mining impacts, and cultural landscapes in Australia's Pilbara region where mining magnate Gina Rinehart built her empire.

Industry

FAST Project, US Tariffs, Infinium, Electric Hydrogen, DAS Solar, CRISPR Therapy.

• Kyoto University, Starlight Engine, and Kyoto Fusioneering Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Fusion Energy Breakthroughs (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Three Japanese institutions form strategic partnership to advance plasma design for FAST Project, aiming to demonstrate fusion power generation by 2030s.

• Tariffs May Shift the Map, but not the Need for a Technological Leap (Addionics) - US tariffs on Chinese EV components drive battery industry to accelerate domestic manufacturing and technological innovation despite supply chain disruptions.

• Infinium will deploy Electric Hydrogen’s HYPRPlant at large-scale eFuels facility in Texas (Electric Hydrogen) - Texas-based Infinium selects Electric Hydrogen's 100MW HYPRPlant system for world's largest eFuels facility, set to produce sustainable aviation fuel by 2027.

• Report Highlights Community Pushback Stalling $64 Billion in Data Center Development Nationwide (Inside Climate News) - Community opposition blocks or delays $64 billion in U.S. data center projects amid environmental concerns and local resistance.

• From EVs to HVAC, clean energy means jobs in Central Illinois (Canary Media) - Illinois community college's clean energy workforce program transforms lives of formerly incarcerated individuals while boosting Decatur's industrial renewal through EV manufacturing and solar training.

• DAS Solar and Vico Export Solar Energy Forge Distribution Partnership at Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar partners with Spanish distributor Vico Export Solar Energy at Intersolar Europe to expand N-type PV technology distribution across Europe, North Africa, and Latin America.

• Is a corporate sustainability career right for you? Ask yourself these 6 questions (Trellis) - Career coach outlines six key questions for evaluating fit with corporate sustainability roles, focusing on impact goals, adaptability, and required skillsets.

• Casinos and cannabis: Virginia struggles to replace coal jobs (Canary Media) - Virginia struggles to replace high-paying coal jobs with lower-wage alternatives like casinos and cannabis despite millions in federal and state support.

• This baby is thriving after getting the world’s first personalized CRISPR therapy (Nature) - First personalized CRISPR gene therapy successfully treats baby with rare genetic protein-processing disorder, showing promising early results.

Policy

EU Deforestation Regulation enforcement, Australia rejects nuclear, France mandates green hydrogen, US states propose climate Superfund laws.

• LiveEO | EUDR Competent Authorities - Updated List (April 2025) (LiveEO) - European Union updates comprehensive list of national authorities responsible for enforcing EU Deforestation Regulation compliance across member states.

• LiveEO | Traces NT: Essential Guide to EU's Information System for the Deforestation Regulation (LiveEO) - EU's TRACES NT system serves as mandatory digital platform for submitting deforestation regulation compliance documentation, requiring geolocation data and due diligence statements from operators and traders.

• Australia Rejected Nuclear—Will the U.S. Finally Follow Suit? (NIRS) - Australia's recent election shows strong voter rejection of nuclear power in favor of renewable energy transition, offering lessons for U.S. energy policy.

• Global Newsletter #95: REBEL EARTH MONTH: WE ARE THE FIRE (Extinction Rebellion) - Global climate activists stage worldwide protests against fossil fuel expansion, mining disasters, and ecosystem collapse during Earth Month demonstrations.

• This land is their land: Trump is selling out the US’s beloved wilderness (The Guardian) - Trump administration's mass layoffs and budget cuts of conservation workers threaten US public lands protection while setting stage for potential privatization of national treasures.

• France’s New Hydrogen Mandate: What the 1.5% Transport Fuel Rule Means (EnergyCentral) - France mandates 1.5% green hydrogen in transport fuels by 2030, exceeding EU targets and imposing strict non-compliance fines.

• Lights, Camera, Action! The Impact of Climate Change Documentaries on Environmental Activism (Earth.org) - Research shows climate change documentaries increase awareness but struggle to drive sustained behavioral changes, with Western-produced films criticized for overlooking local perspectives and Indigenous knowledge.

• Despite backlash, more states are considering laws to make Big Oil pay for climate change (Grist) - Eleven US states propose climate Superfund laws requiring oil companies to pay for climate disaster costs, despite legal challenges from industry and Trump administration.

• Solar grants held hostage in Pennsylvania legislature — as demand soars (Grist) - Pennsylvania's $25 million Solar for Schools program faces overwhelming demand with applications totaling four times available funding, while broader solar initiatives remain stalled in state legislature.

• How aid cuts could make vulnerable communities even less resilient to climate change (The Conversation) - Research shows aid cuts and shift to emergency relief could undermine climate adaptation efforts in vulnerable nations as climate disasters intensify.

• Clean energy poison pill  (Canary Media) - House Republican budget proposal contains "foreign entity of concern" provisions that could severely hamper clean energy development through excessive regulation, according to industry experts.

• Bullard Center Newsletter - May 16, 2025 (Bullard Center Newsletter) - Gulf South HBCUs and frontline communities convene to address water justice, climate resilience and infrastructure challenges in major regional summit.

• 豊岡市（兵庫県）Toyooka City (PreventionWeb) - Japanese city of Toyooka, devastated by 1925 earthquake that killed 428 and destroyed 7,863 buildings, serves as historical case study for urban disaster resilience.

• Local council insists on community fund, including for the arts, before approving big solar battery (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia council delays approval of $400M solar-battery project, demanding developer contribute to community and arts funds.

• When the government cancels your research grant, here’s what you can do (Nature) - US government cancels over 50 National Science Foundation grants on misinformation research amid broader political attacks on social sciences.

• Ohio’s coal plant subsidies are gone (Canary Media) - Ohio ends ratepayer subsidies for two unprofitable coal plants that were part of controversial 2019 bailout legislation.

• Trouble for geothermal and nuclear (Canary Media) - House GOP budget proposal would severely impact geothermal and nuclear energy development by gutting IRA tax credits and imposing restrictive foreign entity requirements.

• Next Tuesday: Exploring Faith-Based Community Climate Action (Covering Climate Now) - Global faith leaders and communities tackle climate change through renewable energy adoption, fossil fuel divestment, and conservation projects, to be discussed in upcoming press briefing.

Renewables

JinkoSolar in Azerbaijan, JA Solar's 20th Anniversary, ReNew Energy in India, Forrest's Nabrawind Turbines, China Rooftop Solar, Summerville Solar Farm, Wongalee Wind Farm, Google & energyRe, UK Solar Record, Moonwatt Launched.

• JinkoSolar Powers Azerbaijan’s 100MW Gobustan Solar Project with N-type TOPCon Technology (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar to supply N-type TOPCon modules for Azerbaijan's 100MW Gobustan solar project, expected to power 50,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by 146,500 tons annually.

• JA Solar Celebrates its 20th Anniversary (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giant JA Solar marks 20th anniversary with 280 GW cumulative module shipments and 27% cell efficiency achievement in n-type Bycium+ technology.

• India Solar PV News Snippets: ReNew Energy To Build One Of India’s Largest Hybrid RE Projects & More (TaiyangNews) - ReNew Energy to invest $2.5 billion in 2.8 GW hybrid renewable project in India, combining solar, wind and battery storage in Andhra Pradesh.

• The radical new self-lifting turbines Andrew Forrest wants to install at Australia’s biggest wind project (RenewEconomy) - Andrew Forrest plans to install innovative self-lifting 10MW wind turbines reaching 290m height at 2.1GW Pilbara wind project, using Spanish Nabrawind technology that requires no heavy cranes.

• China smashes rooftop solar installation record, as emissions fall despite demand growth (RenewEconomy) - China installs record 36GW of rooftop solar in Q1 2025 while achieving first-ever emissions reduction during high demand growth.

• Solar farm with four-hour battery wins state development approval, awaits federal decision (RenewEconomy) - NSW approves $312 million Summerville solar farm with 90MW capacity and 4-hour battery storage system near Lismore, awaiting federal environmental assessment.

• Queensland LNP approves huge, giga-scale wind farm after putting it on ice at start of year (RenewEconomy) - Queensland government approves 1.4GW Wongalee wind farm project after temporary pause, marking major advancement for state's renewable energy plans.

• Google Signs 600 MW Solar Agreement in U.S. to Help Power Data Centers (ESG Today) - Google partners with energyRe to purchase 600MW of solar power and storage projects in South Carolina for data center operations, advancing its 2030 net-zero carbon goals.

• UK sets new solar generation record (BusinessGreen) - UK solar power generation hits new record of 13.57GW, surpassing previous 12.2GW peak set in April.

• How Moonwatt's founders swapped Tesla for solar storage (BusinessGreen) - Former Tesla executives launch Moonwatt, a new solar storage company focused on rapid hardware development and deployment.

Transport

Shore-power electrification at major ports, UK's relaxed EV rules, and electric truck benefits in India.

• Cold Ironing Takes Hold: Ports Achieve Cleaner Air by Electrifying Ship Berths (CleanTechnica) - Major ports implementing shore-power electrification systems to eliminate ship emissions while docked, requiring €150 million investment but delivering significant environmental and economic benefits.

• Weakening of UK EV sales rules ‘likely to result in significantly more carbon emissions’ (The Guardian) - UK government's relaxed electric vehicle sales rules could add 500,000 plug-in hybrids by 2030, leading to increased carbon emissions despite official claims.

• Health benefits of electric trucks (YouTube) - Electric truck drivers report reduced fatigue and improved comfort compared to diesel trucks, enabling longer, safer journeys.

• The EV Advantage film (Climate Group) - Indian trucking companies demonstrate successful electric truck pilot projects, showcasing solutions to infrastructure, cost, and operational challenges in heavy transport electrification.

• Keep 3 key factors in mind for successful fleet electrification (Utility Dive) - Fleet electrification success requires strategic vehicle selection, scalable charging infrastructure, and careful financial planning for long-term sustainability.

• Indian driver's perspective on electric truck (YouTube) - An Indian truck driver describes electric trucks as more comfortable and easier to drive than diesel trucks, though some experienced drivers initially struggle with the lack of gears and clutch.

• Ease of driving an electric truck (YouTube) - An electric truck driver highlights the vehicle's ease of use, reduced fatigue, quiet operation, and convenient charging with a provided chip, contrasting it with the issues of traditional diesel trucks.