For once there was some truly encouraging news this week. Matthew Pearce writes in the Guardian about a new study that shows that a global shift towards clean electricity could trigger a ‘cascade’ of progress, helping reduce air pollution, cut waste and revive oceans. “The analysis focuses on “positive tipping points” – thresholds beyond which … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 13-14, 2026
Category: batteries
Electric cars aren’t carbon neutral — but they’re still much cleaner
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Martin Kuebler discusses the clash between claims that EVs are not really climate-friendly once their full life cycle is considered and evidence that, even after battery production and electricity generation are included, EVs still have substantially lower lifetime emissions than combustion-engine cars. Some German politicians are calling … Continue reading Electric cars aren’t carbon neutral — but they’re still much cleaner
First gas, now coal: Australia’s battery revolution accelerates
David Leitch writes on the Renew Economy website about how Australia’s battery build-out is moving from merely reducing gas generation and peak prices to directly undermining the economics of coal. The “second wave” of batteries is the real story. Second wave of big batteries will eat the dinner of fossil fuels, forcing some coal … Continue reading First gas, now coal: Australia’s battery revolution accelerates
New EEA report on impact of clean energy technologies in Europe
Clean energy technologies are creating hundreds of thousands of jobs across the European Union, according to a report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). However, persistent shortages of skilled workers risk slowing future growth, while at the same time the clean energy sector faces inclusion challenges, with women and young people underrepresented. … Continue reading New EEA report on impact of clean energy technologies in Europe
The ‘forever chemicals’ hidden in the clean energy transition
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Stuart Braun questions whether the technologies intended to solve one environmental crisis depend on chemicals that create another. As nations globally move to ban forever chemicals, should renewable energy technologies be exempt for the sake of saving the climate? Can we go green without forever chemicals? … Continue reading The ‘forever chemicals’ hidden in the clean energy transition
Batteries: a threat to the grid or the key to its future?
On the Euronews website, Liam Gilliver discusses about a new report that claims that the battery boom could trigger power outages, but experts say the risk is ‘tiny’. Warnings about batteries causing blackouts are overstated, while batteries are becoming essential to making much larger amounts of wind and solar usable. Batteries can save Europe’s … Continue reading Batteries: a threat to the grid or the key to its future?
Energy storage: Europe’s missing link to energy security
In an article on the Oil Price website, Haley Zaremba discusses how energy storage is the missing link between Europe’s renewable-energy expansion and genuine energy security. EU Locks In Plan To Triple Energy Storage Capacity By 2030 The EU has agreed to nearly quadruple its energy storage capacity, from 55 GW today to a … Continue reading Energy storage: Europe’s missing link to energy security
Making solar power available on demand
In an article on The Conversation website, Vera Moerbeek, Doctorante en physique, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS); Université de Perpignan Via Domitia writes about the next generation of energy storage: thermal batteries using thermophotovoltaics (TPV) that could make solar power dispatchable without relying on lithium-ion batteries. What are your views? How next‑generation … Continue reading Making solar power available on demand
Electric vehicles: separating legitimate concerns from misinformation
Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website about countering common myths about electric vehicles, especially around batteries, critical minerals, fires and supply chains, while putting these concerns into context. Claims that electric vehicle batteries are tainted by exploitative mineral supply chains are discrediting non-fossil cars as electrified road transport booms. Are electric car … Continue reading Electric vehicles: separating legitimate concerns from misinformation
How a sunburn inspired a breakthrough in energy storage
Stranger things have happened, no doubt. But a sunburn had that eureka moment. Chris Baraniuk writes on the BBC News website about the breakthrough in energy storage. How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy The sun does shine, sometimes, in Boston – but not like this. When chemistry professor Grace Han first … Continue reading How a sunburn inspired a breakthrough in energy storage
