The Clean Energy Show

China's EV revolution is delivering a surprising health benefit. New research suggests electric vehicles have cut air pollution enough to prevent an estimated 262,000 premature deaths, while gas-powered vehicles have completely disappeared from China's top ten best-selling vehicle rankings.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup may face an unexpected opponent: extreme heat. New analysis suggests players, fans, and organizers could all be challenged by rising temperatures and humidity across host cities in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
California's first major eight-hour battery storage facility is now online, providing a glimpse of how solar power could keep the lights on long after sunset and helping pave the way toward a fossil-free electricity grid.
Move over agrivoltaics. Researchers in Denmark are exploring offshore wind-aquaculture, using wind farm areas to grow seaweed that could become food, animal feed, and industrial materials while making better use of ocean space.
We also hear from Eric in California about municipal utilities and why some communities pay far less for electricity than customers served by large investor-owned utilities.
In the Lightning Round: a major uranium enrichment expansion in the United States, an advanced microreactor reaches a key milestone, questions emerge about a much-hyped battery startup, BYD's rapid expansion in Mexico, synthetic aviation fuel, a massive new transmission line linking Quebec and New York City, Waymo's latest acquisition, and more.
Plus, Brian reports from Waterton Lakes National Park, James talks about a recent high school presentation, and we discuss why fossil fuels are increasingly looking like a national security risk while renewable energy keeps getting cheaper.
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The surprising solar phenomenon called the "cloud edge effect" shows how panels can sometimes generate more power than their rated capacity.
Also this week: a new wildfire study reveals that while fewer hectares are burning globally, the fires that do occur are increasingly hitting wealthy, populated areas—causing far greater economic damage. And France's nuclear utility EDF is considering adding cooling towers to some reactors as climate change warms rivers and challenges plant operations.
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In This Episode:
North America's grid enters summer in stronger shape than last year
Why solar and batteries are improving reliability across the U.S.
Saskatchewan remains at risk during extreme heat events
The Philippines experiences explosive rooftop solar growth
Why solar can occasionally exceed its rated output
The "cloud edge effect" explained
Wildfires are burning less land but causing more destruction
Canada records another year of extreme wildfire emissions
How climate change is affecting nuclear power operations in France
EDF's plans to climate-proof its reactors and hydro assets
Lightning Round:
Australians are illegally connecting portable home batteries
Tesla patents a camera-cleaning system for self-driving cars
China's flying car industry takes another step forward
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Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

From Americans now being able to use healthcare savings accounts to buy e-bikes, to a massive new 5 GWh thermal battery project in South Dakota that stores renewable electricity as heat inside giant carbon blocks. James and Brian also discuss the UK's record May heatwave and growing calls for air conditioning in schools and care homes as climate change pushes temperatures higher.
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The guys also explore why rooftop solar is exploding in Pakistan while prices remain stubbornly high in Canada, and they react to listener mail from a Chevy Bolt owner who received an oil change reminder for an EV with "0% oil life remaining."
In the Lightning Round:
Cuba begins installing turbines at its largest-ever wind farm

Tesla launches "Quiet Charging Zones" at some Superchargers

Africa ramps up domestic solar panel manufacturing

China-built car exports to Europe surge

EVs are expected to hit 28% of global new car sales in 2026

Waymo pauses freeway robotaxi trips over construction-zone issues

India surpasses the United States in EV adoption rates

Why even an EV powered entirely by coal can still beat a gas car on emissions

Plus, James shares a shocking comparison between lead pollution during the Flint water crisis and 1970s Los Angeles that helped shape Brian's environmental worldview.
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Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

Pakistan's booming rooftop solar "shadow grid" has quietly grown larger than the country's official grid, saving billions while slashing fossil fuel imports. They also look at the staggering costs of keeping aging coal plants alive in the U.S., including millions spent just to maintain shutdown-ready facilities. Plus: a groundbreaking Inuit-owned hydro project replacing diesel power in the Arctic, bats vs. wind turbines, EV sales exploding in Canada, China's battery charging buildout, and why hailstorms are becoming a major challenge for solar farms.
Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month!
Topics this week include:
Pakistan's massive solar "shadow grid" now bigger than the official grid - end of show!

Trump-era coal plant extensions costing hundreds of millions

Coal pollution reducing global solar output

Inuit-owned hydro project cuts Arctic diesel use by 80%

Researchers study how bats interact with wind turbines

OPEC instability and what oil prices mean for the energy transition

DOJ investigates emissions-tuning car app data

BYD rapidly expanding ultra-fast charging stations

Denmark hits nearly 82% EV sales

Texas adding 12.9 GW of grid batteries this year

Renewables overtake natural gas on the U.S. grid for the first time

Hailstorms become the top cause of solar insurance losses

XPeng predicts Level 5 self-driving by 2030

The Lightning Round covers drone strikes on nuclear infrastructure, floating solar over manure lagoons, sodium batteries, Ukraine targeting Russian oil infrastructure, and more.
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Support The Clean Energy Show
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Store
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Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

In Chile, organized crime gangs are now stealing solar panels and copper wiring from giant solar farms in coordinated nighttime raids. James explains how Saskatchewan could spend over $520 million a year on coal fuel alone — enough money to build massive amounts of solar and battery storage every single year instead. In Ohio, voters accidentally upheld a renewable energy ban because the ballot wording was nearly impossible to understand.
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Plus: China donates 5,000 solar systems to Cuba during ongoing blackouts, the EPA blames Asian pollution for smog in Phoenix and Salt Lake City, Vestas tests red wind turbine blades to reduce bird collisions, Norway hits nearly 99% EV adoption, and Amsterdam bans fossil fuel advertising. Also in the Lightning Round: giant Alaskan tsunamis, Ozempic crushing junk food sales, Meta's Manhattan-sized AI data center, rooftop solar for dairy barns, and why heat pump dryers are secretly amazing.
The Lightning Round includes:
Norway reaches 98.6% EV market share
BYD adds LiDAR to a $10K EV
Used EV searches double in Canada
Meta plans 10 new gas plants for AI expansion
Amsterdam bans meat and fossil fuel ads
Heat pump dryers use up to 60% less electricity
Ozempic may already be reshaping freight demand
The IEA says the fossil fuel era may never recover after the current oil shock
Contact Us
cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean
Support The Clean Energy Show
Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet!
Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations.
Store
Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!.
Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.