Deutschland hat inzwischen rund 400 Kilometer Wasserstoff-Backbone-Pipeline fertiggestellt und unter Druck gesetzt, ohne angeschlossene Lieferanten und ohne vertraglich gebundene Abnehmer — eine Pipeline von nirgendwo nach nirgendwo. Die Infrastruktur existiert und ist betriebsbereit, aber es fließt kein Wasserstoff zu irgendjemandem, der sich verpflichtet hat, dafür zu bezahlen. Dies ist kein ... [continued]

The post Die Opportunitätskosten des deutschen Wasserstoff-Backbones* appeared first on CleanTechnica.

In Short : Telangana is planning a major transformation of its power sector by targeting a 50% green energy mix and expanding battery storage capacity as electricity demand is projected to exceed 100,000 MW by 2047. The strategy focuses on renewable integration, grid modernization, storage deployment, and sustainable infrastructure to ensure long-term energy security and economic growth.

In Detail : Telangana is preparing for a significant shift in its energy landscape as electricity demand in the state is expected to cross 100,000 MW by 2047. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, digital infrastructure growth, and rising living standards are driving a sharp increase in power consumption. To meet this demand sustainably, the state has outlined a long-term strategy centered on renewable energy and energy storage.

A key pillar of Telangana’s plan is achieving a 50% green power mix in its overall electricity portfolio. This involves scaling up solar, wind, and other renewable sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimize carbon emissions. The transition is aligned with national clean energy goals and reflects Telangana’s ambition to position itself as a leader in sustainable development.

Solar energy is expected to play a dominant role in this transition due to Telangana’s high solar potential and availability of land for large-scale projects. Rooftop solar, utility-scale solar parks, and solar integration in industrial and commercial zones are being promoted to decentralize generation and reduce transmission losses. Wind and hybrid renewable projects are also expected to complement solar generation.

As renewable energy penetration increases, grid stability becomes a critical challenge. Intermittent power generation from solar and wind creates variability that must be managed effectively. To address this, Telangana is planning significant investments in battery energy storage systems to balance supply and demand, ensure reliability, and support round-the-clock power availability.

Battery storage is being positioned as a strategic enabler of the green transition. Large-scale storage systems will allow excess renewable energy generated during peak periods to be stored and dispatched during high-demand or low-generation hours. This not only improves grid resilience but also reduces curtailment of renewable power and enhances overall system efficiency.

Grid modernization is another central component of the state’s energy roadmap. Upgrading transmission infrastructure, deploying smart grid technologies, and integrating digital monitoring systems will enable real-time demand management and efficient power distribution. These measures are essential for accommodating large volumes of distributed renewable energy and storage assets.

The expansion of green power and storage is also expected to have strong economic implications. It will attract private investment, create employment opportunities, and stimulate the growth of clean energy industries within the state. Manufacturing of solar equipment, batteries, and related technologies could emerge as new industrial clusters.

From a policy perspective, Telangana’s strategy requires coordinated planning between government agencies, utilities, regulators, and private developers. Supportive policies, long-term power purchase agreements, financial incentives, and regulatory reforms will be necessary to accelerate renewable deployment and make storage systems commercially viable.

Overall, Telangana’s vision of achieving a 50% green power mix with large-scale battery storage represents a forward-looking approach to energy planning. By proactively addressing future demand growth and sustainability challenges, the state is building a resilient, low-carbon power system that supports economic growth while contributing to national and global climate goals.

In Short : Indian researchers have developed a self-charging solar energy storage device that integrates energy harvesting and storage into one unit. Designed as a photo-supercapacitor, the system captures sunlight and stores power simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate solar panels and batteries. The technology promises efficient, low-cost solutions for portable and off-grid energy needs.

In Detail : An innovative sunlight-powered supercapacitor called photo-capacitor developed by scientists can both capture and store solar energy in a single integrated device.

This could be a remarkable step towards clean and self-sustaining energy storage systems paving the way for efficient, low cost, and eco-friendly power solutions for portable, wearable, and off grid technologies.

Traditionally, solar energy systems rely on two separate units: solar panels for energy capture and batteries or supercapacitors for energy storage. While such hybrid systems are widely implemented from large-scale solar farms to portable electronics, they rely on additional power management electronics to regulate voltage and current mismatches between the energy harvester and the storage unit. This requirement increases system complexity, cost, energy losses, and device footprint, which becomes particularly detrimental for miniaturised and autonomous devices.

This new photo-rechargeable supercapacitor, developed by the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. seamlessly combined both processes converting sunlight into electrical energy and storing that energy for later, thus simplifying design and minimising energy loss during conversion and storage.

Under the guidance of Dr. Kavita Pandey, innovated with the help of binder-free use of nickel-cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) nanowires, which have been uniformly grown on nickel foam using a simple in situ hydrothermal process.

These nanowires, only a few nanometres in diameter and several micrometres long, form a highly porous and conductive 3D network that efficiently absorbs sunlight and stores electrical charge. This unique architecture allowed the material to act simultaneously as a solar energy harvester and a supercapacitor electrode.

When tested, the NiCo2O4 electrode exhibited a remarkable 54% increase in capacitance under illumination, rising from 570 to 880 mF cm-2 at a current density of 15 mA cm-2. This exceptional performance stems from the efficient generation and transfer of light-induced charge carriers within the nanowire network. Even after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, the electrode retained 85% of its original capacity, demonstrating its long-term stability, an essential feature for practical applications.

To evaluate its real-world applicability, the researchers prepared an asymmetric photo-supercapacitor using activated carbon as the negative electrode and NiCo2O4 nanowires as the positive electrode. The device delivered a stable output voltage of 1.2 volts, maintained 88% of its capacitance retention even after 1,000 photo-charging cycles, and operated efficiently under varying sunlight conditions-from low indoor illumination to intense 2 sun intensity. This stability indicates that the nanowire structure can endure both mechanical and electrochemical stress over extended periods of use.

By integrating sunlight harvesting and energy storage in a single device, the team developed self-charging power systems that can function anywhere even in remote regions without access to an electrical grid.

Such technology can substantially reduce dependence on fossil fuels and conventional batteries, paving the way for a sustainable and green energy future. In addition to the experimental, theoretical study was carried out to understand why the NiCo2O4 nanowire system performs so efficiently.

This study revealed that nickel substitution in the cobalt oxide framework narrows the band gap to approximately 1.67 eV and induces half metallic behavior. This means the material behaves as a semiconductor for one type of electron spin while remaining metallic for the other: a rare dual property that enables faster charge transport and higher electrical conductivity. Such spin dependent conductivity is particularly valuable for photo-assisted charge storage applications.

Integrating sunlight capture and charge storage in a single architecture has been a long-standing goal in sustainable energy research.

This study also demonstrates the synergy between experimental and theoretical insights in materials research. While experiments confirmed enhanced capacitance and durability, theoretical simulations revealed the atomic-level mechanisms driving these improvements. Together, they provide a comprehensive understanding of how nanostructured materials can be optimized for light-responsive energy storage.

This work, published in Sustainable Energy & Fuels (Royal Society of Chemistry Journal), introduces a new class of smart, photo-rechargeable energy storage devices. Overall, this research represents a paradigm shift in renewable energy storage. With further development, such systems could play a pivotal role in achieving India’s clean energy ambitions and inspiring similar innovations worldwide.

American Automobile Labeling Act reports show that the 2026 vehicle models with the biggest gains in domestic content — US and Canadian content, that is — are electric vehicle models. Experts indicate that is most likely due to policies put in place during the Biden presidency. Subsidies were implemented as ... [continued]

The post Electric Cars Jack Up Domestic Content — Thanks to Biden Policies appeared first on CleanTechnica.

American Automobile Labeling Act reports show that the 2026 vehicle models with the biggest gains in domestic content — US and Canadian content, that is — are electric vehicle models. Experts indicate that is most likely due to policies put in place during the Biden presidency. Subsidies were implemented as ... [continued]

The post Electric Cars Jack Up Domestic Content — Thanks to Biden Policies appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Construction has commenced on significant renewable energy projects across the Middle East, including the 1.5 GW Khazna Solar Project in the UAE, Oman’s first solar and storage initiative, and various expansions in Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. These efforts aim to enhance energy security, support climate goals, and foster regional partnerships in clean energy.

The post MiddleEast Weekly Updates: Khazna 1.5GW Solar Project Begins; Dentons Backs Oman Solar + Storage and More… appeared first on SolarQuarter.

With regulators and boards paying closer attention to where sensitive data sits, Fred Lherault, Field CTO EMEA/Emerging Markets at Pure Storage, outlines why hybrid strategies and selective cloud repatriation are likely to accelerate as AI scales.

After two years of accelerated AI experimentation, rising expectations, and rapid vendor expansion, I believe 2026 will mark an important inflection point for organisations building modern data infrastructure. Many enterprises are now moving past the initial hype cycle and focusing on what is required to operationalise AI reliably and at scale.

That shift is already visible across customers evaluating how AI will integrate into production workflows. If we extrapolate from these trends, several themes are likely to influence how organisations design their data pipelines, storage architectures, and cloud strategies in the year ahead. The following reflects my perspective on how these dynamics may unfold.

From hype to production: data readiness and inference become the priority

While some organisations are still convincing themselves how essential AI is, most are now realistic about what they do, and, crucially, do not deploy. The switch in focus from training to inference means that, without a robust inference platform, and the ability to get data ready for AI pipelines, organisations are set to fail.

As AI inference workloads become part of the production workflow, organisations will have to ensure their infrastructure supports not just fast access, but also high availability, security, and non-disruptive operations. Not doing this will be costly, both from a results perspective, and an operational one.

However, most organisations are still struggling with the data readiness challenge. Getting data AI-ready requires going through many phases, such as data ingestion, curation, transformation, vectorisation, indexing, and serving. Each of these phases can typically take days or weeks, and delay the point when the AI project’s results can be evaluated by the business.

Organisations who care about using AI with their own data will focus on streamlining and automating the whole data pipeline for AI – not just for faster initial results evaluation, but also for continuous ingestion of newly created data, and iteration.

This remains one of the most significant barriers to AI adoption. Enterprise data is often dispersed across legacy systems, cloud environments, and archives, which makes it difficult to access and prepare at the speed AI workflows require. In 2026, we can expect this challenge to become more pronounced as organisations look to extract value from all of their data, regardless of location. Manual preparation will not scale to meet these requirements. Automated pipelines, richer metadata, and integrated data platforms will become essential foundations for organisations aiming to use AI with continuous, repeatable outcomes.

AI and data sovereignty will reshape cloud strategy, and accelerate selective repatriation

The dual issues of AI and data sovereignty are driving concerns about where data is stored, and how organisations can maintain trust, and guarantee access in the event of any issues. In order to extract value from AI, it is critical for organisations to know where their most important data is, and that it is ready for use.

Concerns about data sovereignty are also driving more organisations to reconsider their cloud strategy. Rising geopolitical tensions and regulatory pressure will shape nations’ data centre strategies in 2026 in response. Governments, in particular, want to minimise the risk that access to data could be used as a threat or negotiating tactic. Organisations should be similarly wary, and prepare themselves.

We are already seeing early indicators of this shift. Boards and regulators are paying closer attention to where sensitive and strategically important data resides, driven, in part, by evolving regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, DORA, and guidance emerging from the EU AI Act. This scrutiny is prompting many organisations to reassess cloud strategies that once prioritised cost or convenience over sovereignty and resilience.

As a result, hybrid models are likely to expand, with more AI-critical datasets and workloads positioned closer to where they can be governed, audited, and controlled. This is not a retreat from the cloud, but a more deliberate, workload-specific leveraging of it.

KubeVirt will scale into mainstream production

The recent changes to VMware licensing that followed Broadcom’s acquisition have kickstarted a conversation around alternative approaches to virtualised workloads. KubeVirt, which allows management of virtual machines through Kubernetes, provides one such alternative—a platform that encompasses both virtualisation and containerisation needs—and I expect it will take off in 2026.

The KubeVirt offering has matured to the point where it is suitable for enterprise needs. For many, moving to another virtualisation provider is a huge upheaval, and, while it may eventually save money, it always comes with a set of limitations and constraints, especially when it comes to everything that surrounds the virtualisation platform (data protection, security, networking, and so on).

KubeVirt enables organisations to leverage the growing Kubernetes ecosystem to more quickly realise the value in a platform which provides the capabilities to manage, orchestrate, and monitor not just VMs, but also containers, regardless of how the proportion of those evolves over time.

KubeVirt’s momentum reflects a broader shift in how organisations want to operate their infrastructure. As containerisation becomes standard and AI workloads scale, many teams are looking for a unified operational model that reduces complexity, and avoids long-term platform lock-in. Consolidating virtual machines and containers under a single control plane aligns with this direction.

If adoption increases as predicted, storage and data services will evolve in parallel, with greater demand for persistent, low-latency, Kubernetes-native storage that can support mixed-workload environments.

2026 will be about discipline, not disruption

If the past two years have been defined by rapid disruption, driven largely by AI, 2026 is likely to be a year where organisations prioritise the operational foundation required for long-term success. Enterprises will:

• Move from AI experimentation to consistent, production-grade inference models
• Modernise data pipelines to support continuous data readiness
• Reassess cloud strategies with a sharper focus on sovereignty, governance, and resilience
• Evaluate VMware alternatives, such as KubeVirt, which support a unified approach to virtual machines and containers

The organisations able to take these shifts in their stride will be best placed for success in 2026.

This article is part of our DCR Predicts 2026 series. The series will officially end on Monday, February 2 with a special bonus prediction.

In Short : HEC Infra Projects has won a ₹16.35 crore order from Advait for a battery energy storage system project in Gujarat. The contract highlights growing demand for energy storage solutions in India and reflects the increasing role of batteries in supporting grid stability, renewable energy integration, and the transition toward a more flexible and resilient power system.

In Detail : HEC Infra Projects has achieved a significant milestone by securing a ₹16.35 crore contract from Advait for the execution of a battery energy storage system project in Gujarat. This order strengthens the company’s position in the fast-growing energy storage segment and underlines the rising importance of battery technologies in India’s evolving power infrastructure.

The project involves the supply and deployment of battery energy storage systems designed to store excess electricity and release it during periods of high demand. Such systems play a crucial role in balancing supply and demand, improving grid reliability, and enhancing the overall efficiency of power distribution networks.

Battery energy storage is becoming increasingly vital as India expands its renewable energy capacity. Solar and wind generation are inherently intermittent, making storage solutions essential for ensuring a stable and continuous power supply. BESS projects help smooth fluctuations and enable higher penetration of clean energy into the grid.

For HEC Infra Projects, this order represents a strategic step toward diversifying its project portfolio and expanding its footprint in emerging clean energy technologies. By participating in energy storage deployments, the company is aligning itself with long-term trends in the power sector and strengthening its technical capabilities.

Advait, as the project awarding entity, continues to play an active role in developing advanced energy infrastructure across the country. The collaboration with HEC Infra Projects reflects a growing ecosystem of companies working together to accelerate the adoption of modern grid solutions.

The Gujarat location of the project is particularly significant, as the state has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in India. With large solar and wind installations, Gujarat requires robust storage systems to manage variability and ensure consistent power delivery to industries and consumers.

Beyond grid stability, battery energy storage systems also support applications such as peak shaving, frequency regulation, and backup power. These capabilities are especially valuable for industrial users, data centers, and critical infrastructure that require uninterrupted and high-quality electricity supply.

The increasing number of BESS projects across India signals a broader transformation in how electricity systems are designed and operated. Storage is no longer seen as an optional add-on but as a core component of modern power systems that enables flexibility, resilience, and digital energy management.

Overall, the ₹16.35 crore BESS order marks an important development for HEC Infra Projects and reflects the accelerating momentum of energy storage in India. As renewable capacity grows and grid complexity increases, battery projects like this will be central to building a reliable, sustainable, and future-ready energy ecosystem.

US battery energy storage system (BESS) developer-operator Jupiter Power has closed a US$500 million senior secured green revolving loan and letter of credit facility to support the advancement of its project pipeline across the US.

Redwood Energy announced the final closing of its Series E financing round, bringing the total raise to US$425 million.

Battery energy storage projects have emerged as the dominant force in Australia's energy investment landscape, accounting for 46% of the nation's 64GW development pipeline, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) latest quarterly report.

“We see energy storage as an opportunity for (data centres) to reduce their impact on the grid”, said Patrick Hughes, Senior VP of Operations and Strategy at NEMA.

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) developer-operator Hydrostor has announced a strategic technology and equity agreement with energy infrastructure equipment manufacturer Baker Hughes.

Lithium-ion companies have come out as the top-rated suppliers on a new long-duration energy storage (LDES) leaderboard, while CO2 Battery company Energy Dome is the highest non-lithium company.

Utility company Avista has selected projects as part of its request for proposal (RFP) process to identify new resources, including a 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS), for the Pacific Northwest, US.

Three energy storage projects have reached key milestones, including pumped hydro, thermal storage, and geothermal alternatives to battery energy storage systems (BESS).

More BESS news from across Europe, with ContourGlobal and Alpiq striking sizeable deals in Greece and France, Iberdrola putting projects into operation in Spain, and other project news in Germany, Poland, Denmark and Southeast Europe.

Repsol and Sunfire are advancing 200 MW of renewable hydrogen projects in Spain, while new collaborations and funding across Europe and India aim to accelerate electrolyzer development and hydrogen infrastructure.

Repsol has approved its second 100 MW electrolyzer at the Petronor industrial complex in Bilbao. “The electrolyzer will have the capacity to produce up to 15,000 tons of renewable hydrogen annually, which will mainly be used at the company’s Petronor refinery outside Bilbao in Northern Spain,” said the Spanish oil and gas company, adding that the new plant for producing renewable hydrogen will require an investment of €292 million ($347.9 million). The company did not explain the timing of the installation.

Sunfire said it will supply two 100 MW electrolyzers for renewable hydrogen projects in Spain. The first project, led by Repsol and Enagás Renovable, will install a 100 MW electrolyzer near Repsol’s industrial complex in Cartagena. The second 100 MW plant will be located at Petronor’s refinery in Muskiz (Bilbao), which is owned by Repsol and Kutxabank,” said the German company. For each of the two 100 MW projects, Sunfire will deliver ten of its 10 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer modules.

Matteco and Dunia Innovations have kicked off a strategic collaboration to accelerate the development of catalyst layers used inside AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyzers. “Matteco contributes deep expertise in electrocatalysts, functional inks, and scalable electrodes, while Dunia brings its AI-guided experimentation platform, which helps test and compare many different material options quickly and consistently, under conditions that reflect how real electrolyzers operate,” said Spain-based Matteco. Dunia Innovations is based in Germany.

The European Commission said it will allocate nearly €650 million in grants to help finance 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. More than €176 million will be dedicated to boost hydrogen infrastructure. “The grant of €120 million for the hydrogen storage in Gronau project in Germany marks the first time CEF funding will be used for a works project for hydrogen,” said the European executive body, adding that other hydrogen projects in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Slovakia will receive grants to support studies.

Tubos Reunidos (TR) said it is developing a seamless pipe that meets the specific requirements of the hydrogen sector. “The project aims to develop a 1.25 MW experimental portable electrolyzer, conceived as an enabling solution for the supply of green hydrogen to final industrial users,” said Eurometal, the European federation of steel tubes and metals distribution and trading. “The initiative is being led by a Basque consortium including Tubos Reunidos, ArcelorMittal Sestao, Sarralle, ABC Compresores, Matz-Erreka, Flubetech Coatings, Mugape, Sener, Team Group, Torraval Cooling, and Zigor Corporación.”

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and thyssenkrupp nucera have entered into a new cooperation to accelerate the development of green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) markets in India. “India is one of the most promising future markets for green hydrogen electrolysis. This cooperation enables us to deepen our understanding of the local market and engage more closely with India’s hydrogen ecosystem. It also reflects our strong commitment to supporting India’s ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission,” said Kiran Paul Joseph, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera India.

Greenzo Energy India has secured the contract for India’s first port-based 5 MW Green Hydrogen Plant at Deendayal Port, Kandla. The project has been awarded to Oswal Greenzo Energies, the JV between Oswal Energies Limited and Greenzo Energy India Limited. “Designed on an EPC basis, the project is scalable beyond the initial 5 MW up to 10 MW and is expected to produce approximately 800 tonnes of green hydrogen annually,” said Greenzo Energy.

Orlen has entered into cooperation agreements with three Finnish partners for the production and supply of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives. “The agreements signed with ABO Energy Suomi, Nordic Ren-Gas and VolagHy Kuopio SPV will help secure hydrogen supplies during a period of growing demand in the years ahead,” said Orlen.

Powerhouse Energy (PHE) has secured a site on Silverwood Business Park in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on which the company submitted a planning application for a 40-ton per day (TPD) waste-to hydrogen facility. The site, 1.98 acres, will use a pilot unit.

The Finnish start-up says its sand battery technology is scalable from 20 to 500 MWh with charging power from 1 to 20 MW, depending on industrial needs.

From ESS News

Finnish cleantech startup TheStorage says that its thermal storage technology could reduce industrial energy costs by up to 70% and cut carbon emissions by as much as 90%. The system converts renewable electricity into heat, stores it in sand, and delivers it on-demand for industrial heating.

The concept emerged in Finland in 2023, with engineering work beginning in 2024. In January 2026, TheStorage installed its first industrial-scale pilot at a brewery, putting the technology to the test in a real-world setting. There, it produces fossil-free steam for the brewery’s production lines.

“Producing steam without fossil fuels is a major step toward carbon-neutral production,” says Vesa Peltola, Production Director of the brewery.

TheStorage’s technology captures electricity when it is abundant and inexpensive, converts it into high-temperature heat, and stores it in sand. This stored heat can later be used in industrial processes independently of real-time electricity availability.

To continue reading, please visit our ESS News website.

Cubenergy has launched FlexCombo 2.0, a scalable battery energy storage system for utility, commercial, and industrial applications, offering up to 16 MWh capacity with LFP batteries. Its modular design, advanced BMS, and cloud-based operations enable easy installation, seamless expansion, and efficient grid integration, according to the manufacturer.

Cubenergy, a Chinese manufacturer of battery energy storage systems (BESS), has introduced a new energy block designed for utility, commercial, and industrial (C&I) applications.

The product, named FlexCombo 2.0, uses the company’s 835 kWh FlexCombo D2 batteries. It is available in three configurations: 10, 12, or 12 batteries, providing a total capacity of 8 MWh, 10 MWh, or 16 MWh, respectively.

“With the FlexCombo D2 modular design and parallel architecture, FlexCombo’s core advantage lies in its long-term scalability,” the company said in a statement. “It enables seamless capacity growth and effortless integration with power generation systems (PGS), simplifying deployment and accelerating delivery for ultimate flexibility.”

The FlexCombo D2 batteries feature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, offering a lifespan of 8,000 cycles at 70% capacity retention, according to the manufacturer.

Each battery measures 2 m x 1.68 m x 2.55 m and has a weight of up to eight tons. They carry an IP55 protection rating. Each block also comes with a power conversion system (PCS) rated at 430 kW AC with an IP66 protection grade. Optional medium-voltage (MV) transformers are available, with AC power ratings of either 8,800 kVA or 5,250 kVA.

“The FlexCombo 2.0 is designed primarily for utility and C&I applications, including renewable energy arbitrage, stand-alone grid stabilization, factories, and commercial buildings,” the company stated. “This integrated, easy-to-install BESS can be quickly connected and aligned with project requirements, while the advanced Active Balancing battery management system (BMS) and cloud-based operations provide a superior user experience.”