---
title: "Clean energy breakthroughs, utility moves mark shifting power landscape"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/294307894.md"
description: "The power landscape is shifting due to clean energy breakthroughs and utility expansions. Researchers developed a sustainable catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation and identified pollution-resistant sponges. Utilities WEC Energy and FirstEnergy are investing billions in grid modernization driven by data center demand. Meanwhile, the IEA forecasts renewables will surpass coal by 2026, supported by record US solar output and competitive Chinese panel prices."
datetime: "2026-07-30T05:50:21.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/294307894.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/294307894.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/294307894.md)
---

# Clean energy breakthroughs, utility moves mark shifting power landscape

Scientific leaps: Researchers unveiled a sustainable platinum-chromium-silver catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation and identified a sponge species capable of thriving in polluted ports. Utility strategies: WEC Energy and FirstEnergy reaffirmed growth plans, citing data center demand as a driver for billions in grid modernization and new generation projects. Global transition: IEA forecasts renewables to surpass coal in 2026, with solar output records in the U.S. and China's manufacturing scale keeping panel prices competitive.

### Related Stocks

- [WEC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/WEC.US.md)
- [FE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FE.US.md)

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