AI, Space Solar, and the EV Boom: Sustainability’s Next Big Leaps!

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Hey everyone, welcome to the second edition of FutureProof - my Tech and Sustainability Digest for 2025.

It’s been a busy news week, what with the US presidential inauguration, Elon Musk going full Nazi, and the Jan 6th insurrectionists being pardoned. Lots of other stories made headlines too which meantthe interesting stories that happened in the cleantech space tended to be buried. Fortunately, I found a few for you, and here they are…

In the News:

Good Climate News

China's Oil Demand Peaks: A New Era of Energy Transformation!
China, the world's largest oil importer, has reached its peak oil demand ahead of schedule, marking a pivotal shift in global energy dynamics. This milestone is attributed to the nation's accelerated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), robust investments in renewable energy sources, and a strategic pivot towards sustainable development. The early peak in oil consumption not only underscores China's commitment to combating climate change but also signals a transformative impact on global oil markets, potentially leading to reduced oil prices and influencing energy policies worldwide. As China continues to champion green technologies and infrastructure, this development sets a precedent for other nations striving for energy independence and environmental sustainability. Read more here

Artificial Intelligence

AI-Powered Learning in Nigeria Yields Astonishing Results! - Here’s one for the books—literally! A six-week after-school programme in Edo State, Nigeria, has showcased how AI can supercharge education. Students who took part blew their peers out of the water in English proficiency, AI knowledge, and digital skills.

And get this—those skills weren’t just a flash in the pan. Participants scored higher in their end-of-year exams, proving AI’s impact can go the distance. Even better, girls in the programme made massive strides, narrowing the gender gap in learning outcomes.

The more sessions students attended, the better their results, hinting at what’s possible with longer-term AI integration. This is education innovation at its finest—reshaping futures, one chatbot at a time.

Curious about how technology could transform education elsewhere? Have a read here

AI Cracks the Code: Predicting Cellular Behaviour Like Never Before!
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Columbia University have unveiled an AI model capable of accurately forecasting gene activity within human cells. This innovation promises to revolutionise our grasp of diseases ranging from cancer to genetic disorders. By training on data from over 1.3 million human cells, the AI system can predict gene expression in previously unencountered cell types, aligning closely with experimental results. This leap forward not only accelerates biological research but also paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies. The approach mirrors how language models like ChatGPT understand human language, but here, it's applied to decipher the 'language' of cells. As AI continues to bridge gaps in our biological knowledge, the dream of transforming biology into a predictive science is swiftly becoming a reality. More here

Electromobility

Electric Vehicle Sales Soar to Record Highs—So Much for That “Decline” Everyone Was Talking About!
Remember all those headlines last year claiming EV sales were plummeting? Well, turns out they couldn’t have been more wrong. Global electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid sales surged by a whopping 25.6% in 2024, smashing records left, right, and centre.

Leading the charge (pun intended) was China, where sales skyrocketed by 36.5%, totalling a jaw-dropping 11 million units. Meanwhile, North America saw a more modest 8.8% rise, proving the EV revolution is going global.

This explosive growth puts the "declining demand" narrative firmly in the bin. EVs aren’t just here to stay—they’re taking over, one charged-up kilometre at a time. Read more here.

BMW Supercharges Sustainability with SK tes Battery Recycling Partnership!
In a bold move towards a circular economy, BMW Group has teamed up with Singapore-based SK tes to recycle high-voltage batteries from its European facilities. This partnership aims to recover up to 99% of critical materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, feeding them back into BMW's supply chain for new battery production. The first fruits of this collaboration will power BMW's next-generation "Neue Klasse" electric vehicles. Plans are already in motion to expand this closed-loop system to the US-Mexico-Canada region as early as 2026. This initiative underscores BMW's commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. More here

Clean Energy

China's Ambitious Plan: Building a 'Three Gorges Dam' in Space for Limitless Solar Power!
China is setting its sights beyond Earth, aiming to construct a colossal space-based solar power station, often likened to a 'Three Gorges Dam' in space. This ambitious project seeks to harness the sun's energy directly from orbit, beaming it back to Earth to provide a continuous, inexhaustible power supply. The initiative underscores China's commitment to pioneering renewable energy technologies and reducing its carbon footprint. By capturing solar energy in space, where it's unaffected by weather or day-night cycles, this project could revolutionise the global energy landscape. While the technical challenges are immense, China's determination to lead in space-based solar power reflects its broader strategy to achieve energy security and environmental sustainability. More here

UAE's Solar Breakthrough: World's First 24/7 Gigascale Solar and Battery Project!
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a more earth-bound approach to 24×7 solar power. They have unveiled a pioneering project in Abu Dhabi, marking the world's first large-scale, round-the-clock solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage gigascale facility.

Key Highlights:

• Massive Scale: The project combines a 5.2GW solar PV plant with a 19GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), making it the largest integrated solar and storage installation globally.

• Continuous Power Supply: Designed to deliver up to 1GW of baseload power daily, this facility ensures a stable and reliable supply of renewable energy around the clock.

• Strategic Partnerships: Masdar has selected leading contractors and suppliers, including Larsen & Toubro and POWERCHINA for engineering and construction, JA Solar and Jinko Solar for PV modules, and CATL for the BESS technology.

This ambitious initiative positions the UAE at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, demonstrating a significant leap towards sustainable and continuous clean power generation. Read all about it here

Latest Podcast Episodes

Climate Confident

How Microgrids are Changing the Energy Game!
In the latest episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I had a great chat with Angelo Campus, CEO of BoxPower, about how microgrids are revolutionising clean energy and resilience.

Here’s the scoop:

• Microgrids—combining solar, batteries, and generators—are delivering reliable, affordable energy in places where traditional grids fail.

• BoxPower is tackling wildfire risks and outdated grids in the U.S., showing how microgrids can reduce costs and boost resilience.

• They’re also transforming lives—powering tribal communities and aiding disaster recovery efforts.

This is the future of energy: cleaner, smarter, and built for resilience.

Don’t miss this episode—listen here!

Sustainable Supply Chain

Cracking Carbon Accounting: George Wade’s Secrets to Greener Supply Chains
In the latest episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with George Wade, co-founder of Zevero, to unravel the mysteries of carbon accounting—and let me tell you, this one’s a must-listen!

Here’s what we uncovered:

• Scope 3 emissions, the tricky bits hiding in supply chains, and how to tackle them head-on.

• How businesses can finally get a grip on their carbon data and turn it into real action.

• Inspiring success stories of companies slashing emissions while staying competitive.

• George shares practical advice that’ll have you thinking differently about sustainability in supply chains—and he’s not afraid to get into the nitty-gritty.

Want to take your business closer to net zero? Tune in here!

In upcoming episodes of the podcasts I will be talking to Ollie Burch, CEO of Among Equals, Thom Norman, CEO of FarmKind, Bailey Robin, CEO of Matium, and Seth Weisberg, CEO of ABCO Systems.

Don’t forget to follow the podcasts in your podcast app of choice to ensure you don’t miss any episodes.

Featured Charts

As the chart above shows, the continuing fall in the price of solar has made it so attractive that it has now overtaken coal in the EU in 2024 as a source of electricity generation.

South Australia has gone from 0% wind and solar electricity generation to 72% in 17 years, and is on track to hit 100% by 2027!

Misc stuff

eBus problems in New Zealand!

Engage

If you made it this far, well done! If you liked this newsletter, or learned something new, feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. Encourage folks to sign up for it.

Finally, since being impacted by the tech layoffs, I'm currently in the market for a new role. If you know someone who could benefit from my tech savvy, sustainability, and strong social media expertise, I'd be grateful for a referral.

Finally

What to do if your child won’t eat fish

If you have any comments or suggestions for how I can improve this newsletter, don’t hesitate to let me know. Thanks.

*** Be aware that any typos you find in this newsletter are tests to see who is paying attention! ***

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