AI Rewrites the Rules of Power Resilience

During Africa E-Mobility Week, CALSTART’s global Drive to Zero program and the Government of the Netherlands shared news that Ethiopia and Mozambique have officially signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (ZE-MHDVs). The two African nations join Cabo Verde, Seychelles, and Ghana in signing the ambitious pledge, making a unified call to halt the harmful effects of climate change and air pollution through the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles across the continent.

“The Government of Ethiopia has set its vision to achieve a climate-resilient green economy by 2030, a core part of which is transport decarbonization. By actively implementing e-mobility policies with available financial incentives, we hope to see an increase in zero-emission vehicle adoption that will help clean the air and create healthier communities. We are pleased to sign the Global MOU to strengthen our commitment to sustainable transportation and achieving our environmental goals,” Mr. Yizengaw Yitayih, Climate Change Senior Expert, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopia.

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Ethiopia and Mozambique as our latest signatorycountries to the Global MOU. Together with Cabo Verde, Seychelles, and Ghana—our other African signatory nations—Ethiopia and Mozambique are showcasing the importance of setting high ambitions to decarbonize trucks and buses. The commitment to work toward 100 percent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040, and 30 percent by 2030, will revolutionize the way people and goods move through Africa. We are transitioning toward more sustainable economies, healthier air, and safer cities, thereby improving the livelihoods of our communities,” said Marise Meijer, Advisor of International Sustainable Logistics, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management for Government of the Netherlands.

Additionally, at the event Nigerian renewable energy solutions provider Oando Clean Energy, UK-Rwanda-based e-mobility start-up OX Delivers (OX Rwanda Ltd) of OX Global Ltd, and Kenyan electric motorcycle and bus manufacturer Roam were announced as the latest endorsers of the Global MOU. They join an endorser community of over 170 sub-national governments, manufacturers, infrastructure providers, knowledge partners, and other stakeholders.

“For Oando Clean Energy to endorse the Global MOU is in the natural order of things. The African continent is a logistics-based economy, therefore, decarbonizing our transport systems will be a major leap towards the achievement of our net zero agenda,” said Ademola Ogunbanjo, Executive Vice President, Oando Clean Energy.

“At OX Delivers, we are committed to transforming rural transportation in Africa, where 70% of the population lacks access to reliable transport for goods. The OX truck offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution, reducing CO2 emissions while boosting incomes for our customers. By endorsing the Global MOU, we reaffirm our commitment to zero-emission transport and the critical role it plays in improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development across Africa,” Colin Tebbett, Chairperson, OX Rwanda Ltd.

In response to these achievements, Drive to Zero’s Program Manager, Ricardo Garcia Coyne, stated:

"Global MOU signatories and endorsers are getting the job done. Jospong and ZeroNox's 1,000 electric refuse trucks in Ghana, OCEL's 12,000 electric buses in Nigeria, Ox Delivers' purpose-built electric delivery trucks uniquely suited for transporting goods along unpaved roads...these advancements are truly transformational and will not only move the needle in Africa but impact the global transition to a decarbonized transport future.”

Background on Global MOU Signatories and Endorsers

Under the Global MOU, leading countries commit to working together to enable 100 percent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040, with an interim goal of 30 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030, to facilitate achievement of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. There are now 38 worldwide signatory nations. 

Endorsers, including knowledge partners, are committed to the Global MOU on ZE-MHDVs as part of a broader effort to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation. By endorsing this non-binding MOU, they commit to working collaboratively to overcome strategic, political, and technical barriers, and to foster investment and economies of scale to make the transition faster, more cost-effective, and accessible for everyone. 

For information on becoming a Global MOU signatory or endorser, visit Drive to Zero’s website.

Drive to Zero | https://globaldrivetozero.org/

Energy Taiwan & Net-Zero Taiwan, co-organized by TAITRA and GESA (an industry alliance under SEMI), will take place from October 2 to 4 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. The event will bring together 480 companies across 1,625 booths, representing a 30% growth in scale compared to last year. As Taiwan’s flagship exhibition for renewable energy and net-zero solutions, it focuses on three core areas: energy production, storage, and conservation, seamlessly connecting the renewable energy supply chain. With an exciting array of offerings, online registration is now open to all.

Energy Taiwan: A One-Stop Green Energy Procurement Platform

As the global push towards net-zero carbon emissions intensifies, countries worldwide are accelerating the development of renewable energy facilities and implementing carbon tariffs and reduction policies to achieve energy transition goals. Additionally, the recent boom in AI technology has dramatically increased electricity demand. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs projects that by 2028, electricity demand for AI technology will increase eightfold, with national electricity consumption growing at an average annual rate of 2.8% over the next decade. To comply with RE100 standards, sourcing renewable energy has become a top priority for businesses. While Nvidia has been proactive in procuring green power, Google has also announced investments in Taiwan’s solar energy construction projects. As demand outpaces supply in the renewable energy sector, maintaining energy efficiency while increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the overall mix has become a key challenge. In response to these trends, Energy Taiwan will once again gather industry heavyweights, showcasing technologies in solar photovoltaics, wind energy, energy storage applications related to smart grids, battery systems, charging infrastructure, and diverse energy sources such as hydrogen and marine energy. The exhibition organizer is collaborating with industry, government, academia, and research institutions to showcase industrial innovations and technological solutions, aiming to accelerate the comprehensive transition to green energy and create a one-stop platform for green energy solutions.

Net Zero Taiwan Doubles in Scale, Helping Enterprises Build Green Strength

In response to climate change’s impact on the global supply chain, major economies including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea have established carbon trading platforms. Last year, global carbon trading reached NT$29.7 trillion, while carbon taxes and fees collected by governments worldwide from businesses amounted to NT$3.34 trillion. Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment plans to phase in a carbon fee by the end of this year, initially targeting large emitters. This approach aims to gradually perfect the carbon pricing mechanism and align with international standards. As both the nation and enterprises face increasing pressure to transition to net-zero, Net-Zero Taiwan will double in scale this year. The exhibition will focus on key areas such as green finance, low-carbon transportation, deep energy saving, carbon management, and emission reduction technologies. These offerings are designed to help enterprises strengthen their green supply chains and capitalize on opportunities in net-zero and low-carbon investments.

Industry Trailblazers and Rising Stars Showcase Green Energy Solutions for Net Zero Vision

This year’s exhibition brings together industry leaders and emerging players, including solar giants United Renewable Energy, TSEC, Motech, AUO, and New Green Power, as well as wind energy developers such as Ørsted Energy, Copenhagen Offshore Partners, BlueFloat Energy, Synera Renewable Energy Group, Dong Fang Offshore, and Taiya Renewable Energy. Other participating energy companies include Delta Electronics, Shihlin Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, J&V Energy, Formosa Smart Energy, Linde Lienhwa, and HD Renewable Energy. Recognizing the promising outlook of the net-zero market and the exhibition’s benefits, benchmark companies such as Volkswagen Taiwan, Advantech, MSI, Santi Energy, and Tesla Energy will participate for the first time. The Taiwan Battery Association and Taiwan Energy Service Association will also make their debut appearances. This expo aims to merge industrial innovation with R&D technology, fostering exchanges between all parties and expanding international business opportunities.

To help enterprises address carbon-related challenges, the exhibition features a Carbon Academy, bringing together experts from industry, government, and academia, including the Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange, Taiwan’s three major accounting firms, and Chung Hsing University. The academy offers a practical net-zero crash course designed for businesses, covering big-picture trends, implementation of zero-carbon strategies, and concluding with one-on-one consultations with carbon reduction managers for tailored net-zero solutions. The course offerings focus on carbon inventory, carbon neutral verification, carbon pricing management, ESG strategy, and sustainable development. This comprehensive program enables participants to obtain a complete corporate carbon reduction guide efficiently, helping them build competitiveness in the zero-carbon era.

Interested parties are encouraged to register online for more information about the exhibition: https://www.energytaiwan.com.tw/en/register-pro-visitor/index.html

CAB Solar has done it again! CAB Solar has unveiled ModulAir, its newest design innovation that will revolutionize above ground cable management for the  solar industry. CAB Solar has engineered this Free Air solution which exceeds NEC requirements for utility scale PV projects. ModulAir has been tested by an NRTL to certify that it will carry cables to their designed current limit without exceeding temperature ratings of PV rated cables installed in free air.

CAB Solar’s ModulAir Hanger System utilizes a tiered system for cable separation, optimizing air flow around cables to enhance EBOS performance and to eliminate the need for cable derating. With its flexible design, ModulAi provides straightforward design customizations for projects of all sizes. ModulAir simplifies project size variations and customizations, delivering project cost savings to installers due to its ease of installation.

This modern yet uncomplicated design will enhance value engineering, reduce hanger waste, meet all NEC requirements, and can be paired with CAB Solar’s patented Above-Ground Cable Management System with Integrated Grounding.

President/CEO of CAB Solar, Tara Bosserman, states, “With ModulAir, CAB Solar customers will enjoy the benefits of maximizing the ampacity potential of cables of various sizes, as they eliminate the need to derate their cables which will save them money. Across the industry ModulAir will enhance the performance of EBOS systems and help deliver more solar generated electricity to the grid.”

CAB Solar | https://www.cabsolar.com/

Blue Laser Fusion Inc. (BLF), a leading fusion energy company, has won a prestigious US Department of Energy (DOE) INFUSE project award to develop a novel high-energy pulsed laser for inertial fusion energy applications in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

The project focuses on high energy pulsed laser amplification using an optical enhancement cavity (OEC) to generate the high pulse energy and fast repetition rates required for high gain, efficient fusion energy generation. The DOE funded work leverages the expertise of Caltech, specifically the Adhikari Research Group led by Professor Rana Adhikari, a world leader in experimental gravitational physics and OEC lasers for LIGO. The project was awarded as part of the DOE's Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) initiative, which awarded $4.6M to private public collaborations in 2024 to accelerate the development of cost-effective, innovative fusion energy technologies in the private sector. The DOE INFUSE program's overarching objective is to ensure U.S. energy, environmental & security needs.

Dr. Shuji Nakamura, CEO of Blue Laser Fusion and 2014 Nobel Prize Winner, commented, "We are proud to announce this DOE INFUSE project award and our special collaboration with Caltech as we work to accelerate the commercialization of laser-based fusion energy. By cooperating with Caltech, Blue Laser Fusion will have access to world-class expertise and capabilities to advance our OEC laser innovations."

Blue Laser Fusion was founded in 2022 by Dr. Shuji Nakamura, 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics and solid-state lighting pioneer, whose high efficiency LED lighting inventions have helped transform the world by substantially reducing the global energy power consumption. BLF's enabling technology innovations include a high efficiency, cost effective megajoule class pulse energy laser with a fast repetition rate, coupled with a high gain, low-cost solid fuel target to achieve commercial fusion. The company has a comprehensive IP portfolio with more than 50 patents and applications internationally. Technical areas of IP protection and innovation competence include multiple levels of the value chain such as optical enhancement cavity (OEC) lasers, fuel targets and energy and fusion systems.

For additional information on Blue Laser Fusion's project with Caltech, see: https://infuse.ornl.gov/awards/high-energy-pulsed-laser-amplification-using-optical-enhancement-cavities/. For additional information of DOE INFUSE program, see: https://infuse.ornl.gov.

Blue Laser Fusion I www.bluelaserfusion.com

A delegation of Maryland legislators visited cutting-edge climate tech startups across the state, witnessing firsthand the groundbreaking innovations poised to transform clean energy and drive economic growth. The tour highlighted the state's commitment to carbon reduction and the advancement of clean energy technology.   

"It is incredibly exciting to witness the dedication of Maryland entrepreneurs, especially in Baltimore, who are not only deeply committed to protecting the environment but are also leveraging their expertise from Johns Hopkins to drive groundbreaking innovation in climate tech,” said Maryland State Senator, Shelly L. Hettleman. “Their efforts are creating tangible benefits for the environment and are also playing a critical role in boosting our local and state economies. This is truly a win-win for Maryland's future."

These startups are key to achieving Maryland’s ambitious climate and economic growth goals, helping the state lead in both technology commercialization and sustainability. The sites visited consisted of companies supported and advanced by the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA). MEIA, a program of Maryland Clean Energy Center, which facilitates early-stage technology commercialization in partnership with Maryland-based businesses, universities, and labs to rapidly bringing new solutions and innovations to market to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.  

“Our intention is to build the climate tech innovation ecosystem through partnerships and targeted investment in early-stage commercialization, with the vision of establishing a new industry sector—similar to the way the state grew biotech and life sciences into the economic engine it is today,” said MEIA Acting Director, Mike Ducker. “MEIA is helping to accelerate these climate tech startups and bring their groundbreaking research to market faster as part of that goal.” 

JJ Innovative Materials is tackling emissions in construction with carbon-negative materials, while EDAC Labs is pioneering electrochemical processes for decarbonization. Archer Power Solutions brings off-grid energy solutions with its battery-operated AC system. Terra Fusion, a spinoff from UMBC and UMCP, is advancing fusion energy technology, and NextGlass is developing ultra-insulating, low-cost windows. 

The site visits were attended by several notable Maryland legislators, including State Senator Shelly L. Hettleman and Delegates Joe Vogel, Natalie Ziegler, David Fraser Hidalgo, Andrea Fletcher Harrison, Lily Qi, and Ryan Spiegel. Mateo Garcia, Chief of Staff for Delegate Joe Vogel, also joined the group. Delegate Joe Vogel expressed his enthusiasm throughout the day, repeatedly stating that “it was the best day ever!” This strong legislative presence underscores the state’s commitment to supporting clean energy innovation and economic growth. 

The tours are part of MEIA's efforts to raise awareness of its work and Maryland’s growing climate tech sector. On October 7, MEIA will host its 2nd annual Climate Tech Exchange, a Pre-Summit event leading up to the 2024 Maryland Clean Energy Summit, bringing together climate tech leaders, innovators, and venture capitalists. The event will showcase MEIA startups, highlight the state of climate tech in Maryland, and offer insights from clean energy leaders, along with opportunities for networking. 

The Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator | https://mdeia.org/

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT), a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, announced it has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $50 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. This grant, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support Cabot’s development of a new U.S.-based manufacturing facility to produce battery-grade carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conductive additive dispersions at commercial scale. These materials are critical to the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs) and the electrical grid, helping to reduce reliance on imports. The DOE grant will cover nearly 30 percent of the total projected $181 million investment required for the project.

Cabot plans to revitalize, retrofit, and restore a former automotive site located in Wayne County, Michigan into the first U.S. production facility for battery-grade CNTs and conductive additive dispersions. Cabot has partnered with the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU), the International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC), and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC) to support this project which is expected to create hundreds of new construction and full-time manufacturing jobs. This new manufacturing operation will enhance the domestic supply chain for critical battery materials and thereby reduce reliance on foreign imports.

With a 140-year history of manufacturing excellence in the automotive supply chain, including over 15 years of experience supplying conductive additives to the battery industry, and with established relationships with leading battery makers, Cabot is well-positioned to help strengthen U.S. battery manufacturing capabilities. In addition to its existing production of battery-grade conductive additives and carbon nanostructures in the U.S., this investment in CNT and dispersion production will further enable Cabot to deliver localized, tailor-made solutions that meet the specific requirements of customers’ chosen battery chemistries, including domestic EV manufacturers.

“We are honored to have been selected for award negotiation by the U.S. Department of Energy, which will enable us to further our commitment and capabilities to supply critical materials for the EV battery market and will ultimately strengthen the U.S. battery supply chain,” said Sean Keohane, president and CEO, Cabot Corporation. “As a trusted materials innovator at the center of the energy transition, our conductive additives, along with our broader portfolio of advanced materials, play a key role in enabling this transition. This investment will not only help us scale our production of critical battery materials, but it will also benefit the community by creating high-quality green energy jobs. We look forward to working closely with the DOE and our partners to ensure the success of this important project.”

This investment highlights Cabot’s role as a critical player in the energy transition, providing innovative material solutions not only in battery technologies but also across the entire energy storage and management ecosystem. Cabot’s contributions extend beyond conductive additives, including aerogels for improved thermal management, metal oxides for cathode durability, and advanced carbons for fuel cell optimization, all vital for the next generation of sustainable energy technologies.

Cabot Corporation | cabotcorp.com

DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains | www.energy.gov/mesc 

rPlus Energies announced the groundbreaking of the Green River Energy Center, a 400-megawatt (MW) solar PV and 400 MW/1,600 megawatt-hour battery storage project in Eastern Utah. One of the largest solar-plus-storage projects under construction in the nation, Green River Energy Center will supply power to PacifiCorp under a power purchase agreement.

“This project is being built in rural Utah, by rural Utahns, and for all of Utah. When rural Utah thrives, the entire state prospers,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at the groundbreaking. “Today, we’re not just breaking ground—we’re building a future of affordable, abundant energy in Utah.”

Securing over $1 billion in construction debt financing earlier this year, the project is expected to create approximately 500 jobs — many filled by local workers — and will provide a boost to Emery County’s economy, enhancing tax revenue, strengthening public services, and offering long-term employment opportunities in the energy sector.

Sundt Construction, a national contractor with a strong presence in the Mountain West, is the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor for the project, with EliTe Solar supplying the solar modules and Tesla providing the battery storage system.

“It’s the partners that make this project special, that have made this monumental project possible,” said Luigi Resta, President and CEO of rPlus Energies. "From our equipment providers to the onsite talent, and the support of the local and regional community, we owe this project’s success to each of you."

rPlus Energies | https://www.rplusenergies.com/