More than a third of electricity around the globe is generated from low carbon sources. But how that energy is stored can be damaging to the environment. Much of the world still uses giant batteries, which contain metals that can contaminate ecosystems. One ecologically-friendly solution might be hidden in an idyllic corner of the Swiss Alps, thousands of meters above sea level.

A snaking wall of solar panels has been attached to Switzerland's longest dam. The solar dam is helping the landlocked nation maximise its green energy production in the winter months. The Lake Muttsee dam, in the central Swiss canton of Glarus, is over 7,800 feet (2,400 metres) above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks - something that the team behind the AlpinSolar project says is a key benefit.

China’s energy storage industry will go from strength to strength in 2023, say analysts, after its leading companies forecast strong earnings amid surging demand from the electric vehicle (EV) sector and as the country rolls out more renewable power projects.

Seven major electric companies have applied to the industry ministry to boost their energy prices, causing further concern for households worried about rising costs. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (Tepco) recently applied to raise its electricity prices for households by an average of 29.31% from June. Hokkaido Electric Power applied on Thursday for an average increase of about 32%, also from June.

Chinese scientists have developed a method to manufacture more advanced solar cells on a large scale and for a better price, according to the researchers who are looking to a future with more accessible and affordable solar energy. With global carbon emissions increasing year by year, the development of clean energy such as solar cells is attracting a lot of attention.

YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power International), and TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) have jointly announced an agreement to export and import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Malaysia to Singapore via the newly upgraded interconnector.

Malaysia has set a target to achieve 31% of its total power generation from renewables by 2025 and 40% by 2035. Both objectives are highly unrealistic, as only 3.3% of electricity is generated through renewables at present.

Households were paid to cut back on their electricity use for an hour on Monday evening in the first test of a National Grid scheme aiming to cut energy consumption in Great Britain. The second trial was taking place on Tuesday, between 4.30pm and 6pm. More than 1m households and businesses have signed up to the live -demand flexibility service.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) wholly owned subsidiary, Vantage RE Ltd has completed a £72mil (RM382mil) refinance package with two major lenders in the UK. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the utility giant said the financing facility with Mizuho Bank Ltd and National Westminster Bank Plc (Natwest) featured a 15-year tenure and is related to TNB’s offshore wind investment in Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Limited (BODL).

Phil Sharp, one of Britain’s most competitive and successful ocean racers, announced the build of a new zero emission IMOCA ahead of the 2024 Vendée Globe. This new monohull designed by Manuard is currently under construction at Black Pepper Yachts, a specialist in the construction of high-performance boats. The build is utilising existing moulds that have been recycled and reworked.  

Inflation in Australia reached 7.8% in the year to December, in what economists and the federal government hope will be the peak for runaway prices. The consumer price index rose by 1.9% in the December quarter, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on Wednesday, driven by surging electricity prices and the cost of holiday travel and accommodation. The 7.8% annual rise is up on the September figure of 7.3% inflation, but just shy of the Reserve Bank’s estimate that inflation would peak at 8%.

12.7 million people work in the global renewable energy sector, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. The energy crisis is affecting billions of people around the world, as soaring prices have made it more expensive to power homes and businesses. However, the current crisis has also accelerated the rush for renewable energy, as countries across the world scramble to develop more secure, as well as more sustainable power sources.