#renewables

Europe’s infrastructure is embracing the renewables boom, with one company determined to transform the continent’s railway lines into mini solar farms. Last year, Swiss start-up Sun-Ways unveiled the world’s first-ever solar railway after rolling out 100 metres of photovoltaic (PV) panels in between active tracks in Buttes, a village in the Val-de-Travers district. Originally planned as just a three-year trial, the railway was fitted with 48 specially-designed solar panels with a combined power of 18 kWp. However, the positive results yielded just one year into the trial mean the installation of a permanent system along the railroad track is now likely, Euronews Earth has been told. Are solar railways efficient? Solar panels are often installed at a specific angle to ensure they absorb the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year. In Spain, for example, the optimal angle for efficiency is between 30° and 35°. According to a 2022 study published in Science Direct, a 34° tilt on solar panels in the Iberian Peninsula resulted in annual production losses lower than one per cent. It’s why sloped rooftops are naturally convenient locations to install panels – while garden fences, balconies and flat roofs will generate less energy in comparison. Sun-Ways estimates that the loss of production due to the lack of inclination of the railway panels is only around 10 per cent. Still, in one year, the project has produced around 16,000 kWh.

The Grid stability of India's electricity network faced operational pressure on 12 July as strong renewable generation coincided with reduced weekend demand. Grid-India reported that national frequency remained within the prescribed operating band for only 71.7 per cent of the day, while frequency exceeded 50.05 Hz for 21.9 per cent of total operating time. Power grid India continues adapting to increasing Renewable energy integration during low-demand periods.

System data recorded a maximum frequency of 50.272 Hz, while reliability reports showed seven major 765 kV substations operating at or above their prescribed voltage limits. Cuddapah reached 810 kV during the day, indicating elevated transmission voltages associated with surplus electricity generation. On 11 July, western load despatch authorities also directed renewable generation curtailment of up to 55 per cent to maintain secure system operations.

Peak electricity demand nevertheless reached 243,428 MW without any reported shortage, confirming that the operational challenge involved managing excess generation rather than meeting demand. Grid reports also indicated no significant low-voltage violations, reinforcing the conclusion that surplus generation created the observed operating conditions. EnergylineIndia.com provides verified reporting on Grid stability, transmission operations and electricity market developments. Indian Power news continues monitoring renewable integration, voltage management and transmission performance. The Grid stability of India's power system will increasingly depend on storage and flexible grid resources as renewable capacity continues expanding, making Grid stability a strategic operational priority.

Wind Energy Market faces the inherent challenges of scaling infrastructure to meet urgent climate targets, yet it continues to deliver impressive results. Addressing grid capacity limitations, financing large-scale projects, and navigating complex regulatory environments are the primary hurdles that the industry is tackling with innovative solutions. Despite these obstacles, the scale of growth is significant: the Europe Wind Energy Market recorded an annual installed capacity of 16.5 GW in 2024 and is estimated to reach a volume of 53.6 GW by 2033 with a CAGR of 14.0%.

Grid modernization is the most pressing technical challenge, as the current infrastructure in many regions was not designed to accommodate decentralized, variable renewable energy inputs. Investment in smart grids, which utilize advanced control systems to manage fluctuating power flows, is critical. By creating a more flexible and responsive grid, operators can better integrate wind energy, reducing reliance on conventional backup plants and maximizing the utilization of clean power generated during peak wind conditions.

Another key focus area is the acceleration of the permitting process. Lengthy administrative procedures have historically slowed down project development. Many countries are now adopting "fast-track" permitting for renewable energy projects, recognizing their status as projects of "overriding public interest." This shift is crucial for achieving the scale required by 2033, as it allows developers to move from the planning phase to construction more efficiently, maintaining the momentum needed to reach capacity targets.

Decarbonization Market advancements highlight that the most efficient unit of energy is the one that is never used. While renewable energy generation is critical, the primary focus for many industrial players is reducing the energy intensity of their operations. The Decarbonization Market was valued at USD 1.9 Billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 6.17 Billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2027 to 2033. This focus on efficiency is a fundamental step toward achieving large-scale carbon reduction.

Energy-efficient technologies, including high-performance HVAC systems, smart industrial automation, and heat recovery units, are seeing unprecedented demand. These technologies allow businesses to maximize output while drastically reducing the input of power or fuel, leading to significant cost savings and lower environmental impact.

The digitalization of the industry is playing a key role here. IoT-enabled sensors and real-time monitoring platforms allow for the automation of energy usage, ensuring that buildings and factories only consume power when absolutely necessary. This level of optimization was previously impossible but is now a standard requirement for modern, competitive facilities.

Ever heard of Carbon Capture? It's the idea that you can capture carbon emissions from existing fossil fuel based power plants and store it instead of creating atmospheric emissions. Seems like a easy, investible, win that can retrofit to existing technologies right?

One paper written 22 years ago seemed to think so. But there's a catch:

“Chaps, I have had a go at rewriting the paper.”  - Chris Mottershead, BP climate adviser

What better way to launder your reputation than by sponsoring scientific research, as the UK based BP oil company did across the late 1990s to early 2000s.

The result?

"... “Wedges” (The paper) oversold the readiness of carbon capture and storage, describing it as “already deployed” industrially. Reporting by ProPublica and Drilled has found that even today, the technology faces financial and technical hurdles and is unlikely to ever work at the scale needed to avert extreme warming. 

And the broader solution set that “Wedges” promoted, including expanding the use of natural gas, has meanwhile helped perpetuate a system in which fossil fuels remain the predominant source of energy and the emissions they cause have continued. 

“An unfortunate consequence” of the “Wedges” paper, wrote climate scientist Ken Caldeira, New York University physics professor Marty Hoffert and others in a 2013 critique, “was to make the solution seem easy.”

Moreover, for the past quarter century, as research into carbon capture and storage and other industry-friendly solutions have enjoyed robust funding and attention, other ideas that might have replaced carbon-heavy energy entirely — reducing warming and potentially saving lives — were drowned out, several researchers told ProPublica and Drilled."

 - Maddie Stone, Drilled; additional reporting by Amy Westervelt, Drilled, and Katie Worth, ProPublica

Even today's governments seem enamoured by carbon capture and divert crucial funding into these kinds of systems, despite plenty of evidence to suggest these systems are currently non-viable.

Prime example is the the launch of the UK government's energy funding mechanism Great British Energy, working together the UK's recently established National Wealth Fund:

"The National Wealth Fund will focus at least £5.8 billion of its capital on green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories, and green steel"- Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity – main report - GOV.UK

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May has brought some a-MAY-zing good news our way! (Alright, not my strongest pun, I'll admit. 😅) Let's wrap up the month by taking a look at five uplifting news stories from May! 🌻🐝

1. ♻️ French and African leaders announced $11 billion for renewable energy across Africa!

Leaders of more than 30 African countries as well as executives from major companies gathered at a forum alongside the French-African Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, to unveil numerous renewable energy projects, ranging from sustainable aviation fuel to solar and wind energy initiatives. The investments coincide with numerous African countries looking to expand electricity access to millions of people while avoiding more fossil fuel-polluting pathways, seeking to tap into the continent’s solar, wind, and hydropower potential!

2. 🌳 Amazon deforestation is at an eight-year low!

Between August of 2025 and March of 2026, the number of deforested kilometers fell by 36% compared to the previous year, the lowest figure since 2018! States with historically high Amazon deforestation saw sharp reductions, and the largest Brazilian state, Amazonas, also saw deforestation decline. The decrease can be attributed to improved governmental responses to environmental protection, as well as changes in forest fire management — the trend, if continued, is a step in the right direction for the Amazon rainforest.

3. 🚨 Major crimes in Jamaica have decreased by over 20%!

During the period from January 1 to May 23, 2026, Jamaica recorded a sharp decline in murders, shootings, robberies, and other violent crimes. One police division even saw violent crimes plummet by over 70%, part of this series of successes across the island in bringing crime numbers down!

4. 🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender people in Kenya just won a major court victory!

The country’s High Court ruled that refusal to amend gender markers on transgender Kenyans' official documents violates the nation’s constitution. The plaintiff behind this case, a well-known Kenyan trans advocate, was also involved in a landmark 2014 ruling, which forced an academic body to change the name and gender marker on her academic certificates. With the court now ordering government agencies to begin receiving and considering applications for gender marker changes immediately, this decision is one of several recent victories for Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community!

5. 🍼 Chile’s maternity leave extension has boosted women’s employment!

Extending maternity leave from 12 to 24 weeks increased women’s formal employment after having children by 16%, with no harm to women’s wages or employment prospects over the long term! The reform doesn’t only benefit mothers but also their children as a result, with mothers reporting lower stress levels on returning to work and their children showing better health. Chile’s family leave reform is an example of how these policies can improve maternal and infant health and support gender equality!