Renewable energy and sustainable storage methods are arguably the most important transitions the world needs right now to mitigate both climate change and global conflicts. While a lot of progress has been made on both fronts, there is still a long way to go when it comes to creating a carbon-free energy ecosystem. Fortunately, some of the most innovative energy solutions are being tested locally for global scalability.

  1. Heat pumps to decarbonize buildings in low-income communities
    In some cases, it’s not the technology that’s innovative, it’s the creative approach to overcoming structural barriers to implementation. BlocPower — a World Economic Forum Global Innovator recently ranked fourth on Fast Company’s 2022 worldwide list of most innovative companies — has proven that off-the-shelf electric heat-pump technology, coupled with a holistic financing and installation model, can quickly decarbonize buildings in low-to-moderate income communities with no upfront cost to the property owner.
  2. Record-breaking driving range for EV batteries
    While electrification is key to decarbonizing buildings, sustainable energy storage is central to developing an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, as well as mass transit and grids. The race is on among major car manufacturers to develop and scale battery technology for EVs, but a two-year-old start-up, Our Next Energy (ONE), has drawn attention to its innovative EV battery design by installing it in a Tesla and breaking the world record for the distance traveled on a single charge.
  3. Battery storage networks that power entire cities
    Sustainable battery development is needed for a lot more than cars and buildings, however. Melbourne, for example, has embarked on an ambitious program to create a connected network of mid-sized batteries in neighborhoods around the city. The idea is to store energy during low demand and return it to the grid when demand is high. Called Power Melbourne, the vision is as much about reaching carbon-free goals as it is about economic development. Investment in the clean tech sector will create opportunities for research, training and jobs.

Read the full article about global innovations by Miguel Eiras Antunes & Lisa Chamberlain at GreenBiz.