Students To Help Identify Retirement Options for Energy Technologies

cleantechnica.com Aug 5, 2026

Students To Help Identify Retirement Options for Energy Technologies

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 5, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The U.S. Department of Energy has launched the Technology Recycling and Repurposing (T‑ReX) Collegiate Competition, inviting undergraduate and postsecondary teams to devise practical methods for recycling or repurposing components from decommissioned wind turbines. Phase 1, held in the fall of 2026, requires teams to submit proposals that prioritize efficient recovery of steel, copper, carbon fiber, and rare‑earth magnets. Successful teams advance to Phase 2, where they visit the National Laboratory of the Rockies, select parts, and develop prototypes to present to industry judges in May 2027. The program aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, supply chains, and workforce readiness while addressing end‑of‑life energy infrastructure challenges.

💡 Why It Matters

· By engaging students in real‑world recycling projects, the competition accelerates innovation in recovering critical materials, directly supporting national efforts to reduce waste and secure supply chains for future energy systems.

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Zelestra – Tesla and Zelestra Agree to a Long-term Solar PPA in…

Zelestra, a global renewable‑energy developer, has secured a 140 MWac power purchase agreement with Tesla for the Lumen Farm solar project in northeast Texas. The agreement follows a 57 MWac deal in 2024 for Tesla’s Brazatortas I, II and IV plants in Spain. Construction at Lumen Farm is slated to begin in 2027, with full operations expected by 2029. Zelestra’s U.S. CEO, Phil North, highlighted the partnership’s role in meeting Tesla’s expanding energy demands and underscored the company’s broader 16 GW renewable portfolio.

💡 The deal positions Zelestra as a key supplier for Tesla’s U.S. energy strategy, reinforcing the shift toward large‑scale solar in the electric‑vehicle industry’s supply chain.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 5

Trump’s Biomass Bug Is Coming Back To Bite Fossil Fuels

President Donald Trump’s “American Energy Dominance” plan has revived U.S. biomass support, prompting a shift from fossil fuels to biofuels. Montana Renewables secured a $1.67 billion loan guarantee for a 300‑million‑gallon-per‑year SAF plant, initially canceled and then reinstated by the Trump administration. The Minnesota SAF Hub, backed by a $1.50‑per‑gallon state incentive, aims to produce 1 billion gallons annually, with a new 30‑million‑gallon blending facility at Rosemont. Both projects focus on plant‑based inputs like camelina and animal fats, targeting regional airports such as MSP.

💡 The rapid reinstatement of federal financing signals a policy pivot that could accelerate U.S. SAF production, reducing dependence on imported jet fuel and lowering aviation emissions. This shift may reshape the domestic biofuel market, positioning regional hubs as critical infrastructure for sustainable aviation.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 5

The Fast Lane: 3 Ways Geothermal Companies Can Get More Heat

The U.S. Department of Energy highlights three licensable technologies from the National Laboratory of the Rockies designed to enhance geothermal energy production. These innovations address historical drilling limitations, such as those encountered during the Kola Borehole project, where extreme heat and pressure damaged equipment. Current geothermal generation accounts for only 1% of U.S. energy, yet deeper drilling could unlock vast potential. The featured technologies include a high-temperature alternator that generates electricity directly at the drill bit, eliminating fragile surface-to-downhole wires. This device operates reliably up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing costs and equipment failure. Additionally, NLR offers modeling tools to assess long-term economic viability. These resources are available through the Lab Partnering Service, allowing companies to license technologies or collaborate with researchers. By enabling deeper, hotter, and more profitable wells, these tools aim to maximize energy generation. The initiative supports the industry’s goal of accessing concentrated heat sources that were previously too expensive or technically difficult to exploit, thereby increasing overall power output and financial returns for geothermal developers.

💡 Accessing deeper geothermal resources requires overcoming extreme thermal limits that currently restrict profitability. By generating power directly at the drill bit, companies can bypass the costly and fragile infrastructure needed to transmit electricity from the surface.

en.sedaily.com · Aug 5

Haenam Lands AI Computing Center Projected to Generate 6.4 Trillion Won

Haenam County, located within the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, officially broke ground on the National AI Computing Center, a strategic project projected to generate 6.4 trillion won in economic value. County Governor Myeong Hyeon-gwan emphasized the facility’s role in establishing Haenam as Korea’s central hub for artificial intelligence and energy. The groundbreaking occurred just ten months after the site selection was confirmed in October last year, a timeline Governor Myeong attributed to efficient administrative support and strong collaboration between local and national governments. A consortium led by Samsung SDS has been assigned to construct the facility, which will be equipped with 15,000 AI chips. The Korea AI Computing Center, a special purpose company jointly funded by the government and the National Growth Fund, will operate the center. Governor Myeong highlighted that this initiative addresses previous doubts about the project’s feasibility and underscores Haenam’s commitment to becoming a renewable-energy self-sufficient city. He also outlined plans to improve living conditions and expand regional infrastructure, including a new superhighway connecting Gwangju and Solaseado, to support the area’s transformation into a major technological and industrial nexus.

💡 The rapid ten-month execution demonstrates how localized administrative agility can accelerate national strategic infrastructure. This project physically anchors South Korea’s AI ambitions in a specific regional economy, linking computational power directly to renewable energy goals.

interestingengineering.com · Aug 5

High energy density lithium metal battery pack to power 1850-pound evtol aircraft

Boston‑based SES AI has signed a framework agreement with Doroni Aerospace to design high‑energy‑density lithium‑metal battery packs for Doroni’s H1‑X personal eVTOL aircraft. The deal, valued up to $1.09 million with an initial $65,000 commitment, will unfold in multiple phases during 2026‑27, supplying batteries for the H1‑X’s ground and flight‑test program slated to start in 2027. SES AI will employ its Molecular Universe AI platform to produce cells targeting roughly 400 Wh/kg, incorporating safety‑validated designs and health‑monitoring technology. The H1‑X is a two‑seat, 1,850‑pound aircraft capable of 100‑mile range, 120 mph top speed, and 25‑minute charging, relying entirely on battery performance for lift and cruise. Options exist to expand the partnership into serial production.

💡 Demonstrating viable lithium‑metal packs at near‑400 Wh/kg could set a new benchmark for eVTOL endurance, accelerating the shift toward electric urban air mobility.

energy-storage.news · Aug 5

Largest BESS in Czech Republic commissioned, supplied by CATL-backed CNTE

The Modlany Energy Park in the Czech Republic has been commissioned, becoming the nation’s largest grid‑scale battery energy storage system (BESS). The facility pairs 42.7 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity with a 37.95 MW/41.7 MWh BESS supplied by Contemporary Nebula Technology Energy (CNTE), a firm in which CAT Lithium (CATL) holds a 20 % stake. CNTE installed eleven STAR T‑285 liquid‑cooled containers, each delivering 3.45 MW and 3.793 MWh, designed for 1‑P operation and 1‑4 hour discharge durations. Built on a former mining site by EPC contractor Greenbuddies, the project cost CZK 1.2 billion (≈US$57 million) and will provide fast‑response frequency regulation and grid‑balancing services. Katemo Group, the apparent owner, may expand the storage capacity to 130 MWh in the future.

💡 The deployment showcases how Chinese‑backed battery technology is rapidly scaling in Central Europe, directly enhancing grid stability and renewable integration in a region still reliant on coal.