SpaceX alum nabs $22M to turn rocket engines into geothermal power plants

techcrunch.com Jun 17, 2026

SpaceX alum nabs $22M to turn rocket engines into geothermal power plants

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Critical Energy, a startup founded by SpaceX alum Spencer Jackson, has raised $22 million to develop modular turbines for geothermal power plants. The company aims to fill a gap in the market by providing turbines tailored to geothermal power plants, with the funds earmarked to build its first 2.5 megawatt project. Geothermal energy has significant potential, with at least 42 terawatts of capacity available worldwide, and Critical Energy hopes to play a key role in its development. The startup's modular turbines are designed to be built in a factory, reducing assembly time and costs. The first power plant using Critical Energy's turbines is scheduled for completion by 2027.

💡 Why It Matters

· Geothermal energy could beat nuclear fission and fusion to commercial deployment, with Critical Energy's modular turbines potentially enabling gigawatt-scale power plants by the early 2030s.
· Advanced geothermal could also power nearly two-thirds of new data centers by 2030, addressing the tech industry's growing energy needs.

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Neoen Australia signs virtual battery deals for 540MWh Western Downs Battery

Neoen Australia has signed virtual battery agreements with energy retailers Nectr and SmartestEnergy for Stages 2 and 3 of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland. The agreements will provide up to 2-hour and 4-hour capacity services to Nectr and SmartestEnergy, respectively. This brings the total number of virtual battery customers at the Western Downs site to five, with Neoen retaining ownership and operations of the physical asset. The facility, located in the Western Downs region, is expanding in scale and commercial depth, with Stage 3 expected to add 305MW/1,220MWh of 4-hour duration storage.

💡 The proliferation of virtual battery agreements like those signed by Neoen Australia highlights the growing demand for flexible energy solutions that can manage the intermittency of renewable energy generation portfolios. As the energy market continues to shift towards more decentralized and variable power sources, innovative commercial structures like virtual batteries will become increasingly crucial for ensuring grid reliability and frequency services.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 18

Trump Pays Off Energy Company in Grudge Match Against Offshore Wind

Donald Trump is paying Invenergy $765 million to abandon its four offshore wind leases, following a pattern of attempts to hinder wind development in the US. This move comes after the administration dismissed its appeal in a legal challenge against Trump's executive order to ban wind development. Trump had previously paid TotalEnergies $1 billion to abandon offshore wind development in March 2026. The deal is under investigation by Senator Whitehouse and Democratic Senators. The Sierra Club has criticized Trump's actions as a "grudge match" against wind power, citing the administration's history of obstructing renewable energy progress. Trump's efforts have been met with resistance from environmental groups and the courts, which have overturned stop work orders for offshore wind farms. The payment to Invenergy is the latest development in Trump's efforts to promote fossil fuels over renewable energy.

💡 Trump's payments to energy companies undermine the growth of offshore wind, a crucial component of the US's transition to renewable energy. By using public funds to favor fossil fuels, Trump's actions threaten to increase energy costs and pollution for American families.

energy-storage.news · Jun 17

Solar Energy Corporation of India invites bids for 4.8GWh of energy storage-backed…

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for 4,800MWh of firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) capacity supported by co-located energy storage systems. The tender, designated FDRE-IX, seeks developers capable of delivering assured renewable electricity during peak demand periods. Projects must be connected to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) and meet specific requirements, including a minimum contracted capacity of 50MW and a maximum of 600MW. Bid submissions will close on 20 July 2026.

💡 This tender marks a significant shift towards co-located renewable energy and storage projects in India, aimed at improving grid reliability and enabling greater deployment of dispatchable clean power. By requiring energy storage resources to be charged solely from renewable energy, SECI is promoting a more sustainable and reliable energy mix.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 17

Fossil Fuels Are 40% Of Freight Shipping Tonnage, But Half Its Fuel…

Fossil fuels account for approximately 40% of maritime tonnage, but about half of the energy used in freight shipping due to their long-haul bulk trades. This distinction is crucial in understanding the maritime energy transition, as shipping fuel demand is driven by transport work rather than just tons loaded at ports. The decline of fossil fuel cargoes will remove a larger share of ocean work and fuel burned, making it unnecessary to find a one-for-one replacement fuel for all of that work. Other segments of shipping, such as offshore wind construction and service vessels, are better suited to electrification and may grow in the transition.

💡 The maritime energy transition is not just about replacing fossil fuels with alternative molecules, but also about reducing the overall energy demand through changes in cargo composition and transport work. By focusing on the remaining fuel-burning work after fossil cargo declines, the industry can identify opportunities for electrification and efficiency gains, making the transition more feasible and less reliant on a universal global fuel chain.

bgr.com · Jun 17

China’s Massive Electric Container Ship Recharges Via Swappable Battery Containers

China has launched a massive electric container ship, the Ningyuan Dian Kun, which operates with zero emissions and achieves speeds of 11.5 knots. The 10,000-DWT ship measures over 419 feet in length and has a capacity of 740 TEUs. It is powered by ten containerized batteries delivering 19,000 kWh, which can be recharged via a shore power hookup or swapped out for fully-charged containers. The ship implements intelligent systems, including autonomous navigation and route planning, allowing it to serve as an autonomous shipping testbed. The Ningyuan Dian Kun's fully-electric propulsion maintains efficiency without sacrificing performance. Its launch marks a significant development in China's electric vehicle sector.

💡 Zero-emission shipping reduces environmental impact, particularly in densely populated coastal areas. Autonomous navigation capabilities also enhance safety and efficiency in maritime transport.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 17

100 Battery Energy Storage Systems To Be Installed At Commercial Sites

Budderfly, an energy-as-a-service company, has partnered with Viridi to install 100 battery energy storage systems at commercial sites nationwide. The first phase will begin with deployments in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California, supporting various businesses, including restaurants and retail locations. The goal is to modernize energy infrastructure, improve efficiency, and strengthen resiliency without requiring upfront capital investment. The systems will help reduce peak demand, improve energy cost predictability, and increase resilience during grid stress events. This initiative is part of a broader effort to scale behind-the-meter energy infrastructure across a large portfolio of commercial buildings, with benefits at both the site and system levels, enhancing overall energy performance and flexibility.

💡 By integrating battery energy storage systems into a coordinated network, Budderfly can optimize energy performance across its entire portfolio, creating a more responsive and flexible energy platform. This approach enables the company to unlock broader system benefits, including more efficient use of existing energy infrastructure.