Energy Digest

The article provides an outlook on the power generation sector in the age of AI, highlighting trends and developments that are expected to shape the industry in 2025. The sector is poised for continued growth in renewable energy, with thermal capacity retiring at a slower rate. Markets will evolve to accommodate flexible generation products.

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has acquired Intersect for $4.75 billion. Intersect is a data center and energy infrastructure solutions provider that builds power projects for data centers and booming electricity needs. The acquisition suggests Alphabet's growing interest in the clean energy sector.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued emergency orders to force utilities to keep more than 2 GW of coal capacity online in December, marking an unprecedented federal intervention in grid operations. This move is part of a larger effort to counter opposition from states and environmental groups seeking to halt coal retirements. The DOE's actions have triggered legal challenges.

Nepal's Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) has issued a tender for a consultant to monitor and quality assure 1,100 installed renewable energy systems, including solar home systems and domestic biogas plants, across seven provinces. The chosen consultant will conduct field monitoring and verification of randomly selected systems. The work is expected to be financed by the government of Nepal.

China has successfully deployed the world's largest offshore solar PV project, a 1,000 MW installation in the open sea, surpassing previous records. This achievement highlights China's growing leadership in renewable energy and its efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The US, traditionally a leader in clean energy, appears to be lagging behind.

Here is the analysis: Eging PV, a Chinese solar manufacturer, is facing potential exit from its flagship PV project due to prolonged construction delays and funding disruptions. A regional government authority in Chuzhou, Anhui province, has notified Eging PV of a hearing that could lead to termination of the project. The project, valued at CNY 10.3 billion, was initially announced in 2022 with plans to support 10 GW of wafer, solar cell, and PV module capacity.

Scientists from Cranfield University have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) driven digital twin framework for floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems. The system uses a physical FPV twin deployed on a water surface, with sensors transmitting data to the cloud and ultimately to the digital version of the installation. The digital twin enables predictive warning capabilities, identifying potential risks in advance based on trend analysis and learned patterns.

The US Department of Energy has issued an emergency order to keep a coal-fired power plant in Colorado operational for at least another three months. This decision was made just one day prior to the planned closure of the facility. The reasons behind this order are not explicitly stated, but it is likely related to energy demand or supply chain concerns.

The article argues that shifting utility costs from usage rates to fixed monthly fees may penalize efficiency and fail to provide the necessary financial incentive for widespread electrification. This approach, which has been proposed or imposed by some utilities in high-cost states like California and New York, will disproportionately affect low-usage customers who are already energy-efficient. As a result, these customers will have no motivation to invest in electrification. KEY TAKEAWAYs: • Low-usage customers, particularly those who are frugal or energy-efficient, may be penalized by the shift to fixed charges, as their bills will increase despite consuming less electricity. • High-usage customers already face high bills and may not see a significant reduction, making them less motivated to invest in electrification that would further raise their bills. • Medium-usage customers will likely experience no change in their bills and will have no incentive to invest in electrification, as the benefits of reduced energy costs do not materialize for them.

The Electricity Generation Co. of Bangladesh (EGCB) has issued a procurement notice for a 220 MW solar project, which will be the country's largest solar plant to date. The project is jointly financed by the government of Bangladesh, EGCB, and the Islamic Development Bank, with the Islamic Development Bank committing $143.28 million. The project aims to increase Bangladesh's cumulative solar capacity and meet its renewable energy targets.

The article highlights Canary Media's coverage of clean energy stories in 2025, which was marked by significant developments including a merger with the Energy News Network. This expansion enabled the publication to focus on state and local clean energy policy, providing extensive coverage of key issues. Despite President Donald Trump's actions, which likely had an impact on clean energy progress.

China has successfully commissioned the world's first 1-gigawatt offshore solar farm, marking a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy efforts. This project demonstrates China's commitment to large-scale renewable energy projects and its position as a leader in the global transition to clean energy. The 1-GW offshore solar farm is expected to have a positive impact on the environment.

The article announces the Anker SOLIX New Year Sale, offering up to 65% discounts on power stations and other products. The sale includes deals on popular items such as the Navee XT5 Pro e-scooter, which has dropped to $1,300, and Autel's MaxiCharger AC Pro 80A Level 2 EV charging station. This is a last-minute shopping opportunity for holiday gift-giving or personal use.

CATL, the leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer, is set to launch a new cell technology in 2026, with sodium-ion batteries expected to be widely available by the end of the year. This move aims to further solidify CATL's dominance in the global EV battery market. The company's innovative technology is likely to bring significant improvements in energy density and sustainability.

The article discusses the "FastDriveVLA" research paper, a collaborative effort between XPENG and Peking University, which has been accepted at AAAI 2026. The paper focuses on AI-led L4 autonomous driving, specifically an efficient end-to-end driving method using plug-and-play reconstruction-based token pruning. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of autonomous vehicles.

Waaree Energies has surpassed 20 GW of approved solar module manufacturing capacity after being added to the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The company's Chikhli facility in Gujarat has been listed with an approved capacity of 16.444 GW, bringing Waaree's total capacity in India to 20.17 GW. This achievement strengthens the domestic supply for utility-scale projects in India.

Regulators in Colorado have ordered Xcel Energy's local utility to introduce a flexible interconnection option for community solar and energy storage projects, aiming to lower grid costs. This approach allows developers to connect new load or generation projects in "constrained" locations without requiring capacity upgrades. The move follows similar initiatives in California, which enabled distributed solar and storage projects to use flexible interconnection under certain conditions.

A lawsuit has been filed against the IRS and Treasury Department alleging that new tax rules unfairly discriminate against wind and solar energy, with a broad range of groups, including tribal utilities, localities, and environmental organizations, opposing the measures.

A solar company with operations across nine states has shut down, blaming the policies of Trump's Office of Business and Border Border Administration (OBBBA), which is likely a fictional or satirical term. The shutdown is attributed to the administration's alleged war on renewable energy and electric vehicles. This incident is part of a broader trend of cleantech companies facing challenges due to anti-renewable energy policies.

The CPV Backbone Solar project, Maryland's largest solar power plant, has been launched on the site of an old coal mine by CPV Renewable Power. The project marks a significant shift towards renewable energy in the state and provides a sustainable alternative to coal mining. This initiative is part of a growing trend in the US towards clean energy adoption.

Alphabet has acquired Intersect, a data center and energy infrastructure solutions provider, for $4.75 billion. This acquisition aims to help meet the growing electricity demands of data centers. The impact of this deal on the industry is being evaluated.

Tigo Energy has integrated dynamic rate management into its residential solar and storage product, allowing customers to benefit from smart grid pricing changes. This integration aims to optimize energy usage and provide more value to homeowners with solar panels and energy storage systems. The move reflects the growing trend of smart grids and dynamic pricing in the electricity sector.

Jinko Solar's energy storage arm, Jinko ESS, had a transformational year in 2025, expanding its global presence and competing in the growing market of energy storage. As a vertically integrated solar manufacturer, Jinko ESS leverages its parent company's strengths to drive growth. The company continues to push forward in an increasingly competitive industry.

Nuvve New Mexico, a subsidiary of Nuvve Holding Corp., has been selected by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative to deploy and operate advanced battery energy storage systems under a Battery-as-a-Service (BAAS) model in northern New Mexico. The project involves deploying 40 MWh of battery storage at two separate locations, as outlined in a recently executed term sheet. This partnership aims to provide renewable energy storage solutions to support the cooperative's energy needs.

The article discusses the importance of continuous delivery over peak temperature in thermal batteries, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of thermal energy storage as a pathway to industrial decarbonization and managing electricity costs. Pasquale Romano, CEO of Redoxblox, emphasizes the significance of this approach. The focus is on optimizing thermal battery performance.

Tesla has published Wall Street analyst estimates of vehicle deliveries and energy storage deployments on its investor relations site, marking a first for the company. This move is significant as it combines consensus estimates from 20 Wall Street firms, providing a comprehensive view of Tesla's performance. The publication aims to increase transparency and trust with investors.

The article appears to be a review of major clean energy news stories from 2025, focusing on the impact of offshore wind farms, changes in electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, and the growth of data centers. The quiz aims to test readers' knowledge of these developments. Unfortunately, without the full text, it's difficult to provide more insight.

A new report by ReImagine Appalachia reveals that a significant majority (67%) of projected clean energy jobs in Appalachia are at risk due to stagnant federal and private investments under the Trump administration, threatening over 61,000 good-paying jobs.

The article suggests that a rise in copper and silver prices in futures markets indicates a transition to renewable energy sources and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is underway. This shift could lead to increased demand for these metals, driving growth in the renewable energy and EV sectors. As a result, investors may be optimistic about gains in these industries.

Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has selected projects totaling 1.268 MW of energy storage capacity in response to the Section 83E Storage request for proposals (RFP). The selected projects will help meet the state's clean energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This move is part of Massachusetts' efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy.