Chart of the Week
China’s battery storage capacity can now shift a record 21% of solar energy generation for use during non-peak hours
China added 189.5 gigawatt hours of energy storage capacity in 2025, scaling the technology to support 21% of daily new solar generation in 2025 as compared to 6% in 2022. The new additions allowed the country to set a new target to deploy a total of 300 gigawatts of new energy storage by 2030, up from the previous goal of installing 180 gigawatts by 2027. [Ember Energy]
Energy Transition
California-based energy storage firm Peak Energy established the first US sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 4 gigawatt hours of energy storage capacity annually. Unlike lithium-ion cells, Peak claims its sodium-ion technology features a 99% uptime rate, utilizes passive cooling to minimize energy use, and eliminates the need for multiple daily charge-discharge cycles. [MSN]
China Resources New Energy Holdings priced a $3.6 billion initial public offering in Shenzhen to fund the expansion of its nationwide solar and wind portfolio in what is now China’s largest IPO since 2022. The company, a subsidiary of the conglomerate China Resources Holdings, has installed nearly 14 gigawatts of solar and 27.6 gigawatts of wind capacity across as of late 2025. [The Financial Times (Subscription)]
Amsterdam-based developer Giga Storage secured $514 million in debt financing for its 2.8 gigawatt hour Green Turtle battery project in Belgium, marking the largest financing deal for a single battery system in European history. Expected to become operational in 2028, the facility can support the daily electricity needs of nearly 385,000 Belgian households at peak output. [Tech Times]
Green Mobility & Sustainable Fuels
India inaugurated the launch of its first domestically produced hydrogen- powered train capable of carrying up to 2,600 passengers as fast as 47 miles per hour. The “NaMo Green Rail” pilot project uses integrated fuel cell technology that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce energy without emitting local air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides. [The Associated Press]
French shipping giant CMA CGM launched the first container ship to run on Brazilian-made ethanol, helping the company take the first step towards scaling its renewable-adapted fleet to 200 vessels by 2031. The pilot project, which will make stops in Sri Lanka and Singapore before docking in China, is fueled byBrazilian energy firm Copersucar as part of the company’s goal to scale maritime ethanol production. [Bloomberg (Subscription)]
Toyota and BMW partnered with Spanish energy firm Repsol to launch a six- month pilot of renewable gasoline that targets a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 70% compared to conventional fuel. The companies will deploy a 20-car fleet powered by gasoline made from organic waste that can absorb a similar amount of carbon dioxide during its useful life as the fuel will emit when burned. [Inside EVs]
Sustainable Materials & Products
California-based climate tech firm Bioforcetech developed a new biosolid processing solution that removes up to 99.98% of hazardous PFAS chemicals and transforms sewage sludge into carbon negative concrete additives. The commercially piloted technology removes moisture from waste before using a high-temperature pyrolysis treatment to heat the biosolids in a low-oxygen environment, creating a stable carbon biochar product for concrete mixes. [Carbon Herald]
UK-based materials science firm Polymateria and Indian dairy producer Mother Dairy partnered to launch the world’s first biodegradable milk pouch. The new packaging utilizes a proprietary biotransformation technology that allows the plastic to fully decompose within two years without leaving microplastics, providing a scalable solution for a waste stream of up to 120 million milk pouches discarded daily. [ESG News]
Michelin subsidiary ResiCare and French technology provider Axens partnered to mass produce a bio-based molecule that can be used in polymers and other sustainable building materials, targeting the launch of a 3,000 metric ton per year production facility in France by early 2027. The initiative utilizes 5- hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to replace petroleum-derived molecules like formaldehyde in resins and adhesives. [WWD (Subscription)]
Notable Corporate Commitments
Spanish telecommunications firm Telefónica announced a 2026-2030 sustainability roadmap targeting a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases and a 56% cut in Scope 3 emissions by 2030. The strategy, which supports the company’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040, aims to eliminate waste across Telefónica’s value chain by 2030 by refurbishing existing equipment to extend the operational life of technological assets and optimize the use of critical materials. [Sustainability Magazine]
Global agricultural supply chain manager ADM entered a partnership with General Mills and Walmart to regenerate 40,000 wheat acres across the US, targeting measurable improvements in carbon sequestration and soil health by 2030. ADM will facilitate financial incentives and technical training for farmers to implement no-till practices and cover crops, supporting General Mills' broader objective to scale regenerative practices across 1 million acres by 2030. [Procurement Magazine]
Global Climate Commitments and Progress
Thailand’s National Energy Policy Council approved a $6 billion energy transition program to scale rooftop solar and clean transportation while opening the national grid for direct corporate renewable energy purchase agreements. Key projects under the new legislation include a 1.5 gigawatt community solar program and an energy transition plan for public transport and commercial vehicles. [Reuters(Subscription)]
The Kenyan government announced plans to launch a national carbon exchange by 2027, potentially generating an estimated $170 million in revenue through the export of 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide removals. The country, which issues ~15% of Africa’s carbon credits, will use the marketplace to centralize trading for high-integrity credits from its vast natural carbon sinks. [Carbon Credits]
Multimedia Insights
This episode of Volts discusses a key problem in integrating electrification into legislation: ensuring lawmakers are equipped with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. Featuring Hawaiian state senator Chris Lee, co- founder of the bipartisan Electric Innovation Initiative, the podcast explores how putting local legislators in front of working technology and publicizing practical decarbonization solutions can close the gap between ideas and action.
This installment of People, Places, Planet provides a comprehensive overview of geothermal energy, explaining the difference between direct application and power generation uses and investigating new developments like advanced, enhanced, and super-hot rock geothermal. The conversation further dives into challenges such as drilling costs and regulatory barriers like the decades-old Geothermal Steam Act holding the energy alternative back as well as strategies to expand the technology in the future.
Climate Events
Dates: September 8-9, 2026
Location: London, UK
Preview: Organized by Sustainability Magazine, Sustainability LIVE will convene over 1,000 senior executives to discuss the future of ESG implementation and climate consciousness at leading companies. The event will center key topics like advancing net zero goals in the auto industry, moving from water conservation to water positivity, and the role of AI in expanding sustainability measures.
AEE World Energy Conference & Expo
Dates: September 16-18, 2026
Location: Orlando, USA
Preview: Hosted by the Association of Energy Engineers, the 2026 AEE World Energy Conference and Expo will bring together industry professionals to explore solutions in energy efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable expansion. With over 2,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors, the conference will feature technical sessions, training programs, and a technology expo where companies will debut new products and energy management services.
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