Aetherflux, the space solar startup founded by billionaire co-founder of Robinhood Baiju Bhatt, has raised a $50 million in a Series A round as it works to launch its first low Earth orbit demonstration in 2026. The San Carlos, California-based startup, which came out of stealth last October, aims to eventually launch a constellation of…
Category: Climate
Climate, data centers, electrolyzers, Exclusive, Fourier, Fundraising, Global Security News, Hydrogen, manufacturing, Transportation
Fourier is making hydrogen electrolyzers inspired by data centers
Most recent hydrogen startups have been focused on making modular electrolyzers, but Fourier has taken that trend to the extreme.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, consumers, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global Security News, Marketing, Northwind Climate, Surveys
Who are climate conscious consumers? Not who you’d expect, says Northwind Climate
Rather than divide people into demographic buckets, Northwind Climate analyzes survey responses for behavioral clues.
Amazon, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cisco, Climate, data centers, Enterprise, evergreens, Global Security News, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Solar Power
Data centers love solar: Here’s a comprehensive guide to deals over 100 megawatts
New and expanded data centers are expected to double the sector’s power demand by 2029 as tech companies rush to capitalize on AI.
Climate, data centers, Global Security News, nuclear fission, nuclear power, reverse merger, SPAC, Startups
Nuclear startup Terrestrial Energy goes public via SPAC, netting $280 million in merger
The Canadian company is developing small modular reactors. It previously raised nearly $100 million.
AI, Climate, critical minerals, Earth AI, Exclusive, Global Security News, mining, Startups
Earth AI’s algorithms found critical minerals in places everyone else ignored
The startup uses AI to quickly search for minerals over wide areas, identifying promising potential deposits for exploration.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Climate, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, fusion power, Global Security News, nuclear fusion
Bill Gates-backed Commonwealth Fusion Systems hits key reactor construction milestone
Commonwealth Fusion Systems marked a major milestone Tuesday morning, announcing the installation of a key component of its Sparc demonstration reactor. The new part is a 24-foot wide, 75-ton stainless steel circle that forms the foundation of the tokamak, the doughnut-shaped heart of a fusion reactor that CFS hopes will be the first of its…
Climate, EV charging, EVs, Global Security News, revel, Startups, Transportation
Revel opens first EV fast-charging hub in San Francisco
Brooklyn-based electric vehicle charging infrastructure startup Revel on Monday launched its first fast-charging station in San Francisco, kicking off its plans to expand across the Bay Area over the next year. “For years, Revel has operated the largest, fastest, and most reliable fast-charging network in New York City,” Frank Reig, co-founder and CEO of Revel,…
Climate, Department of Energy, Department of Government Efficiency, doge, FOIA, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Trump admin directs DOE officials to shield DOGE documents from disclosure
The Department of Energy’s acting general counsel reportedly issued a memo telling political appointees how to complete DOGE spreadsheets.
AI, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Emerging Tech, Fintech, Fundraising, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Space, Startups, TC, Venture
Step into the spotlight: Apply to speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Calling all tech innovators, startup fanatics, marketing gurus, and emerging VCs — this is your moment! You’ve waited long enough, and now the time has come to step into the spotlight at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 in San Francisco. Share your expertise with over 10,000 eager attendees and make an impact by…
BYD, Climate, electric vehicles, fast charging, Global Security News, lfp, lithium ion batteries, Transportation
How BYD plans to make EV charging as fast as filling a gas tank
What we found mostly supports the auto makers claims, with a few caveats.
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, data centers, electrical grid, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, nvidia
Nvidia thinks AI can solve electrical grid problems caused by AI
The Open Power AI Consortium says it will use domain-specific AI models to tackle problems in the power industry. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), battery storage, Climate, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, renewable power, Solar Power
Solar notches another win as Microsoft adds 475 MW to power its AI data centers
The company recently signed a deal with energy provider AES for three solar projects across the Midwest. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Enterprise, Fintech, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, robotics, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
Make waves in 2025: Exhibit at TechCrunch events
If you’re reading this, you already know: It’s time to amplify your brand. Get in front of thousands of TechCrunch event attendees, readers, and decision-makers who can take your business further this year by exhibiting at a TechCrunch event. The perks of exhibiting: What’s in it for you Exhibiting doesn’t just elevate your brand —…
Climate, environmental protection agen, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, green bank, inflation reduction act
Judge orders Citibank to release nonprofit funds, rejects EPA’s arguments
The judge also found that the nonprofits will “suffer imminent, irreparable harm” if they don’t gain access to their funding. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, environmental protection agen, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, green bank, inflation reduction act
EPA was ‘arbitrary and capricious’ when it froze nonprofits’ Citibank accounts, judge finds
The judge also found that the nonprofits will “suffer imminent, irreparable harm” if they don’t gain access to their funding. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
agriculture, Al Gore, biodiversity, Climate, Fundraising, generation investment management, Global IT News, Global Security News, Just Climate, Venture
Al Gore’s Just Climate fund raises $175M from Microsoft and CalSTRS for nature-based climate investments
The new fund aims to restore nature to reverse biodiversity loss and emissions from land use. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
battery manufacturing, battery materials, Climate, Coreshell, electric vehicles, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, lithium ion batteries, silicon, Transportation
Coreshell has a plan to slash the price of American made batteries
Rather than trying to beat Chinese companies, Coreshell attempting an end run, swapping graphite for its specially coated silicon. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, muon space, remote sensing, Satellites, Space, wildfires
A Google-backed weapon to battle wildfires made it into orbit
The constellation will keep a close eye on wildfires, eventually imaging nearly all of the Earth’s surface once every 20 minutes. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, muon space, remote sensing, Satellites, Space, wildfires
Google and Muon Space launch a new satellite to battle wildfires
The constellation will keep a close eye on wildfires, eventually imaging nearly all of the Earth’s surface once every 20 minutes. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
api, APIs, Climate, Construction Industry, construction tech, electrification, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Palmetto
Palmetto wants software developers to electrify America using its AI building models
Palmetto has developed a virtual view of how every residential building in the U.S. was built. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, insurance, insurtech, Wildfire
Arizona proposes law that would shift wildfire liability from utilities to insurers
Arizona lawmakers are debating a bill that would protect utilities from wildfire-related lawsuits, a move that would likely send shockwaves through the insurance industry. The bill would make it harder to prove that utilities are to blame for wildfires started by faulty or poorly maintained equipment while also limiting damages. In exchange for reduced liability,…
Climate, Environmental Protection Agency, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, green bank, inflation reduction act
FBI, EPA, and Treasury told Citibank to freeze funds as Trump administration tries to claw back climate money
The accounts were frozen in February, but documents filed today make public details which had previously been unknown. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, data centers, Fervo Energy, Fundraising, geothermal, Global IT News, Global Security News, IPO
Geothermal unicorn Fervo Energy may IPO as early as next year
Driving the consideration is the growing concern over power demand growth from data centers, which could double by 2029. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Environmental Protection Agency, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, green bank, inflation reduction act
FBI, EPA, and Treasury told Citibank to freeze funds as Trump administration tries to claw back climate money
The accounts were frozen in February, but documents filed today make public details which had previously been unknown. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, data centers, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, google cloud, lithium ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are remaking Google’s data centers
Google is replacing lead-acid battery backup units with lithium-ion cells, freeing up space for more servers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Bankruptcy, battery manufacturing, Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, lithium ion batteries, Northvolt, Startups, Transportation
Battery manufacturer Northvolt nears the end as it files for bankruptcy in Sweden
Though the Swedish startup has raised over $14 billion, it has been running short on cash recently. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bedrock Energy, Climate, data centers, Enterprise, Fervo Energy, geothermal energy, Global IT News, Global Security News, Quaise Energy, Rhodium, Sage Geosystems
Geothermal could power nearly all new data centers through 2030
Geothermal resources have enormous potential to provide the sort of consistent power that data centers crave. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Exclusive, fusion power, General Fusion, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear fusion, Startups
General Fusion fires up its newest steampunk fusion reactor
The reactor, called Lawson Machine 26 (LM26), is General Fusion’s latest iteration in a string of devices that have tested various parts of its unique approach. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Apollo Agriculture, Climate, climate tech, Equator, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Equator closes $55M fund to bring more private capital to African climate tech
African VC firm Equator has raised $55M for its first fund, which will back early-stage climate tech startups on the continent. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Real estate, real estate decarbonization, Reshape Energy, Startups
Reshape Energy is using an acquisition playbook to drive energy upgrades for commercial real estate
Reshape Energy is betting on a more integrated approach to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment. Founded in Munich, Germany back in May 2024, the startup is led by a team with expertise scaling energy businesses, including the German division of Octopus energy and energy price comparison platform Verivox. It’s focusing on selling energy…
battery materials, Climate, Daqus Energy, electric vehicles, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, lithium ion batteries, scoop, Transportation
Daqus Energy has a plan to make EV sports cars fast, light, and cheap
Cheaper, lighter, and denser: the trifecta defines an ideal battery. No one has devised a perfect cell quite yet, but one stealthy startup thinks it has found a new material that solves at least two of those challenges. Daqus Energy has been quietly operating for the past four months, refining a compound known as TAQ…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Fintech, Gadgets, Gaming, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, robotics, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Venture
Supercharge your brand visibility with an exhibit table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
From October 27-29, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will bring together over 10,000 startup pioneers, VC leaders, and tech enthusiasts at Moscone West in San Francisco—the epicenter of innovation set to reshape the future of technology. What’s in it for your startup? A golden opportunity to put your innovation in front of an eager audience for all…
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News
Neom is reportedly turning into a financial disaster, except for McKinsey & Co.
A new WSJ report suggests that Saudi Arabia’s now eight-year-old Neom project — a futuristic, carbon-neutral, 105-mile-long linear city envisioned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — has become a financial sinkhole. Plagued by delays and cost overruns, the country, which has already shelled out $50 billion, could reportedly face another 55 years of construction,…
battery manufacturing, battery startups, Climate, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, our next energy, Transportation, Trousdale Ventures
Founder of battery startup Our Next Energy returns as CEO following new funding
ONE also announced the close of a new funding round. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Exclusive, Fundraising, fusion power, Global IT News, Global Security News, Lowercarbon Capital, nuclear fusion, Renaissance Fusion
Renaissance Fusion raises €32M to radically simplify complex fusion reactors
The startup is betting that by simplifying stellarators, it can make fusion power cheaper and easier to maintain. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
biorecycling, Biotech & Health, Climate, epoch biodesign, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, plastic recycling, Startups
From high school science project to $18.3M: AI-accelerated enzymes are coming for fast fashion’s plastic waste
A U.K. startup, originating from founder Jacob Nathan’s high school science project on using enzymes to break down plastic waste, has secured an oversubscribed $18.3 million in Series A funding. Founded in 2019 in London, Epoch Biodesign now a 30+ strong multidisciplinary team of chemists, biologists and software engineers. It will be using the new…
Aspiration, Climate, conspiracy, Fintech, fraud, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups
Aspiration co-founder and board member defrauded investors of $145M, prosecutors say
The fintech startup has been under federal scrutiny for years for questionable financial and carbon accounting practices. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, debt, Global IT News, Global Security News, inflation reduction act, solar installation, Solar Power
Solar installer Sunnova races to raise cash as it issues ‘going concern’ warning
The entire solar industry has been bracing for a rough road ahead. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, moonwatt, sodium-ion, solar storage, Startups
Moonwatt secures $8.3M to dial up solar’s staying power with sodium-ion storage
The drive to decarbonize our economies through electrification and clean energy continues to generate momentum around battery technologies, as storage has a key role to play in enabling the green transition. While renewables are clean sources of energy compared to burning fossil fuels, their power output isn’t always consistent. In the case of solar —…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Enterprise, Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Final 24 hours to save up to $1,130
The early bird gets the worm and time is running out! You have less than 24 hours left to save up to $1,130 when purchasing passes to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. If you want massive savings on Disrupt 2025 individual passes and up to 30% on group tickets, secure your low ticket rate today. These offers…
AI, Apps, Climate, Crypto, Fintech, Fundraising, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, robotics, Space, Startups, StrictlyVC, StrictlyVC SF, TC, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
2025 TechCrunch Events Calendar
For two decades, TechCrunch has provided a front row view to the future of technology, shaping conversations that matter and spotlighting the next big things before they break — both on the page and in person at our world-renowned events. This year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re launching our most ambitious events calendar…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: 3 days left to save up to $1,130 on passes
Tick-tock! The last three days to save up to $1,130 to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 are winding down! Get your tickets today for massive savings on Disrupt 2025 individual passes and up to 30% on group tickets. These offers end February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so don’t miss out on major savings of the year.…
Climate, Fusion, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware
German startup wins accolade for its fusion reactor design
Proxima Fusion, a two-year-old, German nuclear fusion startup, has published plans for a working fusion power plant in a peer-reviewed journal, in what is being touted as a step-change in the race to generate limitless energy. Today’s nuclear fission reactors create radioactive waste, whereas nuclear fusion releases vast amounts of energy, with zero carbon emissions and…
carbon capture, carbon capture technologies, Climate, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mitico, sosv
Mitico raises $4.3M seed round to capture CO2 using ‘prehistoric chemistry’
Mitico thinks that it has found a way to slash the cost of carbon capture using a simple salt that’s been tweaked for industrial duty. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cambium, Climate, construction materials, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, sustainable forestry, VoLo Earth Ventures
Cambium is building an AI that helps turn waste wood into usable lumber
Cambium uses data on timber and lumber transactions in a bid to make salvage wood appealing to a range of companies. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, direct air capture, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, inflation reduction act, oil and gas
The real reason why oil and gas companies are bullish on carbon capture
Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub compared using CO2 in enhanced oil recovery to fracking, the technology that sent U.S. oil and gas production skyrocketing. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, electrical grid, Global IT News, Global Security News, natural gas, renewable energy, renewable power, Solar Power
Solar crushed 2024, but emissions were up as industry used more natural gas
Solar and wind together now represent nearly a quarter of electricity demand and nearly 10% of all energy consumption in the U.S. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear energy, valar atomics
Valar Atomics comes out of stealth with $19M and a pilot reactor site
Companies developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) have raised more than $1.5 billion in the past year, as tech companies hunger for power to train AI models and governments decide to commit to the industry. For example, X-energy raised $700 million this month, and Paris-based Newcleo raised $151 million last year, and one would be…
Climate, derivatives, electrical grid, electricity, ElectronX, Exchanges, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, renewable power, Systemiq Capital
ElectronX is building a stock market for electricity trading
ElectronX has raised $10 million to build an exchange for electricity derivatives trading. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, data centers, electrical grid, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, hydropower, Trump Administration
Trump admin reverses hydropower layoffs that sparked grid stability fears
The layoffs slashed between 13% to 20% of the four Power Marketing Administrations’ workforces. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amazon, carbon credits, carbon offsets, Climate, Enterprise, exxon, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft
Amazon, Microsoft, and Exxon want to make scandal-plagued carbon markets more trustworthy
A task force, organized by the Bipartisan Policy Center think tank, is hoping to improve credibility of voluntary carbon markets. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, electrcity, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear, renewables
Global electricity demand expected to grow 4% annually through 2027
Meeting that demand will require adding more generating capacity than all of Japan — every year. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, data centers, electricity, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, power grid
Data center tweaks could unlock 76 GW of new power capacity in the U.S.
A new study argues that data centers could be ideal demand-response participants because they have the potential to be flexible. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
carbon credits, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, Exclusive, Forestry, formula 1, Formula 1 racing, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mercedes-AMG, Transportation
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team steers toward nature-based carbon credits
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team is buying 5,500 metric tons worth of carbon credits from Chestnut Carbon. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, carbon credits, carbon removal, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, DBL Partners, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, reforestation
Chestnut Carbon gets $160M to turn old farms into forests
The company buys marginal and degraded farmland, plants them with native trees, and harvests the resulting carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, ChatGPT, Climate, energy consumption, energy usage, environment, environmental impact, epoch, epoch ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Research, study
ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed
ChatGPT, OpenAI’s chatbot platform, may not be as power-hungry as once assumed. But its appetite largely depends on how ChatGPT is being used, and the AI models that are answering the queries, according to a new study. A recent analysis by Epoch AI, a nonprofit AI research institute, attempted to calculate how much energy a…
AI, Climate, data center, Global Security News, Microsoft, North America, solar
Microsoft powers AI ambitions with 400 MW solar purchase
Microsoft has added another 389 megawatts of renewable power to its portfolio as the tech giant scrambles to meet the power demands required to match its AI ambitions. The additional renewable power spans three solar projects developed by EDP Renewables North America — two in southern Illinois and one outside Austin, Texas. Microsoft is buying…
Climate, droneseed, ecosystems, Exclusive, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, mast reforestation, Pulse Fund, reforestation, reforesting, Social Capital Holdings, wildfires
Mast Reforestation hatched a plan to restore wildfire-ravaged forests. Investors took notice.
Mast enables reforestation without landowners needing to wait decades to harvest timber or claim carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amazon, Climate, emerson collective, fission, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear power, X-Energy
Laurene Powell Jobs joins Amazon in backing nuclear startup X-Energy in $700M round
X-Energy is one of many nuclear startups to have benefitted from the AI-driven data center boom. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Orgs demand action to mitigate AI’s environmental harm
A group of more than 100 organizations has published an open letter calling on the AI industry and regulators to mitigate the tech’s harmful environmental impacts just days before leading industry CEOs, heads of state, academics, and nonprofits descend on Paris for a major AI conference. The letter, which bears the signatures of prominent advocacy…
Climate, EV, EV battery, evergreens, Global Security News, Government & Policy, inflation reduction act, North America, Transportation
Tracking the EV battery factory construction boom across North America
A wave of automakers and battery makers — foreign and domestic — have pledged to produce North American–made batteries before 2030. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Congruent Ventures, EV charging, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, platforms, Presto Charging, Transportation, Union Square Ventures
Presto is building Stripe for EV charging
Presto is helping connect fleets and charging networks so drivers can find working chargers quickly. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Biotech & Health, Climate, cultivated meat, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, lab grown meat, meatly, Startups
First lab-grown meat treats go on sale in the UK — for dogs
Cultivated chicken doggie snacks have gone on sale at a U.K. pet food retailer, Pets at Home. The retailer also happens to be a major investor in Meatly, the startup producing the meat ingredient contained in dog food brand The Pack’s Chick Bites, as the slaughter-free, low carbon treats are billed. (Other ingredients in the…
Amazon, AWS, Climate, energy storage, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, renewable power, Solar Power, Wind power
Amazon continues renewable energy spree with 476 MW purchase
Amazon’s power bill has been soaring lately as it adds data centers to deal with rising demand for AI and cloud services. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
aviation, carbon capture, Circularity Fuels, Climate, DCVC, e-fuels, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, sustainable aviation fuel, Transportation
E-fuels startup will make diamonds before powering jet planes
Circularity’s process uses 40% less energy than competing CO2-to-fuel pathways. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, data centers, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, renewable power, Solar Power
Meta turns to solar — again — in its data center-building boom
The announcement comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg maintains the company’s ambitious AI strategy, which will require hefty capital investments in data centers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Europe, Global Security News, Hardware, solar
WeDoSolar pivots to B2B, after stake acquired by Chinese solar giant
Last year Wind and solar energy overtook fossil fuels to provide 30% of the EU’s electricity. With that in the background, startups in the solar space have been riding a generational change in how we get our power. In 2022 we covered how a small B2C European startup planned to bring solar to homes via…
carbon credits, carbon removal, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, reforestation, Startups
Microsoft signs massive carbon credit deal with reforestation startup Chestnut Carbon
The 25-year deal would enable Chestnut Carbon to reforest 60,000 acres of land across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
BurnBot, Climate, climate change, FireDome, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Kodama, la wildfires, muon space, Pano AI, Startups, vibrant planet, wildfires
Climate change ignited LA’s wildfire risk. These startups want to extinguish it
Extreme weather conditions will be more common, according to the study, adding fresh urgency to a burgeoning group of climate adaptation startups. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
battery storage, Climate, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Niko, QED Investors, Solar Power
Solar startup Niko is building Mexico’s first virtual power plant
After more than a year of helping solar installers sell, plan, and finance panels for residential and small commercial building owners, Niko found another opportunity. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, Enterprise, enterprise tech, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, startup fundraising, Startups, TC, venture capital
Meteomatics eyes U.S. expansion for its enterprise-focused weather forecasting tools
Martin Fengler knows a lot about the weather. Fengler got his Ph.D. in mathematics, focused on numerical weather prediction, before working for Meteomedia AG, a network of weather stations in Switzerland and Germany. But while he knew a lot about weather forecasting from the prediction side, he realized the gaps that remained on the consumption…
Climate, Fundraising, fusion power, Global IT News, Global Security News, Helion, lightspeed venture partners, Microsoft, nuclear fusion, sam altman, softbank vision, SoftBank Vision Fund 2
Helion raises $425M to help build a fusion reactor for Microsoft
Helion’s unorthodox approach to fusion power and relative secrecy has earned it plenty of fans — and critics. But don’t count its investors among the naysayers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, deepseek, deepseek-r1, energy efficiency, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear power, renewable power
How DeepSeek’s efficient AI could stall the nuclear renaissance
The startups and power producers that are betting big on new nuclear are vulnerable to an energy efficient AI model. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: 5 Days left to claim your 2 for 1 Passes at the lowest rate of the year
The clock is ticking for one of our Super Early Bird sales! You have just 5 days left to lock in your 2 for 1 Passes at the lowest rates of the year for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Save up to $1,400 on two of the same individual ticket type. This limited-time offer ends this Friday,…
aviation, Climate, defense technology, e-fuels, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Lydian Labs, pilot project
Lydian Labs can make aviation fuel wherever there’s CO2 and electricity
Replacing inexpensive fossil fuels is a tall hurdle, but Lydian thinks it has cracked the problem. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, battery storage, Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, oracle, renewable energy, SoftBank Group, Solar Power, stargate
Stargate will use solar and batteries to power $100B AI venture
Solar farms can be completed far faster than nuclear reactors and natural gas power plants. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Bedrock Energy, Climate, data centers, energy impact partners, Fundraising, geothermal, Global IT News, Global Security News, hvac, Sustainable Future Ventures, Titanium Ventures
Bedrock Energy wants geothermal to make data centers cooler and offices more comfortable
To cut costs and minimize geothermal’s footprint, Bedrock drills deeper. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, data centers, Enterprise, fission, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear power, South Carolina, Westinghouse
Zombie nuclear reactors could be revived thanks to AI data center demand
Hoping to capitalize on the data center power boom, state-owned utility Santee Cooper is looking for partners to finish construction on two incomplete reactors. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amperesand, Climate, data centers, electrical grid, electricity, Enterprise, EV charging, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Solid State, Transportation
Amperesand targets data centers as the next big customer for its solid-state transformers
Amperesand’s technology replaces the iron cores that define old transformers with silicon carbide. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, data centers, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Trump Administration, Wind power
Trump moves to sink offshore wind
President Trump signed an executive order that halted federal leases for offshore wind development on the outer continental shelf. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amazon, AWS, Climate, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, net zero, renewable energy, Solar Power, sustainability, Wind power
Amazon bought more renewable power last year than any other company
Amazon added around 100 new renewable projects last year. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Denmark, Donald Trump, Founders Fund, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, greenland, Ken Howery, PayPal Mafia, Real estate, Venture
Ken Howery: the tech mogul at the center of Trump’s Greenland ambition
Surprise! Donald Trump’s big, audacious ambition to buy Greenland from Denmark has a tech angle. Ken Howery, named by U.S. President-elect Trump’s pick to be the next ambassador to the country (and thus chief broker of any deal), is one more part of the rich seam of tech people running through Trump’s upcoming administration. Part…
Climate, critical minerals, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, mining, oceans, Policy
Trump administration might give a boost to deep-sea mining for critical minerals
A string of nominees all previously said that they support the practice A string of nominees all previously said that they support the controversial practice. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, climate tech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Climate tech matured in 2024 as investors favored bigger rounds, later stages
Climate tech may have had a down year in 2024, but new data also shows a maturing sector with larger deal sizes. Venture investment in the climate tech sector was down 7% to $12.9 billion, $1 billion shy of 2023’s tally, according to data in a new PitchBook report. The report found that round size…
carbon credits, Climate, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Varaha
Google strikes world’s largest biochar carbon removal deal with Indian startup Varaha
Google has agreed to purchase 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from Indian startup Varaha. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Climate, data centers, Engie, Enterprise, Facebook, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, renewable energy, Solar Power
Meta adds 200 megawatts of solar to its 12 gigawatt renewable portfolio
The news comes as tech companies ramp up their AI ambitions, adding data centers at a breakneck pace and boosting demand for power. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Biotech & Health, Climate, Colossal Biosciences, CRISPR, de-extinction tech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, synthetic biology
Colossal Biosciences raises $200M at $10.2B valuation to bring back woolly mammoths
Colossal Biosciences wants to bring back the woolly mammoth and has raised $200 million at a $10.2 billion valuation to do it. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News
Data center power demand will double over the next five years
Data centers are expected to continue growing at a breakneck pace, doubling their power demand by 2029, according to a new report from JLL. The industry’s expansion, fueled by the rapid growth of AI alongside the continued expansion of cloud-based services, is testing the limits of the energy sector. Some experts think that half of…
Climate, emergency alert, Global IT News, Global Security News, LA wildfire, privacy, push notifications
Every smartphone in LA accidentally received a wildfire evacuation alert
As wildfires rage for the third consecutive day through parts of Los Angeles, now including the Hollywood Hills, several neighborhoods have been forced to evacuate for safety purposes. But on Thursday afternoon, a wildfire evacuation alert was mistakenly sent to the smartphone of every resident in Los Angeles County, a region with more than 9…
Apps, Climate, consumer apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, top apps, wildfires
Watch Duty surpasses ChatGPT as top free app on App Store as California fires spread
Watch Duty, an app to track wildfires with live maps and alerts, has become the No. 1 free app in Apple’s App Store as of Wednesday morning. The fire-tracking app surpassed the ChatGPT app for the No. 1 spot as devastating fires continue to rage across Southern California. ChatGPT had been in the No. 1…
biomanufacturing, biosphere, Biotech & Health, biotechnology, Climate, electrification, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Lowercarbon Capital, VXI Capital
Biosphere zaps germs with UV light to make biomanufacturing cheaper
Using LEDs has the potential to bring down the cost of biomanufacturing, allowing such processes to make materials that previously would have been too expensive. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Startups, Xocean
Xocean raises $119M to capture ocean data with uncrewed surface vessels
Xocean, an Irish marine robotics startup that provides ocean data to the energy and hydrography industries using uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), has raised €115 million ($119 million) as it looks to expand coverage to additional sectors. Founded in 2017, Xocean has built a fleet of remotely-controlled USVs that can remain offshore for long periods of…
Apps, Climate, consumer apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, top apps, wildfires
Watch Duty surpasses ChatGPT as top free app on App Store as California fires spread
Watch Duty, an app to track wildfires with live maps and alerts, has become the number one free app in Apple’s App Store as of Wednesday morning. The fire tracking app surpassed the ChatGPT app for the number one spot as devastating fires continue to rage across Southern California. Watch Duty has been around since…
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, electrical grid, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Gridware, Power Lines, Sequoia Partners
Gridware’s boxes literally listen to power lines to find outages
Gridware’s sensors listen for sounds that the company’s software has been trained to identify as different hazards to the grid. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, data centers, Deep Fission, endeavour, Enterprise, fission, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear power
Nuclear startup Deep Fission plans to bury micro-reactors to power data centers
Deep Fission’s small modular reactors would be lowered on cables down a 30-inch, one-mile deep borehole. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Alta Resource Technologies, biotech, Climate, critical minerals, DCVC, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, rare earth minerals, Voyager Ventures
Alta Resource breaks down e-waste for rare earth metals that electronics need
Nvidia, Apple, and the Pentagon want more rare earth metals. Alta says it can capture more of the critical minerals from low-grade sources than other methods. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
agriculture, AgTech, CES, Climate, full nature farms, Global Security News, Startups
Full Nature Farms launches smart irrigation system at CES 2025 to reduce agricultural water waste
Agriculture, which consumes about 70% of global freshwater, is grappling with increased water scarcity and inefficient irrigation systems. Traditional methods of irrigation not only lead to wasted water and nutrients, but also contribute to lower crop yields, food insecurity, and unnecessary carbon emissions. Hong-Kong based agriculture technology startup Full Nature Farms thinks there’s a better…
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, green hydrogen, Hydrogen, inflation reduction act, tax credits
Hydrogen tax credit rules give startups clarity while boosting nuclear and carbon capture
Hydrogen startups are widely seen as a promising way to eliminate fossil fuels from heavy industry and long-haul transportation. But they have been stuck in limbo for the last couple years, waiting for official guidance from the U.S. Treasury on lucrative tax credits. The wait ended today, with the Treasury announcing final rules for hydrogen…
Climate, electra, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, scoop, steel
Electra found a cheap, clean way to purify iron, and it’s raising $257M to make it happen
Electra has raised $76.3 million to clean up the dirty ironmaking industry, TechCrunch has learned. The startup has developed a novel method of using electricity to coax pure iron out of low-grade ores, opening the door to cleaner steel. The new funding round, which was disclosed in a regulatory filing, seeks to raise a total…