Solar, Wind, Battery Storage, And Politics — It’s Complicated

cleantechnica.com Sep 27, 2026

Solar, Wind, Battery Storage, And Politics — It’s Complicated

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 27, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

In July 2026, Texas’s ERCOT grid recorded a record 91.1 GW peak demand, surpassing the previous 85.5 GW record. Despite a 100‑degree Houston heatwave, the grid ran without blackouts, thanks to abundant solar, wind, and battery storage. ERCOT’s CEO noted that renewable output exceeded demand, eliminating the need for conservation warnings or emergency declarations. The state’s legislature, dominated by fossil‑fuel interests, attempted to mandate thermal backup for renewables, reflecting ongoing political tension over clean energy.

💡 Why It Matters

· The Texas case shows how a grid built on cheap fossil fuels can pivot to renewables without compromising reliability, challenging the narrative that renewables are unstable.
· It also illustrates how political control can still shape energy policy, even as market forces shift toward cleaner sources.

Read full article on cleantechnica.com

Space Squeeze Forces Solar Developers To Get Creative

Cultivate Power completed an 11‑megawatt solar plant on a 22‑acre parcel in Elgin, Illinois, using a high‑density racking system from Planted Solar to fit the irregular site bordered by residential areas, power lines, train tracks, and a wetland. The project was split into two arrays to meet setback requirements and protect the wetland, and low‑profile racks minimized visual impact. The plant will lower electricity rates for 580 low‑ and moderate‑income households, generate $2.1 million in property taxes over 40 years, and support local charities.

💡 By squeezing more power into a constrained site, the project demonstrates how innovative mounting can unlock otherwise unusable land, offering a model for expanding renewable capacity in urban settings.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

Donut Battery Vindicated: Element Analysis Proves Battery Not Lithium Or Sodium

Donut Lab released a new video debunking claims that its “I Donut Believe” battery uses lithium or sodium. CTO Ville Piippo presented elemental analysis showing only trace amounts of lithium and sodium, far below levels found in conventional batteries. The lab’s evidence confirms the device is neither lithium nor sodium‑based, countering a persistent conspiracy narrative. The video aims to dispel misinformation and protect the company’s credibility amid growing skepticism.

💡 By conclusively disproving the lithium‑battery claim, Donut Lab removes a key obstacle to its technology’s adoption, potentially accelerating alternative energy solutions.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

Publish Your Book Through CleanTechnica Press

CleanTechnica Press has opened its doors to authors, announcing it will accept book submissions on clean energy technologies. The launch follows the release of founder Scott Cooney’s book Outta Gas, which is already selling well through the site’s channels. The press invites writers to submit without an agent, promising publication of at least one book this autumn. A Google Hangout on September 30 will provide details for interested authors.

💡 By lowering entry barriers for clean‑tech authors, the press accelerates the spread of practical knowledge that can shape policy and industry practices.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

OceanX Made Downwind Floating Wind Worth Another Look

OceanX’s floating wind platform survived Super Typhoon Yagi with minimal nacelle tilt, demonstrating credible performance under extreme conditions. The design features two turbines on one platform, downwind rotors, slender inclined supports held by pretensioned stays, and a whole‑platform weather‑vaning system that keeps the rotor‑support alignment stable. Measurements recorded wind speeds above 41.5 m/s, waves up to 9.8 m, and nacelle inclination changes of only 0–3°, matching pre‑storm simulations. The data suggest the unconventional architecture can mitigate traditional downwind fatigue and aerodynamic issues.

💡 By proving that a downwind, stayed‑support design can endure typhoon‑level loads, OceanX challenges long‑standing assumptions about floating turbine safety and opens a new pathway for efficient offshore wind deployment.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

The Geothermal Energy Wild Card Is Getting Wilder

The U.S. Department of Energy released a $99 million grant to 21 next‑generation geothermal projects, including Quaise Energy’s Project Obsidian, touted as the world’s first commercial super‑hot geothermal plant. The funding aims to lower technical risks, validate new technologies, and make data publicly available through the DOE Geothermal Data Repository. President Trump’s administration highlighted the program as a means to unlock domestic geothermal resources and strengthen American energy independence.

💡 By investing in high‑temperature geothermal, the U.S. could diversify its clean‑energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels for data‑center power, a sector that is rapidly expanding. The public‑access data strategy may accelerate broader industry adoption of proven technologies.

thisdaylive.com · Sep 26

WOULD NIGERIA KNOW WHEN AN AI AGENT BREAKS INTO OUR SYSTEM?

Nigeria announced the successful unlocking of the 53‑year‑old Ima gas field, a development that could significantly boost the country’s natural gas output. TotalEnergies and the Amni consortium signed an $800 million final investment decision (FID) to develop the field, marking a major step in the nation’s energy strategy. The move follows the Central Bank’s recent 350‑basis‑point interest‑rate cut to 23%, which is expected to lower borrowing costs for large projects. The development is part of Nigeria’s broader push to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil exports.

💡 The Ima field’s activation could lift Nigeria’s gas supply, supporting industrial growth and energy security. It also signals a strengthening partnership between Nigerian operators and international investors, potentially attracting further foreign direct investment into the sector.