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Most experts would agree that the energy sector is currently weathering a storm of aggressively competing claims. Indeed, this can sound like a diplomatic understatement. A key reason is that energy-related factors are embedded in the transformative shift we are witnessing away from the post-WWII international order toward an era of rivalry among major centers of political, economic, and military power.

As renewable energy integration deepens, short-duration storage like two-hour batteries no longer suffices for firm power. Long-duration, cycling-capable storage systems are essential to ensure reliability, stability, and resilience across diverse operating conditions, especially with wind and solar variability.

According to the published announcement in the Federal Register, a categorical exclusion is “a category of actions that the agency has determined, as established in its agency NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) procedures, normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and therefore does not require preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement”.

CPS Energy is expanding its community solar program through a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking up to 50 megawatts (MW) of community solar—enough to power approximately 10,000 homes during peak energy demand hours. The initiative supports the utility’s Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) and reflects its ongoing commitment to delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the San Antonio and surrounding areas. 

Dakota Gasification Company (Dakota Gas), a subsidiary of Basin Electric, recently improved its industry ranking with Factory Mutual Insurance (FM), moving from 33rd to first among industry peers over the last five years. “Higher scores mean better-managed risk and lower likelihood of loss,” John Frank, director of risk and insurance at Basin Electric, said. “Moving up in percentile or quartile means Dakota Gas is doing a good job of managing hazards at Dakota Gas, and historically that ties directly to fewer, less severe losses and better business continuity.”

Solid-state batteries could store more energy and charge faster than today’s batteries, but they tend to crack and fail over time. Stanford researchers found that a nanoscale silver treatment can greatly strengthen the battery’s ceramic core. The silver helps seal tiny flaws and prevents lithium from causing further damage. This simple approach could help unlock next-generation batteries.

As global energy demand surges—driven by AI-hungry data centers, advanced manufacturing, and electrified transportation—researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have unveiled a breakthrough that could help squeeze far more power from existing electricity supplies. Their new silicon-carbide-based power module, called ULIS, packs dramatically more power into a smaller, lighter, and cheaper design while wasting far less energy in the process.

Researchers have found that manganese, an abundant and inexpensive metal, can be used to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into formate, a potential hydrogen source for fuel cells. The key was a clever redesign that made the catalyst last far longer than similar low-cost materials. Surprisingly, the improved manganese catalyst even beat many expensive precious-metal options. The discovery could help turn greenhouse gas into clean energy ingredients.