Oracle Corporation has partnered with Bloom Energy to install up to 2.45 gigawatts of solid oxide fuel cells in a microgrid powering its new data center campus in New Mexico, aiming to provide dependable, carbon-conscious power for its AI servers. The microgrid will use smart energy management controls to meet Oracle's "five nines" uptime promise and can run both connected to the state's utility grid or independently during outages. This project demonstrates the increasing adoption of fuel cell technology as a frontrunner for heavy-duty, around-the-clock power generation.
Infener AG's 50 MW green hydrogen production hub in NeumĂĽnster, Germany, will capture surplus wind power to produce up to 5,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year for local factories and fleets. The project, set to start construction in 2027 and operate by 2028, marks a significant step towards decentralized hydrogen production. German city utility Stadtwerke MĂĽnchen has partnered with Infener AG to develop the hydrogen infrastructure and secure renewable energy supply.
U Power Limited has launched an AI-driven hydrogen power venture to provide fuel cell technology for its energy management platform in Thailand's data centre market, leveraging its existing battery swapping network and Guofu Hydrogen Energy's expertise. The company plans to scale its hydrogen production with a $25.7 million capital raise, supporting Thailand's EV infrastructure targets and data centre resilience, with projected revenues of $6.3 billion by 2031. The majority-owned joint venture aims to increase hydrogen production in the region.
China Datang Corp has commissioned a 500 MW solar plant in Zhongwei, Ningxia, to directly supply a data center cluster under a coordinated "computing–electricity coordination" model. The project is part of a broader 2 GW development with total planned investment of around CNY 8.7 billion ($1.27 billion). It utilizes a dual-track supply structure combining physical direct supply and bilateral power market trading to meet data center demand, prioritizing solar output during daytime hours.
Brazil's solar sector is shifting towards new business models and market dynamics driven by storage solutions, which will enable system integration, mitigate risks, and unlock future demand. The sector is facing structural challenges such as generation curtailment and grid constraints, particularly in the Northeast region. Storage is expected to play a central role in this transition, with industry leaders pointing to it as a key solution to unlock growth and ensure the sector's long-term sustainability.
Battery developers are building massive, multihundred-megawatt grid batteries in response to soaring energy demand and high electric rates, providing cheap power when it's needed most. Virginia, known as the world's data center capital, is starting to adopt this technology as a solution for its growing energy needs. Local utilities in the state are constructing small grid batteries to help meet increasing demand.
Finnish startup Solar Foods uses renewable energy and green hydrogen to produce Solein, a protein-rich food supplement made through gas fermentation. This process involves leveraging a natural microorganism to create the supplement. The EU Green Hydrogen Scheme has recently adopted this high-tech method of producing sustainable foods.
The utility-scale solar industry in the US is experiencing similar environmental and operational challenges as Australia's market, including fire risk, extreme heat, and equipment reliability issues. Post-construction performance has become crucial to the success of solar projects, with lessons learned from Australia being applied to US operators. Effective maintenance and operations (O&M) strategies are essential for maximizing returns on investment in large-scale solar projects.
IESO has proposed a $9.8 billion transmission package to deliver new nuclear generation and increase power supply in the Greater Toronto Area and southwestern Ontario by 2035-2040, aiming to address expected electricity demand growth of up to 65% by 2050. The plan includes new 500-kV lines between the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station and two transformer stations, which will enable the addition of 4,800 MW of power supply. This upgrade is crucial for accommodating electrification of data centers and other large loads in fast-growing areas.
Enagás Renovable invests up to €2.5 billion in green hydrogen and biomethane production, aiming to reach 250 MW of capacity by 2030. The company has over 20 renewable gas ventures across Spain, including industrial-scale green hydrogen sites and large-scale private biomethane facilities. Enagás Renovable partners with various organizations on projects such as the Power to Green Hydrogen Mallorca initiative and the European consortium Green Hysland.
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