Renewable energy innovation

Updated: Tue, 6 Nov 2018

Subsidise solar mini-grids to power rural Africa, investors urge

Solar mini-grids have huge potential to electrify rural areas in developing nations, but the risks are still too high for private capital

Uganda shakes up energy access amid global infrastructure reset
Providing basic services to everyone on the planet, from electric power to clean water and transport, requires a new way of thinking By Megan Rowling | Tue, 14 May 2019
Renewable revolution: Danish isle eyes fossil fuel-free future
Samso has set the world an example by becoming self-sufficient in renewable power, and is now hoping to ditch polluting fuels entirely By Thin Lei Win | Fri, 10 May 2019
Cotton waste biofuel powers Kenyan farmers to fight drought
Farmers use the cleaner, cheaper fuel - which requires no extra land to grow its feedstock - to run irrigation pumps, making them less vulnerable to poor rains By Nita Bhalla | Thu, 6 Jun 2019
Mexican wave: harnessing Pacific blue rollers for green energy
Harvesting energy from waves has long lagged solar and wind - but the technology is gaining ground By Sophie Hares | Thu, 30 Aug 2018
From favelas to the White House, tiles turn footsteps into energy
"We're softly encouraging people to see the value of their own energy, not just the energy they consume" By Lin Taylor | Mon, 18 Jul 2016
Tidal power developers bet on energy sea change in Indonesia
Asian investors are changing their attitude to renewables as costs come down and environmental pressures mount By Reuters | Sun, 20 Nov 2016
Power ahoy! Floating solar panels buoy access to energy in Asia
To meet growing demand for energy and to try to curb climate change, floating solar panels are fast gaining popularity By Laurie Goering | Mon, 5 Nov 2018
In Bangkok neighbourhood, residents trade energy with blockchain
The pilot project is among the world's largest peer-to-peer renewable energy trading platforms using blockchain By Rina Chandran | Tue, 28 Aug 2018
In fume-choked Kochi, a solar rickshaw glides to the rescue
After turning out a solar milking machine and boat, southern India’s most famous solar inventor turns his eye to transport By K. Rajendran | Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Coal-reliant Philippines struggles to power up clean energy
Renewable energy costs are falling around the globe, but the Philippines, up to now, has shown few signs of moving away from coal By Alanah Torralba | Fri, 18 May 2018
Plastic buckets, broken printers shine light on Hanoi's poor
Wind power system made from recycled goods helps light homes, cook meals and slash electricity costs By Reuters | Mon, 4 Jul 2016
Renewable energy to attract two-thirds of power plant investments
Forecast is good news for decarbonising global electricity system, but not enough to meet UN temperature limit By Reuters | Mon, 13 Jun 2016
Five lessons from Kenya's energy access boom
Kenya's market for decentralised renewables is the fastest-moving in Africa By Muriithi Micheni | Wed, 14 Sep 2016
To end poverty by 2030, we need energy access for all by 2020
Speeding up energy access would give other electricity-reliant development goals enough time to be implemented By William Brent | Tue, 11 Oct 2016
Solar phone charger gives migrants in Greece free electricity
Edinburgh University students have designed a phone charging station for camps, powered only by the sun By Reuters | Fri, 17 Jun 2016
World can peak planet-warming emissions by 2020-ex-UN climate head
"Not only is it urgent and necessary, but actually we are very nicely on our way to achieving the 2020 deadline" By Alex Whiting | Mon, 10 Apr 2017
German battery maker sonnen GmbH wins backing from GE
The start-up has also launched an online platform to connect households with solar panels and consumers By Reuters | Mon, 6 Jun 2016
Clean fuel from "bionic leaf" could ease pressure on farmland
Dubbed "bionic leaf 2.0", the technology uses solar panels to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen By Chris Arsenault | Thu, 2 Jun 2016
For Egypt's entrepreneurs, going green makes business sense
Eco-friendly startups are creating jobs for young people and solving local environmental problems By Dina Zayed | Wed, 15 Jun 2016
Human poo transformed into clean fuel for Kenya's urban poor
Using human waste to make fuel briquettes tackles sanitation and health problems - and they even smell sweet By Benson Rioba | Fri, 12 May 2017
Clean energy gains ground - but old dirty habits die hard
"It's not just about phasing in the new technologies... You need a phase-out plan for the cheap incumbent fuels" By Laurie Goering | Tue, 29 Nov 2016
Record new global renewable capacity installed in 2015: report
Jump in capacity came as solar and wind costs fell, becoming more competitive with fossil fuels By Reuters | Wed, 1 Jun 2016
Kenyan slum seeks to turn sewage into gold with recycling plant
A new facility that will turn sewage into clean water and waste into power could help Kibera's youth set up businesses By Kagondu Njagi | Tue, 31 Jan 2017
Why is Africa still in the dark?
Despite growing urgency, the "powering Africa" conversation is stuck on old themes By Nellie Peyton | Wed, 18 Jan 2017

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