Long Duration Energy Storage Deemed Critical for Renewable Integration
At London Climate Action Week, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development released a new brief emphasizing that scaling long duration energy storage (LDES) is essential for managing the intermittency of renewables and achieving the global goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030. The report highlights LDES as a strategic enabler, allowing for reliable, low-carbon energy supply and greater flexibility in high-renewable grids, with significant implications for energy costs, procurement models, and carbon accounting[1].
Global Clean Energy Investments Hit Record Highs, but Grid Upgrades Lag
The International Energy Agency reported that global clean energy investment reached record levels, with solar alone expected to attract $450 billion in 2025, and deployment accelerating fastest in Asia, especially China. However, the IEA warns that annual grid investments—estimated at $400 billion—remain insufficient, threatening reliability and underscoring the urgent need for grid modernization alongside renewables expansion[2].
U.S. Solar and Energy Storage Capacity Set for Major Growth in 2025
The U.S. power grid is projected to add 63 GW of new utility-scale capacity in 2025, led by nearly 49 GW of solar and a surge in energy storage projects, driven by falling technology costs and robust government incentives. Texas leads in planned solar additions, and momentum is expected to continue through the decade, reshaping the U.S. energy mix[5].
World Falling Short on Universal Energy Access by 2030
A new global report released July 1, 2025, warns that efforts to deliver sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 are off track, with over 666 million people still lacking electricity access and more than 2 billion reliant on polluting fuels for cooking. The report calls for increased international financial support and accelerated deployment of distributed renewables and clean cooking solutions, especially in rural and fragile regions[4][8].
U.S. Clean Energy Supply Chains Strengthen, but Wind Sector Lags
As of Q1 2025, U.S. battery and solar manufacturing capacity has grown rapidly, now surpassing current deployment levels and positioning the country to meet or exceed projected demand through 2035. In contrast, wind manufacturing investment has stagnated, with few new projects and limited capacity growth, indicating an uneven trajectory across clean technology sectors[7].