World:
¶ “Fish Over Trump: Economy Will Determine Iceland’s Vote On The EU” • On August 29, Icelanders will vote on whether to resume negotiations to join the EU. While Arctic security and US claims over Greenland dominate international news, Icelanders are set to decide their European future on much more familiar grounds such as fish and farming. [Euronews]
¶ “Wildfires Keep Raging As Europe Swelters Under Extreme Heat” • Firefighters were battling multiple wildfires in Serbia on Friday, as temperatures remain extremely high. Serbia was not the only country affected, however. Days of extreme heat with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) fueled wildfires in several Balkan countries. [Euronews]
¶ “Colombia’s New President Signals Energy Policy Shift, Backs Oil And Gas” • Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to revive the country’s oil and gas sector, restore state-owned energy company Ecopetrol, and strengthen the electricity system. He said that energy security would be a cornerstone of his administration. [ABC News]
¶ “Hydrogen Trains Get Headlines, But Battery Trains Get Used” • India’s first hydrogen passenger train came with an impressive label attached: the world’s most powerful hydrogen train. That’s a real engineering accomplishment, but what railway operators need is trains that operate reliably and can be maintained across decades of use. Time will tell. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Fred Olsen Files 144-MW Invercassley Application” • Fred Olsen Renewables filed a planning application for the 144-MW Invercassley onshore wind farm in northern Scotland. The developer has requested permission from Scottish Ministers to install twenty turbines with 200-meter tip heights at a site near Lairg in Highland. [reNews]
¶ “In China, Cheaper High-Efficiency Solar Panels Could Ease Clean Energy Project Costs” • Chinese prices for TOPCon solar modules are down again, suggesting manufacturers are trimming their offers as a more efficient supply reaches the market. The implications go well beyond the factory floor, as lower costs can make solar projects less expensive. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Hungary’s Shrinking Danube River Came Within Millimeters Of Forcing A Nuclear Plant Offline” • Dangerous temperatures are only one part of Europe’s heat. The extreme heat is shrinking rivers and putting essential generating plants, including nuclear plants, under severe stress. Hungary nearly stopped operations at its lone nuclear plant. [Yahoo]
US:
¶ “Rising Temperatures Could Keep More Flights From Taking Off On Time” • Airline passengers know to expect possible flight delays when forecasts call for rough weather. But extreme heat also disrupts flights. On the hottest days, thinner air can make it harder for aircraft to get off the ground safely. Airlines might even remove passengers to save weight. [ABC News]
¶ “Lake Mead, Largest Reservoir In The US, Reaches Its Lowest Water Level On Record” • The water level at Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US by storage capacity, has hit a record low. Lake Mead’s pool elevation hit 1,040.50 feet, breaking the previous record of 1,040.58 feet set in July 2022, according to data from the Bureau of Reclamation. [ABC News]
¶ “Waymo CEO Says Don’t Move Fast And Break Things With Physical AI” • Waymo sprung up in Silicon Valley, where “Move fast and break things” is a mantra. But it has taken a different approach over the last two decades. It has taken a super cautious, slow, safety-first approach. It is now logging millions of miles of completely self-driven robotaxi trips. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Battery Storage Capacity Averaged 70% Growth Over The Last Three Years” • Battery storage capacity in the US grew a lot over the last three years, with an annual average growth rate of 70%. By the end of 2025, the US had battery storage capacity of 43.6 GW operating. Over the first six months of 2026, operators added another 8.3 GW. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Oh, So Trump Loves Solar Power After All?” • Now, with the President’s “American Energy Dominance” plan, it’s clear that there was no intention to catch solar power with the same hook as the domestic wind industry. The solar industry still dominates capacity additions, and now the President has ordered up a new incentive program for silicon solar cells. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “California Produced Over Half Its May Electricity From Solar, A World Record” • California hit a major milestone in May, with over half its electricity coming from the sun. It is believed to be a global first, according to analysis from Ember. And in the first five months of 2026, California made more electricity from solar than from natural gas. [Arizona Daily Sun]
¶ “New Hampshire Law Empowers Homeowners With ‘Balcony’ Solar Panels” • A state law set to go into effect on January 1, 2027, gives Granite Staters an ability to install so-called “balcony solar” panels. DIY solar power users still need to do their homework to understand the technology, safety requirements, the potential for their home, and possible limits. [NH Business Review]
¶ “WPS Begins Construction On New Solar, Wind And Battery Storage Projects” • Wisconsin Public Service announced that construction is underway on three Wisconsin energy projects that will provide customers with reliable energy. The new solar, wind, and battery storage projects will produce power for about 100,000 homes. [Wisconsin Public Service]
Have a brilliantly esteemed day.
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