Science and Technology:
¶ “Researchers Improve Sodium-Ion Batteries With Thin Layer Of Activated Carbon” • One possible way to improve sodium-ion batteries is the anode materials. The graphite used in lithium-ion batteries is not a candidate because it can’t store sodium. A team at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Germany may have a solution. [CleanTechnica]
Outer layer protects the carbon anode core (Courtesy of BAM)
¶ “Data Centers In Space Could Make The Earth Look Like A Porcupine With Solar Panels” • When the idea of launching data centers into space hit the CleanTechnica radar back in 2024, the idea seemed weirdly futuristic but worthy of further exploration, considering the advantages. Just two years there are proposals for enormous satelites. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “The Rise Of Cold Climate Viticulture And New Unexpected Destinations For Wine Lovers” • Think about European wines, and certain destinations spring to mind, places you’d jet off to in search of sunny weather. But with a changing climate and new hybrids, the wine landscape is evolving, with vineyards popping up in northern Europe. [Euronews]
Vineyard in southern England (Sam Barker, VisitBritain)
¶ “Call For Climate Funds After Landslide Devastates Sicilian Town” • The landslide in the Sicilian town Niscemi spans 4 km (2.5 miles). Some cars and structures fell 20 metres off the newly formed cliff, and some other homes are perilously on the edge. Greenpeace Italia called out the Italian government for failing to invest enough in climate mitigation. [Euronews]
¶ “This Polar Bear Population Is Thriving Despite Some Of The Most Drastic Sea Ice Loss In The Arctic” • Polar bears that live along the Barents Sea near Svalbard, which is between Norway and the North Pole, seem to be thriving, despite the archipelago having some of the worst sea ice loss in the Arctic, according to study in Scientific Reports. [ABC News]
Polar bear (Hans-Jurgen Mager, Unsplash)
¶ “Intersolar Africa 2026 To Position Nairobi As East Africa’s Key Hub For Solar And Energy Storage” • East Africa is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic regions for solar power and battery storage. On 3–4 February 2026, Intersolar Africa will take place at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, after the success of the Intersolar Summit Africa in 2025. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Goldwind Installs First Turbine At The 206-MW Ruisi Wind Farm” • Goldwind completed installation of the first turbine at the 206-MW Ruisi wind farm in Georgia. The company said the project will have 33 turbines, each of 6.25 MW, designed for local wind conditions. Goldwind is working through mountain terrain, logistical hurdles, and winter weather. [reNews]
Wind turbine construction (Goldwind image)
¶ “Former Coal Communities Power Citizen-Led Renewable Energy Model” • Former coal mining areas in the UK are leading a European project designed for citizens to be at the center of renewable energy generation and ownership. The project aims to remove the technical, financial, and legal barriers that limit the growth of community energy systems. [Energy Live News]
¶ “Voltalia Lands 132-MW Tunisia Solar Award” • Voltalia has secured the 132-MW Wadi solar project in the Gabes region of Tunisia. The company said the award follows earlier wins for the Sagdoud and Menzel Habib projects, bringing its Tunisian build portfolio to nearly 400 MW. The three sites are close together, allowing improved efficiencies. [reNews]
Solar farm (Voltalia image)
¶ “China’s Big Move Into Renewable Energy: It’s Good For The Planet, Hard For The US” • China is deploying huge numbers of solar panels and wind turbines each year. Because China has so much renewable energy under construction now, some analysts worry that the US may fall behind in clean energy innovation and jobs if it doesn’t invest more. [Microgrid Media]
¶ “Subsea7 Wins Gennaker Installation Contract” • Seaway7 won a contract from Skyborn for work on the Gennaker offshore wind farm in Germany. The company said the contract is worth between $150 million and $300 million. Seaway7 said the scope includes transportation and installation of 63 monopiles and transition pieces. [reNews]
Monopile installation (Subsea7 image)
US:
¶ “Trump Threatens Tariffs On Countries Selling Oil To Cuba, Declaring National Emergency” • President Trump announced a plan to impose additional tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, declaring a national emergency relating to the nation. The order includes retaliatory tariffs on products from such countries sold in the US. [ABC News]
¶ “Tesla To Eliminate Model S And Model X To Make Robots” • Tesla will soon eliminate the Models S and X, leaving just the Models 3, Y, and totally ridiculous Cybercab. The production lines for the S and X will be converted to make Optimus robots instead. Musk says the Optimus robots will create “a world where there is no poverty.” [CleanTechnica]
Optimus robot (Tesla image)
¶ “GM Profit Sharing Takes A Hit And Some UAW Members Blame EVs” • While investors seemed to support GM’s retreat on EVs in North America, it racked up billions in costs associated with “EV strategic realignment.” This is projected to increase profitability in 2026, and Wall Street seems to approve. But not everyone is happy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Jersey Bill Seeks To Tax Stored Nuclear Waste At Shuttered Power Plants” • A bill pre-filed in the New Jersey Senate would classify spent nuclear fuel at decommissioned power plants as taxable business property. The bill is aimed at restoring lost tax revenue for communities hosting long-idled nuclear sites. [Shore News Network]
Have a unexspectedly victorious day.
geoharvey 
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