⚡World’s 1st ethanol power plant, trees evolved to survive electric jolts, uranium waste-based rechargeable battery

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Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has joined forces with Energetica Suape II S.A., a Brazilian energy company, to trial an innovative clean energy solution.

This collaboration aims to demonstrate the viability of using ethanol, primarily produced from sugarcane, for large-scale electricity generation.

The trial will be conducted at the Suape II power station in Recife, Brazil, marking an important step in exploring biofuels as sustainable energy sources. Dive deeper into this Must-Read.

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⚡ World’s 1st ethanol power plant launched, to turn sugarcane into energy

Carlos Alberto Mansur Filho, a Grupo Econômico 4M shareholder, initiated the partnership to deliver cleaner and more reliable energy solutions. He remarked on the shared commitment to innovation and sustainability that made Wärtsilä a fitting collaborator for this venture.

The project is expected to feature what could become the world’s first ethanol-fueled engine designed for large-scale power production. Testing is slated to begin in April 2026 and could run for up to 4,000 hours over two years.

Ethanol has long been recognized as a central element of Brazil’s energy landscape; the country is the largest producer and consumer of ethanol from sugarcane globally. However, its application in electricity generation has not been fully exploited until now.

🌴 Nature's 'lightning rods': Trees evolved to survive electric jolts

You’d think millions of volts would be fatal, but for certain rainforest trees, it’s a surprising advantage. A new study proposes that some tropical tree species may have evolved to effectively act as “lightning rods.”

Forest ecologist Evan Gora at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies led researchers in Panama’s tropical forests to investigate the impact of lightning strikes.

They focused on a tree species called Dipteryx oleifera. These trees are tall, with wide crowns, and possess an ability to withstand direct lightning hits.

🔋 World-first: Japan unveils uranium waste-based rechargeable battery

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed the world’s first uranium-based rechargeable battery. “We successfully developed a rechargeable battery using uranium as an active material,” said the institute in a press release.

This could transform the management of nuclear waste and address the growing need for efficient energy storage capabilities.

For this research, the team utilized uranium as an active material within the battery’s electrochemical processes. Typically, batteries rely on materials like lithium or lead to facilitate the flow of electrons and generate electricity.

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