This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories – 11 May

Posts 11 May 2017

What’s the future of sustainable land use in Europe? How is a Belgian-based beer business reducing its impact? And, how is the addition of algae to solar panels improving how they work?

This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.

1. New battery concept could give electric vehicles a 1,000km range

Electric car batteries have thousands of battery cells, each needing housing, terminals, cables and sensors which take up half the space of a normal battery. A new design named EMBATT stacks large cells on top of each other, removing the housing so more battery cells can fit in the same space. Initial testing shows the new battery could result in electric cars travelling twice as far as they can today, some 1,000km.

2. Nokia joins ‘Smart Tampere’ initiative to help bring smart city services to one of Finland’s largest municipalities

Phone company Nokia has joined the ‘Smart Tampere’ initiative in Finland, bringing expertise in 5G and the Internet of Things to smart city services being rolled out in the region.

3. Macron victory paves way for French coal phase out and renewables boom

The new French president has pledged to accelerate efforts to decarbonise France’s economy, phasing out coal and boosting renewables.

4. Trillions of euros of energy efficiency investment up for grabs

The Energy Union is the EU’s strategy to fight climate change and reduce yearly energy imports valued at €400 billion. Officials want renovation of buildings, accounting for 40 per cent of our energy consumption, to be a priority.

5. Turning plastic to oil, UK startup sees money in saving oceans

A machine that turns plastic into oil is in operation in the UK. By heating the waste to 500 degrees celsius, petroleum-based plastics including clingfilm, polyester clothing, carpets and electronics are turned back into oil. The end product, named Plaxx, can be used as fuel for shipping, or for new plastic.

British startup sees money in saving oceans from turning plastic to oil https://t.co/7WJOtoMnHM pic.twitter.com/dvxF5KBf8k

— Bloomberg (@business) May 5, 2017

6. Google’s Project Sunroof expands to 7 million homes in Germany

Project Sunroof launched in Germany last week, allowing people living in 7 million homes across the country to see the viability of solar panels on their roofs.

7. Swedish algae factory backed by investors

A Swedish company that uses algae to make solar cells more efficient has received SEK 3.5 million (€363,000) in investment from Chalmers Ventures and Climate-KIC’s sister KIC, InnoEnergy.

8. Spray on and printable: what’s next for the solar panel market?

New thin-film solar technology, which includes spray-on and printable panels are seeing big firms investing in the technology, and are expected to go on sale in as little as five years time.

9. World’s largest brewer saves €50m-plus through sustainability strategy

Belgian-based beer business AB InBev has saved some €55 million over four years through better energy-efficiency. Having already realised its climate and water targets, the world’s largest brewer is now aligning its strategy with the SDGs, focusing on water, carbon and human rights goals.

10. Civil society hands in calls for radical transformation of agriculture as consultation closes

A quarter of a million Europeans and 600 civil society organisations have fed a message of sustainable land use into the EU consultation on agricultural policy. The campaign that brought them together, “Living Land” outlined how the new policy must be “Fair” – for farmers and rural communities; “Environmentally Sustainable” – for clean air and water, healthy soil, and thriving plant and animal life; “Healthy” – for good food and the well-being of all people; and “Globally Responsible” – for the planet’s climate and sustainable development around the world.

This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories – 11 May

1.

New battery concept could give electric vehicles a 1,000km range

2.

Nokia joins ‘Smart Tampere’ initiative to help bring smart city services to one of Finland’s largest municipalities

3.

Macron victory paves way for French coal phase out and renewables boom

4.

Trillions of euros of energy efficiency investment up for grabs

5.

Turning plastic to oil, UK startup sees money in saving oceans

6.

Google’s Project Sunroof expands to 7 million homes in Germany

7.

Swedish algae factory backed by investors

8.

Spray on and printable: what’s next for the solar panel market?

9.

World’s largest brewer saves €50m-plus through sustainability strategy

10.

Civil society hands in calls for radical transformation of agriculture as consultation closes

Share this article

Related Articles

Share this article