The European Commission has approved nearly €650 million in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to support 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The allocation aligns with the European Grids Package, which highlights improved interconnectivity [...]
Westbridge Renewable Energy Corporation has received regulatory approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for its Red Willow solar and battery energy storage project in Stettler county, Alberta, Canada. The approval has been granted to [...]
Rye Development and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, through its Flagship Fund CI V, have announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a 40-year licence for the Goldendale energy storage project in Washington. Once [...]
Canadian renewables firm Westbridge Renewable Energy has received approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to build an up to 225MW solar-plus-storage plant in Alberta, Canada.
By dropping a nuclear reactor 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) underground, Deep Fission aims to use the weight of a billion tons of rock and water as a natural containment system comparable to concrete domes and cooling towers. With the fission reaction occurring far below the surface, steam can safely circulate in a closed loop to generate power.
The California-based startup announced in October that prospective customers had signed non-binding letters of intent for 12.5 gigawatts of power involving data center developers, industrial parks, and other (mostly undisclosed) strategic partners, with initial sites under consideration in Kansas, Texas, and Utah. Individual agreements range from under 1 GW to 2 GW, including a previously announced 2 GW deal with Endeavour’s Edged division, a company building high-efficiency data centers that don’t rely on water to cool servers.
Deep Fission’s small modular reactor (SMR), called Gravity, is designed to stand 9 meters tall while remaining slim enough to fit inside a borehole roughly three-quarters of a meter wide. The company says its modular approach allows multiple 15-megawatt reactors to be clustered on a single site: A block of 10 would total 150 MW, and Deep Fission claims that larger groupings could scale to 1.5 GW.
Deep Fission claims that using geological depth as containment could make nuclear energy cheaper, safer, and deployable in months at a fraction of a conventional plant’s footprint. Still, independent experts say the underground design introduces its own uncertainties, both regulatory and practical.
Innovative Nuclear Reactor Design
“We are unique in that we’ve combined three existing mature technologies in a way that nobody had ever thought of before,” says Liz Muller, founder of Deep Fission. The same oil and gas drilling techniques that reliably reach kilometer-deep wells can be adapted to host nuclear reactors, while using steam to transfer heat to the surface for power generation follows geothermal methods. Locating the reactors under a deep-water column subjects them to roughly 160 atmospheres of pressure—the same conditions maintained inside a conventional nuclear reactor—which forms a natural seal to keep any radioactive coolant or steam contained at depth, preventing leaks from reaching the surface.
Deep Fission is one of several SMR companies participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, which targets initial criticality—producing a self-sustaining chain reaction for the first time—in July 2026 through an expedited authorization process. While some industry players like Oklo and Kairos Power are designing novel reactors, Deep Fission selected a standard pressurized water reactor (PWR) using readily available low-enriched uranium fuel, similar to 64 of the 95 reactors licensed to operate in the U.S. today.
The idea of bringing PWRs underground stems from Muller’s earlier work at Deep Isolation, a company she founded to develop borehole disposal for nuclear waste containment. She remembers that one day, a customer raised a hypothetical scenario: If someone accidentally put fresh uranium fuel underground instead of waste, could it start a chain reaction due to the pressure? “The answer is no,” says Muller. “A single fuel assembly a mile underground will not go critical. But, as we were doing those calculations, we recognized that you actually have the conditions you want for a nuclear reactor when you’re in a borehole a mile underground.”
Deep Fission’s reactor would operate at the bottom of a 1.6-kilometer-deep borehole, sending steam upward to power a turbine.Deep Fission
Deep Fission’s safety case draws on oil- and gas-drilling precedent. “The oil and gas industry has shown how to protect the water table,” Muller says, referring to the upper groundwater zone where water saturates rock and soil. “They have really nasty stuff coming out of their borehole. All that’s coming out of our borehole is clean water, so all the radioactivity stays at the bottom, and it’s just clean hot water coming up, as it would with geothermal.”
Underground siting removes many potential dangers for surface reactors, such as aircraft impacts, vehicle collisions, tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding. Muller argues that even a worst-case scenario could cause economic losses to the reactor or borehole, but wouldn’t impact humans or the environment. If an earthquake ever disrupted the site, “you seal it off at the bottom of the borehole, plug up the borehole, and you have your waste in safe disposal,” she says.
Construction takes about six months, including four weeks of drilling, eight to 10 weeks of installation to lower the canister into the hole, and another two months for commissioning, which involves system tests, inspections, and initial low-power runs to confirm the reactor behaves safely as designed. For waste management, Deep Fission is eyeing deep geological disposal in the very borehole systems they deploy for their reactors. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Deep Isolation in April to explore the licensing and use of its deep repository technology.
Regulatory Challenges for Underground Reactors
While the company expects to license its reactor under existing Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rules, the agency will likely need supplemental review guidance to evaluate a design that’s installed underground, reliant on surrounding geology for containment, and monitored remotely—areas that current reactor regulations don’t yet cover in detail.
Independent experts see both promise and challenges. Leslie Dewan, a nuclear engineer with experience designing molten salt-based SMRs, says placing the reactor deep underground “changes the parameters for shielding, containment, and site design in a way that could simplify surface infrastructure and streamline construction,” especially if Deep Fission can deliver on security, footprint, and cost. The company claims it can cut overall costs by 70 to 80 percent compared with full-scale nuclear plants. Its projected levelized cost of electricity of US $50 to $70 per megawatt-hour—the average price to cover a plant’s lifetime costs—is lower than the estimated averages for other SMRs.
But Dewan cautions that the concept still faces technical unknowns. “A design that relies on the surrounding geology for safety and containment needs to demonstrate a deep understanding of subsurface behavior, including the stability of the rock formations, groundwater movement, heat transfer, and long-term site stability,” Dewan says. “There are also operational considerations around monitoring, access, and decommissioning. But none of these are necessarily showstoppers: They’re all areas that can be addressed through rigorous engineering and thoughtful planning.”
Each Gravity unit is designed to generate 15 MW of power, though an array of multiple units can meet gigawatt-scale power demands.Deep Fission
The underground configuration could also complicate operations. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, a nuclear engineering professor and associate dean of the Idaho State University College of Science and Engineering, calls the use of a conventional PWR “solid,” but says that placing the reactor so far underground seems less promising. “While the underground placement does provide shielding from the radiation being produced, maintenance and refueling of the reactor will be complicated by the need to bring the reactor to the surface and to provide alternative shielding for workers,” she says.
Sending water to the reactor and steam to the surface for power production also requires plumbing that could fail or lose heat, says Dunzik-Gougar. Operating and controlling the reactor remotely from the surface means extensive cabling or wireless communication, again creating points of potential failure. Licensing may also prove difficult given the unusual configuration and distance between the reactor, its operators, maintenance staff, and supporting equipment installed above-ground.
Deep Fission’s early regulatory filings acknowledge these challenges, noting that the deep borehole complicates compliance around monitoring and visual inspection, and that additional guidance will be required for remote operation.
Deep Fission’s Expansion Plans
Deep Fission exited stealth mode in 2024 with a $4 million funding round. This year, after new federal executive orders accelerated the DOE’s advanced-reactor timelines—moving Deep Fission’s own target from 2029 to 2026—the company completed a reverse-merger transaction and raised $30 million through a private placement.
Deep Fission expects to own and operate at least its first reactor, but may potentially pursue a different business model thereafter. “There is tremendous demand right now for electricity. By having a flexible model, we can grow faster than if we wanted to build, own, and operate all of our facilities ourselves,” says Muller. “We do recognize an advantage there, but in terms of international expansion and bandwidth to build many reactors, I think having a licensing model or even selling the reactors is an area where we want to be flexible.”
The company aims to finalize its reactor design and confirm the pilot site in the coming months. Muller says the plan is to drill the borehole, lower the canister, load the fuel, and bring the reactor to criticality underground in 2026. Sites in Utah, Texas, and Kansas are among the leading candidates for the first commercial-scale projects, which could begin construction in 2027 or 2028, depending on the speed of DOE and NRC approvals. Deep Fission expects to start manufacturing components for the first unit in 2026 and does not anticipate major bottlenecks aside from typical long-lead items.
“Trying to hit the 4 July 2026 target is going to be extremely challenging, not just for us but for everybody. But what I feel really good about is our ability to build this pilot reactor in 2026,” Muller says. “Had the DOE pilot program not been there, we would’ve been on a significantly slower timeframe.”
The European Commission has released its proposal to revise its Cybersecurity Act (CSA), which includes provisions to exclude “high-risk” companies and components from European supply chains.
California continues to celebrate strong ZEV sales despite the efforts of President Trump, and his Republican enablers in Congress, to throttle down the vehicle electrification movement.
IRU, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and T&E urge the European Commission to ensure continuity of EU funding for heavy-duty vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, warning that a break in support in 2026–2027 would risk slowing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles. In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President ... [continued]
### **1. PETITION DETAILS**
– **Petitioner:** BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd.
– **Legal Basis:** Filed under **Sections 86(1)(c), 86(1)(e), and 86(1)(k)** of the Electricity Act, 2003, read with:
– **Regulation 14** of the DERC (Net Metering for Renewable Energy) Regulations, 2014.
– **DERC (Peer-to-Peer Energy Transaction) Guidelines 2024.**
– **Nature:** Petition concerning a **pilot project** related to net metering and/or peer-to-peer energy transactions.
—
### **2. HEARING & COMMISSION’S ORDER**
1. **Petition Admitted:** The Commission has **admitted the petition** for the pilot project.
2. **Jurisdictional Issue:** The Commission raised a question regarding its **jurisdiction over interstate transactions** (referenced in **Prayer C** of the petition).
3. **Additional Submissions:** The Petitioner’s Senior Counsel requested time to make additional submissions. The Commission directed:
– Petitioner to make **additional submissions by 27.01.2026** on the jurisdictional aspect.
– DERC officers may seek **additional clarifications** from the Petitioner in the meantime.
4. **Next Hearing:** Listed for **27.01.2026**.
—
### **3. KEY IMPLICATIONS**
– The **pilot project petition is admitted**, but its scope—particularly concerning **interstate energy transactions**—remains subject to jurisdictional determination.
– The Commission’s final decision will depend on the **additional legal submissions** to be filed by the Petitioner.
– The case highlights the evolving regulatory landscape for **peer-to-peer energy trading** and **cross-state electricity transactions**.
California continues to celebrate strong ZEV sales despite the efforts of President Trump, and his Republican enablers in Congress, to throttle down the vehicle electrification movement.
The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation to assess whether a €61 million ($71.6 million) arbitration award in favor of Malta-based ACF Renewable Energy is compatible with EU State aid rules.
The European Commission said it will investigate an arbitration award ordering Bulgaria to pay €61.04 million plus interest to ACF Renewable Energy Ltd., which invested in a Bulgarian solar plant under a 2011 renewable energy support scheme.
Bulgaria modified the scheme in 2013 and 2014, prompting ACF to pursue arbitration. The arbitral tribunal found Bulgaria breached the Energy Charter Treaty and awarded compensation in January 2024. Bulgaria notified the European Commission but has not paid the sum.
The European Commission said its preliminary view at this stage is that implementing the award would constitute state aid under Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, making it potentially incompatible with the internal market. The investigation will also consider whether the award breaches EU treaty provisions on the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The probe allows Bulgaria and interested parties to submit comments. It does not indicate the European Commission’s final decision.
EU law generally prohibits intra-EU investor-state arbitration under bilateral investment treaties or the Energy Charter Treaty, following the 2018 Achmea judgment and the 2021 Komstroy ruling. The EU formally withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty in June 2025.
The European Commission said that legal protections for investors remain through national courts and EU law, and member states must ensure renewable energy support measures are stable and do not undermine the economic viability of projects.
In December 2025, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Energy awarded more than 4 GWh of energy storage capacity across 31 projects under its RESTORE 2 procurement plan, committing BGN 228.9 million ($137.2 million) to develop standalone renewable energy storage infrastructure nationally.
The European Commission is advancing market matching for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by inviting European offtakers to signal supply interest under the Hydrogen Mechanism, while Germany’s electrolysis rollout continues to lag official targets despite new EU-backed funding schemes.
The European Commission said it is inviting European offtakers to express interest in supply offers under the Hydrogen Mechanism, adding that the current phase runs until March 20, 2026, under the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform that links buyers with suppliers of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives including ammonia, methanol, eMethane and electro-sustainable aviation fuel, after companies submitted supply offers from more than 260 projects from Nov. 12, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026, with the European Commission set to outline further details at an online webinar on Jan. 27. Separately, the European Commission has also approved a €200 million ($234.9 million) German plan to support the production of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in Canada. “The scheme will support the construction of up to 300 MW of electrolysis capacity. The aid will be awarded through a competitive bidding process, planned to be concluded in 2027,” wrote the European executive body.
The Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI) said Germany’s rollout of electrolysis capacity is progressing far more slowly than planned. The institute said installed electrolyser capacity currently stands at 181 MW, with a further 1.3 GW having reached a final investment decision (FID) or being under construction. On that basis, EWI said total operating capacity could reach up to 1.5 GW by the end of 2027, leaving Germany on course to fall well short of its target of 10 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030.
BKW plans to take a 40%stake in the planned hydrogen-ready (H2-ready) gas-fired power plant at the Hamm site (North Rhine-Westphalia), Germany. “BKW is developing the project together with the German municipal utility cooperation Trianel,” said the German company. “The location offers ideal conditions: sufficient space, existing grid and gas connections, and a well-developed infrastructure.”
Lhyfe said it expects to increase by 70% its installed renewable hydrogen production capacity in 2026. The French company currently has four renewable hydrogen production sites installed in France and Germany (21 MW). “Lhyfe has been supplying France’s first motorway hydrogen station accessible to heavy goods vehicles, operated by TEAL Mobility, since November 2025”, said the company this week, underlining that the four sites received RFNBO certifications in May and September 2025.
Honda Motor said it has decided to discontinue production, before the end of 2026, of the current model of fuel cell system now produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, a joint venture between Honda and General Motors (GM). “After the discontinuation, Honda will utilize the next-generation fuel-cell system being developed independently by Honda”, said the Japanese company, referring to the joint venture established in January 2017 in Brownstown, Michigan.
Australia’s federal government will invest AUD 24.7 million ($16.9 million) over three years in a national pilot to recycle end-of-life solar panels, aiming to reduce landfill disposal and recover valuable materials from the country’s growing rooftop solar fleet.
The federal government has announced it will invest AUD 24.7 million over three years to deliver a national pilot for recycling solar panels that will help address the growing waste issues as they reach end of life.
The pilot program will establish up to 100 collection sites across the country, aiming to improve the management of end-of-life PV modules as Australia’s solar fleet continues to expand and mature. It will also support the development of a circular economy, allowing material and strategic minerals like copper, silver, silicon and aluminium to be recovered and reused rather than lost to landfill.
More than 4.2 million rooftop solar systems have been installed across Australia and an estimated 4 million panels are being decommissioned each year but government analysis shows only 17% of those panels are currently being recycled.
“Most panels are either stockpiled, dumped in landfill or exported for reuse,” Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said. “These materials can be repurposed to support the clean energy transition and help reduce what we send to landfill.”
The government commitment comes after a Productivity Commission report into Australia’s circular economy recommended the government “urgently establish” a national recycling scheme for solar panels and investigate the merits of a similar scheme for electric vehicle batteries.
“Currently, neither solar PV systems nor EV batteries are managed in a consistent or comprehensive way once they are considered to have reached their end of life,” the report says. “Though some private recycling services exist in Australia … only 17% of solar panel components are recycled with the remaining 83% of materials treated as waste.”
The Productivity Commission said the key barrier to the growth of a solar recycling industry is the cost of recycling the panels, which it estimated is about six times the cost of sending them to landfill.
Darren Johannesen, executive general manager of sustainability at the Smart Energy Council, said the program would transform a growing waste challenge into a major economic opportunity.
“Solar panels are not a waste problem, rather a critical resource,” he said. “They contain precious materials like silver, copper, aluminium, silicon and high-grade glass, commodities critical to our clean energy shift.”
“Implementing a national stewardship scheme, which we hope and expect will follow the pilot, will trigger an urban-mining boom, and a new wave of smart energy investment in jobs and growth.”
The Australian government estimates the creation of a national product stewardship scheme for small-scale solar PV systems could unlock up to $7.3 billion in economic benefits through reduced waste and reuse of materials.
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Deep Fission’s reactor would operate at the bottom of a 1.6-kilometer-deep borehole, sending steam upward to power a turbine.Deep Fission
Each Gravity unit is designed to generate 15 MW of power, though an array of multiple units can meet gigawatt-scale power demands.Deep Fission
