EnergyInnovationScience

RGU-Led Consortium Secures £800k for Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Production Technology

Researchers at Robert Gordon University have secured an £800,000 grant to accelerate clean hydrogen innovation using waste steam from nuclear facilities. The project aims to make solid oxide steam electrolysis commercially viable while supporting UK net-zero goals.

Major Funding for Clean Hydrogen Breakthrough

Robert Gordon University has reportedly secured an £800,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to accelerate low-carbon energy solutions, according to university announcements. The funding will support researchers in developing advanced hydrogen production technology that utilizes waste steam generated by nuclear energy facilities.

BusinessInnovationStartups

Corporate Venture Arms Emerge as Key Partners for Pioneering Climate Technology Projects

As climate tech funding declines sharply in Europe, corporate venture capital firms are positioning themselves as essential partners for first-of-a-kind projects. Sources indicate CVCs provide technical expertise and offtake agreements that traditional investors cannot match, though some concerns about competitive tensions remain.

Corporate Venture Capital Fills Critical Gap in Climate Tech Funding

Corporate venture capital firms are increasingly positioning themselves as essential partners for first-of-a-kind climate technology projects facing massive capital requirements and technical hurdles, according to industry analysis. As traditional climate tech funding reportedly dropped 71% in Europe during the first half of 2025, CVCs claim they can provide the specialized expertise and customer connections that FOAK startups desperately need.

EnergyInnovationTechnology

South Africa’s Wind Energy Expansion Stalled by National Grid Constraints

South Africa’s wind power sector faces significant delays due to transmission grid limitations, according to discussions at Windaba 2025. Industry executives emphasize that grid capacity issues are preventing new projects from connecting, with calls for policy changes and sector-wide collaboration to address the challenges.

Grid Constraints Hinder Renewable Energy Growth

South Africa’s wind energy sector is facing significant development challenges due to bottlenecks in the national transmission infrastructure, according to reports from the Windaba 2025 conference in Cape Town. Industry leaders indicated that these grid limitations are preventing new renewable energy projects from connecting to the power system, potentially delaying the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.

AIInnovationTechnology

AI’s Promise for Developing Economies Faces Infrastructure and Literacy Hurdles

Artificial intelligence is rapidly gaining traction across developing nations, with early studies showing significant improvements in education and healthcare outcomes. However, analysts suggest connectivity limitations, digital literacy gaps, and institutional capacity constraints could prevent the poorest populations from benefiting equally from the AI revolution.

AI’s Rapid Adoption in Emerging Markets

Artificial intelligence tools are seeing remarkable uptake across developing economies, with sources indicating approximately 800 million people now use AI chatbots weekly. According to reports, countries with lower human-development scores demonstrate particularly high confidence in AI technologies, with Ghana and Nigeria emerging among the most enthusiastic adopters globally. The technology’s accessibility via affordable smartphones positions it as a potential equalizer for knowledge access in regions historically underserved by traditional infrastructure.