power grids

Renewable sources supplied a record 80% of electricity demand on Australia's national grid, according to a report shared widely online. The milestone highlights the country's rapid shift from coal and gas toward solar and wind, reinforcing Australia's position as one of the world's faster energy transition stories and prompting discussion about grid reliability and the pace of decarbonisation.

Australia's main electricity grid has recorded 80% renewable energy across consecutive days, with rooftop solar at times supplying more than half of total demand. The milestone highlights the rapid growth of household solar and wind capacity in the country, with observers pointing to it as evidence that a heavily renewable grid can reliably meet everyday power needs.

California's power grid has reached a point where renewables meet 56% of demand, and clean energy sources cover nearly one-fifth of all hours of operation. The figures mark a significant step in the state's transition away from fossil fuels, underscoring progress toward its ambitious clean-energy targets and drawing attention as a model for other large grids pursuing decarbonisation.

The Honnold Foundation, founded by rock climber Alex Honnold, is expanding access to solar energy in remote communities that lack reliable electricity. The foundation funds solar installations in off-grid regions, supporting local partners to deliver clean power. Forbes highlighted the effort, drawing attention to how the climber best known for free soloing El Capitan has channelled his fame into renewable energy philanthropy.

A large battery storage facility is being built in Waltrop, Germany, at a cost of around 500 million euros. It will use 800 containers of lithium batteries to store up to 1,800 megawatt hours of electricity and deliver up to 900 megawatts of power, allowing surplus wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid later.

Ukraine's national grid operator Ukrenergo says no restrictions on electricity consumption are planned for Monday, September 28, meaning households and businesses should face no scheduled power outages. The announcement is being shared across Ukrainian news feeds, with readers watching grid updates closely as the country continues to manage electricity supply under wartime conditions.

Renewable energy sources, mainly solar and wind, supplied a record 80% of Australia's electricity grid demand, marking a new milestone for the country's energy transition. The achievement highlights how quickly renewables are displacing coal-fired generation in Australia, one of the world's largest coal exporters, and is drawing attention to the pace of its shift toward cleaner power.

NextPower says demand for solar power and battery storage remains strong despite policy uncertainty and grid connection bottlenecks. The company's outlook suggests the clean energy buildout is continuing through regulatory headwinds, reinforcing confidence among investors and industry watchers that renewables growth will hold up even as permitting and infrastructure issues persist across major markets.

A California homeowner on the state's NEM 3.0 solar billing scheme has received their first negative PG&E bill, with excess electricity exported from a home battery in August more than covering their usage charges. It is being cited as an example of how battery storage can offset the steep export-rate cuts introduced under NEM 3.0, which slashed payments for rooftop solar power sent to the grid.

Off-grid solar company Sun King has secured a USD 5 million investment from Acumen to expand access to solar energy in Zambia. The funding is aimed at growing the company's pay-as-you-go solar products among households with limited or unreliable access to electricity. The move highlights continued investor interest in African off-grid energy startups working to close the continent's power access gap.

Red Bull secured a double podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, its first one-two style result of this kind since 2024. The team reacted with satisfaction, seeing the outcome as a sign of improved form after a difficult stretch of results. Fans and motorsport media are weighing what the performance means for the rest of the Formula 1 season and the balance of power at the front of the grid.

The Honnold Foundation, founded by climber Alex Honnold, is expanding access to solar energy in remote and off-grid communities. Forbes reports on the foundation's work funding solar projects that bring reliable electricity to areas lacking grid access. The initiative highlights how renewable energy can reach places that traditional infrastructure has left behind.

General Motors is offering California electric vehicle buyers a free home charger, with the option to earn money by supporting the state's power grid. Owners who enroll can let the utility draw on their vehicle's battery during periods of high demand, receiving payments in return. The program ties into California's broader push to stabilize its grid while expanding electric vehicle adoption.

Uganda and South Sudan have launched an electricity interconnection linking their national power grids, according to APAnews. The link is intended to let Uganda export power to South Sudan, where access to reliable electricity remains limited after years of conflict. The project is part of wider regional efforts to integrate East African energy markets.