PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
The US has a new most powerful laser
The ZEUS laser facility at the University of Michigan has roughly doubled the peak power of any other laser in the U.S. with its first official experiment at 2 petawatts (2 quadrillion watts). At more than 100 times the global electricity power output, this huge power lasts only for the brief duration of its laser pulse—just 25 quintillionths of a second long.
Nvidia, Dell to supply components for next US Department of Energy supercomputer
The U.S. Department of Energy said its “Doudna” supercomputer, due in 2026, will use technology from Nvidia and Dell. The computer, named for Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jennifer Doudna who made key CRISPR gene-editing discoveries, will be housed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Utah’s new ‘advanced’ nuclear reactor for research will not produce energy
A nuclear reactor that seems on a fast track for development in Utah may yield important research information but it will not produce any energy. The test reactor, which will be built by Valar Atomics, will ideally lead to energy production down the road over the next 10 years.
Hygreen and Sermatec win strategic status for €152.4M hydrogen and battery projects in Spain
Two major Chinese green tech projects in Andalusia receive strategic status, unlocking fast-track permitting through 2027. Hygreen’s electrolyzer plant and Sermatec’s lithium iron phosphate battery gigafactory represent €152.4 million (US$172.7 million) in investment.
Half of Iran’s concrete plants shut down due to power cuts
Unplanned power outages have forced around 50% of Iran’s ready-mixed concrete production facilities to close. The remaining facilities are operating at significantly reduced capacity.
Lakka to launch industrial-scale production of CO2-cured concrete in 2026
Finnish concrete producer Lakka plans to begin large-scale production at its Joensuu facility in early 2026, using a process that significantly reduces the environmental impact of concrete manufacturing.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Korea launches multipartner effort for large-scale, blue–green hydrogen production
Eleven joint research institutes and three beneficiary companies signed a mutual cooperation agreement on the development of technology for large-scale production of blue–green hydrogen. They aim to produce 3 tons of blue–green hydrogen per day by applying domestic plasma technology and low-temperature adsorption technology to landfills and urban gases generated at landfills in the metropolitan area.
Eaton and ChargePoint establish EV charging partnership
Intelligent power management company Eaton and electric vehicle charging solutions provider ChargePoint will collaborate to accelerate and simplify the deployment of EV charging infrastructure in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The companies plan to co-develop technologies to advance bidirectional power flow and vehicle-to-everything capabilities.
Navitas developing next-generation 800 V HVDC architecture with NVIDIA
Navitas Semiconductor, an industry leader in next-generation gallium nitride and silicon carbide power semiconductors, announced the development of its next-generation 800 V high voltage, direct current architecture to support NVIDIA Kyber rack-scale systems powering NVIDIA-accelerated infrastructure.
OTHER STORIES
Republican megabill called a ‘nightmare scenario’ for clean energy
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by the House of Representatives in late May, is expected to significantly slow the green energy transition. As the bill currently stands, S&P Global Commodity Insights estimates cumulative wind, solar, and battery installations would fall 20% through 2040. Many analysts think the bill’s spending cuts will be watered down in the Senate.
Trump signs executive orders to quadruple US nuclear capacity
U.S. President Donald Trump signed four executive orders aimed at expediting the process of nuclear reactor approvals, increasing domestic production of uranium, and supporting the rollout of next-generation reactor technologies.
Consortium discusses accelerated materials science research, education, outreach in Hawaiʻi
The Materials Research and Education Consortium, based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, recently hosted its research and education collaborative partners at the University of Washington. The consortium engages in interdisciplinary materials and education research for sustainability on remote island communities.
MARKET TRENDS
Solar set to become Korea’s most cost-competitive energy source
Solar is set to become the most cost competitive energy source in the Republic of Korea by 2030 to 2035, according to researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In contrast, the levelized cost of energy for nuclear power is projected to increase by 15% over the same time period.
Why nuclear energy is making a comeback across Europe
Several countries across Europe are pivoting or have made U-turns over the use of nuclear power, as governments seek greater energy security. Currently, the European Union has around 100 nuclear reactors in 12 countries, and almost a quarter of the electricity produced in the EU comes from nuclear power.
China’s greenhouse gas emissions fall even as energy demand rises
China is the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter, emitting more than double the amount as the next biggest emitter, the United States. But over the past year, China’s greenhouse gas output fell 1% even as the country’s overall energy use and economic activity increased.
Workforce transitions in Gulf economies amid global energy shifts
The Arab Gulf states have long relied on oil revenues to sustain their economies and labor markets, with expatriates forming a significant portion of the workforce. A report by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy examines the implications of the energy transition on the Gulf’s expatriate workforce, focusing on Kuwait as a case study.
NEW PRODUCTS
Deltasys E-Forming launches tabletop concrete 3D printer for R&D
Indian 3D printing company Deltasys E-Forming launched a new tabletop concrete 3D printer. The compact machine has a build volume of 600 x 600 x 600 mm and is specifically engineered for use in educational institutions and research labs.
Singapore launches new standard SS 708 for aerospace additive manufacturing
The Singapore Manufacturing Federation–Standards Development Organization and Enterprise Singapore introduced a new standard, SS 708, to help local manufacturers enhance their capabilities in additive manufacturing for the aerospace sector. This standard outlines a comprehensive set of process specifications for filament layer manufacturing.
Author
Lisa McDonald
