United Kingdom

Energy Minister confirms plan to accelerate renewables deployment including support for residential solar in response to conflict in Iran. Summer contracts for difference (CfD) auction quickly follows record allocation round for solar in February 2026.

An international research team developed CyberSentry, a software framework using advanced deep learning and optimization techniques to enhance cybersecurity in SCADA systems for power plants and critical infrastructure. It combines feature selection, hybrid anomaly detection, and dynamic parameter tuning to detect diverse cyberattacks with 99.5% accuracy while minimizing false alarms.

The FlexCombo 2.0 is an AC Block designed to support the evolving requirements of power systems, including grid stability, regulatory compliance, and scalable project development.

Beazley has agreed to acquire US renewable insurance specialist kWh Analytics to strengthen data-driven underwriting for solar and energy storage projects.

Researchers have developed a PFAS-free dual-layer sol-gel and hydrophobic silica coating that repels water, dust, and dirt while maintaining high light transmission for solar panels. The transparent, self-cleaning coating improved photovoltaic efficiency from 13.90% to 14.56%, demonstrating strong durability and potential for future commercial applications.

Updated building regulations will effectively mandate solar for domestic and commercial buildings in Wales from early 2027. The new rules come ahead of England’s Future Homes Standard, which is also expected to effectively mandate rooftop solar for new builds.

Battery energy storage system (BESS) and demand-side response assets both secure roughly 8% of capacity agreements, according to provisional results, but nuclear leads the pack in first UK capacity market auction of 2026. Results from larger T-4 auction expected later in the month, with generators and energy storage assets vying for multi-year contracts.

Researchers reviewed 110 studies on cold thermal energy storage in liquid-air energy storage, finding that cold storage performance has a far greater impact on system efficiency than previously assumed. While phase change materials offer high theoretical efficiency gains, simpler packed-bed sensible heat systems are currently the most mature and cost-effective option, with further experimental validation needed to bridge the gap to large-scale deployment.

Transport for London on track to receive 65,000 MWh of electricity per year from solar connected directly to one of Europe’s largest private power networks.

The United Kingdom is inviting AI and energy specialists to identify datasets that could make its energy system more efficient, secure and digitized.