Optimizing Energy Systems of Livestock Farms with Computational Intelligence for Achieving Energy Autonomy

The relevance of the study is due to the need to increase the energy autonomy of livestock farms by introducing innovative solutions based on computational intelligence. Given the significant energy consumption by livestock farms, as well as the reduced dependence on traditional energy sources, there is a need to optimise energy systems using renewable sources. The aim of the research is to develop a model for integrating computational intelligence to optimise energy systems of livestock farms to achieve their energy autonomy. The use of computational models will allow farmers to manage energy consumption more efficiently, minimise carbon emissions, and increase …

Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025

Renewable power generation capacity is measured as the maximum net generating capacity of power plants and other installations that use renewable energy sources to produce electricity. For most countries and technologies, the data reflects the capacity installed and connected at the end of the calendar year. Data has been obtained from various sources, including an IRENA questionnaire, official national statistics, industry association reports, other reports, and news articles.

At the end of 2024, global renewable power capacity amounted to 4 448 GW. Solar, in line with the previous year, accounted for the largest share of the global total, with a …

OurEnergyPolicy Event Summary: “Advancements in Battery Technology and Energy Storage”

On March 12th, 2025, OurEnergyPolicy hosted a discussion on developments in Battery Technology and Energy Storage covering industry standardization, machine learning, and the impacts of government policies on this growing industry. This event summary covers the highlights and key takeaways from that discussion.…

Impacts of Abatement in Anthropogenic Emissions in the Context of China’s Carbon Neutrality on Global Photovoltaic Potential

Anthropogenic emission reductions resulting from carbon neutrality and clean air policies in China, one of the world’s major emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) and aerosols, are likely to influence regional and global photovoltaic (PV) outputs by affecting climate change. Here, the authors use the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) to assess quantitatively how China’s emission reductions toward carbon neutrality will influence the PV potential (PVPOT) and the extremely low PV outputs in the mid-21st century (2041−2060). They find that the large reductions in anthropogenic emissions in the context of China’s carbon neutrality will increase the PVPOT and reduce …

Driving Emissions Reduction through Project Prioritization: Insights for State Departments of Transportation

State departments of transportation (DOTs) shape the nation’s transportation infrastructure by allocating billions of dollars of federal funding each year, and they act with broad discretion for investing these funds. To guide decision-making, states use project prioritization frameworks that aim to connect investments with transportation-sector goals.

This paper examines the complex federal-state transportation funding relationship and offers guidance for state DOTs seeking to improve their approach to project prioritization to better support climate goals. By highlighting five noteworthy approaches to project prioritization in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Virginia, this paper showcases diverse strategies for integrating greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction …

Blue Hydrogen’s Carbon Capture Boondoggle

Legislators looking for a bipartisan issue should focus on blue hydrogen. IEEFA’s latest analysis shows that the process, which uses methane gas with carbon capture to produce a supposedly cleaner fuel, is a lose-lose proposition that would cost billions of dollars in subsidies for essentially zero environmental benefit. It is an issue that both fiscal conservatives and environmental advocates should agree needs changing.

The focus of this analysis is Air Products’ planned Louisiana Clean Energy Complex (LCEC), one of the largest blue hydrogen projects in development in the U.S. The company says the facility, estimated to cost $7 billion, will …

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Need a Faster Takeoff

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) have massive potential to decarbonize the commercial aviation industry, but most players can do more to capture that opportunity. Despite rapid growth in SAF production over the past few years, the industry is projected to fall short of its 2030 sustainability targets.

To identify the challenges and opportunities related to SAF adoption, BCG recently surveyed more than 500 executives at approximately 200 companies across the global aviation ecosystem. The sample included aircraft and engine OEMs, system and component manufacturers, airlines, lessors, and SAF project developers—the majority from North America and Western Europe but covering other regions …

Applying Discount Rates in Energy Utilities’ Benefit-Cost Analyses

Selecting the proper discount rate is a critical choice when state regulators assess whether utilities’ alternative investments—like electrified heating programs or energy-efficiency incentives—will generate benefits greater than their costs. The discount rate is the metric used to translate costs and benefits that occur in the future into equivalent “present values,” reflecting the fact that society typically prefers to have a dollar now rather than later. This issue brief gives a menu of options that state regulators can choose from when deciding which discount rate they will use in benefit-cost analyses. …

The Energy Storage Capital Challenge

We started in New York State, which has positioned itself as a national leader in the clean energy revolution by driving forward bold energy policies and initiatives, including progressive targets for energy storage deployment and the establishment of a national hub to test and manufacture next-gen batteries.
Ultimately, we witnessed how collaboration and a more diverse capital stack can enable the development of first-of-many projects. Projects that will reshape the energy storage landscape and catalyze market-wide impact. Capital providers that shy away from innovation risk missing out on this opportunity and its promising returns.…

Accelerating Access to Clean Air for a Livable Planet

Outdoor air pollution poses health and economic challenges across all regions in the world. Ninety nine percent of people worldwide are exposed to unhealthy levels of pollution, with some of the most damaging impacts in low- and middle-income countries. Curbing air pollution is already a crucial development challenge today and will be even more imperative for future growth and prosperity.

However, substantial improvement is possible. Halving the number of people exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollution globally by 2040 can be both feasible and affordable. As air pollution mostly comes from manmade sources, effective policies can bring it …