Electrification Surge, Defense Minerals & Free Energy Microchips
This week’s top energy and tech stories cover the continuing fall in renewable electricity costs, major progress in electrification, and a key shift for clean heating in Europe. We also dive into a detailed breakdown of critical minerals in U.S. defense systems and explore an innovative graphene-based microchip that could replace traditional batteries.
📉 Record-Low Costs for Renewables in 2024
In 2024, the global weighted average cost of electricity continued to fall for solar PV and wind, making them more competitive than ever. An estimated 91% of newly commissioned renewable projects were cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel-fired options. This cost advantage not only supports global climate and development goals but also avoids billions in fossil fuel spending.
⚡ Electrification Could Cover 75% of Energy Demand
Electrification is reaching a tipping point, with potential to cover up to 75% of global energy demand as road transport and heating sectors rapidly shift from fossil molecules to clean electrons. These two sectors together account for 50% of global energy use, making their transition pivotal for the energy system.
🔥 Germany: Heat Pump Sales Surpass Gas Boilers for the First Time
A historic milestone for clean heating in Europe: new heat pump sales have overtaken gas boilers in Germany.
This signals a strong shift toward electrified heating solutions, driven by policy incentives and falling operating costs.
🛰️ Rare Earths: The Backbone of U.S. Defense Technology
Rare earth elements (REEs) power critical components in advanced U.S. military systems, from fighter jets and submarines to laser-guided weapons and stealth technology. An in-depth infographic reveals the quantities and specific roles of REEs in defense, highlighting their strategic importance for national security.
🔬 Graphene-Based Microchip Promises Free Energy
Paul Thibado, a physics professor at the University of Arkansas, has developed a microchip using graphene that could generate free energy from ambient sources. This innovation may eliminate the need for batteries in small electronic devices, paving the way for new advances in wearables and other low-power technologies.