Resilient clean energy technologies and strategic sector moves drive the next phase of the energy transition.
At a glance – The global energy transition continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of geopolitical and policy headwinds, according to experts at the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2025. Despite temporary deployment slowdowns in the US, clean energy adoption is rising worldwide, with Europe and China maintaining rapid progress in renewables and low-carbon technologies. The panel highlighted a shift in priorities: energy security and affordability now drive decision-making alongside sustainability, with increased supply diversity and flexibility expected to accelerate the transition. David G. Victor of UC San Diego emphasized that reports of the “death” of clean energy are exaggerated, and the sector’s fundamentals remain robust, especially as energy security concerns spur further investment in grid modernization and distributed generation.
Technology advance – In a significant leap for grid-scale storage, Fluence Energy announced the commissioning of its new 400 MW battery energy storage system in Queensland, Australia, on September 26, 2025. The project, developed in partnership with Powerlink Queensland, is designed to stabilize the region’s increasingly renewable-heavy grid and enable greater integration of solar and wind resources. The system utilizes Fluence’s sixth-generation Gridstack technology, which offers advanced controls for frequency regulation and rapid response to grid fluctuations. This deployment marks one of the largest single-site storage installations in the Southern Hemisphere and is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar projects in Asia-Pacific markets seeking to balance intermittent renewable generation and grid reliability.
Partnerships – Siemens Energy and Ørsted unveiled a new strategic alliance to co-develop offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems in the North Sea, with the first pilot slated for deployment off the coast of Denmark in early 2026. The collaboration will integrate Siemens’ PEM electrolyzer technology directly with Ørsted’s offshore wind farms, enabling real-time conversion of wind power into green hydrogen for industrial use and grid injection. This partnership aims to address the challenge of renewable energy curtailment and create a scalable model for offshore hydrogen production, supporting both European decarbonization targets and the emerging hydrogen economy.
Acquisitions/expansions – On September 26, 2025, NextEra Energy announced the acquisition of GridBridge Technologies, a US-based developer of advanced transmission management software, for $320 million. The deal will expand NextEra’s capabilities in optimizing power flows across high-voltage transmission networks, particularly as renewable penetration increases. GridBridge’s proprietary algorithms enable dynamic line rating and congestion management, which are critical for integrating distributed solar and wind resources. The acquisition is expected to accelerate NextEra’s rollout of smart grid solutions in Texas and Florida, supporting both reliability and clean energy goals.
Regulatory/policy – The European Commission approved new grid interconnection standards on September 26, 2025, mandating that all new solar and wind installations above 50 MW in the EU must include advanced grid-forming inverter technology. This policy aims to enhance grid stability as renewables surpass 50% of generation in several member states. The standards require real-time voltage and frequency support, enabling renewables to provide essential grid services traditionally supplied by conventional power plants. Industry analysts expect the move to drive rapid innovation in inverter design and accelerate the deployment of hybrid solar-plus-storage projects across Europe.
Finance/business – Global renewable energy investment commitments surged to $1.6 trillion in the past year, according to new figures released by the International Energy Agency on September 26, 2025. The report attributes the increase to expanded corporate power purchase agreements, sovereign green bonds, and accelerated utility-scale solar and wind development in China, India, and Brazil. Notably, Enel Green Power secured $2.1 billion in financing for its new solar and storage portfolio in Brazil, while Vestas reported record quarterly orders for its latest offshore wind turbines. The IEA notes that investor confidence remains strong despite macroeconomic volatility, with clean energy assets outperforming traditional energy benchmarks.
Sources: weforum, engin.umich.edu, greenenergytimes, Fluence Energy press release, Siemens Energy newsroom, NextEra Energy investor relations, European Commission, International Energy Agency
