Our Scans · (LF.7) 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] Fastest-growing Application: The offshore segment is forecasted to grow the fastest through 2033, owing to expanding renewable energy projects, port development, and demand for specialized marine foundation solutions. Persistence Market Research
• [New] New York State has expanded its energy storage ambitions, with the Public Service Commission approving a roadmap to deploy 6,000 MW of storage by 2030. Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine
• [New] Expanding distributed solar and storage across New York could generate approximately $1 billion in annual avoided energy costs by 2035, including $481 million in downstate benefits. Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine
• [New] Expanded deployment of distributed solar and storage is projected to generate approximately $1 billion annually in avoided energy costs statewide by 2035 while lowering electricity bills and reducing exposure to volatile natural gas markets. Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine
• [New] SLB and Liberty Energy Inc. announced an agreement to form a strategic alliance that will deliver modular infrastructure and integrated power generation solutions for new data center projects globally. SLB
• [New] The commercial launch of right-hand-drive Robotaxi in Hong Kong aligns with China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) priorities of growing intelligent connected new energy vehicles and piloting new tech. WeRide Inc.
• [New] North America is predicted to dominate globally in 2026 with a share of about 40.1%, as it has one of the world's most advanced maritime industries, supported by increasing investments in naval modernization, commercial shipping, offshore energy, and port digitalization. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The largest project selected is a three-year, $60 million investment in nuclear energy that will harness AI to help deliver nuclear facilities faster and safer while cutting operating costs to provide Americans with affordable, reliable, and secure energy. WEAR2
• [New] Supported by INL and the Department of Energy, Deployable Energy's achievement marks a milestone in microreactor technology, with more advanced reactors expected to be online. Idaho Labor Market Information
• [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] 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] 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
• 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
• California has even established a 100% zero-carbon energy planning goal by 2045. California Energy Commission
• Global data center power demand is projected by the International Energy Agency to more than double by 2030, drawing record institutional interest. Persistence Market Research
• 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
• The International Energy Agency projects that clean energy infrastructure investment will exceed US$ 2 trillion annually by 2030. Persistence Market Research
• 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
• As renewable energy deployment continues accelerating globally, microgrids are expected to become increasingly important for supporting clean energy infrastructure. Trader
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 03 August 2026