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Iran, heavily reliant on petroleum revenues, has some of the largest reserves of oil and natural gas in the world, but it struggles with energy shortages due to poor planning, outdated infrastructure, and the impact of international sanctions. Iran possesses one of the world's most significant energy reserves, holding th

Iran, heavily reliant on petroleum revenues, has some of the largest reserves of oil and natural gas in the world, but it struggles with energy shortages due to poor planning, outdated infrastructure, and the impact of international sanctions.    Iran possesses one of the world's most significant energy reserves, holding the world's  Second-Largest Natural gas reserves and third-largest crude oil reserves. :- Despite this, Iran faces a chronic and worsening domestic energy crisis, characterized by winter natural gas shortages, frequent power outages in the summer, and a "dire" energy imbalance.  Primary Drivers of Iran's Energy Crisis Outdated Infrastructure and Underinvestment:-  Decades of underinvestment, caused by international sanctions, have left refineries, power plants, and distribution networks outdated. Many power plants are over 30 years old, resulting in low efficiency and a 13% loss of electricity during transmission. International Sanctions: - Sanc...

In February 2026, India generated 25,295.17 million units (MU) of renewable energy, a 25.26% year-on-year increase, with solar energy contributing 16,983.54 MU. Solar dominated the mix, accounting for roughly 67.14% of the total renewable generation, while wind contributed 5,661.07 MU, together forming 89.52% of the total.

In February 2026, India generated 25,295.17 million units (MU) of renewable energy, a 25.26% year-on-year increase, with solar energy contributing  16,983.54 MU. Solar dominated the mix, accounting for roughly 67.14% of the total renewable generation, while wind contributed 5,661.07 MU, together forming 89.52% of the total.  Key February 2026 Highlights: Total Renewable Generation: - 25,295.17 MU. Solar Output:-  16,983.54 MU (67.14% of total renewables). Wind Output: - 5,661.07 MU. Year-on-Year Growth: - 25.26%. Growth Driver: - The massive increase is driven by significant solar capacity additions, with total solar capacity exceeding 143 GW, contributing to a 26.4% share of total electricity generation in 2025–26.  Contextual Developments: Solar Manufacturing:-  India has built a robust solar supply chain with 172 GW of manufacturing capacity. Infrastructure & Policy: - The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is targeting 42 GW of domestic cell man...

Breaking through the bottleneck of rare earth (RE) wastewater treatment requires shifting from traditional, high-chemical-consumption methods to advanced, sustainable, and highly selective technologies. Key strategies involve improving RE recovery from low-concentration, high-impurity waste streams while minimizing environmental impact and operating costs.

Breaking through the bottleneck of rare earth (RE) wastewater treatment requires shifting from traditional, high-chemical-consumption methods to advanced, sustainable, and highly selective technologies. Key strategies involve improving RE recovery from low-concentration, high-impurity waste streams while minimizing environmental impact and operating costs.  1. Advanced Adsorption and Separation Materials  Nano-MgO/Flower like Adsorbents:-  Self-supported, nano-magnesium hydroxide materials can achieve >99% removal of rare earth elements (REEs) from dilute wastewater, immobilizing them as nanoparticles. Functionalized Sorbents: - Phosphoric acid-modified kaolin, magnetic chitosan, and  amino- functionalized magnetic graphene oxide show high selectivity for rare earth ions over competing impurities like calcium and magnesium. Ion Exchange Resins: - Utilizing EDTA-functionalized resins or solvating extractant-impregnated resins enhances selectivity and allows for eff...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Keynes Technology semiconductor plant in Sanand and the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar on Mahavir Jayanti. He also held a roadshow in Vav--Tharad, launching development projects worth over ₹20,000 crore.

   Prime Minister Narendra Modi  inaugurated the Keynes Technology semiconductor plant in Sanand and the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar on Mahavir Jayanti. He also held a roadshow in Vav--Tharad, launching development projects worth over ₹20,000 crore.  Key Events - March 31, 2026: Inauguration of Keynes Semicon Plant (Sanand): - Marked the start of production at the new semiconductor facility, boosting India's global electronics manufacturing position. Inauguration of Samrat Samprati Museum (Koba Tirth, Gandhinagar):-  Inaugurated this new museum on the occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti and acknowledged the preservation of traditional manuscripts. Roadshow in Vav Tharad: - Held a massive public roadshow to interact with supporters and launched infrastructure projects worth over ₹20,000 crore. Mahavir Jayanti Greetings: - Extended greetings from Koba Tirth to the nation on the festival of Mahavir Jayanti.  These events highlight a strong focus on b...

Researchers have developed a solar-driven process that converts atmospheric CO2 into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), bypassing fossil fuels by using concentrated solar energy to heat a hydrogen -fluidized reactor. This innovation, which combines Direct Air Capture (DAC) and catalytic hydrogenation, can produce jet fuel with significantly reduced emissions, offering a sustainable alternative for aviation.

Researchers have developed a solar-driven process that converts atmospheric CO2  into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), bypassing fossil fuels by using concentrated solar energy to heat a hydrogen -fluidized reactor. This innovation, which combines Direct Air Capture (DAC) and catalytic hydrogenation, can produce jet fuel with significantly reduced emissions, offering a sustainable alternative for aviation.  Key Innovations and Benefits:- Solar-Driven Calcination:-  The process replaces fossil fuel-based heat with concentrated solar energy to create intense temperatures for CO2 capture and processing. Hydrogen Fluidization: - A novel hydrogen- fluidized reactor removes the need for on-site fossil fuel combustion. Higher Efficiency & Lower Cost: - By using solar energy, the process can lower electricity consumption by 63% and reduce on-site CO2 emissions by 59% compared to traditional methods. Economic Viability:-  Estimates suggest a production cost of around US $...

Woodside pulls, then revises carbon capture plan. Energy has withdrawn its proposed Browse carbon capture and storage (CCS) project from Australia’s environmental approvals process, but plans to resubmit it under updated regulations.

Woodside pulls, then revises carbon capture plan Woodside Energy has withdrawn its proposed Browse carbon capture and storage (CCS) project from Australia’s environmental approvals process, but plans to resubmit it under updated regulations.  The move follows reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, which aims to streamline approvals while strengthening environmental safeguards. Woodside said it remains committed to advancing the project through a revised, transparent assessment.  The CCS project would store up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually from gas extracted at the Browse fields, helping reduce emissions from the North West Shelf LNG facility, which recently received a life extension to 2070.  MJF Lion ER YK Sharma 

Repowering older US wind farms with modern, efficient turbines could unlock 161 gigawatts (GW) of additional capacity without needing new land. This strategy could boost existing onshore wind to meet 21% of US electricity demand, up from the current 10.5%, as part of a push to address rising energy demand from data centers.

Repowering older US wind farms with modern, efficient turbines could unlock 161 gigawatts (GW) of additional capacity without needing new land. This strategy could boost existing onshore wind to meet 21% of US electricity demand, up from the current 10.5%, as part of a push to address rising energy demand from data centers.  Repowering Potential: - Stanford University researchers found that upgrading existing, aging wind sites with new technology could more than double capacity from 153 GW to 314 GW. Benefits:-  Beyond increased energy output, repowering allows for fewer, more powerful turbines to be installed on existing sites. Industry Context: - The US wind industry is facing a 3% surge in power demand through 2029, with 160 GW of large-load additions increasing the need for upgrades. Immediate Outlook: - While this massive capacity exists for upgrades, over 7 GW of new, traditional onshore wind capacity is expected to be installed in 2025 alone.  This opportunity allo...