Energy

KINETIC7 has announced a breakthrough in clean energy with the development of a hydrogen-on-demand system designed to provide safer cooking solutions for communities reliant on polluting fuels.

Founded by Rick Parish, the company has developed a technology that generates hydrogen gas instantly from water, eliminating the need for storage and significantly reducing associated safety risks. The innovation targets the estimated 2.3 billion people worldwide who still depend on firewood, charcoal and biomass for everyday cooking and heating.

Traditional cooking methods are a major contributor to household air pollution, which is linked to millions of premature deaths each year due to respiratory illness and other health conditions. By contrast, KINETIC7’s system produces a clean flame without harmful emissions, offering a safer alternative for indoor use.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the company has introduced two portable stove models—Nomad™ and Tribe™—which utilise the hydrogen-on-demand process. These units generate gas through electrolysis powered by an internal battery, which can be recharged via solar energy or conventional power sources. Importantly, the technology avoids storing hydrogen, reducing the risk of leaks or combustion hazards and enhancing operational safety.

The stoves have been designed with humanitarian applications in mind, particularly for deployment in remote or crisis-affected areas where access to clean energy is limited. Beyond improving air quality, the technology also addresses wider safety concerns, including the risks faced by individuals—especially women—who must travel long distances to collect firewood.

The innovation has undergone independent technical assessment, including evaluation by experts at Imperial College London, and aligns with multiple United Nations sustainable development goals. It has also been showcased at international platforms such as the clean cooking summit organised by the International Energy Agency.

Initial production of the stoves is expected to begin later this year, with plans to collaborate with governments, humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations to expand access.

By combining safety-focused design with zero-emission energy generation, KINETIC7’s technology presents a potential pathway to reducing health risks, environmental damage and social challenges linked to traditional cooking methods.

Trinasolar has introduced an upgraded version of its Vertex N G3 solar modules, delivering a peak output of 760W and signalling a notable advance in mass-produced n-type TOPCon technology.

The latest modules incorporate the company’s i-TOPCon Ultra platform, which underpins improvements in both efficiency and energy yield.

Commercial rollout is expected in the third quarter of the year, as Trinasolar scales up production to meet growing global demand for high-performance photovoltaic solutions.

The enhanced design draws on a combination of innovations aimed at boosting output while improving reliability.

These include an advanced cell platform that increases power generation and bifacial performance, alongside multi-cut and edge passivation techniques that help minimise electrical losses and improve resistance to shading and hot spots.

In addition, a high-density packaging approach enables greater efficiency across the module.

As a result, the Vertex N G3 series delivers several performance gains.

These include bifaciality levels of up to 85±5%, enabling higher rear-side energy capture, as well as improved performance under low-light conditions. The modules also feature reduced degradation rates over time and a favourable temperature coefficient, supporting stable operation in a range of climates.

Trinasolar emphasised that the upgraded modules are designed to integrate seamlessly with widely used solar tracking systems, allowing operators to maximise energy output across large-scale installations.

This compatibility is particularly relevant for utility-scale solar projects and environments with high reflectivity, where bifacial modules can capture additional energy from ground-reflected light.

Beyond technical performance, the company highlighted the economic advantages of the new modules.

By improving efficiency and output, the design contributes to lower balance of system (BOS) costs and a reduction in the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), making projects more financially viable.

The modules are also positioned for emerging applications such as energy-intensive data centres, where consistent, high-capacity power supply and long-term reliability are critical.

A simulation conducted in Spain demonstrated the system-level benefits when the modules are paired with Trinasolar’s tracking solutions. Compared with conventional technologies, the setup showed measurable reductions in BOS costs and LCOE, alongside an increase in overall project value and electricity generation potential.

With these upgrades, Trinasolar aims to strengthen its position in the competitive solar market, while supporting the broader transition towards more efficient and cost-effective renewable energy systems.

Volvo Penta and Volvo Financial Services have joined forces to support DFDS in shifting towards electric-powered terminal operations, marking a step forward in port decarbonisation efforts.

The collaboration centres on a seven-year leasing agreement covering six electric RoRo terminal tractors, developed by MOL and equipped with Volvo Penta’s electric driveline systems. The package also includes preventative maintenance support and insurance, forming part of a broader end-to-end solution designed to ease the transition to electromobility.

The initiative aligns with DFDS’ longer-term strategy to convert a significant share of its fleet of 280 diesel-powered terminal tractors into electric alternatives. By opting for a leasing structure, the company can adopt new technology without the burden of high upfront capital costs, which remain a barrier for many operators considering electrification.

Volvo Penta noted that such financial models are becoming increasingly important as industries navigate rapidly evolving electric technologies. The integrated offer developed with Volvo Financial Services aims to make adoption more accessible, while reducing risk for customers exploring low-emission equipment.

The electric 4x4 RoRo tractors themselves have been under development since 2021, when Volvo Penta and MOL began working together on what became one of the first operational models of its kind. A prototype was deployed at a DFDS terminal in Ghent, where it underwent extensive real-world testing as part of validation trials lasting over a year.

Feedback from operations has played a central role in refining the machines. Engineers from both companies worked closely with DFDS teams to tailor performance, ensuring the tractors meet the specific demands of port environments.

Electrification of terminal tractors offers several operational and environmental advantages. These include lower emissions, contributing to improved air quality in port areas, as well as reduced noise and vibration levels. Such benefits are particularly relevant in confined or enclosed spaces, where conventional diesel equipment can have a greater impact on working conditions.

In addition, Volvo Penta’s involvement ensures access to an established service network, supporting reliability and ongoing maintenance of the electric driveline systems.

The first batch of six electric units is scheduled for delivery to DFDS operations in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2026, as the company continues to scale up its transition to more sustainable logistics solutions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has underscored the growing importance of clean energy in shaping the Middle East and North Africa’s evolving power landscape, as electricity demand continues to accelerate across the region.

Long recognised as a backbone of the global oil and gas market, MENA is now experiencing a parallel transformation driven by rapid population growth, urban expansion and higher living standards.

Increased reliance on cooling systems and desalination has further intensified power consumption, placing additional pressure on existing infrastructure.

According to the IAEA’s report, The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa, electricity demand has risen sharply over the past two decades.

Since 2000, consumption has tripled, climbing by more than 1,000 terawatt-hours. This upward trajectory shows little sign of slowing, with forecasts indicating a further 50% increase by 2035.

As governments respond to these pressures, attention is turning towards building more resilient and lower-emission energy systems.

The report highlights how clean energy technologies can support this shift, offering a route to reliable power supply while also opening up new industrial and economic opportunities.

Both energy exporters and importers stand to benefit, particularly through participation in emerging clean energy value chains.

In parallel with long-term planning, several countries are already taking steps to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

In Algeria, Egypt, Iraq and Libya, collaborative initiatives have focused on curbing methane emissions and strengthening overall energy security.

Algeria, for instance, has launched a new programme in partnership with international stakeholders and domestic specialists.

The initiative aims to expand methane monitoring and mitigation efforts, while also developing local expertise through to 2027.

The IAEA notes that such targeted actions, combined with broader adoption of renewable energy and efficiency measures, will be critical in ensuring the region can meet rising demand without compromising sustainability goals.