Energy

Martin Varsavsky, a seasoned entrepreneur behind billion-dollar clean energy exits, says he’s lost faith in the renewable energy paradigm. Moshe Luz, director at Ivanpah, the world’s largest solar thermal power tower project in California’s Mojave Desert, believes just the opposite.

As of 2025, the US solar industry is attracting tens of billions of dollars in private investment. That kind of capital signals more than just market growth—it signals disruption. And nothing screams disruption quite like solar paint: a substance that can generate electricity, just like a solar panel, but goes on like regular paint.

On April 28, 2025, Spain and Portugal experienced a massive power outage that disrupted daily life for tens of millions. The blackout, which began around 12:30 p.m., led to halted transportation, communication failures, and significant economic losses. This event has sparked a critical examination of the challenges associated with the integration of renewable energy sources into national power grids.​

Green PE is produced using ethanol derived from renewable sources—primarily sugarcane in Brazil, but also wheat grain and beet in Europe. It behaves the same as traditional polyethylene: it’s durable, moldable, and recyclable. The difference lies in its feedstock and carbon footprint. While not biodegradable, Green PE is a key player in the circular economy: it sequesters carbon during crop growth and reduces life-cycle emissions when used and recycled responsibly.

Helion’s model plays to America's old strength: innovation through agility, not top-down megaprojects. Instead of waiting for 2050, Helion’s compact reactors aim to deliver electricity in a matter of years—and not just for cities, but for data centers, isolated industries, military bases, even disaster zones. Their current prototype, Polaris, is scheduled to fire in 2025. If Helion succeeds, it won’t just disrupt global energy. It could redraw the world map.

“We are building an advanced elastocaloric device that can replace today's harmful cooling systems and have a measurable impact on climate goals,” Tušek says.

In the misty folds of the French Pyrenees, something quietly extraordinary is happening. At a remote site called Comminges in France, Mantle8, a pioneering natural hydrogen exploration company, has unearthed a breakthrough that could shift the balance of Europe’s energy landscape.

A Cornell-led collaboration has achieved a breakthrough in sustainability technology by developing a low-cost method for producing carbon-free “green” hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis of seawater. An added benefit of this process? Potable water.

The US Supreme Court made a landmark decision this week by dismissing a challenge from 19 Republican-led states. This ruling allowed five Democratic-led states to continue their lawsuits against major oil companies, including Exxon, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and BP. These lawsuits accuse the oil giants of misleading the public about the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, particularly with regard to climate change.

A little-known $15 billion deal between PG&E and the Department of Energy is raising concerns for California residents. The agreement, which will expand hydropower, also includes shutting down the Ivanpah solar plant, which has been providing energy to 140,000 homes. Without this reliable source of clean energy, California's already overburdened power grid will struggle, leading to higher energy costs and more frequent blackouts. Critics argue that while PG&E benefits financially, everyday Californians will be left paying the price with increased bills and an even less reliable power system. Questions are also being raised about possible conflicts of interest with key players in the deal, making it even more controversial. We spoke with one of the main investors of the Ivanpah plant to learn more. 

California is shutting down its Ivanpah CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) project, raising concerns about the future of CSP investments. Moshe Luz, a key scientist in the field, spoke to Green Prophet to address misconceptions and share insights. He argued that claims of bird deaths from CSP are myths and that Ivanpah's closure could hinder future renewable energy projects by discouraging investors from taking risks. Luz emphasized the need for bold investments to advance renewable technology.

At the end of last week, more than 1,000 employees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received distressing news: they could be dismissed...

This area features a sustainable village with bridges, composting systems, and a living treehouse, educating visitors about sustainability and climate change.

It was a time when spending on green energy projects was flush, starting with a boon around 2006 and 2007. Investors and government subsidizers were looking to fund dreams and Ivanpah promised a world with free energy harnessed from the sun. 

These results emphasize the need to develop innovative agricultural solutions that will help reduce emissions and strengthen national food security.