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This show has been flagged as Clean by the host. -------------------- 01 Introduction This is the second follow up to my 8 part series on nuclear power. In this episode I will attempt to answer a question posed by brian in ohio in a comment on HPR4583. In that comment he said: 02 -------------------- Loving this series. Maybe Whiskey Jack could give some cost comparisons between large and small reactors. He could also give us a realistic look at nuclear plant safety/accidents compared to conventional power production. Looking forward to the episode on FORTH generation reactors ;-) -------------------- 03 End of quote. The first question I answered in my previous follow up, which was HPR4628. In this episode I will attempt to answer the second question, which was about the safety of nuclear power compared to other sources of electrical power generation. One of the HPR janitors encouraged me to make this episode, so I think we can thank him for getting another HPR episode made. 04 Defining the Scope First, let's define the scope of the question. This will cover electrical power generation only. Within that scope I will consider only the following sources of energy. 05 Coal Oil Natural Gas Hydroelectric Nuclear Wind Solar I won't cover geothermal, wave, or tidal power as these are only used in very small amounts and so there simply isn't enough literature on them to base a discussion on . 06 Foreshadow Conclusion I should mention right away that I cannot provide absolute answers to this question in the form of a nice, neat ranking table based on numbers from peer reviewed scientific sources. The reasons for this will become apparent, but to put it briefly, the data on which to base such a ranking simply doesn't exist. I will however provide context within which people can think about the issue. Wherever possible, I will provide links to the references that I used in the show notes so you can read further on this yourself. -------------------- 07 Energy Catastrophism versus Energy Uniformitarianism First though I need to go off on a slight geological detour in order to explain an important analogy that I will use. 08 In the 19th century there was a great debate among geologists over what is known as catastrophism versus uniformitarianism. In seeking to explain the origins of the earth and of the landscape that we see around us, there were two points of view. 09 One was "catastrophism". This is the belief that the mountains, valleys, and plains that we see around us were formed as a result of great catastrophes which occurred relatively recently in earth's history. This explanation was necessary in order to fit geological features into an earth that was believed to be only a few thousands of years old. This view was heavily influenced by religious belief. In this view Noah's flood was the great catastrophe and the fossils of dinosaurs were the remains of animals who had not been saved on the ark and so had died in the flood. 10 The other point of view was uniformitarianism. This was the hypothesis that the landscape we see around us can be explained by the very slow accumulation of very small changes over very long periods of time. For this to be true however, the earth had to be far older than the few thousand years that a literal reading of the bible would suggest. The earth in fact had to be many, many, millions of years old. 11 Eventually, the uniformitarian view won out and people understood that while some catastrophes can take place, the shape of the landscape is overwhelmingly due to small changes over very long periods of time. 12 How is this Relevant to this Episode You Ask? How this is relevant is that I will use this analogy to explain how we need to think about energy and safety. Very small numbers of deaths and injuries multiplied over many occurrences can add up to big numbers, comparable in scale or possibly even larger than a single catastrophe or even several of them. 13 I don't know if anyone else has used this analogy before, I have just thought of this when writing the script for this podcast. None the less, I think it is a very useful way of helping to understand the issues. 14 As an example of this, think about the well known case of the safety of flying versus the safety of travelling in your car. Air crashes are catastrophes that make the headlines. Automobile crashes are seldom more than local news at best. You have probably heard many times the claim that if you making a trip somewhere, you are safer to fly than to drive yourself in your car. 15 Example - Hydro versus Solar I will now present an example of this. Hydro electric power has some notable large scale catastrophes associated with it. Roof top solar power does not have any notable catastrophes that I am aware of. However, which is safer? 16 Hydro Catastrophes Here are three examples of hydro electric catastrophes in just one country, Italy. The Vajont Dam which collapsed in1963 An estimated 1,917 to 2,500 people died. The Sella Zerbino dam which collapsed in 1935. More than 100 people died. The Gleno Dam which collapsed in 1923. An estimated 350 people died. https://damfailures.org/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4997708/ 17 I haven't tried to compile a global list of the worst hydro electric dam collapses, as this sort of information is actually very difficult to find, even on web sites dedicated to dam failures. An additional problem is that information on whether a dam was used for electric power generation or not is often not available. 18 Dam failures where contradictory or insufficient information is available on whether there was an associated hydro power plant include the 1975 Banqian Dam failure, where death estimates range up to a quarter of a million. 19 Solar Panel Slow Accumulation Contrast this with roof top solar panels. Many small accidents can add up to big numbers as well. 20 Health and safety literature discussing solar panel safety mention things such as Falls from roofs. Electric shock. Arc flash (burns from electrical arcing). Normal electrical safety procedures which are based around locking out sources of energy do not work with solar panels which makes safety more difficult. Heat stress due to working exposed in the hot sun. Warning from US government on falls by solar panel installers. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/228946 https://www.osha.gov/green-jobs/solar 21 Why We Cannot Compare the Two Hydro catastrophes are not well documented, but we can at least find records of some of the most notable ones. However, even those have very large variations in estimates of deaths. 22 Roof top solar deaths however are largely undocumented. The industry is largely unregulated. There is no central authority which accumulates many individual deaths or injuries. At best there are worker and public safety bodies who simply accumulate those statistics into general construction or household injuries. 23 Thus we have no reliable means of comparing the two energy sources on a comparable basis. We face the same problem with all other major electrical energy sources. So far as I am aware, there are no peer reviewed scientific studies which compare the relative safety of all of the major electrical energy sources we are considering here based on actual numbers. -------------------- 24 Safety Risks I will now try to list some the major hazards for each of energy sources we are considering. There is however limited data available. In many cases we just have reference to worker safety organizations as to what the hazards are. I will not attempt here to put numbers to these here. Categories 25 Coal, Oil, Natural Gas The hazards are Air pollution Mining and oil field accidents Pipeline explosions Transportation accidents. These- move a lot of material so these are significant. 26 Hydroelectric These include Dam collapse Drowning 27 Nuclear These include Radiation exposure 28 Wind These include Falls Confined space deaths (there is not much detail on this) Electric shock Ice throws (that is, throwing pieces of ice off the blades) This technology has a significant problem with people working alone which greatly increases risks associated with other dangers. 29 Solar These include Falls Electric shock Arc flash Heat stress 30 I have not tried to cover all possible risks associated with each category, just the ones which each industry considers to be the risks they concern themselves with. There does not exist any means by which risks of similar types are compared across different industries. 31 Reliability of Supply is Also Safety In a completely electrified net zero society, reliability of supply is a safety matter. People will die in very large numbers in cold climates if they do not have heat. If we have no fossil fuels, we need to also consider how reliably does a grid based on any of the options work. I have not seen anyone attempt to address this question and will not attempt to address it here. However, it must be addressed in any comprehensive attempt to rank safety. -------------------- 32 Studies or Articles on Estimates of Relative Safety Despite the difficulties of comparing the safety of different sources of energy, some people have attempted this anyway. Different estimates done at different times had different focuses, so unfortunately we do not have a nice set of studies that we can neatly use to cross check one another. I will however list the names and the authors and summarize the results. -------------------- 33 The Health Hazards of Not Going Nuclear By Dr. Petr Beckman Published in 1976 The author of this book tried to address the relative safety of different sources of energy in the mid 1970s. However, it is old at this point, so I won't bother digging through its pages to find his figures. 34 He mainly focused on comparing electric power generated with coal to nuclear. His conclusion was that if the goal was to prevent deaths or ill health in the process of generating electricity, then the logical conclusion was to replace coal fired power plants with nuclear. 35 The book was relatively well known at the time, as least as far as books on energy are concerned, so I thought it was still worth mentioning. I happen to have a copy of this book which I bought back in that time period It was the 8th printing of the book, so it would appear to have had relatively good sales. 36 The author did address the issue of what I have termed "catastrophism" in his comparison of different energy sources, although I don't know if he used this phrase. I don't know if he was the first to use this sort of analysis, but he certainly was very influential in terms of popularizing it. -------------------- 37 Risk of Energy Production by Herbert Inhaber Publication AECB 1119 March 1978 This study is a scientific paper from the same time period as the book "The Health Hazards of Not Going Nuclear". 38 He based his risk estimates largely on estimates of the amount of material which was used in the construction and operation of various power sources. While we could argue over whether or not this is a valid methodology, I think any such argument would be pointless as I think the age of the study alone renders it not relevant today anyway. Advancements in materials have changed the basis results significantly by now. However, as it exists I thought I would mention it to show that the idea of comparing energy sources to each other is not a new one. The author compared a wider variety of potential sources than Beckman did. 39 Here's his conclusions. He assumes equal amounts of energy produced by each method. The numbers are normalized such that the total sums to 100%. You can think of it in terms of what proportion of total deaths or injuries would result from each source if each were equally used. 40 Coal 27.5% Oil 25.6% Methanol 16.7% Wind 10.8% Solar photovoltaic 9.2% Thermal 8.1% Solar space heating 1.5% Ocean thermal 0.4% Nuclear 0.13% Natural Gas 0.08% 41 His natural gas estimate is drastically different from that of other authors. I am not going to worry about explaining it however, as the study is as I said old enough to be not very relevant anyway. I am mainly including this here out of historical interest. 42 As a footnote, the methanol he refers to would be synthesized from wood. This was a popular idea in that era as a means of providing liquid fuels for transportation. Practical battery electric cars in those days were strictly science fiction. 43 The ocean thermal category is a real blast from the past and I had forgotten all about that concept. It was a very popular idea at that time and was supposed to be *the* big and upcoming thing in renewable energy. It involved various means of attempting to extract energy from differences in water temperature at different depths in the ocean. It gradually faded away however, as despite great efforts being put into it, designs never proved to be practical. -------------------- 44 Electricity generation and health Anil Markandya, Paul Wilkinson Published in the Lancet, Vol 370, 15 September 2007 45 This is more recent than the previous one, although it is nearly 20 years old at this point. Unfortunately it doesn't cover wind or solar, just fossil fuels and nuclear. However it is still useful, and the Lancet is a very reputable peer reviewed journal. 46 I will present just the results rather than discussing the whole paper. The authors break it down into deaths among the public, occupational deaths, and air pollution related deaths, serious illness, and minor illness. 47 They break the energy sources down into lignite, coal, gas, oil, biomass, and nuclear. Lignite is a type of very low grade coal used mainly for electric power generation. In this paper biomass refers to energy crops and forest residues. 48 I will summarize the results by category rather than trying to describe a table that has 6 rows and 5 columns. All numbers are normalized in terms of deaths or cases per TWh. 49 Occupational deaths from accidents lignite 0.1 coal 0.1 gas 0.001 oil no data biomass - no data Nuclear is 0.019. 50 Deaths among the public from accidents lignite 0.02 coal 0.02 gas 0.02 oil 0.03 biomass no data Nuclear 0.003 51 Air pollution deaths lignite 32.6 coal 24.5 gas 2.8 oil 18.4 biomass 4.63 Nuclear 0.052 52 Air pollution serious illnesses lignite 298 coal 225 gas 30 oil 161 biomass 43 Nuclear 0.22 53 Air pollution minor illnesses lignite 17,676 coal 13,288 gas 703 oil 9,551 biomass 2,276 Nuclear no data 54 Natural gas edges out nuclear power slightly in terms of occupational safety, but in every other category nuclear is drastically lower in terms of ill effects than any of the alternatives. -------------------- 55 2020 Fatalities for US Roofers Increased 15% as Solar Roof Installations Increase Published in The Next Big Future July 6, 2021 by Brian Wang 56 This seems to be written by someone who has a popular science blog. I'm not familiar with it personally, but he addresses the subject so I'll list it. The title implies that it's all about rooftop solar, but he provides comparative numbers for the other energy sources of interest, so that is useful for our purposes. However, he doesn't describe his methodology, so we need to treat them with some caution. Here are his results These are deaths per thousand terawatt hours. 57 Coal - 100,000 Oil - 36,000 Natural gas - 4,000 Hydro - 1,400 Rooftop solar - 440 Wind - 150 Nuclear - 90 58 If we plot these numbers on a bar chart, coal and oil are so large that all of the others are squished to the bottom of the chart and are difficult to see at all. Let's therefore look at these in terms of orders of magnitude. Keep in mind that this is a logarithmic scale. This means that the difference between 4 and 5 is much greater in linear terms than the difference between 1 and 2. 59 Coal - 5 Oil - 4 Natural gas - 3 Hydro - 3 Rooftop solar - 2 Wind - 2 Nuclear - 1 60 Each of these numbers represents an order of magnitude, that is a power of ten. We can see that with rooftop solar, wind, and nuclear, the numbers are so close and the uncertainties are so great and their relative values so small compared to say coal that they can be seen as equivalent so far as safety is concerned. -------------------- 61 What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? by Hannah Ritchie Published in Our World in Data First published in 2017, updated in 2022 and 2024 62 The author of this study addressed both deaths and greenhouse gas emissions. Deaths from accidents and air pollution are normalized to per TWh of electricity, while greenhouse gas emissions are normalized to GWh of electricity over the life cycle of the plant. 63 Here are the death figures. Coal 24.6 Oil 18.4 Biomass 4.6 Natural Gas 2.8 Hydro power 1.3 Wind 0.04 Nuclear 0.03 Solar 0.02 64 For greenhouse gas emissions the figures are Coal 970 tons Oil 720 tons Natural gas 440 tons Biomass 78 to 230 tons Solar 53 tons Hydro power 24 tons Wind 11 tons Nuclear 6 tons 65 If we take the death figures and rank them by order of magnitude as we did with the previous article, we get the following. 66 Coal - 4 Oil - 4 Biomass - 3 Natural Gas - 3 Hydro power - 3 Wind - 1 Nuclear - 1 Solar - 1 67 Keep in mind that the previous article covered only rooftop solar and not large industrial installations, and so is not directly comparable. Also the units are different, with the previous article being in terms of thousand TWh, and this one being in TWh. If we exclude solar (as the numbers are not comparable), Brian Wang's numbers are between 1.5 to 4 times higher than Ritchie's, except for hydro which are almost identical. I think this latter is due to both sets of numbers are dominated by one exceptionally big hydro accident. 68 Overall however, the relative rankings are quite comparable. Ritchie's numbers for deaths from coal, oil, and natural gas appear to be directly from the study by Markandya and Wilkinson mentioned above. For the benefit of those who are wondering, Ritchie specifically states that her numbers for nuclear include the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents. -------------------- https://www.iaea.org/publications/magazines/bulletin/21-1/solar-power-more-dangerous-nuclear Direct link to file https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/publications/magazines/bulletin/bull21-1/21104091117.pdf https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(07)61253-7/abstract https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2021/07/2020-fatalities-for-us-roofers-increased-15-as-solar-roof-installations-increase.html -------------------- 69 Conclusion from Studies Remember that in engineering terms, when comparing groups of numbers which contain both both very small numbers and one or more very large numbers, the differences between the small numbers are often not significant. The differences between the small numbers may be the product of our ability to measure these things rather than any real differences. 70 For example, in the article by Ritchie wind power would appear to be twice as dangerous as nuclear. However, the difference between them is 0.02 compared to 24.6 for coal. In other words, the difference between apparently "dangerous" wind and apparently "safe" nuclear is equivalent to 0.08% of the total for coal. It's therefore meaningless and a red herring to even worry about. 71 With the above taken into consideration, generally the different sources of energy fall into two broad categories in terms of number of deaths, injuries, and illnesses. The fossil fuels and biomass fall into one group and wind, solar, and nuclear into another group. 72 Hydro power would seem to fall into the higher risk category or at least somewhere between the two, but this I suspect is mainly due to one exceptionally large dam collapse in China, the Banqian Dam failure in 1975. This is mentioned as being specifically included in the article written by Ritchie. This was a multi-purpose dam, and information on this dam is difficult to find. It is not clear to me whether it had a hydro electric generator associated with either it or another dam that was part of the same system. 73 Some people therefor may argue for its exclusion from the numbers. Of course some people may argue for its inclusion anyway, as it was a dam regardless of whether it actually had an electric generator attached. If we exclude it, then I think the numbers for hydro power would fall into the same range as for nuclear, wind, and solar. 74 Most people would consider hydro power to be safe and clean enough regardless of this and I will rank it as such in any conclusions that I come to. As you can see, even if we have numbers, it can be a matter of opinion as to how to interpret them. -------------------- -------------------- 75 Taking a Systems Approach Now let's take a look at the broader energy picture today and into the future. Many countries in many parts of the world have committed to the concept of "Net Zero", which means eliminating carbon emissions on a net basis. Net zero essentially means the complete electrification of society. We must therefore have electrical energy on demand and at low cost. We must as a result of this look at complete electrical systems rather than individual sources in isolation. 76 At one time many electrical systems were entirely coal or entirely hydroelectric. This is no longer the case. There are now major amounts of wind and solar involved in many countries. However these are inherently intermittent. This means that other sources of energy are inherently also required to have a functional system. 77 If any particular solution inherently requires fossil fuels to meet part of the demand, then the safety, pollution, and climate issues relating to those fossil fuels have to be factored in to that complete system when trying to come up with a relative ranking. Talking about Individual sources in isolation are therefore meaningless in these countries. 78 There are battery systems, but these are mainly used to stabilize and regulate the grid plus to a lesser degree to smooth out short term daily peaks in demand. They do not have the ability to store large amounts of electricity on a large scale for an entire grid for days, weeks, and months to make up for intermittency. 79 So a serious attempt to rank sources of energy would need to look at a variety of representative countries and for each one come up with a plan that involves 'x' megawatts from source 'a', 'y' megawatts from source 'b', etc., and total up the values for each. 80 I am not aware of anyone who has studied this larger issue. However, the problem has to be addressed from this perspective in order for any answer to be useful. Not taking this into account is like ordering a diet soft drink to go with with a high calorie meal and assuring yourself that your plans to diet are fine. 81 This is not to imply there is anything inherently wrong with wind or solar. It does mean that if your goal is to achieve both net zero and a clean environment, you have to look at your entire energy system as a complete system rather than focusing on what you feel are the most reassuring parts of it while ignoring the rest. This does however add to the argument that it is in fact inherently very difficult to come up with a system of ranking energy sources for safety. -------------------- 82 Nuclear, Climate, and Clean Air - Contrasting Examples To give a tangible example we will now look at two different places that followed two divergent paths at roughly around the same time frame. These are the province of Ontario in Canada, and Germany. 83 Ontario had a mix of coal, hydro electric, and nuclear generating plants. Germany had a mix of coal, nuclear and natural gas plants. Ontario shut down their coal fired plants and kept their nuclear plants. Germany however shut down their nuclear plants and kept their coal fired plants. 84 The Phase Out of Coal in Ontario In 2003 Ontario decided to close all of its coal fired generating plants, which consisted of 19 units (that is boilers and turbines) totalling 8,800 MW. This phase out was completed by 2014. 85 Here are the figures for amount of power generated by each energy source in 2003 and 2014. Nuclear went from 42% to 60% Hydro went from 23% to 24% Gas went from 11% to 9% Coal went from 25% to 0% Non-hydro renewable went from 0% to 7%. 86 As you can see, the bulk of that replacement came from increased use of nuclear power. Furthermore, this did not result in simply replacing coal with natural gas. While gas is cleaner than coal, it still has emissions and if you recall from the studies that we looked at earlier, had an estimated death rate roughly 2 orders of magnitude greater than nuclear, solar, or wind. 87 To put this in more practical terms, at one time Toronto regularly had clouds of smog obscuring it, to a large extent due to these coal fired power plants With the phase out of coal, smog days went to zero in 2015 compared to 53 a decade earlier. The 2023 figures for Ontario show carbon emissions of 53 grams per kWh of electricity generated. We can use this as a rough benchmark comparison for total emissions. 88 The Phase out of Nuclear in Germany Until March of 2011, Germany generated one quarter of its electrical power from nuclear. Starting in 2011 however, they began shutting down their nuclear power plants. These were then phased out over the next decade. However, the coal plants were to be kept to 2038. In 2026 Germany began talking about increasing use of coal in order to save gas. In the same year the German chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the phase out of nuclear was a quote “serious strategic mistake”. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was "a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power". 89 I won't go into the details of the phase out, but let's look at some emissions numbers for Germany. If we look at the official numbers from the European Environmental Agency for 2024, for Germany their emissions were 298 grams per kWh of electricity generated. Recall that we are using emissions as a very rough guide to amount of air pollution, and that this has a direct effect on the safety of the overall electrical energy system. 90 So, who actually made their people safer, Ontario who phased out their coal plants and kept their nuclear plants, or Germany who phased out their nuclear plants and kept their coal plants? 91 If you want a comparison directly within Europe, then Germany has one of the highest rates of emissions per kWh of electricity generated, whereas France, who use mainly nuclear power, have one of the lowest at 43 grams per kWh of electricity generated. Again, who is making their people safer, Germany or France? 92 I don't want to make it sound like I am picking on Germany. I am also not going to tell them how they ought to run their country. However they provide a good real world example of how we need to look at things in overall context when we are thinking about the choices that we make. https://www.ontario.ca/page/end-coal https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/smog-study-shows-significant-decreases-in-pollutants-in-ontario-1.4151183 https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/greenhouse-gas-emission-intensity-of-1 https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/germany https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-is-right-to-reject-germanys-nuclear-phase-out-says-iea-chief-fatih-birol/ https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-considers-ramping-up-coal-power-to-avert-energy-crisis/ https://www.iea.org/countries/estonia/electricity https://www.iea.org/countries/malta/electricity -------------------- 93 Conclusions As we can see, there don't appear to be an abundance of peer reviewed scientific studies that we can simply point to in order to answer the question of safety of all possible major different energy sources once and for all. Collecting the data to even attempt to answer the question is inherently very difficult as we cannot readily conduct experiments to answer the question, and sources of data are not collected or consolidated in a manner which can answer this question adequately. 94 The essence of the problem is that most energy industries are not as tightly regulated and monitored to the same degree that say nuclear power or commercial airliners are, so this data is simply not being systematically recorded. However, a number of people have attempted to make estimates. 95 Their conclusions would seem to be that nuclear, wind, and solar are roughly equivalent in terms of safety. All fossil fuels are much less safe than nuclear, wind, and solar, by as much as several orders of magnitude. 96 We can however say with a reasonable degree of certainty that if a country shut down their nuclear power plants and kept their fossil fuel plants, particularly coal, then they probably made their people less safe than if they had done things the other way around. 97 I hope that I have provided some context in which to think about the issue. Thanks again to brian in ohio for providing the question upon which this episode is based. -------------------- Provide feedback on this episode.

Battery energy storage fire safety is one of the most urgent permitting challenges facing solar and storage developers in 2026. Mike Nicholas, Energy Storage Specialist and Fire Consultant at Hiller Companies, brings a rare perspective: he built Kern County's entire BESS permitting program from scratch in 2019, when no national standards existed, and now travels the country helping developers, EPCs, and fire departments get these projects to yes.Kern County has the highest concentration of renewable energy and battery storage in California, including the largest active battery storage project in the world at roughly 3.2 GWh. Mike developed a 32-page submission guideline that standardized the permitting process and became a model other jurisdictions are now replicating. After retiring as a fire captain and assistant fire marshal in 2024, he joined Hiller, which represented about 85% of the battery storage clients that went through Kern County permitting. He now works with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development and American Clean Power to build reference documents and videos for fire safety standardization.Here is what you will learn in this conversation about battery energy storage fire safety:Find out why the Moss Landing disaster changed everything. A fire inside an enclosed former power plant building destroyed an estimated 240 megawatts. An outdoor containerized failure, under current standards, would be contained to the enclosure of origin, a fraction of 1% of that loss. You'll understand why the industry is moving hard toward outdoor containerized deployments.Learn what UL 9540A and the new large-scale fire testing (LSFT) requirement in NFPA 855 (2026) actually require, and why they matter to first responders. You'll hear why the test forces a fully populated unit into a worst-case thermal runaway with suppression disabled, and what it means for containing a fire within the enclosure of origin.Understand what a complete Hazard Mitigation Analysis must include. Find out why a generic OEM document will not pass, and what site-specific elements, from failure modes analysis to emergency response plans for construction, commissioning, and decommissioning, are required under NFPA 855.You'll hear Mike's step-by-step account of what should happen from the moment a fire alarm sounds to the moment the incident command is established. Learn why gas meters, IR cameras, and a fire alarm annunciator panel at the static water tank are critical tools for first responders who may be 15 to 20 minutes from the battery yard inside the site.Find out what developers and EPCs get wrong in permitting. Mike explains why early engagement with the fire department, before land use approval, is not optional, and why hiring a registered design professional who knows NFPA 855 is the difference between hitting your financing deadline and chasing it.With BESS developers racing to lock in safe harbor and stay ahead of tightening FEOC and material-assistance thresholds, permitting delays and moratoria are a real threat to project timelines. Mike describes a shift already happening in California: under General Order 167-C, the California Public Utilities Commission now requires ESS operators to file emergency response plans and produce annual testing and maintenance reports, and Kern County has introduced an annual operational permit tied to emergency contact updates. These requirements are likely to spread nationally.Connect with Mike Nicholas Hiller Companies: https://hillerfire.com/ Support the showConnect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  CleanPowerHour@gmail.comCorporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

From Americans now being able to use healthcare savings accounts to buy e-bikes, to a massive new 5 GWh thermal battery project in South Dakota that stores renewable electricity as heat inside giant carbon blocks. James and Brian also discuss the UK's record May heatwave and growing calls for air conditioning in schools and care homes as climate change pushes temperatures higher. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month! The guys also explore why rooftop solar is exploding in Pakistan while prices remain stubbornly high in Canada, and they react to listener mail from a Chevy Bolt owner who received an oil change reminder for an EV with "0% oil life remaining." In the Lightning Round: Cuba begins installing turbines at its largest-ever wind farm Tesla launches "Quiet Charging Zones" at some Superchargers Africa ramps up domestic solar panel manufacturing China-built car exports to Europe surge EVs are expected to hit 28% of global new car sales in 2026 Waymo pauses freeway robotaxi trips over construction-zone issues India surpasses the United States in EV adoption rates Why even an EV powered entirely by coal can still beat a gas car on emissions Plus, James shares a shocking comparison between lead pollution during the Flint water crisis and 1970s Los Angeles that helped shape Brian's environmental worldview. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

Send us a voicemail to mark Let Me Sum Up's upcoming 100th Episode! Your friendly neighbourhood climate and energy podcast of record is about to clock up its 100th episode! Global VP for Marketing and Extortion kindly requests Summeruppers to send us a voicemail with your questions for LMSU's intrepid hosts or favourite anecdotes from listening to the pod. All contributions welcome! — In Episode XII of Global Energy Crisis Corner the current fuel crisis might have slipped off the radar of everyday Australians because, well, it's all been Very Much Under Control And Nothing To See Here Except Higher Than Pre-Crisis Domestic Fuel Reserves. That doesn't stop your tired, but resilient-in-our-nerdery intrepid hosts from another serving of what-is-actually-going-on-out-there chat! The latest IEA Oil Market Report makes it clear things are still VERY BAD but the impacts have been softened by countries drawing down on their domestic reserves - particularly China. But how much longer can this last? And how is this being experienced outside rich countries like Australia that can afford to pay extra to bolster imports? This article in the Economist does a good job outlining the impacts across Asia. Buckle up for Episode XIII folks. Our main course Your intrepid hosts dive out of the fire and into the frying pan to dissect ‘Power Flexible AI Factories: A UK-First Demonsration of Grid-Responsive AI Infrastructure', a paper from Chris Williams et al and supported by Emerald AI, Electric Power Research Institute, the UK's National Grid and Nebius. So what does BIG AI think the solution is to managing the growth of power-hungry data centres across the globe?  Unsurprisingly this paper is optimistic on the potential for data centres to operate in practice as a form of demand response, to smooth peak demand around significant events (tea kettle breaks for UEFA matches, anyone?) and reduce power consumption by up to 40%. The trial documented in the paper provides some real cause for optimism and throws out some suggestions for reform, but bigger trials and key questions - like who pays for the flex? And how about that water consumption? - still need grappling with.  One more things Tennant's One More Thing is: a techno-optimist double delight! CATL deal for 60 GWh sodium-ion batteries for grid storage shows sodium is here and lithium constraints aren't going to be a problem AND Fervo IPO - geothermal startup raises US$1.89b and market values it at $10b+ - they will have the money to get their first 500MW plant up and running this year (Cape Station, Utah). Frankie's One More Thing is: a sneaky peak into LMSU's post Budget analysis to alert folks to a tantalising reference to the Government's work on a ‘market measure' to drive demand for new Australian LCLF production (page 12 of BP1 to be precise). Watch this space! Luke's One More Thing is: some electrification optimism percolating around the country - from the $40m funding in the Budget to help electrify Australia Post's operations to Incat in Tasmania taking their ferries all electric! LMSU also heartily commends to Summerupperers the book ‘Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate and Energy Policy For All' from friend of the pod, Thom Woodroofe! And that's it for now, Summerupperers. There is now a one-stop-shop for all your LMSU needs: head to letmesumup.net to support us on Patreon, procure merch, find back episodes, and leave us a voicemail!

It's EV News Briefly for Thursday 14 May 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyGLOBAL EV SALES HIT 1.6 MILLION IN APRILGlobal EV sales reached 1.6 million units in April 2026 and 5.6 million year to date, with April up 6% year over year but down 9% from an unusually strong March. Europe led growth with 400,000 sales, up 27% year over year, driven by rising petrol prices and strong gains in Germany, France and Italy, while Chinese-built EVs grew their European market share from 19% in 2025 to 22% in 2026.ELECTRIC GOLF SLIPS TO DECADE'S ENDVolkswagen has pushed the electric Golf back to the end of the decade, later than the previously expected 2028 launch, due to delays with the SSP platform that will underpin it. SSP-based vehicles will now begin with Audi and Porsche from 2028, with Volkswagen following later, as the brand needs greater scale to achieve margin parity on the platform.HOUSE BILL SEEKS PERMANENT BAN ON CHINESE CARSA bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers has introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act, which would permanently ban Chinese-developed connected vehicles from US roads. The bill would codify and expand a Biden-era executive order, barring passenger vehicles from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran if they contain software or connectivity systems developed in those countries.JAGUAR NAMES FIRST EV TYPE 01Jaguar has confirmed its first all-electric production car will be called the Type 01, with the "0" representing zero tailpipe emissions and the "1" marking it as the first model of a new era. The full production reveal is planned for September 2026, with customer deliveries expected to begin in early 2027.FORD STARTS STATIONARY BATTERY BUSINESSFord has launched Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary, to compete in the stationary battery storage market, with its first product being the DC Block — a modular LFP battery container offering 5.45 MWh of storage and a 20-year service life. Built at a repurposed factory in Glendale, Kentucky, the DC Block will be sold in two- and four-hour discharge versions, with first customer deliveries due in early 2027 and planned annual output of 20 GWh.APTERA BUILDS FIVE VALIDATION VEHICLESAptera Motors has completed five validation vehicles on a newly established 14-station low-volume assembly line at its Carlsbad, California facility, marking a significant step towards production readiness. The vehicles will now enter a comprehensive testing programme covering road performance, durability, safety, software integration and solar energy generation efficiency.FILOSA: CHINESE OEMS FACE US DELAYStellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said Chinese OEMs will not enter the US market for at least a few years, citing the current tariff and regulatory climate. He left the door open to future partnerships, suggesting Chinese technology could still find common ground with US operations, even if direct car sales remain off the table in the near term.ANDROID AUTO STRETCHES TO FIT ANY SCREENGoogle is giving Android Auto its first major display overhaul in 11 years, with a new version that adapts to fill any car screen shape and eliminates the black borders previously seen on round, trapezoidal and other non-standard displays. The update also introduces pinnable widgets that stay over the active map, alongside a redesigned Google Maps with 3D Immersive Navigation showing buildings, lane markings, traffic lights and stop signs.CATL ADDS 5 GWH MODULE LINE IN DEBRECENCATL has opened a new 5 GWh battery module assembly line at its gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary, fed by cells from other CATL plants while the on-site cell factory awaits final regulatory permits. The added capacity could cover approximately 50,000 EVs with 100 kWh packs or 125,000 EVs with 40 kWh packs per year.JEEP AVENGER ELECTRIC JOINS UK GRANT SCHEMEThe fully electric Jeep Avenger now qualifies for the UK government's Electric Car Grant, reducing prices by £1,500 across the range and bringing the entry-level Longitude to £28,499. The car offers a WLTP range of 248 miles, 100 kW DC fast charging capable of 20–80% in under 30 minutes, and an 11 kW onboard AC charger.TESLA ADDS REMOTE METER FOR HOME CHARGINGTesla has launched a Remote Meter accessory in Canada and the US, priced at CA$285 and US$210 respectively, for homes whose electrical panels lack capacity for a full-power Wall Connector installation. The device enables Dynamic Power Management by continuously monitoring panel capacity and automatically adjusting charging output in real time to prevent overloading.PREMIER TAKES JCB ELECTRIC FLEET PAST 100Leicestershire-based Premier Plant & Tool Hire has grown its JCB electric machine fleet to more than 100 units, positioning itself as a leader in zero-emission construction equipment rental in the UK. The expansion is driven by rising demand from urban job sites where tightening regulations make diesel-powered equipment increasingly difficult or impossible to use.

A global climate meeting in Colombia brings together mostly Global South nations, Europe, and Canada to talk seriously about ending fossil fuels—without binding agreements, but with real momentum. France goes further than anyone else, announcing a full phase-out by 2050. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon! CATL signs a massive 60 GWh deal and says sodium-ion batteries are ready for prime time—cheaper, longer-lasting, and ideal for grid-scale use. Hospitals are a bigger climate problem than you think. One Australian doctor is tackling single-use waste and high-emission anesthetic gases like nitrous oxide, which can be hundreds of times more potent than CO₂. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-04/the-doctor-fighting-medicine-s-addiction-to-plastic-waste "Guerrilla solar" is booming in the Philippines as frustrated customers bypass slow permitting to install rooftop systems—raising both safety concerns and questions about red tape. Listener Mail: EV charging from street lamps is coming to Washington, DC. Lightning Round highlights: • BYD sales shift globally • Alberta adds a solar panel tax • EVs saving Canadian households hundreds per month • Wind + solar beating nuclear on cost https://www.theenergymix.com/renewables-mix-beats-nuclear-on-price-in-future-energy-systems/ • UK solar installs surge • Texas hits nearly 2/3 solar power at peak Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

LG Energy Solution plans to bring over 50 gigawatt hours of annual battery manufacturing capacity online in the US by the end of 2026 across five facilities (MI, IL, AZ, OH, GA). The company also projects a 15% cost reduction on its next-generation cells by 2028. Tim Montague and John Weaver dig into that story and more in this May 1, 2026, edition of Clean Power Hour Live.Tim and John cover five stories this week, drawn from industry publications and their own active projects in the field.LG Energy Solutions is building five battery factories with a combined capacity of 50+ GWh per year, targeting completion by the end of 2026. The company projects a 15% cell cost reduction by 2028. (Energy Storage News)Tandem PV began demonstration manufacturing of a perovskite-silicon module reaching 29.7% efficiency, backed by a warranty of less than 1% annual degradation over 25 years. (Solar Power World)On April 27, Trina Solar claimed the world record for silicon solar cell efficiency at 28%. Longi broke that record the very next day. (PV Magazine)The US Department of Commerce announced preliminary anti-dumping duties of 123% on solar modules from India, 35% from Indonesia, and 22% from Laos. (PV Magazine)Republican lawmakers introduced new legislation to extend the commercial solar ITC, which currently expires at the end of 2027. Safe-harboring by July 4, 2026, extends project runway to July 3, 2030. (Solar Power World)The battery capacity numbers, perovskite efficiency milestones, and tariff developments covered here carry direct implications for procurement and project planning decisions in 2026 and beyond. Support the showConnect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  CleanPowerHour@gmail.comCorporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

It's EV News Briefly for Thursday 30 April 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyVOLKSWAGEN OPENS ID POLO ORDERS IN EUROPEVolkswagen has opened order books for the ID Polo, an all-electric small car starting at €24,995, built on the upgraded MEB+ platform to compete with Chinese EVs in Europe's mass market. It offers three power outputs, two battery options (37 kWh LFP and 52 kWh NMC) with up to 455 km WLTP range, a 13-inch touchscreen, 441 litres of boot space, and vehicle-to-load capability.BMW IX3 RANGE TARGET RISES TO 434 MILESBMW has raised its projected EPA range estimate for the U.S.-spec iX3 xDrive50 to 434 miles, an 8.5% increase over earlier guidance, though final EPA certification is still pending. Priced from around $60,000, the iX3 is launching in the U.S. in May 2026, with customer deliveries expected in late September or early October after mass production begins in early September.FORD MODEL E STILL BURNS CASHFord's electric car division Model e lost $777 million in Q1 2026, roughly $23,000 per EV sold, despite a $72 million year-on-year improvement and a 10% rise in volumes to around 34,000 units. Ford's near-term focus is improving margins on existing EVs while developing next-generation models on its Universal EV platform and expanding into battery storage through the newly launched Ford Energy.CITROËN PLOTS SUB-€15,000 CITY EVCitroën CEO Xavier Chardon has confirmed plans for a sub-€15,000 A-segment electric city car, positioning it as a modern equivalent of the 2CV to help restore European car buying, which remains three million buyers per year below pre-pandemic levels. A concept is expected at the Paris motor show in October, with a production version to follow within a couple of years at a price well below the current ë-C3.JEEP AVENGER GETS FIRST FACELIFTJeep has given the Avenger its first major update since its 2023 launch, debuting the revised model in Rio de Janeiro with a redesigned seven-slot grille that lights up at night and brings it visually closer to the newer Jeep Compass. A dedicated European launch is planned later in 2026, significant given the Avenger won the 2023 European Car of the Year and has been central to Jeep's European recovery.RIVIAN SIGNALS SECOND R2 SHIFTRivian appears to be quietly staffing a second production shift for the R2 at its Normal, Illinois plant, with a LinkedIn post from a newly promoted R2 Group Leader confirming he is "ramping production on night shift." Volume R2 production began on April 22, with early units going to employees for several months of real-world software data collection ahead of external customer deliveries.MG 07 TO GET MOMENTA R7 SYSTEMSAIC's MG has confirmed the upcoming MG 07 fastback sedan will be among the first vehicles to feature Momenta's R7 autonomous driving system, unveiled at Beijing Auto Show as a direct rival to Tesla's FSD v14. Momenta's R7 supports weekly over-the-air updates, targets a deployed fleet of 200,000 vehicles by end-2026, and plans European robotaxi deployments later this year through a partnership with Uber.UK EV FLEET TOPS TWO MILLIONThe UK's zero-emission vehicle fleet reached 2 million registrations at the end of 2025, representing 4.8% of all licensed vehicles, with 528,000 newly registered in 2025 alone and electric cars taking 23.4% of new car sales. The government's Electric Car Grant, offering up to £3,750 off qualifying EVs, has already been used by over 100,000 buyers and has driven a 10% rise in electric car demand.SWEDEN EV SHARE HITS 64.9% IN Q1Plugin EVs captured 64.9% of Sweden's auto market in Q1 2026, up from 58.0% a year earlier, with BEVs alone reaching 40.7% market share on a 21% volume increase despite the overall market shrinking 2%. A new BEV incentive scheme targeting lower-income rural households helped sustain momentum, while the Volvo EX40 held the top BEV sales spot for the third consecutive quarter.LGES 46-SERIES ORDERS TOP 440 GWHLG Energy Solution secured over 100 GWh of new orders for its 46-series cylindrical cells in Q1 2026, pushing its total backlog above 440 GWh, with the new business widely attributed to a reported ten-year BMW Group contract worth approximately €5.8 billion. The deal is said to cover both 4695 and 46120 cell formats linked to BMW's Neue Klasse platform, and would mark LGES's first time supplying cells for BMW battery-electric vehicles.ROLLS-ROYCE TESTS SECOND ELECTRIC VEHICLESpy photos have revealed Rolls-Royce testing an unnamed electric utility vehicle that closely matches the proportions and silhouette of the Cullinan, the brand's most popular model since its 2018 launch. Reports suggest this is not a next-generation Cullinan replacement but rather a separate new product alongside it.

Can you help me make more podcasts? Consider supporting me on Patreon as the service is 100% funded by you: https://EVne.ws/patreon You can read all the latest news on the blog here: https://EVne.ws/blog Subscribe for free and listen to the podcast on audio platforms:➤ Apple: https://EVne.ws/apple➤ YouTube Music: https://EVne.ws/youtubemusic➤ Spotify: https://EVne.ws/spotify➤ TuneIn: https://EVne.ws/tunein➤ iHeart: https://EVne.ws/iheart VOLKSWAGEN OPENS ID POLO ORDERS IN EUROPE https://evne.ws/4w3Vfsz BMW IX3 RANGE TARGET RISES TO 434 MILES https://evne.ws/48Cv2an FORD MODEL E STILL BURNS CASH https://evne.ws/48vQqhC CITROËN PLOTS SUB-€15,000 CITY EV https://evne.ws/4eRbOBK JEEP AVENGER GETS FIRST FACELIFT https://evne.ws/4cMOfso RIVIAN SIGNALS SECOND R2 SHIFT https://evne.ws/48DXZmh MG 07 TO GET MOMENTA R7 SYSTEM https://evne.ws/4tcuoIe UK EV FLEET TOPS TWO MILLION https://evne.ws/3QWpvp2 SWEDEN EV SHARE HITS 64.9% IN Q1 https://evne.ws/3RfWTqQ LGES 46-SERIES ORDERS TOP 440 GWH https://evne.ws/4tOeUew ROLLS-ROYCE TESTS SECOND ELECTRIC UTILITY VEHICLE https://evne.ws/4n40pRb

New provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 49% of electricity came from renewable sources in March. This is similar to the previous month of February, when 48% of energy was generated by renewable sources. Contributing 40% of the overall fuel mix in March, wind energy made up a significant proportion of renewable energy. Total generation of wind amounted to 1,258 GWh (Gigawatt hours). The overall electricity system demand?stood at?3142?GWh in March,?compared to 3027GWh?in February. While not summer yet, spring sunshine and a growth in solar power connected to Ireland's grid (grid-scale solar farms) resulted in a number of solar records on the power system in March, and this trend is anticipated to continue over the coming months. On 21 March, a new peak for grid-scale solar was achieved, contributing 983.46MW to Ireland's electricity mix. This comes close to 1GW (1000 MW), which is enough to power roughly 500,000 customers. This follows a record of 979 MW hit on 19 March and 950 MW reached on 6 March. These figures relate to grid-scale solar, from larger solar farms, and do not account for rooftop solar on homes and businesses, known as embedded solar. With rooftop (embedded) solar accounted for, EirGrid has observed significant changes in electricity requirements from the National Control Centre. On sunny days, demand during the day for electricity from large electricity generators has declined, as many homes, businesses and farms are powering themselves with embedded solar. When compared to the previous Thursday (12 March), demand in the early afternoon of Thursday 19 March was significantly less, with a difference of 974 MW. This can largely be explained by the amount of embedded solar available, given the better weather on that day, compared to 12 March. EirGrid is observing days where demand is lower in the early afternoon than at night. Again, the amount of embedded solar can significantly account for this. EirGrid's National Control Centre carries out the complex task of balancing the supply of solar energy alongside conventional generation sources and other renewable resources such as wind power to ensure that demand can be met. Charlie McGee, EirGrid's System Operational Manager, said: "While solar power is currently a relatively small component of the overall fuel mix across a month, these record peaks demonstrate its ever-increasing importance as a source of renewable energy in Ireland as we work towards a more sustainable and renewable-ready electricity grid." "Looking in particular at the instantaneous power that grid-scale solar can provide, it can meet over 20% of demand at times. "It's also interesting to see how much of an impact rooftop solar is having on overall system demand. On brighter days, less of Ireland's electricity needs are now served by large-scale grid-connected generation. This is helping to further reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources of electricity." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Cork Airport has announced that it will deliver Ireland's largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Greenvolt Next. A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure, where a canopy is being constructed and fitted with a roof of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The solar carport will provide shelter for parked cars in the Holiday Blue car park while also generating up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs into the future. The landmark project, which is expected to be completed in August 2027, has been grant supported by the Department of Transport and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy. Minister Darragh O'Brien TD and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD attended the contract signing by Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport and John Carty, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenvolt Next. The 1.7 MW carport, which is being constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, shall be rolled out in two phases – the first of which will start in early summer, with the second stage to commence in October. Once completed in latesummer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and 5 inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport As well as delivering renewable energy and lowering CO? emissions at the airport by 355,056 KG based on Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data, the carport will reduce annual electricity costs and boost operational efficiency by enabling on-site energy generation. In 2025, Cork Airport experienced its busiest year ever for passenger traffic, with a total of 3.46 million passengers. It was also named as Europe's Best Regional Airport by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, acknowledging its efforts in promoting inbound tourism, adding new routes and its commitment to sustainable business. Cork Airport was also named as the "Best Performing Commercial Semi-State" for energy reduction by SEAI for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will further strengthen Cork Airport's sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport's overall sustainability strategy. The works on the construction of the new solar carport will be swiftly followed by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue Car Park, with 669 more long-term car parking spaces. Of those new spaces, 32 will be dedicated spaces for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM). The car park extension will also include new internal roadways, more trolley bays, attenuation and drainage work, along with tasteful landscaping works with a focus on native Irish plant species. Speaking at Cork Airport, Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien TD said: "The project was supported with over €2 million in Exchequer funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This programme was developed in 2024 to support regional state airports to reach their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against climate change. "Cork Airport was named as the "Best Performing Commercial Semi-State" for energy reduction by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport's sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport's overall sustainability strategy. The solar carport will generate up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs into the future." Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, added: "Government recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. Cork Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025 with 3.46 million passengers choosing to use the airport which plays an important role in connecting the region to global markets, attracting investment and boosting inbound tourism. This targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to regional State airports developing sustainable energy practices." Niall Ma...

While the macro news was red, the EV sector had a silver lining. Sanket Bendre breaks down Ola Electric's move to in-house LFP battery cells and its massive 6 GWh expansion plan. We also look at the surge in trading volumes—running at 2X the average—and why IT stocks are under pressure ahead of the TCS scorecard. If you are an investor in tech or green energy, this update is critical for your portfolio.

While the macro news was red, the EV sector had a silver lining. Sanket Bendre breaks down Ola Electric's move to in-house LFP battery cells and its massive 6 GWh expansion plan. We also look at the surge in trading volumes—running at 2X the average—and why IT stocks are under pressure ahead of the TCS scorecard. If you are an investor in tech or green energy, this update is critical for your portfolio.

While the macro news was red, the EV sector had a silver lining. Sanket Bendre breaks down Ola Electric's move to in-house LFP battery cells and its massive 6 GWh expansion plan. We also look at the surge in trading volumes—running at 2X the average—and why IT stocks are under pressure ahead of the TCS scorecard. If you are an investor in tech or green energy, this update is critical for your portfolio.

It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 10 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyFORD UPDATES PUMA GEN-EFord has updated the all-electric Puma Gen-E with a redesigned battery lifting WLTP range from 376 km to 417 km (260 miles), alongside new BlueCruise hands-free driving, audio, connectivity, and colour updates. BlueCruise can be bought outright or via subscription, with all capable Puma models receiving a free three-month trial.BYD TO EXPORT FLASH CHARGING BY 2026BYD plans to roll out its 1,500 kW Flash Charging network internationally before the end of 2026, starting with a push to 20,000 stations across China and then expanding to plants in Thailand, Brazil, and Hungary. The system charges second-gen LFP Blade Battery vehicles from 10% to 70% in five minutes, with each unit also functioning as an on-site 200–300 kWh battery pack to protect local grid infrastructure.POLL FINDS EV KNOWLEDGE GAPA YouGov poll for the ECIU found that over half of non-EV drivers scored two or fewer correct answers out of ten on basic EV facts, with nearly half wrongly believing EVs catch fire more often than petrol cars. A House of Lords committee described the situation as a "concerted campaign of misinformation," warning that false narratives and deliberate anti-EV propaganda by some in the media are a major barrier to EV uptake in the UK.MOST UK BUYERS MISS EV GRANTCarwow research found that 64% of in-market UK car buyers were unaware of the Government's EV grant, despite 73% of those who did know about it saying a full £3,750 discount would make them more likely to choose an EV. EVs now account for just under a quarter of new car sales, with only 8 of the 46 qualifying models eligible for the maximum grant amount.MERCEDES SETS OUT 2026 GLA PLANMercedes will launch the third-generation GLA later in 2026 on its MMA platform, offering hybrid and fully electric variants with an 800V system, a new vehicle supercomputer, and over-the-air update capability. The flagship GLA 250+ pairs an 85 kWh battery with a 262 bhp rear motor targeting up to 420 miles WLTP range, and the cabin features a 14.5-inch touchscreen with AI-powered MBUX voice recognition.MG 4 EV URBAN SET FOR AUSTRALIA IN 2026MG will bring the MG 4 EV Urban to Australia from April 2026, featuring LFP batteries in 43 kWh and 54 kWh options and a front-wheel-drive-only layout on the newer E3 platform. Pricing has not been confirmed, but UK figures suggest it could land closer to A$30,000, putting it in direct competition with BYD's Dolphin Essential at $29,990.OCTOPUS EXPORTS PLUNGE PRICING EV CHARGING TO FRANCEOctopus Energy is extending its dynamic Plunge Pricing public charging model to France via Electroverse, offering up to 50% discounts on charging costs when wholesale power prices fall due to high wind and solar output. The launch covers around 7,000 ultra-rapid Powerdot charge points, with Electroverse already connected via roaming to roughly 97% of France's 172,000 public charging points.PORSCHE CONSIDERING TAYCAN PANAMERA MERGERPorsche is exploring merging the Taycan and Panamera into a single model line offering petrol, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric variants, following €1.8 billion in write-downs tied to delayed SSP Sport platform development. The merged line could follow the Macan and Cayenne model, where parallel ICE and EV versions share a name despite using distinct platforms.SK BATTERY AMERICA CUTS 958 GEORGIA JOBSSK Battery America has cut 958 workers — 37% of its workforce — at its Commerce, Georgia plant, citing weak US EV market conditions. The plant had supplied cells for the Ford F-150 Lightning, Volkswagen ID.4, and Hyundai and Kia models, with Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff blaming the losses on the Trump administration's stance on EVs.VOLVO EX60 BETS BIG ON CENTRAL SOFTWAREVolvo has positioned the all-electric EX60, due for customer deliveries in September, as Europe's first "true" software-defined vehicle, combining in-house batteries, motors, core software, and the new SPA3 platform under one roof. The centralised software architecture replaces dozens of supplier ECUs and kilometres of wiring, with Volvo claiming the freed-up space gives the D-segment SUV cabin room comparable to older E-segment cars.REDWOOD SHIFTS EV BATTERIES INTO SECOND-LIFE STORAGERedwood Materials is expanding into second-life battery energy storage after finding that incoming used EV packs are retaining more capacity and arriving in better condition than originally modelled. The strategy centres on a 12 MW/63 MWh second-life BESS project in Texas — claimed as the world's largest — with Redwood targeting GWh-scale deployments for data centres, renewables, and utility-scale installations.

New provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 48% of electricity came from renewable sources in February. This compares to the previous month of January, when 39%?of electricity was generated by renewables. Wind energy made up a significant proportion of the renewable energy, contributing 41% to last month's overall fuel mix. Total generation of wind amounted to 1245 GWh (Gigawatt hours). Meanwhile, gas generation accounted for 37% of all electricity used in February and 14% was imported via interconnection. EirGrid data also shows that a new record peak for wind-powered electricity in Ireland was set last month. A new record for wind generation of 3,898 MW was reached on Saturday, 14 February at 5.50 pm. This surpasses the previous record set in the same month last year, when on 13 February 2025, wind generation reached?3,884 MW. In addition to the wind record, Saturday, 14 February, also saw another new peak electricity demand record for a Saturday. At 6.10 pm, demand for electricity reached 5408 MW. The previous record for a Saturday was set the month before when demand reached 5297 MW on 3 January. The overall electricity system demand?stood at?3027?GWh in February,?compared to 3409?GWh?in January. Charlie McGee, EirGrid's System Operational Manager, said: "February saw the biggest contribution of renewable energy on the electricity grid since the same month last year. "This is significant as we continue our work making the power system more sustainable for the future and increasing the amount of renewable energy that powers Ireland's electricity grid. "The expected trend of increased demand on the system in the winter months continued through February. Notably, for the second month in a row, we again saw a record set for peak demand on a Saturday." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

It's EV News Briefly for Sunday 01 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyVOLKSWAGEN HITS 2 MILLION EV DELIVERIESVolkswagen delivered its 2 millionth battery electric vehicle — an ID.3 handed to customer Kirsten Vormbrock at the Transparent Factory in Dresden — capping a journey that began with the e-up! in 2013. The ID.4 leads the tally with roughly 901,000 units sold globally, while the brand now looks ahead to four new affordable EVs including the ID. Polo, arriving in 2026.ŠKODA GIVES SUPERB HATCH A 200 KW PHEVŠkoda has unveiled a 200 kW plug-in hybrid for the Superb Hatch, pairing a 1.5 TSI petrol engine with an 85 kW electric motor and a 25.7 kWh battery — making it the most powerful combustion-engine model in Škoda's current lineup. The launch reflects growing demand: one in four Superb models now sells with a PHEV powertrain, and more than 68,000 Superb iV models have been delivered since 2019.CANADA OPENS CHINA-BUILT EV QUOTA AT 6.1% TARIFFCanada began accepting import permit applications from 1 March 2026, allowing up to 49,000 China-built EVs per year to enter at a 6.1% tariff — a sharp cut from the 106.1% rate imposed in 2024 — on a first-come, first-served basis. Tesla, Polestar, and Volvo are considered frontrunners to use the allocation, which Ottawa plans to scale to 70,000 vehicles annually by 2030, with 50% of that expanded quota reserved for EVs below a set price threshold.CUPRA SETS 5 MARCH BORN FACELIFT REVEALCupra will unveil the Born facelift on 5 March, bringing harder-edged front and rear styling that aligns the model visually with the newer Terramar and Tavascan, plus expected interior upgrades including more premium materials and a revised infotainment layout. The refresh matters commercially: the Born has sold nearly 30,000 units in the UK alone since its 2022 launch, and Cupra will also soon introduce the smaller Raval electric hatchback from approximately £23,000.RANGE ROVER VELAR EV SPOTTED ON WINTER TESTA Range Rover Velar EV prototype has been caught in European winter testing, revealing a dramatically reshaped body with a cab-forward stance, angular haunches, and a fastback-leaning roofline that breaks sharply from traditional boxy SUV design. Crucially, it will be the first Jaguar Land Rover model built on the new 800-volt Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, which is engineered to deliver over 300 miles of range and faster charging capability.RIVIAN LAUNCHES RAD PERFORMANCE SUB-BRANDRivian has launched the Rivian Adventure Department (RAD), a dedicated performance sub-brand targeting harder and faster off-road driving that puts it in direct competition with Land Rover's Octa and Ford's Raptor line. RAD formalises the engineering team already responsible for the R1S and R1T Quad Motor variants, giving Rivian's performance ambitions an official identity and a public-facing platform.TESLA TELLS MODEL Y OWNERS TO CHARGE GENTLYTesla has updated the Model Y Owner's Manual to advise owners to rely on home Level 1 or Level 2 charging for daily use — keeping limits at 80% — and to reserve Superchargers for road trips, warning that frequent DC fast charging accelerates long-term battery degradation. For long-term storage, Tesla recommends parking at approximately 50% state of charge and flagging that features like Sentry Mode and Dog Mode can silently drain the battery at roughly 1% per day while the car sits idle.VOLVO PLOTS FASTER ZERO-EMISSION TRUCK PUSHVolvo Group is accelerating its battery-electric heavy truck strategy from a position of strength, holding a 19% share of the European heavy-truck market for the second consecutive year. Its flagship FH Aero Electric packs 780 kWh of batteries for up to 600 km of range and supports megawatt charging that takes the pack from 20% to 80% in just 45 minutes — aligning recharge stops with mandatory driver rest breaks.LYTEN TAKES OVER NORTHVOLT'S SWEDISH BATTERY ASSETSLyten has completed its acquisition of Northvolt's Swedish operations — covering Northvolt Ett, Ett Expansion, and Northvolt Labs — in a deal encompassing nearly $5 billion in book value, 16 GWh of manufacturing capacity, and Europe's largest battery R&D centre. The company plans to restart lithium-ion NMC cell production at the Skellefteå site in the second half of 2026, and will use Northvolt Labs in Västerås to advance its proprietary lithium-sulfur battery technology.BRIM EXPLORER ORDERS TWO ELECTRIC TRIMARANSOslo-based Brim Explorer has signed contracts for two fully electric trimarans — each 24 metres long, carrying 180 passengers — which the firm claims will be the world's most efficient battery-powered vessels upon their spring 2027 delivery. The boats will operate silent, emission-free sightseeing cruises along Norway's coast with a battery-only range of 100 nautical miles at speeds up to 20 knots, expanding Brim's existing five-vessel fleet.

Provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 39% of electricity in January came from renewable sources. This compares to a similar figure for the same month last year, with official metered data showing that 40% of electricity in January 2025 was generated by renewables. Most of the renewable energy generated last month came from wind, amounting to 33% of all the electricity used in January. Total generation from wind energy was 1119 GWh (Gigawatt hours), compared to 1243 GWh in December. While solar power contributed just under 1% to the overall fuel mix in January, it still had a contribution to the fuel mix on brighter days, illustrating its benefit even during colder winter months. Generation from grid scale solar peaked at 371 MW (~8% of Ireland System Demand) on Wednesday 28 January at 12.45 pm. In addition, it is estimated an equivalent amount of embedded solar generation (mostly rooftop) occurred at this time, depressing total system demand. Gas generation accounted for 44% of all electricity used last month, and 16% was imported via interconnection. New all-time demand peaks for a Saturday and a Sunday were recorded in January. On Saturday, 3 January at 5.39 pm, demand reached 5297MW. This was the most demand on the electricity system on a Saturday for twelve months, with the previous record set on Saturday 4 January 2025. Similarly, on Sunday, 4 January, demand reached 5480MW at 5.31 pm. The previous record for peak demand on a Sunday was recorded on 30 November 2025. The overall electricity system demand stood at 3409 GWh in January,up from 3234 GWh in December and 2,894GWh in January 2025.2 While a new system peak demand of 6,024MW was set in January 2025, the peak demand this January did not surpass the 6,000 MW mark, standing at 5916 MW and recorded on Monday, 5 January at 5.47 pm. This is largely due to milder temperatures this January versus January 2025. Diarmaid Gillespie, EirGrid's Director of System Operations, said: "The high demand on the system that we have seen over recent months and that we expect at this time of year continued in January. "Notably, there were all-time demand peaks for a Saturday and a Sunday recorded in the month, with the record set on Saturday 3 January the highest that we have seen for a Saturday since the same weekend last year. Parts of the country experienced a cold snap with snow and ice over that first weekend of the year, which will in part explain the high level of demand on the electricity system. "Similarly to what our recent data shows us, January again saw a significant amount of renewable energy contributing to the overall fuel mix."

Kilowatt 676: Tesla's Q4 2023 Earnings Call – FSD, Energy Storage, and Next-Gen Platform In this episode, Bodie breaks down Tesla's Q4 2023 earnings call, offering insights into the company's financial performance and key strategic shifts. Elon Musk and other Tesla executives discussed the progress of Full Self-Driving (FSD), updates on Optimus, and massive growth in Tesla Energy—especially the record deployment of 14.7 GWh in energy storage. Tesla also highlighted the transition to its next-generation platform, promising affordability and volume production by the second half of 2025. Additionally, there were discussions on regulatory credits, Cybertruck ramp-up, AI infrastructure investments, and future vehicle plans. Tune in for a thorough analysis of where Tesla is heading and what it means for investors and fans alike. Support the Showwww.supportkilowatt.com Other Podcasts: Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website News Links: Tesla Q4 2023 Earnings Call Livestream Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Energy storage is not a green technology. It's grid infrastructure.That reframe from Shawn Shaw, CEO of Camelot Energy Group and author of "Energy Storage Systems," challenges how we talk about batteries in the energy transition. With 22 years in solar and storage and 1.2 GWh of projects commissioned in late 2025, Shaw brings practical insight into why storage matters for grid operators regardless of your views on renewables. China installed 65 GWh of storage in December 2025 alone. The US installed 40-50 GWh for the entire year. This conversation explains why that gap matters.Key Discussion PointsWhy energy storage is a grid resource like transformers and substations, not just a companion to renewables. Loads are more dynamic than ever, and batteries provide the controllability grid operators need.How storage transforms predictable renewables into dispatchable assets. A 100kW solar project might earn only 10kW capacity credit alone, but pairing it with batteries captures significantly more value.The real data on battery safety: Commercial and utility-scale systems catch fire at 0.3% per year, the same rate as residential homes. NFPA 855 2026 now requires active ventilation and separate fire and explosion testing.Hot storage markets in 2026: Massachusetts 83E procurement, New York's index storage credit, Illinois CRGA legislation, and why Texas requires nodal-level analysis to avoid 50% revenue swings.Why utility interconnection delays are pushing developers toward microgrids. Google acquired Intersect Power for $4.75 billion to self-develop solar and storage near data centers.FEOC compliance economics: Chinese DC blocks at $100-125/kWh vs Tesla at $300-500/kWh. Developers may want FEOC free but the economics of built in America may drive business as usual for BESS procurement. The devil is in the details! This episode offers a clear-eyed view of where the industry stands and what it takes to move faster.Connect with Shawn ShawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnshawpe/Website: https://www.camelotenergygroup.com/ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

In Episode 227, Tu and Lei break down a massive week in the global EV industry — one where China's innovation pace keeps accelerating while Western automakers scramble to respond.  Xiaomi's YU7 officially outsells the Tesla Model Y in October, marking a symbolic shift in China's most competitive EV segment. Meanwhile, Tesla's domestic sales slump to 26,000, signaling that aggressive price cuts and financing perks may not be enough as Chinese challengers tighten the pressure.The hosts also unpack XPeng's viral AI Day, featuring the “Iron Lady” humanoid robot, new L4 capable RoboTaxi prototypes, the Turing chip's rising importance, and XPeng's “physical AI” strategy — positioning the company as a vertically integrated mobility+AI platform rather than just an automaker.On the U.S. side, GM sparks headlines after reportedly urging suppliers to “de-China” their supply chains by 2027 — a massive, risky reshoring effort that could reshape cost structures across North America. Tu and Lei discuss the feasibility and geopolitical backdrop, including the Nexperia crisis, ICE tariff pressures, and USMCA uncertainty._____________________They also hit:

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1203: Autonomy expands its EV subscription fleet with new brands, Foxconn doubles down on becoming a global EV battery powerhouse, and the U.S. labor market enters a “Great Freeze” that's keeping both hiring and firing on ice. Show Notes with links:EV subscription company Autonomy has secured $25 million to add more than 1,200 vehicles and broaden its lineup beyond Tesla.Autonomy operates a subscription-based model where customers choose an EV in the app, pay by credit card, and receive delivery through dealer partners.New funding brings in Polestar and Volvo models, plus updated Tesla Model 3 and Model Y variants.Recent model-year and off-lease CPO EVs are being added to offer more price points for subscribers.Dealer partners handle delivery—Galpin Motors will lead the Polestar rollout in L.A. using a Deloitte-built digital experience.“Our goal is to make getting a car as easy as streaming a movie… on the customer's terms,” said founder & CEO Scott Painter.Foxconn—the same company that builds your iPhone—is rapidly reinventing itself again, this time as a global battery supplier capable of powering future cars, buses, and data centers.A new $193M battery plant in Kaohsiung is ramping from 0.5 GWh to 1.2 GWh next year, supplying commercial vehicles now and passenger EVs in 2025.Foxconn says it can replicate its full, automated, 85% in-house battery supply chain anywhere in the world, creating local supply for OEM partners.Its EV lineup is expanding (Model C, B, D, E, A), and the company has its first U.S. customer for the Model C—awaiting North American certification.Partnerships are multiplying, including a new electric-bus venture with Mitsubishi Fuso using Foxconn-built battery packs.“We can duplicate this anywhere and scale up,” said Troy Wu, global battery strategy lead. “Customers are looking for one-stop shopping.”A chill has settled over the American labor landscape as companies avoid both layoffs and hiring, creating what economists are calling the “Great Freeze.” It's a market stuck in neutral—good for job security, not so great for career mobility.Layoffs remain low, but hiring has also slowed as companies cling to workers while avoiding expansion during economic uncertainty.Tariff questions, AI impact, supply constraints, and weak pockets like construction are all contributing to hesitancy in adding headcount.Companies are holding onto workers for stability, but a recession could break that trend. Unemployment is still low, yet job openings have fallen to 7.2 million.Career growth is stalling as workers struggle to move roles or negotiate raises in a low-turnover environment.“We're seeing employers and job seekers both trying to wait out any of tJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

NIO reports Q3 2025 earnings on November 25, 2025, just two days away, with the entire market watching whether the company can achieve its first quarterly profit in Q4 2025. This episode examines how Cathie Wood's foundational EV investment thesis is being tested by current lithium carbonate price surges and what it means for NIO's path to profitability.Cathie Wood and ARK Invest built their entire EV bull case on Wright's Law, which states that battery costs decline 28 percent for every cumulative doubling of production volume. This is not time-based like Moore's Law but volume-based, meaning more units produced equals predictably lower costs. In ARK's Big Ideas 2024 report published February 2024, Cathie Wood predicted electric vehicles would reach 74 million units annually by 2030, up from 10 million in 2023, representing a 33 percent compound annual growth rate. The key driver is falling battery costs making EVs cheaper than gasoline vehicles, with ARK projecting 1.4 trillion dollars in annual EV revenue by 2030 and 140 billion dollars in industry EBITDA.However, lithium carbonate prices have surged to 100,000 yuan per ton in November 2025, up 70 percent from 58,500 yuan in June 2025. The most-active lithium carbonate futures contract on Guangzhou Futures Exchange jumped 9 percent in a single session to 95,200 yuan on November 17. Ganfeng Lithium Chairman Li Liangbin predicted that if demand growth exceeds 30 to 40 percent in 2026, supply cannot be balanced in the short term and prices may reach 150,000 to 200,000 yuan per ton, effectively doubling from current levels.Four factors are driving the lithium price surge: First, China's purchase tax exemption for EVs ends December 31, 2025, causing consumers to rush purchases before year-end with domestic lithium carbonate consumption surging to 135,000 metric tons in November, up over 40 percent year-over-year. Second, energy storage demand is stealing automotive supply with China's energy storage lithium battery shipments reaching 430 GWh in the first nine months of 2025, exceeding 30 percent of all 2024. Energy storage uses the same lithium iron phosphate chemistry as mass-market EVs. Third, supply is stalling with China's lithium carbonate output growth slowing to 1.4 percent in November and the Jiangxiawo mine producing 65,000 tons annually or 6 percent of global supply shut down since August. Fourth, social lithium carbonate inventories declined for 13 consecutive weeks to a record low of 28.1 days turnover versus healthy levels of 45-60 days.In October 2025, Cathie Wood's ARK Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF purchased 124,523 shares of BYD valued at 1.7 million dollars. BYD now represents 1.06 percent of ARK's combined portfolio at 14.5 million dollars. This is significant because BYD overtook Tesla in global battery electric vehicle deliveries with Q4 2024 deliveries of 595,000 units versus Tesla's 496,000 units. BYD's revenue outpaced Tesla's in 2024 and BYD recently unveiled chargers four times more powerful than Tesla's capable of 5-minute charging. Critically, BYD vertically integrates battery production by manufacturing their own Blade batteries in-house, meaning when lithium prices spike BYD controls their entire supply chain unlike Tesla or NIO who rely on external suppliers.The central question is whether Wright's Law breaks under lithium price pressure. The answer is no but it bends temporarily for four reasons: First, lithium is one input not the entire battery pack which includes cells, battery management systems, thermal management and housing, so even if lithium doubles overall pack costs might only increase 30-40 percent while other components continue declining. Second, oversupply is temporary with global lithium supply projected at 1.7 million tons versus 1.55 million tons demand leaving a 200,000 ton surplus, and as prices rise idle

NIO reports Q3 2025 earnings on November 25, 2025, just five days away, with all eyes on whether the company can achieve its first quarterly profit in Q4 despite an escalating battery supply crisis. This episode provides a critical update on the battery shortage situation that has worsened significantly since last week.The battery crisis has reached new levels of desperation. Purchasing managers from major Chinese automakers are now stationed outside CATL headquarters carrying their company seals, booking hotels nearby, and moving their purchasing offices next to battery factories. Senior executives are personally leading battery task forces to secure supply. XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng revealed he has been drinking with all battery manufacturer bosses over the past two weeks trying to secure allocation.CATL reported Q3 2025 revenue of RMB 104.186 billion, up 12.9 percent year-over-year, with net profit of RMB 18.549 billion, up 41.21 percent. The company was operating around the clock in October with production capacity almost unsustainable. JP Morgan's supply-demand model shows power battery industry capacity utilization will exceed 80 percent for the first time since 2022.The crisis is concentrated in two areas: high-nickel ternary batteries used in premium models priced above 300,000 yuan including NIO ES8, Li Auto L8, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, and Aito M7/M9, plus lithium iron phosphate batteries being diverted from automotive to energy storage applications.Lithium carbonate futures prices have surged 20 percent over the past month, with the most-active contract on Guangzhou Futures Exchange jumping 9 percent in a single session to 95,200 yuan per ton on November 17, approaching the psychological 100,000 yuan threshold. Since November alone, lithium has accumulated nearly 17 percent gains. Ganfeng Lithium Group Chairman Li Liangbin predicted 30 percent demand growth next year, with scenarios projecting lithium could reach 150,000 to 200,000 yuan per ton if demand accelerates.Four factors are driving the lithium price surge: First, China's energy storage lithium battery shipments reached 165 GWh in Q3 2025, up 65 percent year-over-year, with first nine months totaling 430 GWh exceeding 30 percent of all 2024. Energy storage uses the same lithium iron phosphate chemistry as mass-market EVs, creating competition for supply. Second, China's lithium carbonate output growth slowed to 1.4 percent in November while social inventories declined for 13 consecutive weeks, falling to a record low of 28.1 days turnover versus healthy levels of 45-60 days. Third, China's Jiangxiawo lithium mine producing 65,000 tons annually has been shut since August due to expired permits, removing 7,000 tons per month or roughly 10 percent of domestic supply. Fourth, purchase tax policy changes are front-loading demand with domestic lithium carbonate consumption surging to 135,000 metric tons in November, up over 40 percent year-over-year.Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory celebrated its 5 millionth battery pack rolling off the line on November 12, 2025. Tesla independently develops cell chemistry and designs battery pack structure but sources cells from CATL and LG Energy Solution rather than manufacturing in-house. This represents a hybrid self-reliance strategy. However, Tesla's October retail sales in China fell to 26,006 units, the lowest since November 2022, down 35.76 percent year-over-year and 63.64 percent month-over-month, indicating demand problems rather than supply constraints.Automakers are responding with three self-rescue strategies: First, the self-reliant approach represented by Tesla and BYD who develop their own batteries. NIO once pursued this but stopped due to huge R&D costs and is now planning to spin off its battery manufacturing department. Second, the joint venture approach like Li Auto partnering with Sunwoda

NIO announced Q3 2025 earnings will be released on November 25, 2025, before US market open, with management hosting a conference call at 7 AM Eastern Time. All eyes are on whether NIO can achieve its first quarterly profit under non-GAAP standards in Q4 2025, as promised by CEO William Li.In Q3 2025, NIO delivered 87,071 vehicles within guidance of 87,000-91,000 units, representing 40.77 percent year-over-year growth and 20.84 percent quarter-over-quarter growth. Revenue guidance for Q3 was between RMB 21.81 billion and RMB 22.88 billion. For Q4, NIO aims to deliver 150,000 vehicles averaging 50,000 units per month. October deliveries hit 40,397 vehicles, a record but still short of the 50,000 monthly target needed.However, a massive battery supply crisis is threatening the entire Chinese automotive industry's Q4 delivery targets. XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng admitted he has been drinking with all battery manufacturer bosses over the past two weeks trying to secure supply. Reports indicate purchasing personnel from multiple Chinese automakers gathered at CATL headquarters attempting to secure battery production capacity by camping outside their sales offices.The battery shortage has three main causes: First, the purchase tax exemption for EVs ends December 31, 2025, causing consumers to rush purchases before year-end. From January to October 2025, China produced 13 million new energy vehicles, up 30 percent year-over-year, with October NEV sales exceeding 50 percent of total vehicle sales for the first time. Second, the energy storage market is booming and creating a reverse siphon effect. Q3 2025 energy storage lithium battery shipments hit 165 GWh, up 65 percent year-over-year, with full-year estimates at 580 GWh. Energy storage uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, the same chemistry used in mass-market EVs like NIO's Onvo and Firefly brands. Third, high-nickel ternary batteries for premium long-range vehicles face supply constraints due to raw material price volatility and long safety verification cycles.Meanwhile, NIO's battery swap stations in Sweden received approval from national grid operator Svenska kraftnät to participate in grid frequency regulation through the FCR-D system. This allows NIO's swap stations to function as energy storage facilities that help balance electricity demand during peak hours. Each station participating generates tens of thousands of euros in annual revenue. NIO currently operates 60 battery swap stations across Europe including 8 in Sweden, and 3,563 stations in China.This episode analyzes NIO's Q3 earnings preview, breaks down the brand mix showing Onvo outselling the main NIO brand for the first time with 37,656 units versus 36,928 units, examines how the battery supply crisis could impact NIO's ability to hit 150,000 Q4 deliveries needed for profitability, and explores how grid regulation revenue from battery swap stations could become a meaningful profit center.For NIO bulls and EV investors, the next six weeks are critical. Q3 earnings on November 25th will reveal margin trajectory, cash burn rates, and management's confidence in Q4 guidance. November and December delivery numbers will show whether NIO can navigate the battery shortage better than competitors.

New provisional data from EirGrid shows that 43% of electricity in October came from renewable sources. The majority of renewable energy generated last month came from windfarms, which accounted for 36% of all electricity used in Ireland. Meanwhile, grid-scale solar made up around 2%.2 Total generation from wind energy amounted to 1073 GWh (Gigawatt hours) in October, compared to 920 GWh in September. Electricity system demand for the month stood at 2969 GWh, up slightly from September.3 This compares with official metered data which shows that system demand in October 2024 was 2,877 GWh. This data also shows that 41.5% of electricity came from renewables, with 35% of demand being met by wind energy and 1.1% from grid-scale solar, in October last year. Gas generation accounted for 39% of all electricity used in October and 16% was imported via interconnection. EirGrid recently released its annual Winter Outlook which helps to inform the electricity industry and supports preparation for the coming months. The 2025/26 report covers the period from 3 November 2025 to 5 April 2026. The analysis of Ireland's peak demand over winter indicates that a 1°C decrease in outside temperature results in a 55 MW increase in peak demand, reflecting the fact that electricity demand is heavily influenced by weather conditions. Commenting on the data, Diarmaid Gillespie, Director of System Operations at EirGrid, said: "Wind energy accounted for the majority of renewable generation in October, with total generation from wind energy amounting to 1,073 GWh (Gigawatt hours) over the month. "As we would expect at this time of year, we saw an increase in demand for electricity as we head into the colder months and darker evenings. We recently released our Winter Outlook, which forecast that there will be adequate generation capacity and a reduced risk of system alerts in the coming months."

Tim Rossetti, CEO & President of Sabre Industries, joins JSA TV at DCD Virginia to discuss how their deep expertise in engineered, integrated solutions is accelerating deployment and solving key challenges for hyperscalers.Sabre is leveraging the critical knowledge from deploying over 13 GWh of BatteryEnergy Storage (BESS) solutions to bring next-level reliability and scalability to data centers.In this interview, you'll learn:● How factory integration is reducing construction timelines.● How BESS knowledge transfers to data center power infrastructure.● The trends driving demand for engineered solutions.● How AI is impacting infrastructure design at Sabre.Watch now!

Tu Le and Lei Xing dive into one of the busiest weeks yet in the global EV world — from corporate drama to policy blueprints shaping the next 15 years.

The American grid faces a triple threat: climate disasters, explosive AI data center growth, and mass electrification. Paul Gerke, Content Director for Renewables at Clarion Events and host of Factor This podcast, breaks down how batteries, microgrids, and smart grid technology provide the path forward for grid resilience and reliability.Paul leads content strategy for Factor This, the rebranded home of three legacy energy publications: Renewable Energy World, Power Grid International, and Hydro Review. He covers utility innovation, grid modernization, and clean energy deployment through both written journalism and weekly podcasting.Key Discussion Points:The three forces stressing the grid: climate shocks, electrification of everything, and AI data centers driving 30-fold load growthWhy the regulated utility monopoly model must transform to meet modern challengesHow microgrids and battery storage deliver critical resilience during extreme weather eventsTexas ERCOT success story: 50% clean-powered, handling record heat without blackoutsAir conditioning will drive more load growth than data centers over the next 30 yearsBlue Oval Initiative: Ford is building 120 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacityState-level leadership: California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts are driving grid innovationClean energy economics: 90% of new generation is renewables, winning on cost without subsidiesPolitical power gap: Clean energy invests 1/20th of what fossil fuels spend on political influenceThe grid transformation is already underway. Utilities that break down silos and adopt batteries, microgrids, and smart technology will lead. Those that resist will fall behind as extreme weather, soaring demand, and economic reality force change.You can find Paul Gerke here. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrgerke/Factor This B2: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/podcasts/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8XYCq2Wah9nfI7olK6If7DPUZADfYnZ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Can you help me make more podcasts? Consider supporting me on Patreon as the service is 100% funded by you: https://EVne.ws/patreon You can read all the latest news on the blog here: https://EVne.ws/blog Subscribe for free and listen to the podcast on audio platforms: ➤ Apple: https://EVne.ws/apple ➤ YouTube Music: https://EVne.ws/youtubemusic ➤ Spotify: https://EVne.ws/spotify ➤ TuneIn: https://EVne.ws/tunein ➤ iHeart: https://EVne.ws/iheart BYD YANGWANG U9 XTREME SETS NÜRBURGRING RECORDS https://evne.ws/3WOomPY BYD PREVIEWS JAPAN K‑CAR MODEL https://evne.ws/48BImg2 CHINA NEV AVERAGE PRICE DROPS TO RMB 158,000 https://evne.ws/4qlTFiL CHINA NEV PRODUCTION, SALES HIT RECORD https://evne.ws/4qspl6k CHINA'S EV CHARGING NETWORK HITS 18.06M https://evne.ws/3JlhCGd CHINA'S EV BATTERY OUTPUT HITS 1,122 GWH https://evne.ws/4opdeos CHINA PRIORITIZES ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT https://evne.ws/4nW6ajs GWM TANK 400 UPDATE STARTS PRE-SALES https://evne.ws/4hn2Zir MG4 530 SMART EDITION SWITCHES TO CATL https://evne.ws/4qlToML OMODA 4: COMPACT SUV WITH EV OPTION https://evne.ws/48ZOsqT DONGFENG ADVANCES SOLID-STATE BATTERY R&D AND SUPPLY CHAIN https://evne.ws/43nG9kO NEXPERIA CHINA DEFIES DUTCH HEADQUARTERS https://evne.ws/4oRq9A7

In October 2025's Recharge podcast, co-presenters Matt Fernley (Battery Materials Review) and Cormac O'Laoire (Electrios Energy) unpack takeaways from LME Week and what they mean for the battery value chain, including: The split views on lithium—bulls vs bears—and why inventories over the next 2–3 months will be decisive EV demand dynamics: China's scrappage scheme effects, BEV vs PHEV trends, and the surge in ROW sales driven by Chinese exports (BYD, new EU/LatAm plants) China's new export controls on advanced LFP and graphite, the West's exposure to Chinese anode supply, and the case for building an independent NMC-led supply chain in Europe/US The funding gap for battery raw materials projects and whether price floors/industrial policy can unlock capital NMC vs LFP in Western markets and the rise of mixed-chemistry packs Sodium-ion reality check—costs, performance, and supply-chain hurdles (hard carbon) vs LFP ExxonMobil's push into synthetic graphite via Superior Graphite and the potential to scale non-Chinese anode supply ESS going “gangbusters”: China's ~180+ GWh target, Middle East mega-projects, and implications for global cell availability and integrator business models

1021: Is your infrastructure ready to flex? In this episode of Technovation, Manish Kumar, EVP of Digital Energy at Schneider Electric, explains how buildings can become interactive energy assets with the help of AI, real-time data, and distributed energy systems. He shares the strategy behind Schneider's Energy Command Center model, which reduced energy use by 25 GWh across 23 buildings, and outlines how AI can be deployed both locally and enterprise-wide to drive sustainability and efficiency.

We are back with an epsiode packed with news for you. 00:02:21 | Italy's MACSE auction — how 10 GWh of storage cleared at rock bottom prices, why Enel dropped a smaller unit, and what thin margins and grid timing mean for delivery and the next rounds.00:13:15 | Offshore Wind — UK's permitting delays for the Five Estuaries, Outer Dowsing, and Morecambe wind farms; Poland's push to fast-track its Baltic Sea auctions amid political tension; and Lithuania's faltering tender that left Ignitis the lone bidder, exposing a fragile regional market. 00:31:51 | Green steel — Stegra's flagship green steel project wrestles with a funding gap, temporary gas use and heavier in house logistics, testing whether Europe can bank hydrogen based steel at scale. Reach out to us at: podcasts@inspiratia.comFind all of our latest news and analysis by subscribing to inspiratiaListen to all our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other providers. Music credit: NDA/Show You instrumental/Tribe of Noise©2025 inspiratia. All rights reserved.This content is protected by copyright. Please respect the author's rights and do not copy or reproduce it without permission.

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1162: Tesla posts a surprise Q3 sales record, $1,000 car payments are becoming the new normal, Meta plans to use AI chats to make ad targeting more personal than ever.Show Notes with links:Tesla delivered a surprise Q3 record after a rocky first half of the year, beating Wall Street expectations with nearly half a million EVs sold. But with the federal EV tax credit now gone, the question is whether momentum can carry into Q4 and beyond.Tesla delivered 497,099 vehicles, topping estimates of 456,000 and reversing two quarters of declines.Model 3 and Y deliveries rose 9%, while other models dropped 30%.Tesla's energy business hit a record, nearly doubling storage deployments to 12.5 GWh.Rivian also posted a 32% bump, delivering 13,201 EVs in Q3.What used to be unthinkable is now routine: the $1,000-a-month car payment. Nearly one in six new-car buyers are signing up for four-figure notes, a trend driven by rising prices, interest rates, and longer terms — reshaping affordability conversations across the showroom floor.In 2015, only 2.4% of buyers paid $1,000+; that number hit 16.6% in JulySUVs (53%) and pickups (37%) dominate these deals; 5% of all $1,000+ buyers drove off in an F-150.Buyers today face average loans near $42K at 6.8% interest, compared to $28K at 3.9% a decade ago.Longer terms now stretch over 68 months on average, nearly a year longer than 2015.“There are some that are very shocked by the payment,” said Cody Anderson, GSM at Freedom Ford. “Their payment thought process is five years ago compared to now.”Meta is about to supercharge its ad business by tapping into conversations people have with its AI chatbot. Starting December 16, chats with Meta AI will help determine not just what ads users see, but what content fills their feeds across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.Meta AI chats will feed new ad-targeting signals, similar to posts, likes, and connections.Example: Talk about hiking → expect more hiking ads and related content.The company stresses sensitive topics (politics, religion, health, etc.) won't be used for targeting.Meta earned $46.5B in ad revenue last quarter, up 21% YoY.“Interactions with AIs will be another signal we use to improve people's experience,” Meta said.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:35 The huge news out of More Than Cars2:48 Tesla Sets Delivery Record5:35 Nearly 17% of Car Payments are $10008:45 Meta Will Use AI Searches To Target Ads To UsersJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

This week's episode of The Hydrogen Podcast takes you across North America and beyond, spotlighting where hydrogen is advancing—and where it's hitting hard roadblocks.

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1090: Toyota leads with heart in Texas, Redwood supercharges old EV batteries for AI, and deepfake fraud hits a chilling milestone. Show Notes with links:Following catastrophic flooding, Toyota is stepping up big for its home state, pledging over $600,000 in aid to support the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and various on-the-ground recovery efforts.TMNA is joining forces with Toyota Financial Services, Gulf States Toyota, Southeast Toyota, and dealers nationwide.On top of the $600K, TMNA will match contributions up to $10,000 for eligible Toyota and Lexus dealers donating to flood relief charities and will double all U.S. team member contributions directed to disaster relief.Relief includes financial assistance, donation drives, and payment relief for impacted customers.“When disasters like this occur, it's important to help our neighbors and communities in their time of need,” said TMNA CEO Ted Ogawa.Redwood Materials, led by former Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, is giving EV batteries a second life—this time fueling the AI revolution with renewable power.In the Nevada desert, Redwood built a 12 MW/63 MWh microgrid from 792 repurposed EV battery packs from automakers like Toyota, GM, and VW, which is enough to power 4,000 homes continuously for about 5 hours.The system powers an AI data center using only a 33-acre solar array—no grid connection, no permits, no backup generators.With AI data centers projected to consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028, second-life batteries are gaining traction as scalable, fast-to-deploy storage.Redwood expects to deliver over 5 GWh of repurposed storage capacity in the next 12 months.“You can deploy this very fast,” said Straubel. “We'll absolutely see much larger deployments of this.”(Since they are powering an ai data center…speaking of ai)A new wave of AI voice cloning fraud has hit an alarming milestone: impersonating a U.S. Secretary of State. The attack duped global leaders—and required just seconds of audio.In June 2025, a cloned voice of Marco Rubio was used to contact five officials via Signal.Victims included a U.S. governor, a member of Congress, and three foreign ministers.FBI warnings have cited a surge in AI-driven impersonation scams since April.Past heists include $243K from a UK energy firm and $35M from a UAE bank.Deepfake losses could hit $40B by 2027. Humans detect fake voices only half the time.“It's not a matter of if, but when,” security experts warn.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier1:22 Announcements3:05 Toyota Donates $600K To Texas Relief Efforts6:40 Redwood Materials Recycled EV Batteries Powers AI Data Centers11:26 MarcJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIA's latest white paper. That's a 50% increase over the “business as usual” trajectory—and Joan believes it's not just possible, but necessary.As AI data centers, EV adoption, and manufacturing supercharge national energy demand, the grid must evolve. Energy storage isn't a luxury anymore—it's a requirement. Joan walks us through the policy levers, market dynamics, and cost curves shaping this once-in-a-generation energy transformation.