Adopting a heat pump reduces household demand for gas by 90% and increases demand for electricity by 61%. Overall energy demand falls by 40%; net effect is a 70% fall in CO2-equivalent emissions throughout a heat pump's operational lifespan. Causal evidence using the staggered rollout of heat pump installations.
https://lnkd.in/ecVu5ins
A bold prediction no one wants to hear: Half of all commercial solar systems installed before 2016 will be underperforming or non-operational by 2030.
The solar industry is obsessed with the future.
Cutting-edge panels (bigger is better). Sleek batteries. Dazzling projections for new installs.
But here's the reality we can't afford to ignore: a silent crisis unfolding on rooftops across America—a crisis I've been tackling firsthand since 2012, traveling the country with SunPower to address some of the industry’s most pressing system failures.
Across the country, tens of thousands of rooftop solar systems—once hailed as the clean energy revolution—are quietly decaying. Not because the technology failed, but because the industry did. We rushed to install. We cut corners. We promised 25 years of performance… and delivered systems that can’t make it past 10.
Here’s what’s killing them:
Inverters are dying—many are already out of warranty, with no replacements available.
Wiring and electrical infrastructure that was never designed for 25+ years of exposure.
Install quality? Forget it—an army of barely trained crews built the boom, and now we’re paying the price.
Maintenance? There was no plan. Just a contract, a handshake, and a hope it would all work out.
This is not just an engineering issue—it's a financial one. Underperforming assets are generating less revenue than forecasted, while increasing the risk of electrical faults, fire hazards, and insurance claims.
And here's the kicker: almost no one is ready to deal with this wave of system failures. Asset managers, facility owners, and even EPCs are discovering that repowering, remediation, or decommissioning is far more complex and expensive than expected.
This is where the next frontier of solar energy lies—not in installing the next 100GW—it’s rescuing the first 100GW.
Revitalization. Repowering. Responsible end-of-life planning.
The question isn’t whether it’s coming. It’s whether we have the guts to face it. Are we going to keep pitching the dream—
—or finally clean up the mess we left behind?
Today, the European Commission published a guidance document on how to implement the targets for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs = #hydrogen and #eFuels) for industry and transport of the Renewable Energy Directive (#RED) in national law which is due until May 2025. As a reminder, Member States have to meet a combined target of advanced #biofuels and RFNBOs of 5.5% in 2030 - thereof at least 1% RFNBOs - for transport. In the industry sector, 42% of the hydrogen used has to be produced in line with RFNBO criteria in 2030 - 60% in 2035. This ambition can be reduced by 20% if not more than 23% of hydrogen are produced with fossil fuels in 2030 and not more than 20% in 2035 e.g. with nuclear power (French rule).
The document clarifies many issues like:
- which sectors are regulated in the industry (sections B, C, and F and under section J, division (63) of the statistical classification of economic activities (NACE REV.2)). Steel industry is included.
- How to calculate the numerator and denominator of the industry targets.
- Allocation of hydrogen consumption at refinery level: All RFNBOs that end up in the transport sector plus desulfurization count towards the transport target. Oil products for the chemical sector and even solid materials (like coke) used in the production of aluminium, steel, or fertiliser production on industry targets. Allocation is made on annual and energy content basis. This is probably the first use-case of RFNBOs as fuel producers like Shell, bp, Neste
and others are building electrolysis capacity in refineries.
- Use of RFNBOs to produce #biofuels like #HVO: "If RFNBOs that are used as intermediate products for the production of biofuels are counted towards the targets, they must be considered as fossil input in the calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions savings of the biofuels".
- Mass balancing of renewable hydrogen in the European gas grid is only allowed if "the consumer would physically separate the hydrogen from the mixture of gases". This is a downside for synthetic methane which is transported via public grid. This might be interesting for future #SNG producers like TES and TURN2X.
I would like to remind, that the Commission still has not approved any voluntary certification scheme for RFNBOs. Many projects are delayed or paused because framework conditions are still unclear. At von Beust & Coll. Beratungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG we have built up much experience in that regulative field. If you have any regulative or strategic questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
Link: https://lnkd.in/dPWVvZU6
New Indonesian regulation on renewables PPAs (MEMR 5/2025)
Despite recent global uncertainties and headwinds in relation to the pace of the energy transition agenda, the Indonesian government issued on 4 March a new regulation on guidelines for power purchase agreements for renewable IPP projects. This regulation replaces (for renewable IPPs) the earlier MEMR 10/2017 which applied to all generation technologies (including thermal). The new regulation was mandated by the umbrella regulation on renewable energy (Presidential Regulation 112/2022) and provides helpful guidance on the terms and conditions which are advised to be included in PPAs between PLN (the sole offtaker of IPPs in Indonesia) and IPP project companies for renewable and waste-to-energy projects across the vast archipelago. Stakeholders (including sponsors, financiers and investors) can take comfort from the fact that MEMR 5/2025 generally reflects the practice and risk allocation we have seen in PPAs for projects which have been financed and developed successfully over the past few years. There are however a number of unclear provisions which appear to affect well-established principles on matters such as compensation for changes in law, or certain grid events and the entitlement to deemed dispatch. These apparent changes may only be due to the succinct nature of the provisions of MEMR 5/2025 and may be settled in future PPAs consistent with past practice. We summarize the highlights of the new framework and how it compares with market practice in the attached article. #Indonesia#Renewables#EnergyTransition
As grid operators and planners deal with a wave of new large loads on a resource-constrained grid, we need fresh approaches beyond just expecting reduced electricity use under stress (e.g. via recent PJM flexible load forecast or via Texas SB 6). While strategic curtailment has become a popular talking point for connecting large loads more quickly and at lower cost, this overlooks a more flexible, grid-supportive strategy for large load operators.
Especially for loads that cannot tolerate any load curtailment risk (like certain #datacenters), co-locating #battery#energy storage systems (BESS) in front of the load merits serious consideration. This shifts the paradigm from “reduce load at utility’s command” to “self-manage flexibility.” It’s BYOB – Bring Your Own Battery and put it in front of the load.
Studies have shown that if a large load agrees to occasional grid-triggered curtailment, this unlocks more interconnection capacity within our current grid infrastructure. But a BYOB approach can unlock value without the compromise of curtailment, essentially allowing a load to meet grid flexibility obligations while staying online.
Why do this? For data centers (DC’s), it’s about speed to market and enhanced reliability. The avoidance of network upgrade delays and costs, along with the value of reliability, in many cases will justify the BESS expense. The BYOB approach decouples flexibility from curtailment risk with #energystorage. Other benefits of BYOB include:
-Increasing the feasible number of interconnection locations.
-Controlling coincident peak costs, demand charges, and real-time price spikes.
-Turning new large loads into #grid assets by improving load shape and adding the ability to provide ancillary services.
No solution is perfect. Some of the challenges with the BYOB approach include:
-The load developer bears the additional capital and operational cost of the BESS.
-Added complexity: Integrating a BESS with the grid on one side and a microgrid on the other is more complex than simply operating a FTM or BTM BESS.
-Increased need for load coordination with grid operators to maintain grid reliability.
The last point – large loads needing to coordinate with grid operators - is coming regardless. A recent NERC white paper shows how fast-growing, high intensity loads (like #AI, crypto, etc.) bring new #electricty reliability risks when there is no coordination. The changing load of a real DC shown in the figure below is a good example. With more DC loads coming online, operators would be severely challenged by multiple >400 MW loads ramping up or down with no advanced notice. BYOB’s can manage this issue while also dealing with the high frequency load variations seen in the second figure. References in comments.
Leading the Charge in Clean Energy:
Marine Energy Synergies with Green Hydrogen Production
🟦 1) Marine energy presents a promising opportunity for the generation of green hydrogen, addressing both energy storage and transportation challenges.
Leveraging marine energy as a supplementary renewable source can enhance the efficiency of electrolyzers and reduce costs when solar and wind resources are limited.
🟦 2) Marine Energy and Green Hydrogen
Pioneering projects globally are utilizing marine energy resources for green hydrogen production.
In South Korea, the Yongsoo oscillating water column wave energy converter on Jeju Island is set to produce green hydrogen.
In the U.S., Panthalassa is prototyping a buoy to convert wave energy into green hydrogen.
Namibia is integrating marine energy for hydrogen production through a collaboration between AW-Energy Oy and Kaoko Green Energy Solutions, focusing on desalination and hydrogen production.
In the UK, Marine Power Systems and Marine2o are developing hydrogen production and transportation solutions using marine vessels alongside floating wind and wave energy.
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is leading in this field, having produced hydrogen from tidal power in 2017 and securing EU funding in 2020 to develop a tidal stream turbine with a hydrogen production facility, aiming for 2.030 megawatts by 2030.
🟦 3) Offshore Wind Energy and Green Hydrogen
Several green hydrogen-offshore wind projects are in progress.
In the Netherlands, the FlexH2 project aims to scale up offshore wind for green hydrogen production.
Japan’s largest hydrogen plant, powered by offshore wind, is set to open in Hokkaido by March 2024, producing 550 tons of hydrogen annually for over 10,000 vehicles and various facilities. Key participants include Hokkaido Electric Power and Nippon Steel Engineering.
In November 2023, RWE and Hyundai Engineering & Construction agreed to develop offshore wind and green hydrogen projects in South Korea, targeting a renewable energy capacity of 108.3 GW by 2036, with 34.1 GW from wind, including 24 GW offshore.
🟦 4) Desalination and Green Hydrogen are increasingly integrated, with advancements in systems that produce green hydrogen from seawater.
Researchers in China have developed a combined desalination-electrolysis system that utilizes evaporation in an electrochemical cell to purify seawater, allowing for direct seawater electrolysis without the traditional issues of chloride ion corrosion.
Collaborations in the U.S. and the Netherlands have also created scalable solutions using renewable energy to combine desalination with hydrogen production.
In Neom, Saudi Arabia, a project powered entirely by green hydrogen aim to meet 30% of the city’s water demand by 2025, showcasing the potential for large-scale integration.
Source: see post image
This post is for educational purposes only.
👇 How does marine energy contribute to green hydrogen production?
This isn’t just clean energy.
This is how we power a digital future—without burning the planet to do it.
The rise of AI, streaming, and cloud computing is fueling an energy crisis.
By 2025, data centers alone will consume 20% of global electricity.
That’s more power than many countries use—combined.
But two countries are showing us a smarter way forward.
France didn’t build new land.
It built solar stations on parking lots.
Overhead canopies that generate energy, provide shade, and repurpose space we already have.
Switzerland didn’t build new grids.
It built solar into its railways.
A startup named Sun-Ways is turning train tracks into power plants:
-48 panels per 100 meters
-No disruption to train operations
-No additional land needed
And this is just the beginning.
Sun-Ways aims to scale across 5,000 km of track.
That’s 2.5 million panels.
Enough to supply 2% of Switzerland’s energy.
But the real breakthrough isn’t just solar tech.
It’s a shift in mindset:
→ From endless expansion to smart reinvention
→ From grid strain to grid intelligence
→ From energy extraction to energy integration
The spaces we pass every day—commutes, car parks, rail lines—are becoming part of the solution.
Not tomorrow. Today.
Because sustainability isn’t just about reducing emissions.
It’s about rethinking how we build, move, and power our lives.
This is clean energy.
This is infrastructure with intention.
This is how we keep the lights on—in every sense.
When innovation meets possibilities, life changes.
This is technology for humanity and our planet.
Follow me, Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld , for more of tech that matters.
♻️ Share this post to trigger smarter conversations about our energy future.
#CleanEnergy#TechForGood#Innovation
Looks like the UK is now looking to attract the amazing companies hungry to commercialize their technologies.
“WE WILL BUILD THE FUTURE IN BRITAIN”
PM LAUNCHES MAJOR BOOST FOR UK CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY
• Prime Minister brings forward an initial £300 million investment ahead of Spending Review through Great British Energy to win global offshore wind investment for the UK.
• Fund will boost domestic jobs, mobilise additional private investment, and secure manufacturing facilities for critical clean energy supply chains like floating offshore platforms.
• Prime Minister and Energy Secretary to announce pro-investment plans at major international summit bringing together governments and industry from around the world to drive collective energy security.
Communities across the country will benefit from new investment in domestic clean energy supply chains – driving economic growth and supporting thousands of jobs through the Plan for Change.
Workers and businesses in the UK’s industrial heartlands will benefit from an initial £300 million of funding through Great British Energy to invest in supply chains for domestic offshore wind. It is expected that the investment will directly and indirectly mobilise billions in additional private investment - helping de-risk clean energy projects and supporting thousands of jobs and revitalising the UK’s industrial heartlands.
The public investment complements the £43 billion of private investment pledged for clean energy projects since July.
Britain’s engineers, technicians, and welders are being backed by this fast-tracked funding, brought forward by the Prime Minister ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which will allow Great British Energy, the country’s publicly-owned clean energy company, to invest in new supply chains for offshore wind manufacturing components such as floating offshore platforms and cables. This builds on the government’s landmark investment in domestic supply chains through initiatives such as the Clean Industry Bonus and the National Wealth Fund.
As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in the UK’s key sectors including clean energy, the new investment in domestic offshore wind is part of the Prime Minister’s drive to ensure that the clean energy future is “built in Britain”. The funding will ensure that the nation builds resilient domestic supply chains for components which are essential to delivering clean power by 2030.
It comes after the Prime Minister said that a new era of global insecurity means that the government must go further and faster in reshaping the economy through the Plan for Change, and that this requires a new muscular industrial policy that supports British industry to forge ahead.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
"Delivering the Plan for Change means winning the race for the clean energy jobs of the future, which will drive growth and help us reach clean power by 2030.”
As India progresses in the power sector having achieved the goal of 100% electrification of villages, it is now time to focus on the 24X7, quality and reliable supply of electricity. Many rural areas in the country still struggle with the inconsistent power supply with voltage fluctuations and daily outages. Energy access impacts education, healthcare, and economic growth, and it plays a critical role in improving living standards and enabling life-saving interventions.
Addressing this requires the modernisation of grid infrastructure, transmission and distribution in rural areas. As we leverage sustainable and clean energy sources, decentralised solar systems, wind, and small hydro power projects can be implemented to achieve universal household electrification at affordable cost.
Furthermore, a country as diverse as India experiences different weather conditions, necessitating the use of appropriate technologies to generate power. Therefore, the government must push for adaptation of technologies to suit regional needs to sustain power production and supply. Local communities should be engaged in the planning and implementation process, as they understand their needs best.
By prioritizing reliable energy access, modernizing infrastructure, embracing region-specific technologies, and nurturing community involvement, India can ensure sustainable and inclusive growth while significantly improving the quality of life for its citizens.
#EnergyAccess#Sustainability#RenewableEnergy#CommunityEmpowerment#RuralSector#RatulPuri
When Indian wheat farmer Nirmal Das Swami installed a one-megawatt solar park on his farm, he not only transformed his income, but the lives of his neighbors and community.
That's the power of consistent, affordable, clean energy, and it's a story that's being repeated across India. Today, non-fossil fuel sources account for 50% of the country's installed power capacity — a landmark achievement that offers a blueprint for expanding energy access globally.
But India is the first to say the work isn't done. The road to 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity requires smarter grids, better battery storage, and faster digital solutions.
That's why, at Mumbai Climate Week, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator — a new platform bringing together utilities, technology leaders, investors, and philanthropies to digitize India's grid and bring distributed renewables to 300 million more people.
India's success is already shaping how Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific approach their own energy transitions — and there is much more to do.
In my latest op-ed in the Hindustan Times, I break down how the government's big bet on universal energy access, a willingness to experiment, and strong public-private-philanthropic partnerships are proving that progress is both possible and profitable. https://lnkd.in/eTvCYPsf