Search results

Small modular reactor

21/5/2025 News

World-first for Canada as global interest in SMR surges

Ontario Power Generation and GE Vernova Hitachi will build the Western world’s first small modular reactor (SMR) in Darlington, Canada – part of a four-unit BWRX-300 rollout set for completion by decade’s end. Globally, SMR interest is surging, with a 42% pipeline growth to 47 GW, driven by rising data centre energy demand. Meanwhile, the US fast-tracks uranium mining permits under emergency procedures to secure domestic supply and reduce foreign dependence.

Electricity

Prickly pear cacti in foreground, with three wind turbines set atop a scrubby hill behind

EI Member only

21/5/2025 Feature / Charlie Bush

Will Texas still steer towards renewables despite many grid challenges?

Texas is famous for rodeos, oil and barbeques. In 2023, the Lone Star State was the number one oil and gas producer, supplying 43% of the US’ crude oil from 32 petroleum refineries, and 27% of its natural gas gross withdrawals. Surprisingly, Texas is also the nation’s leader in wind and solar energy generation, accounting for 28% of all US wind-sourced electricity, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). It also has over 28 GW of total installed solar capacity, surpassing even sunny California in 2024. Charlie Bush reports.

Solar

EI Member only

7/5/2025 Feature / Meredith Monroe

Pakistan’s grassroots solar revolution of 2024

In 2024, Pakistan unexpectedly became the world’s sixth largest buyer of solar panels. Thousands of disgruntled urban electricity customers had long been looking to affordably run their air conditioners or business equipment. Decentralised photovoltaics (DPV) offered a feasible way to reduce grid-dependence, and last year they collectively invested in 15 GW of rooftop solar systems, reports Meredith Monroe.

Grid management

Head and shoulders photo of Elena Pravettoni set against grey buff background

7/5/2025 Comment / Elena Pravettoni

The many benefits of demand flexibility

The ability of electricity consumers to reduce and/or time-shift their loads to fit in with local power grid constraints could reap considerable rewards, to both consumers and grid operators. It is time demand-side flexibility was used to the full, writes Elena Pravettoni, Head of Analysis at the Energy Transitions Commission.

Rare earth materials/Critical minerals

Computer generated image of machinery deep sea mining on seabed

7/5/2025 News

Exploring deep sea frontiers in mineral extraction

Land-based resources of the critical minerals used in the manufacture of clean energy technologies such as lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and solar panels will not last forever. Parts of the ocean promise greater riches than on land. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are assessing the environmental effects of subsea mining, and whether they might cause less disruption than land-based mining.

Energy efficiency

Head and shoulders photo of Kit Evans against grey backdrop

7/5/2025 Comment / Kit Evans

Community-led home energy efficiency – why it might work in the UK

Heating leaky homes is a major and persistent source of UK carbon emissions, yet this problem has never been fully addressed. Maybe it needs a new, community-based business model, argues Kit Evans, General Manager of SaveEnergy, which offers green homes services in the Maidenhead, Berkshire, area.

Carbon capture and storage

Computer simulation of blue hydrogen plant proposed for the East Coast CCS Cluster showing expanse of pipework, tanks and cylindrical towers

EI Member only

7/5/2025 Feature / Brian Davis

What’s going on with CCUS and hydrogen plans in the UK?

The UK government has plans for ambitious carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) projects alongside hydrogen developments, despite Parliamentary concerns about the high cost and challenges of relatively unproven technologies being used ‘at scale’. With the first tranche of projects underway, New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis looks at the current state of play of the East Coast Cluster and the HyNet Cluster.

Energy storage

7/5/2025 News

Storage industry’s $100bn investment in US-made grid batteries

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has announced a commitment to invest $100bn into building and buying US-made grid batteries on behalf of the US energy storage industry. Meanwhile, a new report outlines how the US transmission grid can meet surging demand while reducing costs for consumers.

Green hydrogen

EET workers standing in front of EET Fuels’ new hydrogen-ready furnace at the Stanlow refinery, Cheshire, UK

7/5/2025 News

UK and European ‘firsts’ build green hydrogen momentum

Recent green hydrogen production news includes EET Fuels has commissioned a new hydrogen-ready furnace at Stanlow, in the UK; Statera Energy has received planning approval for a major green project in Aberdeenshire, Scotland; and Lhyfe has secured financing for four green hydrogen production sites in France and Germany.

Energy policy

Two people outside Climeworks’ Orca direct air capture and storage plant

7/5/2025 News

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair calls for reset on net zero strategies and climate politics

Sir Tony Blair has called for a major rethink of net zero policies, arguing that any strategy based on either phasing out fossil fuels in the short term or limiting energy consumption is ‘doomed to fail’.

New Energy World™

Search results:

World-first for Canada as global interest in SMR surges

Will Texas still steer towards renewables despite many grid challenges?

Pakistan’s grassroots solar revolution of 2024

The many benefits of demand flexibility

Exploring deep sea frontiers in mineral extraction

Community-led home energy efficiency – why it might work in the UK

What’s going on with CCUS and hydrogen plans in the UK?

Storage industry’s $100bn investment in US-made grid batteries

UK and European ‘firsts’ build green hydrogen momentum

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair calls for reset on net zero strategies and climate politics