Welcome to today's Green Tech Daily Digest! Here are the top 6 stories making waves in renewable energy and sustainable technology.
1. North American EV Charging Network Sees Record Expansion in Q4 2025
Electrify America announced a 35% increase in its fast-charging network across the US and Canada in Q4 2025, adding over 2,500 new stalls, primarily along major interstate corridors and urban hubs. This expansion, costing an estimated $1.2 billion, brings their total operational chargers to nearly 11,000, signaling robust growth in EV infrastructure despite earlier supply chain bottlenecks. The company also hinted at new partnerships to integrate renewable energy sources directly into its charging stations.
2. Texas Grid Gets a Boost: Gigawatt-Hour Scale Flow Battery Project Goes Online
A landmark 500 MW / 2 GWh iron-flow battery energy storage system, developed by ESS Tech and utility Oncor, officially commenced operations today in West Texas, marking one of the largest grid-scale non-lithium deployments globally. This massive project, integrated into the ERCOT grid, aims to significantly enhance grid stability, reduce renewable energy curtailment from the region's vast wind and solar farms, and provide critical peak shaving capabilities. Industry experts estimate this single installation could prevent over 150 GWh of renewable energy waste annually.
3. ArcelorMittal's German Plant Begins Green Hydrogen Powered Steel Production
ArcelorMittal announced the successful commissioning of its first large-scale green hydrogen-powered direct reduced iron (DRI) module at its plant in Bremen, Germany, marking a significant milestone in decarbonizing heavy industry. The module, supplied with hydrogen from a new 100 MW electrolyzer powered by offshore wind, is projected to cut the plant's CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tons annually. This initiative is a critical step towards the company's ambitious target of achieving carbon-neutral steel production by 2050, leveraging a €500 million investment.
4. Sunrise Wind II Project Secures Final Permits, Set to Break Ground Off New York Coast
The 1.2 GW Sunrise Wind II offshore wind project, a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource, has received its final federal permitting approvals, paving the way for construction to begin in Q3 2026 off the coast of Long Island, New York. This project, which will feature 90 next-generation 14 MW turbines, is expected to power over 600,000 homes and create thousands of local jobs in manufacturing and maritime sectors. The developers project an operational start date in late 2029, reinforcing New York's leadership in the burgeoning offshore wind industry.
5. EU Parliament Debates Expansion of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to New Sectors
The European Parliament today commenced debates on a proposal to significantly expand the scope of its pioneering Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), potentially including imports of chemicals, plastics, and specific processed food products by late 2027. This move, building on the initial implementation for high-emissions sectors like steel and cement, aims to further level the playing field for EU industries complying with stringent environmental regulations and incentivize global decarbonization efforts. If approved, the expanded CBAM could impact over €500 billion in global trade flows annually.
6. Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Begin Mass Production for Residential Market
Oxford PV announced the start of commercial mass production of its groundbreaking perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells at its new 250 MW capacity factory in Brandenburg, Germany. These innovative cells, boasting a certified efficiency of 28.3% in laboratory settings and projected real-world module efficiencies above 24%, are now being integrated into premium residential solar panels for European markets. This milestone signals a significant leap in solar energy output per square meter, offering homeowners higher energy generation from limited roof space.
This digest is automatically generated from trusted renewable energy news sources.