Stay informed with the latest developments shaping the future of sustainability, energy, and tech. From major green investments and breakthrough hydrogen projects to AI-powered climate platforms and EV infrastructure milestones — here’s a roundup of this week’s most impactful news and deals across the sector:
Net Zero/Sustainability Key Industry News
How is the UK Preventing Forced Labour in Energy? | Sustainability Magazine
The UK government is under pressure to ensure that solar energy supply chains are free from forced labour, particularly concerning polysilicon sourced from regions like Xinjiang, China. Critics highlight the ethical implications and call for measures to prevent public funds from supporting products linked to human rights abuses.
ING: The First Global Bank to Have SBTi-Approved Targets | Sustainability Magazine
ING has become the first systemically important global bank to have its climate targets validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), aligning with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The targets encompass various high-emission sectors, including fossil fuels, power generation, and aviation.
UN: Glacier Melt Threatens Water and Global Climate Systems | Sustainability Magazine
The United Nations reports accelerated glacier melting, posing significant threats to water security for billions and undermining global climate resilience. Rapid global warming is identified as the primary driver, with potential consequences including reduced freshwater supplies and increased disaster risks.
What’s Special About Standard Chartered’s Latest Green Deal? | Sustainability Magazine
Standard Chartered has structured a green trade finance deal for JinkoSolar, a leading solar module manufacturer. This agreement is designed to enable the trade of advanced solar modules in the US, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, supporting the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in these regions.
Aston University Secures £35.5 Million Grant to Fast-Track Net-Zero Transformation
Aston University has been awarded a £35.5 million grant from the UK Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to support its transformation into a Net Zero carbon campus by 2028. The funding will facilitate the construction of a Green Energy Centre powered by sustainable technologies, and will house the Aston Business School, the Aston Business Hub, and the Aston Integrated Healthcare Hub
Microsoft Unveils Ambitious Plan for Water Replenishment Initiative in Madrid
Microsoft, in collaboration with FieldFactors, has launched a water replenishment project in Madrid’s Valdebebas area. The initiative aims to capture up to 200 million liters of rainwater annually, redirecting it into the Valdebebas stream to combat water displacement and urban flooding. This project is part of Microsoft’s broader goal to replenish more water than its operations consume by 2030.
Government Unveils Plan to Plant 20 Million Trees, Creating New National Forest
The UK Government has announced plans to create the Western Forest, a new national forest stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills near Bristol. The project aims to plant 20 million trees by 2050, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and providing recreational spaces for local communities.
Net Zero/Sustainability Key Deal News
Dutch-based DOPS Recycling Technologies secures €5M
Alkmaar-based DOPS Recycling Technologies has secured €5 million in seed funding to advance its Direct Carbon Immobilisation (DCI) technology. This process converts waste into valuable raw materials with minimal CO₂ emissions by heating waste to 1,000 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-free reactor, producing syngas and other materials. The funding will be used to build a modular unit to test the full system, supporting the development of sustainable alternatives to waste incineration and contributing to the circular economy.
The municipality of Rotterdam has launched a €500,000 Circular Innovation Fund aimed at promoting circular innovations among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Businesses can apply for subsidies ranging from €50,000 to €100,000 to support projects that contribute to a circular economy by reducing the use of primary raw materials and enhancing economic resilience. Applications are open until May 7, 2025, with successful applicants notified by July 30, 2025.
Antwerp-based ClimateCamp has raised €3.5 million in a seed funding round led by Expon Capital, with contributions from VLAIO, Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy, KBC, PMV, and Birdhouse Ventures. Founded in 2022, ClimateCamp offers an AI-powered platform that enables businesses to engage suppliers, calculate carbon footprints, and reduce Scope 3 emissions—indirect emissions from a company’s value chain. The platform currently supports over 800 companies sharing data, with a goal to reach 2,000 by the end of the year. The funding will be used to accelerate expansion efforts.
London-based Maiven has secured €1.7 million in funding from impact investors, including Pale Blue Dot, Ada Ventures, and Tiny VC. Founded by Larsen Mabika and Georgie Steele, Maiven is developing an AI-powered solution to help medium and large enterprises identify and respond to relevant climate policies, providing real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and in-depth analysis. The funding will support product development and customer acquisition efforts.
Data Centre Key Industry News
SWU opens data center in Ulm Science Park, Germany – DCD
German telecommunications company Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH (SWU) has launched a data center in Ulm Science Park, Germany. The facility offers space for 150 cabinets across 1,430 square meters and operates with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) value below 1.3. It is powered entirely by green energy from SWU’s hydroelectric power plants and an on-site photovoltaic system. The data center aims to provide digital infrastructure for regional companies, institutions, and public bodies, and is located near the emerging “Campus for Artificial Intelligence” (KICU).
EuroHPC JU signs €13m contract with Pasqal for neutral atom-based quantum simulator
The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has signed a €13 million contract with Pasqal to provide a neutral atom-based quantum simulator. The system, named EuroQCS-Italy, will feature at least 140 analogue-mode qubits and will be hosted by CINECA in Bologna, Italy, integrating with the Leonardo supercomputer. An upgrade in 2027 will enable hybrid analogue/digital operations, allowing for more sophisticated quantum algorithms and applications in material science and optimisation problems.
Telehouse invests €1bn in French data centers, plans 50MW facility near Marseille – DCD
Telehouse, a subsidiary of KDDI, has announced a €1 billion investment to expand its data center footprint in France. The plan includes constructing a 60,000 square meter, 50MW facility near Marseille in Bouches-du-Rhône by 2027. Additionally, the company intends to build a facility in the eastern Île-de-France region by 2029 and expand existing facilities in Paris and Yvelines. Telehouse currently operates an 8,000-square-meter facility in Marseille, serving as a cable landing station for several subsea cables.
Digital Realty launches Frankfurt data center – DCD
Digital Realty has opened a new data center, FRA18, at its Digital Park Fechenheim campus in Frankfurt, Germany. The facility offers 8,200 square meters of colocation space, with an initial capacity of 6.4MW, expandable to 16MW. Designed to support high-performance computing and AI workloads, FRA18 is housed in the historically preserved former Neckermann headquarters and incorporates a heat reuse system in partnership with Mainova.
Techbuyer using Bioscope’s bioleaching system to recycle IT equipment – DCD
Techbuyer, a company specialising in refurbishing and reselling data center equipment, has partnered with Bioscope Technologies to utilise bioleaching—a process that uses bacteria to recover precious metals from printed circuit boards. This collaboration aims to enhance material recovery from end-of-life IT hardware, promoting circular economy practices in the industry.
Data Centre Key Industry Deals
Soluna secures $5m loan from Galaxy Digital – DCD
Soluna Holdings, a provider of data centers for cryptocurrency mining and high-performance computing, has closed a $5 million loan facility with Galaxy Digital. The five-year term loan will support Soluna’s project development and expansion efforts, including the construction of a 187MW data center in Texas, co-located with a 240MW wind farm
Crusoe secures $225m to grow AI cloud platform – DCD
Crusoe Energy Systems has secured a $225 million credit facility led by Upper90 Capital to scale its Crusoe Cloud platform, designed for AI workloads. The funding will be used exclusively to acquire NVIDIA GPUs and related infrastructure, supporting energy-efficient, clean-powered data centre growth.
Hydrogen Key Industry News
InoxAP commissions first green hydrogen plant for Indian float glassmaking | Power | H2 View
Inox Air Products (InoxAP) has commissioned the first phase of a 190-tonne-per-year green hydrogen plant at Asahi India Glass’ (AIS) facility in Soniyana, Rajasthan. Currently producing 95 tonnes of hydrogen annually, the plant supplies hydrogen as a process gas for AIS’ float glass production under a 20-year offtake agreement. Utilising solar-powered electrolysis, the facility aims to reduce up to 1,250 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually once at full capacity.
Behind Siemens & BASF’s World-First Green Hydrogen Project | Sustainability Magazine
Siemens Energy and BASF have partnered to develop a 54MW water electrolyser capable of producing up to 8,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This project utilises renewable electricity and water, eliminating the need for fossil feedstocks and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Bosch Aviation Technology reveals hydrogen aircraft engine concept
Bosch Aviation Technology has successfully converted a conventional 1.4-liter Rotax 91 gasoline aircraft engine to operate on hydrogen. The modified engine delivers 115kW of power, closely matching the output of its gasoline counterpart. This initiative aims to optimise time, cost, and simplify regulatory approval processes for hydrogen-powered aviation.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has commenced construction of the world’s first centrifugal hydrogen compressor designed specifically for liquefaction plants. Known as KM Comp-H2, the compressor increases the pressure of refrigerant hydrogen gas, enhancing liquefaction efficiency and potentially reducing hydrogen supply costs.
Amsl Aero adopts Formula 1 cooling tech to boost hydrogen eVTOL range
Australian aerospace company AMSL Aero is incorporating Formula 1-derived heat transfer technology from Conflux Technology to cool the hydrogen fuel cells in its Vertiia eVTOL aircraft. This integration aims to enhance the aircraft’s range and performance, with Vertiia capable of cruising at speeds of 300 km/h.
ITM confirms EDF 8MW electrolyser reservation for Tees Green Hydrogen project | Power | H2 View
ITM Power has confirmed its selection to supply 8MW of PEM electrolysers for the first phase of EDF Renewables UK and Hynamics’ Tees Green Hydrogen project in Northeast England. The project plans to launch with a capacity of 7.5MW by 2026, potentially scaling up to 300MW, to supply hydrogen to local industrial and transport applications. The project is awaiting a final investment decision pending government funding finalisation.
Fluxys has commenced construction of the initial phase of Belgium’s hydrogen pipeline network, focusing on the port areas of Antwerp and Ghent, and the connecting route between Kallo and Zelzate. This move comes despite the Belgian Government’s recent withdrawal of a €250 million funding package previously earmarked for the project.
Hydrogen Key Deal News
Start-up taps Earth’s chemistry for ‘ultra-low-cost’ clean hydrogen
GeoRedox, plans to produce “stimulated geologic hydrogen” (SGH) by accelerating natural hydrogen production processes using techniques from the oil and gas industry. Their catalyst-free advanced weathering enhancement (AWE) technology involves injecting water into iron-rich underground rock formations, mimicking the natural serpentinisation process to produce hydrogen.
Energy Storage Key Industry News
Vattenfall Secures Approval for 100MW Onshore Wind Farm in Scottish Highlands
Vattenfall has received approval to develop a 100MW onshore wind farm in the Scottish Highlands. The project will consist of multiple turbines and is expected to generate enough electricity to power thousands of homes, contributing significantly to Scotland’s renewable energy targets and reducing carbon emissions.
How Iberdrola is Driving the UK’s Green Power Revolution | Sustainability Magazine
Iberdrola tops the charts for sustainable investments due to its focus on renewables, energy storage, hydrogen production, AI, and smart grids. The company’s commitment to innovation has positioned it as a leader in the global energy transition.
Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies Commit $714M to Massive CO₂ Storage Expansion
Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies have made a final investment decision to proceed with phase two of the Northern Lights CCS project in Norway. The expansion will increase CO₂ storage capacity from 1.5 million to over 5 million tonnes annually by 2028, following a commercial agreement with Stockholm Exergi to transport and store up to 900,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ per year.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Distributes Nearly £20M Across 60+ Projects
The UK Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme has allocated nearly £20 million to 60 projects aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of existing heat networks. This investment is expected to reduce energy costs, particularly benefiting low-income households, and contribute to the UK’s net-zero objectives.
Drax Strikes £200M Deal to Acquire UK Battery Storage Investor Harmony Energy Income Trust
Drax Group has agreed to acquire Harmony Energy Income Trust PLC, a UK-based battery storage investor, for just under £200 million. This acquisition is set to enhance Drax’s renewable energy portfolio and support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Energy Storage Key Deal News
An Eiffel Tower a day: GravitHy secures €60 million to power green steel revolution | EU-Startups
Marseille-based GravitHy, a low-carbon iron producer, has secured €60 million in funding to advance its flagship project in Fos-sur-Mer, France. The plant aims to produce 2 million tonnes of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) annually, utilising a 750 MW electrolyser to generate green hydrogen for the reduction process. This initiative is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional methods and create up to 500 direct jobs, with commercial production slated to begin in 2029.
Munich’s fusion energy firm Marvel Fusion secures €50M
Munich-based Marvel Fusion has extended its Series B funding round by €50 million, bringing the total to €113 million. The company aims to develop the world’s first laser-based fusion power plant, leveraging high-energy laser systems to achieve fusion reactions. This funding will support the construction of laser prototypes and the advancement of industrial partnerships to scale laser production, with the goal of delivering competitive and reliable baseload energy.
Avoxt raises funds to make hydrogen production efficient
Dutch startup Avoxt, based in Groningen and Eindhoven, has secured investment from Future Tech Ventures, NOM, and the Brabant Startup Fund to advance its membrane-free electrolyser technology for hydrogen production. This innovation aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in hydrogen production by eliminating the need for membranes, which are typically expensive and prone to wear. The funding will support the development and commercialisation of this technology, contributing to the global energy transition.
French sustainable iron company GravitHy secures €60M
Marseille-based GravitHy has completed a €60 million funding round with investors including Japan Hydrogen Fund, Marcegaglia, Ecolab, Rio Tinto, Siemens, Engie New Ventures, and InnoEnergy. Founded in 2022, GravitHy aims to decarbonise the steel industry by producing low-carbon iron through direct reduced iron (DRI) and hot briquetted iron (HBI), utilising hydrogen as a reducing agent. The funding will support engineering completion, permit acquisition, and talent recruitment, with a final investment decision targeted for 2026.
Built Environment Key Industry News
Retrofitted UK homes to become carbon credit generators – edie
In a UK-first initiative, homeowners who implement energy efficiency measures such as insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels can generate carbon credits. These credits are validated using smart meters to track and confirm carbon savings, providing homeowners with a potential revenue stream while contributing to national carbon reduction goals.
EV & EV Charging Key Industry News
Volvo Trucks Unveils Game-Changing Electric HGV Boasting 600km Range
Volvo Trucks has unveiled a new electric heavy goods vehicle (HGV) capable of a 600-kilometer range and rapid recharging in just 40 minutes. This development represents a significant leap forward in sustainable long-haul transportation, offering a viable alternative to traditional diesel-powered trucks.
Behind InstaVolt’s Renewable-Powered Rapid EV Charging Hub | Sustainability Magazine
InstaVolt has unveiled the UK’s largest ultra-rapid EV charging site, the Winchester Superhub, featuring 44 charging stations powered by renewable energy. This facility aims to revolutionise EV charging by providing fast and accessible services to drivers.
Geotab Sustainability Report: How to Drive EV Fleet Impact
Geotab’s latest Sustainability and Impact Report highlights how data-driven solutions can drive business savings and efficiency, boosting environmental strategies. The report emphasises the growing demand for viable, cost-effective sustainability solutions in fleet management.
Joby and Virgin Atlantic Set Sights on Launching UK’s First Electric Air Taxi Service
Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation have partnered to introduce electric air taxi services in the UK, aiming to provide zero-emission, short-range journeys. The service will initially operate from Heathrow and Manchester airports, utilising Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph.
InstaVolt Unveils the UK’s Largest EV Charging Superhub in Winchester
InstaVolt has opened the UK’s largest and most advanced ultra-rapid charging Superhub near the A34 and M3 in Winchester. The facility features 44 ultra-rapid chargers, each capable of delivering up to 160kW, allowing EVs to charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes. The site operates 24/7 and offers amenities such as a Starbucks café, children’s play area, dog-walking zone, and restrooms. An on-site solar farm with 870 panels and a 4MWh battery storage system enhances sustainability by reducing reliance on the grid.
Vishay Intertechnology Supercharges UK EV Supply Chain with £250M Semiconductor Investment
Vishay Intertechnology is investing £250 million in its Newport facility in South Wales to enhance the production of advanced silicon carbide semiconductors. These semiconductors are integral to electric vehicle technology, enabling faster battery charging, improved energy efficiency, and extended driving ranges. The investment is expected to create over 500 high-value jobs and strengthen the UK’s position in the global semiconductor industry.
Sustainable Waterloo Freight Hub trial aims to cut emissions and congestion
A six-month trial has been launched to transform the underutilised space at London’s Waterloo Station into a sustainable freight hub. Coordinated by Cross River Partnership with support from Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth, and other partners, the initiative aims to reduce emissions and congestion by shifting delivery journeys from diesel vans to electrically assisted cargo bikes. Parcels will be received at the hub, sorted, and then delivered across London by a fleet of ten cargo bikes. Defra funds the project through the Smarter Greener Logistics program, which seeks to minimise the impact of freight on urban environments.
Construction begins on electric HGV charging hub in Port of Tilbury
Fleete, a fleet charging solution provider, has commenced construction on a dedicated commercial vehicle charging hub at the Port of Tilbury. Funded by the UK Government under the Thames Freeport seed capital program, the £1 million project will feature a five-megawatt charging station capable of simultaneously charging 16 electric HGVs. The facility will include 12 ultra-fast chargers supplied by Heliox, delivering up to 360kW of power, and four chargers via the Voltempo Hypercharging Megawatt Charging System. The project is expected to be completed by December.
