Global Scans · Affordable and Clean Energy · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

• [New] The UAE has committed USD 163 billion to clean energy projects by 2050, aiming to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources. Straits Research
• [New] Globally, the IEA predicts that by 2050 over 300 GW of marine energy capacity will be installed - resulting in $35 billion of investment, 680,000 direct jobs, and a reduction of 500 million tons of CO2 per year. National Hydropower Association
• [New] A number of US companies will be deploying their next generation marine energy systems in US waters over the next 12-18 months, dramatically lowering the delivered cost of electricity and in many cases, providing the lowest cost electricity solution for their customers. National Hydropower Association
• [New] Demonstration projects and research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy confirm that marine energy technologies offer meaningful benefits to the electric system - and open significant opportunities for off-grid and mission-critical applications. National Hydropower Association
• [New] Sodium-ion batteries, advanced by startups like Alsym Energy, showed promise for industrial backup power and data center reliability as of early 2026, leveraging abundant materials for cost-effective, low-fire-risk storage that supports daily charge-discharge cycles. Grokipedia
• [New] The Fortis Series, a flagship product line, will deliver high-power, compact battery energy storage systems designed specifically for data centers and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) needs, reducing fire risks in facilities with concentrated power demands. Grokipedia
• [New] EticaAG, a Pennsylvania-based startup, plans to introduce its non-flammable lithium battery systems in 2026, marking a significant advancement in safe energy storage solutions tailored for high-risk environments. Grokipedia
• [New] Companies like CATL announced commercial-scale deployment of sodium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, highlighting their affordability due to abundant raw materials and projected costs nearing lithium-ion parity by mid-decade. Grokipedia
• [New] In 2026, the battery industry anticipated a milestone with the first large-scale integration of silicon-based batteries into electric vehicles (EVs), marking a significant breakthrough in addressing longstanding limitations in energy storage. Grokipedia
• [New] As governments, businesses, and communities continue seeking cleaner and more resilient energy systems, microgrids are expected to play a transformative role in shaping the future of global electricity generation and distribution. Trader
• [New] As renewable energy deployment continues accelerating globally, microgrids are expected to become increasingly important for supporting clean energy infrastructure. Trader
• [New] As power reliability becomes increasingly important worldwide, microgrids are expected to play a central role in modern energy systems. Trader
• [New] The International Energy Agency projects that clean energy infrastructure investment will exceed US$ 2 trillion annually by 2030. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Global hydrogen demand is projected to quadruple from 125 million tons in 2030 to over 500 million tons by 2050, driven primarily by steel production, chemical manufacturing, and heavy-duty transportation requiring high-energy-density fuels. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Dominant Solution Type: The renewable energy solution category is expected to lead in 2025; hydrogen solutions will exhibit the highest growth at 28% CAGR through 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Structural energy shifts are driven by net-zero mandates covering over 70% of the global GDP by 2030 and US$ 1.3 trillion in annual corporate clean energy procurement. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Fusion headlines in 2024-2025 have been dramatic: multiple teams reporting record energy gain, billion-dollar funding rounds, and confident claims of commercial fusion by 2030. Energy Solutions Intelligence
• [New] The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has recently published the Warm Homes Plan, which aims to upgrade 5 million homes with technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and insulation to reduce bills. GOV.UK
• [New] In 2026, China will likely lead in Asia Pacific with a share of around 38.5%, owing to its continued investments in smart grid modernization and digital energy management. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy is accelerating adoption of outsourced FM models to achieve energy optimization, carbon reduction, and lifecycle asset management across public and private sector infrastructure. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] The European Commission's Renovation Wave Strategy aims to double the annual rate of building energy renovation by 2030, targeting 35 million buildings for deep retrofit across EU member states. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 26 July 2026